County Tich Gi Dongruok the Fishing Industry Taking advantage of our natural resources DEVELOPMENT PLANS PROGRESS FUN AND MORE... Get to Know Your County High Court upholds Rasanga’s win ISSUE NO. 3 (8 TH FEB. – 26 TH FEB. 2018) OLIVE BRANCH: - The Governor reaches out to petitioner for a better Siaya Page 1 SUBSIDY SEEDS AND FERTILIZER NOW AVAILABLE His Excellency Dr. James Okumbe, the Deputy Governor says Siaya Government has availed 38.8 metric tons of subsidized, assorted and drought resistant seeds including sorghum and maize and 5,000 bags of ‘mavuno’ fertilizer each bag being 25 kilograms to enhance food production among the farmers of Siaya County this planting season. Pg. 10 The SIAYA Newsletter H. E. Cornel Rasanga, Siaya County Governor, with a microphone, H. E. Dr. James Okumbe, The Deputy Governor, second from right, with MPs Hon. Sam Atandi (Alego Usonga) and Hon. Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) at Ahindi Gardens, Siaya town to celebrate the court verdict on 26 th February 2018. See story on 4, 5 & 8 VIHIGA’s WILBER OTTICHILO PAYS COURTESY CALL
Transcript
County
Tich Gi Dongruok
INSIDE: - KShs. 400 million sports complex to be unveiled. Upcoming activities in various departments
the Fishing Industry Taking advantage of our natural resources
DEVELOPMENT PLANS PROGRESS FUN AND MORE...
Get to Know Your County
High Court upholds Rasanga’s win
ISSUE NO. 3 (8TH FEB. – 26TH FEB. 2018)
OLIVE BRANCH: - The Governor reaches out to petitioner for a better Siaya
Page 1
SUBSIDY SEEDS AND FERTILIZER NOW AVAILABLE His Excellency Dr. James Okumbe, the Deputy Governor says Siaya
Government has availed 38.8 metric tons of subsidized, assorted and
drought resistant seeds including sorghum and maize and 5,000 bags of
‘mavuno’ fertilizer each bag being 25 kilograms to enhance food
production among the farmers of Siaya County this planting season. Pg. 10
The SIAYA Newsletter
H. E. Cornel Rasanga, Siaya County Governor, with a microphone, H. E. Dr. James Okumbe, The Deputy
Governor, second from right, with MPs Hon. Sam Atandi (Alego Usonga) and Hon. Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) at
Ahindi Gardens, Siaya town to celebrate the court verdict on 26th February 2018. See story on 4, 5 & 8
VIHIGA’s WILBER
OTTICHILO PAYS
COURTESY CALL
County The SIAYA County Newsletter
Seeds Subsidy Launch
CONTENTS
VIHIGA GOVERNOR COURTESY CALL
The SIAYA
Newsletter
Vihiga Governor Visit
Pictorials on Ruling
World Urban Forum
High Court Ruling The Maraga Visit
Departmental Progress a. Public Service and Administration
b. Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
c. Education, Youth Affairs, Gender and Social Affairs
d. Finance and Economic Planning
e. Health and Sanitation
f. Lands, Physical Planning, Housing & Urban Development
g. Public Works, Energy, Roads and Transport
h. Tourism, Culture, Sports and Arts
“We have great partnership
opportunities to exploit as
neighbors in devolution. We
must maximize these
partnerships while looking
into the future” - Dr. Wilber Ottichilo, Governor, Vihiga County
i. Enterprise and Industrial Development
j. Water, Irrigation, Environment and Natural
Resources
General Pictorial
Eulogy Corner
Jokes
Page 2 The COUNTY Newsletter
SIAYA
Page 3 The COUNTY Newsletter
His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth welcomes His Excellency Wilber Ottichilo, Governor,
Vihiga County when the latter paid a courtesy call at the Siaya County Offices
Opportunities for Partnership
Vihiga County Governor H. E. Wilber Ottichilo has
hinted that various partnership opportunities
existent between the counties of Siaya and Vihiga
will be exploited during his tenure as the governor
of Vihiga.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call at the Siaya
Governor’s office on Wednesday 21st February
2018, the Vihiga Governor also took the
opportunity to wish His Excellency Cornel Rasanga
Amoth well in his then impending court case ruling
slated for 26th February 2018.
The Vihiga Governor who himself was recently
confirmed by The High Court sitting in Kakamega
as having fairly beaten his opponent in the August
8th 2017 elections expressed confidence in the
potential of the two neighboring counties to exceed
the voter expectations.
T
The SIAYA County The SIAYA County Newsletter Newsletter
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Members of the public wait for the ruling with ecstasy at the Siaya High Court premises on the 26th February 2018.
