Day: May 3, 2024

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma has urged partners on climate change to ensure that funds are channeled to support the common mwananchi at the grassroot level.

Speaking to the victims of floods in Bunyala South Ward on Thursday, Otuoma noted that several meetings on climate change were being held in high end hotels, yet some of the most affected people were not being supported.

‘ Several capacity buildings have been held in big hotels for the last 60 years, yet our people have not received any help,’ he said.

He pointed out that Sh35 billion that were set aside by the National Assembly for Emergency response have not been disbursed to the County.

‘I want to urge those concerned to do what is expected of them instead of waiting to see Kenyans lose lives to disaster,’ he said.

The governor stated that Busia County expected to be given Sh700 million but the devolved unit has received only Sh35 million to date.

‘As Western region, we suggested that a dam be constructed at Charanganyi , Lugari , Siaya, Malakisi
with a view to contain the waters that are affecting the residents of Bunyala through floods,’ he said, adding that implementation of programmes is a big challenge.

Otuoma further stated that governors are willing to cooperate with the national government and support the implementation of national government programmes.

‘This is because we must move away from rain-fed agriculture and embrace irrigation,’ he said, adding that there was a need to implement programmes in line with the vision 2030.

He further urged development partners to move away from board room meetings but instead provide resources that can relieve the common man from suffering.

‘We must find a permanent solution to the Budalangi floods because we also fought for Independence,’ he said, adding that the County leadership was ready to sacrifice whatever little resources that it has to ensure that people do not die from situations that can be prevented.

Bunyala Deputy County Commissioner Paul Papa urged those living in flood prone areas alo
ng River Nzoia to move to higher grounds.

Papa stated that 1700 households displaced and were living in temporary camps were in dire need of humanitarian support.

The flood victims received 160 bags of rice, 212 cartons of cooking fat, 90 bags of maize, 90 bags of beans and 250 cartons of bar soap from the County government

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Ministry of Health has launched the staff head count to eliminate ghost workers in the health ministry.

The Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Medical Services, Harry Kimutai, who led the inauguration of the exercise at Afya House grounds on Thursday, said the aim of the head count is to enable the department to know the exact number of staff it has for purposes of cleaning the payroll system and removing ghost workers.

Kimutai said that the matter of undertaking the exercise had been discussed at a senior management meeting and passed by the ministry for effective service delivery.

The PS noted that all members of staff will be required to submit their documents within a period of seven-days, failure to which after 30 days, the employees will receive a suspension letter and thereafter go through the disciplinary process.

‘Tell your colleagues, wherever they are, that if they don’t submit their paperwork to be aligned with their files by the end of this month, we will stop their salary unt
il they come,’ cautioned the PS.

Kimutai added, ‘Those who fail to submit their papers for verification will be deemed to have absconded duty, more so those on strike.’

‘This is an exercise that has been sanctioned by the public service, so as to verify our certificates with either the National Examination Council, universities and colleges that we went through,’ he said.

‘I want you people to take this exercise very seriously, we are already done with the team that is in Mathare,’ he urged.

Kimutai announced at the same time that within the next seven-days, when the headcount exercise takes place, staff will be deployed to various counties where there is inadequate staff.

He observed that some employees are overburdened with a lot of work, whereas there are colleagues who are earning salaries and are using their working hours to run their own errands.

‘We need to allocate duties according to the establishment so that other employees are not overburdened,’ the PS stated.

The PS noted that the ministry
has been shouldering the burden of paying officers who are on the payroll salaries, yet they are working for Non-governmental organisations and earning allowances, adding that a total of 1000 employees who are supposed to be in the State Department for Medical Services are not seen at their places of work.

‘Immediately we are done with this exercise, and before we get approval from Public Service to advertise the vacant positions, we will realign the heads of divisions and the heads of directorate according to staff establishment and suitability that we would have done on assessment,’ said the PS.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Swahili Pot Hub and Mombasa County Government have unveiled the fifth edition of the Pwani Innovation Week (PIW) to help create a widespread culture of innovation and stimulate the innovation ecosystem in the Pwani region of East Africa.

This year’s PIW will be held from October 14th to October 18th, 2024, at Swahilipot Hub Foundation under the theme: The Pwani We Desire: Youth, Culture, Peace, and Innovation in the Decade of Action.

