26.05.2021 / WEDNESDAY www..go.ke Volume 04, EST 2021 The County Review Raila Gives Nyong’o Top The Final Dash Marks as Kisumu Awaits Madaraka

An artist puts final touches on a fish sculpture at the Kisumu Boys R9ound-about as part of preparations for Madaraka Day cellebrations to be held in Kisumu on June 1. MOU Agreement

CEC member for Education ICT and Human Capacity Development signing the MOU between CGK and Kidogo Innovations. Looking on is Martin Kiyeng’ Partneship Manager From Left: City manager Abala Wanga, Governor Nyong’o and ODM Leader Raila Odinga. (Photo by Lennox Omondi.) Kodogo Innovations ormer Prime Minister Raila Mr .Odinga praised Governor Nyong’o on-going projects in Kisumu on Monday Limited. Odinga has praised the on-going for his bold and strategic leadership a head of the national Madaraka Day infrastructural development that has seen the modernization of the celebrations destined for the City. and re-organization in Kisumu, lakeside City and asked residents, the Fsaying it would help position the city as business community and political leaders He added: “When you have a boil what a major economic and investment hub in to support him. do you do with it? Do you not remove it? East and Central Africa. And is there anyone who laughs when a “Nothing comes easy. To achieve good boil is being removed? The truth is that He described as temporary, the things, we have to undergo some pain. we always laugh and celebrate once the inconveniences being experienced by Traders who have been inconvenienced boil is squeezed out.” small scale traders whose businesses by the good work going on in Kisumu may have been affected by the town’s will soon celebrate,” said Mr Odinga The ODM Party leader who is also the beautification and restructuring. when he made an extensive tour of the ’s High representative for Continued on page 2 2 Issue 04, 26th May 2021 www.kisumu.go.ke

Continued from page 1 Update on Covid-19 Infrastructural Development further electrified the crowds when he compared the on-going works in Kisumu to an expectant mother. Don’t Spread Panic, Nyong’o Cautions “Does a mother in labour pain laugh or cry? What as New Covid-19 Center Opens its Doors about after she has delivered the baby? Doe she not celebrates?” she asked the ecstatic crowd By Lennox Omondi that roared back with shouts of Prof Nyong’os development slogan - “Tich Tire” (Work is being done).

Speaking while accompanied by Prof Nyong’o, deputy Governor Mathew Owili, County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro, MCAs and Kisumu ODM leaders, Mr Odinga said the inconveniences caused by Kisumu’s development program were temporary.

He praised governor Nyong’o for making Kisumu conducive for investments through pragmatic leadership.

