Stepping Up Covid -19 Mitigation Measures in the Informal Settlements
Governor Nyong’o warned the County residents against complacency in adherence to mitigation measures in place toward the fight against Covid – 19 pandemic.
Currently, the responsibility of the management of Covid-19 has been shouldered on communities following the opening of the country after 3-months cessation on COVID -19 prone areas.
“You cannot defy death when it comes, take personal responsibility of your health by observing the basic rules” the Governor said during the official launch of the UNHABITAT- CSUDP supported informal settlement Covid -19 response in Kisumu.
Sentiments echoed by His Deputy Dr. Mathew Owili who urged the residents not to drop their guard but observe the basic preventive measures of wearing masks, keeping social distance and hand washing to mitigate the impact of Covid 19.
Governor thanked the UNHABITAT – CSUDP for the donations of 15 dispensers, 50 jerricans, 2,000 litters of hand sanitizers, 3,000 face masks, water supply from KIWASCO and a retainer fee for 30 volunteers who will manage the wash stations for 30 days to be distributed across seven informal settlements namely: Bandani, Manyatta A, Manyatta B, Kaloleni, Nyawita, Obunga and Nyalenda.
It is against the backdrop that the informal settlements in Kisumu are more pre-disposed in the wake of such transmissions due to their dense nature of occupation and special attention has been paid to these areas in the continued fight against the pandemic.
The Chairperson for the Kisumu County Covid -19 Emergency Response Committee Emeritus Deputy Governor, Ruth Odinga urged the UNHABITAT to extend the initiative to the rest of the sub counties and called on other development partners to marshal resources toward the mitigation of Covid- 19 pandemic.
The CEO CSUDP, Mr. George Wasonga on his part thanked both the County Government and UNHABITAT for embracing the initiative that will enlighten the people that Covid -19 is no longer a health problem but also poses economic and social challenges within our communities.
He added that the Production of the state of art hand-washing equipment has impacted positively on nurturing the innovative skills of the youths in the TVET sector.
Persons living with Disabilities were also not left behind since they were the producers of the quality masks donated.
There will also be a Comprehensive database mapping the status of Covid-19 response, facilities and actors in the seven informal settlements in the city of Kisumu.
Also present during the event were: The City Manager Doris Ombara, a host of MCAs, Chief Officer Lands Housing and Urban Development Mr. Geoffrey Ochieng, members of Kisumu Covid- 19 Multi –Agency Technical Group on Informal Settlement (KCMATGIS) among other top county officials.
By: Emily Mikwa
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o Giving a press briefing to the media during the official launch of UNHABITAT – CSUDP supported Informal Settlement Covid-19 Response in Kisumu ( photo by Mr. David Wadulo)
Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o together with Deputy Governor Dr. Owili being shown how the dispensers made by the TVET sector function ( photo by Mr. David Wadulo)
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o during a hand-washing demo during the launch of the UNHABITAT – CSUDP supported Informal Settlement Covid-19 Response in Kisumu ( photo by Mr. David Wadulo)
An assortment of hand washing equipment and hand sanitizers donated by UNHABITAT- CSUDP to be distributed to the seven Informal settlements in Kisumu ( photo by Mr. David Wadulo)
- Published in Health, News Item, Special Programs
Anti-Teenage Pregnancy Campaign To Be Rolled In Kisumu
Mama Ida Odinga Trust is seeking out partnerships with County Governments’ nationally to roll out a three-month campaign to address rising teenage pregnancies and child marriages.
Dubbed Linda Kesho, the program aims to halt new cases and stir up a national debate on the prevalence.
Kisumu is one of the four counties involved in the program, piloted by the NGO, others are Siaya, Kilifi and Narok.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last four months have seen an upsurge in the percentage of teen pregnancies countrywide with Kisumu recording 3500 cases between January and June this year, according to reports from the Health Department.
In a meeting today with a delegation from the Trust, Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili expressed concerns over the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the county.
According to statistics from a recent survey by the National Council on Population and Development, one in five girls aged between 15 and 19 in Kenya is either pregnant or has given birth already. He called for a collective responsibility and active engagement at the grassroots to ensure all cases are recorded, following a national directive issued by the Head of State.
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday ordered a probe on the rising cases of teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence across the country. This will ensure all pregnant school girls are registered to access free and post-natal care offered by the government.
To stem the wave, the County Government through the Department of Gender has brought onboard key stakeholders to actively engage and sensitize the youth on reproductive health. In addition, the county government has laid out an elaborate approach to expedite judicial processes in dispensing justice to affected victims.
The project will be spearheaded by County First Ladies through administrative structures with support from their county units.
