Fireworks and jubilant celebrations filled the air as residents of West Pokot County joined other Kenyans and the rest of the world to welcome the New Year on January 1, 2023 in style, with hope that it will bring good tidings.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin and other leaders joined residents, local artists, and clergy at a concert to usher in the New Year at Chelang Gardens in Kapenguria Town.
In the region, different churches had clergy preaching messages of unity and peace. They urged residents to embrace unity in order to provide a good environment for social and economic development.
Governor Kachapin promised good tidings for residents, saying he would continue actualizing his campaign pledges.
He said that in the last four months he has been restructuring the government for the benefit of the residents, in order to ensure a smooth running of his administration.
Kachapin promised that bright and needy students in West Pokot will receive bursaries of Sh25, 000 for secondary education and vocational training to enable them to access education.
He said that in healthcare, he will build a cancer center to enable patients who have been seeking cancer testing and treatment from other counties to access it from within.
“The lack of a cancer center in the county has been a challenge to patients seeking access to cancer testing and treatment, and I want to promise that I will facilitate the building of a cancer center to enable residents to access its services and avoid travelling far to other counties,” he said.
The governor promised to launch water projects in the county to help end the perennial water scarcity that has afflicted the residents for years.
He also promised to launch a manufacturing and processing facility to curb the ravaging cases of youth unemployment.
The governor said President Dr. William Ruto will be visiting the county later this year to launch new projects and inspect the ongoing ones.
He urged all leaders to support his administration and work with the government of the day to bring development to the populace.
West Pokot Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Elvis Korir said that the government will continue its crackdown on counterfeit alcohol drinks and drugs as a priority activity this year.
Korir further stated that illicit alcohol and drug consumption will not be tolerated, warning those who are found to be contravening the law that they will be arrested and prosecuted.
“I urge all alcohol traders to comply with relevant laws, including licensing, to avoid arrest and prosecution,” he urged.
He wished residents and other Kenyans a blessed and prosperous New Year 2023.
By Anthony Melly
