GOVERNOR JOSEPH K.NDATHI SPEECH TO MARK THE 1ST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVOLUTION.
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Transcript of GOVERNOR JOSEPH K.NDATHI SPEECH TO MARK THE 1ST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVOLUTION.
REMARKS BY THE GOVERNOR, COUNTY
GOVERNMENT OF KIRINYAGA H.E JOSEPH NDATHI
ON THE OCCASION TO MARK THE FIRST
ANNIVERSARY OF DEVOLUTION DELIVERED TO THE
KIRINYAGA COUNTY ASSEMBLY AT KERUGOYA TOWN
ON 27TH MARCH 2014.
THE HON SPEAKER,
COUNTY ASSEMBLY OF KIRINYAGA,
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER,
MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERS,
THE HON MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I ADDRESS THIS
DIGNIFIED ASSEMBLY AS WE REFLECT ON OUR
SUCCESSES, CHALLENGES AND ISSUES THAT WE
HAVE FACED A YEAR SINCE WE TOOK LEADERSHIP OF
THIS COUNTY. THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY IS AN
IMPORTANT ARM OF THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY
GOVERNMENT WITHOUT WHICH OUR SERVICES
WOULD GRIND TO A HALT.
THOUGH A YEAR IS A SHORT TIME TO JUDGE THE
PERFORMANCE OF A GOVERNMENT OR AN ASSEMBLY,
WE HAVE NEVERTHELESS A SHARE OF EXPERIENCES
AND CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE MET SO FAR,
WE HAVE A GOOD SHARE OF SUCCESSES AND WE
HAVE ALSO LEARNT IMPORTANT LESSONS ALONG THE
WAY.
HON SPEAKER, YOU AGREE WITH ME WHEN WERE
SWORN IN TO OFFICE, WE BEG AN FROM THE
SCRATCH. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, WE WERE
ABLE TO ESTABLISH OFFICES AND SYSTEMS THAT
HAVE ENABLED US TO OPERATE AS A GOVERNMENT.
THESE INCLUDE, SECURING OFFICES, ESTABLISHING
STATUTORY BODIES AND DEPARTMENTS, BUYING
OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES , RECRUITING
STAFF SO AS TO OPERATIONALISE THE COUNTY
GOVERNMENT. THIS STILL REMAINS WORK IN
PROGRESS.
THE HON SPEAKER, I WILL BEGIN BY HIGHLIGHTING
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ISSUES FACED BY EACH
MINISTRY.
I WILL START WITH THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT,
WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES. THIS MINISTRY
COMPRISES THE WATER SECTOR AND IRRIGATION,
FORESTRY, ENERGY AND CLEANSING. OVER THE PAST
ONE YEAR THE MINISTRY HAS REMARKABLE
MILESTONES IN BOTH CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT AND
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION.
THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND
IRRIGATION HAS 28
PROJECTS VALUED AT KSHS 95MILLION.
THREE PROJECTS VALUED AT KSHS 10.5MILLION HAVE
BEEN COMPLETED. THESE ARE KENERA WATER
PROJECT IN MURINDUKO WARD VALUED AT KSHS 7
MILLION, RUKANGA WATER PROJECT IN MUTITHI WARD
VALUED AT KSHS 1 MILLION AND RIAMIATU WATER
PROJECT IN KABARE WARD AT A COST OF KSHS 2.5
MILLION. THERE ARE 13 PROJECTS THAT ARE
ONGOING WHILE 12 OTHER ARE UNDERGOING THE
PROCUREMENT PROCESS. ONE OF THE KEY
CHALLENGE FACING THIS SECTOR IS THE LENGTHY
PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND FURTHER
CONSTRAINED BY THE QUARTERLY MODE OF
DEVELOPMENT FUNDS DISBURSEMENT.
