The SUPPLEMENT EU FUNDED PEACE PROJECT LEnhancingink governance for all LAUNCHED — Pages 15-18 January 2010 Issue No. 063 Kshs 40/= Free Education in Peril As mega scandals rock the heavily funded public sector

By FAITH MUIRURI

assive theft of Inside money meant for free education under the Kenya MEducation Sector Support Pro- gramme (KESSP) now threat- ens the legacy of the Kibaki ad- ministration. Tracking The survival of the programme education budget is in jeopardy as the impact of the mega scam trickles down to — Pg 4 learning institutions, which are still grappling with failure to dis- burse over Kshs. 8 billion to sup- port the Free Primary Education (FPE) last year. At stake is the future of the Politics of chicken programme as donors, led by the United Kingdom’s Department — Pg 8 for International Development (DFID), threaten to withdraw funding in a drastic move aimed at pushing the government to re- cover the Kshs. 175 million lost Sand hardship in fraudulent deals. disaster The storm set off by a fiduci- WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? The FPE is in jeopardy and so is the fate of hundreds of children ary risk audit report by the Min- who have benefitted from the programme since inception in 2003. — Pg 10 istry of Finance has turned into a volcanic landscape laced with hot to 600 Primary Schools for the deepens: Kshs. 1.8 million was istry of Higher Education, Sci- red-hot lava as fresh audit queries construction of classrooms, din- alleged to have been fraudulently ence and Technology (MoHEST) pointing to a possible embezzle- ing halls and dormitories has allocated to seven ineligible pri- were still on course, donors have ment of a whooping Kshs. 9 bil- not been properly accounted for. vate primary schools. vowed not to relent from their lion through questionable deals The auditors could not find any Even though the government resolve to withhold funding until Sugar sector under and accounting. evidence to show that the schools remains adamant that the sector such a time when the money lost threat But that is not all. An addi- had requested for the money, let programmes, which cover the through fraudulent dealings is re- tional Kshs. 2.7 billion allocated alone receiving it. And the rot Ministry of Education and Min- — Pg 13 Turn to Page 2, Col. 1

Church issues CoE urged to review threat proposed elections law — Pg 14 By WANJIKU NJUGUNA yeki who is the executive direc- litical representation of women, The CKRC draft proposed tor of the Kenya Human Rights people with disabilities and the mixed member proportional Alert over fake THE Harmonised Draft Con- Commission (KHRC), the draft youth. representation. The Bomas draft stitution has been faulted with did not give any directions for a She points out that the Con- proposed direct representa- drugs critics citing the electoral system more proportional system. She stitution of Kenya Review Com- tion (constituency-based), but — Pg 28 which they say did not reflect the says that the draft largely bor- mission (CKRC) draft, the Bo- with the direct representation of wishes and aspirations of major- rows from the current system, mas draft and the so-called Wako women from each district and ity of Kenyans. despite provisions at three lev- draft propose slightly different According to Muthoni Wan- els, with clear stipulations on po- electoral systems. Turn to Page 5, Col. 5 The Link, January 2010 2 EDUCATION Free Primary Education in Peril From page 1 The original KESSP 1 costing which has been the basis of planning is shown in Table 1 below: and instead channelled excess covered. amounts of money to schools The KESSP programme after which they would ask the largely draws its lifeline from schools to deposit the extra cash development partners who have to private accounts. overwhelmingly supported it and And to validate their corrupt injected funds to the tune of over deals, the officers falsified claims Kshs. 22 billion since inception using fabricated receipts to indi- in 2005. Under KESSP Primary cate that the money in question school enrolments have shot up had been spent on workshops, from 5.9 million in 2002 to 8.6 hiring of training halls and lap- million in 2008. In the current fi- tops. They inflated prices of nancial year, the government had goods and services, authorized allocated Kshs. 134,662,914,608 double allocation and disburse- to the Ministry of Education, with ment of funds to undeserving Kshs. 17,654,646,708 being ear- schools. And as if that was not marked for development. enough, they introduced of new The UK which is Kenya’s sec- programmes such as school nu- ond biggest bilateral donor has trition and mobile schools in arid been able to commit Kshs. billion and semi arid areas. towards the project since incep- But contrary to the numerous tion in 2005. An appraisal report audit queries, the Ministry of Ed- by Chief Finance Officer at the ucation’s long-serving Permanent Ministry of Education Alice Nge- Secretary, Prof Karega Mutahi, chu, the International Develop- categorically denied that funds ment Agency (IDA- World) has Table 3 below shows the JFA eligible categories list and the agreed levels of funding in the current F/Y (2009/10) were misappropriated at the head- by the end of last financial year quarters. He insisted that the only pumped in a substantive Kshs. money that goes to the Ministry 4.69 billion while the Canadian directly is meant for monitoring, International Development Agen- evaluation and capacity develop- cy (CIDA) committed Kshs. 1.85 ment activities. But even this too billion. has queries over their utilization. Belgium’s (VVOB) has so The PS explained that funds in far given funds totalling to Kshs. the pool are deposited in an Ex- 0.38 billion, UNICEF channelled chequer Account under the Min- Kshs. 0.50 billion and Africa De- istry of Finance at the Central velopment Bank (ADB /ADF) al- Bank of Kenya. They are then re- located Kshs. 0.07. leased to the Ministry’s Commer- The financial support by Or- cial Bank Account from where ganization of Petroleum Export- they are disbursed directly to ing Countries (OPEC) stood individual school bank accounts at Kshs. 058billion, while Fast within 48 hours of receipt from Truck Initiative (FTI) gave Kshs. Central Bank through Electronic 8.59billion. The United States Table 3 continues Funds Transfer (EFT). Agency for International Devel- “Thus only School Manage- opment (U SAID) offered Kshs. ment Committees (SMCs) with 0.22 billion while the World Food respect to Free Primary Education Programme (WFP) Kshs. and Ja- and Boards of Governors (BOGs) pan gave 0.20billion and Kshs. with respect to Secondary Educa- 0.15billion respectively. tion have access to the money at Of the donors, the UK is em- school level,” he asserts phatic that support for the second However, the stunning rev- phase of the programme which is elations are a case of reckless scheduled for July will squarely plunder that permeates the entire depend on whether officials im- education sector. More damning plicated in the fraud are prosecut- reports indicate that the public ed, lost monies are recovered and has been losing an average of financial management systems Kshs. 92 million every year since improved. It is however not clear the programme was launched in if the other donors will follow 2003. suit. An analysis undertaken by In a swift move that has sent structural development, Kshs. the disbursement of funds from construct and to renovate existing the Kenya National Parents As- shivers in the spines of the min- 800 million for Early Childhood both development partners and physical facilities and equipment sociation, indicate that ministry istry mandarins, DFID has imme- Development Centres (ECDs), the government has had negative in various public learning institu- officials have been varying the diately halted plans to disburse Kshs. 250million was to support implications on the projects some tions in the country to increase amounts released to schools and two further payments totalling Non Formal Education, Kshs. of which are still running behind access, equity and quality in Pri- pocketing the difference. to Kshs. 1.8 billion. They insist 120million was set aside for spe- schedule. mary and Secondary Education. Although the PS tells Kenyans that release of the funds will de- cial needs education, allocation The government unveiled the At the end of the programme, that all is well and that not child’s pend on the government response to Adult basic education stood KESSP initiative in 2005 as a 165 new classrooms were to be education will be interfered with, to the audit report. This action is at Kshs. 300 million, while the joint venture that comprised of constructed during the implemen- Primary school head teachers likely to cause serious headaches School Feeding, Health and Nu- development partners, civil soci- tation period. Distribution was to countrywide have threatened to for the government because the trition was to be funded to the ety, communities and the private be based on priority needs across down their tools this term unless state’s contribution to the pro- tune of Kshs. 745million sector to help in the realization the country with the benefitting the government releases the mon- gramme has been minimal. For Currently the programme of the Universal Primary Educa- schools identified primarily on a ey which was supposed to have instance allocation for the cur- which was set to wind up in tion (UPE) and Education for All comprehensive analysis of vali- been sent to schools in 2009. rent financial year stood at Kshs. 2010 has been operating in huge (EFA) by 2015. dated 2004 school mapping data. And as pressure mounts on 4,930,204,367. deficits with figures from the The programme with an initial But that was not to be. The the government, focus shifts on In the current financial year Ministry of Education indicat- estimated cost of Kshs. 97 bil- only “official model” was turned the ongoing investigations and donors had pledged a staggering ing that the government is yet to lion was to be implemented in a into a conduit for siphoning whether audit will be backdated Kshs.7.7billion. Over Kshs. 2.4 remit an outstanding pledge of span of five years and sought to money as Ministry officials bla- to cover the entire five years when billion was earmarked for infra- Kshs.12 billion. In fact delay in assist schools and communities to tantly defied the set guidelines the scam is said to have began. The Link, January 2010 EDUCATION 3 Communities to have say on institutions By BILL ESSAU Technical Education Director COMMUNITIES will starting next Owate Wambai says the upgrading of year have a hand in running of technical the institution had been delayed by lack training institutions in their respective of funds. areasi. He added that the Government has Government has started a commu- now received credit from the African nity outreach programme to make the Development Bank (ADB) and a grant institutions relevant to the communities from the Government of Netherlands to around them, according to Higher Edu- facilitate the elevation. cation Minister Dr Sally Kosgei. ”We have been waiting for the need- Kosgei says the programme, to be ed support to create proper planning and implemented in conjunction with civil teaching and we can now report that we societies in partnership with the private are now able to equip the institution to sector aims at involving the community levels that can capture the spirit of up- on management of the institutions in grading,” says Wambai. Wambai said their midst. that upgrading will be done through the “The programme involves perform- ministry’s structured process. Bushian- ing institutional and labour market in- gala Shamberere and Matili village pol- volvement, designing and developing ytechnics have been upgraded technical proportional activities that can effec- status so as to feed upgraded Sigalagala. tively market the institutions and serve He also says the Government had the community,” she says. initiated construction of 13 new techni- Communities at work: They are part of a government outreach programme introduced cal training institutes across the country. Under the programme, all manage- recently ment boards of technical institutions are Saying that the ministry of Higher Edu- required to reserve one third of mem- unemployment, threat due to globaliza- ting issues in technical training colleges, She added that the Government had cation and Technology is keen on devel- bership to the community, another third tion, HIV/Aids pandemic and high lev- the minister said. Noting that the bur- enhanced financial support for technical oping nuclear energy to address power for women. els of poverty overstretched available sary scheme for technical institutions is institutions with a view to improving the crisis in the country, Wambai notes that While presiding over the graduation resources. This, she adds, has made it meant to ensure access to technical edu- quality of training. the ministry is exploring ways through of over 800 certificate and Diploma stu- difficult for the institution to expand. cation, Dr. Kosgei challenged women He said the focus was on improve- which Kenya can train her people on dents at the Sigalagala technical training Because of the overstretched re- to take advantage of the bursary to join ment of library facilities, training equip- how to generate and use nuclear energy. institute recently, Kosgei also said that sources in national institutions, she men-dominated fields. ment, infrastructure and capacity build- To this end, he says, that Govern- the Government had involved private says, the Government has introduced She said that technical institutes ing at the management level. ment bursaries will now be skewed to- sector and development performance contracting to improve in played important role in producing the Meanwhile, the Government will wards science engineering technology Partners in addressing challenges efficiency. skilled manpower that will ensure Ken- upgrade Sigalagala Technical Training courses. This, he adds, will help ensure that face high and tertiary education. The ministry is preparing a policy ya becomes industrialized by 2030 as Institute to a national polytechnic by the that Kenya has enough trained person- She notes that the ever increasing on guiding and counselling on cross cut- envisioned in the document. end of this financial year. nel in production of nuclear energy. Teacher posing as Youth challenged to embark abortion expert on productive activities By MORRIS GITHENYA By BEKADZO TONDO Malindi, the board members of the Forum and the council had A QUACK who has been masquerad- MOST educated youth in Coast agreed to sign a memorandum of ing as a medical doctor has been cor- province have come under criti- understanding on the performance nered by police and public health of- cism for failing to engage in of the council especial on revenue ficials for aiding back street abortions meaningful work and instead opt- collection, service delivery and in a clinic he operates in Murang’a ing for criminal activities accountability of the council ex- town. The administrative officer of penditures. The suspect a former high school Malindi Residents Forum {MRF) He said though the former teacher was caught red handed while Mr Kashero Chinyaka noted with councillor had agreed to sign the he was inducing labour to two young concern that youth apply in big document, thy could not do so women aged 18 and 26 in the clinic. numbers to work in civil soci- because their term in office had The police acting on a tip off from ety organizations but immediately expired. the public laid ambush at Fort Hall abandon the jobs once they dis- He said when the new lot of Clinic, which according to public cover there are no payments. councillor came in the office af- health officials had not been licensed Chinyaka said the trend had ter the past general elections, the to operate. left the human rights organizations councillors totally refused to sign The clinic used to operate like like the Kenya Red Cross and oth- the document. a private hospital only to be closed ers under the guard of aged people Deche says most of the coun- with a section turned to hostels for who retire from the civil service cillor led by their mayors felt that college students. The two girls, after and from the private companies. Youth must engage themselves in other activities after signing of the MOU could under- they were rescued were rushed to ‘We are experiencing a prob- education. mine their political operations and Murang’a district hospital where they lem where our learned youth in due to that they have refused to were admitted in a critical condition Coast refuse to work in civil soci- Chinyaka got shocked to see clerks at Malindi municipal had sign the important document. Murang’a East DC Mr. George ety organizations which normally that none of the 13 elected people hampered quick development of However the executive direc- Natembeya said they there has been are aimed at educating the com- from the 13 elective wards within the area. tor of the Ecumenical Center For public outcry over the continued munities in their rights, promote Malindi municipal council to form Deche said it was becoming Justice and Peace Rev Jephthah procuring of abortions at the facil- development agendas because the board of Malindi residents fo- very difficult to follow up devel- Gathaka urged the new board of ity hence making the government to they do not pay salaries’ said rum was a woman. opment matters with the council Malindi Residents Forum to push carry out investigations. Chinyaka. He wondered how the affirma- because the council gets new ad- the council and have the council- “The facility has been under gov- The official was speaking at tive law which seeks for equal rep- ministrative officers in most cases. lor to sign the MOU. ernment watch after claims of carry- Breeze point hotel in Malindi dur- resentation for both women and He said since 2006 up to now He said the main work of the ing out illegal operations,” said the ing an annual general meeting for men in parliament and in the local the council has had more than four Malindi Residents Forum was to DC. the Malindi Residents Forum. authorities could be retained if the clerks and wondered how devel- push the council to improve on In the year 2000, the premises He at the same hit at women women will not come out and con- opment projects could be moni- Revenue collection and expendi- used to operate a nigh club only to be who shy away from contesting for test for the seats. tored after implementation if there tures, good service delivery to the closed following claims it had been leadership positions in the com- And the newly elected chair- will be new administrative offic- members of the public and finally turned to criminal and brothel dens munity Based organizations leav- man of the Malindi Residents Fo- ers after a short period. social auditing and transparent on before being converted to a private ing the men to dominate in the rum Mr Sonje Deche complained The chairman complained that project implementations. hospital. groups. that frequent transfers of town when MRF started operations in The Link, January 2010 4 EDUCATION Bungoma Transparency and tracking peace group praised Kenya’s education sector budget By AGGREY BUCHUNJU A BUNGOMA town based peace Financial and budget literacy needed to tame theft of education funds building organization is appeal- ing to the ministry of education VEN though the Kenya govern- We must also explore options for if they play a role in preparing the public budget hearings at local levels school plan and in managing imple- and the government to introduce a ment policy documents pledge COMMENT peace building curriculum in both adherence to the Education as this will raise citizens’ awareness of mentation. Their levels of engagement E goods and services that are supposedly in the whole process of School govern- primary and secondary schools in for All (EFA) goals and Millennium the country. Development goals (MDGs), policy delivered to them. Presenting educa- ance are critical. School governance objectives and priorities often do not By DON BONYO tion expenditure records in easy lan- involves making decisions on school Bungoma Peace Makers De- necessarily find expression in Annual guage to the public, or at schools, and goals, aims & objectives, management velopment Initiative, whose direc- budgets. The Education Sector budget confronting local politicians with the strategies, formulation of policies, plans tor is Dr. Isaac Misiko, a former often represents the largest component commitments have indeed been trans- discrepancy between policy statements & budgets, accountability & reporting primary school teacher, sensitizes of public expenditure in Kenya, but lated into action. For instance, Parents and actual delivery will definitely trig- mechanisms, generation, allocation & people on the importance of proper are those funds spent on the intended who do not know that the government ger civic action against corruption in the utilization of resources among other coexistence in the larger Bungoma purposes? Does leakage of significant has released funds for textbooks for education sector, and thus contribute to items. Participation by parents, teach- and its environs. parts of allocated resources pose a seri- their children and for infrastructure are accountability. ers, community members and pupils is The teacher turned peace cru- ous threat to achieving the intended ed- less likely to hold public education of- Report cards on education services a key cornerstone of good school gov- sader observes that if peace build- ucational results? Opaque budget proc- ficials accountable than those who are are powerful tool that could also be ernance. Children being the beneficiar- ing is introduced in our education esses, off-budget activities (i.e. outside informed. used to mobilize the public if educa- ies of schools are also key stakeholders curriculum it will promote co- the formal budget), weak and poorly Obviously, if the education sector tion funds go missing (A report card is a and thus require as much involvement existence and brotherhood among managed expenditure systems and a budget were open to public for effec- survey that assesses the performance of, & effective participation in school gov- for example, schools and school admin- ernance as adults (teachers & parents). the 42 tribes residing in this coun- lack of public control provide manifold tive scrutiny, there would be less scope try. opportunities for corruption. As a result for deviation from policy. Budget istrations. It measures both quantitative The Children’s voice must be heard. and qualitative indicators of service de- Child participation in school govern- During the group’s recent cour- of a lack of financial accountability in transparency, while not a goal in itself, tesy call on the Western Province many of our education institutions, re- is a prerequisite for public participation livery through direct citizen feedback). ance is crucial in Kenya at this point in If the results of report card surveys are time when the Education sector is fac- Northern region Commissioner sources often disappear. and accountability: a budget that is not (RC) Mr. Rashid Mohammed, Dr. Understanding and analyzing budg- transparent, accessible and accurate fed back to schools and administrations, ing a crisis. This process requires the ac- these will provide an incentive for in- tive involvement of children within the Misiko said that his organization ets is not an easy task. However, if par- cannot be properly analysed. Its imple- managed to bring peace among ents and students, and school commu- mentation also cannot be thoroughly creased accountability. If they are wide- school and surrounding community in nities at large, are to hold schools and monitored, nor its outcomes evaluated. ly disseminated amongst the public, decision making on matters that affect tribes that were planning to attack the education administration account- There are a variety of measures and together with budget information, they their lives and to express their view in each other following the flawed able, they have to be able to understand tools that enhance budget transparency; will provide an opportunity for educa- accordance with their evolving capaci- 2007 presidential election. the budget. Budget transparency will most of them promote transparency not tion stakeholders to get involved in the ties. It also includes involving the chil- Dr. Misiko told the RC that his only be useful if there is a broad base only in education budget planning and education budget allocation process, dren in identification of needs, tasks, organization draws membership of knowledgeable observers. The legis- spending, but in all other social sectors. and to ensure that the national budget problems within the school or the wider from all the tribes residing in the lature is also more likely to monitor the The budget system if well designed addresses their educational priority community, to ask appropriate ques- area adding that the group was budget process effectively if there is a will produce comprehensive and timely needs at the community levels. tions and gather appropriate informa- now targeting learning institutions widespread public interest in budget is- information - not only to the education Budget transparency and by exten- tion, to discuss and negotiate possible with a view to equipping pupils sues. The media on the other hand will administrators, but also to the consum- sion tracking of public funds allocated courses of action, to share in planning, with knowledge on the importance play a particularly important role with ers of the education services: pupils/ to the Education sector annually is vital budgeting and decision making, to of peace and coexistence. regard to generating interest and spark- students, parents, teachers, head teach- if the value for money for these pro- share the responsibility for implement- ‘After Managing to restore ing public debate about the budget. ers and the entire school communities. grammes is to be realized. The educa- ing the plan, and to monitor and evalu- tion sector budget system should be de- ate the outcomes and to communicate mutual understanding and peace Building budget literacy has been rec- To be able to assess the transparency among all the tribes in the upper ognized globally as a prerequisite for of Education finances, to identify pri- signed in such a way that it “produces” these to others. This therefore implies comprehensive, timely information having parents, children and the entire Western region our next target are engaging citizens in the budget process orities for reforms and to monitor schools and colleges”, the director – this is the way out towards enhanc- progress, various interventions such - not only to the education administra- school communities – all - participating tion, but also to the “users” of the edu- in school governance. said. ing transparency and accountability in as budget literacy and budget tracking Saying that the group does not Kenya’s education sector. must be promoted in Kenya. Budget cation service: pupils/students parents, For effective budget transpar- teachers and school communities. ency and tracking of Education sector want to see a repeat of what en- Open and democratic societies based advocacy work is equally nec- gulfed the country during the last require an informed citizenry, public essary to enhance clarity of roles and On the other hand, school commu- budgets (and other sectors’ budgets), participation and governing processes responsibilities in various players nity members’ involvement in budget the State, the Private sector, the Media general election because that could that are transparent. Transparency is involved in education sector budget execution at school level is very im- and the Civil Society Organizations in escalate to the Rwanda genocide an important means of achieving par- work; Public availability of education portant. School management commit- Kenya - in general – should scale up of 1994, Dr. Misiko appealed to ticipation and democratic control of sector information by the Ministry of tees are charged with the responsibility their investments in Budget Literacy the provincial administration and budgetary processes - it allows an en- Education; and Open budget prepara- of administering school funds, among programmes. the government through the RC’s gaged and informed citizenry to have tion, execution and reporting by the other tasks. Parents, children and teach- The writer is the Programmes Manager, office to assist the group’s endeav- input into the budget process, and to government among other desirable re- ers will be more likely to support school Daraja Civic Initiatives Forum. ors. monitor whether policies and political sults is imperative. policies and protect financial resources [email protected] He told the provincial admin- istrator that lack of peace derails development and makes people to depend on well-wishers and do- Othaya School faces closure over poor sanitation nors for survival, something that should not be allowed to take root By JOSEPH MUKUBWA the ablution block and the Free Pri- sources to better the sector. He warned in Kenya. mary Education funds have not been pupils against anti-social behaviour Dr. Misiko who was accompa- Birithia Primary School in Othaya enough to help in school development. that could jeopardize their lives and nied by the organization’s chief Constituency is faced with imminent But things may soon change for health. He also urges corporate organ- closure over poor sanitation. the better after an old boy intervened isations to divert some of their profits coordinator Mr. Charles Makokha Officials from the Ministry of and volunteered to construct toilets for back to the community in areas of among others narrated to the RC Public Health have threatened to shut the pupils. their operations. some of the cases the group has down the learning institution located “There were only four functional Maina urged the local CDF com- handled. along Nyeri-Othaya highway in Ny- toilets serving the more than 400 pu- mittee to move with speed and help He named some of the cases eri South district due to the pathetic pils, two for boys and two for the girls rehabilitate the leaking roofs and as people fighting over pieces of conditions. The school has about 400 when I learnt of the dilapidated school cracking walls saying this will save land, marital problems and war- pupils. infrastructure,” says Mr Anthony the school from total collapse. ring clans. A public health personnel, who did Maina who mobilized resources for The businessman at the same time On his part the group’s coordi- not want to be named told The Link the work. emphasized on the importance of in- nator Mr. Charles Makokha, hailed that the toilets posed a health hazard Maina adds “I was in shock when tegrating ICT in schools to be able to the government for recognizing to both the pupils and teachers. He I visited the school and came face to cope with the dynamic world tech- peace groups that have helped cre- expressed fears of an outbreak of a face with the reality; the situation was nologies. ate awareness and restore stability communicable disease if the school pathetic of my former school.” The school head teacher Mr Cyrus in the region. remains open. He managed to mobilize over Ngatia says the institution was in dire In response, Mohammed said Previous attempts by parents to Kshs. 360,000 that was used to con- Mrs Mugo need of reconstruction to give it a face that it was the government’s inten- raise funds to assist in the construction struct a modern ablution block that lift for a conducive learning atmos- tion to ensure that peace prevails of new blocks have been futile mainly was commissioned yesterday. tion to the children. phere. in every part of this country. because of poverty and the drought The businessman/ICT special- Noting that education was the key But the public health official main- pillar to socio-political and economic He urged all peace organiza- that hit the country adversely affecting ist urges communities to mobilize tains that the toilets are not enough tions to work closely with the pro- all sectors of our economy. resources to develop learning institu- development of any region, the spe- and needs more sanitation saying the They lamented that they have not tions to supplement government ef- cialist urged parents, teachers and population of the school is more than vincial administration in solving been able to raise funds to construct forts in the provision of quality educa- pupils to sacrifice their time and re- the toilets built. conflicts among the communities. The Link, January 2010 CDF 5 Most constituencies may CoE urged to review miss CDF — Oparanya proposed

