By Coast Times Reporter
Kwale county governor Fatuma Achani has spelled out her performance 100 days after she took office.
According to the governor, the services are being felt by common mwananchi.
Achani’s biggest focus is mitigating the effect of drought in the county where over 200,000 people have been facing starvation due to prolonged drought.
The county government has operationalized two mega dams in Kinango Sub-County to provide water that will be used in domestic use, livestock and irrigation.
One of the dams is Nyalani dam in Puma ward where piping of water to Mwangoni and Ban’ga and installation of a reserve tank at Mwangoni.
The project is being implemented at a cost of Ksh 159 million and will serve over 8000 thousand households
At Kasemeni ward, the second phase of the Kizingo dam project was commissioned by governor Achani.
The Ksh 107.9 million project is seving 2000 households.
In line with President William Ruto’s afforestation call Achani led residents in planting trees as part of the long-lasting solution to curb the effects of climate change.
The governor oversaw planting of over 50,000 mangroves in Tsunza, Gazi bay, Shimoni and Vanga areas.
Further to the call, Achani directed that at least 100 trees should be planted in all county functions.
In November last year the governor hosted a high-level delegation which included Prince Haakon from Norway and Princess Victoria from Sweden.
The Royals acknowledged efforts of Kwale county government in mitigating effects of climate change and fostering employment through environmental activities and small and medium enterprises for youth and women.
Once the governor took office in August, she embarked on issuing bursaries to Kwale county needy students.
From August to December 2022, the governor issued a total of Kshs. 177, 318, 058 bursary from August to December, 2022 with 11, 075 beneficiaries through the Elimu ni Sasa program.
Kwale being among the counties that are highly affected by drought the governor has distributed relief foods to over 200,000 vulnerable families in Kinango and Lungalunga sub-counties.
Kwale county government facilitated the ministries of Education and of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime affairs to acquire 40 acres in Chitsakamatsa in Kombani where East Africa Blue Economy Centre of Excellence is being built.
The two billion centre will train students in Kwale County, East and Central Africa on marine transport and port logistics.
In a bid to create employment spur economic growth in Samburu sub-county, governor Achani with President William Ruto officially opened Devki Steel Mills in Gora.
The steel mills factory offers over 5000 jobs to Kwale youths.
In partnership with the state Department of Mining, the county government identified artisanal miners in Kuranze by developing a data bank.
Governor Achani was also conferred the honour of being the patron of Kenya Red Cross in Kwale county and helped in raising over Ksh 2 million which was used to mitigate effects of drought ravaging different parts of the County.
Achani has entered into an agreement with financial institutions like KCB, Equity and Cooperative Bank to provide credit to SMEs and women groups operating in Kwale County.
The county government has partnered with American Towers Authority (ATC) to construct a mast and Digital community centre in Busho.
Governor Achani has also supported women groups to register companies so as to secure tenders from the County.
Khairat group from Macknon,Chanzou group and Kilua in Ukunda ward are among the groups that registered companies