SPEECH BY H E HON JOSEPH K NDATHI THE GOVERNOR KIRINYAGA COUNTY

DURING THE OCCASION TO MARK THE JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATIONS AT ST. MARY
GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL KANDONGU, MWEA ON 12TH DECEMBER 2015.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER,

THE SENATOR, HON. KARABA,
THE WOMAN REP. HON. WINNIE KARIMI
AREA MP, HON GITAU,
THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR,
THE SPEAKER OF KIRINYAGA COUNTY ASSEMBLY,
AREA MCA,
MCAS PRESENT,
INVITED GUESTS,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO PRESIDE OVER THIS IMPORTANT DAY IN THE HISTORY OF
OUR COUNTRY. JAMHURI DAY IS CELEBRATED EVERY YEAR TO MARK THE DAY KENYA BECAME
A REPUBLIC AFTER GAINING INDEPENDENCE FROM THE COLONIAL MASTERS. IT IS A DAY OF
THANKSGIVING TO OUR GALLANT FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND THE FOUNDERS OF THIS NATION
WHOS VISION AND SACRIFICE GAVE BIRTH TO OUR GREAT REPUBLIC. IT IS ALSO A DAY THAT
WE TAKE STOCK OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AS A NATION AND REFLECT ON OUR
SHORTCOMINGS AND PEER INTO THE FUTURE WITH GREAT EXPECTATIONS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THIS JAMHURI DAY CELEBRATION COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ARE
ENGAGED IN THE MIDTERM REVIEWS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE. IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, WE
WILL BE MARKING THREE YEARS OF DEVOLUTION. AS A COUNTY WE HAVE A LOT TO BE
PROUD OF IN TERMS OF ACHIEVEMENTS.

WHEN I TOOK UP THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNTY, I UNDERTOOK TO ADDRESS THE MOST
PRESSING ISSUES OF THE PEOPLE OF KIRINYAGA AGAINST A VERY TIGHT BUDGET. I PLACED
SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON HEALTH, WATER, AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION. THESE AREAS WERE
ENVISIONED AS THE MOST CRITICAL AREAS AFFECTING THE PEOPLE OF KIRINYAGA AND I
THEREFORE PUT THEM ON TOP OF MY AGENDA.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

TO UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH IN MY GOVERNMENT, IN THIS FINANCIAL
YEAR, A THIRD OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY BUDGET WAS ALLOCATED TO HEALTH SERVICES.
OUR PRIORITIES IN HEALTH ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. MEDICINES
WE INJECTED RESOURCES TO ENSURE CONSISTENT SUPPLY OF THE REQUIRED MEDICINES
AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN OUR HOSPITALS. THESE INITIATIVES HAVE STABILIZED THE
AVAILABILITY OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES IN ALL OUR PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES.
IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET OF 2015, WE ALLOCATED AN ADDITIONAL 22 MILLION
SHILLINGS FOR PURCHASE OF MEDICINES AND OTHER MEDICAL SUPPLIES. THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF MONEY USED FOR PURCHASE OF MEDICINES AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES COMES
TO KSHS. 122 MILLION.
2. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, WE WILL INSTALL HIGH CAPACITY GENERATORS IN ALL OUR MAJOR
PUBLIC HOSPITALS. THE GENERATOR IN KERUGOYA HOSPITAL IS BEING UPGRADED SO AS TO
BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE NEW DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES THAT ARE GOING TO BE INSTALLED
SOON.
IN ADDITION, WE WILL ALSO PROCURE GENERATORS FOR 6 HIGH VOLUME HEALTH CENTERS
AT A COST OF KSHS 7.2 MILLION. THESE HEALTH CENTERS ARE; THIBA, KARUMANDI,
KABARE, DIFATHAS, BARICHO AND KIBIRIGWI.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
FOUR AMBULANCES PROCURED RECENTLY BY THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN
DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH 3 OF THEM SERVING MWEA SUB-COUNTY
(MURINDUKO, KIMBIMBI AND MUTITHI AREAS). THESE AMBULANCES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY
IMPROVED THE REFERRAL OF PATIENTS FROM THE AREAS THAT THEY SERVE TO HOSPITALS
WITHIN AND OUTSIDE KIRINYAGA COUNTY.
RENOVATIONS ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING AT KERUGOYA AND KIANYAGA HOSPITALS IN
READINESS FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC, RENAL DIALYSIS AND THEATER EQUIPMENT DUE IN
JANUARY 2016. THIS WILL ENHANCE DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER IN OUR COUNTY HOSPITALS.
THESE EQUIPMENT ONCE INSTALLED, WILL ENHANCE MANAGEMENT OF CANCER AND OTHER
MEDICAL CONDITIONS WITHIN OUR PUBLIC FACILITIES. THIS WILL EASE THE BURDEN OF

