Huduma Mashinani eases access to government services in Nandi

Residents queue for government services at Ngechek Trading Centre in Chesumei subcounty./KNA

Across Nandi county, Huduma Mashinani barazas are bringing essential public services closer to wananchi at the grassroots.

The national government initiative, spearheaded by Nandi county commissioner Wilberforce Kilonzo, began earlier this year in Nandi East subcounty at Himaki Centre grounds before proceeding to Kabose Primary School in Nandi North.

Huduma outreach forums have spread to other parts of the county, including Ngechek Trading Centre in Chesumei and Tinderet subcounty.

The barazas are designed to popularise government services by offering them at the community level. Among the services being offered are Kenya Revenue Authority customer care, national identity card registration, and services under the Social Health Authority.

The county commissioner is working with national heads of departments, as well as county security team members and representatives, underscoring a whole-of-government approach in conducting the initiative.

During a meeting at Ngechek centre, Kilonzo urged residents to take advantage of the services and opportunities presented, noting that substantial government resources had been channelled to support youth, farmers and small-scale traders.

He cautioned parents against resorting to unlawful demonstrations to resolve school disputes, saying such actions set a poor example for children. Instead, he encouraged residents to use established administrative and legal channels to deal with grievances.

Kilonzo also warned against early marriages and domestic violence, terming them criminal offences that would attract prosecution under existing laws.

Commenting on inheritance disputes, he called on families to involve elders and local administrators in reaching amicable property-sharing arrangements rather than engaging in violence.

Kilonzo further encouraged residents to register with SHA to access affordable medical services and urged farmers to work closely with agricultural officers to improve productivity.

Residents who attended the forums praised the Huduma Mashinani initiative, saying it had eased the burden of travelling long distances to access government services.

The forums have also provided a platform for environmental conservation sensitisation. At the meeting, Nandi Kenya Wildlife Service Warden Augustine Langat called on residents to protect wetlands and wildlife habitats.

Langat urged locals to view conservation as both an environmental and economic opportunity.

“Let us educate people, let them come and see, and let us earn money,” he said, referring to the potential of eco-tourism centred around rare species such as the Sitatunga antelope found in Nandi wetlands.

He noted that wetlands, including Kingwal Swamp and others within the county, are critical habitats for wildlife and important water catchment areas.

“There is no private wetland, even if it is on private land. All wetlands are habitats of animals. They are sources of water, and we must protect them,” he emphasised.

The warden warned against the destruction of wetlands and the hunting of wildlife, particularly by young people.

“You find more than 20 young people chasing one rabbit. Even if they kill it, how many of them will get meat? Let them stop that and focus on their books to gain the wisdom of conserving animals,” he said.

Langat explained that wildlife does not recognise administrative boundaries and moves freely across counties, hence the need for collective responsibility in conservation efforts.

With government services now accessible at the village level, residents are increasingly turning up for registration and sensitisation forums.