April 16-30, 2011 ISSUE 038

A bimonthly newspaper by the Media Diversity Centre, a project of African Woman and Child Feature Service Marking Easter with nostalgia Kenyans recall the years when all eyes were on Kenya and the country was united through one event

BY ODHIAMBO ORLALE tercontinental Hotel in Nairobi by the founder of the nation, President Mzee A few years ago, Kenyan looked forward Jomo Kenyatta. They were cheered to Easter with anticipation. While the by hundreds of relatives, friends and season has Christian themes, there was fans lining along Uhuru Highway and so much happening that it was no longer Mombasa Road as well as among all the just a time for Christians, as everybody, other safari rally routes. including Hindus and Muslims were en- The rest of the story is now history thusiastic about the season. but Safari Rally has never reclaimed the Easter holidays were thrilling, thanks glamour it had. In fact, it is no longer to Kenya hosting the toughest rally in held on Easter weekend as was the case the world, the Safari Rally. before. This has made the weekend dull The four-day event coincided with and a reserve for practising Christians, one of the most important days in the who flock to church. Other than that, Christian calendar, Good Friday. It was the rest of holiday makers just throng like a movie which was a must-see by entertainment outlets. Kenyans of all walks of life. Even the then Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin, cashed in on the free pub- The thrill licity soon after overthrowing the ci- Among the rally enthusiasts, was Es- vilian Head of State, Milton Obote in ther Munyao, who recalls with joy how 1971, to participate as a driver in the she would join her siblings and friends international event! But he too did not in the village in Ukambani to watch in go very far after being photographed amazement as the rally drivers zoomed and filmed driving from the ramp for by and splashed them with muddy wa- a short distance by local and interna- ter or dust as they cheered them along. tional journalists. Recalls Munyao: “My memories of Those days, the nation’s attention the rally was when the sleek cars zoomed was fully focused on the Safari rally as through our village. Some would get all eyes and ears were on the foreign stuck in the mud forcing some of the vil- and local rally drivers like Ian Duncan, lagers to join and push them out! That Bjorn Waldegard, Carlos Sainz, Juha was a wonderful experience.” Kankunnen, Joginder Singh, Shekhar Big names of the who-is-who in Mehta, Vic Preston Jr and Patrick Njiru the international motors port featured among others. prominently. History was made during the Safari rallies that dominated tele- Car models vision, newspapers and talks all over. Other players included car manu- Kenya’s Shekhar Mehta made history facturers who used the event to launch by winning the annual event four times their latest models, these included Mer- consecutively, (1979-82), in addition to cedes Benz, Volkswagen Beetle, Ford an earlier victory in 1973. Cortina, Fort Escort, Peugeot, Datsun, From top: Children waving to a Safari Rally team that was cruising Others who made history and are Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Fiat and through their village: A battered Safari Rally car drives into the happy to look back with pride include Volvo. finishing ramp; Orie Rogo Manduli, then known as Mary Ondieki was the flamboyant Ms Orie Rogo Manduli, The rally was first held in June 1953, the first African woman rally driver. then called Mary Ondieki, who was the as the East African Coronation Safari Pictures: Reject Correspondent first woman to participate in the all- in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, as a men’s sport in 1974, with Mrs Sylvia celebration of the coronation of Queen years until it was excluded due to lack of Safari Rally was done is different. Omino, as her co-driver. Elizabeth II. It was renamed the East funding and organisation in 2003. Since The rally attracted children and The two ladies had vowed that they African Safari Rally seven years later then, it is now part of the African Rally grown-ups alike. No one was left out of were out to make a statement that “what in 1960, on the eve of Kenya’s indepen- Championship organised by Federation the euphoria during the heydays of the a man can do, a woman can also do and dence. It then kept that name until 1974 Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). It Safari Rally. They were captive audience. better!” when it became the Safari Rally. is currently known as the KCB Safari The State-run Voice of Kenya (VoK) It was a carnival event as the duo The event was part of the World Rally after its sponsor, Kenya Commer- now known as Kenya Broadcasting Cor- was flagged off from the ramp at the In- Rally Championship calendar for many cial Bank. The format with which the Continued on page 5 Read more Reject stories online at www.mediadiversityafrica.org 2 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 TB patient jailed for defaulting treatment By CAROLINE WANGECHI ally making it hard to control the disease. He the prescribed dose could lead to multi-drug mean that he is a wrong doer but is an ac- said: “The only way to make sure that Mutugi resistant (MDR) strain of the disease which is tion to have him follow the medication regi- A 24-year-old tuberculosis patient has been completes his dose was to keep him in an en- difficult and more expensive to treat. The cost men according to the doctor’s prescription. jailed for eight months by a Baricho court in closed place where health officers will be mon- of treating MDR TB can be between 50 and Muchiri reiterated: “We will be making visits Kirinyaga County. The magistrate took this ac- itoring him.” 200 times what it costs in the first line treat- to all TB patients to see whether they are fol- tion after the public health department com- The decision was reached at after a meeting ment for non-resistant TB. lowing the medication rules. Defaulter, will plained that Benson Mutugi was defaulting on with the health officers from the larger coun- The health officer said Kirinyaga West leads be isolated until he/she completes the dose.” his medication. He will stay behind bars until ty who concluded that defaulters have to get in TB cases in the larger Kirinyaga County Mutugi is getting his treatment at Gathigiriri he completes his TB treatment. stern action so that they are able to complete but they are looking at ways of controlling its Prison under doctors’ observations and will According to the Public Health Officer, Mr their doses to avoid spreading the disease. In- spread. stay isolated so that he does not to spread the Gilbert Muchiri, Mutugi has defaulted sever- consistent medication and failure to complete He said that jailing the patient does not disease. Family in agony over child’s bizarre eye problem By KABIA MATEGA covered his face with a table cloth to block out light. Angwenyi’s parents are both casual labourers and A family is suffering sleepless days and nights help- have been further impoverished because they cannot lessly watching their three-year-old child agonise leave the child behind as they go out in search for over unknown eye tissue growth. jobs. They have been forced to survive on food dona- According to the father, the boy was born with- tions from well wishers. out any notable health problem. This was until five The boy developed a yet to be identified growth months ago when the boy started showing difficul- that has made the eye protrude several inches for- ties in seeing. ward, a situation that leaves him uncomfortable. “He opted to watch other children play from The parents say he cries throughout the day. shades of houses and trees as he could not participate Recently they sought divine intervention from with others in the sunlight,” said Samuel Mogaka Pastor Daniel Mburu of Mizpah Worship Centre in Patrick as he fought back tears. Narok town. Mogaka said a close observation initially indicated The Pastor who led the Reject to the family’s that one of the eyes of Master Henry Angwenyi had rented single room said he could not hold back tears unusual colour and a decision was made to have the when he saw the boy for the first time considering boy checked at Kikuyu Mission Hospital in Kiambu the difficulties the child was undergoing. County. “Doctors at the Kikuyu Mission Hospital recom- mended a simple procedure on the eye to remove Samuel Mogaka holds his son Henry the foreskin in an operation that was successful. We Angwenyi who is suffering from an went back home a happy family with hopes that ev- erything pertaining the eye problem was over,” ex- undetermined eye problem. plained Josephine Kemunto, the boy’s mother as she Picture: Kabia Matega Private school takes Empowering youth and women advantage of boy’s desperate situation key to growing rural economies By RACHEL MUTHONI By KARIUKI MWANGI gari, says the projects have tremendously changed her life. Wangari, is a member of the Murindi Fresh Growers Self-Help Group that It is important to recognise the role women play in the society by started the farming of tissue culture bananas three years ago. She says A school head wants the government to intervene supporting them economically so they can help in development of this has helped boost her family economically. in a case where a bright pupil who sat for the Kenya the rural economy and the country at large. She said that the tissue culture banana farming pays off well as the Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) last year These sentiments were expressed by the International Fund for bananas mature quickly, are free from diseases and of good quality was forced to repeat at a private school. Agricultural Development (IFAD) president Dr Kanayo Nwanze compared to the other indigenous variety. The headteacher of Mutumboro Primary School when he reiterated on the importance of empowering women in “We usually sell the bananas at KSh16 per kilogramme which is in Njoro, Mr Kamau Kuria said the 14-year-old boy the country. good money to support us economically,” she says. had topped the school in last year’s KCPE. “Women are better resource managers and investing in them Through the tissue banana farming Wangari has been able to He said the pupil had attained 337 marks and would be beneficial to the whole community,” said Nwanze during a educate her children, support the family’s daily needs and also start a had been admitted to Molo Academy Secondary tour of agricultural projects funded by the organisation in Embu. dairy farming project. School. He added: “There is also need to tap into the agricultural produc- “However, he is from a poor background and tivity talent in the youths because the growth of an economy also Collecting firewood his single mother, who works as a house help in depends on the inputs by the younger generation.” She says: “The two income generating activities have been comple- Naivasha could not raise the school fees,” explained He pointed out that there is need to promote the role of small menting each other as the animals produce manure for the bananas Kuria. scale farmers in the agricultural development as they have made ma- while at the same time the animals get food from the banana har- He said old boys from the school had raised a jor contributions towards enhancing a food secure economy. vests. There are those who have benefitted from other activities like total of KSh7,000 to cater for the boy’s personal ef- IFAD is still committed to improving agricultural technologies collecting firewood. Members of the Firewood Collection Self-Help fects so that he would attend Mugumo Secondary such as tissue culture bananas to ensure farmers invest in farming Group Peninah Muthoni and Wanjagi Njiru, say collecting firewood School in Molo. activities which are affordable and productive. in the Mt Kenya forest has completely changed their lives. This was after the school had offered to waive the The group came up with an initiative of raising tree seedlings in boy’s tuition fee. However, proprietors of a local pri- Investment which each member contributed KSh5 and labour for the project. vate school which is set to have pupils sit for KCPE Nwanze highlighted the importance of investing in rural areas. They have been selling the seedlings to IFAD through the Mt Kenya for the first time this year convinced the boy to re- This is the pathway for the development of the economy and will also east pilot project for the conservation of the Mt Kenya forest. peat at their school, promising that they would cater help in the reducing rural urban migration. Through the projects, the group has been able to rehabilitate the for his first year school fees if he attains 400 marks. “If we are able to stabilise the financial status of rural populations, Irangi and Magacha forests of Mt Kenya. They have also been able to “I feel they just want to use the boy to boost the they will not move to the urban areas in search of economic satisfac- realize positive changes in their standards of living. name of the school and later dump him. I wish the tion,” explained Nwanze. “We have been able to educate our children, supported our hus- Government would intervene and have him join He urged farmers to take advantage of the advances in technology bands in bringing up the family,” says Muthoni. secondary school,” said Kuria. to improve agricultural productivity noting that farmers cannot us- The women farmers thanked the IFAD for the contin- He said efforts to convince the boy’s mother to ing old farming methods whereas there are new technological meth- ued support which they said have helped them develop eco- have him join secondary school were futile as she ods for the same. nomically and solve the problem of water shortage in the forest. claimed to trust the owners of the private school, IFAD projects in the country has benefited thousands of small IFAD will continue supporting Kenya to ensure the country realises whose sponsorship was conditional. scale farmers. A farmer from Mururi Kirinyaga South, Ms Lizz Wan- food security as it has great potential for agricultural productivity. ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 3 Justice eludes defiled girl

