SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF

KIRINYAGA COUNTY HON. JOSEPH K NDATHI ON THE

OCCASION TO MARK THE MASHUJAA DAY AT GENERAL
KASSAM NJOGU STADIUM KIANYAGA ON 20
TH

OCTOBER, 2014.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER
WOMAN REP
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
HON SPEAKER, KIRINYAGA COUNTY ASSEMBLY
MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY
MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERS
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, HEROES OF KIRINYAGA
FELLOW CITIZENS OF KIRINYAGA COUNTY
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
I AM PLEASED TO JOIN YOU HERE TODAY TO MARK THIS IMPORTANT DAY IN THE
HISTORY OF OUR GREAT NATION. THIS DAY IS SET ASIDE TO REMEMBER OUR HEROES
MANY OF WHO SHED THEIR LIVES SO THAT WE CAN BE FREE AND ABLE TO RUN OUR
OWN AFFAIRS. INDEED WE ARE MARKING THIS EVENT IN A STADIUM NAMED AFTER
ONE OF OUR OWN HERO GENERAL KASSAM NJOGU. GENERAL KASSAM HAILED FROM
THIS AREA. HE AND OTHERS GALLANT FREEDOM FIGHTERS FOUGHT AGAINST
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COLONIALISM CULMINATING IN THE INDEPENDENCE WHOSE FRUITS WE ARE NOW
ENJOYING. I WANT TO LEAD THE ENTIRE RESIDENTS OF KIRINYAGA COUNTY IN
APPRECIATING THE BIG SACRIFICE THAT OUR HEROES MADE THAT CHANGED THE
HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY FOR EVER.
I AM HAPPY TO NOTE THAT KIRINYAGA COUNTY PRODUCED MANY HEROES IN THE
NAME OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS WHOSE RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION WON OUR
INDEPENDENCE. THOUGH MANY HAVE LEFT US, WE WILL HAVE MANY OTHERS WHO
ARE STILL WITH US TODAY. SOME ARE PRESENT IN THIS STADIUM AND I SALUTE THEM
ALL. I NOTE THAT DESPITE THEIR ADVANCED AGE, IT IS COMMENDABLE THAT THEY
ARE STILL CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COUNTY AND COUNTRY IN
VARIOUS WAYS. MY GOVERNMENT HAS PRACTICED AN OPEN DOOR POLICY AND HAS
ALLOWED THEM TO INTERACT WITH US UNHINDERED. OUR MAU MAU FREEDOM
HEROES ARE FREE TO VISIT US AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH US FOR
POSTERITY. IN THIS REGARD, I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO
RECORD THEIR EXPERIENCES IN FORM OF MEMOIRS, BOOKS OR SHORT STORIES SO
THAT WE CAN PRESERVE OUR HISTORY FROM FIRST HAND EXPERIENCES FOR THE SAKE
OF OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS WILL ALSO GUARD AGAINST PEOPLE WHO TRY TO
DISTORT OUR HISTORY. MY GOVERNMENT IS READY TO ASSIST THEM IN THIS
ENDEVOUR. I HAVE LISTENED TO THEIR STORIES AND I MUST ADMIT THEY ARE,
INSIGHTFUL, AUTHENTIC, AND FULL OF WISDOM, COMMITMENT, BRAVERY, DISCIPLINE,
SELF DENIAL AND GREAT SACRIFICE. THESE ARE IMPORTANT VALUES WHICH IF
ADOPTED BY OUR YOUTH TODAY, OUR COUNTY AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WOULD BE
TRANSFORMED WITHIN A SHORT TIME. MY GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO WORKING
WITH OUR HEROES TO EXPLORE WAYS OF HOW BEST TO HONOUR AND RECOGNIZE
THEM. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT OUR HEROES WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM
SHOULD BE LIVING IN ABJECT POVERTY. AS WE CELEBRATE HEROES OF THE PAST, WE
NOTE THAT WE HAVE MODERN DAY HEROES WHO WE ALSO CELEBRATE.
TODAY, WE ARE MARKING MASHUJAA DAY AT THIS VENUE BECAUSE OF A DELIBERATE
DECISION WE MADE AS A GOVERNMENT TO DEVOLVE THE MARKING OF NATIONAL
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EVENTS TO THE SUB-COUNTIES IN THE SPIRIT OF DEVOLUTION AND GOING CLOSER TO
THE PEOPLE. IN JUNE THIS YEAR WE HELD THE MADARAKA DAY CELEBRATIONS IN
WANGURU STADIUM IN MWEA SUB-COUNTY. THE NEXT NATIONAL EVENT WILL BE
HELD IN A DIFFERENT SUB-COUNTY.
AGRICULTURE
ECONOMIC MAINSTAY OF OUR COUNTY.
INJECTS ABOUT KSHS. 50 BILLION TO OUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMY.
OVER 70% OF OUR PEOPLE DERIVE THEIR LIVELIHOOD FROM AGRICULTURE.
WE HAVE ADOPTED TWO STRATEGIES.
I. TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, COMMERCIALIZATION AND
COMPETITIVENESS OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND ENTERPRISES.
II. TO DEVELOP AND MANAGE THE KEY FACTORS OF PRODUCTION.

