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TheCounty

NewsletterTich Gi Dongruok

Get to know your countyST STISSUE NO. 9 (1 AUGUST 18- 31 AUGUST 2018)

SIAYA

ANNAN REMAINS THE FATHER OF "HANDSHAKE POLITICS" WORLD-WIDE; RASANGA

th19 August 2018

His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth, Siaya County has sent his condolence message to the family and The Foundation of His Excellency Kofi Annan, following the demise of arguably the World's greatest diplomat in recent history. His Excellency described the diplomat as the father of "handshake politics" worldwide following his timely intervention when KENYA was on the verge of destruction after the 2007 election.

His Excellency was speaking in Alego Usonga Constituency, Nyadhi CCA church where he promised the residents that he will fast track the installation of electricity transformer at Magwar area so as to supply electricity in the area.

The Governor was accompanied by County Executives Hon. Dismas Wakla, Lands, Hon. Benard Mboha Roads and Hon. Walter Okelo Chief of Staff, Hon. Elizabeth Ag. Chief Officer, Tourism. Nominated Member of County Assembly Hon. Winnie Mercy Otieno also attended the prayers.

S I AYA Y O U T H S H I N E S I N KA KA M E G A AG R I B U S I N E SS FORUM. In a contest that sought to assess business originality, innovation, scalability and importance to the youths, Sparrow Processors which deals in production of mango juice and mango products emerged victors amongst nine other groups.. - Page 4.

ESTABLISHMENT OF SIAYA MUNICIPALITY BOARD AND CHARTER BOTH ON COURSESiaya Deputy Governor Dr. James Ouko Okumbe has asked the Kenya Urban Support Programe (KUSP) to hold

comprehensive discussion with a technical team from the Lands Department to sort out issues that may derail

implementation of urban development projects in the region. Dr. Okumbe while meeting a delegation from KUSP at

his office noted with optimism that technical meetings involving the KUSP and lands technical team would be fruitful

in prescribing solutions the implementation of the Kenya Urban Support Program. Page 7.

DEVELOPMENT PLANS PROGRESS FUN AND MORE

WATER SOLUTIONS IMMINENT IN SOUTH EAST ALEGO, SIAYA COUNTY

Residents of South East Alego Ward in Siaya County are set to be treated to increased supply of clean water courtesy of the County Government of Siaya in collaboration with World Vision, following finalization of the construction of a major water project in the region. Story on page 5.

FIRST SIAYA COUNTY ATTORNEY SWORN IN

Siaya County Government now has an attorney at law. Ambassador Phillip Richard Owade was today sworn in as the first County Attorney for Siaya bringing to a close a competitive process that was recently approved by the County Assembly of Siaya. Pg 9.

YOUTH FRIENDLY AGRIBUSINESS INITIATIVES ONGOING IN SIAYA COUNTY; KOKOTH- Pg 16

“We need to continue providing the County staffs with the opportunity to share with the rest of the counties their experiences and borrow best practices to enable them improve service delivery to the public in Siaya.”

-Siaya County Tourism, Arts, Sports and Culture CECM Dr. Elizabeth Odhiambo

“Sports is big business at professional level and we have talented young people in various sports categories who need to showcase their talents on such a big platform as the KICOSCA games and to such an even bigger audience.”

- Siaya County Director of Sports Mr. Sanmac Okoth

“From now hence forth, before we begin any project anywhere in Siaya, the Environment Impact Assessment report must be found in the base of every le to incorporate all local views and assess their impacts thereto.”

- Siaya County Governor H.E. Cornel Rasanga

“GIZ and KFW are supporting selected value chains in the dairy and sweet potato industries, improved soil management aspec t s and r ura l i n f ras t r uc ture development including improving rural roads and the proposed lower Nzoia Irrigation Project all of which are helping improve service delivery to the people of Siaya County.”

-Siaya County Agriculture CECMHon. Charles Ogada

MOVERS AND SHAKERS; WHAT THEY SAID...

CONTENTS

County Progress

a. Public Service and Administrationb. Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheriesc. Education, Youth Affairs, Gender and Social Affairsd. Finance and Economic Planninge. Health and Sanitationf. Lands, Physical Planning, Housing & Urban Developmentg. Public Works, Energy, Roads and Transporth. Tourism, Culture, Sports and Artsi. Enterprise and Industrial Developmentj. Water, Irrigation, Environment and Natural Resourcesk. General Pictoriall. Poetry Corner

To Advertise in this space, contact The Department of Communications, County Government of Siaya P.O. BOX 8 0 3, SIAYA, KENYA Email: - communication @siaya.go.ke

The County NEWSLETTER

ALL SET FOR THE ANNUAL INTER COUNTY SPORTS COMPETITION IN KISII COUNTY

th12 August 2018

By Communication Directorate

midst, pomp, colour and ululation, Siaya County AGovernor His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth has this morning agged off The Siaya County

Sports Team to the 6th Edition of the Inter County annual games in Kisii County bringing together sports men and women of all the 47 counties of Kenya.

The Governor, adorned in his sportswear, took the opportunity to congratulate all participants from the various departments for their outstanding previous participation in the 5th Edition games which were held in Machakos County in 2017.

He specically commended the teams that previously won various awards in the various disciplines and categories in Sports and Culture and encouraged this year's team to do even better.

His Excellency who was accompanied by Siaya County Government Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Arts, Sports and Culture Dr. Elizabeth Odhiambo congratulated sports men and women assembled for demonstrating good citizenship and a strong sense of nationalism during last year's games despite volatile political temperatures at the time relating to the protracted post-election battles.

Siaya County is participating in the intercounty games for the third time now since the games commenced and this is the 6th Edition of the Kenya Youth Inter Counties Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) Games scheduled in Kisii County for the better part of this week.

On her part, Dr. Elizabeth Odhiambo noted the need to continue providing the County staffs with the opportunity to share with the rest of the counties their experiences and borrow best practices to enable them improve service delivery to the public in Siaya

She further reiterated the ability of the games to offer opportunities to promote national unity, integration and cohesion and appreciation of cultural diversity.

Siaya County has lined up various sports activities to compete with against the other 46 counties including but not limited to athletics, football, netball, music set pieces, tugs of war, the traditional 'ajwa' just to mention but a few. Only the best is wished for every participating team.

