NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE DELEGATION PAYS VISIT AS IT SHOWERS KAKAMEGA COUNTY WITH PRAISE
A high level delegation from Kenya’s National Defence College, a premier military college located in the capital city Nairobi, yesterday paid a familiarization visit to Kakamega County and spared time to tour the magnificent Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital.
On hand to receive the delegation led by Ambassador Robert Ngesu was the deputy governor H.E. Prof. Philip Museve Kutima who was accompanied by several CEC Members and chief officers.
During a 20 minute power point presentation to the visitors, Prof. Kutima highlighted the county’s vision, mission and strategic objectives, milestones, demographic information, role in national and regional development, challenges and future plans.
The high point of the presentation was Kakamega team’s contention that Industrialization was the spring board of Kakamega county’s economic take off.
Plans to establish an industrial park in Mumias, a dairy processing plant in Malava, a tea factory in Shinyalu and a maize milling plant in Lugari as well as revival of Mumias Sugar Company were cited as key steps towards achieving the industrialization agenda of economic growth and job creation.
The Kakamega team and visitors acknowledged that the road infrastructure upgrade had catapulted the County into the national limelight.
Some of the challenges highlighted were the mismatch between high citizen expectations and available resources, delayed disbursements from the national Treasury, high incidence of poverty and a weak industrial base.
Members of the delegation were impressed by the county’s solid and magnificent investments at Bukhungu Stadium and the new Kakamega Teaching abd Referral Hospital.
The NDC is a premier military college that offers a year course in National Security and Strategy to selected senior military officers and government officials from Kenya and allied African countries.
Present were CECMs Geoffrey Omulayi, Beatrice Sabana, George Lutomia, Collins Matemba, Robert Makhanu and Rachel Okumu; County Secretary and Head of Public Service, madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo; Chief Officers: Ambassador James Ochami, John Imbogo, Brenda Makokha, Jeremiah Namunyu and Patrick Likavo, County Attorney Moses Sande, Chief of Staff Mr. Robert Sumbi and County Ombudsman Edward Indimuli.