Unlicensed bars and those operating in residential areas to be closed down, Waiguru says
Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru has said that the county government will close down all unlicensed bars as well as those operating in residential areas. Waiguru spoke today when she led thousands of Kirinyaga residents in marking Jamhuri Day at Kamiigua Youth Polytechnic in Kutus. She said that the one year relief that the county government had extended to cushion businesses, including bars, against Covid-19 had expired and it is time for them to honor their part of the bargain and pay taxes. She noted that in the last three years, the county government had lost Ksh. 100 million from unpaid liquor licenses levies, urging that bar owners must pay up their unpaid levies if they do not want to be caught up with a crackdown that will be launched next week to enforce the same.
Her calls were supported by the County Commissioner, Moses Ivuto, who said that police will work with the county government to close the unlawful bars, noting that a major crackdown on the same was in the offing. At the same time, Governor Waiguru said that all building constructions must adhere to the set standards and regulations, including approvals from the county architect. “We do not want to have cases of buildings collapsing as we have seen in some other counties and as such any building that will be found non-compliant will be demolished”, she said.
The celebrations brought together senior County and National Government officials including the County Commissioner Moses Ivuto, Deputy Governor David Githanda, and Speaker of the County Assembly Murimi Muteti and Members of the County Assembly. Waiguru said that Jamhuri Day was aimed at celebrating and honoring men and women who bravely laid down their lives, sacrificed their families, their livelihoods and their valuables for Kenya’s liberation. “On this day we also celebrate our present-day heroes and heroines, the young men and women who in their own innovative ways devise means of solving various life’s challenges. Like the young man manufacturing phone chargers right here in our county in Kiangwaci. The Mpesa operator in Mwea who innovated a money sanitizing gadget at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, among other innovators.” Said the governor.
She said that to honor such heroes, Kenyans are called upon to build on the foundation they laid for a prosperous nation and make Kenya the pride of the current and future generations. She added that the day’s theme, Innovation and Technology, was a reminder that the independence being celebrated would not have any meaning if people remained enslaved to the old ways of thinking, doing things and solving problems. She stressed on the need to adopt innovative ways that resonate with today’s generation and help in solving the modern day challenges. Waiguru who is also the Council of Governor’s Chairperson, said that Kirinyaga County Government has achieved many milestones in application of modern technology and innovation in implementation of development projects and programs.
In health sector, she said that besides massive infrastructure development, the county has put up a Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) at Kerugoya Hospital, a system that is going to be replicated in other health facilities. The HMIS, she said, will help the hospitals run more effectively and efficiently and enhance transparency and accountability especially in management of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical stocks. She also noted that the upcoming Kerugoya County Referral Hospital has incorporated the latest building and operational technology as well as use of green energy. “We have also ensured that provision of services such as dialysis, CT Scans, ophthalmology, laboratory, radiology and TB services employ modern technology for accurate and speedy diagnosis and treatment”. She said.
To boost the county’s agriculture, Waiguru said that the county was using technology smart approach to boost production and productivity, noting that through Wezesha farmers groups have been assisted to increase production in poultry, tomatoes, avocados, dairy, and fish farming as well as beekeeping and pig rearing. “In line with application of cost effective innovative technologies, we have also established an animal feeds factory and given out on-farm feeds production equipment to selected farmers’ groups to enable them access affordable and quality guaranteed animal feeds.
She added that the county is also supporting farmers to upgrade their dairy cattle to high yielding breeds for increased milk production and also supporting dairy cooperatives to install milk value addition equipment such as yoghurt making machines. “Our tomato farmers have always decried post-harvest loses. We are in the process of building a tomato factory that will enable them add value to their produce. In the near future you will be having tomato sauce made in Kirinyaga, from the farm, to the factory, to your table”, the governor told the audience.
Waiguru added that her administration is also supporting coffee factories to install modern eco-pulping machines, metallic coffee drying beds, solar powered conditioning bins and modern coffee seedlings nurseries. She noted that such technological innovations would increase efficiency and cut the cost of production thus increasing earnings for the farmers. She also said that that the county government will be constructing a husks factory that will utilized agricultural by-products such as rice husks to manufacture furniture boards.
The governor also talked of refurbishing the youth polytechnics by equipping them with ultra-modern equipment and establishment of ICT departments to enable them offer high quality training to the youth. “The role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in technology and innovation cannot be gainsaid. Many of our enterprises are created from ideas and innovations incubated at the TVET institutions, just like envisioned by the Bottom-Up economic model.”
Waiguru noted that the county has automated revenue collection which is expected to improve collection from the current 60% to 90% adding that the county has created a digital data base for all structured revenue sources such as land and properties.
On climate change mitigation, the COG Chair said that Kirinyaga will be planting six million trees in line with President Ruto’s five billion trees initiative, calling on the county residents to strive to plant at least 100 trees each.
