TRAINING OF COMMUNITY AREA COUNCIL MEMBERS KICKS OFF

A capacity building exercise for Chairpersons of the Kakamega County Community Area Councils commenced on Tuesday in Matungu Sub-County in an event that was graced by Kakamega County Governor H.E Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya.Speaking at Lung’anyiro County Polytechnic in Matungu, Governor Oparanya revealed that the objective of establishing the councils was to decentralize Government services to the grassroots in the spirit of devolution.Kakamega becomes the first County in Kenya to operationalize the Councils which will be tasked with representing the views of the residents and championing the County Government’s development agenda at the grassroots. People from all the 12 Sub-Counties have been appointed to serve in the Councils.”You should use this opportunity to enhance service delivery in your respective communities as envisaged by this programme,” Dr. Oparanya challenged the members.In addition to providing information on issues affecting their areas, the County boss explained, they will also supervise County projects within their jurisdiction to ensure the expected completion timelines are met and proper standards adhered to.The members of the Councils are opinion leaders in the respective areas with knowledge and expertise in key areas of focus namely; Health, Education & Governance, Roads & Infrastructure, Water & Environment, as well as Agriculture.Some of the topics they will be trained on include; Vision of Devolution and Decentralisation, Kakamega County Administrative Unit and Boundaries Act, 2015, the Kakamega County Community Area Co-ordination Act, 2019 and the Government structure, Public Service Protocol and Etiquette.They will also be taken through Record keeping and Management, County Planning, Monitoring and Performance, Public Participation, access to Government services and Information and Anti-Corruption support framework among others.County Executive Member for Public Service and County Administration Madam Rodah Masaviru said decentralisation of services will increase participation of residents in the decision making process.Governor Oparanya also used the opportunity to call on the residents to remain peaceful during the ongoing by-election campaigns for the seat of the area MP the late Hon. Murunga who passed on late last yearIn attendance were Members of County Assembly, CECM for Roads, Public Works and Energy Mr. Geoffrey Omulayi, County Secretary and Head of Public Service Madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo and Chief Officers among other Government officers.