Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno with Belgium Ambassador to Kenya Nicolas Nihon in Eldoret on November 15, 2017. [Photo: Facebook/ County government of Uasin Gishu]
Uasin Gishu county's response to disasters is set to receive a major boost as the Belgium government is now considering funding a project that will see the fire department acquire new and modern fire fighting trucks.
Under the project, the county government will receive the firefighting trucks on loan from the Belgium Somali Vehicles Company.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday after paying a courtesy call to the Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno, Belgium ambassador to Kenya Nicolas Nihon said firefighting should be considered as a basic service by devolved units.
“It's very important to get this kind of services to the people and as the Belgium government we are seeking collaboration with counties and see how we can help them to upgrade and have modern equipment in place to facilitate quick response when an emergency occurs,” Nihon said.
“A similar project has already been done in the Nairobi county and if this one is given a green light it will be the second county we are supporting in Kenya,” he added.
The deputy governor welcomed the initiative noting that the county's fire station with the old equipment has been offering emergency services in the neighboring counties.
He further revealed plans to decentralize fire stations in a bid to enhance efficiency and response to emergencies.
“With the old engines at our disposal, we have been serving the North Rift region and with the discussions we have had we hope soon we will get new fire trucks,” Chemno said.
“As a county, we are going to set up fire stations in major commercial hubs and sub-counties so that we only have a skeleton of staff and a unit to serve the town and its environs,” he added.