REPUBLIC OF KENYA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR VIHIGA COUNTY

ANNUAL REPORT BY VIHIGA GOVERNOR H. E. REV MOSES AKARANGA TO THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY ON FEBRUARY 17TH 2014
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MR. SPEAKER Honorable Members of the County Assembly, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning, Pursuant to the elections held in March 2013, when I was elected the Governor of Vihiga County I was sworn in on 27th March and I assumed the functions of my office as the Governor under section 30 of the County Government Act immediately. Considering that the County comprises of two arms namely the County executive and the County Assembly, I would not as Governor have assumed the full functions of the County Government without an operational County Government in place. You recall as honorable members of the County Assembly, the County Assembly would not be operational without the Speaker. So some reasonable amount of time was spent by the transitional authorities in putting place mechanisms for the operationlization of the County Assembly. I had the honor of attending both the election and swearing in of the Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: You recall that even after your election, this being a natural process of devolution, you had to spent some time consulting and learning the functions of devolution at a time when there was no standing orders that would guide this house in conducting its business. It is in the knowledge of everyone that valuable amount of time was also spent by the County assembly in gaining ground to effectively discharge its statutory functions. MR. SPEAKER: As the Governor, I shall say that immediately I was sure that the two arms of the County Government were in place, it became my duty to embark on the programs of the County Government. At this

juncture, I now wish to bring to your attention, the following information which constitutes my report for the period under review. Mr. SPEAKER: In recognition of the importance of the County Assembly as the Arm of the County Government, I want to address myself first to the role of the County Assembly with regard to the discharge of the County Government for the period under review. On the positive side having previously congratulated each one of you firstly for your election to your respective positions, and having expressed my confidence in your ability to discharge your respective duties in this Assembly I wish to state that during the period the Assembly has been very resourceful in the following areas; The names of the nominees for the County Executive Committee and the County Public Service Board were forwarded to this assembly and approved without any misunderstanding as has been evident elsewhere in the Country. That was the first score on the part of the assembly towards effective discharge of the functions of devolution. Recently, with your cooperation, dedicated desire for implementation of the functions of devolution and the good leadership of the Speaker, you approved the names of the Chief Officers which process was long overdue considering that these are the Accounting Officers and engines of any government in the implementation of its programmes. This House also approved the Budget for the Financial Year 2013/14 In appreciation of the legislative role of the County Assembly, I wish to inform the Assembly a total of three Bills were passed by this assembly namely The Appropriation Bill, The County Assembly Service Bill and The Finance Bill. However, the following Bills are ready and will
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be forwarded to this Assembly shortly; Education Fund Bill, Natural Resources Exploitation and Community Empowerment Bill, Environment Bill, Water Bill, Ward Development Bill, Feeding Program Bill, Vihiga County Symbols Bill and Vihiga County Community Empowerment Bill. In addition, the Vihiga County Government (Devolved Units) Administration Bill, 2014 and Vihiga Liquor and Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill are ready for the public participation. MR. SPEAKER: I now wish to address the house on what I as the Governor and the County Executive have achieved so far. To enable the County Assembly function effectively and efficiently we acquired and supplied each Member of this House with a Lap Top which I trust has greatly improved your digital operations. On the County Assembly Infrastructure, my Government has provided funds for the refurbishment of the County Assembly which is ongoing. In order to streamline the operations of the County between the two arms the assembly enjoys a separate imprest account to manage their operations. MR. SPEAKER: With regard to the discharge of other functions devolved to the County I wish to inform the assembly of the following; 7: Transport and Infrastructure Over the period under review, the Department of Transport and Infrastructure graveled and graded a total of 75 Km of our roads at a cost of Ksh.148, 576,044.79 while 9 Bridges and Box Culverts cost a total of Ksh. 49,091,278.27. These works were spread across all the Sub-Counties as shown on the detailed Annex 1.

