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BY
THE
GOVERNOR, OF
GOVERNMENT
KIRINYAGA H.E JOSEPH NDATHI ON THE OCCASION TO MARK THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY DELIVERED TO OF THE DEVOLUTION KIRINYAGA
THE HON SPEAKER, COUNTY ASSEMBLY OF KIRINYAGA, THE DEPUTY SPEAKER, MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERS, THE HON MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I ADDRESS THIS DIGNIFIED ASSEMBLY AS WE REFLECT ON OUR SUCCESSES, CHALLENGES AND ISSUES THAT WE HAVE FACED A YEAR SINCE WE TOOK LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNTY. THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY IS AN IMPORTANT ARM OF THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY GOVERNMENT WITHOUT WHICH OUR SERVICES WOULD GRIND TO A HALT. THOUGH A YEAR IS A SHORT TIME TO JUDGE THE PERFORMANCE OF A GOVERNMENT OR AN ASSEMBLY, WE HAVE NEVERTHELESS A SHARE OF EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE MET SO FAR, WE HAVE A GOOD WE
2
SHARE HAVE
OF ALSO
SUCCESSES
AND
LEARNT IMPORTANT LESSONS ALONG THE WAY. HON SPEAKER, YOU AGREE WITH ME WHEN WERE SWORN IN TO OFFICE, WE BEGAN FROM THE SCRATCH. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, WE WERE ABLE TO ESTABLISH OFFICES AND SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ENABLED US TO OPERATE AS A GOVERNMENT. THESE INCLUDE, SECURING STATUTORY AND STAFF SO THE OFFICES, BODIES ESTABLISHING EQUIPMENT RECRUITING OPERATIONALISE WORK IN PROGRESS. THE HON SPEAKER, I WILL BEGIN BY HIGHLIGHTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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AND
ISSUES
FACED
BY
EACH
MINISTRY. I WILL START WITH THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES. THIS MINISTRY COMPRISES THE WATER SECTOR AND IRRIGATION, FORESTRY, ENERGY AND CLEANSING. MILESTONES ENHANCEMENT IMPLEMENTATION. THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND IRRIGATION HAS 28 PROJECTS VALUED AT KSHS 95MILLION. THREE PROJECTS VALUED AT KSHS 10.5MILLION HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THESE ARE KENERA WATER PROJECT IN MURINDUKO WARD
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OVER IN
PAST
ONE
VALUED
AT
KSHS 7 MILLION, RUKANGA WATER PROJECT IN MUTITHI WARD VALUED AT KSHS 1 MILLION AND RIAMIATU WATER PROJECT IN KABARE WARD AT A COST OF KSHS 2.5 MILLION. THERE ARE 13 PROJECTS THAT ARE ONGOING WHILE 12 OTHER ARE UNDERGOING THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. ONE OF THE KEY CHALLENGE FACING THIS SECTOR FURTHER IS THE LENGTHY AND THE BY PROCUREMENT PROCESS
CONSTRAINED
QUARTERLY MODE OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDS DISBURSEMENT. THE HON SPEAKER, THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT HAS A DEVELOPMENT BUDGET OF KSHS 14.7 MILLION BUT HAS RECEIVED KSHS 10 MILLION WHICH HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO 18
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PROJECTS ACROSS ALL THE WARDS IN THE COUNTY. THESE PROJECTS ARE: TREE FARM PLOTS THAT PLANTING, FORESTRY AMONG MOST PURCHASE OF SEEDLINGS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMONSTRATION OTHERS. OF THE A KEY
CHALLENGE IN THIS DEPARTMENT IS FOREST ACTIVITIES ARE RAINFALL DEPENDENT AND FAIL TO TAKE OFF WHEN RAINS FAIL. THE HON SPEAKER, THE ENERGY
SECTOR HAS A BUDGET OF KSHS 25 MILLION AND ONLY KSHS 9 MILLION HAS BEEN RELEASED SO FAR. THIS AMOUNT HAS BEEN CHANNELED TO CONSTRUCTION OF SIX HIGH MAST SECURITY LIGHTS AT KUTUS, MUTITHI, NGURUBANI, KAGIO, KIANYAGA AND
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KANDONGU
AND
WHOSE
PROCUREMENT IS UNDERWAY. A KEY CHALLENGE IN THIS SECTOR IS LACK OF TECHNICAL OFFICERS. THE CLEANSING SECTOR WHICH IS STILL PART OF THIS MINISTRY WAS ALLOCATED KSHS 8 MILLION FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND FOR A DUMPSITE AND KSHS 6.3 MILLION FOR WASTE COLLECTION AND PURCHASE OF AN EXHAUSTER. PURCHASE BEEN OF FUNDS A FOR AND PROCESS THE HAVE THE IS DUMPSITE