OUR COUNTY PRODUCES SOME OF THE BEST COFFEE IN THE WORLD.
IN 2013/14 OUR FARMERS PRODUCED 32 MILLION KGS OF CHERRY VALUED AT
KSHS. 3.6 BILLION. THIS FIGURE IS WAY BELOW OUR POTENTIAL.
MY GOVERNMENT WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS,
PARTICULARLY THE COFFEE COOPERATIVES, TO IMPLEMENT A STRATEGY THAT
WILL SEE INCREASE IN PRODUCTION AND ALSO IMPROVE ON QUALITY.
WE ARE WORKING ON STRATEGIES TO CUT OUT BROKERS WHO HAVE FLEECED
THIS SECTOR FOR MANY YEARS.
TEA FARMING IS AN IMPORTANT CROP IN THREE OF OUR SUB-COUNTIES.
IN 2013/14, THE FARMERS PRODUCED 85,540 MT OF GREEN LEAF WHICH
EARNED THEM KSH 4.3 BILLON.
DESPITE THESE IMPRESSIVE FIGURES THE TEA SUB SECTOR IS FACED WITH
SEVERAL CHALLENGES THAT NEED TO THE ADDRESSED SO THAT FARMERS
EARNINGS CAN IMPROVE. I AM SADDENED BY THE LOW BONUS PAID TO
FARMERS DESPITE THEIR HARD WORK. WE ARE CALLING FOR REFORMS IN THIS
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SECTOR TO EMPOWER THE FARMERS TO HAVE A GREATER SAY AND CONTROL OF
THE CROP.
FRESH PRODUCE- OUR FLAGSHIP CROPS ARE BANANAS, FRENCH BEANS AND
TOMATOES. OUR COUNTY PRODUCES OVER 60% OF THE FRENCH BEANS
EXPORTED TO THE EU FROM KENYA.
IN 2013/14 THE COUNTY PRODUCED 285,395 METRIC TONS OF ASSORTED FRESH
PRODUCE VALUED AT KSHS. 4.3 BILLION. THERE IS STILL MORE POTENTIAL FOR
INCREASED PRODUCTION.
RICE IS GROWN BY SMALL SCALE FARMERS IN MWEA IRRIGATION SCHEME
WHICH COVERS AN AREA OF 9,000 HA. IN 2013/14 THE SCHEME PRODUCED
48,925 METRIC TONS WHICH EARNED THE FARMERS KSHS. 2.58 BILLION. THE
COUNTY GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY IN RICE
GROWING.
QUELEA BIRDS ARE A THREAT TO OUR RICE CROP. SURVEILLANCE IS ONGOING
AND WE SHALL STRIKE AT THE MOST APPROPRIATE TIME TO REMOVE THE
MENACE.
KEY TO INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY IS USE OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC
FERTILIZERS.
DURING THE LONG RAINS THIS YEAR MY GOVERNMENT FACILITATED 15 GROUPS
AND 14 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES TO ACCESS THE SUBSIDIZED FERTILIZER. A
TOTAL OF 72,000 BAGS OF ASSORTED FERTILIZERS (WORTH ABOUT KSHS.140 M)
WERE PURCHASED THROUGH THESE GROUPS AND THE CO-OPERATIVE
SOCIETIES.
I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE THAT FERTILIZER IS NOW
AVAILABLE FOR THIS PLANTING SEASON AT A COST OF KSHS 2,000 PER 50KG
BAG. I ADVISE FARMERS WHO HAVE PREPARED THEIR FARMS READY TO PLANT
TO IMMEDIATELY LIAISE WITH THEIR WARD AGRICULTURAL OFFICERS WHO
WILL GUIDE THEM ON HOW TO PURCHASE THE FERTILIZERS FROM THE
NATIONAL CEREALS AND PRODUCE BOARD (NCPB) STORES.
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A.I .SERVICES- CURRENTLY STUDYING THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE WITH A VIEW
OF LOWERING THE COST OF A.I.
WE HAVE SET ASIDE FUNDS TO PURCHASE LIQUID NITROGEN CONTAINERS SO
THAT WE CAN BULK SEMEN IN OUR COUNTY.
DAIRY FARMING- IN 2013/14 FINANCIAL YEAR THE COUNTY PRODUCED 7.3
MILLION LITERS OF MILK WHICH EARNED THE FARMERS KSHS. 2.3 BILLION.
THE MAIN CHALLENGE IS THAT THE MARKETING OF OUR MILK IS NOT
STREAMLINED.
ONLY 30 - 40% OF THE MILK PRODUCED IN THE COUNTY IS MARKETED
FORMALLY THROUGH EXISTING DAIRY COOPERATIVES AND DAIRY MARKETING
GROUPS.
THE REST OF THE MILK IS MARKETED INFORMALLY THROUGH HAWKING.
WE NEED TO THINK AND ACT STRATEGICALLY IN KIRINYAGA AND I WOULD LIKE
TO URGE OUR FARMERS TO COME TOGETHER AND FORM ONE GIANT
COOPERATIVE OR FEDERATION THAT WILL MARKET AND ALSO ADD VALUE TO
OUR MILK.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
NATURAL RESOURCES

