CURTAINS FALL ON THE 7TH ANNUAL DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE IN MAKUENI

As the curtains fall on this year's devolution conference in Makueni County, H.E.Governor, Prof. Paul Chepkwony, did an insightful presentation on enlivening and Integrating  indigenous knowledge in climate action at the subnational level in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The session underscored the need for governments and other climate change actors to engage the indigenous communities while designing and implementing climate change programmes.

At the height of COVID-19 pandemic, many people turned to traditional herbal recipes and indigenous food due to their immune boost properties.

KERICHO EXHIBITS ITS PRODUCTS

H.E. Governor, Prof. Paul Chepkwony leads other delegates at the 7th Annual Devolution conference in Makueni County where they sampled various products including the distinctive tasty Kericho tea and coffee.

The theme of this year's conference is, "Multi – level governance for climate action."

*MATTERS WATER*

A meeting between the Department of Water, Energy, Environment, Forestry and Natural Resources, Kericho Water and Sanitation company(KEWASCO) and Lake Victoria South Water Works Agency, agreed among other things the possibility of funding a water project that will address the perennial water shortage in the larger Bureti sub county.

The meeting attended by the Agency's Board chairman, Hon.Dan Omino,CECM in charge of Water Services, Hon. Geoffrey Ruto and KEWASCO Managing Director, Kibii Siele also discussed the need to support the construction of KEWASCO offices at the new Duka moja water project.

Others in attendance included, Chief Officer for Water Services, Eng. Richard Mitei

*35TH SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN COUNTY 035*

The 35th Annual Nurses Scientific Conference kicked off from November 15th, 2021, here in Kericho.

As part of the build up activities to the start of the conference, H.E. the Governor, Prof.Paul Chepkwony today launched free eye cataract surgery at Kericho County Referral Hospital's Ophthalmology unit.

The operations are being sponsored by the Lions Club of Kericho, Kenya Progressive Nurses Association in partnership with the County Government of Kericho.

Eye cataract is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the country hence the need to focus on the prevention, treatment and management of the disease.

The theme of this year's conference is: “ _Nurses, A Vision for Future Health Care.”_

Several guests including CS, Hon. Eugene Wamalwa(Defense) and his Devolution counterpart, Hon. Charles Keter will grace the official opening the conference.

*KERICHO FLAGS OFF TEAM TO EMBU*

The County Government of Kericho on afternoon of November 12th, 2021 flagged off a team of players representing the County in the 8th edition of the Kenya Inter-counties Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) games slated to take place in Embu County from 14th to 21st Nov 2021.

The County Chief Officer in charge Sports, Mrs. Eunice Sigei urged the team to be good ambassadors by flying Kericho's flag high in the competition.

*KERICHO SCOOPS TOP AWARD IN PHYSICAL PLANNING*

The County Government of Kericho has been ranked top in Kenya for Spatial Planning and Urban Governance. Kericho was recognized for her exemplary efforts in enacting county policies, legislations and spatial plans. This was during the East African Planners Convention (2021) held in Malindi, Kilifi County.

Present to receive the award on behalf of H.E. the Governor, Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony was the CECM in charge Lands, Housing & Physical Planning Hon. Barnabas K. Ngeno, accompanied by the Ag. County Director for Physical Planning Plan. Sylvia Inziani.

Kericho was lauded for becoming the first county in the history of devolution in Kenya to enact and gazette the County Spatial Plan.

The County was also commended for her efforts in developing numerous urban development plans, establishing a new Municipality for Litein town and pioneering the regularization of unauthorized developments.

The convention was organised by the Kenya Institute of Planners and attended by delegates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Africa.

*BOOST TO ECDE LEARNERS*

A reason to smile for the well over 37000 ECDE learners drawn from the 729 centres in the county following the flagging off and distribution of learning materials on November 4th, 2021.

The ceremony held at the county government headquarters and presided over by H.E the Governor, Prof.Paul Chepkwony accompanied by Ag.CECM in charge of Education, Hon.Dr.Shadrack Mutai and other top government officials, also saw the distribution of assistive devices such as wheel chairs and white canes to persons with disabilities.

