By Yoga David
In a landmark move for international collaboration, the County Government of Kisumu has formalized a partnership with the City of Gersthofen, Germany. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed at Kisumu’s City Hall by Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili and Gersthofen’s Mayor Michael Wörle, cementing a shared vision for mutual growth and development across various sectors.
The partnership was initiated through initial discussions led by Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and Mayor Wörle and has now evolved into a structured framework for collaboration. This milestone follows a visit from a Gersthofen delegation, led by Mayor Wörle, in August 2023 to explore potential areas for cooperation.
The MOU defines four primary areas of collaboration:
- Economic Development: Fostering economic growth through investment, tourism, and job creation.
- Environmental Sustainability: Promoting renewable energy and environmental conservation efforts.
- Technical and Vocational Training: Equipping Kisumu’s youth with job-ready skills through vocational training.
- Municipal Services Improvement: Enhancing services through knowledge exchange in areas such as smart city development, water safety, and sustainable urban management.
One of the early fruits of this partnership includes a 200,000-euro project to support the solarization and refurbishment of water and sanitation facilities in Chulaimbo, Kisumu West.
Dr. Owili commended Gersthofen’s commitment to sustainable development and expressed his gratitude for the support in Kisumu’s growth. “This MOU marks the beginning of a valuable relationship, and we look forward to future investments with you,” he said. He also highlighted plans to integrate German language training in Kisumu’s technical institutions to facilitate smoother communication.
Mayor Wörle echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the shared values between Gersthofen and Kisumu and assuring that this partnership will bring meaningful, long-term benefits to both communities.
As Kisumu and Gersthofen embark on this collaborative journey, the partnership promises to drive innovation, growth, and sustainable development in both regions.