Thursday 21 March 2019

Capitalizing on Human Resources




Bridging the Gap to Create Employment



O
ne wise man once said, “The worth of a man would rightfully be quantified by how much BEYOND DUTY he does to make the life of another person better”. To this end, Raslimali Embu takes on the onus of propagating job creation and enhancing human resource capacity for the prosperity of posterity. Having identified a gap between job seekers (Employees) and job creators (Employers), we hereby provide a link to a website through which each could benefit. Visiting the link provided is win-win strategy for both parties; employers can post vacancies in their organizations while job seekers can apply for the advertised positions in real time. Get an experience of effective communication.

This is our way of giving back to the community, which is our social responsibility. Simply click or tap this link to benefit from this opportunity: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/





Raslimali Embu is a channel for opportunities in the 'Land of Opportunities'

Sunday 3 March 2019

For Embu County, a Time to Shine is Now (STORY WITH PHOTOS)

Governor Wambora (left) when he received CS, Interior, Dr. Fred Matiang'i (in checkered shirt), C.S Health, Sicily Kariuki (right) PS Interior, Karanja Kibicho and PS ICT Joe Mucheru (2nd left) in his office, before proceeding to inspect various Agenda 4-related projects and ending the day at the Inaugural Embu County Youth in Agribusiness Summit and Expo at Kenya School of Government on 28th February, 2019. Standing in red ties are, from left, Embu County Secretary Mr. Jason Nyaga, Speaker of the County Assembly Hon. Josiah Thiriku and Deputy Governor Mr. David Kariuki. PHOTO/James Metumi
Embu County Set to Shine in the 6th Annual Devolution Conference



T
he 6th Annual Devolution Conference will be held in Kirinyaga County this year. All the 47 counties will converge at Kirinyaga University from 4th to 8th March, 2019 to showcase their respective fruits of devolution, in terms of milestones achieved since the last such event. Embu County Government is well prepared to exhibit its achievements and opportunities for trade, investment and tourism using State-of-the-Art media technology, such as running screens as well as one on one interaction with leaders and business executives from different walks of life. Here below are some of the sectors which the government looks forward to showcase:

HEALTH

On health, the leadership of Embu County government recognizes that health is wealth. In this regard, the Department of Health distributed medicine worth ksh.31million to 94 health facilities across the county from 8th to 10th October 2018. The Department of health together with a number of partners proceeded with a medical outreach program with free medical camps at Dallas, Grogon and Shauri slums before holding a mega Medical Camp at Embu Stadium. Some of the organizations that were recognized for their contribution in this noble endeavor included Imara MediPlus Hospital, Winas Sacco Ltd., Githunguri Diaries, Embu Children’s Hospital (TENRI), Wimwaro FM, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, Caritas Kenya, MSF – Belgium, Cuban Doctors, NSSF, Kenya Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, NHIF, County Medical Center, Consolata Hospital Kyeni, Daima Sacco, Collo Rescue Team, Medical Training College (MTC) – Embu and the University of Embu.

Embu Health Minister, Dr. Jamleck Muturi
attends to a child during the free medical camp 
held from 8th to 10th October 2018
The free medical outreach program, flagged off by the Minister for Health Dr. Jamleck Muturi accompanied by other executives and officers in the Health Department was carried out by 180 Doctors; some from the country and specialists from Belgium and Cuba. Out of the targeted 3000 patients, 2000 were seen including over 500 children aged below five years. The Free Medical Camp program had kicked off in April 2018 and the combined effort saw a total of 20,160 patients get free medical care. The feat was aimed at improving healthcare coverage by reaching out to those segments of society which may have failed to access medical care before.


On 7 November 2018, together with representatives from Medical Supply Chain MEDS and the Department of Health, Governor Wambora had flagged off Phase 2 of free medicine for level 4 Hospitals all through the county. Later on, he inspected the newly constructed Badea Complex at embu Level 5 Hospital. The building is a 120 bed capacity complex for inpatient treatment, and an Oncology Unit. Cancer patients undergoing Chemotherapy as well as Cancer Screening will all be done at Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital. It can be confirmed that Chemotherapy Chairs, Hood Machines, trained staff to handle patients and other equipment are already in place.

Medical practitioners attend to patients at Embu Stadium during the free medical camp. PHOTO/ James Metumi
In the same stance, Governor Martin Wambora has spearheaded the construction of a Renal Dialysis Unit with 10 dialysis machines with the aim of saving patients and their families from having to travel all the way to Nairobi or abroad in search of similar medical services. Patients suffering from ailments that require internal organ scans have also been rescued from having to spend much time and money, with the installation of an X-Ray unit fitted with a top of the range CT-Scan machine, now operational at Embu Level 5 Hospital. Two state-of-the-art laboratories with Histopathology and Biochemistry units have also been completed. In addition, renovation has been carried out on a labour ward, female surgical ward, male surgical ward and 2 amenity wards.