THE HON SPEAKER, THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT HAS
A DEVELOPMENT BUDGET OF KSHS 14.7 MILLION BUT
HAS RECEIVED KSHS 10 MILLION WHICH HAS BEEN
DISTRIBUTED TO 18 PROJECTS ACROSS ALL THE
WARDS IN
THE COUNTY. THESE PROJECTS ARE: TREE
PLANTING, PURCHASE OF SEEDLINGS, AND
ESTABLISHMENT OF FARM FORESTRY
DEMONSTRATION PLOTS AMONG OTHERS. A KEY
CHALLENGE IN THIS DEPARTMENT IS THAT MOST OF
THE FOREST ACTIVITIES ARE RAINFALL DEPENDENT
AND FAIL TO TAKE OFF WHEN RAINS FAIL.
THE HON SPEAKER, THE ENERGY SECTOR HAS A
BUDGET OF KSHS 25 MILLION AND ONLY KSHS 9
MILLION HAS BEEN RELEASED SO FAR. THIS AMOUNT
HAS BEEN CHANNELED TO CONSTRUCTION OF SIX
HIGH MAST SECURITY LIGHTS AT KUTUS, MUTITHI,
NGURUBANI, KAGIO, KIAN YAGA AND KANDONGU AND
WHOSE PROCUREMENT IS UNDERWAY. A KEY
CHALLENGE IN THIS SECTOR IS LACK OF TECHNICAL
OFFICERS.
THE CLEANSING SECTOR WHICH IS STILL PART OF THIS
MINISTRY WAS ALLOCATED KSHS 8 MILLION FOR THE
PURCHASE OF LAND FOR A DUMPSITE AND KSHS 6.3
MILLION FOR WASTE COLLECTION AND PURCHASE OF
AN EXHAUSTER. FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A
DUMPSITE HAVE BEEN RELEASED AND THE
PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS UNDERWAY. THE
CHALLENGE IN THIS SECTOR HAS BEEN THAT DURING
THE BUDGETING PROCESS, CLEANSING WAS
OVERLOOKED AND
THIS HAS RESULTED TO SERIOUS
INEFFICIENCIES IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN
THE COUNTY.
THE HON SPEAKER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES THAT GENERALLY RELATE TO THE
MINISTRY’S MANDATE BUT ARE HOWEVER LARGELY IN
THE HANDS OF NON-DEVOLVED INSTITUTIONS. THESE
INCLUDE MANAGEMENT OF GAZETTED FORESTS
(KENYA FOREST SERVICE), WATER RESOURCES
(WATER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY), ENVIRONMENT
ACTIVITIES, LICENSING AND REGULATION (NATIONAL
ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY).
THE HON SPEAKER, I WANT TO TURN TO THE MINISTRY
OF COOPERATIVES, TRADE, TOURISM, INDUSTRY AND
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS A MINISTRY WITH
A WIDE MANDATE. ON THE SIDE OF COOPERATIVE
DEVELOPMENT THE MINISTRY HAS SEEN THE
REGISTRATION OF SIX NEW SACCOS INCR EASING
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP TO COOPERATIVES TO 300,000
PEOPLE. THROUGH THE COOPERATIVES OVER KSHS 16
BILLION HAS BEEN DISBURSED IN THE LAST ONE YEAR
TO FINANCE VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
IN THE RICE SUBSECTOR, THROUGH THE FARMER’S
COOPERATIVES OUR EXTENSION
SERVICES HAVE
SEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRONG BRAND OF
PISHORI-KENYA SELECT DEVELOPED AND READY TO
GO TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET. WE HAVE
HELPED OVER 1,200 FARMERS AS MEMBERS OF
COOPERATIVES TO PUT OVER 3,000 ACRES UNDER
IRRIGATION AT A COST OF KSHS 181
MILLION SO FAR
BEING A 50:50 COST SHARING BETWEEN THE
COOPERATIVES AND THE DONOR THROUGH
GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE WHICH THE COUNTY
GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER AS ONGOING PROJECT. WE
HAVE ALSO BUILT CAPACITY FOR THE 79 ACTIVE
COOPERATIVES WHICH HAVE ACTED AS
INTERMEDIARIES FOR DISBURSEMENT OF YOUTH AND
WOMEN FUNDS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
HON SPEAKER THE REASON THAT FARMERS ARE
MAKING GOOD HARVEST IN RICE IS BECAUSE MY
GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO KILL ABOUT 10 MILLION
QUELEA QUELEA BIRDS THAT EAT RICE.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, KIRINYAGA HAS BECOME TO
BE KNOWN AS BEACON OF SUCCESS IN PRIMARY
EDUCATION THROUGH ITS CONTINUED EXEMPLARY
PERFORMANCE IN KCPE BUT THE SAME CANNOT BE
SAID FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION. WE HAVE PUT
MEASURES TO ADDRESS THIS AND OTHER
CHALLENGES FACING BASIC EDUCATION WHICH
INCLUDE ALLOCATION OF BURSARY FOR NEEDY
SECONDARY STUDENTS WORTH KSHS. 50 MILLION.