HOMESTAY TOURISM CONCEPT' TO SPICE UP LOCAL TOURISM IN SIAYA

st 1 August 2018


iaya County Department of Tourism is currently on a Sbench-marking tour on the development of 'home stay concept' in Taita-Taveta County here in Kenya. Taita

Taveta County is amongst the leading Kenyan counties in encouraging county residents to offer their residences to tourists for homestay tourism.

The homestay concept is symbiotic; allowing tourists to sample a typical Kenyan home while also economically empowering the locals. The County Executive for Tourism, Sports & Arts Dr Elizabeth Odhiambo accompanied by the Chief Officer Madam Elizabeth Oduor and key staff have met their Taita-taveta counterparts County Executive Getrude Shuwe & Chief Officer Rhoda Mwashigadi.

The Tourism Department is keen to see the concept take off in Siaya. In Taita-Taveta County the hotel industry has embraced the concept & have a hotel-homestay partnership that either helps when they are fully booked or just add value as part of the hotel's package. The Siaya Tourism Department will initiate a mapping strategy with key stakeholders that will culminate in the interested homes getting licensed. Siaya County has a rich diversity of beaches, heritage sites, hero-shrines amongst much more that would interest homestay tourists. The County Government of Siaya is keen on promoting Tourism to earn revenue & also reinforce the County's image on the global map.

The welcoming meeting took place at the Taita-Taveta County Headquarters in Wundanyi. The representatives of the department then proceeded on a guided tour to various homes & heritage sites.

Tourism, Culture, Sports and Arts The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


SIAYA YOUTH SHINES IN KAKAMEGA AGRIBUSINESS FORUM.

rd3 August, 2018.


parrow Processors managed by youth group from Siaya

SCounty is the winner for the best prize in the just

completed Western Youth in Agribusiness competition

in Bukura, a summit that brought together competitions on

agribusiness ideas from youth drawn from Bungoma,

Kakamega and Siaya counties.

In a contest that sought to assess business originality,

innovation, scalability and importance to the youths, Sparrow

Processors which deals in production of mango juice and

mango products emerged victors amongst nine other groups.

Besides manufacturing mango wine, Sparrow Processors has

as well acted as an avenue of employment for a good number

of youth with main aim being to commercialize the business

and franchise it to the public.

The group has also been able to come up with solution plan to

mango farmers who are faced with loses due to poor harvests

during mango seasons.

Because of their hard work and commitment to coming up

with agricultural innovations, the County Government of Siaya

has pledged to reward the group with wine filter valued at Ksh.

50,000. They will also receive business equipment worth Ksh

116,207 or two weeks workshop trip to Germany or training

opportunity in the County.

"KIL IMO BIASHARA KWA V I J A N A " C O N F E R E N C E TARGET ING KAKAMEGA, B U N G O M A A N D S I AYA COUNTIES LAUNCHED IN BUKURA

nd2 August 2018


ve r 20 0 yo u t h s i n Oagriculture from Siaya County have joined over

600 other young Kenyans from Bungoma and Kakamega counties at Bukura Agricultural College, Kakamega for a two day Youth in A g r i b u s i n e s s C o n f e r e n c e beginning today under the theme "Kilimo Biashara Kwa Vijana", sponsored by The German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) and The German Cooperation here in Kenya.

The conference scheduled for closure later tomorrow, Friday, by His Excellency Cornel Rasanga, Siaya Governor was ofcially opened by His Excellency Prof. Phillip Museve Kutima, Kakamega County Deputy Governor who also doubles up as The County Execu t i ve fo r Agr i c u l t u re, Livestock and Fisheries.

Aimed at increasing rural youth population par t ic ipation in Agriculture, increased youth e m p l oy m e n t p o t e n t i a l i n Agriculture and advocacy for coherent youth friendly policies, the conference will also endeavor to mentor upcoming youth innovators through exhibitions at the conference venue.

In the opening remarks delivered o n b e h a l f o f K a k a m e g a Governor His Excellency Ambetsa Oparanya Wycliffe, the Deputy Governor, Kakamega County emphasized the central place of Agriculture in the economic map of Western Kenya counties while outlining the various efforts put in place by Kakamega County to bolster participation of youths in Kilimo Biashara (Agribusiness).

Dr. Kevit Desai, the Principal S e c r e t a r y i n c h a r g e o f Vocational, Technical, Education and Training in his remarks empha s i zed t he p la ce o f partnerships, competency based education training, innovative a p p r o a c h e s a n d q u a l i t y assurance in making agriculture more acceptable to the young among us. The PS noted the centrality of technology as a driver of transformation targeting

the youth in the agriculture sector. Mr. Marius Rauh, the Deputy Head of Cooperation in the German Embassy intimated that with 35% of Kenya's population being the youth and 1.4 million of them enter ing the labor market annually, the need to reorient the youth to Agribusiness could not be re-emphasized. He regretted that the current farming population averaged 60 years in age with limited access to land, capital, s k i l l s and mar ke t mak i ng agriculture less friendly to youths. The German government will seek to help the Kenyan government and the county governments of Siaya, Kakamega and Bungoma through this "Kilimo Biashara Kwa Vijana" initiative

Hon. Charles Ogada, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture has led ofcials from the County Government of Siaya including Agriculture Department Chief Ofcer Mr. Sylvester Kokoth t o s h a r e a n d e x c h a n g e ex p e r i e n c e s o f yo u t h s i n Agribusiness with the neighboring counties.

Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


E N V I RO N M E N TA L IMPACT ASSESSMENT NOW MANDATORY; RASANGA

th20 August 2018


o v e r n o r C o r n e l GRasanga AMOTH has d i r e c t e d a l l

departments to mainstream E n v i r o n m e n t I m p a c t Assessment (EIA) in all the projects being undertaken by the County Government of Siaya to comprehensively address risks and problems encountered with the locals d u r i n g p r o j e c t s implementation.

Speaking earlier today while receiving World Bank Ofcials here in Siaya, His Excellency said the absence of the EIA repor ts on some projects implemented in the county has resulted in complaints by locals on negative impacts of such projects.

“From now hence for th,

before we begin any project anywhere here in Siaya, the EIA report must be found in the b a s e o f e v e r y l e t o incorporate all local views and assess their impacts thereto,” said the Governor.

“If you are not able to do it we shall engage specialists to do it, to safeguard the social lives o f t h e l o c a l s ,” a d d e d Rasanga.

