Jamhuri Day Speech 2015

SPEECH BY H E HON JOSEPH K NDATHI THE GOVERNOR KIRINYAGA COUNTY DURING THE OCCASION TO MARK THE JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS AT ST. MARY GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL KANDONGU, MWEA ON 12TH DECEMBER 2015.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER,

THE SENATOR, HON. KARABA,

THE WOMAN REP. HON. WINNIE KARIMI

AREA MP, HON GITAU,

THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR,

THE SPEAKER OF KIRINYAGA COUNTY ASSEMBLY,

AREA MCA,

MCAS PRESENT,

INVITED GUESTS,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO PRESIDE OVER THIS IMPORTANT DAY IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. JAMHURI DAY IS CELEBRATED EVERY YEAR TO MARK THE DAY KENYA BECAME A REPUBLIC AFTER GAINING INDEPENDENCE FROM THE COLONIAL MASTERS. IT IS A DAY OF THANKSGIVING TO OUR GALLANT FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND THE FOUNDERS OF THIS NATION WHO’S VISION AND SACRIFICE GAVE BIRTH TO OUR GREAT REPUBLIC. IT IS ALSO A DAY THAT WE TAKE STOCK OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AS A NATION AND REFLECT ON OUR SHORTCOMINGS AND PEER INTO THE FUTURE WITH GREAT EXPECTATIONS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THIS JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATION COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ARE ENGAGED IN THE MIDTERM REVIEWS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE. IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, WE WILL BE MARKING THREE YEARS OF DEVOLUTION. AS A COUNTY WE HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF IN TERMS OF ACHIEVEMENTS.

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WHEN I TOOK UP THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNTY, I UNDERTOOK TO ADDRESS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES OF THE PEOPLE OF KIRINYAGA AGAINST A VERY TIGHT BUDGET. I PLACED SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON HEALTH, WATER, AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION. THESE AREAS WERE ENVISIONED AS THE MOST CRITICAL AREAS AFFECTING THE PEOPLE OF KIRINYAGA AND I THEREFORE PUT THEM ON TOP OF MY AGENDA.


TO UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH IN MY GOVERNMENT, IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, A THIRD OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY BUDGET WAS ALLOCATED TO HEALTH SERVICES. OUR PRIORITIES IN HEALTH ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. MEDICINES

WE INJECTED RESOURCES TO ENSURE CONSISTENT SUPPLY OF THE REQUIRED MEDICINES AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN OUR HOSPITALS. THESE INITIATIVES HAVE STABILIZED THE AVAILABILITY OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES IN ALL OUR PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES.

IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET OF 2015, WE ALLOCATED AN ADDITIONAL 22 MILLION SHILLINGS FOR PURCHASE OF MEDICINES AND OTHER MEDICAL SUPPLIES. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY USED FOR PURCHASE OF MEDICINES AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES COMES TO KSHS. 122 MILLION.

2. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, WE WILL INSTALL HIGH CAPACITY GENERATORS IN ALL OUR MAJOR PUBLIC HOSPITALS. THE GENERATOR IN KERUGOYA HOSPITAL IS BEING UPGRADED SO AS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE NEW DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES THAT ARE GOING TO BE INSTALLED SOON.

IN ADDITION, WE WILL ALSO PROCURE GENERATORS FOR 6 HIGH VOLUME HEALTH CENTERS AT A COST OF KSHS 7.2 MILLION. THESE HEALTH CENTERS ARE; THIBA, KARUMANDI, KABARE, DIFATHAS, BARICHO AND KIBIRIGWI.


FOUR AMBULANCES PROCURED RECENTLY BY THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH 3 OF THEM SERVING MWEA SUB-COUNTY (MURINDUKO, KIMBIMBI AND MUTITHI AREAS). THESE AMBULANCES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE REFERRAL OF PATIENTS FROM THE AREAS THAT THEY SERVE TO HOSPITALS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE KIRINYAGA COUNTY.

