Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has outlined major development
achievements in education, healthcare and water provision.
The governor said his administration is committed to
ensuring no part of the county is left behind.
Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations at Malkagala in
Cherab on Monday, the governor said the county government has made significant
investments aimed at improving residents’ livelihoods and expanding access to
essential services.
Guyo linked this year’s Madaraka Day theme, “Education,
Skills and the Future”, to his administration’s development agenda, arguing
that true freedom can only be realised when citizens have access to quality
education, healthcare and clean water.
“Freedom is meaningless if a student lacks the tools to
succeed, if a mother cannot access safe maternity care, or if a community
remains without clean and safe water,” he said.
The governor said vocational training remains central to the
county’s efforts to tackle unemployment and equip young people with practical
skills for the modern economy.
According to Guyo, enrolment at Merti Vocational Training
Centre has increased from 20 to 83 students following the installation of
modern equipment and the recruitment of five permanent staff members.
He also cited a partnership with the Safaricom Foundation
that facilitated the construction of two workshops and an administration block
at Uhuru Vocational Training Centre, where new courses in welding and beauty
therapy have been introduced.
The governor announced that Kinna Vocational Training Centre
will become operational in September, adding that the county has introduced a
Sh15,000 capitation programme per learner, effectively making vocational
education free.
“Through these initiatives, we aim to equip our youth with
practical skills, create employment opportunities and drive sustainable socio-economic
growth across Isiolo county,” he said.
In the education sector, Guyo said the county has
constructed 10 classrooms, including the flagship Malkagala ECDE Centre, while
several others have been renovated to improve learning conditions.
He said six latrine units have been built in various ECDE
centres and that the school feeding programme continues to provide porridge to
all learners in public ECDE institutions.
The governor further disclosed that the county has employed
80 ECDE teachers and plans to recruit an additional 119. Another 200 teachers
have undergone training on the Competency-Based Education framework.
Digital learning is also being rolled out across the county,
with 142 ECDE centres now using digital devices to introduce children to technology
at an early age.
On healthcare, Guyo highlighted major investments aimed at
strengthening medical services and reducing the need for residents to seek
treatment outside the county.
He said the county has procured five renal machines, a
128-slice CT scan machine, digital X-ray equipment and ambulances to improve
emergency response services.
“We have also established a fully functional cardiology
clinic and revamped the hospital oxygen plant to improve service delivery,” he
said.
The governor noted that 290 healthcare workers across
various cadres have been recruited during the financial year, including nurses,
clinical officers, nutritionists and laboratory technicians.
He added that new healthcare facilities have been
established in Cherab, including a dispensary at Riig and the
operationalisation of Biliqi Dispensary.
To improve maternal healthcare, the county has constructed a
modern maternity wing at Mataarba and finalised plans for another maternity
facility in Malkagala.
Guyo also announced that the Mother and Child Centre at
Isiolo County Teaching and Referral Hospital will soon be launched in
partnership with the Safaricom Foundation.
The governor said water provision remains one of his
administration’s top priorities, revealing that 77 boreholes have been drilled
and equipped across the county over the last four years.
Several of the projects are in Cherab ward, including the
Dololo Dakiye, Malkagala, Alzakat and Alango boreholes.
“Our government has fully funded the drilling and equipping
of 61 boreholes and supported another 16 through development partners,” he
said.
The governor also welcomed a recent High Court ruling that
nullified the transfer of Onsalat sub-location to Wajir county, describing the
judgment as a victory for justice and the identity of Isiolo residents.
“This landmark judgment safeguards our citizens from
travelling hundreds of kilometres to access government services and confirms
that their land remains part of Isiolo county,” he said.
As the county joined the rest of the nation in commemorating
Madaraka Day, Guyo called on residents to embrace unity and reject division.
“Our diversity is not a weakness; it is one of our greatest
assets. Together, we can build a county founded on justice, equality,
opportunity and freedom for all,” he said.