“Kisumu now have a Special Economic Zone, which has been established on a 3,000-acre land in Miwani. Several companies are expected isumu Governor, Prof Peter Anyang’ According to the JOOTRH Chief Executive to start manufacturing units at the zone. They Nyong’o has cautioned against officer, Dr George Rae, the Covid hospital will will create employment and boost the County’s sensationalizing the Covid-19 in provide comprehensive services for covid-19 economy,” he said. KKisumu County. patients in the region. Mr Odinga inspected the on-going works at the Prof Nyong’o said that just like the rest of The facility has fully equipped ICU, Operating sports and recreational and the world, Kisumu had its share of Covid-19 theatre, renal unit, pharmacy, laboratory, center (Formerly Sports ground). cases which it was effectively managing to prevent radiology and maternity unit. The facility has He addressed crowds at the main bus park and further infections. 41 twin oxygen points, which will increase our Kondele before driving to Mamboleo to inspect capacity in the fight against. the on-going construction of the Jomo Kenyatta He said it was insensitive to shed a spotlight in International stadium- the venue of this year’s Kisumu even though the Covid-19 was a global This provides Oxygen, medical gases and Madaraka day. and countrywide pandemic. vacuum suction system in ICU, Operating theatres and the general wards within JOOTRH. He said the Government was also set to launch a The Governor dispelled speculations that the Ship construction Yard at the Kisumu port that Lakeside City was headed the Indian way, weeks “A teleconferencing hall will be equipped with will also provide many job opportunities. after some 8 people working at a factory in Kibos CCTV cameras that can be viewed remotely. were found with the Indian variant of the disease. The ward is adequately supplied with oxygen The ODM leader confirmed President Uhuru points through a reticulation system,” said Dr Kenyatta would be in Kisumu to preside over the “It is true that we detected a few cases of Indian Rae. Madaraka day, besides commissioning several variant here but the situation was quickly projects in Kisumu and neighbouring counties. contained. We traced all the contact persons who He said the hospital will have adequate oxygen may have interacted with the 8 people. They were supplies to cater for Covid-19 patients and other While in Kisumu, the President is expected to put under tight isolation measures to avoid the cases in the ICU by mid-June, 2021. officially open the Port, the Uhuru Business spread of the virus,” said the Governor. park, the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga sports center, “We are putting up an oxygen manufacturing among other projects. He added: “In the past three weeks, none of the plant that will produce 500 liters of oxygen per tests done has exhibited the Indian variant. But minute with a backup of a liquid oxygen tank,” “An important visitor is coming. I want you to the surveillance and campaign to keep our people said Dr Rae. give him a rousing welcome,” he said. safe are containing in a massive scale.” The Governor said that as much as the Covid Earlier, Mr Odinga attended a closed-door The Governor spoke as the county prepared to numbers were surging in the entire Lake meeting between the Governor, MCAs, Council open a 100- bed comprehensive care center at the Region, it was important that residents be of Elders and County ODM coordinating team, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral educated how to adhere to the safety protocols. led by Prof Ayiecho Olweny. Hospital (JOTRH). “This is a sensitive matter and we should be The leaders vowed to support Prof Nyong’os The opening of the center will be a big boost to careful with messaged we pass out there. We leadership saying he was doing a good job. They the Covid-19 management in the county as it will must not cause panic, especially now that also resolved to mobilize the people to give de-congest the JOOTRH’s isolation center which Kisumu is preparing to host the Madaraka Day President Kenyatta a rousing welcome during the has been overwhelmed with new cases. celebrations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Madaraka fete. Stadium on June 1,” said the Governor. www.kisumu.go.ke Issue 04, 26th May 2021 3

Update on Kisumu County Transforming SME’s in Kisumu Through Modern Retail Markets By Matilda Atieno Photos by Jacob Owiti.

One of the stalls at the Modern Kombewa market.

n an effort to transform and promote Traders have long been subjected to the rains, coming to buy our goods, before” stated the small scale trading in Kisumu, the cold weather, scorching sun and most of all optimistic trader Madam Caren Ohinga of county department of Business, Trade insecurity in their business thus the modern Kombewa Market. and Cooperatives has started the retail market has created a silver lining for the Ioperationalization and maintenance of the traders. Headed by the CEC member Prof. Juddy modern retail markets across the county. Miguda-Atyang, the department is dedicated “Before the opening of the market we were to transforming the physical outlook of the This is in line with Governor Nyong’os scattered all over and we had difficulty in markets by improving the roads and putting manifesto to prioritize the construction selling our products but since its launch we up fences to improve security in the market. of modern infrastructure to help improve can now enjoy trading under the shade, we are business across the county. not rained on and the customers are always According to the Chief Officer Alphonse Ouya , the department is set to improve the trading environment for the small retailers having constructed 10 market sheds including Awasi, Korowe, pap onditi which is still under construction, kiboswa, Onyal Obiro, Oboch, Muhoroni ,Angola among others.

The county director for markets Madam Susan Kanga is also positive that the infrastructure developments have greatly improved the business environment in the markets.