By Collins Owuor
- Published in Education, ICT & HRD, Gender and Youth Affairs, Health, News Item, Special Programs, Uncategorized
The Kisumu COVID-19 Response Fund Committee Inaugurated
Governor Nyong’o has today officially established the Covid -19 response fund committee to effectively raise, and manage the funds in an impactful and accountable interventions that will mitigate the adverse effects of the Coronavirus and floods, in a bid restore Socio- economic status of county residents.
This is the second committee formed after the Kisumu Economic and Social Council (KECOSOC) established last year. Its formation is as per the guidelines of the public finance management Act 2012, vetted by the County Assembly procedures.
While charging the committee with the responsibility of managing the funds accountably in the interest of the people of Kisumu, the Governor called on them to work with partners to mobilize more funds in addition to the seed Ksh. 200M raised from the County budget that has so far been approved by the County Assembly, as well as contributions from Senior Government Officials who have contributed Kshs. 3.7 million through pay cuts.
The Committee comprises of the Chairperson Mr. Bhire Chatter, CEC Finance and Planning Mr. George Omondi Okong’o, Chief Officer health in charge of Administration and Partnerships Mr. Alphonse Ouya, Chief Officer Agriculture and Livestock Dr. Paul Omanga, Deputy Governor emeritus Ruth Odinga, Civil Society Organization Representative Madam Winnie Ogot, Madam Jessica Ogombe, Mr. Fund Secretary Mr. Caleb Opon, Mr. Walter Odede, a member of Kecosoc and also representing the youth and Fund Administrator Mr. Akaka Ramoyo
Governor, Professor Nyong’o giving his remarks during inauguration of the Covid – 19 Fund Response Committee at the Sunset Hotel , Kisumu
Governor Nyong’o together with the inaugurated Members of the Covid 19 Fund response Committee
- Published in Health, News Item, Special Programs
Governor Nyong’o Installed as the Patron of KNCCI Kisumu Branch
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o has this morning been installed as the patron of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Kisumu branch, led by the Chairman Mr. Israel Agina and the board Members at the Prosperity House.
This exercise took place as he flagged off supplies worth Ksh. 150,000 donations courtesy of the Khetias Supermarket in Kisumu.
The supplies included 200 pieces of 2kg flour, 200 pieces of bar soap, 200 bottles of one litter cooking oil, 200 blankets and 10 Jerricans for hand washing each carrying 20litters
While receiving the donations, the Governor thanked the Khetias Proprietor, Mr. Ashok Khetias for the generous donations which will go a long way in cushioning 200 households of evacuees in the Nyando camp during this difficult times of Covid 19 and the flood disasters.
He further reiterated that the county is currently working with KECOSOC team to draw a recovery strategy to revive the economic livelihoods of the affected people post the disasters.
On his part, the Khetias marketing Manager Mr. Fred Ochieng who represented Mr. Ashok said Khetias took the opportunity to stand with the people during such difficult moments and that they look forward to give more support in the coming days
Also present were: Madam Caroline Akwacha and Mr. Karanja from the KNCCI, Manager Khetias Victoria branch Mr. Bernard, Manager Khetias Kisumu dala Mr. Otieno, among other employees from Khetias Supermarket.
Kisumu Governor Prof Nyong’o being installed as the patron of the KNCCI Kisumu branch by the Chairman Israel Agina
Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o flagging off food donations from the Khetias Supermarket
Governor Nyong’o together with KNCCI Kisumu Branch chairman Mr Israel Agina receiving part of the donations from Khetias Supermarket
Deportment of supplies donated by the Khetias Supermarket
- Published in News Item, Special Programs
County Steps up Relief Food Distribution as it Receives Donations from Well Wishers
About six hundred households in Nyamware, Ebeneza, Ayueyo Roman Catholic and Alendu primary evacuation centers today received food and non food items from the County Directorate of Special Programs in partnership with Kisumu Rescue Committee – a group of philanthropists from Kisumu Business Community.
The donations included: maize floor, sugar, cooking oil, salt, blankets, and jackets.
This brings the total number of households in evacuation camps who have received relief food from the Directorate of Special Programs to 2700 since the exercise began on 23rd April.
While addressing the evacuees, Madam Ruth Odinga urged them to make do with the donations they have received while a lasting solution to their challenges was being looked into.
She also cautioned the people against being swayed by politicians who want to use their situation to settle political scores.
By Emily Mikwa
County Director Special Programs Ruth Odinga handing over food items to evacuee at Nyamware Primary school in Nyando Sub-County (Picture by Jacob Owiti)
- Published in News Item, Special Programs