When I took over as the Governor, most street lights in the major towns in the County were not functional. So far the lights have been restored in our satellite towns as shown on Annex 2. I am pleased to advice that the construction of the County Headquarters is almost complete and the occupation is likely to be in April this year. So far my Government has spent Kshs.40million. Mr. Speaker; The County Government has purchased five vehicles as detailed in Annex 3. We are in the process of purchasing two more vehicles, Water Bowser, Dozer, Roller, Excavator and Shovel for the county Government use during this financial year. We have included this in the Supplementary Budget for your approval. Department of Trade, Industrialization and Tourism: As you may be aware, our people have the natural fear of taking commercial loans because of the high interest rates and other related bank charges. Therefore I am proposing to introduce a bill to this house which will address some of these fears. This bill will enable the County Government to give soft loans to Women (mama mboga), Youth, persons living with disabilities and the Boda boda operators. MR. SPEAKER: For promotion of Local Tourism my government hosted two activities; Miss tourism Vihiga and The Festival on the Maragoli Hills. The Miss Tourism Kenya (Vihiga Edition) saw Miss Hanifa Tale represent our County at the Miss Tourism National finals competitions held in Mombasa on 20th December, 2013. She emerged 5th overall and was awarded The Global Peace Ambassador Award-Kenya. As a result of this event, we expect to see increased flow of tourists into the County which will boost our economy. Towards that end, my Government has identified Maragoli Hills, The Tiriki Shrines, Mungoma Caves, The Cultural activities of the Terik, the Rain
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Makers of Bunyore, Kaimosi Forest amongst others for promotion as tourist attraction sites as we prepare to host Miss Tourism Kenya Event for 2014. My Office is working very closely with the Miss Tourism Kenya Committee to effect this event. MR SPEAKER: Maragoli Hills Festival held on the eve of 2014 was a success event in terms of tourism attraction. The few Members of this Assembly who accompanied us to the hills may testify to this report. Proposals have started flocking in with the interest of putting up a five star Hotel. If these investments come in, the lives of the people who live around these Hills will greatly change. MR. SPEAKER: With regard to the incomplete markets, there were no budgetary provisions in the period under review as these projects fall under the Economic Stimulus Program. However, because of the urgent need to complete the markets my Government is considering including some allocation in the supplementary budget as some of them (markets) are posing security risk to our people. I am happy to mention that my Government operational. has opened Mwibona Livestock Market and it is now

MR. SPEAKER: In the area of Education, the first priority of my Government was to address the issue of ECD Teachers, Financial assistance for promotion of education in the County and School feeding program to alleviate the suffering of our children. For the ECD Teachers the requisite legislation is being prepared to implement the recruitment of the Teachers. As a means of improving the standard and quality of our education, My County Government had planned to construct 35 ECD Class rooms across the County. Currently we have identified 14 ECD classrooms and the process of identification, facilitation and implementation for the other 21 ECD classrooms is ongoing.
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For School feeding program the legal framework for the implementation of the program is ready and will be rolled out for the public participation shortly after which it will be forwarded to this assembly for the necessary approval. Once passed, the Education Fund Bill will see The Bursary Fund managed at the Ward Level. I also encourage the members of the County Assembly to actively participate in the selection of the deserving students in their respective wards. Financial assistance for promotion of education in the County, a sectional paper has been prepared and once approved by this house implementation will follow immediately since funds had been allocated for this earlier.

MR. SPEAKER: Although University Education is not a devolved function, the County Government has taken necessary steps towards the establishment of a University at Kaimosi which will be operational beginning September 2014 despite the challenges from many quarters. With regard to Village Polytechnics, my Government financed the acquisition of examination equipment for 700 youth polytechnic trainees. My Government has put mechanisms in place to identify appropriate partners to improve the status of our Village Polytechnics.

MR. SPEAKER Although not a function of my government, we had well wishers who came in handy to help our needy children. The John Madete Foundation awarded 9 scholarships to some of our children who got admission to National Schools. The Foundation distributed the scholarships as follows; Emuhay-1, Lunda-1, Vihiga-4, Hamisi-2 and Sabatia-1. Cooperative Bank of Kenya gave Scholarship to 5 Class eight pupils who joined National Schools. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate our Primary Schools teachers for giving us
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good performance in the last years Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results. Our County emerged position 13th out of the 47 Counties with a County Mean Score of 262. My County Government will work closely with our Primary School Administration to help them improve further their performance.

MR. SPEAKER: In developing the ICT Strategy for Economic Growth, the County government recognizes the broad challenges involved in living in an information age and knowledge economy, and in harnessing the potential of ICTs for economic growth and poverty reduction. Faced with these realities, the County Government has put in place a strategy based on four Guiding Principles, namely: Infrastructure Development, and Human Resource Policy and Development, Stakeholder Participation Appropriate

