REMARKS BY THE GOVERNOR, COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF KIRINYAGA H.

E JOSEPH NDATHI ON THE OCCASION TO MARK THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEVOLUTION DELIVERED TO THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY ASSEMBLY AT KERUGOYA TOWN ON 27TH MARCH 2014.

THE HON SPEAKER,

COUNTY ASSEMBLY OF KIRINYAGA,

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER,

MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERS,

THE HON MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I ADDRESS THIS DIGNIFIED ASSEMBLY AS WE REFLECT ON OUR SUCCESSES, CHALLENGES AND ISSUES THAT WE HAVE FACED A YEAR SINCE WE TOOK LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNTY. THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY IS AN IMPORTANT ARM OF THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY GOVERNMENT WITHOUT WHICH OUR SERVICES WOULD GRIND TO A HALT. THOUGH A YEAR IS A SHORT TIME TO JUDGE THE PERFORMANCE OF A GOVERNMENT OR AN ASSEMBLY, WE HAVE NEVERTHELESS A SHARE OF EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE MET SO FAR, WE HAVE A GOOD SHARE OF SUCCESSES AND WE HAVE ALSO LEARNT IMPORTANT LESSONS ALONG THE WAY. HON SPEAKER, YOU AGREE WITH ME WHEN WERE SWORN IN TO OFFICE, WE BEG AN FROM THE SCRATCH. IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, WE WERE ABLE TO ESTABLISH OFFICES AND SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ENABLED US TO OPERATE AS A GOVERNMENT. THESE INCLUDE, SECURING OFFICES, ESTABLISHING STATUTORY BODIES AND DEPARTMENTS, BUYING OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES , RECRUITING STAFF SO AS TO OPERATIONALISE THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THIS STILL REMAINS WORK IN PROGRESS. THE HON SPEAKER, I WILL BEGIN BY HIGHLIGHTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ISSUES FACED BY EACH MINISTRY.

I WILL START WITH THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES. THIS MINISTRY COMPRISES THE WATER SECTOR AND IRRIGATION, FORESTRY, ENERGY AND CLEANSING. OVER THE PAST ONE YEAR THE MINISTRY HAS REMARKABLE MILESTONES IN BOTH CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION. THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND IRRIGATION HAS 28 PROJECTS VALUED AT KSHS 95MILLION. THREE PROJECTS VALUED AT KSHS 10.5MILLION HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THESE ARE KENERA WATER PROJECT IN MURINDUKO WARD VALUED AT KSHS 7 MILLION, RUKANGA WATER PROJECT IN MUTITHI WARD VALUED AT KSHS 1 MILLION AND RIAMIATU WATER PROJECT IN KABARE WARD AT A COST OF KSHS 2.5 MILLION. THERE ARE 13 PROJECTS THAT ARE ONGOING WHILE 12 OTHER ARE UNDERGOING THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. ONE OF THE KEY CHALLENGE FACING THIS SECTOR IS THE LENGTHY PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND FURTHER CONSTRAINED BY THE QUARTERLY MODE OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDS DISBURSEMENT. THE HON SPEAKER, THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT HAS A DEVELOPMENT BUDGET OF KSHS 14.7 MILLION BUT HAS RECEIVED KSHS 10 MILLION WHICH HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO 18 PROJECTS ACROSS ALL THE WARDS IN THE COUNTY. THESE PROJECTS ARE: TREE PLANTING, PURCHASE OF SEEDLINGS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF FARM FORESTRY DEMONSTRATION PLOTS AMONG OTHERS. A KEY

