The 59th Madaraka Day celebrations provided Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o with an opportunity to boast of his achievements.
In a detailed speech read on his behalf by his Deputy Dr Mathews Owili, the Governor enumerated private and government projects worth billions of shillings his administration has birthed.
The event was held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex, in Kisumu.
Key among the milestones, the Governor mentioned Sh25 billion investment in partnership between a United Kingdom based company- United Green and the County Government.
Some 20,000 rural households are targeted to be incorporated in the agri-food processing hub. With this investment, Kisumu will stop importing its food within the next ten years
Governor Nyong’o
The project aims at boosting imports and addressing food shortages by establishing an integrated agribusiness, fish and livestock farming, and horticulture in Seme, Kisumu east, Nyando, Muhoroni and Nyakach sub counties.
He said the project will provide 2,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs to our people.
“Some 20,000 rural households are targeted to be incorporated in the agri-food processing hub. With this investment, Kisumu will stop importing its food within the next ten years,” said Nyong’o.
Largest ceramic factory
Another key project is Sh2 billion Jumbo Steel Mills Ltd Investment which is expected to employ 600 people, majority of them from the local community.
He said a Sh16 billion Ceramic and tiles factory in Miwani which was birthed during his reign is the biggest tiles factory in East and central Africa.
“It is set to open this month and will employ some 2,500 people in the first phase. Already, up to 1000 people are working at the site,” said Nyong’o.
The Governor noted that his government has also invested Sh116 million in Medical Oxygen manufacturing and distribution in Kisumu public hospital.
“This investment by Hewa Tele and Associates is to address the persistent challenges in accessing quality, affordable and reliable medical oxygen gas for hospitals within and around the City of Kisumu due to absence of a locally based manufacturing facility,” he said.
MOU
Early this year, the County Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with California-based Zipline Company to undertake drone delivery services.
The Sh170 million project uses high-capacity drones to deliver drugs and essential medical supplies to hospitals.
“Zipline Ltd will Improve accessibility of blood and blood products from current 19.4 per cent and reduce maternal mortality due to haemorrhagea which is the leading cause of maternal death.,” said Nyong’o.
The county is also recently completed Sh50 million Google Plus Codes, digital address identification system.
Besides wooing investors, we have also worked on several development projects which we promised in 2017
Nyong’o
More than 20,000 Google codes have been issued in the first phase.
“Besides wooing investors, we have also worked on several development projects which we promised in 2017,” noted the Governor.
The county government, through the support of partners also managed to put up Uhuru Business Park, Chichwa, Maendeleo, Otonglo, Kombewa, and Kibuye markets.
In addition, the county government is in the process of implementing affordable houses at Makasembo Estate.
Water provision
According to Nyong’o, his government has surpassed target of water provision by four percentage point to record 72 per cent coverage of the population.
“In the just concluded financial year alone, that was characterized by the Covid-19 containment measures, we managed to increase the number of people with access to safe portable water by 4.8 per cent translating to 56,700 of the population of Kisumu,” he said.
Solid Waste Management has remained a major challenge to the lakeside city.
I wish to state that we have finally successfully relocated and decommissioned the Kachok dumpsite
Nyong’o
The situation has seen garbage disposed in ungazzetted areas, with Kachok dumpsite located at the centre of town becoming an eyesore.
But Nyong’o declared a win in the war against solid waste, saying his government has finally got a permanent solution to the menace.
“I wish to state that we have finally successfully relocated and decommissioned the Kachok dumpsite,” he said.
He added: “The County government has started utilizing the Waste to Energy plant at Kasese in Ombeyi ward. All garbage is now being ferried to Kasese.”
Nyong’o attributed the increase expansion of land under irrigation to his leadership.
“Rice Production steadily risen from 15 bags per acre three years ago to 35 bags per acre today.,” he said.
Agriculture
The steady growth of the rice sub-sector over the last four years led to last year’s cumulative production of 280,000 bags (16,000 metric tonnes) from 8,000 acres of land earning 2,285 farmers Sh560 million.
He said over the past four years, his government has distributed 336 dairy cows and 669 dairy goats to farmers across the county.
Nyong’o noted the milestone in the road infrastructure management through more efficient Roads Maintenance Teams and Machine Based Roads Construction.
He said his government has since hired 280 road maintenance workers, 35 Supervisors and five technical supervisors to oversee the maintenance of all roads in the 35 wards.
In Early Childhood Education, Nyong’o said his government has employed 665 ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable basis.
