Kisumu: Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor has sought to allay concerns over international agreements signed by Kenya, saying they were designed to translate government policies into practical benefits for ordinary citizens. Speaking on Saturday during the Huduma Mashinani outreach programme at Kanyateng Primary School in Nyakach Sub-county in Kisumu, where residents accessed a range of government services, the AG assured Kenyans that the deals were in the best interest of the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Oduor emphasized that these agreements help translate policies and regulations into everyday life, aiming to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. She highlighted President William Ruto’s commitment to inclusive development and efforts to re-engage communities, particularly in the Nyanza region, to bring services closer to the people and rebuild trust.
Oduor cited ongoing planned infrastructure projects, including road upgrades and the proposed extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu, as evidence of the government’s commitment. She mentioned that work has begun on key road corridors, such as the Mau Summit-Kisumu route, with feasibility studies already underway, and confirmed that the SGR extension to Kisumu would be launched soon.
She encouraged residents to collaborate with government leaders, emphasizing that leadership involves making bold decisions to deliver real and visible change. Medical Services Principal Secretary, Dr. Ouma Oluga, highlighted Huduma Mashinani as a whole-of-government initiative aimed at promoting equity and eliminating discrimination in access to public services.
Dr. Oluga stated that “equity means that no Kenyan should be discriminated against when it comes to employment, social health insurance, registration of IDs, marriages or any other government service.” He explained that the programme, initiated in December 2024 by his office and the Attorney-General’s office, targets communities lacking information or easy access to essential government services.
During the outreach, residents accessed services including Birth and ID registration, marriage registration, legal aid, passport applications, DCI services, medical services, Social Health Authority (SHA) registration, voter registration, and enrolment with the National Employment Authority. Dr. Oluga noted strong participation in Kisumu County’s registration drives, but highlighted low uptake of some services, with SHA registration at about 60 percent.
He raised concerns over high rates of teenage pregnancies, HIV infections among the youth, and gender-based violence in the region, urging communities to take responsibility for protecting children and adolescents. State Department for Children Services Principal Secretary, Carren Ageng’o, expressed concern over rising cases of defilement, child abuse, and teenage pregnancies in Kisumu County, stating that the trend threatens the region’s future.
Ageng’o outlined government efforts to intensify child protection interventions, including enrolling 2,700 vulnerable children in a Cash Transfer programme, with Sh. 5 million paid out monthly to support them. She also mentioned the rollout of the Presidential Bursary, encouraging parents to apply ahead of the January school re-opening to ensure children remain in school.
Officials stated that Huduma Mashinani would continue to expand across the country, with follow-up visits planned to ensure communities fully benefit from government services and information.
