It was awaited patiently. Hope showed on many young people's faces in town. The opening of the mega retail outlet had been expected to provide many job opportunities short of the Uhuru Economic stimulus. But that was never to be. The doors opened and ......fwallaa, workers were part of the stock !
Neither did the business people have anything to smile about in terms of retail space. Nakumat came along with their Nairobi big boys- the chemist, bookshop, phone shop, opticians, pit stop car service, shoe shop. All made and bred in Nairobi. Welcome to Kakamega.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Economic Stimulus Programme: How have we fared ?
The economic stimulus programme, in the words of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Uhuru Kenyatta, was mooted and eventually drawn up, as a short term, high intensity, high impact programme, aimed at investing resources in the short term, in projects with both short term and long term benefits.
That indeed is powerful. The government developed this dream some time in September of 2009. In a bold move, it hoped to boost the county's economic recovery and return the economy back to the envisioned medium term growth path. This, it claimed would also provide long term solutions to the challenges of food security. Economic opportunities in rural areas for employment creation would also come along. Infrastructure, quality of education and healthcare were not to be forgotten. A magical pill, this ESP. And the implementation period ? Of course six months !
So, what were the projects ?
Reconstruct ( upgrade) two primary schools in 210 constituencies.
Reconstruct to upgrade to National level one school in 200 constituencies.
Recruit 50 primary school teachers in 210 constituencies.
Recruit 10 secondary school teachers in 210 constituencies.
Establish a Ksh.60,000 tree fund in 210 constituencies.
Purchase one mobile digital laboratory in 210 constituencies.
Construct one maternity, children ward in 200 constituencies.
Recruit 20 nurses in each of the 210 constituencies.
Purchase 5 motorcycles for preventive health services in each constituency
Purchase 20 bicycles for community health workers in each constituency.
Construct 200 fish ponds in 140 constituencies
Construct a prototype fresh produce market in 180 constituencies.
Construct a jua kali shed in each constituency complete with welding and fabrication equipment.
This is not a made up wish list. Real projects with real money disbursed or yet to be disbursed to the tune of 22 billion. I can not talk for other constituencies, but does any one out there know what's happening in Lurambi ? I unreliably learn that for the super maternity, chidren ward, Elwesero a few kilometers from the provincial hospital is 'the peoples' choice'. For the model National school ? Kakamega High, a stone throw away from the Elwesero project grabbed the price. Of course the jua kali sheds must be in Kakamega town. I also learn that an eminent panel of distinguished Lurambians sit on the Constituency Stimulus Project Management Committee ( SPMC). In their wisdom they have selected the sites. We may not question, we are only asking to be informed where they are and how far they have gone.
That indeed is powerful. The government developed this dream some time in September of 2009. In a bold move, it hoped to boost the county's economic recovery and return the economy back to the envisioned medium term growth path. This, it claimed would also provide long term solutions to the challenges of food security. Economic opportunities in rural areas for employment creation would also come along. Infrastructure, quality of education and healthcare were not to be forgotten. A magical pill, this ESP. And the implementation period ? Of course six months !
So, what were the projects ?
Reconstruct ( upgrade) two primary schools in 210 constituencies.
Reconstruct to upgrade to National level one school in 200 constituencies.
Recruit 50 primary school teachers in 210 constituencies.
Recruit 10 secondary school teachers in 210 constituencies.
Establish a Ksh.60,000 tree fund in 210 constituencies.
Purchase one mobile digital laboratory in 210 constituencies.
Construct one maternity, children ward in 200 constituencies.
Recruit 20 nurses in each of the 210 constituencies.
Purchase 5 motorcycles for preventive health services in each constituency
Purchase 20 bicycles for community health workers in each constituency.
Construct 200 fish ponds in 140 constituencies
Construct a prototype fresh produce market in 180 constituencies.
Construct a jua kali shed in each constituency complete with welding and fabrication equipment.
This is not a made up wish list. Real projects with real money disbursed or yet to be disbursed to the tune of 22 billion. I can not talk for other constituencies, but does any one out there know what's happening in Lurambi ? I unreliably learn that for the super maternity, chidren ward, Elwesero a few kilometers from the provincial hospital is 'the peoples' choice'. For the model National school ? Kakamega High, a stone throw away from the Elwesero project grabbed the price. Of course the jua kali sheds must be in Kakamega town. I also learn that an eminent panel of distinguished Lurambians sit on the Constituency Stimulus Project Management Committee ( SPMC). In their wisdom they have selected the sites. We may not question, we are only asking to be informed where they are and how far they have gone.
The Big Question
Are you for 2 or 3 Constituencies to be created out of the larger current Lurambi ? Facts: 1. Projected 2010 population - 330,000 2. Administrative divisions - 3 ( Lurambi aka Butsotso,Kakamega Municipality and Navakholo aka Bunyala) 3. Kakamega is the Provincial Headquarters therefore highly urban. 4. Registered Voters - 107,000 5. Polling Stations - 137
For an up-to date map of the Constituency map you may contact Alka Express Agencies on + 254 722693648. To make an informed decision, see the criteria set by the IIEC for subdivision of constituencies below:
1. Density of population, and in particular the need to ensure adequate representation of urban and sparsely populated rural areas.
2. Population trends. This addresses the shifting of people from one constituency to another, rural urban migration and population growth.
3. Means of communication
4.Geographical features
5. Community interest
Kakamega town is likely to experience an upsurge of population due to rural urban migration given it's likely new status within a devolved government. And for Community interests, Batsotsos are completely distinct from the Banyalas. Be it language, culture or socio-economic status.
We shall be informing you which side the prominent Lurambians are taking. Have your say.
For an up-to date map of the Constituency map you may contact Alka Express Agencies on + 254 722693648. To make an informed decision, see the criteria set by the IIEC for subdivision of constituencies below:
1. Density of population, and in particular the need to ensure adequate representation of urban and sparsely populated rural areas.
2. Population trends. This addresses the shifting of people from one constituency to another, rural urban migration and population growth.
3. Means of communication
4.Geographical features
5. Community interest
Kakamega town is likely to experience an upsurge of population due to rural urban migration given it's likely new status within a devolved government. And for Community interests, Batsotsos are completely distinct from the Banyalas. Be it language, culture or socio-economic status.
We shall be informing you which side the prominent Lurambians are taking. Have your say.
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