WATER SECTOR, 63 WATER PROJECTS WERE IMPLEMENTED AND ARE AT
VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION.

COMPLETED PROJECTS INCLUDE:

KENERA WATER PROJECT,

NGUKA -WITEITHIE WATER PROJECT,

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RUKENYA-KUTUS WATER PROJECT,

RUKANGA WATER LABORATORY,

RIAMIATU,

KIBARATANI WATER PROJECT,

KUKIKIRI IRRIGATION PROJECT,

NDIIKIO WATER PROJECT,

MUMAKO IRRIGATION PROJECT,

KIRUNDA WATER TANK,

MIGIIOINI WATER PROJECT,

RIAGICHERU WATER PROJECT,

WAKIGO NGANDO WATER PROJECTS,

KAGIOINI-KANYOKORA WATER PROJECT,

KIAMUCHUKU WATER TANK,

MUKIA WATER PROJECT,

KARIRIA-UMBUI, NGINDURI, MIKIMAINI, MITHUTHIINI, KAMUCHEGE,
KIAMUGUONGO, GATHIGIRIRI BOREHOLE, MITHUTHIINI BOREHOLE, MARURUMO,
RURUMI AND GATEGI BOREHOLES.
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ENERGY SECTOR, 5 HIGH-MAST SECURITY LIGHTS TO SERVE KAGIO, MUTITHI,
KANDONGU, WANGURU AND KIANYAGA HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED AND ARE
WAITING COMMISSIONING.
TO SUPPORT GREEN ENERGY AND REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION IN
THE COUNTY, PROCUREMENT IS UNDERWAY FOR 55 BIOGAS TRAPPERS WHICH
ARE INTENDED TO BENEFIT HOUSEHOLDS AND INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE
WARDS ON A COST-SHARING BASIS.
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS COLLABORATING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANZATION (UNIDO), KIRINYAGA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE AND THE NIB IN PILOTING AND IMPLEMENTING A NEW ULTRA LOW
HEAD (ULH) HYDROPOWER GENERATION TECHNOLOGY IN MWEA. THIRTEEN
SITES WITH A POTENTIAL OF 10 KW HAVE SO FAR BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE
MAIN MWEA IRRIGATION WATER SUPPLY CANAL AND MANY OTHER SUITABLE
SITES EXIST IN OUR RIVERS.
FORESTRY SECTOR, WE HAVE SO FAR PLANTED 25,000 SEEDLINGS IN SCHOOLS,
50,000 SEEDLINGS ON THE ROADSIDES, 50,000 FOR RIVERLINE REHABILITATION
AND 3,000 ORNAMENTAL TREES IN OUR MAJOR URBAN CENTRES. IN ORDER TO
PROMOTE TREE NURSERY INVESTMENT AMONG OUR YOUTH AND WOMEN
GROUPS, 80,000 SEEDLINGS WERE PROCURED FROM THESE GROUPS AND TREE
NURSERY MANAGEMENT TRAINING DONE IN ALL OUR SUB-COUNTIES.
TO REHABILITATE THE KERUGOYA URBAN FOREST. FOREST, WE HAVE OVER THE
LAST ONE YEAR REPLANTED 3,000 INDIGENOUS SEEDLINGS AND CONSTRUCTED
A 1KM FENCE TO WARD-OFF ENCROACHMENT.
TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
HAVE UNDERTAKEN SEVERAL PROJECTS AIMED AT IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY
AND EASE OF TRANSPORT.
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DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2013/2014 THIS DEPARTMENT MANAGED TO
GRADE APPROXIMATELY 800KM OF EARTH ROADS AND PROCURED ABOUT 7000
TONS OF MURRAM/QUARRY WASTE THAT WE USED FOR VARIOUS ACCESS
ROADS, TOWN ROADS AND MARKETS.
THE DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK CONSTRUCTION OF EIGHTEEN (18) FOOT
BRIDGES. SEVEN (7) ARE COMPLETE THE OTHER ELEVEN (11) ARE STILL UNDER
CONSTRUCTION.
INSTALLATION OF 384M OF CULVERTS IN VARIOUS WARDS IN THE COUNTY AND
SO FAR 50% OF THE WORK IS COMPLETE.
INSTALLATION OF FOURTEEN (14) SECURITY FLOOD LIGHTS IN VARIOUS TOWNS
IN THE COUNTY. THREE (3) ARE COMPLETE AND COMMISSIONED AND THE
OTHER ELEVEN (11) ARE AWAITING METER POWER CONNECTION.
SUPERVISED TWO (2) MORGUES, TWO (2) X-RAY BLOCK, FIVE (5) DISPENSARIES,
FIVE (5) LABORATORIES AND ONE (1) MATERNITY BLOCK SO FAR THREE (3)
LABORATORIES ARE COMPLETE WAITING COMMISSIONING AND THE REST ARE
ONGOING.