THREE
COMMITTEES
HAVE BEEN INDUCTED AND
OFFICIALLY APPOINTED IN READINESS FOR THE
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. IN MODERNIZATION OF
PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION, WE HAVE SINCE LAUNCHED
AN ELABORATE FREE PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION
PROGRAMME; THE PROGRAMME HAVE SEEN:
RECRUITMENT OF 359 TEACHERS, ROLLED-OUT
TEACHING /LEARNING MATERIAL SUPPLY PROGRAMME
WORTH KSHS.12MILLION AND FURNITURE
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WORTH
30 MILLION,
INITIATED PROCUREMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
EXHAUSTIBLE TOILETS FOR 60 ECDE CENTERS AT A
COST OF KSHS. 59MILLION AND OUT-DOOR PLAY
FACILITIES WORTH KSHS 20 MILLION. ON OUR VILLAGE
POLYTECHNIC TOTAL OF INITIAL KSHS 20 MILLION
HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR ITS TRANSFORMATION TO
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION
CENTRES. ABOVE ALL THIS WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE
INTERIM COUNTY EDUCATION POLICIES AND THE
DRAFT COUNTY EDUCATION BILL IS READY FOR STAKE
HOLDERS’ REVIEW. THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IS THE
LACK OF TECHNICAL STAFF DIRECTLY UNDER THE
AUTHORITY OF THIS DEPARTMENT.
COMING TO DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC
PLANNING, MARKETING AND ICT, WE NOTE THAT WE
HAVE ACHIEVED QUITE A LOT DESPITE THE TEETHING
PROBLEMS. APART FROM MANAGING THE RESOURCES
ON BEHALF OF
THE COUNTY THROUGH THE
BUDGETARY PROCESS, THE MINISTRY HAS OTHER
ACCOMPLISHMENTS. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF US
ENGAGING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR A
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FORTUNE SACCO AND ABC
BANK HAS BEEN NURTURED WHERE MEMBERS WILL
NOW GET CHEQUE CLEARING SERVI CES AND A TRADE
FINANCE FACILITY OF KSHS 200M. THE COUNTY
GOVERNMENT SUCCESSFULLY HELD A THREE DAY
EXHIBITION AT THE KICC LAST YEAR AND AS A RESULT
OF THIS THE KENYA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION (KTDC) HAS IDENTIFIED INVESTORS
KEEN TO INVEST IN THE COUN TY AND ALSO AGREED
TO FUND LOCAL INVESTORS EXPAND THEIR TOURISM
RELATED BUSINESSES.
IN JANUARY, THE MINISTRY HOSTED A COUNTY
PROFESSIONALS FORUM TO DELIBERATE ON HOW TO
TAP THEIR POTENTIAL TOWARDS THE PREPARATIONS
FOR AN INVESTORS CONFERENCE LATER IN THE YEAR.
THE COUNTY HAS MET ALL REGULATORY DEADLINES
REQUIRED BY DIFFERENT LAWS. SOME OF THE
CHALLENGES ARE IN LATE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
BY THE NATIONAL TREASURY AS WELL AS LEGAL AND
REGULATORY GAPS.
