SPEECH BY H.E. HON. JAMES E.O.

ONGWAE, CBS, EBS, OGW,

GOVERNOR, KISII COUNTY DURING CELEBRATIONS TO MARK THE
55TH MADARAKA DAY AT ITIERIO HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS, 01ST JUNE
2018

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have gathered at Itierio in Bonchari Sub County for celebrations

to mark Madaraka Day.

Traditionally, we hold National Celebrations at the Gusii Stadium but

today we are holding this event in Bonchari. This is a deliberate
move as we intend to hold similar celebrations in all Sub Counties on
a rotational basis.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Madaraka Day is a special day when we attained the most precious

of all human desires – freedom. We celebrate that moment in history
when Kenya was granted internal self-rule by the British colonialists.

It is a day for thanksgiving, remembrance, reflection and re-

dedication. The founders of this great nation made immense
sacrifices for our independence and some paid the ultimate price –
which is death.
There are many honoured personalities that have played key roles to
get Kenya to where she is today. Many of these personalities have
been publicly acknowledged and feted in many ways.

Today, I pay homage to the many Kenyans who routinely do what is

right and what is virtuous in their daily endeavours without
recompense. This is because, as Ghanaian politician Kofi Abrefa
Busia said, ‘it is through devoted day-to-day service of many
ordinary unnoticed citizens that a nation achieves its greatness.’

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We salute and appreciate the successive generations of Kenyan

patriots whose sacrifice yielded radical constitutional reforms
resulting in the devolved system of governance we enjoy today.

Devolution gives us a practical meaning to Madaraka after years of

centralized governance that threatened to kill the dream of our
forefathers who at independence bequeathed us a regional
governance system similar to counties. Thanks to devolution, we
enjoy the right to set our development priorities as a community in
decentralized units.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

A month ago, Kenyans converged in Kakamega County for the 5 th

anniversary of devolution. From the experiences shared at the

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conference, it was clear that devolution is working and Kenyans at
the grassroots were enjoying its fruits.

When I took office five years ago, my task was to establish

governance structures and institutionalize devolution and lay the
foundation for a prosperous Kisii County for all residents.

Today, I am proud to say that we have established a government

serving the people of Kisii County. In a short five years, we have
opened and constructed 1,070km of compacted gravel roads
improving market access and communication.

However, due to the heavy rains received throughout the year

coupled with the hilly terrain, most of these roads deteriorate fast.
In the current financial year, we have maintained 96 roads in all 45
wards using the Kenya Roads Board fuel levy grant.

A week ago, I commissioned the upgrading to bitumen standard of

the 2km Kisii Main Stage – Getare road in Kisii Town. This is a key
tarmac road done by the County as it will not only ease congestion
in Kisii Town but also boost access to social amenities like hospitals,
markets and financial institutions.

Equally, we have set aside funds to rehabilitate the Kisii Town-Kisii

Prison Bridge where frequent flooding disrupts traffic and endangers
users. This will entail replacement of the current round culverts with
a new box culvert to ensure smooth flow of storm water during
heavy rains.

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Through the Mechanical Transport Fund (MTF) programme, we have
embarked on construction of 132 roads measuring 479km spread
across the County. Work got underway in 25 wards but we are
experiencing delays due to the heavy rains received in the past few
months.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In the health sector, we have modernized our hospitals by installing

diagnostic equipment, upgrading infrastructure, improving human
resources for health and availing drugs. We continue transforming
the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital as a premier County referral
facility.
With the completion of the new ward, bed capacity at the hospital
will rise to 700 increasing its capacity to efficiently serve patients.

Recently, we sunk a borehole and built a 300,000-litre capacity

underground reservoir to address water supply challenges at KTRH.
Equally, the new 100 body capacity mortuary is now complete and
installation of equipment is underway. Already, microbiology and
anatomy labs being equipped to allow for the start of the medical
school.

