All Food Supplies for Free ECDE Feeding Program to be Sourced from Siaya, Says Education CECM Otumba

Dr. Edgar Otumba CECM Education, County Government of Siaya. Photo | Donated

Speaking to this writer Education Executive Dr. Edgar Otumba dispelled rumors that the County Government of Siaya had sourced a contractor to supply foodstuff from Nakuru.

“Nothing is as far from truth as that assertion,” said Dr. Otumba adding, “We intend to empower the Siaya farmer and we will therefore source all cereals locally, including rice from Siriwo Rice Mill in Usonga Ward.’

Dr. Otumba said some busybodies had gone on social media with claims that the County Government had sent officials for benchmarking in Murang’a.

“What was there to benchmark about? Our officers went to Murang’a to see modalities of county administration partnering with Food for Education to run the schools feeding program. So far Food for Education has ongoing projects in Nairobi, Murang’a and Nyeri”

The County Government of Siaya has partnered with the same NGO that West Pokot partnered with to streamline the implementation of the school’s feeding program.

Dr. Otumba (standing) addressing a past symposium with Health CECM Dr. Martin K’Onyango following keenly. Photo | Donated

Concerning claims that senior officers used nepotism to employ kin and cronies once Governor Orengo announced the transition to Permanent and Pensionable status for Early Childhood Education tutors, Dr Otumba clarified:

“The 603 employees converted to P&P were already existing personnel. In fact we were so considerate that we divided them into three categories namely those almost reaching retirement age, those without the requisite qualifications for P&P employment and those who met all the requirements. Like all other employees these tutors are on the payroll and have been remunerated promptly as per the County Government of Siaya terms of service.”

Some employees were even accommodated by providing them with time to study and acquire the relevant academic testimonials, Dr. Otumba revealed. He added that since 2024 the County Government has only employed 50 ECDE teachers and the records are open for public scrutiny.

Dr. Otumba also said that Siala Kaduol model ECDE center is a project fully-funded by the County Government of Siaya. “We even haven’t finished paying off the contractor who undertook the job and I find it the height of absurdity that someone else is claiming credit for the work.”

He acknowledged that the community in Siala Kaduol contributed playground equipment and uniforms, but that was all. He said the county government has a strategic plan to convert all ECDE centers to the level and status of Siala Kaduol.

“We will be sending three teachers to the Siala Kaduol facility soon.’

This model ECDE center at Siala Kaduol in Gem constituency was funded by the County Government of Siaya. Photos | George Adeya

About the thorny issue of bursaries Dr. Otumba confirmed that the County Government of Siaya last year gave out bursaries amounting to KES 110.6 million to a total of 16,016 learners. The CECM emphasized that, that was the accurate figure and any media house bandying around a different set of figures is working on hearsay.

Dr. Otuma said that owing to the ever-growing need, the County Government of Siaya had plans to increase on the allocation in this financial year. He however declined commenting on the subject of bursaries further, reminding the writer that today (Monday 20, January 2025) the Council of Governors has taken the Controller of Budget to court over the social mandate of Governors to allocate bursaries, ostensibly, replicating the National Government Constituency Development Fund which caters for the same.

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