Regulatory Framework. In the area of Home care centers, Home craft Centers and other centers for the care of children with special needs, my Government is working on the necessary legislation which are required for these functions to be fully implemented. In order to improve Academic Standards and Examination results in the County, the County Government has held Consultative Meetings with Principles of Secondary Schools, KEPPET, KNUT and other stakeholders. My Government has agreed to sponsor KCPE Mock. 3: Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives I committed my County Government to address the perennial food shortage in Vihiga County. In the area of Agriculture My Government encountered a setback when the relevant County Executive Committee member got involved in a Road Accident resulting in his hospitalization. Despite this, the department made achievements; two exhibitions aimed at improving farmers skills were
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carried out, one at Kidundu and the other at the Municipal Grounds. The department redeployment 35 extension officers into the 25 wards to provide technical support, among other things. My Government has put in measures to complete the stalled Luanda Abattoir at a cost of Ksh. 29,490,000 and is expected to be completed by May, 2014. MR. SPEAKER: We have also procured 50,000 Tissue Culture Banana Plantlets to promote Banana Farming in County. Mechanisms to ensure that the project is spread across the entire County are being worked on by the technical team. Honorable members, we need to lead by example in the Tissue Culture husbandry. In this regard, I want to encourage you to participate in this program by planting the tissue culture bananas. MR. SPEAKER Mudete Tea Factory being the only Industrial unit in the county is currently operating below 40% capacity. Despite this, farmers earned over Ksh. 800 Million last year. To increase the capacity my Government has instructed the department of Agriculture to make arrangements and reach out to farmers in the County with a view of increasing the number of tea bushes. Honorable members my Government is aware of the challenges in the tea industry, especially when it comes to late collection of the farmers tea leaves at the buying centers. My Government is going to take an active role to ensure that farmers are not disadvantaged in any way. MR. SPEAKER: In the area of Livestock Production, my Government is progressively implementing the Dairy Goats, Rabbit, Piggery and Fish Farming projects as budgeted for. An adequate report will be made when the projects are commissioned.

MR. SPEAKER: My Government submitted a proposal to the Bill and Melda Gates Foundation for the promotion of Horticultural activities in the County and I am pleased to inform the House that the proposal was accepted and funding of the same will be done at a cost of US $ 120 Million. Honorable Members, you are aware that this is a planting season and farmers are anxious about farm inputs. In order to address this I propose to set aside Ks 20 Million under the supplementary budget to subsidize these farm inputs on the part of the farmers.

MR. SPEAKER: Ministry of Health: I can happily report that my Government opened the first Kenya Medical Training College at the Mbale Provincial Rural Health Training Centre in the County. The College admitted the first group of 50 students in October 2013 with the second admission scheduled for March 2014. Mr. Speaker, 50% of the pioneer students were sons and daughters of this County and we have been assured that this county will always benefit by the same percentage for all future intakes. MR. SPEAKER: The Health Department conducted successful programs such as; the polio campaigns, Malezi Bora campaign, The Jigger Campaign and House Hold Water Treatment Promotion and Open Defecation Free Zones (ODF) Program across the County.

MR. SPEAKER To ensure that we have reliable drug provisions in all our health facilities, the department has procured adequate medicines which will be supplied to all health institutions. Similarly, the Department has procured three Ambulances for the County.

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MR. SPEAKER: It is important to note that during the strike, the County Health Sector was severely affected. However, My Government swiftly moved to contain the situation through consultations with the affected health workers and the situation was brought to normalcy. I thank the Speaker and all Honorable Members who joined me in engaging the health workers in different capacities to ensure that patients were attended to during the period of the strike. Mr. Speaker, Let me now turn to the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources: Environment: The department conducted a Clean-up exercise of all the major urban centers in the County and I thank the Members of the Country Assembly who participated in this exercise. Honorable Speaker during the Governors council the President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame in his Key note Speech posed a question whether it was really necessary to invite investors to come in and help us clean up our towns. He advised that in Rwanda, they have a law that requires all citizens to participate in a cleanup exercise once per month. In this regard, my Government proposes to bring a similar legislation for Vihiga County to take care of our environment. Mr. Speaker, to head start this process we have commenced the construction of Eco-Toilets in the major Urban Centers in the County. Forestry: I wish to inform the house that my Government was involved in the rehabilitation of Emabungo Hills by planting 8,000 indigenous trees. Whilst we encourage our people to plant indigenous trees we are experiencing challenges with the management of forests that have been under the care of the Kenya Forest Services. For example Kibiri Forest where destruction took place and my effort to curb the destruction was met with resistance since the Kenya Forest Reserve was not devolved. I am still consulting on the best way to protect our forests.

