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Wycliffe Wangamati

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Jerrycans Aside, Bungoma on The Spot For Procuring Sterile Gloves at Ksh 10,000 a Pair

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Governor Wycliffe Wangamati-led Bungoma County Government is once again on the spot for procuring mattresses and sterile gloves at a cost of Ksh.10,000 a pair.

This is a move taken by the county as part of its activities to combat Covid-19 that has bow hit the Country.

The allegations of the county procuring mattresses and sterile gloves at an exaggerated price come amid claims that the county chief procured 600 20-litre jerrycans at a cost of Ksh 10,000 each.

Wangamati was early this week put on the spot by Members of County Assembly over the misappropriation of Ksh. 6 million meant to combat COVID-19 in the county.

Speaking to members of the press on Tuesday, the Bungoma County Assembly Health committee accused the County governor Wycliffe Wangamati of sabotaging the probe on the allegations.

This is after senior officials and the county referral hospital superitendant failed to appear before the committee to answer the claims.

The committee chair Mr. George Makari expressed his disappointment after the committee secretariat was ordered not to appear for the grilling further accusing the house leadership of conspiring to cover up the scandal.

MCAs Tony Khaoya, Joseph Maguda and Aggrey Mulongo said the county government was involved and further threatened to initiate an impeachment motion against governor Wycliffe Wangamati.

However, Governor Wangamati on Saturday April 11, 2020 distanced himself from allegations of mismanagement of the said funds.

Addressing members of the press at the county offices, governor Wangamati expressed his disappointment over the issue terming it as inaccurate and misleading.

He went ahead to refute the claims clarifying that the county government distributed 368 120- litre jerrycans that were donated to them by well wishers and friends of the county to a few markets in the county.

“Let it be known that we don’t have 600 Jerry cans out there,we have 368 which were donated in a few markets and other public places. Let it also be known that the Jerrycans in question are not 20 litre,they are 120 litres.

“The 600 are the markets we had earmarked to receive atleast a jerican each. I challenge anybody with evidence to contrary or to effect that any officer in my government paid 10,000 Kenya shillings for a jerrycans to bring it forward or take it to EACC,county assembly and other relevant authorities,”he said.

He further noted that the county has received more donations including an assortment of PPEs,training in kind and sanitizer and also urged friends of goodwill to come in and help.

He called upon people to unite instead of creating scandals where there is none to settle meaningless scores.

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Latest NewsPolitics

Bungoma Governor Clears The Air on Buying 600 20-Litre Jerrycans at Ksh 10,000 Each

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Bungoma County Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has distanced himself from allegations of mismanagement of funds meant for the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing members of the press at the county offices, governor Wangamati expressed his disappointment over the issue terming it as inaccurate and misleading.

This comes after he was accused of buying 600 20-litre jerrycans each at 10,000 Kenya shillings. The governor went ahead to refute the claims clarifying that the county government distributed 368 120- litre jerrycans that were donated to them by well wishers and friends of the county to a few markets in the county.

“Let it be known that we don’t have 600 Jerry cans out there,we have 368 which were donated in a few markets and other public places. Let it also be known that the Jerrycans in question are not 20 litre,they are 120 litres.

“The 600 are the markets we had earmarked to receive atleast a jerican each. I challenge anybody with evidence to contrary or to effect that any officer in my government paid 10,000 Kenya shillings for a jerrycans to bring it forward or take it to EACC,county assembly and other relevant authorities,”he said.

He further noted that the county has received more donations including an assortment of PPEs,training in kind and sanitizer and also urged friends of goodwill to come in and help.

He called upon people to unite instead of creating scandals where there is none to settle meaningless scores.

“It behooves upon all of us leaders and the people we serve to shelve our narrow interests and keep our eyes on the ball and that’s fighting Corona virus in the county. To the people of Bungoma, treat any information contrary to this as rumours, gossip and ill-will,”he said

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Politics

Coronavirus Millions go Missing in Bungoma as Governor Procures 20-Litre Jerrycans At Ksh 10,000 Each

by Gabriel Omolo
written by Gabriel Omolo

Bungoma County is again on the spotlight for yet another bad reason.