WE HAVE ALSO AUDITED THE FORMER LOCAL
AUTHORITIES LIABILI TIES AND TRANSFER OF THE
LIABILITIES TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THE
CABINET SECRETARY FOR DEVOLUTION TRANSFERRED
THE DEVOLVED STAFF PAYROLL BUT IT HAD VARIOUS
ANOMALIES, LIKE INCOMPLETE DATA, OMISSION STAFF
PAYROLL SCHEDULES AND INACCURATE PAYROLL
DATA. THE SE ISSUES HAVE LED TO DELAYS IN
DISBURSEMENT OF SALARIES TO STAFF. THE PAYROLL
DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO FACED OPERATIONAL AND
CAPACITY CHALLENGES IN ABSORBING THE TRANSFER
OF 1,294 STAFF FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
HON SPEAKER IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE TOTA L
WAGE BILL FOR THE STAFF IN THE DEVOLVED
FUNCTIONS AMOUNTS TO KSHS 864 MILLION WHICH
WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2013/14 BUDGET. THE
COUNTY ASSEMBLY PROVIDED KSHS 216 MILLION
DURING THE SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET WHICH WAS
USED TO PAY SALARIES FOR THE MONTHS OF
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2014. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT
THIS ASSEMBLY APPROVES THE REMAINING KSHS 648
MILLION TO PAY SALARIES FOR THE REMAINING PART
OF THE YEAR TO ENSURE CONTINUITY IN PROVISION
OF SERVICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
PROGRAMMES.
IN ORDER TO STREAMLINE AN D INCREASE REVENUE
COLLECTION THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY FINANCE ACT
WAS GAZETTED ON FRIDAY 21/03/2014 AND IS NOW IN
FORCE AND THE MINISTRY HAS ALSO FINALIZED THE
PROCESS FOR RECOVERY OF KSHS 229 MILLION
ARREARS FOR RATES AND PLOTS RENTS DUE TO
DEFUNCT COUNCILS.
THE HON SPEAKER, THE MINISTRY OF GENDER,
CULTURE, SOCIAL SERVICES, CHILDREN AND SPORTS
IS CHARGED WITH
RESPONSIBILTY OF CAPACITY
BUILDING TO ENSURE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. IT
HAS THUS TRAINED WOMEN, MEN, YOUTH AND PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES ON ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT,
FINANCIAL LITERATURE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, DRUG
ABUSE GENDER MAINSTREAMING AND CIVIC
EDUCATION. MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN
CONDUCTED TO YOUTH BETWEEN 13 AND 25 YEARS
ON BEHAVIOR CHANGE AND LIFE SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT. FORTY THREE (43) SCHOOLS WERE
COVERED AND 2,100 YOUTHS IN THE COUNTY
REACHED, TALENT ACADEMY LAND
HAS BEEN
IDENTIFIED AS WELL AS EQUIPPING TWO YOUTH
EMPOWERMENT CENTRES. YOUTH LINKED TO THE
INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND FORTY YOUTH SECURED
EMPLOYMENT. IN SPORT FOUR FIELDS HAVE BEEN
UPGRADED. DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPORTS HAVE BEEN
SUPPORTED FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT, ATHLETICS,
CROSS COUNTY AND MARATHON. PLANS UNDERWAY
TO BUY SPORTS EQUIPMENT. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED IN THE COUNTY.
THE
ALCOHOL BILL HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO FIGHT
EXCESSIVE CONSU MPTION OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG
ABUSE.
