Kericho County commissioner (CC) Mr. Gilbert Kitiyo has assured that security has been heightened across the six sub-counties ahead of the busy festive season.
He however warned against excessive partying, urging the community to celebrate responsibly and adhere to the law, ensuring a peaceful environment for everyone.
The County Commissioner who addressed area residents during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Kipchimchim Ward in Ainamoi Constituency also urged Public Service Vehicles (PSV) motorists to avoid overloading and over-speeding for extra profits during the festive season to avert road accidents.
Mr. Kitiyo also called on residents to continue maintaining law and order during the ongoing “Tumin” boys’ initiation ceremonies and avoid the use of illicit brew disclosing that drug and substance abuse especially peddling and smoking of bhang was still rife in the area.
The CC also revealed that there had been a rise in suicide cases in Ainamoi Sub-County due to mental health issues affecting the residents and urged those in depression and stress to seek counseling services from elders and church leaders, saying that the sanctity of life should be respected and protected.“We should also continue fighting triple threat – HIV, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Early pregnancies. Sensitization should continue within the villages for communities to be enlightened,” said Mr. Kitiyo
Turning to administrative matters, Kitiyo announced that the continuous sub-division process was progressing, only awaiting the operationalization of new divisions and locations where new chiefs and assistant chiefs would be appointed soon, ensuring effective leadership at the grassroots level.
“We are waiting for the operationalization of the administrative units once that is done, we will have Chiefs in Maso, Laliat, Kapkugerwet and Kipchimchim Locations and Assistant Chiefs at Chebigen, Chepngobob, Ainapsosiot, Kipsamungut, Telanet, Kamelilo, Bagao, Chepkoiyo, Sumeiyon, Chepkoiyo, Chepsoo, Kiptegan, Cheribo and Ogirgir Sub-locations,” added Mr. Kitiyo.
He lauded the village elders for their commendable job in the villages, assuring them that soon the government would start paying them a stipend for their good work.
On the government’s initiative to grow 15 billion trees by the year 2032, the County Commissioner said Kericho County was progressing well indicating that so far, National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) had planted a total of 1,787,344 trees seedlings this year.
“Many government projects are still ongoing in Kericho and soon the government will launch the construction of 10, 000 Affordable Housing Project at Chelimo area,” said Mr. Kitiyo.
On matters of education, the CC assured parents that schools in Kericho are now ready to enroll grade 9 students revealing that a total of 55 new classrooms had been constructed in phase 1 and were ready for occupancy, adding that phases two and three of construction of the more classrooms was ongoing.
The County commissioner also read the president’s speech during the colorful 61st Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Kipchimchim Secondary School.
At the same time, the Kericho County governor Dr. Eric Mutai who also graced the event commended the Kericho County Assembly for approving a land report that outlines the allocation of 828 acres of land for the expansion of Kericho Town.
The report prioritizes the resettlement of squatters and includes the construction of government projects, such as a Special Economic Zone.
“In the near future, our county will receive city status after the expansion of the town in the Chelimo area where the largest pharmaceutical industry will be situated and will employ hundreds of thousands of people. One of the Multinational Tea Estates has also donated an additional 1.4 acres of land to add to the Kerenga Airstrip, where an airport will now be constructed,” said Governor Mutai.
By Kibe Mburu
