*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.

*PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION*

The County Government of Kericho will continue establishing and strengthening partnerships with various stakeholders in the education sector with the sole aim of building a secure future for our children.

This was remarked by Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok during the official handing over of an ICT laboratory at Kiptewit Girls secondary school in Bureti sub county.

The laboratory was constructed and equipped courtesy of Wemyss Trust Foundation.

The DG who was accompanied by Cheboin ward MCA, Hon. Evans Kibet, thanked Wemyss Trust for its continued efforts in touching and transforming many lives both in Kericho County and globally especially in areas of education and health.

*REGULAR CHECKS*

County Government health officials led by Ag. Health Services CECM, Hon. Barnabas Ngeno 18th August made a tour of several health facilities in Ainamoi and Kapsaos wards. 

Hon.Barnabas who was accompanied by Ainamoi ward MCA, Cheruiyot Bett visited  Ainamoi Health Centre, Laliat Dispensary

 Mulgelwet, Kapsaos and Manyoror Dispensaries where they inspected the status of the facilities and got time to listen to the grievances from the health facility committees.

*DEVELOPMENT TOUR*

A team of County Government officials led by Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok 12th August made a development tour of Kunyak ward where they inspected and commissioned various projects in the area. 

The DG who was accompanied by area MCA, Hon.David Rono, and a host of other local leaders, officially opened Lesonet/Koru Farm ECDE Centre, Menet Dispensary and Kotetni  ECD class. 

The team also toured the proposed site for the construction of Girimori market shade, and Chelele coffee farmers society before commissioning Kapkulumbet-Jakaranda road among other projects.

While appreciating contractors for working tirelessly to ensure quality work and timely completion of projects, the DG urged County residents to actively participate in carrying out social audit of various projects in their respective areas.

*FETING OUR ATHLETES*

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic 800m silver medalist, Mr.Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich has been appointed the Goodwill Ambassador for the fight against Drugs and Substance abuse in Kericho County.

The appointment was made 11th August by Kericho Governor, H.E.Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony when he received the middle-distance runner in his office.

The 2013 IAAF World Relays gold medalist will now be the champion and voice against the growing menace of substance abuse among the youth in the county.

In recognition of the role played by sports personalities in the socio-economic development of our country and particularly by the local athletes from Kericho, Governor Chepkwony announced the immediate renaming of Kericho Green Stadium to Wilson Kiprugut Chumo stadium, in honour of the legendary athlete who won Kenya the first Olympic medal in 1964 in Tokyo, Japan.

On top of the appointment, Ferguson was honoured with several other gifts. 

The ceremony was graced by among others, Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok, Chief Officer in charge of Sports, Mrs. Eunice Sigei, Soin Ward MCA, Hon.Josphat Ruto and his Kapsoit ward counterpart, Hon.Paul Chirchir and a host of other MCAs.

*MATTERS PARTNERSHIP*

In a bid to build and strengthen effective partnership with the private sector players, Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok on 10th August toured Rai Cement Limited factory in Soin/Sigowet sub county where she held a consultative meeting with the company directors.

Among the issues discussed included partnership on areas of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR), safety and welfare of employees, water and sanitation and education. 

The company expressed willingness to partner with the County Government in drilling of boreholes and provision of industrial training to university and college students. 

The DG lauded the company for ensuring that majority of the employees were from the local community. 

She reiterated the government's commitment in ensuring an effective and fair taxation system which does not hurt businesses in any way.

*KERICHO REMAINS AN INVESTMENT HUB*

In appreciating the role played by businesses and the private sector in promoting sustainable development, the County Government of Kericho has reiterated her commitment to facilitating a conducive environment for doing business. 

Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok said this while presiding over the official opening of Gokul Hardware showroom in Kericho town.

The DG who was accompanied by CECM in charge Trade and Industrialization, Hon. Charles Birech and his ICT counterpart, Hon.Hellen Chepkwony, concurred with suggestions from Kericho Investors and Business Association(KIBA) and Kericho County Contractors and Suppliers Association, of the need to promote local investors and businesses through quaranteed ease of doing business.

To eliminate the bureaucracy of accessing government services, the department of ICT is in the process of digitizing most of its operations such as business permits, land rates and construction permits.

