Trans Nzoia County government and Rotary Club are finalizing details of a collaborative arrangement which will see the two entities join hands in mitigating maternal health challenges and poor sanitation.
Plans for the collaboration were revealed after a courtesy call paid to the county by a Rotary delegation led by Rotary Club President Dr. Geoffrey Kasembeli and Rotary District 9215 Governor Mr. Saad Rahman, at the county headquarters in Kitale.
Trans Nzoia County Secretary Truphosa Amere stressed the commitment of the county government to the deal being fine-tuned, adding that the ICT sector will also receive a boost.
“Rotary has been with us for many years doing good work in health, but time has come for us to sit down and put things on paper. We want a Memorandum of Understanding which will clearly specify who does what, when and the results achieved,” said Ms. Amere.
She said water, sanitation and hygiene remain a headache for many residents, with cases of open defecation still being reported in parts of the county.
“We cannot talk about development when our people still face challenges in accessing clean, safe water, and proper use of toilets. This must be sorted out together with our partners,” she said.
Ms. Amere added that the county was keen on turning an idle ICT hub into a library, a project she termed as a quick-win that could be actualised within a short time as the two sides work on bigger, long-term plans touching on maternal health and the general health system.
“We want to start with something small that our people can see and touch, then build on it as we deepen the partnership,” she said, adding that a task force will be formed to bring together county officials, Rotary members, health workers and residents to guide the process.
She said the county will also set up a system to monitor the progress of the projects, once the agreement is signed, saying accountability is essential.
On his part, Rotary Club District Governor Mr. Rahman informed that Rotary, in Western Kenya, under District 9215, has grown into a large movement bringing together Rotarians, Retractors and Interactors.
“We are people of action. Whether it is the Rotarian, the Rotaract or the Interactor, our mission is one to serve,” he said.
He said District 9215 was formed after the old District 9212, which used to cover Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, was split into two 9215 covering Western Kenya and 9216 covering Eastern Kenya, parts of Nairobi, the Coast and neighboring countries.
Over the years, Rahman said the Organization had prioritized peace building, WASH, economic empowerment, environmental management, maternal and child health, disease prevention and education.
“We have done a lot in water and sanitation, including a recent project near Motosiet, and we are not about to stop,” he said.
By Isaiah Nayika
