RABUOR – SINAGA AREA (RSA) DEVELOPMENT TRUST (RSA-DT) MEETING HELD 29TH JULY, 2006 AT REINSURANCE PLAZA – NAIROBI

RABUOR – SINAGA AREA (RSA) DEVELOPMENT TRUST (RSA-DT) MEETING HELD ON 29TH JULY 2006 AT REINSURANCE PLAZA – NAIROBI

In attendance
1. Eng. Apollo Rogo
2. Samuel O. Siguru
3. Collins Masime
4. David Rogo
5. Regina Opundo
6. Ombaka Ogolla
7. Bon Ouko
8. Geoffrey Ochieng’
9. Ouma Ojenge
10. Godfrey Omolle
11. Araka Sogo
12. George Oluoch
13. Leonard Opundo

Apologies: -

1. Ambrose Rachier
2. Walter Odallo
3. George A. Omollo
4. Margaret Ooko
5. John Otiende
6. Margaret Radier
7. Christine Okwirry

The meeting started at 11.20 a.m. by a word of prayer from Regina Opundo thereafter
the agenda for the day were laid as follows: -

-Perusal of Minutes of last meeting
-Matters arising from the minutes
-Progress on various development Agendas
-AOB

Mr. Ombaka Ogolla was appointed to chair the meeting and the official introduction of the members in attendance followed.

The agenda were proposed for confirmation by Regina Opundo and seconded by Ouma Ojenge and then the meeting started off.



1. RABUOR SINAGA AREA (RSA) COMMUNITY WATER PROJECT

1.1 Funding

UNESCO

The RSA DT Secretary Eng. Rogo has been in constant discussions on possibilities of funding with the above. The management framework that had been suggested earlier was a matter of great concern and professional personnel to handle the same was still being sourced for. The need for self-sustainability was really a big task and Eng. Jakoyo Ogutu of Kenya Water Institute is assisting on this. UNESCO is also addressing the question of professional water management and once a technical person is identified for the project, then they would be able to come in for funding purposes.

LAKE VICTORIA WATER SERVICES BOARD (LVSWSB)

The meeting appreciated the efforts that have all through been shown by the above in funding the water project Phase II. They had released the 2nd tranche of the funding and the work on the ground is very encouraging. The problem that has been reported earlier in digging trenches was now being addressed with the local authority through the Local Chief who is trying to sensitize the community on the important of their labour in digging the trenches to the whole project. The water committee has been overseeing the progress and should be able to report back to the Development trust.

1.2 PROGRESS

The meeting learnt that the 2nd Water Tank was being built at Rabuor to facilitate the flow of water to a larger area. The old pump had been carried away for servicing and a new pump had been installed at the water source. It was however a surprise that the trenching was slow and delayed the work progress in most of the areas. The meeting however sent an appeal to the area chief to mobilize and sensitize the locals to take an active role by engaging in digging of trenches that pass through their parcel of land.

2. ROADS

A contractor had been assigned to work on Rabuor Kagutu Road that was used as a diversion during the main road construction. The DRC had assigned the contractor to repair the roads and the other residents were also appealed to take a role in repairing the other roads that could be worked on manually to improve their status. The meeting contributed towards the monthly roads kitty as shown below:-

1. Evans Siguru 100.00
2. Regina Opundo 20.00
3. David Rogo 60.00
4. Bon Ouko 120.00
300.00

3. ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY FOR RSA

The KPLC have shown willingness to complete the 2nd Phase of power supply and the meeting was informed that KPLC personnel had started surveying the point where the work stopped with a view of continuing the process. The local residents were urged to be humble to the KPLC and allow them to complete the work that had stalled and whoever has dispute with the former contractor should be able to address the dispute with humility and humbly such that the project cannot stall.

Mr. George Oluoch was mandated to talk to Mr. Omwenga of KPLC Kisumu office to establish the true position on who had lodged a formal complaint to KPLC as regards materials that had been stores in his homestead. The meeting asked members to discuss openly any complaint that had arisen out of the materials stores within the local homestead and urge their neighbours to be humble for the completion of the process.

4. THREE PLANTING IN RABUOR SINAGA AREA

The necessity of a tree planting day was discussed and the need was overwhelming. It was therefore resolved that contributions should be started such that tree seedlings can be transported from Webuye where Mr. Philip Diro has been willing to offer seedlings free of charge.

5. SECURITY IN RABUOR SINAGA AREA (RSA)

Security having been a great concern to all the RSA residents, the news of the gazettement of Sinaga Police Post was received in the meeting with excitement. The Patrol Base had been gazette to be upgraded to a Police Post to operate under Yala Police Station. The meeting however had concerns raised with Yala Station that had earlier been reported not to be responding quickly to issues raised on security lapses. The RSA Security Committee was urged to address some of the concerns with the relevant authorities and Mr. George Oluoch was incorporated to the Security Committee. The Committee now comprises:-

1. Mrs. Margaret Radier
2. Owit Ogos
3. Geoffrey Ochieng
4. Odaga Masime
5. Otieno Siguru
6. Isaac Okoth (advisor)

The earlier planned security meetings with the DO and DC as regards security issues within RSA were still encouraged and should be arranged urgently.

7. EDUCATION OF BRIGHT CHILDREN IN RSA WITH PROBLEMS IN RAISING SCHOOL FEES

The treasurer updated the meeting on the exchange value of Dr. Rogo’s Education contributions of $200 to be equivalent to Kshs.13, 200/-. The Education Committee was taken to task to hold an urgent meeting to start sourcing for the girls whom Dr. Rogo had expressed willingness to educate through the secondary education.