A trader sells her ware at Kombewa market in Seme Sub County 4 Issue 04, 26th May 2021 www.kisumu.go.ke

Update on Kisumu County Nyong’o commissions State of the Art waste Shredder at JOOTRH By Alloys Ager 250Kg’s The shredders capacity

Governor, Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o switches on a microwave waste shredder he launched at the JOOTRH. Photo by (Collins Owuor) andling medical waste could be so million euros investment. “With this technology, I am directing the hazardous that the management county department of Health to come up of its disposal MUST be top of The other counties in pilot being Machakos, with regulations that will retire the use hospitals’ agenda. Embu, Nyeri, Mombasa, Kisii, Kakamega and of incinerators from facilities in Kisumu H Nakuru. County”, said the Governor. In Kisumu, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) The Shredder with capacity to handle 250kgs The Ministry of Health representative Dr. is the only facility with a medical incinerator of infectious medical waste will support all the Francis Kuria thanked Governor Nyong’o that has been supporting all the hospitals facilities in Kisumu and beyond replacing the for having been visionary and started this within Kisumu to dispose of their waste. old technology of incinerators. project that will revolutionize medical waste management in health facilities in Kenya. To manage that everyday growing demand, In his speech, Governor Nyong’o said that it became necessary for the County this investment has come at a time that we are He affirmed that even as the ministry is Government to invest in expanding its enhancing our commitment to in handling handing of the project, it will continue capacity to respond to the increased demand. the disposal of medical waste in our health partnering with the County Government institutions across the county. to ensure that the investment is properly The journey to better management of medical managed for posterity. waste was mooted when Prof. Nyong’o, now “This project is a part of the ongoing the Governor of Kisumu was the Minister of larger modernization of JOOTRH which “The Ministry has already signed agreements Medical Services in the National Government. includes the building of the Comprehensive for phase two which will cover eight more Cancer Care Centre which is major cancer counties”, said Dr. Kuria. This led to the partnership of the Ministry management project with two bunkers; the of Health and the Government of Belgium Neurosurgery Research Centre; the Sickle The occasion was also graced by Kisumu leading to installation of the Medical Cell Anaemia Research Centre and the Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, the Microwave Shredder. Doctors Suites - all aimed at positioning Health CEC Prof Boaz Nyunya among other the facility as premier teaching and Referral dignitaries. Kisumu is one of the eight counties that have centre of choice for the region and beyond”, benefited from the pilot scheme of this 1 said the Governor. www.kisumu.go.ke Issue 04, 26th May 2021 5

Youth You are Key Players in Food Security,

Owili Tells the Youth By Emily Mikwa

360,000MT by 2025

The event held at Kambare Farm- Mutwala in Muhoroni sub county was presided over by the Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Benedict Munywoki accompanied by the CEC Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries Mr. Gilchrist Okuom with the national event being held in Busia County.

Deputy Governor, Dr Mathew Owili listens to an exhibitor when he officially opened the Youth in Aquaculture conference at a Kisumu This year’s theme “Fish for all, all for fish, hotel. (Photo by Collins Owuor) leaving no one behind” focused on two issues, eputy Governor, Dr .Mathew “With increasing attention on the blue economy first, fish for all is a call upon each individual to Owili wants the youth to be on as a new frontier for growth, the sector could embrace fish eating given the health benefits of the fore front in Aquaculture and potentially have several opportunities for fish consumption and increase the per capita fish Agribusiness development programs engaging the youths” said Dr. Owili. consumption to 20kgs/person/year by the year Das a way of creating employment in Kisumu. 2022. He reiterated that the potential can be Dr. Owili said the youth remains an important strengthened as the county move towards the Secondly, all for fish bringing all the fish value cog in the push for food security in any society implementation of Kisumu County Socio- chain actors together to share knowledge, skills and should therefore use their energy and skills economic recovery strategy post Covid-19 and best practices to boost fish production as a in exploring new agricultural programs. pandemic. source of livelihood.