KIRINYAGA PEOPLE FROM HAVING TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES AND PAYING EXORBITANT
CHARGES TO ACCESS THESE CRITICAL MEDICAL SERVICES.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
AGAIN, IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, MY GOVERNMENT HAS PLANNED TO INSTALL THE
FOLLOWING MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT;
i.
ii.
iii.

IN KERUGOYA MORTUARY- COOLERS, AN OXYGEN PLANT AND EXTENSION OF THE

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT.
KIMBIMBI HOSPITAL- AN ULTRASOUND MACHINE, A DENTAL CHAIR, ANAESTHETIC
MACHINES AND LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINES SHALL BE PROCURED.
KIANYAGA HOSPITAL- DENTAL CHAIR, THEATER EQUIPMENT, STERILIZATION
EQUIPMENT, AND DIGITAL X-RAY MACHINE WILL BE INSTALLED.

1V. SAGANA HOSPITAL- A DENTAL CHAIR AND A HIGH CAPACITY GENERATOR WILL BE
INSTALLED.
3. HEALTH WORKFORCE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN -TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE IN OUR HEALTH
FACILITIES, 14 MEDICAL DOCTORS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO VARIOUS PUBLIC HOSPITALS
WITHIN THE COUNTY. IN ADDITION WE HAVE EMPLOYED AN EYE SPECIALISTS AND A
PHYSICIANS TO ADD ON TO THE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS IN OUR PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
WE WILL SOURCE FOR MORE SPECIALISTS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR SO AS TO ALLEVIATE THE
BURDEN OF KIRINYAGA PEOPLE FROM TRAVELLING FOR LONG DISTANCES TO ACCESS
SPECIALIZED MEDICAL SERVICES.
4. HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE
WE HAVE ALLOCATED KSHS 295 MILLION FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE
DEPARTMENT. THE MONEY WILL FUND 98 ONGOING PROJECTS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
IN A FEW WEEKS TIME WE INTEND TO OPEN 2 NEW HEALTH FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE
COMPLETED; THAT IS, KIAGA AND KAMUIRU DISPENSARIES.
WE HAVE ALSO SET ASIDE KSHS 3 MILLION FOR ASSISTING THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE LIVING
WITH DISABILITIES TO GET NHIF COVER.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

AT THE BEGINNING OF MY TENURE, THE GOVERNMENT DEVELOPED A STRATEGIC PLAN TO
GUIDE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR COVERING 2013-2017. THE STRATEGIC
PLAN IDENTIFIED KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES THAT MY GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO
IMPLEMENT IN ORDER TO UNLOCK AND DEVELOP AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL IN THIS
COUNTY. WE ARE ON COURSE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION AND THE RESULTS SO FAR ARE VERY
ENCOURAGING.

DESPITE LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES MADE AVAILABLE TO OUR COUNTY THROUGH

ALLOCATIONS FROM THE NATIONAL TREASURY, MY GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO
ALLOCATE A SIZEABLE PORTION OF OUR RESOURCES TO SUPPORT OUR FARMERS AND THE
EXTENSION OFFICERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECTOR. IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL
YEAR MY GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED THE AGRICULTURE MINISTRY KSHS 137 MILLION TO
DRIVE THE SECTOR FORWARD.
THE FARMERS OF THIS COUNTY HAVE RESPONDED WELL TO THE INITIATIVES THE
GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN AND HAVE CONTINUED TO PUT KIRINYAGA, NOT ONLY ON
THE KENYAN BUT ALSO THE INTERNATIONAL MAP. LAST MONTH I WAS VERY PROUD TO
ATTEND A CEREMONY WHERE THE BEST FARMERS IN THE COUNTRY WERE BEING FETED
FOLLOWING A NATIONAL COMPETITION THAT COVERED ALL THE 47 COUNTIES. THE
COMPETITION HAD EIGHT CATEGORIES AND OUR COUNTY EXCELLED IN THREE CATEGORIES.
ALLOW ME TO MENTION THE NAMES OF OUR WINNERS:

