Kisii County Governor James Ongwae has vowed to use his last term in office in completing development projects initiated in the first term.
Governor Ongwae and his Deputy Joash Maangi were sworn in for a second term during a colourful ceremony at the Gusii Stadium.
Speaking when he took the oath of office, Governor Ongwae said his development agenda for the second term will be anchored on a nine-point agenda with focus on: on water reticulation, road and infrastructure, health care services, agriculture, market development, education and social protection.
He told residents that he will immediately embark on constituting the County Executive Committee where all positions will be advertised and filled based on meritocracy. He also announced plans to reorganize government and purge lazy and corrupt staff.
Ongwae said the county government will procure drilling equipment to sink boreholes throughout the county in bid to address water shortage.
“I will complete on- going water projects including Birongo, Riokindo, Chitangi, Nyaura, Mokenene and thereafter embark on reticulation to reduce the distance covered to water points, “ said Ongwae.
The Governor said he will work closely with Lake Victoria South Water Services Board to speed up implementation of the on-going KShs.1.5billion water and sanitation project.
The programme includes the construction of 35km of new pipeline that will supply water to Nyamataro, Nyangena, Gesonso, Jogoo, Botori and improve the supply to Kisii Town CBD, Nyanchwa, Milimani, Menyinkwa, among other areas.
Ongwae said in his last tem he shall construct additional roads and work with development partners to tarmac some key roads in the county adding that in the last four and half years the County government managed to open new roads and gravel over 1,800km of roads throughout the County.
On health, Governor Ongwae disclosed that his administration will focus on primary health care and operationalize those health facilities built through Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and other agencies by sending staff, equipment and drugs.
“When I assumed office in 2013, I realised that the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) lacked specialists in some key areas including neurosurgery, orthopaedic, paediatric, and cardiothoracic services forcing us to refer our patients to Nairobi and other places. Of the ten doctors we sent for specialised training, two who specialized in orthopaedics and paediatric dentistry are back while the remainder are soon completing their training. Before the end of the year, we will expect to have all these services offered here at KTRH,” he said.
Another key project in the health sector is the KShs.2billion cancer diagnostic and treatment centre to be built in Kisii.
“This cancer centre project is funded by BADEA and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). I am happy to report that a few weeks ago, SFD signed the loan agreement paving way for commencement of the project. In the next two weeks, we shall be advertising for the Project Engineer to come on site,” added the Governor.
He disclosed that the centre will be fully equipped with theatres, four examination rooms, mammograms, observation ward, waiting rooms, lecture rooms, control room, 2 shielded rooms for X ray, a CT Scanner, changing rooms for doctors and staff, an ICU with 12 beds and patient wards with 40 beds.
The ceremony was attended by the County Senator elect Prof. Sam Ongeri, County Member of Parliament Janet Ongera.
Members of Parliament present Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South), Innocent Obiri (Bobasi) Oroo Oyioka (Bonchari) Ezekiel Machogu (Nyaribari Masaba) Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Alfah Miruka (Bomachoge Chache), Zadok Ogutu (Bomachoge Borabu) vowed to put aside their political differences and work with the Governor and his deputy for the benefit of the county residents.
