The SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT REPORT THE PARTNERSHIP REVIEW OF FOR PEACE DEVOLUTION TASK FORCE PROJECT FUNDED LEnhancingink governance for all REPORT BY THE EU — PAGES 14 & 19 — PAGES 15 - 18 MAY 2011 Issue No. 079 Kshs 40/= No direction on devolution …as Mudavadi team throws back to the people crucial decisions By GIDEON OCHANDA HE Task Force on devolution created by the Ministry of Lo- Tcal Government has thrown back a raft of recommendations to the people without fixing firm posi- tions for improvement. Turn to Page 2, Col. 1 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi. Severe drought forces closure of schools By MALACHI MOTANO “Until June last year, while the small blackboard loaded onto camels periods of drought in Kenya’s north- water and pasture and by November, region had enough pasture and wa- would move with the nomadic herd- ern grazing areas, brought on by the all mobile schools were closed down A PROLONGED drought ravaging ter, pastoralist children from northern ing families through the region’s arid, effects of climate change, have forced as the drought intensified, drying up the northern Kenyan towns of Garissa Kenya’s Somali community were en- dusty plains. The mobile school ac- many pastoralist children to miss boreholes and forcing pastoralists to and Wajir has interrupted a unique ed- rolled in mobile schools that followed commodated the traditions and cus- school. move across the border to Somalia in ucation system that was enabling the their families from one grazing area to toms of the pastoralists while ensuring In September, mobile schools op- search of pasture. children of the nomadic community another.” children did not grow up illiterate.” erating in areas with shallow wells Since June, however, extended and dams had to close due to a lack of to learn while on the move with their “Two teachers, with books and a Turn to Page 2, Col. 1 livestock.

NCIC wants quota Yatta residents demand World Bank rescues system reviewed openness in use of funds Kazi kwa Vijana —Pg. 4 —Pg. 12 —Pg. 25 Participate in implementation Plans underway to process Troubled Tanathi owes PAGES of new Constitution: KNHRC fish in Kakamega workers millions

ON OTHER —Pg. 8 —Pg. 21 —Pg. 31 The Link, May 2011 2 GOVERNANCE No direction on devolution AGRA funds From page 1 l Over ten bills required to actu- Government to undertake a thor- and joint authorities to facilitate finger millet alize the devolved governments, ough audit of staff of each LA to cooperation at both levels and The Task Force whose man- key among them the Transition ascertain their numbers and skills inter county coordination during research date was to propose implemen- Bill, Assets and Liabilities Bill l The government to set up a the utilization of trans county By TITUS MAERO tation mechanisms for the de- and the Intergovernmental Rela- body whose primary objective is shared natural resources (forests, volved system of government tions Bill. to oversee the transition process. game reserves, rivers, lakes), THE Alliance for Green Revolution as outlined in the Constitution l Employees of local authorities The body is to also audit assets sharing of existing assets in the in Africa (AGRA) and the McKnight has only succeeded in planning dissolved in the new dispensation and liabilities of local authorities provincial headquarters and Foundation have disbursed Kshs 55 numerous alternatives and com- to remain in office and the chief and ensure appropriate registers developing of joint infrastruc- Million to promote production of parative theoretical basis of Con- officers to report directly to the for all identified assets. ture projects (Water and roads Finger Millet in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. stitutional Provisions. County Executive l Office of the Deputy Prime projects). l The Kenya Agricultural Research It has left the real task to the l Officials performing national Minister and Ministry of Local The Provincial Administra- Institute (KARI) Managing Director people in as much as there is risk functions according to the Con- Government and the Transition tion to be restructured and named (MD) Dr Ephraim Mukisira said the of time and no clear directions of stitution to report to the national Authority to be involved in deci- the national administration with funds would be used in the next four their next engagement with the government while those perform- sions on the initial county budg- a clear mandate to promote na- years after which an evaluation will public. ing County functions to report to ets. tional cohesion and integration, be done for a possible extension of the Real concerns and issues such the Governor l The urban municipalities are to disaster management and mitiga- pragramme. He said AGRA and Mc- as Provincial Administration, Lo- l The Ministry of State for Pub- be categorized into three, those tion, arbitration of disputes and Knight Foundation supports Agricul- cal Authorities, current devolved lic Service (MoSPS) to initiate a with at least 300,000 (large) civil registration among other ture Integrated programmes which are funds, relations between the two process to address the anticipated and above; between 50,000 and functions. aimed at injecting changes in the finger governments, public resources, 299,999 (Medium) and those be- Clearly these are vague gen- millet production in the Eastern part of restructuring of public service to Africa. service delivery among others reflect the needs of the national tween 30,000 and 49,000 (small). eralities that require formation of Mukisira noted that out of the are not clearly placed in the re- government after the devolution The first two will provide - simi further implementation task forc- Kshs 55 Million, Kenya had received port in a manner that can offer of functions lar services depending on their es to act on before Kenyans can Kshs34 million while Uganda and policy and legislative directions l The ministry should also un- capacity, while the last category get credible guidelines on how to Tanzania received Kshs 10.5 million (See special report on Page 14 dertake a projection of human re- can provide minimal services as transcend from the current cen- each to assist in the development of and 19). source requirements for counties delegated by the County govern- tralized system of government to high yielding finger millet in order to Some of the recommenda- l Office of the Deputy Prime ment the devolved one as enshrined in enhance food security in the region. tions include: Minister and Ministry of Local l Formation of joint committees the new supreme law. He was speaking at the Kakamega KARI regional offices during the launching ceremony of McKnight and AGRA funded Finger millet and Legumes projects which was attended by stakeholders drawn from Kenya, Severe drought forces closure of schools Uganda and Tanzania. The MD lauded AGRA and McK- From page 1 night for the innovative funding which “We put on a brave face after some he said is aimed at triggering changes of our livestock left for Somalia and across the Agricultural sector in the others perished here right in front of Eastern horn of Africa adding that the us,” said Hassan Guhad, a community finger millet project would enhance elder for a pastoralist group in Meri, a food and nutritional security in the re- remote settlement in Wajir. gion. The official observed that despite “The school continued through finger millet being a strategic crop in July and August but we finally de- the region it has largely been neglected cided to close it down as community in terms of research and development members fled to urban areas while noting that the crop plays a major role others moved with their livestock to in diets of many inhabitants of Eastern Somalia. This severe drought has put Africa region given its high level of a stop to the school and the teachers Calcium and Iron plus By-sine, which have left the area too,” Guhad added. is an amino acid, that is limited in most The region’s communities are ac- cereals. customed to the regular droughts that He emphasized the role of finger occur in the region between June and millet as the food for infants, breast August, before the rains come from feeding mothers and people who are September to December. They tradi- recuperating from diabetics and other tionally prepare for the drought during illnesses noting that there is a major the rainy season but the latest dry spell deficit of the crop in the area. extended through the 2010 rainy sea- Mukisira outlined challenges fac- son and has yet to break. The drought ing the production of the crop in Kenya and extreme heat experienced in the as diseases, poor post harvest systems, day has dried out vegetation and dried weeds, competition from other crops, up water wells. low government priority and limited resources attention including lack of The mobile school system began processing equipments adding that in 2008 after Frontier Indigenous Net- with research and enabling policy en- work, a community based organiza- vironment the crop has great potential tion in Wajir, convinced community Children attending an ECDE class, a mobile school in the desert. Photo/Malachi Motano for expansion. leaders that secular education was vi- Mukisira said KARI provides full tal for their children and a key to pros- pastoralist children have completed sion, I spoke in the local Somali lan- the space between the two sessions support for increased finger millet re- perity and ambition. primary education and gone on to sec- guage but the children took time to gives the children time to reflect and search through combination methods In northern Kenya’s Somali com- ondary school in the towns of northern understand me. But when I used wild discuss the lessons while out in the and cutting edge science and engage- munity - where each nomadic group Kenya. fruits they understood the lesson a lot grazing areas,” she added. ment of African countries in scientific comprises seven households with one In the mobile schools, local teach- quicker, so since then I’ve used wild The disruption of the mobile research to assist increase the crop di- leader who directs the group’s affairs ers, who understand English and the fruits in my lessons,” Abdi added. school means pastoralist children versification and income among small - it is traditional for children to herd local Somali language, use various To fit in with the rhythm of the no- have not had lessons since Novem- holder farmers. He said KARI finger goats and donkey. traditional teaching aids in the remote madic communities, mobile schools ber 2010. Mulki said she hoped the millet agenda centers on breeding for Leaders had always been reluc- grazing areas to help the children start teaching in the early hours of mobile schools would be back up yields, intrinsic good storage ability tant to send their children to school grasp their lessons. the morning. The children then tend and running again this year, weather and insects resistance and through hy- in the region’s main towns, meaning “We use wild fruits when teaching to their goats and donkeys and classes permitting, although rains are not ex- brid programme by using biotechnol- young people grew up illiterate with them mathematics so that they can resume in the evening. pected until later in the year. ogy tools and markets. Present at the function included the few prospects and young girls were understand mathematical terms like “The two learning sessions were “Community members will come Masinde Muliro University of Science traditionally married off to elders in minus, plus and numbers,” said Ali meant to respect the community tradi- back to grazing areas and resume exchange for a dowry of 10 camels and Technology (MMUST) Deputy Abdi, a mobile school teacher in the tion of children participating in herd- their pastoral lives if we get good Vice Chancellor (DVC) in Charge of and several goats and sheep. While remote town of Sarif, in Wajir district. ing goats and sheep,” said Asha Mul- pasture and rainfall. But if the situ- Research and Extension Professor this practice still happens, education is If no wild fruits are available, the ki, coordinator of the mobile school ation continues like this we don’t John Shiundu, McKnight Foundation beginning to change the community’s children will count cattle and camels programme at the Frontier Indigenous know when the school will resume. It Representative Dr L.Golole, AGRA attitudes to women. to understand mathematics. Network. all depends on the weather and rain,” Representative Dr J. Ininda among Thanks to mobile schools, many “During my first teaching ses- “Also, we have understood that Mulki said. others. The Link, May 2011 EDUCATION 3 Varsities may phase out Knut demands leave some courses

By TITUS MAERO PLANS are underway to phase out allowance for members degree programmes which are not By JOEL JUMA responsive to the market needs. The Commission for Higher Ed- ucation (CHE) Vice Chair Professor THE Kenya National Union of Judith Bahemuka says that Univer- Teachers (Knut) wants the Govern- sity senates have been asked to iden- ment to introduce a leave allowance tify academic programmes that are for teachers, as it is the case with not responsive to the market to pave other civil servants. way for the exercise. Knut Acting Secretary General She says that the commission Osiany Okuta said the allowances was acting in pursuit of recommen- should be factored in this year’s dations by the Public Universities National Budget to avoid any con- Inspection Board (PUIB). frontation. Bahemuka said the PUIB report “We shall resort to demonstra- follows public outcry that quality tions if the Deputy Prime Minister education and training in universities and Minister for Finance Uhuru had declined as a result of increased Kenyatta does not factor our re- student enrolment, inadequate and quest in the Budget,” said Okuta. outdated equipment and facilities Okuta and the Kakamega Coun- hence measures to counter such no- ty Secretary John Wesonga said tions. Education Minister Sam Ongeri Addressing Secondary School should advise Uhuru to give teach- Students at the Kakamega Golf Ho- ers leave allowance by July. tel, Bahemuka, who is also a soci- Okuta said that the union has ology lecturer at the University of Nairobi, said the quest to respond written a letter to Teachers Service to economic imperatives has not ob- Commission (TSC) demanding that scured the needs for a vibrant intel- the allowances be calculated in line lectual community engaged in social with the various job groups. and cultural development. “All civil servants who include The Don, said notwithstanding the police earn leave allowance. Knut officials in solidarity. the above mis-conception about Why not teachers,” posed Okuta public universities, the main chal- who was speaking in Butere. qualifications for the P1 have been while the secretary Wynce Mu- ment Board (NCDB) and the Plan- lenge being faced by the government Okuta said the letter copied to raised to C plain adding that the chuma was substituted by a retired ning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya to with respect to university education the Minister for Education and his holders of the document should be teacher, Francis Makola. gazette his team. is how to increase access to cater for PS James Ole Kiyapi and Treasury awarded Diploma certificates. The CDF committee has been Anaswa, speaking in Malava the ever growing number of school also demands that the over 18, 000 The union officials added that in the spotlight after it emerged that town, said he had accepted the ap- leavers and others who desire uni- teachers hired on contract last year Proficiency Teacher Courses (PTC) there were irregularities during the pointment and that he was ready for versity education while at the same be absorbed on permanent terms by were not serving their purposes as awarding of bursaries to university the task. Kenya Sugar Board direc- time maintaining quality education July this year. there are many teachers earning students. tor Ewing Mwombe also backed and ensuring equity and affordabil- He explained that the union promotions irregularly. The outgoing officials were the decision by Shitanda. ity. would not accept more teachers to “There is no merit in some pro- accused of awarding bursaries to Shitanda said he wants transpar- She pointed out that the number be employed this year if some will motions as some teachers with all undeserving students. Over 50 stu- ency in the management of CDF of students who sat for the Kenya remain casuals. the qualifications have stagnated in dents from Masinde Muliro Uni- matters to curb complains. He said Certificate of Secondary Educa- The two said it is unfortunate one position while others who were versity of Science and Technology devolved funds should be used as tion (KCSE) Exams last year was 337,404 noting that of this figure that principals will soon start earn- employed recently are in better job had protested over the matter. per the regulations of the Act to 90,000 scored a mean grade of C+, ing over Kshs120,000 whereas groups,” said Wesonga. The students had been locked avoid disputes. which is the minimum university en- teachers serving as interns will And, Housing Minister Soita out forcing the minister to inter- Mwombe said there was need try grade. stagnate at Kshs15, 000 per month. Shitanda has made changes at his vene. for accountability in the manage- Bahemuka observed that this year The secretary general added that Malava Constituency Develop- Shitanda, who is the Malava ment of the funds. the Joint Admission Board (JAB) the union is also advocating for the ment Fund (CDF) committee with MP, resolved to replace the two of- He added that it was unfair for selected 24,000 students to join the scrapping of the Teacher Training former area MP Nathan Anaswa ficials for failing in their work. students from needy families to be seven public universities adding that College P1 certificates. being appointed new chairman. Anaswa said he is waiting for the locked out yet they are pursuing going by such number, over 60,000 Okuta and Wesonga said entry Anaswa replaced John Tande National Constituency Develop- university education. eligible students are likely to miss an opportunity to join a public univer- sity of their choice. She further said about 10,500 Intel Corp boosts e-learning in schools students who miss out to join the public universities end up being ab- By HENRY OWINO collaboration has already seen the versities to innovate,” said Eng. will have to undergo training on sorbed into the fourteen (14) Private launch of a program that aims at Nsengimana. use of new technology, those who Universities. INTEL Corporation is collaborat- training teachers throughout Ken- In his keynote address while already have module skills only The scholar, however, expressed ing with the Ministry of Education ya on how to use technology to opening the two days workshop in need to upgrade their standards. regret that while university educa- and various stakeholders in the teach. a hotel in Nairobi, Permanent Sec- Prof. Kiyiapi added that solid tion has continued to expand with education sector to provide com- He added that it has also pro- retary in the Ministry of Educa- education provides learners with the opening up of new universities, puters and other equipment for vided the global development alli- tion, Prof James Ole Kiyiapi said the tools and knowledge to de- constituent colleges and campuses, e-learning to all schools in Kenya. ance incorporating Intel, USAID, harnessing the combined potential velop innovative ideas and gives vocational and technical education The programme, known as Microsoft, Cisco and the Kenyan of high speed connectivity and them the foundation they need to and skills training have not followed Intel Education Project for Trans- government that established the technology in the education sector succeed in life and to contribute to suit. formation, will include conducting Accelerated 21st Century Educa- will help government achieve its the development of their countries. Bahemuka pointed out that the expansion and modernization of workshops for teachers in various tion project which will create one- objective in the education sector He reiterated that it is important these institutions had been para- parts of the country to acquaint to-one e-learning classrooms in 60 in line with the Vision 2030 blue- for governments to find solutions mount to increasing access and also them with new technology. focus schools across Kenya. print. that make education relevant, ac- making training relevant and ade- Intel Corporate Affairs and “It is the company’s firm belief “We have taken significant cessible, empowering and afford- quate to the demand of the economy. Strategic Alliance Director for Af- that every learner deserves a qual- steps to transform our education able. She said the government’s effort rica Eng Joseph Nsengimana said ity education that prepares him or system and make it responsive to Intel Kenya Country Man- of systematic planning and devel- the collaboration with the Kenyan her to succeed in life. job market dynamics through col- ager Mr. Omar Bajaber lauded opment of middle level colleges, as government is another step for- That is why Intel has invested laboration with specialists in the the increased collaboration with well as up grading of the existing ward in meeting the growing de- over a billion US dollars in the private sector like Intel Corpora- the Ministry and other sectors to ones has been done as a prerequisite mand for education. last decade in helping teachers to tion,” said Prof. Kiyiapi. achieve better education stand- for modernization, innovation and Eng Nsengimana said that the teach, students to learn and uni- He said while most teachers ards. industrialization of the country. The Link, May 2011 4 EDUCATION NCIC wants quota system reviewed THE National Cohesion and In- ing integration and cohesion tural diversity that the country tegration Commission (NCIC) by sponsoring school debates, offers, he argued. intends to enter into collabora- drama and music festivals and COMMENT “We cannot wish for national tion with the Ministry of Educa- elimination of all forms of dis- cohesion and integration when tion to carry out civic education crimination on ethnic, racial and our education system goes con- on ethnic relations in schools. religious grounds. By HENRY OWINO trary to the wishes and aspira- NCIC chairman Mzalendo The Commission also intends tions of the people. We as NCIC Kibunjia said the civic education to lobby for the integration of ences in their cultures. propose a review of the quota will help to inculcate a culture national values in school curricu- “Learners from one region of system,” Dr Kibunjia said. of tolerance to diversity and en- lum from primary to university the country should be given the According to the Permanent courage inter-ethnic cooperation level. opportunity to go to school in an- Secretary in the Ministry of through the school curriculum. “Our education system is a other region. That way we would Education, Prof James Ole Ki- Speaking to journalists in key pillar in promoting social be able to get rid of stereotypes yiapi, the idea of quota system Nairobi, the NCIC chairman said equality and responsibility, re- about other communities,” Dr was meant to balance admission there is need to promote equal- spect for and development of Kibunjia said. to the limited places in national ity of opportunity, good relations Kenya’s rich and varied culture, The chairman of the NCIC schools. and peaceful coexistence among international consciousness and said education and training “The Ministry came with the should inculcate patriotism and children of different ethnic and fostering positive attitude to- quota system to allow the admis- Dr. Kibunjia racial backgrounds in schools. wards other nations as well,” Dr nationalism without compromis- sion of students from remote ar- Dr. Kibunjia said the Ministry Kibunjia. ing responsibility on global is- eas who perform well but cannot ulum of schools was the mandate of Education is a major stake- Dr. Kibunjia said efforts to sues. be admitted to national schools of the Kenya Institute of Educa- holder in promoting national co- foster patriotism and national He said the classification of yet if given better learning con- tion (KIE) which is in charge of hesion and integration in Kenyan unity failed with the introduction schools at the district level was ditions and facilities can perform curriculum. schools and a partnership would of the quota system in secondary introduced in the 1980s and excellently,” Prof. Ole Kiyiapi But Prof. Ole Kiyiapi as- help the Commission to achieve school admission and the classi- stipulates that provincial schools said adding that national schools sured NCIC that all the propos- its agenda. fication of schools at the district should admit 85 per cent of their represent the face of Kenya. als will be looked into as long as Among the objectives that level. students from their localities. He welcomed the NCIC pro- they promote national harmony. NCIC aims to achieve within He reiterated that education A child born, bred and edu- posal to involve his Ministry in Teachers were also urged to be three years of its collaboration should enable learners to inter- cated in local schools and post- the fight against negative ethnic- good role models to learners with the Ministry is a review act with each other and learn to primary institutions was unlikely ity but said the inclusion of cohe- since the power of mentorship is of the quota system, encourag- tolerate and appreciate the differ- to experience the rich social-cul- sion and integration in the curric- one of the Ministry’s mandates.

