The 2019 excellence award for town and county cleanest city in Kenya goes to Kisumu City.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has today received the Excellence Award on behalf of County following the city’s led clean-up program.
The awards were presented by the Town and County Planners Association of Kenya (TCPAK) at the World Town Planning Day (WTPD) celebrations held at Acacia Premier Hotel, Kisumu.
The first city manager award was also presented to Ms. Dorice Ombara who is the county’s city manager.
The WTPD is an annual international day that marks the accomplishments of planners and their contributions to their communities. On the 8th of November annually, planners around the world participate in World Town Planning activities. a practice that began in 1949.
Governor Nyong’o receiving the cleanest city award on behalf of Kisumu City
Conservancy efforts in Kisumu has received a major boost after the county government joined the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in planting 10,000 tree seedlings at Koguta forest.
The county government has already taken over the management of five tree nurseries from KFS as it ramps up efforts to safeguard catchment areas within the region.
A massive sensitization campaign on forest management has seen the Environment Department partner various institutions in distributing tree seedlings across the county.
In his address Chief Economist Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Samuel Muriithi called for a robust stakeholder engagement to protect and increase forest cover in the county, sentiments echoed earlier by Water CEC Salmon Orimba.
“Forests play an important role in our ecosystems and we must make conscious decisions in protecting and conserving them, added Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili.
Joining the conservancy efforts were East African Breweries Limited, KenGen Foundation, Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) Kenya Power, KIWASCO, Lake Victoria Development Authority among other conservancy partners.
In a joint address they vowed to partner the government to map endangered areas and increase forest coverage countrywide.
By Collins Owuor
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr.Mathew Owili leads a procession to plant tree seedlings at Koguta Forests
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili today opened the clean water conference courtesy of the Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) at Acacia Premier Hotel.
In his address Dr. Owili called for a collective stakeholder engagement to aid the promotion of clean and affordable water connections to all county households.
“Water, as we all know, is a vital resource in the growth and stability of economies with inter dependencies across all sectors of the economy. It is a resource whose value is appreciated in industries, institutions, homes and ecosystems”, reiterated the Deputy Governor.
The Managing Director KBL, Ms. Jane Karugu called for an aggressive multisectoral approach to manage and protect water resources, sentiments echoed earlier by Water and Environment CEC Salmon Orimba.
The count government has made tremendous achievements to empower the Kisumu County WASH Network, as an integrated forum to pool resources and improve service delivery.
According to Prof. Macgoye, the Administration Secretary in the Ministry Water and Irrigation, stakeholders should leverage technologies and innovation to boost water connectivity.
Present at the conference were Siaya Deputy Governor Dr. James Okumbe, partners; the Lake Basin Development Authority, KIWASCO among other stakeholders.
By Collins Owuor
FROM L -R: Kiwasco managing director Eng. Thomas Odongo, administration secretary in the ministry of water &irrigation Prof. Macgoye, Kisumu county minister for water & environment Mr. salmon orimba during a panel discussion at the clean water conference held in Kisumu, acacia premier hotel
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Living Water International has reiterated their commitment to boost water provision in the county.
The developments comes barely months after the NGO partnered the county government in launching a multi-million water project in Nyakach.
Speaking in Houston after meeting the organisations’ Senior Vice President on Programs, Jonathan Wiles, Kisumu Deputy Dr. Mathew Owili lauded the project a game changer as he led discussions to extend their programs for five years in the county.
The expected program extension period will see support in WASH sector to include borehole drilling, equipping, pipeline extension, capacity building of established community water service providers and sanitation component both in schools and churches.
This will allow expansion in the scope and will improve water coverage from the current 22% to over 80%.
Joining the discussions were Water CEC, Salmon Orimba, Living Water Legal affairs Director Natalie Mantel and Bishop Paul Ligono a Board member of Living Water in Kenya.
Deputy Governor,Dr. Mathew Owili (right) , Bishop Paul Ligono a Board member of Living Water in Kenya (Centre)County minister for Water, Salmon Orimba (left) during the teams meeting with Living Water International in Huston, USA
Over 2000 rice farmers from Alung’o and Asunda schemes are set to access adequate water supply from river Abwao intake after the completion of the lining of the supply canal, this financial year, in a bid to boost food security in the County.
Currently, the farmers hardly receive water for irrigation since those who donated land for the construction of the supply canals have since blocked the water ways stating that the current status of the canal causes flooding in their shambas causing loose soils to be washed away hence affecting their crops.
It is in the light of this that the CEC Member, for Agriculture, irrigation Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Gilchrist Okuom and the area MCA, Hon. Vitalis Otura toured the region to affirm the plan to have the project fully completed before the next planting season.
The area MCA however requested those who donated land where the canals were constructed, to take into consideration the plight of other farmers by allowing them to access the supply in the meantime as plans are underway to have the project completed soon. He also confirmed that the allocation for the completion of the weir was factored in the 2019/2020 budget
The Muhoroni sub county agricultural officer, Mr Athur Hongo who addressed the farmers said that after mapping of the schemes, about 480 farmers from Alung’o scheme will get farm inputs such as rice seeds that will cover 125 acres and also 100 of them will receive top dressing fertilizers. This will boost rice farming in the region.
While addressing the farmers, the CEC Member, Mr Okuom stated that rice is one of the flagship projects on matters food security and economic empowerment. He added that he was concerned about the challenges of water supply that has hindered expansion of rice fields, high cost of production due to pumping using electricity, recycling of seeds and lack of adequate farm inputs and promised his support on the same.