More than 2000 participants from the country and the neighbouring Coastal towns of Tanga, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar in the United Republic of Tanzania are expected to attend the innovation week to create a central space for youths to exchange ideas.

Over the years, the annual innovation event has evolved into a much-needed annual intervention that has provided a platform for thinkers, innovators, employers, and enterprise-minded youth to converge and innovate tangible solutions.

The captivating five-day event will include innovation challenges and hackathons, training
boot camps and workshops, keynote speeches and panel discussions, an exhibition, deals den, heritage experience, Pwani Gat Talent Concert, and awards.

Swahilipot Hub Chief Mentor Mahmoud Noor said during a media briefing on PIW at the Swahilipot Hub, Mombasa, that the innovation week aspires to be the catalyst that sparks a thriving innovation ecosystem within the region by showcasing the remarkable achievements of young, local entrepreneurs.

‘These success stories serve as powerful inspiration for future generations, demonstrating the possibilities that lie ahead. By cultivating a supportive environment that empowers young people through workshops, mentorship programmes, and skill-building initiatives, PIW aims to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to translate their ideas into reality,’ said Noor.

He added that the commitment to cultivating innovation extends beyond youth development, as PIW also recognises the unique potential of Pwani’s coastal economies and rich biodiversity.

‘By effectiv
ely showcasing these assets, it aims to attract both domestic and foreign investors,’ said Noor, adding that increased awareness among policymakers is expected to lead to the creation of more supportive policies and funding opportunities for regional innovation.

PIW also envisions the establishment of a robust network of young innovators, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mentorship. It strives to position Pwani as a leading destination for sustainable and innovative investment.

‘The creation of a regional investment guide, highlighting Pwani’s success stories and outlining its investment potential, will be a key tool in achieving this goal,’ said Noor.

He further challenged governments, the private sector, civil societies, and communities to keep reinventing interventions that will allow youth to access meaningful livelihoods in the wake of global conflicts and disasters.

On his part, Mombasa County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Tourism, and Investments Mohamed Osman said th
e PIW has become a cornerstone in shaping the future of Port City.

‘PIW serves as a platform to empower youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to become thought leaders and innovators. We aim to equip them to identify emerging challenges and develop tailored solutions that will propel Mombasa’s economic growth,’ said Osman.

The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) Registrar for Research Partnership and Innovation, Prof. Rahma Udu, urged innovators to patent their innovations through the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).

‘We will only increase our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by commercialising our innovations. You have to register because whatever you have invented, no one should repeat it,’ she said.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Mombasa Chairman Abud Jamal promised a seed capital of 1,000 United States dollars (USD), equivalent to Sh135,000, to the best innovator.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) held public participation to sensitise Malaba residents on the consequences of encroachment, building along road reserves, and littering.

Engineer Joyce Kosgei said that they will remain vigilant to ensure all structures constructed on road reserves will be demolished to improve drainage and ease traffic snarl-up along the Eldoret-Malaba highway.

‘Protection of road reserves and building along road reserves is also illegal, and perpetrators could face heavy fines,’ she said.

She added, ‘Before you construct any structure on road reserves, it’s vital to visit KeNHA or County Government offices to avoid wastage of resources. Digging in road reserves will also not be tolerated.’

Ms. Kosgei said vandalism of road signs has also escalated, thus endangering motorists who use the busy Corridor ‘B’ road that links Nairobi-Rironi and the Malaba Border.

Kosgei noted that littering is another impediment to KeNHA’s resolve to meet its agenda, blaming Busia County staff for l
eaving litter near drainage sites.

Eng. Kosgei said the Traffic Act bars people from parking on road shoulders along the main carriageway for more than 1-2 hours, with the culprits to face a fine of Sh30,000 or one-year imprisonment.

Eng. Akuku Tillen said anybody who wishes to lease their land or obtain a title near road reserves should seek a surveyor’s map from the County Government, adding that Kenya Power also needs wayleave approval from the county government.

The engineer noted that it was illegal to engage in activities within road reserves. He lauded the county government for seeking permission from the highway authority to expand the Kocholia culvert.

Akuku said vandalism of signs was a nationwide phenomenon. He sighted a case between 2019/2020 between Malaba/ Webuye Road when all installed signs were vandalised in a spate of one month.

He told the Municipality Board to enforce the law to make it mandatory for hawkers doing business along the busy highway to always wear reflectors to ensure the
ir safety from the long-distance truck drivers.

