Kisumu City management has awarded companies and individuals for their exemplary performance in the development of the city during a Christmas street party.
On Friday night, ODM Raila Odinga presided over the two-day party.
City manager Abala Wanga said the team awarded was picked by an independent committee assigned by the city management.
“The committee ensured that those who were selected were based on merit and exceptional performance they displayed,” he said.
Chaju Builders was awarded as the best contractor of the year. The company was awarded based on the good workmanship displayed while executing the non-motorized project (NMT) which has impacted the aesthetics of the city.
Wanga said Chaju was able to deliver the project within the set deadlines giving the residents quality for the money spent.
“It manifested unmatched courage while working with the city management in opening up the CBD during the restructuring of the city and resettlement of traders under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP),” Wanga said.
The NMT project included the construction of paved pedestrian walkways, cycle lanes, street parking, drainage works, solar street lighting, and landscaping works through a network of city roads within and outside the CBD measuring 8.2 kilometers.
Engineer Paul Agwaro was awarded the best Consulting Engineer award. He worked as a resident engineer in the NMT project where he provided professional advice in line with his area of expertise to ensure the project was delivered in accordance with the design.
Wanga said Eng Agwaro also volunteers as a private advisor to the city management on a number of technical areas such as drainage, sewer system among others.
The best City Corporate Promoter was handed to Toyota Kenya Ltd. The company partnered with the City authorities to transform the city through enhanced urban aesthetics, a collaborative initiative between the management of the city of Kisumu and the corporate sector.
The firm injected more than Sh15 million into the project. Wanga said the project encompasses beatification and adjustment of roads on the CBD triangle (Oginga Odinga street, Ang’awa avenue and Jomo Kenyatta avenue) for safe and well organised traffic flow.
The best-done roundabout award was scooped by two leading corporate bodies. The award attracted stiff competition which saw Ciala resort and Stima Sacco emerge as the best in the category.
Wanga said Ciala was awarded for exemplary work displayed at the Kisumu International Airport (KIA) roundabout while Stima Sacco was recognised for the KCB roundabout.
“The facelifts of the roundabouts are part of the transforming Kisumu city through enhanced urban aesthetics,” he said.
Chatte Group was awarded the best done Cul de Sac. The group modernised and redesigned the blind alley located along the beginning of the Kenyatta highway connecting to Dunga Nanga road.
Joshua Witava Muhatia emerged the winner and won the best tree vendor award. Wanga said Muhatia has been part of the journey to make the city green.
In the philanthropist category, Jumbo Steel Mills Ltd was awarded as the best business sponsor. They sponsored the fireworks for the Christmas party event at Sh 250,000.
“This organisation has in the past been willing to sponsor events spearheaded by the city authorities like this one,” Wanga added.
The Best designed building in the City award was given to the One Kentons square on Oginga Odinga Street. The Imposing state of the art building has given the city a new look.
The most disciplined department award was lifted by the City Department of Environment. Wanga said the department worked hand in hand with the cleaners to ensure the city is clean.
The best performing department award was clinched by the cleaning department of the City for upholding high levels of cleanliness within the city which the entire country appreciates hence the nickname ‘’ YUROP.
Head of City department of environment Bernard Ojwang’ won the best male staff of the year. Under his leadership, he has ensured that his team delivers on their mandate of keeping the city’s environment clean at all times.
“He did this with great dedication while ensuring he provides good leadership to his team,” the City manager said.
The best Female staff of the year award was won by Beatrice Omolo who heads the human resource department of the City. She ensured that the City is adequately staffed and deployment done to ensure there service delivery to the residents.
Omolo deliberately made it her priority to focus her attention on the welfare of the workers, particularly the cleaners who in turn maintain the cleanliness of the city.
Obat Masira won the most volunteered staff award. He volunteered as the manager/CEO of the newly renovated Mama Grace Onyango Social hall.
