ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 1

May 1-15, 2013 ISSUE 082

A bimonthly newspaper by the Media Diversity Centre, a project of African Woman and Child Feature Service County government challenges

Confusion over devolved system Functions of county governments not clear to many Kenyans

By HENRY OWINO Chapter Eleven, Fourth Schedule of the An aerial view of Nyeri town. Below: Chairman of the Transition Authority Kinuthia Kenya Constitution and recently pub- wa Mwangi and his team cut the ribbon during the official launch of the devolution Majority of Kenyans are still unfamiliar with lished handbook on devolution by Kinu- system guide-booklets. The country is still in the process of adjusting to the county the new system of devolved government that thia wa Mwangi, chairman Transition has come into existence with the current Con- Authority and his team. governments. Pictures: Joseph Mukubwa and Henry Owino stitution. According to Isaac Ruto, Governor This includes some of the recently elected Bomet County, Kenya has two levels of egation of duties bringing leadership closer home duction led by His Excellency Mwai Kibaki in leaders who will need more time to study and governorship; County Government with 47 to citizens. Naivasha County. Yet this is Nakuru County not understand the system. counties each led by County Governor and the “I must admit that there is a lot of confusion Naivasha as the leaders indicated.” In spite the fact that the Constitution is two other National/Central Government headed with this new introduced system of governor- According to Dr Alfred Mutua, Governor years old, there is confusion over whether the by the President and his cabinet secretaries. ship. Even leaders themselves do not understand Machakos County, expectations of Kenyans on country has a devolved system or a unitary state. Ruto, however, clarifies that it does not mean it,” says Ruto. He points out: “For instance, the county governments are very high. Devolved government is well explained in there are two separate centers of power but a del- induction programme reads that governors’ in- Continued on page 6 Read more Reject stories online at www.mdcafrica.org Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth County government ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 2 challenges Orphans in Trans Nzoia have their livelihood uplifted Water scarcity By ABISAI Amugune An American volunteer’s fuelling conflict chance encounter with abject poverty among orphans in Trans Nzoia County a decade in Kwale ago is now paying dividends. The volunteer, Marjaana By ADAM JUMA Seilonen, has since returned and is now supporting 104 Vandalism of water pipes by neighbouring children with food and medi- communities in Kwale County has left com- cal care through her organisa- munities from Shangia Village in Mariakani tion. without water for over 20 years. Seilonen recalls when she The villagers have accused herders from first landed in the country and Kwale of vandalizing pipes that supplied wa- visited a small village at Kimi- ter to the area from the main Mzima Springs nini in Trans-Nzoia County water pipe. Speaking at a community meeting with and found most of the villag- Kiminini women in a clean- ers living in squalid condi- the Mariakani Water Officer at Shangia Pri- up exercise during the OWI tions. mary School, women from the area called on Top on the list were chil- Environmental Day. Below: L-R: the Government to replace the old pipes with dren, mostly orphans, roam- Gertrude Wanjala, OWI US President metallic ones to curb the vice. ing the streets instead of going Marjaana Seilonen and Kenyan According to Beatrice Tatu, neighbouring to school for the free primary counterpart Alice Wanyama. communities have vandalized the pipes to education. Pictures: Abisai Amugune ensure that their animals access water leaving What also disturbed the villagers with nothing. Seilonen was the fact that de- flew back to the United States where “This area is very dry and we rely on piped spite the villagers owning sizeable she mobilized for sponsorship to be water but we now have to buy a 20 litres jerri parcels of land, they were unable to channelled back to Kenya. can at KSh40. We are also Kenyans and would produce enough food to feed their Through a non-governmental or- like the Government to address our plight,” families. ganisation known as Ordinary Wom- said Tatu. “I was particularly touched by the en Incorporation (OWI), Seilonen, as Kilifi-Mariakani Water and Sewerage plight of women who had lost their its President, embarked on a mission Today, Ordinary Women Incor- Women Incorporation with its Company (KIMAWASCO) Mariakani region husbands either through natural cir- to empower Kenyan women to attain poration is catering for 104 children headquarters in California and its Manager Daniel Muindi noted that women cumstances or the dreaded the HIV better lives. for their food, school fees and medi- Kenyan arm have now acquired a were most affected by the poor water and and AIDs scourge,” she said. She partnered with a Kenyan cal care. 3.4 acre piece of land on the outskirts sanitation system. Seilonen heard stories of mal- community based organisation of Kiminini town on which they Muindi observed that the problem is gen- nourished children who were un- bearing a similar name to coordinate Cyber services intend to construct a full-fledged der based as mostly the burden of providing able to get food or medical care. activities between the two countries. Apart from conducting seminars health centre in view of the growing water to the family is the sole responsibility of Seilonen’s counterpart in Ke- on social care, Ordinary Women number of tropical diseases. women and girls. Education nya Alice Wanyama says that since Incorporation recently introduced Both Soilenen and Wanyama, a “In this area drawing water and transpor- One of the victims, Alex Wanja- the inception of Ordinary Women cyber services at Kiminini marked nutritionist, can afford a smile after tation is the responsibility of women who la, dropped out of primary school at Incorporation in Kenya, the local “where the residents can commu- seeing the behavioural change in have to walk long distances due to the scarcity Lukosi in 2007, following the mur- community has benefited socially nicate with the world using modern the orphans and widows. of the commodity and insufficient supply,” der of his father by armed robbers. and economically. technology”. From nourished children to the said Muindi. Since then, Wanjala, 20 with the They were speaking in Kiminini Under the clarion “Joining tolerance of widows in homes, the help of his mother and Seilonen, on the group’s Environmental Day Hands for Global Change”, the two non-profit making groups have im- Vandalism have worked hard together and he when they led members of the Ke- partners invited doctors form both proved the social set-up of the com- Women and girls are forced to walk over was a candidate in last year’s Kenya nya Ordinary Women Incorpora- countries who recently converged munity. 20 kilometres every day to fetch water in pans Certificate of Secondary Education tion and area residents in a day long in Trans Nzoia to offer a free medi- According to a guardian to an because piped water is only available from the (KSCE) at St. Josephs Boys’ Second- cleaning exercise at the township. cal treatment camp. orphan Gertrude Wanjala, Ordi- Kenya Army barracks in Mugoya. ary School in Kitale. Said Seilonen: “What started as “We were able to treat nearly nary Women Incorporation had “The vandals cost us a lot of money that is Wanjala remembers his late fa- a women’s affair has now grown to 1,000 patients and our doctors ex- initiated table-banking for her why we had to abandon the main pipe supply- ther as a police officer and is happy also include men since they are also changed information on tropical group’s members who currently ing water to this area from the Mzima Springs. that the American volunteer has regarded as members of a family. We diseases. Both sides benefitted in are involved in small-scale business The only pipe that has a steady supply of water promised to sponsor him to college. have included men in our Kenyan their own ways,” said Seilonen in an in Kiminini and the neighbouring is the one which supplies the Mariakani bar- After experiencing the hardship programme to sensitise their families interview. towns such as Kitale, Bungoma, Ki- racks and belongs to the Department of De- of the villages in Kiminini, Seilonen on childcare.” The US branch of Ordinary milili and Webuye. fence,” Muindi reiterated. He said the water company has no man- date to tamper with the pipes without the ap- proval of the Department of Defence. The scarcity is also to blame for the high drop-out rates because most school going Reject writer bags girls accompany their mothers to search for water. Speaking at the same meeting, Alex Mwanza Executive Director Coast Forum another award for Human Rights called for a private-public partnership to address the problem so that By Diana Wanyonyi Programme for nurturing my ca- people have access to clean drinking water. and Mercy Mumo reer through grants to facilitate my Mwanza said the organisation will soon movement while covering features start a project that would enable reliable water The second Annual Journalism Excellence and to Internews- Kenya for the well supply to the area. Awards (AJEA) gala which was the held at tailored media training programs “The initiative will incorporate a gender the Kenyatta International Conference Centre which I have effectively participated approach while offering water and sanitation (KICC) in Nairobi last week saw a number of and got polished professionally.” solutions to reduce water-related problems print and broadcast journalists recognised for She also thanked AWC for giv- and ensure more girls are retained in school,” their various contributions in journalism. ing her a platform to tell stories that said Mwanza. Diana Wanyonyi got feted in the Children are least reported especially those The project shall include establishing wa- and Youth Affairs Reporting Award category involving the poor and vulnerable ter kiosks to reduce acts of violence and ag- where she submitted a radio feature on the risks persons at the grassroots. gression against women who fetch water from that children under the age of 18 face with many Diana emerged top early this Diana Wanyonyi displays her award during the long distances. of them being infected with STI’s and AIDS. year at the National Council of second Annual Journalism Excellence Awards Women also called for their involvement The story focused on a number of incidences Population and Development – Tu- (AJEA) gala which was the held at the Kenyatta during the implementation of all water proj- at the Coastal part of Kenya where 50 children pange Awards, for a well-researched International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. ects in order to transform the current cultural are reportedly defiled monthly, 80 per cent be- feature on family planning. In No- She won in the Children and Youth Affairs and social discrepancy in the area. ing girls and the remaining percentage being vember last year, the same feature Reporting Award category. Picture: Diana Wanyonyi Mwanza called on the provincial adminis- boys. was published in Issue 073 of the tration to work closely with the communities “I give my heartfelt appreciation to the Bara- Reject newspaper, a bi-monthly on- living around so that they can make good use ka FM team for the endless support they have line publication of the Media Diversity Kinango and Ganze districts which according of the project which is scheduled to start early given me to do investigative stories out of my Centre entitled “Malnutrition linked to high in- to the Kenya Demographic and Health survey next month. comfort zone,” said an elated Diana. fant mortality in Coast region.” 2008 / 09 statistics, 71 out of 1000 live births die “Many thanks also goes to the Kenya Media The story focused on the statistics from before the age of one. ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 County government Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth challenges 3 Joshua Malingi: First Malindi senator hails establishment of devolved government