By WANJIKU NJUGUNA ties for semi skilled and skilled correctness largely determined labour in infrastructure expan- whether an area got devel- polls law ABOUT 110 constituencies in sion and other areas as eco- opment allocation has been From Page 1 the country are likely to miss nomic devolution and first real blamed for haphazard resource allocation with huge disparities the representation of 14 persons out on their allocation of Con- efforts at managing inequity from marginalised groups elect- stituency Development Funds that characterized marginal- defining who got and who was ed from electoral colleges of the during this financial year. ized areas. denied. same. And the so-called Wako This follows an apparent de- Huge chunks of cash from It is imperative that the cur- draft reverted to the CKRC pro- lay in remitting both their pro- development partners and in- rent 2.5 percent of the revenue posal, with the addition of “spe- posals for the current financial ternational financial agencies allocated to CDF is expanded cial constituencies” for women’s year and accounts in the last were the only available options to help realize meaningful direct representation as well as financial year. for money to trickle down to transformation in our growth. the allocation of some seats in the grassroots. But this will not make sense if proportion to the votes received Planning Minister Wycliff by political parties. Oparanya made the revelations Statistics may still not be MPs continue to play negative “The Committee of Experts as it became clear that some available to show just how role with CDF. has analysed the three propos- legislators had failed to present fundamentally CDF has trans- Concern has been voiced als based on how best to ensure their proposals on time, a move formed the lives of Kenyans. with regard to nepotism and women’s political representation that is likely to cost their re- But the fact that for once, every political interference in the al- and the political representation spective constituencies this corner of Kenya is being con- location of funds to projects at of other marginalised groups year’s CDF allocation. Mr Oparanya sidered automatically for re- the constituency level. Mecha- who include people with dis- abilities and the youth, as well Major gains have been re- ing numerous development source allocation is a huge im- nisms should be put in place to enhance accountability and as ethnic minorities,” she asserts alised since the introduction projects in various parts of the provement on how things have adding that despite the three dif- of CDF in 2003, with the fund country. in the past been done. transparency in the utilization ferent levels of legislature pro- being credited for spearhead- CDF opened rare opportuni- The past where political of funds. posed by the draft, this need is clearly not addressed. Judging from the report by CoE, she argues that proportion- al representation will not realized Coast MPs read riot act to their CDF committees as responsibility for determining By BEKADZO TONDO women’s political representation still lies in the hands of political Kaloleni MP Kazungu Kambi parties that are notorious for hav- has disbanded the local CDF com- ing reneged on their representa- mittee citing misappropriation of tion promises to women’. funds running into Kshs.4 million. She notes that the report con- The MP accused the commit- tee led by Mr John Charo of cor- cludes that proportional repre- ruption saying that it was unfit to sentation ran the risk of being remain in office to manage public abused and argues that a political funds. party required to nominate wom- According to Mr Kambi, the en could potentially nominate committee had failed to account all women from the same ethnic for Kshs 4 million earmarked for community. one of the projects in the area. She says that these asser- The law maker argued that the tions however ignore the ways in committee failed to comply with which the CoE clearly addressed the set guidelines on project im- plementation and ended up doing these concerns in other sections a shoddy job at the ground of the draft. He said the 15 member com- The provisions on political mittee was forced to record a state- parties, for instance, stipulate ment with the police on the alleged that they must respect and pro- mismanagement of the devolved mote gender equality and equity, funds arguing that the committee and that they cannot be founded ignored his order for it not to au- on a linguistic, racial, ethnic, thorize the payment to the contrac- gender or regional basis, imply- tor. ing that intersectionality would The move received immedi- be taken into account. It further ate applause from the residents Members of a CDF committee in a past event. led by Kaloleni district commis- stipulates that they will not be sioner Mr. Fredrick Ayieko who eligible for financial support if ened to disband some project come under focus with critics of the constituency Development more than two thirds of its reg- argued that they had also noticed implementing committees in the that something was wrong on the questioning the capacity of con- Fund. istered national office holders constituency if they fail to observe stituency committees in the man- They have expressed a strong project implementation. transparency and accountability in are of the same gender, she ex- The committee members led agement of funds. desire to have members of parlia- their work. Though the government has ment powers to appoint people plained. by Mr. Elias Tsori later confirmed The KHRC executive direc- to have recorded some statements This has become the trend established many devolved funds in the committees shelved and adopted by some MPs in the to support community projects instead allowing them to elect tor further argued that the draft with the police over the alleged ignores mixed member propor- misuse of the CDF monies. Coast province who have of late in all corners of the country, lit- members in their respective con- Malindi MP, Mr Gideon Mun- shown a different approach on the tle has so far been achieved at the stituencies as a way of ensuring tional representation which was garo, followed suit and dissolved management of their CDF funds grassroot level. local involvement in decision also proposed for reasons other his CDF committee one month with some going to the extent of People entrusted with the pow- making processes. than more equitable political later. firing the committee members, ers to manage the relevant funds The lack of the same has re- representation. It was also pro- Mungaro also accused the disbanding some before they elect have been accused over their fail- sulted in residents complaining posed because citizens wanted project implementing committees new ones ure to change the development that funds are being misused by both parliamentarians whose pri- of being corrupt in their work and Lack of transparency and ac- face in the grassroots. the committee members who mary purpose was to respond to for that case, he decided to disband countability in the implementa- Communities have in the past were appointed by the MP and constituency-based needs as well their committee. tion and utilization of devolved complained about the criteria used they have no powers as per the funds on community based de- as parliamentarians better suited Meanwhile Bahari MP Bene- to appoint people in the devolved regulations to remove the corrupt to responding to national needs. dict Fondo Gunda has also threat- velopment projects has in the past funds committees especially that members. The Link, January 2010 6 CDF