By FLORENCE SIPALLA across the room where our daughter was sleeping. I watched him ‘sleep’ At just nine years of age, Beatrice* has been to with her,” she explains wearing a stoic hell and back. Not only was her innocence be- expression on her face. trayed by a man she called her father, but she Fearing that her husband would also has to wear a diaper. She has to contend turn violent, Getrude did not speak with leaking faeces and urine as a result of re- up. “If I had spoken, he could have peated sexual assault at home. killed us,” she explains her inaction. When you meet Beatrice for the first time, She instead opted to take her child she strikes one as a very confident young girl. for medical check–up the next day at She is articulate and independent, a model stu- Bluehouse clinic in Eastleigh which dent one would think. But even as she exudes offers free medical services for chil- confidence, she is no longer at ease. dren. Her future was nipped in the bud and she no The City Council clinic that offers longer goes to school. As this is what her life has similar services in the vicinity of her become, Beatrice has learnt to be independent. home is closed on weekends. After re- She changes her diaper without any help from porting the matter at the Kariobangi her mother. Police Post, they went to the hospital “She dropped out of school because the oth- to get the medical report so she could Gertrude with her daughter Beatrice during the interview. The nine year old has been er children would laugh at her,” explains Get- complete a P3 form. repeatedly defiled by her stepfather who was recently released from police custody. rude*, the girl’s mother. The police were hostile and even Picture: Reject Correspondent “They say nilifanyiwa tabia mbaya (I was accused her of framing him. Upon sexually abused),” explains Beatrice as she twid- her return, she found them asking her her new neighbourhood. He then trailed Bea- (mixture of maize and beans) for the children dles her thumb, perhaps willing the pain away. husband how much money he had, implying trice as she was walking home from her grand- to eat,” says Getrude. they were willing to release him at a small fee. mother’s house. Sadly, this is not a scenario unique to this Stigma This was not the first time he was sexu- “He came to me and asked for forgiveness. family. Mary Elias, a training coordinator with Her peers taunt her saying she was sexually ally assaulting their daughter. Getrude narrates He said he had changed and would not repeat the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TI- abused and because of being stigmatised she how she first learnt of the ongoing molestation what he had done,” narrates Getrude. CAH) says: “We keep seeing such cases of abuse. stopped going to school. by her husband. “In 2005, when her father was “I told him to go speak to our parents first There is a day when we came across nine cases of “Even when I escort her to school, she is leaving the house, Beatrice broke the silence before he could ask for my forgiveness.” sexual abuse among women and children.” usually back home by 9 am,” laments Gertrude and said: ‘Mum, I want to tell you something. Much as he did not go to see her parents, she Elias tells of many cases of defilement in- who has now resigned to the situation. You need to know that dad is bad, when you go let him back into their lives. cluding one where a man attacked three girls Beatrice’s problems at school began when to Githurai to buy maize, he removes my un- “He said he had changed, he even started go- whom he infected with the HIV virus. the school board chairman publicly announced derwear and lies on my back.” ing to church. I forgave him as I believed the The organisation trains community health that she had been sexually assaulted. This per- change was real,” says Beatrice. workers who then identify such cases of abuse haps well-intentioned message, only went on to Arrest However, the change was short lived and and take action. They report the matter to the make the situation worse as the girl became an At the time, Getrude used to sell maize for a soon the man was back to his old ways. chief and there the wheels of justice begin to object of ridicule among her peers. living and would leave the child in her father’s Despite the challenges, she managed to file run. Getrude explains that the chair who wanted care to go buy her supplies. Getrude then re- a complaint. Her husband was remanded while to use Beatrice as an example, told parents to ported the matter to the Kariobangi Police the case was being heard in court. However, he Support keep a watchful eye on their children as they Station. was recently released. The NGO provides counselling to those af- could be targets of sexual abuse. “He was arrested but a week later he had Now Getrude, who did not have legal rep- fected. “Parents need a lot of help particularly Getrude, 28, got married ten years ago. “I been released without any charges being lev- resentation fears that he might come after her those with low self esteem,” says Elias adding came (into the marriage) with Beatrice,” she says elled against him. I also took Beatrice to see a and harm her in revenge for taking legal action that women in the slums need education on explaining that her husband is not the girl’s bio- doctor and he told me there was no evidence of against him. what they can do in such situations. logical father. They later had two more children, sexual abuse,” explains Getrude. Getrude explains that the case was dismissed She adds: “As much as we are giving them aged three and a half and eight months. They “This was about three days later and at the for lack of sufficient evidence. She has no job counselling, they also need material support.” lived together as a family, little did she know he time I did not know he was having anal sex and they were thrown out of their home due To avoid ending up in a similar predicament, would end up preying on their daughter. with her.” to rental arrears. Now the family lives with her Getrude advises mothers to be vigilant and ob- In March this year, Getrude caught him red- By this time, Getrude had taken the children mother in a one-roomed house. She struggles serve abnormal behaviour in their children. handed sexually assaulting the child. She had and moved to Kariobangi. Her husband then to find food for them. “Watch how they walk,” she urges. “A neigh- suspected that something was amiss but could asked around and managed to trace them to “If I am lucky to get KSh20, I buy githeri bour used to tell me my daughter walks like a not place her finger on it. woman, suggesting that she was already engag- “He would leave our bed at night but I never ing in sexual activity but I did not pay atten- knew where he went. When I asked, he would “He would leave our bed at night but I never knew where tion,” she says reflecting on hindsight. tell me he was checking if Beatrice had wet her Now Beatrice is better, but is yet to return to bed,” she says. But she was not convinced that he went. When I asked, he would tell me he was checking if school. According to her mother, Beatrice says was all, so she stayed awake one night to ob- she will only go back to school if it is an all girls serve what happened. Beatrice had wet her bed.” school and the teachers are all female, perhaps “I watched him remove his shirt and trou- an indication that the girl is still traumatised. ser and place it on the cloth line. He then went — Getrude, mother *Not their real names. Man gets life sentence for defiling nine-year-old By FLORENCE SIPALLA find Laila in bloodied and torn clothes. care for IJM. Laila and her mother are relieved to know The community acted fast and took Laila to “Everyone in Laila’s social circle was con- the assailant cannot harm her further as he is A Githunguri court has sentenced a 50 year the local police station to report the crime. She cerned and they played their part — from the going to be locked up for the rest of his life. old man, James Muriithi for violently defiling a was then taken to the health centre where she police, the school, the hospital and her neigh- The girl continues to receive counselling sup- nine-year old girl. was examined and treated. bours,” he added. port through an IJM aftercare partner. In February 2010, Muriithi accosted Laila The health centre then contacted the hu- During the trial that took 10 months, the Not many girls who find themselves in (not her real name) who was walking to man rights agency International Justice Mission court listened to medical and eyewitness tes- similar circumstances as Laila do get justice. school with her friends and accused her of (IJM) which provided legal support and coun- timonies in determining the case. Addressing This is due to failure by the community to re- stealing his pen. He then grabbed Laila and selling support. the accused while handing the stiff sentence, port such offences to the police. Even worse, dragged her to a maize filed where he sexually “Here is an example of the ideal commu- the magistrate said: “Although I see you are some contract sexually transmitted diseases assaulted her. Laila’s friends ran for help and nity response to a child sexual abuse case,” remorseful, the law is the law and what you and are then stigmatised by the community returned with their teacher and classmates to said Mr Benson Shamala, Director of After- did was bad.” after surviving such attacks. 4 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 First woman rally driver relives the historic moment By ODHIAMBO ORLALE “By the eve of the rally, I put up Easter of 1974 will forever remain etched in the memory of Orie Rogo Manduli. She describes it as a brave face but deep inside me I one of the best moments of her life. That was the year that her dream came true. As knew that we were short of a good a teenager, she became the first Kenyan woman to venture into the male-dominated “toughest rally” rally car; had no funds for fuel; and in the world, the East African Safari Rally! The flamboyant socialite not only entered the we did not even know who would race, but also proved to her critics that “anything a man could do, a woman could do even better”. sponsor us for the 1974 rally!” Her biggest supporter was her father. So strong — Orie Rogo was his support that he went ahead to empty their family savings to sponsor her in the rally. This he did despite strong protests and opposition from her mother who described her mission as “suicidal!” Now the next challenge was where to find the funds, sponsors and logistical support for the Inspiration four-day gruelling event which started in Kenya, Asked about who and what inspired her to go went to Uganda and Tanzania before ending in against the grain, Manduli reveals that she was frus- Nairobi. trated seeing only men participating in the interna- Reveals Manduli: “By the eve of the rally, I put tionally recognised race in the heart of Africa, while up a brave face but deep inside me I knew that we the locals watched and cheered them along. were short of a good rally car; had no funds for By then she had just completed her secondary fuel; and we did not even know who would spon- school education and was fortunate, thanks to her sor us for the 1974 rally!” beauty and aggressiveness, to land a part time job with Meanwhile, the “rally girls”, as they were brand- the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation then known as ed had become a darling of the local and interna- Voice of Kenya (VoK), as a broadcaster/presenter. The tional media, who gave them a lot of publicity in Safari Rally was her beat. print and broadcast media. “I even saw foreign white women rally drivers Their efforts started to bear fruit when a hand- come to participate but there was no African or Ke- ful of local firms agreed to sponsor them. These nyan! It was then that I started asking where are the were Wrigley’s Chewing Gum Ltd; Metal Box (her Kenyan and African women in this rally?” says the former employer); Orbit Sports and HY Young former rally driver with pride. Company. Manduli who was then using the name Mary Ondieki was also inspired by a Kenyan-Asian couple, Harambee the Chodas, who religiously participated in the rally, The sweet-talking former rally ace had to use just for the thrill of it and not necessarily to win or her savings, donations from her dad, Councillor finish. Gordon Washington Rogo, friends and well-wish- The former rally ace took the guts to challenge ers, who included her brother, Khama Rogo, and Mrs Pauru Choda why she did not enter the rally as his Nairobi University student colleagues, who a driver with a woman navigator, instead of always had organised a funds drive dance with the fa- being by her husband, Prem. mous Mangelepa Band performing in Nairobi. But Choda’s answer did not convince Manduli “My dad was the biggest sponsor and he emp- why women must accept the second place. She used tied his lifetime savings just for me. However, my that to go public in 1974 saying time had come for mum was totally against the move and almost got her to be the first African woman to participate in a fit when she heard what my dad had done,” re- the Safari Rally. calls Manduli, who is the eldest of eight siblings. From 1971, when she was engaged by VoK, Man- The funds raised were used to import a brand duli agonised with that question for four years before new Mitsubishi Colt Gallant, through a Nairobi finally deciding to venture in the foreign and male dealer, from Japan. But lady luck was not on their dominated sport that was reserved for the elite. side as the vehicle arrived 48 hours before the start of the rally, contrary to the rally rules. The driver’s seat The duo had to test-drive their car from Nai- “I had asked the Asian lady why she always navi- robi to Mombasa on the eve of the flagging off by gated for her husband. That is when I decided that I President Jomo Kenyatta, at Inter-Continental ho- would be that driver in the next Safari, the first African tel, Nairobi, in order to “break the engine,” a prac- woman behind the wheels!” says the former rally ace. tice done to all new cars. The first challenge after making that decision So by the time they finally drove their car, reg- was to find an African woman who was ready to istration number KPU 200, onto the ramp in the be her navigator. But thanks to having a childhood afternoon of Easter Friday, the two ladies were lit- friend and soul-mate Pamela Anyango, who bought erally exhausted. the idea as soon as Manduli raised it. They put on a brave face thanks to the support “Pamela accepted my offer immediately and was of her dad, brother, eldest daughter, Elizabeth, and very excited about the adventure! We then organised scores of chanting Nairobi University students and went on the first recce (survey) of the rally route who boosted their morale. in my personal car, a Citroen, because we did not Something dramatic happened just before the have a race car like the professional drivers.” President flagged them off: an old woman from However, their plans were nipped in the bud Nyeri presented them with an orange as good luck shortly before the rally when Anyango’s employer, fruit. University students broke the security cor- IBM, decided to offer her training opportunity on doned forcing the presidential guards to cause a computers in London, in the United Kingdom. commotion; and it was at that point that Manduli’s However, the hitch did not stop her as she man- daughter fell on the ground. aged to use her contacts and friends to recruit Ms They had also received a carrot and a rabbit From top: Orie Rogo Manduli aka Mary Ondieki was the first Kenyan woman Sylvia Omino, another close friend, to be her naviga- from officials of American and Canadian Women’s rally driver. Manduli (right) and her navigator Sylvia Omino receiving part of tor. She was excited about the offer two weeks before Associations as a symbol of good luck. their sponsorship; Manduli (left) receives her documents from officials of the the big event and “felt like fish in water!” Continued on page 5 East African Safari Rally: Pictures: Reject Correspondent ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 5 A nostalgic flashback to Easter and the rally fever