By ROBERT NYAGAH one of his sons is a chief in Malindi while others Today when you meet him nothing speaks to are in various professions the position he once held in society because he including journalism, the is retired and operates as a small-scale farmer career choice of one of his in Sabaki area on a one acre parcel of land on daughters. which he also rears livestock. However, Joshua Henry Malingi, is no ordi- Training nary Kenyan. He made history when he became The retired politician, the first Kilifi County Senator in 1963-1964 and a onetime Christian books also served as the Member of Parliament for translator studied at ADA Magarini between 1964 to 1969. Changamwe Primary His leading an almost non-political life also School in Mombasa be- saw him nearly left out in the list of guests who fore attending Kamagam- had been invited to witness the new senators bo Training School in being sworn-in. He was finally invited in what Nyanza between 1947 and he describes as an afterthought from the au- 1952. thorities. He first worked briefly The clerk to the Senate had sent out invita- at the SDA church as a tions to the six; Philip Toikam Lemein from clerk in Mombasa and Narok, M. A. Msallam from Lamu, Julius later at Kendu Bay Press Muthamia from Meru, William Rotich from where he served for four Baringo, G. N. Kalya from Nandi and Nathan years as a translator of missionary books. Munoko from Bungoma but had forgotten He later moved to Kilifi African Council Malingi. where he worked as forest officer retiring in The ceremony eventually took place at 1959 and returned home in Malindi. KICC amphitheatre and was dominated by the After retirement, he had a chance to work in elections of the speakers and deputy speakers. the tourism sector and served as a supervisor At 82, Malingi looks physically fit dressed in at the Blue Marlin Hotel, then one of the most his trade mark white short and a black pair of popular hotels among German and Swiss tour- trousers. ists in the whole country. In 1963, Malingi joined full time politics and Jubilant was elected as a senator for Kilifi County under The former Senator expressed joy that God the KADU party ticket. had kept him alive to see the new Constitution “Those days KADU was the most popular which had rewarded Kenyans with a devolved party in the Coast region and had a huge fol- system of the government long preferred by lowing mainly because of the popularity of the KADU, of which he was a staunch member late Ronald Ngala,” explains Malingi with a nos- and the party that propelled him to national talgic smile and pride. politics. His elevation to a senator was a great occa- Malingi expressed joy that the general elec- sion to him. “My opponent was Taura Malindi tions had ended peacefully noting that the last who managed a mere 4,000 votes against my time he saw bad politics in Kenya was after the 69,000 votes,” he explains. 2007 election when the country nearly col- The most notable senators then, Malingi lapsed under violence. confesses, were trade unionist Clement Lubem- “I am happy to be around to have witnessed be, Mwinga Chokwe and William Wamalwa the peaceful elections and the shaping up of the among others. devolved system of governance. As the then “There were also charming people in the staunch KADU leader under the late Ronald Senate such as Nathan Munoko and John Ki- Ngala, I strongly believed and still believe that baso, who served as the deputy speaker,” recalls a devolved system of government allows fair Malingi adding that those days life was afford- The former senator ad- distribution of regional and national resources able and simple. mits that for some time after hence creating cohesion,” said Malingi. Salaries for the senators and legislators in he left politics, things were Although once in a while he is invited to the National Assembly then stood at KSh2,000. not very smooth financially attend celebrations to mark national days, and like many former MPs Malingi notes that does not always enjoy the Recall and senators, he was also respect fitting the position of a former senator He recalls that many things like owning a part of those who put up a and an elder in Kenyan politics. car were affordable. The former senator does fight with the government During the last Jamhuri day celebration, he not wish to dwell on how the senate was dis- demanding a pension and was offered a chance to address the gathering banded but he was happy to automatically gratuity payments. by the then Malindi District Commissioner Ar- move into the National Assembly as the MP After years of futile battles thur Mugira and was received quite well by the and served Magarini Constituency between with the government, Ma- younger politicians. 1964 and 1969. lingi says, the government “The young Malindi politicians were happy On losing the seat, he decided to retire hon- agreed to pay the former MPs to hear my voice and noted that an indepen- ourably and to concentrate on farming and and senators a lumpsum gra- dence era politician was still around to offer serving God. tuity of KSh1 million three some wisdom and guidance when needed.” “Since retirement, my life has been smooth years ago which he agrees The humble peasant farmer says that he and peaceful,” Malingi notes. was good and like a rescue does not mind mixing with the ordinary Ke- “In 1964 I bought my first car, a new Volk- package for many now age- nyans among the audience during important swagen for which I paid KSh9,000,” Malingi re- ing former legislators. occasions, especially when the community calls adding that by 1967 he had changed cars He concludes: “The fact From top: Former Kilifi County senator Henry Joshua around the Sabaki Village in Magarini Con- several times before settling for a Volvo which that the senate is back is a Malingi 82 , during the interview. Malingi introduces stituency where he lives, congregate to discuss cost him KSh20,000 and would take a mere great idea and a political de- his son who is an assistant chief in Malindi to the public development. KSh300 to fill up with fuel. cision by Kenyans through at the Malindi stadium during Mashujaa day. The “I had the chance to acquire by purchase or the Constitution. This ex- “Sometimes I even sit on the ground to par- former senator sitting on the grass with wananchi at ticipate in development forums,” explains Ma- allocation large chunks of land when I served as pands democracy and offers Sabaki Dispensary. Pictures: Robert Nyagah lingi, adding that he had his chance when he a senator and an MP, but as a staunch Christian, more politicians a chance to served the people as a senator and MP. I believed that my treasures are in heaven,” ex- participate in governance. The father of nine, among them six sons plains Malingi, using his walking stick to point Eventually we shall see a fair nyans irrespective of the regions they come and three daughters, Malingi is happy that to the sky while adjusting his reading glasses. sharing of national resources among all Ke- from.” Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth County government ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 4 challenges Hope for squatters as Land Commission gets down to work By YUSUF AMIN been funded by USAID through Ke- nya Transition Initiative. Squatters in Coast Province can now Swazuri announced that he had heave a sigh of relief after the Na- information that Coast region had tional Land Commission ordered for one of the highest cases of pending the suspension of the controversial eviction orders in the country. eviction orders until further notice. He noted that most of the peo- According to the Land Commis- ple in the region had been living sion chairman, Dr Mohamed Swa- as squatters for decades saying that zuri, the directive will be applied some measures have been proposed throughout the country. to address the problem through the Swazuri described the evictions Constitution. as inhuman and in contravention of the new Constitution. Resolve He noted that the evictions had In Kilifi County, for example, the been stopped until the Eviction and land question is a big issue that has Settlement Bill is passed by Parlia- never been resolved since indepen- ment and enable squatters’ rights dence. respected and protected. Civil servants in the lands office have been accused of colluding with Eviction others to benefit from settlement On his part, Kilifi District Officer Swazuri noted that most of the schemes at the expense of the locals. (DO) 1, Paul Rotich, said the area affected squatters had been evicted The residents have also accused had experienced land problems for from the lands where they had lived some land officers of being biased many years. He asked the Commis- on and known as their home for de- in dividing the land in the schemes sion to intervene and solve them. cades. He expressed hope that the by favouring influential leaders and Rotich lamented that Kilifi resi- new law would curb the problem. certain communities at their ex- dents had not been sensitised enough “Many people, especially in the pense. on how they could acquire title deeds Coast region, have been evicted They asked the Land Commission from the lands office. without being resettled elsewhere, to intervene and investigate the alle- this must come to an end,” Swazuri gations. Consequences said. Led by Human rights activist, Eric “People in this region should be He lamented that during evic- Karisa Mgoja, residents from Kijipwa educated on how they can acquire tions most of the victims who suf- Settlement Scheme asked the Com- title deeds from the lands office in fered were women and children who mission to visit the scheme on a fact Kilifi so that the squatter problem were forced to spend the nights in finding mission and hear their com- can be solved once and for all,” he the cold. plaints. said. “Why should someone demolish “Wrangles have been brewing in Meanwhile Kilifi Governor, Ama- poor Kenyans homes without proper various settlements schemes and the son Kingi, has warned land grabbers notification?” Swazuri posed. He Commission should intervene and that their days are numbered. He added: “This should be a thing of the have the problem solved before any- asked them to surrender the land to past. We should respect and protect thing bad occurs,” Mgoja said. the Government or face the conse- everyone’s rights.” During the handing over of the quences. Swazuri asked the Police Com- offices, Swazuri assured residents of “Most of the Government land in mission to ensure that no eviction Kilifi County that their complaints the county has been grabbed leading The National Land Commission chairman Dr Mohamed Swazuri was carried out until the said Bill was would be investigated so that every- to lack of land for establishing the viewing some of the files in Kilifi lands offices. Below: Dr Swazuri debated and passed by Parliament. one will be able to get a title deed and county headquarters,” Kingi said. opening the new lands registry offices in Kilifi town funded by He was addressing journalists use it as security in acquiring loans He stated that his government USAID through Kenya Transition Initiative. during the opening of new lands reg- in banks and other financial institu- would repossess the land so that in- Pictures: Yusuf Amin istry offices in Kilifi town that have tions. vestors start developing the county. A plate full of demands for Kilifi County government By ROBERT NYAGAH fishermen loans to acquire modern Mohammed Abbas, a stall owner the open and have makeshift sheds sultation with stakeholders and in equipment such as fishing gear, boats says that being the main wholesale for their chicken which they use to some instances the fees were raised Residents of Kilifi County want their and cold storage facilities. market which is depended on by the shield their animals from the sun or from KSh3,000 to KSh8,000 per year Governor, Amason Kingi, and his “We need powerful large boats tourist hotels for their meat, vegeta- thieves. The traders say that because which was illegal and unfair,” notes new team to give the fishing industry with good inbuilt engines to be able ble, fruits and other fresh supplies, they pay for the required fees to un- Mattaza. and business community top priority to sail between 30 and 45 nautical the facility needs to be refurbished. dertake trading, they should not be The more than 400 beach traders in their action plan. miles inside the Indian Ocean and The same sentiments are ex- operating without basic amenities. who sell various curio items to tour- They are optimistic that the Coun- access the best and high yielding pressed by the Matunda Sales Group Even with the general demand ists and who operate on access roads ty Government will improve services fisheries,” notes Msham. of about 30 young people, who sell for better services across the Kilifi are demanding that the County gov- and address most of their concerns. According to the fishermen, Kil- fruits in the open air and are appeal- County, the business community ernment intervenes to control trad- Kilifi is a large County with a huge ifi County government, will need to ing to the Governor and his team to under the Kenya Chamber of Com- ing of curios in hotels and also pro- potential for fishing, agriculture, tour- work with the stakeholders to reclaim improve their working environment merce and Industry is already at log- vide them with social amenities such ism, horticulture among areas. and protect some of the beach fish by building modern shelters for them. gerheads with the Malindi Municipal as clean water and toilets. Speaking on behalf of 5,000 fish- landing depots grabbed by private de- Khalifa Saro Mae, chairperson of Council over increased charges for According to Consolata