Information, Communications, and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has said that the Ministry will ensure that there are digital hubs in every ward in West Pokot.
Owalo says the Ministry will ensure that there are digital hubs in every ward in West Pokot to enable the residents of the area to dabble in online business.
The CS said the government will distribute several computers to technical institutions and free internet to ensure that even the remotest residents get government services.
Owalo was speaking at Kalicheba during a charity race held on Saturday that was organised by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) with support from Rotary International and the Ministry of Health under the theme “Running for Neglected Diseases”.
“President William Ruto is committed to ensuring that Kenyans get united, and sports is one of the means through which people get connected so that we can work together as a nation,” said Owalo.
Diseases such as leishmaniosis, dengue fever, bilharzia, and sleeping sickness are classified as neglected by the World Health Organisation because they receive little attention from the global health agenda.
DNDi Executive Director Luis Pizarro said the charity run aims to raise awareness and curb neglected diseases.
Hundreds of runners, including children and adults, participated in a 10-kilometre road race aimed at raising awareness for neglected diseases, as over 15 of the 20 World Health Organisation-listed neglected diseases affect over 25 million Kenyans.
Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo, who graced the event, urged all leaders from warring countries to work together in solving conflicts that have seen a continuation of banditry in the North Rift region.
Omollo said it was wrong to witness school-going children not attending school for fear or due to the frequent conflicts.
PS Omollo said the race brought many people together to fight the neglected diseases and celebrate relative peace in the region.
He stressed the importance of universal health and dealing with neglected diseases in the region.
“Three bills have been passed in parliament, and diseases like Kala-azar should be dealt with at the primary levels,” he said.
He said that they are beefing up security and calling on residents to have unity in the region.
French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet said they are committed to ensuring the programme succeeds, adding they will still organise for more races like 40 kilometres next year.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin lauded the organisations for choosing West Pokot County for the race, where neglected diseases are common.
“We thank DNDi for the programmes in the county. We need peace in this area. This run is indeed the climax of a week-long series of activities designed to improve access to care for patients with neglected tropical diseases.
It is informative that reports from the just concluded medical camp indicate that over 900 patients underwent screening and testing in which 13 suspected cases of Leishmaniasis were identified, with 12 awaiting results of their DAT tests,” said Kachapin.
Kachapin noted that it was becoming a concern that several people were walking around with elevated blood sugars (diabetes) and blood pressure (hypertension), pointing to a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
“This is therefore a call for action for our people to do their periodic checks and visit our health facilities whenever they are unwell. Make use of the significant investments we are putting in the health sector together with our partners,” said Kachapin.
“Today marks a significant milestone for DNDI. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary, and I’m happy to say that we have developed 12 treatments over the last two decades for six deadly diseases. However, there are still gaps, and we need new tools for many neglected diseases,” said the governor.
Enos Kales from West Pokot and Brenda Tuwei from Elgeyo Marakwet Counties have crowned the Neglected Diseases 10-kilometre charity run that took place on Saturday in Kacheliba, West Pokot County, where visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) and other neglected diseases are common.
The DNDi’s charity run began at 6.50 am around the St. Comboni Girls’ Primary School Kacheliba road, with Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omolo, Principal Secretary State Department for Public Works Joel Arumonyang, French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet, DNDI Executive Director Luis Pizarro, West Pokot County Governor Simon Simon Kachapin, and Peace Ambassador Tegla Lourupe participating in the race.
The first stage was a 10-kilometre run with elite athletes’ men and women, and the second stage was a 5-kilometre run open to schoolchildren and other fun athletes.
In the men’s category, Charles Rotich, who took the second position, finished in 27.59.97, Alex Ngeiywa in 28.33.24, Reuben Longoswa in 28.38.4, Zacharia Krop in 28.40.5, Gideon Kiprop in 28.53.8, Fredrick Domongole in 28.57.0, Simon Maywa in 28.57.9, Bendon Moshon in 29.000.00, and Edward Zakayo in 29.05.8.
In the female category, Naomi Chelagat from Elgeyo Marakwet County took position 2 in 34.18.11, Faith Kipmaiyo 34.40.61, Valentine Kibii 35.06.20, Winnie Kimtai 35.15.74, Elizabeth Kitienyi 35.17.99, Catherine Peyoy 35.39.08, Salome Otiso 35.41.49, Lucy Chelele 35.46.78, and Betty Chepchirhir 35.49.83.
By Richard Muhambe and Anthony Melly