Continued from page 1 ity was raised by the big turnout of world poration (KBC) beamed the event live. The famous rally drivers like Kurt Waldergard print media reserved prime pages including among others. a table which readers and rally enthusiasts Thereafter, the media houses, with the could fill in details of how the drivers were foreign journalists in tow, would give their progressing. listeners and viewers hourly updates of how Meshack Ndolo, who was a student dur- the rally drivers were fairing. Print journal- ing the Safari Rally days remembers how ists reserved page one and several inside the airwaves were flooded with news of pages exclusively to who was winning, who was driving what vehicle, names of the who was time-barred, who had mechanical drivers and countries of origin. Details were problems and anything that was happening so intense they included how far they had directly or indirectly about the Safari rally. proceeded in the rally route. The rally was billed as the toughest mo- By then, VoK was the sole broadcaster, tor event in the world by its organisers then. as the airwaves had not been liberalised. It was made tough by the fact that it took The only alternative for those who were place during the long rains and the roads not Safari Rally enthusiasts was either to that the drivers used were not tarmacked. switch off the radio and/or TV or to tune The mud and water added to the challenge to foreign stations and or play the cassette and excitement. recorder or record player. Indeed, the annual rally was an opportu- The two local dailies, Daily Nation and nity for the best local and foreign photogra- East African Standard, also carried front- phers to prove their prowess by their imagi- page dazzling photos of the zooming rally nation, creativity and sense of timing to get the award winning snaps of the event. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, (left) Kenya’s first Vice-President flags off Joginder cars literally flying in the air, splashing through a wet stretch, and/or billowing dust Another rally fan, was Vincent Nyagaya, Singh and his co-driver from the starting ramp. Pictures: Reject Correspondent to enthusiastic crowds across the country. who says he always looked forward to the Safari weekend as a student because his Media coverage teachers expected them to write a composi- All the local media houses assigned tion after the holidays describing in details their senior reporters and photogra- what they did and loved about the break. First woman rally driver phers to cover the event round the clock, “We would also use the weekend to don’t want to hear you announce that you cannot around the country throughout the four make our own toys from clothes’ hangers Continued from page 4 locate the girls, go out and find the girls!” days, from the State-function during the and hold our own rally in the estate. It was “The gun shot by the rally official alerting us to Thank God the “girls” had been rescued by an- flagging off of the first car by the Head of real fun,” recalls Nyagaya. drive off, further caused more panic as I saw my other local driver, Peter Shiyuka and managed to State, to the last team to cross the finish But for Ruth Binga, the rally was con- baby fall down as the local and foreign journalists drive back to Nairobi safe and sound. line and popping of champagne. sidered a nuisance by her parents who were mobbed and bombarded me with questions about For the next two days, the girls gave their male Says Ndolo: “I was young, but I loved to devoted Christians. They instead encour- what I thought our chances were in the rally,” she rivals a run for their money, but were declared watch the photos of the rally cars flying in aged her and her siblings to concentrate on recalls. All I remember saying was: “Where is my time-barred after returning to Nairobi to start the their air or splashing water along the route their studies and attend church. baby? I want my baby! As I drove off to start the next leg to Uganda. on TV and in the newspapers, as their sup- “For us, the rally was a distraction first leg of the rally.” Asked 29 years later whether she would repeat porters cheered them along. It was also a from our books and church activities. I The toughest part was crossing when their car the fete again if given a chance, a proud Manduli, re- wonderful family outing just going out to was never a big fan like some of my sib- developed mechanical problem in the middle of a sponds: “We were instant celebrities to our fans even see the new cars and helicopters trailing lings,” Binga recalls. She is happy it was herd of elephants next to a flooded river in Nku- though we did not win or even finish the rally.” them along.” moved from Easter weekend. bu, Meru District. They also encountered another In retrospect, the trailblazer says she was proud In those days, VoK which became KBC I feel nostalgic as I look forward to this problem in the sand dunes when their car got stuck to have participated in the Safari Rally, and if given in 1989, would stop all normal program- year’s Easter holiday missing the dramatic at Kora National Park in Marsabit district in East- another chance she would do it all over again. ming throughout the afternoon of the flag- coverage of the Safari Rally drivers, and ern Province because it was not fitted with a sand- However, her regret is that no other local or ging off the rally cars and during the end of an opportunity for families and friends to plate necessary for that terrain. African women have entered the rally since then: the event as the winners were interviewed drive into the rural areas and enjoy a pic- For several hours no one knew the whereabouts “Our women lack the spirit of adventure and the and given the trophies. The event was then nic along strategic areas along the route and of “the girls”. Manduli’s father had to storm into oomph of never say die! Our women are too docile beamed across the world to foreign radio have a jolly good time. How I wish I could VoK headquarters in Nairobi and demanded: “I and self editing,” she laments. and TV stations. The demand for public- turn the clock back. The treacherous 45 degree junction By NJUGUNA MUTONYA It was a no miss event and even the local chief and priests (including my late The Safari Rally was the single most grandmother) would spend the night important event and treat for the vil- there awaiting the distant cars tracing lagers of Gatura in Muranga District patterns in the sky with their harsh head- during the Easter holidays especially lights before roaring down on us at break- in the 1970s. The greater Gatura lay at neck speed to skid in sometimes 360 de- the foot of the Aberdares Ranges and grees turns before finding their direction. was the turning point for the fast mov- As young teenagers, we competed in ing cars whooshing down the bends screaming out the names of international and spins of the steep valleys on their and local stars like Sandro Munari, Bjorn way from the Solio Ranch in Nakuru. Waldegaard and the local favourites like The next major stop was the Outspan Vic Preston Junior in their Lancia Stratos Hotel in Nyeri, on the slopes of Mt Kenya and Porsche Carreras. before heading to Meru and then wind- Without the Safari Rally, Easter would ing back on the same route to finish in have been a dry common-place school Nairobi. holiday like all the others apart from the For two days the villagers, old and numerous church services especially for young, would gather at the treacherous the Catholics. 45 degree junction at the chiefs camp to The roaring cars and the adrenaline watch the large number of souped-up en- rush they caused was worth the long gines roaring past to the excitement of the hours in the dark or under the falling crowd which always had a soft spot for the rain the next day as we waved at them at local drivers like Joginder Singh, Davin- the Shopping centre on their way to the der Singh and even local boys like Kim Naivasha and the final run to Nairobi. It A Safari Rally driver stranded in one of the treacherous routes awaits for help. Gatende and George Githu. was the real test of man and machine. Pictures: Reject Correspondent. 6 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Mwingiwood comes to Ukambani with a bang By PAUL KIMANZI on matters of immorality, peer pressure and drug abuse. This time round they will act in If what a group of youth in Mwingi District is English so as to reach out to more Kenyans. doing is anything to go by, Kenyans may soon Narrating how they successfully ventured shift their attention from Nigerian movies and into the film industry, which most Kenyans focus on what these young Kenyan actors have believe is ‘Nigerian business’, Mulwa said it to offer. started like a church concert in 2008. Little did Tens of youth from the dusty little Katiliku they know it would be a stepping stone into the village, Kanzanzu location, in Mwingi Central movie business. have released their first movie that addresses “We first did an interesting concert in moral decay in a society. church and this set the ball rolling for our ven- The young actors have done a play named turing into the film industry when the church Mwende (love) in their movie entitled Mov- commended us for the job well done with many ing Masses to Christ (MM2C), which runs for telling us that we could act in a movie. It then 90 minutes written in Kamba dialect. In the dawned on us that we were sitting on talent,” movie, the actors bring into play unwarranted explains Mulwa. romantic relationships that eventually result in The movie director, Ms Mercy Mawia Mulwa sexually transmitted infections and the spread says: “We formed a team of four officials. Since of HIV and Aids. none of us was a professional, we hired a cam- eraman for video coverage and all the shooting HIV/Aids campaign was done in Mwingi.” “There have been aggressive campaigns to The other youth who are part of this group raise awareness about HIV/Aids but youth are include James Muinde (chairman), and Samuel still dying from the vice. That is why we have Kimanzi (secretary). The four are local universi- highlighted this problem in our movie. Given ty students while the rest of the actors are either that Kenyans are staunch fans of movies, we be- in primary or high schools. lieve they will be able to pay attention,” says Ms “The movie has 22 active characters with ten Grace Syombua Mulwa, the movie producer. of them playing major roles,” explains Muinde. From left: Grace Syombua, James Muinde and Mercy Mawia display She says this generation has pleaded igno- The actors belong to Independent Presbyte- DVDs of their movie. Picture: Paul Kimanzi rance and turned a blind eye on matters of sex rian Church (IPC) in Katiliku, about three kilo- and sexuality. As a result, many have fallen vic- metres from Mwingi town, along the Mwingi– see us bring Nigeria to Kenya,” joked Mulwa. our little Nigeria right here in Kenya”. tim to the deadly scourge. “We believe we will Garissa road. Area residents could not hide their excite- A woman from the neighbouring village change their mentality in our movie,” Mulwa Among the challenges the group faced in ment after watching the film. Commenting on Ngunikila who also watched the movie titled observes. making their dream come true was financial the innovation, Kyalo Mbuku said their village Musungi Kiteme, said: “Syana situ syika nesa If their business materialises, the fight against constraints. With support from the church, they may soon rise through the ranks by setting kusomethya andu (our children are doing a HIV and Aids may take a new dimension. successfully mobilised funds. agenda for the whole nation. commendable job to educate people).” After market testing of the first movie, the “We are just establishing ourselves in the Another resident identified as Joseph Mwan- The movie is on DVD and is retailing at group will soon release a second film touching market. It is just a question of time and you will gangi from the same location joked, “we have KSh200 a copy. Guard on illegal detention acquitted of all charges By JENNIE OZUMBA turned with him to the compound, where they against Aggrey,” explains Ronald Rogo, were met by security guards from a neigh- head of interventions for IJM Kenya. The After five months of languishing in jail, Aggrey bouring facility who had come upon hearing team knew they could make a strong case a 26-year-old father of one is now a free man the commotion, the local police and the own- to prove Aggrey’s innocence. having been acquitted of false charges of theft er of the business. The owner was anxious to “What strikes me the most about this that would have kept him in prison for up to make a successful insurance claim for his loss case and other illegal detention cases is seven years. and his policy required evidence of arrest. Ap- how poverty contributes to someone’s “When I first heard the verdict, I felt like get- parently, feeling pressure to move ahead with vulnerability,” observes George Obiero, ting on my knees to pray, but I realised that I was the case, the police arbitrarily arrested Aggrey psychologist and IJM aftercare specialist. in court, so I whispered a prayer to thank God — despite the complete lack of any evidence for my acquittal,” he recalls. against him, and the fact that there would have Rescue Full of hope and expectation, Aggrey had been no way for him to successfully dispose Not able to afford a lawyer, Aggrey moved from his village hours from Nairobi to of the stolen materials before making it to his would have no one to stand up for him Aggrey, happy to be free again after being the capital city, where he hoped to earn a more manager’s office. and refute the baseless charges. His voca- secure future for himself and his expectant wife. He was charged with breaking into a build- tion left him particularly vulnerable. incarcerated on theft charges has moved back With little educational background, he gained ing to commit a felony and neglecting to pre- “IJM has represented 13 more men to the village to be with his young family. employment as a security guard, and was as- vent a felony, and thrown into Nairobi Indus- who work as security guards and have Picture: Jennie Ozumba signed to the night shift, guarding the offices of trial Remand Prison. been wrongfully charged with robbery,” a telecommunications company. Life in the remand was not easy for Aggrey. explains Rogo. fused to testify at the trial, the magistrate be- He has a serious health condition and during For Aggrey, help came quickly. The IJM lieved Aggrey, acquitting him of all charges. Night shift that time was unable to access his medications. team was able to ensure that he was released on Rather than become bitter about his treat- On February 4, last year, Aggrey took over Back in the village, his wife had given birth free bond by July. Over the course of the case, ment, Aggrey has become more appreciative of from the day security guard at 6.00 pm. Around to their first child. The situation seemed hope- Aggrey grew resilient. When asked about how the court system and how easily people can be 1.00 am, Aggrey noticed some suspicious activ- less. he felt, Aggrey remarked that he was confident oppressed. He shared with IJM staff that, if giv- ity around the guard post. Before he could re- that there would be a good outcome once IJM en the opportunity, he would like to become a act, Aggrey was overpowered by two men. Pro- No evidence came on the scene. He was sure of his inno- legal assistant someday, advising people of their vided with no whistle or torch by his employer, Fortunately, Aggrey’s sister works as a pris- cence and was put at ease when he knew that rights and helping to prevent similar situations Aggrey was defenceless — and with no alarm on warden in Nairobi and knew where to go for someone would tell the truth on his behalf in from occurring. installed in the building, there was no way he help. She referred Aggrey’s case to International court. For now, Aggrey has moved back to the vil- could summon help. He was bound and robbed, Justice Mission Kenya, whose advocates quickly In January 2011, the final verdict was de- lage to be with his young family and take up with a gun held to his throat. Leaving him in a stepped in and began collecting evidence and livered just as Aggrey predicted his name was farming. state of shock, the men proceeded to enter the detailing witness statements that proved Ag- completely cleared. “When I first came to Nairobi, I was very na- offices and stole close to KSh500,000 worth of grey’s innocence and wrongful imprisonment. Due to the evidence presented by IJM advo- ïve. After this experience, I am much wiser and goods and cash (approximately $6,000). “The police did not have any evidence cates and the fact that the investigative officer re- more aware of what goes on,” he says. Badly shaken, Aggrey screamed for help, Unfortunately during his legal battles, his but no one heard his cries. Afraid of what the home was destroyed by a fire, but he is free and thieves would do to him, he waited until the the family has hope. Together with his wife, Ag- men left and struggled free from the ropes used Not able to afford a lawyer, Aggrey would have grey is rebuilding their home. to bind him. Desperate to alert his manager of Instead of wasting away in prison, Aggrey the incident, he ran on foot to the headquarters no one to stand up for him and refute the baseless will be present for his daughter’s childhood. 10 minutes away. He and his wife are thinking of starting a small Aggrey summoned his manager and re- charges. His vocation left him particularly vulnerable. business. ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 7 High medical costs drive women to home deliveries By HUSSEIN DIDO Other than not giving birth in hospital, Hus- sein has not embraced contemporary methods Majority of pregnant mothers in Isiolo and of family planning. She prefers traditional and Marsabit Counties still give birth at home ex- natural family planning adding that she has been posing their lives and that of their unborn ba- having children every two years. bies to danger. “It is God who feeds every one. We have Medical practitioners in the two counties no business practicing family planning,” says have raised concern that more than half of Hussein. the expectant mothers risk contracting HIV/ However, Hussein is not alone in this pre- Aids during child birth in the hands of tradi- dicament. The Reject established that only few to the centres,” says Guyo. tional birth attendants (TBA) unless measures women in the remote rural areas manage to give The Government has been now are put in place to address the challenges. birth in health facilities despite successfully at- forced to pay a token of KSh100 to tra- tending ante-natal clinics. ditional birth attendants to discourage No family planning Medical practitioners say the mothers are women from giving birth at home. According to the nurse-in-charge of Merti only referred to hospital when complications “We encourage women to visit Health Centre, Mrs Dimtu Guyo most of the arise during child birth. health facilities with their own tra- women in the rural areas in Merti and remote Guyo reiterates that some traditional birth ditional birth attendants for them to districts prefer traditional birth attendants due attendants accompany their clients to the health learn and observe,” explains Guyo. to low cost, involved during child birth. facilities for help when they seek services at the Although the government had The Reject visited Merti Health Centre and institutions. waived fees for those giving birth at later a home where a woman had just given district health facilities, this directive birth with the help of traditional birth atten- Complications has not been effected two years after it dants. This is very common in Merti District. One was issued by then Minister for Health, Asna Hussein a mother of four has never been Thirty-year-old Mother of four, Asna Hus- mother walked for an hour from her village in Mrs Charity Ngilu. to hospital for skilled birth attendance. Inset: sein has only given birth in hospital once at the Manyatta Gana to the health facility to access the Maternal health care across the Hussein’s baby who had just been delivered by a Merti Health Centre following complications medical services. The woman who had already country is subsidised by the UNICEF traditional birth attendant when the Reject team during delivery. undergone three days of labour was too weak to which has partnered with the Ministry visited the home. Pictures: Hussein Dido She said unlike traditional birth attendants push the baby. of Medical Services to pay hospitals for who console mothers, nurses in medical institu- “Most of the mothers shy away from the every birth in health facilities. The UN women KSh1,000 for delivering at the hospital. tions harass them and at times use abusive lan- skilled health care services due to the costs in- body pays KSh725 for every delivery but medical The women are also asked to buy soap, hand guage. volved and the long distances from the villages facilities such as Isiolo District Hospital charge gloves and cotton wool. Drug to save mothers from bleeding to death By JANE GODIA Maternal deaths due to excessive bleeding natal care to expectant mothers so has been a cause of concern all over the world. they can have protection against Tabitha John was in her last trimester when la- In the Millennium Development Goals, Number post-partum haemorrhage,” ex- bour set in. Not near a medical facility, she had Five tasked governments to improve maternal plains Quereshi. a traditional birth attendant who could attend to health and reduce maternal mortality by three Doctors who were involved in her in case the baby decided to come before they quarters. the project are all agreeable that the reached skilled care. According to the World Health Organisation rate of maternal mortality in this However, there was need to get Tabitha to up to 358,000 women die each year in pregnancy country is not acceptable. hospital where she would get proper handling. and childbirth. Most of them die because they According to Dr Nuriye Hodo- With no access to ambulance services, Tabitha had no access to skilled routine and emergency glugil of Venture Strategies Inno- and the TBA called in a taxi that would take her care. Since 1990, some countries in Asia and vations, the firm that developed to the medical facility. On the way, labour was Northern Africa have more than halved mater- misoprostol, they are looking at how equally progressing and the baby was ready to nal mortality. There has also been progress in to enhance prevention of maternal come out even before they arrived. sub-Saharan Africa. mortality and hence development of What would Tabitha do? Would she give birth But here, unlike in the developed world the drug. Professor Joseph Karanja of the University of in a taxi? No she had to come out of the vehicle where a woman’s life time risk of dying during or “Mothers are dying not because Nairobi’s medical school with Dr Nuriye Hodoglugil and the TBA helped her deliver by the roadside. following pregnancy is one in 4,300, the risk of we do not have the technology but of Venture Strategies Innovations display the What if complications arose? What if she maternal death is very high at one in 31. It there- because of accessibility,” explained misoprostol drug that helps stop excessive bleeding haemorrhaged? “I was well equipped. I had been fore important to ensure that the quality of care Hodoglugil. She said the drugs that after delivery. Picture: Reject Correspondent given three tablets of misoprostol to take imme- provided is optimal. In Kenya, access to skilled are currently available are in injec- diately after giving birth should I have to deliver health care remains a challenge as facilities are tion form, easily sensitive to light the drug is important for women who cannot away from a medical facility,” says Tabitha. far from many in the rural and slum areas. Ac- and must be administered by a skilled worker in access skilled health care. cess to skilled health care in Kenya has gone a health facility. According to Professor Joseph Karanja of No haemorrhage down from 50 percent in 1989 to 44 percent in There was need to identify an intervention University of Nairobi who was also part of the After giving birth, Tabitha went back home 2008-2009. which is simple and effective. One that has high project, the introduction of misoprostol was where she was cleaned up before going to hospi- done at community level after looking at the tal for check up. “I was found to be okay and so situation of maternal health in Kenya. “The situ- was the baby,” she says. ation was getting worse having moved to 488 The misoprostol saved Tabitha from haemor- “I was well equipped. I had been given three tablets of deaths per 100,000 births up from 414. This is rhaging. Tabitha is among the 3,800 women who well above the MDG target of 147 by 2015,” ex- were on a pilot project of the misoprostol that misoprostol to take immediately after giving birth should I plained Karanja. was carried out in Kitui and Maragua. Misoprostol is a drug registered in Kenya as have to deliver away from a medical facility.” Education an essential drug and was being tested out on With the drug being provided in an ante- pregnant women in the two districts. Availability — Tabitha John natal clinic it presents an opportunity to educate of three tablets, taken immediately after the birth women on post-partum haemorrhage and also of a baby has saved women from haemorrhaging enable distribution easily to women who cannot to death. The Countdown to 2015 indicates that the coverage and one which all women who deliver deliver at a health facility. The Misoprostol is being used to protect the leading cause of maternal death in Kenya is hae- will receive as an intervention. The intervention According to Karanja, over half of Kenyan mother’s life after birth. It is given to women who morrhage at 34 percent; hypertension 19 percent; also had to be cost effective. Misoprostol is a women deliver at home. “Women in rural areas attend ante-natal clinic. They are supposed to indirect causes; 17 percent; other direct causes 11 drug that easily meets these challenges. are less likely to deliver at a health facility,” he re- have it with them at the time of delivery whether percent; abortion nine percent; sepsis nine per- According to Hodoglugil: “The drug comes iterated. at home or in a health facility. cent and embolism nine percent. in tablet form and is easy to use as it is a single The misoprostol if correctly used should be While the women in Maragua have the ad- According to Dr Zahida Quereshi, one of dose. It is a good alternative where injectibles are taken immediately after the baby is born but be- vantage of being attended to by community the doctors leading the pilot project on miso- not feasible.” She added: “It is also safe to use in fore the delivery of the placenta. midwives, who are trained health personnel, the prostol, bleeding after birth or post-partum home births and can be provided by community The aim of the project was to create commu- women in Kitui do not have that luxury and have haemorrhage remains the leading cause of ma- level providers or the mother can be trained to nity awareness on birth preparedness and post- to rely on TBAs. ternal mortality. “Misoprostol is given at ante- use the drug herself.” Hodoglugil reiterated that partum haemorrhage prevention. 8 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Samburu’s silent heroine shines amid stigma

