TODAYS SPEECH BY H.E. DR. CLEOPHAS LAGAT, GOVERNOR, NANDI COUNTY DURING THE 51ST JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS AT KIPCHOGE KEINO STADIUM H.E, the Deputy Governor, Dominic Biwott Hon. Senator, Hon. Members of the National Assembly, County Commissioner, Hon. Speaker and Members of the County Assembly, Hon. Members of the County Executive, Commanders of the Discipline forces, Members of the clergy, Members of the Fourth estate, Distinguished residents of Nandi County, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon. Fifty one years ago, on this date Kenya gained its independence from the yoke of colonialists. It is for this reason that we are gathered here this afternoon with great respect and reverence for the sacrifice and struggles of our founding fathers. The struggle against and eventual departure of the white domination should always serve as a constant reminder that this day is indeed of historical importance and significance. As I join you in gracing this singular occasion Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to state clearly that I am cognizant of God’s mighty blessings this far. It is worth noting that Jamhuri day is weighty as it re-enacts the events that culminated in the freedoms we now enjoy. At the onset of independence, our Government identified the fight against poverty, disease and ignorance as greater challenges that we had to surmount in order to achieve meaningful progress. Our endeavours in development have been centred on these thematic areas and consequently our achievements will be measured against the strides we make in confronting and defeating these encounters. Ladies and Gentlemen,The eventful enactment of our new Constitution in August 2010 gave us a fresh opportunity to revise the fundamental structures of governance in order to achieve progress quickly and efficiently. In their wisdom, the drafters of the new constitution and Kenyans created devolved units as the surest means of giving power and resources to Mwananchi to determine the direction and pace of his or her own development. Indeed Devolution is our greatest achievement since Independence in 1963. Among the objectives of Devolution was to “give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance their participation in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them”. The County Government of Nandi has ensured that further devolution has taken place. Our structures have devolved to Sub-County and Ward levels with County government officers’ already active in promotion and co-ordination of County Government’s development programmes in far-flung areas of our County. This time of the year also gives us an opportunity to sharpen our intellect, broaden our horizon and strategize on the policy thrust of our County. At this juncture I would like to congratulate the Citizens of this County for promoting and maintaining peace and tranquillity among the various Communities, religious faiths and social categories. This has cumulatively resulted in our County emerging as the best in the recently released National Cohesion and Integration Commission Report. In the report, over 65% of pollsters did admit that Nandi is the most cohesive County. This can best be attributed to an open and inclusive leadership which has created confidence among the citizenry. I am proud to be leading such a wonderful people who exhibit true Nationalism and Patriotism. I want to urge each and every one of us to embrace the spirit of brotherhood and forge a united front in tackling the challenges that may arise. Let me comment briefly on the security situation in the County by first and foremost thanking the Security Agencies for the sustained peace for much of the year. We have enjoyed relative tranquillity and order throughout the land. However, the recent flare- ups and inter-communal animosity along the Nandi – Kakamega border calls for immediate action in order to restore normalcy. I want to condemn these acts of violence in the strongest terms possible. Our people must live together, work together and trade together like we have always done. Anybody breaking the law must be apprehended and held personally responsible without spilling over to the wider Community. This was the dream of our forefathers and this is also my wish. As a county we have made commendable, tremendous and worthy achievements; a clear testimony that the journey of Nandi county’s transformation is right on course. Guided by the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) which is the central plank of my administration, my County Government has cited infrastructure, affordable healthcare provision and modernisation of agriculture and commerce as the engine to transform the Nandi dream into reality. In our effort to turn Nandi County into a premier tourist destination, we have embarked on a major strategy to protect, brand and market our emerging tourism circuit that stretches from Chepkiit waterfalls to the east and ends at Nandi rock that overlooks Lake Victoria in Kisumu County to the west. This has been reinforced by our people’s interest in widening the income net for sustainable economic growth as exhibited in their enthusiasm to participate in tourism activities. I invite public private partnership in development of hospitality facilities so as to adequately tap into the growing tourist trajectory. Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished residents of Nandi our homeland is grappling with several challenges in its efforts to claim its stake in the comity of counties, we have placed all our energies and priorities to complete all ongoing capital projects in an attempt to position the county as a viable investment destination, rid the county of poverty, brand it as a toast of development partners and diversify our agricultural practices. To our youth I want to advise you to embrace idealism, creativity and innovation as a means of attaining meaningful growth and advancement. As your leader my desired vision is to replace poverty and deprivation with plenty and prosperity; to rewrite the Nandi County story and set the stage for this county’s transformation. . Nandi County is striving to offer affordable access to quality medical care for both the young and the old. We have set aside funds to ensure steady supply of medicine to all the146 health facilities in the county and are in the process of equipping them with modern health facilities. A fortnight ago, I commissioned a newly equipped surgical theatre at Meteitei Sub-county Hospital that was equipped and commissioned by my county government at a cost of 6 million shillings. . An extra 5 million shillings have been set aside for expansion of the hospital’s maternity wing. Staffing of all facilities with quality personnel is also being considered for uninterrupted access to healthcare. Additionally, it’s my sincere hope that by March 2015, Kapsabet MTC will admit the first batch of students. It is important to note, ladies and gentlemen, that my government has acquired 6 latest states-of-the- art Medical ambulances which will be in service by end of this month. When finally delivered, our response to emergencies will be boosted immensely. Ladies and Gentlemen, The improvement of rural-access roads has been on-going .This year alone, my County government has done a total of 435.7 kms at the cost of ksh 190 million. Tenders for another 90 roads are underway this financial year. This will cost us a further 397 million. Additionally, we have procured one Grader, one excavator and a roller to hasten road construction. We plan to increase these equipments in due course. All these in addition to the employment and deployment of seven roads Inspectors will ensure quality and value for money is attained. I believe strongly in the provision of good and durable inter and intra county roads. When this is achieved people will be vigorously engaged in wealth creation thus creating an enabling environment for both local and global investors. Foundational education is the major obligation of County Governments and in this sector, my government has taken a bold step to employ a total of 825 ECDE teachers .At the same time, we are in the process of constructing 105 ECDE classrooms this financial year. These efforts, together with the impending feeding programmes at the ECDE centres, are designed to give our children a firm foundation for intellectual development and enhanced opportunities for nurturing creativity. Furthermore we have assisted needy students in secondary schools and colleges and so far we have disbursed bursaries amounting to kshs. 15,728,015 and have benefitted 1,632 students from the county. Another batch of bursaries is currently being worked on. Residents of Nandi County, Koitaleel Samoei University College to being midwifed by the University of Nairobi will start admitting the first batch of students in January 2015. This is indeed Nandi County New Year gift and a clear indicator of the County’s social growth. My dream conceived during the campaign period has finally borne fruits. Vocational Training is a key component of skills development and Technological advancement in preparation for the fulfilment of Kenya’s Vision 2030. It is for this reason that my county government has completed a comprehensive baseline survey of all the youth polytechnics in the County so as to ascertain their needs in terms of infrastructure, human resource and equipment. This has been informed by our desire to equip all our youth with adequate and relevant life skills so that they can contribute meaningfully to the development of our County and Country. A total of 43 water projects covering all the sub-counties are in various stages of completion, we have done stream protection, constructed reservoirs and laid pipes. In the little while most households will have clean and sufficient piped water for both domestic and commercial use. The arrival of clean piped water will lessen the burden of ferrying water by women, reinforce the fight against water-borne diseases and breathe a new lease of life to the modernisation of agriculture ion activities like flori and horticulture, aquaculture and apiculture. Before I conclude my address, let me take this opportunity to wish you all enjoyable Jamhuri day celebrations, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2015. May this festive season bring out the best in all of us. I have been assured by the county security team that heightened efforts have been made to ensure security of all residents and for their properties. I have no doubt that come the year 2015; we will all be safe and sound for the tasks ahead. Lastly, let me invite you to join me in cheering our young men and women as they battle out for honours in the Governor’s volleyball tournament whose curtains come down this afternoon. Thank you. God Bless you all. God Bless Nandi County. H.E. Dr. Cleophas Lagat, Governor, Nandi County.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:11:14 +0000
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