Ogutu, ermen in Kilifi County, Coast region velopers and turned into private use. the group says: “Garbage collection single business licence. chairperson of the Baharini Wom- Beach Management Unit (BMU) is also compromised by lack of refuse en’s Group, the county government chairman Omar Msham, blames lack Conditions chambers or dustbins, yet the zone Operation should build them a proper market modern fishing equipment for their In Malindi town about 400 trad- has fruits which are expected to be According to Andrew Mat- with all the required facilities includ- poor returns. ers at Kwajiwa Wholesale Market sold in hygienic conditions to avoid taza, chairman of the Chamber, the ing clean water, toilets and lighting to “The best fisheries are usually have been operating under unhealthy contamination.” County government is operational ensure that they could also operate at further than 20 nautical miles inside and deplorable conditions inside an Female traders who specialise and should immediately overrule night. the sea while the small dhows used old building which lacks ventilation, in the sale of live chicken under the the Malindi Municipal Council and She hopes the County govern- by many fishermen have the capacity protests continue to mount. Malindi Kuku Traders hope that the review the licence charges down- ment would provide its own secu- to only access fisheries less than 10 Members of the Kwajiwa Mar- County government will provide wards in a bid to assist the more rity to the beach traders and tourists nautical miles away from the shore- ket Traders Association are asking them with shelter and other facilities than 3,000 traders who are affected instead of the present group of the line,” explains Msham. the County government to improve including clean water and sanitation by the raised fees. Tourist Police Unit officers, whom He wants the County government hygiene at the market as a matter of facilities. “The charges for the single license he accused of harassing and arresting to work closely with banks to give urgency and importance. The traders presently operate in permits were done without con- the traders on flimsy grounds. ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 County government Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth challenges 5 Falling education Kitui residents want the standards worry rundown ‘goldmines’ revived parents in Kwale By TERYANI MWADZAYA

Parents at a primary school in Kwale County wonder whether development will ever reach their part of the country. This is because of the state of the infra- structure and education at Lwara Primary School. To the pupils, each day is a nightmare as the school lacks basic facilities to en- able them attend, learn and sit for their examinations. The pupils lack desks and benches so they are forced to improvise with logs and stones which they sit and write on during class. According to Salim Mnemo, the school’s headmaster, they have no option but to use logs and stones sitting arrange- ment in the “forgotten school” outskirts of Kwale town. “The school has one stream which has a shift class arrangement for class three who study in the afternoon due to the few classrooms available,” explains Mnemo. According to records from the Kwale District Development Plan 2004-2008, ministries of Health and Education indi- cate that poverty levels are high. About 50 per cent of the population lives in absolute poverty where women from rural areas suffer the brunt of this. It is from this backdrop that Mnemo is looking for support so as to motivate the pupil to study hard and pass exams. Intervene The headmaster says another problem bedevilling the school is lack of class- By ANDREW ELIJAH Some of the structures constructed at the Mutomo plant sanctuary whose doors, roofs rooms which has discouraged pupils from and windows have been vandalized. The sanctuary has now been reduced to grazing attending classes regularly. Residents of Kitui County are looking up to grounds with locals unaware of its history and importance. Picture: Andrew Elijah Cases of rape are also on the increase their new Governor, Julius Malombe, and his and he is calling on the authorities and re- team to revive two natural resources in the area he termed as: “The best representative of the gate and water pipes stolen. The rest house and ligious leaders to take intervene. which they describe as “a goldmine.” semi-arid ecology-rich in natural vegetation, caretakers’ houses also had iron sheets, doors The county also suffers perennial The two are Mutomo Hill Plant Sanctuary, drought, hunger and famine which Mne- trees, shrubs, annuals and succulents.” and windows stolen. mo thinks can be resolved through ‘dry which is 75 kilometres from Kitui town, and He instantly fell in love with the native flora The County Council turned down an appli- farming’ as practiced by the Republic of South Kitui National Game Reserve, that is 32 growing at the strategically placed rocks at the cation from a private investor who had applied Israel and proposed by the Coast Devel- kilometres away. peaks of the small range of rocks on the hills to lease the property in 2001. An offer from the opment Authority for adoption. Charles Kiethe, a community leader says: prompting him to approach the local authority Faida Organisation (an advancement and devel- According to Mnemo, the area is ca- “I believe that our new governor will spearhead with a proposal to establish a sanctuary in the opment affairs organization) in the same year to pable of sorting itself out by using mod- renovation of this sanctuary and even our game area. jointly develop the sanctuary was also rejected ern farming technology to boost agricul- reserve, which have been abandoned since 1979 The area was ideal and still is for scientific with the council wary of losing revenue to pri- tural produce and ensure ‘residents have to create jobs, boost the economy and attract study and research purposes following its rich- vate investors. water and food through new agricultural m e a n s’. tourists and researchers as well.” ness in medicinal plants. It was also an attractive As that happened, the sanctuary was run According to Mnemo boys are more According to Peninah Malonza, Kitui Coun- tourist destination to rock climbers and a pos- down and lost its image. than girls in the school and he blames this ty Deputy Governor, they will give priority to sible permanent source of revenue for the local on parents. “Girls are forced to remain at revamping and marketing the sanctuary and the authority. With this in mind, Glassen developed Revive home to take care of the young ones or game reserve in addition to exploiting minerals a desire to conserve it against destruction. However, in May 2012 the council floated due to lack of fees, while their brothers are in the area to boost the revenue collection in the Development began as a joint initiative be- tenders to interested consultancy firms to un- favoured at their expense,” notes Mnemo. county. tween the local authority and Kenya Horticul- dertake a new plant re-identification in the He adds: “Girls in this community are “It is a shame that our people have gone hun- tural Society under the supervision of Glassen sanctuary. downtrodden and marginalised socially, gry for years while we are sitting on goldmines, who was able to source funds from European In October the same year, the Kenya Wild- politically and economically by men due because we have lacked visionary leadership,” organisations and other well-wishers. life Services, Mutomo community office hosted to the patriarchal nature of its traditions.” Malonza noted. He oversaw the construction of a rest house a meeting at the sanctuary with all government The major communities in this area, the George Glassen, the brains behind the sanc- and a water tank for visitors. A larger camping stakeholders and community leaders who de- Durumas, just like their Digo counterparts tuary would definitely be a very dejected man ground was cleared and a fence put up covering bated and discussed possible ways to revive and use traditional systems of governance that were he to rise from the dead today. the whole 60 acres around the Mutomo Plant restore the glory of the sanctuary. is dominated by men when dealing with It is home to over a 100 different indigenous Sanctuary. Two caretaker houses were also con- Mary Njingira, the warden at KWS Mutomo murder, adultery, fornication, divorce, species of plants most of which are believed to structed in addition to a makuti- thatched din- community office, says they still have plans to marriage and theft among others. have medicinal value. ing hall and staff quarters. develop and market the facility before opening The sanctuary, standing on a 100 acre land it up to tourists and researchers. Alternative has been abandoned over four decades since Productivity “This sanctuary is a resource that deserves Despite the cost of living, Kassim Glassen, a Swedish botanist who was then chair- “I remember well how this place was well de- real attention and I hope I will be able to re-es- Juma, one of the teachers says that the man of the Kenya Horticultural Society, discov- veloped; people came from far including tour- tablish it for the people,” says Njingira. residents are encouraged to seek alterna- ered it in 1965. ists for camping,” says 70-year old Nyamai Kasi- However, residents are still pessimistic say- tive methods of livelihoods. . kali, a villager elder from Kawelu. ing there have been too many false promises. Juma lauds various organisations that Discover That was in 1976 and the last time anything “The South Kitui National Game Reserve have been conducting civic education and It has been left to rock hyraxes, monkeys, productive came from the sanctuary. and Mutomo Plant Sanctuary are facilities that peace-building programmes in the area snakes and rock rodents to stroll comfortably Thereafter, like its fellow flora and fauna should not be neglected but developed to create as well as those that have been promoting without anyone showing concern about its ex- habitat in the region, the South Kitui National jobs as well as attract tourists and researchers,” girl-child education. istence. Game Reserve that interestingly lies 32 kilome- says David Munyau, a local investor. He commends the new Constitution Correspondence obtained from offices of the tres from the Mutomo Hill Plant Sanctuary has Before it collapsed, the sanctuary was run saying he was optimistic that the devolved local authority reveal that Glassen had after an been a victim of negligence and empty promises by the Kitui County Council, which had taken government would assist develop schools extensive expedition of the country discovered from the local authority. it over from the Kenya Horticultural Society, like Lwara Primary to provide quality the richly unique composition of indigenous Vandals were left to deface the once scenic which started it 48 years ago. However, they education. trees and vegetation on the Mutomo Hill, which sanctuary. The fence was pulled down, the steel were unable to sustain it leading to its collapse. Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth County government ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 6 challenges A mixed bag of requests from Trans Nzoia Leaders push for nomination of more By ABISAI AMUGUNE “For example, out of 25 civic wards in the delinked from party politics since farmers do county, only two were scooped by women not conduct their business through politics. women in Busia County The county governments are primarily about while no woman was elected as an MP for the For Michael Manyonge who is physically giving residents the mandate to decide on their local five parliamentary seats,” she says. handicapped, nothing is as sweet as seeing a By LEONARD ACHARRY priorities. Calling for respect of the one third major- county that includes the disabled in their pro- Even for those who never supported the ity in the inclusion of women representatives grammes. Leaders from Busia County want the Governor election of the County governor, they have a in the County Assembly, Cherop notes that the Manyonge, a former nominated councillor to appoint more women to the County executive right to determine how the governments will County government leadership should ensure and a member of the Trans-Nzoia Disability committee to address the glaring gender dispari- work. women are considered for the micro-enter- Group says the county leadership should in- ties. It is now dawning Dr Mike Mbito, a resi- prise loans. clude the five per cent stake in the running of Only two women were elected, one to the dent of Trans Nzoia County that the polls were “As women we only hear of the Women En- the county affairs. County Government and the other to the Na- not about individuals but the subsequent deliv- terprise Fund giving loans. Majority of us have He says the KSh200,000 received from the tional Assembly. Mary Emaase was elected the ery of public service. never benefited because of lack of security,” ob- National Council of Disability to coordinate first woman MP to represent the newly created “We want an enabling environment in the serves Cherop. for the county affairs of the disabled were a Teso South Constituency while Florence Obinda county where we can work for development. drop in the ocean. was elected Bukhayo West Ward Representative One does not turn around to sabotage and Revive On the business community, hotelier Ka- in Busia County. undermine development just because of losing Cherop suggests that the women should mau Muchori said the county leadership Leaders in the County led by Nambale MP in an election,” notes Mbito. He poses: “What be assisted in reviving the arts and crafts sub- would be of help if it assisted in the improve- John Bunyasi and Busia County Maendeleo ya does the common man expect of the elected sector at the Kitale National Museum so as to ment of infrastructure, including the Kitale Wanawake chairlady Zainabu Muyoti now want Trans-Nzoia leadership? Are the winners going attract eco-tourism. — Endebess road leading to the Suam border more women nominated to the County Assem- to deliver on their promises?” However, Eliud Wafula, a teacher in the point. bly to bridge the gender gap. Mbito and other residents of the county area discounts the concept of starting new Kamau expects the agricultural sector to be “There is need to nominate more women in would like to see governor Patrick Khaemba primary schools and offering them computers diversified to include fish and irrigation farm- leadership positions because they uphold integ- get down to business of making their county a when they are understaffed and ill-equipped. ing. rity and are more sensitive to the needs of the better place for both men and women. Wafula, who is chairperson KUPPET On behalf of the minority groups of Tur- people,” Bunyasi said. According to Dorothy Cherop from Maram- Trans-Nzoia County says: “We should first im- kana and Somali communities, Albash Noor He promised to push for women’s rights in bach Village in Saboti Constituency, the woman prove on the learning environment of our pri- called on Khaemba to implement the Con- Parliament saying that women representation ac- has always been down-trodden when it comes mary schools other than advancing them with stitution by involving them in running of the count for 50 per cent adding that the 30 per cent to the distribution of power and resources. laboratories without science teachers.” county activities. gender threshold was just minimum. He observes that there is no point of start- On the other hand, Muyoti called on the Gov- ing new schools when the existing ones were ernor Sospeter Ojaamong to ensure that 30 per still located in poor-learning environment. cent gender parity is achieved at the County ex- “We expect the governor and his team to ecutive level. think of equipping all the schools adequately “We only have one MP in the National As- before sanctioning for the registration of new sembly and one woman ward representative in ones,” says Wafula. the County Assembly. We are advocating for gen- der equity in the appointment of heads of various Policy departments at the County,” Muyoti said. In the farming sector, local farmers were She observed that women are the ones at the of the view that since the activity had become centre of economic growth and it was important agri-business there was need to harmonise and to have them mainstreamed in the County lead- regulate prices between the inputs and outputs ership for the success of projects. for them to realise profits. “Money that circulates in this County is main- Farmers’ spokesman Erastus Seroney sug- ly generated by women who brave the scorching gests that loaning institutions such as the Agri- sun during the day to sell goods in the market,” cultural Finance Corporation (AFC) should be Muyoti noted. decentralised at the county level and advanced However, she urged the electorate to elect to include insurance cover in case of crop fail- more women in the coming elections so that they ure. can also have an opportunity of nominating men. Noting that farmers were undertaking During the last elections, Faith Mammoth a risky business, Seroney, wonders how a was the only woman who contested for Senator’s “As women we only hear farmer was expected to plant, treat, harvest “We expect the governor seat in the County against former Attorney Gen- and sell his/her produce in a given year and eral Amos Wako and immediate Nambale legis- of the Women Enterprise expect him/her to prepare for the proceed- and his team to think lator Chris Okemo. Fund giving loans. ing season before disposing off the harvest Alice Were contested for the gubernatorial in time. of equipping all the seat while four other women contested for par- Majority of us have never “We should revert to the old system where schools adequately liamentary seats in Nambale, Budalangi, Teso farmers were supplied with inputs without South and Matayos constituencies and a number benefited because of lack strict conditions. Late planting has caused before sanctioning for the of County representatives in various wards. farmers huge losses,” he says adding that farm- Out of these, only Emaase and Obinda got of security.” ers should be protected against natural calami- registration of new ones.” a nod from the voters to join the National and ties. County assemblies. — Dorothy Cherop Seroney further says farming should be — Eliud Wafula Functions of county governments not clear to many Kenyans

Continued from page 1 Kibaki made during induction work- “For a business person like me, I county government would ensure orphans and children from poor shop for new governors at the Great would like to see well-built roads not equitable sharing of national and lo- families receive free education espe- “Governors will be required to Rift Valley Lodge that elected gov- just Thika Super Highway but oth- cal resources throughout the country. cially from slums areas like Kibera, ensure effective service delivery, pro- ernors should foster national unity ers like Mombasa, Nairobi-Kisumu- Asutza notes that if big maize Mathare, Kawangware, Mukuru kwa mote economic growth, and high lev- by recognising Kenyans diversity as Busia and Narok-Migori roads also millers are going to be planted in her Njenga among many shanties,” Asu- els of accountability for every single stipulated in the Constitution. built,” says Moraa. She notes: “Nai- home county and other stunted com- tsa desires. cent spent,” says Mutua. “I really support Kibaki on his robi County should lead in security panies revived, many youths who Pamela Owino, a fish-monger statement that governors should fo- enforcement both day and night for now work as boda boda (motor-cycle believes that the county government Accountability cus on uniting Kenyans despite the our business premises to transact in taxi) operators will venture into their is going to ensure her home county, “All governors must be ready to devolution of power and resources. 24 hours.” various professional careers. Siaya is well developed. She says Siaya work for the people who elected them After all we are one people and Kenya For Carolyne Asutza, a secretary “This will increase money cir- has lagged behind for years for being and be accountable for every penny remains a unitary state,” said Moraa. in one of the companies in Nairobi, culation in Kakamega County and in the opposition side but now every spent,” Mutua says. She further noted that the cen- devolved government is meant to reduce idleness and land cases espe- county is meant to govern and devel- Martha Moraa is a Nairobi based tral government is there to represent give powers to the people for self- cially of theft by the youth,” she says. op without marginalization as before. businesswoman who travels a lot the whole country in national and governance and enhance participa- “I am sure there is going to be a outside the country. To her devo- international matters while county tion of the people. Sector fish cooling plant in Kisumu for our lution is only meant to help in the government stands with residents on She emphasizes that this is the Concerning education sector, fish, other fish factories built right at sharing of national resources rather issues at the grassroots level. time that minorities and communi- Asutza would like to see proper the lakeside to process fish while still than creating independent regions Only 15 per cent of the total rev- ties that have been marginalized for school management starting with fresh. In fact, I see myself vacating as some put it. enue collected by the Treasury will be long by the centralized government enough teachers, classrooms, books. this expensive life in Nairobi County Moraa supports the statement by ploughed back into the 47 Counties should protect and promote their “Above all, I would like Nairobi and going back home do engage in immediate former President Mwai for their development. interests and rights. For instance; County Governor to ensure that business,” says Owino. ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 County government Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth challenges 7 Press freedom in Africa is obsolete By HENRY OWINO countries for fear of their lives. Every journalist needs safety, pro- Many nations in Africa are far from tection and security as he or she oper- realising press freedom as most jour- ates and this is not possible in Africa as nalists continue to work and live under most media houses are owned by in- fear of attacks, arrests or even targeted fluential politicians. The journalists in for death and other threats. these media houses report their stories Several African journalists have to suit the employer expectations or be flown from their home countries to sacked. The competitor media houses practice their professionalism in for- would be embedded by the politicians eign nations as refuge journalists. and in the contrary becomes target The worst countries in the region, of intimidations through courts with where journalists would not carry out hefty fines of compensation. their duties freely and feel secure are It is not easy to publish or broadcast Somalia and Eritrea. These are coun- stories negatively touching on these in- tries where journalists have been tar- fluential politicians. Any of such espe- gets of kidnap and death for dissemi- cially investigative story linking poli- nating information to the public. This ticians would not see the light of day was realised even as the World Press but if it does then, the author and the Freedom Day was being celebrated media house, face consequences. globally on 3 May. More than 500 media profession- Fear als and personalities from 30 nations Despite being objective and fair in globally, converged in Nairobi, Kenya coverage with enough evidence from for a two day conference to mark the various sources, very little could be big occasion in the media calendar. done once the politician files a case in President Uhuru Kenyatta and media professionals across Africa during the World Press Freedom Day The day was officially opened by court. celebrations at KICC. He promised to defend and promote media freedom in Kenya by implementing Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta The journalist may end up paying policies that promote media freedom. Picture: Henry Owino where he urged African leaders to the hefty court fines individually or the legislate laws that would not just al- media house pay ups and terminates emerging forms of media,” noted the to their security and safety in different he was still arrested,’’ Najjemba reiter- low freedom of the press but security, him or her. This trend has kept many president. parts of the country. ated. safety and protection of journalists. journalists live in fear for their lives so The two-day celebration mainly fo- Lynn Najjemba from Uganda said Valerie Nsoka from Tanzania re- None of the countries in East Af- long as the stories published or broad- cused on; media regulation in Africa, in her country there is no security gretted that her country is being rated rica is rated good enough in media cast reveal the truth and becomes sub- safety and protection of journalists and for journalists. She added that most the best in press freedom in East Af- freedom although Kenya is the second ject of discussion by the public. This is professionalism in the industry. are being threaten with death by very rica, yet assailants are targeting many most popular refuge for journalists generally the work of media to inform Joseph Odindo, the chairman of powerful people in Uganda whose journalists. She said many have gone fleeing persecution. and educate public which others fight the MCK condemned attacks on jour- names she could not disclose. She ex- missing for several months only to be to gag. nalists across Africa, saying they will plained that the powerful forces have found dead. Report In Kenya, the big day was organised continue with the good work of in- ordered for journalists