The National government is consulting with relevant authorities from the
neighbouring country of Uganda to ensure that residents from West Pokot
County who had crossed the border in search of pastures and water are
registered for Huduma Namba.
Speaking during the registering exercise in the County at Makutano stadium, West Pokot County commissioner Apollo
Okello said that the national government was consulting counterparts from Uganda to ensure West Pokot residents are registered. Apollo said over 20,000 herders from the County especially from North Pokot Sub County had crossed to Uganda after drought hit the region.
He disclosed that there was low enrolment of residents and asked all
leaders in the County to urge people to register so that they can be
able to benefit from quality services from the government. “We have managed to register over 200,000 residents and we target to
register over 800,000 people before the end of the exercise,” he said.
He said at first they had challenges with the kits but the government
had supplied the County with additional kits to ensure that all
residents are registered. “During first weeks of the exercise we had less kits but the ministry added more and right now we have enough kits and there is no reason for people not to register,” he said.
The County commissioner asked all leaders to unite and ensure the
success of the exercise since it will help in ensuring that residents
get quality services at the grass root level.
He dismissed the rumours by a section of church leaders that the
registration isn’t good and is against the Biblical teachings saying
that the aim of the registration was to help government deliver
services to people. “Our chiefs have sensitized locals on the importance of the registration and it’s not against the Biblical teachings and residents
shouldn’t listen to church leaders who mislead them about
the process,” he said.
Governor John Lonyangapuo who officially registered asked herders
in the country who have registered to go to Uganda and relieve their
colleagues so that they can come back and register. “Those who have registered should go to Uganda and allow those with animals to come back and register before the exercise ends,” he said.
Lonyangapuo said the registration is vital since it will help in
allocation of funds to Counties. He said the government will base on the number of people registered per County in allocation of funds and this may bar the County from getting more funds if less people register.
“Let’s turn out in large numbers and register so that our allocation
can increase and enable us to develop this region since it was marginalized for a long time,” he said. The Governor asked members of national assembly and County assembly to spearhead the registration exercise in their respective regions so that nobody is left out.