#Buy Kericho Build Kericho#

*COMMUNITY SERVICE*

Trade unions and employers have been urged to embrace social dialogue as a way of promoting industrial peace and harmony.

This was an appeal made by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Labour and Social Protection, Hon.Simon Chelugui during the official launch of Finlay's Community Trust, an entity charged with the responsibility of working with the community in identifying their development needs.

The trust will be under the able leadership of Kericho Catholic Diocese Bishop, Alfred Rotich.

While making his remarks, Kericho Governor, H.E.Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony said while his administration appreciates mechanization in the tea sector, it was equally important for the multinational companies to ensure that employees who have lost jobs in the mechanization process should have their skills transferred to other productive sections.

Finlays was applauded for their effective Corporate Social Responsibility which has brought transformation in the sectors of education, health, environmental conservation and sanitation.

Others who graced the event included Bomet Governor, H.E. Dr. Hillary Barchok, County Commissioner, Kamau Karungo, James Finlays Ltd Managing Director, Simon Hutchinson among others.

*BUILDING PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT*

In her efforts to building strategic partnership and strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration, the County Government of Kericho on 2nd August played host to a delegation from the Rotary Club of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, U.S.A. 

The team led by its president, Mr.Steven Laible flanked by Rotary Club of Kericho held a consultative meeting with Deputy Governor, H.E.Lily Ng'ok where they discussed possible areas of partnership especially in the sectors of Agriculture, Trade, Health, Cooperatives and Education. 

In her address, the D.G reiterated the government's commitment to building and strengthening ties with different partners with a view of achieving development effectiveness.  

The Brooklyn club is already facilitating the ongoing construction of Toror healthcare facility in Ainamoi Sub County.

*KERICHO'S DAY WITH THE SENATE*

Kericho Governor, H.E.Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony on 27th July appeared before the Senate's County Public Accounts and Investments Committee(CPAIC) to respond to some audit queries for FY 2018/2019.

The committee led by its chairman, Hon. Dr. Ochilo Ayako and his Deputy, Hon.Hargura Godana, lauded the Governor and his team for their great respect for the Senate as demonstrated by their consistent readiness to appear before the house committee to account for the resources allocated to Kericho County. 

"We have had issues with some defiant Governors who have no respect for the role of the Senate and sometimes they are coerced to honour our summons.But for Kericho, we have never had any issue in our pursuit to play our oversight role", commended Bomet Senator, Hon. Dr.Christopher Langat

In his remarks, Kericho Senator, Hon. Aaron Cheruiyot advised the County Government to invest more in effective Monitoring and Evaluation systems noting it was the only way of ensuring a seamless management of County projects.

*Commissioning of Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship*

Kericho Governor, H.E.Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony on 23rd July presided over the commissioning of Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarship programme for 129 students drawn from all the six Sub Counties.

The beneficiaries who will be joining secondary education next month are top performers from financially challenged backgrounds.

THE Governor who was accompanied by CECM in charge of Education, Hon.Dr.Shadrack Mutai, Count Commissioner, Kamau Karungo and representatives from the Equity Bank, thanked Equity Group for such initiatives which have touched and transformed so many lives of bright but needy children.

*Opening of Kapkikoro Dispensary in Soin Ward*

In ensuring access to quality health care services, the County Government of Kericho 15th July, 2021 officially opened Kapkikoro Dispensary in Soin Ward, Soin/Sigowet sub county.

The event was presided over by the Ag. CECM in charge of Health Services, Hon. Barnabas K. Ngeno, MCA for Soin Ward Hon. Josphat Ruto (Cheriro) and other top senior officers from the Department of Health Services. 

The team also visited and inspected Kipsitet, Koitaburot and Koiyabei Dispensaries in the same ward. 

*LET S GROW STRONG CHARACTERED GENERATION, DG URGES PARENTS*

Strong character formation is a critical component in the overall growth and development of a child. 

This was the message delivered on 13th July, 2021 by Deputy Governor, H.E. Lily Ng'ok while presiding over the graduation ceremony for PP2 class of 2021 of Kericho Primary school. 

The DG who was accompanied by CECM in charge of Land, Housing and Physical Planning, Hon.Barnabas Ngeno and his Trade and Industrialization counterpart, Hon.Charles Birech, underscored the need for parents to play well one of their primary roles of inculcating moral values in their children.