RENOVATIONS ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING AT KERUGOYA AND KIANYAGA HOSPITALS IN READINESS FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC, RENAL DIALYSIS AND THEATER EQUIPMENT DUE IN JANUARY 2016. THIS WILL ENHANCE DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER IN OUR COUNTY HOSPITALS. THESE EQUIPMENT ONCE INSTALLED, WILL ENHANCE MANAGEMENT OF CANCER AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS WITHIN OUR PUBLIC FACILITIES. THIS WILL EASE THE BURDEN OF KIRINYAGA PEOPLE FROM HAVING TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES AND PAYING EXORBITANT CHARGES TO ACCESS THESE CRITICAL MEDICAL SERVICES.

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AGAIN, IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, MY GOVERNMENT HAS PLANNED TO INSTALL THE FOLLOWING MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT;

i. IN KERUGOYA MORTUARY- COOLERS, AN OXYGEN PLANT AND EXTENSION OF THE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT.

ii. KIMBIMBI HOSPITAL- AN ULTRASOUND MACHINE, A DENTAL CHAIR, ANAESTHETIC MACHINES AND LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINES SHALL BE PROCURED.

iii. KIANYAGA HOSPITAL- DENTAL CHAIR, THEATER EQUIPMENT, STERILIZATION EQUIPMENT, AND DIGITAL X-RAY MACHINE WILL BE INSTALLED.

1V. SAGANA HOSPITAL- A DENTAL CHAIR AND A HIGH CAPACITY GENERATOR WILL BE INSTALLED.

3. HEALTH WORKFORCE

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN -TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE IN OUR HEALTH FACILITIES, 14 MEDICAL DOCTORS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO VARIOUS PUBLIC HOSPITALS WITHIN THE COUNTY. IN ADDITION WE HAVE EMPLOYED AN EYE SPECIALISTS AND A PHYSICIANS TO ADD ON TO THE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS IN OUR PUBLIC HOSPITALS.

WE WILL SOURCE FOR MORE SPECIALISTS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR SO AS TO ALLEVIATE THE BURDEN OF KIRINYAGA PEOPLE FROM TRAVELLING FOR LONG DISTANCES TO ACCESS SPECIALIZED MEDICAL SERVICES.

4. HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE

WE HAVE ALLOCATED KSHS 295 MILLION FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE DEPARTMENT. THE MONEY WILL FUND 98 ONGOING PROJECTS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR.


IN A FEW WEEKS’ TIME WE INTEND TO OPEN 2 NEW HEALTH FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED; THAT IS, KIAGA AND KAMUIRU DISPENSARIES.

WE HAVE ALSO SET ASIDE KSHS 3 MILLION FOR ASSISTING THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES TO GET NHIF COVER.


AT THE BEGINNING OF MY TENURE, THE GOVERNMENT DEVELOPED A STRATEGIC PLAN TO GUIDE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR COVERING 2013-2017. THE STRATEGIC PLAN IDENTIFIED KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES THAT MY GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO IMPLEMENT IN ORDER TO UNLOCK AND DEVELOP AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL IN THIS COUNTY. WE ARE ON COURSE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION AND THE RESULTS SO FAR ARE VERY ENCOURAGING.

DESPITE LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES MADE AVAILABLE TO OUR COUNTY THROUGH ALLOCATIONS FROM THE NATIONAL TREASURY, MY GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO ALLOCATE A SIZEABLE PORTION OF OUR RESOURCES TO SUPPORT OUR FARMERS AND THE EXTENSION OFFICERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT

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OF THE SECTOR. IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR MY GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED THE AGRICULTURE MINISTRY KSHS 137 MILLION TO DRIVE THE SECTOR FORWARD.

THE FARMERS OF THIS COUNTY HAVE RESPONDED WELL TO THE INITIATIVES THE GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN AND HAVE CONTINUED TO PUT KIRINYAGA, NOT ONLY ON THE KENYAN BUT ALSO THE INTERNATIONAL MAP. LAST MONTH I WAS VERY PROUD TO ATTEND A CEREMONY WHERE THE BEST FARMERS IN THE COUNTRY WERE BEING FETED FOLLOWING A NATIONAL COMPETITION THAT COVERED ALL THE 47 COUNTIES. THE COMPETITION HAD EIGHT CATEGORIES AND OUR COUNTY EXCELLED IN THREE CATEGORIES. ALLOW ME TO MENTION THE NAMES OF OUR WINNERS:

IN THE SMALL-SCALE FARMERS FULLY COMMERCIALIZED CATEGORY;

NUMBER ONE NATIONALLY-MR. JAMES MURIMI-OL MARA FARM

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE CATEGORY: NUMBER ONE NATIONALLY; FLORENCE KARAMBU NJIRAINI

LARGE SCALE AGRO DEALER CATEGORY; NUMBER THREE NATIONALLY; UKULIMA AGROVET SERVICES.


