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MP Didmus Barasa has pledged sweeping reforms in the education, health and agricultural sectors if elected Bungoma County governor, saying the initiatives aim to improve livelihoods and strengthen service delivery.
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Barasa also assured the approximately 3,000 teachers present of his commitment to advocate for improved working conditions, particularly for JSS educators in the county.
Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has pledged sweeping reforms in the education, health and agricultural sectors if elected Bungoma County governor, saying the initiatives aim to improve livelihoods and strengthen service delivery.
Speaking during a meeting with Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers at his home in Nasianda, Barasa said devolution was intended to bring services closer to the people and address challenges that the national government has struggled to resolve.
“Devolution was implemented to solve the challenges that the national government has failed to address over the years through the application of government policies and laws,” he said.
The legislator emphasized that county governments must prioritize development programmes that enhance citizens’ welfare.
Barasa also assured the approximately 3,000 teachers present of his commitment to advocate for improved working conditions, particularly for JSS educators in the county.
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He further proposed the introduction of a countywide milk distribution programme to replace the current Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) feeding initiative, saying it would run twice a week and include lactating mothers to improve nutritional outcomes.
“The milk programme will benefit pregnant and breastfeeding mothers,” he said.
The MP said that if implemented, the plan would involve reviving the Webuye milk processing plant and supporting farmers through the distribution of dairy cows to boost production and supply.
“The government will procure quality dairy cows and distribute them to farmers in groups, and later buy milk for processing at the Webuye plant before supplying it to learning institutions,” he explained.
Barasa also proposed a maize stabilization programme where the county government would purchase maize from farmers at prevailing market prices and resell it to them during periods of shortage at cost price to enhance food security.
“As a governor, the county government will buy maize at the prevailing market price from willing farmers and later resell the produce during periods such as January and February through vouchers,” he said. “This will add value to farmers’ produce and enhance food security.”
In addition, he pledged to modernize Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), saying they have been neglected despite their importance in equipping learners with practical skills.
“Primary schools should not appear more developed than vocational training institutions. We will invest in the transformation of VTCs,” he said.
By Ochola Victor
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