KAKAMEGA SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICIES IMPRESS WEST POKOT COUNTY
As the wind of devolution blows across the country, counties and County Governments have adopted techniques of leveraging on each other’s strengths to spearhead transformative agenda for their citizens.
In the spirit of inter-county relations, Kakamega County is currently hosting a strong delegation of County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) from West Pokot county on a two day benchmarking mission on social protection programmes.
Kakamega County has managed to implement a successful social protection programme anchored in various ministries namely Health services, Trade & Industrialization, Roads and Public works, Agriculture and Social services, Youths, Sports and Culture.
Addressing the delegation at the chambers hall, county headquarters Thursday morning, H.E. Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya called on the County Executives from the two counties to champion the success of devolution in their respective counties. “These visits provide an avenue for counties to learn and share experiences from each other with the intention of enhancing service delivery and spurring economic and social growth,” governor Oparanya said.
The visitors are interested in learning how programmes such as Linda Afya ya Mama na Mtoto popularly known as “Oparanya Care” have succeeded as well as the County Youth Service and Women Empowerment Programme. Other programmes that the team will be keen to learn about are One Cow Initiative and the Farm inputs and Mechanization programme(s) both domiciled in the ministry of agriculture. The ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Tourism has also implemented various programmes to sustain businesses in Kakamega county.
Kakamega County Secretary and Head of Public Service madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo said the two day interaction will provide a platform for both counties to share experiences with the aim of transforming the lives of residents positively.
Her West Pokot counterpart who is also the head of delegation of the visiting team Mr. John Karamunya said Kakamega has managed to implement its programmes due to a well crafted work plan and clear set targets. “The presence of an Office of the County Attorney in Kakamega county has also ensured all programmes being initiated are in line with the Constitution of Kenya and approved policy frameworks,” he added.
Thursday’s activities saw the host CECMs take their guests through the various programmes in their respective ministries/departments during the morning session with a similar presentation from the West Pokot County Executives happening in afternoon session.
Tomorrow (Friday), the visitors will tour various sites within Lurambi sub county and have a chance for a one on one interaction with some of the beneficiaries of these programmes in Kakamega.
Deputy Governor H.E. Prof. Philip Museve Kutima was also in attendance as well as the Country Director of the Village Enterprise organization Nancy Chumo.