TURNING TO THE MINISTRY OF LANDS, HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT, LAND REMAINS AN EMOTIVE
ISSUE AND IT REQUIRES TO BE HANDLED IN A
CAREFUL MANNER SO AS TO BRING HARMONY AND
PEACEFUL CO -EXISTENCE. IN THE PAST YEAR, THE
MINISTRY HAS UNDERTAKEN TO VERIFY THE ASSETS
THAT BELONGED TO THE DEFUNCT COUNTY COUNCIL
OF KIRINYAGA AND VARIOUS TOWN COUNCILS. THIS IS
IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY LAND WHICH WAS
IRREGULARLY AND ILLEGALLY ALLOCATED TO
INDIVIDUALS ON PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY LAN D. WE
HAVE PUT IN PLACE RELEVANT MECHANISMS FOR
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL. WE HAVE ALSO IDENTIFIED
KUTUS, WANGURU, KIANYAGA, KAGIO, SAGANA AND
KIBINGOTI AS THE FASTEST GROWING TOWNS IN
COUNTY AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING
DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THEM. REC ONNAISSANCE
SURVEYS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT.
THE MINISTRY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NATIONAL
IRRIGATION BOARD WILL ENSURE THE RE-
SETTLEMENT OF PERSONS BEING DISPLACED BY THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THIBA DAM IN KABARE AREA. THE
MINISTRY HAS IDENTIFIED A PARCEL OF LAND MORE
THAN TWO ACRES THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTY HEADQUARTERS.
ISSUANCE OF TITLES REMAINS A THORNY ISSUE
ESPECIALLY IN MWEA. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO
ENGAGE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS TO FINALITY IN
ORDER TO SATISFY THE LAND OWNERS WHO HAVE
BEEN SQUATTERS AND TENANTS ON THE LAND THEY
OCCUPY. SOUTH NGARIAMA LAND IS ACTIVELY BEING
ADDRESSED AND WE HOPE IT WILL BE RESOLVED
AMICABLY.
IN ITS MISSION TO DEVELOP AN INNOVATIVE,
COMMERCIALLY ORIENTED AND MODERN
AGRICULTURE, THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ,
LIVESTOCK, VETERINARY AND FISHERIES HAS
DRAFTED SEVEN BILLS THAT WILL REVOLUTIONILISE
AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTY.
THE HON SPEAKER I WANT TO INFORM OF THAT IN
TERMS OF AGRICULTURE WE ARE THE LEADING
COUNTY KENYA. WE ARE NUMBER ONE IN BANANA,
FRENCH BEANS,
RICE AND TOMATO PRODUCTION, WE
ARE NUMBER THREE IN COFFEE PRODUCTION AND
NUMBER FOUR IN TEA PRODUCTION.
THE MINISTRY HAS MADE SEVERAL INTERVENTIONS
TO HELP OUR FARMERS INCREASE CROP PRODUCTION
WHICH INCLUDE SUPPLY OF SUBSIDIZED FERTILIZER
AND HIGH QUALITY
SEEDS FOR PLANTING DURING
THIS RAINY SEASON. SO FAR FERTILIZER WORTH KSHS
50 MILLION HAS BEEN DISBURSED TO FARMERS AND
6,000KGS OF MAIZE SEEDS HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED
FROM KARI AND DISTRIBUTED TO FARMERS WHO
WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE OF SHORT RAINS.
TO PROMOTE FISH PRODUCTION WE HAVE EXCAVATED
20 FISH PONDS AND STOCKED 14 OF THEM FREE OF
CHARGE AND ACQUIRED 18 FREEZERS AND MOUNTED
A FISH EATING CAMPAIGN. IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
WE HAVE CARRIED OUT A DISEASE CONTROL
CAMPAIGN THAT REACHED 100,000 ANIMALS.
TURNING TO THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, I WISH TO
ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE ACQUIRED TWO GRADERS
AT A COST OF KSHS 31 MILLION, THREE TRUCKS AT A
COST OF KSHS 17.1 MILLION AND REPAIR AND
MAINTENANCE OF VARIOUS VEHICLES AND
EQUIPMENT COST KSHS 3 MILLION. ON IMPROVEM ENT
OF ROADS, THE KUTUS -KIANYAGA, AND KAGUMO -
KANGAITA ROADS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED AT A COST
OF KSHS 18 MILLION EACH.