The court ruled in favor of the third respondent H. E. Cornel Rasanga Amoth
CELEBRATIONS GALORE AS HIGH COURT
UPHOLDS GOVERNOR’S WIN
Nominated MP Prof. Jackline Oduol, Gem MP Hon. Elisha Odhiambo, Alego Usonga MP Hon. Sam Atandi,
Siaya Governor H.E. Cornel Amoth and Siaya Deputy Governor Dr. James Okumbe savor the moment of victory at Ahindi Gardens,
Siaya on 26th February 2018
Ecstatic Governor Cornel Rasanga with a section if his legal team moments after the ruling
His Excellency in a mock swearing in ceremony after the ruling at Ahindi, Siaya
The SIAYA County The SIAYA County Newsletter Newsletter
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The 9th World Urban Forum in Kuala Lumpur: -
Malaysia
By Walter Okelo, Chief of Staff
Siaya County Governor H. E. Cornel Rasanga Amoth recently led a delegation to the 9th World Urban
Forum held in Malaysian Capital Kuala Lumpur and hosted by the UN Habitat between 7th and 13th
February 2017. The forum which explored the New Urban Agenda (NUA) registered key milestones
available for implementation by The Department of Lands, Housing and Urban Development of the
County Government of Siaya. The theme for this year’s forum is: - “Cities 2030 – Cities For All:
Implementing the New Urban Agenda.” Several partner organizations participated in the events
during the forum. World Bank noted the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda has
provided a fresh impetus to strengthen partnerships with business towards enhanced, transformative
investments in urban development.
Siaya County is already participating in the Kenya Urban Support program that is funded by the
World Bank to support investments in urban development. However, this is not enough and more
support needs to be sourced to finance urban Development throughout the County.
On building effective public – private partnerships, panelists considered: diversifying economies to
build cities’ resilience to adversity; providing slum dwellers with access to decision-making processes;
and building capacity at the local level to accelerate change while becoming more efficient.
In his opening remarks, Greg Munro, Secretary General, Commonwealth Local Government Forum,
called for global leaders to place their trust in local and regional governments, and allow local
residents to be engaged at the core of decision making.
His Excellency Rasanga Amoth with his Chief of Staff Hon. Walter
Okelo during a break at the Kuala Lumpur 9th World Urban Forum
During the week-long event,
many speakers highlighted the
unique position of mayors and
Governors in relation to social
issues, environmental
challenges, and the economic
realities of their cities.
Mercè Conesa, President,
Barcelona Provincial Council,
called for a governance system
that is decentralized, open,
and collaborative, adding that
such a system would require
citizen involvement. Víctor
Pineda, President, World
ENABLED, called for a global
compact for accessible and
inclusive cities, and to give
individuals with disabilities a
“seat at the table.”
FOREWORD
MARCHING ON, TOGETHER
We are strongly committed to improving the quality of services we provide to the
citizens of Siaya County.
The Directorate commits itself, to deliver quality and timely services commensurate
with the citizens’ expectations. In all your dealings, citizens can expect all our staff to
treat them with courtesy and respect. We similarly ask the citizens to treat our staff
with courtesy in order to enhance an environment of mutual respect in our working
spaces.
We commit ourselves to provide clear, accurate and relevant information and to
clearly detail any costs that may apply in accessing our services. We advise citizens
not to offer gifts, money or other favors to our staff in exchange of a service offered
by the directorate, as it is the citizen’s right to get services from us. This way, the
citizens will have assisted us to sustain our commitment of zero tolerance to
corruption.
Finally, the department has put in place mechanisms to monitor and evaluate our
performance for purposes of quality control in delivery of services. We invite and
welcome the citizen’s continuous feedback on our service delivery so as to facilitate
improvements in subsequent years.
HON. JERRY WILLIAM OCHIENG
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF SIAYA
County County
Siaya High Court Upholds Rasanga’s August 8
th
2017 Win
The SIAYA
Newsletter
The SIAYA
Newsletter
The COUNTY Newsletter Page 8
Page 9 The COUNTY Newsletter
The Deputy Governor said that unless the wrongs perpetuated by police and politicians are not
tamed by the Judiciary the country risks going to the dogs. He asked the CJ to always ensure that
Kenyans don’t lose trust and confidence in the Judiciary by insisting that all and sundry must
respect the rule of law.
“There can only be justice in the court of law but if orders of the court cannot be respected by
influential persons in government then you need to sting, to reverse the trend,” urged Dr. Okumbe.
