A multi-sectoral team has been established in Turkana County to address the aftermath of floods that caused significant suffering to local residents.
The team, consisting of partners and government sector players, aims to strengthen community engagements and develop a comprehensive strategy to manage the floods’ effects.
The team will focus on improving water drainage systems, clearing blocked drainage, repairing damaged culverts, and implementing sustainable drainage solutions.
The meeting resolved to provide relief food and non-food items to flood victims, while the County Executive warned against living in flood-prone areas and advised relocation to safer areas.
The County Executive for Water Services, Patrick Losike, stated that efforts are underway to fix borehole 9 and ensure consistent water supply in Lodwar Municipality.
CECM for Lands, Peter Akono, appreciated the team’s strategic plan and emphasised the need to set aside land for displaced victims.
Kisumu Woman Representative, Ruth Odinga, has disbursed cheques worth over Sh2 million from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) to over 40 women groups in the county.
The State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe presided over the handover, marking a milestone in empowering women, youths, and people with disabilities in the region.
The grant funds are part of financial support released by the national government through the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action for the socio-economic empowerment of affirmative action groups.
The grants target groups engaging in value-added practices, such as agricultural products, manufacturing, and assembly.
The beneficiaries from Kondele, Migosi, and Kaloleni/Shauri Moyo and Railways wards were awarded cheques valued at Sh50,000 to 100,000 per group.
The Mpesa Foundation, in partnership with Zuri Health and the Machakos County Government, has held a free medical camp in Vota, Machakos, attracting nearly 5,000 residents.
The camp offered a range of medical services, including child health and malnutrition screening, reproductive and sexual health, eye care, dental care, breast cancer screening, blood pressure and blood sugar screening, fistula screening, and general doctor consultations.
Henry Kilonzo, Senior Manager of Foundation Programmes, stated that the foundation has invested Sh80 million for the programme to be rolled out across the counties.
The medical camps through Zuri Health integrate technology and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency.
A consortium of single mothers, persons with disabilities (PLWDs), and youth have partnered to enhance the government tree-growing initiative in Dongu Kundu.
The mangrove ecosystem in the area was severely impacted by the construction of the Sh22 billion Dongo Kundu bypass, which includes bridges, a viaduct, and the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on 3000-acre land.
The environmentalists, including Faith Mureithi, Chairlady Nyumba ya Mumbi Women Dancers, have heeded President Ruto’s call for organisations to join hands with the government in tree-growing.
The groups aim to plant 10,000 trees by the end of the year, making the county beautiful.
Josphat Msungu, Representative of PWDs, underscored the importance of tree growing for the local community, as they rely on trees for their survival and are vulnerable to skin cancer.
The Kenya National Highway Authority contracted the group to plant trees along the Dongo Kundu bypass.
HIV-positive mothers are encouraged to continue taking antiretroviral drugs to protect their children from HIV and AIDS.
The Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme at Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH) has graduated 58 HIV-exposed infants, with a 96.6% success rate.
However, only two out of 58 children tested positive for HIV, resulting in a 3.4% positivity rate below the national recommended rate of under 5%.
The Chief Officer for Preventive and Promoter Services, Cathra Abdi, advised mothers to complete the programme and encourage others to participate, while also advising them to stop consuming alcohol, as it is a leading cause of non-adherence to antiretroviral treatment.
Dr. Bonventure Ameyo, Director for Preventive and Promotive Services, emphasised the importance of mother mentors in the PMTCT programme.
Deputy Director for Partnership, Nancy Kinyonge, requested partners to collaborate with the county health department to enhance the quality of HIV Testing Services (HTS) in other facilities.
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