Category: Education

BY JACKLINE RUTO

NAKURU, KENYA Tuesday, March 6, 2018

The County Government of Nakuru is set to employ 350 ECD teachers before the end of this financial year, the CECM of Education, ICT& e- Government Raymond Komen has said.

Speaking during a meeting with the County Assembly of Nakuru Budget and Appropriation Committee, Komen said the hiring of the teachers plan will spread to 5 years which will see all registered ECD learning centres in the County having at least 2 teachers.

‘As a county we are lagging behind in learning at the basic yet very important stage. There is a clear gap and our results in KCPE and KCSE exams are declining due to this. We want these teachers to be employed as soon as possible,’ he noted.

Komen further outlined that the grading of the teachers will be according to the current COG scheme of service which is still a draft with the entry point being of assistant ECD teacher 3.

‘The distribution of teachers in all registered centres will depend on how they will be mapped out. There are some areas with more ECD classrooms than others but all will be fairly considered,’ added Komen.

Other issues regarding ECD classrooms, Komen said, will be a requirement by all contractors to do a better and modern designs with all centres fully equipped with furniture and toilets.

‘We have noted with concern that some classrooms are in bad shape because nobody has been manning them. In future we want to have modern classrooms which are fully equipped to facilitate smooth and equal learning of our children all over the county,’ he said.

BY JACKIE RUTO

23RD JUNE 2016 – Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua has called on the National Government through the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure to come up with a code of ethics for boda boda riders in the country.

Mbugua said the code of ethics will maintain public trust and credibility of the boda boda business which he termed as a profession.

Speaking Thursday during a road safety awareness for boda boda operators held at Kunste Hotel, the Governor noted that the code of ethics will further protect commuters against improper conduct by its members and also will provide a commitment to the riders.

‘The code of ethics will add value and quality to your services because all of us now know that this is a profession. Boda boda business has grown tremendously and its contribution towards poverty reduction cannot be gainsaid,’ said Mbugua.

Currently boda boda riders operate under the NTSA Regulations 2015 for motorcycles, which came into force on January 1 and which seek to tame boda boda accidents and attract a fine not exceeding Sh20, 000 or a jail term of not more than six months or both for offenders.

Mbugua said the county government appreciates the significant role played by the boda boda industry in the alleviation of the livelihoods of young people and has thus offered bursaries in each financial year to give a chance for our youth to be trained and licensed on riding motorcycles.

He said the move goes a long way in enhancing safety and augers well with the objective of such trainings.

He urged all boda boda riders to form and join Saccos.

‘We have supported over 20 boda boda organizations establish Saccos which I believe are a sure way of marshaling resources to empower boda boda operators. Through Saccos, operators are diversifying their investments, generating more wealth leading to improved livelihoods,’ noted Mbugua.

He added that the County Government also strives at giving boda boda operators conducive environment to work from.

Among measures taken is the building of boda boda shades in all our sub-counties and wards and improvement of health facilities where now people can get quality and affordable health services without traveling outside the county.

‘I also encourage riders and all people in our county to take up NHIF services as they are affordable at only Ksh 500 per month, one is assured of access to health services at that critical moment of need,’ advised Mbugua.

He said that the County Government of Nakuru is also working together with the Kenya Roads board to enhance road network in the county and through the Kshs 100 million offered by the organization and also other projects like bus stations.

The Kenya Roads Board through the executive director Eng. Jacob Ruwa held the training with the intention of raising the need for safety awareness.

Eng. Ruwa commended the County Government for allowing boda boda business to thrive in the county without harassment of riders adding that the sector now contributes hugely to the economy of the country.

Others present were the Nakuru base commander Mitsanze Thoya, CECs Maina Kairu- Roads and Richard Rop- Environment among other leaders.