Busia governor unveils team to preside over sanitation awards

By Peter Ochieng

Busia governor Paul Nyongesa Otuoma has unveiled a seven member team that will preside over the inaugural Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) sanitation, and menstrual hygiene management awards.

The Independent Technical Evaluation Committee (ITEC) has a two months mandate, starting 1st December, 2023.

Dr. Careena Otieno, Susan Nakami and Professor George Krhoda will serve ITEC as independent members with voting and decision-making rights on the entire process, including final decision on the final awardees.

Co-opted members with no voting rights are Mathew Ondiek, Ochieng Gumbo, Maureen Onyango and Christine Namaindi.

Governor Otuoma doubles up LREB's sanitation, and menstrual hygiene management ambassador.

In a press statement, the first term county boss said the awards gala will be held in Kisumu, on 21st December, 2023.

"The awards ceremony seeks to recognize and celebrate member counties, corporate partners, development partners, civil society, entrepreneurs, individuals among others who have demonstrated exceptional support to advancing sanitation and menstrual hygiene management agenda in the Lake region," he stated.

"The December 21 inaugural LREB annual sanitation and MHM awards ceremony and gala dinner to be held in Kisumu aims to promote approaches towards multiplying investments in sanitation and menstrual hygiene management space in 14 LREB member counties," he added.

The event will be preceded by a review of progress on commitments made by private sector players and county governments, during the private sector participation and investment declaration for sanitation and menstrual hygiene management and action plans (The CIALA Declaration, September 2022).

The declaration obligated county governments to initiate and sustain strategic collaboration with the private sector on sanitation and menstrual hygiene management, domesticate policies and regulatory frameworks for enabling environment, and, create county budget coded for sanitation and menstrual hygiene management.

The 14 counties that make up the 14 LREB block are: Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Vihiga.