ADB funds Give headteachers IT skills — Knut Busia schools By JOEL JUMA By NYAKWAR ODAWO A TEACHERS union has challenged the Government to embark on train- AFRICAN Development Bank ing programmes that will equip head- (ADB) has granted Kshs27.5 teachers with Information Technol- Million to five secondary ogy (IT) skills. schools in Busia County to as- The Kenya National Union of sist in the construction of labo- Teachers (Knut) warned that many ratories and classrooms. candidates sitting for this year’s na- The beneficiaries are -Odi tional examinations may not be regis- ado, Nasira, Bumala Anglican tered due to poor IT skills among the Church, Osieko and Kisoko head-teachers. Secondary schools. The latter “Head teachers are not sure if will however spend its share of Kenya National Examination Council Kshs5million to put up a dor- (KNEC) received details of their can- mitory. didates after sending them from cyber According to the Busia cafes,” said the Knut Western Provin- District Quality Assurance and cial Council Secretary John Wesonga. Wesonga said the council should Standards Officer (DQASO) countercheck registration details to Parmenas Oendo, the funds avoid locking out some students. will be utilised in the construc- The union official, who was tion of laboratory and class- speaking to the press in Mumias rooms in four of the schools town, also faulted the Government for A section of headteachers in a workshop. Photo/File which have been allocated giving conflicting directions over the Kshs4.5 Million each. registration process. forward their details to the district secretary David Ikunza said some be assisted,” said Indiatsi who was Kisoko Girls Secondary He said some heads suffered while education offices. members are not IT compliant. speaking at Kakamega High School. School in Nambale, he ex- registering their candidates on-line. Kenya Primary Schools Head- Kakamega Central District Edu- Indiatsi said it was unfortunate plained, had been allocated The council’s public relations teachers Association, on its part, cation Officer Mabale Indiatsi how- that at this day and age some head more funds than the other four officer Ken Ramani was recently urged the Government not to punish ever said education officers are will- teachers were still not conversant to build an ultra modern dor- reported to have said head-teachers members who fail to register candi- ing to assist head teachers to register with IT skills. mitory. were free to register their candidates dates for this year’s national exami- their candidates. “Computer skills are being used At a recent interview in his manually. nations. “Those who have problems worldwide. Head-teachers have no office, Mr Oendo said the bank Ramani asked head-teachers to The association’s western branch should come forward so that they can reason to be left out,” said Indiatsi. had given a further Kshs900, 000 to each of the schools to facilitate the construction of sanitary facilities. Mudavadi assures on quality education Thanking the ADB man- agement for its generous ges- By TITUS MAERO erment and Wealth Creation (EWC). DPM cited the implementation of the as other successful reform initiatives. ture, the Busia District Qual- Addressing teachers at the Cha- Free Secondary School Education The Sabatia MP further noted that ity Assurance and Standards THE Deputy Prime Minister Musalia vakali Secondary School in Vihiga and Free Primary Education which the development and implementa- Officer who is also the project Mudavadi has reaffirmed govern- County, the Local Government Min- he said are major milestones in the tion of the Kenya Education Sector manager, disclosed that all the ment’s commitment to provide qual- ister said the government is also de- reform process. Programme (KESSP) has allowed money had been wired to spe- ity education through training and termined to achieve the International The Minister singled out De- different stakeholders to support the cial accounts opened for the research at all levels of learning. Development Commitments such velopment Sessional Paper No. 1 education sector. five schools. Mr. Mudavadi said in the recent as the Millennium Development of 2005 on Policy Frame Work for Mudavadi commended teachers He also revealed that ten- past, the education sector has under- Goals (MDGs) and Education for All Education, Training and Research of Chavakali Boys Secondary School dering for the process adding gone reforms in order to address the (EFA). plus adoption of the Sector Wide Ap- which posted good results in last that bids were being received overall goals of the Economic Re- Enumerating the major reforms proach (SWAP) in the Planning and year’s Kenya Certificate of Second- at the District Procurement Of- covery Strategy (ERS) for Empow- the education sector has achieved, the Financing of Education and Training ary Education (KCSE) Exam. fice. The Link, May 2011 EDUCATION 5 Ministry Nyagah urges TSC to moves to equip computerize its services schools By JOEL JUMA By MALACHI MOTANO Co-operatives Minister Joseph Nya- THE government has set aside gah has called on Teachers Service Sh980 million to equip schools in Commission (TSC) to computerize its all the 210 constituencies in the services to curb delays while remitting country. contributions to societies. Basic education PS James Ole Nyagah said delays are largely Kiyiapi said part of the money caused by lack of an efficient and ef- would be used to buy 300 com- fective computer system. puters in each constituency to pro- The Minister noted that he had mote ICT integration in learning talked to Education Minister Sam and teaching. Ongeri over the matter to avert a strike The PS also said that the Min- by teachers following delays to remit istry was in the process of install- over Kshs3 billion to their societies. ing multimedia laboratory projects Kenya National Union of Teach- in 240 secondary schools. ers (Knut) issued a strike notice due Prof Kiyiapi, who was speak- to the delays. Knut acting secretary ing at Mayori Secondary school general Okuta Osiany said teachers in Mbeere South District during a would down their tools to protest over prize giving day, urged schools to the matter. adopt use of ICT to drive teaching and learning process. Speaking at a meeting with “I expect all schools to put this Kakamega Teachers Savings and huge government investment into Credit Cooperative Society (Kateco), good use in content delivery by the Minister said cooperatives should making ICT a way of life,” he said. not be subjected to financial problems Students in a computer class. Mr. Nyagah has called on TSC to computerize its services. The PS said more money had due to inefficiencies at TSC. been allocated to improve infra- Kateco chairman Joseph Sagalla the Commissioner of Cooperatives Keya explained that it would tunyi primary school for construction structure in schools under the eco- and chief executive officer Peter Fred Odhiambo and the Western Pro- be unfair for some candidates to be of toilets and another Kshs200, 000 to nomic stimulus scheme. Vuhya said Government should en- vincial Cooperative Officer Nathan locked out on the grounds that they Emukabi AP Camp for roofing of the Each constituency, he said, has hance efficiency to enable teachers Mukhweso promised that the matter were not aware of the vacancies. facility. received Sh30 million to create a access their money. would be addressed at the ministerial He said Education Minister Sam Kakamega Central District Educa- centre of excellence and a further The two said societies have mon- level. Ongeri should advise the Teachers tion Officer Isaac Mabale Indiatsi said Sh7 million to cater for two model ey that teachers can use in times of “I will take up the matter at the Service Commission (TSC) to adver- the Government was only replaces primary schools. emergencies unlike in other financial Cabinet level so that we use societies tise vacancies in the counties. cases affected by natural causes such Prof Kiyiapi noted that the free day secondary school had seen institutions where there are long pro- to disburse such funds,” said Nyagah. Various schools in Kakamega as deaths and retirement. cedures. enrolment in secondary schools And, an assistant minister has County have put up advertisements “We are simply replacing. The rise from 1.03 million students in Sagalla and Vuhya also petitioned backed a demand by Kenya Union of locally indicating that they are seek- number of teachers required are few the Government to allow societies to 2007 to 1.6 million this year. Some Post Primary Education of Teachers ing new teachers. to warrant an advertisement,” said In- Sh43 billion had been disbursed to disburse funds meant for women and (Kuppet) that the Government should Most have placed advertisement diatsi. youth projects. They regretted that secondary schools to cater for the advertise teaching vacancies on notice boards in markets and edu- Kuppet National Chairman Akello free tuition so far. some youths and women are unable Gender and Children Affairs as- cation offices. They include Buchifi, Misori and the union’s national treas- He, however, discouraged to access the funds because they lack sistant Manyala Keya said Parliamen- Bulimbo, Shikomari and Shikoti sec- urer Njenga Mwethi petitioned the schools from buying expensive skills on investment. tary Committee on Education should ondary schools. Government to advertise the vacan- gifts to entice students to work “Our societies train members and not allow teachers to be employed Keya who was speaking during cies. The two explained that teaching hard terming the practice a reverse also educate them time to time on secretly. the distribution of Constituency De- was a profession, whose affairs should motivation. how to use the money after applying “We need to make the chances velopment Fund cheques in Navakho- not be handled secretly. “Students should never be for loans. This is not the same with known so that applicants can channel lo division said Ongeri should move Kuppet members want to be rep- bribed to work hard. The Ministry the Ministry of Youths Affairs,” said their applications to schools of their in with speed and halt secret employ- resented in the School Boards during of Education does not encourage Sagalla. choice for favourable competition,” ment. the hiring exercises to avert any cases such,” he said adding that learn- Nyagah who was accompanied by said Keya, who is the Lurambi MP. Keya gave Kshs150, 000 to Na- of nepotism and corruption. ing was the only business students have in schools. Varsities urged to intensify HIV research By TITUS MAERO view of finding a lasting so- She said the govern- from Major Global Initia- lution to the disease. ment’s role is to reduce the tives noting that the result- THE Commission for High- “Research remains a spread of HIV/AIDS to im- ing growth and diversifica- er Education (CHE) Vice component in our univer- prove the quality of life of tion in HIV/AIDS highlights Chair Professor Judith Ba- sities. The Commission of the people who are infected the need for commensurate hemuka has challenged uni- Higher Education (CHE) and affected by the disease expansion of the disease versities in the country to facilitates research by ad- and to mitigate the econom- surveillance systems. intensify research on HIV/ ministering a special fund ic effects of the epidemic. Prof. Bahemuka noted Aids. provided by the Ministry Prof Bahemuka said the that the government estab- Prof. Bahemuka urged of Higher Education, Sci- Code of Kenya National lished policy guidelines for the institutions of higher ence and Technology,” she HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan the HIV/AIDS in the Ses- learning to step up such re- added. includes a Multi Sectoral sional Paper No. 4 of 1997 search on the disease which, Speaking at the Approach to encourage ad- and in 1999 the AIDS epi- she said, remains a major Kakamega Golf Hotel, the vocacy, building partner- demic was declared a na- impediment to social and scholar said the government ships and mainstreaming tional disaster and created economic development. has shown serious concern of HIV programmes in the the National Aids Control She said the HIV/Aids on the HIV/AIDS through country’s research institu- Council (NACC) under the epidemic is intricate and the creation of the Kenya tions. Office of the President to Prof. Bahemuka dynamic and called upon National HIV/AIDS Stra- The official further said co-ordinate a Multi-Secto- equity and social-economic universities to fast track tegic Plan (KNASP) estab- the government had wit- ral response to the disease. agenda enshrined in the research on establishing its lishing a response to the ep- nessed considerable in- She said the health sec- pillar of the country’s eco- origin and scale up research idemic through partnering crease in funding its HIV/ tor is one of the key com- nomic blueprint thus vision on its complexities with a with the government. AIDS National Programmes ponents that appeals to the 2030. The Link, May 2011 6 EDUCATION Task force on education reforms formed Japan funds By MORRIS GITHENYA school in REFORMS expected in the ed- ucation sector are meant to im- Bungoma prove standards in accordance with the new constitution. By JOEL JUMA A task force appointed by JAPAN is set to finance the con- the government is visiting vari- struction of modern facilities at ous parts of the country col- a primary school in Bungoma lecting information that will County at a cost of Kshs70 mil- inform the reforms envisaged lion. in the constitution. The school with a population Education Permanent Secre- of over 1, 900 pupils, is con- tary James Ole Kiyiapi said the gested and requires more class- views will be scrutinised by the rooms and toilets for smooth experts before a final report is learning. compiled. Mupeli Primary School will Speaking at Murang’a get 36 new classrooms and toi- Teachers Training College dur- lets to accommodate the high ing the Murang’a South district number of pupils. education day, the PS said ulti- An assistant minister in the mate goal is to ensure that edu- Office of the Prime Minister cation offered prepares learners Alfred Khang’ati said the part- for the competitive job market. nership with Japan seeks to He also cited lack of mana- improve education standards in gerial skills in public schools slum schools in the county. as a factor that was largely to Khang’ati was speaking at blame for the poor results in Masinde Muliro Stadium dur- national examinations. ing a meeting of Kenya Prima- He said Public Primary ry School Heads Association, schools had continued to per- Prof. Ole Kiyiapi: Education PS Mr. Mbau: Maragua MP Western branch. form poorly despite the billions The association’s branch of shillings pumped by the dergo short courses on manage- funds as compared to public leaders must have the capac- Chairman Josephat Otiende, government to facilitate their ment and leadership as a strat- institutions where billions of ity to come out with workable Secretary David Ikunza and operations. egy to improve results,” said shillings are pumped every policies,” said Kiyiapi. Western Provincial Director of Accompanied by Maragua the PS. year. Maragua MP on his part Education (PDE) Kenneth Mi- MP Elias Mbau, PS said, the Heads, he said, must be He said the country requires called on the government to put soi also addressed the meeting. government in collaboration equipped with knowledge skilled professionals in all the the drought hit Makuyu divi- The school’s head-teacher with universities offering man- aimed at improving educational sectors of the economy in order sion in the school feeding pro- Josephine Masinde said an ad- agement and leadership courses standards in their respective in- to attain vision 2030 and match gramme. ministration block will be part have organized short courses stitutions. the developed nations. The region, he said was of the project. She said tenders for head teachers. He observed private schools “Skilled human resource is marked by declining enrolment for the work are already out “We have come up with continued to excel in perform- paramount to speed up devel- during the dry spells and thus adding that the project is set to plans to have school heads un- ance despite spending little opment in the country while the need for intervention. commence next month. Khang’ati disclosed that three other primary schools in Kanduyi constituency will get Kshs45 million under the Slum Free primary education praised Upgrading Programme. He said Bukhamwele, Moi By AGGREY BUCHUNJU He said that the government start- ing that each beneficiary will receive including St. Martin’s Mwibale had ed FPE and FSE in order to ensure Kshs. 900,000 before June this year to already constructed computer labo- and Sio primary schools will THE government has continued to in- that the young generation is compli- buy computers. ratories and have power connections. each get Kshs15 million to put vest in the education sector in order to ant with the contents of the Millen- He named the other beneficiaries He cautioned men who marry up more classrooms and toilets. get qualified manpower that can run nium Development Goals (MDGs) of the ICT project in Kanduyi constit- or impregnate school girls saying it Khang’ati added that all the affairs of the country effectively. and vision 2030 which are key to uency as: St. Mary’s Kibabii Boys in is criminal offence to cause a girl to schools in the district will be An education official in Bungoma global economic social and political Kibabii location, Namachanja High drop out of school. provided with computers start- South District, Mr. Elijah Owiti, who prosperity. School in Township location, St. Pe- The school Principal Mrs. Emily ing from next month. is in charge of the administration of The education officer disclosed ter’s Musikoma Secondary school in Muhonja challenged parents to ensure He said over 500 comput- both primary and secondary schools that St. Martin’s Mwibale secondary Musikoma location and Misanga Sec- that children who do not qualify for ers are at the port of Mombasa in the area, made the remarks recently school in East Bukusu location is one ondary school in Bukembe location. university entry are enrolled in mid- awaiting clearance. at St. Martin’s Mwibale secondary of the beneficiaries of ICT project in The education officer disclosed dle level colleges and youth polytech- school during the institution’s Annual Kanduyi constituency. This project that money to buy computers had nics to acquire technical skills. The assistant minister said General Meeting (AGM) where he is under the Economic Stimulus Pro- come at the time when 106 teachers During the meeting Mr. Paul the donations seek to promote was the chief guest. gramme (ESP) factored into the pre- from 53 schools, both primary and Mukhongo was re-elected Parents information technology in Mr. Owiti challenged parents to vious budget, 2010/2011 financial secondary had been trained on com- Teachers Association (PTA) chair. schools. take advantage of the Free Primary year by finance minister. puter courtesy of Kanduyi Constitu- The parents unanimously resolved Ikunza and Otiende asked the Education (FPE) and Free Secondary Mr. Owiti said that in every con- ency Development Funds (CDF). to construct two more classrooms as Government to employ more Education (FSE) and send all their stituency five schools were identified Mr. Owiti noted with pride that their PTA project in order to cope with teachers to reduce workload on children to school. to benefit from the programme add- most beneficiaries of the ICT project the increasing number of students. the current personnel. They explained that the cur- rent shortage in the province stands at 15, 000 teachers. Give bursary to day school students ­— Keya Misoi called for prudent financial management of de- By JOEL JUMA noted. rears because constituency bursary He said advertising vacancies will volved funds in schools. He said Keya was speaking at Ikonyero committees had not processed their give qualified teachers a chance to the Ministry of Education will Assistant Minister Manyala Keya Secondary School where he issued a applications. He claimed students in compete equally for the positions. not allow heads to misuse pub- wants the government to scrap a policy Kshs3 million Constituency Develop- Kakamega County owe schools more Kenya Union of Post Primary Edu- lic funds at the expense of qual- ment Fund cheque for the construction than Kshs100 million in school fees cation of Teachers national chairman that bars day school students from ac- ity education. cessing bursary funds. of a tuition block. arrears. Akello Misori and Kenya National Keya called on Education Minis- Elsewhere, Kenya Secondary Keya said Teachers Service Com- Union of Teachers Western Provin- Misoi said parents should su- ter Sam Ongeri to review the policy Schools Head Teachers Association mission (TSC) should advertise all cial Council secretary John Wesonga pervise their schools to ensure for the sake of needy students in day Western branch executive committee teaching vacancies to avoid secret em- claimed TSC was hiring teachers se- books and other learning ma- schools. member Ezekia Akang’o accused MPs ployment. He said it is unfair for TSC cretly. terials are purchased after their “I have allocated Kshs9 million as of delaying to release bursary funds. to recruit teachers through schools The two claimed TSC had started schools get funds from the Gov- bursary to needy students with major- Akang’o said many students had board of governors, without publish- hiring teachers without advertising the ernment. ity of them being in day schools,” he finished the First Term with fee ar- ing institutions where vacancies exist. positions. The Link, May 2011 GOVERNANCE 7 Kalonzo, bishop vouch for judiciary Pan Paper By KAVYU-KURA County while Bishop Mutemi spoke try. as if we cannot handle our issues in- society faces to the Media in his (Kalonzo’s) home He said justice for all Kenyans was ternally,” said the Bishop. VICE President Kalonzo Musyoka backyard of Mwingi town. paramount, noting it was now time for He added that Kenyans cannot af- collapse and Mwingi clergyman Bishop Rob- “There is no need of relying on peace, national healing and reconcili- ford to be spectators in the crucial mat- By JOEL JUMA ert Mutemi have urged Kenyans to foreigners to come and do investiga- ation. The clergyman said Kenyans ter of dealing with the post election have faith in the country’s judicial tions for us. We have competent Ken- could not afford to be spectators in is- violence which is directly affecting system. yans who can do it,” Kalonzo insisted. sues and events that affect their coun- fellow Kenyans. He said that Kenyans A COOPERATIVE society The two spoke against the back- On the widely debated shuttle trymen and must take country and be must be allowed control of the matter in Bungoma County is on the ground of a spirited push by the gov- diplomacy, Kalonzo assured that he at the top of things in resolving such and set up a credible justice system in verge of collapse due to fail- ernment to have the International was not representing the rights of issues. line with the new constitution. ure by cash-strapped Webuye Criminal Court (ICC) cases against the Ocampo Six only but the rights He said he was optimistic that the Bishop Mutemi said that the ongo- Pan Paper Mills to remit over six suspects of post-election violence all Kenyans. He said justice for all ongoing judicial reforms would weed ing judicial reforms would ensure the Kshs130 million from mem- deferred arguing that a reformed ju- Kenyans was paramount, noting that the institution of corrupt element and bad eggs and the corrupt in the judi- bers. diciary had the capacity to handle the it was time for peace, national healing put in place a credible and compe- ciary are weeded out and the honest The mill has not remit- cases as well as many others involving and reconciliation among Kenyans. tent outfit that would not only try the professional left or put in place to run ted any money to Webuye the post election violence. Mr. Musyoka said the new consti- Ocampo six but many other people a credible system that commands the Pan Paper Mills Savings and They spoke even as the suspects, tution will ensure all areas are devel- suspected to have taken part in the respect of Kenyans.; Credit Cooperative Society popularly known as Ocampo six who oped equally. post election violence. The clergy said thus: “Let Kenya since it went under, and even included Deputy prime minister Uhu- The Vice President assured that “We are not saying the Ocampo and Kenyans be allowed to seep clean after its revival. after the 2012 general election there six are innocent neither are we against their house without having to turn to ru Kenyatta, head of the civil service Receiver managers are Francis Muthaura, former ministers will be complete separation of power their being tried in the Hague but we outsiders. If the country finds it im- of Kenya’s institutions. He called on want the due legal process in Kenya possible to make things move, them it yet to consider reducing the Henry Kosgey and William Ruto, the amount after taking over the former police commissioner and the Kenyans to coexist with one another to be given a chance instead on Mort- will at its own volition will seek exter- in order to development in the coun- gaging the country to external forces nal help,” said the Church leader. firm. current postmaster general Hussein The society is currently Ali were headed to the Hague with being faced with backlog of their first date with ICC. loan applications from mem- Kalonzo said it was time Kenyans trusted the magnanimity of the new bers. constitution that would empower the Western Provincial Co- country’s institutions like the judiciary operative Officer Nathan and the police to deliver impartial jus- Mukhweso said his ministry tice to all and sundry. has asked local MPs to en- He urged Kenyans to have faith sure the society gets part of in the judiciary and the police force, the money the government saying they are able to adequately has set aside to restore the prosecute and hear the post election mill. violence cases The Government had Bishop Mutemi, of the Global Vi- promised to inject over sion Church (GVC) International, said Kshs500 million to fast-track Kenyans should show respect to the the revival of the paper mill. country’s professionals working in The mill stopped process- the judiciary and allow them to try the ing paper soon after it was re- post election violence suspects instead opened by President Kibaki of consigning to the Hague. and Prime Minister Raila The Cleric said that by allowing Odinga during the referen- the post elections suspects to be tried dum campaigns. in the Hague, Kenya was ceding its Speaking during a leaders independence as “the country cannot meeting at a Kakamega ho- claim to be independent while its ju- diciary cannot be entrusted with fairly tel, Mukhweso also disclosed trying the Ocampo six.” that over 40 societies have Kalonzo who recently ended been formed in the matatu in- President Mwai Kibaki’s shuttle di- dustry in Western. plomacy errand to seek international He assured that the so- support for the deferral of the Ocampo cieties would be managed six cases was speaking recently dur- professionally and cautioned ing a harambee for Mutithi Secondary Kalonzo speaks to businessman Cosmas Mutati Nzoka during a recent a harambee for the Mwingi drivers and conductors St. Josephs Seminary where he equally called for the support of the quest for the deferral of the ICC against violating rules. school in Mwea West of Kirinyaga Photo/Kavyu-Kura cases Kitui South MP Isaac Muoki looks on. “Managers of coopera- tive societies will now be required to employ the driv- ers and conductors,” said Coast salt factories closed down Mukhweso. He explained that passen- By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU Minister for Labour, Mr. John cies,” said Mr. Mwasambu. The officer warned that if the ger service vehicles would Munyes, to the firms at Gongoni Only Malindi Salt and Kemu firms defy the closure order, they also have their own insurance THE country could face a severe and Marereni on February 28. The Salt had complied with the direc- would be charged in court and may firms. shortage of salt following the clo- minister discovered that majority tives, said the officer. Tana Salt Ltd pay a Kshs.1 million fine. “Matatus will have their sure of three main salt process- of the firms did not observe human was warned that it will be closed Councillors Emmanuel Ka- insurances the same way so- ing plants in Magarini District last rights and labour laws. unless it fulfills all the conditions. pombe (Gongoni), Albert Kiraga cieties have the Cooperative month. The team was barred by watch- Gongoni and Marereni areas in (Fundisa), Stanly Kenga (Marereni) Insurance,” he noted. The factories were closed for men from accessing Krystaline Salt Magarini district are the chief salt and Joseph Gunga (Nominated) The Kenya National Un- failing to meet required working Firm in Gongoni and proceeded to producers in the country. The facto- hailed the move, saying the staff other industries following a bitter ries rake in more than Kshs.10 bil- had been oppressed for a long time. ion of Teachers Western conditions. Kensalt Ltd, Krysta- Provincial Council Secre- line Salt Marereni and Kurawa Salt exchange with the management. lion in revenue annually. “Workers have been exposed to Mr. Mwasambu who spoke in Some of the salt is exported to dehumanizing conditions and op- tary John Wesonga said MPs Industries were closed in a major should mobilise resources crackdown on manufacturers who Malindi said the closed firms did Middle East and African countries. pressed by the salt firms for much flout labour laws. not have staff toilets as recom- Mr. Mwasambu said no lorry is too long. It’s time drastic legal ac- to enable farmers purchase A team of inspectors from the mended by the minister. The work- allowed to ferry salt out of the fac- tion was taken,” said Councillor shares in sugar companies Ministry of Public Health led by ers relieved themselves in nearby tories until the “prohibition notice Kenga. when privatised. Malindi and Magarini District Oc- thickets. stopping all activities” or closure Area MP, who is also the Fish- Wesonga regretted that cupational and Health Officer, Mr. “They did not have safe drink- order is lifted in writing after they eries minister, Mr. Amason Kingi, MPs are not taking any step Samuel Mwasambu, visited the ing water for salt harvesters, the comply with all conditions. supported the action. “It’s encour- to mobilise funds yet the area to ascertain whether the firms workers did not have proper protec- “All the 718 staff of the closed aging that a Government depart- process of privatising Nzoia had complied with a two-week tive gear like gumboots, overall or firms must earn full salaries and al- ment is acting. This is the time of Sugar Company was under- ultimatum issued by the minister sun goggles,” said the officer. lowances during the entire period effective governance. Impunity has way. Mukhweso said the directing them to fulfill all labour “The companies did not have of the closure according to the Oc- no place in Kenya today. I call upon cooperative sector will pur- requirements. shelter for workers, no safety and cupational, Safety and Health Act other departments to equally do chase of shares at the factory. The move followed a visit by health committees or safety poli- Section 118,” he said. their job” The Link, May 2011 8 EDITORIAL & COMMENTARY The

LinkEnhancing governance for all Only the people can stop these politicians HE post-election violence (PEV) that rocked this country after the bungled Presidential Telection results is still fresh in the minds of Kenyans almost four years after the formation of the government of national unity. And with the next general elections only a few months away, Kenyans are becoming even more worried of their safety. The heightened political temperature over the ICC prosecutions and the Kibaki succession is not helping matters either. More effort therefore needs to be put towards reducing the rising tension. COMMENTARY Peacemaking efforts by the Partnership for Peace Project in Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western prov- inces, with the support of the European Union and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, is a good example. We KNHRC: Participate in believe there are many more such efforts elsewhere within the republic of Kenya by other groups. In our view, such efforts need to be concerted for implementation of new law greater impact. We share the view of Ambassador Ochieng’ KENYANS have been chal- endum was full of frustrations Adalla, the executive director of the Africa Peace like the ever shifting political lenged to be vigilant and to ac- COMMENT Forum, that Members of Parliament were still in- tively participate in the imple- interests of parties of the Coa- volving themselves in hate speeches yet the memory lition Government, they never mentation of the constitution, By HENRY OWINO of the PEV was still fresh in the minds of Kenyans instead of leaving the process lost hope. Ambassador Ochieng’ Adalla rightly reminds us to the politicians. The other challenge, that the PEV didn’t happen because of ignorance Speaking during a confer- registration, for dual citizen- they said, was dealing with but as a result of political hatred and historical in- ence convened by the Ken- ship. emerging ethnic and politi- justices. ya National Commission on He said the Kenya Nation- cal interested groups among He therefore suggests that reconciliation and Human Rights Commission al Human Rights and Equal- mainstream and evangelical healing process is necessary to avoid a repeat of (KNCHR), Commissioner Mr. ity Commission’s (KNHREC) Christian organisations. the 2007/8 violence. We hasten to add that there Lawrence Mute and other hu- provided for in Article 59 main Besides promoting civic is need to address long term issues which caused man rights officials also urged role is to promote respect for education through community- the violence; that people should not lose sight of Kenyans to familiarise them- human rights which includes based human rights networks, the situation out there but be on the lookout; par- selves with all the 18 chapters principles that underpin en- KHRC was at one point forced ties involved in peace keeping were to compliment and 264 articles of the Consti- joyment of those rights such to become a mediator within and not compete one another; that parties involved tution. as equality and human dignity. CoE’s Reference Group to should keep reminding others that peace is vital “I am calling upon Kenyans He challenged the disabled which it belonged. persons who have been given Ms Mumbi Ngugi of FIDA- and that it takes a long process and patience to be not to sit back and watch as- suming that things will be positions in the new consti- Kenya decried widespread dis- achieved and that Kenyans must bear full respon- tution not to shy away from crimination along ethnic lines sibility of what happened before they proceed on done transparently now that they have passed and prom- seeking political offices since particularly in distribution of with preaching peace. disability is not inability. employment opportunities. We say so because peace will not be achieved ulgated the Constitution. I am challenging everybody who The conference was con- She said this trend had dragged and sustained if we continue with business as took part in the creation of the vened to present a report on the country backwards in terms usual. The people must also play their part in the Constitution to ensure that no the historical August 2010 ref- of development. search and maintenance of peace because when one goes against its require- erendum. The report indicated Ms Ngugi called for the ap- war comes they bear its heaviest brunt. That is the ments,” said Commissioner that over 60 per cent of eligi- plication of affirmative action reason why only the poor, or the so-called Inter- Lawrence Mute. ble Kenyans voted in the ref- in health facilities with some nally Displaced Persons are ones still languishing Mr. Mute emphasised par- erendum. hospitals being reserved for in makeshift camps and abject poverty. ticipation of the people, par- On implementation, the women. This, she said, did not ticularly in appointment of Commissioners said although amount to discrimination since people to hold key public of- there is still a long way to go, women health needs require fices. the process was so far on the more specialised attention. The Commissioners said right track. Ms Barbara Cohen, who The Link is published that Chapter Four, which con- “The referendum was not talked from international per- monthly by the Institute tains the Bill of Rights, is a just another electoral process. spective, said most organisa- must read for every citizen. It helped realise a new consti- tions in Kenya shy away from for Civic Affairs and Commissioner Tom Kagwe tutional dispensation in which offenses to do with sexuality. Development (ICAD) said equality does not only everyone finds freedom of ex- She added that Human mean equal treatment of gen- pression and protection .The Rights and Gender Equality ders but also includes many progress since its promulga- Organization had been pro- P.O. Box 7438-00200, Nairobi, Kenya. things such as opportunities tion is so far, so good,” Com- posed to merge and form one in the entitlement to all docu- missioner Kagwe said. commission that caters for Tel: 020 6001776 / 020 6001274 ments of registration or iden- The Commissioners said al- gender issues, the disabled and Email: [email protected] tification, whether by birth or though the run-up to the refer- children. The Link, May 2011 GOVERNANCE 9

The Link Consultant accused of delaying project Enhancing governance for all By KAVYU-KURA EDITOR DANIEL OTUNGE THE Mwingi Central District Devel- opment Committee (DDC) has criti- SUB-EDITOR cized a consulting firm over delays FAITH MUIRURI in jumpstarting the Kshs4.1 billion phase II of the Kiambere-Mwingi ASSOCIATE EDITOR Water supply project. OLOO JANAK The committee under the chair- manship of DC Peter Kinuthia ex- pressed concern that the construction WRITERS of the Italian government-funded pipeline project that was to take off MORRIS GITHENYA Central last January had been delayed as the consultant is yet to remit his report. 0735855586 “It is surprising that Tanathi Wa- ter Services Board has been held JOSEPH MUKUBWA Central back from implementing the project 0724 039787 on time because the consultant has failed to deliver the report on time,” fumed the DC. BEKADZO TONDO Coast Kinuthia led the DDC in demand- 0728341240 ing that Tanathi Water Services Board takes up the case and pressurizes the consultant to deliver the report im- PETER MUTUKU Eastern mediately. 0721 455048 The DC said Mwingi town had been plagued by serious water short- BOB OMBATI Nyanza ages due to regular breakages along the Kiambere-Mwingi water supply 0728 435255 project noting that the problem would only be solved if the aged pipeline The Mwingi Central DC Peter Kinuthia as he chaired the DDC meeting on Wednesday. Next to him is OJWANG OGOCH Nyanza was rehabilitated. the District development officer Winfred Kirimi who is the DDC’s secretary. Photo/Kavyu-Kura 0725 690223 Kinuthia told the DDC meeting that due to the current drought, a seri- famine in the district, 65,000 people next year when a good harvest is ex- the drought. ous water scarcity had affected most in a population of 103, 000 were cur- pected after the October-December The district agricultural officer NYAKWAR ODAWO Western parts of Mwingi Central but the gov- rently receiving food rations from short rains. Haroun Goro noted that since de- 0726264153 ernment had allocated Kshs1 million government. He called on the department of pendence on rain fed agriculture had for water tankering especially to in- The DC lamented that the pre- livestock development and market- led to frequent crop failure, there was LUKE KAPCHANGA Western stitutions such as schools to prevent vailing situation painted a gloomy ing to encourage cattle keepers to need to change tact and embrace wa- closures. picture as the district’s population has avoid losses by selling off their live- ter harvesting technologies for small 0723622136 He added that due to the current to rely on relief food until February stock before they are weakened by scale irrigation.