BECAUSE TODAY WE ARE IN MWEA SUB- COUNTY IT IS GOOD THAT WE FOCUS ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF FARMERS IN THIS AREA TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR COUNTY. THIS SUB-COUNTY IS ENDOWED WITH RICH SOILS AND A PLEASANT CLIMATE THAT MAKES IT SUITABLE FOR GROWING WIDE RANGE OF CROPS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERAL IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN THIS COUNTY HAS OPENED UP THIS AREA AS A SOURCE OF QUALITY FRESH PRODUCE AND FRUITS. MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST MORE FUNDS IN IRRIGATION PROJECTS AND IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT SO AS TO UNLOCK THE FULL AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL IN THIS SUB- COUNTY.

LET ME MENTION JUST A FEW AREAS OF EXCELLENCE IN THIS SUB-COUNTY AND SOME CHALLENGES.

80% OF THE RICE GROWN IN KENYA COMES FROM MWEA. IN 2014 THE SUB- COUNTY PRODUCED 70,000 TONS OF RICE VALUED AT KSH. 3.1 BILLION. ONCE THE THIBA DAM IS CONSTRUCTED MORE LAND WILL BE PUT UNDER RICE CULTIVATION AND THIS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO FEED THE COUNTRY WITH THE POPULAR BISHORI RICE. MY GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES FACING FARMERS AS THEY HARVEST AND DRY THEIR RICE DUE TO THE ONGOING EL NINO RAINS. WE ARE LIAISING WITH THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO HELP THE FARMERS.

FRENCH BEANS SHOULD BE CALLED KIRINYAGA BEANS BECAUSE THE CROP HAS ITS HOME IN OUR COUNTY AND IN PARTICULAR THIS SUB COUNTY. DUE TO OUR GOOD SOILS AND CLIMATE WE PRODUCE THE BEST BEANS IN THE WORLD AND 65% OF THE EXPORT OF THE BEAN FROM KENYA COMES FROM KIRINYAGA. IN THE YEAR 2014 WE PRODUCED 24,000 TONS OF BEANS VALUED AT KSH. 1.4 BILLION.

WE ALSO HAPPEN TO PRODUCE THE BEST TOMATOES IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BULK OF THIS COMES FROM THIS SUB- COUNTY. WE ARE THE 2ND LARGEST PRODUCER OF TOMATOES IN THE COUNTRY AND LAST YEAR WE PRODUCED 48,560 TONS WHICH EARNED OUR FARMERS KSH1.1 BILLION.

OUR COUNTY IS THE 2ND LARGEST PRODUCER OF BANANAS IN THE COUNTRY. KAGIO AND KUTUS MARKETS ARE THE MAJOR SOURCE OF QUALITY BANANAS THAT FEED THIS NATION. IN 2014 OUR FARMERS PRODUCED 192,230 TONS VALUED AT KSH. 2.2 BILLION

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AS I CONCLUDE MY REMARKS ON AGRICULTURE I WANT TO THROW A CHALLENGE TO FARMERS IN THIS AREA AND TO THE REST OF THE COUNTY. AS WE CONTINUE TO DO WELL IN CROP PRODUCTION, I WANT US ALSO TO PAY ATTENTION TO DAIRY. THIS AREA HAS NOW EMERGED AS A MAJOR SOURCE OF ANIMAL FEEDS AND WE ARE EXPORTING TO OTHER COUNTIES. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE FARMERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF THEIR DAILY HERD AS THE DEMAND FOR MILK IS ENORMOUS. MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT VACCINATIONS TO ENSURE OUR ANIMALS ARE PROTECTED FROM MAJOR DISEASES.