F l a n k e d by A g r i c u l t u r e Executive Hon. Charles Ogada, Trade Chief Ofcer Hon. Joseph Ogutu and Acting Heal th Chie f Ofcer Dr. Samwel Owino, His Excellency noted that the public has suffered greatly especially those who have previously lost valuables during expansion and repair of roads on projects done without environment impact assessment.

The Governor, meanwhile, hailed the World Bank for considering Siaya in its urban development programs and asked implementers to ensure every resources are accounted for and the intended purposes are achieved.

“I take note of the fact that KShs. 46 million for capacity building is coming to Siaya and w e a l s o h a v e a n o t h e r KShs.103 million meant for A g r i c u t u r e a n d H e a l t h Department already in place. These funds will go a long way in helping us contribute to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Agenda 4,” said the Siaya Governor.

On the Environment Impact Assessment, the Governor was reacting to comments of the World Bank ofcials led by Dr. R o b e r t O c h i e n g (Environmentalist) and Dr. Mary Nyamong who had earlier noted that the multi-million projects to be funded in the county will only be done once proper EIA reports that safeguards interests of locals are done.

WATER SOLUTIONS IMMINENT IN SOUTH EAST ALEGO, SIAYA COUNTY

nd 2 August 2018


esidents of South East Alego Ward in Siaya County are set Rto be treated to increased supply of clean water courtesy of the County Government of Siaya in collaboration with

World Vision, following finalisation of the construction of a major water project in the region.

In an impromptu inspection of the project by Hon. Adrian Ouma County Executive for Water, and Hon. Joseph Mboha, South East Alego Assembler, the two confirmed that the water project which will serve Nyajuok sub location residents and lower parts of Paporiang sub location around Ochiwa Primary school is complete after construction of modern water kiosks, installation of water pumps and installation of 34 solar panels.

Hon. Adrian Ouma confirmed his commitment to working with partners and other leaders to ensure that residents of Siaya are served with adequate water supply.

Hon. Mboha took cognisance of the heavy burden that women face travelling long distance in search of the precious commodity and committed to do his best to curb the situation of inadequate water supply.

The two leaders were in the tour inspecting the project before the official commissioning by His Excellency Cornel Rasanga, Siaya Governor at a later date.

Water, Irrigation, Environment and Natural Resources The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


THE HUGE POTENTIAL OF THE MANGO VALUE ADDITION INDUSTRY IN SIAYA COUNTY

th*7 August 2018


parrow Processors Group, the youth group from Siaya

SCounty that recently won the best award in an Agribusiness competition pitting Bungoma, Kakamega

and Siaya Counties is a classical case study of what young college students can do for themselves with local government support and technological innovation through value addition.

Through their partnership with the Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP) under the support of The Kenyan, Swedish and Siaya Governments, the youth group has innovated a mango fruit processing plant domiciled at the Siaya Agricultural Training Centre, now with a branch off in fruit wine processing additional facility.

The group’s wine and mango fruit processing ideas are motivated by the current post harvest losses in the mango industry in Siaya County. Apparently, up to 6,000 households in Siaya County are involved in mango planting for sale with more than 4,000 tonnes of mango fruits produced in Siaya annually. Unfortunately, up to 60% of this harvest goes to waste as post-harvest loss due to market and processing challenges with most of the mango fruits sold at near throw away price locally. This portends great potential for the mango fruit processing industry, part of which the Sparrows Processors Group is in the initial stages of exploiting albeit with limited capacity.

The Sparrows Group is a modest composition of no more than ten young women freshly out of college having been inspired to raise school fees through business while still in college around year 2014. The Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP) then adopted the group and incubated the Agribusiness idea by helping them with training and basic equipment acquisition according to Rosemary Raluoch, the program’s Siaya County Coordinator.

The Agriculture Sector Development Support Program

(ASDSP) provides incubation training to upcoming

Agribusiness initiatives aimed at transforming crop, livestock and fisheries production into commercially viable enterprises through incubation to boost household income, create employment and enhance food security. The program adds value to local products for increased acceptability within a wide range of markets at increased pricing. The program has for example trained hundreds of youths in top working, a process that involves grafting of mature mango trees to improve quality and variety of the trees. The youth groups have gone ahead to top work over 2,000 mature mango trees in Siaya County alone. To worked mango trees, have no fibre in the ultimate mango fruits making them even more market acceptable.

A mango has an average economic lifespan of up to 50 years or more. This means that mango production guarantees sustainable household economic income than any other known locally available fruit plant.

Families with adequate mango trees and guaranteed mango fruit markets can easily escape poverty. Collecting mango fruits from the local farmers, Sparrows Processors Group process and produce mango fruits juice and wine garnering profits of no less than KShs. 2,800.00 per

day from the sales. These profits have helped the youths complete their college fee balances and are plotting the expansion of the initiative to increase production volumes, work force and the attendant profits.

Ramba Fruit Processing Plant in Rarieda Sub County funded by The World Bank through the moribund Western Kenya Flood Mitigation Program and currently operated by Ramba Mangoes Cooperative Society is the only other existing fruit processing plant in Siaya County with quite limited capacities to meet the potential of the mango fruit processing industry in the County.

Apart from providing the youth group with the infrastructural facilities at The Siaya Agricultural Training Centre for free, the County Government of Siaya is supporting the group with a wine filter machine to improve the wine quality produced. The County Government is also monitoring very closely the ‘Enterprise Development Fund Bill’ due for passage into law at the Siaya County Assembly to support fledgling youth Agribusiness initiatives as such. Any support from interested investors to work with Sparrows Processors Group or separately set up a Mango Fruit Processing Plant in Siaya is therefore an idea of great economic sense.

Agriculture, livestock and fisheries- Feature The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


E S T A B L I S H M E N T O F S I A Y A MUNICIPALITY BOARD AND CHARTER BOTH ON COURSE

nd2 August 2018


iaya Deputy Governor Dr. James

SOuko Okumbe has asked the Kenya Urban Support Programe

( K U S P ) t o h o l d c o m p r e h e n s i v e discussion with a technical team from the Lands Department to sort out issues that may derail implementation of urban development projects in the region.

Dr. Okumbe while meeting a delegation from KUSP at his office noted with opt imism that technical meet ings involving the KUSP and lands technical team would be fruitful in prescribing solutions the implementation of the Kenya Urban Support Program.

