George Natembeya Orders All Business Premises In Kitale To Be Painted Green

• Trans Nzoia county to go green after Governor George Natembeya new orders to business owners in Kitale town to paint their business premises
• Natembeya together with the business community settled on 17 of each month as for Kitale Usafi day to change the face of Kitale
• Youths have welcomed the activity as a viable source of employment which comes with a monthly stipend of KSh 5,000

Trans Nzoia county governor George Natembeya has ordered all business owners in the county to paint their premises olive green to give the county's identity.

Natembeya was speaking during Kitale municipality's monthly Usafi Day on Wednesday, April 17, in Kitale town asked the business owners to take advantage before the notice is served to them. The county revenue offices at the Mea Limited has been painted as a guide for businesses.

"We have decided to give this county an identity to those visiting. The decided colour has been painted at the county revenue offices for all of business owners to see, before we serve them with the notice in the process of beautifying the town," Natembeya said.

Beautification of the county

Natembeya called on business owners to join the journey, as many buildings around town have been in existence for ages without renovation despite landlords receiving monthly rent, which could repair the premise.

"I plead with our landlords to take part in the process of beautifying our county. We have buildings in town that are more than 70 years with no repair. Kindly take advantage of the notice and renovate your premises before they become hazards to loyal occupants who pay rent," he pleaded.

Monthly cleaning exercise

Apart from painting the business premises, the Usafi Day will also see the county boss lead different departments and various stakeholders in a monthly cleaning exercise on every 17th.

"Each department in the county government has even adopted a specific street to maintain, demonstrating our commitment to achieving our beautification goals. Together, we can make Trans Nzoia a shining example of cleanliness and environmental responsibility," the governor stressed.

Titus Kilong, a representative from Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) in Trans Nzoia confirmed Kitale traders had welcomed the move.

Why is the beautification important?

"This process gives us an opportunity as the business community, stakeholders and the county government to come together and deliberate on issues affecting us on a monthly basis, besides beautifying the town," he said.

Youths who participated in the cleaning process welcomed the move as it has created employment opportunity for many youths idling in the village, and the monthly stipend will motivate others to join the exercise.

"It was thoughtful for this leaders to come up with this project for us. This will reduce idleness amongst youths and the monthly stipend of KSh 5,000 will help them start up small businesses and get empowered economically," one of the youths said.

New face of Kitale

In 2023, Natembeya renamed Trans Nzoia County Referral Hospital to Wamalwa Kijana Memorial Hospital, a 400-bed capacity referral after 10 years under construction.

The county's majority projects from his predecessor were uncomplete, which Natembeya said will be completed before onset of other projects in the county.