SPEECH BY H.E GOVERNOR LEE KINYANJUI DURING MASHUJAA DAY CELEBRATION AT KIHINGO, NJORO-SUB COUNTY ON OCTOBER 20, 2020.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Today we are gathered here for the annual Mashujaa Day celebrations to honor our heroes and heroines who fought for our independence. 

We are at Davison Primary School in Kihingo, Njoro-Sub-county in line with my promise that we will rotate national celebrations among sub-counties.

This is the first national holiday we have gathered to observe since the COVID-19 pandemic hit our country in March 2020. Today, we commemorate the struggle for our freedom by the Mau Mau. Since March, we found ourselves at war with a disease that up to now has no cure or vaccine.

As a nation and a county, we have gone through harsh times that none of us anticipated. When the pandemic struck, the State took deliberate measures to prevent the spread of the disease including restriction of movement and public gatherings.

Over time, COVID-19 prevention protocols have become our way of life. We should continue to wear masks, observe social distancing, wash our hands and sanitize to protect ourselves and our neighbors.

At the onset of the disease, we set up Isolation centers at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital, Naivasha Sub-County Hospital and Langalanga Hospital. We also have other isolation centers across the County for any eventuality.

My administration distributed over 350,000 masks across all sub-counties. Most of the masks were produced by TVETS in the county.

The County allocated Kshs. 250 million for food distribution and cash transfers to the vulnerable across the County. The County also gave food to those in quarantine centers and at home.

To enhance hand washing, over 500 water tanks were strategically placed in markets, bus parks and other public areas.

The County also decongested bus parks and markets across urban areas in the county which helped in containing the spread of the disease.

Traders have since been allowed back to the markets. Public Service Vehicles are still in the stages they were relocated to. We are working to set up a new stage where the current Fire Station and slaughterhouse is located.

Fellow Kenyans, there has been a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in our county in the past month. Most people are calling the increase in coronavirus infection as the second wave. Fellow residents, the wave we are experiencing is as a result of laxity in COVID-19 prevention guidelines. We should examine our behaviour towards management of this desease.

Most people have adopted the back to normal attitude and are not observing the preventive guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.

Opening of social places including churches and bars have also led to thespike in the number of infections. 

COVID-19 infections are now at the community level and as a clounty we made a decision to monitor the disease for timely interventions. Our department of Health has adopted targeted testing, which is recommended by WHO as the Public Health approach towards prevention of the spread of the disease.

We have increased testing on target population in 7 sub-counties. Initially, we used to test about 1,000 people per week but we have since doubled the number to 2,500. As of yesterday, 1,983 people had tested positive for Coronavirus disease.

These are active infection avenues that require close monitoring to ensure compliance to the set guidelines. We wish to reiterate that opening of these places was subject to strict compliance with public health regulations. Consequently we shall not hesitate to revoke licences if we find negligence to laid down protocols by businesses.

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate health care workers for their continued selfless efforts as frontline workers in this war against COVID-19.

I salute and appreciate each and every one of you working in the over 200 health facilities in the 11 sub-counties. You are our heroes and I assure you that my administration will continue to support you through training, provision of protective gear and motivate you as you continue with your noble duties.

We also appreciate support from the National Government of Kshs.201 million towards the fight against COVID-19.

All health workers have been on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 and we appreciate them for their selfless work as they too are at risk. 

A few months ago, we celebrated some of the health workers for their exemplary work in the fight against the pandemic. Today we wish to mention

1. Dr Ithondeka Angeline: Pediatrician-For her frontline hospital leadership in COVID-19 preparedness. She identified hospital champions and together they led the team in training all the health workers in the hospital. She was key in developing a 6 point hospital plan to cover COVID 19 preparedness.

 

1. Jacob Rotich: County epidemiologist. He established, mentored and led surveillance teams. He has also led the community response since the beginning of the pandemic.

 

1. Sarah Mosop: Nursing officer- She has been a change management leader, inspired other health workers to join the team handling COVID-19 cases. She has shown exceptional selflessness in service to humanity 

 

1. Jonathan Orinda: Clinical Officer and Influenza Surveillance officer-Mentored and led testing services, has been available around the clock to collect samples and train others, has collected more than 3,000 samples so far.

1. Joseph Mbuthia|:Driver. He has consistently ferried samples to the National Public Heath lab in Nairobi on daily basis. He is also available beyond normal working hours.

We thank non-state actors who have contributed food, non-food items towards cushioning the vulnerable affected by the impact of COVID-19.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The County Government is still in the process of upgrading our health facilities across the County. Naivasha sub county hospital which is being constructed at a cost of Kshs. 300 million is 60 percent complete. We have also begun works at Olenguruone sub county hospital where construction of the Ksh 100 million outpatient department is ongoing. At Gilgil sub county hospital, we continue construction of the maternity wing at a cost of Ksh 40 million.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A few weeks ago we were honored to host CS Agriculture Peter Munya who confirmed the National Government’s commitment to revive the pyrethrum sector. The CS committed Ksh 500 million towards this endeavor. We appreciate this move and we will continue to support our farmers.