“We thank the team for coming to Siaya to monitor the progress on absorption and implementation of Urban Development Programme and would like them to discuss expansively and share ideas on

how certain conditionalities can be met,” said Dr. Okumbe.

Dr. Okumbe was giving feedback to the remarks made by KUSP Project Manager Isaac Mungania who had urged Siaya County executive to work closely with Assembly to quicken the establishment of the Siaya Municipality Board and Siaya Charter to pave way for the release of funds to implement Bus Park and Modern Market Projects in Siaya town.

Siaya County should in the first phase get KShs. 40 million under Urban Institutional Capacity Building Grant and then KShs. 50 million under Urban Development Grants for implementation of various projects within a year.

The Assembly Lands Commi t tee represented by East Gem MCA Samwel Siguru during this courtesy call noted that the assembly has received the Municipal Charter Document and would approve it soon.

“We have the Municipal Charter Document at the Lands Committee stage and it would be tabled for debate and approval as soon as assembly resumes it's sittings after the current recess,” said Hon. Sigulu

Other Leaders present included County Secretary Dave Anyona and Lands Chief Officer Jacton Nyandiko.

SIAYA COUNTYGOVERNOR QUERIES THE CURRENT REVENUE SHARING FORMULA BY CRA

th9 August 2018


His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth, Governor Siaya County, has expressed his reservations on the methodology currently being used by t h e C o m m i s s i o n f o r R e v e n u e Allocation (CRA) to allocate funds to counties. His Excellency has noted that the current allocation criteria based on population and revenue collection do not take into account the very many professionals that include but are not limited to lawyers, engineers, doctors, from Counties who are based in different parts of the world and do not contribute to the revenue collected in their counties hence not covered by the said formula.

The Governor asked the Commissionfor Revenue Allocation to look for a formula that will see equal distribution of funds based on measurable strengths of the counties like human resource capacities.

The Siaya Governor was speaking on Tuesday morning during a Governors and CRA breakfast meeting at the Hotel Intercontinental, in Nairobi.

Governance and administration The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


Council of Governors endorses the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM)

th30 August 2018


Based on the learnings from Makueni County and working with African Peer Review Mechanism Initiative, The Council of Governors under the chairmanship of Turkana Governor His Excellency Josephat Nanok has welcomed County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) towards achieving people-centered governance through a participatory approach to devolution, moving forward.

The council, through its vice chair Ms. Anne Waiguru, who is also the Governor of Kirinyaga County, endorsed CPRM, a program run by the New Partnership for African Development/African Peer Review Mechanism (NEPAD/APRM) Kenya Secretariat, during the first governor’s peer learning mission that was held in Wote Town, Makueni County on 27th August 2018.

In her address, Governor Waiguru noted the importance of CPRM and its impact towards service delivery through public participation since the mechanism will enable counties to compare notes on governance strategies, successes, and challenges.

“Each county will develop a plan for implementing priority actions based on public participation mechanism, structures, and practices for effective delivery of services,” she said.

Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, the Governor of Makueni County noted that, even though counties have been learning from each other, it is still important to institutionalize structured peer-to-peer learning among

counties.

CPRM indepth

C P R M i s a g o v e r n a n c e “ s e l f -assessment” and peer– review tool for Kenyan counties to share experiences, re in fo rce bes t p rac t i ces , i den t i f y deficiencies and assess capacity building needs to foster policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth and sus ta inab le development.

A perception based survey of counties will begin next month and eight counties have been selected for the pilot review.

It is proposed that County Governments conduct self-assessments every first and third year of the election cycle in order to ensure there is sufficient time in-between to imp lemen t p rev ious pee r - rev iews commitments and to avoid fourth and fifth years as this is usually a build-up period towards general elections.

His Excellency Cornel Rasanga, Siaya Governor, while commenting on his experience in Makueni noted that peer learning does not mean inability among those learning from others. It means we all have a thing or two to learn from each other and learning is a continuous process according to Siaya Governor. "Even Makueni can learn from us on how to effectively run Community Health Strategy working with Community Health Volunteers, something the Uni ted Nat ions has acknowledged Siaya County has excelled in under my government", His Excellency noted during a luncheon at South East Alego in his honor yesterday. The Governor directed increased public participation among departments in future government programs to maximize benefits from public investments moving forward.


"LET'S TONE DOWN ON THE 2022 CAMPAIGN POLITICS AND SERVE THE PEOPLE " RASANGA

26 August, 2018


he Siaya County Governor H. E TCornel Rasanga Amoth is deeply concerned with the rate at which

politicians have set county on an early campaign mood.

Rasanga who was speaking today at Sipoklo Nomiaya Church in Gem Constituency advised politicians to focus more on development agenda and service delivery to the people.

The County boss, weighed in his opinion on the abrupt come back of the two IEBC commissioners who resigned during the last hotly contested general election, citing the poor leadership of chairman Wafula Chebukati.

While reiterating to president Uhuru Kenyatta to stay steadfast in the fight against impunity, H. E Cornel Rasanga questioned whether the issues that the commissioners had earlier raised were solved or not.

Ugunja Constituency MP, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi emphasised on the need to support the governor in cementing his legacy agenda.

Wandayi further asked leaders and other

e d u c a t i o n s t a k e h o l d e r s l i k e K N U T , K U P P E T a n d N a t i o n a l Government through the Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed to take cognisant of the importance of education and avert any issues that might derail the education sector such as teachers strikes and students unrest.

On IEBC, the Ugunja legislature said that the "joke we are witnessing must not be allowed to continue " He sounded a warning that the IEBC reforms must start as soon as today, and this should be done in accordance to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Honorable Raila Odinga's building bridges initiative.

Gem Constituency MP, Hon. Elisha Odhiambo Akuba, in his remarks asked Uhuru Kenyatta, the president to deal with impunity with iron gloves. He said the commissioners who had resigned cannot be allowed to come back without due diligence and proper investigations on why they had resigned, and if the said reasons have been addressed.

Hon. Elisha Odhiambo advised that there are many educated young men and women who can fill the vacancies, echoing that allowing the commissioners back will set a bad precedence to the people.

Flanking the governor were Hon. Kinyanyi, MCA Yala Township, Hon Oduor Odongo, Hon. Nick Ochola, MCA North Gem and Mr. Jerry William Ochieng, Communication Director Siaya County.