The Bungoma county government is on the spot over the misappropriation of Ksh. 6 million meant to combat COVID-19 in the county.

Speaking to members of the press on Tuesday, the Bungoma County Assembly Health committee accused the County governor Wycliffe Wangamati of sabotaging the probe on the allegations.

This is after senior officials and the county referral hospital superitendant failed to appear before the committee to answer the claims.

The committee chair Mr. George Makari expressed his disappointment after the committee secretariat was ordered not to appear for the grilling further accusing the house leadership of conspiring to cover up the scandal.

MCAs Tony Khaoya, Joseph Maguda and Aggrey Mulongo said the county government was involved and further threatened to initiate an impeachment motion against governor Wycliffe Wangamati.

The MCAs further accused Wangamati of purchasing a total of 600, 20-liter jerrycans at a cost of 10,000 each. If this is true, then this will go down as another grand ripoff by the leadership of Bungoma County.

Currently, a 20-liter jerrican retails between 100 and 120 shillings. This means that the price of each jerrican was inflated by 8250 percent.

Lwandanyi Ward MCA Tony Barasa said that all efforts by a section of MCAs to get answers from the Governor concerning the procurement of the containers have gone unanswered.

The MCAs have also claimed that some of the officials at the county of Bungoma are using the fight against Covid-19 to inflate prices of goods, some of which are not even purchased.

Governor Wangamati and his government are said to have procured the jerricans to help residents of the county maintain hygiene by washing their hands using soap and water to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

This is not the first time for such “funny” scandals to hit Bungoma County. Former Governor, now Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka was accused of purchasing wheelbarrows at the cost of more than 100,000 shillings each.

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Politics

Bungoma Health Committee Cries Foul Over Alleged Sabotage From Governor Wangamati

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Bungoma County assembly health committee is crying foul over what it terms as sabotage from the house leadership and the County Governor Wycliffe Wangamati’s interference in their mandate execution.

Led by the committees chairman Hon George Makari, the members said they had summoned Bungoma County referral hospital superintendent and other signatories who were involved in the alleged misappropriation of over six million shillings meant to combat corona virus in the County.

He said they were perturbed to learn that the committee secretariat were ordered not to appear to facilitate the committees grilling exercise saying definitely the house leadership was involved in the whole saga.

Hon Makari said it was important to have the committee carry out its mandate saying the residents at the grass root level had faith in them before electing them and they are supposed to perform their over sight duty without failure.

Lwandanyi Mca Tony Khaoya expressed his concern saying its evidently clear that Bungoma County Governor has a hand to do with the sabotage saying they are using the Corona virus rules to shield the truth.

“The appetite of looting in the County is very high and it s unfortunate that ordinary citizens have to give out everything they have to access services at the hospital yet someone comes to loot” he lamented

Bungoma township Mca Joseph Maguda adding that the County executive has decided to sideline them in carrying out important County activities saying it has created a bad working relationship.

Kibingei Mca Aggrey Mulongo threatening to initiate an impeachment motion in the house against the speaker saying he has failed to provide an independent leadership that is expected of him.

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Bungoma Kicks Off Production of Own Face Masks

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Bungoma County has kicked off a local production of face masks.

This is in a bid to ensure that the residents get more masks to protect themselves from the novel Covid-19.

The face masks that are set to be distributed across the county are being produced at Wekelekha Vocational Training Centre.

They have been branded “Made in Bungoma”, and are a product of a licence and certification from Rivertex.

According to Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, the centre will be making up to 10,000 face masks per week.

In adapting the masks to the community, the masks are reusable after washing and sanitizing, a fact that responds to the challenge of costs associated with the disposable ones.

Image may contain: 1 person, sitting
Governor Wycliffe Wangamati Inspecting the “Made in Bungoma” face masks. PHOTO/COURTESY

The products will be given out for free to Boda Bodas, Mama Mboga, Matatu operators as well as County Government employees.

Wekelekha is one of the 10 VTCs being upgraded into Centre of Excellence as part of Governor Wangamati’s push to up-scale the training of technical skills in the County.

In January, the Centre started making County uniforms, including those for nurses, ward admins, Sub County admins and Enforcement Officers.

In what tells of the institution’s potential, the Centre delivered naval white ceremonial uniform for a full parade in a record 24 hours.

Image may contain: one or more people
Some of the locally made face masks. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kenya currently has recorded a total of 172 confirmed coronavirus cases.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Tuesday afternoon while confirming the new 14 cases, warned Kenyans of tougher times ahead, as the numbers are expected to grow, should Kenyans fail to adhere to measures put by the government to contain the virus.

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Sports

PHOTOS: Construction of Multi-Million Kanduyi Stadium Underway

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Governor Wycliffe Wangamati-led Bungoma County Government is going on with the construction and expansion of multi-million Masinde Muliro Kanduyi Stadium.

Photos seen by Dailytrends.co.ke show the construction process in progress with thousands of concrete pillars that are to hold sitting terraces already raised.

Image may contain: people standing, sky, tree, outdoor and nature
Construction progress of the Masinde Muliro Kanduyi Stadium. PHOTO/COURTESY/ Bungoma Governor’s Press Service.

The Masinde Muliro-Kanduyi Stadium is situated in Bungoma County, a place known for producing some of the best athletes in Kenya.

The construction of the modern stadium will cost Bungoma County Ksh. 650 million.

The project that kicked off last year will be built in phases with the first phase set to expand the sports venue to a capacity of 5,000 people.

Image may contain: people standing and outdoor
Construction Progress of the multi-million Masinde Muliro Kanduyi Stadium. PHOTO/ COURTESY/ Bungoma Governor’s Press Service

The first phase is set to be complete in two years time with VIP terraces that can hold 2,000 people set to be constructed alongside changing rooms, a perimeter wall, football pitch, a running track and parking area.

In the second phase, the stadium will be expanded to a 20,000-seater facility.

A perimeter wall at Masinde Muliro-Kanduyi
A perimeter wall to Masinde Muliro Kanduyi Stadium. PHOTO/COURTESY/ DAILY NATION

Once complete, the stadium will have modern facilities and offices including spectator areas, changing rooms, locker rooms for sports officials and team coaches, changing rooms for ancillary staff, washrooms, first aid and medical centre, and a pitch maintenance and control room.

Image may contain: sky, outdoor and nature

There will also be a media centre, VVIP lounge, boardrooms, an anti-doping room and changing rooms for referees. The stadium will have a basketball court, football pitch, volleyball and netball courts as well as rugby, hockey and netball pitches, a swimming pool and a hall for indoor games as well as a gymnasium.

Governor Wangamati’s press team on Friday March 20, 2020 updated the public on the status of the stadium.

Lunao Enterprises, the contractor who won the tender for construction of the stadium moved to the site round August 2019.

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Bungoma County Suspends All Operations, Only Three Offices to Remain Open

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Bungoma County Governor Wycliffe Wangamati on Thursday March 19, 2020 suspended all County operations in the County as part of the efforts to stop spread of Coronavirus.

According to Governor Wangamati, only the Departments of Health, Finance and Office of the Governor shall remain open from tomorrow Friday, March 20, 2020.

Speaking in Mabanga in a meeting that briefed senior officers of the Provincial Administration on a raft of measures to stave the threat of Coronavirus, Governor Wangamati said he had suspended all County operations except strictly essential services.

“Henceforth, unless otherwise called upon, all County employees in departments other than the three shall work from home,” Governor Wangamati directed.

The Governor also banned all market days in the County for the next 30 days.

Governor Wangamati said only markets serving small communities and neighbourhoods will be allowed to operate.