Dr. Okumbe who was Flanked by the Chief Justice David Kenani Maraga, the Supreme Court
Registrar Ann Amadi and Siaya High Court Aron Makau said that Siaya residents are law abiding
citizens who respect rule of law but Jubilee politicians have been trashing orders of court and that
has hurt other Kenyans.
“Moving forward, we request you to deal with individuals in the police service and Jubilee Party
to restore hope and trust bestowed upon you by the public,” said Dr. Okumbe.
Dr. Okumbe also asked the Chief Justice to consider providing regions that lack magistrate courts
with mobile clinics to sort out disputes in own constituencies. “We have six constituencies and
only three have courts. We request your office to consider providing other regions with mobile
courts to deal with disputes at their areas of stay,” said Dr. Okumbe.
Mr. Maraga however steered off politics and instead asked the County Government of Siaya
represented by Dr. Okumbe to allocate land in areas lacking the courts so as to help the judiciary
prioritize their establishments. He added that the earmarked pieces of land should be at least 30
acres to allow future developments of the courts in adequately spaced areas.
TOP NEWS
BY
ERICK OMUOMBO
26th February 2018
The Siaya High Court has dismissed with
costs the petition challenging the election
victory of Siaya Governor H. E. Cornel
Rasanga. Justice Esther Maina said the
petitioner could not prove his allegations
that the election was riddled with
irregularities and failed to meet the
threshold of a free and fair election.
Justice Maina upheld Rasanga’s victory
saying that despite the minor election
irregularities noted, they did not affect the
outcome of results. “The first respondent in
deed committed lots of irregularities but its
effect cannot interfere with the final results.
We cannot divert the will of the people
expressed at the ballot box on August
8th 2017,” said Maina.
Justice Maina upheld Governor Rasanga’s
election stating that the six grounds raised
by the petitioners in seeking the
nullification of the August 8th poll outcome
were insufficient, based on hearsay and
lacking in evidence.
Justice Maina said the petitioner, Hon.
Gumbo and lawyers failed to prove
allegations of ballot stuffing, unstamped
and filled ballot papers, voter bribery and
use of county staff, public vehicles to
distribute relief maize to lure voters.
“The petitioner has failed to adduce before court
substantive evidence to prove the allegations. The
irregularities complained of in each of the
grounds are not so grave either by themselves or
in totality as to lead to the conclusion that there
was no gubernatorial election held in Siaya, or
that the elections were not free, fair, transparent
and verifiable,” she ruled.
The Judge said the allegations that votes cast
exceeded number of registered voters in fifty
polling stations in Alego/Usonga and Pala
Kobong’ polling station in Rarieda was a fallacy
since the recount proved otherwise.
She said that experts who included Martin Irungu
contracted by the petitioner to analyze the
elections results found that figures entered for
each of the candidates were not tampered with
and were 90 per cent correct hence fair.
“Mr. Irungu did an affidavit deposition that
scrutinized all the statutory forms including form
37 A, B and C. He wrongly relied on the fallacy
that results on form 37 C were final results while
those in Form 37 A were the actual results,” said
Maina adding that the irregularities did not have
substantial effects on the final results; the reason
for which the petition was dismissed in its
entirety.
The judge further ordered Gumbo to pay the
third respondent KShs.3 million and nothing to
the first and the second respondent for they
displayed typical errors and mis-matches though
not affecting outcome of the results.
Supporters of H.E. Rasanga Amoth thereafter
broke into celebrations, praising the ruling.
“We are happy with the ruling and it’s true that
the will of the people was portrayed in the ballot
box on August 8th 2017 polls,” said Rasanga
adding that whoever touches judiciary, be it in
the national or county level would be igniting fire
that won’t be easy to extinguish.
Rasanga however extended an olive branch to his
arch rival and fierce competitor to join him in
instituting developments and service delivery to
the good people of Siaya.
“I still need you and Siaya people need you too.
Join us to deliver services to people of Siaya as
that would help you remain relevant politically,”
said the Governor.
.
Public Service & Administration
BY ERIC OMUOMBO
Deputy Governor on
the rule of law
February 13th, 2018.
Speaking during a tour of
the Chief Justice in Siaya
County to inspect the
ongoing construction of
Siaya High Court, Siaya
Deputy Governor Dr.
James Okumbe has asked
the Judiciary to reign in
on police and part of
Jubilee administration
lately disobeying the rule
of law to suit interests of
their political masters.
