Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, has announced that the County will start to implement the new Scheme of Service for Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers this month.
Addressing County staff drawn from Butere Sub-County, Oparanya said the Scheme of Service guides the employer on the implementation of reviewed remuneration and terms of service for the teachers.
“Counties prepared the Scheme of Service for teachers in conjunction with the Council of Governors (CoG) and has been approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC),” said Oparanya.
He noted that the welfare of the 2,000 ECDE teachers has been adequately addressed by the Scheme and if fully implemented teachers will be motivated and education standards improved. He said teachers who are less than 45 years will be put on permanent and pensionable terms while those above 45 years will remain on contract.
On Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), Oparanya said the County was investing in their welfare to motivate them to serve residents with commitment and dedication.
He said that the County still face a shortage of CHVs, adding that out of the 10,000 required the County managed to enroll 4,250.
The Governor said the County will be boosting CHVs welfare through their newly set up Kakamega County Community Health Workers Cooperative Society. “Already the County has donated Sh1, 000,000 to the Cooperative to make it financially stable to serve members,” he noted.
Oparanya said CHVs will be securing loans from the Cooperative to address their financial obligations since the law does not allow the County to pay them salaries.
The Governor used the meeting to highlight development projects his government has initiated in the Sub County for close to 10 years he has been in office.
He noted that the Level Four Hospital that is under construction in the area will be a game changer for the community adding the County has also constructed a modern mortuary at the same hospital.
“We have tarmacked roads, initiated water projects, built ECDE centers, and set up a Dairy Smart Farm that will be used to provide knowledge to farmers on modern dairy farming technologies to improve milk production,” he said.
CECM for Public Service and County Administration, Rachael Okumu, appreciated the good work the County staff were doing and assured them of the government’s support.
She singled out the CHVs and ECDE teachers who she said are critical service providers at the grassroots level and would be supported adequately.
“The County is working on a process of identifying hardworking and committed staff and reward them. This is one way of appreciating their efforts,” said Okumu.
By John Ochanda
