COUNTY SETS ASIDE 7.3 MILLION FOR LIBRARY FACILITIES

The County Government of Kakamega through the Department of Social Services, Sports, Youth , Gender and Culture has allocated Shs 7.4 Million in the 2023/2024 Financial Year to improve services in the Library Services Unit whose functions have now been fully taken over by the County.

Addressing officers drawn from the Department’s four directorates Wednesday afternoon during a quarterly staff meeting, the in-charge CECM Mr Mophat Mandela revealed that Kshs 3 Million will be used to purchase books for the two existing County libraries; Kakamega County Library and Lusumu Community Library, as the County plans to equip the two facilities even further in addition to constructing more libraries in every Sub-County.

The directorates domiciled in the Department are; Social Services and Culture, Sports and Youth, Gender, Children services and Labour, Library Services as well as the semi-autonomous County Youth Service and Women Empowerment Program.

Mr Mandela expressed satisfaction with implementation of projects and programmes in the just ending Financial Year that saw the Ministry utilize 74 percent of its budget for development while 84 percent was used for recurrent expenditure. With an enhanced current budget ceiling of Kshs 1.3 Billion, the CECM called for commitment from staff to ensure the funds are utilized well in accordance with H.E FCPA Governor Fernandes Barasa’s Manifesto and related Agenda pillars.

The Department has earmarked key projects this financial year among them; completion of Bukhungu Stadium, review and implementation of the County Youth Service and Women Empowerment & Shelter Improvement Programmes, implementation of the Governor’s Cup and Empowerment of Women and People Living with Disabilities through issuance of grants among others.

The meeting also saw the outgoing Chief Officer for Social Services Ms Vivian Ayuma officially hand over to her successor Ms Leah Shisia.

Present were Chief Officer for Sports and Youth Mr Joseph Abucheri, Directors and other Ministry staff drawn from all the Sub-Counties.