*KERICHO COUNTY THIRD ASSEMBLY UNVEILED*

The third county assembly of Kericho held its maiden sitting today where honourable members took oath of office before embarking on the election of the house speaker.

Hon.Dr. Patrick Mutai was elected as the third speaker of the County assembly of Kericho after garnering a total of 31 votes trouncing his closest competitor and immediate former speaker, Hon. Dominic Rono who got 16 votes.

Other contestants for the speaker position included, the first county assembly speaker, Hon. Japhet Mutai, Davis Sang, Hillary Kirui and Bernard Sang.

The ceremony was graced by H.E the Governor, Dr. Eric Mutai and Senator, Hon. Aaron Cheruiyot.

All the leaders vowed to put their energies together and work collectively in transforming the lives of the people of Kericho.

The 41st edition of the Kenya Communication Sports Organisation (KECOSO) games festival has officially kicked off on 20th August, in Kericho County.

The Kericho County Government Ag. County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Education and Sports Hon. Edna Ruto graced the opening ceremony on Saturday promising participants of a conducive environment and comfortable state-of-the-art sports facilities during their seven day tournament that ends on 24th September 2022.

-Kericho County is grateful that it was chosen by the KECOSO Governing Council to host such a significant event. As you enjoy the games also find time to tour around our beautiful county, sample our local delicacies such as mursik and tea, since we have the best tea in the world- said Mrs. Ruto.

The opening game of the tournament was a football match between Zoo FC from Kericho and Posta Rangers.

The KECOSO games are making a comeback since 2019 due to the interruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

**GOVERNOR MUTAI TO CHAIR EDUCATION COMMITTEE**

Kericho Governor, H.E. Dr. Eric Mutai, was today elected the chairperson of the committee on  Education, Gender, Youth Affairs, Children, Sports, Culture and Social Services at the Council of Governors(CoG). 

The elections were held at the final day of a three-day induction workshop for all the Governors and their deputies held at the coastal city of Mombasa. 

Governor Mutai joins other Kenya Kwanza coalition dominated Governors elected to chair various technical committees and other positions at the CoG. 

Kirinyaga Governor, H.E. Anne Mumbi Waiguru clinched the council's chairperson position after trouncing Kajiado Governor, H.E. Joseph Ole Lenku. 

Mutai's committee will be tasked  with the responsibility of considering, reviewing and monitoring policy and legislation on matters relating to education, gender, youth, sports, culture and social services and making relevant recommendations.

*ENHANCING ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION*

In their push to enhance access to clean drinking water in Kericho County, stakeholders in the water sector, September-6, held a consultative meeting with H.E. Governor, Dr. Eric Mutai in his office.

Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA), Kericho Water and Sanitation Company Ltd. (KEWASCO) and the Department of Water, Energy, Environment, Forestry and Natural Resources, briefed the Governor on the overall status of various water projects in the county, with special focus on the mega Kimugu Water project in Kericho town.

The team which was led by LVSWWDA Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chrispine Juma and KEWASCO Managing Director, Eng. Kibii Siele, reported that the Ksh. 1.2 billion Kimugu water project was set for completion at the end of this month and commissioning expected to take place in December this year.

During the meeting, the Governor called for the fast tracking of construction of a waste water treatment plant in Litein municipality.  

According to Juma, the scope of the German Development Bank funded project, include, the expansion and rehabilitation of Itare water project,the construction of a sewerage network  and a waste water treatment plant in the town.

*ENGAGING INVESTORS*

As part of the efforts to build and cement working relationship with its investors, the County Government of Kericho has this morning  hosted  the management of  James Finlay  Kenya Ltd. 

The Finlay's team led by its Managing Director, Simeon Hutchinson and flanked by his Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr.Sammy Kirui, held a lengthy consultative meeting with H.E. Governor, Dr. Eric Mutai, on areas of mutual interest in coming up with a win- win situation on the whole idea of tea plucking mechanization as well as enhancing of Corporate Social Responsibility. 

While assuring the multinational company of his government's support, the Governor urged them to think outside the box by resting the big tea plucking machines and instead use the handheld ones so that more people get employed in the sector. 

Finlay on its hand cited international law challenges on the optimization of the mechanization program but assured the Governor that the company will consult further and revert soon.

Drivers constitute a very critical workforce in government.

It is in recognition of such vital role that H.E. Governor, Dr. Eric Mutai, September,6, held his maiden meeting with all drivers serving in his government.

The meeting which served as a familiarization exercise also provided an opportunity for the drivers to air out their work related challenges. 

The Governor on his part thanked them for their work fidelity and assured them that his government will ensure that their welfare

was well addressed and their work dignified.

He said that just like other professionals, drivers too have the right to develop and grow their driving careers through regular refresher courses and other trainings.

*EDUCATION, A GREAT SOCIAL EQUALIZER*

The County Government of Kericho is set to roll out a scholarship programme targeting 3000 students in the county in the coming weeks. 

Governor, H.E. Dr. Eric Mutai made the announcement on September 2, while presiding over this year's event organized by Finlays Community Trust to award scholarships to bright students drawn from Bomet and Kericho Counties.

This year, the Trust allocated Ksh. 32.2 million to both Undergraduate and Masters program. 

The Governor lauded James Finlays for such a transformative initiative saying it has touched many lives and positively changed the world.

While emphasizing how education is a great social equalizer, the Governor called upon the multinational company to consider enhancing the kitty moving forward so that more students benefit from the program.

GOVERNOR HIT THE ROAD RUNNING

The newly inaugurated Governor of Kericho County, H.E. Dr. Eric Mutai Kipkoech, has hit the ground running with his first assignment being a working tour of Kapsoit ward in Ainamoi Sub county, where he presided over the commissioning of Mosop Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society milk cooling plant.

