SPEECH BY HON. AISHA JUMWA KATANA, CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SERVICE, GENDER AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION DURING THE GONGONI HUDUMA MASHINANI IN KILIFI COUNTY

Thursday, 24^th NOVEMBER, 2022

H.E. The Governor

Hon. Members of Parliament

County Commissioner

Principal Mapimo Vocational Training Centre

Secretary, Gender

Chairpersons of the Affirmative Funds

CEO, Huduma Kenya Secretariat

CEO, Women Enterprise Fund (WEF)

CEO, National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)

Colleagues, Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to extend my warm welcome to all of you gathered here today and appreciate you for honoring us with your presence. I am greatly privileged to be part of this important event that brings Government services to Wananchi at their doorsteps through the Huduma Mashinani Program.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Huduma Kenya Service Delivery Programme has transformed the Public Service into one that is responsive to the needs of Kenyans by making Government services convenient, dignified and easily accessible.

I applaud the collaboration with various Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Counties, in ensuring that citizens have equal access to Public Services. Huduma Centres have become a very important touch point for Public Services that wananchi identify as the trusted Face of Government.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On 31^st October 2022, I committed to undertake some specific interventions for Huduma Kenya within my first 100 Days. Today marks the beginning of the realization of those commitments, that is, to conduct 100 Huduma Mashinani outreaches across the country to bring services closer to wananchi.

I am happy to announce that my Ministry is on track to achieve these interventions that include:

• Extending Working Hours in 18 select Huduma Centers to operate from, 7am to 7pm which is planned to commence on 5^th December, 2022; and

• Engagement with Kenya Forest Services to roll out the Huduma Center “Adopt-a-County-Forest” Program - with a target to plant 500 million trees in the next 5 years.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this Huduma Mashinani, we have planted 300 trees and we are providing various Government Services that include: National ID replacement; Birth and Death Certificate; Driving License; Police Abstract; Good Conduct; KRA; NHIF; NSSF; Pension; Self Help Groups among others.

Additionally, Huduma Kenya has partnered with the National Cancer Institute of Kenya to provide free screening for cervical and breast cancer during this Huduma Mashinani. We urge all to use these services today.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to underscore the role played by the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF). Since inception, over 14 Billion has been disbursed to support projects that benefit Women, Persons With Disability, Youth and the Elderly.

In the last Financial Year, Kilifi County received over Kshs. 33 Million which was utilized as follows:

• Kshs. 9 Million for table banking activities;

• Kshs. 4.6 Million supported 73 Groups engaged in value addition activities;

• Kshs. 8.2 million was allocated as bursaries for needy students; and

• Kshs. 11.7 Million was used to support distribution of: 20,000 sanitary towels, 100 sewing machines and water tanks to various schools and institutions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Women Enterprise Fund, is mandated to empower women through various programs such as giving affordable credit, training in business skills and marketing of goods and services produced by women.

To date, the Fund has disbursed 26 Billion countrywide, out of which Kilifi County has received 588 Million disbursed to over 50,000 beneficiaries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing the WEF Corporate Social Responsibility Program on Women Wellness for free medical camp and cancer screening.

In addition, we are introducing Thamini Fund. This new loan targets widows and is aimed at improving their livelihoods. I therefore encourage women to take advantage of this special product available to them.

Finally, I will issue cheques from WEF worth Ksh.7.2 Million to Magharini Constituency to 16 groups.

Nawahimiza muitumie nafasi hii kupata Huduma za serikali!

Asanteni Sana na Mola Awabariki.