By MUKTAR ABDI

She maybe uneducated but that has not stopped her from raising her voice. She speaks about a subject many women from her Samburu community including the elite consider a taboo to talk about. Among the pastoralist community, men are consid- ered custodians of culture. Women are not supposed to go against the grain no matter how bad they may be. However, Ms Salome Lenawasae, 38, a mother of six decided to go against the oppressive culture, an action that has endeared her to some but earned her the title of ketolo (an outcast) from her fellow women in the Samburu com- munity. “I have been branded ketolo for fighting for my daugh- ters’ wellbeing. The fight has now made me an outcast in my community and I am being treated as if I have killed somebody,” she says. Forced marriage Lenawasae’s childhood experiences made her feel less a human being as she was just an object to her husband. She had hoped to at least complete her primary school educa- tion but her dreams were cut short by her father’s greed for bride price at the age of 12. “I was forced to drop out of Standard Three to become a herdsman’s wife by my father so that he could get dowry in form of livestock. To him educating a girl was a waste of time,” she explains. At the age of 20, Lenawasae was a mother of four and her main chore was herding goat and sheep. Her husband would beat her occasionally if the animals got lost or if she did something that he thought was wrong. Thirty years later, the desire by Lenawasae to see her daughter’s life take a different path prompted her to do things that have separated her from family and commu- nity. Today, she lives with her three school-going children in Ms Salome Lenawasae (right) who decided to go against the outskirts of Rumuruti town, Laikipia County. the oppressive culture, an action that has endeared her It was the urge to educate her daughter that forced to many is decorated by Ms Jane Meriwas from Samburu Lenawasae to live far from her matrimonial home. Women for Education and Empowerment Development For several months, she relied on well wishers for basic Organization. Below: Ms Salome Lenawasae decorates a needs like food and shelter. Two years ago, she started mak- ing beaded ornaments for sale. belt with beads at her home in Rumurati town which she The daughter who made Lenawasae take the bold step will sell to raise money to carter for her family’s needs. is now in Standard Eight at a local school. Had the mother Pictures: Muktar Abdi remained silent like majority of the women in her commu- nity have continued to do, the girl would have been mar- ried off at a tender age of 11 back in 2006.” My parents forced me out of school against my wishes and “My parents forced me out of school got me married. I am now ready to educate my two daughters and ensure they are not turned into young brides,” reiterates against my wishes and got me married. Lenawasae who is now a mother of six. She lives with her two daughters and a son while three elder sons were left with her I am now ready to educate my two husband. daughters and ensure they are not Mother’s joy Speaking outside her falling timber house, Lenawasae turned into young brides.” says despite the hardships she is going through, she is happy — Salome Lenawasae that her daughter will be joining secondary school next year. “We may not be leading a comfortable life here but the source of my happiness is in school like other children and no elderly with a friend who took her to Suguta Primary School in Sam- suitor eying her like it happened to me,” she observes. buru West District which is run by the Catholic Church,” she The daughter who performs well in school would be some- told the Reject. one’s wife and probably a mother of two by now if her father’s A few days later, her husband suspected that she had a plans to marry her off succeeded. hand in their daughter’s disappearance and raised tension in “I know the problems my mother has undergone for my sake. the homestead demanding that she returns the girl. I have vowed not to let her down and my prayer is that my dream She was forced out of the house and settled far away from of becoming a doctor will be fulfilled so that girls can know the home with her children as nobody wanted to be associated importance of education,” says the KCPE candidate. with her. The action Lenawasae took was a daring one and whenever Today, Lenawasae does not regret her action despite the she narrates it to fellow women, many are left agape. hardships she has endured. Now many women listen to her Her views are supported by Laikipia West Children’s Of- Among the Samburu community, women have little say and and a few appreciate the need to educate their daughters. ficer, Mr Peter Mwangi who says despite the existence of laws few can dare question any decision made by their husbands no She says her action has become an eye-opener and she has that criminalise early child marriages, many cases go unreported matter how oppressive it may be. been preaching the gospel to other women to liberate them- among the pastoralists. Hence, a move by a woman to stop a planned marriage for her selves. Mwangi cites a recent case where a Standard Five pupil from daughter behind her husband’s back is a peculiar one. Thome village was to be married off but her teacher got wind of Lenawasae says it was not easy to rescue her daughter from Entrenched practice the plans and reported to the children’s office. The girl’s father the moran (community warrior) who had already paid three According to a women rights activist Ms Jane Meriwa, the was arrested. cows as the bride price. She had to involve the Catholic Church fight to have pastoralists’ girls in school is far from being won. For good results to be realised, a new approach is necessary. and later the provincial administration to ensure that her daugh- Meriwa, who is the director of Samburu Women for Educa- “In order to convince our people not to marry off their daughters, ter was safe. tion and Empowerment Development Organization (SWEEDO) the voices of role models need to be heard,” Meriwa observes. She According to her community, culture dictates that once the says enforcing the rights of the girl child through use of legisla- adds: “Elders need to appreciate that an educated woman can buy bride price had been paid, it should not be returned and the suit- tion like what is spelt out in the new Constitution may not be cattle for them and livestock wealth does not necessarily have to or must get a wife from that family. very effective. come from bride price.” So the suitor eventually got a bride from the family though it “The practice is so entrenched in the culture and administra- She says there is little to celebrate about in terms of the gains was not one of Lenawasae’s daughters. “I waited until my daugh- tors like chiefs who are supposed to arrest the culprits actually made on women’s empowerment among her community. ters and others were to undergo circumcision which was a big participate in marriage ceremonies involving underage girls,” “Lenawasae is a silent Samburu heroine and her daughter’s ceremony organised at Ngalema-ra in Ol Moran division of Lai- says Meriwa, a Samburu who is among the few lucky women in dream to study up to university level deserves to be supported,” kipia West district. A few days to the circumcision day, I arranged her community to have been educated beyond high school. says Meriwa. ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 9 Power of the evil stare reigns over Gusii By GODFREY MACHUKA swells and hardens as he kicks due to the pain She says that witches target young children tect them against the powers of this witchcraft. he is feeling,” Michori explains. “When a mother mostly because they admire them and are en- In adverse cases, some suspected perpetra- A people widely known as farmers especially notices such signs in her baby she will often con- vious. tors of witchcraft have faced the wrath of their for bananas, tea and sugarcane, the Abagusii tact me for help.” She also confesses that it is hard to diagnose neighbours by being lynched, chased away from are somewhat silent in portraying their cultural With her tools of trade; some petroleum jelly, this problem in older people especially pregnant their homes or having their homes set ablaze. activities, perhaps because they have gradually a coin and a sufuria of water, Michori waves her mothers though cases involving them are rare. Self-confessed witches of this kind have been embraced foreign cultures. magic by wiping the jelly applied on the skin of “These witches also target animals or plants. assisted in seeking the help from traditional Sadly, an undying evil clings on the repu- the baby to feel the little particles of harmful dirt However, it becomes hard to intervene in the medicine men. They are subsequently warned tation of this industrious community that no that got transferred to the child’s body in the case of animals and they die as plants dry,” she against eating mutton. matter how hard the society tries to ignore and event of the bewitching. offers. A witch who sought anonymity said she in- or blame it on superstition, its presence remains She says it is the particles in the child’s Michori discloses that light skinned babies herited the practice from her late mother who unchallenged; the possibility of the power of body that result in the uncomfortable fever. are common victims and many witches can be had also inherited it from her lineage. This trend witches. She then uses water boiling in a sufuria with a found hanging around health clinics and church- seems to excite the locals into lynching such coin in it to ‘coordinate’ the extraction of those es to relieve themselves the accumulated urge to families. Evil eye particles. transfer the powers of evil from their bodies to “My mother ran away from home for fear Common among the various forms of “Often, if the child has been bewitched, I or others. of being lynched,” narrates the witch. It later witchcraft in this region is the evil eye believed anybody else will feel and see the particles of emerged that her family was targeted unless they to be targeting young children through a fer- either cloth, sand, dry grass, grains or anything Protection renounced the practice. That is how she escaped vent stare by a witch. Known as ebibiriri in that was present at the event of bewitching and Defence mechanisms include dressing ba- a date with death from angry villagers. Ekegusii, this form of witchcraft is fatal to chil- will be able to pick them from the child’s skin,” bies in red clothes especially when exposing Some religious leaders in this region admit dren particularly because it is said to be trans- explains Michori. “The same particles will be them to crowds. the existence of this kind of witchcraft, confesses ferred instantly and from a close distance. deposited in the boiling water.” “Red colour is believed to be unfriendly to a local church leader: “I have personally seen A traditional medicine woman in Ibacho She goes ahead to warn that if the child in these people so they will keep their eyes away,” children suffer and die out of this practice and to sub-location, Ibacho division, Masaba South question is given medical care especially an in- observes Michori. She adds that charms and ignore them as mere superstition only perpetu- district, Ms Eunice Michori is an expert in di- jection, then death is inevitable. “Annually, an other animal by-products such as fat from pigs ates the dangers they pose to the community,” agnosing cases in which young children have average of four children die as a result of this applied on babies’ foreheads can be used as de- explains Jefferson Momanyi, an elder at Mobam- been victims of the said witchcraft. She con- form of witchcraft in this village. It is partly fence against the evil eye. ba SDA church. firms the power of the evil stares over babies because mothers are not be able to tell what Some beliefs suggest that by dressing children As uncomfortable as it may be for the Aba- and sometimes pregnant mothers. ails the child and thus take risks in getting with their inner wear inside out or wearing neck- gusii to discuss this retrogressive practice, their “A child will often cry non-stop, his belly medical attention,” explains Michori. laces made out of seeds of certain trees will pro- wish is that it will one day die. Witchcraft allegations see community losing its elderly By FIBI DAVID to be innocent when taken to the administrators who are believed to be experts in proving the Cold blood murders have engulfed communities vice but unfortunately, the youths still target the in Malindi and Magarini constituencies of Kilifi elderly. County. The elderly in these two constituencies He condemns the killings of the elderly not- are living in fear of youth who are accusing them ing that this might be as a result of family con- of practicing witchcraft. flicts especially in cases of land ownership. Between last year and now, more than 27 el- During a recent baraza, Magarini District derly people have been killed within Magarini Commissioner, Mr Richard Karani accused the and Malindi District, eight having been lynched political leadership within the region of neglect- in the past two months alone. Those who fall vic- ing the matter since they have failed to address it tim to the murders are elderly men and women in their meet the people rallies. aged 60 and above. One village elder, Mzee Kazungu Mranja of Victims Timboni Mjanaheri in Gongoni within Magarini Karani said most of the murders took place Constituency was killed at his home by angry just when the harvesting season approached. youth who claimed he was practicing witchcraft. “This indicates the community’s quest for cel- An unknown gang invaded his home in ebrations since in most of the Mijikenda culture, November last year, dragged him out of his death normally is marked by celebration which house and chopped off his head, accusing him includes singing, dancing, drumming, consum- of youth raided their homes and burnt down of bewitching a young school girl in the neigh- ing the local brew commonly known as mnazi their houses.” bourhood. (palm wine) and more,” explained Karani. He urged the youth to change from their poor Three elderly men, two from Magarini and cultural behaviors as this has contributed to the Oath of proof one from Malindi were murdered in cold blood killings of the aged which threatens to finish the According to Kaya Elder in Magarini Mr on the same evening in December at different entire generation. Malindi DC, Mr Arthur Mu- Charo Menza, Mranja had earlier been taken scenes when groups of youth hunted them to gira who was the DC for the larger Malindi and to a traditional oath administrator (mganga wa death. Magarini has mobilized several village and Kaya kiapo) in Kinango in Kwale County to take an The three, Saidi Lukole Wario, Kahindi Ken- Elders to sensitise the youth against the vice. oath of proof but was found to be clean and not ga aged 70 and 60 respectively from Midodoni, He at one time initiated a program where he practicing the vice. Ngomeni in Magarini and Josephat Mumba mobilized all Kaya and village elders within the “We took Mranja to a traditional oath ad- from Madunguni in Malindi were brutally districts to intervene in cases of witchcraft sus- ministrator in Kinango after he was alleged to murdered on the same night. pects and allowed them to conduct their tradi- have bewitched a school girl where the oath Lukole was going home after harvesting tional ways to get rid of the witchcraft. taken turned on his favour. We wonder why honey from his shamba when he came across these youths had to kill him since there was a gang of youth who killed him. He was found Mobilising elders enough evidence to indicate that he was not a lying dead in a pool of blood by the roadside by Said Mugira: “Areas of Magarini especially Members of Kazungu Mwenda’s family witch,” explains Menza. passersby who broke the news to the villagers. Mjanaheri, Timboni, Marereni, Ngomeni and are brought to the police station after According to Mijikenda culture, suspected It is alleged that some family members sus- parts of Malindi especially in Madunguni and he was killed on allegations that he had witches are usually taken to experts commonly pected him of practicing witchcraft and claimed Goshi have idle youth who engage in smoking bewitched his grandson. Inset: Malindi known as traditional oath administrators who he had bewitched one of his grandchildren. bang and killing the elderly.” Kaya elder Katana Kalulu says the conduct a ceremony that is expected to deter- In the other two incidents, Kahindi Kenga Youth from Mjanaheri, Timboni, Marereni, killings have become rampant within the mine whether or not they practice the vice. and Josphat Mumba were attacked in their Ngomeni and Magarini have engaged their community. Pictures: Jackson Mleka During the oath, a young raw pawpaw fruit homestead the same night by different gangs lives to sand harvesting which generates them is peeled by the administrators who then pray who hacked them with pangas and other daily income and engage themselves in drug contributing to the killings of innocent elderly before it is given to the suspect to chew. If the crude weapons. abuse which in turns influences them to kill people. suspect manages to chew the fruit comfortably, Malindi Officer Commanding Police Divi- the elderly. Gongoni area Chief Julius Kiribai urged the then he is exonerated as it indicates that he does sion (OCPD) Mr David Kerina confirmed the “I am worried about how the youths can government to intervene and save the elderly not practice witchcraft. constant murders of suspected witches saying change their behaviour since most of them are since the killings have become uncontrollable Menza, who is the head man and an ex- the gangs are youth who smoke bang and turn illiterate. The youths from Magarini have failed within the community. Kiribai has raised con- pert of the Mijikenda culture and tradi- their wrath on the elderly. to go to school and in idling target the elderly as cern over the challenges they faced in arresting tions within the community, claims that the Kerina said murders have increased in the witches,” said Mugira. murder suspects in most incidents since they elderly are being victimised by the youth. region. “Six other suspected witches escaped Illiteracy among the youth, lack of employ- lacked cooperation from family members as “Most of the suspected witches usually turn out death narrowly in Gongoni a week after groups ment and drug abuse has been blamed for most of the murders were linked to the families. 10 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 No fishy business at the Naivasha market

