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The county government of Nandi is in speed to complete all stalled markets in the county as a way of increasing space for the growing small scale traders.

According to the Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, completion of the markets will not only create more space for traders but also increase revenue collection for the county as well as creating employment for hundreds of residents.

Speaking during a visit to the stalled Kobujoi market, the County boss added that the county government is also working to enhance sanitation within the markets by ensuring that the markets have functional toilets and sufficient water supply.

“We are undertaking completion works at the stalled Kobujoi market in order to operationalize it for a conducive business environment and creation of job opportunities through encouraging our people to venture into business,” said the Governor.

“We just don’t want to have markets but we want to have markets that provide a conducive environment for our traders. We will work to ensure that the markets have adequate supply of water and other amenities like toilets,” he added.

The governor said his administration will replicate this in different urban centres across the county.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has encouraged residents to use the newly established Call Centre in requesting for services from various county departments.

Nandi is the first county to establish a call centre where residents can reach out for prompt services.The Council of Governors having already visited the Kapsabet-based facility for bench marking.

Residents can call the toll free number 1548 at anytime of the day.

 Sang spend better part of Thursday at the call centre, receiving calls from wananchi across the county who requested for different services.

“Today was my turn at the Call Centre to pick calls from wananchi and address their concerns and requests.Many of them called requesting for Artificial Insemination services and agriculture in general among other services.”Sang said.

“I also received calls from residents congratulating us for the immense work we are doing.”He added.

Governor Stephen Sang at the Nandi County Call Centre

Wananchi can reach the County Government through the number 1548 for AI services, business permits, agriculture, NHIF registration among others.

Emergency services like ambulance and fire brigade are also available.

According to Sang, the establishment has transformed how services are rendered to wananchi by promoting open governance and citizen engagement.

“Apart from my frequent visits to the grassroots interacting with residents to chat our development agenda, the Call Centre has enabled wananchi reach out to various departments for services,”He added.

“We are creating a platform where service delivery  will be prompt through interactions at the call centre.We have addressed many of them including fixing culverts on our roads on which they called informing us on the need and many others,”Sang said.

A team from Council of Governors which toured the facility early this week lauded the county for establishing the Call Centre saying it will promote open governance.

Eliud Kipchoge has made history by becoming the first person to run a gruelling marathon in under two hours.

The Kenyan from Nandi County, “The Source of Champions” ran in a once-inconceivable time 1:59:40 to complete the 26.2 mile distance in the fastest time in history.

He ran at 13mph and a 1km pace of two-minute 50 seconds – the average speed of traffic in central London is 7mph.

In becoming the first person to cover the marathon distance in less than two hours, Kipchoge, 34, achieved a sports milestone granted almost mythical status in the running world, breaking through a temporal barrier that many would have deemed untouchable only a few years ago.

“It’s taken 65 years for a human being to make history in sport – after Ronnie Bannister made history in 1954. I have tried and I got it,” said Kipchoge.

“I am the happiest man to run under two hours to inspire people, to tell people that no human being is limited. You can do it. I expect more athletes in the world to run under two hours after today,” he added.

Kipchoge praised all those who supported him through the race, and also his family, who were in the crowd to watch on as Kipchoge broke the two hour mark.

“They (my wife and kids) have given me so much support, I’m happy they came here to witness history,” Kipchoge said at the finish.

“The positivity of sport, I want it to be a clean and interesting sport, wake up early in the morning and run.

“It can be good for all.”

On the sidelines of the Ineos 1:59 Challenge, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang met with Dr. Michael Ludwig, the Mayor and Governor of Vienna. They agreed to build a strong network and partnership for the mutual benefit of both counties.

Deputy President William Ruto has lauded Nandi Governor Stephen Sang’s Development record saying that Nandi residents have tasted the fruits of Devolution.

Deputy President Dr William Ruto laying the foundation stone for the Nandi County Milk Processing Plant.

Speaking on Friday when he toured the County, Ruto said the various development projects initiated by the County Government has changed lives of many residents.

“We commend Nandi County for being one of the model counties in the country that Devolution has worked especially on the health sector, Value addition and youth empowerment” Dr Ruto said.

The DP said that Nandi County will now be a benchmark for other counties across the country who want to excel in various sectors such as Health, Agriculture and Infrastructure.

The two leaders begun their development tour of the County at Emsos Technical Training Institute in Chesumei Sub County where they opened the institution that was funded by the National Government.

Speaking during the opening of the institute, Dr Ruto said the National Government has allocated enough funds that will be used to pay school fees for technical students.

“We have allocated enough funds to make Technical education free and parents should ensure that their Children who have completed form four enroll in TVETs”

Nandi Governor appealed to parents and guardians to take their children to Technical training colleges so that they can acquire technical knowledge that will enable them live better lives.

“We are working closely with the National Government in ensuring that we support the technical institutions. We have prioritized bursaries for students in Vocational Training institutes as one way of encouraging form four leavers to enroll in technical colleges”

During his tour, Dr Ruto also layed a foundation stone for the proposed Nandi County Milk Processing Plant that is being established at Kabiyet in Mosop Sub County.