President of The Supreme Court Chief Justice David Kenani
Maraga during the inspection tour at Siaya High Court. The
CJ was lauded by Siaya Residents for his adherence to the rule
of law
Figure 1: - Deputy Governor Dr. James Okumbe hands over a 25kg bag of fertilizer
to a farmer in Ukwala Town flanked by Agric. Chief Officer Me. Sylvester Kokoth
(2nd right), Agric. CEC Mr. Ogada Charles and Ukwala MCA Mr. Peter Omondi
County
Newsletter
The SIAYA
Newsletter
The SIAYA County
Agriculture, Livestock and
Fisheries
Urban Housing and Development: - The Malaysian Experience
Page 11 The COUNTY Newsletter
Seeds and Fertilizer Launch
By Grace Adhiambo
The County Government of Siaya is
availing 38.8 metric tons of
assorted drought resistant seeds
including sorghum and maize and
5,000 bags of ‘mavuno’ fertilizer
each bag being 25 kilograms to
enhance food production among the
farmers of Siaya County this
planting season according to His
Excellency Dr, James Okumbe, the
Deputy Governor, Siaya County.
The fertilizer bags include an
assortment of 2,400 bags of DAP
fertilizer, 2,000 bags of MAVUNO
fertilizer and 600 bags of CAN
fertilizer to farmers in Siaya
County.
Speaking while launching the
subsidized seeds and fertilizer
program for this planting season in
Ukwala town, Ugenya Sub County,
yesterday, the Deputy Governor
asked farmers within Siaya county
to utilize the previously launched
subsidized tractor mechanization
services and these subsidized
fertilizers and the seeds program to
increase production and crop yields
thereby entrenching food security
for all. A packet of seeds and a bag
of 25 kilograms of fertilizer will go
for KShs. 200.00 and KShs. 750.00
respectively.
Farmers can access the subsidized
seeds and fertilizer from the Sub
County Agricultural Offices across
the county after due process is
followed. Addressing the farmers
present at the launch, the deputy
Governor also noted that low
harvest in the past can be attributed
to planting of poor seeds and
traditional farming methods and
encouraged the famers in the county
to embrace modern farming
methods and use better farm inputs
to improve food security.
Page 10 The COUNTY Newsletter
Speaking at the same event, The Agriculture, Food, Livestock and
Fisheries Executive Charles Ogada said that his department was
working on a policy document that if adopted by the cabinet and
the assembly will block private tractors from operating in Siaya
unless they subsidize their services to local farmers as close as
possible to the Siaya County subsidy.
The Chief Officer in the Department of Agriculture, Food,
Livestock and Fisheries Mr. Sylvester KoKoth, meanwhile
attributed dwindling agricultural yields to soil acidity which has
become predominant in most farms across the county.
Other leaders present at the event included the Chairman of the
Agriculture Committee in the County Assembly of Siaya Mr.
Willis Ochieng, the Deputy Speaker of the County Assembly of
Siaya Mr. Oduor Odongo and the area Member of County
Assembly, Ukwala Ward among several other members of the
County Assembly of Siaya who sit in the Assembly Agriculture
Committee all of whom encouraged the famers to utilize the county
subsidies for increased food production and promised to support
increased budgetary allocation to the agriculture department for
food security.
The Deputy Governor H. E. Dr. James Okumbe
(middle) hands over a 25kg bag of subsidized fertilizer
to a farmer in Ukwala town on
UN HABITAT WORLD URBAN FORUM 9 HELD IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
THE DECLARATION
We, the participants of the WUF9, leveraging the advantage of the Forum, which convenes thousands
of decision makers, key actors, stakeholders and communities, generated a wealth of ideas. We
encourage the acceleration of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda through:
1. Frameworks
2. Governance and Partnerships
3. Innovative Solutions
A sample street in Malaysia showing walk ways for human traffic and the greening effect
on the environment
County County
Figure 2: - Consultations between NHIF and County Government of Siaya at
Pinecone Hotel, Kisumu recently
I
The SIAYA
Newsletter
Department of Finance & Economic Planning
The SIAYA
Health
Newsletter
t gives me great pleasure to join tty
community on the
occasion of the release of the county’s
The magazine we are launching now
will give us unparalleled reach to
our employees, visitors and other
& Sanitation
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This
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the largest in the country.
It boasts nearly 2 million
inhabitants, 12 sub-co-ties
and 60 wards. It is
desirable to keep all the
people and the units
interacting on real time basis
through internet connectivity.
However, this is not
possible as our
infrastructure development is
still in
its infancy. Use of this
channel will go a
Operationalization of Vision
2030 in Siaya County
By Auscar Wambiya
FEBRUARY 23RD 2018
The Director of The Economic Pillar
of Vision 2030 Mrs. Veronica
Muthoni Okoth has today held
discussions with His Excellency Dr.
