KISUMU Ranguma-Odinga feud to blame for Cabinet delay

the-star BY JUSTUS OCHIENG

DIFFERENCES between Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma and his deputy Ruth Odinga have been cited as the cause of the delay to name the County’s cabinet.
Multiple sources within the Governor’s office confided to The Star that Ranguma failed to unveil the cabinet last Friday due to feud between him and Odinga.
The sources who declined to be named said Ranguma was keen on rewarding politicians who failed in various seats within the county while Odinga insisted on technocrats maintaining that they were well placed to move the county forward.
The sources added that some area MP’s were equally unhappy with Ranguma accusing him of planning their downfall by plotting to embrace their competitors in the last elections.
Some of the politicians names likely to feature in Ranguma’s cabinet include; Rose Kisia, Ahono Obadha, Victor Nyagaya, Barrack Abonyo and McKodera. Odinga refuted claims that differences between her and Ranguma were the cause of delay to name the cabinet.
“As far as am concerned we are enjoying a cordial relationship with the Governor and are up to the task to ensure we set up a better cabinet to work for the benefit of the Kisumu people,” she said.
She pointed out that they were eying professionals whom would work for the betterment of the Kisumu County and improvement of the people’s lives

.http://www.http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-120143/ranguma-odinga-feud-blame-cabinet-delay.co.ke/news/article-120143/ranguma-odinga-feud-blame-cabinet-delay

GOVERNOR JACK RANGUMA'S DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR KISUMU COUNTY

GOVERNOR JACK RANGUMA'S DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR KISUMU COUNTY
{A speech by hon Rangumu}

Kisumu County, this is what we are Doing….

Our plans for the county are immense. Food security for all, good health and education. This we plan to achieve through promoting agriculture, industrialization, tourism, and technology.

AGRICULTURE

With regards to agriculture, we will strive to improve our output ...through irrigation, proper marketing of our produce and value addition. We have met with various investors and donor communities who are willing to invest in such initiatives. The embassy of Israel is particularly keen on this venture.

INDUSTRIALIZATION

With regards to industrialization, we have an advantage of proximity to markets in the East African region. We will entice investors by opening up the transport potential on Lake Victoria. This will be an easy and cheaper way of exporting goods to Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Burundi and Tanzania. We will take advantage of this opportunity and market Kisumu as the industrial hub for East Africa. We will also revive the ailing and the collapsed industries and improve their capacities to produce and market. For instance, we will make sure that we change the focus of the sugar industry from relying on sugar as a major product to a by-product. Because of the threat of their collapse, should we leave them like that by the fall of 2014 when the COMESA safeguard will be lifted, we will make sugar a speculative item. We hope to major in the production of ethanol, power, pulp and fertilizer. That way we will make our sugar a cheap by-product that we use for speculation and warding off unnecessary competition on our market front. Indeed, many investors have shown interest in this field and we are at a point of negotiating the final aspects which, we will let you know as soon as we have a final word.

TOURISM

As far as tourism is concerned, we hope to market Kisumu as the centre of the Western circuit. Kisumu has unique features that would be attractive to tourist. Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water Lake in the world and is endowed with unique aquaculture. Take for example, the sitatunga, a unique animal that is found only on the Lakeside. The lakefront would provide an enviable environment for leisure and recreation. Also, watersports has been a venture that is highly favoured in our plan. We are working on the modalities of ensuring that the lake is safe for such an enterprise, and as we stand right now, the Kenya Maritime Authority is helping us mark out the Lake and provide both logistical support as well as the desired expertise to ensure success with our dream. The dry dock is the second of the only two in East Africa, and we hope to make good use of it. Our final details will come out as soon as the physical planning is over. Meanwhile we have made significant advancement in our talks with potential investors and donors. The government of Netherlands is particularly keen on ensuring the tourism venture takes of. We have had numerous consultative meetings with the stakeholders in this sector, and we can assure you that they all are fully on board.