By MACHARIA MWANGI among our clients,” she explains. Having fled the town at the height of There is nothing remarkable about the place. If the post election violence that rocked the anything it looks dull with several shanties dot- Lake side town, she had a reason to return ting the place. Aging stalls dot the fish market and continue running the business that she giving semblance to a place that gets to life as knows best. the day wears on. Nancy Kiche, the youngest of the lot was Well, the place known as banda, (stalls) lured from her Kisumu home to come and busts into verve at midday when more than 100 peddle fish. “I was informed of the quick fishmongers, mostly women, converge to sell buck by my friends and I came to try my fish to the hundreds of customers who throng luck,” she narrates. the shabby outlet. Bubbling with ambition to excel in life, Located more than five kilometres from she is not disappointed. “My life is a lot bet- Naivasha town, the approximately ten minute ter now than when I was idling at home,” ride using either a boda boda or cab is a night- she says. It is clear that the busy fish mar- mare with dust swivelling constantly. ket is offering a financial lifeline to women But it is here that these women are eking out a who either could be whiling their days in living, selling fish from the nearby Lake Naivasha. the backyard of their houses or just idling So popular is the place, that one is likely to miss a around. seat in the squeaky chairs come lunchtime. However, all the fish mongers are in agreement that the dilapidated place needs Popular place a facelift to go with the status of a new com- Hungry customers throng the place in mercial hub. They have thrown down the droves as they seek to eat either roasted Tila- gauntlet to the local municipal council to im- pia — a scarce species, Black Bass of the hugely prove the fortunes of the place being a major popular Common Carp, that is the dominant revenue earner. species in the Lake. “We need modern stalls and coolers to Hygiene is relegated to the back burner as store our fish when we don’t deplete our customers sample sumptuous meals against a stocks,” observes Atieno. background of swarming flies and scavenging birds. “Never knew the place is so popular,” re- Sustainability marks Juliet Kanyi, a friend, as she orders roast- The traders are forced to hire coolers at ed fish worth KSh100. the nearby Naivasha town to store their fish Another customer, John Odongo is also hag- making their fortunes dwindle. gling for a fish and weighs in, adding that the “The profit margin is small and we cannot fresh fish makes the place a beehive of activity. afford such undertakings,” she reiterates. “At least here one is assured of fresh fish un- Women doing business here are alive to like many other places,” Odongo states ener- the dangers of the unhygienic conditions but getically. again challenge the council to improve the Peninah Adhiambo, a fish monger has sanitary conditions of the place. been in the market for the last five years. She Those active enough have started a saving is happy with the returns. “I have been able to scheme to bail out members but the savings bring up my children with the fish proceeds,” are hardly enough. “We need a serious or- she explains. She sells fish on wholesale and gets ganisation that can grant us loans to enable between KSh10 and KSh20 per fish depending us purchase more stocks,” says Atieno. on the size. She gets her supplies from the fish- It’s not a rosy affair for the determined ermen who ply the trade inside the fresh waters women. They are forced to endure a three- of Lake Naivasha. month dry spell occasioned by the manda- Another fishmonger, Pamela Atieno who tory closure of the lake to allow restocking. From the main fish in the 1980s, the stocks Fishmongers in Naivasha display a catch has been buying and selling fish here for the As a result, many hit the road to Kisumu to have reduced to less that two percent having at the fish selling point at Banda in the last 10 years has seen it all. “Business used to buy fish just to sustain the customers. “We get al- been overtaken by the Common Carp which outskirts of the Naivasha town. Below: be good but the dwindling fish stock is hurting most nothing in return but we need to maintain remains the most dominant species currently. Some of the fish selling outlets at Banda. business,” says Atieno. our customer base,” explains Adhiambo. However, the traders remain upbeat of a Women have been hawking fish at the bright future if the current initiative by the gov- Since the decline of the popular Tilapia, The group hails the recent effort by the gov- makeshift Banda area. ernment is sustained. most customers have opted out. “We now de- ernment to restock Tilapia species, saying it re- Pictures: Macharia Mwangi pend on Common Carp which is less popular mains the most popular among customers. IDPs remain in the cold as long rains begin