The facility was refurbished and equipped by the County Government of Kericho, and its catchment areas are Kapsoit, Waldai and Ainamoi wards, collecting well over 2000 litres of milk daily. 

The Governor who was flanked by several leaders among them, New KCC Managing Director, Nixon Sigei, Ainamoi MP, Hon.Benjamin Langat, and area MCA, Hon. Paul Chirchir, said that Agriculture remains the backbone of Kericho County’s economy, and that his government will significantly enhance the budgetary allocation to the sector in order to empower farmers realise their full potential.

It is official ladies and gentlemen, The EQUALIZER IS IN TOWN.

In line with the laws of the land, Dr. Mutai Erick Kipkoech together with Engineer Fred Kirui have today taken the oath of office to serve as Kericho County Governor and Deputy Governor respectively. 

Our endless gratitude to the people of Kericho from who we obtained the mandate to serve. 

Our appreciation to colleague leaders, Every resident and every visitor who graced our solemn occassion today.

As the clock starts ticking today, let everybody have our word that we will implement to the letter what we promised. 

Twende kazi sasa.

It is official ladies and gentlemen, The EQUALIZER IS IN TOWN.

In line with the laws of the land, Dr. Mutai Erick Kipkoech together with Engineer Fred Kirui have today taken the oath of office to serve as Kericho County Governor and Deputy Governor respectively. 

Our endless gratitude to the people of Kericho from who we obtained the mandate to serve. 

Our appreciation to colleague leaders, Every resident and every visitor who graced our solemn occassion today.

As the clock starts ticking today, let everybody have our word that we will implement to the letter what we promised. 

Twende kazi sasa.

*COFFEE FARMERS WIPE THEIR FRAGRANT SWEAT*

A total of 9,582 small holder coffee farmers under Kipkelion District Co-operative Union Ltd(KDCU), today received a payment cheque worth Ksh.105.1 million for the sale of 134.4 metric tonnes of coffee exported to South Korea a month ago.

Out of this direct sale, the farmers drawn from Kericho, Nandi and Bomet counties, earned an average of Ksh.116 per kg of cherry, compared to the average of Ksh.76 fetched at the local auction.

Speaking while presenting the cheque to the farmers at Kipkelion Coffee Mill, H.E.Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony, EGH, termed the move by the small scale farmers to manouver through the suppressive brokers and other intermediaries, to access direct market for their produce, as historic and commendable.

The farmers now want the Nairobi Coffee Exchange to open the door for them so that they can participate at the local auction.

At the same time, H.E the Governor presided over the groundbreaking for the construction of a warehouse to assist the farmers store their produce as they await exportation.

BRIEF STATUS OF KERICHO WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Residents of Kericho town and its environs will soon heave a sigh of relief as

the expansion of the water supply system in Duka moja area enters

homestretch.

The Ksh.1.2 billion project is 15 % shy of completion, and is projected to

produce 13 million litres of water per day, benefitting 200,000 households.

Out of the targeted 50km distribution pipeline, 48km line has already been

done, covering areas of Kapsoit-Borborwet, Kapcheptoror-Kaptebeswet,

Kakiptui, Kisumu road-Kapsoit and Kipchimchim-Ainamoi.

The Raw Water Gravity main pipeline covering 7.7 km from the main intake

to the treatment plant in Duka moja, is only 300metres short to the end

point.

The 2.8 km treated water gravity main pipeline connecting the main tank

near Tea hotel is barely 800 metres to the finishing mark.

This water project will be substantially completed not later than April this

year, and is projected to meet the water demand of the targeted population

till 2040.

According to the Managing Director for Kericho Water and Sanitation

Company (KEWASCO), Mr. Eric Siele, the current water shortage situation is

dire, with daily production shrinking to 2.6 million litres against the

augmented demand of 16 million litres per day. This is attributed partly to

the encroachment of sections of South West Mau forest resulting in drying

up of tributaries feeding Timbilil (main water source for KEWASCO).

As we grapple with this phenomenon, we must also remember that,

Kericho, just like other parts of the country, is fighting with the impacts of

climate change; and this requires collective and explicit action to reverse the situation.

*GOVERNOR CHEPKWONY CLINCHES TOP GALA AWARD*

Kericho County dominated this year's National County Gala Awards which took place today in Mombasa County.

Kericho Governor, H.E.Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony, EGH, scooped the best Governor in Kenya award, subsequently earning Kericho two more awards; the best County in Governance and that of the overall best County.

Philip Kiprono Chirchir, was recognized and awarded for being the best Chief Officer in Kericho County.

The awards were based on a survey conducted in all the 47 counties between September and December, 2021

*ROAD TO OXYGEN PLANT STARTS*

The County Government of Kericho today laid a foundation stone for the construction of Ksh.46.8 million Oxygen plant at Kericho County Referral Hospital.

Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony paving way for the start of the construction and installation works expected to be complete within the next six months.

The World Bank funded project, upon its completion and operation, will produce 350 litres of Oxygen per minute.

According to the Chief Officer in charge of Health Services, Dr.David Ekuwam, the plant will significantly reduce the turnaround time for procuring and delivery of oxygen from 24 hours to less than one hour.

The generated oxygen will also be distributed to all the County health facilities, private hospitals within Kericho County, and also to the neighbouring counties.

*BOOSTING POULTRY FARMING*

Poultry farmers' groups from different parts of the County today received chicks, courtesy of the County Government of Kericho.

Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok flanked by CECM in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Eng. Philip Mason presented the KALRO day old chicks to the groups which also comprised of Widows, Orphans and the Youth.