James Okumbe, Deputy Governor,
County Government of Siaya on the operationalization of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the
realization of Kenya's Vision 2030.
The MOU which will be signed in due course seeks to actualize the Visions blueprint and will identify
comparative and competitive advantage flagship projects within Siaya and map out transformative projects
among them thereafter integrating them into the Siaya County Integrated Development Plan.
Vision 2030 Delivery Board brings together Principal Secretaries from all departments in the national
government and is helped in the actualization of its programs by a Delivery Secretariat headed by The
Director General. The Vision has four pillars being the Economic, Social, Political and Enablers pillars.
During the discussions between representatives from The Vision 2030 Secretariat and The County
Government of Siaya held at The Governor's Boardroom, it emerged that among key flagship projects now
prioritized for Siaya included universal healthcare and investments in the fish and sugar industry. The fish
industry was agreed as Siaya's Competitive Advantage project with enormous transformative capacity.
The County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Planning in the Siaya Government Mr. Joseph
Warega noted that the County and indeed the Country has very good plans but is performing poorly on
revenue collection to fund the existing plans. He decried the fact that great plans were either gathering dust
or running behind schedule due to the major challenge of financing them. He asked the Board Secretariat to
prioritize revenue advisory services.
The Deputy Governor envisioned Kenya as a newly industrialized country by 2030 as long as gaps
identified are addressed, stakeholders collaborate and economic blocks such as Lake Region Economic
Block are strengthened. He noted that developed nations like Singapore heavily invested in visioning and
long-term planning. Other stakeholders present at these discussions were the Siaya County Secretary Mr.
David Anyona, Chief Officers, Departments of Health and Roads, Madam Dorothy Owino and Eng. Joel
Oduol respectively and the Chief of Staff in the Office of The Governor Mr. Walter Okelo among other
government officials.
NHIF Universal
Healthcare Coverage for
Siaya
By Auscar Wambiya
18TH FEBRUARY 2018
The National Health
Insurance Fund (NHIF)
seeks to double the
number of Siaya residents
registered to benefit
through its health
insurance coverage within
the next one year. In an
intensive recruitment
drive in partnership with
the health department of
the County Government
of Siaya that will see
community health
volunteers and
ward administrators as
mobilization agents, all
county staff and citizens
will be targeted
for NHIF coverage. Siaya
County has 283,000
households presently.
Speaking in Kisumu while
hosting a delegation from
the NHIF headquarters led
by Mr. Gibson K.
Muhuhu, the Deputy
Director of Registration
and Compliance, Siaya
Governor His Excellency
Cornel Rasanga noted as a
priority the need for
universal healthcare
coverage within Siaya
County and committed to
prioritize actualization of
the noble partnership
between NHIF and The
County Government of
Siaya.
The partnership will include identification and profiling of the socio-
economic data of targeted beneficiaries to inform extent of health
coverage, training for Community Health Volunteers in collaboration
with other health actors e.g. AMREF to promote NHIF uptake and
comprehensive healthcare coverage of all county government
staff through NHIF.
The Governor directed the health department officers present during
the meeting to ensure linkage of NHIF uptake to other county services
e.g. fertilizer access, tractor hire services access and access to farming
seeds among other departmental activities for intergration purposes
and to increase the said uptake
Mr. Muhuhu intimated that registered citizens were poised to now
benefit from NHIF payment for minor surgeries by its beneficiaries.
The Governor also emphasized to the health department officials
present the need to ensure improved quality of service in the health
facilities within the County so that patients would prefer public to
private health facilities for comprehensive healthcare.
The meeting was graced by Dr. Okweso, Health Department Chief
Officer Madam Dorothy Owino, Health Department Director Dr.
Omondi Owino, Chief of Staff in the Office of The Governor Mr.
Walter Okelo and several senior NHIF Officials from
The NHIF Headquarters and their Kisumu office branch
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County County The SIAYA
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The SIAYA
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The COUNTY Newsletter Page 14 Page 15 The COUNTY Newsletter
Urban Housing and
Planning – The Kuala
Lumpur Experience
By Walter Okelo, Chief of Staff
The 9th World Urban Forum
meeting in Malaysia resolved to
immediately undertake quick to
medium term wins including but
not limited to: - Preparing zoning
plans for major urban areas,
preparing integrated spatial plans
for the urban areas and
implementation of existing viable
plans
Other quick wins the County
Government of Siaya intends to
pursue include greening of towns,
management of solid waste,
construction of walkways in the
urban areas with street furniture,
construction of drainage channels
and maintaining them and
removing of barriers on all
walkways. Formulate legislation
for urban management will also
be a priority.
