INFOSPOT 27th OCTOBER 2015 Issue No. 27 LAUNCH OF MASS NET DISTRIBUTION IN KAKAMEGA The US Ambasador Robert Godec was the special guest to the residents of Lurambi Area in Kakamega County when he presided over the Launch of the 2015 Mass Net Distribution in Kakamega County which would see 3.8 million treated mosquito nets distributed to 5 counties in the Western region; namely Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Kisii and Nyamira. The obvious tense atmosphere was witnessed everywhere as his arrival was anticipated with bated breath. By 9 am the Kakamega county General Hospital was a beehive of activity as the doc- tors and nurses sought to put everything in place for the visit. At exactly 10 am the sirens that symbolised the US envoy’s arrival could be heard from every corner as they drew closer to the hospital. His tall lean figure could be seen from the entrance as he made his way to exchange pleasantries with the County Health Executive Officer Mrs. Peninah Mkambani and other health officials including our very own Dr. Anne Musuva – Director: Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health. US Ambassador Robert Godec signs the visitors book at the Kakamega County General hospital as he launched the 2015 Mass Net Distribution The Kenyan National Anthem commenced the occasion and the audience was led in an invocation by the local pastor. The MC then took on the mantle to welcome the guests present and paved the way for the entertainers to take the stage. As is tradition, the captivating Luhya traditional beats were not to be un- derestimated and this was clearly seen when Ambassador Godec and the USAID Director, Karen Freeman, performed a jig with the traditional danc- ers to the delight and surprise of all those present. This pleasant occurrence was enough to climax the entertainment session as time was also quickly running out. The various speakers expressed their appreciation at the launch of the mosquito net distrubution and urged for more partnerships to be forged to strengthen the bond between the two governments . The recurring notion that was dispelled by each and every speaker was the culture of residents covering their kitchen gardens with the mosquito nets instead of protecting themselves and their children. The hosting Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, made it clear in his speech that residents should desist from that habit and concentrate on eradicating Malaria as it had already claimed the lives of millions of people in Kakamega alone. 3 Ambassador Godec and USAID DIrector Karen Freeman dance along with the traditional dancers Upon signing the hospital’s visitors’ book, he was then taken through the processes undergone by all expectant mothers upon their subse- quent visits to the hospital. He charmed many of the staff and curious onlookers with his cheerful laugh and friendly personality. He conclud- ed his visit at the hospital by handing out some mosquito nets to the expectant women who were present and got a chance to meet one of the beneficiaries of the Mass Net Distribution, Mrs. Gorreti Ikal and her 3rd born daughter. He encouraged her to keep on using the mosquito net to keep herself and her children safe and she expressed her gratitude at having received the nets all those years back. The US Ambassador greets the Mosquito Net Beneficiary Gorreti Ikal and her youngest child.
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INFOSPOT 27th OCTOBER 2015 Issue No. 27
LAUNCH OF MASS NET DISTRIBUTION IN KAKAMEGA
The US Ambasador Robert Godec was the special guest to the residents of Lurambi Area in Kakamega County when he presided over the Launch of the 2015 Mass Net Distribution in Kakamega County which would see 3.8 million treated mosquito nets distributed to 5 counties in the Western region; namely Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Kisii and Nyamira. The obvious tense atmosphere was witnessed everywhere as his arrival was anticipated with bated breath.
By 9 am the Kakamega county General Hospital was a beehive of activity as the doc-tors and nurses sought to put everything in place for the visit. At exactly 10 am the sirens that symbolised the US envoy’s arrival could be heard from every corner as they drew closer to the hospital.
His tall lean figure could be seen from the entrance as he made his way to exchange pleasantries with the County Health Executive Officer Mrs. Peninah Mkambani and other health officials including our very own Dr. Anne Musuva – Director: Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health.
US Ambassador Robert Godec signs the visitors book at the Kakamega County General hospital as he launched the 2015 Mass Net Distribution
The Kenyan National Anthem commenced the occasion and the audience was led in an invocation by the local pastor. The MC then took on the mantle to welcome the guests present and paved the way for the entertainers to take the stage.