F I R S T S I AYA CO U N T Y ATTORNEY SWORN IN

th24 August 2018


iaya County Government now has an attorney

Sat law. Ambassador Phillip Richard Owade was today sworn in as the first County

Attorney for Siaya bringing to a close a competitive process that was recently approved by the County Assembly of Siaya.

Congratulating Ambassador Owade on his nomination, approval and appointment as the first office holder of The Office of The County Attorney in Siaya County, Siaya Governor His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth noted the central place of legal counsel in effective government operations.

In the absence of a substantive office holder for the position, The County Government of Siaya has not performed up to par in fronting pieces of legislation to the county assembly as should be the case. This is expected to change as a result of this milestone according to Siaya Governor.

During the swearing in ceremony at The County Headquarters, the Governor directed the County Attorney to immediately embark on increased drafting and publication of legislative proposals for the County Government of Siaya and provide well considered advisory opinions to the County Government and its agencies on legislative and other legal matters.

"I also expect better linkages between the County

Government of Siaya, other County Governments

and the National Government on legal matters while liaising closely with the office of the Council of Governors and the Office of The Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya" Rasanga reiterated.

In his maiden speech Ambassador Owade, assured the executive that through consultution with relevant offices he will ensure legal matters and advisories are proffered without delay. He also emphasised that through team work with the existing legal team, results will immediately begin to show.

Hon. Samuel Atandi, Alego Usonga MP, also congratulated the new County Attorney and asked him to help the county executive to foster a conducive working relationship with the county assembly. He said that this will help the governor leave an outstanding legacy after his tenure in office.

Hon. George Rubiik, Governance County Executive Member noted the vast experience of Ambassador Owade, saying that what the Executive needed to fill in the legal gaps that punctured the functions of the executive. Several members of the Executive witnessed the swearing in ceremony. Ambassador Phillip will sit in the County Executive Committee.

LATEST CHANGES IN THE SIAYA GOVERNMENT

th30 August 2018


His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth has swapped two Executive Committee Members for Health and Education in a reshuffle that aims at enhancing service delivery within the said dockets in the long term.

In the changes, Hon. Dorothy Owino, having been the Education Executive, now moves to the Health and Sanitation docket where she has recently served as the Chief Officer, swapping roles with Dr. Mary Omondi Olute who now goes to the Education docket, where she was initially appointed as the executive in

the advent of the Governor’s second term. Dr. Samuel Omondi remains the acting Health and Sanitation Chief Officer, after Hon. Dorothy was appointed to the county executive from the Health Chief Office. Mr. Kennedy Orwenjo will act as the Health and Sanitation Director.

Dr. Olute, who hails from West Ugenya Ward, Ugenya Sub County, has a rich experience as an educationist which is likely to revitalise the department. With a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership and Policy Education from Moi University in 2011,

another Masters in Sociology (2003 – 2004) from the University of Nairobi, a Bachelor of Education Arts (Honours) and a Diploma in Counselling Skills from Amani Counselling Centre, the education sector can only expect the very best. She has previously served as the

Secretary General of Kenya National Commission for United Nations Education Sc ience and Cul tura l Organ iza t ion (UNESCO), Kenya Office.

Her first task in the office will be to sort out the KShs.75 million bursary stalemate, that has been pending, to ensure hundreds of beneficiaries in high schools and universities get sustained in schools. Some KShs. 37.5 million of the total pending bursaries was released mid-August 2018. The rest is expected in time.

Madam Dorothy Owino, from Gem Sub County, with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Masters of Arts in Population Studies both at the prestigious University of Nairobi has vowed to work closely with various sectors of health to remedy ailing health issues in the County. Her previous stint running over three years in the health docket as a chief officer will be handy in her new assignment.

Other county executives including Hon. Charles Ogada (Agriculture), Hon. Odak Mboha (Roads), Hon. Adrian Ouma (Water), Dismas Wakla (Lands), Hon. G e o r g e R u b i i k ( G o v e r n a n c e a n d Administration), Hon. Joseph Warega (Finance) and Hon. Jaoko Oburu (Trade) has been retained in their dockets in these minor changes.



REPRIEVE FOR PARENTS AS SIAYA COUNTY BURSARIES

COME IN HANDY

th28 August 2018


he Siaya County Bursary has now been released after protracted delays Trelating to treasury disbursements. The KShs. 37.5 million shillings is now being disbursed to schools from the County treasury since mid

August 2018 and is meant to benefit over 8,600 students across the County in secondary, tertiary and university colleges countrywide.

The disbursement delays have also been attributed to the changes in the ward education committee membership, composition and reconstitution which has also been protracted.

The process for the reconstitution of the bursay committee was guided by the Siaya County Education Bursary Fund Act 2016 (April); part 2 section (7) which states that, ‘the term of the previous committee shall expire when a new committee is constituted after every general election.’ The previous membership of the committee have therefore been replaced in part, a process that took time, according to Mr. Peter Otieno, the Acting Chief Officer for Education in the County Government of Siaya.

The second disbursement of another KShs. 37.5 million will shortly occur upon further disbursements from the County treasury. A total of KShs. 75 million will have been disbursed therefore in the pending financial years.

Applicants can access the list of beneficiaries from their respective ward administrators' offices and the offices of The Members of the County Assembly or the Department of Education office in Siaya. The beneficiaries are advised to also forward their school account details to the office of The Chief Officer Education immediately as some applications were lacking in such critical details.

The County Government of Siaya will continue issuing bursaries until stakeholders deliberate and agree on the role of the county and policy paradigm shift in regard to bursary with the advent of the free secondary education.

C U R TA I N S FA L L O N Y O U T H AGRIBUSINESS CONFERENCE

rd3 August, 2018


he Western Kenya Youth Agribusiness

TConference 2018 edition has finally come to an end at the Bukura Agricultural

Training College in Kakamega County.

The Conference which witnessed participation of 800 youths from Siaya, Bungoma and Kakamega counties as well as universities sought to encourage youths in the three counties and beyond to engage more in agriculture as an economic activity as opposed to engaging on part time basis or depending on white collar jobs for employment.

Siaya County Governor H.E. Cornel Rasanga who presided over the event's official closing ceremony thanked the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) for organising a successful conference for youths in the Western region. Governor Rasanga called on both the county and national governments to pull efforts towards successful agricultural sector in the region and beyond saying youths needed to be self reliant to fix the problem of high unemployment.