Addressing a sitting that was also attended by the County Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan, Governor Wagamati also directed that any burials in the County take place in under 24 hours.

He also said such burials shall provide running water and soap to all those in attendance.

The Governor also suspended all church functions including weddings, night prayers and crusades.

He called on the residents to remain vigilant, lookout for the following signs and seek immediate medical help from the nearest medical facility in need be:

• Dry Coughing

• Sneezing

• High Fever

• Breathing difficulties

• General body pains

Further, residents are called upon to observe the instructions of health officials.

Particularly;

• Wash your hands with soap regularly – at least for 20 seconds at every given moment with soap and running water.

• Practice high level of personal hygiene

• Avoid the shaking of hands and hug

• Avoid any body contact – always keep at least a metre from the next person.

• Avoid public gathering of whatever kind. Keep off weddings, churches, and keep burials short and small.

• Avoid partaking of any cold food or drinks

• Avoid unnecessary movements

• Practice etiquette while in public, like ensuring you sneeze or cough into a handkerchief of folded arm.

• Ensure to sanitize shared facilities.

• Adhere to instructions and advice given by authorities.

• All public facilities from hotels to malls are directed to provide running water and soap for public use.

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LifestyleOthers

Governor Wangamati Hires 187 Health Workers, Gives Them Tough Directives

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Bungoma county healthcare workers have been called upon to work and serve the community with passion and commitment.

Speaking at Mabanga where 187 recruited health care staffers were receiving their appointment letters, Governor Wangamati congratulated them and emphasized on them being committed to work hard and tirelessly towards the success of the service delivery in the health centers of Bungoma county.

“Health is so crucial in service delivery in this county and health services are real you can’t wait so please just do your best. Serve the county, serve the people of Bungoma county, “said governor Wangamati.

He further noted that through his leadership, those who will do well will be given an opportunity to grow in the county government but also cautioned those who will bore no fruits that they will have a problem.

“You have been given an opportunity, you must work and ensure that at the end of the day you are doing well at your work place and our commitment to you is that when you do well you will have an opportunity to rise within the county government and within the ministry of health,” he said.

He assured the residents of Bungoma that more funds will be directed into health which will see some projects finished like building 100-bed capacity hospitals one in Bumula and another one in Naitiri.

He expressed his satisfaction towards the coming up of devolution noting that it’s the best thing that ever happened in Kenya.

“The best thing that happened to Kenya is the 2010 constitution. A shilling spend at a national level compared to a shilling spend in the county government, a shilling in the county government level is more accountable and more transparent because at the county there are so many eyes looking at that shilling where its being spend.

“It is what is revoking us to vote in the building bridges initiative because we want more resources to come down for it will make it easier in increasing resources from national government to county government.

“When am here as a governor I understand the issues of Bungoma county better than a cabinet secretary sitting in Nairobi and so accountability and transparency is better at the county level and that’s why we are emphasizing on voting in BBI,”he noted

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Politics

US Ambassador Kyle McCarter Tours Bungoma With Bag of Goodies

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has today (Monday) hosted the US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter at his office in Bungoma town.

The Ambassador had paid a visit to discuss on issues in the county more specifically on the governor’s projects including the scholarships and vocational training and also skills and development among the people of Kenya focusing more on the residents of Bungoma.

Addressing the members of the press, Ambassador McCarter noted that their aim is to visit the whole country to create awareness and understanding to the people of Kenya so that they should always focus on what’s best for them and not for the interests of any politician.

He expressed his satisfaction to the county government’s projects more so on scholarships that have seen many students from humble backgrounds but with dreams acquire education.

He further appreciated the presence of vocational training centres which will give a chance to people with different skills but did not secure a chance to go to colleges to showcase their abilities.

“Just because one did not go to university does not mean they have no talent. Neither does it mean they can’t harness their talents to make as much money as the next person,” Ambassador McCarter said.

McCarter further committed support from the American government to improve the infrastructure and capacity of vocational training centres in Bungoma county.

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