Kenya To Support Capacity Building In Lakes State

Lakes State Governor Engineer Chol Tong Mayay has appealed to development partners to support capacity building of the state’s civil service.

Speaking at a dinner held last week in honour of the Kenyan Consulate to South Sudan Dr Joseph Kiplagat, Governor Mayay said lack of skills among staff in the state’s various ministries was the biggest challenge to service delivery.

In response, Kiplagat said capacity building initiatives will be given preference by the Kenyan government through offering training to the different cadres of staff.

The consulate’s spouse, Grace Kiplagat underscored the strong bilateral relations between Kenya and South Sudan and compared it to “a heavy stone that no child can play with”.

She added that Kenya will support the choice of South Sudanese in the January referendum.

Speaking at the same function, the Lakes State Gender and Human Rights Affairs Advisor Adak Costa Mapuor said the state will strengthen its relations with Kenya with regards to women rights and child protection.

On the reported harassment and intimidation of Kenyan businessmen in the state, Governor Chol said the immigration office in the state capital Rumbek will be directed to adhere to set rules and regulations when handling visitors.

“I have discussed the various incidents with the Lakes State government and it has assured me that everything will be done to address the issue”, said Dr Kiplagat.

The Rumbek branch Manager of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Rodger Muema urged Lakes State residents to open their bank accounts with the bank in a bid to save and secure their money.

“For the safety of your money, let all staff working in various ministries have an account with KCB for ease of payment. It will also reduce embezzlement of public funds as only genuine workers will be paid through the bank”, he said.

The Rumbek Centre County Commissioner Dut Makoi Kuoka affirmed that the security situation in the county was normal and assured investors that the county authorities will ensure their safety.