WHH AND TISA ENGAGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT ON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and The Institute of Social Accountability (TISA) today held a consultative meeting with the County Government of Vihiga to review their ongoing partnerships and explore potential areas of future collaboration.

Speaking during the meeting, Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo, who was accompanied by his Deputy H.E. Wilberforce Kitiezo – Deputy Governor Vihiga County, emphasized that public participation remains one of the key pillars of devolution and that it is critical in fostering mutual understanding between mwananchi and the government on development agenda.

He further noted that through the department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, the County Government is focused on transitioning from subsistence farming to agribusiness and smart agriculture. The Governor also highlighted several priority projects requiring partnership support, including equipping Vocational Training Centres and supporting their feeding programs, managing the recently commissioned Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Centre in Sabatia, establishing a rehabilitation centre to address alcoholism and drug abuse to mention a few.

Tisa Kenya Executive Director, Diana Gichengo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to its five-year collaboration with the County, noting that they are monitoring the Inua Jamii initiative, public participation and the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) in Vihiga. She further expressed interest in the County’s efforts to strengthen food systems, particularly through the Agroecology Policy, Nutrition Policy, and the Food and Nutrition Security Bill.

On her part, WHH Chief Program Officer Bettina Iseli commended the County Government of Vihiga for its initiatives, noting that the most significant progress is often achieved where multiple actors work collaboratively.

The meeting was also attended by the County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) Dr. Ruth Agesa (Gender, Sports, Youth and Social Services), Julius Maruja (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries), Dr. Nicholas Mwandihi (Public Service Management & ICT) and Chief Officers Sylvesters Kane (Gender, Sports, Youth and Social Services) and Dr. Betty Mulianga (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries).