Kisumu was taken on a nostalgic journey of Kenya’s Independence Day that was marked by the lowering of the Union Jack and raising of the Kenyan flag at Uhuru Gardens in Kenya’s capital Nairobi by Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first Prime Minister. This journey, painted by Kisumu Governor in his speech for the occasion read on his behalf by his Deputy, Dr. Mathew Owili.
“On this Jamuhuri day, we are not only celebrating those who physically fought the British but also remember with honor, the thousands of others who fought from the sidelines by piling pressure at international forums, raising funds, providing food, intelligence and moral support to our fighters”, said the Governor.
In reflecting on the gains made with the aspirations of independence, the Governor noted that Devolution, the most celebrated chapter of the constitution of Kenya, has achieved a lot in improving the standards and livelihoods of the people of Kenya.
Pointing out what has been achieved under his leadership, the Governor highlighted the gains made since coming to office in 2017, thanking the people of Kisumu for the honor and trust of giving the opportunity to lead this great county then and for the new mandate following the just concluded elections which he won by an overwhelming majority.
“As we embark on my second term, I will be focusing on Agricultural transformation, especially in the reduction of the cost of food, alleviating poverty and delivering 100% nutrition and food security” under the new moto enshrined in my Manifesto of “Wasetimo Wadoktimo!”, said the Governor.
The governor laid emphasis on addressing rice milling and marketing in the county by the ongoing installation of the recently purchased modern rice mill at a cost of Kshs 30m with a milling capacity of 2.5 metric tons per day at the National Irrigation Authority site in Nyando sub-county, following the ever-improving rice production over the past five years; the signing of 31 billion shillings project on rice, cotton, soybean and other crop value chains in Six out of our Eight sub-counties with United Green, a British Investment Company to help boost agricultural production and value addition processes and the roll out the Kshs 1 billion Kabonyo fisheries and aquaculture service and training center of excellence in Nyando Sub County in partnership with the National Government.
To mitigate the changing ecological conditions and the vagaries of Climate Change being experienced across the county and that have had devastating effects in Lake Victoria causing the deaths of huge amounts of fish from fish cage farmers, the Governor committed to work with specialists to find lasting sustainable solutions. However, in the short term, he committed the government’s efforts to purchase fingerlings worth Kshs 3 million to be distributed to the affected fish farmers under the rapid response Unit formed in his office under the leadership of the County Secretary among other interventions in other devolved functions.
In recognizing the position of citizen participation in the management of government affairs, the governor committed to running an open-door policy committed to listening to the issues affecting the livelihoods of the citizenry. This he noted must go hand in hand with respect to the laws put in place for then is when we shall cultivate a sane cohesive society.
This year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations marked at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex were co-officiated by the Deputy County Commissioner who delivered the President’s speech on behalf of the County Commissioner madam Josephine Ouko.
A number of county cabinet members and other senior government officers and county Assembly members accompanied the Deputy Governor while members of the county security committee among other dignitaries accompanied the DCC.
GPU
Kisumu, 12 December 2022