He said Agriculture, especially Aquaculture still He further challenged the department to While giving his speech, the Deputy County remains one of the sectors with the employment consider investing in change of mindset among Commissioner Mr. Benedict Munywoki who opportunities which the youths can tap into to the youths to demystify the negative attitude the represented the County Commissioner, boost food security and create wealth. youths have about aquaculture. highlighted the fact that one of the goals of the Big Four Agenda is food and nutrition security The DG was speaking at a Kisumu hotel when The County Executive Member for Agriculture, for all Kenyans. he officially opened the Youth Conference in Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries, Mr. Gilchrist Aquaculture and Business development early Okuom among other senior county officials He further noted that the Ministry of Agriculture this week. is key in driving the agenda through enhancing Mr Okuom equated the youths to sustainability large-scale production, boosting smallholder The conference dubbed “creating Agribusiness and posterity in the aquaculture sector saying, productivity and reducing the cost of food Employment Opportunities for the Youths “donor funded projects die because the people thereby contributing to employment and wealth through Aquaculture Value Chain in Kisumu tasked to drive them fade away due to old age.” creation and above all a healthy nation. County” focused on challenging the youths to harness and tap into the potential of Aquaculture The event which was a curtain raiser for the Though the fisheries and aquaculture sub sector along its value chain. World Aquaculture Day, was also graced by has been supporting about a million people the Chief Officer livestock Rosemary Raluoch, directly and indirectly, working as fishers, fish The forum which brought on board youths in the County Director Fisheries Susan Clair, farmers, traders, processors, suppliers and Aquaculture, public and private sector players, County Officers from the department, partners’ merchants of fishing accessories and employees innovators and entrepreneurs was richly representatives from ABDP, ASDSP, GIZ, and with their dependents, there is a significant gap interactive and also provided networking among Food and Health Systems between the projected demand and production, the actors in the industry. which is expected to increase to 360,000 MT by Meanwhile, residents of Kisumu County joined 2025, resulting in a continuous decline in per Dr. Owili said the agriculture sector presents a the rest of the nation in marking the 2021 capita average consumption and rising prices huge employment opportunity that can absorb national aquaculture day celebrated annually (3.5 kg/person/year compared to a global the youths with rich untapped innovative skills. every 20th of May. average of 16.3 kg/person/year). 6 Issue 04, 26th May 2021 www.kisumu.go.ke

Investment Revealed: How Kisumu will Benefit from a New Shs 16 Billion Factory

Photo by Collins Owuor

etails have now emerged of how more than 15 years ago following the death of saying it had come at a time Kisumu is wooing Kisumu residents and the national Miwani Sugar Company. both local and international investors. government will benefit from the new Sh 16 billion Tiles factory being built Keda is the biggest Ceramics company in China “We welcome this initiative as we prepare to Dat Miwani in the outskirts of Kisumu City. and second biggest in the World. Kisumu will be host an International Investment Conference its second branch after it opened the first one in this September. We have many investment The Keda Ceramics Kenya Ltd will operate 5 Kajiado where it has pumped Ksh 7 million. opportunities,” said Prof Nyong’o who was production lines at the factory in manufacturing accompanied by the CECM for Lands, Housing assorted floor and wall tiles among other related Nyong’o, welcomed the company to Kisumu, and Urban development, Mr Dixon Obungu. products. One of the company’s directors, Mr Ruiqin Li, It will employ 2,500 people and will engage local said they chose Kisumu because of attractive and international suppliers who will be delivering investment climate and tranquillity. tons of raw materials every week. “We have come to Kisumu because the The Company whose officials paid a courtesy call environment is conducive for business. We on Governor Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o early came to Kenya because of the growing demand this week, acquired the 150 acres of land sitting a in affordable housing across East and Central stride the Oroba river and has started construction. Africa,” said Mr Li.

Besides creating the many employment and He added: “We will use the Kisumu port to export business opportunities, the Company will use our products to other countries. We will also take the Kisumu Port to export some of its finished active part in Corporate Social Responsibility, just products to the East and Central African countries. as we are doing in Kajiado.”