By FAITH MUIRURI

CIVIL society organizations (CSOs) are calling for immediate formulation of a policy to ensure effective and effi- Devolved funds wasted cient management of devolved funds. The CSOs say the policy will pave way for the creation of a harmonized framework to coordinate the manage- ment of substantial resources devoted due to lack of policy to grassroots regularly through the devolution system. tions to projects earmarked for imple- comprehensive services or develop- staffing levels and accountability The Sessional Paper No. 4 of 1975 They argue that the current scenar- mentation has not translated to any ment. None have a functional moni- mechanism. The policy should further on ‘Economic Prospects and Policies’ io was chaotic and did not guarantee meaningful development. toring and evaluation framework. seek to retain, retrain and reallocate based more emphasis on rural devel- any form of public participation, ac- They cited CDF which received “There is no mechanism to en- existing staff and assets and give a opment. countability and transparency required a substantive Kshs. 33 billion despite sure the funds add incremental value detailed transitional framework of the In the late 1970s/early 1980s, six in management of public resources. lacking in technical capacity and to each other and there are numerous present institutions. Regional Development Authorities The institutions include the Ken- widely relying on the 210 constituen- cases of duplication. Therefore by The history of decentralization in (RDAs) have been established with ya Human Rights Commission and cies as units of development, most of spreading resources across such units Kenya dates back to the period af- a common mandate to plan and coor- the Social and Public Accountability which are not viable. undermines the effectiveness of local ter independence. The government dinate the implementation of regional Network which comprises of Abantu The government also disbursed development and it is thus unaccept- through “Sessional paper No. 10 of development activities, ensure mobi- for Development, Action Aid, Cen- Kshs. 10.4 billion in 2009/2010 Fi- able that new funds and directives 1965 on African socialism and its ap- lization of resources and promote re- tre for Enhancing Democracy and nancial year to 175 Local Authorities in the sector are made on short term plication in planning” established the gional socio-economic development Good Governance (CEDGG), Centre in the country yet the Ministry of Lo- populist basis without due concern to principle of state direction of develop- through integrated planning and man- for Peace and Democracy (CEPAD), cal Government ranking currently ap- effectiveness and efficiency,” they add ment process and decentralization of agement. Ms Kenya, Social Economic Right proves 100 local authorities as viable in a statement read on their behalf by planning based on local inputs as a In July 1983, the government at- Foundation, The Institute of Social service delivery units. the Outgoing MS Kenya Country Di- means of improving socio-economic tempted to extend decentralized de- Accountability (TISA) and World Vi- The Civil societies argue that de- rector Jesper Lauridsen. well being of the rural community. velopment to all districts in Kenya sion. spite such huge allocations there was They say the policy should outline In 1971, Kenya initiated an inte- through the adoption of a District Fo- They note that there are over ten very little to show since both agencies among other things the level of citizen grated decentralized planning under cus for Rural Development Strategy distinct decentralized public funds faced similar problems that range from engagement and derive its mandate Special Rural Development Pro- (DFRDS). available at Ward, Constituency and a shortage of competent technical staff from existing structures to establish a gramme (SRDP) in areas chosen to The proposed new constitution District level whose mode of alloca- to under funding and cannot deliver viable number of development units, cover a cross section of the nation. gives district governments more legis- SRDP was focused at the sub- district lative autonomy and overall responsi- level (i.e. the division), covering six bility for planning and formulation of rural administrative divisions as an district policies, implementation and experiment on decentralization, with a monitoring, and maintenance of the primary objective of increasing the ru- district’s infrastructure. ral incomes, employment and welfare

Police hunt for Nyeri deputy mayor over assault

By JOSEPH MUKUBWA to be protesting that his ward was get- ting too little from the funds. POLICE in Nyeri have launched a The treasurer who has since re- manhunt for the Nyeri deputy mayor corded statement at Kiganjo police over allegations that he assaulted a station after acquiring a P3 form Kieni Constituency Development said she was at CDF offices at Chaka Fund (CDF) official. township when the mayor bounced on Mr Ndirangu Kabai who is also her. She was treated at a local dispen- the Ngonde ward councillor was be- sary and discharged. ing hunted yesterday over allegations Kabai allegedly uttered unprint- that he allegedly assaulted Kieni CDF able words unto the local CDF chair- treasurer Miss Anastasia Wanjiru in man Mr Daniel Kang’angi as other her office. workers watched in disbelief. Sources Kieni East District Commissioner said police have visited Kabai’s home Mr Daniel Odambu said that the may- twice but have not found him. or went into CDF offices protesting When Kabai was reached for a over unfair disbursement of the funds comment, he denied the assault alle- Stalled Burumba Dispensary which has purportedly spent a total of Ksh1.8 million. The and assaulted the official injuring her gations saying he was beaten by some former local project development committee has been replaced for allegedly failing to exer- neck and face seriously. He was said other people he didn’t know. cise transparency and accountability. Photo/Nyakwar Odawo Controversy rocks Webuye CDF office By LUKE KAPCHANGA said they had no alternative be- convinced, that the interlocking 250,000, if the company is award- However, the area MP Alfred THE Webuye constituency devel- cause they were under pressure to machines in the country are, manu- ed the tender without open tender- Sambu, sought to downplay the is- opment committee has approved approve the contract despite the factured and supplied by Makiga ing. sue saying that any concerns can Kshs.3million to buy 24 brick mak- anomalies. only. Complaints were said to have be resolved, adding that the most ing machines despite controversy The tender committee sit- The revelations threw the com- been raised about the nature in important thing is to ensure the over the procurement procedure. ting last November was forced to mittee in confusion as they started which the company was picked constituencies benefited. The committee sitting to ap- shelve the awarding of the con- to question the motive of the per- without advertisement as the mon- According to the CDF Act, to prove the supply was surprised to tract to Makiga engineering serv- son behind the company being ey involved was huge. spend Kshs.3million open tender- learn that the Kshs.98, 000 quoted ices, to supply the equipment, as awarded the contract without fol- But sources maintained that ing is required from at least ten per machine was way above what it emerged that prices had been lowing the due process. they were being coerced to ap- supplying firms. The CDF tender the company was selling the ma- inflated. According to sources, which prove the tender yet they have not committee should also carry out chines. But they were made to go ahead attended the meeting, CDF was been involved in the negotiations market survey before adjudication Sources at the CDF offices and approve the supply, after being allegedly going to lose Kshs. in pricing. on tender. The Link, January 2010 CDF 7

By FAITH MUIRURI DESPITE steady decentrali- zation of funds in the country, Kenyans have no say on use Kenyans are increasingly be- ing alienated from development initiatives at the grassroot level. A research conducted by the of devolved funds-research Kenya Human Rights Commis- sion (KHRC) and the Social while CDF and FPE at 20.8 per- and Public Accountability Net- cent. Public barazas also were work (SPAN)revealed that ordi- valuable sources of getting in- nary Kenyans are less likely to formation with CDF at 15.7 be consulted on local develop- percent, LATF at 14.2 percent ment initiatives. and Bursary 14 percent. SPAN is made up of Abantu The level of awareness on for Development, Action Aid, decentralized funds ranked high Centre for Enhancing Democ- with CDF polling 96 percent, racy and Good Governance Free Primary Education rank- (CEDGG), Centre for Peace ing second with 90 percent and and Democracy (CEPAD), Ms the Bursary Fund followed with Kenya, Social Economic Right 88.3 percent. The Water Serv- Foundation, The Institute of So- ices Trust Fund was the least cial Accountability (TISA) and known at 40.7 percent among World Vision the seven funds studied. The study established that The respondents came up Kenyans lacked access to in- with a raft of proposals geared formation and that they are of- towards enhancing public par- ten sidelined from all levels of ticipation. They called for the development from planning to development of a citizen char- the actual implementation proc- ter to safeguard citizen involve- ess of projects at the grassroot ment through proactive infor- One of the CDF funded projects. level. mation dissemination, right According to the findings of to official records, regular- re the research this has resulted cal Authority Transfer Fund Development in Kenya was un- plication was high, 8 percent porting meetings, an effective in a widening gap between the (LATF), Road Maintenance dertaken in eight constituencies saying it was very high while citizen budgeting process and demand and supply of services, Levy Fund (RMLF), Free Pri- which included Nyeri Town, another 9 percent saying that it representation in local develop- with citizens losing confidence mary Education (FPE), Con- Mwatate, Baringo Central, Isio- was moderate. ment committees. in decentralized development stituency Bursary Fund, Water lo North, Mandera West, Maka- Respondents revealed that They also suggested that as an institution that can meet Services Trust Fund and the dara, Mumias and Kisumu interpersonal communication politicians be removed from di- their needs and respond effec- Constituency Aids Control Town East. was the most reliable way of rect implementation of local de- tively to the challenges they Fund that have direct impact on During the study, 44 percent getting information on most velopment funds as their pres- face. Education, Health, Water and of those interviewed expressed decentralized funds. Other reli- ence only served to undermine The study focused on seven Sanitation and Road sectors. concern over the high cases of able sources of getting informa- oversight and accountability funds namely the Constituency The research entitled Har- duplication with 16.1 percent tion about decentralized funds and promoted political patron- Development Fund (CDF), Lo- monization of Decentralized indicating that the extent of du- included Radio at 21percent age over development goals. LATF gives Kilifi Kshs 44.5m Council Diffuse new agric methods says only local contractors will benefit The Kilifi County Council has the country five years ago. received Kshs 44.5 Million dur- The council has been using its through schools ing this financial year from the LATF money allocations in sup- Local Authorities Transfer Fund porting educational, water, roads (LATF). rehabilitation and health projects. By WANJIKU NJUGUNA a venture that is jointly being for farmers. The Council clerk Mr Leboo Mr Athnoy Kingi, the council ALL learning institutions in- undertaken with the local Con- Started six month ago, the Ole Morintat said only local con- chairman, dismissed claims that cluding Secondary and prima- stituency Development Fund. project is earmarked to have a tractors would be given the con- local councils have been misusing ry schools have been tipped as The MP opposes the current tremendous effect on the lives tracts under the fund in a bid to the LATF monies. the most viable entities in the scenario where universities are of people around the constitu- build their capacities financially. Kingi instead said the councils realization of Vision 2030 with the only entities allowed to ency, Speaking during a consultative have improved the development a particular focus on address- partake such tasks saying that According to representa- meeting to approve community of projects in the community and ing food insecurity. most farmers cannot access tive of Amiran Kenya Pauline recommended projects recently, totally differed with the argument Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo institutions of higher learning Kavita, the organization is Morintat said though the law em- by certain members of parliament says that learning institutions owing to the long distances committed to giving to people powered the local authorities to who argue that chief officers have should be used as central points involved and the fact that they the value of their investments. advertise the tenders for anybody been misusing the monies for their where techniques that embrace are few in number. She says the approach taken to apply, the local authority had own personal gains. modern farming methods are “Secondary schools are bet- by Yatta MP will help to curb decided to restrict the tenders to Recently the minister for Plan- imparted to the surrounding ter placed to undertake such rural-urban migration in search the local contractors. ning, National Development and communities. ventures as they are more clos- of job opportunities as many “One of the prime objectives Vision 2030, Mr Wycliff Oparan- The MP says that schools er to people than any other in- youth will now be involved in of the LATF devolved funds is to ya, accused chief officers in the should explore possibilities of stitutions,” he adds. agriculture. bring development to the grass- country’s local authorities for liaising with institutions that This he says will also im- In July a group of MPs, roots and empower the communi- misusing LATF monies. offer such services and cited pact positively on students in CDF chairpersons and com- ty financially and that is the reason Oparanya said the fund’s man- Amiran Kenya which was cur- targeted schools since they will mittees drawn from over 50 why we in Kilifi county council agement should be entrusted to rently implementing a similar be able to relate practically constituencies joined repre- have resolved to give the tenders the councilors like what happens project in 15 schools in his with what is taught in class and sentatives of Amiran Kenya at to our local based contractors,” to the CDF monies which are Yatta constituency. further replicate the ideas to a Nairobi hotel to familiarise said Morintat. manned by the MPs. Amiran Kenya has been their respective homes. themselves with the Amiran The clerk said the council had The minister the government providing agricultural educa- In his Yatta constituency, farmers kit with the possibility initiated about 140 development was planning to table a bill in par- tion as well as installing farm- the 30 greenhouses installed of introducing modern agricul- projects in all the 31 elective wards liament which will seek to hand ers kits in various schools in the 15 schools will also be tural methods to their constitu- within the council jurisdiction over LATF management to civic drawn from the constituency in used as demonstration centres encies. since the LATF was established in leaders if approved. The Link, January 2010 8 EDITORIAL The

LinkEnhancing governance for all Leaders must stop digging-in culture ess in the education sector is serious enough to warrant the President and the Prime Min- Mister to crack the whip against the two pro- fessors they have put in charge of the Ministry of Ed- ucation. It is unbelievable that Prof Sam Ongeri and Prof Karega Mutahi are still in office more than three months after the financial mega scam was unearthed COMMENTARY in the ministry. The President in particular must not eat his words simply because the two professors are his bosom friends or fellow allies in the PNU side of the grand coalition government. Kenyans still re- We must stop equating member that recently on 12 December last year dur- ing the Jamhuri celebrations, the President pledged to the nation that he would not spare anyone involved in corruption and abuse of office. We believe that the state power with chicken rot in the education ministry is reason enough for the two principals to walk the talk by firing the minister n the African and in the Kenyan con- rangement, those powers that Kenyans text, discourse on power is premised wanted removed from the imperial pres- and the PS. It is sickening to see the two old men on whether it should favour the Af- POLITICS idency must by necessity and practice trying to dig-in and publicly voicing their refusal to I rican tradition or modern systems. In vest somewhere. give way so that thorough independent investigations Africa, power is still being looked at in The draft vests them beyond the can take place. This decadent culture of refusing to relation to traditional poultry keeping. By GIDEON OCHANDA President and the PM to the National In that set up, only one cockerel is Assembly, Senate, National Constitu- resign from public office even if one is implicated in kept and allowed to crow in a homestead tional Offices and Commissions, Coun- very high profile scandals, such those currently- be as it lords it over several hens, chicks ty Legislature, County Executive and and minor cocks, regardless of its pro- Mandera does not need the equiva- appropriately in the judiciary. The draft ing unravelled in the ministry of education, must stop. lence of District Cooperative Officers Kenyans, especially those privileged to hold big pub- ductivity ratio. Modern power structure has created many centers of power as is seen in this context, hence the argu- as Murang’a. Mandera has less than 5 opposed to the theories being advanced. lic offices, must learn to take responsibility for their ment that the center of power has to be societies against Murang’as 4000 plus. The real powers are at the County- actions of commission, omission or both. It beats all one irrespective of productivity of the Mwingi District with no single face of the County Executive and County As- logic for the two highly learned fellows to call press person who wield that power. surface water does not need a platoon sembly in schedules 4 and 5. Everything of fisheries officers similar to Malindi conferences to shamelessly proclaim their innocence, This mindset informed the thinking and anything apart from education that of the ‘centralist nationalists’ at Kenya’s or Suba. the draft has pretended to place away when it is clear that they are not. Even so, whether independence and to some extent the The tentacles of one cockerel has from the county are in actual fact what or not they stole is immaterial. The fact is that the most Pan Africanists. The location of been unable to recognize this as it es- we are. The counties as contained in the atrocities against the children of this nation and tax power not what power serves was the pouses uniformity all through to ‘ Pro- draft are Not County Councils as we or- issue. The centre has to tower over eve- vincial Administration ‘ which is a semi dinarily know them today. payers both locally and internationally were commit- unproductive cockerels that crows in ted under their watch. In fact in many cases, the PS rybody and everything within its juris- The county proposed in the draft diction. This is the foundation of strange the absence of the main one is listened puts together in one all Local Authori- being the accounting officer, signed off the fraudulent fixation with the imperial presidency to and herd of. It is simple unproductiv- ties (County Councils, Town Councils payments and have consistently been making fake even when it is clearly that occupants ity. No wonder the county cannot move and Municipal Councils), DC’s together have abused such powers with abandon. forward regardless of the natural endow- with all Districts (regardless of all the returns to the government year in, year out. If it is ments including human resources. not the PS’s responsibility to safeguard public funds But for us the cockerel has to tower over newly created Districts within Districts the rest even when many hens produce The one cockerel phenomenon is as at 15th March 2004), MPs govern- allocated to his ministry then whose is it? As part of utopic eggs so to speak. well grounded in the current Kenya ments as from 2004 i.e. the CDF gov- the public watchdogs, we demand immediate drastic On the other hand, the conventional Constitution smarted since 1968. The ernment, and all the other decentralized understanding of power is service based. imperial presidency- one power centre funding arrangements that go direct to action to be taken against the officials to rescue the as it is called. free primary education programme in the interest of It is the productivity ratio that counts. It committees in Districts or constituen- is to what extent harm is thinned out. It Majority of Kenyans have said loud, cies. children of this nation. It is a shame that primitive is utilitarian. It is to what extent happi- time and again, that it’s the one centre The two centers talked of and the cultures of impunity and buck-passing by leaders ness is spread out to the bigger major- of power phenomena that is harming the drive for yet another one cockerel in the ity. It is one cockerel to a maximum of majority. We cannot attain the greatest homestead is anti people. The President faced with scandals have been allowed to continue happiness for the greatest majority. The four decades after independence. 12 hens. It is an equation of more hens, and the PM in the draft are in all fair- more cockerels. It is not one cockerel one center has to be done away with ness very far from where we are and will to unknown number of hens. It is not a constitutionally. be. We should not care even if they are question of either one or two. It is the It is against this backdrop therefore, all elected directly or indirectly. They ratio that defines productivity. that one center of power is not enough, are elite positions concerned with ter- and neither are two if the diversity and The Link is published Kenya has over the years experi- ritoriality and nationality (principally enced well enough the traditional Af- needs of our society are considered. We legislations, policies and standards). It is monthly by the Institute rican understanding of political power. are exceedingly diverse. Ethnicity can- important that they do all that to guide Service has been skewed, abused and not be fought in the manner some want our governments not to be in charge of for Civic Affairs and wasted. The one cockerel has never us to. Instead, we have to recognize it them. Development (ICAD) sufficed. Kenya’s needs are diverse, and build it for the national good. Our governments (Counties) should stem from different geographical back- Does the Harmonized Draft take us be in our hands. The new constitution grounds, have no single approach, un- anywhere? has no choice other than to give us small like what the Sessional Paper No. 10 If Kenyans were genuine, the draft responsive county’s instead of con- P.O. Box 7438, 00200 Nairobi. of 1965 and subsequent national plan- has created many more centers of pow- centrating power in the hands of elite er. Myopia limits them to two. The draft Tel: 020 601776 / 020 601274 ning prefecture arrangements including squads who at in Nairobi. DDCs have always prescribed. Not all has more beyond the Presidency and the We need to jealously guard against Email: [email protected] districts need what the centre constantly Premier. Many more centers of power the elitist squads taking away our lives places on them. are created elsewhere. In its very raw ar- again. The Link, January 2010 COMMENTARY 9 LinkThe Enhancing governance for all Time for clergy to EDITOR DANIEL OTUNGE

