August 9

Blame games in Bomet after Barchok fails to deliver on Governor Laboso’s manifesto

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 20:19 | By
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok while addressing the press at his office.Photo/Felix Yegon.

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok has admitted facing a myriad of challenges in seeking to implement some of the agenda set out in the manifesto of her predecessor, the late governor Joyce Laboso.

Singling out the multimillion Mother and Child Wellness Center, Barchok who has been under pressure from the residents to explain why the project stalled instead placed the blame on the national government saying its promise has never yielded fruits.

He said it was sad that despite the assurance it gave of its support in putting up the Mother and Child Wellness Center, it has since reneged on the promise and that there was nothing forthcoming from the government.

“We are on course towards delivering on the pre-election promises we made to our people and more so the legacies of our late governor. We all know she had a dream of having the center constructed but we have had challenges because the national government which promised to help us has yet to respond,” he said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta made the promise during Laboso's burial.

He, however, pointed out that his administration has set aside Ksh200 million in this financial year towards the construction of the facility.

According to Unicef, cases of child mortality under the age of five mortality in Kenya have fallen from 102 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 43 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019.

However, every year, 64,500 children still die before reaching the age of five, mostly from preventable causes.

The World Health Organization report shows maternal mortality remains high in the country at 488 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in the country.

A survey done by Nutrition international in the county indicates that only 37 percent of pregnant women make the recommended four antenatal care visits which is way below the national average of 58 percent.

Of the Ksh87 million raised during the Bomet universal health coverage (UHC) marathon organized by the late governor two years ago, Barchok was quick to fend off criticisms saying the project will be rolled out this week.

Barchol said he will be presiding over the launch of the program on Wednesday.

The program targeted 10, 000 needy families from across the county but according to the county chief, the project will begin with 8, 000 families.

“We had identified 10, 000 beneficiaries but for a start we are going to begin with 8, 000 and increase the number as we progress,” he announced.

The governor spoke during the second anniversary ceremony for the late governor at Koru in Kisumu on Saturday.

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