*IN READINESS FOR JOB CREATION*

Kericho county today attained yet another key milestone in the vocational training sector following the graduation of 105 students at Kiptere Youth Polytechnic in Belgut sub county who were conferred with certificates in various courses.

The colourful ceremony presided over by Deputy Governor, H.E Susan Kikwai and witnessed by parents and other stakeholders, saw the graduands get various awards in the fields of Hospitality, Security and Guarding Services and Automobile Repairs, having successfully undergone a three-months' rigorous training and a month's internship programme.

The training was made possible thanks to the strong partnership between the County Government of Kericho and CAP-Youth Empowerment Institute.

Through the partnership, CAP-YEI facilitated the training and capacity building of tutors and ensured that trainees get hands on experience and employability skills in readiness for job and wealth creation.

The DG called upon other stakeholders to chip in and partner together in assisting more youth access technical training and employment opportunities both in the formal and informal sectors of economy.

The County Executive Committee Member in charge of ICT,Youth Affairs and Sports,Hon.Hellen Chepkwony appealed to the youth to take advantage of the government's capitation programme and enrol in various technical training centres in the county.

In the just ended financial year,Kericho county got an allocation of Ksh.36m for capitation with every student getting Ksh.15,000.

HOW KICOSCA GAMES ENDED 

H. E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony was glad to receive the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya H. E. Hon. William Samoei Ruto who has arrived at the Kericho Green Stadium for the closing of KICOSCA games on 16th August. The KICOSCA games had its proceedings live on NTV and KASS TV/KASS FM.

On that morning before heading to the stadium for the meeting presided over by our Deputy President H. E. Hon. William Ruto, the Governor hosted Bomet Governor H. E. Dr. Hillary Barchok who paid him a courtesy call at the county Headquarters. Barchok and Chepkwony strengthened the great friendship and cooperation between our two counties for the common good of our people.

H. E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony was proud to have received s trophy from Deputy President H. E. Dr. William Ruto for his participation and proficiency in Darts during the KICOSCA Games. The Governor thank KICOSCA National Governing Council for recognizing him as the best Darts player in the games. He also had the opportunity to play a few minutes of football with Dr. Ruto who ended up scoring a goal in the penalties. Congratulations to all the KICOSCA Teams for games well played.

With the fact that Kericho is rich in mineral deposits, during the visit to Kericho by the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, H. E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, he have called upon the National Government to support the exploration, mining and processing of minerals in Kericho including oil, limestone, bauxite and some rare earth metals which could go a long way in promoting our economics at the national and county levels.

The Governor also thanked the Jubilee Government for the development programs it has rolled out in Kericho and assured DP Ruto that Kericho remains fully committed in supporting the National Government in the implementation of the Big Four Agenda of Food Security, Universal Health Care, Manufacturing and Affordable Housing.

REPORT ON RECENTLY CONCLUDED KICOSCA GAMES

After the very colourful opening of the KICOSCA Games, the teams from the participating counties met at the various venues for the games. As a member of the darts team of Kericho County, H.E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony faced off with the darts team from Mombasa County. It was a very competitive match which Kericho county won. Kericho Governor H. E. Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony welcomed participants from all the 47 Counties who participated in the KICOSCA Game.

It was a very exciting week for all the counties which participated and especially for the people of Kericho who we thank for warmly welcoming over 8000 guests from all over our great country and enjoyed a huge boost in the area of business. It was  a great experience for all of us and we look forward to hosting a similar event in the future as Kericho has proven its capacity to host national and even international events. Congratulations to all participants for portraying a high level of sportsmanship and discipline throughout the week. 

Congratulations to team Kericho for winning first place in the handball game in both the men and women categories and congratulations to all the teams who won in the various disciplines. we wish all our visitors a safe journey home and assure them that Kericho welcomes them again to visit anytime. Congratulations to the KICOSCA National Governing Council and the Local Organizing Committee for putting together the best organized KICOSCA event this country has ever seen. we thank you all.

*WATER FOR ALL*

Water plays a critical and central role in all aspects of life and a major factor in any form of sustainable development.

In this regard,Kericho Governor,H.E.Prof.Paul Chepkwony,today presided over the official launch of Kiptunoi Water project in Kapsoit ward,Ainamoi sub county.

Flanked by area MCA,Hon.Paul Chirchir Tarimbo and CECM in charge of Water,Hon.Geoffrey Ruto,the Governor laid a foundation stone to mark the beginning of construction works of the Ksh.37m project expected to be completed in the next six months and will serve slightly over 1000 households and several institutions in the area.

In his remarks,Governor Chepkwony reiterated his commitment in ensuring that clean drinking water becomes accessible to all residents of this county.

While appealing to those awarded tenders to strictly adhere to the projects' timelines and bill of quantities, the Governor also urged members of the public to participate in carrying out social audit of any projects being implemented in their areas as a way of ensuring quality work was delivered.

Among those who accompanied the Governor included,Ainamoi MP,Hon.Sylvanus Maritim,CECMs Dr.Patrick Mutai(Public Works,Roads and Transport), Charles Birech(Finance and Economic Planning),Dr.Shadrack Mutai(Health Services),Edna Ruto(Public Service Management) Chief Officers,Leah Chirchir(Water),George Kirer(Finance and Economic Planning),Stephen Cheruiyot(Public Service Management)and other county officials.

