Governor Anne Waiguru says the county has intensified its fight against lifestyle
diseases by encouraging the production and consumption of fish.
Waiguru said statistics from the Ministry of Health show that the county has been
ranked as having the highest prevalence of diabetes and hypertension due to
consumption of starch and red meat.
Speaking at Kangai while issuing 101 fish pond liners to farmers in Mwea West, the
governor said fish consumption in the county is gaining popularity adding that this
will go along way in the fight against lifestyle diseases.
Waiguru said the county is spending a large amount of its drug supplies budget,
purchasing medication for lifestyle diseases and therefore the urgent need to roll out
interventions to stop the trend.
“We are not only encouraging our people to engage in fish farming as a way of
creating alternative livelihoods but also to increase consumption to improve
nutritional status in the county,” Waiguru said.
She said that the county aims to increase its fish production from the current 71.3
tons to 371 in 2027.
“We have 505 liners set for distribution across the county with each liner going to
one household. We will thereafter issue each of the households with 1,000
fingerlings and fish feed for the first six months,” the Governor added.
Waiguru said the county has also put up a fish aggregation center at Kiaga where
farmers can sell their fish and also carry out preliminary processing and cold storage
for further marketing.
She said Sagana Industrial City will also provide an avenue for farmers to sell their
fish for processing thus adding value and earning them better income.
During the event, the Governor also distributed water pipes and fittings for Kangai
Ward Domestic Water Connections which will serve 7,500 users.
“The pipes and fittings will enhance the distribution of water from KICOWASCO Bulk
Water Supply. It will serve about and serve Kangai and Kathiga Locations which
include Mbeti, Karikoini, Kombu-ini and Mathigaini Sub-locations,” she said.
As part of the county’s socio-economic empowerment program, he Governor issued
1800 chairs to 18 groups with each receiving 100 chairs.
The Council of Governors (COG) chair also issued two football teams with uniforms,
45 pairs of football boots to 3 teams with each team receiving 15 pairs. 12 sets of
uniforms, 20 footballs, and 90 pairs of boots had been issued earlier during the
Kangai Super League finals were held in February at Kangure Grounds.
“Sports not only brings the youth together but also helps them realize their full
potential and I look forward to seeing Kangai teams continue shinning in various
tournaments,” the Governor added.
Moses Chomba, a fish farmer, praised the impact of Governor Waiguru’s Wezesha
empowerment program saying it was changing livelihood.
“The fish projects that have been undertaken through Wezesha program have
transformed the lives of many people in our county. As a member of Kariua Youth
Group, we had previously received pond liners, 1,000 fish fingerlings, and
the privilege of getting full training on fish farming from experts sent by the county
government. We went on to sell our fish after a good harvest for over Ksh 100,000,
which we shared as a group and reinvested by restocking our fingerlings. We
thank Governor Waiguru for giving us means of earning an honest living,” he added.
Kangai Ward’s MCA James Wambu said the issuance of water pipes and fittings, will
help supply families with treated water for domestic consumption.
He further highlighted the challenges of water scarcity in the area and expressed his
gratitude that more families will be connected to the main bulk water supply line.
“In Kangai, we have faced a lot of challenges due to water shortage. We have a lot
of water but not clean enough for drinking. When there are heavy rains and it floods,
residents of this area suffer a lot,” Wambu noted.
Anthony Nyamu, a resident of Kangai, said the supply of piped water in the area will
reduce waterborne disease preference.
“As residents, we are elated for this project. For a long time, we have had issues due
to lack of clean water, but we are happy that we will now be supplied with clean and
treated water for consumption,” he added.
