With the demand for electricity increasing, the County Government is banking on ambitious renewable energy programme to increase grid connectivity in all households by 90% before 2022.
Reports show that only 46% of the County’s general population is connected to the grid.
According to the County renewable energy Director, Eng. Daniel Okia to make up for the deficit, aggressive investments on green energy have been made even as the department adopts counter measures to cut household dependency on grid electricity.
Okia was speaking in Holo, Seme sub-county where he joined Pan African Climate Justice Alliance and WoMin Africa members on a bench marking exercise of solar powered systems in the County.
With a 3.1KW solar power box installed in the market, profits have improved significantly with the traders benefiting from extended working hours the station provides.
“To support similar initiatives the County Government has laid out plans to replicate the technology in other parts of the County. Plans are also underway to erect centralized outputs for clean energy generation”. Added Eng. Okia.
The team also visited an integrated solar water pump station in the locality. The system is powered by 64 solar panels with a 16KW capacity.
By: Collins Owuor
Kisumu County renewable energy Director Eng. Daniel Okia addressing audiences during the benchmarking exercise in Holo.
The County played host to the second Beyond Zero Medical Safari tour held at the Kenyatta Sports ground, courtesy of the Kenya’s first Lady Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta.
The County residents turned out in large numbers to access free medical services such as fistula repair, cancer screening, routine medical screening, counselling and testing services, universal health care household registration, sickle cell screening for children under the age of six, eye examination, among other health care services.
The function was also used to launch a Beyond Zero strategic Business Plan known as EMTCT document which will spell out the strategic approach in delivering services in the 47 Counties under the Beyond Zero umbrella.
This came barely three weeks after conducting the very first camp of the same kind in Narok County.
Speaking during the event, the first lady commended the concerted efforts by the County Government to make health care provision a priority. She reiterated that with the launch of the EMTCT document which will serve from 2018 to 2022, the initiative is set to achieve its intended goal of offering adequate health care services to the citizens with a sole aim of ensuring the elimination of mother to child AIDS transmission. The chief guest extolled the County Government for the adequate mobilization which has seen many households registered for the universal health care coverage.
On his part, Governor, Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o thanked the partners who turned out in large numbers to offer free medical services to the County residents. He added that responsible politics has ethical obligation to improve the health and well being of the locals and therefore called upon all the politicians to always remain mindful of the health issues revolving around the areas they represent.
The occasion was also graced by, the first lady of Mozambique Her Excellency Izaura Nyuzi, the first ladies from ten Counties namely West Pokot, Nandi,Turukana, Kakamega,Marsabit,Tranzoia, Narok, Baringo, Makueni , Kisumu, Kisumu East Member of Parliament Hon Shakil Shabir,among many other dignitaries.
By: Eric Omollo
From ( left) First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta, Governor Prof Nyong’o, Mama Kisumu, Dorothy Nyong’o and the First Lady for Mozambique Izaura Nyusi(far right ) listening to a demonstration from a medical practitioner on the use technology in health during their visit at the medical camp.
TEMPORARY REPRIEVE FOR AILING SUGAR MILLS
Cane growing farmers in the western region have petitioned the Government to write off debts owned by sugar companies in the bloc.
This comes after the Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri issued a warning that the government was ready to shutdown sugar mills that struggled to operate after unsuccessful bailout attempts.
He was speaking in Muhoroni where he addressed farmers on the aggressive restructuring policy the government had adopted to revive the ailing sugar industry.
Kiunjuri also defended the composition of the 15-member sugar task force committee tasked with finding solutions in the sugar sector within 30 days.
The task force is co-chaired by the CS and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya. Other members include Governors Okoth Obado (Migori) and Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), a representative of public millers and two representatives from private millers among others.
The government he said, was the in the process of reviewing plans to resuscitate ailing sugar mills and stringent measures had be adopted to make the sector profitable again.
He had earlier visited the Kisumu National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot where he revealed that the facility had received 600,000 bags of maize against its total capacity of 900,000 bags.
The visit was part of an inter -ministerial inspection mission ahead of a planned countrywide visit to all depots to ascertain the safety of maize being stored.
Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri (center) arrives in Muhoroni ahead of his meeting with sugarcane stakeholders in the region, joining him are Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o among other leaders.
With the purchase of waste management equipment worth sh139 Million Kisumu County is set to defend its new title as the cleanest city in Kenya.
Kisumu City leapfrogged Nakuru and Kericho to become the cleanest town in Kenya. In a new survey, the city scored 97 %, followed by Nakuru, Kericho and Machakos, respectively.
The purchase of the equipment will also change the lives of young people as about 300 of them will be earning a monthly wage of sh5000 from cleaning menials within the county.
