27/08/2026
Trans Nzoia County, Rotary Club Forge Stronger Collaboration on Health, Water and ICT.
The County Government of Trans Nzoia and the Rotary Club are now working towards signing a formal partnership that will see the two join hands in fighting maternal health challenges, poor sanitation and boosting ICT in the region.
This cames after a courtesy call paid to the county by a Rotary delegation led by Rotary Club President Dr.Geoffrey Kasembeli and Rotary District Governor 9215, Mr. Saad Rahman, at the county headquarters in Kitale.
Speaking during the meeting, County Secretary Truphosa Amere said the county is ready to formalise what has, for a long time, been informal cooperation between the two sides.
"Rotary has been with us for many years doing good work in health, but the time has now come for us to sit down and put things on paper," said Ms. Amere. "We want an MOU that will tell us clearly who does what, when, and how we shall know that we have succeeded."
She said water, sanitation and hygiene, popularly known as WASH, remain a headache for many residents, with cases of open defecation still being reported in parts of the county.
"We cannot talk about development when our people still faces challenges in accessing clean, safe water, and proper use of toilets. This must be sorted out together with our partners," she said.
Ms. Amere added that the county was keen on turning an idle ICT hub into a library, a project she termed as a quick-win that could be actualised within a short time as the two sides work on bigger, long-term plans touching on maternal health and the general health system.
"We want to start with something small that our people can see and touch, then build on it as we deepen the partnership," she said, adding that a task force will be formed to bring together county officials, Rotary members, health workers and residents to guide the process.
She said the county will also set up a system to monitor how the projects are progressing once the agreement is signed, saying accountability will be key.
On his part, Rotary club District Governor Mr. Saad Rahman told the meeting that Rotary in Western Kenya, under District 9215, has grown into a large movement bringing together Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors with Interactors being high school students and Rotaractors having no age limit.
"We are people of action. Whether it is the Rotarian, the Rotaractor or the Interactor, our mission is one to serve," said Mr. Rahman.
He said District 9215 was formed after the old District 9212, which used to cover Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, was split into two 9215 covering Western Kenya and 9216 covering Eastern Kenya, parts of Nairobi, the Coast and neighboring countries.
Mr. Rahman, said the district currently boasts about 65 clubs, over 2,000 Rotarians, 1,300 Rotaractors and a growing number of Interactors, translating to close to 6,000 members drawn from different age groups across Western Kenya.
He listed peace building, WASH, economic empowerment, environment, maternal and child health, disease prevention and education as the main areas Rotary is focusing on, noting that peace efforts were especially important given Kenya's election cycle.
"We have done a lot in water and sanitation, including a recent project near Motosiet, and we are not about to stop," he said.
Mr. Rahman further disclosed that Rotary was planning to set up an ICT lab at Boma School in Trans Nzoia County as part of its wider push on education, alongside ongoing tree planting and sand dam projects done in collaboration with the county's Environment department and the Kenya Forest Service.
The rotary president Dr Kasembeli recalled Rotary's role during the COVID-19 period, when the club partnered with the Ministry of Health to run handwashing campaigns, and its continued participation in national polio vaccination drives.
"Through our global grants, we have supported vaccine storage and transport in counties like Kakamega, Bungoma, West Pokot and Turkana, including setting up a cold lab and a vaccine delivery truck. We have also refurbished health facilities, among them a hospital in Busia," said Dr Kasembeli .
He said Rotary is keen on nurturing young members into future leadership, describing the Interact-Rotaract-Rotary chain as a strong pipeline for mentorship and succession.
The meeting attended by CEC Pepela Wanjala Finance, Christopher Lorot health, Robert Wamalwa Enviroment and Chief officer Dr Judith Simiyu health who welcomed the collaboration between the Rotary clued and the County Government of Trans Nzoia on matters health environment and ICT.
Both sides agreed to fast-track discussions towards signing the agreement, with officials from both the county and Rotary expected to meet in coming weeks to draft the document outlining roles, funding and timelines for the planned projects to be undertaken through collaboration.
