Kakamega County Water and Sewarage Company (KACWASCO) has launched a new customer care center to improve efficiency in service delivery.
The company, in partnership with USAID-KIWASH, launched the centre during its first Annual Customer Summit held in Kakamega, this week. The launch also incorporates integrity, equity and team work in service discharge by its employees.
CECM for Water, Environment and Natural resources Baraza Wangwe who opened the centre said the county government was targeting 3,000 connections by the end of the 2018/19 financial year to ensure the county is water sufficient. The target is to have every household in Kakamega connected with clean and safe drinking water by the year 2021. Mr. Wangwe thanked USAID-KIWASH and other partners for partnering with KACWASCO saying such engagements are key in providing the much required financial assistance for the sector.
KACWASCO Board Chairman Prof. John Wamakonjio said the water company has already installed smart meters and relevant software to reduce errors while billing customers.
During the event, KACWASCO partners and customers were rewarded for support and loyalty. Others who attended the event were Chief Officers Palapala Muteshi and Joseck Maloba, KACWASCO CEO Fred Atua and partners led by a representative from USAID-KIWASH.
Last week, the 3rd Siaya County County Farmers’ Agricultural Show and Exhibition was officially opened by Kakamega County Governor H.E. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya at the Siaya County stadium, Siaya County.
Speaking during the event, chief guest, Governor Oparanya lauded the host county for promoting innovation and technologies in agriculture and trade. He said the Lake Region Economic Bloc counties where Siaya County is a member have a great potential of growing their tourism, transport and hospitality sectors among others if the bloc’s development agenda is fully adhered to. He called on all member counties to remain united as a way of attracting investments in the region.
Governor Oparanya cautioned Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen against dragging the name of the RT Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga into Mau Summit evictions adding that leaders should stop politicizing matters of national interest such as conservation of the essential water catchment areas in the country.
Siaya County governor H.E. Cornel Rasanga said his government has prioritized on value addition mechanisms in agriculture to improve on productivity. He said the county has already put in place youths’ friendly innovations to encourage involvement of young people in agriculture.
The event was also attended by Mama Ida Odinga, CEC Members from Siaya county government, Kakamega County assembly majority leader Hon. Joel Ongoro, LREB CEO Abala Wanga and national government officials among other leaders.
Leaders converged at the celebrated and renown Bukura Agricultural Training College in Lurambi sub county, Kakamega County to mark the institution’s 22nd graduation ceremony presided over by Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri.
Kakamega County Deputy Governor H.E. Prof. Philip Museve Kutima who was present thanked the CS for gracing the occasion and extended his appreciation to President Uhuru Kenyatta for his recent efforts towards revival of the ailing sugar sector in Kakamega and the other neighbouring counties. Prof. Kutima said the county government was currently implementing the 2014 task force reports in education and agriculture sectors that recommended massive restructuring of the sectors. Once fully implemented, he said, Kakamega county’s economy will transform to the better.
The deputy governor said the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) was aligned to the national government’s Big Four agenda to avoid duplication of projects. “As a government, we are closely working with the national government to ensure effective delivery of services to our people,” he said.
He said Bukura A.T.C has continuously played an essential role in development of Kakamega county, western region and the entire country as a middle level institution by offering advanced training programmes in agriculture. He added that the county government has partnered with Bukura Farmers’ Training College in setting up smart dairy farm at the institution to improve milk production in the county.
The event saw award of Diplomas and Certificates to hundreds of graduands.