The Ceramic factory is expected to give a new lease of life to the Miwani township which collapsed Images courtesy www.kisumu.go.ke Issue 04, 26th May 2021 7 OPINION Excitement as Assembly passes Lake Front Development Bill By Kaye Alianda McIlwaine he Kisumu County Assembly valuable underused asset in the designed and developed to provide has passed the Kisumu County. valuable community resources, world- Lakefront Development class amenities and attractions for TCorporation Act (KLDC Bill He told the ‘County Review’ that residents and visitors. 2021), signaling a new beginning rrestrictions on the County’s own land for historic development of massive have long prevented the city from The Corporation is incorporated as a infrastructure around Lake Victoria. putting Lake Victoria to its best use Special Purpose Vehicle conceived by and deprived residents and visitors of conglomeration of Public and Private The Bill is now awaiting approval by a vibrant waterfront.” Entities to develop Kisumu City as an the Governor, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o East African cosmopolitan Port City. whose signature will make a law. He said the Lake Front Development It is chaired by former Auditor General Corporation will act as a Special Edward Ouko. The Act clarifies the legal status of Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to help the Corporation in order to allow the spearhead the development of The KLDC board of directors City to start major redevelopment eight thematic zones categorized as comprises the County Government of projects in the lake front that will catalytic and sectoral investments Kisumu, City of Kisumu, Kenya Port include a 42 Kilometre Promenade - along the waterfront, which will be key Authority, Kenya Railway Corporation, running from dunga to camp David to the urban renewal of Kisumu city. Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Osiri on the outskirts of the City. It National Chamber of Commerce and will open up the waterfront that will “Singapore has the Marina Bay Industry, Kenya Wildlife Services, include a Marina, boardwalks, a path Sands, Sydney has its Opera House, Nyanza Club & Trustees and Beach for foot travellers, cyclists, joggers London has the Eye, South Boston Management Unit. and marathoners. transformed its downtrodden waterfront into a world-class Subsequently, pursuant to the The Lakefront projects will also destination,” said Mr Abala. registration, The Governor of Kisumu include hotels and resorts, an County Government through the international golf course and dining He added: “Closer home, Uganda has gazette Notice Nos. 683 and 684 terraces, as well as clear the way for improved her shores of Lake Victoria gazetted the corporation as a Special increased maritime activity on the especially in Entebbe, Kampala and Purpose Vehicle (SPV) on behalf of lake. Jinja with beautiful botanical gardens County Government of Kisumu to and resorts. You cannot get more oversee the Lakefront Development This major development will create iconic than Table Mountain in Cape projects. thousands of jobs for local residents, Town, South Africa. It is time for generate millions of shillings in tax Kisumu to shine with an icon of its This enables the Corporation to revenue every year, create new and own. A place where our residents, secure assets, isolate public assets, improved waterfront parks and docks, current and future find inspiration.” create and invest in joint ventures, and revitalize the city’s waterfront. isolate corporate assets and Mr. Abala expressed special perform any other specific financial Celebrating the passage of the Bill appreciation to the County Assembly, transactions. by the County Assembly, acting City Sectoral Committee on Planning, Manager, Mr Abala Wanga who is Industrialization and ICT Chairman Building upon Kisumu’s unique also the Secretary of the Lake Front Hon. George Olwal, Speaker of the resources, KLDC will mobilize Development Corporation said it County Assembly Elisha J. Oraro government, the private sector and was now all systems go for the long- and Clerk of the Assembly Owen thought leaders around an inclusive awaited project. Ojuok in getting Kisumu Lakefront economic development strategy to Development Act through the house. maximize its potential and position “This is a major economic Kisumu effectively for investment and development Act for Kisumu City,” The KLDC is tasked with the talent. Abala said. “The Act allows the City thoughtful and creative reimagining to move forward with an audacious of one of the most important pieces vision for the Waterfront, the most of real estate on Kisumu’s waterfront; Images courtesy 8 Issue 04, 26th May 2021 www.kisumu.go.ke

County Programs How Kisumu County is Keeping Young Mothers in TVET Programs By Matilda Atieno Kisumu county is blazing the trail in embrace the on-campus baby care program in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers targeting young mothers who wishes to pursue vocational training.