TURNING TO PROVISION OF WATER FOR BOTH DOMESTIC AND IRRIGATION PURPOSES, BY THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 2015, WE HAD IMPLEMENTED 75 WATER PROJECTS TO VARIOUS COMPLETION STAGES. THROUGH THIS EFFORT, 29,900 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AVAILED WATER IN THEIR HOMES.

BETWEEN JANUARY AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, WE HAVE SUPPORTED 86 WATER PROJECTS IN THE COUNTY WITH PIPES, FITTINGS AND MATERIALS WORTH KSH 125 MILLION, 12 WATER INTAKES AND 5 MASONRY TANKS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, 8 BOREHOLES ARE SCHEDULED FOR DRILLING AND FLOOD MITIGATION WORKS FOR THIGUKU VILLAGE IN KIRINYAGA WEST AND MUTITHI IN MWEA ARE VIRTUALLY COMPLETE.

REGARDING OUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TANA WATER SERVICES BOARD IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MWEA-MAKIMA WATER PROJECT, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE AS THE WATER INTAKE AND TREATMENT WORKS ARE COMPLETE AND PIPE LAYING HAS REACHED UHURU MARKET IN WAMUMU. FURTHER, TENDERS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE 2 OF THE PROJECT ARE UNDERWAY AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SPEND KH 78 MILLION IN THIS PHASE.

IN THE SANITATION SECTOR, NEGOTIATIONS WITH A NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE PARTNERS ARE UNDERWAY FOR BOTH LOCALIZED SOLUTIONS AND A LARGER SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR THE MAJOR URBAN CENTRES OF KIRINYAGA.

AS A STOP GAP MEASURE THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLANS TO PROCURE TWO EXHAUSTERS TO SERVICE BOTH THE GOVERNMENT SANITATION FACILITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE COUNTY, I WISH TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE NOW COMMISSIONED THE THREE ADDITIONAL GARBAGE TRUCKS THATI PROMISED DURING MY MADARAKA DAY SPEECH EARLIER THIS YEAR. WE HAVE ALSO PROCURED 96 ‘TIPPING’ LITTER BINS THAT WILL SOON BE MOUNTED AT STRATEGIC POINTS IN OUR MAJOR URBAN CENTRES FOR PEDESTRIAN USE.

ON ENERGY, THE MINISTRY HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED INSTALLATION OF HIGHMAST FLOODLIGHTS AT WANG’URU, KANDONGU, KAGIO, KIANYAGA, KUTUS AND MUTITHI. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL FLOODLIGHTS AT KIMUNYE, KAGUMO, THIBA AND KIANGWACI IS ONGOING. TO ENHANCE THE CONNECTION OF OUR HOMES TO THE NATIONAL GRID, WE HAVE MADE PAYMENTS TO THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY FOR POWER SUPPLY TO THE KARIKO-THAITA, KIANGURWE, KAMUTITHI-KABARE, KARAGARA AND SOUTH NGARIAMA ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS.

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IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY PROCURED BIOGAS HOLDERS AND ACCESSORIES TO BE INSTALLED IN 50 HOMES ACROSS THE COUNTY. INSTALLATION OF THESE WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTRE (MT. KENYA REGION) AND WILL MARK A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TOWARDS REDUCTION OF THE GLOBAL WARMING MENACE.

UNDER THE EDUCATION SECTOR, THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS FULLY TAKEN OVER THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS, BEING EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION (ECDE) AS WELL AS VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTES, FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS VILLAGE POLYTECHNICS.

FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, MY GOVERNMENT HAS CONSISTENTLY ALLOCATED REASONABLE RESOURCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND PROPER OPERATIONS OF THE ECDE AND COUNTY VOCATIONAL TRAINING INTUITIONS.

THIS HAS CULMINATED IN UPGRADING AND REFURBISHMENT OF OUR 198 ECDE CENTERS, WITH 5 NEW CLASSES CONSTRUCTED. FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, WE HAVE ALLOCATED OVER KSH 150 MILLION IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR OUR EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND TRAINING CENTERS.