FISHING INDUSTRY

The fishing industry is a special concern for all of us. We hope to deal with the Water Hyacinth menace once and for all. Plans are underway to take away the plant through a combination of methods – biological, manual and mechanical. On 18th May, the Governor will preside over the launching of a Water Master that will be commissioned into the Lake to harvest the water hyacinth and remove it from the Lake in a hundred days. The Kenya Maritime Authority together with the Governor is spearheading this venture. Moreover, the LVEMP is spearheading the purchase of a massive Water Hyacinth Harvester, which will be placed permanently in the Lake to take care of the situation. The removal of the Hyacinth will clear the way for Lake transport, water sports and even more importantly deep-sea fishing. It will allow for the return of our favorite species – tilapia. In preparation for this anticipated overflow of fish supply, we have made arrangements to secure solar powered coolers for storing the fish. In the long run, we will build our own processing plants and strong fishermen owned cooperatives to spearhead the growth of the industry. We also have plans to introduce cage fishing and general fish farming.

WASTE DISPOSAL

Kisumu is a beautiful city whose image is marred by the gabbage that is carelessly disposed off by the roadside. We are researching on the best ways to dispose off the gabbage from our households and industries. This is high on our priority list and in the shortest time possible, we will be seeing the results. To deal with irresponsible waste disposal from industries, we are seeking to sponsor the enactment of a by-law that will put stringent measures, including but not limited to paying huge fines for any violations. We would also love to encourage investors and residents to paint their premises and residential places to give the town a facelift.

SUPPLY OF CLEAN WATER & FLOODING

We are also keen on ensuring that there is clean and safe drinking water for all. We have established that the flooding that affects our people in Nyando, Muhoroni, Kisumu East and Nyakach are a result of rainwater from the neighbouring counties in the Rift Valley, especially Kericho. To mitigate the flooding menace, we have discovered an idea that will turn misfortune into a paradise moment. The Governor of Kericho has agreed to work with us in building a dam that will collect the rainwater before it gets to the flooding zones. This water will be stored for the purposes of irrigation, production of hydropower and even for our domestic consumption. We have also joined LVEMP in the environmental project of cleaning the rivers upstream. This is a way of reducing pollution into the lake. It will also ensure our water catchment is secure. Meanwhile, we have finalized plans with a Japanese organization to clean the water from Lake Victoria by building canals which, draw water from the Lake, cleans them up through a technology that they are advancing, distributing the water for domestic use, then purifying and returning the clean water into the Lake. So far, a site in Osiri, Nduru and Dunga have been identifies and approved. If the pilot project proves successful, we will roll it all over the county. We will increase the volume of water that is harvested from Kajulu so that is moves from 5% to 50% provider of water into the city of Kisumu. This will reduce the reliance on Lake water, which is very expensive to maintain, as the water must be pumped uphill before redistribution back into the city. Our ultimate plan is provide two lines of piped water. As is done in Israel, one pipe will be labeled blue and another red. The former will be safe drinking water and the later for irrigation. Again, you will be posted on the developments.

INSECURITY

To cub insecurity, we have completed our plans to provide Solar Street lighting for all the major streets in Kisumu. We will extend the program to the informal areas of settlements, including Manyatta and Nyalenda. Ultimately, what will curb insecurity is the provision of employment. We hope that the plans for agriculture, industrialization, technology and tourism will create enough wealth and employment for all members of the county.

Very soon we will be launching public sensitization program on these developments, which will show you how you too can jump on board. We want to incorporate every one, you included. If you have questions, please write to us at: admin@jackranguma.com. You may also post your concerns to the Complaints desks at the City Hall and at the Governor’s Office.

Thank you very much for your patience and support in all these. We look forward to great moments of positive interactions even as we forge ahead to build our County.See More

Kisumu’s Sh5.6b Power Project Ready

thepeople Kisumu’s Sh5.6b Power Project Ready

Sondu Miriu Phase two project which is awaiting official commissioning. Photo by Dickson odhiambo

By DICKSON ODHIAMBO
Wednesday, 8 May, 2013

When an idea was mooted to have the first ever electricity generating power project in West Nyakach Division of Kisumu County in 1998 the local community did not fully understand the benefits. To the local community who had not had electricity in their homes, the idea of constructing the project known as Sondu Miriu hydro power under the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen)was a godsend.

