The County Government of Nyeri under the leadership of H.E Mutahi Kahiga has engaged development partners in pursuing Public -Private Partnership (PPP) business model, a viable mechanism to guarantee a return on investment and speedy completion of infrastructure.
The Public Private Partnerships in agriculture, health, education, trade manufacturing and housing sectors will ensure more benefits for Nyerians and also prudent use and management of resources in Nyeri County.
Some of the past engagements from the governor include:
British
Subsequent to the British High Commissioner H.E Jane Marriot recent visit to Nyeri County, several matters which the two entities have partnered in were deliberated on including post Covid-19 economic recovery strategy which UK is supporting the county through the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI). The two leaders also agreed to look into the following sectors for partnership: Agriculture, Trade, Tourism and Machinery & Equipment with an aim of boosting our local economy.
Italy
Following the governor’s visit to Italy in 2019, fruitful partnerships were borne between the County Government of Nyeri and Italian NGO’S in the Health, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Education sectors.
On matters Health, GoalSmiles Onlus, an Italian NGO donated two modern dental units stationed at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mugunda Dispensary. The modern units have eased delivery of dental care and ensured comfort for patients while undergoing treatment. Italian doctors have also helped in capacity building of health practitioners by training them on specialized treatment in endoscopy and renal treatment among other specialized treatments.
In the Education sector, GoalSmiles Onlus donated kitchenware worth Kshs.3 million to Nairutia Vocational Training Centre. The equipment has aided students to acquire practical skills in the food and beverage field.
In the Agriculture sector, the county government partnered with Illycaffe Company, Italy-Kenya Trade Association and Commodity Fund to discuss matters affecting coffee. Illycaffe is an Italian coffee roasting company that specializes in the production of expresso. Partnership with Illycaffe has eliminated brokers who took advantage of farmers by purchasing their coffee at a low price.
On the Manufacturing front, the county government partnered with Alpharama Ltd led by Dr. P.V Sambasiva Rao in an aim to boost leather industry in Nyeri. The company pledged to collaborate with the county government in a bid to create job opportunities for over 200 youths who will be engaged in leather production and processing.
Israel
In March, 2019, a partnership was formed between the county government and Israel which has brought forth notable changes results in various departments including Health, Finance, Education and ICT, Agriculture, Water and Environment. Training of staff and also bringing on board Israel private sector engagement was done in a bid to promote an economic turnaround for the county.
USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated a partnership with the County Government of Nyeri through the Country’s Development Cooperation Strategy for Kenya, 2020 aimed at transforming Kenya’s economic stability while steering the country towards the achievement of vision 2030. The USAID envisioned to achieve this through joint partnerships with local organizations and private firms in Nyeri County while focusing on key sectors of the economy such as Water and Environment, Health, Education and Agriculture.
Under the health sector, USAID through its Medicines Technologies and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPs) program has facilitated a training on Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for focal persons in 18 facilities within the county targeting Infection Prevention Control (IPC) coordinator, focal contacts and maternity in charges.
Further, the county hospitals received 14 portable ventilators which was a great boost to the health sector in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic. USAID also trained over 15 health personnel and critical care workers on the usage of the same and noted that the ventilators have a one year warranty and that the USAID will help in maintaining and installing the equipment.
Another key facilitation from the USAID through the Kenya Youth Employment and Skills Program (K-YES) was the Youth Employment Compact Launch, a five year program aimed at enhancing employability of Kenyan youths by training them life skills in entrepreneurship training, agribusiness training as well as provides linkages to the market, financial institutions among others.
Hungary
In December 2020, the county government forged a partnership with the Hungarian Government, through the Trade and Development team, that is set to ensure that Nyeri County benefits widely. The partnership is set to create market access for agricultural products such as tea, coffee and avocados from Nyeri to Hungary. In addition, the two governments have created a partnership with Nyeri TVETs and Hungarian Institutions to enhance quality training. The collaboration will bring about technology transfer to food traceability and labelling to assure market access and value addition.
Pakistan
Following the visit of Pakistan’s High Commissioner, H.E. Saqlan Syedah, the County Government of Nyeri formed a partnership with the Pakistani Government, to help come up with measures to make their collaboration fruitful. The partnership is set to benefit various departments including: Agriculture, Trade, ICT among others. The collaboration will help come up with new farming techniques for the Nyeri farmers and also help in supporting the county government in branding, packaging and marketing of Nyeri tea, coffee, Hass avocados, mangoes and other crops.