SUB-EDITOR FAITH MUIRURI lead from the front ASSOCIATE EDITOR OLOO JANAK SINCE the signing of the been criticised on how it op- erance? National Accord, there has COMMENT erates and is haggling with Political impunity be- WRITERS been a flurry of reform ini- the giant national trade un- ing witnessed today is as a ANDERSON MURENJE Coast tiatives meant to right the ion for teachers over the hir- result of the reluctance and 0727 582135 wrongs of the past and steer By WESAYA MAINA ing of 12,000 intern teachers. lacklustre leadership of the the nation to prosperity. We are now opening up an- current clergy. Where are the BOB OMBATI Nyanza 0728 435255 However, what is emerg- other talk shop in the name Okullus, Gitaris, Balalas and ing is that the political arm organisational capacities are of the draft constitution. Muges of the current crop of NYAKWAR ODAWO Western is taking us through a well- inadequate and inefficient to We are already in lobbying religious leaders? 0726264153 choreographed circus to facilitate the envisaged re- mode over contentious and This is the time for our re- frustrate our will and hope non-contentious issues in the ligious institutions to redeem MORRIS GITHENYA Central forms. 0735855586 for a responsive government Taking a cursory look, Draft Constitution as if we themselves. They need to in- and leadership. one will not fail to notice learnt nothing from the 2005 dividually show selflessness JONES MAGARE Nyanza Looking at the menu of the police department is ada- referendum. and forge alliances in the 0721127511 reform items upon reflec- mant on reforming any of its The evangelicals are same manner they did under BILL ESSAU Western tion, one wonders whether wings and the chief appoint- out there blazing hot at the the Ufungamano Initiative. 0721761408 we have the capacity to re- ing officer keeps telling us mention of Kadhi’s courts. These are the times for all alise all we have planned for we are steering well on the Should we be doing this as religious leaders to literally BEKADZO TONDO Coast or the politicians are once a nation committed to seam- salvage the nation from the 0728341240 reform path. The Judiciary is again playing their monkey clogged and unable to serve less integration? Where have brink of collapse. This must NEVINS BIKO Rift Valley tricks to an unsuspecting na- citizens efficiently. we taken our Sunday school be done with a sense of ur- 0723932857 tion. Our education system has and madrasa lessons on tol- gency. Unwittingly, the President JOSEPH MUKUBWA Central 0724 039787 and the Prime Minister have driven us into a conundrum. LUKE KAPCHANGA Western The two principals know ‘This is the time for our religious institutions 0723622136 well we cannot realise most to redeem themselves. They need to AGGREY BUCHUNJU Western of what they have promised, 0733 537002 but they have cleverly raised our hopes. As a result, we individually show selflessness and forge OJWANG OGOCH Nyanza have what I will refer to as 0734 971205 ‘expectations capability gap’ alliances in the same manner they did SAMUEL OTIENO Nyanza that is insurmountable under 0723 757112 the current institutional ar- rangements. under the Ufungamano Initiative.’ PETER MUTUKU Eastern The two principals are 0721 455048 aware our institutional and

LAYOUT AND DESIGN: WALTON GRAPHICS VP challenges writers to fight ethnicity 0725 903 938 VICE President Kalonzo Musy- values among teenagers. In fact, tive ethnicity. rural areas could no longer pro- oka has urged Kenyans to develop television and film have made it And at the same time, the VP vide enough food to cope with the a reading culture to improve their difficult for families to interact,’’ blamed sub-division of lands into needs of the country’s growing linguistic skills and promote the said Mr. Musyoka. small farms on the famine ravag- population. works of local authors and writers. He challenged local literature ing the country. “ The sub division of the lands Mr. Musyoka said there was writers to explore their poten- He said the sub division of into small pieces as witnessed need for Kenyans to embrace the tials and exploit the opportunities such lands into small pieces has in many parts of the country has habit rather than over indulge in for the ready readership market greatly contributed to decrease in really contributed to the famine This Newspaper appreciates watching westernized movies through publication of fictional food supply in some parts of the facing the country since farming the facilitation accorded by which in one way or another have books with African context. country. activities carried in such farms the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung contributed to the breakdown of Speaking at the University of Mr. Musyoka noted that it was cannot even sustain the family (KAS) in Kenya moral values among teenagers. Nairobi on Thursday evening, dur- only through large tracts of land food needs,’’ he said. “There is need for us to em- ing the launch of a book ‘ My Na- that extensive farming activities Mr. Musyoka who is also the brace the culture of reading in- tive Roots’ by Prof. Joseph Wanjo- could be carried out, thus bring to Minister for Home Affairs said All correspondence and stead of over indulging in watch- hi, Chancellor, Nairobi University, an end the problem of food short- urbanization has also contributed ing westernized movies which can the VP urged writers and authors age. to famine noting that many peo- enquiries to the editor, contribute to breakdown of moral to help fight the problem of nega- He said that the small farms in ple had migrated to urban areas P.O. Box 7438, 00200, to look for employment opportu- Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 020 nities at the expense of engaging ‘He challenged local literature writers to explore their in agricultural activities in rural 601274 areas. Telefax: 020 601776 potentials and exploit the opportunities for the ready Present at the function were E-mail: Wanjohi, Vice Chancellor Prof. readership market through publication of fictional George Makokha and Chairman [email protected] of Nairobi University Council Mr. books with African context.’ John Simba among others. The Link, January 2010 10 COMMENTARY Sand harvesting, a disaster to Ukambani THE Nairobi sky scrappers The Arid Lands Re- management office, undertook towards sustainable utilization have left more harm to Ukam- COMMENT source Management Project in constructing the sand dam. of this resource. Awareness on bani people. in Makueni district is one of “The harsh experience was these guidelines is being done None of us ever imagines the environmental actors un- when we were forced to resort by the authority with support that a lorry full of sand is a By PETER MUTUKU dertaking massive sand dams to violence to chase away sand of environmental stakeholders source of untold suffering to construction projects at varies harvesters and politicians in- like the Arid Lands Project to Ukambani residents. rivers to restore lost sand and volved in sand harvesting busi- promote compliance. Along Mombasa or Thika Yatta, Kangundo and Mwala water lost after sand scooping. ness” says Mr. Ndolo, adding As conservationists engage road, you witness numerous districts have felt it hard due The Drought Management that a local politician was re- in environmental restoration at lorries transporting the com- their closeness to Nairobi city Officer, Mr. Daniel Mbuvi, ceiving sh. 1,000 per track of the rivers, the political wing modity from Ukambani to Nai- and Thika town. The streams noted that the government sand from the harvesters. and local administration has robi or the surrounding urban include upper Muunzu, Ma- through the Arid Lands Re- The Muoni river, at Mulala never been friendly but have centres. Trucks full of sand tundua, Mukuyuni and Nditha, source Management Project division, passes near Emali behaved like agents of destruc- pass by at intervals of half an all in Mbiuni location of the has spent millions of shillings town and is hard hit by the ex- tion and frustrations. hour. recently created Mwala district for the last two years in putting cessive sand scooping due to Chiefs and their divisional The scooping of sand has curved from the larger Macha- up ten sand dams in the district. its nearness to Mombasa road. bosses have reportedly been left scars of environmental kos. Mr. Mbuvi further reports that, Several sand dams have been recipients of bribes from sand hazards to Ukambani region. The suffering of Ukambani more project resources will be constructed along the river not harvesters, scooping sand at The naked truth of the environ- residents from recurrent water made available to communities only by government but also their respective administration mental disaster is witnessed at shortage occasioned by de- for the same exercise in subse- other development partners in- boundaries. They hardly en- Thwake River, 12 kilometres struction of water sources has quent years. cluding Kenya Red Cross So- forced environmental laws or from Machakos town along drawn environmental atten- He explained that the ciety, Makueni County Council imposed a ban on sand harvest- Machakos-Kitui road. tion from among others. ing but only chase away those The deplorable scenery of the govern- The sand sand harvesters who declined environmental destruction at ment and “The group contributes up to thirty percent dams do not to give out a bribe. the dry river beds and exces- other de- of the total cost of construction of a sand only restore Like the provincial admin- sive damage from soil erosion velopment lost sand but istration, councils in Ukambani catches eyes of environmental- partners. dam in form of providing labour and also provide region have been enjoying fees ists passing by the river. Makue- water for do- charged on sand harvesting. Thwake river, with a rich ni District mobilization of locally available materials, mestic use as Councilors never entertained catchment area at Iveti hills, E n v i r o n - with the Arid Land Management Project well as for forums that might forbid sand on the outskirts of Machakos ment of- small scale ir- scooping as it meant stopping town, was once a permanent ficer, Mr. providing other construction materials.” rigation of revenue collection of millions river some years back, with S t e p h e n vegetables to of shilling to the councils, ob- beautiful evergreen vegetation Wambua, explains the impor- project involves local com- the community groups, as in- tained from sand scooping. at its banks, but now is deplor- tance of sand as a natural water munity groups undertaking come generating projects. The Ukambani residents, able scenery of emerging rocks reservoir on river beds in the environmental conservations The District Environmental under the mercy of unscrupu- and dry river beds. arid and semi arid areas of the activities, who present their officer says that it would take lous administrators and corrupt Hundreds of thousands of country. proposals to the District Steer- several rain seasons before the councils, have not benefited residents, who used to depend “Local communities are ing Group (DSG) for funding lost sand is replenished. “Once from the very important raw on the river, are now beggars able to access water during the the construction of sand dams. the degraded river beds are re- material for expansion and relying on famine relief food dry spells by scooping sand “The group contributes up stored, the respective groups beautification of Nairobi city. with no water even for domes- wells. Unsustainable and ex- to thirty percent of the total will be allowed under stringent The sand, which should tic use. cessive scooping of sand de- cost of construction of a sand regulations of the National have been a cash crop or a Thwake river destruction is stroys this natural reservoir,” dam in form of providing la- Sand Harvesting Guidelines gold mine to poverty stricken just a tip of the iceberg to nu- he said. bour and mobilization of lo- to harvest the excess sand de- Kamba people, has been taken merous other rivers in Ukam- The Government, in con- cally available materials, with posits that accumulate at the away by sand harvesters and bani region facing environ- junction with several organiza- the Arid Land Management dams,” says Mr. Wambua. transporters from outside the mental degradation. Rivers tions involved in the environ- Project providing other con- The National Environ- region. Muuoni, Usi Unene, Ikolya, mental conservation crusade, struction materials,” he says. ment Mangement Author- However, with the new Isuuni, Kaiti, Kiboko, all in have embarked on massive The chairman of West Sand ity (NEMA), in consultation sand harvesting guidelines and Makueni district, are some of construction of sand dams at Dam Group Project at Muoni with other lead agencies and emerging community environ- the many others under exces- the rivers in Ukambani region river, Mr. Nicholas Ndolo, un- stakeholders, has developed mental conservation groups, sive sand harvesting threat. to restore lost sand from the derscores activities the group, the National Sand Harvesting the lost wealth to Ukambani Streams around Machakos, excessive sand harvesting. with assistance of the drought Guidelines to provide direction residents might be realized. What’s next after debate on harmonized draft? WHILE the window of opportunity For purposes of realising this Draft Constitution, we can reflect atmosphere for the free exchange of comments on the same; can these provided by the Committee of Ex- objective, three critical organs were upon the provisions of The Constitu- ideas. The greatest task the Commit- questions be answered by the work perts to engage the Harmonised Draft formed to take the process forward. tion Review Act (2008) and specifi- tee of Experts was to undertake in of the hands and heads of the team Constitution and give our informed These elements were: The Parlia- cally more so Section four (4). The piecing together the draft however led by Nzamba Kitonga? Does the views on the same came to a close in mentary Select Committee (PSC), product of the Committee of Experts comes last in the form of a state- concept of sovereignty move from December, it is important that we re- which is a cross political committee the new constitution was to enable ment that reads: commit Kenyans to the rulers to the people? Are the new flect on the terms of references under with twenty seven members drawn Kenyans to: live in peace, enhance peaceful resolution of national issues structures what the people of Kenya which the committee was constituted from the various parliamentary polit- national unity and safeguard the wel- through dialogue and consensus. asked for? and the solutions The Constitutional ical parties; The National Assembly fare of all ; provide a platform for The Harmonised Draft Constitu- What load comes with these pro- Review Process of 2008 was intend- and The referendum. democratic governance in Kenya; tion as envisaged under The Consti- visions- the devolution and attendant ed to achieve. What we need to open our eyes to give Kenyans an opportunity to live tution of Kenya (Amendment) Act structures of government? Is this a It may not look plausible at this at this point is that these organs carry in a country where divisions of re- (2008) has its lifeline tied to this viable project economically- to take point to be going back into the basics very specific mandates that are com- sponsibility among state organs are piece of legislation since this is the us to our hallowed land of 2030? but for purposes of understanding plimentary to each other. The work demarcated; the people have room to law that gives the procedure for the Is this system going to curb official the structure, spirit and content of of the Committee of Experts depend- participate in affairs that affect them replacement of the current with the pilferage? Are we on a path of self the Harmonised Draft Constitution, ed so much on the initial ground set- freely; there is respect for ethnic and new one after the national referen- destruction or reconstruction by en- and how it set out to reinvigorate ting work undertaken by the National regional diversity; there is a frame- dum. gaging in this process at this point in the stalled constitutional process in Assembly. work for equitable distribution of As we ponder over the hot politi- Kenya. Now that we have a Harmonised resources and the creation of a free cal debate over the draft and our own Turn to page 12, Col. 1 The Link, January 2010 CITIZENS’ WATCH 11 @