Kakamega County Deputy Governor H.E. Prof. Philip Museve Kutima thanked the youth for their active participation and challenged them to practice skills learnt at the conference when they get back to their respective counties. He also encouraged them to pass on the experience to other young people who did not get an opportunity to attend.

During the conference, the youth who attended made declarations that Bungoma, Kakamega, and Siaya County Governments shall enact effective youth agribusiness policies and legislation, in line with the national and international policies and best practices and that the three counties shall consider full youth involvement and participation in formulation and implementation of the enacted policies and legal frameworks.

The youth also declared that the three counties shall cooperate in creating better livelihoods for youth through more gainful employment opportunities in agribusiness and related support services. In addition, they agreed that the youth involvement in agri-business development projects should be manifested as a 35% quota from the County Ministry of Agriculture’s development budget.

The two day event was attended by senior officials from both levels of government, development partners and youth among other stakeholders.

Education,

Youth Affairs,

Gender & Social Affairs

The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


T H E K U O N F E S T I V A L I S HAPPENING AGAIN

th18 August 2018


periodical feasting season offering

Athe best of traditional and modern

foods sampled to satisfy the middle

class and organized by professionals from

across Siaya County is on going in Sega

Town this evening. This is one of the several

seasons of the now ritual KUON FESTIVAL

that is quickly developing into a local tourism

brand, rotating across the six subcounties of

Siaya County. Previous seasons have been

graced by the mighty in politics and business

including His Excellency Cornel Rasanga

AMOTH, the reigning Siaya Governor.

Hon. Ochanda, the Bondo MP and a

promising county level politician has offered

the key note address in today's festival this

evening. In his remarks, the two time Bondo

legislature urged the celebrants numbering

towards 100 that the Siaya Political Forum

that organizes the periodical festival could

constructively organize to spearhead debate

and action on topical issues while freely

advocating the freedom of information.

The Bondo MP further reminded the

m e m b e r s t h a t w i t h t h e w e a l t h o f

professionals drawn from all shades of

professions, the Siaya Political Forum could

me tamorphose in to an a l te rna t i ve

government to discuss topical issues and

keep leadership in check through formal

channels.

Andy Olunga on behalf of the college of the

group administrators had earlier welcomed

Siaya Political Forum members to the

occasion.

Politicians, both in office and aspiring have

lately sponsored friends and handlers to also

partake of the social event with the potential

to get to meet the movers and shakers of the

local economy. Future KUON FESTIVALS

can only be better and the County

Government of Siaya could easily harness

into it's potential to spur socio-economic take

off in the tourism and hospitality chain.

SIAYA COUNTY READY FOR THE ANNUAL INTER COUNTY GAMES IN KISII; SANMAC

th7 August 2018


iaya County Choir has settled on two items (A Set Piece and a

SCultural Dance) that will be presented at the 6th Edition of

Kenya Inter-County Sports and Cultural Association bringing

together all counties in Kenya and slated between 12th and 19th

August 2018 in Kisii County.

The County Head of Choir Mr. Collins Odhiambo says the team

have identified the set piece “Tunafurahia Ugatuzi’’ and a

cultural dance (Dodo) that would arguably accord the County the

top awards in their categories in Kisii from next week.

“We have prioritized the two items that we will present at the Kisii

County galla. The other songs we have composed and are

currently practising such as “Jamriambo” will be performed by

our team in Mombassa later in the year,” said Mr. Odhiambo.

According to The County Director of Sports Mr. Sanmac Okoth,

Siaya County will also make several other presentations in the other

categories including teams to compete in Tags of War, Volleyball,

Table Tennis and Basketball.

“Sports is big business at professional level and we have talented

young people in various sports categories who need to showcase

their talents on such a big platform as the KICOSCA games and to

such an even bigger audience,” said Okoth.

Tourism, Culture, Sports and Arts The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


S T A N D A R D I Z E D L AW S A N D P O L I C I E S P A S S A G E A N D ENFORCEMENT TO ADRESS CROSS B O R D E R I N S E C U R I T Y WO E S ; RASANGA

st21 August 2018


In light of the persistent insecurity incidences that have continued to plague the borders between Kenya and Uganda, it is Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga's considered view that The East African Community should come up with standardized policy and laws regulating the conduct of fishermen in Lake Victoria from all the partner states and standardized taxation for all fishermen irrespective of country of origin and that we should mutually agree on a rigorous implementation plan of these laws.

The Governor shared this sentiments today with stakeholders from both countries during a cross border security meeting held here in Siaya and which was used to shade light on grey areas on security between the border counties and countries along the Lake Victoria belt.

In a speech read on his behalf by Hon. George Rubik, County Executive for Governance, His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth said that it must be remembered that the people of East Africa have had long historical, economic, social, cultural bonds and a history of shared natural resourceseven long before independence and which should encourage our continued cooperation.

The East African countries through the East African Community have over the years

e s t abl i s h e d va r i o u s p r o t o c o l s a n d institutions to deepen cooperation in almost all spheres from the customs union and free trade area monetary union, legislative assembly and aspiration towards a political federation.

The two countries have been having successive cordial meetings aimed at addressing cross border conflicts in the past. In addition to what has been discussed in the previous meetings The Governor proposed to the two countries to explore how to address piracy incidences in Lake Victoria that has led to fishermen losing their gears, equipment and fish thus rendering them destitute.

The need to agree on measures to address insecurity in general caused by armed bandits was also proposed by The Governor. This has been a major challenge in the recent past and it is expected that a sustainable solution will emerge from these and subsequent deliberations.

The Governor further asked that collectively, the negotiating teams from the two countriesmust come up with lasting solutions in the

the people of East Africa have had long historical, economic, social, cultural bonds and history of shared natural resources even long before independence and which should encourage our continued cooperation,” Rasanga

best interest of the tens of millions of the residents of The East African Community.

Siaya County Commissioner, Mr. Michael Ole Tialal has meanwhile said that KENYA aims to ensure that peace and development overrides everything else. He asked that the two countries continue to engage each other as brothers as they pursue to improve the livelihood of their people.

On his part, Ugandan Regional District Commissioner Mr. Hussein Matanda Kato, reported that as a country, Uganda is committed to the harmonious growth of The East African Community. The country intends to increase the number of kilometers covered by the boarder laws, to give fishermen more room to do business and fishing.



