The County Government of Kakamega and a Netherlands based development organization -SNV, have signed a partnership agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration and propagating inclusive and sustainable community-driven development in the county.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed during the annual Governor’s Day with Farmers at Lumakanda grounds in Lugari Sub-County, the residents are set to benefit from improved farming practices and clean energy solutions.
Speaking during the event, SNV Country Director Rebecca Hallam said the MOU marks a significant milestone in their many years of existence in the county.
She said: “The agreement represents a shared vision, commitment to work together in unlocking the full potential of Kakamega County while also strengthening resilience and prosperity for its people.
“As a global development partner, we work and focus on transforming systems for food, energy and water security while promoting gender security by identifying and addressing the obstacles, for development to be more inclusive through stronger institutions, proper governance and by responding together as partners to the climate and biodiversity crisis.”
Hallam stated that SNV is currently implementing two projects in the county all aimed at practical and people-centered development.
“The first one is the Power for Food Partnership which promotes regenerative Agriculture alongside the productive use of renewable energy. Under this we support farmers to adopt practices that include soil health, productivity and strengthen the resilience to climate change,” she disclosed.
“Through the renewable energy solutions, we are supporting irrigation agro-processing, cold storage and other productive uses that enable farmers and other rural enterprises to increase incomes and to strengthen local food systems,” he added.
She said Accelerating County Cooking Transitions is the second project they are implementing and it is aimed at accelerating access to clean cooking solutions through evidence-based policy development, stakeholder engagement and through strengthening the clean cooking value chain.
She lauded the county for the strong partnership expressing optimism that it will result into an impact that matters.
Governor Fernandes Barasa appreciated SNV and other development partners in the agriculture sector for choosing to invest in Kakamega, saying the various partnerships will immensely strengthen the county’s food security pillar.
Barasa who pledged to accord the necessary support to all the agriculture partners operating within the county singled out Practical Action for appreciation for specifically picking to engage the majority youthful population in its projects.
He said, “I want to thank Practical Action for making sure that they engage our youths. I am proud to learn that over 10,000 youths within the county are engaged in matters of agriculture.
“That simply implies that the youth are the backbone of our county and my administration is ready to support them in agricultural productivity.”
Barasa disclosed that his administration is set to support the youths on formulation of poultry and livestock feeds to expand their capacity to grow the economy and produce more food.
“I want to assure the youth that we are going to support capacity building initiatives targeting them and we shall dedicate a specific percentage of the next financial year grants to youth and women led-cooperatives,” he said.
He revealed that through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project the county has issued out support worth Sh.100 million to farmers and plans are underway to ensure groups also access funds to assist them in their agricultural activities.
Kakamega County Practical Action agriculture coordinator Monica Rapando disclosed that her organization is implementing two projects in the county, one on agriculture and the other on waste management and a majority of those involved are the youths.
“We have over 10,000 youths participating in our agricultural activities in this county. Out of the figure 71 percent are young women, 29 percent are young men while 8 percent of the total figure comprises of persons with disability.
“This shows that agriculture is now attracting many youths hence the future of our county is on their shoulders.” Rapando stated.
Lugari Deputy County Commissioner Jeremiah Tumo assured the County Government that the National Government administrative officers will accord his administration the maximum support in project implementation emphasizing that the two levels of government must work interdependently for the benefit of the public.
by Melechezedeck Ejakait