HEALTH
INITIATED VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR-
CONSTRUCTION OF 8 NEW DISPENSARIES IS ONGOING
CONSTRUCTING LABORATORIES, X-RAY UNITS, AND MATERNITY AND INPATIENT
WARDS IN VARIOUS HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY IN A BID TO EXPAND
THE RANGE OF HEALTH SERVICES OFFERED TO THE PEOPLE OF KIRINYAGA.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN PROCURED AND DISTRIBUTED TO MANY
HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY TO ENHANCE HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY.
IN THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING SAGANA HEALTH CENTRE TO BECOME LEVEL 4
HOSPITAL AND 10 DISPENSARIES TO BECOME HEALTH CENTRES.
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HIRED MORE THAN 260 HEALTH WORKERS WITH DIFFERENT
PROFESSIONALISM
I WANT TO SAY THAT IN TERMS OF PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES, WE ARE
NOT WHERE WE WANT TO BE. IN MY FREQUENT TOURS OF THE COUNTY,
PEOPLE TELL ME ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN OUR HOSPITALS AND ESPECIALLY
KERUGOYA COUNTY HOSPITAL. SOME OF THE PROBLEMS RANGE FROM LACK OF
DRUGS, LACK OF RE-AGENTS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT LABORATORY TESTS TO
DETERMINE CERTAIN SICKNESSES. I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT I AM
PERSONALLY LEADING THE TRANSFORMATION OF THAT HOSPITAL.
EDUCATION
WE CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE EFFORTS BY ALL STAKEHOLDER IN ENSURING
OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS ACCESS QUALITY AND RELEVANT EDUCATION.
COMMITTED TO IMPROVING EDUCATION STANDARDS TO DESIRABLE LEVELS.
IMPROVED ECDE PROGRAMMES HAVE CONTINUED TO YIELD GOOD RESULTS
WITH ENROLLMENT IN PUBLIC ECDE CENTRES HAVING RISEN BY 35% (FROM
10,000 PUPILS TO CURRENTLY 16,000 PUPILS) SINCE THE LAUNCH OF FREE PRE-
PRIMARY EDUCATION (FPPE).
SHALL ENSURE CONTINUED SUPPLY OF TEACHING/ LEARNING RESOURCES,
DISBURSEMENT OF CENTRE OPERATIONAL GRANTS, INVOLVEMENT OF SCHOOL
COMMUNITY IN CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY
BUILDING OF TEACHERS.
BY NEXT YEAR THE MODEL ECDE CENTERS WHICH WILL ACT AS RESOURCE
CENTRES FOR THE WARDS WILL BE OPERATIONAL.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY-
i. FOUR YOUTH POLYTECHNICS ARE SET TO BE UPGRADED TO COUNTY
POLYTECHNICS OFFERING COURSES UP TO DIPLOMA, THESE
INSTITUTIONS INCLUDE; KAITHERI, MUCIE-WAURATA AND KIAMBATHA.
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ii. GACHARU WILL BE DEVELOPED TO TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE
UNDER SPONSORSHIP OF CDF, NATIONAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.
iii. THE OTHER SIX YOUTH POLYTECHNICS ARE SET TO BE TRANSFORMED
INTO COUNTY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTES
OFFERING UP TO ARTISAN CERTIFICATES.