In the Sub Counties, we have embarked on a major infrastructural

upgrade for Gucha and Marani Hospitals to improve healthcare
services at the grassroots. At Gucha, construction of a kitchen,
laundry block and a mortuary is underway.

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Following installation of an electrical distribution panel, patients can
now access critical services like digital x-ray and surgery at Gucha
Level Four Hospital.

At Marani hospital, construction of a new ward, a mortuary, a kitchen

and a theatre complex are ongoing. Now patients can access x-ray
and ultra-sound services at the hospital.

Regarding adequacy of drugs supply, we recently flagged off a

consignment of essential medicines worth KShs.120million, which
has been delivered to all hospitals across the County.

Further, implementation of the KShs.2billion cancer diagnostics and

treatment centre is on course. There have been delays on this
project because funding was coming from various donors who have
their own protocols in giving approvals. Sometimes getting the
approvals takes time. The donor team was in the country recently to
assess progress and already we have already submitted names of
the Project Implementation Unit members to the Ministry of Health
for ratification.

In delivery of health services, we are partnering with the private

sector. In this regard, I am glad to report that the Aga Khan
Foundation did accede to our request for them to build a specialist
hospital in Kisii. Last week, I laid the foundation stone for the
construction of KShs.140million Aga Khan Kisii Primary Medical

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Centre. This will increase availability of specialist services to our
people.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We continue investing substantial resources in the development of

our urban centres to spur economic development.

To streamline the management of all urban areas in the County, we

have prepared an Urban Institutional Development Strategy to guide
the development of Kisii and other towns including Suneka, Ogembo,
Nyamache, Keumbu, Marani, Masimba, Kenyenya, Keroka and
Nyamarambe.

In this regard, we have completed development of a Municipal

Charter to confer Municipality status to Kisii Town. We shall put in
place a board to manage the municipality on behalf of the Kisii
County Government.

To be declared a Municipality, Kisii Town has to meet the

requirements of the Urban Areas and Cities Act. In this regard, we
are implementing development projects in Kisii Town aimed at
transforming it to a regional commercial hub and attract investment.
An annual investment plan for this municipality is being prepared in
anticipation of this upgrade and a Municipal Charter has been
prepared with the support of the World Bank Kenya Urban Support
Programme.

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These works include construction of additional parking areas,
construction of cabro paved pedestrian walkways, rehabilitation of
cabro-paved roads and an intensive beautification of Kisii Town.
In the Sub Counties, construction of urban roads at Keroka is
complete and similar work is set to begin at Kenyenya and
Nyamache Towns.

Additionally, we are renovating washrooms at the Old Bus Park, Soko

Mjinga, Getembe and constructing new ones at Family Bank and Kisii
Town offices.

Once these projects are complete, residents will enjoy improved

facilities for non-motorized transport and a better working
environment for traders.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

To ensure our towns are clean throughout the year, we continue

investing in a robust waste management strategy. I wish to
commend the 20 youth groups contracted to conduct cleanups in
Kisii Town and 15 outlying units. You have done a good job in
creating an environment conductive for enterprise. We shall contract
more groups in the next financial year to enhance this initiative.

However, we still face a challenge in procuring waste management

sites across the county. I urge residents and market committees to
help us identify sites within their localities for use as waste
management sites.

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To support the growth of a 24hour economy, we have intensified the
integrated street lighting programme. So far, we have installed 560
solar lights and 56 high mast lights (Mulika mwizi) across the county.
In the next financial year, we shall install a further 200 solar lights
and 10 high mast lights as we progressively work towards lighting all
market centres in the county.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Improving food and income security is a top priority for the County
Government. This is why we are modernizing our agriculture to
improve productivity for smallholder farmers thus increasing
incomes.

Last season, farmers incurred huge losses due to the ravages of the
fall armyworm that destroyed food crops especially maize. Working
with the National Government ministry of agriculture and other
stakeholders, we have intensified trainings and demonstration on
the control of the fall armyworm. We have also distributed 800 litres
of pesticides to help in the fight against this worm.

