BARINGO COUNTY GOVERNMENT

REPORT OF THE COUNTY DIALOGUE HELD IN MOGOTIO SUB COUNTY

County Dialogues: - Build up towards the 3rd Annual Devolution Conference 2016

HOSTED BY:

H.E. HON. BENJAMIN CHEBOI EBS GOVERNOR-BARINGO COUNTY

THEME: “The Promise of Devolution: Consolidating the gains after transition and looking into the future”

VENUE: MOGOTIO VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

DATE: 1ST MARCH, 2016

Introduction

In marking the third year into Devolution, the COG will hold the 3rd Annual Devolution Conference in Meru County, from 19 – 23rd April 2016. The conference intends to bring together all the key players in the Devolved fraternity in Kenya, as well as key stakeholders, to reflect on the status of devolution, especially after the transition period. The meeting will take stock of the journey we have travelled for the three years and how we could work even better towards the promise of Devolved Governance in Kenya.

As a curtain raiser to the conference, the COG recommends a raft of preliminary dialogues and other activities in the Counties. While the start of Devolution had been somewhat difficult and often informed with a variety of structural, administrative and policy challenges, as well as political and legislative concerns, Devolved Government has now taken off in earnest. Against the initial teething challenges and concerns, each County has realized something good out of Devolution. County dialogues are expected to bring the searchlight to settle on the experience of each County with Devolution.

It is in this light that Baringo County in following up with COG directive that County dialogues are being held in every sub county to get the views, positive and negative on them from the citizenry.

Mogotio Sub County

Mogotio Sub County is one of the six (6) sub counties that make up Baringo County. The constituency covers over 1,303.87 Sq. Km of the land mass of the entire County, with the rest sharing remaining 11,075.3 km2 be shared among the other five (5) Sub Counties (Baringo North, Baringo South, Baringo Central, Eldama Ravine and Tiaty).

The population of Mogotio according to the 2009 census was 60,959 (National 2009). With an estimated annual growth of 3.6% from 1999 census, the current population is estimated to be slightly above 75,000 people. The poverty level in the constituency according to national statistics is 43.7% (KHIS).

The Sub County has got three wards namely; Mogotio, Emining and Kisanana. Mogotio is 287.53 Sq.Km, with a population of 27,793 (National 2009). Administratively, Mogotio ward has Sore, Sirwa, Kaburgei, Kapterit, Koitebes, Rosoga, Nguberet, Chemongoch, Kipsogon, Mogotio, Kapkein, Kimng'orom, Kiptoim Legetetwet, Olbat, Ndania, Kiprot and Sagasagik Sub– Locations.

Emining is 529.21Sq.Km, with a population of 16,508(National 2009). Administratively, Emining ward has MajiMoto, Kaplelwo, Radad, Molos, Kamar, Oterit, Chemoinoi, Emining, Kimose, Kabogor and Cheberen Sub–Locations.

Kisanana ward is 487.13 Sq.Km, a population of 16,658(National 2009); administratively, the ward has Chebirebei, Waseges, Kiribot, Nyalilbuch, Kabuswo, Kamasai, Kabargei, Koituimet, Ng’endalel, Kisanana, Koisaram, Oldebes, Chomiek, Molosirwe, Mugurin, Mukuyuni, Turkulu, Kapnosgei, Kipnyung'uny, Ol kokwe, Kibomoi, Chepyuan and Tinosiek Sub–Locations.

The permanent water bodies are Emining Perkerra and Molo rivers which run across the sub county and both drain into Lake baringo.

Socio economically, agriculture and livestock keeping remains the key source of livelihood to the over 80% of the population in the areas. Some parts remain remained under developed, inaccessible, neglected and underprivileged due to scarce or total absence of successive governments’ considerations.

