Lugari: Community Health Promoters and environment field workers in Lugari and Likuyani constituencies have been equipped with 210 bicycles valued at Sh6.3 million to improve grassroots service delivery.

According to Kenya News Agency, the handover ceremony took place at the county offices in Lumakanda, Lugari Constituency. Kakamega County Executive Committee Member for Health, Livingston Imbayi, and his counterpart for Water, Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Peninah Mukabane, highlighted that the bicycles would improve mobility and efficiency in delivering crucial health and environmental services.

Imbayi emphasized the importance of mobility for CHPs and environment officers, stating that the bicycles would enable them to reach more households, conduct timely follow-ups, and respond more quickly to health and environmental issues. He remarked, "We are handing over these bicycles to our grassroots workers to ease their work. We want the CHPs to reach the sick swiftly and those in ward environment committees to handle environmental-related issues as fast as possible." Imbayi also mentioned that the bicycles are specially designed to endure the rugged village roads.

Mukabane added that the bicycles would significantly boost the environmental conservation efforts of the ward climate change committees by allowing them to reach more people. She noted the dual benefit of reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuels. "Additionally, our workers at the grassroots are not paid salaries like other workers but rather they depend on stipends hence bicycles are the best mode of transport for them as they don't need fuel," she explained. Mukabane also revealed that over 2 million trees have been planted across the county, with plans for more.

Buffalo Bicycles Project Coordinator, Peter Wechuli, acknowledged the mobility challenges faced by volunteer workers at the grassroots level and praised the county government for the bicycle initiative. He stated, "The CHPs are walking for long distances to do their work and those dealing with environmental issues are also covering long distances to go to households and provide education. This is therefore a timely investment that will boost the health and the environment sector." However, Wechuli pointed out that the donation is insufficient and urged continued collaboration to ensure more workers are equipped.

Local workers, including Abraham Kipkemei, a CHP from Likuyani, and Nickson Salim, an environment field officer in Lugari, expressed gratitude towards the county government for the bicycles, recognizing their potential to enhance mobility and service reach.