He urged the farmers to adopt new methods of farming that will increase the yields and advised them to diversify crops such as soya beans, cotton and yams since ombeyi has the biggest potential for yams production. He also discouraged them from planting at different times and urged to build strong cooperatives that will help them control market prices.
In regards to those who had their crops destroyed during construction, the Minister said they will discuss and agree on Tuesday on the best modalities of compensation.
Also in attendance were Eng. Nyamori from irrigation, and the ward agricultural Officer madam Esther Onyango among others
The CEC Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries addressing the plight of rice farmers in Ombeyi ward
The CEC Member, Mr Okuom flanked by the area MCA Hon. Otura to river Abwao intake that serves Alung’o scheme
Mr. Ben who donated land for the construction of supply canals raising his concerns for blocking the water supply
Eng. Nyamori from directorae of Irrigation giving explanations concerning one of the division boxes in Alung’o Scheme
The stage is set for tomorrow’s official launch of the phase II Symbiocity project, by Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o in the company of high powered delegation from the Council of Governors, Symbiocity pilot Counties, Local political leaders, County top Officials
and the stakeholders in Ahero town.
The move comes after completion of the phase one referred to as the quick win project which comprised of drainage construction, putting up of litter bins in town and trainings on waste management which led to the formation of the project agent Voluntary Champions who are charged with the responsibility of creating awareness and sensitizing the community on the project benefits while advocating for effective community involvement to foster project ownership.
The phase two project also dubbed the change project, focuses on solid waste management and the improvement of the drainage system within the market. With the systematic approach, solutions will be geared towards the reduction of pollution to Nyando River and also improving the livelihoods of the locals by creating opportunities for the youth to engage in economic activities.
The anticipated impact as a result of implementation of the phase II project include; the market area being free of solid and liquid waste allowing traders to sell their wares in a clean and safe environment, the park will provide a recreation space for all the locals and visitors of Ahero, innovative waste management and setting up of the compost pit will provide opportunity for locals to engage in income generating activities and the construction of modern stalls along the highway in the market area, will provide a more conducive business environment for the pro- poor and increase the revenue base for the county government
As a curtain raiser to the event, the technical working group, the stakeholders, Champions and the local football teams within Ahero organised a series of clean up exercise dubbed “My Environment my lifeline” and football tournaments for the local teams in a bid to unite and nurture the upcoming talents and also to sensitize the residents of Ahero on matters clean environment for sustainable urban growth.
The football matches were held in Onjiko Primary school yesterday in the afternoon after a clean-up exercise in the market area during morning hours.
The teams that participated comprised of girls and boys. The first round was the boys of Kasuna Vs Vasco FC where they had a draw of Nil- Nil, later Vasco FC thrashed Kasuna on a 5-4 win on penalties .In the second match Korea team beat Oketha at 1-Nil and for the girls team, they had a draw of 1-1 and later Obama beat Kasuna Girls on penalties at 4-3 goals.
The finals are scheduled for tomorrow during the official launch of the change projects where the winners will be awarded. Besides a major clean-up of Ahero town has also been scheduled as a climax to the launch of the change project.
By: Emily Mikwa
The TWG, Champions, Stakehoders and the Local football clubs cleaning Ahero Market
Cleaning Ahero Market
The project coordinator Mr Sospeter Onuga addressing the football clubs before the commencement of the matches at Onjiko Primary School
The Chairman of stakeholders Mr Ken giving words of encouragement to the clubs
The County Directorate Green of Climate Change in partnership with Community Rehabilitation and environmental protection program (CREP), Suswatch, and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) held a climate change workshop in order to sensitize the members on how to link Cimate response to the 17 SDGs at Wigot Gardens, Kisumu.
The deliberations of the workshop was to strengthen the understanding of Climate change working group and the Persons Living with Disabilities on SDGs framework and how to mainstream SDGs in climate change actions in the County, mainstreaming special groups such as Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), Youths, Women and to map out climatic actions in the County from all stakeholders with specific linkages to relevant SDGs.
The Ag. Chief Officer Water, Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Dan Ongor, while officially opening the workshop said it was a timely workshop in discussing the SDG No. 13 on climate which has an impact on the 17 SDGs on environmental issues. He urged the team to strive to achieve some of the indicators locally.
He also acknowledged the fact that PLWDs can be more vulnerable to climate change, hence capacity building to create awareness to the PLWDs is key to enable them adapt and contribute in reduction of climate change risks.
He further outlined that there are about 240 indicators and 169 targets to be met locally and that the County CIDP, work plan and the budget has factored in the engagement of people from all spheres in the community.
The County Director for climate Change, Mr. Evans Gichana on his part emphasized the need to incorporate the PLWDs in order to tap their resources and that the workshop would also provide a platform to discuss how the special groups can be involved on climate change issues.
While speaking on behalf of development partners, Mr Robert from FES commended County for the development of Climate Change Policy and the Technical working Group, however, he challenged them to hold more meetings on mainstreaming and carry out monitoring and evaluation to ensure that all indicators are in line with the SDGs’ reporting levels.
The Ag. Chief Department of Water, Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources , Mr Dan Ongor giving his opening remarks during the official opening of the Climate Change workshop at Wigot Gardens, Kisumu
Mr. Osano who is hearing impaired participant airs his views in sign language during the workshop
Madam Carolyne Agwanda making a presentation on mainstreaming special interest groups at the workshop
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