Detailed County Dialogue Process

The first Baringo County dialogues was hosted by H.E. the Governor of Baringo County on 1st march, 2016 at Mogotio Vocational Training Centre. Those in attendance were;

Members of Baringo County Government;

. H.E. Hon. Benjamin C. Cheboi EBS Governor . Hon. Elijah Toroitich Leader of majority and MCA Mogotio ward. . Stella Kereto –County Secretary . County Secretary . Members of the county executive committees (CECs) - Hon. Edwin Riamang’ura , Lands,Housing & urban development - Hon. Job Tomno, Water and Irrigation - Hon. Kipchumba Keitany, Industrialization,commerce, Tourism & Enterprise Devt - Hon. Moses Atuko, Environment, Natural resources and Energy - Hon. Carolene N. Tenges , Agriculture - Hon. Lillian Sadalla, Education and ICT - Hon. Luka Rotich, Roads and Infrastructure - Mr. Richard Koech C.O. Treasury and Economic planning and also AG. CO Health services - Mary Tuitoek , Sub county Sports officer representing the CEC Youth,sports, gender, labour. . Chief officers - Dr. Gideon Toromo, Livestock and Fisheries - Collins Cheruiyot , Environment ,Natural resources and Energy - Christine Rono, Water and Irrigation - . Directors - Wesley Kiprop, Civic Education - Douglas K. Murrei, Treasury - Eng. Vincent Cheruiyot .Roads and Infrastructure - Tom Tubei, Communications . Sub County Administrator - Dorcas Kibet- Mogotio - Anthony Tanui, Eldama Ravine . Ward Administrators - Jane Sogomo , Mogotio - Jacob Kangogo , Emining - Pius Chebon , Kisanana

National Government representatives present were;

. Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Philip Nzungo. . OCPD- Insp. Nyangeresi . Naomi Nakanatha, NIS . Chiefs

Community members were drawn from;

. The clergy . Business community . Civil Society Organizations . Women representation organizations . Youth groups . Persons living with disabilities . Professionals

The forum was opened with a word of prayer and later the County Secretary facilitated the process that begun with introducing members of County Government, National Government representatives of various groups and individuals present.

The documentary was then screened to the participants on projects the County has established in the county and Mogotio Sub County since 2013. It also set the pace for the introduction for the agenda of the day. Devolution as detailed in the Kenyan Constitution 2010 played a pivotal role as it gave the background to the establishment of County Governments structures in Kenya and helped set in place the county governments hence, there is closer services are rendered to the people and the decision making process through public participation is a reality.

The documentary screened clips highlighting various departmental projects and services activities offered at the Mogotio Sub County. The first part of the documentary was on cross cutting projects and milestones the county entire county has realized.

Thereafter, the floor was opened to the participants and they were given ample time to air their views in a free and candid environment. The following individuals spoke on behalf of various group represented in the Mogotio Sub County dialogue forum:

 Peter Binnot from Chemogoch Mogotio Ward  David Yator from Emining Ward  Wilson Limo Mitei from Kisanana ward  Komen Samuel from  Kiplagat Tanui from Noiwet  Paul Seroney from Mogotio ward  Rachael Juma(Mama Esthe)r from Mogotio ward  Dominic Kirwa from Mogotio  Selina Korir from Mogotio  Zainab Ramadhan Haiyan from Mogotio ward  James Ngeno from Mogotio ward  Henry Sirma Arap Rop from Sirwa  Kiplagat Tessot from Esageri Mogotio ward  Kipsang Kimaru from Maji Moto Kisanana ward  Sammy Kurgat from Kimose Emining ward  Ida Tanui from Mogotio ward

Meeting deliberations The participants expressed a lot of gratitude on what the County Government had achieved. There was positive acknowledgement of County activities in improving the livelihoods of the people in the local community. The pertinent issues raised that needed to be addressed were highlighted as indicated below. Water and Irrigation; Mogotio Sub County experiences dry spells mostly and speaker after another appreciated steps taken by the County in addressing the water scarcity. They however stressed on the need for the County Government to assist increasing the access to clean water for domestic and livestock use since there are still villages not covered. The suggestions from wananchi are listed here.

