Kericho County Commissioner Mr Gilbert Kitiyo has decried a sharp increase in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide within the county.
Mr Kitiyo, who made the remarks at Kiprugut Chumo Stadium in Kericho during celebrations to mark the 62nd Madaraka day noted acts of GBV and femicide cases were too high in the county, hence the need to urgently take measures to fight the vice.
The County Commissioner appealed to local leaders, anti-GBV crusaders, and human and children rights activists to help in fighting against the vice with a view to ending it.
He hailed the presidential working task force on GBV and femicide that recently visited the county to collect and collate views from the public in the area, saying that expectations were very high to find a lasting solution to the vice.
The CC at the same time said that the free seedlings being distributed in the area to farmers were certified and genuine seedlings of grafted coffee, selected tea clones, certified maize seeds and certified grafted avocados.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture had been contracted to distribute the seedlings and maize seeds to target groups and farmers in order to improve food production and security.
The CC said that National government was soon rolling out multimillion key projects in the area and called on local contractors to seize the opportunities and deliver the projects in good time.
The CC cited the construction of phase one of Chelimo, Kevoko, affordable housing, where 2000 units will be built at a cost of Sh5 billion.
Another project is the Belgut survey of the Kenya camp under the affordable housing programme, where 200 units will be built at a cost of Sh500 million; the Ainamoi Kericho ESP market at cost of Sh70 million; and the Kipsitet ESP market at a cost of Sh70 million, which is still at the planning stage; and the construction of 320 classrooms for Junior Secondary Schools in Kericho.
According to CC Kitiyo, Economic Stimulus Projects (ESP projects) were ongoing at various stages of completion. They include the Kapkatet market at 63 percent completion, Chesinende at 22 per cent and Sosiot market at 27 per cent, all at a cost of Sh162 million.
Others include students’ hostels at Soin Sigowet of 580-bed capacity at a cost of Sh166 million, Bureti with 580 beds for Sh166 million, Kipkellion East Hostels with a 340-bed capacity at a cost of Sh102 million, Kipkellion West with 340 beds at a cost of Sh102 million, Ainamoi Hostels with 580 beds at Sh166 million and Belgut Hostels with 580 beds at a cost of Sh166 million.
Those who attended the function included the Deputy Governor, Eng. Fred Kirui; National Government Administration Officers (NGAO); County Executive Committee Members; County Security team; and wananchi from all walks of life.
By Dominic Cheres
