REPUBLIC OF KENYA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF VIHIGA

SPEECH BY H.E HON (REV) MOSES E. AKARANGA, GOVERNOR

VIHIGA COUNTY DURING JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS AT
MUNICIPAL GROUNDS ON 12TH DECEMBER 2016.
The Deputy Governor,
County Executive Committee members,
Members of the County Assembly,
Chief Officers,
County Commissioner,
Senior Security Officers,
County Staff,
Members of the Fourth Estate,
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Ladies and Gentlemen,

Kenya is mourning the tragic death of people who perished in a terrifying road
accident in Naivasha two days ago. This is one of the horrifying road accidents
experienced in the country. The sports fraternity also lost two national rugby team
players,Victor Wayodi and Ogete Gecheo. Before I go ahead to make my remarks
I request all of you to stand up and join me in observing a minute of silence in
remembrance of our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the accident.
Thank you.
I am delighted to join you on this auspicious occasion when we commemorate
Jamhuri Day. This is a significant day in our national calendar as it reminds us of
the time in 1964 when Kenya attained her full independency from colonial rule.
I want to take this opportunity to extend my warn greetings to all Vihiga county
residents who are here and those listening to me live on our Vihiga FM Radio
station. For those gathered here out of sense of patriotism to celebrate this great
day I salute you.
Today is not just a day for remembering the day our dear republic was born; it is
also a day for paying tribute to the Founding Fathers and the gallant men and
women who sacrificed to give freedom and nationhood to this land of our birth.
As we acknowledge the crucial role independence heroes and heroines, some who
are from our county, played in our countrys history, we must remember that the
greatest honour we can accord them is to ensure that their dreams are realized.
It is because of the courage, self-determination and sacrifice that they displayed
that we gather here today to commemorate the birth of this Nation.
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Ladies and Gentlemen

As we are gathered here today to witness this important occasion and together as
Kenyans share the pride of self-rule I regret that patients seeking medication in all
public hospitals are subjected to untold suffering after doctors and nurses downed
their tools to demand for salary increase among other things.
Peaceful protests and strikes are a basic human right provided by Human Rights
Treaties and guaranteed by the Kenyan Constitution 2010.
Kenyans are thrown into dilemma between the rights of the striking medics and the
rights of patients to access medical treatment and emergency services among
others.
We in Vihiga County are taking all necessary steps aimed at ending the medics
strike. We have commenced dialogue with officials of the medics union with a
view of charting a formula of ending the strike amicably and have the medical
personnel resume duty.
I therefore call on the striking doctors and nurses to embrace dialogue with both
National and County governments and end the strike to save lives and patients
from the agony and suffering they are going through.
On the same note, I want to support a demand by my colleague governors on
National government to release the funds they are holding on for the ministry of
Health to counties for effective service delivery.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I take this opportunity to congratulate our primary schools for the good
performance in last years Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE)
examination. The county was ranked number 13 out of 47 counties. I commend
pupils, teachers and parents and other stakeholders for their sacrifice and hard
work that saw the county attain such good results in the national examination. My
Government gave each Primary School in the County Shs. 5,000/= for lunch for
candidates during Examination Period.
As parents are waiting for letters of admission for their children to join form one, I
want to assure those from poor families that my government will support the
secondary education of their sons and daughters through bursary scheme. My
government has increased allocation to ward bursary kitty from Sh5 million to Sh7
million to ensure that majority of bright and needy children benefit from the fund.
My government provided free certificates for graduating ECDE pupils this year.
However during my tour to sub counties I have received complaints from parents
that some County officers charged them for the certificates. This is a serious
offence and I have ordered for investigations and I will take appropriate action
against those involved.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Our County was privileged to host the International Human Rights Day
celebrations at Municipal Grounds in Mbale last Friday. The event organized by
the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) gave the county and

other stakeholders an opportunity to take stock of what they have done to enhance
the respect, protection, promotion and fulfillment of the rights of our people.
However it is regrettable that the celebrations were being held in Vihiga when our
county has been identified as one of the counties with high rate of defilement
cases. The county was ranked third after Kakamega and Nairobi in cases
ofdefilement. Perpetrators of these inhuman acts are elderly people who our
children look at for protection.
Cases of neglect of minors especially those living with disabilities have also been
experienced in the county. Two weeks ago I was forced to rescue an eight years old
ailing girl who had been confined in their shanty and denied access to medication
by her parents at Majengo market, Vihiga Sub County. The patient was rushed to
Kijabe Mission hospital for specialized treatment. Her mother and grandmother
were arrested and handed over to the police.
Ladies and Gentlemen, my Government has stepped up campaigns to bring to book
men who rape and defile women and children and also women who cohabit with
young boys. We are working hand in hand with Sub County and ward
administrators, Chiefs and their assistants, Social Development Assistants (SDAs)
and security personnel among others. However the war against this vice can
effectively be fought if all of us can stand for each others rights in your own small
ways.
Some residents have in the recent past been subjected to torture by a terror gang
that calls itself the 42 Brothers. The gang has been breaking into homes of
residents in various parts of the county at night; slash our with pangas before
robbing them. I want to warn members of the gang that the long arm of the law
will soon catch up with them.
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I therefore urge residents to cooperate with security officers in their efforts to

stump out the gang by providing information that will lead to their arrest. Security
of my people is one of the top agendas of my government and I will ensure that the
county remains peaceful by getting rid of criminals.
I am aware that there is wanton destruction of indigenous trees in Kibiri forest by
people engaged in charcoal burning business. I will visit the area on 20 th of this
month to address for away forward. My government will open the Mukhalakhala
slaughter house in Luanda Sub County before the end of this month.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On December 26th initiates from the Maragoli community will be graduating in a
ceremony that will be the climax of the annual Maragoli cultural festival. I want to
take this early opportunity to wish the boys success as they eagerly await the great
day in their lives. The event will be followed by the Banyore, Tiriki and Terik
cultural festivals, occasion marked separately and used to promote the culture of
the four main sub tribes in the county.
On politics, Ladies and gentlemen, you are aware I was elected on the Progressive
Party of Kenya (PPK) ticket. I will be defending my seat on the partys ticket in
the 2017 General Elections. I have embarked on a vigorous campaign to popularize
the party through recruitment of members and opening of party offices across the
county and beyond. All these activities are aimed at strengthening the party and
also complying with Political Parties Rules.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will soon roll out
the voter registration exercise. I urge all those who have not registered as voters to
do so to be able to exercise their constitutional right of voting during the next
General Elections.
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As I conclude, I want to acknowledge the support I have been receiving from the
County Assembly. Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have executed their
oversight role well. I call on the Assembly to continue according my administration
the support as it is key to the running of the county.
My government has also enjoyed support and good working relationship from the
County Commissioners office. I take this opportunity to welcome the new County
Security Coordinating Commander Mr. Martin Kipyegon Kibet.
Jamhuri Day celebrations being the last national holiday on the countrys calendar
sets the mood for Christmas festivities across the Republic. I therefore take this
opportunity to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and happy New Year 2017.

THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.