The County Government of Siaya welcomed the World Bank's Financing Locally-Led Financing Action (FLLoCA) national officials, during which Governor James Orengo conveyed his appreciation for the 22 projects that Siaya stands to gain from the partnership, particularly in the areas of climate change, water, agriculture, environment, and other crucial sectors.
Governor Orengo termed the courtesy call by the team a success, saying it was going to be a boost to the county residents and promising full action and compliance from the county government technical team. The Governor reiterated that he has implemented strategies and mechanisms to leverage the benefits, particularly for FLLoCA and related partners.
Some of the notable projects undertaken by FLLoCA across the county include:
- Promotion of goat meat farming in South Sakwa Ward at a cost of Ksh. 3.2M
- Establishment of 15 tree-nurseries in 15 wards
- Drilling and equipping of a borehole with Solar Power at Gagra Secondary at a cost of Ksh. 5M
- Expansion of rice farming for improved livelihood in Usonga Ward, Ksh. 52M
- Rehabilitation and Protection of Siga River Water Catchment area at a cost of Ksh 6.6M
- Drilling and solarization of a borehole in Mwer High School in West Alego Ward at a cost of 5.5M
- Promotion of Hass Avocado farming in East Ugenya Ward at a cost of Ksh. 5M
- Pipeline extension and borehole maintenance of Ndira in North Sakwa Ward costing Ksh. 6.5M
- Rehabilitation of Nyagoko Water Pan and installation water treatment plant at Ksh. 17.8M
- East Yimbo, Cage fish farming in the lake at Ksh. 5.1M
- Gem, integrated fish farming in Tatro, Yala township ward at Ksh. 5.2M
In the meeting, Gov. Orengo was flanked by top county officials led by CECM for Governance, Administration, and ICT CS Agunda Ochanda, his counterpart for Water, Environment, Irrigation, Climate Change, and Natural Resources Prof. Jacquiline Oduol, her Chief Officer Mr. Michael Oliech Ombambo, Director of Environment and Climate Change Mr. Gabriel Oduong', his counterpart for Public Communications Mr. Chrispine Omondi, and officials from NEMA.
The meeting reviewed the status of the ongoing and planned projects by FLLoCA throughout the county, which have a cumulative value of Ksh. 168 million. The county government, through its technical team, also had the opportunity to showcase some of the emergency interventions they have successfully implemented in response to the county's climate effects.
According to the CECM in charge of Water Environment, Irrigation, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Prof. Jacquiline Oduol, the partnership is a vital opportunity and confirmation of positive/good will in the leadership of Governor James Orengo, adding that the choice of Siaya reaffirms the donor community’s faith in Orengo’s administration. She added that the projects belong to the people and applauded the Siaya citizenry for the positive gesture so far displayed.
‘Our people wrote these proposals, and we are ready to support them. All ideas will be based on the community,’ reaffirmed Prof. Oduol.
On his part, the Chief Officer Environment, Water, Climate Change, Irrigation, and Natural Resources, Mr. Michael Oliech, thanked Governor Orengo for putting money into project feasibility and infrastructure and was upbeat that the FLLoCA and Nyalore Administration have been very positive about the project from the beginning.
“The county government has allocated 40% of its resources, 20% for agriculture and the other 20% for water,” said Mr. Oliech. “We have covered 30 wards. We have already done 18 wards; the remaining 12 are in the process. We have already awarded tenders. We expect the project to commence immediately,” added the Chief Officer. He further expressed his optimism that the community will soon begin to benefit immensely from investments.
The team visited the Integrated Fish Farming Project in Tatro Primary School in Anyiko, Yala Township Ward. The project has 30 fish ponds occupying 3-acre land belonging to the school. This project seeks to benefit over 2600 residents of the area, including community members who are part of the implementers. The project will improve food security and offer nutritional needs, especially to the school's children.
The Director of Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Gabriel Oduong, reaffirmed their readiness to roll out the project with technical teams comprising environmental experts and engineers, among others, already put in place to monitor and evaluate the project daily. Mr. Oduong further stated that the contractor will undergo community sensitization and accountability to ensure complete compliance. The director further stated that they have forged partnerships with fish farmers' SACCOs in Yala Township Ward to guarantee proper storage of fish after they leave the farms, a process that continues until they reach the market.
The FLLoCA and World Bank teams were led by Mr. Peter Odhengo, Program Coordinator FLLoCA; Abraham Barsosio, Program Manager-County Coordination; Mr. Muratha Kinuthia, World Bank's Senior Social Development Specialist; task team leader FLLoCA Mrs. Priscillah Wanjiku; Senior Water Specialist; and other technical officers. The FLLoCA coordinator, Peter Odhengo, advised project community leaders drawn from the local groups to ensure total compliance to secure funding. The funds, he noted, are meant for the old and the young in the community, hence the need for prudent use. He also reminded the local caretaker teams involved in these projects to guarantee public participation and include all residents in all activities. World Bank officials, on their part, urged the groups to take care of the funds and to ensure the intended purposes are achieved so that the community affected benefits immensely for the betterment.
To comply with FLLoCA's strict requirements, the County Government of Siaya has acquired a toll-free line for public feedback and complaints, particularly regarding the progress of ongoing projects.
Today’s meeting with Siaya County officials and later site visits is a precursor to the annual performance assessment that is coming up in January 2025. The partnership between FLLoCA and the County Government of Siaya reaffirms Gov. Orengo's commitment to forge meaningful and strategic collaborations with key players in delivering on his pledges to the residents of Siaya.
Nyalore Manifesto Agenda II: Enhancing Agricultural Potential &Food Security