Rotary Seeks Partnership With County Government of Siaya For More Impactful Programs

By Auscar Wambiya
Rotary International District 9212 will formalize its partnership with the County Government of Siaya to ensure that joint interventions done by the two partners are more impactful and reach a bigger population. This is in line with the third pillar of the District’s strategic plan, “engaging in more impactful projects”.

The commitment was made by District Governor for Rotary International District 9212 Leonard Ithau during a courtesy call to the office of the Governor of Siaya County, James Aggrey Orengo. The District Governor was received at the county headquarters by the County Secretary Joseph Ogutu on behalf of the Governor who was away for official duty. The County Secretary was accompanied by The County Government of Siaya Chief Officer for Water and Environment Walter Okelo and the acting Secretary to the County Public Service Board Joshua Nyagudi.

The District Governor emphasized the need for formalized partnerships in the areas of medical services through camps, youth empowerment, environment conservation and water provision. He appreciated the County Government of Siaya for previous partnerships in community projects that have made a difference in the lives of the locals.

“The County Government of Siaya would be great partners in the creation of awareness about Rotary and recruitment of new members to join the global movement thereby giving back to the society bigger and better,’’ Ithau said.

Rotary Country Vice Chairman for Kenya West George Muyera will spearhead the formalization of the proposed partnership. The County Secretary committed to mobilize the county government, with the authority of the Governor, to embrace formal partnerships as proposed by the District Governor.

The County Secretary noted the great impact Rotary projects continue to have on the Siaya community. These include the Sega maternity wing constructed with support of the Rotary Club of Siaya, significantly improving the uptake of prenatal and postnatal services among women by over 60% in Sega and its environs.

Other projects undertaken by Rotary in Siaya County through the Rotary Clubs of Siaya and Sagam include more than five free medical camps, a malaria prevention program that included distribution of more than 10,000 mosquito nets, tree planting and a HIV/AIDs prevention program that has since trained over 120 community educators and supported them to provide sensitization and primary health services in the villages of Ambira, Bondo, Hawinga and Malanga in Siaya County.

Rotary Club of Sagam President Prof. Khama Rhogo enumerated the benefits of partnerships, projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Sagam to date and the club’s planned projects in the current Rotary year.

Rotary Club of Siaya President Ms. Amuga Merceline appreciated the work being done by the County Government of Siaya in partnership with Rotary and shared how the Rotary Club of Siaya is impacting local communities since it’s charter in 2013.

The District Governor also paid a courtesy call on the County Commissioner Jim Njoka. The courtesy calls took place during the District Governor’s 10-day working tour of Rotary clubs in Western Kenya during the month of August.

During the courtesy calls, the District Governor was accompanied by several officials including District Governor Nominee Wairimu Njage, Country Chair – Kenya Rosemary Wainaina, Country Vice Chair for Kenya West George Muyera, Rotaractor Ruth Mwathi from the Public Image Committee and several assistant governors.