The Sondu Miriu hydropower Station Chief Engineer Alfred Abiero say the actual construction on the new project begun in mid 1998. Abiero says a number of things had to be done in order to pave way for the major civil works to be carried out under the supervision of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).
Upon the completion of the Sondu/ Miriu hydropower station in 2006, it begun operations in 2007 and in early 2009 the then Parliamentary Committee on Energy toured the area before immediate former President Mwai Kibaki commissioned it on July 24, of the same year. Since then the residents of the area at the nation at large have been enjoying power from the plant, which contributes 60 megawatts to the national grid.
Engineer Abiero says immediately after its commission, another idea was again mooted to have an additional hydroelectric power project just some few kilometers to the then newly commissioned power plant so as to help in the production of electricity using the water which were being released from the Sondu Miriu power station with an aim of minimising water waste.
“As part of the Sondu/ Miriu hydropower station, there is a new Power Plant that has been recently constructed under the second phase which is part and parcel of the Sondu Miriu as its cascades,” he says. Kengen Regional Manager in charge Western Kenya Hydros Frank Konuche says the new Sang’oro hydropower project in West Nyakach Division in Kisumu County is set to give an additional 21.2 megawatts to the national grid.
Konuche says the new hydroelectric power project, which has since been completed will give an additional 21.2 megawatts to the current 60 megawatts from Sondu Miriu hydroelectric power supply thus adding up to 81.2 Megawatts to the national grid. Speaking to Development Agenda, Konuche says the civil works and other major works’ have been completed hence awaiting official commissioning by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Konuche says the project which is phase two of the recently commissioned Sondu Mirui is currently tested and has started to generate electricity that is fed into the Sondu Mirui hydropower project transmission line for an onward use in the country. Konuche says the project has a run of- river type power station as one of the features.
Nipon Koea Construction Company from Japan won the tender for the construction of the Sh5.6 billion project funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency. The Sang’oro hydroelectric power project is the phase two of the Sondu Miriu hydroelectric, which is a 60 megawatts power plant. Engineer Konuche says the new power station has a small transmission line, which joins the Sondu Miriu one after which the power is now evacuated to Kisumu’s Mamboleo KenGen power sub-station.
The Chief Engineer of the Sondu Miriu hydro power project Alfred Abiero says apart from reconstruction of schools, they have also constructed water bore holes and 18 water kiosks to various residents within the two counties who resides within the jurisdiction of the power project, which is now benefitting a total of 31,500 people. He says that a total of Sh147 million has been used towards the water project to the locals as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.http://www.thepeople.co.ke/search.php

Gangsters on the prowl in Kisumu

 

 

The Standard
By Mangoa Mosota

  Armed gangsters have been terrorising Kisumu residents as insecurity escalates in the lakeside city

 

There have been several carjackings, robberies and rapes across the town in the recent past. In the last one month, more than ten people have been carjacked and some killed.
The goons force their victims to reveal their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) pin numbers before withdrawing money from their accounts.
Others have been maimed and robbed of their valuables at gunpoint. Two women were carjacked in the posh Milimani and gang raped. No arrest has been made so far.
A banker, 31, was shot in the head and died minutes later last weekend at Gudka Estate. Mr Syanaslaus Ndeto was closing the gate after a gang tried to access the home of his friend.
“They shot him (Ndeto) in the head. He struggled to walk into the house before collapsing on the sofa,” said David Muturi, a friend of Ndeto who was forced to undress by the thugs. Muturi was beaten up and ordered to put his head in a water closet.
He said about 15 people had converged at a friend’s house to console him after he lost a child. Muturi said the gunshots outside the compound made those in the house to scale a wall with broken pieces of glasses at the top. Many were injured.
Birthday present
When The Standard visited Ndeto’s house in Migosi, his partner was distraught.
“I am devastated and do not understand why they took my husband’s life,” said Penninah Mutindi, 24.
Mutindi, who works in Mombasa, does not know how to inform their son, Raymond, about the death. “Ray keeps asking about his father and when he will buy a bicycle he promised him for his birthday,” she said.

On the same weekend, two women were gang-raped after being hijacked from Milimani at around 7.30pm. The gang withdrew money from their accounts after forcing them to reveal their PIN numbers.
The women were outside the gate of a friend when two men on a motorcycle attacked them. The thugs’ accomplices joined them and they forced the women into the boot of their car.

The victims were abandoned at Nyamasaria, about five kilometres away.