RELEASED
PROCUREMENT
UNDERWAY. THE CHALLENGE IN THIS SECTOR HAS BEEN THAT DURING THE BUDGETING WAS RESULTED PROCESS, AND TO
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OVERLOOKED
INEFFICIENCIES
IN
SOLID
WASTE
MANAGEMENT IN THE COUNTY. THE HON SPEAKER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT GENERALLY RELATE TO THE MANDATE BUT ARE MINISTRYS
HOWEVER LARGELY IN THE HANDS OF NON-DEVOLVED INSTITUTIONS. THESE INCLUDE MANAGEMENT OF GAZETTED FORESTS (KENYA FOREST SERVICE), WATER RESOURCES (WATER AUTHORITY), (NATIONAL MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION
ENVIRONMENT ACTIVITIES, LICENSING ENVIRONMENT AUTHORITY). THE HON SPEAKER, I WANT TO TURN TO THE MINISTRY OF COOPERATIVES,
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TRADE,
TOURISM,
INDUSTRY
AND
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS A MINISTRY WITH A WIDE MANDATE. ON THE SIDE OF THE COOPERATIVE MINISTRY HAS DEVELOPMENT SACCOS 300,000
SEEN THE REGISTRATION OF SIX NEW INCREASING PEOPLE. THROUGH KSHS TOTAL THE 16 MEMBERSHIP TO COOPERATIVES TO COOPERATIVES OVER
BILLION HAS BEEN DISBURSED IN THE LAST ONE YEAR TO FINANCE VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES. IN THE RICE SUBSECTOR, THROUGH THE FARMERS COOPERATIVES OUR EXTENSION SERVICES HAVE SEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRONG BRAND OF PISHORI-KENYA SELECT DEVELOPED AND READY TO GO TO
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THE
INTERNATIONAL
MARKET.
WE
HAVE HELPED OVER 1,200 FARMERS AS MEMBERS OF COOPERATIVES TO PUT OVER 3,000 ACRES UNDER IRRIGATION AT A COST OF KSHS 181 MILLION SO FAR BEING A 50:50 COST SHARING COOPERATIVES BETWEEN AND THE THE DONOR
THROUGH GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE WHICH THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER AS ONGOING PROJECT. WE HAVE ALSO BUILT CAPACITY FOR THE 79 ACTIVE COOPERATIVES WHICH HAVE ACTED AS INTERMEDIARIES FOR DISBURSEMENT WOMEN GOVERNMENT. HON SPEAKER ARE
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OF
YOUTH FROM
AND THE
FUNDS
THE
REASON
THAT GOOD
FARMERS
MAKING
HARVEST IN RICE IS BECAUSE MY GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO KILL ABOUT 10 MILLION QUELEA QUELEA BIRDS THAT EAT RICE.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, KIRINYAGA HAS BECOME TO BE KNOWN AS BEACON OF SUCCESS IN PRIMARY EDUCATION THROUGH ITS CONTINUED EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE IN KCPE BUT THE SAME CANNOT BE SAID FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION. WE HAVE PUT MEASURES TO ADDRESS THIS AND OTHER CHALLENGES FACING BASIC EDUCATION WHICH INCLUDE ALLOCATION OF BURSARY FOR NEEDY SECONDARY STUDENTS WORTH KSHS. 50 MILLION. THREE COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN INDUCTED AND OFFICIALLY APPOINTED IN READINESS FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. IN MODERNIZATION OF PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION, WE HAVE SINCE
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LAUNCHED AN ELABORATE FREE PREPRIMARY EDUCATION PROGRAMME; THE PROGRAMME HAVE SEEN: RECRUITMENT OF 359 TEACHERS, ROLLED-OUT TEACHING /LEARNING MATERIAL SUPPLY PROGRAMME WORTH KSHS.12MILLION AND FURNITURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WORTH 30 MILLION, INITIATED PROCUREMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF EXHAUSTIBLE TOILETS FOR 60 ECDE CENTERS AT A COST OF KSHS. 59MILLION AND OUTDOOR PLAY FACILITIES WORTH KSHS 20 MILLION. ON OUR VILLAGE POLYTECHNIC TOTAL OF INITIAL KSHS 20 MILLION HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR ITS TRANSFORMATION TO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION CENTRES. ABOVE ALL THIS WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE INTERIM COUNTY EDUCATION POLICIES AND THE DRAFT COUNTY EDUCATION BILL IS READY FOR STAKE HOLDERS REVIEW. THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IS THE LACK OF TECHNICAL STAFF