iv. KAMIIGUA POLYTECHNIC IS SET FOR TRANSFORMATION INTO INSTITUTE
OF CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION.
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION WITH THE UNIVERSITIES,
NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING ENTITIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE
COUNTY UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY. IN THIS REGARD; PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO HOST FIRST
REGIONAL KIRINYAGA SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION CONFERENCE.
THROUGH OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WE ARE ALSO PLANNING TO
ESTABLISH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRES INTERLINKED WITH
NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES TO ENHANCE GROWTH OF RESEARCH WITHIN
THE COUNTY.
THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY BURSARY FUND INITIATIVE TO CONTINUE
ENHANCING EDUCATION FINANCING ESPECIALLY FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE
MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY.
AS WE APPROACH THE EXAMINATION SEASON I CALL UPON ALL STAKEHOLDERS
TO PROMOTE PEACE AND CALMNESS THAT OUR CANDIDATES REQUIRE WHILE
THEY ARE SHAPING THEIR FUTURE. AS THEY PREPARE, WE COMMIT THEM TO
OUR GOD FOR BLESSING AND SUCCESS.
YOUTH
DEVELOPING STRATEGIES ON HOW TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE FULLY ENGAGED
SO THAT THEY CAN DEVELOP TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
WE ALSO CONTINUE TO SENSITISE THEM ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOR LIKE DRUG
AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.
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UPGRADING OF PLAYGROUNDS IN ALL WARDS AND TRAINING FOOTBALL
REFEREES.
WE HAVE ATTENDED SPECIAL OLYMPICS FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED AND
SUPPORTED BETHANY HOME FOR ELDERLY.
WE ARE FACE-LIFTING KIANYAGA CHILDREN HOME.
WE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN MISS WORLD KENYA AND OUR GIRL IS IN THE
FINALS.
IN THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING A YOUTH HAY STORAGE CENTRE IN MWEA.
THIS WILL PROMOTE THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DOING HAY BUSINESS IN
MWEA.


FINANCE
IN THE PROCESS OF AUTOMATING OUR REVENUE COLLECTION TO IMPROVE ON
EFFICIENCY AND TO SEAL ALL LEAKAGES.
THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WILL UTILIZE THE LATEST FORMS OF TECHNOLOGY IN
REVENUE COLLECTION SUCH AS MOBILE MONEY (MPESA) AND DIRECT DEPOSITS
THROUGH AGENTS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTY.
THESE PAYMENT OPTIONS AMONGST OTHERS, WILL GIVE YOU THE COUNTY
CITIZENS VARIOUS CONVENIENT WAYS TO PAY FEES AND CHARGES RIGHT AT
THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOUSE OR BUSINESSES.

