Governor Susan Kihika installed as Red Cross Patron for Nakuru County

Nakuru Governor H E Susan Kihika was this morning installed as the patron of the Kenya Red Cross for Nakuru County.

In her new role, Governor Kihika will now serve as the overall leader of the activities of the Kenya Red Cross in the County, ranging from response to and management of disasters, mitigating suffering, helping civilians and people caught in the middle of conflicts, promote the role of the youth in the movement and encouraging mutual solidarity among residents of Nakuru County.

“You are now our leader in this region and you will act as the beacon of hope to those who are suffering. You will direct the activities of the Kenya Red Cross teams in Nakuru County. This is an honorary position which, in our movement, is given to a person of eminence,” said Kenya Red Cross Second Deputy Governor, Mr Samwel Nyairo as he installed the Nakuru Governor as the patron.

Governor Kihika was dressed in a Kenya Red Cross famous red jacket and presented with a life membership certificate, a life membership badge and a copy of the institution whose main task is to alleviate suffering in society.

The Governor accepted the new role and assured the crowning team that she was ready to hit the ground in her new job.

“I am excited, I am happy and I am delighted to be the Kenya Red Cross patron in this County. It is an honour and I am ready to work,” she said at the Nakuru County Governor’s office.

Governor Kihika, referring to the seven fundamental principles of the Kenya Red Cross, was categorical that her role as the chief executive of the Nakuru County and that of patron of the Kenya Red Cross complemented each other since they both involved serving the people.

“We are serving the same people and that is the reason am ready to work with you. This new role is more critical because Nakuru is the gateway to most parts of the country and a lot of incidents which you deal with have occurred here,” she said.

Governor Kihika challenged the Kenya Red Cross to actualize the movement’s plans to putting up a Regional Disaster Centre which had been hitherto earmarked to be domiciled in the County.

“There was a Regional Disaster Centre that was meant to be constructed in Nakuru County. I am hopeful that it will be constructed because this region experiences many accidents, disasters such as fire incidences in Molo and Kuresoi and other disasters,” she said.

The Nakuru County Governor called for a closer partnership with the Kenya Red Cross in mitigating the effects of climate change, especially around Lakes Nakuru, Naivasha, Elementaita and Solai.

“We will need to form a committee comprising members from both sides to coordinate this partnership. However, I want to be very candid with you: I have not been feeling you much. I want to feel you more on the ground. I urge you to be more vibrant,” she said.

Mr Nyairo, who led the team of Kenya Red Cross officials including National Executive Committee (NEC) member, Mr Ali Gedi Ali, requested the Governor to set aside land around Kikopey Town along the Nakuru –Nairobi Highway for Kenya Red Cross to put up a response team. He promised that the movement will train drivers, bodaboda riders and the public in First-Aid skills which will become handy in case of accidents or disasters.