AGGREY BUCHUNJU Western 0733 537002 Plans underway to improve ferry services JOEL JUMA Western By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU providing the only link between the fic. Pedestrians constitute about 70 main land and the island of Mombasa. per cent of the total business volume ni and 45 metres for Mtongwe. This 0723622136 TWO new ferries are set to be bought The agency came into being in whereas vehicles count for 30 per problem funds during the 2003/2004 to serve Malindi and the South Coast November 1989 after the Government cent. Vehicles pay a government ap- financial year. Procurement tenders in the current financial year. took over the operations of ferry serv- proved toll charges, while pedestrians both local and international were ad- The Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) ices from the former operators, the cross free of charge. vertised for the construction of two LAYOUT AND DESIGN: is also addressing jetty and ramp Kenya Bus Services Ltd. Surveys conducted in May and ferries. With the commissioning of the WALTON DESIGNS maintenance, as well as safety equip- The Government then mandated August last year revealed that there ment. the Kenya Ports Authority to run the were 170,000 and 220,000 pedestri- two new ferries and the refurbish- 0725 903 938 The new drive to improve the ferry services on its behalf. ans respectively using the ferry daily. ment of MVs Kilindini, Harambee services at both Likoni and Mtongwe In 1998, however, the Government Vehicles crossing per day where 3,800 and Nyayo, the KFS managing di- [email protected] are aimed at achieving the strategic through the Sessional Paper No. 3 for- in May, 5,500 in August and 7,400 in rector, Mr. Musa Hassan Musa is objective of managing commercially malised the ownership of the compa- December last year. confident that the corporation will viable operations that are safe and re- ny by transforming the contribution of This continuing increase in the surmount its current challenges and liable. both the Government and Kenya Ports crossings is attributed to more public deliver better services. KFS is one of the 11 state corpo- Authority into equity. confidence in the safety of the servic- The current on-going projects rations and semi-autonomous Gov- Eighty per cent of the company is es, tourism, residential housing within aimed at achieving better services ernment agencies under the Minis- today owned by the Government and the Likoni area, among other factors. and increasing revenue base include try of Transport. KFS provides free 20 per cent by the Kenya Ports Au- Previous problems dodging the the purchase of new engines, operat- ferry services to pedestrian across the thority. Kenya Ferry Services included dilapi- ing four ferries every 10 minutes, im- Likoni and Mtongwe Channels on the Currently, the company’s main ac- dated and old ferries which were more proving and expanding the dry-dock Indian Ocean. tivity is the provision of a ferry link than twenty years old. The ferry sizes repair and maintenance yards. This Newspaper appreciates It remains an important agency for to both pedestrians and vehicle traf- were also small, sixty metres for Liko- Streamlining the maintenance programme is being given top pri- the facilitation accorded by ority and sometimes continues late the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung into the night, Mr. Musa says. Fer- (KAS) in Kenya ries should be dry-docked every two and half years but in the past they re- mained without dry-docking for upto eight years. All correspondence and In its expansion programme, KFS is planning to purchase two more fer- enquiries to the editor, ries during the 2011/2012 financial year for coastal operations to Malindi P.O. Box 7438, 00200, and the South Coast. Jetty and ramp maintenance as Nairobi, Kenya. well as safety equipments are also being given priority. The new drive Tel: 020 6001274 and momentum to improve the Ferry Services at both Likoni and Mtongwe Telefax: 020 6001776 are aimed at achieving the strategic objective of managing a commercial- e-mail: [email protected] ly viable ferry services that are safe Pedestrians and motorists on one of the ferries at Likoni. Photo/File and reliable. The Link, May 2011 10 GOVERNANCE Citizens input on EAC crucial - says official LATF abused in Western By KAVYU-KURA — report THE input of the residents of the five East African Community (EAC) By JOEL JUMA member states is invaluable in for- CORRUPTION and misuse of Lo- mulating policies that would ensure cal Authority Transfer Fund (LATF) smooth implementation of the federa- has remained rampant in councils in tion. Western Province. Speaking in Mwingi recently, A recent report compiled by an Ministry of East African Community organisation dealing with devolved Director of Social Affairs Agnes Sila funds cited widespread misuse of said the EAC secretariat is keen at de- LAFT by local authorities in the re- veloping policies that are beneficial to gion. Busia Municipal Council for ex- people of all member countries thus ample is accused of failing to account the need for their participation. for over Kshs1.2 million it received in She said her ministry would hold 2006/2007 financial year. sensitization workshops in all the 47 The council received over Kshs17 counties in the country to get the peo- million during financial year, out of ples’ views. which 6 per cent went missing. The Addressing one such workshop report by the National taxpayers as- at the Mwingi County Council hall, sociation (NTA) indicates that ghost Ms Sila said in the first phase of the projects accounted for Kshs1.2 mil- sensitization workshops, 24 counties lion. would be covered in 100 days while NTA Western Regional Coordi- the rest would be visited later. nator Belinda Nekesa notes that resi- dents were worried that their taxes are She said that workshops would not being used effectively, as some also enable the people of Kenya to un- projects have stalled. derstand what the EAC entails and the Nekesa explained that auditing of available opportunities. the LATF funds has now shifted from The Mwingi Central District Com- Busia to local authorities in Bungoma, missioner Peter Kinuthia pointed out The Director of Social Services in the Ministry of the East African Community Agnes Sila addresses par- Kakamega and Vihiga Counties due that the success of EAC would not ticipants at the Sensitization workshop at the Mwingi county hall. Photo/Kavyu-Kura to public outcry. only be beneficial to the ordinary He cited a case where a school in citizen but the local businessmen who and other countries and bring back vast deposits of unexploited miner- eration. Busia town was allocated Kshs600, had the freedom to cross borders and the money to develop our area,” said als like coal, iron ore and limestone Kinuthia called on the participants 000 for construction of classrooms but do business in all the five member Kinuthia. among many others. at the workshop, who included the re- only received Kshs200, 000. countries. The DC added that the larger He said if well harnessed, the min- gion’s District Commissioners, civic Nekesa said chief officers in local “The local traders stand to benefit Mwingi region that covers six districts eral rich Mwingi would not only boost leaders, chiefs and religious and com- authorities and contractors are collud- the most because they have the op- would also be crucial to the econom- the economic welfare of the locals but munity leaders to inform people under ing to embezzle devolved funds. portunity to freely cross borders and ic advancement of the East African the entire EAC region thus the need their jurisdictions about the impor- “We have cases where councilors trade in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania Community as it was endowed with for the locals to embrace the EAC fed- tance of the EAC. demand kick backs before they allow certain contractors to take up jobs in their wards. This has given room to corruption and shoddy work,” he add- ed. Kenya Local Government Work- ers Union (KLGWU) also acknowl- Group alleges misuse of devolved funds edged that corruption is rife in local authorities. By BEKANDO TONDO most projects alleged to have received Mr. Njoroge further claimed some lose such amounts of money in dubi- The union’s Western Regional funding were non existent. of the CDF allocations were skewed ous circumstances when critical areas Secretary Juvenus Orao said tender- AN audit report by National Taxpay- Residents of Lamu West, con- in favour of areas where the Area MP were crying for attention. ing procedures are not being followed ers Association revealed that Malindi, curred with the NTA audit report on Fahim Twaha is believed enjoy mas- Mr. Mzungu Ngoma, a director during hiring and purchasing of goods Lamu East and Lamu West constitu- the alleged misuse of the CDF mon- sive support. with the Institute for Participatory De- and services. encies could not account for over ies. In Malindi Constituency, the resi- velopment said lack of transparency “Councillors and chief officers Kshs 56.2 Million allocated to them. Led by Mwangi Njoroge from dents demanded that the area MP Mr in the funding and implementation of have formed companies which they Mombasa Municipal Council was Mpeketoni, the residents claimed that Gideon Mungaro account for the lost community projects was to be blame are using to fleece local authorities the CDF committee had refused to money. for the gross misuse of the taxpayers’ millions of shillings,” said Orao. also found to have squandered a sub- Orao claimed councillors are now stantive amount of its Local Authority include community in the process to Mr. Rashid Salim said that it was funds. identification of community projects. unacceptable for the constituency to Mr. Ngoma whose organization acting as directors of construction Transfer Fund (LATF) allocation as companies where they allocate funds operates in Malindi and Magarini con- for rehabilitation of roads in their stituencies noted that there was little wards. Orao further accused civic involvement of the community in the leaders of making unnecessary trips. selection and implementation of the He said councillors are only al- projects. lowed to make one trip in a period of According to the audit report, five years but many are making it an Malindi constituency had received annual affair. Kshs81.3 million during the last finan- Orao made the remarks as it cial year but was unable to account for emerged that Kakamega Mayor Vin- Kshs28.4 million. cent Anjeche was in the United King- Lamu West received Kshs 35 dom pursuing his personal matters, million but could not account for allegedly funded by the council. Kshs12.4 million or explain how that Other councillors at the council money was exactly used for. are in Uganda for a one-week trip in Lamu East constituency develop- the company of the Town Clerk R. ment committee was unable to ac- Mukabwe. The trip by the councillors count for Kshs 15.4 million out of the comes barely a week after the Gov- Kshs41.9 million allocation. ernment released LATF money to the At the Mombasa Municipal Coun- local authorities countrywide. cil, the deputy mayor Mr. John Mcha- The Union Secretary explained that lack of financial management ro said that the funds in question had skills is also contributing to numerous been sparsely spread out to various cases of salary arrears at councils. development projects in the area and He noted that Webuye Municipal thus the impact was negligible. Council has not paid salary arrears He says the situation had been amounting to millions of shillings. compounded by the fact that over 90 “Workers at Webuye Municipal percent of LATF allocation went into Council have gone without salaries clearing debts leaving the council with for the last seven months,” said Orao. very little to oversee implementation He regretted that the welfare of work- Mombasa Municipal Council: Council was also found to have squandered a substantive amount of its Lo- of projects. ers has not been addressed even with cal Authority Transfer Fund (LATF) allocation. the release of the funds. The Link, May 2011 CITIZENS’ WATCH 11 @

Food shortage amid plenty a national IDPs crisis calls for innovative solutions shame THERE are many ways of THE food crisis is here with us solving problems afflicting again. It has been ignored and displaced families. brushed aside. When the subject is men- The rich and powerful are well tioned, what comes to mind fed, no food crisis, no shortage. is giving the displaced peo- To the poor whose ability to af- ple money provided they sign ford food is no better now than in away their IDP status. 1963, the hunger continues. Of course, that should be Hunger is linked to many con- arrived at after dividing the tributing factors such as natural available money for reset- disaster, discrimination, war and tlement with the number of poor infrastructure. IDPs. So why, regardless of the si- This business of looking tutaiton, is high-tech agriculture for willing sellers of land is always assumed to be the only the not credible because it allows solution? This premise is put for- some officials to arrange for ward and supported by those who kickbacks from the sellers. would benefit financially if their Additionally, most of the ‘solutions’ were implemented. land on offer is hardly pro- Corporations peddle their high ductive. And, who said all technology genetically engineered IDPs were farmers? seed and chemical packages, al- Secondly, the state can ways with the “promise” of feed- settle IDPs in ADC farms to ing the world. work in the style of Israel’s Politicians and philanthropists, Kibbutz farms where each IDPs in one of the camps. Photo/File who may mean well, jump on IDP has a share and gets a sal- the high technology bandwagon. ary every month. That’s how return to their farms are cruel on plots bought by the Gov- ed that tribalism nepotism Could the promise of financial Israel has become a net food and unreasonable because ernment. and disintegration have never support or investment return their and fruit exporter. some IDPs are traumatised Locals should not abuse moved any society an inch in apparent compasion? That aside, the country they can hardly go back. these victims whatsoever. terms of development. Food shortages are seldom must start consolidating land Also, those that were trad- The Constitution guaran- We should never be ready about a lack of food. There is plen- and moving people to well ing need money to go back to tees everybody the right to to be used once again by the ty of food in Kenya and the short- planned settlements (or mod- doing what they know best. settle anywhere in any part selfish politicians to cause ages occur because of the inability ern villages) so that profes- Kariuki Muiri, of the nation, hence nobody mayhem and harm fellow to get food where it is needed and sional farmers can do mecha- Karatina. should try and create monop- Kenyans. the inability to afford it. nised high net worth farming, oly that certain people can- We should be ready to em- These two problems are princi- employ people in a formal * * * not settle in some parts of the brace unity and love our fel- pally merely lack of justice. There manner and provide schools, country. low Kenyans no matter where are also ethnical considerations. A infrastructure, electricity, wa- PICTURES and stories of Such a claim in itself is they come from or the ideol- higher value should be placed on ter, sewer lines and security. IDPs being chased by some hate speech and Mr. Mzalen- ogy they hold. people than on corportate profit at While still on farming, let communities is a sad practice do Kibunjia should act. We should not be blinded the forefront, not an afterthought. the Government explore ways as witnessed in Kitale recent- IDPs are not happy to be by the politicians because to- While many Kenyans go hun- of using irrigated commercial ly. in that state and we should re- day they differ but tomorrow gry, thousands of kilos of grain rot farming in low-density areas Why on earth would you member these people are not they share the same platform. in storage. Unable to afford the like Eastern, Coast and North deny a fellow Kenyan an op- in camps by choice but by his- It’s only having diversity grain, the hungry depend on the Eastern provinces. The soils portunity to settle in your torical accident. Where is our of people in the society that State to distribute food. Appar- here are still virgin. area? They are not grabbing spirit of nationalism? that we can achieve the much ently that’s not going so well. Those saying IDPs should any land but being resettled Kenyans should be remind- needed peace in our coun- Not everyone living in this try. Let’s have empathy to country goes hungry. Those with our brothers and sisters. We money eat. Not everyone in a rich should think of the next gen- country is well fed. Those without eration and not the next Gen- money go hungry. For instance, eral Election. the US is said to have the safest Owino Samwel, and most abundant food supply Kisumu. in the world, yet even there, sur- rounded by an over abundance of food, there are many hungry peo- ple and the number is growing. Women, not Government, feed most of the population, and the greatest portion of the world’s diet still relies on crops and farming systems developed and cultivated * by the indigenous for centuries. The editor welcomes letters and Fair methods of land distribu- comments on a variety of issues. tion must be considered. A fair The letters should be brief, and just food system depends on topical and issue based. smallholder farmers having access The editor reserves the right to to land. The cause of hunger is not edit for brevity or clarity. a lack of techology, rather it re- sults when people are not allowed Write to: to participate in a food system of The Editor, their choosing. The Link, Okwaro Oscar, P.O. Box 7438 – 00200, Nairobi. Funyula. E-mail: [email protected] 12 The Link, May 2011 GOVERNANCE Yatta residents demand openness in use of funds By KAVYU-KURA health workers, and youth leaders projects but these projects are nei- a number of projects had stalled. funds the CHRCE civic education among others. ther selected by the community nor Partially blind Agnes Ndulu, 60, programme, Laban Cheruiyot, said RESIDENTS of Kenyatta area The resolution was catalyzed by is the community appraised on how lamented that although a single par- residents had the right to demand of Yatta District have resolved to concerns at the workshop that de- the funds are used. Managers of ent, her attempts to secure bursary accountability in the use of funds. keenly monitor use of devolved volved funds in the area were not project have always kept commu- for her children had not yielded any “The implementation of projects funds to check misuse. well utilized. Some speakers had nity members in the dark,” said the fruits. She is now confronted with should not be secretive. All the The residents further resolved pointed out that funds meant to di- youth leader. a huge fee balance of Sh60,000 for information about the money al- to closely monitor use of monies rectly benefit individual members Timothy Kilungu claimed that her daughter who recently cleared located to projects must be given allocated to projects through Local of community like bursaries only education bursaries only went to secondary school. freely to the residents. Besides, it Authority Transfer Fund (LATF) benefited a select few. children of people with political Ndulu claimed that although she is the mandate of the community to and the Constituency Development A youth leader Stephen Masy- connections. He said although he had on several occasions presented nominate the managers of projects Fund (CDF) through community ula, said that transparency lacked was disabled without a reliable in- her case to the area MP Charles so that they can demand account- audit networks. in the use of CDF and LATF funds come his efforts to get bursary for Kilonzo, no assistance had come ability from their appointees,” said The resolutions were made allocated to projects as the ben- his children have never been suc- her way. She regrets that due to the the UNDP official. during a one day civic education eficiary community was neither cessful. huge fee balance her daughter is He encouraged residents to workshop on the role of commu- appraised on how the money was Forty-nine year-old Ruth Muen- not able to obtain her certificates to form “peoples projects monitor- nity members in implementation utilized nor if the projects picked do observed that due to the secrecy apply for employment. ing committees” to seek the right of projects. It was organized by the were based on the community’s surrounding the way the CDF and Addressing the gathering, a rep- information on the use of funds al- Centre for Human Rights and Civic needs. LATF funds were used, it had been resentative from the United Nations located to projects. Education (CHRCE) and brought “The CDF and LATF money difficult for community members Development Programme (UNDP) “These loose community together community group leaders, has been used in a numbers of to prove misuse of funds although Amkeni Wakenya project that project audit networks are free to query any dubious use of funds and ask the project management com- mittees to fully account for all the money to the last penny as a way of ensuring transparency and account- ability,” he said. Cheruiyot said close monitor- ing of the use of devolved funds by community members would dis- courage wayward individuals from misappropriating public funds. Saying ensuring that funds were prudently used would improve the livelihoods for Kenyans, Cheruiyot said that his organization was keen on advocating for accountability. The UNDP official said it was not only outrageous but unlawful to allocate bursaries to undeserving cases and leave out the truly needy. “Government bursaries are meant for the neediest. The benefi- ciaries are supposed to be picked by decentralised committees at the locations and sub locations who know the most deserving cases,” said Cheruiyot. A civic educator from Kitui west, Julius Nyerere Musangi said in his home area many students had been educated to university level through the government bursaries and wondered why the same did not apply in Yatta constituency. “CDF bursaries have supported the education of many children in other places. Why is it that this area is exceptional? As a community we must demand that our needy chil- dren are allocated bursaries,” said Section of the residents who attended the Kenyatta workshop. Photo/Kavyu-Kura Musangi. Bungoma residents agree on County location By AGGREY BUCHUNJU had no objection to Bungoma munities in the county to be tol- uency, Maurice Makhanu- Kan- through a railway line, air- town which is in Bungoma erant with one another adding duyi constituency, Lawrence strip and the great north road BUNGOMA residents have south District being the county that in democracies the majority Sifuna – Bumula constituency, – A104, besides various other unanimously agreed to build headquarters. have the way but minority have Joash Wamang’oli- Webuye roads. the County headquarters The duo however, quickly their say. constituency and John Munya- Other facilities which Mr. within the town centre. cautioned the Bukusu commu- It is imperative to note that sia – Sirisia constituency. Makhanu said the town has A stakeholders’ con- nity which is predominant in the the Sabaot, Tachoni, Iteso and Mr. Sifuna concurred with and that are appropriate for sultative meeting chaired county against intimidating and Batura are the minority commu- Mr. Serut that tolerance should the county headquarters in- by Bungoma South District victimizing the minority com- nities in the populous Bungoma be the guiding principle for clude social amenities, finan- Commissioner (DC) Mr. munities in the county. County. peaceful co-existence and rapid cial institutions, power, water, Wilfred Nyangwanga and at- Waving a copy of the new During the stakeholders’ development in the county. offices and room for expan- tended by delegates from all constitution Mr. Serut said, consultative meeting, conspicu- Mr. Makhanu enumerated sion. the seven (7) districts which “This document which I refused ous absentees were all the cur- infrastructural development The town is 95.4 square km form the county unanimously to approve during the referen- rent six [6] sitting Mps from the that make Bungoma town to be with eight civic wards and a endorsed the town as the most dum is about numbers. I want county. the most suited place for the population of 137,647 people. suitable location. to believe that our brothers and Former Mps from the county county headquarters. It is the only town in the Two former Mt. Elgon sisters will not use their numeri- who attended the meeting in- The former legislator and entire county with ten banks, a Mps, Mr. Wilberforce Kisiero cal strength to victimize us.” clude:- Wilberforce Kisiero and provincial administrator said high court and all government and Mr. John Serut said they Mr. Serut urged all the com- John Serut – Mt. Elgon constit- the town is easily accessible decentralized departments. The Link, May 2011 GOVERNANCE 13 ALGAK women KSB rolls out major cane projects demand their rights By JOEL JUMA By TITUS MAERO

KENYA Sugar Board (KSB) has THE Association of Local Govern- ment Authorities of Kenya (ALGAK) rolled out a Kshs290 million pro- Western Branch Women Caucus has gramme to construct bridges and asked President Mwai Kibaki to up- purchase tractors for cane farmers hold the rule of law by appointing in Kakamega County. women to key government positions. The construction of bridges Over 40 councillors led by the will cost Kshs140 million while Chairperson Councillor Ann Kataka the remaining Kshs150 million said the constitution is clear that no will go towards the purchase trac- more than two thirds of the appoint- tors and other farm machineries. ments shall comprise of the same The bridges, once complete, gender as stipulated in the legal docu- ment. are expected to reduce transporta- Kataka said as women leaders tion costs from the farms to mill- they need recognition as spelt out in ing companies in West Kenya the new constitution noting that apart sugar belt. from seeking recognition in employ- KSB director Ewing Mwombe ment circles, they would vie for elec- and West Kenya Out Growers toral positions on equal footing with Company general manager Hed- their men counterparts. wig Mandu said the move will Speaking to reporters at the reduce transport costs by about 30 Kakamega Municipal Council main per cent. Chamber after a closed door meeting, Kataka said that as civic leaders they “We have allocated the funds would push for women representation for bridges to save farmers in far which has been neglected by previous zones from incurring huge trans- regimes. port costs,” said Mwombe. The civic leader pointed out that The two explained that tenders they had agreed to support women for nine bridges will be given out aspiring for the presidency, Senator, by the end of this month. KSB has rolled out a programme to construct bridges and purchase tractors for cane farmers in Kakamega Governor, Parliamentary and Civic The officials were speaking at County. seats to enable them participate ac- Mujanja bridge in Malava constit- tively in the nation building. uency during a ground breaking be disbanded soon, as it term of Mwombe. Oparanya and assistant minister Kataka observed that as a caucus ceremony. has expired, adding that farmers They explained that the three Manyala Keya indicated that they they would sensitize women in the re- should be ready to elect new of- year term Mwombe was in office, are pilling pressure on Kosgei not gion on the need to register as voters Area DC Gideon Ombogi, and to embrace collective responsibil- KSB regional manager Laban ficials soon. they benefited greatly compared to extend the term of office for the ity when it comes to gunning up for Mulehi and KSB engineer Francis “I have performed as a direc- to other periods. KSB directors. elective positions. Inganga also addressed the func- tor and I will be defending the seat The Minister for Agriculture The two said KSB directors Special guests at the meeting were tion. when elections are called,” added Sally Kosgei is set to dissolve the had failed the farmers and should ALGAK Nyanza branch Secretary Areas earmarked to get bridges Mwombe. board any time this month. The not seek the extension of their Councillor Carolyn Owen, Council- include Mkoko, Musungu, Mut- Leaders from Kakamega decision will be communicated to term in the office. Cabinet Minis- lor Florence Matete of Homabay Mu- suma, Chemoroni, Silungai, Se- North District led by former Mal- the farmers and players in the in- ter Soita Shitanda’s allies are root- nicipal Council, who were hosted by lesia, Kwaba and Luyeshe. ava MP Nathan Anaswa said they dustry through the Kenya gazette. ing for the re-election of Mwombe councillor Bibiana Andabwa of the Mwombe said the board will will campaign for the re-election Planning Minister Wycliffe in West Kenya zone. Kakamega Municipal Council. State, Knut headed for showdown SHOMAP kitty boosted by government By LUKE KAPCHANGA A MAJOR showdown looms between By PETER MUTUKU lishment of cottage industries to SHOMAP national project der to ease the transportation of the government and teachers if those process produce before sale. manager Peter Mbogo says Kshs5 farmers produce to the upcom- hired as interns are not employed on a THE Government plans to com- Under the Small Holder Hor- million has already been used in ing markets. permanent basis. The Kenya National mit a cool Kshs 515 million to ticultural Marketing Programme the construction of modern mar- Speaking at Kariene in Meru Union of Teachers (KNUT) is prepar- jumpstart programmes aimed at (SHOMAP), rural markets will be kets in Bungoma, Imenti South, Central District where he com- ing its members for a major confronta- creating employment and pov- transformed into modern facilities Ndaragua and Meru Central. missioned the construction tion with the government if their fresh erty reduction in 14 Districts by with capacity to preserve produce Another Kshs200 million has works of a Kshs37 million mod- demands are not met. December this year. and set up agro processing units. been earmarked for development ern horticultural market recently The acting Secretary General The Ministry of Agricul- Improvement of infrastructure, of similar markets across 14 other , Mr. Mbugua said the govern- David Okuto and the Acting national ture which is the main driver in especially roads in areas that pro- Districts whose designs have been ment was committed to strength- chairman Wilson Sosion, vowed to the multimillion shilling pro- duce fruits and vegetables will be approved. ening the domestic horticultural ensure that those employed as interns gramme will integrate horticul- sector which he said contributed are absorbed into the service by the prioritized as inefficiency in mar- Mbogo said Kshs100 million end of this year. They claimed that the tural farmers in value addition. keting are addressed to reduce will be used to improve roads to over Kshs 74 billion to the na- The projects include estab- procedure used to hire the interns was farmers expenses. across the programme zone in or- tional economy. flawed but the union only accepted it as a temporary reprieve to address the biting shortage countrywide. “But now that they have been in- corporated into the system, we will fight to make sure that the government AP boss advices officers on new law gives them their due reward ,” said By BOB OMBATI and protect the rights of citizens as Dennis Ogolla and senior police carry their crosses. Akuto. enshrined in the new constitution officers further urged the security “You should justify your ac- They also took a swipe at the delay ADMINISTRATION Police (AP) saying those who violate them will agents to keep abreast with the tions. If you do not, you will find in concluding negotiations for housing, Commandant, Kinuthia Mbugua held accountable. changing technological advance- yourself in trouble,” said Kinuthia hardship and medical allowances. has underscored the need for law “You should obtain a copy of ments in order to conform to the urging them to work professional- “Corrupt officials in the govern- ment have been manipulating the ne- enforcers in the country to famil- the new constitution and read to highly anticipated reforms envis- ly, maintain integrity and set good iarize themselves with the new gotiation process for their own selfish know your rights and those of the aged under the new constitutional examples to the members of the gains without putting the interest of constitution and pay particular at- public. That is the only way you dispensation. He challenged the public. tention to the bill of rights which teachers first,” he said. will avoid acting in contravention officers to enroll in Information The commandant disclosed The two officials vowed to oppose has been enhanced to avoid violat- of the new law,” said Kinuthia. and Communication Technology that the government had commit- the implementation of a new insurance ing the law. Kinuthia, who was accompa- (ICT) courses to help sharpen their ted Kshs. 1billion to oversee the policy, claiming that it was just a ploy to The commandant who was nied by Eastern Nyanza Regional skills to deal with emerging crime. construction of new houses for all fleece them their hard earned money as on a familiarization tour of Kisii Commissioner, Lydia Muriuki, He at the same time warned the security agents in the country, add- they already contribute Kshs.92million County said police officers were Kisii central District Commission- officers against engaging in - cor ing that over 500 houses had been monthly to NHIF, and were comfort- now under obligation to respect er Benjamin Njoroge, Marani DC, ruption, stressing those found will bought for officers in Nairobi. able with the arrangement. MANAGER’S COLUMN

