The City of Gersthofen in Germany has opened a German Language Corner at the Kisumu County Public Library.
The undertaking forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City of Gersthofen, Germany, and the County Government of Kisumu, paving the way for a series of joint development projects across key sectors in Kisumu County, with education among the initiatives.
The partnership formalised between H.E. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, Governor of Kisumu County, and HE Michael Wörle, Mayor of the City of Gersthofen, will open a wide range of initiatives in education, health services, clean water supply, and emergency response, as well as the integration of the German language into local institutional learning.
Speaking during the official opening, the County Executive Committee Member for Education, Technical Training, Innovation, and Social Services, Mr John Awiti, said the collaboration is timely and strategic.
“We have so many skilled youths who can be engaged in Germany. The challenge has been the basic communication language to convert that skill into what they (Germans) require,” Mr Awiti noted.
“That’s why we have partnered with Rotary Technical Training Institute here in Kisumu to offer basic German language training. Students can register for German alongside their technical courses and learn in their own free time.”
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He added that the programme will soon employ German language instructors to ensure high-quality training and that the collaboration will later expand to other institutions within the county to reach more young people.
“We’ve also extended this initiative to our library here, where we have dedicated a German space to enhance further reading. They have already provided books, and another consignment is expected in two weeks,” he said.
Mr Awiti emphasised that the Rotary Institute will serve as a pilot centre before the training program is scaled up to other institutions across Kisumu.
Beyond education, the Kisumu – Gersthofen partnership also includes: A six-month commitment to improving healthcare services at Chulaimbo Sub-County Level 4 Hospital, the establishment of a clean, solar-powered water supply system for nearby communities, and the upgrading of the Kisumu Fire Station to enhance emergency response capacity.
Governor Nyong’o lauded the partnership as a milestone in international collaboration, saying it reflects Kisumu’s growing reputation as a hub for sustainable and inclusive development.
By Fredrick Odiero
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