Climate change Draft Law could lead to more chaos Noisy, is already IF the proposal to have of the President’s Nation- presidential and parlia- al Resistance Movement arrogant happening mentary polls on separate (NRM). days sails through, the Held against a back- priests a mayhem witnessed in De- drop of Mr Museveni’s SEEING the increased phe- cember 2007 at the KICC countrywide victory cel- nomenon of extreme weather vote tallying will look like ebrations, the month-long menace parliamentary campaigns – floods, droughts, extreme a Christmas party. DESPITE the new laws protecting wa- heat and cold – there is no The rowdy and near have been riddled with de- nanchi from noise pollution, in most urban doubt something extraordi- fistfight episodes at KICC fections, walkouts, intimi- centres, the situation is getting from worse dation and coercion from to worst. nary is happening with nature. were fuelled by the drive Some very arrogant and selfish market Climate change is real and among politicians to en- officials of the President’s and street preachers have become unbear- is steadily having devastat- sure victory for their pres- party. able due to their irritating and deafening Anyway, which voter nocturnal noises. ing effects on earth. Some idential candidates. The preachers have no sense of respect of these effects are already Next time, the presi- will willingly back a los- at all for the neighbouring learning and evident in front of our eyes, at dential battle might be ing horse? health institutions. Had that been the situ- I think they urgently need the revelation our backyard and all around. more vicious and results that God is not deaf. I hope they will con- There is the water scarcity, highly disputed. ation in Kenya with Presi- sider change before the full weight of the failed harvests due to poor This is because victory dent Kibaki as victor, one law is unleased on them. rains and poor soil, loss of for a presidential can- would not have ruled out * * * livestock, drought and even didate of a given party the possibility of a PNU Though we are glad with what Nema is MP from Kasipul-Kabon- trying to do to control noise pollution in cracked earth. could favourably influ- Kenya. There images of devas- ence outcome for parlia- do or Shinyalu. Alterna- But, Kenya being a democratic country, tation should be a constant mentary aspirants from Harmonized Draft Constitution tively, had victory gone to the minister for Environment and Nema Prime Minister Raila Od- should have considered what they public reminder of the need to take the same party. think about the new rule. care of our environment. The Harmonised Draft Con- ing conducted first. While the inga, ODM might have claimed Nema should actually deal with more We should search for so- stitution proposes presidential notion behind separation of victory in Nithi and Kibwezi technical problems than pollute the envi- constituencies. ronment, such as litter and the dump sites. lutions to the problems ag- elections “be held on the Tues- the two is destined to mini- Because of poor sanitation, a lot of lives gravated by climate change. day immediately preceding the mise confusion among voters, Unlike in the current ar- have been lost due to cholera and other air- It is a pity when leaders mix 28 days before the expiry of the the proposal may translate to a rangement where elections borne diseases. are held simultaneously and The law, in my opinion should cover matters of environmental term of the State President,” huge rigging tool. residential areas and not the city centre. conservation with politics. It while parliamentary polls “on In Uganda, where voters “things fall in place practical- At this crucial moment of saving the entire would be comical were it not the Tuesday immediately pre- elect a president a month ear- ly”, the proposed poll dates are world from global warming, Nema should fodder to a deceptive exercise work hand in hand with the rest of the world so grave, to see a sound in- ceding the 21 days before the lier than MPs, the polls have to protect the environment and to save Ken- dividual of respected stature expiry of the term of the Na- been nothing but a democratic and are bound to disenfranchise ya from climate changes, which have led to convince his constituents that tional Assembly”. farce. In previous instances the people’s right to vote as hunger and starvation, instead of wasting they wish. time with petty issues such as noise pollu- trees don’t attract rain; that This means the two polls after Yoweri Museveni’s vic- tion. the environment has no con- shall be held seven days apart, tory, the political landscape Correspondent, In fact, if they succeed in dealing with nection with rain. God forbid! with the presidential polls be- changed drastically in favour Mombasa the problem at hand, then we will agree with them 100 per cent with the new law of noise This is tragic. pollution. Despite having senior of- Concerned Kenyan, fices for the global environ- Via e-mail. mental agencies like Habitat, Unep and the World Agrofor- estry Centre (Icraf), Kenya is one of the several countries in Africa having deadly envi- ronmental degradation. With the UN climate * change conference in Copen- hagen Denmark, one of the The editor welcomes lucky prospects at the meet- letters and comments ing was that Kenya stands to on a variety of issues. earn over Ksh30 billion per The letters should be year simply as carbon cred- its from the nations that emit brief, topical and issue more carbon and other harm- based. ful greenhouse gases, into the The editor reserves the earth’s air. This is an equiva- right to edit for brevity lent of the money we borrow from donors to preserve the or clarity. Mau. Our forest cover has been Write to: depleted from over 12 per cent The Editor, to about 1.7 per cent. Preserv- ing the remaining cover has The Link, been a hard task due to poli- P.O. Box 7438 tics; we may not even qualify – 00200, Nairobi. to receive carbon credits. E-mail: Concerned Kenyan Via e-mail [email protected] The Link, January 2010 12 COMMENTARY Give planners chance to save Nairobi By LINK WRITER

PLANNERS are just like the biblical Noah. They have dif- ferent titles: Town planner or Physical planner, but they have been reduced to prophets whose advice is never heeded until people drown. The genesis of the aforemen- tioned analogy is that most of the problems we are now find- ing ourselves in would have been averted if proper spatial planning had been adhered to. They give foresight but are ig- nored due to many factors like lack of funds and concentration on economic affairs. In simple terms, spatial plan- ning is a “process that deter- mines the various land-use ac- tivities, now and in the future, and mitigate the same against any conflicts that may arise for purposes of achieving orderly development”. In their wisdom, Part of the ongoing beautification programme in Nairobi. spatial planners had advised on various issues that, had they see the development of Nairobi much-talked about by-passes where necessary, otherwise he planning as a key player in their been followed, would have for a period of 20 years up to the and missing links are a product or she has very little control development agenda. steered this country into greater year 2000. of this metro-strategy, which over how the bus is driven. In And it is no wonder that the development. A few cases will The plan covered a wide were never implemented. this situation, the importance “Asian Tigers”, who were at par suffice as examples: range of issues among them was (c) The District Focus for of spatial/physical planning development-wise with Kenya (a) The Kenya national re- that the city should develop as a Rural Development. This poli- has always been downplayed. in the 1960s, are today the envy port on Human settlement 1972 region, and particularly along cy was formulated in the early The mode of operation in plan- of the Third World, simply be- – by the National Environmen- specific corridors e.g. Nairobi, 1980s with the objective of ning, especially in our country, cause they embraced spatial tal Secretariat which, among Thika, Nairobi – Athi River developing rural areas with a has always been focused on planning as a key pre-requisite other things, recommended a (Mavoko), Nairobi - Ngong/ view to accommodating local “economic planning” where to all their national develop- growth centre approach to ur- Ongata Rongai. To date, most populations through employ- after every five years, national ment agendas. ban development. of these development propos- ment and income creation and development plans are faith- In conclusion, therefore, Its focus was on develop- als have taken place outside any reducing migration to urban ar- fully rolled out, irrespective of the process of spatial planning ment of principal towns with a formal policy and development eas. Again this policy was never whether the previous ones have should be taken seriously if this view to easing congestion in the control. implemented to a conclusion. been successful or not. country is to achieve competi- main towns, especially Nairobi, Hence, the creation of the The current Constituency If any meaningful develop- tive development and economic Mombasa and Kisumu. Had the Nairobi metropolitan develop- Development Fund (CDF) is a ment is to be achieved, both growth. This would call for recommendations of this report ment region is not a new con- modified district focus strategy. economic and spatial planning more allocation of resources been implemented, the much- cept but an off-spring of a plan For a long time, spatial plan- have to move in tandem. The and building of requisite capac- talked about decongestion of that was never implemented. ning has taken up the role of a latter should act like an anchor ity for spatial planning at na- the city and creation of new However it is not too late to passenger in the national devel- on which socio-economic ac- tional, regional and local levels. capitals would not have arisen. implement it. The metro strat- opment bus and any reference tivities are supported. It is no Planners should lead from the (b) The Nairobi Metropoli- egy had also identified trans- to it is normally casual. wonder the developed world front in articulating the need for tan Development strategy of portation routes and linkages. The role of a passenger in a and second world have em- spatial planning as a key ele- 1973. This plan was meant to It is important to note that the bus is only to board and alight braced the principles of spatial ment in national development. What’s next after debate on harmonized draft?