By HANNA CARLSSON

By HANNAH CLIFFORD The Link, May 2011 SUPPLEMENT 15

PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE A monthly supplement funded by the European Union and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Project holds first national policy dialogue

N the 14th April, MANAGER’S COLUMN core issues lenge of engaging these groups, good conflict management meth- 2011, we held the responsible and the need for a long term ap- ods and encourage all commu- Ofirst national policy for fre- proach to engaging them. nities to positively compete in dialogue conference at quent out- Some of the recommendations peace building. Their experiences the PanAfric Hotel in Nai- By break of from the conference included will be posted on our interactive robi. The meeting sought c o n fl i c t s . but not limited to: website on www.partnershipfor- to mobilize non-state ac- JANE Under this l Building capacities of local peace.eu but you will also find an tors to take up active MURUTU n a t i o n a l non-state actors to engage in article about the visit in Kuria in roles in peace-building platform, policy development/improve- this issue. and mediation, as well as the par- ment; Also in this issue you will find provide the government t i c i p a n t s l Catalyze similar forums in fu- a summary of stages involved in and other state institutions with shared knowledge on policies ture; developing a policy for improv- better information and more ac- relevant to enhance peace while l Pursue strategic interactions ing the knowledge base of the curate evaluation about sources addressing gaps in peace build- with political actors. CSOs as we put into action one of conflict, mounting tensions ing. National consensus on rel- Before the national policy dia- of the stipulated recommenda- and danger of imminent vio- evant action points in relation to logue conference took place the tions above. lence. This was done with an policies requiring improvement project started with cross re- Finally, I wish to end using aim to improve the framework was well articulated by one of gional exchange visits. Fifteen Robert Zoellick, World Bank for successful interventions by our consultants. The process network members from each President`s words that, “If we the state in short and long term was useful in creating new con- province visit for seven days the are to break the cycles of violence prevention and management of tact points between state and reference point and some se- and lessen the stresses that drive conflicts. non-state actors, and in creating lected places with best practice them, countries must develop Non-state actors in our part- renewed commitment towards experience in the respective two more legitimate, accountable and nership had the insight to iden- pushing for peace reforms. other provinces. First out was capable national institutions that tify negative ethnicity, land, and Although the forum was help- the Western network that vis- provide for citizen security, jus- the lack of proper policies in ful, political actors as Member ited Kuria and when this is be- tice and jobs.” the sugar and fishery industry of Parliament were under-repre- ing written the Nyanza network The writer is the International causing missed employment op- sented. Rather than this being a is visiting Kwanza and Pokot Dis- Co-Manager of the Partnership portunities for youth to be the failure, it demonstrates the chal- tricts. The intention is to share for Peace Project. For comments or suggestions write to: [email protected] Western peace network visits Nyanza INSIDE THIS ISSUE: N Sunday arising in the division done in front of the community so that 27th March and how the police they can partake in the healing process. Leaders call for peace- a delegation By HANNAH have been attempt- The DPS also explained how they had ful coexistence in Kenya Oof CSO rep- CLIFFORD ing to tackle the situa- encouraged people to voluntarily give resentatives from the tion. One of the prob- up their guns, rather than relying on — 16 Western Province net- lems, it was explained, the use of force by the police. This is a work arrived in Kuria to was the proliferation of system called ‘Ekehore’. Present at the begin a week-long exchange visit. home-made guns, which had led to a meeting was Waisilo Mahiri, the leader The aim of the visit was to give number of deaths. of peacebuilding efforts in the commu- Understanding stages the visiting CSOs an opportunity The delegation was then informed nity. He gave an account of local tradi- to learn from the local communi- about the tradition of ‘Iritongo’ - the tional techniques which are being uti- of policy development ties and groups on how they have local community court for settling dis- lised to help the community overcome — 16 successfully resolved conflicts and putes. Members of the District Peace conflict. The delegates then headed to- encourage all communities to posi- Committee (DPC) and local community wards Mabera Shopping Centre where tively compete in peace-building. leaders explained how one of process- they had an opportunity to meet People The first day of activities took es, called ‘Engoro’ is used to cleanse for Rural Change Trust officials who de- Displaced Mt. Elgon place on Monday the 28th March. perpetrators of their past crimes. Dur- scribed their organisational background In the morning the delegation visit- ing this process an anthill is dug and and current activities, which included: families finally settled ed the Divisional Officer in Mabera charms are placed inside, the perpetra- the establishment of traditional courts Division, Kuria West. They were tor must pass through it 7 times while — 17 given an overview of the conflicts elders perform cleansing rituals. This is Turn to Page 17

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The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The Partnership for Peace Project is responsible for the views reflected in this supplement. 16 The Link, May 2011 SUPPLEMENT

Leaders call for peaceful coexistence in Kenya Land identified BY LINK CORRESPONDENT as major cause HE European Union, the Konrad Ade- nauer Foundation and local partners of conflicts Tin Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western BY AGGREY BUCHUNJU provinces have been undertaking a peace building and conflict mitigation programme AND-ownership is one the major causes since 2009. The overall intent has been to of conflicts in South Wanga Division, in strengthen Non State Actors in community Kakamaga County, a provincial adminis- conflict mitigation and peace building. Ltrator has claimed. The programme is in phases. During The South Wanga Division Officer, Mr. the initial phases a databank has been es- Stanley Langat, said land-related disputes ac- tablished on CSOs in each of the project count for over 80 per cent of cases arbitrated by regions, research details indicating con- the administration in the area. “Over 80 per cent of disputes that we arbi- flict trends, capacity building support for trated in the last one year are land related pit- CSOs, peacebuilding networks and a policy ting fathers and sons,” the administrator said. gap analysis by different regional working Mr. Langat who was speaking at Bukaya groups. health centre during the Partnership for Peace The current phase, which took off in Project evaluation meeting challenged old peo- February 2011 is policy directed. Provincial ple in the area to allow their sons access land in policy dialogue meetings have taken place order to minimize tension. in the target regions between CSOs stake- Ms. Anke Lerch (centre) during one of the functions. Photo/File He claimed that most people aged over 70 holders and state actors focusing on Nega- years are yet to sub-divide and surrender their tive Ethnicity, Land and unemployment (in He felt for what has been going on in the l The parties involved in peace keeping pieces of land to their sons because of self-inter- country citing a case where some Members were to compliment and not compete one est or for fear that their sons may sell the land. terms of employment opportunities lost in The provincial administrator observed that the fishery industry and sugar industry) so of Parliament were still involving themselves another failure by the youth to engage in farming activi- far the discussions have generated sugges- in hate speeches yet the memory of the PEV l Parties involved should keep reminding ties due to lack of land had rendered them not tions and options for policies, legislation and was still fresh in the minds of Kenyans others that peace is vital and it takes a long only idle but also easy preys for crooked politi- administrative measure in reducing tension He also reminded the participants that process and patience to be achieved cians who use every trick in the book to stop towards national cohesion. the post election violence didn’t happen l Kenyans must bear full responsibility of their opponents from winning. It was in this regard that the national because of ignorance but as a result of po- what happened before they proceed on with Mr. Langat also decried cattle rustling in the policy dialogue breakfast meeting was held litical hatred and historical injustices. He preaching peace area saying the habit is another cause of con- in April 14, 2011, in Nairobi, to discuss highlighted four issues which were forgot- Hon. Prof Margaret Kamar, who is also flicts in the area as people view their neighbours ten incidences yet have very much affected the M.P for Eldoret East, gave a brief speech with suspicion. “Cattle rustling has also been outcomes of these previous meetings at a a thorny issue in the four locations of this divi- national level together with relevant institu- Kenyans. They were: before she left as she was rushing to anoth- sion, namely Musanda, Shikalame, Bukaya and tions and stakeholders, to help identify the l Democracy and political governance er meeting. She thanked the the Partnership Buchifi,” the DO said. policy gaps and come up with possible rec- l Economic governance and management for Peace and KAS for the work they started He however, quickly pointed out that animal ommendations of filling the gaps, and also l Corporate governance and in the violent prone areas and urged them theft has reduced drastically in recent months come up with a way forward to make the l Social instability to continue. following stringent measures being enforced in project a success before its end which is just He therefore suggested that reconciliation She volunteered to be consulted on is- the area by the provincial administration, minis- coming soon. and healing process was necessary involv- sues of peace since she had a lot of expe- try of public health and non-state actors. The meeting was flagged off by KAS- ing several sectors like the CSOs, political rience in conflict resolution and have also The administrator claimed that the menace Kenya Deputy Resident representative, Mr. leaders among others been in several committees addressing was curbed after the provincial administration He forewarned Kenyans that PEV might conflict issues i.e. the conflict that arose -be through village-elders who started to take stock Gideon Ochanda who welcomed KAS coun- of all cattle in the area. “All cattle are registered try representative Ms. Anke Lerch to give a repeat itself due to lack of political will to tween Kenya and Uganda, Kenya and Tan- by the administration and if one wants to move brief introduction of the project. do the right thing and recommended that zania among others. his cow to the market for sale he must obtain a The chief guest, Ambassador Ochieng were Hon. Kamar urged participants to use letter from the chief or assistant chief confirm- Adalla appreciated the good work being l There was need to address long term is- her as their ambassador in parliament who ing that the cow is actually his,” he said. done by partnership for peace project and sues which caused violence would speak on their behalf to MPs on peace Mr. Langat disclosed that his office also de- encouraged the organization to keep up the l People should not loose sight of the situa- ployed village elders to all slaughter houses in good work. tion out there but be on the look out Turn to Page 17 the area to record all animals in the abattoir and to ensure that slaughtering start after 8.00 am. On sugarcane farming in the area, the ad- ministrator asked Mumias Sugar Company to Understanding stages of policy development allow farmers who want to grow the crop inde- pendently to do so. BY JANE MURUTU not limited to and This, the administrator observed will reduce l A policy briefing paper which happens at l A policy document that takes into account; friction between the sugar firm and farmers as POLICY can be considered as a the initial debate - Deliberate choices taken by government to the latter will be able to sell the crop to any “Statement of Intent” or a “Commit- - Identifying issue of public interest address a particular issue factory that can offer better prices without coercion from Mumias Sugar Company. Laud- ment”. The term may apply to gov- - Elaborate policy issues around it - Should articulate gaps, rationale and part of ing the work of the Partnership for the Peace Aernment, private sector organizations - Picture policy options that can be taken to the framework Project in the area, the Divisional officer asked and groups, and individuals. Presidential address the issue - Should bring conspicuously the institutional Kenyans to jealously guard peace saying that executive orders, corporate privacy policies, - Do a policy gap analysis framework, objectives and policy options absence of peace in any region leads to under- and parliamentary rules of order are all ex- - The policy Briefing paper presents a ration- - This is not complete without an implemen- development. amples of policy. ale for the policy at hand. tation framework Mr. Langat at the same time asked the West- Policy differs from rules or law. While law l A policy framework All the above should precede the devel- ern Province partnership for peace project co- can compel or prohibit behaviors for exam- - This covers the breadth, width and depth of opment of any legislation. Practically though ordinator Mr. Chem Ngeywo who convened the ple a law requiring the payment of taxes on this policy issue this has not been followed keenly and we meeting to extend the project to other regions income, policy merely guides actions toward arguing that the problems facing Kenyans differ - what is should cover, possible structure, have had legislations without policies. In such from one region to another those that are most likely to achieve a de- possible arrangements of sections, possible a case a policy briefing paper not only follows The meeting was attended by provincial ad- sired outcome. institutional framework the above format but also interrogates the ministrators, civic leaders, church leaders and Stages of Policy paper includes but are - This is the skeleton policy already established legislation. civil society organizations) operating in the area.

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The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The Partnership for Peace Project is responsible for the views reflected in this supplement. The Link, May 2011 SUPPLEMENT 17

Western peace network visits Nyanza From Page 15 March, the delegation travelled to the where domestic issues could be for- District headquarters of Kuria East, in warded and shared before any disci- Kengonga. Firstly they met with the plinary measures are taken. They also Kuria East District Peace Committee stressed need of winning the confi- members who introduced themselves dence of the Provincial Administration, and explained a little about the chal- community and judicial system in order lenges facing the Committee. The del- to operate harmoniously. egation was then invited to meet with On the morning of Tuesday 29th the District Commissioner for Kuria March the delegation made a cour- East. The District Commissioner gave tesy call to the District Commissioner the delegation members an account of Kuria West, accompanied by the of the conflicts arising in Kuria East, DPC members. Also present we three which have been mostly between the other locals, Stephen Marwa – commu- Kuria and Maasai tribes, or between nity informer - CIIr Magoya of Mwita sub-clans of the Kuria tribe. Between Ward and Mzee Omondi . These three the Kuria and Maasai, he explained, enabled the team sharpen their previ- the conflicts have largely stemmed ous understanding of Iritongo: that it from incidents of cattle rustling and stressed the importance of diversifica- dispute over land grazing rights. Be- tion by different communities and was tween the Kuria sub-clans the conflicts a general call for the youth to seek have been the result of cultural differ- civic empowerment. ences and feelings of superiority. The The delegation also had an opportu- District Commissioner pointed out that nity to visit Ekivege shopping centre as the instigation of violence often comes well as Ekirege location headquarters from politicians mobilising youths, as a way of solidifying the politician’s where the area District Commissioner Youths rioting during post-election violence in early 2008. was scheduled to preside over a dis- support-base. The Commissioner stat- armament meeting. However, this was ed, however, that progress has been increased presence of ascaris in hot- their owners. The District Commission- eventually cut short by heavy rains, made; since December 2010 no lives spot areas, peace caravans, youth pro- er then answered questions from the though one fire arm was recovered in have been lost and land disputes have grams of change, community forums delegation members on the conflicts in that day. been greatly reduced. This has been encouraging people to surrender their The following day, Wednesday 30th achieved through a variety of means: weapons, and returning stolen cattle to Turn to Page 18 Displaced Mt. Elgon Leaders call for peaceful families finally settled coexistence in Kenya From Page 16 l Poverty and unemployment - lack of By AGRREY BUCHUNJU Mr. Mohammud adds that the 1,732 opportunities to integrate majority of the beneficiaries of Chebyuk settlement initiatives whenever they have their sittings in parliament. population by giving them employment op- HE phase three re-settlement pro- scheme and the remaining 341 families portunities from the government and the gramme of Mt. Elgon families on were identified transparently through She proposed to KAS to use Amani fo- rum where she is the secretary to help in non-state actors as well TChebyuk settlement scheme is now public vetting by elders from the Soy and l Nature of politics - where the winners complete, a provincial administrator has Ndorobo communities. issues of conflict resolution and urged the Civil Society Organization as well to use the takes it all revealed. “The re-settlement task force chaired l Unjust/inequitable distribution of resourc- Speaking to The Link in his office re- by former Deputy Provincial Commission- forum as well. The MP advised people to identify areas es – Economically and politically unequal cently, the regional commissioner, upper er Mr. Solomon Ouko used elders from the distribution of resources e.g. poor infra- Western Region Mr. Rashid Mohammud two communities to identify genuine dis- that they could do better in and do them properly to reduce overlaps and competi- structure in some areas said allocation of the 4,330 acre farm has placed families,” he says. l Negative colonial history – culture of im- been done. Mr. Mohammud says that the Mr. Mohammud claims that the physi- tions which exists among particularly the civil society organizations in Kenyan. punity which existed since the colonial times farm was allocated to 1,732 beneficiar- cal planners had set aside land for recrea- l Historical injustices/grievances - some ies with each beneficiary getting two and tional activities, health facilities, schools She urged KAS to identify the gaps and present to her so that she could take them ethnic groups/people were regarded as a half acres of land. He, however, quickly and roads during the survey work. more superior than others points out that there are 341 families that The provincial administrator says that to parliament for the MPs to see what they can do to bridge the gaps. l Land tenure systems - land allocations missed out on the allocation because the very soon the ministry of lands will issue and distribution in the Rift Valley and west- farm could not accommodate more fami- title deeds to the beneficiaries. She finished her speech by saying that she would urge parliamentarians to come up ern provinces where there existed semi arid lies. He expresses optimism that after set- places brought about boundary conflicts The provincial administrator discloses tling and getting title deeds, the benefi- with a bill on conflict resolution, Mr. George Kabongah of the Africa- Peace Forum, out- l Lack of sustainable peace building mech- that the remaining 341 families will soon ciaries will start serious farming to revive anisms – no peace building ministries/bod- be bought land by the government in the economy of the area that drastically lined the causes of conflict in Nyanza, West- ern and Rift-Valley based on findings of the ies were put down in place by the govern- Trans-Nzoia District. declined during the militia era. ment to help resolve conflicts “The government is fully committed The task force overseeing the re-set- research done in 2009. They were: l Ethnicity - where different ethnic groups Mr. Mannaseh Wepundi also gave a pres- to ensuring that all families that were dis- tlement process was appointed by presi- entation on how to generate consensus to- placed during the infamous activities of dent Mwai Kibaki after it emerged that the disagree and others being stereotyped as thieves, night runners e.t.c. resulting to dis- wards policy improvement for sustainable the now disbanded Sabaot Land Defence process was likely to be hijacked by politi- peace. Force (SLDF) are re-settled,” he says. cal and tribal interests. trust and hatred

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From Page 17 it. On the final day of activities, Fri- East Kuria. day 1st April, the delegation attended In the afternoon heavy rain pre- a meeting with the Assistant Chief of vented the delegation visiting Ntimaru South Kanyaguok, David Otieno On- and Kegonga Communities who have gango, and local community leaders, been involved in many of the conflicts including the youth, bodaboda, com- as had been planned. munity health group and border com- In the morning of Thursday 31st mittee representatives. The delegation March the delegation met in Kehacha was told how the location, which is in with the Chief of the location, who is Luo-dominated land, borders land tra- also a youth and is involved in the ef- ditionally held by the Kisii and Maasai. forts to bring peace to the area. The This has meant the location has been Chief explained that a large part of the plagued by conflict. Again it has been administration’s efforts have focused on politicians who have stirred up violent peace forum initiatives which have tried conflicts by encouraging youths to to encourage criminals to give up their cause unrest. weapons. Community policing is also The community leaders explained being used as a way to connect with that when the youths are no longer Youths rioting after disputed presidential elections in 2007 general elections. those involved in violence and bring needed by the politicians they are visits preaching peace. Another is the rience I have got from Kuria tells me them back to a peaceful way of life. left without income, and often turn to formation of School Peace Clubs which that peace begins with me, with myself Two village elders, a local resident stealing and terrorising the community. are present in primary and secondary as an individual, within my community. and pastor, and a prominent female They have therefore indentified youth schools. There have also been Peace The peacebuilding that has taken place community leader, all from Kehacha, unemployment as a major causal fac- Committees formed of members of the in Kuria has come from the community. were also present at the meeting. tor of conflict and crime in the location. neighbouring tribes and who meet on a I am now more confident that ordinary The elders explained the dimensions Another factor is that, in the past there quarterly basis to discuss any tensions. people like myself can really help re- of the conflicts in Kehacha, explaining has been no forum where the Luo, Kisii The cross-regional visit ended on solve conflicts. Before I used to believe that they have mostly occurred be- and Maasai have been able to come to- Saturday 2nd April with the delegation that peace came from above, that it is tween the Kuria sub-clans. They also gether to discuss their disagreements travelling back to their respective loca- imposed by institutions above the com- explained that they have been holding before they turn violent. Community tions in Western Province. munity-level. From the visit I have also ‘Barazas’ with local residents to discuss peace initiatives have therefore been Some of the participants of the learnt to accept people more because how to address the issues of conflict. focusing on creating a dialogue be- cross-regional exchange visit ex- I can see that every community has to We then heard from an elder lady who tween the tribes. pressed their views on the experience: deal with so many problems relating to is helping tackle the problem of female The final meeting took place dur- “The exchange visit has been very conflict. Also it is clear that the prob- genital mutilation (FGM) in the area. ing the afternoon in Rongo Township much of great help to me generally for lems we have experienced in Teso are She explained that FGM can lead to between the Western Province del- it has made me know how to go about similar to what people in Kuria have increased instances of conflict. Firstly egation and local community leaders. any challenge concerning any conflict experienced and that our challenges because when girls undergo FGM it can The residents of Rongo explained that that can cause violence and also that and desires are very much the same.” lead to them dropping out of school many of the youths have been play- conflicts vary from different areas.” ~ ~Moses Odikor, Chairman of Central which makes them more susceptible ers in the conflicts in Rongo, but that Joyce Isiaho Youth Group- Teso. to being drawn into conflict. Secondly, it is also youth groups who are work- “The visit has been of great im- Clifford is an intern at the KAS, a girl who has been circumcised can ing on peacebuilding. One initiative of portance to me personally. The expe- Kisumu office. require larger dowry and this means the youth groups has been to do home increased cattle rustling. Then the delegation heard from a local resident pastor who is work- ing with youths formally involved in CONTACT ADDRESSES: violence. The pastor explained that often youths are targeted for political EU-KAS Project Office in Kisumu, Varsity Apartments 3rd Floor, reasons to participate in conflicts, and P.O. Box 668, 40100 Kisumu, then are left without an income or fo- Telephone. +254 057 2023 484 cus when they are no longer needed +254 711 358 013 by the politicians. The church has tried e-mail: [email protected] to offer a way for these young people to repent and become involved in posi- PARTNERS tive community activities. The church program is funded from the Social Mt. Elgon Residents Association (MERA) Community Initiative Action-Group (CIAG-K) Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) Services budget and is aimed at pro- Chem Ngeywo, Project Coordinator Mr. Chrispin Owalla, Project Coordinator Mr. James Kimisoi, Project Coordinator Western Province Nyanza Province Rift Valley Province viding youth groups with development P.O Box 21-50201, Cheptais-Mt. Elgon Varsity Apartments 3rd Floor, The Catholic Diocese of Eldoret and income-generating skills. Mobile : 0720-744827; 0734-517489. P.O. Box 668, 40100 Kisumu. P.O. Box 842 -30100, Eldoret. In the afternoon the delegation met Email: [email protected] Tel: 0737-470558/0716-384135 Tel 2031272; 0722 448110 with youths who were being taught [email protected] or E-mail: [email protected] about the dangers of FGM. They ex- [email protected] plained that they had learnt that even if they have undergone FGM it is still important to protect their children from

This project is funded by the European Union This project is implemented by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and her partners and associate

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The Partnership for Peace Project is responsible for the views reflected in this supplement.