In a rare move in the implementation of inclusive education, the county government is ensuring that no student is locked out of its TVETs because she has no one to care for their babies at home as they study.

The department’s CECM, Mr John Awiti has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Martin Kiyeng of Kidogo Innovations, to affirm the establishment and operation of baby care Centre for female students with babies at the TVET centers.

Kisumu County is well-placed to play an important role in the education with significant potential contribution to accelerate provision and service delivery of quality affordable on- institution baby care for the children of the students.

The chief officer, Ms Penina Onyango confirmed that Baby care is an essential need in most of the TVET centres brought to the attention of the County department of Education. In response, the Department in partnership with Kidogo innovations have created baby care assisted centers to provide back-up baby care for the students who have an extra burden of where to leave their young children.

Baby care challenges have become a barrier Centre Managaer for Sabako VTC Madam Yvonne Nyakwamba attending to babies of the students. (Photo by Jacob Owiti) to learning especially for young mothers, who provide much-needed support to students to team, identified the three centers for the pilot have to be taking class lessons while at the same manage their learning sessions. program to adopt the baby care centers. Plans time looking after their babies. The Students, are also underway to establish and equip the particularly women and girls, face additional “We seek to adapt the Early Childhood Model remaining 23 centers across the county. constraints in terms of time availability due to Centers dubbed ‘baby care center’ in three competing responsibilities, such as caring for of our institutions namely Akado, Ahero The program seeks to allocate space for the children and elderly family members and other and Obange Training centers which is set to baby centers within the institutions. The household duties. provide supervision and care of infants and spaces are then renovated and well equipped young children during the daytime, particularly with play stations, beddings, toys, mats and In her communication with the County review, so that their parents can hold classes.” stated also provide a well-trained caretaker in each the County Director for TVETs Ms Pascalia Madam Ouma. center. Ouma underscored the County’s commitment to support the training needs of the vocational Having completed needs assessment in all the The equipping of the centers is currently centres including the wellbeing of the students 26 centers across the county, the department underway under the supervision of the having partnered with Kidogo Innovations to Working closely with the Kidogo innovations directorate of TVET and the center managers. Images courtesy www.kisumu.go.ke Issue 04, 26th May 2021 9 SPORTS Governor Nyong’o Mourns Benjamin Ayimba

Benjamin Ayimba. (Image courtesy) Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o late this week joined other national leaders in condoling with the sports fraternity in mourning the death of international Rugby star, Benjamin Ayimba.

In his message, Prof Nyong’o said Kenya has lost one of her finest rugby players and coach.

Prof Nyong’o joined President and ODM Leader Raila Odinga who had in their condolence messages also described Ayimba’s demise as a big blow to the Country.

“We have lost an icon. His performances for the 7s as a player and coach brought happiness to many a family and was glue that brought the nation together even at times of most fragmentation,” said the Governor.

He added: “May the Almighty give comfort to his family, friends, Rugby lovers and the nation as a whole as we pray for his soul to be received in God’s right hand.”

Ayimba died on Saturday morning after a long fight with Cerebral malaria.

A Publication of the County Directorate of Communications Editors John Oywa, Atieno Otieno Contributors Aloyce Ager, Emily Mikwa, Matilda Atieno, Lorraine Anyango, Nancy Juma, Lennox Omondi, Harriet Chausiku, Jacktone Omondi, Nobert Wekesa Photography by Jacob Owiti, David Wadulo, Jacktone Omondi, Maurice Owaka, Innocent Oleche and Calvince Odiwuor.