From Page 10 sented as we have done, the Commit- left with seven days to submit the Parliamentary Select Committee and be undertaken for thirty days and the tee of Experts will take twenty-one draft to the National Assembly. be taken to the National Assembly for referendum held at the expiry of the days to incorporate the views of the The National Assembly will ap- consideration within twenty one days. thirty days. The results of the refer- the history of Kenya? Are we creat- public. prove the draft within thirty days and The next stage is the publication endum shall be published within 2 ing too much government to block The Parliamentary Select Com- forward the draft to the Attorney Gen- by the Attorney General who cannot days of holding the referendum. If the development and expansion of mittee (PSC) will be the next stop for eral for publication but in areas where make any changes at this point save Kenyans ratify the draft, the president the private sector? Are we getting the Harmonised Draft Constitution comments from the National Assem- for editorial purposes in consultation shall proclaim the new more value for our taxes from these where twenty one days are provided bly are proposed the Committee of with the Parliamentary Select Com- constitution to be law not later processes? for discussions. After the period, the Experts will receive it from the At- mittee. Within seven days of publi- than 14 days after the publication of As we ponder over the litany of Parliamentary Select Committee will torney General and work on it within cation of the draft laws, the Interim the final result of the referendum. questions, we need also to peer into then return draft to Committee of seven days. Independent Electoral Commission There you are. Are we close or still the next stages to appreciate what Experts to incorporate the proposed Any disagreements or failures to shall publish the referendum ques- miles away from getting a new set of must be done before we either get or views and this takes another twenty approve the draft at this point shall tions in consultation with the Parlia- laws? Undertake your arithmetic and fail to embrace a new constitutional one days. After the changes, the Par- be attended to by the Committee of mentary Select Committee. let us keep moving. How many days dispensation. After the views are pre- liamentary Select Committee will be Experts, the reference Group, and the Civic education by the IIEC shall remaining? Keep counting The Link, January 2010 GOVERNANCE 13 Christian Network demands closure Sugar industry faces of dumpsite CHRISTIAN groups in Nairobi now want Nairobi’s biggest dumpsite in Dandora closed calling it a danger to a million residents. COMESA threat The teams under KUTOKA Net- By JOSEPH OJWANG work, including four catholic par- made a profit before taxation of ishes, claimed that in the last three KENYA Sugar sector is headed Sh. 231 million in its first half months alone, the dumping site and for a crisis if the much awaited as by end of June this year. its smoke have reached unprec- sugar sector reforms are not edented high levels and immediate He said the results were at- action is needed. implemented ahead of the dead tained despite tough operating The campaign titled ‘‘Stop line issued within the COME- environment that succeeded the Dumping Death on Us. We have the SA safeguard period. 2008 post election violence. Right to Live Too,’’ is aimed to open Kenya sugar cane mill- The MD said that the results a dialogue with relevant institutional ers association Chairman and actors which can solve this problem. for the six months ended June The campaign for its relocation Mumias Sugar Company MD 2009 were below expectations started in 2001 when the site was Evans Kidero said that the re- since the company experienced declared full and a health hazard. peal of the grace period is fast significant challenges in the pe- Despite numerous promises by au- approaching and the anticipated riod. thorities nothing has happened. reforms in the sugar sector are The campaign proposes to: im- According to the Company mediately close and relocate the yet to be felt. Audit report prepared by Del- Dandora dumping site to a non- Kidero hinted that the coun- loite, the factory cane yields residential area, create a policy for try is not fully prepared for the dropped by 65 tonnes per hec- waste management, recycling infra- expiry of the COMESA safe- tare on the nucleus estate and structures and formal employment guard measures and that may for the people currently working 68 tonnes per hectare on the around the dumping site, and finally impact negatively on the farm- out growers farms. reclaim and decontaminate the Dan- ers and millers. The drop was due to exces- dora area on December 10, 2009, Kidero queried the privati- sive arson attack which saw the World Human Rights Day. Dandora municipal dumpsite zation strategy as a way of get- A Sugarcane farm. The sugar sector is headed for a crisis if company lose a total of 2,000 ting the sector out of the woods, is the only one that serves Nairobi reforms in the industry do not meet deadline set by COMESA hectares of cane on nucleus es- which has over 4,000,000 inhabit- saying the process might be tate and 5,000 hectares on out ants. time barred as many hurdles are long run hence the need to fast formance of many sugar fac- growers’ farms. More than 2,000 tonnes of rub- still facing it. track the desired reforms”, he tories including Mumias Sugar The MD however announced bish are dumped there daily includ- Speaking in Kisumu during said. Company which experienced a ing chemical, hospital, industrial, plans to acquire stakes in other agricultural and domestic waste and Mumias Sugar company annual Kidero further noted that the 10 percent reduction in the total Sugar milling firms both locally influx of duty free sugar into the sugar tones. left unprocessed. general meeting, the MD noted and regionally as a part of pre- The KUTOKA Network aims that the effects of the global fi- country will make Kenyan sug- The company posted a 33 paredness programme. to analyse the reality of the slums, nancial recession coupled with ar less competitive due to the percent increase in its post tax He said the company will in- share experiences, reflect together, generally diminished investor current high production costs. profit to Kshs.. 1,610 million up and plan common initiatives and vest a lot in diversification pro- actions and to highlight positive as- appetite may make it challeng- He said the government has from previous years Sh. 1, 214 gramme such as cogeneration also failed to clearly regulate million. pects of the reality. ing to sell the target mills. of electricity production of Bio Individuals and organisations are He said that whereas the the sugar importation in the Kidero said the company fuels and Alcohol product. invited to join the campaign. government initiated meas- country. ures towards privatization of “The sugar import auction the state owned Sugar mills to rules have not made the situa- make them viable, the process tion any better,” he said noting Parents urged to help convict rapists has not kicked off in earnest as that undeclared sugar contin- ues to come into the country anticipated. By BOB OMBATI “Sucrose based payment through the Mombasa port and prosecution difficult. sexual offences in the district should Parents of rape and defilement vic- Khendi said that some lawyers be subjected to open mass trials be- which were to be undertaken the porous Kenya-Somali bor- shelved their professional ethics and fore being charged in court to deter der. tims were conspiring with offenders under the reforms are yet to be to defeat justice in Kisii region, two approached victims of the parents to others with the same intentions. implemented much to the dis- He reiterated that there is District Commissioners told a task settle the matter out of court espe- Ngere lamented that many defile- appointment of farmers, the re- need for the government to fo- force on the implementation of Sex- cially in cases involving teachers and ment and rape cases were rampant cent price directives have seen cus its efforts on the survival ual offences Act, 2006 other civil servants in a bid to save and went unreported in the area be- Kisii Central District Commis- their jobs and faces. fore the district was split from Homa- farmers agitating for higher initiatives for the sugar sector. Majority of the victims, especially bay. He said the impoverished victims The MD said that cane pro- sioner, Benjamin Njoroge and his payments for weight delivered, South Masaba counterpart, Alfred school going children suffered quietly could not afford traveling to Homa- this is not sustainable in the duction has hampered the per- Mwandale say defilers and rapists as they nursed illegal pregnancies as bay to report the incidents of sexual approach the parents and pay them their defilers and rapists went Scot offences, giving the suspects and the money to evade justice as the victims free and bragged in streets, ready to parents a field day to conduct their Busia DC urges residents suffer trauma silently. The meeting commit similar crimes with impunity. kangaroo courts. was convened by Justice Effie Owuor Stakeholders told the Task force The task force, detailed by the in Kisii to gather views on sexual of- that the girl-child from broken or Attorney general’s office to collect to go for HIV tests fences act 2006. single parent families were more vul- views on how to implement the Act The two administrators say that nerable and were easily trapped and recommended a multi- pronged ap- By NYAKWAR ODAWO The DC said that the ban which has the victims and their parents are ig- their impoverished parents readily proach besides litigation, saying the been slapped on ‘Disco matanga’ was norant of the law on sexual offences, accepted little tokens from the crimi- loopholes should be sealed to ensure BUSIA district commissioner Mr still in force adding that it is during the thus leading to most rape cases being nals as the girls continued suffering, that justice is done for the victims. Mwiandi Gitonga has called upon the discos that a large proportion of the peo- heard and concluded in Kangaroo stigmatized, forcing some to drop out Milly Adongo, the Team’s coor- residents of Busia to visit voluntary ple, especially the youth, contract HIV courts with the help of some unscru- of school.. dinator decried the offences involv- counseling and testing [VCT] centres in after engaging in risky sexual behav- pulous provincial administrators. Participants, who included Dis- ing the girls-child, observing that large numbers to know their status say- iours. Gitonga further expressed concern The DCs want area residensts to trict Commissioners, senior police it denied her the right to access free ing that 7.4percent of the district’s popu- to the effect that it was during the night be sensitized on the sexual offences officers, Children, Education and primary and secondary education like lation is infected by HIV/AIDS. dances that criminals take advantage of Act 2006 for quick and timely inter- probation officers said that victims the boy-child, giving the former an Addressing the public during the the same to break into peoples’ houses to vention to save the vulnerable girl- were also threatened by their parents undue advantage in enrolment, com- World Aids Day celebration that was steal their household items. child from marauding rapists out to and relatives to leave the case, fail to pletion rate and performance in na- held at the Busia township Youth poly- He urged the residents of Busia to spoil their lives and ruin their future. testify or give contradictory evidence, tional examinations. technic ground recently, the district take farming as a business venture to en- A Kisii-based court prosecutor delaying the hearings and determina- She said the mass dropouts of the commissioner urged the youths to en- able them reduce the high poverty levels Khendi Koech told the meeting that tion of sexual related offences to de- girl-child due to unwanted pregnan- gage in income generating activities adding that 68 percent of the district’s once the parents, clan elders, chiefs feating justice. cies could be stopped if the parents that will uplift their standards of living population are living below the poverty and witnesses are “settled” they fail Ndhiwa Deputy District Educa- and stakeholders were sensitized on instead of engaging themselves in crimi- line yet the district had adequate amount to attend court to commence the de- tion Officer, Elijah Ongere said that the Act and is implemented fully to nal activities. of rainfall and fertile soil. filement and rape cases, making the those who committed incest and other save the endangered girl-child. The Link, January 2010 14 GOVERNANCE People with disabilities to receive state funds Ranch boss By JOSEPH MUKUBWA Nyikal said that the elderly who poverty by presenting opportuni- to introduce insurance cover for the are above 65-year-old will benefit ties to women to realize their full poor. forced to THE Government has set aside from Kshs 1,500 per month and potential. The 13 groups which benefited Kshs 200 million to be disbursed to also those caring for the orphans “To economically empower a with Kshs 50,000 each include persons with disability in the coun- will collect a similar amount per woman, translates to multi benefits Wendani Women, Gikondi Kari- ‘resign’ try. month. for the family, community, and na- iko, Happy Mothers Gakindu, Un- THE chairman of a ranching com- Gender Ministry PS Dr James The PS, who was accompanied tionally at large and hence improved jiru Wendani and Matundu Singles pany at the centre of a Kshs. 1 bil- Nyikal says people with disabili- by area MP who is also the Youths household income leading to better Casam Self Help Groups. Others lion land row was recently taken ties will start receiving a monthly assistant minister Mr Kabando wa nutrition, housing, clothing, health- are Ngamwa Karembu and Nga- hostage by unknown people and stipend of Kshs 1,500 anytime be- Kabando and area DC Mr Isaac care and education,” he adds. rariga Mwihanga women groups, made to call two radio stations to fore June next year in the new pro- Masinde, disbursed Kshs 617, 500 He says that it is imperative that Karundu Tree Nurseries Network announce his resignation from the gramme to be launched soon. from the Women Enterprise Fund to the Government takes cognizance and Kwimenya Dairy Farmers Field firm. Dr Nyikal who spoke in Muku- 13 women groups in Mukurwe-ini of the women’s numerical power all from Mukurwe-ini constituency. Mr Joseph Mutua Kanyi of rwe-ini town during presentation of and Tetu constituencies who quali- and put proper measures in place Those from Tetu constituency the Malili Ranching Company in cheques to various women groups, fied for loans from the Fund. to ensure proper and sustainable include Kangaita Adult Educa- Machakos was ambushed by the said those who have either physical So far, Kshs 894 million has utilization of fund and integrate the tion and Muhoya Wendani Women gang in the morning near Salama or mental disabilities will benefit been disbursed to over 144, 120 rural women into money economy. Groups, Uwezo Karundu Self Help trading centre. from the kitty. women to either boost or start busi- Kabando urged the women to Group and Kirurumi Bidii Yako “They appeared friendly at first. But after a while, they de- This comes shortly after another nesses. He said the fund will eco- utilize the funds well in order to Group. Kshs 550 million kitty was set up manded that I resign from the nomically empower women as it alleviate poverty in the area and The funds will be paid within company. They then forced me to recently to cater for the elderly and was designed as a long term noble mostly to invest locally. one year but has three months grace orphans. call two vernacular radio stations intervention that seeks to reduce He also urged the Government period. to announce my resignation,” said a shaken Mr Kanyi. But, as the stations aired the news of his departure, Mr Kanyi made his way into Machakos Church issues threat to Town, where he explained his or- deal to his friends. He then called the two radio stations to retract his resignation. “I was forced to announce that withdraw services I had quit the company,” he said By A CORRESPONDENT in an interview later. “I was under duress, but now I restate that I am The Catholic diocese of Maralal in still the chairman of the ranching North Eastern Province has threatened company.” to withdraw their services in Maralal, Mr Kanyi is embroiled in Wamba and Archers Post areas unless a dispute over the release of a the government puts in place stringent Kshs. 286 million commission to security measures to manage the ris- a brokerage company that claims ing cases of insecurity. to have helped the ranching com- The diocese cites recent kill- pany enter into a deal for the sale ings and robberies along the Maralal of its 5,000-acre property to the Wamba and Archers roads and ac- government. cused government of abetting crime The Ministry of Information by failing to deploy security in the and Communication plans to area which has been turned into a ter- build an ICT park on the land as ror zone where gangsters attack with part of the Vision 2030 develop- impunity. ment strategy. Maralal diocese Vicar General, Fr Already, the brokerage firm, Marko Prastaro says that gangsters Gateway Logistics, has received rob and kill their victims at ease, a a down payment of Kshs. 40 mil- scenario which may soon force the lion and is demanding a further diocese to withdraw its services in- Kshs. 75 million from the first cluding closing down its facilities un- payment of Kshs. 400 million by til such a time when the security of its the government. personnel and that of other travellers The firm will also receive a can be assured. Kshs. 178 million commission “Rarely does a month pass without Security personnel on patrol along Maralal Wamba road which has become a crime prone personnel attached to the diocese be- area. from the second payment of Kshs. ing attacked and robbed violently at “How many more lives should Recently, two cars belonging to also attacked on the same spot. The 600 million. gun point. This has posed a serious be lost for the government to act? We the diocese of Maralal were attacked driver was shot and pronounced dead Mr Kanyi has maintained that challenge in terms of service deliv- wish to reaffirm that security is a basic on their way to Wamba from Maralal on arrival to Wamba Catholic Hos- politicians own the firm, and that ery to the communities,” Fr Prastaro human right guaranteed by the con- where they had attended a church pital, while the second victim is still a local MP has been pushing notes. stitution, and the robberies and kill- function. The First car was attacked admitted in the hospital. The other him to release the monies. Last He says that “It is sad that with all ings are violating on the rights of the and the people on board who included people on board were robbed of their month, he was arrested together these attacks the government has been people in this area to live to their full foreigners were robbed of their valu- valuables. with another official of the com- very reluctant to take measures to end potential. In this case the government ables and seriously injured. In a seperate incident 11 people pany and charged with stealing the menace, which has left people at must guarantee this right,” adds the The second car (An ambulance were shot dead when a group of thugs Kshs.143 million, an incident he the mercy of these criminals.” vicar general. based in Archers Health centre) was raided an area a few metres from the also blamed on the MP. Minister on the spot over KMTC appointment By LINK WRITER Dr Charles Olang’o Onudi as direc- rected three committees – Delega- according to Nyong’o, scored be- Ringera,” referring to the contro- tor of Kenya Medical Training Col- tion Legislation, Equal Opportunity tween 74 and 75 per cent, which versial September reappointment Parliament has stepped up its over- lege caused an uproar in Parliament. and Health to conduct a joint probe was not good enough. Kingondu is of Justice Aaron Ringera and two sight role on executive appoint- MPs accused the minister of and report to Parliament in four a former KMTC director. others to the Kenya Anti Corrup- ments, with the Speaker ordering acting unilaterally in contravention weeks. Nyong’o said he decided to ig- tion Commission later nullified by another investigation into an ap- of the KMTC Act, by disregard- Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo nore the board’s lists because none parliament. pointment by a minister. ing advice by the board. But Prof sparked the debate when he accused of the four scored 80 per cent of the Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale The order follows a complaint Nyong’o said the appointment was the minister of tribalism and favour- threshold as expected. Nyong’o said said the minister sidelined qualified by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and above board and insisted Onudi is itism in picking Onudi and ignoring the Act does not oblige the minister, doctors. Nominated MP Mohamed other members of the Executive that qualified to revive and lead the in- four names forwarded to him by the who is the appointing authority for Abdi Affey accused the minister of House committees have been con- stitution. board from a short list of ten appli- the director, to act on the board’s subjecting the ministry to unneces- verted into a witch-hunt, subjecting He said he didn’t rely on the cants vetted by a human resource advice. sary financial cost in interviews he ministers and public officials to har- board’s recommendation because firm. This was, however, disputed by later ignored. Nyong’o refused to assment. “the board itself is not as clean as The four – Dr Timothy Kin- Gichugu MP Martha Karua. She reverse Onudi’s appointment but The Medical Service Minister Ceasar’s wife”. gondu, Dr Mildred Amudany, Dr said Nyong’o’s act is “another ap- said he is ready to face the commit- Anyang’ Nyong’o’s appointment of Speaker Kenneth Marende di- Jebich Maswan and a Dr Simiyu, pointment akin to that of Justice tees. The Link, January 2010 SUPPLEMENT 15

PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE A monthly supplement funded by European Union/Konrad Adenauer Stiftung under the Instrument for Stability A note from the Project Manager have always considered Kenya als and communities against each contact with through their regular to be a peaceful country. Ken- other. programs. A research has also been yans which I have lived with, The experiences of the post-elec- conducted focusing on the root- I interacted with, and gotten tion violence are still fresh in our causes and trends of conflict in the to know during a span of 8 years minds and it is time to heal but also target provinces, Nyanza, Rift Valley have always been friendly, hospita- make analysis about the root-caus- and Western. This is to make sure ble, accommodating and proud of es of the violence and to find a way that the trainings include tools to their identity. Therefore, the post- to prevent future violent clashes. It better deal with the actual issues election violence somehow came was in this spirit that the proposal on the ground but also to give us as a shock. I knew that elections “Strengthening non-state actors’ facts and reliable data to be used usually generated violence but this capacities to prevent and resolve in field-based political analysis and time around I could not even have conflicts in areas affected by the policy dialogue. imagined the extent it would take. post-election violence” came to be- This supplement is a part of the When Swedish journalists started ing. Kenya is blessed with an active project and will be used to spread to call me to get a current update civil society that usually fills the gap information, experiences and sto- of the situation, they also insinu- where the government falls short. ries from the ground. It will hope- ated with their questions that Ken- Also when it comes to prevent and fully encourage people to take not yans were barbaric and of course By resolve conflicts the civil society only own peace-initiatives on the this was what you could expect HANNA CARLSSON plays a major part but has some- ground but also contribute to the from a country with such diver- times not the right knowledge and national debate. In this issue you sity. I honestly felt offended and tools. The project seeks to meet will find more information about the responded that my experiences of among many Kenyans, have emo- tions boiled for years like magma, this need through different ac- project, its implementers, and the Kenyans are that they are a proud tivities. First of all 120 civil society funders. Finally, from now on the and peace-loving people. in the inner of the earth, emotions which have been nurtured because organizations will be identified and project will be called Partnership for But what is it then? What is it invited to join the project. Some of Peace because we do this as part- that makes people who have lived of injustices of the past, and sud- denly finds a volcano to spill it all the staff of these civil society or- ners to realize a better future for as neighbors for years to suddenly ganizations will undergo systematic every Kenyan. turn against each other? There is out. The disputed election became the volcano and no one was pre- training in peace and conflict issues no simple answer to the question to prepare them to train people in The writer is the International but we know that the general elec- pared for the streaming lava that suffocated the common sense their own organizations but also Project Manager tion of 2007 was not the root-cause other citizens that they come in of the violence. Under the surface, among people and turned individu-

EU funded peace project launched In this issue:

By THE LINK WRITERS “The project aims at contributing to the reduction of violent community conflicts in HE European Union (EU) has allocated Kenya,” says KAS country representative for 750,000 Euros equivalent to Kshs. 75 Mil- Kenya Ms. Anke Lerch. Tlion for peace building activities in three Launching the EC co-funded project, Provinces. head of the EC delegation in Nairobi Amb. The project is to be implemented by Konrad Eric Van der Linden noted that conflict reso- Project takes root Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), which is co-financing lution was very important for the country. the activities with further 222,126 Euros (Kshs. He said that while it was important to in Nyanza 22.2M) build roads and improve the capacity of The project titled strengthening non-state ministries in service delivery, it is even more actors’ capacities to prevent and resolve con- important to strengthen the capacity of non flicts in areas affected by post election violence state actors as this would help in reforming in Kenya kicked off on July 1 and will run for 30 Project Summary months. Turn to Page 16

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

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. 16 The Link, January 2010 SUPPLEMENT

EU funded peace project launched

personnel, partners and associates in Nairobi and a situational fact finding survey to establish the actual number and extent of activities of CSOs in each region. The project will also undertake a re- search on conflict trends in the province; develop a training curriculum to define scope and content; establishment of three regional reference points for co- ordination, exchange and cooperation between CSO partners; establishment of expert pools; building of data and in- formation banks on past conflict trends and cross regional exchange visits on best practice. The project intends to build on cur- rent and past experiences of organisa- tions and institutions that have been involved in peacewok. Act of duplication and lone efforts are to be discouraged as the project will focus more in rolling the whell than reinventing one. Other activities include running of a monthly publication in cooperation with The Link Newspaper; conducting policy dialogue with government/state institu- tions and quarterly meetings by part- ners and networks for systematic con- Residents watch in disbelief as houses go up in smoke after the post-election violence in 2007. flict monitoring in each province. It is expected that once the project From Page 15 Elgon Residents Association (MERA) need to work with them, engage with rolls out, there will be increased knowl- Western Province and the Community them,” Kiplagat advised the non state edge and improved know how on early the society. Initiative Action Group – Kenya (CIAG- actors involved in peace building. warning and response mechanisms; re- Van der Linden notes that the peace K) is the associate partner in Nyanza He says there is a general trend of duced latent, confrontational and open project is a first for Kenya under the Province. pessimism among Civil society organisa- conflict among communities; regular European Community’s instrument for The Link newspaper is the infor- tions and among the general public that information and exchange on sources stability, crisis preparedness component mation dissemination strategy for the Agenda four of the National Accord has of anger, emerging conflicts and crisis – peace building partnership support. project that is targeting 360 representa- not been dealt with. through a monthly conflict resolution “The world is a nasty place but we tives of local Civil Society Organisations, “Despite all the weaknesses that focused publication (The Link) to be dis- have to make the most of it,” the head 80 volunteer trainees from 120 CSOs, are there, the passing of all bills, have tributed through network members and of EC delegation in Kenya went on to 12 experts, 1440 divisional community created institutions like the boundaries subscribers. say. leaders, 340 policy makers at local and review commission, the independent As a result of the activities, com- The programme will cover Nyanza, 60 policy makers at national level. interim electoral commission and the munication channels between the Civil Western and Rift Valley provinces and The final beneficiaries are an estimat- committee of experts on constitution Society Organisation networks in the is further aimed at strengthening the ed 16.1 million Kenyans, the population review went through Parliament.” three provinces, the different political capacities of non-state actors in the of the three regions that the project will Kiplagat further noted that the Truth forces and regional as well as national three province as a means of mitigating cover over a 30 month period. Justice and Reconciliation Commission authorities on approaches, instruments community conflicts by improving their Amb. Bethuel Kiplagat who launched bill was passed by parliament and all and policies for reduction of tensions knowledge base and know how in early the project emphasised the role of the that is remaining is nominating persons and prevention of violent conflicts will warning mechanisms, informal media- government in peace building. who will constitute the tribunal. be established. tion, field based political analysis, policy He expressed concern over the per- He reminded Kenyans that everyone During the public launch of the EC oriented conflict research and policy ception by Kenyans of political leaders is innocent until proven guilty, “we need co-funded project, Ambassador Van dialogue. appealing for tolerance. to ensure that justice prevails for all.” der Linden also said that the EC has set Partners in the project include the “Even though politicians are per- Ms. Hanna Carlsson, the Internation- aside up to Kshs. 250 billion to help in Catholic Justice and Peace Commission ceived to be the cause of the problem, al Project Manager who will be based prevention of conflicts. Key in the Kshs. (CJPC) of the Kenyan Episcopal Con- they are also part of the solution to the in Kisumu said the main project activi- 250 billion support is the bringing of all ference for Rift Valley Province; Mount problem and should not be isolated. We ties are an inception meeting for project parties together to mend fences.