To improve productivity in the dairy sub sector, we launched the

subsidized Artificial Insemination (AI) programme in 2015. So far, a
total of 35,308 cows have been served and 30,718 have calved. This
initiative is aimed at supporting dairy commercialization through by
improving the dairy herd.

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Working with the National Government, we shall install a 3,000litre
capacity milk cooler at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre to
support farmers.

Further, through the Smallholder Commercialization Project, we shall

disburse KShs.16million to 38 farmer groups in grants to support the
value chain activities including marketing.

To guarantee meat quality and safety, we have renovated the Kisii

slaughterhouse and operations have resumed.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

On water supply, we have increased the number of people with

access to clean water through spring protection, construction of new
water schemes and revival of stalled ones.

Remarkable progress has been made on implementation of the

KShs.1.6billion German Bank funded Kisii Water Supply project.
Preliminary rehabilitation work at Kegati and Nyakomisaro intakes is
complete and residents have started enjoying improved water
supply.

This project entails construction of additional reservoir tanks and

installation of a new pumping system, increasing water supply to
27million litres per day to meet the demand for the projected Kisii
Town population of 250,000 people in 2030.

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Further, the scope of the project includes construction of an
additional 35km distribution pipeline to supply water to additional
areas like Nyamataro, Gesonso and Suneka.

Additionally, the existing Suneka Wastewater Treatment Plant is

being modified and expanded to increase capacity to process to
4,000cubic metres of waste per day up from 2,000cubic metres per
day. This project will be finalized in February next year.

In the Sub Counties, we have developed mini-water schemes at

Kionganyo, Suguta, Nyasoko, Rioma, Omwari and Gesusu to further
increase access to clean water.

To promote rainwater harvesting, we have embarked on distribution

of 133 water tanks to public institutions across all 45 wards.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Environmental conservation is critical for sustainable socio-economic

development. This is why we have intensified conservation activities.
We have so far planted over 30,000 tree seedlings to increase forest
cover in the County.

While we encourage our people to plant trees during this rain

season, we must discourage indiscriminate cultivation of the blue
gum tree (omoringamu) as it is a threat to water catchments. As a
County Government, we have set aside funds to sensitize residents

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on the need to remove this tree from riparian land and replace it
with water friendly species.

We have also signed a Transition Implementation Plan with the

Kenya Forest Service on the management of gazetted forests in the
County.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

To reinforce the position of Kisii as a commercial hub, we are

providing necessary market infrastructure to attract investment and
enhance entrepreneurial ability for our people.

At Daraja Mbili, the largest open-air market in the region,

construction of canopies for mama omena, malimali and fruit
vendors is nearly complete. We shall construct additional canopies
for all other vendors at this important market.

As part of the ongoing rehabilitation of Isebania-Kisii-Ahero road

project funded by the African Development Bank, Daraja Mbili will
receive a major upgrade.

This will entail construction of a 4km dual carriage road from

Nyamataro to Daraja Mbili, construction roadside amenities like
market stalls, pedestrian walkways, a bus park and street lighting.
Additionally, the Nyamataro – Daraja Moja loop will be constructed
thus easing traffic congestion at the market.

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In the Sub Counties, we are building market canopies at Magenche,
Nyamasibi and Kegati markets and we expect this work to be
complete soon.
Additionally, construction of mama mboga sheds is underway at
Gesonso, Igare, Kegogi, Raganga, Matongo, Tabaka, Bobaracho,
Mogonga and Sengera.

Traders at Ogembo have suffered for long due to lack of a market

and this was occasioned by challenges in acquisition of land for this
project.
I am glad to report that construction work at Ogembo market is
underway and we expect it to be ready in two months time.

To support entrepreneurs start and grow their business through low

interest credit, we have finalized plans to avail KShs.10million in the
Kisii County Trade Credit Scheme. Ward committees have been
identified and trained ahead of disbursement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As you are aware, Kisii County will host this year’s edition of the
Kenya Inter-County Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) games
in August.