Once established, the Processing plant will benefit more than 100,000 dairy farmers in Nandi and will enable them add value to their dairy produce resulting in huge profits.

The Milk Processing Plant is the first ever Milk plant to be constructed by a County. Deputy President William Ruto commended the county’s idea of constructing the Milk plant saying that it help dairy farmers in the region.

“With the processing plant, Nandi is one County that Devolution has worked because such development projects will directly benefit the residents”

The Dp called on the residents to work with their leaders so that the development agenda is realized.

Present also were Chesumei Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, Woman Representative Tecla Tum, Chesumei Mp Wilson Kogo, Mosop Mp Julius Melly, Aldai Mp Cornelly Serem, Benjamin Washiali among other leaders.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang on Thursday called on the Cabinet Secretaries for Interior and Coordination of National Security Dr. Fred Matiangi and Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Amb. Monica Juma to reign on rogue agencies that recruit Kenyan Citizens to work in foreign countries.

Speaking when he received a status report of Isaac Kiprotich from Kimngeru Sub location who returned from Qatar where he was stranded after his agent abandoned him, Sang said the Government should vet all agencies offering such services to weed out unscrupulous agencies who have turned the business into a slave trade.

Medical Officers from Kapsabet County referral Hospital accompany Kipngetich to the Hospital for further medical attention.

“I call upon relevant Government Ministries to move with speed and vet afresh all the recruitment agencies in the country to ensure that only the genuine ones are left”

Kipngetich, who was severely injured after he slipped while on duty, was hospitalized for about a month in a Qatar-based hospital
He arrived on Wednesday and was admitted at Kapsabet County Refferal Hospital for further treatment.

Governor Sang added that many youth have suffered and continue to suffer in the hands of slave traders who masquerade as agents of foreign companies.

“We are aware that many youths have suffered and fallen prey to such slave traders who fool them with non existing jobs in foreign countries. When they arrive in those countries, they are misused and made to work for long hours with less or no pay,” Sang said.

The Governor urged the youth to exercise due diligence and do background checks of the agencies before registering with them.

Sang disclosed that his administration was in the process of exploring ways to increase the Internship opportunities for the youth across the county as well as increasing procurement opportunities so that the youth can benefit from and reduce the numbers of those who are seeking employment outside the country.

“We will continue exploring ways of absorbing our youth through our internship program and also increase opportunities for them through procurement opportunities so that they do not have to travel abroad for jobs.”

Already, the County Government of Nandi has placed 250 youths on Internship program in the first phase with another 400 set to be absorbed in July. Additionally, procurement opportunities for the Youth, Women and Persons Living with Disabilities have increased from the Constitutional 30 percent to 50 percent.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 youths are looking for jobs in overseas countries every month due to the high unemployment rates in the country.

Nandi County leaders have pledge to work together in the delivery of development projects to residents.

While speaking in Tindiret during the burial of Tindiret MP’s sister Irene Jepkorir, the leaders led by Governor Stephen Sang said it was important for leaders from the county to work together for the benefit of the electorate.

“We must come together as leaders and rally our efforts for the benefit of our people” Sang said.

The County boss said they have identified areas of collaboration which include infrastructure, bursaries, Water provision, access to electricity among others.

He said the county will continue to partner with Constituency offices in the different sectors to spur economic growth across the county.

Melly said that he will continue working closely with the Leadership of the County Government of Nandi for the benefit of the people.

He indicated that last year, the county Government and the Constituency office worked together in the construction of Litei-Cheptonon-Kapsoit road that links Kericho County and Nandi.

“Through the Road Levy Maintenance Fund (RLMF), Kenya Rural Roads Authority and Kenya Urban Roads Authority we will team up together to ensure that roads are opened and mainatined across the county” Melly said

“I will continue working closely with the Governor and other leaders from the county to ensure that development projects in the constituency are done” he added.

On his part, Aldai Mp Cornely Serem indicated that his office was working closely with the county leadership in roads and water projects.

Serem added that he had liased with the county Government in the installation of street lights across the county.

“Our duty as elected leaders is to take development projects to the people. That will only be achieved when we come together” Serem said.

In a bid to hasten the provision of water to the residents, the county Government will provide drilling rigs while the MPs do the piping works and other logistics through the Constituency Development Fund.

The leaders also agreed that they will work together in the provision of school infrastructural development, sinking of boreholes in schools and provision of bursaries for needy students.

An amount of Ksh. 42 million has been disbursed to needy students in Secondary, Vocational Training Centres and those with Special Needs, Governor Stephen Sang has said.

Governor Sang awarding one of the top student in last year’s KCSE exams from the school.

Governor Sang revealed that Ksh. 18 million was disbursed to students in Secondary, with Ksh. 18 million going to Vocational Training Centres and six million benefiting students with Special Needs. Ksh. 18 million will be disbursed to University and College students in the last quarter of the 2018/19 Financial Year.