Today H.E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony was privileged to host a delegation of the Forum of Chairpersons of Constitutional Commissions and holders of independent offices led by its Chairperson Madam Jane Kiringai who is also the Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation(CRA) on 17th July, 2019.

H.E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony was glad to announce that Kericho has been chosen to host this year's edition of the National 

Annual Conference for constitutional commissions and independent offices which will take place on 16th and 17th of October. 

This is a great honour for our county and an affirmation that we are on the right track and we are fully prepared to host  this national event in which the participants will be holding discussions on the gains of devolution and how best their organizations can help boost the performance of county governments.

H.E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony also took the visiting delegation on a tour of the Kericho County Referral Hospital where they appreciated the fact that the devolved system of governance had turned around the health sector and improved access to quality and affordable healthcare.

*KERICHO KICOSCA TRAINING LAUNCHED*

Training in preparation for the upcoming 7th edition of the annual KICOSCA games slated for next month in Kericho was launched on 12th Juy.

The launch held at Kericho Teachers Training College and presided over by CECM in charge of ICT,Youth Affairs and Sports,Hon.Hellen Chepkwony saw various disciplines receive training equipments and other support materials.

Mrs Chepkwony assured the participants of total support in ensuring that Kericho clinches the overall title in the August championship.

More than 8000 participants from the 47 counties are expected to converge here in Kericho for the one-week event scheduled for 12th-19th August 2019.

Kericho County successfully sweared in of the members of the second County Public Service Board who were approved by the County Assembly following a recruitment process which was thorough and inclusive. 

The new team consists of leading professionals from various sectors. They are Prof. Joel Koech (Chairman), Dr. Fancy Too, Prof. Samuel Rotich, Rev. John Koskei, Edmond Ngetich, Hellen Kirui and Charles Chirchir (Board Secretary).

The public have called on the new County Public Service Board members to serve the people of Kericho County with dignity, fairness and diligence and do justice for all. We also thank and congratulate the immediate former board members who recruited over 2000 professionals for the county government during their 6-year tenure.

Happy Madaraka Day. H.E. Prof Paul Chepkwony was honoured to lead Madaraka Day celebrations at the Kericho Green Stadium. We have decided that the county celebrations for public holidays will now be held in the sub counties on rotational basis and we will start by holding Mashujaa Day in Bureti. We call on all leaders on Kericho to work together with us to foster development. The county is now preparing for the KICOSCA Games to be held in August and security will be top notch. 8000 participants will be here in August and we wish to remind our business community to prepare adequately to ensure that these men and women will be comfortable during their one week stay in Kericho

Kericho Governor H. E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony 30th May chaired an Education Stakeholders meeting at Kericho High School which was attended by the County Commissioner and the County Security Team, school boards of management, religious leaders and school principals. The Governor condemned cases of fire that have been witnessed in some schools and said his administration would work with all the stakeholders to ensure schools would continue to be safe and calm to provide the right environment for studying. He also announced that the County Bursary Fund would be released on June 10th

Last year in February the first ever cardiac pacemaker implantation procedures were performed at the Kericho County Referral Hospital by a team of doctors from Kericho and the Michigan State University, USA. 12 patients benefitted. Today, I opened the second Cardiology Medical Camp at the hospital which will take place until 3rd June. The free surgeries will be performed by a team of 7 doctors from Kericho, the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and the University of Michigan and will benefit 20 patients.

This time the operations are bigger and more advanced because the doctors are performing double chamber pacemaker implantations.

As a result of the ongoing training of our staff, one of the surgeries was done exclusively and very successfully by a team of doctors from Kericho and the MTRH. These surgeries have been made possible by the installation of the most modern equipment in our operating theatres and the partnership with the Michigan State University (USA) and my government. 

We wish all the patients a quick recovery and congratulate the doctors on a job well done

Today the County Government led by County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment, Forestry and Natural Resources Hon. Geoffrey Ruto launched the County Tree Planting Exercise at Kondamet area in Kipchimchim Ward, Ainamoi Constituency where 3000 indigenous trees were planted. This kicks off efforts by Kericho Governor H. E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony to get rid of Eucalyptus trees planted along riparian areas as well as efforts by the county government to increase the forest cover in Kericho County. The County Government has provided 30,000 seedlings for this purpose. Much gratitude to the Kericho Investors and Business Association for giving 30,000 seedlings and the Kenya Forest Service for giving 10,000 seedlings. Thank you for the partnership! Prof. Chepkwony is calling on Kericho residents to take advantage of the prevailing rains and at least plant one indigenous tree each

On the sidelines of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Conference in Kisumu County, H.E. Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony was glad to have chaired a panel discussion with County Executive Committee Members of Health from the counties of Kisumu, Isiolo, Nyeri and Machakos to discuss the future of Universal Health Coverage in Kenya and how best it can be rolled out to ensure sustainability and quality health care in our public sectors. The deliberations were candid and brought out ideas that will make the implementation of UHC a success