H.E Sospeter Ojaamong, Governor of Busia, delivered his final State-of-the-County address to the second assembly on Thursday, highlighting the accomplishments of his administration as he prepares to leave office after two five-year terms mandated by the constitution.
The annual address was given in front of the House Speaker, Hon. Bernard Wamalwa, members of the County Assembly from the 35 wards, the executive, and the citizens of Busia.
“When I took office at the start of my first term in 2013, there was no single plan within which my Government could seek to appropriate public funds.” As a result, my Government’s first assignment was to focus on County plans. “We developed the Busia County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and other planning documents required by Section 107 of the County Governments Act in a very participatory process,” he said.
He emphasized that his government has been consistently recognized and acknowledged not only for having necessary and appropriate policy, legislative, and regulatory frameworks in various sectors, but also for prudent resource management and use.
Accordingly, the World Bank and UNDP have extended financial and other support to the tune of nearly Kshs.1 billion through the Kenya Devolution Support Program, which has funded identified projects and programs, according to the governor.
The governor went on to say that the donor community and UN agencies have pledged to support a number of policies that are being enacted or implemented, including Gender Based Violence, nutrition, and disaster recovery, all of which have a direct impact on youth.
He stated that his government has allocated the lion’s share of the County budget to the Department of Health and Sanitation in each Fiscal Year. This was done on purpose in order to bring health services closer to people and improve their quality.
“My government has equipped and staffed over 70 village-level dispensaries throughout the County so that no patient is more than 3 kilometers from the nearest health facility; 21 of these were established after 2013.” This is in addition to recognizing Community Health Workers, including volunteers, through the passage of appropriate legislation.”
Other accomplishments include the upgrading of health centers throughout the county and the establishment of at least one sub-county hospital in each sub-county with doctors and other medical personnel, as well as each sub-county hospital having a theatre, maternity unit, and laboratories.
According to the governor, Busia County Referral Hospital was dilapidated and collapsing in 2013, but it is now a modern medical facility serving the entire County and beyond.
He stated that the hospital has a cutting-edge, modern, and well-equipped three-block accident and emergency unit that is designed to strengthen emergency preparedness and provide effective and efficient medical services to the people of the County and others.
The Casualty Unit, Intensive Care and High Dependency Units, Renal Unit, and oxygen plant are also housed in the Unit. It also houses the main hospital administration block, as well as the Ultra-Modern 60-bed Maternity and Newborn Unit, which is expected to play an important role as a regional maternal health facility, accommodating over 44,000 patients and no less than 6,000 deliveries per year.
“The 100-bed Mother and Child Specialized Hospital Unit, which is set to transform health-care services in the County and region.” It will have cutting-edge CT Scan and Radiology equipment, as well as a Sterile Machine for health care and medical waste management,” he added.
“With World Bank support through KDSP, my Government has upgraded the infrastructure and constructed a modern 100 bed Mother and Child Hospital at Alupe Sub-County Hospital to serve an estimated 220,000 population,” he continued. The facility will also house a modern theater, nutrition and immunization clinics, and will serve as a regional training facility.”
Under the Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries docket, the governor stated that his administration was focused on assisting farmers with value addition through agri-processing.
My government has also purchased three water bowsers, which are now used to deliver clean and safe water to underserved communities, particularly during emergency situations. A number of projects are currently underway in the county that will further improve water service delivery.”
Other accomplishments include the hiring of 994 ECD teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, the construction of over 300 classrooms, the purchase of 40 parcels of land, and the operationalization of Busia municipality while the constitution of Malaba as a municipality is still in the works.
He also stated that his government is in the process of preparing Nambale town and Port Victoria for municipal status after some infrastructure developments are completed.
“We have rolled-over a number of flagship projects, including the Port Victoria, Mundika, Moding, Muruka, and Nambale markets.” Other projects expected to be undertaken and completed this fiscal year include the Mundika Market gate, as well as the construction and completion of market shades at Siwongo, Kisoko, and Bukadanyi.”
He also stated that his government is in the process of preparing Nambale town and Port Victoria for municipal status after some infrastructure developments are completed.
“We have rolled-over a number of flagship projects, including the Port Victoria, Mundika, Moding, Muruka, and Nambale markets.” Other projects expected to be undertaken and completed this fiscal year include the Mundika Market gate, as well as the construction and completion of market shades at Siwongo, Kisoko, and Bukadanyi.”
Roads earmacked for tarmacking this fiscal year include the Khunyangu Hospital access road, Nambale market loop, Lukolis market loop, Kocholia market loop, and Adungosi market – Police station road.
