LOVE FOR THE ELDERLY SELLS GOVERNOR MARTIN WAMBORA AS A NOBLE AND CHARISMATIC LEADER

The elderly were given special space. Top: Governor Wambora chats with one of the eldest women in Embu County.

Embu Governor H.E Martin Wambora, on Mashujaa Day, 20th October, 2016 showed traits of nobility when he took his time to chat with 'akina Cucu', a deed that has brought him out as caring and compassionate. This was in complete contrast to his co-aspirants, who have exhibited themselves as hatemongers and inciters to violence.


At the event, the incumbent also gave a moving speech on the achievements of Embu County Government, under his watch.

Here is the full speech, for the benefit of them that did not have the opportunity to hear him out:

SPEECH BY H.E. MARTIN N. WAMBORA, THE GOVERNOR OF EMBU COUNTY DURING THE EIGHTH MASHUJAA DAY, 20TH OCTOBER, 2016, KAIRURI GROUNDS.

>Honourable Members of The National Assembly,
>Honourable Members of the County Assembly,
>Members of the County Executive,
>The Deputy County Commissioner,
>Members of the Judiciary,
>Members of the Security Personnel,
>Religious Leaders,
>Invited Guests,
>Members of the Press, ladies and gentlemen – I greet you all. Bwana Asifiwe.

I am indeed honoured to preside over this auspicious occasion to remember and celebrate our national and local heroes who fought hard against the injustice and oppressive rules of the colonial masters. I want to thank you all for turning up to pay tribute to the courageous men and women who fought for our country’s independence.

This is one of the most important days in our Kenyan calendar. Therefore, as we celebrate, let us reflect on the sacrifice and acts of heroism of many Kenyans whose vision and conviction won us freedom and sovereignty. As we all may know, colonialism had stripped our forefathers and mothers of their fundamental rights.

Today, we honor our forefathers who waged a struggle of conviction and principle. Their gallant struggle gave us independence and dignity.

Embu County played a key role in liberating Kenya from the yoke of colonialism. Our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives and were ready to die for Kenya. General Kubu Kubu was the Mau Mau leader in Embu alongside General Kavote, Musa Mwariama, Bepeta and Sukuma. They were brave and noble.

Through Kubu Kubu’s wise leadership, the caves perched on top of Kirimiri Hill and the slopes of Mt. Kenya became the fighters’ hideout, planning and strategy centers.

These freedom fighters and others are a source of inspiration to all of us. They bring to our minds the virtues of patriotism and self-sacrifice, which are important pillars of the stability and unity of our Great County and Nation.

This day also reminds us of our duty to serve this County and the Country with total dedication and to put the interests of Wananchi above all other considerations.

THE KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF EMBU COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Embu County has a lot to celebrate. Not just our heroes but our achievements as a County Government which came into existence after the March 4 General Election in 2013. My Government has since made strides in all sectors of the economy while winning the following recognitions:-

1. Governor’s Awards of Excellence for Support of Innovation in Energy (2015),

2. Second Prize Achievement of Best Practice in Heath Sector (2015/2016) by Ministry of Health and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA),

3. First Prize for Best Practice in Health Information (2015/2016) also by Ministry of Health and JICA.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
May I now briefly turn to sectoral achievements:-

HEALTH
In this sector, my Government has prioritized health care provision to ensure our people can easily and quickly access the much needed medical attention. Embu County has remained to be one of the best healthcare providers in the country as evidenced by the cited Health Award.

My Government has also initiated major projects at Embu Level Five Hospital to position it as a modern medical facility with state-of-the-art equipment to make it a teaching and referral Centre.

The following are the key steps we have undertaken to hasten this upgrade:-

The Complex: A three-storied super structured hospital complex is now complete. The building will have 6 bed capacity intensive care unit section, 6 bed high dependency unit, four ultra-modern theatres, and several classrooms.

Other medical facilities now available in Embu Level Five hospital are the following:-

1. Renal dialysis: Our renal dialysis unit is fully installed and functional with ten dialysis machines

2. X-ray unit, CT-Scan and MRI machines: Our X-ray unit is now fitted with a top-of-the-range CT-Scan machine. MRI machines have also been fully fitted and are functional.

3. Laboratories: The County has further completed two state-of-the-art laboratories including Histopathology and Biochemistry laboratories and completed renovation of labour ward, female surgical ward, male surgical ward and two amenities wards

Other Health Facilities
By the end of this year, all our Level Four Hospitals will be having minor theatres.

Also by the end of this financial year, over Forty Health Centers and Dispensaries will be fully operational.

EDUCATION
My government understands that Education is critical for promoting sustainable development. On Early Childhood Development Education, my administration has so far operationalized five new ECDE Centres and is still constructing more. To show our special emphasis on education at this level, Embu was the first County to Employ 483 ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms. This has seen enrolment in the ECDE increase by 20%.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It’s true that no meaningful development can be achieved without education. My government has transformed our polytechnics to Youth Vocational Training Centres. These centers are now training our young people in technical skills so they can fully participate in productive activities.

We have improved learning standards in our vocational centers by equipping them with modern learning equipment worth Ksh. 8.6 million. We have further employed managers and skilled instructors on permanent and pensionable terms. This has increased Enrolment by 29%.

WATER
This is a sector which forms one of the strongest foundations for our economic growth. My Government is keenly aware of our strength in this sector. We were the first county to undertake water for children program which has supplied water to virtually all our public ECDE Centres (nursery schools), Primary and Secondary Schools. These educational institutions have water tanks whose capacity is 12,000 litres each.