Opinion
The Beauty of Bondo Town
By Phillip Mbindyo, Ward Administrator,
County Government of Siaya
Bondo town has been touted as the fastest growing town in Siaya county only to be followed by
Siaya and Ugunja towns. This fast growth has been attributed to a number of factors including and
not limited to the fact that it serves a number of vibrant beaches in both Bondo sub-county and
Rarieda sub-county, the good road network that leads to the town, the presence of a fully -fledged
University and a populace that is quite aggressive in business activities. Bondo is the only town in
Siaya county that boasts of a 24-hour economy. As a town, Bondo hosts the home of the former
Prime Minister and the People's President His Excellency Raila Amolo Odinga and many other
intellectuals and senior members of the country.
Bondo's popularity has been enhanced in the hospitality industry due to the fact that it hosts a
number of first class hotels like The Pride, The Don, Legacy, Rosalla, County Club, The Dover
which offer first class accommodation and very fresh cuisine. It also offers vibrant entertainment
joints that attract revellers as far as Mombasa over the weekends. These include The Nilotic, The
Sponsor, Burudani, Cheers, Sevens and The Travellers for those who enjoy the Luo oldies among
others.
Due to the vibrancy of the business activities in Bondo town, it is true as per the records from
revenue department that Bondo is the leading town in revenue collection.
Despite the rosy picture painted above, Bondo just like other cities faces a number of challenges. The
cost of land has skyrocketed in the last few years and land has become very expensive. A quarter of
an acre would cost not less than 1.2 million Shillings. This has discouraged other investors who
would wish to invest in the town. Secondly, poor planning is a problem for Bondo. This has been
worsened by mushrooming of illegal structures in the town. Lack of a well-maintained bus park has
resulted into PSVs stopping anywhere to pick passengers and 'drop' them thereby leading to
unnecessary traffic obstructions. The same problem is also worsened by lack of designated parking
lots for other vehicles. Chronic water shortage in the town has been a thorn in the flesh but thanks to
the intervention of H.E. The Governor and his Deputy, there has been a tremendous improvement in
the provision of this very important resource.
It should be noted that the County Government of Siaya could collect a lot of revenue and create
employment from parking levies if only parking lots were made, traffic discipline enforced and order
brought in the town.
As envisaged in the Urban Areas and Cities Act, Bondo needs a Town Management Committee that
would oversee the operations and management of the town. This would help take this 'city' to even
greater heights of prosperity for our beloved county.
Philip Mbindyo
Ward Admin-North Sakwa Ward.
Land, Physical
Planning,
Housing &
Urban
Development
Siaya county will also standardize informal structure to
conform to aesthetics of the urban, areas the painting of
old buildings, increase uptake of appropriate building
technologies and secure all public land within the urban
areas for ease of investment and development.
Urban beautification, naming of the streets,
identification of commercially viable streets for closure
and introduction of urban discussions for urban
development inclusivity are other great experiences
from the developed cities and which were resolved as
priority issues. The Office of the Governor intends to
work closely with all stakeholders within government
and among civil society and investment entities to
actualize some of these quick wins. The Department of
Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban
Development
Urban Planning: - Human Walkways and Monorails
hanging across the Kuala Lumpur Streets
Urban Waste Management is a major New Urban Agenda
Siaya County can now Licence Liquor By Mordecai Ohato
The National Government has officially handed over the responsibility of licensing of liquor to Siaya County Government. "The licensing of liquor is a devolved function, but due to lack of legislation the county had not assumed the function " said Mr. Joseph Ogutu, Chief Officer, Enterprise and Industry Development (previously Trade) The handing over event brought together representatives from National Government, headed by the County Commissioner, NACADA, Judiciary, National Police Service, Kenya Bureau of Standard, Government Chemist and KRA and County Government Officials.
Enterprise Development Chief Officer Joseph Ogutu takes over liquor
licensing on behalf of County Government of Siaya at the County
Headquarters. Looking on is the Deputy County Commissioner Mr.
Sawe among other county officials
BY ERIC OMUOMBO, SIAYA
GAZETTEMENT OF LAKE KANYABOLI
FEBRUARY 8, 2018.
The Ministry of Wild Life Services has partnered with County Government of Siaya to conduct effective
public participation on the controversial gazettement of Lake Kanyaboli into a National reserve. The public
participation forum that will run for two months targets opinion leaders, political leaders, stakeholders and
the public, especially those depending on the resource for livelihoods.
The aim of the public participation forums is to push for the lifting of the injunction that was placed by
Siaya Court in 2012 directing the wild life department to suspend the gazettement of the Lake as a wildlife
reserve. In 2012, the government gazetted Lake Kanyaboli and its surroundings as a national reserve to
boost Siaya County as a tourist destination but that was put on hold by Siaya court after it emerged that
members of the public were not consulted.