transfer to oth- Nsoka stated that in Tanzania more According to a Paris based report by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), forming citizens. er regions, some of who resigned from than half of the journalists whether released recently by Reporters without a body that ensures that the code of Odindo wondered why someone the profession. freelance or correspondent or em- Boarders, Tanzania is the only country conduct for the practice of journalism could just plan to do away with a jour- ployed work under great fear. Regard- in East Africa whose media freedom in Kenya is adhered to by journalists. nalist or attack a media house for ex- No freedom less of stories published or broadcast, is considered “satisfactory” despite the This was under the Media Council of posing impunity. He encouraged jour- “There is no freedom of the media as long one belongs to the media in- fact that a journalist was recently beat- Kenya Regional Journalists’ Conven- nalists to work day and night to expose in Uganda, my home country. Many dustry, he/she becomes a target. en while covering demonstrations and tion 2013 held in Nairobi, Kenya. more since it is the only way to curb professional journalists working in “In Tanzania, the goons target any another killed by goons. In his speech, President Kenyatta impunity in Africa. Uganda have been deported to their persons who calls themselves a jour- Despite Tanzania being seen as promised to defend and promote “Journalism is a profession under respective nations for exposing cor- nalist no matter which media house the best in East Africa, it is ranked 70 media freedom in Kenya by imple- threat on this continent. Journalists ruption deals in government. For you work for. Assailants see the profes- globally, yet the best in the region fol- menting policies that promote media have been attacked in countries such example, a senior editor at a private sion as policing agents for the govern- lowed by Kenya at 71. Uganda comes freedom. The President said his gov- as Tanzania, Somalia, Gambia just to television was ordered to quit Uganda ment. Though media and government in at 104, Burundi at 132, Ethiopia at ernment will fight any attempts to gag mention but a few. In some cases the at- just because she reported on a shoddy relationships are not that excellent, the 137, Rwanda (161) Somalia (175) and the media or any other action that will tacks are by the government agents and deal between Uganda government two work freely, fairly and indepen- Eritrea (179). cripple media freedom. in other case by goons,” Odindo said. and foreign one,” Najjemba explained. dently,” Nsoka stated. The Committee to Protect Jour- “I expect the media to be at the Worldwide last year, 89 journalists “Recently, the Speaker of the Na- Rwanda is another nation that was nalists ranks Kenya second to the forefront in educating and informing were killed, 38 kidnapped, 879 arrest- tional Assembly in Uganda arrested spotted as dangerous ground for jour- UK in the most preferred destina- Kenyans so that they hold the govern- ed and 1,993 physically attacked. None one journalist for the story he pub- nalists to operate in. Journalists are tion for journalists feeling trouble in ment to account. We expect media to citizen journalists killed were 47 and lished concerning Uganda Parliament basically being targets of attack though their countries. Currently there are remain free, fair and objective because 144 bloggers attacked. yet the story was valid. The journal- the government is re-aligning the unknown number of journalists who the sense of responsibility in the media This year, at least 25 journalists ist had enough evidence to defend media legislative laws to accord press have flown from their motherland must expand to social media and other have reported various forms of threats himself and prove his case right but freedom. Reconciling communities Marsabit Governor’s biggest headache By HUSSEIN DIDO influenced women to vote for a wom- Bokayo noted that women were leaders from various communities in community dialogue in order to em- en’s representative of their (men’s) better placed to play a critical role in order to embrace cohesiveness and brace peace and cohesion among the One of the major challenges facing choice. development once. She said women ensure equal distribution of resourc- communities in the area. the Governor of Marsabit County According to Yattani Wario, Turbi would be able to address a myriad es and positions. The Diocese Peace Justice and Ukur Yatani is promotion of unity and Ward representative, male chauvin- of the challenges faced by the com- Turbi ward representative Pius Commission coordinator Godfrey peaceful coexistence between all the ism and outdated cultural practices munities. Yattani says: “The leaders will now Godana said the church had con- five major communities residing in are to blame for the failure to have a She thanked the Catholic Peace focus on working together in order duct a series of meetings between the expansive region. single woman elected to most of the and Justice Commission for initiat- to serve the people and achieve on the Rendile, Borana, Garba and Burji The just concluded General Elec- four elective posts. ing an advocacy group to spearhead some of the election pledges that they communities in order to foster rec- tion left the residents split on ethnic Wario confessed that the single campaigns to empower women and made.” onciliation. grounds with minority communi- women’s representative’s seat for Mar- the community on gender and gov- He said there was urgent need to ties ganging up against the dominant sabit “was influenced and decided on ernance issues. Cohesion sensitise the communities on need ones. by men, on behalf of the women in the She noted that as a group they They raised concern over the way to discard tribal regrouping and em- The Gabra, Rendille and Burji took county”. will lobby the governor to increase the members voted in position of brace unity and love among the vari- one side against the Borana to sweep budget on the girl-child education to speaker and deputy and called for ous communities in the area. all the old and new political seats cre- Dominate address their plight. unity and cohesion among the com- "I am encouraging the residents of ated under the new Constitution. However, Lucy Bokayo from Ka- Despite being sidelined, the Bo- munities in the region. Marsabit County to co-exist in peace Although the larger communities rare Trading Centre differed with the rana managed to clinch the position Fears have been expressed that and harmony as preached by the missed out of the sharing of the key ward representative’s views saying of speaker and deputy speaker to the larger communities might be church,” Godana said. positions in the county government, not all men were chauvinists. make up for the loss in the other big- marginalised in terms of taking posi- Godana said his organisation women also lost after men forgot She said women aspirants were ger seats. tions in the devolved system of gov- would organise a joint peace race for about them during the campaigns. always put in a negative light by their A ward representative Galgalo ernment. the morans from the various com- The three minorities ganged up male counterparts in order to benefit Golicha appealed to all elected lead- On the eve of the polls, Marsabit munities in the counties for them to elect one of their own at all costs. and take advantage of the situation to ers to forget their tribal alignment Catholic Peace justice Commission to explore their talents and promote The battle was so fierce that the men dominate in the politics. and work together with other elected moved with speed to conduct inter- peace. Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth County government ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 8 challenges Hopes and fears as County government takes shape

By GEORGE OMONSO gaged in trading their cattle at markets such as Dagoretti, in Nairobi, while others have bought West Pokot farmers are upbeat that the new tractors and are hiring them to the residents at crop of leaders will revive and promote the a fee. dairy, bee-keeping and horticultural industries With the support of other leaders from the in the far flung County. community, they are encouraging the youth, They also want their first Governor, Simon who are in possession of illegal firearms, to Kitelei, to address the issue of mining and rev- surrender them to the authorities. enue distribution of natural resources like ruby Already a renowned athlete, Tecla –Lo- and copper perennial. rupe, through her peace foundation, has been But they identified cattle rustling among able to encourage over 5,000 youth from the themselves and their neighbours as the big- Pokot community to abandon cattle rustling gest threat to their development. They have activities and instead go back to school to and asked their Governor and his team to inter- to brighten their future. vene so as to attract prospective investors. Zachary Lorema, one of the farmers, says The residents are calling on their Gover- that despite parts of West Pokot being endowed nor to give peace-building between the Po- with good rains and rich agricultural soils ly- ing between two catchment zones of Kapengu- kots, who are pastoralists, and their Turkana, Pokot women traditional dancers entertaining guests during a past function. Marakwet, Baringo and Karamajong neighs ria and Lelan areas, they were still faced with Residents of West pokot expect peace and development to be key on the county top priority. poverty. One of them, Nancy Loywa, from Kacheli- “Lelan area being rich in Agriculture government’s agenda. Picture: Joy Monday ba Constituency, says she expects the County should be among the areas that should be government to promote and support dia- given first priority. Lelan is credited for pro- of Pokots asking for relief food should be a ulum that will minimise the gap between jobs logue and sustainable peace processes to en- ducing milk and pyrethrum. Currently Lelan thing of the past as they expect a major plan and skills through relevant training. hance harmonious community co –existence. area, located 47 Km, on the Northern side on how to use the water of Muruny River and Peter Lonyangapoua says that he hopes the Cattle rustling has been a major source of West Pokot County, has Lelan Highland Turkwel gorge for irrigation. County government will support the youth and of conflict between the Pokot and her neigh- Dairies, farmers’ owned company with 2,600 Lokuchu says the team learns from the suc- women to access various devolved funds by bours, especially the Karamajong in Uganda. registered shareholders,” Lorema adds. cess of Botswana, which is a leading meat ex- simplifying conditions to allow them to access Rev Sammy Kasam is calling on the new Farmers are also expecting the new County porter after tapping on expertise provided by the funds. crop of leaders to unite the people of West government to promote bee-keeping projects the Kenya Meat Commission. Emmanuel Choronger from Sigor says Pokot with their neighbors by embracing in the area by constructing honey processing Sammy Rotino says this because West Po- that expects the new County government PAKATUSA group that has been operational factories. kot County faces challenges ranging from poor should ensure that every location has a well- in the region now for over a decade. governance and skewed distribution of re- equipped heath center with enough drugs. PAKATUSA is an acronym for Pokot, Exploitation sources vis a vis weak strategies in dealing with “The County government should solicit for Karamajong, Turkana and Sabiny which was Mineral exploitation will also be a major poverty, declining agricultural production and more funds to ensure that all the schools within started by Pokot leaders. The group seeks to milestone that they expect the county govern- environmental degradation. the constituencies are well equipped. This will ensure that there is peace among the com- ment to embark on. Currently the stalled Ce- ensure that all children who have attained pri- munities living in that region. It mainly ment factory at Sebit and Ortum area should be Infrastructure mary education get a chance to finish form targets communities that practice livestock among the first assignments and upon com- On infrastructure, Philip Lonyangrem, is four,” he says. farming. pletion of the factory to create jobs and boost calling on the new Governor and his team to Lopete Lomuk from Kacheliba says it is only the economy. give it top priority saying that post indepen- through education that they will be sure that Manage Other major minerals that they want sup- dence Governments since 1963 had given them their children will compete with others but not “Through PAKATUSA they have managed ported include explorations of Copper found in a raw deal. through the power of the gun and engaging in to reduce massive cattle raids. The group has Marich and Ruby found in Kacheliba