The Link, May 2011 20 DEVELOPMENT

Meru forest zone Massive irrigation project set for Western rehabilitated By JOHN NYAMBUNE By PETER MUTUKU THE World Bank will provide COLLABORATION between the Kshs.2.2 billion for the construc- Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and tion of an irrigation project in a community association has led Lower River Nzoia basin of West- to the rehabilitation of 1,200 hec- ern Kenya. tares of land in Meru Central For- The project, dubbed Lower est Zone since 2004. Nzoia Irrigation Development With the accelerated rate of Project, would be implemented by recovery and suitable climatic the National Irrigation Board. conditions, it is anticipated that 10 The project is expected to percent cover will be attained in cover 10,000 acres in Ugunja, the forest by 2030. Siaya district, Alego Usonga and “We are doing well as the Ken- Budalang’i. The project will use ya Forest Service and we have gravity to drive water from Ulawe projected to attain four percent by intake point for the benefit of over 2012,” says Mr Evans Maneno, 40,000 residents. the Meru Forest Zonal Manager. Speaking recently during the The Meru Central Forest project launch at St. Anne’s Bun- Zone covers 86,000 hectares en- yala Girls Secondary School, in compassing Imenti South, Meru Budalang’i constituency, Water Central, Imenti North and Buuri and Irrigation Minister Mrs. Char- Districts. Combined they are part ity Ngilu said the project would of the expansive Mt Kenya Forest boost food production. to the East. She said the scheme would also Lower Imenti Forest is the provide a solution to floods that smallest, covering 2,462 hectares have dogged Budalang’i for many and the 34,000 hectare Ontulili years. Forest is the biggest. A feasibility study, she added, Irrigation: World Bank will provide for the construction of an irrigation project in Lower River Nzoia The Meru Forest Environmen- has been conducted and farmers basin of Western Kenya. tal Conservation and Protection would be able to grow a variety of Association (MEFECAP) is the crops, including maize, sim sim, She said sensitization work- the project is completed. benefits. community initiative spearhead- arrow roots, potatoes, rice, fruits shops would be conducted to en- He said the project would en- He said the project would boost ing the conservation efforts in the and vegetables for domestic con- sure the funds are properly uti- able farmers grow crops to boost food production and assist farmers forest. sumption and export. lized. their income. venture into agribusiness. Formed in 2000 as a women’s The Government, Ngilu said, Lands Minister James Orengo, Alego Usonga MP, Mr. Edwin Budalang’i MP. Mr. Ababu self help group, it was registered would work with the community who is also the Ugenya MP, said Yinda, asked leaders to stick to the Namwamba said the project would as a Community Forest Associa- to ensure the project is fully im- leaders from the three constituen- Memorandum of Understanding to enhance peace between communi- tion (CFA) in 2006 under Zippo- plemented. cies would work in unity to ensure ensure the project reaps maximum ties in the three constituencies. rah Matumbi after its members were trained by the Kenya Forest Working Group (KFWG). “We have achieved a lot and Nyeri peace ambassadors awarded registered tremendous growth in our membership which has helped us create awareness to the com- By JOSEPH MUKUBWA Central PC Mr Evans Ogwankwa els from the eight districts in the conflict and dynamics to peace and the Central Kenya Peace fo- region. process. munity,” says Ms Matumbi. OVER 150 peace ambassadors rum Rev Joseph Macharia after They underwent a vigorous The courses were supported Currently, the association has more than 2,000 members and from Nyeri County have been successfully finishing the peace training at Elmolos Resource by the provincial administration building and conflict resolution centre in Nyeri town and at Ibis and Internal Security Ministry, a nursery with 68,000 tree seed- awarded with certificates after lings. undergoing one-month training course. Hotel in Karatina. Some of the National Steering Committee The group has planted trees to on peace. The peace keepers who are courses they underwent included on Peace and the Central Kenya rehabilitate more than 150 hec- The ambassadors were award- members of the various district root causes to conflict, under- Peace Forum. tares in the Meru forest. ed with certificates at Information peace committees were drawn standing conflict and peace, con- Earlier, the ambassadors who Apart from nurseries, the Hall in Nyeri town recently by from sub-location to district lev- flict management, approach to included, youth and middle aged group engages in fish farming, men and women held a proces- rears dairy goats, makes energy sion of a peace caravan around saving jikos and is engaged in drip the streets of Nyeri town where irrigation. they preached the message of The Meru Green Zone is also peace with message ‘Hague or supported by the African Devel- Local Tribunal, Peace is a Must’. opment Bank, which has greatly Several NGOs including US- helped MEFECAP to realize its AID and Development Alterna- Kshs21 million annual budget. tive Cooperation are supporting According to Ms Matumbi, the initiative. MEFECAP has a forest manage- “Let us be peacemakers. We ment plan. “Our target in the com- want to go to elections when munity is women who are not al- there is peace around the coun- ways aware of their rights . If rains try. We are working together fail, women are the most affected with the forum to ensure that since they have to walk for long peace prevails before and after distances looking for water . So elections,” said the Deputy PC. we know that if we wish to have The chairman said the forum enough water, we have an obliga- has visited many districts and tion to take care of the forests ,” trained the committee members she says. at the grassroots about peace. Eastern Kenya conservation zone secretary Edwin Kinyua says Macharia added that they Meru Forest has many exotic tree are encouraging exchange pro- species , such as Cypress, pines, grammes among different com- eucalyptus. The main indigenous munities from Nyanza, Rift Val- trees include the Meru Oak, cedar, ley and Central Kenya. olea, croton and pruners. In the The Central Kenya peace farms grevalia is the most com- forum has already held similar mon tree. training at Kirinyaga County The region receives most rain- Some of the peace ambassadors being awarded certificates by Central deputy PC Mr Evans and now will be heading to fall between October and Decem- Ogwankwa (second right) and Central Peace Forum chairman Rev Joseph Macharia (right) at Murang’a, Nyandarua and Ki- ber and comparatively less rain Information hall in Nyeri town. Photo/Joseph Mukubwa ambu counties. between March and May. The Link, May 2011 21 DEVELOPMENT

Plans underway to process fish in Kakamega Great Lakes By JOEL JUMA review security THE Government has spent over Kshs380 million to con- situation struct over 2, 400 fishponds in Western Province during the By JOHN NYAMBUNE current financial year. Representatives from Western Provincial Fish- countries classified under eries Officer Aggrey Busiega Zone 3 of the Great said plans are at an advanced Lakes Region, namely stage to put up a Kshs50 mil- Kenya, Uganda, Sudan lion fish processing plant in and Ethiopia completed a Kakamega, as production is two-day meeting review set to go up. implementation of a dis- Busiega told farmers not to armament project initiated worry about the availability in 2006 under the Inter- of market for their produce national Conference for saying the plant will process the Great Lakes Region fish for export. (ICGLR). “The move is geared to- The meeting which was wards protecting farmers held at a Naivasha resort from being exploited by mid- sought to promote human dlemen,” said Busiega, who security through tackling was speaking in Kakamega the challenges occasioned town. He explained that by illegal proliferation the Government wants Vi- of small arms and light higa, Busia, Kakamega and weapons in the said coun- Bungoma counties to have a tries. place where farmers can sell Among the key reso- their fish without involving lutions of the meeting middlemen. was the need to support Busiega added that plans simultaneous and coor- to construct dams in the prov- dinated disarmament of ince are being hampered by Afish pond in Western province. Photo/File nomadic pastoralists in lack of land. possession of illegal arms He said the ministry could constituency does not require Washiali said Mumias does fish was high with most trad- and resist tendencies that be forced to return money to a dam. “We don’t have floods not have a place where a dam ers importing the food from discourage disarmament Treasury if land is not availed in my constituency and the can be build. Uganda and Busia County. in the member States. The by residents. issue of constructing a dam He explained that fish- Busiega noted that fish- participants also agreed Assistant minister Manyala cannot work,” said Keya. ponds in his area should be ponds have provided employ- to meet annually, during Keya and Mumias MP Ben He said that money meant increased from the current 50 ment to over 48,000 youths in which progress reports Washiali however said con- for construction of a dam in to over 100 arguing that the the province. on tangible actions taken struction of dams in the prov- his constituency should be population of the area was He said more jobs are set to by the respective member ince is not necessary. used for other development swelling at a high rate. be created when the process- states and stakeholders Keya (Gender and Chil- projects. He said consumption of ing plant takes off. will be discussed. dren Affairs) said his Lurambi The conference was attended by ministers in By NYAKWAR ODAWO charge of disarmament from Kenya (Mr. Orwa THE International Organization for Ojode, Assistant Minister Migration (IOM) and National AIDS New clinic set up in Busia for Internal Security), Control Council [NACC] have set locations and at odd hours, adding ing female sex workers to negotiate Speaking during the official Uganda (Mr. Jeje Odongo, up a free 24-hour health care clinic that as a powerful corrective, over safe sex. We also need to address be- launch of the Wellness Centre re- Minister of State for in the heart of Busia Trailer Park on Sh2.5million has been ploughed into havioral issues such as overcoming cently, Special Programmes PS, An- Defence) and Sudan (Mr. the Kenya/Uganda border. the facility that will provide free tu- misconceptions surrounding HIV. In drew Mondoh, expressed concern at Gier Chuang Aluong, the The health clinic known as Busia berculosis (TB), malaria and HIV/ addition, we must ensure that those the high HIV/Aids prevalence of 8 Minister of Internal Af- Wellness Centre is targeting hard-to- Aids treatment. providing clinic services and behav- per cent in Busia County compared fairs of South Sudan and reach population such as truck driv- Nurses will be available 24 hours ioral interventions are collaborat- to the national prevalence of 6.3 per ers, civil servants and female sex Mr. Kwong Danhier, the a day and will also offer counseling ing towards common objectives,” cent. State Minister of Interior workers who are particularly prone on HIV. Hibbert said. The PS expressed fears say- to HIV/Aids because they engage in of the Republic of Sudan). The municipal council of Busia Hibbert further said Kenya and ing that this would adversely affect The Ethiopian delega- risky sexual activities. has embraced the new centre and Ugandan government officials development in the area unless the According to the organizations donated free electricity and water would soon meet to strengthen ex- local community took corrective tion was led by Mr. Sisay Communications Officer Celeste supplies, said the communications isting relationships hence providing measures. Melese, Director of Cul- Hibbert, the health needs of the mo- officer saying the Wellness Centre an opportunity to highlight com- Mr Mondoh called for concerted ture of Peace in the Min- bile population are currently not be- was a step in the right direction. mon health care challenges between efforts to combat the disease which istry of Federal Affairs. ing met in Kenya. “This will act as a platform for the two countries. The officials will he said had claimed the lives of Other participants in- The Communication expert said a more comprehensive combina- agree on a way forward in jointly youths and parents leaving several cluded members of parlia- that regular clinics operate at inac- tion, prevention approach. We need tackling identified challenges, and child-led households in its wake. ment, senior government cessible times for people who need to address structural issues such as work towards offering a common He urged locals to go for voluntary officials, community, to access services in such remote condom availability and empower- health care package. counseling and testing. religious, business, civil society, women and youth leaders. During the meeting, community leaders were Defunct colonial market re-opens sensitized on the objec- By A CORRESPONDENT inability to serve the residents. other parts of the Kitui County. guti and Nduu said. tives and the road map of It was officially re-opened recent- Councillor Munguti and Chief Chief Nduu said that the Matin- the project with a view THE colonial Matinyani market in ly by the area civic leader Kathukya Nduu announced that the market has yani market had initially been ren- to creating ownership Kitui County has been re-opened Munguti and the resumed operations and urged local dered obsolete by the rapid growth of and securing the support sixty years after it was shut down due locational chief Franklin Paul residents to take advantage of the fa- Kitui and Kabati towns that attracted of the entire leadership to stagnation. Nduu in a ceremony that attracted cility and engage in business. more investors. in the member states, The market which is located with- hundreds of people from the Mat- “We appeal to all the people to “We have decided to revive the particularly the traditional in Kitui Municipality, was started by inyani, Kyangwithya, Nzambani, come and trade their wares including market so that it can serve the newly and political leaders, in the colonial government in 1940s but Kasyala, Tiva, Kabati, Tulia, Miam- livestock, cereals and created Matinyani District,” Chief implementing the project. stalled some few years later due to its bani and Kwa Vonza among many vegetables at the market,” Mun- Nduu said. The Link, May 2011 22 DEVELOPMENT

Nyong’o set to EAC signs funding deal for Lake Victoria launch new center By JOHN NYAMBUNE and sanitation infrastructure of East African Community, Amb. strate that the Millennium Devel- By PETER MUTUKU selected towns whose water re- Juma Opio-omonding, Officer-in- opment Goal of ensuring environ- THE East African Community sources are within the basin. Charge of the African Develop- mental sustainability is achieved A CENTRE of excellence for training (EAC) has signed Grant Protocol The programme will involve ment Bank (Kenya). in a relatively short time and that workers in the reproductive health sec- water supply; hygiene and envi- The signing ceremony held at investments can be sustained tor is set to be launched at the Kenya agreement worth $108 million Medical Training Centre (KMTC) in (Kshs.9.1 billion) with the Afri- ronmental sanitation; urban drain- the bank’s Field Office in Nairobi over the long term by effectively Kitui. can Development Fund to finance age improvement; capacity build- was attended by the Executive integrating physical infrastruc- The Minister for Medical Services the second phase of the Lake Vic- ing and project management. Secretary of the Lake Victoria Ba- ture works, training and capacity Prof Anyang Nyong’o will launch the toria Water and Sanitation Pro- Fifteen secondary towns in the sin Commission, Dr. Tom Okurut. building into a balanced and cohe- centre which is meant to strengthen the gramme. Lake Victoria Basin will directly The Protocol for the Sustain- sive programme of interventions. development of the human resource The programme seeks to con- benefit from the Programme. able Development of the Lake Mr. Mwapachu hailed the sign- needed to improve the delivery of tribute to the improvement of the These are Muyinga, Kayanza and Victoria Basin tasks the Commis- ing of the agreement as a histori- healthcare services, especially in the re- livelihoods and health of com- Ngozi in Burundi; Kericho, Ker- sion’s secretariat to mobilize re- cal milestone in the resource mo- productive health and family planning. munities living in and around oka and Isebania-Sirari in Kenya; sources for the implementation of bilization endeavours of the East The establishment of the centre is a Nyagatare, Kyonza and Nyanza sustainable development projects African Community, while Mr. joint initiative by the USAID Capacity the Lake Victoria basin through Kenya project, KMTC and the Minis- the reversal of the pollution of in Rwanda; Geita, Sengerema and and programmes. Omonding noted that the pro- try of Medical Services, which have the lake and ensuring sustainable Nansio in Tanzania; as well as The African Development gramme offers a unique oppor- been working on a five year project water supply and sanitation infra- Mayuge, Ntungamo and the Bu- Fund will contribute US$108 mil- tunity for the five EAC Partner since 2009 to strengthen training sys- structure. wama-Kayabwe-Bukakata cluster lion (89.07 per cent) while the States to strengthen their co-oper- tems in order to ensure better human It will specifically reduce pol- in Uganda. five Partner States will contribute ation and share important experi- resource for the health care sector. lution in the lake through im- The Agreement was signed US$13 million (10.93 per cent). ences in safe water supplies and The project hopes to achieve this provement of the water supply by the Secretary General of the The Initiative seeks to demon- improvement of sanitation. through development of pre-service, in-service education and continuing professional development programs at KMTC. The Principal of the KMTC Kitui campus, Mr. Justus Kioko is optimistic that the new venture will greatly im- pact on the training of personnel for the healthcare sector. Key among the achievements, Mr. Kioko said was the revision in May 2010 of the Reproductive Health cur- riculum by a cross section of stake- holders into a format appropriate for distance learning . The centre is helping seal the gaps identified in the healthcare training sys- tem that prevented KMTC graduates from delivering high quality healthcare services. These gaps were identified in a countrywide Performance Needs Assessment carried out in the Kenya Health sector before the training start- ed. The Survey gave a wide range of recommendations on how the health training systems in Kenya could be im- proved to respond to current and future needs and to contribute to the achieve- ment of Vision 2030. Capacity Kenya project also sup- ported the redesign of the Reproduc- tive Health/Family Planning (RH/FP) modules using innovative educational teaching strategies. Capacity Kenya is a USAID fund- ed project led by Intra Health Interna- tional, Inc and implemented with part- ners that include the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), Deloitte, Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and Training Resources Some of the East African Community Heads of State in a group photograph. Photo/File Group (TRG). USA gives massive support to youth programs By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU empowerment projects implement- cation programmes. come on board and will definitely Implementing the new consti- ed by youth and youth-serving or- The envoy said the fund which demand change and we want to tution in letter and spirit will estab- THE US government has rolled out ganizations. Mr. Ranneberger said has the support of US President ensure that change is done peace- lish a framework to end the culture a youth programme dubbed ‘Yes the programme seeks to support Barrack Obama will be owned by fully as violence is counterproduc- of impunity, to mitigate negative Youth Can’ designed to empower quick-impact projects to promote the youth with the aim of expand- tive,” he said. ethnicity, to close the huge gap of young people achieve greater youth voices on national issues, ing economic opportunities for The envoy said Kenya has inequality and promote develop- voice in national reform and gen- particularly the reform process, them across the country. great opportunity for youth devel- ment for the well-being of all Ken- erate new means of livelihoods. through independent grassroots or- The envoy said the youth were opment and asked young people to yans, said the envoy. The ‘Yes Youth Can’ will be ganizations and activities. manipulated by politicians in the actively participate in the on-going The chairman of the National launched in all 47 counties. The He said the youth project, 2007/2008 post-election violence, peace, reconciliation and justice Youth Forum, Mr. Hassan ole initiative which represents a $45 which was first launched in adding that there was need to em- process to entrench reforms and Nado, hailed the youth initiative million (Kshs.3.5 billion) invest- Bungoma County, will be spread power young people economically cited the enactment of the National and urged young people to over- ment in present and future youth to all corners of the country. He and politically to insulate them Youth Policy, 2006, the establish- come negative tribalism, corrup- forms the largest USAid youth- said the US embassy was not stir- from possible manipulation in fu- ment of the Ministry of Youth tion and the culture of impunity. empowerment programme around ring discontent among the youth, ture. Affairs and Sports, the Youth En- He said the youth should elect the world. saying the youth play a key role The ambassador said impunity, terprise Development Fund, the leaders on account of their devel- US Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. in shaping a country’s destiny and negative ethnicity and poverty National Youth Council Act 2009 opment record and integrity. Michael Ranneberger, who attend- need to be empowered to act re- were among factors exploited by and the promulgation of the new He said the national umbrella ed the launch of the Coast region sponsibly. the politicians and said his gov- constitution in August 2010. body for young people will strive version in Kilifi and Taita-Taveta He said the project will be car- ernment was committed to work- He said the youth should be at to bridge gaps and build a culture counties, said a key component ried out through business micro- ing closely with the youth to ef- the forefront for peaceful change of national unity and solidarity by of the initiative would be a youth- enterprises that create jobs for the fect peaceful change. “We should and ensure implementation of the creating inter-ethnic, inter-class managed fund (Youth Innovate for youth by empowering and enhanc- not underestimate the youth come new Constitution get priority since and inter-religious tolerance and Change Fund) to support grass- ing participation in the democrati- 2012 since about 4 million new it forms the centerpiece of the re- trust through dialogue and joint roots community development and zation process through civic edu- voters mostly young people will form agenda. action for youth across the country. The Link, May 2011 23 FEATURE Lodge donates food to Kwale children By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU Kinango was ranked 202 out of the 210 constituencies. With the onset of the long THE drought stricken Kwale County has rains expected at the end of March the received therapeutic and supplementary prevalence among children, pregnant foods for children under five years in or- and lactating mothers is bound to in- der to boost their nutrition. crease before there is food ready to eat on Children in Kinango District, the dri- the farms. Vigurungani Dispensary, one est part of the county, will now benefit of the Unimax distribution centres, has from the 12 tones of Unimax from the been allotted 51 bags of the porridge mix. Leisure Lodge Resort to curb malnutri- However, expectant mothers who tion. Unimax is a high nutrient porridge throng the health facility with babies on mix used to check moderate and acute their backs need more than the 1,275 kg malnutrition. The supplementary food is of flour. Amina Mohammed, a Red Cross normally given to children aged less than nutritionist in charge of the supplementa- five years, breastfeeding and expectant ry feeding programme in Kwale County, mothers. The Kenya Red Cross Society says that it would take about 105 bags of is currently distributing the supplemen- Unimax to meet the nutritional needs of tary food to 19 schools in Kinango for Vigurungani location. children in nursery schools to supple- This area was chosen as a centre ment whatever food they get at home to because it has consistently high malnu- keep malnutrition at bay. trition rates all year round. According to Pregnant women and lactating moth- the current Drought Monitoring Bulletin ers will also get the supplement from six for the county, 8.2 per cent of children centres. These centres are at health facili- less than five years in Vigurungani suf- ties as the mothers need to be screened to fer from malnutrition. This is up from 8.1 identify the extent of malnutrition. per cent in January. Those mothers already suffering The Kinango Nutrition Officer Mar- from malnutrition and those at risk are garet Kimeu concurs with her Red Cross given the supplementary mix to keep counterpart. She says that data received them and their babies healthy. from health facilities in the district shows Kwale Red Cross coordinator Esha that the number of children suffering Mothers waiting to get supplementary porridge flour for the children. Photo/File Salim says that the Unimax distribution is from moderate malnutrition has in- targeting areas where the monthly relief creased from 800 in December last year year to five currently. fed and get diluted porridge that cannot tions the children require to regain their food from the World Food Organization to 1,300 currently. Ms. Kimeu says not all mothers are support growth. And since breast milk health. (WFP) does not reach. She said that the “These children are currently on able to walk the long distances to heath depends on the quantity and quality of Amina said food is distributed in por- relief food from WFP has targeting crite- out-patient treatment, where they are on centres to have their children’s growth the mother’s food, breastfeeding babies tions of 7.5 kg per person for a month. ria which restricts its distribution. “As a a prescription of therapeutic and sup- monitored to arrest malnutrition early. are weaned early. The recipients also get pure vegetable oil result, not all areas have a food distribu- plementary foods,” she said. “Once mal- She says some mothers can only take Both nutritionists say that even with to boost energy. The food should be taken tion centres and not all people are consid- nutrition becomes severe, children often one child to hospital, leaving the other the Unimax, some children still take long three to four times daily for the desired ered eligible for relief food,” she said. develop other health complications as a hungry ones at home. Mothers with more to recover from malnutrition. They say results. She, however, adds that in an area result of a lowered immunity. The chil- than one child under the age of five years that investigations revealed that the food Ms. Kimeu says there is need for in- with a poverty index of 75 per cent, al- dren require hospital admission for their cannot carry them all to hospital at once. given for the baby is shared out among tense education to ensure parents do not most all community members require situation to be monitored closely.” Ms. Kimeu says the area has no cash the entire family, thus reducing the por- consume their children’s food. food especially after a crop failure due Children admissions have increased crop that can be sold in return for money to inadequate rainfall last year. In the last from an average of between one and two to buy food. This leaves the children a month from August to December last vulnerable as they are the last ones to be food index survey carried out in 2009, ADVERTISING RATES Attacks on journalists still high By HENRY OWINO and their sources. give sweeping powers to the Chief Jus- Your support as our reader or advertiser ensures that the stories Journalists seeking access to infor- tice to appoint members of the statutory that matter - the stories that help people make decisions about THE Committee to Protect Journalist mation are routinely confronted with Media Council and indirectly supervise (CPJ) has expressed concern about the bureaucratic procedures and measures its operations. their education, health, governance, their livelihood, and their high number of journalists being attacked aimed at concealing information under Mr. Tervil Okoko of the Eastern Afri- communities - reach them in a simplified but factual way. by governments around the world. the pretext of public ethics, national secu- can Journalist Association (EAJA), said Director of CPJ-Africa Tom Rhodes, rity and other elastic terms that wrongly the government’s claim of seeking to en- said coming hot on the heels of the peace- restrict the public’s right to know. hance the Council’s independence rings How to Advertise ful revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, the Kenya Union of Journalists Secretary hollow in light of the excessive powers Send us the details of what you want advertised and we’ll do the release of its annual report could not have General Jared Obuya, said the govern- over the Council proposed for the Chief come at a better time. The report Attacks ment is actively seeking to re-introduce Justice and Judicial Service Commis- rest. These can be sent in electronic form as e-mail attachments or On The Press in 2010, not only details media control through the judiciary and sion, and the suppression of the profes- in diskettes/CDs as well as hard copies. the threats to journalists but also reveals the Judicial Service Commission, contra- sion’s voices currently in the Council. the link between bad governance and ry to provisions in the new Constitution. Mr. Okoko added that the amend- corruption and absence of press freedom. Mr Obuya said the new Constitution ments would in effect subject journalists Our advertising rates are as follows: Mr Rhodes observed that everywhere states that the “State shall not exercise to control by the Judiciary, thereby un- Full page colour Kshs. 72,000 in Africa, governments are increasingly control over, or interfere with, any per- dermining the spirit and letter of the new exercising control in response to media son engaged in broadcasting, the produc- Constitution which unequivocally pro- Full page black and white (inside) Kshs. 40,000 exposes about corruption, nepotism and tion or circulation of any publication or tects freedoms of the media and citizens’ Half page (Black and White) Kshs. 20,000 bad governance. He said except for le- the dissemination of information by any right to uncensored information. gitimate exceptions, it has been demon- media”. Mr Okoko said an envisaged Media Quarter page inside Kshs. 10,000 strated that a country is best served if the The KUJ Secretary General added Council would in effect be another un- The Link Classified Kshs. 4,000 media is free and relevant government that by enacting the Media Bill 2010, necessary appendage of the Judiciary. information is made public. the government will have effectively The EAJA Chairman pointed out Front Page Earpiece (colour) Kshs. 8,000 “Experts have observed that coun- reversed the fundamental gains made in that with the lines between reformers Front page strap Kshs. 6,000 tries that have allowed open access to new Constitution. The Bill, proposed by and anti reform forces becoming increas- Back page strap Kshs. 4,000 information tend not only to have en- the Ministry of Information and Com- ingly blurred, the media is the sole cred- countered few, if any, problems with munication, does away with the principle ible voice against corruption, injustice Back Page Earpiece Kshs. 7,000 press freedom, but have also consistently of self-regulation and places media regu- and bad governance. He said the current Front Page Solus (colour) Kshs. 20,000 scored well in press freedom and govern- lation under another arm of the govern- maneuvers to muzzle the media should ance rankings,” said Mr. Rhodes. ment, the Judiciary. be understood in this context. Back Page Solus (colour) Kshs. 15,000 It is testament of non-progressive The new Bill borrowed heavily from “Laws like the one being proposed forces in government that Kenya should the Media Act 2007, which set up a me- show that we are not out of the woods yet feature in the league of regimes that still dia council controlled by the industry that when it comes to media freedom the op- Special Rates suppress the media. The case against Star proposes a council on which citizenship posite is the case,” said Mr. Okoko. We offer very special rates for advertisement of charitable activities and a university degree are the only qual- Mr. Teyie, the investigative editor of newspaper reporters, Andrew Teyie and programmes or services. To get special rates, contact the Editor or Kamore Maina that was recently con- ifications for one to sit in. The Star said bureaucrats have in the past cluded, attests to the State’s penchant to Under the current Act, stakeholders undermined civil society campaigns for a the Editorial Assistant. clamp the media. in the media industry appointed respected freedom of information law which, for- Standard reporter Evelyn colleagues in the profession to sit on the tunately, is now entrenched in the Con- Kwamboka, who in 2006 became the Media Council of Kenya. The council, stitution. The details should be mailed to the Editor, P.O. Box 7438, 00200, first Kenyan journalist to be ordered by a among other things, ensures professional Mr. Teyie said without open access Nairobi, Kenya. Telephone 020-601776, 020-3572365. You can also court to reveal her sources, was harassed standards are adhered to and mediates or to information, the media loses its watch- just as viciously until a superior judge re- arbitrates disputes. This is in tandem with dog role over the government thereby e­mail us at [email protected] or [email protected]. versed the ruling. Such tactics are meant the principle of self-regulation. putting public interests and democracy NOTE: All payments should be made through cheques, payable to: The changes to the media act, ex- into jeopardy thus promoting the culture to undercut access to information by the Institute for Civic Affairs and Development (ICAD). media by intimidating both journalists pected to go to Parliament any time soon, of impunity. The Link, May 2011 24 DEVELOPMENT

