Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Water Services and Infrastructure Development Hemed Mwabudzo has urged residents in the county to stop burning bushes following several incidences of bush fire that have razed down a number of households in Pongwe/Kikoneni ward in Lunga Lunga Sub-County.

Addressing Utsamba villagers on Tuesday where 27 individuals were rendered homeless after a fire incidence, Mr Mwabudzo asked the residents especially farmers to be more careful especially during this dry season. The fire razed down four houses on Monday.

Mzizima Village Unit Administrator Abdallah Mwatsuphiro at Utsamba village. Photo: Ali Kipapuro

Mr Mwabudzo who represented Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Madam Fatuma Achani in donating foodstuffs and none food items to the affected families said the dry weather had made it more dangerous where wild fires can easily ignite.

“The county government is always out to help when such incidences occur, but we urge all people especially farmers to avoid burning bushes. Such incidences will not be reported if we embrace modern farming methods,” he said.

Among the items donated to the affected families are 9 mattresses, 10 bales of maize flour, two 90kg bags of beans, 5 bags of rice, 5 jericans of cooking oil, sufurias, cups, basins, spoons and plates.

The County Project Liaison Officer who is also the County Disaster Management Coordinator Joseph Thoya, Pongwe/Kikoneni Ward Administrator Juma Salim Mwaziro, Mzizima Village Unit Administrator Abdallah Mwatsuphiro among other county government officers accompanied Mr Mwabudzo in Utsamba.

A week ago, over 44 residents were left homeless after bush fire gutted down six houses in Kiwambale village and one house in Mshiu village, which are also in Pongwe/Kikoneni ward in Lunga Lunga Sub-County.

Since the commencement of the ‘Elimu Ni Sasa Initiative’ in Kwale County by H.E Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy H.E Fatuma Achani, the county has made significant strides in the education sector.

To date the County Government of Kwale has constructed 310 modern Early Childhood Education Centers across the county, a move that has seen the rise of children enrollment in schools.

A modern ECDE Center in Kwale County. Photo: Ali Haji Kipapuro

Each ECDE Center constructed by the County Government of Kwale consists of two classrooms equipped with tables and chairs, an office, kitchen and a toilet block. They also have water storage facilities and playing equipment for the kids.

To further motivate the children who join these institutions, the County Government of Kwale also has a reliable feeding (uji) program in all county ECDE Centers.

Moses Mwadzine a resident of Kalalani Village Unit in Mwavumbo Ward praises the County Government of Kwale for this initiative.

According to him the program has been successful.