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COMING TO DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC PLANNING, MARKETING AND ICT, WE NOTE THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED QUITE A LOT DESPITE THE TEETHING PROBLEMS. APART FROM MANAGING THE THE RESOURCES PROCESS, AS A A ON THE OTHER DIRECT BEHALF OF THE COUNTY THROUGH BUDGETARY MINISTRY HAS
RESULT OF US ENGAGING WITH THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FORTUNE SACCO AND ABC BANK HAS BEEN NURTURED WHERE MEMBERS WILL NOW GET CHEQUE CLEARING SERVICES AND A TRADE
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FINANCE FACILITY OF KSHS 200M. THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT SUCCESSFULLY HELD A THREE DAY EXHIBITION AT THE KICC LAST YEAR AND AS A RESULT OF THIS THE KENYA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (KTDC) HAS IDENTIFIED INVESTORS KEEN TO INVEST IN THE COUNTY AND ALSO AGREED TO FUND LOCAL INVESTORS EXPAND THEIR TOURISM RELATED BUSINESSES. IN JANUARY, THE MINISTRY HOSTED A COUNTY PROFESSIONALS FORUM TO DELIBERATE ON HOW TO TAP THEIR POTENTIAL PREPARATIONS THE COUNTY TOWARDS FOR AN THE INVESTORS MET ALL
BY DIFFERENT LAWS. SOME OF THE CHALLENGES NATIONAL ARE AS IN LATE AS DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS BY THE TREASURY WELL LEGAL AND REGULATORY GAPS. WE HAVE ALSO AUDITED THE FORMER LOCAL AUTHORITIES LIABILITIES AND TRANSFER OF THE LIABILITIES TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THE CABINET SECRETARY PAYROLL OMISSION SCHEDULES BUT FOR IT DEVOLUTION HAD VARIOUS PAYROLL INACCURATE TRANSFERRED THE DEVOLVED STAFF ANOMALIES, LIKE INCOMPLETE DATA, STAFF AND
PAYROLL DATA. THESE ISSUES HAVE LED TO DELAYS IN DISBURSEMENT OF SALARIES TO STAFF. THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENT HAS
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ALSO
FACED
OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES IN
AND
CAPACITY THE
ABSORBING
TRANSFER OF 1,294 STAFF FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. HON SPEAKER IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE TOTAL WAGE BILL FOR THE STAFF IN THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS AMOUNTS 2013/14 ASSEMBLY MILLION TO KSHS 864 THE MILLION COUNTY 216 THE WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. PROVIDED DURING KSHS
SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET WHICH WAS USED TO PAY SALARIES FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2014. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THIS ASSEMBLY APPROVES THE REMAINING KSHS 648 MILLION TO PAY SALARIES FOR THE REMAINING PART OF THE
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YEAR
TO
ENSURE OF
CONTINUITY SERVICES
IN AND
PROVISION
INCREASE REVENUE COLLECTION THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY FINANCE ACT WAS GAZETTED ON FRIDAY 21/03/2014 AND IS NOW IN FORCE AND THE MINISTRY HAS ALSO FINALIZED THE PROCESS FOR RECOVERY OF KSHS 229 MILLION ARREARS FOR RATES AND PLOTS RENTS DUE TO DEFUNCT COUNCILS. THE HON SPEAKER, THE MINISTRY OF GENDER, CULTURE, SOCIAL SERVICES, CHILDREN AND SPORTS IS CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILTY TO OF CAPACITY BUILDING ENSURE COMMUNITY
WOMEN, MEN, YOUTH AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON ECONOMIC FINANCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ABUSE AND GENDER CIVIC EMPOWERMENT, LITERATURE, DRUG MAINSTREAMING
EDUCATION. MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED TO YOUTH BETWEEN 13 AND 25 YEARS THREE ON (43) BEHAVIOR CHANGE AND LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. FORTY SCHOOLS WERE COVERED AND 2,100 YOUTHS IN THE COUNTY REACHED, TALENT ACADEMY LAND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS WELL AS EQUIPPING TWO CENTRES. INSURANCE YOUTH SPORT YOUTH YOUTH EMPOWERMENT LINKED TO THE IN AND HAVE FORTY BEEN
INDUSTRY FIELDS
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SECURED FOUR
EMPLOYMENT.