Governor Wambora with medical officers
outside Badea complex after inspecting 
the new super structure 7/11/2018
This effort was in one way rewarded with national recognition when on 23 November 2018; the governor hosted the Cabinet Secretary, Health, Ms. Sicily Kariuki. It was on the event that marked the launch of Kenya Aids Response Progress Report 2018. Later, the governor received a motor vehicle, a motor cycle and 44 refrigeration units for Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunization (KEPI), to help vaccinate children under 5 years from Embu County and its neighbors. The exercise was carried out in concerted efforts to achieve the president’s Agenda 4 on Universal Health.


EDUCATION

Embu Education Chief Officer Mr. Mbogo
Muchungu (left) receives the books from 
Mr. Ochola Arawo, the countrywide 
Market Development Officer, KLB. 
PHOTO/James Metumi
In the last 1 year, the government employed 65 additional instructors for vocational training institutions on permanent and pensionable basis. This was a worthy investment in the future of the society, as the technical skills imparted to the learners will go a long way into making them professional artisans, able to steer prosperity for posterity. The Department of Education also partnered with Kenya Literature Bureau to distribute close to 10,000 new curriculum PP1 and PP2 books to 396 ECDE centers across the county between 25th and 28th February, 2019. Embu was the first county to roll out such a program, whereby 572 teachers and 16,135 pupils received 11 sets of books each, valued at ksh.6,700 per center.

TRADE, INVESTMENT AND TOURISM

On 21 November 2018, Governor Wambora officially opened the Annual Regional Business Development Services (BDS) Conference. The theme of the Conference was: “The Role of Innovative BDS for Inclusive Market Transformation”. Speaking during the event, Hon. Wambora urged the BDS practitioners to constantly innovate so as to spur agribusiness and agro-processing in East Africa. He put it in the following words: “I am sure with continuous innovation; we can generate more polished goods for the markets, thereby creating jobs and generating wealth. I am impressed by Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), European Union (EU) Department for International Development (DFID) Global Communities among other BDS Donor Coordination Group (BDCG) members for the complimentary work they are doing in counties especially in empowering and promoting Kenyan farmers, with Embu being one of the key beneficiaries”

Tourism


Country View Hotel, in the outskirts of
Embu town will certainly provide 
excellent boarding facilities 
to the delegates
Kirinyaga University, the venue for this year’s Annual Devolution Conference, is just a few kilometers from Embu town. Seeing that close to 10,000 guests from all over Kenya and abroad are expected to be there for 5 days, accommodation can be expected to be a challenge. As such, Embu County will become very handy in easing the burden of congestion off her neighbor county. In Embu, there are quite a number of good hotels where guests can lodge for the period. These include The Panesic, Prime Hotel, Highway Court Hotel, Sunrise Hotel, The Kryptonyte and Maina Highway Hotel, all located within the town’s CBD.  In the outskirts, there is Slopes Villa, Izaac Walton Hotel, Minni Inn, Mountain Breeze, Silver Springs, Whispering Hills and Country View Hotel among others. All these will provide ample and secure parking, most hospitable services and excellent cuisines. Having dined, wined and rested, the guests will hardly resist the urge to tour the many tourist attractions spread across the county.

A variety of wild animals can be viewed
in Mwea National Park in Embu, 
just a few kilometers from Kirinyaga University
Such sites would include Mwea National Park, the 7 Forks Dams, Karue and Kirimiri hills. They will also discover that Embu is the entry point into Mt. Kenya forest/mountain climbing as well as Meru and Isiolo National Parks, just to mention a few. Embu people are a friendly society who will readily receive the guests even to their homes in the most hospitable manner. Embu County Government has through the Department, headed by former Principal of Alliance Boys as the CECM Mr. David Kariuki, taken great steps in promoting tourism in the region and has been receiving tourists from across the globe regularly, especially for the last one year. This will promote not only domestic tourism but also trade and investment opportunities and generate more revenue for Embu County and higher GDP for the country. Those who will take this opportunity will find out that Embu is known as the land of opportunities for a reason! 

GENDER, CULTURE, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Gender
A capacity building programme on entrepreneurship was rolled out during the year whereby over 3000 persons benefited with skills necessary to start and run small and medium enterprises. More than 4,400 students were reached with messages on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), life skills and health related matters. Sensitization on gender mainstreaming and developments for Government officials and community leaders was carried out with advocacy for GBV victims to get justice. Linkage of women groups to financial institutions for funding and sensitization of women and youth on Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) was also done through establishment of gender-working groups in all the Wards. Another achievement by this sector was the support for gender-related national and international events such as Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) through 16 days of activism and the provision of sanitary towels to poor young girls among other activities.