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

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The Link, January 2010 SUPPLEMENT 17

EU-KAS peace project takes root in Nyanza

not be entirely left to the Gov- between the CSOs partnering ernment. for peace, other non-state actors Under the two-year project, and state actors. Involvement of non-state actors will be strength- political opinion leaders and de- ened to enable them to mitigate cision makers of various shades conflicts among the populace. with be accorded high priority. In Nyanza for example, the This is aimed at creating a bet- local project partner is Com- ter network for successful conflict munity Initiative Action Group- prevention and mediation efforts Kenya (CIAG-K). In the region, in the region. the project will not only look at Further, such cooperative ap- visible violence akin to that of- proaches would ensure and ten experienced in Kuria, but will guarantee faster intervention in also seek to address invisible vio- situations of tension and also for One of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) feeds her child after 2007 post-election lence such as historical injustic- constant information exchange violence. es, which have been cited as one with the aim of forestalling con- of the reasons as to why the skir- flicts from becoming violent. By CHRIS OWALA To deal with such conflicts and mishes were so vicious. There is The project will create, main- prevent them from becoming also rampant poverty, which has tain and share a database of con- yanza Province was one full-blown violent ones, it is im- lead to many idle youth resort to flict management experts who of the regions of Kenya perative to understand their root violence. will from time to time be called that was heavily affect- cause and to involve all stake- Based in Kisumu, CIAG-K will upon to serve as mediators and ed by the post-election holders in resolving or preventing N be the Nyanza regional focal trainers as need arise. violence that rocked the country them. point. It will be responsible for To achieve lasting peace in in 2007/08 electioneering period. A project funded by the Eu- training and coordination of ac- the region, all stakeholders (both With a population of about five ropean Commission and Konrad tivities of the civil society organi- state and non-state) will have to million of different ethnic origins, Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) called sations (CSOs) that will join the work closely with each other for high levels of poverty and wide- Partnership for Peace that is project as grassroots partners. the purposes of early warning, spread political awareness, the currently being implemented in To ensure efficiency and - ef prevention and resolution of con- province is among the most high- Nyanza, Rift-Valley and Western fectiveness of the project in the flicts. ly susceptible to politically moti- Provinces, seeks to build a lasting province, CIAG-K working closely vated violence in Kenya. peace in the three regions. with KAS-Kisumu Office, will de- The Writer is the Coordinator No wonder it, together with The project is built around velop communication, education of Community Initiative Ac- Rift Valley and Western Prov- sound understanding that non- and information tools to support tion group-Kenya (CIAG-K). inces, bore the brunt of the PEV. state actors’ contribution to con- outreach and peacebuilding ac- He can be reached on: 0737- Nyanza’s border with Rift Valley, flict resolution cannot be ignored tivities. 470558/0716-384135 or especially the Kuria and Borabu/ not only in Kenya but all over the In addition, it will create [email protected] or Sotik border, cattle rustling has world. This is because seeking strong linkages and networks [email protected] led to sporadic conflicts. solutions to conflict tackling can-

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

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. 18 The Link, January 2010 SUPPLEMENT

Summary of the Partnership for Peace Project

Duration of the action 30 months

Objectives of the action The overall objective to which the project shall contribute is the reduction of violent community conflicts in Kenya. The specific objective of the project is the strengthening of the capacities of non-state actors in 3 provinces in Kenya as means of mitigating community conflicts by improving their knowledge base and know-how in early warning mechanisms, informal me diation, field-based political analysis, policy oriented conflict research and policy dialogue.

Partner(s) Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) of the Kenyan Episcopal Conference, Rift Valley Province; Mount Elgon Residents’ Association (MERA), Western Province. Associate partner: Community Initiative Action Group - Kenya (CIAG-K), Nyanza Province

Target group(s) 360 representatives of local CSOs, 80 volunteer trainees from 120 CSOs, 12 experts, 1440 divisional community leaders, 340 policy makers at local and 60 policy makers at national level.

Final beneficiaries An estimated population of 16.1 million Kenyans. This is the population of the three regions the project will cover.

Estimated results l Increased knowledge and improved know how on early warning mechanisms, informal mediation, field based political analysis and policy oriented conflict research at civil society organizations (CSOs); l Established regional networks of CSOs in crisis prevention and conflict management in each of the provinces; l Established conflict early warning mechanisms; l Reduced latent, confrontational and open conflict among communities; l Increased community interactions across the ethnic divide among communities that have previous experiences of violence; l Established expert pools of four professionals for purposes of rapid conflict response in each province for each regional net work; l Regular information and exchange on sources of anger, emerging conflicts and crisis through a monthly conflict resolution focused publication to be distributed through network members and those who subscribe to the initiative; l Established communication channels between the CSO networks in the three provinces, the different political forces and regional as well as national authorities about approaches, instruments and policies in the fields of economic development, social cohesion and culture relevant for the reduction of tensions and the prevention of violent conflicts and crisis between different ethnic and social groups in the population.

Main activities l Inception meeting/training for project personnel, partners and associate in Nairobi; l Situational fact finding surveys to establish the actual number and extent of activities of CSOs in each region; l Research on conflict trends in the provinces; l Development of a training curriculum to define and scope training content i.e. topics, approaches, case studies; l Regional preliminary introduction and inaugural meetings to disseminate findings, build consensus of the need for partnerships/interventions for lasting solutions and to chart out structure of the project; l Training of trainers in 12 regional capacity trainings and 3 follow-ups l 24 divisional community leaders meetings for information and advocacy purposes (2 times); l Establishment of 3 regional reference points for coordination, exchange and cooperation between CSO partners (one in each province) l Establishment of expert pools; l Building of data and information banks on past conflict trends/ conflict analysis in Kenya and in the provinces; l Cross-regional exchange visits on best practice; l Run a monthly publication in cooperation with the monthly philanthropic newspaper “The Link”; l Development of a website for publication of conflict related issues; l Conducting policy dialogue with government/ state institutions; l Quarterly meetings by partners and networks for systematic conflict monitoring in each province.

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

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. This project is co-funded A project implemented Partner Organisation: Partner Organisation: Associate: by the European Union by the contractor Mount Elgon Residents’ Association Catholic Justice And Peace Community Initiative Ac- Delegation of the European Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. – (MERA) Commission (CJPC) of the tion Group (CIAG-K) Commission In the Republic of Kenya Country Office Kenya Sandui plaza Kenyan Episcopal Conference Reinsurance plaza 1st floor Union Insurance House, Mbaruk Road No. 27 Box 21-50201 Cheptals Waumini House Westlands Box 9034-40300 Kisumu Ragati Road, P.O.Box 66471, 00800 Nairobi Tel: +254 726 14 67 01 Box 13475, 00800 Nairobi Tel: +254 737 470558 P.O.Box 45119-00100 Nairobi Project Office in Kisumu, Tel: +254 20 444 31 33 Tel: +254-20-2713020-21 Varsity Apartments 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 668, 40100 Kisumu Tel. +254 732 846 215 +254 711 358 013 The Link, January 2010 GOVERNANCE 19 Wetang’ula off Bogus AIDS NGOs put on notice the hook By BOB OMBATI By AGGREY BUCHUNGU Non Governmental Organiza- ONCE again, an election peti- tions operating in Kisii Central tioner has lost a case on techni- district have been issued with an cal grounds. Mr. John Waluke’s ultimatum to account for the do- case against Foreign Affairs nor funds in their disposal or face Minister Moses Wetang’ula action. was thrown out because the Area District Commissioner, process server’s license had ex- Benjamin Njoroge expressed pired by the time he served the concern over the numerous minister. NGOs mushrooming in the area Since the petition was filed annually and yet their activities the ministers’ lawyers did eve- are invisible on the ground. The Administrator expressed rything to ensure that it never fears that the NGO operators reached full trial. On 27th May could be pocketing millions of 2008, the then Bungoma High shillings from donors under the Court Judge Justice W. Kara- guise of conducting activities to nja dismissed an application to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS strike out the petition for non- in the region. service. The DC says that some of the Justice Karanja ruled that the bogus NGOS are based in big cit- 1st and 3rd respondents Moses ies where they forward falsified Wetang’ula and James Kulubi proposals to donors to get fund- Omwangwe had been properly ing and continue leading lavish served with the petition dated lifestyles in the cities while their 31st March 2008 by way of al- purported beneficiaries wallow in ternative service. misery. An earlier application dated “The government is con- Director of Nyumbani Children’s home Father Augustino Angelo and treasurer Mary Owen 31st August, 2009 seeking to cerned with the mushrooming in are received by orphans during the launch of Amani Child Development Centre in Siaya. strike out the petition following briefcase NGOs. It is high time PHOTO/FILE disbandment of the Electoral they explained their mandate and Commission (ECK) had also stop operating from Nairobi with its to antenatal clinics where they bogus NGOs in the area which accountability was questionable. been dismissed by Lady Justice nothing to show on the ground,” were voluntarily counselled and had no impact despite being fund- The regional Director of medi- Florence Muchemi in Septem- said the DC. tested unlike men who required ed locally and internationally. cal services, Dr. Eric Abunga, re- ber 2009. The Administrator, however persuasion to be convinced to un- Mwebi urged the government vealed that 15 percent of people lauded honest NGOs whose ac- While delivering the ruling, dergo the test. to financially support aged - peo in Nyanza province were HIV Justice Muchemi said he was tivities have helped alleviate suf- The DC warned parents ple who were caring for HIV/ positive and appealed to residents fering of the infected and affected against abdicating their responsi- Aids orphaned children, saying, to be tested to know their status convinced that the Interim In- Njoroge at the same accused bility of caring and guiding their some had turned to begging in to avoid spreading the virus igno- dependent Electoral Commis- some men of frustrating the gov- teenage children to avoid indulg- the streets for food and money to rantly. sion (IIEC) had the mandate to ernment’s campaign on voluntary ing in immoral activities which survive, making them more vul- National Aids Control Council take over pending election peti- HIV counselling and testing, say- contributed to the rise in HIV/ nerable. Nyanza Regional Field Officer, tions, adding that there was no ing, they took it lightly and dis- AIDs infections, negating the The two deplored the culture Edwin Lwanya, assured those on vacuum. missed it as a women affair and stakeholders’ effort to fight the where HIV positive people were ARVs that supplies were avail- According to the ruling, the challenged them to go for testing scourge. sidelined from the management able and adequate up to 2013 defense argued that the return- at night if they feared being seen The Chair of Mwanyagetinge of resources allocated to them by despite the raging controversy ing officer went home on - dis by others. Care and Support Initiative, Mrs donors and the government, add- pitting the government and the bandment of the ECK and that Pregnant women, the DC not- Magdaline Mwebi and African ing, some HIV negative people Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Ma- he would be replaced with peo- ed could easily know their HIV/ Girl International, Director Ben- had hijacked the management of laria and Tuberculosis. ple who were not presided over AIDS status through frequent vis- jamin Onkoba also complained of the funds whose expenditure and the elections. The bench was however not convinced by that argument. Justice Muchemi as- serted that the returning officer Kisii Census officials cry fowl who is a party to a pending elec- Mombasa Dock-workers tion petition would continue in By BOB OMBATI clarify on who was paid from that capacity until the petition is the area, saying the report from fully heard and determined. About 250 census clerks from his ministry claiming that all the Union officials differ However, on appeal dated Kisii Central are demanding census officials had been paid 19th October, 2009, the defense payments for their dues five was misleading. By ANDERSON MRENJE strike notice on December 18.” counsel A.B. Shah sought to months after a national census She claimed that initially they His strike threat was however reverse the ruling delivered by was conducted despite the nu- were told that they had submit- MEMBERS of Dock Union rejected by members of the union, Justice W. Karanja on account merous pledges by the ministry ted wrong Account Numbers Workers have rejected calls by the who argued that the allowance that the process server Thomas of Planning, National Develop- and Identity Cards as the reasons secretary general to push for the was not in the collective bargain- Nduku was unlicensed when ment . why the payment was delayed. resignation of the Kenya Ports Au- ing agreement of the current finan- A representative of the group, However, after re-submitting cial year. served the defendant. thority managing director James It was established that Mr. Mr. Ziporah Osoro, told The the documents, she claimed, the Mleiiwa. Led by Mr. Musa Jaka and Link that they were tired of emp- ministry went silent on the mat- Mr. Solomon Were, the members Nduku indeed renewed his li- They said that claims by sec- cense on 25th July, 2008 after ty promises and would soon or- ter.. retary general Simon Sang’ that stated that the demand had no le- ganize a demonstration to push The groups suspect that ghost the said officer had failed to honor gal backing and wondered why serving the minister and co- for the payments. She said they workers were being paid at their an agreement with the union were the executive board had not taken accused. Hence the judge ruled: will not give up despite frustra- expense. They challenged the false and driven by ulterior mo- action on the secretary-general. “I am convinced that if this evi- tion by the area’s district admin- District Statistics Officer to pub- tives. However Mr. Sang’ admitted dence was available at the hear- istration. lish the names of those who had Mr. Sang’ had told members that the allowance was not part of ing it would have changed the “We are demanding for our been paid. that the union had frozen rela- the 2008/2009 agreement but said cause of ruling,” he said. money which we worked for. Mwalimu Sacco general man- tions with KPA management and that the management had a memo- Justice Muchemi agreed It was not charity work. This is ager, Charles Omwansa, told that the executive board should randum of understanding. with Mr. Shah that had the evi- unfair to us and it is a bitter les- The Link teachers who partici- be sacked. “We demand that the Mr. Were dismissed Sang’s dence been presented before the son,” said Osoro. pated in the exercise were both- managing director resign and half demand for the MD’s resigna- court at the time the application The infuriated officials asked ering him to pay them, saying of the board be replaced,” he said, tion, saying that his performance was heard, the same would have the minister for Planning, Na- the money had not been remitted adding “We also want payment of was above reproach and he had influenced the court to reach a tional Development and vision to their respective bank accounts a 60 per cent allowance increase no genuine reasons to convince different decision. 2030, Mr. Wyclife Oparanya, to in the Sacco. agreed last year or we will issue a members to back his call. The Link, January 2010 20 GOVERNANCE Kalonzo faults Family wants state to vacate their land Raila in law and future. By JOHN NALIANYA remittance then. of Bungoma started laying claim In the year After vacat- on the same piece of land, their review row WHEN the family of the late Mzee 2000, while ac- ing the land journey to the council offices then By LINK WRITER Wambinga Mulati leased their 33 companied by ministry as- begun. A letter written to them by acres of land to the ministry of the then Kan- sumed that the the Bungoma Municipal Town VICE-PRESIDENT Kalonzo Musyoka public works way back in 1979, duyi MP Law- has faulted Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s land owner Clerk Ainea Indakwa on the 24 of they never new they were getting rence Sifuna, directive to civil servants to keep off debate automatically June 2004, reads in part “You are involved into deal that will lead they made sev- on constitutional review. moved back to herein informed that the said land Kalonzo said civil servants, just like them into losing of their ancestral eral visits to his land. The currently occupied by the railways any other citizens, were free to air their land. the ministry of letter further station, Members club, Airstrip views on the Harmonised Draft Consti- Thirty years down the line, the public works says that the and District hospital was proce- tution and should not be discriminated family still cannot occupy their in effort to re- against. “It is their right to give opinions,” ministry never dural acquired by the government, ancestral land despite the fact that possess their Kalonzo said. subdivided nor unless you can prove by documen- they have all the legal documents. land. Raila had opposed a move by Head of put up any per- tary evidence that you have a legal On the 1st of April 1979 Mu- On the Civil Service Francis Muthaura to directly manent struc- claim on the said land.” involve senior civil servants in the debate. lati Wambinga entered into a 29th of June tures on the Although they have the legal He said civil servants should be neutral lease agreement with the govern- the provincial said land and documents to show that they are because they are implementers of Govern- ment through the ministry of pub- works officer vacated the the rightful owners of the land, no- ment policies. Raila said urging civil serv- lic works for three years and the in charge of ants to present their views to the Commit- whole piece as body seems to care. Instead they sum to be paid was Kshs.7,200 western prov- tee of Experts amounted to inviting them to was leased.” are now being intimidated by the on monthly basis according to the ince, Eng. Mr. Orengo participate in divisive politics. Kundu and authorities. Speaking at Kenyenya SDA Church in copy of lease. P. Makori, Vincent now In the year 2004 one of their West Mugirango, where he presided over a The lease was signed by wrote to them wonder why private developers family members George Lutaso funds drive in aid of the church, Kalonzo the then Provincial Works Of- to confirm that indeed after the ex- and the government have con- was arrested in what the family said permanent secretaries were free to air ficer Western, Wanyama Tatasi, piry of the lease period the ministry views on the draft. tinued developing on their pri- believes was ploy to intermediate and then the lands registrar of vacated the land, which according “We should not jump into disciplining vate land while them who are the them for fighting for their rights. Bungoma district Elgon Nyanza. to him, the land was automatically PSs for commenting on the constitution rightful owners have no land. The Trouble started when he curved a and yet the law affects them,” he said. MPs But as soon as the lease agree- reclaimed by the family. piece of land in question houses piece of the land to cultivate be- James Gesami (host) and Daniel Muoki ment lapsed, other government The letter read in part, “This is the Bungoma members club, fore a private developer called in (Mwala) attended the event. ministries and private developers in reference to several visits you Bungoma medical training college the police and was arrested for The VP advocated for the extension of encroached. Efforts by the fam- have made to this office while in the time given to the public to study and ,part of the Bungoma airstrip, part trespassing. ily to repossess the land have hit company with the MP for Kan- comment on the draft, saying 80 per cent of of the Bungoma Hospital land the The family of Wambinga now a snag, following the death of Mr. duyi Hon Lawrence Sifuna inquir- Kenyans are yet to access the document. “It Bungoma AIC church wants justice done so that they can Wambinga. No one seems to listen ing about the above piece of land is important for every Kenyan to study the After receiving the letter from repossess their land. document to make informed choice,” he to their quest regain their ancestral that was temporarily leased by the ministry of works the family “Why should we live in the said. Later, addressing another fund raiser land. this ministry for three years in the of Wambinga thought what was slums while people and the gov- at Bosiango SDA Church, the VP said only Mr. Vincent and Kevin Wamb- late seventies, after inquires from rightfully theirs had come back to ernment that is supposed to protect a new constitution would avert a recurrence inga, both the sons of the late Bungoma it has been established of election violence. them but that was not the case. my rights have grabbed our land? Wambinga,narrated how they have that the ministry vacated the land Kalonzo also challenged the media to The battle is far from over for Where on earth will we ever find tried in vain to reclaim their ances- after the expiry of lease period and engage Kenyans in the debate on the draft. soon after the municipal council justice?” they lamented. Meanwhile, Roads Minister Franklin tral land, which is their only hope the ministry stopped the monthly Bett wants the Committee of Experts to present two sets of drafts at the referendum as suggested by the National Council of to Sang’alo and Dorofu patrol bases Churches of Kenya (NCCK). The lobby Alcoholic village elders to be fired were responsible for the insecurity in warned on Wednesday that the hybrid sys- the area. tem of government proposed in the Harmo- The residents had alleged that the nised Draft Constitution was a recipe for chaos and asked for two documents advo- police officers collect money from cating either a parliamentary or presidential illicit brew brewers every month system be presented at the referendum. as protection fee, a factor they said Bett said there was need for Parliament had led to increased consumption of to amend the Constitution of Kenya (Re- chang’aa and insecurity in the area. view) Act to mandate the CoE to work on They made the remarks recently at two documents. Speaking at a funds drive at Kericho on Mwibale market in East Bukusu loca- Friday evening, the minister said the rag- tion, Kanduyi division during a public ing debate on the Executive could derail the meeting convened by the DC to ad- review process. dress security matters. Elsewhere, Prime Minister Raila Odin- Speaking at the same meeting the ga has said the Government will transform Officer Commanding Police Divi- arid and semi-arid lands (Asal) into eco- nomic hubs. He told a consultative meeting sion (OCPD) Mrs. Mary Omari con- for MPs from Asal regions in Mombasa curred with the DC that residents are yesterday that all parts of the country have to blame for corruption in the police potential to be productive. force. During the meeting, members present- Mrs. Omari urged the residents not ed a memorandum to President Kibaki and to bribe the police officers saying that Raila on progress and review of the Min- it is illegal for one to give or receive istry for Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands. “There is sufficient a bribe. “Why pay the police more mood in Parliament and in the country for money than the law courts would fine us in the Coalition Government to effect you if taken there”, the OCPD posed. some of the radical measures that will right On police transfers, she promised some of the wrongs that have long held us that her office will consider transfer- down since independence,” Raila said. ring officers who have worked in one Asal members want the Government to allocate a minimum of 15 per cent of station for long as demanded by the the national budget for the development Village elders taking brew residents. of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands. “We will transfer the officers but They further recommended that the min- VILLAGE Elders in Bungoma South ment can not guarantee security and come the village – elders do not know not all of them at ago because we istry be made an implementing ministry District who consume illicit brews peace to its citizens if the grass root them?” The DC poses. need to have officers in every station with an adequate budget and not merely who are familiar with the vicinity so co-ordinating ministry. will be relieved of their duties, ac- leaders are drunk and irresponsible. Nyangwanga also took a swipe Northern Kenya minister, Ibrahim cording to area DC Wilfred Nyang- He pointed out that village – at the area residents for allegedly that whenever there is an attack they Elmi Mohamed said the ministry needs wanga. elders who fail to report bad elements encouraging corruption in the police can know which area to take cover” Sh5 billion annually to spur development. Nyangwanga attributed the esca- from their areas of jurisdiction to the force and warns that those who will she said. Ministers Yusuf Hajj, Naomi Shaban (Spe- lating insecurity in the area to pro- law enforcers must quit and pave way be caught doing so will be arrested The OCPD also cautioned her of- cial Programmes), Deputy Speaker Farah vincial administrators, especially the for people who can assist the govern- and prosecuted. ficers against raiding chang’aa dens Maalim, Livestock Assistant minister Adan village elders who consume chang’aa ment to apprehend criminals. He was reacting to the residents’ at night and urged the residents not to Duale and Malindi MP Gideon Mungaro open doors for the police at night un- were present and busaa. “The people terrorizing you are allegations that provincial adminis- The DC observed that the govern- your sons from the villages. How trators and police officers attached less there is something crucial. The Link, January 2010 CONSTITUTION 21 New voting system underway