TYPES
OF
HAVE COUNTY
FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT, ATHLETICS, PLANS UNDERWAY TO BUY SPORTS EQUIPMENT. HAVE BEEN BEEN THE COUNTY. CULTURAL SUPPORTED ALCOHOL TO
DEVELOPED
EXCESSIVE
CONSUMPTION
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE. TURNING TO THE MINISTRY OF LANDS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, LAND REMAINS AN EMOTIVE ISSUE AND IT REQUIRES TO BE HANDLED IN A CAREFUL MANNER SO AS TO BRING HARMONY MINISTRY AND HAS PEACEFUL UNDERTAKEN
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COTO
VERIFY THE ASSETS THAT BELONGED TO THE DEFUNCT COUNTY COUNCIL OF KIRINYAGA AND VARIOUS TOWN COUNCILS. THIS IS AND TO IN IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY LAND WHICH WAS IRREGULARLY ALLOCATED HAVE PUT ILLEGALLY ON INDIVIDUALS PLACE
CONTROL. WE HAVE ALSO IDENTIFIED KUTUS, WANGURU, KIANYAGA, KAGIO, SAGANA AND KIBINGOTI AS THE FASTEST GROWING TOWNS IN COUNTY AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THEM. RECONNAISSANCE SURVEYS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT.
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THE MINISTRY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION BOARD WILL ENSURE THE RE-SETTLEMENT OF PERSONS BEING DISPLACED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIBA DAM IN KABARE AREA. THE MINISTRY HAS IDENTIFIED A PARCEL OF LAND MORE THAN TWO ACRES THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTY HEADQUARTERS. ISSUANCE OF TITLES REMAINS A THORNY ISSUE ESPECIALLY CONTINUE ORDER TO IN TO MWEA. ENGAGE TO SATISFY WE ALL THE SHALL THE IN LAND
STAKEHOLDERS
FINALITY
OWNERS WHO HAVE BEEN SQUATTERS AND TENANTS ON THE LAND THEY OCCUPY. SOUTH NGARIAMA LAND IS ACTIVELY BEING ADDRESSED AND WE
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HOPE
IT
WILL
BE
RESOLVED
DRAFTED SEVEN BILLS THAT WILL REVOLUTIONILISE THE COUNTY. THE HON SPEAKER I WANT TO INFORM OF THAT IN TERMS OF AGRICULTURE WE ARE THE LEADING COUNTY KENYA. WE ARE NUMBER ONE IN BANANA, FRENCH BEANS, RICE AND TOMATO PRODUCTION, WE ARE NUMBER THREE IN COFFEE PRODUCTION AND NUMBER FOUR IN TEA PRODUCTION.
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AGRICULTURE IN
THE MINISTRY HAS MADE SEVERAL INTERVENTIONS FARMERS TO HELP OUR CROP INCREASE
PRODUCTION WHICH INCLUDE SUPPLY OF SUBSIDIZED FERTILIZER AND HIGH QUALITY SEEDS FOR PLANTING DURING THIS RAINY SEASON. SO FAR FERTILIZER WORTH KSHS 50 MILLION HAS BEEN DISBURSED TO FARMERS AND 6,000KGS OF MAIZE SEEDS HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED TO FROM KARI AND WHO DISTRIBUTED SHORT RAINS. FARMERS
WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE OF TO PROMOTE FISH PRODUCTION WE HAVE EXCAVATED 20 FISH PONDS AND STOCKED 14 OF THEM FREE 18 OF CHARGE FREEZERS AND AND ACQUIRED
CARRIED OUT A DISEASE CONTROL CAMPAIGN ANIMALS. TURNING THAT WE TO THE MINISTRY ACQUIRED OF TWO THAT REACHED 100,000
TRANSPORT, I WISH TO ANNOUNCE HAVE GRADERS AT A COST OF KSHS 31 MILLION, THREE TRUCKS AT A COST OF KSHS 17.1 MILLION AND REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AND THE OF VARIOUS COST VEHICLES OF ROADS, EQUIPMENT
KSHS 3 MILLION.