Nyanza PCIO Joseph Mugwanja said some suspects have been identified over the rape incident, and they are following crucial leads. He said no arrests have been made on Ndeto’s killers, but investigations are ongoing.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000083179&story_title=Kenya

Kisumu to computerise revenue collection system

 the-star  BY JUSTUS OCHIENG

 

KISUMU county government is exploring the possibility of automating its revenue collection systems to prevent losses through tax collection.
Deputy governor Ruth Odinga yesterday said that the council will gain more with automation compared to the existing manual system. Officials are meeting with key revenue players to explore the possibility of computerising revenue collection systems in the county.
“This will significantly improve revenue collection because the automation will ensure accountability, reliability of data and embedded control mechanisms,” Ruth said.
She said the county government is committed to efficient service delivery. The deputy governor said that after an impromptu visit to some of the markets on a fact-finding mission, she found out that they are in poor conditions. She said they are striving to correct the situation.
“The problems encountered ranged from poor drainage systems, lack of proper sanitation, evasion by rate-payers, collusion between rate-payers and collectors and inadequate information on rate-payers,” she said. Other issues were forged receipting, duplication of receipts and diversion of funds.
Ruth attributed the inconsistency to lack of a comprehensive database on property, insufficient control systems in the collection chain and inadequate use of ICT.
Ruth said she has taken the “suspended the district revenue officer pending investigation into the alleged malpractice" after she inspected Awasi market.
http://the-star.co.ke/news/article-119441/kisumu-computerise-revenue-collection-system

 

NEWS One dead, 10 injured in Kisumu bus accident

One dead, 10 injured in Kisumu bus accident

 

nation By LILIAN OCHIENG’      

One person died and 10 others suffered serious injuries following a road accident at Awasi on the Kisumu-Nairobi road.

Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) West Kenya region assistant manager Emmanuel Owako said the victim's body was removed to the Ahero District Hospital Mortuary.

“The accident took place at around 5 am Tuesday morning and we responded immediately by carrying the victims to Ahero District Hospital, most had sustained head injuries, fractures on limbs and were later taken to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu for treatment”, Mr Owako told Nation.

The accident involved an Easy Coach bus travelling from Nairobi to Busia. The driver lost control on reaching Awasi.The bus had 35 passengers on board.

"The accident was heightened by the fact that the Awasi road is very steep and under construction and there was a heavy downpour at the time of the accident. This worked against the driver," Western region Easy Coach Operations Manager Samuel Nyakundi said.

Mr Nyakundi said the bus rolled several times and the injured were receiving treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.

“So far, I have been able to talk to one girl who sustained a fracture. The rest have been taken for surgery," said Mr Nyakundi.

Nyando police boss Elias Gitonga confirmed the accident saying that investigations had been launched.

“We cannot, of course, rule out the situation of the road and the heavy downpour, one sure thing is that there was no other vehicle involved in the accident, the driver just lost control," Mr Gitonga said.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/One-dead-10-injured-in-Kisumu-bus-accident-/-/1056/1844704/-/i3b78o/-/index.html

 

 

Kisumu Railway Transport Set For Revamp....

Kisumu Railway Transport Set For Revamp

The economic, social and political pillars of Kenya Vision 2030 are anchored on macroeconomic stability; continuity in governance reforms, enhanced equity and wealth creation opportunities for the poor.

Kisumu is set to benefit from the Vision 2030 master plan by the region revamp its railway networks that will connect with Kisumu International Airport. The development blueprint has proposed plans to reviv...e the defunct railway line in the next 100 days after this month which will unmask the potential of the city as a hub for business in the East African Community.

An efficient rail system will be developed connecting the ports of Lake Victoria that connect to the major East African cities for enhanced trade. 75 acres of prime land owned by the Kenya Railways Corporation have plans drawn for the revamp.

The project will provide direct rail link to a variety of commercial buildings & a business park for light manufacturing & assembly points. The project also intends to put up two hotels with conference facilities to accommodate 2,000 people, shopping arcades, malls and restaurants, business outsourcing park and an ultra-modern railway station.

The Kisumu railway project will boost tourism, with the establishment of a base for cruise tourism on L. Victoria and international water sports

  Current look of Kisumu Railway Station