THE FIRST EVER DISTRICT COMMISSIONER BARAZA IN KARATENG'.

BY ELIUD AUDI,
NYABERA.

Karateng' fraternity on Wednesday 27th June 2007 converged for the first time in Karateng' history, for the first ever District commissioner’s baraza since the inauguration of the New Kisumu West District mid this year.

The Baraza, held at Ng’owu St. Teresa Catholic compound, officially rubber stumped and confirmed the District Commissioners presence within the locality for majority of joKarateng’ who had not believed, and they turned out in large numbers to confirm by themselves.

From the Baraza, it was confirmed that the initial Kisumu West Location has officially been scrapped from the original Kisumu District with headquarters in Kisumu town and transformed into Kisumu West District with the new headquaters in Holo center and is composed of 2 divisions namely Kombewa Division and Maseno Division.

The Divisions are further sub divided into 8 locations, namely North Seme, North central Seme, South West Seme and Central Seme locations in Kombewa Division and North West Karateng', Otwenya, Newa, West Karateng' Locations in Maseno Division.

Addressing the Baraza, the new District Commissioner Mr. G. M. Kigochi introduced to those in attendance the new District Education Officer Mr. Nichodemus Anyan'g, the new assistant education officer Mr. Vitalis Adudo Katago, Maseno Division youth officer Miss. Anne Njahu, Maseno Division registration of persons officer Mr. Zachariah Akumu, Maseno Division District officer Mr. Francis Boit and new District officer/ D.O 2. Mr. Waweru Karanja.

The District Commissioner highlighted to the public the new chief's scheme of service after their initial few months training in Nairobi which includes the signing of performance contract, three mandatory monthly Baraza, and that the chiefs must be uniformed while in service.

To the karateng' fraternity, Mr. Kigochi encouraged combined efforts of both parents in uplifting the standards of living, honesty, and eradication of illicit brews, citing the brews as a source of immorality and irresponsible behaviors in the community, thereby derailing development.

The D.C, before and after the Baraza physically inspected two CDF funded projects within Chulaimbo and Kwoyo Secondary schools and promised to maintain a thorough inspection of all CDF and council funded projects in the District. Reacting to the residents call for transparency, the D.C urged CDF and council committees to openly publicize their plans and projections throughout the public centers to be accessed by the local share holders.

Among the promises made to Karateng' community by the D.C, were immediate investigation of the rural electrification programs whereby levies were paid in the early 90s by the community, and an open line of communication directly to the D.C whereby he promised to issue his personal phone numbers to the residents.

Also introduced in the Baraza by North West Kisumu ward councillor Mr. Nick Achieng' were aspiring candidates in the december 2007 election, Mrs. Pamella Onyango, Mr. Maurice Odhiambo, Mr. Samuel Tabu, Mr. Daniel Otieno