*FARE THEE WELL DG SUSAN*

Several leaders from all walks of life on 23rd March, paid tribute to the late H.E.Susan Kikwai, Deputy Governor of Kericho County as she was laid to rest at her Tugunon village in Kipkelion East Sub County.

She was showered with praises as a diligent, hardworking and a strong pillar of women leadership in the country.

Governor, H.E Prof.Paul Chepkwony who led several high profile dignitaries including 5 Governors, 17 Deputy Governors, and a host of other leaders from within and outside the country, eulogized the late Susan as a reliable and focused leader.

R.I.P DG Susan.

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE H.E. SUSAN KIKWAI, OGW, DEPUTY GOVERNOR KERICHO COUNTY

DEATH OF H.E.SUSAN KIKWAI, DEPUTY GOVERNOR

Kericho County has March 11th joined other top counties in launching the first phase of Covid 19 Vaccination drive. In an elaborate ceremony presided over by H.E Governor Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony at Kericho County Referral Hospital, the exercise will see 3000 healthcare workers and other essential workers like teachers and security officers get the jab. Speaking during the event,Governor Chepkwony said the County has received 6000 doses and called for patience from the County residents as the country awaits for the second phase which will cover a larger population. However, the Governor warned residents against dropping the containment measures against the virus noting that the recent rise in the Covid-19 positive cases was worrying. In the last one week, Kericho County recorded 15 positive cases bringing the total cases to 1606. Governor Chepkwony was accompanied by Health CECM, Dr.Shadrack Mutai,Walter Reed Kericho Director Dr.Fredrick Sawe,Health. Services CO, Dr.David Ekwam among other senior healthcare workers.

*KERICHO TOPS*

Kericho County ranked 2nd best in the country in the implementation of the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project(KCSAP).

Kericho beats 23 other counties to emerge first runners up in the 5th County Review of the implementation framework of the World Bank funded project whose main objective is to increase agricultural productivity and enhance resilience to climate change risks in the targeted smallholder farming and pastoral communities in Kenya.

H.E.Prof.Paul Chepkwony addresses the Nation Africa Digital Summit held in Mombasa. He was among the keynote speakers.

*PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT*

On February 24th 2021, H.E.Susan Kikwai, OGW, Deputy Governor, represented H.E the Governor, Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony during the Lake Region Economic Bloc stakeholder engagement meeting aimed at seeking partnership for accelerating the establishment of cargo division and cold chain logistics at Kisumu International Airport. 

The setting up of this new division at the airport will serve as an impetus to the  development and growth of the horticulture, fishing, beef and other fresh produce sectors in the region.

This is a new frontier which we all need to venture into and reap maximum benefits. 

The realization of this project will not only spur the region's development but will also create investment and job opportunities for our people. 

*(H.E.Susan Kikwai, OGW, Deputy Governor, Kericho County)*

*HEALTHCARE BOOST*

The embassy of Hungary on 15th February officially handed over a donation of medical equipment worth Ksh. 7.million to Kericho County Referral Hospital.

The Hungarian ambassador to Kenya H.E Zsolt Meszaros together with the Head of Trade and Development, Zsofia Antal, handed over the equipment comprising of 2 Patient Monitors, 2 Infant Incubators, 9 new stand hospital beds of Slovenian origin, 1 Hemotology Analyzer and 2 trolleys to Kericho Governor, H.E Prof.Paul Chepkwony and CECM in charge of Health Services, Hon.Dr.Shadrack Mutai. 

In his address, Governor Chepkwony thanked the Hungarian government for the donation and called for  more collaboration and partnership between Kericho and Hungary especially in the fields of research and technology. 

Ambassador Meszaros said Hungary will in the near future partner with Kericho County in undertaking training exchange programmes for healthcare personnel. 

Present during the ceremony included, Director General, Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, Kericho County Commissioner, Kamau Karugu, Health Services Chief Officer, Dr. David Ekwam and Members of the County Assembly of Kericho.

Women on Land Rights and Urban Governance

Deputy Governor, H.E.Susan Kikwai, OGW, today led a delegation of women from Kericho County to Nyamira County for a sensitization forum for women on land rights and urban governance.

The DG who was accompanied by CECM in charge of Education, Culture, Social Services, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Lily Ngok, said women have a big role to play in promoting peace especially as the country heads to the forthcoming general elections.

*LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR BRITISH COLONIAL VICTIMS*

The search for justice for the Kipsigis and Talai victims of atrocities by the former British colonialists, has received a major boost after some of the survivors presented their testimonies and evidence to the UN Special Rappporteur on promotion of truth, justice, reparation and quarantees of non-recurrence, Prof. Fabian Salvioli.

During the three-day meeting which brought together a strong legal team led by Kimutai Bosek, the Queen's Counsel, Mr.Rodney Dixon and survivors of the British human rights violation, Kericho Governor, H.E Prof.Paul Chepkwony thanked the UN for honoring and giving audience to the victims who have never found justice for the injustices and torture inflicted upon them. 