We expect to host about 10,000 delegates drawn from all 47

counties. These games are important because they grant county
workers an opportunity to interact and share experiences thus
fostering inter-cultural understanding and unity.

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Importantly, staging the games in Kisii will be a boon to the local
economy. I urge youthful entrepreneurs and the business community
to take advantage of this opportunity and do business during the
games.

As a County Government, we have heightened preparations to

ensure we are ready to host these games. We are improving sports
facilities starting with the Gusii Stadium, which is undergoing a
major upgrade. This includes relaying the playing surface,
installation of drainage works and an irrigation system, general
landscaping, terraces for spectators, completion of the main
pavilion, construction of two additional spectator stands, toilets,
water works and protective painting of the perimeter wall.

We shall create exhibition areas where entrepreneurs will showcase

their products and services. Youth and Persons with Disability are
encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

On education, I wish to inform you that we have partnered with the

Aga Khan Foundation through the Madrasa Early Childhood
Development Programme to promote access to quality early years
education for children and enhance smooth transition into and
through primary school.

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In this programme, we shall initially train 300 ECD teachers through
a one-year in-service certificate and diploma programmes. We shall
also build sanitation facilities for Early Years Education learners so
they do not share with older children in primary school. To further
improve the sanitation environment in ECDE centres, we have built
90 child-friendly pit latrines (two per ward).

Due to our investments in Early Childhood Development centres,

enrolment has increased tremendously exerting pressure on existing
teaching and learning facilities. To redress this, we have purchased
child friendly chairs and tables where, in the first phase, two schools
in each ward will be recipients.

We have also finalized plans to disburse this year’s bursary of

KShs.135million and in the month of June, we shall distribute
cheques to beneficiaries.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me turn to emergency and disaster

preparedness.

The heavy rains received across the country over the past few weeks
have wreaked havoc leading to loss of lives, destruction of property
and infrastructure – even paralyzing transport. Our County was not
spared with flooding experienced in Bomachoge Chache, South
Mugirango and Bomachoge Sub Counties.

I send my condolences to the family of the Magenche DOK

Secondary School student who drowned in floodwaters on her way

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back from a sporting event. Our emergency teams have worked
closely with Kenya Red Cross Society and other agencies in
supporting affected families.

As a County Government, we have distributed Insecticide Treated

Nets and chemicals for water treatment to prevent the spread of
malaria and water borne diseases.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

For all these plans and development projects I have enumerated to

be realized, we need financial resources.
We cannot afford to rely on resources from the National Treasury
hence to need to maximize on local revenue sources.

To this end, we have automated revenue collection for most our

revenue streams to increase efficiency and seal loopholes.

With automation, our clients can now access a web based self-
service online portal and access Kisii County Government services
from the comfort of their homes or offices. Clients can register, apply
for business licenses, pay land rates and other dues from any
internet enabled device anywhere, anytime and then download
licenses and receipts for printing.

This will significantly reduce the transaction-processing period and

do away with cash handling at revenue collection points enhancing
transparency, accountability and seal loopholes.

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Ladies and Gentlemen:

As I conclude, I wish to reiterate our commitment to accelerate the

progress and intensify our resolve to address the challenges facing
our beloved county.

I thank the President and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga for their handshake
that has brought forth a new dawn of inclusivity and tolerance in the
Kenyan political landscape. The handshake was truly a gesture of
heroism reminiscent of Kenyan heroes who put aside personal
interests for the benefit of many.

Now is the time to serve the people who elected us into office. Lets
reject politics of hate while individually and collectively working to
build a prosperous Kisii County.

Finally, let me conclude by wishing each and every one of you, along
with your families and friends an enjoyable 55 th anniversary of
independence. I also wish our Muslim brothers and sisters the best
during the season of Ramadhan.

I thank you for your attention. God Bless Kisii County.

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