Cotton production in the region is set for a major boost following the introduction of a new seed variety by the government.

BT cotton is a high yielding insect-resistant transgenic crop with high production returns upon maturity.

The introduction of the new variety is in line with the governments agenda to fast-rack and revitalize the textile industry by setting up 1000 BT demonstration farms in cotton growing areas countrywide.

With demand of quality cotton on the rise,counties in the Lake Region Economic Bloc counties have already made steps to scale up cotton production.

The Ministry of Agriculture has already set aside funds to revive ginneries and train farmers in planting the new variety.

BT technology has been used to mitigate effects of pests and diseases, drought stress and other challenges facing farmers globally.

Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew. Owili joined Agriculture CS Hon. Peter Munya, his Devolution counterpart Hon. Eugene Wamalwa and host Governor HE. Sospeter Ojaamong in unveiling the high yielding variety at Alupe University College grounds.

Principal Secretaries Ali Noor, Prof. Hamadi Boga, Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi, LREB CEO Dr. Kodek Omwancha, CEC Agriculture Gilchrist Okuom were among dignitaries present at the launch.

10/3/2020.
BUSIA COUNTY

The county government has launched a five-day exercise to streamline its wage bill and weed out ghost workers from its payroll.

All employees are now required to present valid employment documents and academic certifications before their payments are processed. They must also appear in person to collect their dues.

With a human resource audit done in the past, the administration is banking on the developments to save finances and redirect resources to key departments.

According to Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, the county government has set up frameworks to verify genuine workers and force out masqueraders in the workforce.

He stressed further that those who fail to collect their checks by Friday will be struck off the payroll.

By Collins Owuor

TENDER NOTICE

The County Government of Kisumu, Ministry of Health and Sanitation invites sealed tenders from eligible, pre-qualified and competent bidders for the following projects:

Click the link below to download the Tender Documents

1.Construction of Ogendo Ponge Dispensary

2.Construction of Arao obunga Dispensary

3.Construction of Maternity Ward in Katito Sub-County Hospital

4.Completion Of Kosawo Health Centre

5.Construction of Ahero County Hospital Male Ward

6.Construction Of Mortuary At Muhoroni Hospital

7.Construction Of Theatre In Chulaimbo Hospital

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Tenderers are required to submit copies of the following MANDATORY DOCUMENTS / REQUIREMENTS which will be used during Preliminary Examination to determine responsiveness

1. Certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation/registration certificate.
2. Certified copy of VALID Registration Certificate with the National Construction Authority in the class 7 (Seven) and above.
3. Certified copy of VAT and PIN registration,
4. A Certified copy of VALID Tax Compliance Certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA),
5. Bid bond – 2% of the tender sum for general tenders,
6. Certified copy of RECENT CR12 FORM from registrar of companies.
7. Certified copy of Single Business Permit preferably from Kisumu County.
8. Bidders shall SEQUENTIALLY SERIALIZE ALL PAGES for each tender document submitted failure to which the bidder shall be disqualified.
9. Bid declaration for special category duly signed and stamped

Certification must be by a commissioner for oaths.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

As specified in the tender documents covering the following

1. Eligibility.
2. Similar previous experience.
3. Current workload.
4. Plant and Equipment holding.
5. Professional and technical personnel.

Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

Interested eligible Tenderers may obtain further information at the Procurement Office of County Government of Kisumu, during normal working hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday to Thursday and 8.00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday, except on weekends and public holidays. The tender documents are downloadable free of charge from the County Government of Kisumu website: www.kisumu.go.ke.

Bidders are advised to forward their details to the procurement office for purposes of recording

Completed Tender Document(s) in sealed envelopes, bearing no indication of the name of the firm bidding with the contract number & name clearly marked on top should be deposited in the tender box located at the County Government of Kisumu, 2^nd Floor Wing B, Prosperity House addressed to the:

The County Secretary

County Government of Kisumu,

P.O. Box 2738-40100

Kisumu.

so as to be received on or before 7th February, 2020 at 11.00A.M

1. Tenders will be opened immediately thereafter in the presence of the candidates or their representatives who choose to attend at the 2^nd floor Huduma center Hall
2. Prices quoted should be net inclusive of all taxes, must be in Kenya shillings and shall remain valid for 90 days from the closing date of tender.
3. Pre-bid conference will be held at the 2nd floor Huduma center Hall on 31st January,2020 at 11.00A.M
4. Pre-bid Site Visit will be held in the period between 31st January,2020 to 6^th February,2020 and bidders shall make arrangement with the client. This Site Visit is Mandatory to all bidders.

Tenders received after the stated time or date will be returned to the bidders unopened.

COUNTY SECRETARY

COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF KISUMU

INVITATION TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORUMS FOR THE PREPARATION OF KISUMU COUNTY FISCAL STRATEGY PAPER FOR FY 2020/2021

In accordance with the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and Public Finance Management Act,2012, the County Government of Kisumu hereby invite members of the public and all stakeholders to participate and give their views on the proposals for Kisumu County Fiscal Strategy Paper FY 2020/2021. The meetings are scheduled to take place in all the Sub Counties at the venues indicated below:

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SCHEDULE

GODFREY KIGOCHI

County Secretary

Kisumu County

The rice farmers association in Nyakach Sub County dubbed COFA (Cham Ogweyo Farmers Association) today received a 3M milling machine from the Venezuelan government through FAO in partnership with National and County Governments.
This will go a long way in boosting mechanized production, rice value addition and eventually improve the economic situation of not only the sub county but also the region.
Speaking during the handing over of the machine to the Farmers, the CEC Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Gilchrist Okuom thanked the Venezuelan government for the good gesture of touching lives at the lowest level to make them productive.
He reiterated that his department is working on upgrading Wasare Scheme and construction of a water intake at Gem Rae irrigation scheme by January next year. This will improve productivity in the area since the farmers have been relying on unreliable rainfall that is impacting negatively on their productivity.
Madam Jane Ndung’u a representative of the national government lauded the Venezuelan government for funding the project as a demonstration that we can mechanize, and add value to improve the economic situation of the region.
Stating that rice production falls under the big four agenda- food security and nutrition in the country, she called on farmers to double their efforts on rice production to fill in the gap.
FAO assistant representative, Mr Hamisi Williams urged the farmers to stay focused, create opportunities for others and work in harmony to entice more donor funded projects for economic development in the region
The FAO Kenya representative, Mr Tobias Kavarasha of Zimbabwe origin, who has just been posted to Kenya said it was an honor being that Kenya is the leading agricultural country in Africa. He reiterated the importance of partnerships in production, rice as a value chain that can be improved through mechanization and technology.
The Venezuelan Ambassador, Jesus Agustin Puppo Manzanilla on his part thanked the people for their warm welcome and said their government is committed to continue working closely with FAO, national and county governments in capacity building. He therefore called for good working relations among the partners.
Also in attendance were: the Sub county administrator Mr Vincent Orayo, the area Chief, the area MCA representative, Maurice Opiyo the chairman COFA, Henry Guya assistant chairman COFA, members of COFA among other guests

FAO Kenya representative Mr Tobias Kavarasha hands over signed documents to Mr Maurice Opiyo the chairman COFA CBO flanked by County Minister Gilchrist Okuom and Venezuelan Ambassador, Jesus Agustin Puppo

Venezuelan Ambassador, Jesus Puppo handing over the milling machine to County Minister Gilchrist Okuom at Katito