SPEECH BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR OF NAKURU COUNTY K. MBUGUA, CBS, OGW DURING THE MANAGEMENT FORUM...

7/28/2019 SPEECH BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR OF NAKURU COUNTY K. MBUGUA, CBS, OGW DURING THE MANAGEMENT FORUM ORGANIZED BY KENYA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT NAIVA

1/28

1

SPEECH BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR OF NAKURU COUNTY K.

MBUGUA, CBS, OGW DURING THE MANGEMENT FORUMORGANIZED BY KENYA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

NAIVASHA BRANCH, AT PANORAMA HOTEL, 5TH

JUNE, 2013

KIM Branch Manager-Samson Njiiri,

Members of KIM present,

Invited Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,


2/28

2

First, let me say that I recognize Kenya Institute of Management as astrong supporter of sound management.

Your commitment to excellence and integrity is voice which is

enormously helpful as we fight to make Nakuru County friendlier to

business, more competitive for jobs and capital investment and betterprepared for the challenges we now await our county in the years

ahead. The Countys challenges are great, but not greater than our

capacity to meet them.


3/28

3


Nakuru County is one of the most economic vibrant counties in thecountry.

There are eleven Constituencies that make up Nakuru County namely:

Naivasha, Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Molo, Rongai, Subukia

Nakuru Town East, Nakuru Town West, Njoro, Bahati, and Gilgil,Constituency. According to the national census exercise that was

carried out in 2009 the population of the county is approximated to be

1,603,325.

45.8% of the total population lives in the urban areas while the rest ofthe population lives in the rural areas.


4/28

4

The countys largest towns include: - Nakuru, Naivasha, Molo GilgilNjoro, Mai Mahiu, Subukia, Dundori, Salgaa, Mau Narok, Bahati,

Rongai and Olenguruone.

Since I took over as your Governor a few months ago, I have

embarked on a great plan to improve the countys competitiveposition.The other day here in Naivasha I released an ambitious Sh9billion budget for the financial year 2013/14.

Today, the County must compete for the most desirable jobs for our

people the finest teachers in our schools and the best rewardingbusiness.


5/28

5

Nakuru truly intends to compete, we should study the meaning of theword. This may surprise you, but the word compete is of Latin root

which means: To strive together.

Hence each of our people must likewise compete to earn a living,

build a future and raise a family in a safe and healthy environment.

It is important to note that our initial functions in the county are:

Health Services, Agriculture, Cultural activities and public

entertainment, Transport, Animal control and welfare, County

planning and development, Pre-primary education, County public


6/28

6

works and services, Fire-fighting services and disaster management,

Control of drugs, Environmental conservation as well as Control of

pollution and public nuisance

Infrastructure

Ladies and gentlemen,

Improving the infrastructure is a main priority for my Government.

We will expand electricity network and ensure that electricity supply

is more consistent and reliable.


7/28

7

The introduction of Geothermal Development Project at Menengai

Crater in Nakuru town besides Olkaria Geothermal Project inNaivasha would boost the power capacity of the county.

We will increase accessibility through roads as well as increase digital

connectivity.

My Government has set aside a budget of Sh250m for maintenance of

access roads and Sh62m for the maintenance of drainage system.

Nakuru County has planned a special project to harvest water from

the Aberdare Ranges to enable it meet its growing demands.


8/28

8

The project will be undertaken in partnership with Nyandarua County

to increase water supply to the Naivasha residents. The project will bespearheaded by the Naivasha Water, Sanitation and Sewerage

Company.

There is need for the county to diversify its water sources to avoid

over reliance on underground water. In this regard we are looking athow we can convert one million litres of water discharged from

geothermal wells in Naivasha and Menengai for domestic and

industrial use.

My government is committed to ensuring that people within NakuruCounty have access to clean water.


9/28

9

Plans are underway to make legislation geared towards reforms withinthe water sector.

The legislation would separate power of policy formulation,

regulation and water services delivery.

Sustainable development of water resources is dependent on prudent

management of our environment.

