PROPOSED 6 DOOORS ABLUTION BLOCK FOR DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF 

In observance of the August annual World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the County health department in collaboration with the Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) organized the celebrations at KMET Complex Railway ward, Kisumu central Sub County.

The 2019 WBW theme “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding,” encourages exclusive breastfeeding and promotion of improved health for babies. The theme aims at championing for gender equitable parental social protection, parent-friendly workplaces in both formal and informal sector and parent-friendly values and gender-equitable social norms to advance breastfeeding.

Speaking during the event County Minister for Prof. Judith Attyang noted that there are barriers to creating an enabling and supportive environment for women to breastfeed. Prof. Attyang called on public private partnership to promote the importance of family-friendly policies to enable breastfeeding and help parents nurture and bond with their children in early life, when it matters most.

“Concerted actions are thus needed to coordinate actions to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.” Said Prof. Attyang. The County minister applauded KMET for supporting breastfeeding mothers through the launch of the lactation center.

KMET executive director, Dr Monica Ogutu encouraged young mothers to give children the best start in life through exclusive breastfeeding, adding that increasing breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and children alike as well as decreasing the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

During the event, the County Nutrition Coordinator, Rael Mwando appreciated this year’s theme for having addressed women’s productivity and employment while underscoring the health Act 2017. Madam Mwando also emphasized the need to have work place lactation centers adding that this will ensure productive workforce as a result of less absenteeism, increased loyalty and staff turnover.

August 1st  to 7th WBW, the World Health Organization, (WHO) actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children. According to WHO, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.

Access to a parent friendly workplace to protect and support their ability to continue breastfeeding upon return to work by having access to breastfeeding breaks; a safe, private, and hygienic space for expressing and storing breast milk and affordable childcare.

The 7-day celebration is to inform the public on parental social protection and breastfeeding while anchoring on parent-friendly values to support breastfeeding. The WBW also seeks to engage individuals and organizations to advance breastfeeding by galvanizing action on gender-equitable parental social protection.

By Matilda Atieno

County Minister for Health and sanitation, Prof. Judith Attyang issuing gift packs to breastfeeding mothers during the annual world breastfeeding week held at KMET Complex in Kisumu 

Demonstration on the correct breastfeeding position

County Nutritionists led by Rael Mwando encouraging young Mothers on the importance of breastfeeding

Pupils of Kolwa Central ward, Kisumu East Sub-county had a reason to smile following the commissioning of new ECDE classrooms and furniture to Four centers including Oyolla, Ragumo, Kunya and Mbeme.

A total of 200 chairs and 100 tables were officially handed over to the Centers in an event presided over by County Minister for Education, ICT and Human capacity building, Dr. Obiero Ogone.

This is in line with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s agenda on Education which is keen on improving ECDE centers across the County.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Ogone emphasized the department’s commitment to improving education standards and assured teachers and parents on the plans to construct more ECDE centers across the County.  The County Minister also assured the ECDE assistants on the plans to review their terms of service.

The area MCA Hon. George Olwa promised to allocate more ward development funds towards education.

Ag. County Director for Education Madam, Magret Apondi restated the mandate and priority areas of the Directorate, which include infrastructure developments, community sensitization and providing ECDE learning materials.

Madam Apondi also stated that the directorate is committed to ensuring successful Education sector in Kisumu.

By Matilda Atieno

County Minister for, Education, CT and Human resource capacity building Dr. Obiero Ogone (center) flunked by Kolwa central MCA Hon.George Olwal ( right) and Ag. Director ECD. Madam, Magret Apondi during the commissioning of the ECDE class rooms (David Wadulo)

The annual 2nd term Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA), National games kicked off today in Kisumu with Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili joining Nyanza Education Director Richard Chepkawai in flagging off the championship at Moi Stadium.
Kisumu Day and Nyakach girls will represent the County as the hunt for new champions begins in the football and volleyball categories. Nyakach girls will open their account against Karugwa as Kisumu day take on newbies Ebwali.
The games will be played out at Kisumu Day and Kisumu Boys with more than a hundred participants lined up ready to be crowned champions.
Dr. Owili was joined by County Ministers,

Richard Ogendo, Dr. John Ogone,Protocol Director Bob Madanje, County government officials among other representatives from Coca Cola and the KSSA.
Winners of the U-16 football games will represent the country at the African championship as other category winners proceed to Tanzania for the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSA) in Arusha.

By Collins Owuor

Midfield battle as rival players sweat it out in the opening game of the KSSSA term 2 games ( picture by Collins Owuor)

KISUMU SET TO HOST  IDADA CELEBRATIONS.  

Kisumu embarks on a journey to fight addiction and drug abuse in the county as it welcomes the celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse(IDADA) on its own grounds.

All roads will be leading to Kisumu as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and coordination of National Government Dr. Fred Matiangi is expected to preside over the celebration on June 26th 2019 at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse(NACADA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government and the County Government of Kisumu will conduct the first ever Anti-alcohol and Drug Abuse(Anti-ADA) walk in the county of Kisumu on the 24th of June 2019.

The event is themed ‘walking for a drug-free nation, the Anti-ADA walk will be a prelude to the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse(IDADA) .

The celebrations set on the 26th June 2019 will include the Anti-alcohol and Drug Abuse walk that will be flagged off by H.E. Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds in Kisumu County.

The walk shall be enrouted along the town from Prosperity House, Nyalenda Kilo, Western Nyaori, Kachok, Gesoko, Manyatta Kona mbuta, kona mbaya, kasolo, lomigo, car wash, kondele, kamaluowa and finally end at Obunga Blue Cross Youth Centre where a ceremony with the guests will be held from 1-2pm.