Funds for upgrading schools set aside Kilifi tree By MALACHI MOTANO planting THE government has set aside Kshs700 million to be used in the on- going process of identifying schools gets major to be elevated to national schools. Speaking at Nairobi school, Edu- cation Permanent Secretary Prof. boost James Ole Kiyiapi clarified that al- though the process is ongoing; no By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU schools have been identified yet as had been reported in a section of the A RECENT downpour in local dailies. “This is not a ministry project. We Bahari and parts of Ganze will work hand in hand with people in districts in Kilifi County the counties. Every county will select provided water to irrigate their own panel to look into the matter over 50,000 tree seedlings and then forward the two schools to that were planted through the ministry to implement. So far no Kazi kwa Vijana Pro- names have been forwarded” gramme. Recently, Bondo Member of Par- liament (MP) Oburu Odinga was The ministries of Youth complaining in one of the vernacu- Affairs and Sports and lar FM radio that the government is Environment and the Ken- intending to elevate Maranda High ya Forest Service were School to become a national school, a A SECONDARY SCHOOL: The process to identify some schools to be elevated to national schools is given Kshs.600,000 and move that he termed as political. ongoing,but no schools have been identified yet as had been reported in a section of the local dailies. Kshs.800,000 respectively, The area Member of Parliament Akang’o said the Government while Kilifi Town Council described Maranda as a school for the of admissions to Form One when the be elevated to the national level. should allow communities to select ‘people’. His meaning of the phrase schools are elevated to national level. The bishops who made the re- received Kshs.1 million for schools they want to be elevated. ‘a school of the people’ according to “We cannot accept to lose our marks in Kakamega town said the various projects, including St Peters Mumias High School political analysts probably means the allocation of 85 per cent when we trend by the Government of convert- tree planting. Principal Godfrey Owuor said he has Luo community. know very well that it is difficult to ing already established institutions no problem with the school being el- The Kilifi County KFS Similar resistance has been wit- get a Form One chance in national should be discarded. evated to national status. manager Christopher Mai- nessed where the Anglican Church schools,” said Salalah of Mumias Wasonga of Maseno West Diocese He noted that over Kshs100 mil- na told a district executive of Kenya (ACK) vowed to reject the ACK Diocese. explained that Western and Nyanza lion is required to equip the school committee meeting at the move to elevate Friends School Ka- Salalah said local communities provinces have already lost some in- with relevant facilities if it has to meet musinga, Kakamega High, St Peters have worked hard to invest in the best stitutions after they were converted DC’s boardroom that some national standards. Mumias, Lugulu Girls and Butere performing schools earmarked for from tertiary training colleges to uni- seedlings had shown signs MPs from Bungoma County led Girls to national levels. elevation. He added that it would be versity campuses. He said the trend of withering after a three- by suspended Foreign Affairs minister ACK bishops Joseph Wasonga unfair if their Form One slots will not should not be extended to the best per- Moses Wetangula, assistant minis- month drought. and Ben Salalah said the Government be guaranteed every year. forming provincial schools. ter Bifwoli Wakoli and Eseli Simiyu He said the recent rains should consult with the stakeholders Salalah said Kakamega County Secondary School Head Teachers vowed to block the elevation of Friend in parts of the county had before implementing the plan. risk losing 750 Form One chances Association Butere/Mumias regional School Kamusinga and Lugulu Girls. resurrected the seedlings The two explained that the church that the community enjoys out of the coordinator Hezekiah Akang’o said The three argued that locals have wants to know how surrounding com- quarter system if Kakamega High, St consultations should be made to avoid whose survival rate could invested heavily in the two schools. munities will benefit from 85 per cent Peters Mumias and Butere Girls will confrontations. rise to 85 cent. Mr. Maina said his de- partment was given a target to plant 100,000 tree seed- lings 50,000 of which were Child labor cases down in Kenya — ILO planted 12 months ago. He said over 100 jobs By NYAKWAR ODAWO According to a recent survey by reduce child labour even further. cational Child Labour Committee were created through the ILO, the number of working chil- Nevertheless, the report says at will identify at least 70 children from employment of youths to CHILD Labour situation in the coun- dren has decreased almost by half. least 773,000 children are still work- the 280 withdrawn for skills training, try has reduced significantly follow- The report added that while data is ing, with more than 65 per cent of counseling, legal aid and health serv- tend to nurseries and cen- ing the introduction of Free Primary not available, it is expected that the them out of school. ices in preparation for integration tres that were earmarked Education (FPE) eight years ago, the introduction of Free Day Secondary According to ILO, the govern- into skills or vocational training. for tree planting. International Labour Organization Education (FDSE) in 2008, would ment’s measures to reduce poverty ILO will also lobby local authori- He said 10,000 seed- (ILO) has said. continue to improve enrollment, thus through the strengthening of the poli- ties and other levels of governance to lings were planted at 30 cy framework and the introduction of include Child Labour issues in their Government institutions, devolved and revolving development policies and programmes. such as public schools, funds and affordable loans have re- The ILO representative at the sulted in improved living conditions same time said that the district and health centres and dispen- and more employment opportunities locational child labour committees saries. for many poor families. will be strengthened or constituted, Among the beneficiaries On child labour in Busia dis- and the district stakeholders trained included Junju, Mtepeni, trict Ms Tasian Mutsotso, a contact on understanding child rights, HIV/ Maweni, Konmjora and person of the ILO, said two NGOs, Aids and child labour monitoring. Roka primary schools. namely Human Support Organiza- Among other activities to be un- Others were Roka, tion (HUSO) and the International dertaken include the creation and Child Support (ICS) have been man- support of Child Rights Clubs and Tezo, Mtondia and Takaun- dated to undertake capacity building, youth groups. gu health facilities and five awareness creation and mainstream- Ms Mutsotso added that ILO in other uncovered quarries ing of child labour issues in the de- collaboration with the Government in Bofa in the outskirts of velopment agenda of the district un- and other players had embarked on a Kilifi town. der the auspices of ILO. three-year project in Busia, Kilifi and Meanwhile, fish has be- The ILO official said that by the Kitui counties where child labour is come a scarce commodity end of the five-year project, 580 chil- widespread with the aim of eradi- dren in the district will have been cating it by prevention, renewal and in Kilifi town and its en- reached with 280 withdrawn and 300 protection of children who have so virons, causing sharp rise prevented from the worst forms of far been withdrawn from the labour in prices. The Kilifi Town child labour. Their families will also market and assist them to resume Beach Management Unit be provided with income generating school. chairman, Mr. Abdul Aziz, activities. The official also said 100 families said fishermen were expe- Child Labour has reduced significantly following the introduction of The District Child Labour Com- will be supported to access social riencing low catch. Free Primary Education. mittee in collaboration with the Lo- economic safety nets. The Link, May 2011 DEVELOPMENT 25

State has released Ministry to build more dams in the country roads funds to By TITUS MAERO constituencies THE Ministry of Water and Irriga- tion plans to construct 26 dams in By JOEL JUMA different parts of the country at a THE Government has finally released cost of Kshs 70 billion. the final tranche of Kshs400 million Permanent Secretary Engineer for rehabilitation of roads in constitu- David Stower says that the move encies. The money has been wired to was part of an effort to scale up ex- bank accounts of Constituency Roads isting water points in order to cush- Committees. ion the country from the adverse Each constituency has received weather conditions. Kshs20 million out of the Kshs27 “The prevailing water shortages million the Government allocates to caused by the prolonged period of constituencies every financial year. draught calls for the implementa- The first tranche of Kshs7 million tion of a clear strategy to harness had been disbursed last year and most rain water and ground water,” he MPs had exhausted the money. added. Parliamentary Transport Commit- The PS further said the Minis- tee Chairman David Were said MPs try with support from Treasury had who do not receive their share of the managed to negotiate technical sup- funds should alert his committee. “I have received the money for port valued at Kshs600 million from my Matungu constituency. Any MP German Government which will go who does not get the money should towards the training of experts in notify the committee. We want Ken- dam construction to oversee the im- yan roads in rural areas to be in good plementation of the programme at condition,” added Were. He explained the grass root level. that his committee wants the money to In a speech read on his behalf be used immediately to avoid a situa- by Engineer Peter Mangiti, who tion where the District Roads officers is a Director of Land Reclamation DAM: Ministry of Water and Irrigation has plans to construct 26 dams in different parts of the country. return the funds to the Treasury. and Head of Donor Co-ordination The legislator was speaking at Unit, during the Annual Lake Vic- with the support of the Japanese in 2003 with the aim of increasing ties, deteriorating quality of avail- Munanga Primary School in his Ma- toria North Water Services Board Government is undertaking the accessibility to water and sanitation able water sources are rampant. tungu constituency while issuing a (LVWSB) meeting held at the preparation of a National Water services to Kenyans and ensuring Stower said theses challenges Constituency Development Fund Kakamega Golf Hotel, Engineer Master Plan to be ready in about better quality services to those al- are compounded by huge capital in- (CDF) cheque. Civic leaders who in- Stower said the country will be a year saying this would provide a ready being served. vestments required for the develop- cluded Okello Ngenge and the CDF secure from the effects of climate solid platform for all the reforms He, however, said challenges ment of water services projects and Tender Committee Chairman Rashid change and the resultant water short- planned in the water sector. mainly due to increased population, the global effects on climate change Omusotsi accompanied him. age if these dams are constructed. The PS further said the govern- unplanned settlements in urban are- such as unpredictable weather pat- Were asked MPs to give out ten- Stower also said the ministry ment initiated water sector reforms as, dwindling water sources capaci- terns. ders immediately, adding that the Kenya Rural Roads Authority and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority offi- cials should not delay in the awarding construction jobs to qualified appli- cants. World Bank rescues Kazi Kwa Vijana Were also said his Committee wants the Government to allocate By JOEL JUMA of poverty. for young people. The meeting was also ad- more funds for the renovation and ex- The assistant minister said He said already Kshs600 dressed by the association’s pansion of airstrips and airports. THE Government is set to re- Prime Minister Raila Odinga million has been disbursed to branch chairman Josephat Were said the money should be will launch the programme some institutions, which in- Otiende, secretary David factored in this year’s National Budg- vive the Kazi Kwa Vijana ini- et. He said the Minister for Transport tiative at cost of Kshs7 billion, next month. clude local authorities, before Ikunza and the area Provincial Amos Kimunya should ensure more assistant minister in the Office Some of the counties se- the official launch. Director of Education Ken- resources are channeled to airports. of the Prime Minister Alfred lected to benefit from the pro- The assistant minister neth Misoi. Were announced that his commit- Khangati has disclosed. gramme include Bungoma, made the remarks at Masinde Khang’ati told the head tee will convene a meeting with Kenya Khang’ati said the World Kitui and Lamu. Muliro Stadium in Bungoma teachers to value the role Airports Authority, Kenya Civil Avia- Bank in collaboration with the He explained that the pro- town during the official open- played by politicians in equip- tion Authority and senior Government Government will implement gramme aims at rehabilitat- ing of a meeting of Western ping schools arguing that most officers to explore ways of improving the programme in 16 counties ing roads and other structures Provincial Primary Schools of Constituency Development emergency response in airports. that are faced with high levels while creating employment Head Teachers Association. Funds (CDF) money was be- ing pumped into the education sector. Irrigation project to He told schools not misuse create 80,000 jobs the CDF money as politicians get blamed for the vice. By NYAKWAR ODAWO “MPs remain answerable to the National Constituency A KENYA shillings 2.3 billion irriga- tion project funded by the World Bank Development Board whenev- is expected to create some 80,000 jobs er they fail to account for the for youths in Budalang’i District when money,” said Khang’ati. it is completed. Misoi said heads should not During its launch recently, Water blame the education officers Minister Charity Ngilu urged the resi- whenever they are disciplined dents to support the project to be un- for misusing devolved funds. dertaken along the lower parts of River Otiende asked the Gov- Nzoia since it will benefit them in the ernment to ensure that views long run. from head teachers are includ- The Minister said co-operation from the residents would ensure the project ed in a report to be compiled achieves its intended objectives, which by the task force collecting include prevention floods and improv- proposals on how to reform ing the areas food security. the sector. Lands minister James Orengo, Bu- He said teachers handle dalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, Alego Free Primary Education funds MP Edwin Yinda and former Maka- and should not be ignored dur- dara MP Reuben Ndolo attended the ing formulation of the report. ceremony held at Busagwa Secondary Otiende also called for hir- School. Mr Orengo assured those who ing of more teachers to curb own land where the project will be un- dertaken that they will be fully compen- their shortage in schools. sated by the government. Government is set to revive Kazi Kwa Vijana programme. The Link, May 2011 26 DEVELOPMENT Bureti set to build new pineapple factory By JOHN NYAMBUNE PLANS are underway to construct a Mumias pineapple factory in Bureti district at a cost of Kshs.86 million. The area MP who is also the min- power ister for Roads, Mr. Franklin Bett, says donors have raised the funds and project gets construction work is expected to start as soon as the tendering procedure is completed. big boost Speaking in Kericho recently, Mr. By JOEL JUMA Bett said the factory would be a major relief to Bureti and Belgut pineapple THE World Bank in col- farmers who were currently selling laboration with the Gov- their pineapples at throw-away prices by the roadsides. ernment has earmarked Mr. Bett said the Danish Interna- Kshs58 million to finance tional Development Agency (DA- rural electrification pro- NIDA) had offered a Kshs.20 million grammes in Mumias Dis- grant, while the Industrial Commer- trict, Kakamega County. cial and Development Corporation Mumias MP Ben (ICDC) had pledged Kshs.50 million Washiali said the Kenya for the project. Power and Lighting Com- He said the Ministry of Industri- pany (KPLC) is already alisation is expected to give Kshs.6 on the ground undertaking million towards the factory to be built at Roret Division, which is the major survey works. pineapple growing area. Pineapple: Plans are underway to construct a pineapple factory. Washiali noted that He said the Constituency Develop- the project will be imple- ment Fund will give out Kshs10 mil- months. This will undoubtedly be a When the fruits are taken to trad- formed a giant Roret Horticultural Co- mented in South Wanga, lion for the construction of the plant. major relief to fruit farmers who have ing centres and roadsides between operative Society that is anticipated to East Wanga and Mumias Construction of the factory has over the years requested for the con- Kericho-Sotik, and Kericho-Kisii bring together all pineapple growers. town. been promised to farmers by former struction of such a factory in the area,” towns, they sell one for Kshs.20. More fruit factories are expected “All market centres Bureti MPs since independence. said Mr. Bett. In major towns such as Kericho to tap into the massive potential for will be supplied with elec- Once the factory becomes fully The Bureti District Agriculture Of- and Bomet, one mature pineapple fruit farming. A passion fruit factory tricity in an effort to im- operational, the region is expected to ficer, Mr. Odoyo Bittar, said the area goes for up to Kshs.50. that served farmers around Sotik town prove the economy of lo- develop faster with the availability of produces 93,000 tones of pineapple In times of glut, however, the has since collapsed. more employment opportunities, lead- annually. Most of the produce is sold prices normally drop to Kshs.10 or The factory used to serve passion cals,” he added. ing to more income for residents. locally by growers, while wome of the Kshs.5 per ripe fruit. The low prices fruit farmers in the former larger Keri- Washiali said primary Lack of a reliable market has been fruits rot in farms for lack of reliable have demoralized farmers and the cho and neighbouring Kisii districts. and secondary schools a major handicap for pineapple grow- market. new factory is expected to add value Farmers used to realize huge profits will be included in the ers in Bureti and Belgut constituen- “There is an enormous potential to the investment. from the sale of the fruits and many programme. cies. There are over 1,860 hectares un- for the crop and the factory will boost Joseph Rono, a farmer at Kap- are still nostalgic after the factory’s The MP made the re- der pineapple in Bureti constituency production and improve the standards kisiara location, Roret Division, Bu- collapse along with a cooperative so- marks during an inspec- alone, and more farmers are expected of living for the farmers,” said Mr. reti District, told The Link the fac- ciety that managed it. tion of Constituency De- to join the lucrative business once the Odoyo. tory would be a welcome gesture. He, Area leaders say the proposed fac- velopment Fund funded factory is completed. Ms. Grace Rono, a farmer, said however, urged stakeholders to hasten tory is expected to be placed under projects in his Mumias “The much awaited factory is they offload mature fruits for between construction of the plant. professional management so as to expected to be built in the next two Kshs.5 and Kshs.15 at the farm level. Farmers in Bureti have already benefit the farmers. constituency. New incinerator installed in Kisii hospital By BOB OMBATI Dr. Abunga urged the hospi- are burnt exhaustively at tem- reduce dumping the hazardous requirements, adding it reduces tal staff to separate the clinical peratures ranging between 800 wastes along the road sides and the volume of wastes by 95 per- AN ultra modern incinerator waste from non clinical ones to 900 degrees. other filled up dump sites, and cent and does not emit smoke. has been installed at Kisii level for incineration, adding the The medical superintendent, hence polluting the environ- Kamau said the incinerator five hospital, in a bid to manage acquisition of the machine fol- flanked byarea Public Health ment. can operate for a maximum of biomedical wastes, protect the lows the elevation of the facil- Officer, Francis Makau said the The Officer said the 450 bed 10 hours a day and burn between environment and offer effective ity from level four to a referral incinerator would help manage capacity hospital attends to 600 and 800 kilogrammes of and efficient services to mem- facility hence need to expand wastes generated in wards by 2000 in patients and 15000 out wastes, stressing it can operate bers of the public. its facilities to cope with the patients and help protect and patients monthly and therefore for 15 years before undergoing Commissioning the ma- demand. control cross infection to staff generated a lot of waste which a major repair. chine, Gusii regionDirector of The hospital Medical Super- members and other stakehold- could not be managed by the He said the country has about Medical Services Officer, Dr intendent, Dr. Geoffrey Otomu ers visiting the hospital. facility’s small and outdated in- 17 such modern incinerators in Erick Abunga said the machine, said the machine, supplied by Otomu disclosed that the cinerator. various public and private hos- imported from Britain cost the Plenser limited, a Kenyan com- hospital willpartner with pri- Plensers Managing Director, pitals and urged more hospitals facility Kshs. 17.5million and pany is friendly to the environ- vate hospitals and clinics to Moses Kamau said the incinerator to acquire them to manage their has capacity to burn 100 kilo- ment, stressing it is smokeless have their wastes incinerated meets the National Environment wastes to keep the environment grammes of garbage per hour. since the waste and the smoke at the hospital at a small fee to management Authority (NEMA) clean.

By TITUS MAERO THE Kenyatta University (KU) KU launches student shuttle bus has introduced cheap shut- noting that students would be Golf Hotel, the official said to compound late at night and also in its academic circles which tle bus transport for it’s over required to pay Kshs15 only per curb cases of members of the to ensure that there is consisten- saw it being selected by the 30,000 students which would day. public sneaking into the shuttle cy in attending to their lessons. Kenya Military to train eligible operate daily on four routes Gravenir said the introduction buses, students have been pro- During the launch of the military personnel in Bachelor commonly used by the students of the student’s shuttle bus serv- vided with identification cards newly acquired vehicles at the of Science Degree in Military in Nairobi. ices aims at minimizing waste of to be scrutinized before boarding KU Vice Chancellor Professor studies. The KU Director Professor time by students reporting to the the buses by contracted private Olive Mugenda commended the This followed competitive Fredrick Gravenir said Holi- learning institution and also to security officers. Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) bidding process which was day Cars and Tours Company enable them travel safely apart He said transport is one way in charge of Administration by initiated by the Department of (HCTC) Limited had been con- from minimizing on their trans- of ensuring that security is pro- expediting the process of procur- Defense (DOD) and where KU tracted to provide the services port cost of traveling. vided to students especially ing the vehicles. beat other public universities to Speaking at the Kakamega those who leave the university KU has achieved milestones win the bid. The Link, May 2011 FARMING 27 Amukoa shows the way in food production Coast farmers By NYAKWAR ODAWO receive seeds WHEN John Amukoa, 58, retired from the civil service in the year 2008 and from Red opted to venture into full-time large scale farming, little did he know that his Cross project would in the long run turn out to be the sole supplier of various farm pro- By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU duce in the entire Busia County and the neighbouring counties. THE Kenya Red Cross So- Amukoa who hails from Emuhaya ciety (KRCS) has started constituency in the Vihiga county and distributing seeds to farm- is currently residing at Burumba village ers in Coast Province fol- within Busia municipality, said during lowing the onset of rains. an exclusive interview with The Link at There was jubilation at his three acre farm at Buringala village Kisiki and Bofu areas of in Bukhayo West location recently, that farming had been his long-time child- Makongeni sub-location, hood dream taking into consideration Langobaya division, when the fact that his own father was himself a 76 farmers under the Food prominent farmer. for Assets programme re- “At my three acre farm, I have set ceived two kilogrammes of aside a portion of land where I have hybrid maize seeds and two planted Napier grass for my grade cows kilogrammes of hybrid sor- and the remaining portion for other ghum seeds each. crops namely Avocado, onion, tomatoes, The exercise was con- beans, vegetables which include Sukuma Busia prominent farmer John Amukoa at his farm at Buringala village in Busia County. ducted by Kenya Red wiki. I also intend to introduce pineap- Photo/Gilbert Ochieng ples before the year comes to a close, Cross Society Coast Re- Amukoa said, adding that he is produc- same. his family has changed a great deal dis- and apply the same on their respective gional Manager, Mr. Ger- ing large quantities of the same food Unlike other farmers who depend pelling his initial fear that he would lead farms to produce quality farm produce. ald Bombe. crops which he sells to the businessmen wholly on fertilizers manufactured from a miserable life after retirement. Apart from actively participating in He said 20 tonnes of in the far flung areas of Mumias, Webuye chemicals, Amukoa says he preferred He at the same time said that the ven- farming, the model farmer operates an maize and sorghum seeds and Kisumu counties among others. applying pure organic manure which he ture is more than a handshake because Agrovet Shop that deals in agro-chem- will be distributed to The retired civil servant-turn farmer generates from his zero-grazing unit. it has enabled him to feed, clothe and icals, veterinary, Artificial Insemination Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu says he was drawn into full-time large “I prefer applying pure organic educate his children. The farmer attrib- (AI) services as well as farm inputs. counties. scale farming when he realized that manure which I derive from my zero- uted the high poverty level in the Busia The Agrovet shop also sells chick grazing unit because it has no chemi- County to the negative attitudes of the mash, growers mash, layers mash, broil- Speaking at Bofu area almost three quarters of the residents of Kangobaya division re- of Busia County are engaged in cross cal content and therefore best suited for residents towards agriculture despite the er crumbs/pellets and dairy meal among border trade at the expense of farming production of quality and disease- free fact that the region is blessed with ade- others. The model farmer expressed cently, Mr. Bombe said his hence leading to the high poverty level produce which has become the darling quate amount of rainfall and fertile soils. concern over some challenges which he organization was targeting which currently stands at 68percent. of most buyers in the county who flock “The only sure way out of the high said had impacted negatively on his am- 4,267 families for supply of “I opted to venture into farming to my farm in droves to buy bananas and poverty level in the county is to take bitious project. sorghum, maize, cow peas, when I came to realize that the residents other crops,” Amukoa said. an active part in farming so as to avoid “In my endeavor to curb food inse- green peas seeds, among of Busia especially the businessmen had The model farmer at the same time over-reliance on maize and other cere- curity in the county, I have been facing a others. ventured into the lucrative cross border said he invested his retirement benefits als such as beans, millet, cassava and number of challenges which may range The seeds are provided business at the expense of agriculture into farming adding that He has not had sorghum from Uganda ,” he said, adding from the prolonged period of drought by the Ministry of Agricul- which is the backbone of the economy access to any loan facility. that the same will in the long run help and banana diseases which has drasti- “With time, I am considering selling alleviate food poverty. cally reduced my yield. ture while the KTCS is pro- of our nation,” said Amukoa, adding viding logistical support. that he wanted to take advantage of their my farm produce via the internet as soon The model farmer at the same time However, he said he is planning to negative attitude towards farming to en- as the funds are made available so that I said he is working closely with the de- embark on the sinking of boreholes and He said farmers in Ma- sure he is producing enough to sustain can be able to reach as many customers partment of agriculture which he said install sprinkler irrigation at his farm lindi and Magarini would his family and even have surplus which as possible,” said Amukoa, adding that has been sending local farmers to his which would come in handy during the get seeds worth Kshs.6 mil- he would sell to consumers from out- since he ventured into farming about farm so that they can be able to learn drought hence assuring continuous sup- lion. side Busia and earn some cash from the four years ago, his lifestyle and that of more about modern farming techniques ply of water to his banana plantation. The beneficiaries will receive eight tones of sor- ghum seeds, four tones of PH1 maize seeds, four LBDA distributes inputs to Butula farmers tones of PH4 maize seeds, By NYAKWAR ODAWO He said the Japanese Interna- will receive Sh100million every The money will be used to fund two metric tonnes of cow tional Co-operation Agency (JICA) year totaling to Sh5million at the agricultural activities to promote peas and two metric tonnes BUTULA MP Alfred Odhiambo has had donated four milling machines end of the programme. food self-sufficiency. of green grams. lauded Lake Basin Development to facilitate milling of the ready Authority (LBDA) for donating crops. # seven tonnes of New Rice in Africa Mr Onyancha said that the (NERICA) rice and four tonnes of government had also allocated The SUBSCRIPTION FORM Soya beans to 1,000 farmers in Bu- Sh1.1million to 3,140 subsistence tula District. farmers in four locations in the dis- LinkEnhancing governance for all The legislator, who was address- trict to facilitate orphaned crops pro- ing the farmers recently, thanked the gramme and train framers on how to Authority for providing the farmers undertake green house farming. with farm inputs worth Sh9 million He disclosed that some of the Please accept my/our subscription to The Link for the period of ...... months which included certified seeds and farmers had been given a Sh120,000 dating from ...... to...... fertilizers. grant each under the Njaa Marufuku The MP urged the beneficiaries Kenya (NMK) programme to fa- I/We …………………….………………...………………… of P.O. Box...... ….…...... …… to make maximum use of the inputs cilitate the growing of indigenous to reduce high poverty levels in the bananas to curb over-dependence of Code ……...…… Town …...... ….…..….…Tel No.…….……...... …. Street ...... region. imports from a neighbouring coun- Building ...... Floor ...... Room No ...... Mobile ...... …… The District Agricultural Officer try. (DAO) Benjamin Onyancha called Mr Onyancha observed that Email: ……...... have paid Kshs...... upon farmers to grow early matur- while Busia County is blessed with ing crops to address food insecurity. fertile soils and adequate rains, (Attached, please find money order No ...... The DAO assured the farmers that many residents have preferred Please send me ……...... ………....………..copies per issue every month. there was ready market for their cross-border trade at the expense crops because the LBDA will pur- of agriculture, a situation he says Signature and /or stamp of client/:...... …...… Date ...... chase the harvests. has contributed to the high levels of Back issues No/Months: ...... Mr Onyancha further said that poverty in the region. new breed of rice had an advantage A part from assistance from the Fill in this form and attach a postal money order of Kshs. 660 and post back to:- over other crops such as sugarcane, LBDA, the government of Finland saying a kilo of the new rice seed will disburse Sh3billion to Bu- Institute for Civic Affairs and Development could yield up to 100kg, earning the sia County under a five-year pro- P.O. Box 7438 - 00200 Nairobi farmers a handsome profit. gramme of which Butula District The Link, May 2011 28 FARMING Group launches projects in Bungoma

