The construction of a new matatu terminus at Railway Grounds (opposite GateHouse Roundabout) in Nakuru Town is progressing well.

Today, the County Government, which undertook the initial work, including stripping of the topsoil, clearing, stabilization of the ground and murram compacting handed the site to a contractor who will handle the remaining specialized works.

The scope of work to be undertaken by the Contractor include; Civil Works(Kerbs installation, carbro laying, culvert installation lined drain) and Structural Works (perimeter wall, waiting bay, toilet block and floodlights).

While handing over the project, acting Roads Chief Officer Johnson Kamau said the entire project will be complete before the end of July.

“We have come up with an urgent work plan to ensure that the project is finished by July,” the Chief Officer said.

The project has been financed by the County Government at Sh 75 million.

It is in line with Governor Lee Kinyanjui plans to decongest the town and create an efficient transport system as the town gears for City Status.

Kamau said the County Government of Nakuru is negotiating with Kenya Railways for extra land to provide more slots for matatus.

Also present was Acting Roads Director Simon Kariuki.

The County Government of Nakuru has commenced another phase of the distribution of avocado seedlings under the Crop Diversification Program.

Yesterday, 7,000 avocado seedlings were distributed in Kabatini Ward, Bahati sub-county. This is set to benefit about 411 farmers each getting 17 seedlings for their quarter-acre farms.

This year, the County will be distributing 36,827 seedlings to a tune of Shs10.7 million.

Overseeing the distribution was Agriculture Chief Officer, Mr Kibet Maina who said the County has made tremendous efforts in the program as farmers can sell their products to various processors.

He added that, since the inception of the program, the County has over 4,000 acres of land under avocado production and another 2,000 under private farmers’ initiatives.

The County will distribute the seedlings in Rongai, Molo and Njoro sub-counties.

Representatives from the County Government yesterday handed over wheelchairs to persons with special needs in Kuresoi North sub-county.

This initiative is part of the program aimed at providing socio-economic support to families with children of special needs.

According to one of the beneficiaries, Ms Joyce Kosgei, her daughter Diana Cherotich had been suffering in the past because she could not move due to lack of a mobility device.

Ms Kosgei noted that her daughter had undergone surgery to rectify her spinal cord but the surgery was not successful.

The County Government continues to assess families with persons living with disabilities to provide assistive devices to these families.

The families will also receive psychosocial support through counselling as well as suitable economic support.

The construction of the Sh 9.7million Njoro Vocational Training Center is set to restart following a site visit meeting by officials from the Education and Vocational Training Department.

The centre which had stalled for a long due to the impropriety of the contractor is expected to be ready for operations in 4 weeks.

The project is 80 per cent complete and the contractor is on the site and is now committed to continue with the work.

Njoro VTC has a capacity of about 360 students, therefore the expansion of the institution will accommodate and increase the enrollment of students in Njoro Sub County and beyond.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the facility, Education Chief Officer Mr Jamleck Maina affirmed that the County Government is committed to supporting the contractor to fast track the process to see the project ready.

The county is offering full bursaries to students in VTC, to encourage the youths to enrol to improve their skills in different fields.

The County under the leadership of Governor Lee Kinyanjui has continued to invest in Vocational training centres and ECDs across the County in terms of infrastructure, this being one of the pillars of the Governor’s manifesto.

At least 40 more Early Childhood and Development Education schools in Njoro sub-County have benefitted from furniture distributed by the County Government of Nakuru.

A total of 960 chairs and 144 tables were handed over to the various schools with each school receiving 24 chairs and 4 tables.

The schools were drawn from Kihingo, Mauche, Njoro, Lare, Mau Narok and Nessuit Wards.

The move is part of efforts by Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s administration to improve the learning environment in ECDEs across the county.

While leading the distribution exercise, Chief Officer for Education Mr Jamleck Maina noted that the furniture was custom made to suit pupils at the ECDE stage.

He added that this was the first batch of furniture worth Shs10 million for the 2020/2021 Financial Year, adding that Kuresoi North and Molo sub-counties will be next to benefit from this program.

At the same time, Director for Education Ms Millicent Yugi asked the teachers to be at the forefront in ensuring the furniture is well taken care of, once it lands in their schools.

So far, the County Government of Nakuru has employed 350 ECDE teachers and is in the process of absorbing 116 more teachers into various ECDE centres.

The construction of Ranjuera Market in Kampi ya Moto town, Rongai Sub County, is set to begin after it was handed over to the contractor.

The scope of work for the Sh5 million project entails the construction of two shades, concrete floor, toilet block, security lights and water tank and will be completed in six weeks.

Speaking during the event County Minister in charge of Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives, Raymond Komen said the project seeks to alleviate the sufferings of traders who have been operating under harsh weather conditions and unfriendly environment.