My government promises to move fast to deal with reckless

destruction of our forests and water catchment areas.


10/28

10

It will put in place measures to rehabilitate and protect our

environment.

I nvestment

Ladies and gentlemen,My government is willing to invite investors in the County. We willtry to simplify the process of starting and running business to make it

friendly and cost-effective to investors.

License to start business will be considered and this will lead to

increase in local and international investors who are setting upbusinesses in this region.


11/28

11

We are committed to creating jobs and opportunities for our people especially our young people. We will do this, by creating an enabling

environment for the private sector. We will harness the gifts and

talents of our youth, in order to enable sports and entertainment

providers earn a profitable livelihood.

We will also endeavor to make the procurement process faster, more

accessible, and transparent.

There are numerous manufacturing industries that have been set up in

the county that process the food produce for both local and


12/28

12

international markets. This includes milk processing plants, wheat

processing industries and flour making industries.

We are going to focus on promoting value addition and

manufacturing finished goods thereby creating jobs and improving

our standard of living.

Today, I pledge, that my administration will work towards

diversifying our economic base. We will support the manufacturing

industry and support all enterprises, both local and international, that

strive to create finished goods using local labor and materials.


13/28

13

To the private sector, my promise to you is that we will create an

enabling environment, so that you can play your part in creatingemployment and fostering economic growth.

The Jua Kali sector and other micro enterprises are expected to play a

crucial role in the creation of jobs in our county. However we

recognize that the sector's growth potential is inhibited by several

constraints. These include poor access to markets, lack of credit andpoor policy environment. The needed legislation to deal with these

obstacles will gradually be put in place.

Tourism

Ladies and gentlemen,


14/28

14

Our geographic features such as Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Lake

Nakuru National Park, Hyrax Hill Elementaita, Kariandusi andMenengai Crater will be used to create thousands of jobs for the youth

through tourism.

We will devise ways of promoting local tourism and convince

residents to visit tourist resorts in the county.

Entrepreneurs and real estate managers have set up several lodges and

hotels that provide quality accommodation and caterings services to

the tourists. The many hotels offer the tourist a chance to choose the

best one that meets their needs and preferences.


15/28

15

This partnership coupled with future plans to add additional ones

will provide the County with a strong economic engine that will havelasting impacts for generations!

AgricultureOur hope of reviving and sustaining economic growth, creatingemployment and reducing poverty depends on how fast we succeed in

revitalizing agriculture as the engine of growth of our economy.

We are endowed with a good climate and weather patterns in the

region.


16/28

16

The rains are received in two seasons. The long rains are experienced

in April, May and August while the short rains are experiencedbetween October and December. The average annual rainfall is

approximated to be 850mm per year and this enables the farmers in

the County to practice farming.

The all-important agricultural sector is faced with many challenges.Yet it is the mainstay of our countys economy.

Our economic growth strategy demands a review to farmers

incentives and modernization of agriculture through affordable and

appropriate technologies.


17/28

17

My government will support the revival of key institutions in the

agricultural sector which are essential to production and marketing ofagricultural produce. Already we have put Task Force in place to see

the modalities of reviving the Pyrethrum Industry.

On their part, farmers and other stakeholders must manage their

activities as business enterprises. Agribusiness includes cottageindustries, value addition and processing of agricultural produce.

Others include, supply of farm inputs, tree and crop nurseries, and

fabrication of farm tools by artisans and jua kali operators. These are

areas that have the potential to create employment opportunities forour young people. We can do this but we can only do it together.


18/28

18

Farmers must ensure that they plant good quality seeds and apply

good husbandry methods to reap maximum benefits.

Further, the government will ensure that good quality inputs are made

available to farmers at affordable prices. My government on its part

will put measures in place to ensure the cereal produced is stored in

the silos in an effort to promote food security in the county especiallyduring the dry seasons.

Horticulture

Horticulture is a major export for this country. Flowers fromNaivasha/Rongai mainly go directly to retail outlets in Europe where


19/28

19

they are sold as readymade bouquets or to the auction in Holland,

which is the international hub for buying flowers from where they aredistributed to many parts of the world.

