Increase equalisation funding, says Governor Kachapin

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin in his office in Kapenguria. He says despite limited funds, his administration was able to put up an ultra-modern medical college in the county. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

Kapenguria, Kenya - Only half an hour from the Kitale town, Kapenguria, the headquarters of West Pokot County, is always teeming with activities as the devolved unit executes its mandate.

Perched at the hillside is the new and magnificent Kenya Medical Training Institute (KMTC), the college which was built from scratch early last year, is living proof that devolution has taken root in the county.

But Governor Simon Kachapin is disappointed with the Sh4.6 billion allocated to the county by the national government, saying it is too little to run the vast county with a population of more than 500,000 people, and perennially facing insecurity challenges.

He compares the amount to the Sh9 billion that the neighbouring Turkana County got, despite sharing the same challenges.

"Our county is vast and with very poor infrastructure. With such challenges, the Commission for Revenue Allocation should have helped us get enough resources for the Equalisation kitty," said Mr Kachapin.

He says the county's only pride is the ultra-modern medical training college that opened its campus at the Kapenguria Level 5 Hospital, after the Ministry of Health approved the project.

"The national government gave us a clean bill of health to run a medical training college, after assessing the construction and inspecting the hospital facility," said Kachapin.

The college comprises a fully equipped laboratory and an ultra-modern library. According to West Pokot Director of Communications Joseph Ruto, more than 100 students had already been enrolled for courses in the college.

"We put up the institution because we believed it was one way of increasing professional manpower in the area of health. The college will help us train more medical practitioners and tackle the shortage facing the country," explained the governor.

NEGATIVE PUBLICITY

Kachapin observed that his administration allocated Sh1 billion to the health sector. However, less than a quarter of the amount went to development, salaries and recurrent expenditure.

"We require additional funds to ensure the health sector is a fully devolved function and more Kenyans enjoy better medical services," he said.

The governor noted that in the two years of the devolved system, they had been able to increase milk production, thanks to a milk cooling factory at Lelan.

"With the new cooler, we are able to produce over 25,000 litres of milk, up from just a 1,000 litres per day. This growth has helped farmers earn more income," said the governor.

The county now plans to put up a milk factory, so that farmers can earn even more, after value addition.

Kachapin said the county was however faced with negative publicity, which has kept investors away.