The Governor of Kisumu Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, launched an assortment of equipment including: wheeled backhoe loader medium duty, truck mounted skip loader, skip loader container, crawler excavator with beaker set, road sweeper tractor towed, side rotary mower heavy duty tractor operated, tipping trailer 4-ton, double cabin picks up, refuse compactor, tipping trailer, agricultural tractors, branded protective clothing, hand tools and light equipment.
In further efforts to continue making Kisumu clean, The City Manager Ms Doris Ombara announced the commencement of the second phase in relocating Kachok Dumpsite, scheduled for Monday 19th November, 2018.
The first phase was completed with the evacuation of 5000 trips of inert waste .the county government has set aside land in Chiga in Kisumu East to set up a waste energy plant using modern technology giving opportunities for employment creation.
Kisumu County will not just be clean, it will have a quick response to hazards such as fire, plans are underway to modernize the Kisumu Fire Station and put up three more in Maseno, Muhoroni and Katito in Nyakach sub counties respectively.
Being a clean city and fires in control, Kisumu city stands a better chance to even host Afro Cities Global Conference in 2021, opening it up to investors and promoting tourism.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o test drives a waste excavator machine joining him are the county clean up team during a routine sanitation exercise.
By Lorraine Anyango
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o test drives a waste excavator machine joining him are the county clean up team during a routine sanitation exercise.
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By Lorraine Anyango
Foot football clinic
Ronaldo De Assis Moreira, also known Ronaldinho, made history for his technical skills and creativity due to his agility, pace and dribbling ability as well as his use of tricks, he rose to become FIFA world player of the year.
He demonstrated feints, overhead kicks, no look passes and accuracy from free kicks. He was considered the best player of his generation and one of greatest of all time.
Ronaldinho enjoyed a stellar 17-year career, playing 97 matches for brazil national team, scoring 33 goals and representing his county in two FIFA world cups.
This is the man that young foot ballers in Kisumu and its environs are set to glean from as he graces their matches at the Moi stadium in Kisumu.
He is scheduled to grace a grass root football match between Kisumu All starts and Bondo United during which he is expected to also mentor the young players.
“We shall be learning from the best, we are already building confidence and desire within ourselves that with Ronald wisdom we can scale the heights of world class football.” Alfred Adu. Kisumu all Stars team manager said.
“For me it’s a dream come true, I have been playing football passionately since child hood and people nicknamed me Gaucho, I lack words, I can’t wait” He added.
Apart from gracing the exhibition match on Saturday November 10 th 2018 from 3 pm, Ronaldinho who is also the brand ambassador for Betika will open the firm’s office in Kisumu.
Kisumu county Sports directorate is working in conjunction with Extreme Sports, a sports management company based in Nairobi in together with Gina Din communications and sports Betika towards the event.
“We will use this opportunity to strengthen the County’s global linkages, and work on uplifting the career horizons of our talented young footballers.” The Kisumu county minister for Tourism Sports culture and Information Archie Alai said.
Plans are under way to provide adequate security during the event that is likely to draw masses of football fans, the county commander is expected to deploy 50 uniformed officers to ensure safety at the venue.
This event comes ahead of the planned sports stake holder’s forum in Kisumu scheduled for Friday, 16th November 2018 and geared towards discussions on sporting heritage, using it as a foundation and inspiration for establishing initiatives aiming at becoming the country’s sports powerhouse.
Kisumu all-stars members comprising Kisumu all Stars were drawn from the sub counties after PALOS FC disbanded from the National super league.
The County government has since last year been sponsoring the team, providing an upkeep stipend to the players as well as equipping the team and organizing for matches under the National Super league.
Further in a move to encourage the sporting fraternity, Kisumu County appointed the legendary football player Peter Dawo as the head of Sports Directorate and held a meeting with Kisumu all stars to forge a way for sustainable development.
“The coming of Ronaldihno will go a long way in motivating the current and upcoming footballers in Kisumu county.” Mr Dawo said noting the fact for about eight years, Kisumu county was not participating in any premier leagues leading to low quality football in the region.
Other football stars that have visited Kenya in recent years include ex Liverpool star Bruce Grobbelaar, Nigerian Yakubu Ayegbeni, Frenchmen Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and German World Cup winner Lothar Matthäus.
Lake Region Economic Bloc Trade Investment and Blue Economy Conference set for the 23rd to 26th October, 2018.
Exhibitors and delegates are called upon to secure space by booking for exhibition booths on the www.lrebevents.com.
The theme of the conference is Optimizing Shared Resources for Prosperity Under the Big 4 Agenda.
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The county government of Kisumu is committed to putting systems in place to reduce risk of corruption in service delivery.