Besides supplying more than 40 percent of cut roses to Europe, the

horticulture industry is a big employer.

Dairy Sector

Our county is also leading in dairy production. It is a major producer

of milk. The dairy cattle kept by farmers helps meet the high demand

of animal products such as milk.


20/28

20

My government will improve milk marketing through the

revitalization of KCC together with dairy societies and privateprocessors. Farmers should take advantage of the increased earnings

to improve the quality of dairy animals.

Some of the farmers also practice poultry rearing which has proved to

be very lucrative due to the high prices fetched by the products in themarket.

The list could go on and on and onbut one thing is for certain:

The County stands as a true testament that the future is paved withoptimism and growth!


21/28

21

HEALTH

In a bid to improve the quality of our health facilities the government

will improve and maintain the conditions in the hospitals so as to

ensure the services offered is maintained at a high level and there is

affordable access to health facilities.

EDUCATION

Various learning institutions have been established in the County and

this helps to alienate poverty and illiteracy. Due to increase in

population there is need to build more schools so as to meet educationneeds of the current and future generation.


22/28

22

To enable our schools to keep pace with competition nationally, wereraising standards and increasing accountability for students, schools

and teachers.

Everyone knows that competition for jobs has changed. Our schools

must keep pace.

Our standards will be benchmarked to the top education measures in

the world. Of course, its not enough to install a new curriculum, raise

standards and hope for the best. My government is committed to

helping schools and teachers make this transition a success.


23/28

23

Funds will be allocated into the sector to build physical infrastructure

in schools to ensure a conducive learning environment. I thereforeurge our people to ensure that children are taken to school to take

advantage of free and compulsory primary education.

Fisheries

Our county has a good potential for fisheries development. A lot of

fish can be harvested from lakes and ponds in this county.

In order to continue enjoying the good returns from fishing,

communities around the lakes such as Lake Naivasha must getinvolved with other stakeholders in planning, utilization, conservation


24/28

24

and management of the fisheries resources thus improving the

countys ability to compete in the years ahead.

Service del ivery


My Government is committed to delivering services to theresidents of Nakuru County. On the forefront, our first task is

infrastructural development, Political Responsibility,

teamwork and commitment towards service provision. I

know wananchi has already laid a score card to assess our

performance.


25/28

25

HIV/AIDS

Before concluding my speech this evening, I would like to emphasize

that HIV/AIDS is rapidly emerging as the biggest challenge in oursociety. The disease is threatening to tear down the social and

economic fabric that is holding our county together, by destroying the

productive workforce that is the foundation of our development. We

must use all tools at our disposal to stop the spread of the AIDS virus.

We must discuss this disease openly among families, communitiesand in work places, because together we will defeat HIV/AIDS. To


26/28

26

this end, the government has instituted, awareness programmes, and

Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centres in various parts of thecounty.

CORRUPTION

Ladies and Gentlemen,I also take this opportunity to once again reiterate my government's

unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption.

My administration remains committed towards creating a culture of

zero tolerance to corruption.


27/28

27

I would like to assure you that we will progressively deal with

corruption by establishing codes of conduct for public officials, new

rules for procurement and through strengthening of the audit system.

We will ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the

management of the county's resources.

Finally, once more, I would like to commend the Kenya Institute ofManagement for organizing this magnificent forum. I also thank you

all for turning up in large numbers to attend this event.

I urge you to translate the lessons learned in this forum into higher

productivity in your jobs and businesses. Let us not squander themany blessings weve inherited. Let us leave a legacy of our own as


28/28

28

we make the difficult decisions that keep Nakuru County on the path

to prosperity.

God bless you, God bless Kenya and God bless the great County of

Nakuru.

SPEECH BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR OF NAKURU COUNTY K. MBUGUA, CBS, OGW DURING THE MANAGEMENT FORUM...

Documents

Transcript of SPEECH BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR OF NAKURU COUNTY K. MBUGUA, CBS, OGW DURING THE MANAGEMENT FORUM...