IN THE SMALL-SCALE FARMERS FULLY COMMERCIALIZED CATEGORY;

NUMBER ONE NATIONALLY-MR. JAMES MURIMI-OL MARA FARM

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE CATEGORY: NUMBER ONE NATIONALLY; FLORENCE

KARAMBU NJIRAINI
LARGE SCALE AGRO DEALER CATEGORY; NUMBER THREE NATIONALLY; UKULIMA
AGROVET SERVICES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

BECAUSE TODAY WE ARE IN MWEA SUB- COUNTY IT IS GOOD THAT WE FOCUS ON THE
CONTRIBUTION OF FARMERS IN THIS AREA TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR COUNTY. THIS SUBCOUNTY IS ENDOWED WITH RICH SOILS AND A PLEASANT CLIMATE THAT MAKES IT SUITABLE
FOR GROWING WIDE RANGE OF CROPS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERAL IRRIGATION
PROJECTS IN THIS COUNTY HAS OPENED UP THIS AREA AS A SOURCE OF QUALITY FRESH
PRODUCE AND FRUITS. MY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST MORE FUNDS IN
IRRIGATION PROJECTS AND IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT SO AS TO UNLOCK
THE FULL AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL IN THIS SUB- COUNTY.
LET ME MENTION JUST A FEW AREAS OF EXCELLENCE IN THIS SUB-COUNTY AND SOME
CHALLENGES.
80% OF THE RICE GROWN IN KENYA COMES FROM MWEA. IN 2014 THE SUB- COUNTY
PRODUCED 70,000 TONS OF RICE VALUED AT KSH. 3.1 BILLION. ONCE THE THIBA DAM IS
CONSTRUCTED MORE LAND WILL BE PUT UNDER RICE CULTIVATION AND THIS WILL
SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO FEED THE COUNTRY WITH THE POPULAR BISHORI
RICE. MY GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES FACING FARMERS AS THEY HARVEST
AND DRY THEIR RICE DUE TO THE ONGOING EL NINO RAINS. WE ARE LIAISING WITH THE
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO HELP THE FARMERS.
FRENCH BEANS SHOULD BE CALLED KIRINYAGA BEANS BECAUSE THE CROP HAS ITS HOME
IN OUR COUNTY AND IN PARTICULAR THIS SUB COUNTY. DUE TO OUR GOOD SOILS AND
CLIMATE WE PRODUCE THE BEST BEANS IN THE WORLD AND 65% OF THE EXPORT OF THE

BEAN FROM KENYA COMES FROM KIRINYAGA. IN THE YEAR 2014 WE PRODUCED 24,000
TONS OF BEANS VALUED AT KSH. 1.4 BILLION.
WE ALSO HAPPEN TO PRODUCE THE BEST TOMATOES IN THE COUNTRY AND THE BULK OF
THIS COMES FROM THIS SUB- COUNTY. WE ARE THE 2 ND LARGEST PRODUCER OF TOMATOES
IN THE COUNTRY AND LAST YEAR WE PRODUCED 48,560 TONS WHICH EARNED OUR
FARMERS KSH1.1 BILLION.
OUR COUNTY IS THE 2ND LARGEST PRODUCER OF BANANAS IN THE COUNTRY. KAGIO AND
KUTUS MARKETS ARE THE MAJOR SOURCE OF QUALITY BANANAS THAT FEED THIS NATION.
IN 2014 OUR FARMERS PRODUCED 192,230 TONS VALUED AT KSH. 2.2 BILLION
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
AS I CONCLUDE MY REMARKS ON AGRICULTURE I WANT TO THROW A CHALLENGE TO
FARMERS IN THIS AREA AND TO THE REST OF THE COUNTY. AS WE CONTINUE TO DO WELL
IN CROP PRODUCTION, I WANT US ALSO TO PAY ATTENTION TO DAIRY. THIS AREA HAS NOW
EMERGED AS A MAJOR SOURCE OF ANIMAL FEEDS AND WE ARE EXPORTING TO OTHER
COUNTIES. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE FARMERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AND IMPROVE
QUALITY OF THEIR DAILY HERD AS THE DEMAND FOR MILK IS ENORMOUS. MY GOVERNMENT
WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT VACCINATIONS TO ENSURE OUR ANIMALS ARE PROTECTED
FROM MAJOR DISEASES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