‘MSANDO KILLERS MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT; RT. HON. RAILA ODINGA

th17 August 2018


Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga has today assured Chris Msandos' family that justice will be served to the family. In a message that was delivered on his behalf by Siaya County Governor His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth, the former Prime Minister said that no matter how long it took to get justice, all chicken will finally come home to roost in the unfortunate murder of the former IEBC ICT boss.

The Siaya Governor speaking at the Msando memorial earlier today in Ugenya Sub County said that himself will only be at peace only when the killers of Chris Msando are brought to book. He confirmed that the handshake between Hon. Raila Odinga and President Kenyatta could help fastrack justice for the family.

Ugunja MP, Hon Opiyo Wandayi who also attended the memorial held at Lifunga reiterated that for the county to move forward, the brutal murder of Chris Msando must be addressed, first by identifying who murdered him and most importantly why he was murdered. Hon. Wandayi who is also the Parliamentary Accounts Committee Chairman, took great exception with the fact that the government declined offers from friendly nations like the United States of America and United Kingdom who had offered to assist in the murder investigation.

In the spirit of building the bridges, through handshake, however, Hon. Wandayi requested the national government to revisit the offer by the USA and UK.

Kisumu Central MP Hon. Fred Ouda, in his letter addressed to President Uhuru Kenyatta, and read at the memorial also requested that the killers of Mr. Chris Msando be brought to book.

Other leaders present at the memorial service included nominated MCA Hon. Benard Adala, who also echoed the call for justice to the family. Today marked the 1st anniversary since Chris Msando was buried immediately after the polls of August 2017.

CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF SIAYA AGREE TO CONSULT MORE

st31 August 2018


Civil Society Groups working in Siaya have resolved to constructively engage the county government of Siaya on and extend consultations to fix socio-economic and political gaps that could derail service delivery in the region.

The Groups led by Community Initiative Action Group (CIAG) Chairman Chris Owala noted in an earlier meeting today that it's only through such consultations that the county administration would deliver services and answer devolution challenges.

The groups while meeting County Executive Officers led by His Excellency Cornel Rasanga committed to continuous and direct engagement with the county executives in charge of various departments to address issues that may hamper realisation of County's blue print pegged on vision 2030.

“Going forward, the County government should value our respective critics as much as they value those who support them", said Owala.

The five hour meeting that was attended by County Secretary Hon. Dave Anyona, Hon. George Rubiik (Governance), Hon. Dorothy Owino (Health), Hon. Mary Olute (Education), Hon. Elizabeth Adhiambo (Tourism) Hon. Charles Ogada (Agriculture)

and Trade Chief Officer Mr. Joseph Ogutu deliberated on how to link civil societies on thematic areas to give inputs on certain policies in the drafting stages.

“Lots of policies drafted by the executive might have lacked input of public and civil societies but going forward we shall work closely with county to make public know through our forum, existing policies and impacts they have on the locals,” said Owala.

The Governor on his part asked the Department of Governance and Administration to enlist all civil society groups in the County and know their thematic areas to ensure they get involved in the ongoing programs that stands to benefit the public.

Governor noted that the groups are endowed with resources that can be injected as per requests, to many public participation programs so that the residents do not miss information on the planned and ongoing projects or policies.

He cited the planned construction of Siaya Stadium that will consume KShs. 400 million as one of the key projects whose design should be made public for the locals to give their views before the actual implementation.

“All projects undertaken by my government are supposed to be owned by locals and its through public participation forums that we can embrace views on how they want it done,” said Rasanga.

The Governor urged the groups to engage the executives more often to address plights of the people.

YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE IS POSSIBLE: RASANGA

st31 August 2018


Siaya County has made tremendous progress in articulating the needs of local communities, despite challenges arising from the advent of devolution process according to Siaya Governor His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth.

Some of the key challenges that the County have faced in implenting people centred programs according to His Excellency have included complex intergovernmental relations between national and county governments, low technical capacity at counties, delayed flow of funds from the national treasury and high community expectations.

The Governor was speaking in his office while meeting a powerful delegation from The German Development Cooperation through GIZ and KFW who paid him a courtesy call in his office.

“The support to develop, implement and domesticate agricultural policy, the planning processes relating to it, efficient service delivery and county agricultural advisory services by the German Government and its affiliates have really helped improve our output as a government ” said Rasanga.

His Excellency noted that agriculture has largely remained unattractive to youths for a variety of reasons including inadequacy of knowledge on modern farming skills, entrepreneurial orientation and marketing approaches all of which need to be addressed by the County and partners like GIZ to increase youth participation moving forward.

Hon. Charles Ogada, Siaya County Execative Member for Agriculture speaking at the meeting noted that GIZ and KFW are supporting selected value chains in the dairy and sweet potato industries, improved soil management aspects and rural infrastructure development including improving rural roads and the proposed lower Nzoia Irrigation Project all of which are helping improve service delivery to the people of Siaya County.

Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Director of Food, Rural Development and Resource of Federal German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development concurred with His Excellency the Governor that there is need to encourage more youths to get involved in agriculture as a means of doing business. He assured the Governor that the German Government will continue to support Siaya County Government in areas of agriculture and capacity building.

Other members of The Executive who flanked His Excelency the Governor during the meeting included Hon. George Rubik CECM, Governance, Hon. Dave Anyona, County Secretary, Hon. Dorothy Owino, CECM, Health and Mr. Joseph Ogutu, Chief Officer Trade.



X-RAYS INSTALATION IN UKWALA AND BONDO HEALTH FACILITIES COMPLETE

th15 August 2018


Siaya Governor His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth confirmed that in less than 100 days, Siaya County will have a functional CT Scan to help with related services within the County.

X-ray services will also be available functional in Madiany, Ukwala and Ambira Health Facilities before the end of the year according to His Excellency.

X-ray machine already installed in Ukwala Hospital, the only thing left is the upgrading of power line to three phase.

S I A Y A C O U N T Y T O H O S T T H E INAUGURAL COUNTY HEALTH AND R E S E A R C H C O N F E R E N C E T H I S SEPTEMBER 2018

nd22 August 2018


he County Government of Siaya Tthrough it's Health Department in collaboration with various partners

have organized the 1st 'Siaya County Health and Research Conference' between 18th and 20th September 2018 at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Unive r s i ty o f Sc ience and Technology, Bondo campus.