” The County Government of Nakuru has also put up tenders for the tarmacking of roads connecting Kampi ya Moto stage to Ranjuera market and Ranjuera Hospital at a cost of Ksh. 38 million that is set to commence next month,” he said

Mr Komen added that Governor Lee Kinyanjui is doing all these to raise the status of the town to a Sub County headquarter.

In the nearby Rafiki shopping centre, a 600 metres road will soon be tarmacked at Sh25 million.

In Mogoiwet, Legetyo and Magari, roads are being graded and murram at a cost of Sh9 million.

The construction of an ultra-modern outpatient department at the Molo Level 4 Hospital has kicked off with the County Government of Nakuru handed over the site to the contractor.

The Sh183 million project will house a newborn unit, maternity wing, modern theatre, X-ray room and a state of the art laboratory among other amenities and is expected to be completed in 10 months.

County Minister for Health Dr Gichuki Kariuki while officiating the ceremony said once completed, the facility is expected to decongest the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.

The hospital will also serve patients from neighbouring counties of Baringo and Kericho, some of whom already depend on the old Molo sub-County hospital for treatment.

Dr Gichuki noted that this will be the first major renovation done since the hospital was built and already, a team of specialists have been deployed at the hospital to boost the health services.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s Youth Empowerment Advisor Sir Paul Ndirangu urged the contractor to give priority to the local youth when sourcing for human capital.

Other hospitals undergoing a facelift include Njoro sub-County Hospital, Elburgon sub-County Hospital, Mai Mahiu hospital, Olenguruone sub-County hospital and the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.

Naivasha sub-County residents, transport operators and small scale traders are now grateful to the County Government of Nakuru following the completion of the rehabilitation of the Naivasha Bus Terminus (Stage Ya Nakuru).

Before the tarmacking and construction of the drainage system at Sh20 million by Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s administration, the bus stage had deep potholes while some sections had been completely reduced to pools of water and mud.

The terminus used by matatus plying Nakuru, Olkalau, Kikuyu and other places is now complete, marked and the contractor will hand it over to the County Department of Trade on Monday and subsequently open it for use.

Chief Officer in charge of Public Service Management, Mr Paul Githinji said the County will engage all stakeholders to come up with an all-inclusive formula of sharing available spaces to transport operators.

Chief Officer for Trade, Mr Kennedy Momanyi said the County will soon embark on the construction of modern stalls and other amenities to enhance trade at the busy stage.

While appreciating the Governor for being mindful of their problems, the Naivasha Matatu Owners Association official, Mr Stephen Njoroge said before the rehabilitation, potholes damaged their vehicles hence troubling their business.

Vendors and shop owners at the stage led by Zipporah Wangui said they endured dust as vehicles made their way in and out of the stage, posing a threat to their businesses and health.

“We have never had such a mindful leader like the Governor. We assure him our support in all he does and even come 2022,” she said while highlighting other projects such as the upcoming modern Naivasha Level 4 Hospital, the wholesale market and tarmacking of roads in Naivasha town.

The County Government of Nakuru is also constructing a modern bus pack in Nakuru Town to decongest the Central Business District and create and enhance business opportunities.

Governor Lee’s administration is also rehabilitating the Olenguruone Bus Stage in Kuresoi South sub-County by fitting cabros and enhancing drainage to create an environment desired by the traders in the area.

Over 50,000 residents of Karushwa Location, Dundori Ward in Bahati Sub-County will now be relieved from walking several kilometres to seek quality and affordable medical attention at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital, Dundori Center, Ndege-Ndimu and Bahati health centres.

This is following the completion of the first phase of the Githioro Health Center that cost Sh25 Million. The contractor handed over the project to the County Government of Nakuru today, within the 52-week schedule that was set for the project. The second phase will be launched soon will cost Sh35 million.

The facility houses both outpatient and inpatient departments with a 50-bed capacity male and female wards, and a maternity ward will provide all essential and specialized treatment that locals used to seek elsewhere. This will help in decongesting the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital, the Margaret Kenyatta Mother-Baby Unit and other nearby hospitals.

County Director for Public Works, Engineer Muchemi Maina said that the National Construction Authority has commended the County for quality workmanship in the project. He said the County will maintain the same high quality works in other ongoing projects.

County Coordinator for Health Infrastructure Projects, Mr Gerald Maina said the County Government of Nakuru will deploy health workers in the hospital to ensure the provision of quality healthcare services to residents begins as soon as possible.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s administration has set aside over Sh1 billion for health infrastructural upgrade projects towards the provision of quality and affordable healthcare services.

Area Member of County Assembly, Mr Machembu Chege thanked Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s administration for initiating and completing the hospital, among other development projects in his Ward such as drilling of boreholes and piping water to communities and roads maintenance.