As is tradition, the captivating Luhya traditional beats were not to be un-derestimated and this was clearly seen when Ambassador Godec and the USAID Director, Karen Freeman, performed a jig with the traditional danc-ers to the delight and surprise of all those present.
This pleasant occurrence was enough to climax the entertainment session as time was also quickly running out. The various speakers expressed their appreciation at the launch of the mosquito net distrubution and urged for more partnerships to be forged to strengthen the bond between the two governments .
The recurring notion that was dispelled by each and every speaker was the culture of residents covering their kitchen gardens with the mosquito nets instead of protecting themselves and their children. The hosting Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, made it clear in his speech that residents should desist from that habit and concentrate on eradicating Malaria as it had already claimed the lives of millions of people in Kakamega alone.
3
Ambassador Godec and USAID DIrector Karen Freeman dance along with the traditional dancers
Upon signing the hospital’s visitors’ book, he was then taken through the processes undergone by all expectant mothers upon their subse-quent visits to the hospital. He charmed many of the staff and curious onlookers with his cheerful laugh and friendly personality. He conclud-ed his visit at the hospital by handing out some mosquito nets to the expectant women who were present and got a chance to meet one of the beneficiaries of the Mass Net Distribution, Mrs. Gorreti Ikal and her 3rd born daughter. He encouraged her to keep on using the mosquito net to keep herself and her children safe and she expressed her gratitude at having received the nets all those years back.
The US Ambassador greets the Mosquito Net Beneficiary Gorreti Ikal and her youngest child.
INFOSPOT27th October 2015
“I would like to acknowledge the support of PS Kenya and USAID who were the key drivers of this initiative. Kakamega County has pledged to fight this Malaria epidemic especially with the onset of the El Nino rains. We plan to increase utilisation of all Malaria interventions by communities and improve capacity in coordination and governance as a thought mobilisation towards curbing this disease,” he said.
He went on to explain that, “This year in preparation for El Nino we have made sure that our health facilities are adequately stocked so as to reduce the number of referrals to the County General hospital as was the case.”
Hon Oparanya also sighted that the lack of resources has been a contributing factor to the mismanagement of the disease and therefore assured that as a county they are doing their best to seal the loopholes and raise as much local revenue as possible so as to counteract this menace.
“This year in preparation for El Nino we have made sure that our health facilities are adequately stocked so as to reduce the number of referrals to the County General hospital as was the case.” said Hon. Oparanya
He concluded by appreciating the support provided by the US government in the providence of the mos-quito nets and urged the residents to take advantage and use them to keep their children safe from the deadly disease. He then invited the Ambassador to make his speech.
Ambassador Godec recognized the Kenyan spirit by saluting the audience in the popu-lar Swahili slang words similar to the way Obama began his speech during his visit to the country in July this year. He mentioned that this event is a symbol of the important partnership that has existed between the two countries for more than 5 decades.
He expressed that, “We are proud to be part of this distribution and it is a well-known fact that the government of Kenya has done an impressing job in the fight against Ma-laria over the last 10 years. This is seen by the surge in the number of families that are in possession of mosquito nets across the country. Kakamega County standing out ofcourse with atleast 80% of households having received treated mosquito nets.”
He too urged the residents to use their malaria nets for their safety only. He concluded his speech by appreciating the health workers who play a key role in ensuring that malaria is treated adequately and controlled. He guaranteed that the President’s Malaria Initiative has in-vested Shs22bn in the malaria fight, which includes Health Education programmes, training sessions and various health care kits that will assist in the war against Malaria.
Upon his conclusion, they crowned the event by participating in the distribution of the mosquito nets, where they were oriented on what happens during the exercise and the entities that are required by every individual in order to acquire the nets. They handed out mosquito nets to some of the eager residents waiting in line, many of whom were expectant mothers and mothers with infant children.
Kakamega County Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya and Ambassador Godec present mosquito nets to Ruth Mbeta, a resident of Lurambi area and a beneficiary of the mass net distribution
Kakamega County Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya and Ambassador Godec present a mosquito net to a resident of Lurambi area.
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