By Courtesy/ Governor’s Press Unit
The County Government of Nyamira has unveiled a Geographic Information System (GIS) Laboratory, valued at Kshs. 30 million as it moves towards digital transformation and evidence-based governance.
The facility, installed at the County Headquarters with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the EU-FAO Digital Land Governance Programme, is set to revolutionize how the county collects, analyzes, and applies data across its development agenda.
The GIS Lab was officially commissioned on Wednesday by Governor Amos Nyaribo, accompanied by FAO Assistant Country Representative in Kenya, Mr. Hamisi Williams.
The Governor expressed deep appreciation for the partnership, noting that the system will empower county departments to monitor operations more effectively.
This is particularly in areas such as land ownership, revenue collection, and tracking of public institutions including schools and hospitals.
“With the installation of GIS, we can now monitor revenue collections from markets and land rates,” said Governor Nyaribo, emphasizing the lab’s potential to boost the county’s revenue streams.
Mr. Williams, while handing over the facility, highlighted its strategic role in improving land governance, ownership, and access.
He noted that the GIS Lab will also help analyze land use trends and address the growing challenge of land fragmentation in Gusii lands, which he described as increasingly uneconomical.
“This is part of FAO’s deliberate effort to integrate land ownership and land use, including support for the digital registration of farmers through the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS),” said Mr. Williams.
Trade CECM Benard Maina added that the county has already completed a spatial lands plan and mapping of public institutions to support GIS operations.
He affirmed that the system will enhance planning and service delivery across departments.
Husna Mbarak, Programme Manager for the Digital Land Governance Programme (DLGP), called on the county to strengthen the lab’s capacity by nominating interdepartmental champions who will lead data collection and analysis efforts.
Her remarks underscored the importance of building internal expertise to sustain the lab’s impact.
Governor Nyaribo acknowledged FAO’s broader support in Nyamira, particularly in land policy, planning, and food nutrition.
He reiterated the county’s commitment to deepening collaboration with FAO and the European Union, inviting them to explore additional areas of partnership.
To ensure seamless integration of GIS into county operations, each department will designate officers for specialized training on the system’s use and applications.