THIS HAS BEEN UTILIZED TO BUILD 67 EXHAUSTIBLE TOILETS IN ECDE CENTERS, AMONG OTHER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. FURTHER OUR EXISTING 11 POLYTECHNICS HAVE BEEN REVITALIZED, INCLUDING PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENTS FOR TRAINING AND ICT FACILITIES.

AS MY FLAGSHIP PROJECTS, I HAVE THIS YEAR ALLOCATED KSH 12 MILLION TO DEVELOP FURTHER KAITHERI POLYTECHNIC KERUGOYA WARD, KIAMBATAHA POLYTECHNIC IN KIRINYAGA EAST, MUCII WA URATA POLYTECHNIC IN MWEA, KIAMBWE POLYTECHNIC IN KIRINYAGA WEST AS WELL AS ESTABLISHMENT OF A COUNTY LIBRARY. A FURTHER 45 MILLION SHILLINGS IS ALLOCATED TO WARD BASED PROJECTS UNDER EDUCATION SUBSECTOR ON TOP OF THE 90MILLION USED TO DEVELOP THE SECTOR IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.

IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, WE DISBURSED BURSARY TO THE TUNE OF KSH 60 MILLION TO NEEDY STUDENTS AT PRIMARY, SECONDARY, COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LEVEL AS OF EDUCATION. THIS HAS BEEN INCREASED TO KSH 76 MILLION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR BASED ON NEEDS OF OUR CHILDREN FOR SUPPORT IN EDUCATION.

TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS IN EDUCATION, MY GOVERNMENT ABSORBED ALL THE INSTRUCTORS IN OUR POLYTECHNICS, AND RECRUITED WELL QUALIFIED PRINCIPALS FOR THE INSTITUTIONS. UNDER THE ECDE PROGRAMME, WE PLACED 403 TEACHERS ON COUNTY GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW THEIR TERMS TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN GETS THE RIGHT ATTENTION AND CARE IN EDUCATION CENTERS AT AN EARLY AGE, TO SUSTAIN OUR COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCE IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR NATIONALLY.


OUR COUNTY IS KNOWN WORLD OVER BY OUR STRONG COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT. ONLY LAST WEEK WE LAUNCHED THE FIRST EVER COOPERATIVE SOCIETY TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH DISABILITIES.

THE NUMBER OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES HAS INCREASED FROM 89 TO 107 COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES, AN INCREASE BY 16 NEW COOPERATIVES OR A TWENTY PER CENT GROWTH.

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MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN FROM 250,000 TO 352,000, A 20% GROWTH SINCE WE TOOK OVER LEADERSHIP REPRESENTING A PENENTRATION RATE OF ABOUT FIFTY PER CENT (50%) OUT OF A POPULATION OF 600,000 PEOPLE. HALF OF THE KIRINYAGA RESIDENTS ARE MEMBERS OF ONE COOPERATIVE OR ANOTHER.

THE SHAREHOLDING ROSE FROM 900 MILLION TO 1.07 BILLION AND THE TURNOVER IN THE SECTOR HAS GROWN FROM KSH 4 BILLIONS TO KSH 6 BILLIONS, A GROWTH OF 50%.

THE COUNTY SACCO’S LOAN PORTFOLIO HAS GROWN FROM 5 BILLION TO 7 BILLION, A GROWTH OF OVER 40%.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, EMPLOYMENT IN THE SECTOR HAS GROWN FROM 900 TO 1,110PERMANENT EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 200 NEW EMPLOYEES.

IN THE VALUE ADDITION INITIATIVES THE DIRECTORATE HAS PROMOTED VALUE ADDITION OF COFFEE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES RUNG’ETO AND MUTIRA FCS LTD ON COFFEE, MWEA RICE GROWERS MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD ON RICE AMONG OTHERS. THE DIRECTORATE DONATED A MILK PASTEURIZER AND A COOLER OF 500 LITRES TO KIRINYAGA DAIRY CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.

