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Post Date: February 1, 2023
Cabinet meets to review progress report for ongoing development programs
Governor Gladys Wanga on Tuesday chaired the sixth county executive committee meeting that focused on reviewing the progress of work towards improving service delivery for the citizens of the county and strategic planning.
“I commend the concerted efforts from our multi-sectoral team on the issuance of bursary cheques to beneficiaries in the past two weeks,” said Governor Wanga.
The bursary scheme will benefit over 20,000 students from all 40 wards in Homa Bay County, with a minimum of 500 students per ward, through the KES 100 million scheme. An additional 200 students joining form one in 2023 will also benefit from the KES 30 million Fins to Swim Governor’s Scholarship Scheme.
The Committee also acknowledged efforts by the Department of Public Health and Medical Services in increasing Own Source Revenue (OSR).
“During the month of January 2023, the department reported a collection of KES 81 million from 22 of our county’s 232 health facilities,” Wanga said.
She added: “In line with our policy, these funds will be taken back to the facilities for use in their operations and improvement.”
In the cabinet room, the Governor also emphasized the importance of high-quality customer service in the county’s public offices. The Committee approved the mainstreaming of a Customer Service Programme, including the integration of protocol offices and personnel within all Departments of the County.
“I am aware that 70% of NHIF reimbursements in 2021/2022 went to private health facilities in our county, yet 85% of the total health facilities in Homa Bay County are public,” Wanga noted.
In a bid to maximize NHIF reimbursement in the county’s health facilities, the Committee approved the acquisition of IT equipment to facilitate NHIF claims in all county facilities, optimizing access to NHIF for the residents, currently standing at only 19% of the county’s total population.
The Committee also approved the purchase of 5 acres of land within Oyugis Municipality for the setup of a sewerage plant in line with the government’s commitment towards sustainable solid waste management.
The Committee equally took note of the progress in extending the Kabunde Airstrip Runway, with the aim of receiving bigger scheduled airlines to spur the region’s economy through trade and tourism.Local domestic airline company, Renegade Air, has committed to resuming 5 weekly flights to the airstrip from Wilson Airport in Nairobi within the next two months.
“We are committed to improving the lives of our citizens, and I appreciate the commitment shown by the members of the Committee in serving the public,” said Wanga.
“I reiterate the need for each CEC member to go beyond their call of duty in delivering on the promises made to the citizens by the ‘GenowaEnDongruok’ Administration.”
The meeting adjourned until the next meeting, with the Committee set to meet twice every month to review and strategize on service delivery.
