It is arguably one of many smallest devolved items however Vihiga is quick turning into a mannequin county in Kenya.

At least 23 counties, authorities businesses, and personal corporations have visited Vihiga on a studying or benchmarking mission within the final 4 years.

Most of them are impressed with the massive strides made by the county following the deployment of area applied sciences and geographic info methods (GIS) to facilitate planning and administration.

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o led his cupboard and prime county officers in visiting Vihiga just lately on a studying mission.

“I am impressed by everything, I wish I came much earlier because this technology could have easily won me the election without having to run around campaigning. It can help you figure out where the bulk of votes is,” mentioned Prof Nyong’o amid laughter.

It is a partnership initiative involving three firms, particularly France-based Airbus Defence & Space, US-based Esri and Kenya-based LocateIT that chosen Vihiga as a mannequin county for the venture in 2018.

Vihiga is a champion county in embracing spatial applied sciences within the administration of the county administration affairs as envisaged by the County Governments Act 2012 which requires the devolved units to adopt the applied sciences.

GIS makes use of location-based knowledge collected through satellites, paper maps, and instantly from the sector by means of cell positioning units to map out assets for evaluation and decision-making.

Vihiga governor Wilber Ottichilo, an area know-how, and GIS knowledgeable is happy about his achievements.

Ottichilo says the know-how has helped the county authorities in supporting prudent administration and allocation of assets whereas additionally facilitating rational decision-making processes. 

By use of geographic info, the county authorities is ready to make knowledgeable selections in terms of planning and distributing tasks equitably in line with the county chief.

Washington Olando, the Geospatial Technologies Services (GTS) director at Vihiga county mentioned the system permits any authorities to make key selections that allow growth in all areas with out discrimination. 

The Geospatial Technologies Services laboratory has knowledge for all tasks accomplished by the county and likewise helps in monitoring tasks being carried out.

Mr Olando explains that earlier than GIS was launched, Vihiga County skilled challenges by way of planning and distributing tasks throughout wards owing to the absence of a County-Level Formula (CLF) to distribute assets.

“The first regime had a lot of troubles on how to objectively determine gaps in each sector without appearing to favour a particular area,” mentioned Olando.

The official confides that the previous skewed developmental agenda necessitated the necessity for a know-how that will handle the problem as soon as and for all.

GIS know-how was totally operationalised in Vihiga in 2019 and hyperlinks 5 sub-counties of Vihiga, Sabatia, Hamisi, Luanda, and Emuhaya to streamline companies throughout the 25 wards.

The know-how gives the GIS with photographs steadily to assist intently monitor ongoing growth tasks within the county.

“The satellite technology enables us to monitor our programmes and thus ensure their implementation,” mentioned Olando. 

“It is one way of automating services with the aim of improving efficiency as well as sealing loopholes through which public funds are lost,” mentioned Olando. 

The know-how can establish areas in dire want of street connection or division that requires pressing help by way of funding amongst different issues.  

It can be used to reinforce varied social amenities such as schools, hospitals, dispensaries and markets.

“In agriculture, we are able to know where to give subsidised farm inputs like fertiliser or seeds, there is no more random distribution of the farm inputs like was the case in the past,” mentioned Olando.

The system has additionally helped streamline the budgeting course of and provides evidence-based growth must the individuals, thereby attracting help from growth companions in line with the official.

Dr Ottichilo mentioned GIS has helped him to handle assets effectively and successfully for the advantage of the residents together with forest areas, water, minerals, wildlife, and wetlands by means of developed spatial plans.

According to him, the know-how was key to his re-election in 2022 because the county’s governor “because it helped me take my development agenda to the electorates.”

“GIS offered a clear look into issues affecting the residents and came in handy in implementing policy framework and enhanced feedback. “Most people may not know but GIS and its utilisation and implementation was key to my second victory,” mentioned Ottichilo.