TURNING TO PROVISION OF WATER FOR BOTH DOMESTIC AND IRRIGATION PURPOSES, BY
THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 2015, WE HAD IMPLEMENTED 75 WATER PROJECTS TO
VARIOUS COMPLETION STAGES. THROUGH THIS EFFORT, 29,900 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AVAILED
WATER IN THEIR HOMES.
BETWEEN JANUARY AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, WE HAVE SUPPORTED 86 WATER PROJECTS
IN THE COUNTY WITH PIPES, FITTINGS AND MATERIALS WORTH KSH 125 MILLION, 12 WATER
INTAKES AND 5 MASONRY TANKS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, 8 BOREHOLES ARE
SCHEDULED FOR DRILLING AND FLOOD MITIGATION WORKS FOR THIGUKU VILLAGE IN
KIRINYAGA WEST AND MUTITHI IN MWEA ARE VIRTUALLY COMPLETE.
REGARDING OUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TANA WATER SERVICES BOARD IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MWEA-MAKIMA WATER PROJECT, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT
PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE AS THE WATER INTAKE AND
TREATMENT WORKS ARE COMPLETE AND PIPE LAYING HAS REACHED UHURU MARKET IN
WAMUMU. FURTHER, TENDERS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE 2 OF THE PROJECT ARE
UNDERWAY AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SPEND KH 78 MILLION IN THIS
PHASE.
IN THE SANITATION SECTOR, NEGOTIATIONS WITH A NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE PARTNERS
ARE UNDERWAY FOR BOTH LOCALIZED SOLUTIONS AND A LARGER SEWAGE TREATMENT
SYSTEM FOR THE MAJOR URBAN CENTRES OF KIRINYAGA.

AS A STOP GAP MEASURE THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLANS TO PROCURE TWO EXHAUSTERS
TO SERVICE BOTH THE GOVERNMENT SANITATION FACILITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE COUNTY, I WISH TO
REPORT THAT WE HAVE NOW COMMISSIONED THE THREE ADDITIONAL GARBAGE TRUCKS
THATI PROMISED DURING MY MADARAKA DAY SPEECH EARLIER THIS YEAR. WE HAVE ALSO
PROCURED 96 TIPPING LITTER BINS THAT WILL SOON BE MOUNTED AT STRATEGIC POINTS
IN OUR MAJOR URBAN CENTRES FOR PEDESTRIAN USE.
ON ENERGY, THE MINISTRY HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED INSTALLATION OF HIGHMAST
FLOODLIGHTS AT WANGURU, KANDONGU, KAGIO, KIANYAGA, KUTUS AND MUTITHI. AT THE
SAME TIME, THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL FLOODLIGHTS AT KIMUNYE, KAGUMO,
THIBA AND KIANGWACI IS ONGOING. TO ENHANCE THE CONNECTION OF OUR HOMES TO
THE NATIONAL GRID, WE HAVE MADE PAYMENTS TO THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
AUTHORITY FOR POWER SUPPLY TO THE KARIKO-THAITA, KIANGURWE, KAMUTITHI-KABARE,
KARAGARA AND SOUTH NGARIAMA ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS.
IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY PROCURED
BIOGAS HOLDERS AND ACCESSORIES TO BE INSTALLED IN 50 HOMES ACROSS THE COUNTY.
INSTALLATION OF THESE WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RENEWABLE
ENERGY CENTRE (MT. KENYA REGION) AND WILL MARK A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION OF
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TOWARDS REDUCTION OF THE GLOBAL WARMING MENACE.
UNDER THE EDUCATION SECTOR, THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS FULLY TAKEN OVER THE
DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS, BEING EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION (ECDE) AS WELL
AS VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTES, FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS VILLAGE
POLYTECHNICS.
FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, MY GOVERNMENT HAS CONSISTENTLY ALLOCATED
REASONABLE RESOURCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND PROPER
OPERATIONS OF THE ECDE AND COUNTY VOCATIONAL TRAINING INTUITIONS.
THIS HAS CULMINATED IN UPGRADING AND REFURBISHMENT OF OUR 198 ECDE CENTERS,
WITH 5 NEW CLASSES CONSTRUCTED. FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, WE HAVE ALLOCATED OVER
KSH 150 MILLION IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR OUR EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND
TRAINING CENTERS.
THIS HAS BEEN UTILIZED TO BUILD 67 EXHAUSTIBLE TOILETS IN ECDE CENTERS, AMONG
OTHER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. FURTHER OUR EXISTING 11 POLYTECHNICS HAVE BEEN
REVITALIZED, INCLUDING PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENTS FOR TRAINING AND ICT FACILITIES.
AS MY FLAGSHIP PROJECTS, I HAVE THIS YEAR ALLOCATED KSH 12 MILLION TO DEVELOP
FURTHER KAITHERI POLYTECHNIC KERUGOYA WARD, KIAMBATAHA POLYTECHNIC IN
KIRINYAGA EAST, MUCII WA URATA POLYTECHNIC IN MWEA, KIAMBWE POLYTECHNIC IN
KIRINYAGA WEST AS WELL AS ESTABLISHMENT OF A COUNTY LIBRARY. A FURTHER 45
MILLION SHILLINGS IS ALLOCATED TO WARD BASED PROJECTS UNDER EDUCATION
SUBSECTOR ON TOP OF THE 90MILLION USED TO DEVELOP THE SECTOR IN THE LAST
FINANCIAL YEAR.

IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, WE DISBURSED BURSARY TO THE TUNE OF KSH 60 MILLION
TO NEEDY STUDENTS AT PRIMARY, SECONDARY, COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LEVEL AS OF
EDUCATION. THIS HAS BEEN INCREASED TO KSH 76 MILLION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR BASED
ON NEEDS OF OUR CHILDREN FOR SUPPORT IN EDUCATION.
TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS IN EDUCATION, MY GOVERNMENT
ABSORBED ALL THE INSTRUCTORS IN OUR POLYTECHNICS, AND RECRUITED WELL QUALIFIED
PRINCIPALS FOR THE INSTITUTIONS. UNDER THE ECDE PROGRAMME, WE PLACED 403
TEACHERS ON COUNTY GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW THEIR
TERMS TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN GETS THE RIGHT ATTENTION AND CARE IN
EDUCATION CENTERS AT AN EARLY AGE, TO SUSTAIN OUR COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCE IN
THE EDUCATION SECTOR NATIONALLY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

OUR COUNTY IS KNOWN WORLD OVER BY OUR STRONG COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT. ONLY
LAST WEEK WE LAUNCHED THE FIRST EVER COOPERATIVE SOCIETY TO CATER FOR THE
NEEDS OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH DISABILITIES.
THE NUMBER OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES HAS INCREASED FROM 89 TO 107
COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES, AN INCREASE BY 16 NEW COOPERATIVES OR A TWENTY PER CENT
GROWTH.
MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN FROM 250,000 TO 352,000, A 20% GROWTH SINCE WE TOOK
OVER LEADERSHIP REPRESENTING A PENENTRATION RATE OF ABOUT FIFTY PER CENT (50%)
OUT OF A POPULATION OF 600,000 PEOPLE. HALF OF THE KIRINYAGA RESIDENTS ARE
MEMBERS OF ONE COOPERATIVE OR ANOTHER.
THE SHAREHOLDING ROSE FROM 900 MILLION TO 1.07 BILLION AND THE TURNOVER IN
THE SECTOR HAS GROWN FROM KSH 4 BILLIONS TO KSH 6 BILLIONS, A GROWTH OF 50%.
THE COUNTY SACCOS LOAN PORTFOLIO HAS GROWN FROM 5 BILLION TO 7 BILLION, A
GROWTH OF OVER 40%.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, EMPLOYMENT IN THE SECTOR HAS GROWN FROM 900 TO
1,110PERMANENT EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 200 NEW
EMPLOYEES.
IN THE VALUE ADDITION INITIATIVES THE DIRECTORATE HAS PROMOTED VALUE
ADDITION OF COFFEE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES RUNGETO AND MUTIRA FCS LTD ON COFFEE,
MWEA RICE GROWERS MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD ON RICE AMONG OTHERS.
THE DIRECTORATE DONATED A MILK PASTEURIZER AND A COOLER OF 500 LITRES TO
KIRINYAGA DAIRY CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.
IN OUR EFFORTS TO SUPPORT TRADE THE KIRINYAGA TRADE DEVELOPMENT JOINT BOARD
HAS GIVEN LOANS TO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES LOANS THROUGH THE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE TOTALING TO KSH 24 MILLION OVER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF
YEARS