LAND, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

MY GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF LAND, HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT WILL ENDEAVOR TO REGULARIZE OWNERSHIP AND USE OF ALL
PUBLIC LAND WITHIN THE COUNTY.
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OVER THE LAST ONE YEAR, WE HAVE ACHIEVED ALOT BY UNDERTAKING
INVESTIGATIONS TO ADDRESS HISTORICAL LAND INJUSTICES, RESOLVE
DISPUTES AND PROCESS PUBLIC LAND TRANFERS THROUGH THE PHYSICAL
PLANNING, LANDS AND HOUSING COMMITTEE. PUBLIC LAND THAT WAS
IRREGULARY ALLOCATED TO INDIVIDUALS WILL BE RECTIFIED AND RETURNED
TO THE BONAFIDE OWNERS.
THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO SECURE BACK LAND
ACQUIRED FROM INDIVIDUALS FOR EXPANSION OF TOWNS AND WERE
COMPENSATED BUT THEY NEVER SURRENDERED THIS LAND.
THIS AFFECTS MOST OF OUR TOWNS LIKE KIANYAGA, KUTUS, KERUGOYA,
BARICHO, SAGANA AMONG OTHERS. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY
GOVERNMENT TO BE VIGILANT IN RESTORATION OF SUCH LANDS TO ENABLE US
PLAN, PROVIDE AND DEVELOP AMMENTIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF KIRINYAGA.
ALL THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE WITH GREAT
COLLABORATION AND PARTICIPATION OF THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY LAND
MANAGEMENT BOARD.
IT IS FROM THE ABOVE EXERCISE THAT WE HAVE MANAGED TO SECURE LAND
AT KUTUS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AND MODERN COUNTY
HEADQUARTERS WHOSE CONSTRUCTION WILL COMMENCE SOON.

WE HAVE ALSO BEGUN THE PREPARATION OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR KUTUS,
WANGURU, KIANYAGA, KAGIO, SAGANA AND KERUGOYA. THESE WERE
IDENTIFIED AS THE FASTEST GROWING URBAN CENTRES THAT CALL FOR
URGENT DEVELOPMENT CONTROL.
THE PLAN WILL ALSO AVERT THE MANY BOUNDARY DISPUTES BEING
EXPIRIENCED IN OUR TOWNS, IMPROVE COUNTY REVENUE THROUGH PROPERTY
RATING AND ENSURE CONTROLLED URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

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MY GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF LAND, HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT, IN CONJUCTION WITH THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION BOARD HAS
ENSURED SMOOTH COMPENSATION AND RE-SETTLEMENT OF PERSONS BEING
DISPLACED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIBA DAM IN KABARE AREA AND THE LOWER
PARTS OF MWEA.
MY GOVERNMENT IS WORKING WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN
DEVELOPING INCENTIVES THAT WILL ATTRACT PRIVATE INVESTORS TO THE
THE HOUSING SECTOR WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PUSHING FOR PUBLIC PRIVATE
PARTNESHIPS TO INCREASE THE HOUSING STOCK FOR OUR STAFF AND THE
PUBLIC.
THERE IS HIGH DEMAND FOR QUALITY HOUSING IN KIRINYAGA FOR EXAMPLE
THE HIGH POPULATION BEING GENERATED BY THE GROWTH OF KIRINYAGA
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.
WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR APPROPRIATE LAND TO DEVELOP A MODERN
MEDICAL TRAINING AND RESEACH CENTRE WITH INTERESTED PARTIES LIKE
KEMRI.
AS I CONCLUDE, I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO URGE ALL LEADERS AND RESIDENTS OF
KIRINYAGA COUNTY TO UNITE AND WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE. BY
EMULATING THE SACRIFICES MADE BY OUR HEROES WE CAN ALSO PLAY OUR ROLES IN
A SELFLESS MANNER.
I ALSO ONCE AGAIN WISH ALL OUR CANDIDATES ALL THE SUCCESS THEY NEED TO PASS
THEIR EXAMANITIONS.
THANK YOU
GOD BLESS YOU

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