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Water: My Government has taken corrective measures to rehabilitate the following Water Schemes; Sosian, Bumbo/Shamakhokho, Mbale Water Chebsaga. At this juncture I wish to Scheme, Mangongo, Mbihi, Chango, Esirulo Water Project, Luanda Town up to Mwivona , Mabungo Phase II and observe that several water supply lines were damaged by the contractor who is working on the Kisumu-Kakamega Road resulting in water disconnection to several places including Chavakali Market. Through the relevant department, my Government has approached the Road contactor to restore the damaged water lines. My Government has had to pay heavy electricity Bills which were inherited from the Amatsi Water Company which was the agency involved with water and sanitation in the County.

MR. SPEAKER: Department of Land, Housing and Urban Planning So far this department has conducted training on Strategic Planning, a Visioning Workshop for the County Spatial Integrated Development Plan and the Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan. MR. SPEAKER: The County Integrated Development Plan was submitted to this house on 3oth September 2013 for your consideration and necessary action and we are still awaiting for your approval. Having said this, I would like to digress and mention something on land. MR. SPEAKER: There is scarcity of land for development in the county; this has necessitated my Government to source for land for development. In this regard, we have identified some parcels of land that we intend to purchase this financial year. Housing is also a major issue in the County and therefore we are in the process of taking over the Houses that belong to the devolved Government to enhance revenue collection.
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MR. SPEAKER: Department of Gender, Youth, Culture and Sports Culture: The department held the County Music and Cultural Festival, Choir Masters Workshop, Traditional Dancers Exhibition, the National Music and Cultural Festival, Maragoli Cultural Festival and Exhibition and the Tiriki Cultural Festival and Exhibition. Sports and Youth: In the area of Sports, my Government has agreed to sponsor Vihiga United Football Club which is currently playing in FKF division one league and it is under Mr. Edward Manoa as its head coach. My Government sponsored cross country competition and the top five winners represented us at the National Championship in Nairobi. Other sports activities that my Government successively sponsored include; Volleyball, Cricket, Netball, Soccer for women, etc In order to encourage Children participation in governance and legislative process, my Government organized a forum for the Children at Bishop Stam where the Assembly of Children took part in the election of their shadow Governor and Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: With respect to the marginalized groups, my Government has put measures in place to address their interests. During the period under review I hosted a conference of persons living with disabilities at the County Headquarters. The conference was meant to collect views on best ways to address their issues. My Government sponsored Naomi Esiaba to attend an international conference and from this attendance, the County will benefit from the construction of two eco toilets.

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Department of Public Service and Administration MR: SPEAKER: You are aware that one of the first functions I performed upon assuming office was to appoint both members of the executive and the County Public Service Board. I can mention that the Board has already recruited 10 Chief Officers whose names I forwarded to this house for vetting as required by the law. Other officers recruited by this board were 5 Sub County Administrators and their Deputies, 25 Ward Administrators and two Directors; one in Human Resource and another one for Information Communication Technology (ICT) who are currently undergoing induction in readiness to assume office. We are proud that we are among the first County Government to appoint Administrators up to the Ward level. In order to complete the structure of Administration of the devolved units leading to the appointment of Village Administrators, Village Elders, My Government has finalized the Bill on Devolved units as earlier mentioned in this report which will soon come to this assembly for enactment into law. My Government is aware of the confusion in licensing of Alcoholic Drinks by reason of lack of appropriate Legislation. In line with what I had already mentioned, the Liquor and Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill is ready for public participation in the next two weeks. However there is no vacuum as the National Legislation is still in place.

MR. SPEAKER: As you are aware the issue of security is paramount and a concern for everyone. Despite isolated cases of reported criminal incidences, we have not encountered major security risks during the period under review. Our Security agencies in the county have been able to contain the situation and have regularly briefed me. To beef up security in the County, My Government has procured 100 metal Detectors to be used by security
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personnel in their operations. The Ministry is also liaising with the National Government to implement and supervise the Nyumba-Kumi initiative as a measure of Community Policing. MR. SPEAKER: I would like to mention that my Government jointly with the County Public Service Board undertook various Training Programs to build the Capacity of the Executive and the County Assembly personnel. Some of the training programs included the training of County Executive and the Board in Eldoret, Nakuru and Kisumu and the County Integrated Development Plan Training held in Eldoret, Team Building Training that jointly brought together the County Executive and the Assembly in Nakuru. Mr. Speaker, dissemination of information to our people is vital as it will enable them understand the operations of both the County Government and the Assembly. In this regard my administration has come up with the County News Paper namely Vihiga Star which is a weekly publication. The price of this paper is only Kshs.40/. We also have a website-www.vihigagovernment.com and Face book page; Vihiga county government.