By FRANK OUMA Some 600,000 people fled their homes during Jane Wamboi, who claims to be a freedom inputs, she could do much better. Philip Kin- the weeks of violence that followed the an- fighter is saddened by the fact that she has be- yanjui from Lugari said that the government Internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Yamumbi nouncement of the election results. More than come an internally displaced person. duped them into returning to their homes un- camp in Eldoret have expressed concern over 1,133 people died. Despite her advanced age Wamboi takes der operation rudi nyumbani and later ignored their much-delayed resettlement as the rainy care of nine orphans with whom she stays in them. season starts in the area. Resettlement the camp. The camp has about 109 people. “The rains have already started and we are The Government had promised to resettle President Kibaki visited Eldoret in January Negligence worried that we may contract various diseases the IDPs by December but could not meet the at the invitation of Rift Valley leaders for a Chairman of post election violence sur- as our tents are old and we have young chil- goal as it has only managed to construct houses reconciliation rally where he praised them vivors in Lugari, Mr George Njoroge told the dren,” said Ms Grace Wakeyo, vice-chairlady for those who have land in the area. for resolving to promote peace and reconcili- Reject that IDPs in the area are experiencing a of Yamumbi Camp, Wareng District. She said Wakeyo regretted that the Govern- ation in the region. He appealed to the area lot of problems due to negligence by the Gov- the slow pace with which the Government ment has put more emphasis on those with residents in this region to live together peace- ernment. was resettling various families in Eldoret was land and ignored those who were tenants. fully. Njoroge who is also the chief executive worrying. She observed that if these politicians had In Turbo, Eldoret West District Antonina officer of Amani Peace Building and Welfare “It will be hard for us to persevere in the some of their relatives in camps they could Naliaka who is yet to be resettled said: “We Association regrets that the Government is camp with the cold that has come with the have acted very fast. hope that one day the Government will give us too concerned with political infighting at the rain. We have lost about 15 people since the “We have no community health workers in a place to call home so that we can continue to expense of those languishing in abject pov- camp was set up in 2008,” observed Wakeyo. the camp. We are forced to go to Moi Teaching fend for ourselves.” erty. According to the UN Office for the Coordi- and Referral Hospital where we are expected Naliaka is staying at Wareng County Coun- He said: “The Government should use nation of Humanitarian Affairs, at least 31,000 to pay KSh100 as registration and buy drugs cil piece of land where she plants vegetables the funds in planning to hire lawyers for the IDPs across the country are yet to be resettled. yet we have no money,” reiterated Wakeyo. and keeps poultry. She said that if given farm Ocampo six to resettle those still in camps.” ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 11 Construction of Isiolo Airport begins Migingo Residents dispute are forced to remains relocate By HUSSEIN SALESA unresolved The Kenya Airports Authority had hon- By ODHIAMBO ODHIAMBO oured some of the pledges it made to county councils. Fishermen at the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Vic- One of them is the construction of toria have called on the Ugandan President Yoweri Mu- Isiolo Airport as a fully fledged interna- seveni to respect his own pledge to return the island to tional airport. The construction work Kenya. has taken off with recruitment of casual They warned that the row could derail the quick workers who will be engaged in non- growth of the East African Community free market skilled labour. protocol unless it was resolved immediately. The project had stalled despite the A fisherman Mr Paul Odhiambo said the Ugandan government having made a commitment security forces manning the island claimed they had to complete the exercise within the lim- not received exit orders arguing that their leader “might ited time. have just been playing politics with the Kenyan authori- Kenya Airports Authority has al- ties”. ready completed construction of an air- “The East African Community might just remain on strip for Isiolo game reserve following paper unless leaders show desire to quickly resolve dis- a memorandum of understanding with putes such as Migingo,” observed Odhiambo. the county council. The project is aimed Despite a recent move by Ugandan President Mu- at boosting the tourism industry in the seveni to accept ceding the fish-rich island to Kenya, region. security forces from the landlocked country are still Isiolo County Council Clerk, Mr manning it. Morris Ogolla said the authority has fin- Life goes on as usual with traders and fishermen op- alised tarmacking of the airstrip at a cost erating under the ever watchful eye of the at least 20 of KSh25 million. armed Ugandan marine police and intelligence officers A Chinese firm that had been award- deployed to man the island. These officers work in shifts ed the contract has finalised the project and are usually replaced after every fortnight. and the facilities will be available to tour- When he visited Uganda recently at the height of the ists any time from now as they continue Presidential campaigns, Prime Minister Raila Odinga with the construction of Isiolo Airport. invited to State House by Museveni was allowed to an- nounce that Uganda had given up all claims to Migin- Wrangles go. Ogolla said tourists visiting game re- The Head of State recognized that the tiny but sig- serves in the region will easily access the nificant island belonged to Kenya, according to a report facility. published in a regional weekly, The East African. He reiterated: “Previous disputes over who is to get lion’s share of revenue be- Ownership change tween the Isiolo, Nyambene and Meru By doing so, according to observers, Raila returned county councils has also been resolved.” A section of Isiolo Town. Many residents and learning institutions will be to Kenya a hero of sorts with the Migingo crown in The County clerk gave an assurance forced to relocate to pave way for the construction of the airport. hand. that the councils have put in place strin- Pictures: Hussein Salesa Raila had gone to Uganda on a private visit in Soroti gent measures to avoid conflict by reset- with a former MP Mike Mukula when Museveni threw tling those affected by the project. Nyiro North Development Authority. The Kuti said once the proposed airport be- the diplomatic bone. The wrangles and pledges had created a chairman and clerk of Isiolo County Coun- comes a reality other new development in the But the real situation at the island has not changed standoff between the councils and Kenya Air- cil are also part of the team. region would come up and help in improving despite the announcement with the Ugandan security ports Authority which stalled construction of More than 4,000 people affected by the infrastructure and keep the region at par with forces continuing to treat Kenyans operating on the is- Isiolo International Airport five years behind construction of the airport have been relocat- others in the country. land as “foreigners who must continue to pay protec- schedule. ed to Mwangaza, Chechelese and Kiwanjani. The airport, located in the heart of the tion levies”. The government had allocated KSh200 Leaders who visited the area prior to elec- town is also meant to further boost its growth. “Nothing has changed at the island. The security of- million towards the construction of the air- tions said completion of the airport would fa- With its proximity to towns around Mt Ke- ficers are still charging fishermen levies and their radio port during the 2009/2010 financial year in cilitate easy transportation of livestock prod- nya, the proposed airport is expected to serve control room for communication to Kampala is still up the budget but serious work did not begin. ucts from the region and ensure products Meru, Laikipia, Embu and Nyeri. and running,” said Mr Juma Ombori, chairman of the Isiolo County Council has finalised relo- were timely processed and exported to other Participants attending a one day work- Migingo Beach Management Unit. cation of those affected by construction of the parts of the world. shop on security in Isiolo were warned that Visitors going to the island including journalists are project but the government had only fenced Livestock Minister Dr Mohamed Kuti said the new development will likely cause more still thoroughly vetted by the mean-looking officers and off the areas. the region has great potential to contribute to conflicts with mass exodus of people from their mission established before being allowed to do national development because of its strategic other parts of the country. their work. Task force location. “The Government would explore Panic gripped the disputed island late last year after Two years ago, the government allocated ways to tap in development especially in the Displacement the Ugandan security forces brought in campaign post- KSh90 million towards the fencing of the pro- livestock sector,” said Kuti. Mr Joseph Kalapata, a community worker, ers of President Yoweri Museveni and pasted them on posed zone after evacuating those affected by The Minister decried that while Isiolo is and previously a peace caravan liason officer the makeshift walls of hotels, shops and lodges owned the project. the leading tourist destination in the North- said with the proposed resort city, construc- by Kenyans. The Government had committed to devel- ern Circuit, it is still considered a little off the tion of Isiolo Airport and linkage of railway Although the Kenyan fishermen and traders were op the region during the past years promis- beaten path. line from Juba through Isiolo to Addis Ababa opposed to the presence of the campaign materials on ing to transform the town into a bustling city With its three game parks, Central Isiolo will likely displace local communities at the the island, the Ugandans vowed to arrest anybody who with its own international airport serving the has several luxurious safari camps and tour- expense of foreigners. attempted to remove or deface the posters of the Ugan- tourism as well as livestock sector and film ist-class lodges, among them Samburu Serena He decried the over increased scramble for dan leader. industries. and Sarova Shaba. It is also adjacent to Sam- land in Isiolo following the new development The Ugandan police arrested three Kenyan fisher- Two years ago the Government formed a buru Game Reserve, Meru National Park and and warned that communities were at risk men including Ombori for being opposed to the post- high-powered task force to develop the fron- other private wildlife conservancies. selling out their land at throw away price. ers. Ombori urged President Kibaki and Raila to “wake tier town into a resort city. The 20-member Land is a thorny issue in the county with a up from slumber” and resolve the Migingo issue once team, chaired by Head of Public Service Mr More than 4,000 people high number of double allocations of one plot and for all. Francis Muthaura, first met at Harambee to more than one individual following mas- “History will not be fair to the two leaders if they let House in Nairobi. affected by the construction sive corruptions by those entrusted to protect Uganda forcefully take part of Kenya as they watch,” he The task force includes three permanent them. asserted. secretaries — from the Transport, Roads of the airport have been Stakeholders in the workshop sponsored The joint survey exercise funded by both Kenya and and Public Works as well as Tourism and by Safer World Kenya were told that Isiolo Uganda to the tune of KSh140 million was called off Wildlife ministries. The rest were from Ke- relocated to Mwangaza, town is on a time bomb and new develop- two years ago after the Ugandan team pulled out to os- nya Wildlife Services, Kenya Airports Au- ment will also be more of a disaster than a tensibly consult their seniors in Kampala. thority, Kenya Tourism Board and Ewaso Chechelese and Kiwanjani. blessing. 12 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Potato farmers find a way of dealing with exploitation

By OLICK FELIX erty and cannot even afford to pay school fee for their children, despite producing 70 percent of Kasipul-Kabondo is undoubtedly the bread Kenya’s sweet potatoes. basket of Homa Bay County. Bordering almost “Residents have abandoned maize growing in semi-arid constituencies — Nyakach and Kara- favour of potatoes that has never disappointed. chuonyo — the region is the stop over during However, since the returns are low, famine is famine. slowly but surely creeping into the erstwhile land Residents have carved a niche for them- of plenty,” says Asero. selves in large scale sweet potato production. One would be forgiven to imagine that with the Cooperative society skyrocketing food prices, the inhabitants have Feeling betrayed by their political elite, kissed poverty good bye. farmers seem to have resorted to be their own Along the Kisumu-Kisii highway just after ways to save themselves. They have formed a Sondu-Miriu River, lies lush green land. Young cooperative society to champion their collective men and women washing and stuffing potatoes, bargain. Led by two women, Angeline Achieng some as big as a human head in bags leaves trav- as the chairlady and Norah Odondi as the trea- ellers in bemusement that surely this is a land of surer, Kabondo Sweet Potato Cooperative Soci- plenty. But do residents have anything to show ety is already registered. for their sweat? Through the society, the farmers intend to have more bargaining power in the determi- Middlemen nation of pricing. “The society will be selling According to Ms Dorcas Oloo, one of the on behalf of the farmers, determine standard potato farmers, they have miserably suffered of measurement and ensure that farmers have in the hands of unscrupulous middlemen and something reasonable to smile about,” says Farmers cleaning sweet potatoes after harvesting before transporting them to the have not gained from their hard work. To them Achieng. market. Farmers have now joined hands in a cooperative society to help sell the it is not a question of demand and supply as Farmers realised huge losses last year when potatoes and avoid exploitation by middlemen. Picture: Olick Felix buyers call the shots. “The pay is too small while the region realized a bumper harvest not wit- the bags they use for measurement are too large. nessed in the recent past. Achieng says a whole Sometimes they take our potatoes on credit and bag of potatoes stuffed to the brim in oversized However, the chairperson says it is not smooth shares and think it is a scheme to fleece them off then disappear,” Oloo told the Reject. bags was sold at a paltry KSh400 while others sailing and the cooperative society is yet to pick their money. She says the call for good pricing has always regarded by the traders as ‘small in size’ rot in up. She decries ignorance by the locals and poor “Middlemen are also dividing farmers on been a key campaign strategy for politicians in farms. roads as some of the challenges facing them. She the pretext of offering ready cash,” explains the region, who have often used the idea to cheat appealed to the Government and non-govern- Ademba. She says they have only received as- their way to power and then disappear. Challenges mental organisations to come to their aid. sistance from Inter-Diocesan Christian Com- “Every election year we are told they will con- “Last year’s production was the heaviest. It “We intend to have collection centres in munity Services (IDCCS) and County Council struct a factory to process sweet potatoes locally. surprised even the farmers but we never got any- every location in Kabondo division but this of Rachuonyo who have helped to construct Others promise they will raise the issue with the thing out of it. In fact we incurred huge losses is becoming a nightmare because of the poor two collection sheds. Ministry of Agriculture,” says Oloo. More dis- because the returns could not cater for all the ex- roads,” Achieng pleaded. While some Kenyans are going without food heartening is that the problem has never been penses incurred,” explains Achieng. “This was a One of the locational coordinators, Ms Liz and the drought situation is hitting all time high, raised in Parliament. wake up call for everyone that their efforts would Ademba, echoes Achieng’s sentiments that ig- in regions that could save in times of crisis, food According to Kasewe Location area chief, Mr result into nought if they did not work together norance has hampered their progress. She says is rotting in farms and others taken almost for Hesbon Asero, residents are languishing in pov- as farmers,” she reiterates. many farmers do not understand the concept of free by middlemen. Ignorance of right crops to blame for food insecurity

By KEN NDAMBU researched cowpeas, peas, green grams, millet, Comparing Phanar with DHO1 or Katumani From his four acre farm in Mutauni village sorghum and DHo1-2 maize seeds which ma- variety locally known as ‘Kikamba’ which she also in Miambani location Pius Nguli had target- Years back, traditional foods such as cowpeas, ture in less than 42 days after the onset of rains. planted in 2008 when the rains also failed. Then ed to harvest 30 bags of the produce but got two peas, sorghum, millet, green grams and pump- Some of the farmers planted the seeds while she harvested four bags of maize while the yield bags that were only enough for family consump- kins were the main foodstuff for the Kamba others just brushed off the noble idea and in- increased in 2009 when she got 16 bags from her tion. “The crop started off well but flowered early community. This was not only for their nutri- stead washed the chemically treated seeds and one acre farm. “It is out of ignorance. We do not when the rains disappeared in the third week tional value but as traditional crops one had to ate them. Those who planted the seeds testify expect any harvest of maize this time because we of November completely reducing the expected plant them. that they got early and better yields than usual did not duplicate seeds from crops better suited yield,” explains Nguli. No one knew the importance of crops as in though the 2008 November-December rains for this region,” observes Nguli. However, he acknowledges that it is one of the relation to weather patterns but the community were short. most drought tolerant crops farmers can adopt. planted them. The crops were better suited to However, driven by the desire to improve Regret EABL collaborates with Africa Harvest to withstand drought or required lesser rains to maize yields farmers succumbed to pressure to In the adjacent Malombo village, the story is empower communities in the region to grow the mature. As years progressed, the community plant hybrid seeds regardless of the amount of the same. Farmer Muthui Mwove says an agent crop which it in turn buys from the farmers at moved to new modern farming techniques and rains required for it to mature. of one of the maize seed manufacturers visited KSh17 per kilo through Equity Bank. instead of planting the traditional food crops, “I cannot blame anybody or the short rains his shamba and advised him to plant DK8071 “Last season I earned KSh15,300 from 10 they focused more on hybrid seed varieties that experienced this season but myself for plant- only to learn later that the crop takes five months bags of gaddam sorghum but this time what I needed abundant rainfall in addition to a longer ing the wrong seeds with expectation of getting of heavy rain to mature. expect is not even enough for my family,” ob- maturity period. better yields,” says Ms Peninah Nguli, a farmer “I regret why I did not plant DHO1, DHO2 serves Nguli. in Ndithini village, Miambani location in Kitui or Katumani and I have been getting a least Records at the local District Agriculture Of- Climate change County. minimal harvest enough for my family even if fice show although over 100 tonnes of the com- Then the advancing climate change took its Nguli planted Phanar maize seed variety not for sale,” says Mwove who in 2009 planted munity traditional food seeds certified by KARI toll with serious effects being felt in arid and last November-December season instead of the the dry land researched seeds. He harvested 15 were distributed to farmers in the region, on the semi-arid lands. Frequent prolonged drought DHO1 or Katumani seeds she used to plant bags from the one and half acre land yet the rains ground 80 percent of the farmers went for hybrid leading to acute food shortage forced the resi- which assures her of at least some harvest wheth- were not much. seeds from the shops which are not in the speci- dents to rely on government relief food. er rains fall or not. The two maize seed varieties “Although I increased the acreage under crop fication of dry land seeds. “We have to revert back to planting tradition- are researched at KARI’s Katumani Dry land re- to four, all the crop dried up when it was knee “Farmers admit they did not plant what was al food crops that we abandoned as a sustainable search Station in Machakos. high and there is no hope of recovery even if it given to them by the experts in the Agricultural way of ensuring food security in the households,” Nguli asserts that after planting the Phanar rains,” explains Mwove. He now plans to start an sector and went for seeds of their choice,” says an says Charity Ngilu, Minister for Water and Irri- variety, it started well on the onset of rains but orchard farm as an alternative way of earning a Agricultural Extension Officer on anonymity. gation while launching a programme that would when the rains disappeared the crop was knee livelihood. He calls for concerted efforts by all stake- see duplication of alternative food crops in her high. It dried up leaving her hapless. “I wish I Farmers contracted by the East African holders especially local leaders to educate com- Kitui Central Constituency. knew,” laments Nguli, adding that the drought is Breweries Limited Company (EABL) to grow munities on the effects of the advancing climate The area residents scrambled for the Kenya so severe that even the cowpeas did not flower sorghum of Gaddam variety for beer making change and how to manage sustainable food se- Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) dry land well. were not spared either. curity in arid and semi-arid lands. ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 13 It’s a dog’s life for Malindi’s drug addicts

