By Samson Wire
The Nyalore administration, under the leadership of Governor James Orengo, today signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lwala Community Alliance to address key community health challenges in Siaya County. Lwala Community Alliance is a Kenyan-based, Kenyan-founded non-governmental organization rooted in the communities it serves. It focuses on improving health outcomes, addressing emerging challenges, and breaking cycles of inequity. The organization was initially founded by brothers Milton and Fred Ochieng, who donated land to establish the community's first hospital. Its primary purpose at inception was to combat high maternal mortality rates, HIV/AIDS prevalence, and health inequalities. According to Lwala's 2024 annual report, the organization has supported 97% skilled birth attendance (deliveries), trained and equipped over 8,300 professional community health workers, empowered 689 community health groups to drive change, and benefited 940 health facilities through training on obstetric care and hemorrhage management.
In today's agreement, Governor Orengo secured an annual healthcare financing commitment of KSh 150 million from the partnership. These funds will support training and equipping of Community Health Promoters, upgrading to healthcare facilities, staffing in the health sector, and maternal referrals for vulnerable mothers and newborns. Governor Orengo's 9-Point Agenda prioritizes high standards of universal healthcare, facility upgrades, and quality access for Siaya residents through strengthened partnerships, collaborations, and supportive budgetary provisions for the sector.
To align with these goals, the County Government has implemented comprehensive and achievable measures to enhance service delivery, improve facilities, increase the doctor-to-nurse ratio, and modernize existing health infrastructure with key additional features. These efforts are evident at Ukwala Sub-County Hospital, where officials inspected a newly added modern maternity theatre and eye clinic last year. Similarly, Siaya County Referral Hospital now features an expanded emergency and accident casualty unit with ample treatment rooms, an additional maternity wing, and a standby oxygen support system.
The Nyalore administration has also made significant improvements at Boro Health Centre by adding treatment rooms. At Urenga and Sigomere Health Centres, additional health officers and caesarean-capable doctors have been recruited to improve service delivery. In the last financial year, Bondo Sub-County Hospital received a major boost through medical supplies worth millions of shillings supplied by the administration.
The high-level signing ceremony was attended by County Secretary Joseph Ogutu, various County Executive Committee Members including CS Agunda Ochanda (Governance, Administration and ICT), Dr. Edgar Otumba (Education, Gender, Youth Affairs and Sports), and Prof. Jacqueline Oduol (Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources).
Also present were Chief Officer for Environment Mr. Michael Oliech, Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Dr. Samuel Omondi, Chief of Staff Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, and other dignitaries.