THE HON SPEAKER, WE HAVE ALSO DONE THREE
FOOT BRIDGES AT A COST OF KSHS 5.5 MILLION
AND
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF
INSTALLING
170
CULVERTS AT A COST OF KSHS 4.7 MILLION. WE ARE
ALSO IMPROVING KERUGOYA MARKET AT A COST OF
KSHS 6.5 MILLION FOR PHASE ONE BY INSTALLING
CABRO BLOCKS AND KIANYAGA AT A COST OF SHS 3
MILLION. THE MINISTRY IS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF
INSTALLING FLOODLIGHTS IN KUTUS, KAGIO,
MAKUTANO AND KIANYAGA TOWNS AT A COST OF KSHS
6 MILLION.
THE HON SPEAKER, WE ARE ABOUT TO COMPLETE THE
CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN PUBLIC TOILETS IN
KAGIO, SAGANA, BARICHO AND KIANYAGA TOWNS AT A
COST OF KSHS 4.8 MILLION.
ON HEALTH SERVICES, WE ARE WORKING HARD TO
ENSURE THAT OUR HEALTH FACILITIES ARE FULLY
EQUIPPED WITH ENOUGH SUPPLIES OF DRUGS AND
MEDICINE. LAST WEEK I FLAGGED OFF THE
DISTRIBUTION OF DRUGS WORTH KSHS 19.3 MILLION
TO ALL HEALTH FACILITIES.
THE HEALTH SECTOR HAS DEVELOPED A FIVE -YEAR
STRATEGIC AND INVESTMENT PLAN, THE HEALTH BILL,
THE COUNTY HEALTH SECTOR PARTNERSHIP POLICY,
THE HEALTH SERVICES GUIDELINES AND HEALTH
REFERRAL STRATEGY POLICY WHICH WILL GUIDE THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS IN
THE COUNTY.
YESTERDAY, I LAUNCHED A KSHS 165 MILLION HEALTH
SERVICES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME COVERING 40
PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTY. WE ARE WORKING
TO ENSURE THAT SAGANA, KIMBIMBI, KIANYAGA ARE
UPGRADED TO LEVEL 4 HOSPITALS WHILE KERUGOYA
HOSPITAL IS UPGRADED TO LEVEL 5 TO BETTER
IMPROVE HEALTH SERVICES.
THE SECTOR AT THE
ADVANCED STAGES OF ACQUIRING ASSORTED
EQUIPMENT AND AMBULANCES AS A MEASURE TO
STRENGTHEN THEN REFERRAL SYSTEM. THE
CHALLENGES INCLUDE SHORTAGE OF STAFF, WEAK
REFERRAL SYSTEM, IN ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE
IN TERMS OF BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT.
THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES OF DELAY OF SALARIES
FOR HEALTH WORKERS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCASIONED
BY FAILURE OF THE INTEGRATED FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IFMS) WHICH IS MANNED BY
THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. THE COUNTY
GOVERNMENT IS NOT TO BLAME.
HON SPEAKER, SECURITY HAS BEEN A BIG CONCERN
TO MY GOVERNMENT. THOUGH THIS IS NOT A
DEVOLVED FUNCTION, AS IT REMAINS UNDER THE
CONTROL OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE
NEVERTHELESS COME IN STRONGLY TO ASSIST THE
POLICE TO OPERATE MORE EFFECTIVELY. THIS
HAS
BEEN DONE THROUGH PROVISION OF TWO MOTOR
VEHICLES AND FUEL TO ENHANCE PATROLS. WE HAVE
ALSO ENGAGED CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY
SECURITY TEAM, THIS HAS HELPED REDUCE THE
INCIDENCE OF CRIME.
IN CONCLUSION
MADAM
SPEAKER, THE FACT THAT WE
ARE HERE TODAY MAR KING THIS DAY, IS IN ITSELF A
BIG ACHIEVEMENT. WE HAVE WALKED THIS
DEVOLUTION JOURNEY TOGETHER, EVEN THOUGH IT
IS A NEW THING TO ALL OF US. MY REQUEST IS THAT
WE REMAIN UNITED AS WE PROGRESS.
LONG LIVE KIRINYAGA, LONG LIVE DEVOLUTION.
THANK YOU, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.