The County Government has also started the fish eating program propagated in areas where fish is not a regular meal. We have introduced 40,000 fingerlings to Kenyatta dam in Kuresoi North sub county. Other areas include Mona dam in Molo sub county and Kapkores in Kuresoi south ward. The introduction of fishing activities in this area will provide a new source of income for our people and empower them economically.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The provision of clean and adequate water continues to be our top priority. The County Government has set up Nyondia water project in Gilgil sub county which provides water to over 2,000 residents. Other such projects include Sigutek in Subukia and Kapseger in Kuresoi South sub counties. All our water projects will be fitted with solar panels to make them more sustainable.

The County Government has also partnered with charitable organizations like World Vision Kenya to provide water in areas of WEMA in Subukia and Salgaa in Rongai sub counties.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The economy of any area whether urban or rural depends greatly on the road network. As a County we have a vibrant ‘Boresha Barabara’ campaign dedicated towards opening of feeder roads in the rural areas. This campaign has seen areas that have never been accessed before open up significantly. The rehabilitation of dilapidated roads has also been done under this program. This is an ongoing project that touches all corners of our county.

In the urban centers, we have embarked on tarmacking of roads. Some of these places include a 4km road in Naivasha town that goes from the wholesale market to the stage. Another road is the Njoro town shops frontage road that was tarmacked at a cost of Ksh 18 million. East Road in Nakuru East has also been tarmacked at a cost of Ksh 30 million. The construction of these roads aims to decongest our towns and ease movement of traffic in these areas.

Drainage works have also been done in areas of Kivumbini, Free Area, Kaloleni and Manyani. This has transformed these areas that were once prone to flooding.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Youth are the backbone of every society. As a county we recognize the significance of our youth to the growth and development of our economy. This year during the International Youth Day we officially opened the Directorate of Youth affairs that is tailor made to focus on issues affecting the youth. We have also set up a youth desk in all the 10 departments as a way of coordinating youth matters in the County government.

Our youth in Agriculture have also benefitted from the Narig project funded by world bank. The project offers Ksh 500,000 in form of grants. The County Government has also distributed car wash machines to youth groups as a way of enabling them earn a living.

The County Government has also embarked on rehabilitation of stadia across the County. The tender for construction of Afraha Stadium has also been advertised. 

We have also facilitated persons living with disabilities to participate in various tournaments like sitting volleyball an paralympics.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You will recall that last year we started the journey towards attaining city status and becoming the fourth city in Kenya. However, this process has been derailed by the global Coronavirus pandemic. Despite these hiccups, we continue to upgrade our infrastructure within and without the city boundary. 

The contract for the upgrade of Lanet airport has been awarded to the contractor. We plan to upgrade the airport at a total cost of Ksh 2 billion. Once completed, the airport will open our County to more investors. The airport will also ease access of transport of goods like the flowers to the European market.

We are also working on the planning, survey and mapping of urban centers across the County. Currently the Department of Lands and Physical planning is carrying out stakeholder forums to get the views of the residents regarding planning of these centers. This program will guide the structure of our urban centers and bring orderliness in our centers.

In conclusion, 

Today we choose to honor those among us who have been exemplary in their contribution to our society. As a way of appreciating them, we will name our roads in their honor. 

These are:

1. Lee Njiru. He is a long-serving civil servant and worked closely with the late President Daniel Arap Moi. He exhibited professionalism and consistency in the journalism profession and a key mentor and role model to journalists.
2. Paul Tergat- athlete. He is a world-renown athlete who flew the Kenyan flag high in international athletics. He is currently the president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC-K). sports personality and philanthropist advancement of upcoming athletes.
3. Moses Kamonye– He is a well-known businessman and among the first business persons in Nakuru. His prowess in the business field has contributed greatly to the economy of Nakuru town.  
4. Prof. Richard Musangi– former Vice Chancellor at Kabianga University. He is a renowned educationist, scholar as well as an accomplished administrator. He is one of the brilliant minds that our country has.
5. Caleb Kiarie-He is a renowned business person and one of the great mentors to upcoming business persons in the County. Mr Kiarie has also been critical in the leadership of the PCEA church.
6. Peter Kinya– He is a great leader and an advisor in political affairs. Mr Kinya has also been instrumental in charitable activities geared towards helping the needy in the society.
7. The late Eng. James Ochieng’- Eng. Ochieng exemplified professionalism, in his work and was instrumental in the redesigning of our modern bus park, markets and expansion of roads. 

We salute all our heroes. We ask you to continue observing the Ministry of Health guidelines. 

Thank you, God bless you and stay safe.