. Expedite the supply of water from massive chemususu dam in Eldama Ravine to Mogotio and Emining which is the long lasting and sustainable solution. . Water trucking by use of water boozers to schools, hospitals and hard hit areas as a short term measure. . Sinking and equipping of more boreholes. . More water pans to be dug; . Building of more Water tanks and laying of distribution piping. . Building of a big dam at Kapchelugui to curb flooding and for irrigation. . Increase the land under irrigation in the Sub County, Rosoga location was mentioned as another ideal point after Emining.

Roads and Infrastructure; participants noted the good work which had been done in grading, murruming and opening up of new roads for instance Mogotio- Alphega Rd, Oldebes – Kisanana Rd and Bulyoge and Waseges footbridges. However, they decried the poor state of other roads that have not been done and the slow progress in repairing the following roads:

. Lombugishu – Noiwet road; . Sore – Kaplaimoi road; . Kimng’orom – Sirwa road; (Class D road under KERRA) . Emining – Eldama Ravine (class D road) which is under the National Government portfolio taking long to be completed done by KERRA. . More feeder roads to be done.

Health services; there was appreciation of the establishment of new health facilities across the Sub County, issuance of ambulance to Kisanana health centre and timely supply of drugs, issues raised were; . Employ and post more health and social workers to facilities like Sirwa dispensary among others. . Power connection to facilities like Kisanana dispensary.

Agriculture, Livestock &Fisheries;

. The number of tractors bought by the County Government for land tilling to be increased; . Establishment a local fertilizer depot for timely supply of fertilizers to farmers. NCPB has no branch in Mogotio. . Fish farmers wanted to be provided with dam and fishing liners.

Lands Housing and Urban Development; participants were drawn to the following issues:

. physical planning to be done in Mogotio ,Emining townships, Sirwa and Kipng’orom, Kisanana, Radad markets among others; . Double allocation of plots in Mogotio township to be looked in to; . Repossessing of Public utility parcels of land lost to land grabbers; . Enforcing by-laws to curb littering of the towns and markets. . Opening of access roads; . Provision of dumpsite and cemetery sites in Mogotio; . Land be provided for settling the landless at Katoron’got village; . Township committee be formed from amongst the locals; . Modern Mogotio Bus park be established; . Sanitation (toilets and waste disposal bins) be provided in the townships of Mogotio and Emining.

Education and ICT;

The county government has employed and posted two ECDE Teachers to all learning centres in the county besides constructing four ECD classrooms in each ward every year. By end of 2015, 24 ECD classes had been built in Mogotio Sub County. However, there is still need for;

. ECDE class to be established within Mogotio township and Kipsogon market; . Increase the bursary allocation to secondary, colleges and higher education learning; . Vocational college instructors be absorbed by the county on permanent and pensionable terms. Industrialization, Commerce Tourism and Enterprise Development; youth and women groups have benefitted from county loans while market stalls and shades built in Emining, Kisanana, Radat. The tourism and information centre is under construction in Mogotio which is a gateway to the North Rift tourism circuit. The citizens suggested that:

. business stalls should be done along the area bordering Nakuru county; . In order not to lose business opportunities to Nakuru side of Mogotio town, tarmacking of township roads and making it investor friendly should be fastracked.

Environment, Mining and natural Resources;

. Wetlands along the River Molo to be fenced and protected.

Public works; participants expressed satisfaction on the quality of projects done by Baringo County Government; the only raised an issue on:

. Contractors were urged to up their game to ensure timely completion of projects.

Civic Education & public participation; participants in most cases would fail to distinguish between devolved functions and those that remained with the National government, they requested that;

. County officials led by the Civic Education officials, Sub County Administrators and Ward Administrators should be facilitated more in order to do more public awareness on functions of various levels of governments and their operations. . Citizens cited that any agreement reached in a public participation forum should not be amended by any other authority.

CONCLUSION

The forum was an eye opener to many residents and concurred that the county government has indeed done a lot for the short time it has been in existence. They cited the documentary as a very good testimony by the county government because each person can see for himself or herself what has been documented and asked that all the projects in all wards should be captured.