The inaugural conference targets all stakeholders working in the Health and Sanitation industry in the county and beyond

under the theme *‘Health Research for Evidence-Based Health Care in a Devolved

Health System’*

The three day conference to be opened by His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth, Siaya Governor, envisages capturing all health issues under the various sub-themes based on the health challenges afflicting the county in the areas of reproductive health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, water sanitation and health, population and environmental health, technology, innovation and health, agriculture and health, nutrition and health, community and health, social determinants of health, health systems strengthening and social determinants of health.

Siaya County has been the site of many ground-breaking research activities that have informed health policies nationally and globally. Some of these include; insecticide treated bed-net use, anti-malaria drug usage, rota virus immunization, and the forth coming WHO-recommended limited role-out of a malaria vaccine, among many others. These clearly show that the county is home to many research activities with the potential of informing policy on health issues.

With over 600 participants expected to participate, the County Government of Siaya has partnered with Centre for Health Services, World Vision Kenya, K-MET, CDC, Impact Research Development Organization, PATH and Care International in Kenya among other partners to make this inaugural conference a reality.

Registration to the conference for groups have been earmarked @ KShs. 5,000.00, an individual @ KShs. 2,000.00 and University students @ KShs. 1,000.00. Partners interested in exhibiting can book exhibition booths at KShs. 15,000.00 with the technical working group domiciled at the County Government Health Department Offices here in Siaya town.

Health and sanitation The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


YOUTH FRIENDLY

AGRIBUSINESS INITIATIVES

ONGOING IN SIAYA COUNTY;

KOKOTH

rd3 August 2018


he County Government of Siaya has engaged Tup to 502 pupils from 17 primary schools across

the County in an ambitious mangoe nurseries

initiative bound to increase the participation of the

young in Agribusiness. The pupils adopt mangoe

nurseries and pass on the seedlings to other pupils

who are expected to take care of the mangoe trees

through to maturity according to Siaya Agriculture

Department Chief Officer Mr. Sylvester KoKoth.

Youth access to government procurement

opportunities (YAGPO) initiative by the Department of

Agriculture has also seen youths awarded tenders to

supply farmers with subsized seeds, and Agriculture

equipment in the recent past.

Addressing youth participants at the on going Youths

in Agribusiness Conference at Bukura College, Mr.

KoKoth mentioned on going trainings for youth on

fabrication works at Siaya Agricultural Training Centre,

up to 12 fish ponds for youth groups across the

County and provision of fingerlings and fish ponds in

the 2018/2019 Financial Year as some of the County

Government's initiatives in supporting young people

to maximize on Agribusiness.

Apparently, the County projects to employ no less

than 532 youth in Agriculture related industries by

2022. The impending partnership on youth exchange

program between Florida Agriculture Mechanization

University and the County Government of Siaya is also

expected to revolutionize agriculture within the

County according to The Chief Officer.

9th August 2018

1700hrs

he Siaya County Government has now signed a TMemorandum of Understanding with the National

Government to consumate a collaboration and

partnership agreement on development of affordable housing

units in siaya County as part of the Big Four National

Government agenda.

In his remarks while signing the agreement earlier, Siaya

Governor His Excellency Cornel Rasanga Amoth intimated that

descent housing is a fundamental right for all humanity. “

Every Kenyan has a right to a warm, safe, and secure home with

access to clean running water, sanitation, electricity,

irrespective of where they live,” said the Governor.

His Excellency who was accompanied by Siaya County

Secretary, Mr. Dave Anyona, Lands County Executive Hon.

Wakla Dismas and Siaya Chief of Staff Hon. Walter OKello

further noted that with increased urbanization across the

country, the demand for more and better housing cannot be

overemphasized.

The Siaya County Governor alluded to housing as one of the

principal sectors that has the potential to spur our growth as a

county both socially and economically. His Excellency assured

the national government representatives that his government

is ready, able and willing to provide requisite support where

required to ensure that the housing development under this

collaborative initiative is effectively and efficiently

implemented in Siaya County.

So far, Siaya County has identified land within Siaya

Municipality as well as in Bondo, Yala and Ukwala towns

totalling more than 15 acres for this noble project whose

details will unravel in time.

Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries The SIAYA CountyNewsletter


DEVOLVING THE HOUSING COMPONENT OF THE BIG FOUR, FINALLY


The Life Of A Soldier

© Jodi M. Kucera

We have an understanding, you and I.We sit in silence; nothing needs to be said.

I know the weight you carry.You hold your head high, but inside you cry.

The life of a soldier is not an easy one.

Memories haunt you!But you stand tall and show no fear.


You hear voices of days past come rushing to your head.You think to yourself, "He was a good one; why is he dead?"

You wonder if you should have done things differently.No time to think, only react.


The guilt is too much to bear.Although you were wounded, you question,

"Why him and not me?"You can't forget the faces that were there.


We have an understanding, you and I.You're a soldier for life; and it has not been an easy one.

“In an age when nations and individuals routinely exchange murder for murder, when the healing grace of authentic spirituality is usurped by the divisive politics of religious organizations, and when broken hearts bleed pain in darkness without the relief of compassion, the voice of an except ional poet producing exceptional work is not something the world can afford to dismiss.” ― Aberjhani

My Credo Of Life

© Pat A. Fleming

Let me live within the moment.

Let me feel all that I can.

Let me cherish life for all it's worth,

With everything I am.

Let me see what's right in front of me,

With vision crystal clear.

And face what's waiting there for me,

With no hesitance or fear.

May I wake each day with gratitude,

For all my life may be.

And always feel that wonderment

At the world surrounding me.

May I welcome any strangers

With an open heart and mind.

And always stand for what is right

With all the strength that I can find.

Let me forgive myself for my mistakes,

While forgiving others theirs.

And never grow indifferent

But always strive to care.

Let me not forget what matters

In the scheme of every day,

To live each precious moment

In a kind and loving way.

For this moment now is everything,

Nothing matters but today.

So I'll willingly embrace it

And not let it slip away.

For it passes all so quickly,

And one chance is all we get.

And a life of wasted moments

Is a life filled with regrets.

“Fairy tales are more than true: not

because they tell us that dragons exist,

but because they tell us that dragons

can be beaten.”

― Neil Gaiman

“Be yourself; everyone

else is already taken.”

― Oscar Wilde

The SIAYA CountyNewsletterPoetry corner


General pictorial The SIAYA CountyNewsletter

-SiayaCounty-

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