CHALLENGE IN THIS DEPARTMENT IS THAT MOST OF THE FOREST ACTIVITIES ARE RAINFALL DEPENDENT AND FAIL TO TAKE OFF WHEN RAINS FAIL. THE HON SPEAKER, THE ENERGY SECTOR HAS A BUDGET OF KSHS 25 MILLION AND ONLY KSHS 9 MILLION HAS BEEN RELEASED SO FAR. THIS AMOUNT HAS BEEN CHANNELED TO CONSTRUCTION OF SIX HIGH MAST SECURITY LIGHTS AT KUTUS, MUTITHI, NGURUBANI, KAGIO, KIAN YAGA AND KANDONGU AND WHOSE PROCUREMENT IS UNDERWAY. A KEY CHALLENGE IN THIS SECTOR IS LACK OF TECHNICAL OFFICERS. THE CLEANSING SECTOR WHICH IS STILL PART OF THIS MINISTRY WAS ALLOCATED KSHS 8 MILLION FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND FOR A DUMPSITE AND KSHS 6.3 MILLION FOR WASTE COLLECTION AND PURCHASE OF AN EXHAUSTER. FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A DUMPSITE HAVE BEEN RELEASED AND THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS UNDERWAY. THE CHALLENGE IN THIS SECTOR HAS BEEN THAT DURING THE BUDGETING PROCESS, CLEANSING WAS OVERLOOKED AND THIS HAS RESULTED TO SERIOUS INEFFICIENCIES IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE COUNTY. THE HON SPEAKER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT GENERALLY RELATE TO THE MINISTRYS MANDATE BUT ARE HOWEVER LARGELY IN THE HANDS OF NON-DEVOLVED INSTITUTIONS. THESE INCLUDE MANAGEMENT OF GAZETTED FORESTS

(KENYA FOREST SERVICE), WATER RESOURCES (WATER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY), ENVIRONMENT ACTIVITIES, LICENSING AND REGULATION (NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY). THE HON SPEAKER, I WANT TO TURN TO THE MINISTRY OF COOPERATIVES, TRADE, TOURISM, INDUSTRY AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS A MINISTRY WITH A WIDE MANDATE. ON THE SIDE OF COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT THE MINISTRY HAS SEEN THE REGISTRATION OF SIX NEW SACCOS INCR EASING TOTAL MEMBERSHIP TO COOPERATIVES TO 300,000 PEOPLE. THROUGH THE COOPERATIVES OVER KSHS 16 BILLION HAS BEEN DISBURSED IN THE LAST ONE YEAR TO FINANCE VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES. IN THE RICE SUBSECTOR, THROUGH THE FARMERS COOPERATIVES OUR EXTENSION SERVICES HAVE SEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRONG BRAND OF PISHORI-KENYA SELECT DEVELOPED AND READY TO GO TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET. WE HAVE HELPED OVER 1,200 FARMERS AS MEMBERS OF COOPERATIVES TO PUT OVER 3,000 ACRES UNDER IRRIGATION AT A COST OF KSHS 181 MILLION SO FAR BEING A 50:50 COST SHARING BETWEEN THE COOPERATIVES AND THE DONOR THROUGH GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE WHICH THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER AS ONGOING PROJECT. WE HAVE ALSO BUILT CAPACITY FOR THE 79 ACTIVE COOPERATIVES WHICH HAVE ACTED AS INTERMEDIARIES FOR DISBURSEMENT OF YOUTH AND WOMEN FUNDS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

HON SPEAKER THE REASON THAT FARMERS ARE MAKING GOOD HARVEST IN RICE IS BECAUSE MY GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO KILL ABOUT 10 MILLION QUELEA QUELEA BIRDS THAT EAT RICE.

TURNING TO EDUCATION, KIRINYAGA HAS BECOME TO BE KNOWN AS BEACON OF SUCCESS IN PRIMARY EDUCATION THROUGH ITS CONTINUED EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE IN KCPE BUT THE SAME CANNOT BE SAID FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION. WE HAVE PUT MEASURES TO ADDRESS THIS AND OTHER CHALLENGES FACING BASIC EDUCATION WHICH INCLUDE ALLOCATION OF BURSARY FOR NEEDY SECONDARY STUDENTS WORTH KSHS. 50 MILLION. THREE COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN INDUCTED AND OFFICIALLY APPOINTED IN READINESS FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. IN MODERNIZATION OF PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION, WE HAVE SINCE LAUNCHED AN ELABORATE FREE PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION PROGRAMME; THE PROGRAMME HAVE SEEN: RECRUITMENT OF 359 TEACHERS, ROLLED-OUT TEACHING /LEARNING MATERIAL SUPPLY PROGRAMME WORTH KSHS.12MILLION AND FURNITURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WORTH 30 MILLION, INITIATED PROCUREMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF EXHAUSTIBLE TOILETS FOR 60 ECDE CENTERS AT A COST OF KSHS. 59MILLION AND OUT-DOOR PLAY FACILITIES WORTH KSHS 20 MILLION. ON OUR VILLAGE POLYTECHNIC TOTAL OF INITIAL KSHS 20 MILLION HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR ITS TRANSFORMATION TO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION

CENTRES. ABOVE ALL THIS WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE INTERIM COUNTY EDUCATION POLICIES AND THE DRAFT COUNTY EDUCATION BILL IS READY FOR STAKE HOLDERS REVIEW. THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IS THE LACK OF TECHNICAL STAFF DIRECTLY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THIS DEPARTMENT.