Chief Officer in the county government of Busia in charge of Urban Development and Physical Planning, Ken Mbaja, regretted that the Bungoma-Malaba road was very narrow, which calls for urgent expansion.

He noted that the reorganisation of Malaba town was painful and told Municipality Manager Francis Asoyong to act fast and remove illegal structures within the border town after holding public participation and constructing modern kiosks.

‘Tough laws are required to reorganise the town, including the road, sewer, and drainage. He urged KeNHA to expedite the culverts’ approval from private developers instead of the current trend where approval takes 3-4 months,’ he said.

Municipality Manager Francis Asoyong said the county government has acquired an investor to construct a trailer park with Sh100 million set aside for the purchase of land.

Asoyong said littering challenges in the Municipality will be a thing of the past as they will budget for the purchase of
two tractors to carry litter to the dumping site on a daily basis, unlike the current trend when litter was ferried on a weekly basis with a tractor from Busia.

The manager said they have entered into an agreement with a contractor to construct the trailer park to expand the box culvert at ACK.

Businessman Dominic Kihara said trailers should be allowed to stop for at least 10 minutes to buy goods that would spur the economy of the border town, adding that darkness is a great concern with no street lights.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The first ever modern Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution in Samburu North sub-county has been operationalised.

This is after the college, situated in Baragoi town, enrolled 63 pioneer trainees who will acquire technical skills that will make them employable and also create employment.

Speaking during the County Implementation Coordination Management Committee, Samburu North TVET Principal Peter Lemalasia noted that the students would be trained on courses that would enable them to get employment in the national government’s affordable housing project, which is part of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.

‘We are offering them courses like plumbing, water engineering, electrical installation, social work, and cosmetology, among others. Most of these courses are in demand in various sectors of the economy,’ he said.

The Principal expressed optimism with the first government-sponsored students, saying that technical courses were being well received in the pastoralist
s’ region.

‘We have enrolled 34 male and 29 female trainees who will undertake various technical courses for six months. High enrollment of youths will also see a reduction in overdependence of livestock as a source of livelihood and consequently a reduction in cattle rustling in Baragoi,’ Lemalasia added.

He called on the government to expedite equipping the institution so that the trainees could have practical lessons.

The Baragoi TVET becomes the third government-sponsored institution of higher learning in operation in Samburu County after Archers Post TVET in Samburu East and Maralal Polytechnic.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The county government of Nyeri has acquired ownership of 322 motor vehicles and motorbikes valued at Sh 3 billion previously owned by the Karatina, Nyeri, and Othaya Municipal Councils.

The handover marks the beginning of the process of transferring assets, valuation reports, and registers of valuables-previously owned by the defunct municipal councils to county governments.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the governor’s office, Dr. Perminus Nyaga, a member of the Inter-Governmental Relation Technical Committee (IGRTC), said that the process is also in line with the ‘resources follow functions’ mantra and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

According to Dr. Nyaga, the process also actualizes the resolution of the 10th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit held in February 2023, where it was resolved that the State Department for Devolution and IGRTC would coordinate the transfer of assets to county governments.

He noted that the exercise took a phased approach where IGRTC
partnered with other state departments and the county governments for the valuation of the plant, motor vehicles, and equipment.

He at the same time urged the county governments to ensure the valued assets are updated in the county asset registers and the recommendations in the handing over report are implemented to safeguard and protect the public assets.

‘The county government of Nyeri, with its legal ownership, will now be able to do whatever they choose with the assets. And seeing that the assets have already been valued, the finance department of the county will be able to take up the values and include them in their balance sheets, which is a requirement of the Public Finance Management Act,’ said Dr. Nyaga.

Additionally, Dr. Nyaga also challenged the county to establish an asset disposal committee in line with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act to fast-track disposing of some of the obsolete assets held in various yards and parking lots. Additionally, he said that the valuation for fixed assets
, which will cover parcels of land and buildings, is still in progress and plans are underway to complete the pending work.

‘These assets belong to them; therefore, the functions that have been delineated and transferred to local authorities will follow the same route. There will be a transfer of resources, including land, buildings, and many other accessories, from the national government to the county governments,’ he said.

Speaking after receiving the assets, Nyeri Deputy Governor Warui Kinaniri welcomed the move and called for the process of transferring the remaining assets to be expedited to allow counties to chart the way forward on the fate of the assets.

Source: Kenya News Agency