IN OUR EFFORTS TO SUPPORT TRADE THE KIRINYAGA TRADE DEVELOPMENT JOINT BOARD HAS GIVEN LOANS TO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES LOANS THROUGH THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRADE TOTALING TO KSH 24 MILLION OVER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS

THIS PROGRAMME CUTS ACROSS ALL THE WARDS AND HAS BENEFITED ABOUT 300 TRADERS WHO IN TURN SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROJECT AND THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN TO GET MORE FUNDS TO SUPPORT MORE TRADERS. THE INTEREST RATES ARE WAY BELOW THE BANK RATES AT 8% AND MANY BUSINESSES APPRECIATE THE SCHEME.


OUR COUNTY IS SUPPORTED BY AN AGRARIAN ECONOMY HENCE THE NEED TO DEVELOP MARKETS AS OUTLETS FOR OUR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. IN THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS, WE HAVE DEVELOPED MARKETS AS FOLLOWS;

1. KERUGOYA MARKET LAID CABROS AT A COST OF 21 MILLION.

2. KAGUMO MARKET LAID CABROS (PHASE 1) AT A COST OF 7 MILLION

3. REHABILITATION OF THE FOLLOWING MARKETS

a) KUTUS OLD MARKET- NYANGATI WARD – ONE SHED COMPLETED.

b) SAGANA STAGE MARKET - KIINE WARD - MURRAMING

c) GATEGI B - WAMUMU WARD- RECLAIMIMG THE LAND AND FENCING

d) GATUIRI - WAMUMU WARD– ONE SHED DONE

e) GITUMBI –INOI WARD SHED DONE

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4. MORDERN EXHAUSTABLE MARKET TOILETS FOR THE FOLLOWING MARKETS.

a) KAGIO – KIINE WARD

b) BARICHO– MUKURE WARD

c) SAGANA MARKET TOILET – KARITI WARD

d) KIANYAGA MARKET – BARAGWI WARD

e) MAKUTANO MARKET – MUTITHI WARD

f) KAGUMO – MUTIRA WARD

g) MUCAGARA – KARUMANDI WARD

h) GITUMBI MARKET TOILET – INOI WARD

CURRENT PROGRAMMES & PROJECTS

THE FOLLOWING MARKETS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REHABILITATED

a) KAGIO FRESH PRODUCE MARKET – KIINE WARD AT A COST OF KSH 50 MILLION

b) KAGUMO MARKET – MUTIRA WARD CABRO WORKS PHASE 2 AT A COST OF 8.6 MILLION

c) KIANYAGA MARKET – BARAGWI WARD AT A COST OF KSH 9 MILLION

d) KIBINGOTI – KIINE WARD MARKET SHED

e) KARUMANDI – KARUMANDI WARD MARKET REHABILITATION

f) THIBA – THIBA WARD MARKET TOILET

g) GATHAMBI – MUKURE WARD – FLOODLIGHT

h) KARUMANDI – KARUMANDI WARDFLOODLIGHT

i) GATWIRI – WAMUMU WARD – FLOOD LIGHT

j) MBETI – INOI WARD – SOCIAL HALL AND LIBRARY

k) KIBINGO – INOI WARD – MARKET REHABILITATION

TURNING ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH A FULLY-FLEDGED COUNTY DEPARTMENT FOR WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. PREVIOUSLY THESE SERVICES WERE OFFERED IN THE NEIGHBOURING EMBU COUNTY. THE OFFICE IS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL AND HAS BEEN SERVING OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

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THE MAJOR ACTIVITY FOR THIS DEPARTMENT IS TO ENSURE FAIR TRADING PRACTICES FOR BOTH THE TRADES AND BUYERS. THEY DO THIS BY CARRYING OUT PERIODICAL INSPECTIONS AND VERIFICATIONS OF ALL WEIGHTS AND MEASURES EQUIPMENT IN THE COUNTY. THESE INCLUDE WEIGHING MACHINES, PETROL STATION PUMPS, AND FACTORY WEIGHING MACHINES.


AS PART OF PROMOTING TOURISM WE ORGANIZED OUR MISS TOURISM KIRINYAGA COUNTY TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR IN NOVEMBER 2014. OUR FINALIST MISS ANN KARIUKI PARTICIPATED IN THE NATIONAL FINALS WHERE SHE EMERGED THE BEST NATIONAL CULTURAL DRESS AND THE BEST IN MT KENYA REGION.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING VARIOUS TOURISM SITES IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING ONES. WE REQUIRE ADDITION RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND MARKET THESE SITES SO AS TO ATTRACT VISITORS AND EARN REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY.