In a gazette notice signed by the then Minister for Forestry and Wildlife Noah Wekesa, the government
declared Lake Kanyaboli and the land around measuring approximately 41.42 square kilometres to be a
national reserve. Mr. Wekesa’s directive caused mix reactions among the local leaders with former County
Council Chairman Aggrey Onyango welcoming the move arguing that it was going to form an integral
resource to the Siaya County. But Central Alego MCA Leonard Oriaro, who was the then area Councillor,
protested the move saying that members of the public were not consulted. He and others went to court that
later imposed an injunction.
Speaking at her Siaya office, the Director Wildlife Services in Siaya County Zipporah Midara said Lake
Kanyaboli and the swampy area, which harbours papyrus vegetation, numerous wild life species and
traditional types of fish, was better placed for tourism and related activities with the locals venturing into
hotel industry. “We are working on consultative programs to see to it that the court injunction over Lake
Kanyaboli Gazettement is lifted for Kenya Wildlife Service officers to erect posts at the site to enhance
protection of wildlife animals after its approved by public and endorsed by political and opinion leaders”,
she said Midara.
Siaya County Tourism Chief Officer Amos Okello said that public participation that involves three phases
will start in February and end in March 2018. “The creation of a national reserve in the swampy area of
Yala swamp which still holds the highest number of the rare Sitatunga Antelope in the country was key
enabler towards boosting of revenue collection in the region,” said Okello.
Department of tourism, arts, culture & sports
Department of
Enterprise and
Industrial Development
The previous Liquor Licensing Board officials also witnessed the
event
County County The SIAYA
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The SIAYA
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ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
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By Erick Omuombo
The National Treasury has embarked on a countrywide training exercise aimed at equipping suppliers and county staffs in the
department of Finance, Procurement, Supply chain management and Revenue with requisite knowledge to undertake online
procurement. The training that is jointly facilitated by Kenya Revenue Authority and Integrated Finance Management and
Information Systems (IFMIS) aims at increasing transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, especially
devolved Funds.
According to IFMIS Super User at the National Treasury Joseph Sakari and IFMIS technical officer Peter Kahiro, the exercise
would enable the Government agencies and their suppliers wholly adopt the automated procurement and payment system. The
training is to enlighten the county officers and suppliers on integration of IFMIS and KRA so that payments are only made to
suppliers who have updated details in the i-tax system. “It is essential for suppliers to understand and make use of the system
because going forward, procurement will only be undertaken through the system,” they said
Mr. Sakari is optimistic that at end of exercise the problem of paying suppliers and payment not reflecting in the internet
banking system will be a thing of the past. Mr. Sakari and Kahiro said that training aims at integrating IFMIS system in
Counties is to improve tax collection, accountability and government registration management.
The duo who spoke in Siaya County during a four-day training workshop held at Friends Hotel, Siaya on Tuesday, said the
training is expected to enable the suppliers effectively participate in tender processes online as all Government agencies adopt
e-Procurement. “We shall train county officers, on what to look for, why details of suppliers are not updated and would help
enlightened suppliers check and update details in i-tax system. “The integration allows for seamless exchange of revenue
information within the KRA and treasury. It also introduces changes to the business processes flow automated in IFMIS
especially for suppliers doing business entities,” said Sakari.
“With the e-Procurement system, streamlining of the entire government procurement process is achievable with the aim of sealing
loopholes which are erstwhile prominent in the manual process,” added Kahiro. He added that workers and suppliers will now be
empowered on how they can self-register in IFMIS and update i-tax details since most of payment that gets stuck are attributed to supplier’s
details that are not updated. “Suppliers must also save their pin from being blocked by paying tax promptly and on time,” added Kahiro.
According to Bernard Oboge, the Supply Chain Officer and the Finance Director’s representative, the ongoing training on i-tax and IFMIS
would help effectively hand e-procumbent and e-payments.
The team will meet suppliers for a similar training in early March 2018
Youth and
Entrepreneurship By Erick Omuombo
FEBRUARY 15, 2018.
The County Government of Siaya has asked hundreds of learned youths in
the region to explore entrepreneurship opportunities to create wealth
despite their quality curriculum vitae. The government through the
department of Culture, Sports and Gender states that over dependence on
white collar jobs has impoverished the region for many years thus should
be discarded.
