The US Ambassador Robert Godec presided over the launch of the 2015 Mass Net Distribution in Kakamega County, Kenya. Over 3.8 million treated mosquito nets would be distributed across 5 counties in the region. The Ambassador toured the Kakamega County General Hospital and interacted with expectant mothers and a beneficiary of the net distribution program. Several speakers urged residents to use the nets properly to protect against malaria, as the disease had claimed many lives in the area. The event highlighted the important partnership between the US and Kenyan governments in fighting malaria.
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Every month we present to you an exclusive newsletter with news and information about the Kamba Nation. Keep checking our website for monthly updates of a newsletter
We should raise commitments to the global fund, president kenyatta urges gove...Mary Gathege
President Uhuru Kenyatta has encouraged state run administrations and different partners including the private sector to raise their monetary commitments to the Global Fund during the kitty's seventh renewal cycle.
Proposal for a sustainable community medical clinic at koindu 1
MASS NET DISTRIBUTION
1. 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 KakamegaCounty which would see 3.8 million treated mosquito nets
distributed to 5 counties in theWestern 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 countyGeneral 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.
2. INFOSPOT
27th October 2015
“I would like to acknowledge the support of PS Kenya and USAID who were the key drivers of this initiative. KakamegaCounty 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.
AmbassadorGodec 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.