Children Sector

School going girls in Embu display free
sanitary towels issued by the county government 
in a bid to keep them in school
This sector, though dogged by lots of negativity from those who choose to politicize everything, has achieved much in the last one year. For one, the distribution of sanitary towels and inner wears to school children from needy communities was a notable endeavor. Secondly, the government did support children to attend national and international events such as ‘The Day of the African Child’ and Children Assembly as well as children programs such as Christmas parties. Thirdly, in collaboration with the national government, the Children’s Department carried out supervision of children homes in Embu County and established a Children Rescue Unit to rescue abused children and take them to safety. Last but not least, support in form of foodstuff, beddings and consumables have been offered for 8 children homes every year.

Social Services
President Uhuru Kenyatta when he visited
Embu Children Home
Efforts put by Embu County Government in this sector through the Department have seen to the construction of 9 social halls in different centers across various Wards: Gategi, Makutano, Gatituri, Kibugu, Mufu, Karurumo, Kigumo, Makima and Dallas. Renovation has also been done to 2 social Halls at Kathanjuri and Kiambere. The construction of public toilets at Gategi, Makutano and Kiambere is also another accomplishment worth noting. Persons living with disability (PWDs) have not been left out either. 


Capacity building programs on entrepreneurship and sensitization on Access to Government Procument Opportunities (AGPO) for such persons has been done as well. This was in addition to the purchase and distribution of wheel chairs to PWDs and promotion of community barrazas in their support. Another noble feat that has been achieved is the support of this group of people that basically comprises of cripples, the deaf, and the blind etcetera, to attend national and international events such as the United Nations Day for Persons with Disability. Support has again been given to PWDs to enable them carry out social-economic projects through registration in Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Self Help Groups to boost their income generating activities. Such support includes distribution of public address systems, tents and chairs which they have been hiring out and making a living out of the proceeds. Dialogue and sensitization of 1,300 persons hooked to narcotic drugs, alcoholism and substance abuse is another plus for this sector and the society as a whole. What’s more, the government is set to undertake the payment of NHIF for elderly persons.

Culture Sector
The construction of a cultural restaurant to promote cultural/traditional foods is one other achievement by this department that shall be feted at the Devolution Conference. As such, a well preserved botanical garden with herbal/medicinal trees for research purposes has been established and a traditional Embu homestead model established, complete with artifacts. A Cultural Museum/Gender Resource Centre has been constructed at the Embu Cultural Centre, where annual music and cultural festivals are conducted; these activities have also been taking place in the Sub Counties. The purpose of these facilities is to support teams to participate in the Kenya National Music and Cultural Festivals thereby preserving the culture and heritage of Embu people. These amenities have enabled many a people participate in the Kenya National Commission (KNATCOM) for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Cultural Celebrations. The sector has therefore been in the forefront in the promotion of local art by organizing art and craft exhibitions in the 4 Sub Counties, whereby 8 local artists have been supported to go bench mark on refined art and craft activities with the best.

A fashion and beauty pageant by the University of Embu takes place at the Cultural Center
Since Embu has got a rich cultural heritage, guests at the Conference can be sure not to be disappointed when they visit ‘the land of opportunities’. There shall be traditional dancers, drummers, weavers, carvers, potters as well as cooks and brewers among many other craftsmen. All these are expected to showcase their wares and skills at the conference so that even as the government puts on the table what it has achieved since the last Devolution Conference, the socio-cultural factor shall not be overshadowed. Some of the groups that have always thrilled guests on national and county events will be present at Kirinyaga to do what they do best; entertaining. These will certainly include Mufu Drummers and a number of traditional singers and dancers from Mbeere.

AGRICULTURE, COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT, LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES

Agriculture is by right the bread basket sector of Kenya. As it is, Embu is a land of fertile soil and plentiful of rains where almost everything grows in its due season. Following continuous efforts by the government to actualize the desired paradigm shift from subsistence to commercial farming, those who will visit Embu County’s booths, stands and tents can expect to gain much on cooperative movement and development,as did the beneficiaries of the projects mentioned in the excerpt below:

The level of accomplishments achieved by the government through this Department hit an unprecedented high with the recent Inaugural Embu County Youth in Agribusiness Summit and Exposition. The mega event, held at the Kenya School of Government on 28th February, 2019 saw the highest number of Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Chief Administrative Secretaries converge in Embu for the sake of the youth and agripreneurship. Apart from the Cabinet members, led by C.S. Interior and Coordination of National Security, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, several other national and international dignitaries graced the occasion where hundreds of exhibitors showcased what they do best as far as actualization of the president’s Agenda 4 is concerned. The youth got a golden chance to interact with high profile individuals, learn new technologies and know about opportunities for financial support, in their quest to take on agriculture as a business. The expo, which also marked the launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Strategy (2019-2023) provided an interactive forum between the youth and members of the Directorate of Youth Affairs who extensively answered questions fielded to them. In his address, Dr. Matiang’i foretold of a bright future for all the young men and women in agribusiness or willing to take the opportunity seriously.