THIS PROGRAMME CUTS ACROSS ALL THE WARDS AND HAS BENEFITED ABOUT 300
TRADERS WHO IN TURN SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROJECT AND THE
CHALLENGE HAS BEEN TO GET MORE FUNDS TO SUPPORT MORE TRADERS. THE INTEREST
RATES ARE WAY BELOW THE BANK RATES AT 8% AND MANY BUSINESSES APPRECIATE THE
SCHEME.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

OUR COUNTY IS SUPPORTED BY AN AGRARIAN ECONOMY HENCE THE NEED TO DEVELOP
MARKETS AS OUTLETS FOR OUR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. IN THE LAST TWO AND A HALF
YEARS, WE HAVE DEVELOPED MARKETS AS FOLLOWS;
1. KERUGOYA MARKET LAID CABROS AT A COST OF 21 MILLION.
2. KAGUMO MARKET LAID CABROS (PHASE 1) AT A COST OF 7 MILLION
3. REHABILITATION OF THE FOLLOWING MARKETS
a) KUTUS OLD MARKET- NYANGATI WARD ONE SHED COMPLETED.
b) SAGANA STAGE MARKET - KIINE WARD - MURRAMING
c) GATEGI B - WAMUMU WARD- RECLAIMIMG THE LAND AND FENCING
d) GATUIRI - WAMUMU WARD ONE SHED DONE
e) GITUMBI INOI WARD SHED DONE
4. MORDERN EXHAUSTABLE MARKET TOILETS FOR THE FOLLOWING MARKETS.
a) KAGIO KIINE WARD
b) BARICHO MUKURE WARD
c) SAGANA MARKET TOILET KARITI WARD
d) KIANYAGA MARKET BARAGWI WARD
e) MAKUTANO MARKET MUTITHI WARD
f)

KAGUMO MUTIRA WARD

g) MUCAGARA KARUMANDI WARD

h) GITUMBI MARKET TOILET INOI WARD

CURRENT PROGRAMMES & PROJECTS

THE FOLLOWING MARKETS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REHABILITATED

a) KAGIO FRESH PRODUCE MARKET KIINE WARD AT A COST OF KSH 50 MILLION

b) KAGUMO MARKET MUTIRA WARD CABRO WORKS PHASE 2 AT A COST OF 8.6
MILLION
c) KIANYAGA MARKET BARAGWI WARD AT A COST OF KSH 9 MILLION
d) KIBINGOTI KIINE WARD MARKET SHED
e) KARUMANDI KARUMANDI WARD MARKET REHABILITATION
f)

THIBA THIBA WARD MARKET TOILET

g) GATHAMBI MUKURE WARD FLOODLIGHT

h) KARUMANDI KARUMANDI WARDFLOODLIGHT
i)

GATWIRI WAMUMU WARD FLOOD LIGHT

j)

MBETI INOI WARD SOCIAL HALL AND LIBRARY

k) KIBINGO INOI WARD MARKET REHABILITATION

TURNING ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH A FULLYFLEDGED COUNTY DEPARTMENT FOR WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. PREVIOUSLY THESE
SERVICES WERE OFFERED IN THE NEIGHBOURING EMBU COUNTY. THE OFFICE IS NOW FULLY
OPERATIONAL AND HAS BEEN SERVING OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST TWO AND
A HALF YEARS.
THE MAJOR ACTIVITY FOR THIS DEPARTMENT IS TO ENSURE FAIR TRADING PRACTICES FOR
BOTH THE TRADES AND BUYERS. THEY DO THIS BY CARRYING OUT PERIODICAL INSPECTIONS
AND VERIFICATIONS OF ALL WEIGHTS AND MEASURES EQUIPMENT IN THE COUNTY. THESE
INCLUDE WEIGHING MACHINES, PETROL STATION PUMPS, AND FACTORY WEIGHING
MACHINES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

