Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has highlighted county plans to improve Universal Healthcare Coverage under the National Health Insurance Fund to ensure that quality services were offered at all public facilities.
He told residents during Jamuhuri day celebrations that currently distribution of medical supplies was underway in all public hospitals in partnership with Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to ensure they were adequately stocked.
He confirmed that plans were underway to put up and upgrade hospitals with multiple wards in Ndumberi, Kahawa Wendani, Limuru east, Gitaru, Mwihoko, Mwiki, Gitondwa and Kahawa Sukari.
“We have committed to funding the construction of 20 new markets at the cost of Sh1 billion throughout the county and they are expected to host up to 30,000 businesses. Kiambu County is planning on constructing 5 mega markets”, Wamatangi said.
And in Homa Bay the County Commissioner Moses Lilan has assured residents of their security during this festive season adding that measures were in place to secure their lives and property at all times.
He told a Jamuhuri day celebrations at St. Ambrose Mixed Secondary School in Homa Bay town that security agencies were on high alert to counter any eventuality after the county experienced pockets of theft and burglary.
Lilan who was flanked by Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga, her Deputy Joseph Magwanga and Netherland’s ambassador to Kenya Maarten Brouwer, warned about disco matangas and night vigils in this month saying that they are the catalysts to early pregnancies and other vices in the category of GBV.
Governor Wanga at the same time announced that the county government had allocated scholarships and bursaries worth at least Sh 130 million for the needy students starting January next year.
During a similar fete in West Pokot, the Governor Simon Kachapin urged leaders to desist from divisive politics that could derail development prospects to foster socio and economic prosperity.
He said the county government was planning to launch a number of development projects in collaboration with the national government urging residents and leaders to allow smooth implementation of projects in their area as the same will help boost their livelihoods.
‘‘I have signed into law the county Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2002 which guide the county government expenditure for the financial year 2022/2023, with health department getting the lion’s share,’’ he said in a speech.
Kachapin said he has released assorted hospital drugs and non-pharmaceuticals worth Sh35 million to 140 health facilities across West Pokot County to enable health facilities provide essential services to all residents across the county.
Separately in Transmara West, Deputy County Commissioner Mohamed Noor Hassan has asked resident to give elected leaders time to deliver on their election pledges.
Speaking during the 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Shartuka, the commissioner said “It is barely three months since elections were held and some people in some quarters have started complaining that those elected in offices haven’t delivered. We need to support and give our leaders time to dispense their mandate”
In Laikipia county Governor Joshua Irungu in a speech read on his behalf by Laikipia East sub county administrator Ms Grace Kinyua took the opportunity to highlight some of his achievements for the last three months including the refurbishment of the health sector.
“In our plan, which received an overwhelming support from of the people of Laikipia, we have sought to Restore Health Services; Improve Health Infrastructure; in partnership with the National Government to achieve 100 per cent Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2027,” said Irungu.
And Isiolo Governor Hon. Abdi Guyo told the 59th Jamhuri Day Celebrations at the District Commissioner grounds in the historical town of Garbatulla in Isiolo that his administration has solid plans to restore the town back to its former glory-as a business hub.
The governor who was in company of County Commissioner Mr. Geoffrey Omoding also promised to work closely and strategically with the national government and security agents in dealing with the menace of the insecurity that has been witnessed in the region in the recent past and also the leadership of neighboring counties of Samburu, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit and Meru with a view to promoting beneficial peace and peaceful co-existence along their borders.
Education has also become a major talking point because of lack of schools in the county and also due to lack of food for school going children due to the ongoing drought where Mr. Guyo promised to set aside funds to construct more classrooms and continue with the school feeding programme.
“My administration has partnered with Direct-Aid Africa to sponsor fifty (50) of youths in these hardship areas to study abroad, with the hope that in future it will double this number to attain critical mass in different fields to boost the human capital”, he added.
Residents in the county are set to benefit from two major projects of the Lapsset and Horn of Africa road which is Isiolo-Modogashe road and any needs of compensation to be addressed by National Land Commission to ensure review is done and they get deserving value for their land and properties.
By KNA Team