ON IMPROVEMENT KUTUS-KIANYAGA,
AND KAGUMO-KANGAITA ROADS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED AT A COST OF KSHS 18 MILLION EACH. THE HON SPEAKER, WE HAVE ALSO DONE THREE FOOT BRIDGES AT A COST OF KSHS 5.5 MILLION AND WE
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ARE IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING 170 CULVERTS AT A COST OF KSHS 4.7 MILLION. WE ARE ALSO IMPROVING KERUGOYA MARKET AT A COST OF KSHS 6.5 MILLION FOR PHASE ONE BY INSTALLING KIANYAGA THE CABRO AT A BLOCKS OF AND 3 COST OF SHS
MAKUTANO AND KIANYAGA TOWNS AT A COST OF KSHS 6 MILLION. THE HON SPEAKER, WE ARE ABOUT TO COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN PUBLIC TOILETS IN KAGIO, SAGANA, TOWNS MILLION. BARICHO AT A COST AND OF KIANYAGA KSHS 4.8
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ON
HEALTH
SERVICES,
WE
ARE FULLY
WORKING HARD TO ENSURE THAT OUR HEALTH FACILITIES ARE EQUIPPED WITH ENOUGH SUPPLIES OF DRUGS AND MEDICINE. LAST WEEK I FLAGGED OFF THE DISTRIBUTION OF DRUGS WORTH KSHS 19.3 MILLION TO ALL HEALTH FACILITIES.
THE HEALTH SECTOR HAS DEVELOPED A THE FIVE-YEAR COUNTY STRATEGIC HEALTH AND SECTOR INVESTMENT PLAN, THE HEALTH BILL, PARTNERSHIP POLICY, THE HEALTH SERVICES GUIDELINES AND HEALTH REFERRAL STRATEGY POLICY WHICH WILL GUIDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS IN THE COUNTY.
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YESTERDAY, I LAUNCHED A KSHS 165 MILLION HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAMME ARE WORKING TO IMPROVEMENT COUNTY. ENSURE WE THAT
COVERING 40 PROJECTS ACROSS THE SAGANA, WHILE IMPROVE THE SECTOR OF KIMBIMBI, KERUGOYA HEALTH AT THE AND TO ACQUIRING
KIANYAGA ARE UPGRADED TO LEVEL 4 HOSPITALS TO BETTER HOSPITAL IS UPGRADED TO LEVEL 5 SERVICES. ADVANCED ASSORTED AMBULANCES STRENGTHEN SHORTAGE REFERRAL OF SYSTEM, IN
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STAGES AS A
REFERRAL WEAK OF
INFRASTRUCTURE
THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES OF DELAY OF SALARIES FOR HEALTH WORKERS. THIS HAS BEEN OF OCCASIONED BY FAILURE FINANCIAL THE INTEGRATED SYSTEM
MANAGEMENT
(IFMS) WHICH IS MANNED BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS NOT TO BLAME. HON SPEAKER, SECURITY HAS BEEN A BIG CONCERN TO MY GOVERNMENT. THOUGH THIS IS NOT A DEVOLVED FUNCTION, AS IT REMAINS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE WE NATIONAL HAVE GOVERNMENT,
NEVERTHELESS COME IN STRONGLY TO ASSIST THE POLICE TO OPERATE MORE EFFECTIVELY. THIS HAS BEEN DONE THROUGH PROVISION OF TWO
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MOTOR
VEHICLES
AND
FUEL
TO
ENHANCE PATROLS. WE HAVE ALSO ENGAGED CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY SECURITY TEAM, THIS HAS HELPED REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME.
IN
CONCLUSION
MADAM
SPEAKER,
THE FACT THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY MARKING THIS DAY, IS IN ITSELF A BIG ACHIEVEMENT. THIS NEW WE HAVE WALKED JOURNEY OF US. MY DEVOLUTION THING TO ALL
TOGETHER, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A REQUEST IS THAT WE REMAIN UNITED AS WE PROGRESS. LONG LIVE KIRINYAGA, LONG LIVE DEVOLUTION.
THANK YOU, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
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