Bright prospect for Baringo people as Governor Cheboi strengthens diplomatic ties with foreign Countries

of the subsidized coffee seedlings programme, to include farm input, technology transfers, to reach more farmers so as to provide enough coffee for the Coffee Mill and establishment of more Baringo Coffee Shops in Korea to market Baringo Coffee and enhance its demand.

It also intends to seek support for the improvement of Health Services, ICT Education, infrastructure development and water provision in Baringo County.

The Baringo – Korea partnership boasts of a strong portfolio including the establishment and equipping of Elias ICT Centre in Kabarnet at an approximate cost of KES 9.6 million, through which 1289 computers have been issued towards equipping ICT Labs in 123 Baringo Secondary Schools ing Baringo Coffee farmers KES 30 million. Second season milling is underway.

The collaboration has seen the distribution of 400,000 Coffee seedlings valued at KES 24 million with the current distribution phase ongoing.

By 2017, there were a total of 8 Baringo Coffee Shops specializing Baringo Coffee in Seoul and Suwon cities in Korea.

In 2015 World Together Kenya, a Korean NGO donated pedigree Heifers worth over KES 50 million to Baringo County Dairy Farmers, while County Government in partnership with Chosun University has held free medical camps at Baringo County Referral Hospital, Kabarnet and Chemoril Primary School in Tiaty Sub County.

Governor Benjamin Cheboi led a team of county officials to a partnership visit in South Korea.

In 2014, the County forged partnership with the WorldBestFriend of Korea, through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

The partneship was aimed at implementing the county's Regional Development Project whose targets to improve Agriculture and Livestock as well as the ICT sectors.

The six day invitation is expected to be marred by a beehive of activities among them introduction to the Gyeonggi-do Council (The Council of Seoul and surrounding areas), exploring areas of mutual interest between them and possible development assistance for the people of Baringo and Kenya.

The delegation is also expected to negotiate fast tracking the Completion of Baringo Cha Coffee Mill annexure, expansion

The Centre has trained a total of 7093 learners on beginners and intermediate computer literacy skills.

The signing of an MOU for the construction of the Baringo Cha Coffee Mill which has so far cost KES 70 million is arguably the partnership flagship project.

Estimated at KES 100 million at completion, the mill is already operational, with some additional infrastructure planned for implementation. Baringo Cha Coffee Mill processed 130 tonnes of Coffee in its inaugural season in 2022, earn-

The delegation accompanying the Governor on the partnership visit to the Asian Tiger Country comprises of CECMs for Agriculture Livestock and Blue Economy; Health Services; the County Treasury and Economic Planning; the Chairpersons of the County Assembly Committees on Health Services as well as Agriculture, Livestock and Blue Economy. The team also includes the Chairman of Coffee Mill Implementation Committee and the Baringo County Government Chief of Staff.