By JACKSON MLEKA lieve their eyes,” he says. Abdalla is not alone. He is just one among I first saw him one evening shaggily dressed at many youth in Malindi who narcotics drugs are a cybercafé in town talking to the attendant. He slowly wiping out, turning them into unpro- then picked rubbish at the dustbin and in turn ductive members of the society. was given KSh20 for the service. The youth aged between 19 to 40 years have He kept coming to the cyber after every turned to petty thieves who steal household week and then disappeared for a month. When items while others do odd light jobs to get mon- he came back his dress code had changed, he ey to buy drugs. They are famous for sitting or was clean with hair well shaven and looked pre- walking together in groups and are easily spot- sentable. ted in town and estates. “I am a former addict but I have now re- Shada grounds is one of the popular sites for formed. My family came to rescue me and they drug taking and trafficking and it is here that are planning to take me to Dubai so that I stay one will find these youths seated in groups. away from the bad company that will take me They peddle drugs like heroine, cocaine and back to drug taking,” he said when I approached bhang to potential customers in return for a him curiously. portion of the same to keep them moving. The trend is not only common on Shada Rehab grounds but similar scenarios are rampant in Salim Abdalla 38, a former drug addict is Shella, Sea Breeze Maweni and Kisumu Ndogo now undergoing rehabilitation (partly) follow- among others. ing another dimension. His story begins way Wearing tattered clothes, with rough long back in 1990 after completing Standard Eight at hair these boys can be ruthless any time they Kakuyuni Primary School. His brother-in-law spot somebody with something that is valuable. took him to Songea in Tanzania. Here, life was There are those who target shoes at the mosque good though he was not earning any salary. while others steal sufurias (pans) and shoes left He returned home six years later and got outside doorsteps among other valuables. married to Sandra Abdalla Wafula, a daughter Abdalla’s advice to non-users is simple, they of a senior police officer who helped him get a should not attempt to taste or consume drugs job at the general tyre sales company. because it affects the brain and creates a feeling “I worked for seven years until 2002 when a of richness. certain tycoon employed me and offered to take Now Abdalla lives away from home in a va- me to Zanzibar to work in his company. That is cant house waiting for a potential customer to where my life changed completely,” says Abdal- rent. He now only takes bhang to reduce stress lah amid sobs. and get sleep at night. Like all former users, the The tycoon’s sons introduced him to drugs biggest challenge is dealing with sleepless nights. and since he was their friend, they usually Abdalla’s story echoes similar stories of peo- drove to a hotel in luxurious four wheel drive ple who have used hard drugs. It sounds simi- vehicles to abuse drugs. They were using white lar to that of Mohamed Nassir alias Max who crest mixed with cigarettes dropped from school in 1994 while in Standard Life began changing for him and this led Four and decided to join fishing, one of the ma- him to forgetting his wife, children and the jor activities of Shella. entire family, as he was even taking salary ad- Salim Abdalla, a recovering drug addict sits outside his borrowed house where vance to buy drugs. “I could take KSh20,000 or Peddling he temporarily stays in Malindi town. Below: Mr Rocco Mazzoli (left) director of KSh40,000 to buy drugs after three to four days He later became a beach boy and began L’ALBA International, an organization helping in the fight against drugs with and it was never enough. This made it difficult tour guiding which put him in a wealthier Edson Mwambogo Alias Bakari a drug counsellor in Malindi. Pictures: Jackson Mleka for me to save cash and affected my perfor- state since he was getting ‘easy money’. “I was mance at work,” Abdalla explains. influenced by friends to use bhang, hashish, rohyphenol (bugizi) and finally graduated to grams of heroine which is packed in packets lindi despite being a major tourist destination Garbage collection heroine,” says Nassir. of condoms or nylon that is lubricated.” Nas- does not have a rehabilitation centre to assist The behaviour persisted until the employer He then moved to trafficking drugs from sir explains: “For one to swallow such drugs the addicts. threw him out as he had completely turned to Tanzania where he would swallow 50 gram sa- he is not supposed to take anything prior to Without efficient medical facilities and the an addict. He returned home in 2007 and life chets and later vomit them when safely home the journey until he or she safely reaches the goodwill of the people, it will be difficult to as- was never the same again. His wife sought a di- in Malindi. “Some people carry up to 100 destination.” sist the victims. vorce because she was fed up with him. From a long time, anti-drug activists and From then on life changed for Abdalla as Omar project police have been in the forefront in arresting he dumped his family and travelled to Malindi He learnt of the illegal trade while in Shimo suspected drug traffickers. About six drug traf- where he began to collect rubbish and clean la Tewa prison in Mombasa and began with fickers got life sentences in addition to KSh1 houses. capital of KSh2000. The business later grew to a million fine last year. There are others who have In the morning he would get KSh300 and point where he was taking stock of KSh50,000. cases pending in court. buy four kete (a measure of the powder with the However, the strong arm of the law caught up Anti-drug activists have been campaigning small finger nail) of bhang and in the afternoon with him and he was jailed for three years with- and pushing the Government to take stern ac- spend another KSh250 for another kete. out fine. tion against traffickers to help reduce the men- In Majengo a kete could go up to KSh90 He met Mr Rocco Mazzoli, director of L’ALBA, ace. while in Mbuyu Kusema the same quantity was an Italian organisation that works with volunteers The question in people’s minds is when the sold at KSh70 depending on the quality. in fighting drug abuse who took him to a rehabili- drug syndicate will come to an end in Malindi? His sister who is married in Yemen came tation centre at the Omar Project. It is known countrywide that the resort town is and facilitated his rehabilitation fees. She took Mazzoli helped to renovate the Omar Proj- among the major destinations having recovered him to Omar project where addicts get treat- ect and assisted over 22 drug addicts to stop the KSh6.4 billion cocaine haul at a villa and ment and undergo counselling in order to stop “I was influenced by friends taking drugs. One of them died of TB before he with an increasing number of people engaged drug abuse. was rescued in September 28 2010. in drugs. He says one of his memorable moments to use bhang, hashish, Majority of those rescued are aged between Recently some activists began a programme was when his two children saw him in broad 23 and 25 years and cannot afford to pay for re- to take volunteer addicts who are ready to re- daylight carrying sacks of dirt. They had been rohyphenol (bugizi) and habilitation. Hundreds others are still suffering form to Coast General Hospital. They have only brought by his former wife to see him. finally graduated to heroine.” in the streets and require support so as to move managed to take 12 but 39 are stranded follow- “I just looked down shyly not knowing what away from the menace. ing lack of space at the hospital. Hundreds oth- to say or do since my lovely kids could not be- — Mohamed Nassir The biggest problem, however, is that Ma- ers are still awaiting to access treatment. 14 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Rural fashion designer with a niche in upscale international markets

From left: Rachel and one of the models during the Ki2 Fashion Show in Paris in June last year. With her daughter and models during the Africa fashion fair. Rachel plants a tree during one of the reforestation events. Pictures: Ken Ndambu and Courtesy

By KEN NDAMBU “We partner with the Green Belt Movement warmth and brightness to your life.” is where the client leases an entire server which through which we ensure that we buy and plant Mutindi reiterates: “Celebrate life in colour is not shared with anyone to reach her clients. She is by all standards a woman one may mis- a tree from every cloth sold in what we call with us. Ethical fashion for people that care Dedicated hosting is more flexible than take for any other girl eking out a living in Ki- environmentally friendly approach to save the what they put on! It is the simple things in life shared hosting, as the customer has full control tui town. However, she is like a child of two country’s fast depletion of the environment,” as- that count and we make those things beautiful of the server, including the choice of operating worlds. serts Mutindi. for you.” system, hardware, and other things. When in the town, she spends most of Through the initiative, her organisation has A combination of the playfulness of youth- She says her company Ki2Fashion is a melt- her time in the cyber cafe either reading her planted over 2000 trees in the last two years in ful freshness and sober elegance, fashion for ev- ing pot of colour on fashion offering contempo- mail or browsing. When not in town, Rachael several primary schools in Kitui County. eryday life, fusing, comfort and beauty are what rary designs using traditional Kenyan fabrics, Mutindi retires to a small tailoring shop in Mutindi says the price of her products range add value to Mutindi’s products. the khanga to advance the country’s culture and Mulutu market in the outskirts of Kitui town. from country to country but the cheapest skirt Her products are a fashion for everyone as heritage in world markets. The small room that she rents is located in one in Kenya sells at KSh1,700 with the highest sell- they have fusion, durability and affordability. Stores for Rachael Designs are housed in of the shops on the main Kitui-Nairobi high- ing design going for KSh11,500. “Through the elaborated patterns of the khan- Nairobi’s Ramoma Museum of modern art and way. gas, we create only one-off pieces designed with Second Parklands Avenue. In Italy, the stores One is, however baffled by the standard of Creative designs exclusivity contrary to modern trends of mass are located in Italy Carocavallo Street while in cloth design and quality matched by multi- The international prices depend with the production” she explains. France the fashion can be found in Meveellous coloured cotton that sells in both local and inter- season but the cheapest coats for winter sells As an up coming fashion designer Mutindi Ki2 Fashion Stores. national market. from KSh11,500. The design has emerged as has been in the trade for four years. However, Mutindi studied textile sciences and fashion The designs have hit markets in Italy and some of the best liked products from under de- she started the skill far back during her second- design at the Kenyatta University and her first France, her target market outlet. Mutindi is liv- veloped countries. ary days when she developed special admira- professional experiences was while working in ing testimony to the saying that creativity is the Mutindi’s designs represent strong inten- tion for fashion designers. an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) company. mother of all innovations. She is an upcoming tions to bring fashion for all ages, colours and Born in Kitui Central District, Mutindi grew However, she quit the job after she became a fashion designer with vibrant ideas. pockets coupled with a strong attention to ethi- up in the Eastern Kenyan countryside before mother only to recover her creativity and to cal principles. Her designs are a clear invitation she found her Italian love. She moved to Kitui start her own fashion line later. Mentor to break out and celebrate colours one would after her husband started implementing a wa- From a humble background in the Kenyan like to be identified with. ter harvesting programme in the region under Involvement countryside, she is one of those designers The garments on display are all creatively Agrosphere, an international Non-Governmen- In the last two and half years, she has devel- who use raw and extremely personalised vi- designed using the khanga, traditional multi- tal Organisation with roots in Italy. oped two complete women wear collection for sion of fashion to express a growing emotion coloured cotton inscribed with a proverb from spring, summer, autumn and winter as well as of vibrancy, simplicity and elegance to sell her the rich Swahili culture. Marketing limited men and kids wear collections which products. “It is a provoking way to communicate Those who have bought Mutindi’s garments are selling in France and Italy. Through her talents, Mutindi has gone a through what you wear. Following the ethics of have great admiration for her work. Ben Kiyaga, “I have also attended fashion events and niche higher to train youth from poor families fair trade, we aim to give a conscience to our a lover of Mutindi’s fashion wants the designer fairs and been featured in different world maga- who have the talent in fashion design but can- products through different projects and working to come with more clothes similar to favourable zines,” she says with appreciation. not put into use due to poverty. in collaboration with disadvantaged women and designs of Princess Diana. Located in the Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Ki2 She uses teachers from schools where the youths, that we train and support in creating jobs Lisa Sadimba another fan says she admires fashion designs and produces a selection of girls learn and also visits youth polytechnics and improving the quality of their life,” explains the uniqueness of the designs while Deedee clothing and accessories inspired by to the where tailoring is a major subject as her entry Mutindi. Nyaloka only comments: “I love her collection colourful East African traditional fabrics. point to reach girls with an interest in fashion Her Italian husband, Mr Davide Signa adds: at the ACTIF launch! She was memorable and “Together with my four tailors and I ex- and design. “That is what gives meaning and value to our very daring!” clusively design and manually produce skirts, “For the last three years, 50 girls are now creations that is extended to you when you Mutindi uses the internet to market her trousers, kaftans, shirts, jackets, bags and much eking a living in various boutiques in Nairobi purchase our product with a bubbly, high en- products. She uses dedicated hosting, a dedi- more,” explains Mutindi. and Kitui after undergoing induction courses in ergy atmosphere collection intended to bring cated server on the web to market herself. This Part of the uniqueness in her designs is the my shops in Mulutu and Nairobi of which I am creativity of the designs of the Kanga, a tradition- proud of,” says Mutindi. al East African cotton fabric that she loves to use “In fact when I get many orders especially in most and which act as her source of inspiration. winter, I turn to girls who have benefited from “In fact when I get many orders especially in winter, I turn “We do believe that there is another way to my project even if they are working elsewhere to girls who have benefited from my project even if they are dress than knowing what you wear and what to meet my customers demand,’’ she adds. there is behind,” avers Mutindi. She says her She says in addition to the business, ki2 fash- working elsewhere to meet my customers demand.” work is different from industrial clothes that are ion has an objective of beautifying the country produced in million pieces in sweat-shops and through environment conservation. — Rachael Mutindi often employing child labour. ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 15 Pupils to benefit Money earmarked for from sanitary vulnerable children pad project By JARED OPIYO