THE KAMWETI MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ROUTE IS UNDERUTILIZED AND NOT FULLY MARKETED. THROUGH PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WE ARE PROPOSING TO UPGRADE AND SET UP THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING GRADING THE ROUTE, SOLAR, WATER POINTS, ECO LODGES, BANDAS AND DORMITORIES SO AS TO ATTRACT TOURISTS ALONG THIS ROUTE. THE OTHER PROPOSED PROJECT UNDER PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP IS THE SETTING UP OF CABLE CARS ALONG THE SAME ROUTE. WE ARE SEEKING FOR INVESTORS IN THIS VENTURE AND ALREADY WE ARE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME OF THEM.


ON INDUSTRIALISATION AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT, THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS COLLABORATED WITH KIE TO ALLOCATE THE INDUSTRIAL INCUBATION CENTER SHEDS AT KIANGWACI IN KARITI WARD TO INVESTORS WILLING TO PUT UP INDUSTRIES AT THE SITE.

SO FAR THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SHEDS AT THE CENTER

1. KIRINYAGA HORTICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED DEALING IN TOMATO VALUE ADDITION.

2. PANA PRODUCTS. – DEALING IN CHUTNEY AND MANGO PULP.


THE COUNTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF UNDERTAKING MAJOR STORM WATER DRAINAGE WORKS, ROADS IMPROVEMENT AND SECURITY LIGHTING IN ELEVEN (11NO.) TOWNSHIPS NAMELY KUTUS, WANG’URU, KIBINGOTI, KIANYAGA, KAGIO, KIANJIRU, KIMBIMBI, KAGUMO, MUTITHI, KIANGAI AND BARICHO.

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THE COUNTY IS ALSO CONSULTING THE KENYA POWER AND OTHER POWER PROVIDERS FOR THE PROVISION OF STREET LIGHTING IN KERUGOYA AND KUTUS TOWNS.

THE LAND DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED KSHS.5, 283,000 FOR PLANNING OF VILLAGES IN DIFFERENT WARDS NAMELY KARITI, KIAMUMU, THUMAITA, KIANGOMA, KIBINGOTI, RIANDIRA, NDINDIRUKU, KIARUKUNGU, GITHOGONDO, KABARE AND KIAMICHIRI. THIS WILL INVOLVE PLANNING, SURVEYING AND EVENTUAL ISSUANCE OF TITLES.

THE COUNTY HAS RESERVED A 100 ACRES OF LAND FOR KEMRI AT WAMUMU FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGH QUALITY RESEARCH LABORATORIES AND MEDICAL UNIVERSITY FACILITIES FOR POSTGRADUATE DEGREE TRAINING THAT MEETS THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.

THIS WILL ESCALATE THE GROWTH OF THE AREA, OFFER EMPLOYMENT TO OUR RESIDENTS AND PROVIDE MARKET FOR OUR FARMERS AMONG OTHER BENEFITS.


THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN IMPROVEMENT OF COUNTY ROADS, CONSTRUCTION OF FOOT BRIDGES, DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION OF CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS MARKETS, ECDE AND HEALTH FACILITIES AMONG OTHERS.

AMONG ROAD WORKS DONE OR BEING WORKED ON ARE:1. KERUGOYA PRISON TO KIMANDI ROAD IN KERGOYA WARD2. KANDONGU-NGOTHI-RUKANGA ROAD IN MUTITHI WARD3. MARURA-MAIRUNGI LINK ROAD, KIBUKURE AND GATHANJI ROADS DONE IN JAPANESE

TECHNOLOGY KNOWN AS DO NOU TECHNOLOGY ALL IN KANGAI WARD4. MUNGANGA BRIDGE IN KANGAI5. NGOKA BRIDGE IN KARITI AMONG OTHERS.