By JOHN NYAMBUNE contract included Wanambusi Group, Tumaini, Tukula, Nbula, AN international organization Chepkui and Upendo Uzi self operating in Bungoma County, help groups. Vi-Agro Forestry, is carrying out In Malakisi, 1,174 acres of a project that seeks to positively land have been put under use and transform the lives of farmers. more than sevel groups have also The project aims to reduce been registered so far. poverty levels among farmers, The deputy chief execu- increase food production and se- tive officer, Vi-Agro forestry, curity. Mr. Robert Musikoyo urged the Through the project, farmers farmers to adopt the sustainable are expected to trap carbon diox- land management practices so as ide in the soil which is vital for to reduce the amount of carbon crop development which would dioxide that is emitted into the in turn give them maximum atmosphere. yields. He also said that farmers Vi-Agro forestry was would gain a lot if they trapped launched in 1983 in West Pokot carbon dioxide in the soil as it is as a tree planting organization vital for crop growth and devel- with the aim of combating deser- opment which would in turn give tification which is a major cause them maximum yields. of drought. He also informed the farm- In 1986, the organization ers that only committed and hard moved the headquarters to Ki- working groups would benefit tale, in Trans Nzoia District, from the project after the con- where it was involved in encour- tract signing. aging farmers to practice sus- In Bumula, the Vi-Agro for- tainable land management prac- estry group was led by Mr. Fred tices. These included mulching, Marani who is the CEO and Mr. building of terraces, contours A farmer in Bungoma taking the Vi-Agroforestry team round his farm. Amos Wafula Wekesa the Vi- and planting cover crops. Agro forestry programme coor- In 2009, the Vi-Agro Forestry ing was done in March 22, 2011 Before the contracts were commitment letters. dinator. in collaboration with the World at Malakisi, in upper Bungoma signed, the groups were required In Malakisi, the Vi-Agro for- Masinde, 38, thanked the Vi- Bank launched a bio-carbon and Bumula. The organization to be registered with the Ministry estry team was led by Mr. Rob- Agro forestry for the assistance project in lower Bungoma under is working with more than 320 of Labour, have an operational ert Musikoyo, who is a Deputy and education he has received the Agricultural Carbon Finance farmers’ groups. bank account, have implemen- Manager of Vi-Agro Forestry. from the Vi-Agro forestry. He Initiative. Each group comprises be- tation plans and policies and The event was attended by owns an acre of land where the In the project, they were to tween 15-30 farmers who are records. They were also required registered groups, Malakisi DO, homestead takes up a quarter and sign contracts with local farm- said to be benefitting through to have a constitution and proof Mr. Benson Koskey, and other the rest has been put into agricul- ers committing themselves to payment for every 150 carbon of active participation in deci- Vi-Agro Forestry officials and tural production. reduce poverty levels, increase that is produced annually. sion making. stakeholders. He has been able to plant food production. The organization targets to The organization also re- Mr. Koskey said the farmers more than 800 trees on his farm The signing of the contract recruit more than 60,000 farmers quired that before the contract had embraced new farming tech- and he says this has helped him between farmers and Vi-Agro on 45 hectares of land before the was signed, at least 50 per cent niques and stand to benefit. to increase food production on Forestry on bio-carbon credit- end of 2014. of members must have signed The groups that signed the his farm. Mwingi farmers urged to use fertilizers

By KAVYU-KURA farmers had ignored the es- sential commodity. HUNDREDS of bags of Mr Goro also urged subsidized fertilizer were farmers to use the services by early April lying idle at of the local Agriculture the Mwingi National Ce- Extensions Officers who reals and Produce Board would recommend the type (NCPB) depot even as the of fertilizer they should use planting season got under- depending on the soil con- way after the onset of the dition. The Officers would long rains. also advise on amount and Fifty kilograms of DAP quality of fertilizers suit- fertilizer is being sold to able for their farms. farmers at Sh2,500. At the same time, the Agricultural officers FARM-Africa has through were worried that the fer- its Dryland Farming ini- tilizer would be withdrawn tiative distributed 28 tons and taken to other areas if of millet, gadam sorghum, local farmers failed to take green grams and cowpeas to it up. farmers in both Mwingi and Mwingi Central District Kitui. Agricultural Officer (DAO) The project co-ordina- Haroun Goro appealed to tor, Jacob Mutemi told the farmers to buy the fertilizer Link the seeds benefited to ensure better yields. about 7,000 households in He lamented that al- Ngomeni, Nuu, Mumbuni, though the government Nzeluni, Kitui central and sourced the fertilizer to be Nzambani divisions. The used in the famine prone farmers were also issued regions such as Mwingi to with cassava cuttings and Farmers in Nuu Division of Mwingi East display seeds donated to them by the FARM-Africa NGO just improve food security, local sweet potato vines. before the onset of the current March-May Rains. Photo/Kavyu-Kura The Link, May 2011 29 REGIONAL NEWS Row erupts over toxic maize in Kyuso By KAVYU-KURA maining 60 bags unless they want in a cereals store at Ngomeni trad- drive me out of business,” she la- ing centre by ministry of agricul- A ROW has erupted between Min- mented. ture officers who were on a routine istry of public Health officials and a But the Kyuso district Public of- inspection. The officers alerted the cereals dealer in Kyuso over the of- ficer Pauline Mumbe insists that the public health department who took ficials’ move to condemn 60 bags of samples tested were from the trad- samples to the government chemist maize in her store as containing high er’s maize consignment. for analysis. concentration of afflatoxin. She said the maize will be de- “Although the Provincial admin- The merchant is disputing the stroyed since allowing it to be con- istration especially the Kyuso DC results of the tests as a ploy to ruin sumed by resident was tantamount had been very supportive over this her business. Tests were done on six to courting disaster as it was highly matter, we had to shelve the plans to samples collected from the bags of lethal. destroy the bad maize because the maize in her store and the govern- “We took the samples in the pres- DO was unavailable to supervise ment chemist said they tested posi- ence of the trader who also signed the destruction as the law demands,” tive for afflatoxin the seizure forms. There is nothing said the Kyuso Medical Officer of The trader, Ms Lenah Muli, sinister about the whole thing…. the Health Dr Boniface Kimuyu. wants fresh test carried “in her pres- maize is bad and must be burned to Dr Kimuyu told the link it was ence” so that she can confirm the prevent it from hurting unsuspect- not clear why the provincial admin- results. ing consumers,” said Ms Mumbe istrations had reneged on the initial “I want to be there as they ana- when the Link caught up with her in arrangement to supervise the de- lyse the samples as I am not sure Kyuso town. struction of the maize. about the motives of these people,” The misunderstanding between The District public health officer Ms Muli told the link at her shop at the trader and health officials came in charge of disease surveillance Ngomeni market, adding that she to the fore in late March days after Antony Ndung’u, who was in com- suspected a sinister motive to drive a mission to destroy allegedly toxic pany of Dr Kimuyu, said the bad her out of her cereal business by de- maize aborted after members of the maize was detected in January and stroying her stock. provincial administration skipped analysis carried at the government She insisted that the condemned the function in very suspicious cir- chemist showed that it was positive consignment was part of 200 bags cumstances. for afflatoxin. of maize she had brought from Na- Although a team of health offic- The certificate of the Laboratory ivasha and was sold to consumers ers led by Ms. Mumbe had arrived Sample Number F875-F 880/10-11 leaving behind the 60 bags that were at the site from where the bad bags and signed by D.N Muthusi indicat- later condemned by the ministry of- of maize were to be destroyed on ed that all the six samples from Ky- ficials. March 14, they did not find the lo- uso reference Nos. KY/01/011/01, Joseph Kimwele, a Public Health Officer in Mwingi central district is “If the rest of my consignment cal District Officer Rebecca Wakape KY/01/011/02/, KY/01/011/03, assisted by prisoners to take sample of the maize suspected to be was consumed by the local people as they had been advised by Kyuso KY/01/011/04, KY/01/011/05 and afflatoxin infested late last year. Photo/File and no one has fallen sick why do District Commissioner Peter Maina. KY/01/011/06 were “Positive for these people want to destroy the re- The toxic maize was discovered Afflatoxin”. KSB directors to go for Kilifi residents require relief food elections By BEKADZO TONDO and other food stuffs on a monthly ravaging drought. He said the drought has also af- basis in order to sustain their families. The officer said livestock were as fected learning in the area and chil- By JOEL JUMA THE government will be required to Mr. Wafula said the survey re- well adversely affected by the drought dren have been forced to attend school supply about 350,000 bags of relief vealed that the affected families had as they lacked water and green pas- half day in order to fetch water for Directors of the Kenya Sugar Board food to over 70,000 families hard hit totally exhausted their food reserves ture. domestic use. (KSB) will have to face an election this by famine in the larger Kilifi District and will now rely on relief food sup- He said pastoral families in parts The District Food for Assets Co- year, the board’s Chief Executive Of- for the next five months. port until the onset of rains in August of Ganze and Kaloleni have been ordinator Mr. Stephen Musimba told ficer Solomon Odera has said. A report compiled by the drought this year. forced to trek for about 13 kilometers The Link that the government through Odera said plans by some of the management unit covering Ba- “The food situation is alarming to reach the nearest water source and the ministry of livestock has released directors to have their term of office hari, Ganze, Kaloleni and Rabi and the government will be forced to also get pasture for their animals. Kshs 2 million to cushion livestock extended will not work, as the Sugar districts,reveals that nearly 80 percent supply relief food to the 70,000 fami- Mr. Wafula said the pastoralists farmers from the losses they have in- Act stipulates that they serve for three of the total population in the area is lies adversely affected by famine until have started selling their animals at a curred during the dry period. years. faced with starvation due to lack of the onset of heavy rains expected in throw away prices to get money and Civic leaders in Ganze have also “The Act is clear and those who food and water. August ,” said Mr. Wafula buy food stuff. appealed to the government to sent want to use the State Cooperation Act Mr. Betwel Wafula who is coordi- Speaking to The Link in his office He said water has become a big relief food in the area. Mitangani to extend their term to five years will nator of the drought management unit Mr. Wafula appealed to charitable or- challenge in the area as all sources ward councilor Mr. Daniel Mangi said be going against policies of the sugar said the affected families will require ganizations to donate food stuffs and mostly the seasonal rivers, dams and almost all people in his ward are af- industry,” said Odera. at least 70, 000 bags of maize, beans water to enable residents survive the pans have dried up. fected by the drought. Odera said pressure from cane farmers who want the directors to quit was high adding that the board was working on an election process. He explained that the board was Kiambere residents accuse KenGen of neglect ready to have elections held this year. Farmers from Mumias Sugar belt and Cabinet minister Wycliffe Oparan- By MORRIS GITHENYA a cost of Kshs5 million. ya petitioned Agriculture Minister Sal- “We want the company to give us a ly Kosgey to dissolve the board. A CONFLICT is simmering between a similar allocation to enable us initiate Mumias Sugarcane Growers As- power generating company and Kiam- an alternative water project that would sociation Executive Director Simon bere residents over failure by the com- put an end the threat posed by the croc- Wesechere and Oparanya said it is pany to support residents put up an al- odiles,” said the civic leader. wrong for the directors to remain in ternative community water project as The residents blocked the road office whereas their had term expired. their current source has been infested leading to Kiambere hydro dam until Dr Kosgey is supposed to disband by crocodiles. their grievances were addressed. the board this month but the directors The residents say many people Efforts by Mbeere South DC Abdi are lobbying to have their term extend- have lost their lives after being at- Khalif to convince the residents to ed by two years. tacked by crocodiles at the Kiambere, open the road fell on deaf ears. Directors Billy Wanjala and Mo- Gitaru and Kindaruma hydro generat- This is the second time in two hammed Mukhwana said the State Corporation Act allows them to serve ing dams and accused the Kenya Elec- months the road has been closed by for five years. The directors differed tricity Generating Company (KenGen) residents after a crocodile mauled and with the board chairman Saul Busolo of ignoring their plight despite draw- killed Joyce Ruguru in January 26 this over the matter saying the board has ing huge profits from their resource. year. leadership wrangles that need to be re- Kiambere ward councillor Francis KenGen vehicles heading to Ki- solved before they face the ballot. Njuki said the residents were irked by ambere Hydro dam were forced to re- Wanjala and Mukhwana however a recent move by KenGen to finance a turn to Matendeni camp and no public Queuing for water at a kiosk along the Kiambere-Mwingi water said they are ready to face farmers for a water project in a neighbouring area at service vehicle was operating. pipeline project. Photo/File fresh mandate. The Link, May 2011 30 REGIONAL NEWS Isiolo pastoralist resort to crop farming Spike in By MALACHI MOTANO we are only left with 25 animals in For the first time in June 2010 Today, about 40% of vegetables total, out of the 125 we had in 2009. Samburu residents ate their own ag- consumed in Isiolo town accord- youth suicides NOMADIC communities in Isiolo It was from this experience, that we ricultural produce and sent some for ing Adan Ali Wako the chairman of County are shifting from pastoral- opted to go green in order to reverse sale in the open markets in Isiolo. The the Isiolo county council are locally alarms ism to modern agriculture in a bid to the trend. small group harvested large tones of produced and is wishing that famers cushion themselves from the harsh Although the decision sounded Kales, tomatoes and spinach from ten had learnt the importance of the river Murang’a economic times and fight food inse- brilliant, implementing it remained farms approximately two acres each much early. curity. so challenging as Kitile village is “We managed to get a plenty of “I am very happy as the chairman By MORRIS GITHENYA The communities in Samburu, 5km from Isiolo River. The young harvest. I imagine for the first time of this council, because my people Turkana, Rendile, Borana, Somali farmers needed to practice irriga- my mum never bought Sukuma wiki. can today produce their own food. CASES of suicides in Murang’a who have traditionally engaged in tion but because of lack of proper The produce was too much for home When you visit people selling veg- County are not new but recently cattle-rustling wars are now changing equipment, they had to do it manu- consumption and one of us came etables in the streets of Isiolo town, alarm has been raised following an their lifestyles and are today engaged ally. Young women would go to fetch with a suggestion that we immediate- most of them will tell you that they upward trend involving the youth. in the growing of beans, Kales (Su- water from the river in large buckets ly adopted and today is like our main have not made their purchase from In the last two months Kandara kuma wiki) among other subsistence for irrigation as their men prepare the target. The suggestion was if we can Meru farmers. Isiolo River has been District has reported five suicidal crops not only for consumption in land for crops. try selling our produce. After making here for very long, but people had not cases including that of an admin- their homes, but also for sale in Isiolo “We decided to start growing a good sale, we decided that we will exploited it well. Today, farms are all istration police officer who shot town. Thanks to Isiolo River that has food crops though it was not easy. not only be consuming the vegetables over the river. We even allowed them himself dead. provided water for irrigation The river is far away from where we at home, but we will also take them to to move closer to the river (river- Kigumo District has since re- Augustine Moto is the voice of live. We don’t have long pipes that Isiolo Market and infact to day we are banks) and do their crop production ported two suicide incidents, while young farmers in Kitile Village who would bring water from the river. farming for business” Zubaida Ahmana is a vegetable Murang’a North region has seven incidents. have been farming for the last one There is inadequate rainfall in this It is until this time when the vendor in Isiolo town. “Nowadays A police officer recently la- year (since February 2010) in Sam- area and life has to continue. What group of twenty (without a formal I only use Kshs 300 to make a pur- mented “ Am touched at the rate at else could we do? The only option name) made big harvest for both chase from our local farmers as op- buru which we collect bodies dangling we had (at the beginning) was to be posed to before when I had to use at “My dad had 80 cows, 40 goats home consumption and sell in the on trees or roof tops and ferry literally fetching water from the river least Kshs2000 because the vegeta- and 5 donkeys. But we lost more markets that more people from dif- them to mortuaries at Githumu, than three- quarters of this during the to our farms. We were a small group ferent villages came in for Agricul- bles brought here from other counties Murang’a and Thika,” said a po- prolonged periods of drought. Today of about 20 ladies and gentlemen.” ture were more expensive. lice officer. Kigumo OCPD Mr. Saidi Mo- hammed has also expressed con- cern over the increased incidents of suicides in the area and called Nyanza leads in TB cases on leaders to be part of the solu- tion. By BOB OMBATI Recently a Primary School teacher Njoroge Kamande of Mu- NYANZA province still leads in cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in the country and gumo-ini primary school in Kigu- accounts for up to 20 per cent of the na- mo district committed suicide af- tional prevalent rate. ter a children’s court ordered his Records at the health department in salary to be shared out with his Nyanza, blames the high incidence rate estranged wife for the up keep of to the corresponding HIV infections his children. which have remained relatively high. In protest, he hanged himself The Provincial Director of Health, moments after he visited his bank Francis Nzioka says that although TB only to find his salary slashed by cases have been declining lately, the half in compliance with the court prevalence rate was still high compared order. to the situation at the national level. A month ago, an administra- In a speech read on his behalf by Dr tion police officer at Kandara Peter Okoth who is in charge of the TB district headquarters shot himself division in the Province, the director dead with a rifle assigned to guard said between 2000 and 2007, TB cases the DC’s residence. rose from 13,095 to 23,000. They have In Murang’a North region, reduced to about 20,000 at the moment three people were reported having but that was still high compared to committed suicide among them about 100,000 cases nationally. a convict who was jailed by a “This translates to a fifth of the to- Kangema court after he was found tal national cases and shows that the guilty of sodomy. The private scourge is very high in this region than school watchman James Gatimi any other part of the country,” said (38) pleaded guilty to sodomising Dr Okoth. Dr. Okoth said that Homa- TB infections is still rumpant in Nyanza. a pupil, before a Kangema court bay county had registered the highest the burden, as we revamp our hospi- of blaming witchcraft on such ailments. The DO noted that huge consign- handed him a 20 years jail term. number of new infections with about Murang’a Ac ting OCPD Mr 27 people suffering from Multi Drug tals,” said Dr Kasera at Marani Primary Gitau said that many people in ru- ment of TB drugs were expiring in school. The area District officer, James ral areas blame witchcraft for every ail- government health facilities since peo- Misheck Kiptum said the convict Resistant TB and undergoing treatment had been booked at Kangema po- He said the government has in- Gitau Muriuki urged the public to visit ment and therefore were unable to seek ple shied away from such centres in hospitals for regular checkups instead medication on time to curb spread. fear of stigmatization. lice station awaiting to be trans- creased vigilance and surveillance ported to Murang’a GK Prisons to by involving community members start his sentence. “We are current- to monitor and report cases of TB for ly getting many reports of suicides early intervention in order to curb fur- Investigate US ambassador — Nyeri youth than last year,” said Kiptum when ther spread. HIV/AIDS has also been identified By JOSEPH MUKUBWA the funding could be suspect,” said he talked with The Link. as the major contributor to the high the chairman of the Nyeri Youth In another shocking incident a cases of TB, with the province register- A GROUP of youths from Nyeri Group Samson Kagiri. man took on his life after he tested ing a prevalence rate of 14.2 percent County have called on the govern- Mr Kagiri claimed that the US HIV positive in Gikindu location. which is twice the national prevalence ment to investigate US ambassa- ambassador is using the youths to The deceased John Mungai rate which currently stand at 7percent. dor Michael Rannerberger and the propagate his own ideologies and had been forced by his father to Statics further indicate that up to embassy over some youth projects not further Kenya’s interests. seek medical treatment after he 67percent of TB patients in Nyanza being sponsored in the country. “Our problems will not be remained bedridden for a long pe- are HIV/AIDs patients, with the rate Speaking in the wake of reports solved by US or any other coun- riod. varying from 31percent in Kisii South that the US is spending Kshs3.6 try. Kenya will not be a puppet of Accompanied by his father, District to a high rate of 81percent in billion on youth projects whose any country and Kenyans should Mungai went to Murang’a district Suba District. objective is to kick out existing be proud of who we are as a na- hospital where after counseling Dr Kadondi Kasera who is in charge leaders and replace them with tion. Young people should know agreed to take a HIV test before of TB division in the southern part of a new lot, the youths said the that Rannerberger is a friend by testing positive only to hang him- the province says that besides improv- projects should be probed. day and an enemy by night,” said self when they returned home. ing infrastructure, the government has “The Government should in- Mr Kagiri. He urged young peo- In Gikoe village in Mathioya, divided the province into two regions to Stanley Mundia hanged himself vestigate the ambassador and the ple not to allow themselves to be ease the fight against the disease. on grounds he was the only survi- embassy because if the money is used by diplomats or politicians Nyeri Youth Group chairman Mr “We now have Nyanza North and vor among his age mates in Nai- used for the wrong cause it could who are out to secure their selfish Samson Kagiri speaking to the Nyanza South Control Centres to ease press in Nyeri town recently. robi. cause instability. The intention of interests. The Link, May 2011 REGIONAL NEWS 31 Troubled Tanathi owes workers millions Research By KAVYU-KURA shows decline THE troubled Tanathi Water Services Board (TWSB) has not remitted sal- in fertility rate ary statutory deductions amounting to more than Kshs4.1 million belonging By PETER MUTUKU to some of its workers. An audit carried last December THE total fertility rate in Kenya has on the operations of the Kiambere- declined over the past two decades, Mwingi Water and Sanitation Com- Mr. Peter A. Nyakwara, who is a sen- pany (KMWSCO) revealed that 16 ior programme officer with the Kenya of the TWSB employees who were National Bureau of Statistics National seconded to KMWSCO have not had Coordinating Agency for Population their check-off statutory deductions and Development, has said. remitted to respective institutions. He said that currently, women in Section 6 of the damning audit Kenya have an average of 4.6 chil- report titled “Personnel Expenses” dren, a slight decrease from 4.9 in and in sub section 6.1 headed “Staff 2003. Matters”, indicate that the money in He said that the fertility in the question is for employees inherited country varies by residence and prov- by TWSB from Tana and Athi River ince. “Women in urban areas have 2.9 Development Authority (TARDA) in children on average, compared with 2006 and were consequently second- 5.2 children per woman in rural ar- ed to Mwingi based KMWSCO. eas,” he adds. The report indicated that the af- “Fertility is highest in the Kenya’s fected employees do not receive their Western Province where women have full salaries as the payroll is prepared an average of 5.6 children and lowest at the TWSB based in Kitui and the in Nairobi Province where women net of the salaries is paid by the com- have an average of 2.8 children,” pany leaving the statutory deductions Nyakwara said. unremitted. As at (last) 30th June He spoke at the Kitui Parkside Vil- the unremitted statutory deductions la Hotel during a two-day seminar on amounted to Kshs4,159,062. the 2008-2009 Kenya Demographic The unremitted money includes A Water kiosk where some of the affected employees are deployed. Photo/Kavyu-Kura and Health Survey organised by the part contributions to Kenya Rev- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. enue Authority as Pay As You Earn, ing institution. I was shocked when I in her house by her colleagues’ un- confirmed that TWSB has not been According to Nyakwara, fertility also National Hospital Insurance Fund went to Equity Bank to seek a loan for conscious and frothing in the mouth, remitting the workers statutory reduc- varies with literacy levels and eco- (NHIF), National Social Security my children education only to be told survived after she was rushed to the tions “and we have asked them to pay nomic status. Fund (NSSF), Bank Cooperatives So- I had been blacklisted and cannot get a Mwingi District hospital where she the arrears or take back their suffering He said that the women who have ciety and Company loans and salary loan from any bank not only in Kenya received treatment. employees. secondary and higher education have advance repayment. but in Africa,” said a distraught water The affected employees displayed “It would appear there was a tran- an average of 3.1 children, while We have established that the fail- kiosk attendant. to us various Tanathi pay advice slips sition problem when TWSB took over women with no education have more ure to release the employees’ money A couple of months ago, a kiosk that showed deductions towards the employees from TARDA as they than twice as many children. has led to the employees being black- attendant who was unable to obtain a PAYE, NHIF, NSSF, NWC pension were previously paid by Treasury but He said that fertility increases listed by loaning institutions and can loan from a bank to pay her children’s scheme, salary advance and bank they did not come with their pay roll. when respondents are poor. Nyakwara no longer access loan facilities from school fees shocked Mwingi town loans. The deduction indicated in the TWSB said that the poorest Kenyan wom- banks and other lenders. residents when she attempted suicide The Chairman of the KMWSCO is just smart paper work as the money enin general have more than twice as “We are no longer regarded as citing unbearable frustrations. where the affected employees had is never remitted to the relevant organ- many children as women who live in creditworthy by banks and other loan- The woman, who was discovered been seconded, Josephat Mulyungi, ization,” said Mulyungi. the wealthiest households where he said the comparison is 7.0 versus 2.9 children per woman. The KNBS official said that the maternal mortality ratio for Kenya is Kiharu MP speaks on laxity in the distribution of seeds 488 per 100,000 live births. He said that post-natal care helps prevent By MORRIS GITHENYA came up with a programme on how pediment to the integration process. and the country as a whole. well the seedlings can be distribut- complications after childbirth. He said Permanent Secretary in the “Currently the public awareness that 43 per cent of Kenya’s births oc- THE government has been accused ed to farmers instead of the current Ministry of East African Commu- meetings have been spread out in of laxity in the distribution of relief scenario where government offi- cur in health facilities with 32 per cent nity Mr. David Nalo says that many 24 counties in an exercise launched being registered in the public hospitals seeds to farmers to enable them cials rush to supply the seedlings of the citizens in the region do not a month ago,” said Nalo. plant during the rainy season. when it is raining,” said the Mp. and 10 per cent in private sector facili- understand the stages of integration The PS said border towns of Na- ties. “Fifty-six per cent of births occur Kiharu Member of Parliament The lawmaker also urged his and their possible role in trading manga and Busia will be established Mr. Muturi Mwangi said the gov- constituents to plant drought resist- at home. Home births are more com- among the member states. to coordinate issues surrounding in- mon in rural areas,” the official told ernment should come up with a ant crops to help improve on food Speaking during a leaders meet- tegration, benefits, challenges and time frame instead of distributing security. the seminar. ing in Murang’a County, the PS opportunities in the EAC. On teenage fertility in the country, seedlings to farmers during rainy “We need to diversify our pro- said there was need to create pub- “People from Murang’a County seasons. duction and stop relying on tradi- Nyakwara said that according to the lic awareness on the stages of inte- are set to benefit from EAC integra- 2008-2009 Kenya Demographic and Muturi spoke at Kabirwa mar- tional food crops such as maize gration and inform people on their tion process because of increased ket in his constituency when he and beans which hardly survive Health Survey, some 18 per cent of subsequent roles. trade, infrastructure development, young women aged 15-19 years have saw farmers in the area lining up drought,” said the MP. The government, he said, has employment and Investment op- receive assorted seedlings from de- And, the limited flow of infor- begun childbearing. He said that 15 embarked on a rigorous exercise portunities stemming from the an- per cent are mothers and that an addi- partment of agriculture. mation within the East African to educate the public on what the ticipated bigger economy, “said the “It is high time the government Community remains a major im- tional three per cent are pregnant with EAC community means to them PS. their first child.