AS PART OF PROMOTING TOURISM WE ORGANIZED OUR MISS TOURISM KIRINYAGA COUNTY
TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR IN NOVEMBER 2014. OUR FINALIST MISS ANN KARIUKI
PARTICIPATED IN THE NATIONAL FINALS WHERE SHE EMERGED THE BEST NATIONAL
CULTURAL DRESS AND THE BEST IN MT KENYA REGION.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING VARIOUS TOURISM SITES IN ADDITION TO THE
EXISTING ONES. WE REQUIRE ADDITION RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND MARKET THESE
SITES SO AS TO ATTRACT VISITORS AND EARN REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY.
THE KAMWETI MOUNTAIN CLIMBING ROUTE IS UNDERUTILIZED AND NOT FULLY MARKETED.
THROUGH PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WE ARE PROPOSING TO UPGRADE AND SET UP THE
NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING GRADING THE ROUTE, SOLAR, WATER POINTS,

ECO LODGES, BANDAS AND DORMITORIES SO AS TO ATTRACT TOURISTS ALONG THIS

ROUTE. THE OTHER PROPOSED PROJECT UNDER PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP IS THE
SETTING UP OF CABLE CARS ALONG THE SAME ROUTE. WE ARE SEEKING FOR INVESTORS IN
THIS VENTURE AND ALREADY WE ARE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME OF THEM.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

ON INDUSTRIALISATION AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT, THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS
COLLABORATED WITH KIE TO ALLOCATE THE INDUSTRIAL INCUBATION CENTER SHEDS AT
KIANGWACI IN KARITI WARD TO INVESTORS WILLING TO PUT UP INDUSTRIES AT THE SITE.
SO FAR THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SHEDS AT THE CENTER
1. KIRINYAGA HORTICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED DEALING IN TOMATO VALUE
ADDITION.
2. PANA PRODUCTS. DEALING IN CHUTNEY AND MANGO PULP.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THE COUNTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF
UNDERTAKING MAJOR STORM WATER DRAINAGE WORKS, ROADS IMPROVEMENT AND
SECURITY LIGHTING IN ELEVEN (11NO.) TOWNSHIPS NAMELY KUTUS, WANGURU, KIBINGOTI,
KIANYAGA, KAGIO, KIANJIRU, KIMBIMBI, KAGUMO, MUTITHI, KIANGAI AND BARICHO.
THE COUNTY IS ALSO CONSULTING THE KENYA POWER AND OTHER POWER PROVIDERS FOR
THE PROVISION OF STREET LIGHTING IN KERUGOYA AND KUTUS TOWNS.
THE LAND DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED KSHS.5, 283,000 FOR PLANNING OF
VILLAGES IN DIFFERENT WARDS NAMELY KARITI, KIAMUMU, THUMAITA, KIANGOMA,
KIBINGOTI, RIANDIRA, NDINDIRUKU, KIARUKUNGU, GITHOGONDO, KABARE AND KIAMICHIRI.
THIS WILL INVOLVE PLANNING, SURVEYING AND EVENTUAL ISSUANCE OF TITLES.
THE COUNTY HAS RESERVED A 100 ACRES OF LAND FOR KEMRI AT WAMUMU FOR
ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGH QUALITY RESEARCH LABORATORIES AND MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
FACILITIES FOR POSTGRADUATE DEGREE TRAINING THAT MEETS THE INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS.
THIS WILL ESCALATE THE GROWTH OF THE AREA, OFFER EMPLOYMENT TO OUR RESIDENTS
AND PROVIDE MARKET FOR OUR FARMERS AMONG OTHER BENEFITS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS HAS BEEN
INVOLVED IN IMPROVEMENT OF COUNTY ROADS, CONSTRUCTION OF FOOT BRIDGES,

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DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION OF CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE

SUCH AS MARKETS, ECDE AND HEALTH FACILITIES AMONG OTHERS.
AMONG ROAD WORKS DONE OR BEING WORKED ON ARE:
1 KERUGOYA PRISON TO KIMANDI ROAD IN KERGOYA WARD
2 KANDONGU-NGOTHI-RUKANGA ROAD IN MUTITHI WARD
3 MARURA-MAIRUNGI LINK ROAD, KIBUKURE AND GATHANJI ROADS DONE IN JAPANESE
TECHNOLOGY KNOWN AS DO NOU TECHNOLOGY ALL IN KANGAI WARD
4 MUNGANGA BRIDGE IN KANGAI
5 NGOKA BRIDGE IN KARITI AMONG OTHERS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