Some of the areas that the government is keen on establishing new systems includes automation of records especially at the assembly to ease duration taken for retrieval and enhance access.
Development of service charters as well strategic display of the same at service points,providing information on the services offered,processes, procedures,requirements,time frames as well as cost of services will also be done.
Policies and guidelines on administration of waivers and exemptions will be developed and operationalized. This will provide administrative structures to ensure fairness transparency and reduce discretion.
Following recommendations from a system audit recently tabled by the Ethics and Anti -Corruption Commission (EACC),governor Anyang Nyong’o said that strengthening of systems will enhance accountability and reduce corruption.
“We must put in place strong systems, because we cannot trust ourselves,we are weak and frail,however with strong systems this will be curbed.” Governor Nyong’o pointed out.
The report tabled was arrived at after governor Nyong’o siting gaps in the systems within the county, invited the EACC to carry out a systems audit and give recommendations.
A month ago, during the state of the county address, Governor Nyong’o said he has signed MOU’s with the office of the Auditor General and EACC to institute measures of early detection and prevention of possible cases of corruption by conducting a corruption Risk assessment.
This move was preferred to dealing with cases that have already occurred.Some of gaps the county government sought to close through the recommendations from the audit includes irregular establishment of funds,nonpayment of contractors and suppliers,resulting in pending bills and unutilized projects.
Others are low revenue collection due to weak controls and systemic gaps and irregular recruitment of staff.
While delivering the report whose study was undertaken as a preventive measure,the EACC also recommended that guidelines for handing over including a standards template outlining areas needed to be handed over be developed and implemented.
EACC further recommended that clearance be not only granted to subject satisfaction but that the hand over is complete and requisite signatories approve the process at various stages.
In this endeavor,the residents of Kisumu will also have a platform to give complains as the county government will set up a feedback mechanism, complains will be managed having been received,recorded,processed and the same used to conduct periodic analysis.
Giving assurance of his commitment,governor Nyong’o reiterated “We will implement the recommendations of the EACC fully.”
The report titled ‘Report on corruption risk assessment into systems, policies procedures and practices of Kisumu county executive’ was carried out by a team of officers from the EACC between 1st March and 16th March 2018.
This study resulting to the table report was carried out six months into the current administration. The objectives of this undertaking were to review the systems policies, procedures and practice of the county executive and to identify corruption prone arrears.
The study also sought to identify structural weaknesses existing in the County executive that can be exploited to perpetuate corrupt activities.
The EACC was also mandated by the county government to recommend strategies for preventing corruption and enhance accountability in methods of work as well as prepare and disseminate the report findings and recommendations after which the EACC would monitor the implementation of the recommendations.
In efforts to make Kisumu a corruption free zone, the county government of Kisumu did not only agree to undertake risk assessment on corruption,it has made deliberate steps to settle pending bills,700 Million into merchant bills,while 600 Million due to institutions arising from payroll yields including NHIF, NSSF and staff loan deduction have also been settled.
By Lorraine Anyango
Let’s continue the conversation on Twitter:@Kisumu County KE
Residents of Katito and traders in particular had a reason to smile after the County Government led by the deputy Governor,Dr. Mathew Owili donated construction materials delivered for the reconstruction of the market after the fire outbreak that brought down shops on the 10th October 2018.
A total of 145 pieces of iron sheets,30 bags of cement and 145 pieces of round poles was given to assist traders in rebuilding of the market and to help the affected traders to get back to business as soon as possible.
Dr. Owili promised to ensure speedy reforms and solutions in tackling emerging disasters including setting up disaster nodes at Ahero,Muhoroni and Maseno.
The deputy governor also encouraged the people of Nyakach to register on the ongoing NHIF that will enable them enjoy the fruits of universal health coverage,where Kisumu is one of the four piloting counties in Kenya.
The deputy governor was accompanied by the county Chief of Staff Dr. Omondi Ouno, Director Governor’s Press Unit,Aloice Ager and the area MCA Hon. Rashid Miruka.
By Matilda Atieno
Kisumu County Minister for Trade, Alice Moraa called on residents to work towards making Kisumu one of the producer counties in the region.
Speaking to Mamboleo traders during the launch of the just completed Mamboleo market, the Minister urged traders to make use of the Trade Fund as individuals and the Enterprise Fund as members of registered groups to boost their businesses.
“If these funds are properly utilized we could usher in a new era of economic and infrastructural dominance in the county”. said Moraa
Mamboleo market is one of the many market with shades constructed as the county government pushes towards a 24-hour economy and modernized markets across the County.
By Brian Muga
Let’s continue the conversation on Twitter:@Kisumu County KE