8. ACQUISITION OF PLOT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

The position with the parcel of land acquired at Sinaga was still not very clear at the meeting. Mr. Ernest Were had been written to an d he has not responded so far. The meeting asked Mr. Geoffrey Ochieng to get in touch with Mr. Were such that a position can be found for the transaction that had already started and needs to be concluded soon. The need for more plots was still necessary for Community Development Services.

9. RABUOR SINAGA AREA COMMUNITY FUND
(MICRO FINANCE)

The meeting still encouraged members to purchase shares from the Community Fund and boost the fund’s share capital. The meeting also requested Mr. Rachier to study the Micro Finance Bill and be able to advice the meeting on its effect on the Community Fund.

The Community Fund has a link A/C.

RSA Community Fund
A/C. No. 132 129 358
Kenya Commercial Bank – Kisumu West (Luanda Branch).
Address: P O Box 719 LUANDA, KENYA
Tel: 057 – 351504

The Fund has been very supportive to the local peasants who access banking facilities and small loan for their small business needs. Money transfer has also been possible to make easier payments at home while you are away in other towns.

10. RSA COMMUNITY POLYTECHNIC

The concern earlier in the meeting was still the same, the Polytechnic Committee has not been updating the Trust on its activities and development so far. With the harambee done on the Polytechnic site on 22nd July 2006 that raised Kshs.520, 000 the Trust felt it was necessary to start serious involvement in the Polytechnic affairs and the Trust suggested that the Polytechnic Committee chairman be summoned to the Trust meeting to explain some of the concerns raised. Mr. Siguru was to communicate to the Chairman of the Polytechnic Committee and give a date that he should join other RSA members in their monthly meetings. The position would be reviewed in the next meeting. In view of the Trust involvement, Mr. Ouma Ojenge was seconded to the Polytechnic Committee to join Mr. Siguru who had earlier been suggested to join the committee. The two would be facilitating reports on the Polytechnic Development to the Trust in the meetings.




12. RSA CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP (RSA – CDG)

The meeting having learnt that the Community Times Publications had stopped wanted to have elaborate discussions with the Editor Mr. Okinda. Mr. Okinda was in a position to explain how this has happened and what the problem was. Hew would also be expected to furnish the Trust with all the inventories of their assets, liabilities and a possible way forward for the editorials operations and the future to the same. The Trust suggested that in future every project done under the Trust should be subjected to through audit and in this respect an audit team was appointed to audit all RSA activities periodically and structure for such audits would be put in place.

The team comprised:-

1. Mr. George Oluoch
2. Mr. Godfrey Omolle
3. Mr. George Apiyo Omollo
4. Mr. Leonard Opundo

An Audit structure would be worked on in the next meeting.

13. TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES IN RSA

The meeting learnt from Mr. Ouma Ojenge who in charge of RSA Telecommunication that wireless telephone lines would soon be launched. These are fixed line that operate like a mobile phone though only covers a certain radius in distance. The launching of this telecommunication facility would be done soon; Mr. Ojenge would keep updating the members of the development in the facility in the next meeting. The fixed line telephone facility is still available to RSA residents and those interested should follow up with the Kisumu Telkom offices.

14. INSURANCE POLICY COVER FOR RSA – DT MEMBERS

The meeting reminded all those who had not renewed their membership in the group to do so. The concern raised by Dr. Rogo could not have been discussed elaborately due to the absence of Mr. Nelson Rogo who had handled the cover on behalf of RSA.

The issue could be re-visited in the next meeting should Nelson Rogo attend.

15. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN RSA

As had earlier been reported, the mobilization assignment is still on and the Workshop to sensitize the youth would be called when the mobilization is through. The Youth Development activities would be reported on as soon as they become achievable and Mr. Siguru is working with an able youth team to facilitate the objectives. Progress would be reported as they prove realistic.

17. ESTABLISHMENT OF CO-ORDINATING OFFICE

The hindrances to the above were due to limitation of resources therefore members continued the voluntary contributions towards running the secretariat as shown below:-

Contributions

1. Ouma Ojenge 50.00
2. Godfrey Omolle 50.00
3. Eng. A. Okello Rogo 200.00
4. Bon Ouko 50.00
5. Geoffrey Ochieng 100.00
6. George Apiyo Omollo 50.00
7. Evans Siguru 50.00
8. George Oluoch 100.00
9. Ombaka Ogolla 50.00
700.00
18. RSA WELFARE CLUB

The meeting raised Kshs.3, 700 towards the RSA Welfare Club, the details of the contributions would be provided by the Secretary to the Welfare Club Mr. Ouma Ojenge. The Welfare Club encouraged monthly contribution of Kshs.500/- and Kshs.100/- membership paid once from members for faster mobilizations of resources to allow the club to invest in shares at Nairobi Stock Exchange. This was a programme initiated by RSA/DT to cater for individual members’ welfare and the structures are still being worked on depending on how contributions are recorded.

19. AOB

Mr. Bon Ouko reported having made efforts through the Ministry of Education and Sagam Secondary School received Kshs.150, 000/- to equip the School Laboratory. He promised to continue following up for more funding from the Ministry for purchase of school equipments. The meeting thanked Bon Ouko and encouraged him to pursue further funding to other schools within RSA.

The Secretary Eng. Rogo asked the Welfare Club Secretariat to furnish the members with an up to date position of the contributions and memberships of the Welfare Club in the next meeting.

19. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next RSA meeting was fixed for Saturday 26th August 2006 starting at 10.00 a.m. Venue, Reinsurance Plaza 7th Floor (Rachier & Amollo Advocates Offices) Nairobi.