The national government, in collaboration with Huduma Centre, led by Nandi County Commissioner (CC) Wilberforce Kilonzo, has transferred various government services to Chepkumia location, an interior part of Nandi Central Sub County, in a bid to ensure residents enjoy essential services closer to home.
Residents flocked to the venue to access the various services, among them voter registration and verification, filing of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) returns, registration of birth and death certificates, issuance of national identity cards as well as registration for new cards, replacement of lost cards as well as the application for new generation identity cards, application for the certificate of good conduct, enrollment with the Social Health Authority and the ongoing Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
In addition, the people who turned up were sensitized on the various services offered by Kenya Power and Lighting Company such as how to apply for meter as well as avoid fraudsters, how to acquire a house in the Boma Yangu program, the various courses offered in the technical and vocational colleges as well as health services offered by the Beyond Zero.
Speaking at the forum, Nandi County commissioner Wilberforce Kilonzo noted the importance of this initiative to benefit people who have not been able to access various services due to a number of challenges, among them financial constraints, thus being unable to travel to where the services are offered and lack of essential information on the various services.
Kilonzo utilized the same event to urge the community to embrace the culture of reporting crimes to the relevant authorities, warning people who seek to solve sexual and gender-based violence crimes through kangaroo courts, noting that there is no law in the country that guarantees such.
“The aim of today’s initiative was to ensure residents benefit from services as well as gain knowledge on various services offered by different departments,” said the CC lauding the various departments that offered services to the public.
He further highlighted the issue of illicit brews in the region, noting that the security team is working around the clock to ensure they combat such brews that are ruining the lives of the consumers. The CC sent a stern warning to the residents who interfere with the work of the security team that they will face the full force of the law.
Administrator Kilonzo challenged youths to seek employment at the various government projects in the region, revealing that the government came up with such projects as a way to create employment opportunities for the youths.
Present at the same event was Nandi County police commander Morris Okul, who observed that the presence of illicit brews and drugs translates to increased crime, noting that by concerted efforts, crimes can be dealt with effectively.
He called on men to avoid idleness but rather work with their wives and children at their farms and desist from alcohol consumption that negatively affects their lives and families.
“The most gifted people in this country in terms of land are you. Men help your wives at the farm and avoid alcoholism,” he advised.
Residents led by Weldon Mutai commended the government for the initiative, highlighting the number of government services they have gained from, some even giving testimonies on how they have benefited from the Social Health Insurance Fund.
Mutai observed that most people in the interior parts face a number of challenges that hinder them from accessing the essential services most of which are located at the County or Sub County headquarters.
“As residents, we face a lot of challenges such as financial constraints that delay us from accessing various government services on time. Today’s initiative is a great boost to most of us. The huge number who turned up is an indication of how the locals need these services,” noted Mutai, calling for more search services.
By Ruth Mainye