constitu- “On road network, I expect priority to be cattle rustling activities. also managed to transform close to 3,000 war- ency. given to Kapenguria-Alale road, Kapenguria- Lomuk further urged the County govern- riors to peace crusaders,” says Kasam. On Horticultural farming, Paul Loduto says Sigor road and Kapenguria-Soak road among ment to be tough on parents especially those Some of the warriors have embraced peace he expects the County government to expand others,” he says. who had the tendency of marrying off young and are now doing well economically after con- and promote mango farming in Sigor, Lomut Mary Loywa says that she expects the girls, saying that it was time girls were given verting to farming activities. and Chesogn. County government to lobby the national equal opportunity as boys to continue with The Pokot have diversified with some en- The Community leaders say the issue government to develop a need-based curric- their education. Child labour places orphans at risk of HIV infections By GILBERT OCHIENG turely due to abject poverty, hence high rate of child labour practices,” she noted. The rate at which HIV and Aids is taking its toll Isiaho was addressing a forum that was con- on the residents of Busia County is worrying. vened by the International Labour Organisation According to Joyce Isiaho, Busia County and held at the Busia Agricultural Centre. Commissioner many children were engaging in commercial sex and child labour as a way Statistics of fending for themselves. She noted that the It was aimed at tackling the challenges of children did not have information on safe sex child labour, which has posed a major threat in and ended up having unprotected sex leading the education sector in the devolved system of to more HIV and sexually transmitted illnesses governance in the country. infections. Research has shown that more than 14,000 Isiaho observed that these children, who were people in sub-Saharan Africa are being infected orphans and vulnerbale, are forced to sell sex to with HIV daily and 11,000 die every day from be able to fend for their siblings after their parents Aids related complications. succumb to Aids. In Africa, HIV and Aids is an outcome of “Progress of a child in school is linked to sup- poverty with sexual trade, early marriages and port by their parents, but in case of orphans, their child labour being predictors. education is left in a limbo,” said Isiaho. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 70 per cent of She quoted a recent survey from the Kenya the world’s poorest people with the lowest Gross Bureau of Statistics, stating that over 60 per Domestic Product (GDP) globally as 60 per cent Participants during the International Labour Organisation forum at Busia cent of Busia residents live on less than a dol- of the population are said to be living below the Agricultural Training Centre recently. Picture: Gilbert Ochieng lar a day and this is also to blame for the high poverty index of less than a dollar per day. prevalence of the pandemic. However, Isiaho noted that there is need to Isiaho urged relevant departments to un- organise more forums in collaboration with the sub-Saharan Africa. Research has shown that 2.3 She thanked efforts of the International La- dertake an aggressive sensitisation campaign Busia County government and other stakehold- million children in sub-Saharan Africa live with bour Organisation (ILO) through the Support through various forums to enlighten the people ers in the education sector in order to address the HIV. for National Action (SNAP) Project for the elimi- of the region and the orphans on the dangers of plight of children who have fallen prey to child “HIV, Aids and poverty co-relate and have nation of child labour. She noted that they had HIV and Aids, which has claimed several lives. labour and poverty. a negative impact on both the demand for and withdrawn 2,950 pupils from child labour situ- “Many children in Busia County and across Globally, an estimated 33.3 million people are supply of education in Busia County,” Isiaho ations in Busia and ensured they continued with the country have dropped out of school prema- infected with HIV and Aids of which 22.5 are in said. education. ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 County government Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth challenges 9 Students benefit from books in electronic format By NICHOLE WAITHERA

As the Government prepares to roll out its ambitious laptops for Standard One pupils next year, non-govern- mental organisations have already started investing a similar initiative in local schools. The initiative seeks to make learn- ing easier for pupils to enable them adapt to new methods of learning. Among the new initiatives are the US-based non-governmental organ- isation Read-and-Prosper, which are providing e-readers, pre-loaded with e-books to primary and secondary schools in rural villages. In partnership with a local pub- lishing company based in Nairobi called Word Alive Publishers, the organisation seeks to provide Kenyan books to students in electronic for- mat. Since some Kenyan publishers have concerns about the possibility of e-books being illegally copied, Read- and-Prosper has also formed partner- ship with E-Kitabu, a local e-book company. The initiative E-Kitabu distributes e-books across the world Africa in- cluded. This is meant to empower chil- dren in developing countries where students do not have access to the internet, books and other learning materials. Partner uses very low electric power that it can poten- Pupils of the Sir Ali Primary School in Malindi town, Kilifi County during morning According to Evans Colton, chief executive tially run for weeks on a single charge. assembly. Primary schools will soon benefit from e-learning in the rural villages.. officer Read-and-Prosper, the organisation is This is why Read-and-Prosper maintains Picture: Robert Nyagah partnering with publishing companies in order that it can use e-readers to deliver large num- The business models are not yet fully under- their profit margins, because they will not have to help students access reading materials pro- bers of books at a low cost to needy schools. stood, and this is a challenge to local publishing to pay the costs of printing, importing, and dis- duced locally. According to the head of Tennessee Institute companies. tributing paper-based books. "We intend to introduce books that will not of Information Technology (TIIT), Andrew "Most of the companies are still very cau- only help in distribution of local sales channel, Thuku, e-readers have really encouraged his tious about changing a business model that is Increment but will also nurture indigenous writers,” ex- students to read more. The school is among the currently profitable, and is understandable,” This means they can also dramatically in- plains Colton. beneficiaries of the NGOs projects. says Colton. crease the number of books they sell and their This, he adds, is through adaptation of the Technology He notes: “The key is to simultaneously build profits. syllabus and converting it to electronic mes- demand for e-books by spreading the availabil- Furthermore, the more children read, the sages which will then be fed into mails. According to Thuku, students are more en- ity of devices that can read these books.” more they will be book buyers for life, creating He argues that it is easier to provide students couraged to read using that technology. Colton also observes that it will be impor- a virtuous cycle for the publishing industry. with a lot of free foreign books that are in the “The portability and accessibility of e- tant to build production and distribution ca- “Some publishing companies see digital dis- public domain but these will not be of help to Learning helps students adopt better and learn pacity within the Kenyan publishing industry. tribution of books as a threat to business, but I Kenyan students. more. They also have an in-built dictionary and “It is important to develop business models see an enormous opportunity for the publish- “We want to conceptualise the African story one can add their own content and other mate- which ensure that book publishers can con- ers, but also for Kenyan students and the gen- and improve the experience of Kenyan stu- rials to the e-readers, and I have no doubt that tinue to profit in the digital world,” he advices. eral public,” Colton explained. dents,” he notes. the results will be tremendous,” explains Thuku. The cost of an e-reader in the United States “As we have already seen with music and E-book readers are easy to operate, have the Currently, Read-and-Prosper is providing is approximately KSh8,500 ($100), which is in- films, digital distribution is the future. I hope memory capacity to store hundreds of books, e-readers pre-loaded with a combination of expensive once you factor in its capacity to hold to see Kenya leading all of Africa and the devel- are relatively cheap, and require very little elec- free public domain e-books and some Kenyan an entire library. If Kenyan publishers seize this oping world in putting these new technologies tric power. content. opportunity, the official says, they will be able to to work, to improve education and to build a An e-book reader can be charged using a However, Colton says that the e-book pro- lower the price for books, while also increasing stronger reading society," he said. USB from a wall plug or a small solar panel, and duction and distribution is still new in Kenya. Funding goes digital as Kenyans embrace online initiative By NICHOLE WAITHERA lation in Kenya, an applicant can start crowd- project or a video accompanying the descrip- or are not acquainted to the internet,” he noted. funding for free and will only be charged tion of the project would formalise it. However, Larson says that for their latest A new online initiative seeks to raise funds for when the project has raised the targeted One also has to set a deadline for which online fundraising, they included M-pesa on entrepreneurs in the country. funds. the fund-raising will run online. Some of the their website so that it can enable the public to Crowd-funding, as it is popularly known, “This will help people solve their problems online platforms which have so far registered donate towards online projects. has been attracting the business community easily without spending money in organising dramatic success are Kickstarter, Indiegogo, While urging young entrepreneurs and and non-governmental organisations around towards the fundraising event,” says Larson. GoFundMe, Razoo, Crowdrise, Pledgemusic, students to source for funds including fees on- the country. Sellaband, Appbackr and Crowdfunder. line, he noted that most Kenyans are however The method has become a great platform Investors When donating towards the project, one not aware of online fundraising. for raising funds as it cuts costs of harambees One only has to post a project to a large has to use a bank credit card so as to donate “Kenyans should be sensitised about the (fund raising) and printing of cards. group of site users and potential investors who online. Larson said that donation towards pro- benefits of using crowd funding as a way Crowd-funding is an online specialised will then raise funds towards making the pro- jects online by the locals is still a major chal- to empower their projects and realise their grant application, a method commonly used ject a success. lenge since majority of Kenyans are unable to dreams,” said Larson. in the United States to raise funds for various Larson started the project two years ago access internet, while others lack information He added: “We can only bring equality to projects. and sold all his products through the inter- about it. the world and solve our problems by pulling According to Jay Larson, founder of Tu- net. “Mobile money is the most popular way up together and financing projects and talents napanda, a Kenyan based non-governmental For one to source for funding online, one of money transaction in Kenya and that is which could have otherwise been wasted. It is organisation which aims at giving free net- has to start building networks and meeting a why most people are either unaware of online only through the internet that we can mobilise working to students and free hardware instal- wide range of investors online. Pictures of the transactions or do not have access to internet, the world.” 10 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 African women scientists hold key to food security By HENRY OWINO