According to QC Dixon and Bosek, the British government which claims to be the custodian of human civilization and a permanent member of the UN security council must take responsibility for the terrible atrocities committed during the colonial era.

*END TO HEALTH STRIKE*

Residents of Kericho County can now access medical care without any further challenge. 

This followed the signing of a return-to-work formula agreement between the Kenya National Union of Nurses(KNUN) and Kenya Union of Clinical Officers(KUCO) together with the Department of Health Services and Kericho County Public Service Board. 

The agreement will among other things ensure that no health care worker is victimized for participating in the strike. 

The County Government also committed to improve the working conditions of the health care workers including the provision of a comprehensive medical insurance cover. 

The agreement will also pave way for the promotion and redesignation of all the health workers by 30th June 2021.

Those in attendance included Public Service Board chairman, Prof. Joel Koech, Chief Officer Health services, Dr. David Ekwam, Chief Officer, Stephen Cheruiyot(Public Service Management), County Attorney, Gideon Mutai and Head of Human Resource, Jackline Leitich

*COUNTY EMPLOYEES CELEBRATE 3RD ANNIVERSARY*

Top County Government officials led by H.E the Governor, Prof.Paul Chepkwony,today joined a section of County Government employees in celebrating their third anniversary in the public service.

The employees who had served for several years on casual terms in the defunct local authorities, were confirmed on permanent and pensionable terms three years ago.

During the ceremony attended by among others, Hon.Edna Ruto(Public Service Management),Hon.Dr. Patrick Mutai (Finance and Economic Planning), Hon.Lily N'gok(Education, Culture, Social Services, Youth Affairs and Sports), Hon.Hellen Chepkwony(ICE ), Hon.Charles Birech(Trade and Industrialization) and Hon.Barnabas Ngeno(Lands, Housing and Physical Planning), the Governor assured them of his support in ensuring that they get the necessary training to enable them discharge their responsibilities more efficiently.

The employees thanked the Governor and his administration for being sensitive to their welfare and vowed to reciprocate by working diligently in making Kericho a better place to live in.

*BOOSTING FOREST COVER*

The rehabilitation of  Londiani forest block was launched on 22nd January, 2021 at Chebewor area of Kipkelion East Sub County. 

The event was graced by Governor, H.E.Prof.Paul Chepkwony and presided over by Cabinet Secretary in charge of Environment and Forestry, Hon. Keriako Tobiko and his Energy counterpart, Hon. Charles Keter. 

The rehabilitation exercise being implemented under the _Adopt a Forest Initiative_ project, will see a total of 107 hectares of the forest covered with indigenous tress. 

According to Tobiko, Londiani forest was chosen as part of the implementation of the Presidential  directive which requires all government ministries and Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies to contribute towards increasing the country's forest cover to 10% by 2022.

In his address, the Governor thanked both the Ministry of Energy and that of Environment for the initiative noting that such efforts would boost Kericho's Forest cover which currently stands at 22.5%.

During the event, the Kenya Forest Service and Londiani Community Forest Association signed an agreement for joint management of the forest.

*KERICHO AND LITEIN GET NEW BOARDS*

The newly reconstituted Municipal Boards of Kericho and Litein was on January 19th, 2021 sworn in at the County Government headquarters in a colourful ceremony graced by Governor, H.E.Prof.Paul Chepkwony and Deputy Governor, H.E.Susan Kikwai. 

The new board members took oath of office before Kericho Law courts magistrate, Hon.Aziza Ajwang and County Attorney, Gideon Mutai.

The swearing in of the two new boards, was done to conform with the  amended Urban Areas and Cities Act(2011) which changed the membership and qualifications of the city and Municipal boards, town and market committees.

In his address, the Governor urged members of the two boards to observe high level of integrity and serve the people of Kericho with justice and fairness.

The CECM in charge of Lands, Housing and Physical Planning, Hon.Barnabas Ngeno assured the members of his department's support and that they have already embarked on an exercise aimed at mapping out functions and resources that can be transferred to the respective municipal boards.

The new boards will be under the chairmanship of Mr. Harry Langat(Kericho Municipality) and Dr.Raymond Kemboi(Litein Municipality)

*LENDING A HAND TO FIRE VICTIMS*

Following 18th January fire incident which gutted down a dormitory at Cheborgei Boys secondary school in Bureti sub county, the County Government of Kericho has donated beddings and monetary support to the school.

The County Executive Committee Member in charge of Lands, Housing and Physical Planning, Hon.Barnabas Ngeno who represented the Governor, H.E Prof.Paul Chepkwony, visited the institution to assess the damage caused by the fire, assured the school of the county government's support in any effort towards rebuilding another dormitory and in ensuring that students who will be sitting for KCSE examinations are not affected.