According to the Director of Culture, Sports and Gender Sanmac
Onyango, the Luo community should change their attitude and venture
into entrepreneurship as a viable option to fight poverty in the region. "Let
us move away from the idea of building and boasting of our good
curriculum vitae (CV) for the sake of seeking employment and instead
form groups and companies to benefit from soft loans offered in the
county to start businesses," he added
Mr. Onyango while speaking in Siaya town during The Green Energy
Sensitization Forum at Siaya County club said that County Government of
Siaya had in the previous year spend up to KShs 4.8 million to Boost
Boda-boda sector to enhance their welfare and another KShs.20 million
would be fixed in the next financial year to empower business-oriented
persons.
“The vicious cycle of poverty has retarded development in Siaya such that
people cannot save and develop simply because of wrong priorities by the
residents”, Sanmac said adding that the people must go the business way
or continue suffering forever. He further stated that the Siaya citizens
cannot develop because they are not saving and they cannot invest
because they cannot develop, and hence the community continues to be
poor.
Speaking separately in his office, Siaya County Roads & Infrastructure
Development Executive Committee Member Mr. Odak Mboha urged the
youths to consider developing various economic ventures along the roads
already upgraded and rehabilitated in Siaya to create wealth. The feeder
roads at the grassroots are connected to the highway so as to boost trade
but if such ventures are not embraced the roads are of no use other than
transportation of people. "I want to assure you that the government will do
anything to protect the interests of the people and ensure their plight is
addressed", said Mr. Mboha.
Training for Finance
Department Staff on IFMIS
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Figure 6: -The Chief Officer, Enterprise and Industry Development, Mr. Joseph
Ogutu takes over Liquor Licensing mandate from the national government
Figure 1: - The Deputy Governor and Agriculture CEC during seeds subsidy launch
Figure 4: - The Deputy Governor and The County Secretary when they
hosted Vision 2030 staff in Siaya together with CEC Finance Joseph Warega
and CO Health Dorothy Owino
Figure 4: - The Director of The Economic Pillar of Vision 2030
Mrs. Veronica Muthoni Okoth gifts the Deputy Governor
H. E. Dr. James Okumbe
Figure 7: - Members of the public during public participation on
the CIDP for Ugunja Sub County. The CIDP is currently before
the Siaya Assembly for discussion and adoption
Figure 2: - Staffs from the Finance Department at an Orientation Workshop on IFMIS
and Accounting Systems at Siaya Friend’s Guest House
Figure 3: - Vihiga Governor confers with his host Governor Rasanga
Figure 8: - The Governor met SIBO Board mid-February
to receive SIBO Audit Report but the exercise was moved
Figure 9: - The Kuala Lumpur Experience in Urban
Planning
SIAYA SIAYA
01 Po ems and more poems for
these boxes. Poems and
02 Po ems and more poems for
these boxes. Poems and 03
Po ems and more poems for these boxes. Poems and
05 Po ems and more poems for
these boxes. Poems and
06
Newsletter
The SIAYA County The SIAYA County Newsletter
Thegovernorgivinga
speechataceremony
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Thegovernorgiving
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The COUNTY Newsletter Page 22 Page 23 The COUNTY Newsletter
EULOGY CORNER
During this difficult time, I
encourage friends and family to
reflect on the life David lived
and draw as many positive
lessons as necessary to help us
graciously accept this
unfortunate loss.
I wish the family and friends
strength and courage during this
time of mourning. I particularly
extend the message of hope to
the widow and children left
behind with the assurance of the
ever-present God's helping
hand.
Thank you
H. E. CORNEL RASANGA
AMOTH
GOVERNOR,
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
OF SIAYA
HIS EXCELLENCY CORNEL
RASANGA's EULOGY OF
THE LATE DAVID OMONDI
ONG'UDI, DEPUTY HEAD
OF ACCOUNTS COUNTY
GOVERNMENT OF SIAYA
It is with deep regret and sense
of loss that we have come to
accept the sudden demise of
David Omondi Ong'udi who until
his death was the Deputy Head
of Accounting Services in the
County Government of Siaya.
As a Certified Public
Accountant, David was a
dedicated public servant who
previously served in Ahero Town
Council, Siaya Local
Government, County Assembly
of Siaya and lately at the Siaya
County Executive in the
Department of Finance and
Economic Planning where he
served with zeal, loyalty,
dedication and industry.
While death is sad and leaves the
bereaved with many unanswered
questions, it's ability to help us in
soul searching and the
consolation that we will one day
reunite with our loved ones
should encourage us.
“In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.”
––Mark Twain
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.” –Plato
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without demand. It never did and it never will.” –Frederick Douglass, former slave and statesman, 1853
QUOTES
Page 22 The COUNTY Newsletter Page 23 The COUNTY Newsletter