MY GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING YOUTH TALENTS AND HAS DEVOTED TIME

AND MONEY TO REALISE THIS. IT IS IN THIS SPIRIT THAT MY GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING A
GALA NIGHT FOR ALL THE CREATIVE ARTIST IN THE COUNTY. THE FUNDS REALISED IN THE
EVENT WILL PROVIDED A SEED CAPITAL FOR THE ARTIST SACCO THAT THE COUNTY
GOVERNMENT T HAS FACILITATED TO REGISTER. A MUSIC COMPETITION FOR MUSIC ARTIST
IS ALSO IN THE OFFING. THIS IS EXPECTED TO THE MUSIC ARTIST WITH A PLATFORM TO
SHOW CASE AND PUBLICISE THEIR TALENTS. MY GOVERNMENT HAS INITIATED THE COUNTY
YOUTH TOURNAMENT FROM WARD, SUBCOUNTY AND COUNTY LEVELS. THE WINNERS
DURING THE COUNTY FINALS WILL BE REPRESENTING DURING THE ANNUAL INTERCOUNTY
YOUTH TOURNAMENT. THIS YEAR THE TOURNAMENT INVOLVED 400 FOOTBALL AND
VOLLEYBALL TEAMS. OUT OF THESE FOUR TEAMS REPRESENTED KIRINYAGA IN THE
INTERCOUNTY TOURNAMENT HELD IN KWALE FROM 29TH NOVEMBER TO 5TH DECEMBER
2015. OUR MEN VOLLEYBALL TEAM SCOOPED SECOND POSITION. WE ARE PROUD OF THEM
AND THANK THEM FOR SHINNING A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR COUNTY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR THE VENERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY IS A KEY PILLAR OF
DEVELOPMENT. IT IS FOR THIS REASON MY GOVERNMENT HAS DEVOTED RESOURCES TO
ENSURE THE KIANYAGA CHILDREN HOME IS FRIENDLY TO THE LITTLE ANGEL RESCUED
THERE. THE INSTITUTION HAS 85 STUDENTS NOW. THE INSTITUTION HAS BEEN
REFURBISHED AND THE ZERO GRAZING UNITS ARE BEING UPGRADED TO ENABLE THEM
RECEIVE IMPROVED GRADE COWS AND ALSO GENERATE BIO GAS FOR USE BY THE
INSTITUTION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

MY GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE NEED FOR STRONG ALCOHOL REGULATIONS. ALL
EFFORTS ARE BEING APPLIED TO ENSURE ALL ALCOHOLS REGULATION AND LAWS ARE
ADHERED TO.

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THIS HAS SEEN THE REDUCTION OF ALCOHOL OUTLETS FROM 1267 IN 2013 TO 794 IN 2015.
THE REDUCTION HAS BEEN REALISED BY CLOSURE OF UNETHICAL ALCOHOL OUTLETS THAT
PREY ON OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THOSE THAT DOES NOT MEET HYGIENE STANDARDS.
MY GOVERNMENT FULL SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON SECOND GENERATION
ALCOHOL. ALL ILLEGAL ALCOHOL DENS PLUS THOSE RETAILING NON PERMITTED DRINKS
WERE CLOSED DOWN DURING THE CRACK DOWNS. IN ORDER TO CUSHION THE ALCOHOL
ADDICTS AGAINST WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME, MY GOVERNMENT PURCHASED DRUGS FOR
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SICK. THE SERVICE CONTINUES IN OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL TO
DATE.
THE COUNTY HAS NOT LICENSED ANYBEER MANUFACTURER AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE OF 3RD JULY 2015. THE COUNTY DOES NOT INTEND TO LICENCE ANY OF THE
MANUFACTURER
IN CONCLUSION, I CALL FOR UNITY AMONG ALL RESIDENTS OF KIRINYAGA, FROM THE
YOUNG, TO THE OLD, THE LEADERS BE THEY POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR BUSINESS SO WE
CAN BUILD A COUNTY TO BE PROUD OF. THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE
PEOPLE ORIENTED AND WE SHALL DEDICATE OURSELVES TO OFFERING QUALITY AND
EFFICIENT SERVICES AT ALL TIMES.
I WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

GOD BLESS YOU

GOD BLESS KIRINYAGA COUNTY

H E HON JOSEPH K NDATHI

GOVERNOR
KIRINYAGA COUNTY

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