According to the Governor, the distribution of such learning materials will go along way in reducing the cost incurred by parents to educate their children.

HYGIENE BOOST

Modern sanitation facility handed over to Asenwet ECDE Centre in Soin/Sigowet sub county, courtesy of SNV WASH first project.

The event was presided over by Education Chief Officer, Eunice Sigei.

*SENATE TOURS KERICHO*

The Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare lauds the County Government of Kericho for her efforts in addressing the welfare of ECDE teachers.

The committee led by its chairman, Hon.Johnson Sakaja held a session at the county assembly to respond to a petition by ECDE teachers on their recruitment, remuneration and other related issues.

Upon listening to submissions from the Ag.CECM in charge of Education, Hon.Dr.Shadrack Mutai and the County Public Service Board, the committee expressed its satisfaction with the progress and future plans by the County Government in ensuring that all the grievances raised were fully addressed.

H.E. Governor, Prof. Paul Chepkwony committed to sit with all the respective stakeholders within the next two weeks to chart the way forward and ensure that the ECDE teachers get their rightful entitlement.

The victims of a fire incident at Chesinende secondary school in Kipkelion East sub county received a donation of beddings from the County Government of Kericho this evening.

Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok challenged the students to rise above the fire disruption and remain focussed in their studies.

In marking this year's 2021 Global Handwashing Day, SNV Kenya through WASH First programme in partnership with the County Government of Kericho's Department of Health Services, donated 100 Handwashing facilities to various households in Kapsoit ward.

This will greatly boost the hygienic standards of the beneficiaries especially in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 virus.

*MEDIA AND COVID-19*

The media and other communication channels play a critical role in ensuring that the public gets access to the right health information regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

This was remarked by Kericho Governor, H.E. Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony while gracing a media training workshop conducted by the Kenya Red Cross Society here in Kericho.

The Governor who was accompanied by CECM in charge of Health Services, Hon.Dr.Shadrack Mutai, urged the media to work closely with the government and other stakeholders in sensitizing members of the public on the need of getting vaccinated and at the same time debunking the myths surrounding the vaccines.

Currently the County has registered a total of 48000 persons who have been vaccinated.

*BOOST TO FARMERS*

A total of Ksh.116.4m worth of grant support was 15th September issued to 214 farmer groups drawn from Ainamoi, Kapsaos, Kamasian, Sigowet, Soin and Kipkelion wards.

The support courtesy of World Bank Group and the Government of Kenya will assist farmers boost their agricultural productivity and build resilience against climate change risks.

Kericho Governor, H.E. Prof. Paul Chepkwony who was accompanied by his Deputy, H.E.Lily Ng'ok and CECM in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Philip Mason, encouraged farmers to utilize the funds prudently and value add their respective products in order to reap maximum benefits.

At the same time, the Governor also flagged off  nine motorcycles which will be used to strengthen agricultural extension service delivery.

*Ceremonial Chain*

H.E Governor, Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony hands over the Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Cultural Association(KICOSCA) ceremonial chain of office to his Embu counterpart, H.E.Martin Wambora.

Wambora takes over from Governor Chepkwony as KICOSCA patron and his county will host this year's games.

Kericho County successfully hosted the 7th edition of KICOSCA games in 2019.

The Governor was accompanied by CECM in charge of Education, Youth Affairs, Culture, Sports and Social Services, Hon.Dr.Shadrack Mutai and Chief Officer, Mrs.Eunice Sigei.

*(NHIF) Mass Biometric Registration Drive*

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) mass biometric registration drive in Soin/Sigowet sub county was officially launched at Chepkemel Chief's office by Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok.

Accompanied by Ag. CECM in charge of Health Services, Hon. Barnabas Ngeno and Director for Health Services, Dr. Betty Lang'at, the DG appealed to the residents to enroll with the national health care scheme as a way of cushioning them from the ever rising cost of treatment.

Earlier in the day, the DG toured Sigowet sub county hospital to assess the status of service delivery in the facility.