Women who are smallholder farmers in Af- rica have been rated as key to addressing the food security situation in the continent. According to the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), an organisation that empowers African women scientists through agricul- tural development initiatives across the con- tinent, if women smallholder farmers are em- powered, Africa could soon feed itself. AWARD is a professional development programme that focuses on research and lead- ership skills of African women in agricultural science, empowering them to contribute more effectively to poverty alleviation and food se- curity in sub-Saharan Africa. Encouraging small-scale farmers especial- ly women is one way of closing the gender gap in the agricultural sector. In other professions, women have tried to minimize the gender parity and today, in almost all careers, women have been actively involved. In a recent research carried out by AWARD, about 12-17 per cent of Africans are malnourished. It, therefore, recommends that when women are highly represented in Agriculture, there could be plenty of food for families and surplus for sale, hence assurance of food security in the continent. According to Vicki Wilde, AWARD’s Founder and Director, women are the back- bone of African agriculture. She said major- ity of those who produce, process and market Africa’s food are women, but only one in four agricultural researchers is female. Wilde said the AWARD programme was launched in 2008 and has been providing two-year career-development fellowships that focus on fostering, mentoring partnerships, building scientific skills and developing lead- Some of the 2013 AWARD winners in ership capacity. Nairobi, Kenya. Below: The AWARD Director, Vicki Wilde (center) with some Intervention of the 2013 AWARD laureates. She reiterated that AWARD is addressing Pictures: Henry Owino gender parity gap in agricultural activities by building the capacity of African women sci- entists who are conducting pro-poor agricul- tential of Nigerian yams to contribute to the tural research. expansion and diversification of their use. “Award is today specifically known for its She says Nigeria contributes to about 68 career-development program that equips top per cent of the world’s annual total yam pro- women scientists across sub-Saharan Africa. duction at about 50 million tonnes. With her This is done by accelerating agricultural gains, research team, Otegbayo has been able to by strengthening women’s research and lead- characterise in detail 45 varieties of yam from ership skills, through tailored fellowships,” ex- five common species. plained Wilde. She says this is the first characterization of She noted that the organization helps wom- a large variety of yams, which would serve as en scientists engage in innovations with high baseline data for future research and for se- potential to contribute to the prosperity and lecting yam genotypes for specific uses. well-being of African smallholder farmers. It Since the research has not been able to de- has met with women of different walks of lives termine the molecular composition of starch and supports each one of them regardless of in the yam, Otegbayo, however, carried out their background. In addition, she stated, it further analyses of the yam samples. The re- has helped women in Africa realise their tal- sults led to better understanding of the func- ent and cultivated them to their full potential. tional properties important for determining Wilde asserts that the organisation is step- the industrial potential of starch in the yams. ping up towards improving outcomes for Af- “In Nigeria, a man would not get a wife if rica’s smallholder farmers by strengthening they are not masculine. Yams helps in building women voices on the farm, laboratories, in markets and in policy forums. “In various ways, AWARD contributes to a strong body structure and Nigerian women International Centre of Insect Physiology and poverty alleviation and food security at the “In Nigeria, a man would admire men with big arms which is a sign of Ecology (ICIPE) and the Kenya Gatsby Trust highest possible levels,” Wilde noted. protection in times of danger,’’ Otegbayo said as well as Farm Africa, a United Kingdom not get a wife if they are smiling. based non-profit organisation working with Winners Dr Lusike Wasilwa from Kenya is also ben- resource poor African farmers to help them The outstanding women scientists who re- not masculine. Yams helps eficiary of the AWARD Fellowship programs. produce more food for their families. ceived the awards were selected from among She is an Assistant Director, Horticulture and AWARD Fellowship has also benefited Dr an impressive cadre of 1,094 applicants from in building a strong body Industrial Crops Division at Kenya Agricul- Segenet Kelemu who has received a number of 11 African countries. tural Research Institute (KARI). This position awards, including outstanding Senior Scientist The fellowships are granted on the basis of structure and Nigerian came to her while she was an Award Fellow Award, for her numerous contributions to the each scientist’s intellectual merit, leadership during the pilot programme. centre and its mission. capacity, and the potential to improve the live- women admire men with These research efforts generated a series of lihoods of African smallholder farmers most Empowerment discoveries that have contributed to the ability of whom are women. big arms which is a sign Wasilwa’s work has focused on empower- of the global scientific community to address Dr Bolanle Otegbayo from Nigeria is one of ing women and reducing child malnutrition in some key agricultural constraints. Today, Kel- the Award fellowship beneficiaries. She holds of protection in times of sub-Saharan Africa. Her goal is to include re- emu who is the current Vice President of Alli- PhD in Food Technology from the Univer- search and promotion of underuse fruits with ance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) sity of Ibadan and currently lectures at Bowen danger.” medical properties. programmes, has helped to foster the next University in Nigeria. Her research focuses on Today, her research at KARI involves col- generation’s scientific community in Eastern determining food quality and industrial po- — Dr Bolanle Otegbayo laboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, and Central Africa, and beyond. ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 11 Women scientists empowered Muran’ga residents to boost farmers’ income join MDG By Duncan Mboyah

Africa’s current leadership in agri- campaigns cultural research is in small num- ber, mostly male, and on the verge and demand of retirement and with a few expe- rienced professionals. Majority of the farmers are action women who require a catalyst for innovations with high potential to By RYAN MATHENGE contribute to their prosperity. To most women farmers, ac- Residents of Murang’a County want to quiring new ideas from men are see their views embraced in the Unit- a tall order as opposed to their ed Nations development blueprint, interaction with female scientists. better known as the UN Millennium With the increased demand for Development Goals (MDGs). food in the world, though under A cross section of the residents many challenges, the best minds were at a forum where they shared of both genders are needed to help their views saying they would like to bridge the gap to food security. see them included in the post 2015 “Scientists must include all MDG agenda. genders since proven statistics Several meetings have been reveal that women form majority planned in most of the 47 counties in of farmers and therefore require the country to ensure public partici- competent advice from wom- pation ahead of the international con- enfolk,” said Dr Vicki Wilde, the ference to be convened in New York, Director of African Women in in September. Agricultural Research and Devel- This has been a departure from the opment (AWARD). A farmer harvest avocados at her farm. Africa requires a new generation of scientists in food and past when such issues were discussed She was speaking at a ceremo- agriculture. Picture: Courtesy AWC without any input from the public. ny where 70 African women sci- They identified education, health, entists were awarded fellowships achieving impact for the disadvantaged people be- across the agricultural value chain. environment, water and security as to accelerate agricultural gains by strengthening yond its gates. Preliminary data collected from the first 180 core issues that they want to see on the their research and leadership skills. Wilde chal- Dr. Lucy Murungi, one of 16 Kenyans to win AWARD alumnae revealed that 84 per cent experi- agenda which they believe that will go lenged female scientists to help women farmers the fellowship this year plans to help change the enced a significant increase in their confidence and along way to reduce poverty levels and improve their production. game for resource-poor smallholders by develop- motivation to excel, lead and contribute toward a improve their standards of living. She observed that agricultural sector must ing simple, affordable tools to combat poverty. great vision for the future. They said they expected their re- greatly increase its responsiveness to the needs and “I am researching the chemical components Of these, 87 per cent improved their scientific gion to benefit from development of contributions of women if it is to be effective and of extracts of the hairy African nightshade, Sola- skills and access to resources. This contributed to the energy and tourism sectors as well. sustainable in the continent. num sarrachoides, for management of red spider a significant increase in their scientific outputs and But at the same time, the residents “Advances and innovations in agricultural re- mites,” said Murungi, a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta more than doubling of their annual publication said they would like a study done on search and development will take place easily when University of Agriculture and Technology. rates in peer-reviewed journals the feasibility of setting up a hydro led and enriched by skilled and influential African electric power station in the area tap- women,” Wilde observed. Opportunities Impact ping water from the over 26 rivers and The plant is not ordinarily cultivated for con- At least 80 per cent are involved in the develop- flowing from the hilly region. Intervention sumption in East Africa and her results could im- ment of new methodologies and technologies with She noted that in addressing gender inequality, pact on smallholder farmers who would grow the the help of smallholder farmers. Failure root causes of poverty, malnutrition and environ- vegetable and sell it to manufacturers for botanical So far 52 per cent of scientists, who had received During a meeting facilitated by the mental degradation are also being managed. crop protection products. the awards, were promoted in their workplaces. Government of Finland and Minis- Wilde called for the free use of science and tech- The outstanding women scientists were selected “This is credible evidence that AWARD fellows try of Planning and National Devel- nology in producing and processing of food that is from among an impressive cadre of 1,094 appli- are becoming more confident, skilled, and influen- opment, the locals said many of the produced by small scale farmers. cants from 11 African countries. tial,” observed Wilde. development programmes failed due “Africa requires a new generation of scientists AWARD directly invests in women scientists, The fellowship is two-year career-development to poor implementation and delay in in food and agriculture to replace the retiring male empowering them to help close the gender gaps programme that is focused on building their sci- disbursement of financial allocations. experts,” she noted. ence and leadership skills. They also pointed that many of the Africa is the world’s only region where the num- It is granted on the basis of each scientist’s intel- projects that had stalled were because ber of hungry is growing, from 175 million to 239 lectual merit, leadership capacity and the potential the implementers had failed to consult million, with nearly 20 million added in the past of her work to improve the livelihoods of African the public during implementation. four years. Clearly, the status quo in the agriculture smallholder farmers, most of whom are women. They cited health facilitates that sector is not working. The AWARD laureates represent almost 20 ag- had been grounded due to lack of Dr Segenet Kelemu, Vice President for pro- ricultural disciplines and a wide range of innova- equipment, drugs and posting of grammes, Alliance for a Green Revolution in tive, transferable research from plant breeding to medical officials. Africa (AGRA) challenged the recipients to help improved fodder production, climate change and County Planning and Develop- transform the society through their research work. post-harvest processing among others. ment Officer, Elijah Kinaro, said the “The programme is making a difference already Government had embarked on the and you must make sure that you excel in your Opportunities process of collecting public informa- work to justify the award,” she noted. The programme is to help open up novel op- tion ahead of post -2015 MDG UN Kelemu said that outstanding women are need- portunities for sustainable livelihoods and