LAIKIPIA COUNTY ASSEMBLY BENCHMARKS IN KAKAMEGA

The County Government of Kakamega has yet again been called upon to share its experience in delivery of health services with the latest delegation arriving from Laikipia County Assembly under the leadership of Hon. Veronica Ikunywa, the chairperson of Laikipia County Assembly health services committee.

Their mission which will focus on Oparanyacare programme as well as the 750 bed Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital whose phase 1 construction is nearing completion. Also of interest to the team is implementation of universal health coverage programme in the county with particular emphasis on NHIF registration of residents.

County Secretary Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo, who received them, together with Dr. Brenda Makokha, Chief Officer Health Projects explained to the team that sustainability of Oparanyacare programme for vulnerable mothers and new borns is assured following the anchoring of the programme in the law.

Later, the team paid a courtesy call on the Assembly deputy speaker, Hon. Leonard Sakaya and the chairman of the health services committee, Hon. Lucas Radoli.

Others in the delegation from Laikipia included the vice chairman, Hon. Peter Matunge and members Hon. Cathyrn Nyawira and Hon. Bernard Nyagah among others.

Meanwhile, the newly initiated county government of Kakamega inter-departmental weekly interaction session entered its fifth week yesterday morning with an excellent presentation by the ministry that is most credited with the beautification of Kakamega town, Lands, Housing and Urban areas, making a presentation of its agenda and milestones to county chief officers. Chief Officer in the ministry, Mr. Patrick Lukoko and the Director Physical Planning, Mr. Stephen Chune said acceleration towards upgrading of Kakamega town into city status by 2020 was being done in tandem with promotion of Mumias to municipal status. The Ministry also has its sights on digitization of market areas, properties and boundaries before valuation exercise is undertaken to optimize taxation and revenue collection which is one of the county government’s most elusive targets. So far five ministry’s have made their presentations.

The forum presents an opportunity for the participants to familiarize themselves with the successes and challenges in the departments other than their own thereby creating opportunities for enhanced synergy through information exchange to improve inter-departmental coordination geared towards efficient service delivery.