MR. SPEAKER: Finance and Planning Finance and Economic Planning plays a key role in mobilizing, allocating and facilitating various departments to implement their respective programs. In this regard, my Government has put in place the following committees; The Budget Committee, County Integrated Development Steering Committee, the Procurement Committee and the Finance Management Committee. The Department concerned spearheaded the preparation of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP). However, the department of Finance has encountered major challenges occasioned by the late release of funds by the National Treasury. The poor

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connectivity at the County Headquarters compels our officers to work from Kisumu to access funds in our account at the Central Bank of Kenya for purposes of processing transaction including payments. All these challenges relate to the Integrated Finance Management System (IFMIS) and the G-Pay System. The implementation of the IPPD System where our salaries have to be processed through a common payroll causes another challenge. To address these, my Government has worked very closely with the National Government to train County Government Officers on IFMIS and G-Pay to enable them respond effectively to these challenges. MR. SPEAKER 11: Foreign Business Trips to America and Germany In an effort to address domestic challenges and accompanying significant weaknesses in infrastructural capacity and inadequate levels of investments, I made two foreign trips. In the United States of America trip between 22nd of Agust-3rd of September, 2013 i. ii. The World International Medical Relief have donated Modern Medical Equipments which will be arriving in the County at any moment. We established contact with the United States Trade Development Agency (USTDA). The Agency is exploring solutions for the Kaimosi Mini Hydro and Water Project with a view to generating Hydro Electric Power and water Supply. iii. African Trade and Expo Link Officials and other Potential investors are working closely with the Friends of Vihiga in America to explore possibilities of working with our Vihiga County.

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iv.

The Friends of Vihiga in America are making follow ups on various possibilities such as the establishment of a County Civic Centre, Promotion of the Adopt a School Program.

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The City of Claremonts Mayor, Mr. Opanyi K. Nasiali who is a Vihiga County resident promised to Adopt a School of his choice at an opportune time.

I am happy to inform you that The American Friends of Vihiga were in the County recently to make a follow up on Sports Promotion in the County. Through Friends of Vihiga, we are self-assured to secure the Rights to host Amateur Boxing Bout in September this year. We have also allocated them land on which they plan to set up a tennis court and are ready to construct a cricket and football stadium if land is availed to them. Germany Trip i. The Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce is working on a program aimed at assisting Vihiga County to develop its training programs for Vocational institutions in various disciplines; Masonry, Mechanical Engineering, Carpentry, ICT, Plumbing, Building and Construction and Electrical Engineering. The Chief executive of the Chamber will be coming to Vihiga County in early March this year to discuss in detail how this will be implemented. ii. Vihiga County has been granted 12 scholarships for students with a strong inclination in Engineering at the Wildau University in Germany. We have identified the students to benefit from this program. They come across the entire county. iii. Wildau University also agreed to enter into a partnership with Kaimosi Friends University to institute Engineering Programs towards an orientation that will tailor the Institutions curriculum to provide Practical skills as a departure from theory to practice. In this connection, the President of Wildau University President will also be
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arriving in the County in March, 2014 to finalize our mutual agreement on this. iv. On 1st of February, 2014 the German Chamber of Commerce officials visited the County to make a follow up of their earlier visit. The delegation consisted of Chairperson Head of of the the Tourism Business Bankers Administration Committee, Investment

Committee and the Chamber of Commerce Board Member of Berlin. They will be making a report on specific areas of investment based on their assessment of the County. Mr. Speaker, let me touch something on Ward Visits; As part of my responsibilities, I have visited almost all the Wards with the aim of assessing the status of development project on the ground and listening to the voices of the Vihiga people. This has helped me understand the needs of our people better for the best service delivery as enshrined in the constitution. Other Issues; MR. SPEAKER: During the period under review, I

successfully negotiated with the judiciary for the construction of a high court. Due to scarcity of land at the County Headquarters, we have had to look for land in Hamisi Sub County where Land is still available for the Construction of the High Court. The Construction will commence any time as soon as the funds are released by the Judiciary. MR. SPEAKER: In Conclusion, I feel it is imperative to point to this assembly that the implementation of devolution has had its share of challenges. Our County Roads have been extensively encroached by neighboring land owners who are not willing to accommodate expansion thereby hindering expansion and improvement. As my Government faces the challenges of
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devolution, I will always turn to the County Assembly for support and cooperation in accordance with our constitution and the other laws governing devolution. Let me not lose sight of the support you have given me during the period under review and I urge the Assembly members to maintain the same spirit of cooperation. Thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you the honorable members of this Assembly MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

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