Drug abuse has been a menace in Kenya and has claimed the lives of more than 5000 people in the past year alone. This is according to a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. 65% of drug-related deaths have claimed the lives of youths.

It is as a result of this that the National Government launched the war on drugs and illicit brew.  a report published this year by the US state department , indicates that Kenya is a significant transit country with a variety of illicit drugs including heroin and cocaine, with an increasing domestic user population.

Kisumu residents have particularly bore the brunt of the effects of drug abuse by the youths. The increase in domestic violence, crime and school dropout cases in Kisumu have been attributed to drug taking.

Illicit brew and dangerous liquor from meighbouring Uganda such as Simba have found their way in Kisumu’s domestic alcohol market. Over the years Kisumu had been battling the penetration or hard drugs within the county with NACADA raising a red flag over the crisis.

In 2017, heroin addicts around the county were introduced to a Medically Assisted Therapy(MAT) program where methadone drug was administered to them on a daily basis to help them mitigate their withdrawal symptom

The anti-ADA walk would therefore be an ideal platform to address the rising cases of drug abuse in the county and put forth sustainable solutions to mitigate alcohol and drug abuse in the County.

By  Annette Obondo and Noel Ngadi.

The County directorate of education, distributed rice to ECDE schools in Muhoroni Sub County, in a bid to finish its 14 Million Shillings to serve 660 public preschools in the 7 sub Counties in Kisumu.

Speaking During the event, the County Minister for education, Dr. Obiero Ogone who was overseeing the distribution, emphasized on the County government’s commitment in providing free and quality education to the children. He promised the teachers of improved terms of service that will be regularized to permanent.

The County director for education, Madam Margaret Apondi who accompanied the Minister, assured the teachers of the department’s commitment on improving the welfare of both the learners and teachers.

She added that the rice being distributed has nutritional value which helps in brain development to the children and urged teachers to be efficient.

The ECD teachers through their representative, Madam Alice Atieno, thanked the County government for the efforts towards improving the sector and asked the department to organize forums where teachers can discuss their challenges. She also put request to the department to sponsor more teachers for training.

A total of 54000 pupils are expected to benefit from the program which aims to increase enrolment and improving performance.

By David Wadulo

Edited by Emily Mikwa

Kisumu Weekly newsletter 31st May, 2019 (2)

County Minister for Education, Dr. John Obiero Ogone in the distributing bags of rice to ECDE schools in Muhoroni Sub County ( Photo by David Wadulo)

The third edition of the National Universal Health Coverage (UHC) conference kicked off yesterday in Kisumu as stakeholders in the health sector   converged at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel to gauge its implementation pace in the pilot Counties

UHC is one of the government’s priority areas, under the Big Four Agenda and its success is crucial in achieving Vision 2030.

In his address Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili called for a multi sectorial approach to strengthen referral systems in the country, sentiments echoed earlier by Ag. CEC Health Nerry Achar.

The three day conference comes to close on Friday as the County gears up to champion its cause as a key player in the UHC rollout.

Kisumu is one of the four Counties selected to pilot the Health program others are Isiolo, Machakos and Nyeri.

Also present were Nyeri Deputy Governor Dr. Caroline Karugu, Senior Goverment Officials from the Health Ministry, Development partners USAID, WHO, WORLD BANK, Roads & Transport CEC Thomas Ondijo, Markets & Cooperatives CEC Richard Ogendo, County Secretary Dr. Olang’o Onudi, Nominated Senator Rose Nyamunga among other representatives from the Private and Public sector.

By Collins Owuor and Matilda Atieno

Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew (centre) and his Nyeri counterpart Ms Caroline Karugu ( right) are welcomed to the 3rd Kenya National UHC Conference at the Grand Royal Swiss hotel in Kisumu by Dr Khama Rogo (laft) from the World Bank. ( Photo by Jacob Owiti)

ONE BILLION RADIOTHERAPY CENTER TO BENEFIT KISUMU RESIDENTS
Cancer patients in Kisumu and other neighbouring Counties will soon be able to
access radiotherapy services at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and
Referral Hospital following the launch of construction for Kisumu Radiotherapy
Centre by Kisumu Governor, Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o.

For a long time, cancer patients within the western circuit have had to travel long
distances to access radiotherapy sessions at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the
only public hospital offering radiotherapy management.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony held at the hospital grounds, Governor
Nyong’o who was accompanied by his deputy Dr. Mathew Owili said that Phase One
of the project valued at Ksh350M shall commence immediately and is expected to
be complete in a record two years or less.

“Our main goal is to establish a one billion centre project by end of 5 years”. He
said.
Once complete, the hospital will be able to offer comprehensive oncology services
such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative care to the cancer patients
across the region, adding that the County will embark on comprehensive outreach
programmes to inform the people on the benefits of early screening, diagnosis and
risks reduction.

Currently, in Kenya alone, an estimated 40,000 new cancer cases and 28,000
cancer deaths occur each year making it the third leading cause of mortality and
accounting for 7per cent of all annual deaths.
The day also saw the Governor unveil the Sickle Cell Anaemia Clinic to help address
its high prevalence among new-borns.

The Ag. Minister for Health and Sanitation Nerry Achar on his part said that the
County will formulate a policy to ensure all Sickle Cell survivors are covered under
the new universal health cover.

Also present at the ceremony were County Ministers Achie Alai and Salmon
Orimba, the Hospital Board of Management, Members of the County Assembly,
Partners Representatives: Ruth Muya- National Cancer Institute, Dr. Ogada and Dr.
Ogendo from Uzima and Maseno Universities, and  other County Officials.

Governor Nyong’o launching the Kisumu Radiotherapy centre at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and referral Hostpital

Kisumu Weekly E newsletter 10th May 2019