Embu was also the first County to commercialize provision of clean and treated water through EWASCO as a strategy to access commercial and affordable funds to help distribute water to our people. My Government is scheduled to construct water networks in Kithimu, Evurori, Mbeti South, Kagaari South, Kyeni South, Mbeti South, Mwea, Mavuria, Nthawa, Muminji and Kiambere Wards.

AGRICULTURE, IRRIGATION, LIVESTOCK, FISHERIES AND COOPERATIVES
The Agricultural Sector continues to play a very important role in the Embu economy. The sector contributes over 70 percent of Embu economic base and generation of 26 percent foreign exchange earnings. The sector also employs over 85percent of Embu rural population.

While in a bid to mechanize agriculture especially in the areas of Mbeere North and South, my Government procured four tractors to promote agriculture mechanization in order to increase tillage and produce. We have also put deliberate efforts through extension services to improve agricultural production.

In Livestock

We have procured four milk coolers and distributed them. We are also set to benefit with 22 milk coolers from the National Government.

My Government in talks with KCC to enter into a partnership that will set pace for upgrading of the Runyenjes KCC Milk Plant in to a fully fledge milk factory that will process, package and market dairy products from our great county. This will boost milk production in Embu County thus enabling our farmers gain better profit margins.

In Veterinary

1. We are now rehabilitating the Embu municipality slaughter house to category 'B' status and the Ishiara slaughter house to category 'C' status.

2. We have started subsidizing the A.I services in order to improve our animal breeds. Currently the program has been rolled out in Manyatta and Mbeere North Sub-Counties.

3. We are now improving our pest control facilities by rehabilitating our cattle dips. Already work has started in Wango in Mbeere South and Ngunyumu in Mbeere North.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND SPORTS
Young people are often considered to represent the future as they bring new ideas and energy to add to the pool of knowledge that currently exists. With this in mind, my government has fully supported our youth with programmes that have led to empowerment.

Through Embu Youth Trust Fund my government has already given a total of Ksh. 19 million. This amount has benefited our young entrepreneurs.

The talent academy is complete and will be operationalized soon. The academy will nurture and mentor talents including athletics, music, theatre and sports.

To indicate that we’re on the right track, several County Governments have been sending their Officials and Youths to benchmark with our successful Youth Empowerment Program.

TRADE, TOURISM, INVESTMENT AND INDUSTRIALIZATION
Whereas we have had legal challenges in trade licensing, my government has so far been able to collect Ksh. 30Million from liquor licensing which we are using to provide services to our people. We have also completed and operationalized a state-of-the-art open air market in Kiritiri in addition to roofing several markets in all the four Sub-Counties.

In the sub-sector of Tourism we are currently improving facilities in Mwea Game Reserve.

INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, PUBLIC WORKS AND ENERGY
My government has embarked on an ambitious plan to transform our infrastructure. We have Completed Tarmacking of Dallas Ring Road, Runyenjes Town Roads and Embu-Nairobi Bus Terminus. The Tarmacking of Embu - Kibugu Road is currently on-going while tarmacking of Kiritiri and Ishiara Town Roads will be done during this Financial Year.

My government has been able to purchase six graders. This major milestone has seen the opening up 105 kilometers of access roads, grading of 590 Kilometers of roads, gravelling 359 Kilometers of roads, and the department has also been able to place 1170 meters of Culverts.

LIGHTING
My Government’s plan to transform Embu into a 24 hour economy is now being realized. In 2015, Embu County was honoured with Governor’s Awards of Excellence for support of innovation in energy. We have installed floodlights in 66 Townships spread in the Sub-Counties. That is not all, Embu County Government has also gone green by installing Solar Lighting in Embu Town. This Lighting System has CCTV cameras Installed to monitor and enhance security along our Highways.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The developments that I have outlined clearly indicate that my Government is Keeping the Promise-Kutimiza Ahadi. A promise to transform our County and make it globally competitive with equal opportunities for all.

My Philosophy, Oh Yes, the Ciiko Philosophy is centered on accelerated development for Mwananchi. This is what I cherish most – Kupeleka Maendeleo Mashinani. I encourage you to embrace the Ciiko Ideology which is all about Good Governance, Good Leadership, Civic Engagement, Transparency and Accountability and above all, ensuring Implementation of policies, strategies, and development projects that fulfill our County Vision, that is A Prosperous County with Equal Opportunities for All.

I now urge you to unite and remain calm. This is because I love order. The Ciiko Philosophy believes in order and respect for all.

Watu wa Embu Hawataki Mdomo, Hawataki Makelele na Porojo, Wanataka kuona wakifanyiwa Kazi njema kwa utaratibu,
Watu Wa Embu Hawataki VITA, Wanataka kuona Utenda Kazi Mwema kwa AMANI,
Watu wa Embu hawataki CHUKI na FITINA, wanataka Uhiano na Umoja.

Embu Ni Yetu, Tuipende na Tuijenge pamoja ndio Tusonge Mbele Pamoja.
Nataka kuwahakikishia yakwamba Kazi Inaendelea na Itazidi Kuendelea.
Tujuvinie Embu County na Maendeleo Yetu.

Above all, we have Kept the Promise and Embu is Shining.
Thank You and God Bless You.
Truly #EmbuShines