pov- conference slated for September. ed in all fields since the world has changed and ac- erty reduction among smallholder farmers, espe- On maternal deaths, the medics cepts the contributions of all genders. cially the women. blamed the community for delaying “It is very important to have a programme that AWARD was launched in 2008 and has pro- to transport expectant women to the is especially focused on African women scientists,” vided fellowship to 320 African women scientists hospital to deliver. she reiterated. from 11 countries Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Libe- On the environment, the residents “I believe in empowering ria, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tan- took issue with the Government for Diversity zania, Uganda and Zambia. delaying to re-introduce laws to ban She observed that AWARD should explore people by increasing each It is generously supported by the Bill & Melinda use of plastic papers bags in the mar- ways to expand into other areas, such as women Gates Foundation, United States Agency for Inter- ket despite the ban in the year 2007. in IT, engineering, medical and environmental sci- individual’s belief in their national Development (USAID), Alliance for a Plastic papers were described as ences and other areas where women are severely Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Agropo- highly abused and need for regulation under-represented. potential, integrating and lis Foundation. like in other East African countries. “I believe in empowering people by increasing inspiring people to work AWARD will be expanding its scope and sus- They called on President Uhuru Ke- each individual’s belief in their potential, integrat- tainability by partnering with institutions where nyatta to ensure implementation of the ing and inspiring people to work together with together with mutual the fellows work and study. law as a gesture to honour the late Envi- mutual respect,” noted Kelemu. “We will be offering gender responsive training ronment Minister John Michuki, who Cultivating such a culture of empowerment respect.” in mentoring, science skills and leadership to other had been in the forefront in conserving and respect within an institution is critical to women and men in fellows in the institutions,” and protecting the environment. — Dr Segenet Kelemu, Vice President AGRA Wilde noted. 12 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 082, May 1-15, 2013 Scientists in a milestone development for livestock farmers By HENRY OWINO goats caused by a mycoplasma and characterised by fever, coughing, severe respiratory distress, and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) has high mortality. developed a user-friendly diagnostic tool to detect It is one of the most severe contagious diseases Pneumonia in goats and cattle. in goats and causes major economic losses to goat Kenyan farmers can now use the quick testing producers in Kenya and Africa as a whole. instrument on their livestock wherever they are, in the field or at the farms. Research The tool has been invented to diagnose two According to Abu Oriko, also research sci- major contagious bacterial diseases that afflict the entist at KARI, the disease affects the respiratory lungs of goats and cattle hence causing respiratory tract and is extremely contagious and frequently infection characterised by inflammation of the fatal. He notes that in naive flocks, the morbidity lung. That is the most recent milestone by KARI rate may reach 100 per cent and the mortality rate scientists for livestock farmers. could be as high as 80 per cent. From top: Dr Anderson Wabungu Due to the new development, livestock farm- Oriko admits that Contagious Caprine Pleu- and Abu Oriko (white coat) ers can now heave a sigh of relief as they look for- ropneumonia causes major economic losses in explaining how pen-side kit ward to improved production and quality animals Kenya and East Africa community where it is en- works. Inset: The easy to use through an early detection to quarantine the in- demic. “The disease is usually transmitted during kit invented at KARI. The initial fected from healthy livestock. close contact by the inhalation of respiratory drop- laboratory used for all diagnosis Dr Anderson Wabungu, a specialised scien- lets. Chronic carriers may exist, but this remains of livestock diseases. tist in livestock health and diseases at KARI, de- unproven,” he explains. Pictures: Henry Owino veloped the testing kit with finance from Kenya “Some outbreaks have occurred in endemic National Convention for Science and Technology areas when apparently healthy goats were intro- (KNCST) through USAID. “The technology has duced into flocks. It is readily contagious and fa- not be able to move and stands with its advantages of reduced cost because it is portable tal to susceptible goats of all ages and both sexes, front legs wide apart and its neck stiff and and simplified in disease testing compared to pre- rarely affects sheep, and does not affect cattle,” -Or extended. viously available test,” he says. iko says. production. They will also have respiratory signs According to Wabungu the kit can detect two He cautions that outbreaks of the disease often Symptoms including bilateral nasal discharge, dyspnoea, major contagious diseases; Contagious Bovine occur after or during heavy rains, after cold spells “Saliva can drip continuously from the mouth, tachypnoea and coughing. Occasionally the only Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) that is Pneumonia in or after transportation over night over long dis- and the animal may grunt or bleat in pain. Frothy sign seen is sudden death. cattle and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia tances. nasal discharge and stringy saliva may be seen The Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) Pneumonia in goats. The incubation period under natural condi- terminally. Pregnant goats can abort. Acutely is spread mainly by inhalation of droplets from He notes that the kit tests for positive and tions is commonly six to ten days, but may be affected goats generally die within seven to ten infected coughing animals, especially if they are negative reactant that would show an infected or prolonged for between three to four weeks. Some days due to chronic cough, nasal discharge and in the acute phase of the disease. Although close healthy animal which must be obtained from a experimentally infected goats develop fever as debilitation. and repeated contact is generally thought to be sample of blood and sera. Others from live ani- soon as three days after inoculation and respira- Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) necessary for transmission, transmission may oc- mals include nasal swabs and/or broncho-alveolar tory signs as early as five days, but others become jeopardises cattle health in Kenya and developing cur up to 200 metres under favourable climatic washings, or pleural fluid obtained by puncture ill up to 41 days after exposure. Affected goats may countries, making it one of the most important in- condition. should also be collected. die within one to three days with minimal clinical fectious diseases in cattle. In the acute stage, cattle Therefore, serological screening allows for Wabungu says the kit is currently available at signs. have noticeable respiratory symptoms, including this detection and should be an integral part of a KSh4,000 in all KARI offices in the eight regions Acute initial signs are high fever between coughing, nasal discharge, dsypnoea, and polyp- disease control program. Both Contagious Cap- and will be rolled out to major veterinary shops 41–43°C, lethargy and anorexia, followed within noea caused by pneumonia and pleurisy lesions. rine Pleuropneumonia and Contagious Bovine soon. two to three days by coughing and laboured res- Affected animals normally have generalised Pleuropneumonia disease incidence are reduced The contagious caprine pleuropneumonia piration. The cough is frequent, violent and pro- signs such as depression, dullness, weakness and by good hygiene and animal husbandry practices (CCPP) is an acute highly contagious disease of ductive. In the final stages of disease, the goat may lethargy, pyrexia and weight loss and decreased by the farmer and regular testing. Children suffer from malnutrition in Kitui County By ANDREW ELIJAH Mutito District had recorded most cases of In Kitui South, only 242 out of 1,062 turned Pauline Maingi, who is the TB and Leprosy acute malnutrition. Out of the 1,525 children up in medical facilities during delivery while in coordinator, from the constituency regretted Parents in Kitui County are being put on the spot registered at the district dispensary for food sup- Mutito it is only 30 per cent that delivered in pres- that failure by some relatives to buy drugs for the over the rise in cases of malnutrition among their plements in the last quarter of 2012, 244 were se- ence of skilled birth attendants. patients had led some to feel rejected leading to children. verely malnourished, while 377 were moderately “Another challenge for women in the County suicides. According to a medical report, for the last malnourished. is the long distances to medical centers, which Indeed, prolonged famine and ignorance have quarter of 2012, only 13 per cent of malnourished In a similar report obtained from Tseikuru has led to the poor utilisation of maternal health been highlighted as the major reasons for lasting children below five years in Kitui South received District, only 19 per cent of all targeted children care services,” says Dr Joseph Kinyumu, the Dis- and high prevalence of malnutrition in children health enhancement provisions. were registered for food supplement. trict Medical Officer of Health, Mutito District. in some parts of Kitui County. Despite a thorough awareness programme, According Dr Violet Oramisi, Tseikuru Dis- Inadequate medical facilities, high costs at only 818 out of 5,147 cases of emaciated children trict Medical Officer of Health: “Food aid can private facilities and a poor terrain in some parts Persist targeted in the last four months of 2012 were reg- never be enough to avert a crisis attributed to of the county were also identified as major chal- The recurring drought in most parts of the istered for the free food supplement. natural causes.” lenges inhibiting pregnant women from acquir- County had forced many residents to be aid-de- According Martha Kimatia, matron at Mu- Another medical issue posing adverse effects ing necessary maternal care. pendant leaving children aged 10 years and below tomo District Health Centre: “We are doing the on residents from the area is failure by pregnant Medical officers also identified ignorance and to suffer from lack of a balanced diet. best we can to have all malnourished children women to seek maternal care. apathy by residents, and women in particular, as Information obtained from medical reports from the constituency appear at our health cen- another contributing factor to poor utilisation of prepared quarterly at district health centers shows tres for assistance.” Refrain maternal care. the most affected areas were Kitui South, Mwingi However, she hopes that with the on-going These women have desisted from both ante- In Kitui South, stigma and rejection against North, Kitui East and some parts of Kitui West awareness programmes the number of children natal and post-natal care with only a small per- tuberculosis survivors emerged as a factor driv- where residents have gone for over two straight who are victims of malnutrition will reduce. centage delivering babies in medical facilities. ing patients to early death as the disease remained seasons without any harvest from their farms. Her sentiments are echoed by Amos Kilunda, In the last quarter of 2012, only 587 out of a major cause of mortality in the area. That notwithstanding, ignorant parents also District Medical Officer of Health for Mutomo 1,467 pregnant women in Tseikuru District de- However, default of medication also led to bear blame for failure to register their under- and Ikutha districts who says: “Increase of food livered their babies in medical facilities with the many deaths, and it was blamed for increasing weight children for food supplements provided supplement is a must if all affected children are to rest delivering in the absence of skilled birth at- cases of multi-drug resistance TB in the constitu- by the government through the ministry of benefit and recover from malnutrition.” tendants. ency. health to curtail the calamity.

Executive Director: Arthur Okwemba Editor: Jane Godia Write to: [email protected] Sub-Editors: Mercy Mumo, Joyce Chimbi and Carolyne Oyugi Designer: Noel Lumbama Contributors: Henry Owino, Abisai Amugune, Gilbert Ochieng, Adam Juma, Robert Nyagah, Yusuf The paper is supported by: Amin, Andrew Elijah, Teryani Mwadzaya, Leonard Acharry, Hussein Dido, George Omonso, Diana Wanyonyi, Ben Oroko, Ryan Mathenge, Nichole Waithera, Gladys Moraa and Duncan Mboyah. www.mdcafrica.org