MY GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING YOUTH TALENTS AND HAS DEVOTED TIME AND MONEY TO REALISE THIS. IT IS IN THIS SPIRIT THAT MY GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING A GALA NIGHT FOR ALL THE CREATIVE ARTIST IN THE COUNTY. THE FUNDS REALISED IN THE EVENT WILL PROVIDED A SEED CAPITAL FOR THE ARTIST SACCO THAT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT T HAS FACILITATED TO REGISTER. A MUSIC COMPETITION FOR MUSIC ARTIST IS ALSO IN THE OFFING. THIS IS EXPECTED TO THE MUSIC ARTIST WITH A PLATFORM TO SHOW CASE AND PUBLICISE THEIR TALENTS. MY GOVERNMENT HAS INITIATED THE COUNTY YOUTH TOURNAMENT FROM WARD, SUBCOUNTY AND COUNTY LEVELS. THE WINNERS DURING THE COUNTY FINALS WILL BE REPRESENTING DURING THE ANNUAL INTERCOUNTY YOUTH TOURNAMENT. THIS YEAR THE TOURNAMENT INVOLVED 400 FOOTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL TEAMS. OUT OF THESE FOUR TEAMS REPRESENTED KIRINYAGA IN THE INTERCOUNTY TOURNAMENT HELD IN KWALE FROM 29TH NOVEMBER TO 5TH DECEMBER 2015. OUR MEN VOLLEYBALL TEAM SCOOPED SECOND POSITION. WE ARE PROUD OF THEM AND THANK THEM FOR SHINNING A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR COUNTY.

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SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR THE VENERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY IS A KEY PILLAR OF DEVELOPMENT. IT IS FOR THIS REASON MY GOVERNMENT HAS DEVOTED RESOURCES TO ENSURE THE KIANYAGA CHILDREN HOME IS FRIENDLY TO THE LITTLE ANGEL RESCUED THERE. THE INSTITUTION HAS 85 STUDENTS NOW. THE INSTITUTION HAS BEEN REFURBISHED AND THE ZERO GRAZING UNITS ARE BEING UPGRADED TO ENABLE THEM RECEIVE IMPROVED GRADE COWS AND ALSO GENERATE BIO GAS FOR USE BY THE INSTITUTION.


MY GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE NEED FOR STRONG ALCOHOL REGULATIONS. ALL EFFORTS ARE BEING APPLIED TO ENSURE ALL ALCOHOLS REGULATION AND LAWS ARE ADHERED TO.

THIS HAS SEEN THE REDUCTION OF ALCOHOL OUTLETS FROM 1267 IN 2013 TO 794 IN 2015. THE REDUCTION HAS BEEN REALISED BY CLOSURE OF UNETHICAL ALCOHOL OUTLETS THAT PREY ON OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THOSE THAT DOES NOT MEET HYGIENE STANDARDS. MY GOVERNMENT FULL SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON SECOND GENERATION ALCOHOL. ALL ILLEGAL ALCOHOL DENS PLUS THOSE RETAILING NON PERMITTED DRINKS WERE CLOSED DOWN DURING THE CRACK DOWNS. IN ORDER TO CUSHION THE ALCOHOL ADDICTS AGAINST WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME, MY GOVERNMENT PURCHASED DRUGS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SICK. THE SERVICE CONTINUES IN OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL TO DATE.

THE COUNTY HAS NOT LICENSED ANYBEER MANUFACTURER AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE OF 3RD JULY 2015. THE COUNTY DOES NOT INTEND TO LICENCE ANY OF THE MANUFACTURER

IN CONCLUSION, I CALL FOR UNITY AMONG ALL RESIDENTS OF KIRINYAGA, FROM THE YOUNG, TO THE OLD, THE LEADERS BE THEY POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR BUSINESS SO WE CAN BUILD A COUNTY TO BE PROUD OF. THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE PEOPLE ORIENTED AND WE SHALL DEDICATE OURSELVES TO OFFERING QUALITY AND EFFICIENT SERVICES AT ALL TIMES.

I WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

GOD BLESS YOU

GOD BLESS KIRINYAGA COUNTY

H E HON JOSEPH K NDATHI

GOVERNOR

KIRINYAGA COUNTY

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Jamhuri Day Speech 2015