Over 3,000 pupils in Siaya District have a reason to smile after a Community Based Organisation trained them on how to make home-made sani- tary towels. The coordinator of Rang’ala Development Pro- gramme, a CBO sponsored by USAID, Mrs Rozil- la Isalambo said the move is aimed at promoting girl child education. Isalambo said following the USAID support through Plan International the organisation has been purchasing sanitary towels for orphans and vulnerable children for the last five years. “We had to look for an alternative on how to make the programme sustainable since funding ends mid this year,” she explained. The children drawn from the greater Siaya County were taken through a three day training session on making sanitary towels. “The towels are made of cotton, soft towels and soft polythene, sewed together using a thread and a needle,” observed Isalambo. She added: “Apart from being cheap compared Children selling fruits along a street in Busia. Child labour in the town is on the By GILBERT OCHIENG to other sanitary towels the home made towels are increase with most children engaging in hawking. Picture: Gilbert Ochieng reusable for six months.” The organisation is also providing sanitary There are numerous cases of sexual abuse and boxes to beneficiary schools where well-wishers child labour within the border town of Busia ANN, child help desks will be established. “The St Teresa’s Girls’, Muyafwa, Bwamani, Bulanda can drop sanitary towels or money which would where most children engage in hawking but in child help desks at the selected ten primary and Ojamii primary schools with each getting be used to purchase the towels or materials used an unsafe environment. schools will be manned by teachers from the three goats. To curb the problem, the African Network respective schools in collaboration with the Muthama said proceeds from the goat proj- in making homemade ones. for the Prevention and Protection of Children children’s department who will provide guid- ect will provide for the needs of identified or- Attendance Against Neglect (ANPPCAN) in collaboration ance and counselling to the pupils,” explained phaned and vulnerable children which include with the Anti- Child Trafficking Organisation Chanzu. He added: “Issues pertaining to child purchase of uniforms and writing materials. It Speaking at Sijimbo Primary School in South have embarked on sponsoring orphaned vul- rights is a collective role and should not be left will also pay for their lunch considering that Ugenya after launching the distribution of the nerable children from ten selected secondary to a single individual or organization.” majority are taken care of by aged grandparents sanitary towel boxes, Isalambo urged the society schools in Western Province. who cannot afford a meal each day. to support the pupils. She encouraged the pupils Busia County Child Labour Committee Child rights clubs “The goat project will be managed by the to think of taking the project to a commercial chairman, Mr Kennedy Chanzu, who is also a The official said that the only way to pro- child rights club committee under a chairman level. staffing officer at the Busia District Education mote active child participation is through the from the respective schools and the proceeds Isalambo blamed lack of sanitary pads as being Department said education stakeholders, espe- child rights clubs. These have also been estab- derived from the project will meet the needs of the reason for poor performance among orphans cially the teachers should work closely with the lished in the ten primary schools. The children the identified children,” said Muthama. and vulnerable girls because they do not concen- child labour committees within their respective will be engaged through manual work, active trate on their studies during menstruation. areas and come up with a workable mechanism participation in the rights clubs and the estab- Health desk Speaking to parents and pupils during the that will prevent child abuse cases before they lishment of a mechanism through which their He reiterated that the project will be moni- launch of the sanitary towels, Mrs. Christine An- happen. decisions can be delivered. tored closely by the child labour committee to yango the head teacher at Sijimbo Primary School Enrollment The Anti-Child Abuse organisation has on ensure transparency and accountability. which is among the 27 beneficiaries, indicated its part sponsored the education of ten needy ANPPCAN had earlier conducted a one that the number of girls in the school has risen “The high level of child abuse and neglect students in nine secondary schools in Western day training forum for the district child la- and is almost at par with that of boys since the cases can be reduced by enrolling the children Province. According Chanzu, the organisa- bour committee members, patrons and school programme was started. in schools under the free primary education tion released KSh281,939 which has been sent heads, school children as well as the child rights “Before the programme kicked off the school programme,” said Chanzu. He reiterated that to the respective secondary schools where the club aimed at equipping them with knowledge used to record high number of absenteeism cases of child abuse in the region has resulted orphaned vulnerable children who have moved on how to handle child abuse cases. in unwanted pregnancies which has led to mass to Form Two this year are learning. ANPPCAN programme officer, Ms Helen among girls who opted not to attend classes dur- school drop out cases, trauma, early marriages The Anti-Child Abuse organization has also Mala called for the establishment of a child help ing their monthly period since they could not af- as well as HIV infections. earmarked KSh119, 500 to facilitate the estab- desk at all the selected learning institutions so ford sanitary towels,” explained Anyango. “Notable causes of child abuse in the Busia lishment of a goat project in ten selected pri- as to address rampant child abuse cases. One of the girls, a Standard Eight pupil who County include drug abuse, poor parental re- mary schools within the Busia County. “The child help desk will empower the is an orphan, Lillian Atieno said like other pupils sponsibility, poverty, peer pressure as well as The programme officer, Mr Shadrack school children to open up and advocate for of her status, they were times when she avoided outdated cultural practices among others,” re- Muthama said 30 goats valued at KSh100,000 themselves and other children,” said Mala. She school especially when their monthly periods iterated Chanzu. will be supplied to Township, Burumba, St added: “In most occasions children are always coincided with examinations for fear of being Among the schools selected by ANPAC- Rose Mabale, Bugeng’i, St Joseph Busia Girls’, afraid to report cases of abuse to the police.” mocked by other pupils. New irrigation system to helping farmers By GEOFFREY KAMADI level so that once a tap is turned on, water in the area on how to use the kit which costs around Laikipia district has been a major en- flows by means of gravity. The water passes KSh20,000 says other forms of irrigation waste vironmental and economic concern. Farmers in Laikipia will now be able to grow through a filter, which gets rid of sediments a lot of water. Laikipia sits on the leeward side of Mount crops while utilising very little water. This is in and other large particles. These particles “The use of sprinklers or flood irrigation to Kenya therefore it does not receive a lot of sharp contrast to other methods of irrigation, would otherwise block the extremely tiny water crops not only wastes this resource, but rainfall. which uses a lot of water leading to land degra- holes, equidistantly placed on a series of nar- results in the loss of a lot of nutrients, which According to Dominic Maringa, project dation since it washes away soil nutrients. row pipes (drips) that run the length of the get washed away,” he says. manager at Ngusishi Water Resource Users However, a new but simple drip irrigation quarter acre of land. Lydia Rouse from University of Virginia Association, the area receives less than 900mm system is helping farmers in Laikipia District “The system is suitable for high value crops is assisting farmers own the system through a of rainfall every year. reap maximum benefits from just a quarter- like maize and vegetables,” explains Gachara micro finance arrangement. “The situation is made worse by uncon- acre of land by efficiently using and managing Gikungu of Kilimo Biashara Providers, which “Farmers sign a contract as an indication of trolled water extraction,” explained Maringa. water. is a private agricultural extension service en- their commitment and then own the kit and The Association is encouraging farmers to The kit consists of drips, connectors and terprise. pay over time,” explained Rouse. preserve water by adopting the drip kit irriga- a water tank. The tank is placed at a higher Gikungu who has been training farmers Over sourcing of water resources in and tion method. 16 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 038, April 16-30, 2011 Former detention island seeks attention Isle grapples with intricacies of an increasing fisher population

By NICK ODHIAMBO swimming amidst crocodiles and rhinos and made the island inhabitable. In the 1900, greedy European settlers introduced According to the late Odongo’s son who is radical changes that would see them increase the area Assistant Chief, Mr Mark Onyango, revenue from their colonies. the first thing they did was to approach a The major changes included taking land from man called Difu, from Manyala in Port Vic- Africans with the introduction of hut and poll toria, Western Province, who had a gun. He taxes where Africans were forced to work for the killed the rhinos and shared the meat with White settlers to pay the taxes, which were to be the fisher folk. paid in cash not in form of animals or crops as “Now we are staying there peacefully. The previously done. crocodiles are not there. The rhinos were all This kind of exploitation forced Africans, eaten. We harvest good fish from the water particularly chiefs to rebel and form resistance around the island,” Onyango explains. movements against the European settlers. After settling on the island, Odongo in- Rebels like Zulu Chief Bambatha and his vited more fishermen from Rusinga Island, 3,000 followers, Tanzanian Kinjekitile Ngwale Mbita District. Many of the residents on this with his Maji Maji rebellion and even Kenyan island are Suba people, though it is in Bondo Dedan Kimathi and his Mau Mau movement District. decided to fight back. “We found snakes everywhere, though However, Europeans had to defend them- the colonialists had grown fruits such as ba- selves, using machine guns, which doomed Af- nanas and pawpaw, the place was bushy but ricans to fail in their efforts to reclaim their land. we cleared it to make it habitable,” Onyango For the Maji Maji, about 26,000 Africans were continues. killed by German forces. According to 70-year-old Julius Ojwang’, A section of the Oyamo Island in Lake Victoria which the colonial government used as those who settled on the island after the re- a detention camp. Inset: Boat operators at the lake shore on the island. Resistance lease of the detainees wanted it not to be re- Pictures: Nick Odhiambo During the struggle, in Kenya, many were membered as a bad place but as a place where killed while about 80,000 were taken to various people could have a better life. “That is why because there are no houses to rent within the catch is more than the population we have here,” detention camps scattered all over the country. we cleared the bushes and came here with our island,” says Mr Charles Omking, chairper- explains Ochieng. The camps were mostly in secluded places, in- families to make this place a better place without son school’s management committee. He adds: The island with around 38 households does cluding on the islands. the bad memories of colonialism,” he says. “Sometimes up to three teachers share one small, not even have a single proper latrine. People It was here that a small island on Lake Vic- mud-walled house with no privacy at all.” either relieve themselves in the few bushes or toria, Oyamo, was identified by the colonial- Accommodation There are no health facilities on the island. in the lake water, which in most cases is again ists to be a detention camp for Mau Mau sus- But the island, 40 years down the line, is said This forces the residents to go to the mainland, a used by the residents for domestic purposes. pects and any other rebels. Oyamo is in Bondo to be worse than what was expected of it. With few kilometres away. “We have many cases of diarrhoea and other District, Siaya County. The island became a the increasing population of fishermen, accom- The residents observe that sometimes it be- water-borne diseases,” observes Ochieng. favourable place to detain Kenyans since it modation is becoming a big problem. Many comes very difficult when a woman goes into was surrounded by fierce crocodiles and rhi- people live in makeshift houses, as the mud- labour at night or when somebody falls ill. HIV infections nos that would attack any detainee who would walled houses are not adequate to accommodate “We have to look for a boat that will ferry the The fishermen have not been spared from try escape. the population of 3,500. The poor housing on the sick to the mainland, which is very risky at night. HIV infections. Residents say the rate of pros- “They could not swim and escape from the island affects not only fishermen but also the few Some women deliver in the boats while cruis- titution is high and according to Ogra Foun- island because there were many dangerous croc- Government employees, including teachers. ing across the waters,” says Richard Ochieng of dation, the only NGO that has started health odiles and rhinos,” says Mr Mark Onyango, area There is only one school, the Oyamo Is- Oyamo Beach Management Unit. programmes on the island, the HIV/Aids Assistant Chief. Fishermen in the lake were not land Primary School, with a population of 270 Residents of the Island majorly depend on prevalence is high. Ogra Foundation Clinical allowed to dock at the island. Anyone who could pupils whose teachers share houses. The de- fish, which must be ferried to the mainland for Director, Mr Kenneth Obiero says the carefree be seen by the colonialists near the island would tention cells have been turned to classrooms. sale. Due to lack of proper storage facilities that lifestyle on the island has led to the increase of be shot dead. Some of the former cells have been renovated include freezers, the fishermen claim the fish the prevalence by between 25-30 per cent. The detainees, most of who were from Cen- to make the staff room but there are no houses goes bad before reaching the market. “We give counselling on HIV/Aids because tral Province, were forced to hard labour with for teachers. “We have nowhere to keep our fish. When we it is high. Health care is a serious thing that is strokes of the cane just as was done to detainees “We have seven teachers who do not have catch fish, in most cases they go bad before we highly needed on the island. Though we have in other places. houses. They come here from the mainland can take them to the mainland because what we started it we hope other partners would also join However, after independence, when the de- hands,” he says. tainees had been released and there was plenty Area MP Dr Oburu Odinga, who is also the of fish. Fishermen had to get out the crocodiles “We have to look for a boat that will ferry the sick to the Finance Assistant Minister says the Govern- and rhinos first before they could settle on the ment should make Oyamo a tourist attraction to island. mainland, which is very risky at night. Some women deliver in change the face of the island. In 1969, Elly Odongo from Sugulu Island in “I have talked to the relevant ministry to set Suba District in Southern Nyanza was the first the boats while cruising across the waters,” aside some funds to make this island a tourist at- fisherman to settle on the island with his family. traction site and we hope all will go well,” Oburu They wanted to harvest the plentiful fish that was — Richard Ochieng of Oyamo Beach Management Unit said during a visit to the island.

Executive Director: Rosemary Okello-Orlale Write to: Programme Coordinator: Wilson Ugangu [email protected] Editor: Jane Godia Sub-Editors: Florence Sipalla and Mercy Mumo Designer: Noel Lumbama Contributors: Odhiambo Orlale, Njuguna Mutonya, Rachel Muthoni, Caroline Wangechi, Kabia Matega, Paul Kimanzi, Jennie Ozumba, Hussein Dido, Nick The paper is produced with funds from Odhiambo, Godfrey Machuka, Fibi David, Macharia Mwangi, Frank Ouma, Gilbert Ochieng, Jared Opiyo, Odhiambo Odhiambo, Jackson www.mediadiversityafrica.org Mleka, Ken Ndambu, Olick Felix and Muktar Abdi