COMING TO DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC PLANNING, MARKETING AND ICT, WE NOTE THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED QUITE A LOT DESPITE THE TEETHING PROBLEMS. APART FROM MANAGING THE RESOURCES ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY THROUGH THE BUDGETARY PROCESS, THE MINISTRY HAS OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF US ENGAGING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FORTUNE SACCO AND ABC BANK HAS BEEN NURTURED WHERE MEMBERS WILL NOW GET CHEQUE CLEARING SERVI CES AND A TRADE FINANCE FACILITY OF KSHS 200M. THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT SUCCESSFULLY HELD A THREE DAY EXHIBITION AT THE KICC LAST YEAR AND AS A RESULT OF THIS THE KENYA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (KTDC) HAS IDENTIFIED INVESTORS KEEN TO INVEST IN THE COUN TY AND ALSO AGREED TO FUND LOCAL INVESTORS EXPAND THEIR TOURISM RELATED BUSINESSES. IN JANUARY, THE MINISTRY HOSTED A COUNTY PROFESSIONALS FORUM TO DELIBERATE ON HOW TO TAP THEIR POTENTIAL TOWARDS THE PREPARATIONS FOR AN INVESTORS CONFERENCE LATER IN THE YEAR.

THE COUNTY HAS MET ALL REGULATORY DEADLINES REQUIRED BY DIFFERENT LAWS. SOME OF THE CHALLENGES ARE IN LATE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS BY THE NATIONAL TREASURY AS WELL AS LEGAL AND REGULATORY GAPS. WE HAVE ALSO AUDITED THE FORMER LOCAL AUTHORITIES LIABILI TIES AND TRANSFER OF THE LIABILITIES TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR DEVOLUTION TRANSFERRED THE DEVOLVED STAFF PAYROLL BUT IT HAD VARIOUS ANOMALIES, LIKE INCOMPLETE DATA, OMISSION STAFF PAYROLL SCHEDULES AND INACCURATE PAYROLL DATA. THE SE ISSUES HAVE LED TO DELAYS IN DISBURSEMENT OF SALARIES TO STAFF. THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO FACED OPERATIONAL AND CAPACITY CHALLENGES IN ABSORBING THE TRANSFER OF 1,294 STAFF FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. HON SPEAKER IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE TOTA L WAGE BILL FOR THE STAFF IN THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS AMOUNTS TO KSHS 864 MILLION WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2013/14 BUDGET. THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY PROVIDED KSHS 216 MILLION DURING THE SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET WHICH WAS USED TO PAY SALARIES FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2014. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THIS ASSEMBLY APPROVES THE REMAINING KSHS 648 MILLION TO PAY SALARIES FOR THE REMAINING PART OF THE YEAR TO ENSURE CONTINUITY IN PROVISION OF SERVICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMMES.

IN ORDER TO STREAMLINE AN D INCREASE REVENUE COLLECTION THE KIRINYAGA COUNTY FINANCE ACT WAS GAZETTED ON FRIDAY 21/03/2014 AND IS NOW IN FORCE AND THE MINISTRY HAS ALSO FINALIZED THE PROCESS FOR RECOVERY OF KSHS 229 MILLION ARREARS FOR RATES AND PLOTS RENTS DUE TO DEFUNCT COUNCILS. THE HON SPEAKER, THE MINISTRY OF GENDER, CULTURE, SOCIAL SERVICES, CHILDREN AND SPORTS IS CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILTY OF CAPACITY BUILDING TO ENSURE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. IT HAS THUS TRAINED WOMEN, MEN, YOUTH AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, FINANCIAL LITERATURE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, DRUG ABUSE GENDER MAINSTREAMING AND CIVIC EDUCATION. MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED TO YOUTH BETWEEN 13 AND 25 YEARS ON BEHAVIOR CHANGE AND LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. FORTY THREE (43) SCHOOLS WERE COVERED AND 2,100 YOUTHS IN THE COUNTY REACHED, TALENT ACADEMY LAND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS WELL AS EQUIPPING TWO YOUTH EMPOWERMENT CENTRES. YOUTH LINKED TO THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND FORTY YOUTH SECURED EMPLOYMENT. IN SPORT FOUR FIELDS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED. DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPORTS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT, ATHLETICS, CROSS COUNTY AND MARATHON. PLANS UNDERWAY TO BUY SPORTS EQUIPMENT. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED IN THE COUNTY. THE ALCOHOL BILL HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO FIGHT