By AGGREY BUCHUNJU LITIGANTS are being advised to en- sure that contracts between them and Public tipped on contracts their advocates are clear and realistic. ter. If no fees have been agreed or esti- cost of the matter’, the chair adds. lobby groups appealed to the commission relieve people with complaints against The advice was made recently at mate given, the advocate should tell the The commission chair at the same chair to consider decentralizing its offices advocates of the burden of traveling to Bungoma county hall by the Advo- clients how the fees will be calculated,” time also urged litigants with complaints in order to serve more people from the Nairobi to seek redress. cates Complaints Commission chair, the chair-says. He further observes that against advocates to provide the commis- rural set up. They also appealed to the commis- Mr. Joseph King’arui during a public failure to keep the client informed re- sion with comprehensive documents and Messrs. Job Bwonya of Western sion to ensure that the list of advocates’ sensitization forum on advocate- client garding the costs incurred as the matter information to support their case. Kenya human rights watch, Martin Wan- fees for all the nature of cases is widely relationship. proceeds could prejudice an advocate’s “Copies of all relevant correspond- yonyi of West Kenya legal AID centre, publicized so that unscrupulous advo- Mr. King’arui says that failure ability to recover a fair and reasonable ence as far as possible including letters, Taiga Wanyanja of Torture Survivors Or- cates do not fleece litigants their hard to advise clients on cost before com- fee for the work done. receipts, particulars of parties involved ganization and Nehemiah Mukubwa of earned money. mencement of the work he/she is con- Mr. King’arui cautions advocates should be enclosed”, he says. Torture Victims rehabilitation center say The advocates complaint com- tracted to do, gives advocates lee-way that it is a professional misconduct to give Mr. King’arui adds that upon receipt whereas the commission is doing a good mission is a statutory body established to overcharge clients with impunity. an unrealistically low level of fees solely of the complaints the commission will job, its impact is hardly felt by a majority under section 53 of the Advocates act “On taking instructions, the advocate to attract work and subsequently charge analyze and handle them within seven of the people. to inquire into any complaints against should give clients the best information a high fee. “This is improper because it days. The four urged the commission to practicing advocates, firm of advocates possible on the likely costs of the mat- misleads the client as to the true or likely However, directors of human rights open offices in every county in order to or any member or employee there of. The Read The Link monthly for issues affecting communities LinkEnhancing governance for all across Kenya The Link, May 2011

March-May long rains, most poor farmers in Kyuso district had not Songa decries poor crop yields planted as the government was yet to deliver the promised free drought recovery seeds worth Sh5.8 million. By KAVYU-KURA A survey carried by the Link in Kyuso established that only well-to- THE government has taken early in- do residents had been able to plant tervention measures to cushion peo- after sourcing seeds from cereal ple of Eastern Province from effects dealers at high prices. of adverse weather conditions. Sources say the government had Agriculture Secretary Wilson promised to deliver 40 tons of assort- Songa said besides distributing ed seeds including millet, sorghum, planting seeds to farmers, loaning fa- cowpeas and green grams before the cilities to farmers had been arranged rains started but no deliveries had through Equity Bank, the Agricul- been made by the end of March. tural Finance Corporation (AFC) and Contacted, the Kyuso District Njaa Marufuku Project. Agricultural Officer (DAO) Titus Dr Songa said such measures Masila was cagy with details over would ensure farmers utilized avail- the delay only saying the seeds able rains to attain maximum yields would be delivered any time and be to make them food secure. immediately distributed to farmers. The Agriculture Secretary said Earlier, Eastern Provincial Com- although the expected maize yields missioner Claire Omollo had an- last year was 7.5 million bags, only nounced that farmers in the six dis- 3.8 million bags were realized while tricts in Mwingi would receive 200 the bean yield was 1 million bags metric tons of assorted seeds worth against a target of 2 million. The low over Sh28 million ahead of the long yields were attributed to the dry con- rains. ditions brought about by La Nina. Speaking at Kivou village during He pointed out that although it a tour of Mwingi Central district in had been predicted that the current March where she launched the seed March-May long rains would be distribution exercise, the PC added largely insufficient, tons fertilizers that the seed consignments were and assorted seeds had been issued aimed at moderating food security to farmers to boost yields. in the drought and famine prone dis- Dr. Songa was speaking in Mwin- tricts. gi Central District where he was the Ms Omollo reiterated the Gov- Chief Guest during an Agricultural Dr. Songa (in black suit and holding microphone) speaks to farmers at the Mumbuni Agricultural field ernment’s commitment to feed its field day at Muumbuni trading centre day last Thursday. The Mwingi Central District Agricultural officer Haroun Goro stands next to him. citizens by developing watertight in late March. Photo/Kavyu-Kura strategies to enhance food security. He noted that farmers in Mwingi She observed that the Mwingi earned Sh10.2 million last year from ghum and realized 7,300 metric tons. he said, farmers should adopt dry He stressed the importance of area was ideal for drought escaping the sale of Sorghum to the World Dr. Songa encouraged farmers to land farming techniques by growing Agricultural field days saying they traditional crops like cassava, millet, Food Programme (WFP) and the take advantage of the ready market drought tolerant crops to increase helped farmers learn emerging sorghum, green grams and cowpeas East African breweries. Farmers had to put more hectares under the crop. crop production and ensure food se- farming technologies. which if embraced will solve food put some 6,500 hectares under Sor- In the face of perennial drought, curity. Meanwhile, two weeks into the insecurity in the area.

By JOSEPH MUKUBWA DAIRY goat farmers from Mt Kenya Central goat farmers earned millions region earned Kshs20.8 million last year from the sale of 1,679 goats libido. The association was able to through the Dairy Goat Association replace all the bucks that were re- of Kenya (DGAK), a drop from the ported,” The chairman told over 500 Kshs23.3 million realised in 2009 farmers who attended the AGM. from the sale of 1,944 goats. The association financial reserves Speaking during the 17th An- have grown from Kshs3.5 million by nual General Meeting at Nyamach- December 31, 2007 to Kshs8.9 mil- aki PCEA Hall in Nyeri town, the lion by December 31, 2010. association chairman Julius Kang’ee However, the farmers have been said the main buyers were Catholic faced with many challenges including diocese of Embu and Nakuru, World difficulties in delivering milk from Vision Maragwa and Kisii, Commu- the farms to the collection centres as nity Based Organisations based in some farmers have to walk for long Mumias, Emuhaya and Vihiga. Oth- distances and poor feeding methods ers were Arid Land Resource Man- which compromise milk production. agement Project of Nyeri. The farm- “Due to lack of skills on quality ers also earned some Kshs1.9 million fodder production and conservation, from the sale 48,182 litres of milk, our farmers need to be trained on compared to Kshs1.2 million last year quality fodder production and conser- from the sale of 31, 835 litres. A li- vation. This will improve the quality tre of milk was sold for an average of of the goats and have a uniform pro- Kshs40. duction of milk throughout the year,” DGAK has a membership of Kang’ee said. about 16,000 farmers from 1, 290 Ministry of Livestock officials member groups. It has branches in lauded the work the association has Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, Embu, been doing to eradicate poverty say- Goat farmers from Nyeri County pass past President Mwai Kibaki with their goats during last year’s ASK Nakuru, Kirinyaga and Mbale Dis- ing it was in line with the Govern- show at Kabiru-ini grounds. Photo/Joseph Mkubwa trict in Western Kenya. ment’s Vision 2030 economic blue- training more assistants to cope The association is also planning The organization receives support “About 337 bucks were rotated print. with the increased number of farmer to import semen and, if possible life from NGOs such as MOLD, DED, last year and 120 bucks were replaced The association is now planning groups and also elect branch officials goats, in order to increase the genetic GTZ/PSDA and Arid Land Dry Area within a year due to death or lack of to open more branch offices besides as per the revised election guidelines. variability of the breeding stock. Project.

The Link is published Monthly with support from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Kenya. P.O. Box 7438 - 00200, Tel 6001274/6001776 Nairobi. Fax 020 6001776 Email: the [email protected]. “The crop production was high due to the favourable climatic conditions and about 70 per cent of the total revenue was paid to the farmers.”

The Link, May 2011 14 SPECIAL REPORT Public responses to devolution report The task force on devolution has just released an interim report with a raft of proposals that will guide the implementation of devolution structures in line with the Constitution. The following are excerpts of the report outlining public responses and recommendations by the Task Force on key thematic areas compiled by FAITH MUIRURI.

Thematic Questions Questions for for public public response response from from the thedevolution devolution Public Response TaskforceTask Force Recommendations Recommendations Task Force Cooperative Government, Inter-Governmental Relations and l Design a policy and legal framework to guide cooperation and consultation between National and l An intergovernmental relations legislation where concrete decision making mandates are assigned to the Levels of Governance county governments. designated intergovernmental institutions; (i) How should the County government cooperate with National Gov- l Establish a Ministry of Cooperative government at the national level to manage its affairs l An intergovernmental/cooperative National Government Ministry and corresponding County departments to ernment Ministries, Parliament, Judiciary and the Commission for l The County Executive cabinet should reflect that of the National cabinet in number, function and coordinate matters of intergovernmental cooperation; Revenue Allocation and other Constitutional Commissions service l The County Executive ministries be coordinates to the national ministries and the corresponding county l There should be matching of the National Parliament with County Assemblies on the issues of executives be established in order to facilitate the execution of national government functions (police services, standing orders, business calendar and committees but legislation of the National Parliament should health, education, immigration and citizenship; not affect parliament the County Assembly. l The Committees of the County Assembly coordinate to the National Assembly Committees where practical.

(ii) What other decentralized units will be necessary in County Govern- l An administrative system which serves public interest, in particular service delivery with minimal l Decentralisation in rural areas to be designed in three levels (units) below the County namely: level 1, 2, and ments and Why politics 3. The first level is tentatively referred to as sub county and is expected to embrace constituencies/districts, while the second and third levels will embrace wards/locations and villages/sub-locations respectively l The urban municipalities can be categorized into three, those with at least 300,000 (large) and above; be- tween 50,000 and 299,999 (medium) and those with between 30,000 and 49,999 (small). The first two cat- egories will provide similar services depending on their capacity, while the last category can provide minimal services as delegated by the County government

(iii) What actions are needed to facilitate linkages and consultations l Senators to have offices at County level and attend County executive committee meetings as ex- l County Assembly to provide full and regular reports to the Senate on a bi-annual basis and the Senate to in between a County Government and its senator officio members and address the County Assembly on designated days turn provide the County Assembly with feedback on a bi-annual basis l Senators and Members of the National Assembly to attend seminars, workshops and meetings l An intra-County forum comprising of the Senator, Governor and Members of the National and County As- between counties and their elected officials semblies be established to hold consultative meetings on a bi-annual basis l The Senators to participate in regular question and answer sessions with the County. l The County Government to invite the Senator for quarterly meetings. l The Senator to organize quarterly/biannual review meetings with the Speaker of the County As- sembly to give advice on County legislation as required.

(iv) What considerations should be taken into account in establishing l Sound tax base, and ability to attract external funding, l Come up with a mechanism/body for designation of cities and urban areas cities and urban areas in counties l Population of at least 350,000 inhabitants in a built area, l Development level, including level of economic growth and industrialization, per capita income, vibrant number of businesses, l Long term planning, in line with national development plan, l Investment climate, including level of infrastructure development, quality of transport, water and sanitation, health, safety and security and quality of schools, l Administrative facilities with employees conversant and applying ICT in communication and de- velopment, and l Topographical features

How should conflicts between county governments be addressed l Establish an inter-county committee to deal with disputes arising l Counties enter into horizontal agreements that address trans-border issues and clarify signatories l Create a national arbitration organ l Counties submit draft legislation to the Kenya Law Reform Commission to ensure that conflict of laws on ac- l Establish a specialized ministry at the national level to deal with conflict resolution. count of concurrency of functions is detected early and appropriate measures taken to avert the potential conflict l Empower the Village Council of Elders l Grant incentives to Counties to undertake joint projects l Devolve judicial functions to the lower level l Enact legislation to guide the conclusion of inter-county agreements l Establish special courts to resolve conflicts and establish peace-conflict committees l “Devolve” some functions of the Judiciary to the sub county units by recognising appropriate existing tradi- tional/local mechanisms and institutions for dispute resolution subject to the Constitution.

Financial Resources and Management of County governments l National interest l National interest l Population density of a county l Need to ensure that county governments are able to perform the functions allocated to them (i) What should be the basis for any allocation of funds and grants to l Vastness of the County l The fiscal capacity and efficiency of county governments county governments l Poverty index l Special allocations and provisions for marginalized groups and areas l Fiscal capacity of the county to manage the funds l Promotion of equitable development in county governments l Presence of a county development plans l Marginalization and the contribution to national government in terms tax generation

(ii) How should the current devolved funds (such as CDF, LATF, Road l Establish a central office within the county to coordinate use of funds l CDF, LATF ,RMLF to finance functions assigned to counties Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF),Youth Enterprise Fund, Women En- l Politicians to play an oversight role l Constituency Bursary Fund, Free Primary Education Fund, Water Services Trust Fund and HIV/AIDS Com- terprise Fund, Bursary Funds, etc) be l Youth and Women funds be brought to the county level to enhance accessibility since most people munity Initiative Account be channeled directly to county governments managed in the context of County Governments at the county level have no information regarding the funds l The other funds are loan facilities available to individuals or groups to promote development of rural areas managed by entities of the national government l The management of rural electrification function be devolved to county governments l No compelling reason to change the current system of managing these funds, except as proposed by the stakeholders

(iii) What controls and safeguards should be put in place to prevent l The offices of KACC (Ethics and Anti-Corruption commission ) be devolved to the counties to avoid l The offices of the responsible entities be decentralised to the counties for efficient delivery of services misuse and inappropriate application of funds at the county level? corruption, mismanagement of funds and abuse of office for ease of reporting, quick investigation l Establishment of an internal audit mechanism to consistently provide an oversight to the usage of public funds and action l For transparency and accountability in the use of the funds, it should be more participatory l Internal audits should be undertaken on quarterly basis and made public as a basis for community monitoring and evaluation. l Establishment of an independent county revenue authority as supervisory body for management of public funds. The authority to be composed of community stakeholders elected but not handpicked by the governor.

(iv) What should be the criteria and requirements for the approval of l A project must be economically viable, sustainable, and capacity to repay Internal and external borrowing loans and loan guarantees to county governments? l The public should participate in identifying projects to be funded by such funds l Written proof that the intended borrowing has been approved by the County Assembly l National government must set terms and conditions on loans and grants l Written proof that the intended borrowing has been included in the budgets of the county l Consultations between the county and national government before seeking for grants and loans l Proof of public participation in contributing to the budget and loan proposals of the county l County’s capability in financial management, implementation of previously loaned projects, and l Ability of the subject capital project to generate the necessary cash flows to repay the loan level of funding requirements should be considered External borrowing from international financial institution, the county must be clear on the following l role of National Government departments in facilitating county governments l conditions for loan repayment l loan disbursement procedures l responsibility for the assumption of interest and foreign exchange risks Loan Guarantees l Loan guarantee applications must be acknowledged in writing within a week. l The roles of national departments and officials responsible for loan guarantees must be clearly set out in regulations

Political Governance, Leadership, Accountability and Integrity in PublicPublic ResponseResponse Task Force Recommendations inCounty County Governments Governments (i) What should be the qualifications, leadership qualities, and experi- Governor: l Must be holder of at least a first degree from a recognised university ence of the governor, senator, county assembly members and county l Degree in public administration, economics, humanities, social sciences, community development l Fluent in Kiswahili and English executive members l 10 years’ experience l Meet the requirements of leadership and integrity of the Constitution l Headed a government department with exemplary performance in that department l Have knowledge and experience and have a distinguished career of not less than five years in fields not Senator: limited to public administration, finance, management, law, economics, human rights, social development or l Should not have been a politician / Politician with Five years of experience governance. l Law Degree holders l In addition the Governor and Deputy Governor should not be from the same gender, and no more than two- l Should not have worked in the present government thirds of the Executive Committee should be from one gender County Assembly Members: l Resident, political knowledge and experience l Serving Councillors l 7 per cent of County Assembly seats should be set aside for those with disabilities l Proportional representation for marginalized groups

(ii) What kind of electoral processes will enhance political competition l County Government elections should be different from the national government to avoid distor- l Vote for a closed party list to discourage corruption from the party members as compared to the open where and choice at County level tions or fraud brought in by political experts individuals use money in influencing voters l No direct party nominations l Nomination or appointment of persons with expertise so as to enrich County Assembly debates l Nomination of Speaker by PSC l Members of the County Assembly possess the right aptitude to undertake their duties the Assemblies l Limit on budget for campaign l Parties to come up with attractive lists, consisting of very competitive members in order to win the confidence l After nomination the list to be debated at County level of voters

The Link, May 2011 SPECIAL REPORT 19 Public responses to devolution report Political Governance, Leadership, Accountability and Integrity Public Response Task Force Recommendations in County Governments Public Response

l Governor to get 50% plus 1 votes l Majority of votes in at least half of the electoral wards

(iii) What should be the procedures for developing party lists for pro- l Lists be developed by party grass roots leaders, with strict vetting of all interested candidates with l Legislation to provide the number of members of marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities and portional representation special consideration of vulnerable groups, without interference from party headquarters and then the youth who should be represented in the County Assembly. presented to the party for confirmation l Adopt a closed party list to include the interests of the voters and ensure that no changes are made after l Make the lists public and if possible publicized. elections l Party branches give the names to the electoral commission l Each party to present their lists through the National Delegates Conference. l Guided by the party constitution, consider all the ethnic groups, interest groups, geographical loca- tions and special communities l A committee consisting of members of the public should vet the candidates l IIEC should conduct elections of all political parties to ensure fair representation and curb malprac- tices during party elections

(iv) How should the performance of the governor, deputy governor, l The national government to have powers to suspend non-functioning Counties l Need for a formal oversight mechanism in the legal framework to enable the public to hold the County bu- senator, assembly speaker, assembly members, and executive com- l Establish Commission to run the County government for the duration of suspension reaucracy accountable for their performances. mittee be assessed and enforced l Intervene in case of misuse of resources, inability to perform l Need for a legitimate process for removing corrupt and incompetent Executive Committee officials (public referenda, formal financial reviews) l Governor be given veto powers over legislation passed by the County Assembly to check against unreason- able and unlawful County Assembly operations l Procedures to provide for additional circumstances when Executive Committee members should leave office

(v) What transition procedures and institutions, if any, should there be l County governments to establish their public services to ensure continuity of county government l Ministry of State for Public Service (MoSPS) to initiate a process to address the anticipated restructuring of public service to reflect the needs of the national government l Government to set up a body to oversee the transition process and audit assets and liabilities of local authori- ties to ensure appropriates registers are opened for all identified assets l ODPM/MoLG, Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and the Transition Authority be involved in the initial county budgets. l Data bases for counties be developed to assist county governments to effectively undertake development planning as soon as they are established

Public Participation and Oversight and Protection of Minorities Public Recommendations Task Force Recommendations Public Participation and Oversight and Protection of Public Response Task Force Recommendations Moninoritiesand Marginalized and MarginalizedGroups Groups (i) What criteria should be used to determine minorities and marginal- l Per capita income and physical environment ized communities in counties l Minorities be determined by population size, level of drought and poverty. l Single mothers and religious groups be considered as marginalised groups l Development level, ASALs areas, socio-economic status, census, history of leadership, literacy level, elderliness l Marginalised if they have no leaders in parastatals from their county l They can be identified through the indigenous people framework l Census approach use social and economic indicators for identifying marginalized groups or use census figures to identify marginalized groups l Use the previous census to identify them or conduct another census specifically for these groups and use of tribal census to determine minorities

l (ii) How can minorities and marginalized groups in counties be pro- Awareness creation through civic education. l Devolution legislation to create timelines within which County government are to report on the number of tected Sensitisation of the marginalised communities to understand that they have equal rights and setting appointments made to ensure that minorities, marginalized groups and communities are adequately involved up information Centre’s. l Structures and decision-making processes of counties be transparent and accessible to encourage the par- l Public participation & communication including participation in development plans and inviting the ticipation of marginalized groups and communities. public to make submissions through open Barazas and town hall meetings. l Changing attitudes and perception of members of the public regarding marginalized groups through the nam- l Regular free and fair elections ing of streets and towns using minority languages l Representation e.g. Executive members must be from all areas of county, women and youth be l Counties investing in culture and cultural activities with special consideration for the minorities included. l There must be a deliberate effort to allow the minority and the marginalized to access employment opportuni- l Executive positions be advertised and running mate of governor be of opposite gender. ties in the County. l Education should not be a basis for leadership position l Protection of intellectual property of minority and marginalized communities, including sciences, technolo- gies, medicines, and knowledge of flora and fauna as well as arts and performances. l (iii) What procedures should be put in place to ensure public participa- Develop a Legislation e.g. Participatory Act l Citizen engagement sites, modalities and processes like Social Budgeting framework, Community libraries, l tion and influence in county governments’ affairs Establish Sub County Citizens Forum (SCCF) to scrutinize county project planning, budgeting and Capacity building need to be aligned with functional and sectoral lines implementation l Adequate representation in the County Assembly and the Executive. l Forums, neighbourhood associations and Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) l Participation should include involvement in public service l Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) l In order to enhance accountability, effective enforcement mechanisms must accompany the policy frame- l Ward Citizen Forums (WCF) to enable citizen engagement with the right to access all official works, statutory provisions and by-laws that will be required to anchor them within the binding rules records for sectoral and county departments. l Establish information Centres to access all county information l County magazines/monthly newsletters/Information bulletins l Establish Commission that will ensure development l Create Ombudsman and Public complaints standing Committee l Service delivery should be community driven through committees e.g. County Education Com- mittee l Organize public Barazas l Establish a TV station and FM radio stations l Broadcast the County Assembly proceedings to the members of the public

Functions of and Service Delivery by County Governments (i) What do you think should be the role of the Provincial Administra- l Directly implement functions allocated to the national Executive, to respect, uphold and safeguard the Con- tion in the counties? stitution among other things l Provide a vital link between the national government and County governments by disseminating information and building capacity for policy and programme implementation. government by the constitution l Exercise oversight on the County government as it implements national policies and legislation l Facilitate the Presidency, as the head of the National Executive, to respect, uphold and safeguard the Con- stitution among other things l Provide a vital link between the national government and County governments by disseminating information and building capacity for policy and programme implementation.

(ii) How would you like the provincial administration to be restructured l Provincial Administration be restructured and named the national administration. l A taskforce is established to restructure the system to play its roles? l Provide for distinct administrative structures to serve the national government and the county gov- l An evaluation exercise is undertaken to establish the optimal staff establishment after the proposed restruc- ernments. turing. l The national government administrative structure to play an oversight role in the implementation of l All the relevant legislation which impact on Provincial Administration are reviewed and harmonized. national policies and legislation. l The Security Bills currently under preparation to incorporate the roles of the proposed restructured Provincial l The county administration be structured along the structure of the county executive. Administration and County governments

(iii) How should organizations providing cross-border services (for ex- l Design of a policy and legal framework to guide cooperation and consultation between county l Enact an intergovernmental relations legislation to support inter county co-operation ample water services boards) be managed? governments l Incorporation of legislation by reference be underpinned in the intergovernmental relations legislation to en- l A regional consultative organ be established to co-ordinate Counties in issues of mutual interest able Counties that are subject to the asymmetrical devolution of the legislative function or those that are yet to l Have inter-county committees meeting quarterly to discuss issues of mutual interest legislate a particular law to adopt the legislation of another county on a related field l Establish a governor’s forum every six months to deliberate on the issues in their Counties to l Establish a Council of Counties comprising the 47 Governors with the chair on rotational basis, to be held enhance cooperation and inter-relations twice annually. l Form a County steering group comprising County Executives, County Senators, among others to l Additional fora to address issues of trans-county concerns be constituted on a needs basis coordinate operations within Counties

(iv) How do you want national government functions exercised and l National Government to focus on policy formulation and training of County civil service, while l A policy direction that National Government should endeavor to focus on policy formulation and enhancing services provided at county level? County Government concentrates on implementation of projects and services the capacity of the County Governments, while the latter concentrate on implementation of projects and efficient l A National Advisory Committee to help in the operations of the Counties delivery of services l Formation of joint county board/committees to coordinate functions, services l National Government provides transitional model legislation pending the enactment by the County Assem- blies of their own context specific legislation