Speaking at St. Joseph’s Girls High School Chepterit during a thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate 2018 KCSE results, Sang said the County bursary scheme has helped many students who faced fee problems to complete their education.

While encouraging residents from needy backgrounds to apply for bursaries at the Ward level, Governor Sang encouraged students to put more efforts in their education for them to have a better future.

Students of St Joseph’s Girls Chepterit during the Thanksgiving giving service held at the school.

‘The identification of bursary beneficiaries has been devolved to the Ward level to ensure that genuine needy cases benefit from the bursary,’ said Sang.

The Governor urged students not to be distracted by their background but to concentrate on their studies since that was the only way they could change their lives and the lives of their families.

‘I am an example. I was raised in a very humble family and I want to encourage all of us to put in that extra effort,’ encouraged Sang.

“Don’t worry about your background because that should not define your future. If I worried about my background, I wouldn’t have reached where I am today. Focus on your studies,” he added.

He said that his administration was keen on supporting the Education sector in the county by ensuring that infrastructural development in schools are fast tracked and needy students get support through the county bursary scheme.

“My administration will continue issuing bursaries to needy students to enable them complete their education and actualize their dreams,” he said.

He added that his administration was working closely with the National Government to ensure that infrastructural developments in schools are fast tracked.

Governor Stephen Sang has called on Corporate institutions, Parastals and Multi-Nationals within the county to up scale their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives across the county.

While Speaking in Ollessos ward, Nandi hills Sub County during the opening of Ollesos Stima School which was funded by Kenya Power, Sang challenged other institutions to fund projects within the county.

“We laud Kenya Power for their CSR activities in our county. We also want to ask other institutions including Multi-Nationals in our county to emulate this, ” the Governor said.

Energy CS Charles Keter powers a street light at Chepterit Centre. The CS said that last mile connectivity will continue across the county until every households is connected with electricity.

He said that his administration was working closely with the National Government to ensure that residents benefit from various projects instituted by both levels of governments.

“In order to ensure that there is enough security and continuity of business activities, we are working ,closely with the National Government in street lighting connectivity in our county”

Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter said that the last mile electricity connectivity in Nandi would continue and areas which did not benefit in the first phase of the program will be considered in the second phase that is ongoing

“The last mile connectivity program in Nandi will continue until every household is connected with electricity,” affirmed Keter.

The CS disclosed that Nandi County was among the biggest beneficiaries of the program and more than 20,000 households have so far been connected to the national grid.

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The Last Mile Connectivity Project is a project which is jointly being done by the National Government and the African Development Bank. The program aims to support the Government’s initiatives of ensuring increased electricity access to Kenyans.

Since its launch in 2015, the program has benefited more than 700,000 households across the country.

Over ten families whose houses were gutted by fire in Belekenya shopping centre in Kosirai Ward have found solace after the County Government of Nandi brought in relief supplies.

The families who were living in ten rental houses belonging to Mr Joseph Maiyo at Belekenya were rendered homeless after a fire swept through the area and reduced their dwelling units and household goods into ashes.

Led by the Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot, the County Secretary Dr. Francis Sang, CEC for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech, Kosirai Ward MCA Hon. Joshua Ng’etich and other county officials visited the victims to deliver aid from the county government.

“We understand the pain our people are going through especially those who lost everything. We are doing all we can to help them recover. We hope the assistance offered will help towards rebuilding their lives,” said the Deputy County boss.

The fire consumed a business premise, residential homes, several bags of maize, household goods and five sheep.

The affected families, each was given beddings, food stuff and utensils.

The cause of fire is yet to be known.

The affected residents thanked the county government for the donations and for the response by the county fire team.

The short term assistance was availed to alleviate the human suffering occasioned by fire. A fundraiser will be held on Friday next week to aid the affected residents to settle.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has warned students against indulging in drug and substance abuse.

Speaking at Kapsabet Boys school grounds during a thanksgiving giving service for the 2018 candidates, the Governor said that drug abuse across the country is threatening the future generation.

“Many of our youth have had their lives destroyed by drugs. This is why we must come together and fight the drug menace in the country because it is threatening the future of our youth”

Governor Sang addressing Parents, teachers and Students of Kapsabet Boys High school during a thanksgiving service for 2018 candidates.

He appealed to parents and teachers to always teach their children and students on the negative impacts of drug abuse.

“Parents and teachers play a crucial role in the war against drugs and should be at the forefront educating children and students on the negative effects of drugs”

He disclosed that his administration has put in place elaborate plans to eradicate drugs within the county.

“My administration has put in place measures to ensure that alcohol is eradicated in our county. We have held rehabilitation forums across the county that saw more than 500 drug addicts get rehabilitated”

He added that his administration conducted a fresh vetting of all Alcohol outlets across the county in a bid to ensure that those that meet the minimum requirements were given licences to open and operate the business.

Governor Sang with Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang during the thanksgiving service.

The Governor called on Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and Elders to take their work seriously and work with the police to ensure that our villages are free from the preparation and sell of illicit brews.

He was accompanied by Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang, Nandi Assembly Speaker Joshua Kiptoo and other guests.