EXCESSIVE CONSU MPTION OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE. TURNING TO THE MINISTRY OF LANDS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, LAND REMAINS AN EMOTIVE ISSUE AND IT REQUIRES TO BE HANDLED IN A CAREFUL MANNER SO AS TO BRING HARMONY AND PEACEFUL CO -EXISTENCE. IN THE PAST YEAR, THE MINISTRY HAS UNDERTAKEN TO VERIFY THE ASSETS THAT BELONGED TO THE DEFUNCT COUNTY COUNCIL OF KIRINYAGA AND VARIOUS TOWN COUNCILS. THIS IS IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY LAND WHICH WAS IRREGULARLY AND ILLEGALLY ALLOCATED TO INDIVIDUALS ON PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY LAN D. WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE RELEVANT MECHANISMS FOR DEVELOPMENT CONTROL. WE HAVE ALSO IDENTIFIED KUTUS, WANGURU, KIANYAGA, KAGIO, SAGANA AND KIBINGOTI AS THE FASTEST GROWING TOWNS IN COUNTY AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THEM. REC ONNAISSANCE SURVEYS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT. THE MINISTRY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION BOARD WILL ENSURE THE RESETTLEMENT OF PERSONS BEING DISPLACED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIBA DAM IN KABARE AREA. THE MINISTRY HAS IDENTIFIED A PARCEL OF LAND MORE THAN TWO ACRES THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTY HEADQUARTERS. ISSUANCE OF TITLES REMAINS A THORNY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IN MWEA. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS TO FINALITY IN ORDER TO SATISFY THE LAND OWNERS WHO HAVE

BEEN SQUATTERS AND TENANTS ON THE LAND THEY OCCUPY. SOUTH NGARIAMA LAND IS ACTIVELY BEING ADDRESSED AND WE HOPE IT WILL BE RESOLVED AMICABLY. IN ITS MISSION TO DEVELOP AN INNOVATIVE, COMMERCIALLY ORIENTED AND MODERN AGRICULTURE, THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE , LIVESTOCK, VETERINARY AND FISHERIES HAS DRAFTED SEVEN BILLS THAT WILL REVOLUTIONILISE AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTY. THE HON SPEAKER I WANT TO INFORM OF THAT IN TERMS OF AGRICULTURE WE ARE THE LEADING COUNTY KENYA. WE ARE NUMBER ONE IN BANANA, FRENCH BEANS, RICE AND TOMATO PRODUCTION, WE ARE NUMBER THREE IN COFFEE PRODUCTION AND NUMBER FOUR IN TEA PRODUCTION. THE MINISTRY HAS MADE SEVERAL INTERVENTIONS TO HELP OUR FARMERS INCREASE CROP PRODUCTION WHICH INCLUDE SUPPLY OF SUBSIDIZED FERTILIZER AND HIGH QUALITY SEEDS FOR PLANTING DURING THIS RAINY SEASON. SO FAR FERTILIZER WORTH KSHS 50 MILLION HAS BEEN DISBURSED TO FARMERS AND 6,000KGS OF MAIZE SEEDS HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FROM KARI AND DISTRIBUTED TO FARMERS WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE OF SHORT RAINS. TO PROMOTE FISH PRODUCTION WE HAVE EXCAVATED 20 FISH PONDS AND STOCKED 14 OF THEM FREE OF CHARGE AND ACQUIRED 18 FREEZERS AND MOUNTED A FISH EATING CAMPAIGN. IN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

WE HAVE CARRIED OUT A DISEASE CONTROL CAMPAIGN THAT REACHED 100,000 ANIMALS. TURNING TO THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, I WISH TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE ACQUIRED TWO GRADERS AT A COST OF KSHS 31 MILLION, THREE TRUCKS AT A COST OF KSHS 17.1 MILLION AND REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF VARIOUS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT COST KSHS 3 MILLION. ON IMPROVEM ENT OF ROADS, THE KUTUS -KIANYAGA, AND KAGUMO KANGAITA ROADS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED AT A COST OF KSHS 18 MILLION EACH. THE HON SPEAKER, WE HAVE ALSO DONE THREE FOOT BRIDGES AT A COST OF KSHS 5.5 MILLION AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING 170 CULVERTS AT A COST OF KSHS 4.7 MILLION. WE ARE ALSO IMPROVING KERUGOYA MARKET AT A COST OF KSHS 6.5 MILLION FOR PHASE ONE BY INSTALLING CABRO BLOCKS AND KIANYAGA AT A COST OF SHS 3 MILLION. THE MINISTRY IS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING FLOODLIGHTS IN KUTUS, KAGIO, MAKUTANO AND KIANYAGA TOWNS AT A COST OF KSHS 6 MILLION. THE HON SPEAKER, WE ARE ABOUT TO COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN PUBLIC TOILETS IN KAGIO, SAGANA, BARICHO AND KIANYAGA TOWNS AT A COST OF KSHS 4.8 MILLION. ON HEALTH SERVICES, WE ARE WORKING HARD TO ENSURE THAT OUR HEALTH FACILITIES ARE FULLY EQUIPPED WITH ENOUGH SUPPLIES OF DRUGS AND

MEDICINE. LAST WEEK I FLAGGED OFF THE DISTRIBUTION OF DRUGS WORTH KSHS 19.3 MILLION TO ALL HEALTH FACILITIES.

THE HEALTH SECTOR HAS DEVELOPED A FIVE -YEAR STRATEGIC AND INVESTMENT PLAN, THE HEALTH BILL, THE COUNTY HEALTH SECTOR PARTNERSHIP POLICY, THE HEALTH SERVICES GUIDELINES AND HEALTH REFERRAL STRATEGY POLICY WHICH WILL GUIDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS IN THE COUNTY. YESTERDAY, I LAUNCHED A KSHS 165 MILLION HEALTH SERVICES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME COVERING 40 PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTY. WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT SAGANA, KIMBIMBI, KIANYAGA ARE UPGRADED TO LEVEL 4 HOSPITALS WHILE KERUGOYA HOSPITAL IS UPGRADED TO LEVEL 5 TO BETTER IMPROVE HEALTH SERVICES. THE SECTOR AT THE ADVANCED STAGES OF ACQUIRING ASSORTED EQUIPMENT AND AMBULANCES AS A MEASURE TO STRENGTHEN THEN REFERRAL SYSTEM. THE CHALLENGES INCLUDE SHORTAGE OF STAFF, WEAK REFERRAL SYSTEM, IN ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE IN TERMS OF BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES OF DELAY OF SALARIES FOR HEALTH WORKERS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCASIONED BY FAILURE OF THE INTEGRATED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IFMS) WHICH IS MANNED BY

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. GOVERNMENT IS NOT TO BLAME.

THE

COUNTY

HON SPEAKER, SECURITY HAS BEEN A BIG CONCERN TO MY GOVERNMENT. THOUGH THIS IS NOT A DEVOLVED FUNCTION, AS IT REMAINS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE NEVERTHELESS COME IN STRONGLY TO ASSIST THE POLICE TO OPERATE MORE EFFECTIVELY. THIS HAS BEEN DONE THROUGH PROVISION OF TWO MOTOR VEHICLES AND FUEL TO ENHANCE PATROLS. WE HAVE ALSO ENGAGED CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY SECURITY TEAM, THIS HAS HELPED REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME. IN CONCLUSION MADAM SPEAKER, THE FACT THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY MAR KING THIS DAY, IS IN ITSELF A BIG ACHIEVEMENT. WE HAVE WALKED THIS DEVOLUTION JOURNEY TOGETHER, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A NEW THING TO ALL OF US. MY REQUEST IS THAT WE REMAIN UNITED AS WE PROGRESS.

LONG LIVE KIRINYAGA, LONG LIVE DEVOLUTION. THANK YOU, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.