By FAITH MUIRURI parent acrylic sheet of the Ballot Unit and lists the names of candi- THE Independent Interim Elec- dates and their party symbols as toral Commission of Kenya in the traditional ballot paper. (IIEC) is exploring possibilities The electronic voting ma- of adopting a digitalised electoral chine can be reused in subse- process in the country. quent elections by simply press- Flaws in the traditional poll- ing a button to erase the voters ing system are widely believed recorded in the earlier poll and to have been a key contributing changing the ballot paper in the factor to the 2007 disputed and box. This means that IIEC can volatile presidential election. hire the electronic voting ma- The Kriegler Commission re- chine units even for registration port expressly declared that the of different political parties dur- election results were so bungled ing their party elections, students that it was hard to establish the organizations in universities and winner of the presidential elec- colleges elections and any other tions. The tallying of the vote politically organised group that cast was tampered with and some wants accurate and efficient vot- of the ballot papers were either ing system. not signed or even stolen. The voter only has to press a This sparked off the post button against the candidate of election violence which led to his or her choice to cast a vote . over 1,200 deaths and several An audio visual signal confirms hundreds of others injured and to the voter that the vote has been at least 300,000 people forcibly recorded. It is simple to vote as ejected from their homes. the machine contains all the par- To avoid a repeat of such ugly ty symbols just like traditional incidents, three highly reputed Kenyans queue to vote during election. This will be a thing of the past once the new system voting ballot papers. companies familiar with modern is adopted. The Copenhagen based firm electronic voter registration and representative says that his firm voting system have been invited plication of identification during chine is a microprocessor based penditure occasioned by printing is ready to lend services to IIEC to conduct a pilot project on vot- registration. instrument designed to modern- millions of ballot papers, storing whenever required. The elec- er registration using Electronic The electronic units are highly ise the election process. and transporting them to dif- tronic unit he added is capable Voter Registration and Voting portable and can be powered sim- A local representative of Co- ferent polling stations will be a of displaying the total number of Machines. ply by batteries. The infallible penhagen Election firm D. J thing of the past once the use of votes polled at any time during The firms are drawn from fingerprint patterns are key iden- Patel says that the system does Electronic Voting Machine be- polling and the votes polled for Denmark, Britain, India and tifying features in the system. not allow any scope for invalid comes effective. each candidate . It is also capa- Canada. The electronic system The system includes all the votes. There is also total secrecy This means if the electronic ble of displaying operational and contains the Mobile Voter Enroll- items required by an operator for of voting data maintained . The voting machine is adopted, the electrical errors. ment Kit and Electronic Voting enrollment purposes like the dig- machine ensures prompt and ac- logistics involved in transporting The system has been success- Machine Unit. ital camera, the fingerprint read- curate counting and it is possible thousands of ballot papers over fully applied in India which has The introduction of an elec- er, signature pad and laminator. to declare the results on the same long distances , counting and over 670 million voters. Already tronic enumeration process is This makes voter enumeration a day, at the end of poll. verification process and delays IIEC has visited India and South long overdue and will facilitate one stop exercise. The instrument The electronic voting machine will be history. Africa to familiarize themselves voter registration, photo image is designed for conditions where simplifies the election process for In the Electronic Voting Ma- with alternative voting systems capture, biometric or finger print humidity is both low and high. the benefit of both the election chine, one ballot per unit is used and their strengths. data capture and get rid of du- The Electronic Voting Ma- officials and voters. The huge ex- which is fixed below the trans- Shamba system coming back — Wekesa By BILL ESSAU humanely. for the young trees to ensure Speaking in Kakamega dur- they survived. THE Government will soon ing a tour of Kakamega Forest, This, the minister said, is in- reintroduce the controversial Wekesa said that communi- formed by the fact that earlier shamba system which was out- ties living around Government efforts by the Government to lawed years back in a bid to re- forests will soon be allowed to reforest destroyed forests have claim the depleted forest cover. plant tree seedlings alongside proved futile since its offic- Forestry and Wildlife Minis- their crops for a period of three ers failed to protect the newly ter, Dr. Noah Wekesa, says the years before being asked to planted trees to ensure their method will be used to assist in leave the forests. growth. reforesting the destroyed parts We are not only going to use The minister admitted that of the Mau complex, which the system in reforesting the the Government has in the past has been at the centre of debate Mau complex but in all other planted threes which ended up over evictions of illegal set- destroyed parts of forest across drying out because they are not tlers. the country,” said Wekesa who tended to after planting hence The evictions have sparked was touring Kakamega Forest the use of the communities an uproar with lawmakers to assess the levelof conserva- around forests. from the expansive Rift Valley tion. He points out that the com- province claiming the Govern- Wekesa said that the Kenya munities would also feel own- A Tree planting exercise aimed at reclaiming the depleted ment was violating rights of the Forestry Services would revert ership of the natural resources forest cover . residents despite a cabinet ap- to the system so that communi- by being involved in their man- that will be involved in the (KFS) officers to care for the proval to carry out the evictions ties living in the forest neigh- agement. shamba system will be assisted trees during the three year pe- in accordance with the law and bourhoods participate in caring The communities, he said by the Kenya Forest Services riod. The Link, January 2010 22 CONSTITUTION New law to recognize NCCK’s proposals on draft law come-we-stay THE National Council of Karanja. Churches of Kenya (NCCK) They stated that life begins underway wants a constitution that guar- at conception and ends at natu- By BEKADZO TONDO antees protection and respect ral death. Children once con- of human life. ceived have a right to be born, A MAN and a woman who NCCK also wants the Com- added the NCCK. cohabit for more than two mittee of Experts (CoE) to pro- On the controversial Kadhi years will be declared hus- duce two drafts highlighting (Islamic) courts, the NCCK band and wife if a marriage the different systems of gov- said they (Kadhi Courts) bill to be tabled in parliament ernment. should be removed from the becomes law. In a press statement, titled: constitution in total. And the The government sponsored Kenyans, Build Consensus NCCK said its opposition was marriage bill seeks to legalize Genuinely issued at the end based on the fact that it contra- marriage of a man and wom- of its executive meeting, held dicts the principle of equality an who stay together for more in Limuru, the body argues the of religions, principles of sepa- than 2 years and above. hybrid system as proposed in ration of state of religion and The minister for Gender, the Harmonised Draft Consti- the understanding that the state Children and Social Devel- tution (HDC) is not acceptable, shall treat all religions equally. opment Esther Murugi notes noting “Kenya has experiment- The NCCK, founded in with concern that women who ed with it in the past with dis- 1918, is the world’s largest stay with men for over two astrous results”. Council of churches and brings years and give birth to chil- NCCK General-Secretary together all protestant church- dren, finally get kicked out by Canon Peter Karanja said: “We es and Christian organizations the men and there was no law challenge the Committee of in Kenya. The Roman Catho- in place to help the woman. Experts to be bold and present lic Church in Kenya with over Mr. Nzamba Kitonga who incharge of the Committee of Ex- “I will table a marriage to Kenyans a pure system that perts spearheading the review process 30% following of the popula- bill in parliament which will is workable. The proposed sys- tion is not a member of NCCK force a man to officially mar- tem (hybrid) appears more to “The proposed constitu- stressed the church statement, though the two work together ry a woman whom they have serve political expediency than tion should be clear from anti read by the NCCK General often. stayed together for more than giving our nation a fresh start.” life issues such as abortion”, Secretary, Rev. Canon Peter two years” said Murugi. Murugi said women have been taken as sex tools by men who invite them on a Atwoli dismisses draft constitution “come we stay basis” and if they get tired of them they The Cotu boss says Kitonga’s harmonized draft is not based on reality simply chase them from their homes and look for other women. By LINK WRITER The minister was speaking in at Mnarani in Kilifi when THE Central Organisation she presided over the girls for Trade Unions (Cotu) has under 13 soccer finals coor- criticised the Harmonised dinated by Moving the Goal Draft over its proposal to Posts organization which pro- scrap the Provincial Admin- motes girls soccer. istration. The minister regretted that COTU Secretary General women only owned one third Francis Atwoli said the insti- of the total land in the coun- tution was critical in running try and blamed the problem Government affairs. on the current constitution Speaking recently in Na- which did not allow women kuru during a rally to sen- and children to own land. sitise workers on the Draft, “The time has now come Atwoli said the Provincial that women and children in Administration only needed the country should be em- reforms to embrace demo- cratic ideals. powered to own land like Mr Atwoli also said the men and said that could only workers were opposed to two be achieved if the new consti- centres of power in the Ex- tution will official allow them ecutive. to own land,” said Murugi. “What we need is a power- Murugi at the same time ful president directly elected, said the government was still not sharing power,” he added. Kenyans attend a sensitization forum on the Harmonized Draft Constitution. working out modalities to He described the arrange- reunite about 2000 children ment where President Kibaki with their parents who were and Prime Minister Raila Od- He claimed the Committee when the Chief’s Act was re- sation of a new constitution displaced after the post elec- inga are sharing power as the of Experts (CoE) headed by moved. by ensuring Parliament does tions violence in the country. worst form of governance. Nzamba Kitonga did not pro- Atwoli, at the same time, not go on recess before it ap- She said the children are He said two centres of duce a draft based on reality. said key sections should be proves the Draft. living in different camps for power was a recipe for cha- Atwoli claimed the out- amended in the Draft before Atwoli also dismissed the IDPs and said it is the ob- os, citing the situation in the come of the committee’s it is subjected to the referen- plans by Government to give ligations of the government to war-torn Congo, which re- work was academic. The dum. the poor a monthly pay of try and re-unite the children sulted into the assassination Cotu boss said problems in He said the President and Kshs.1, 500, saying it was with their parents. of Prime Minister Patrice Lu- Provincial Administration the PM should show com- a conduit for stealing from mumba. started with the IPPG of 1997 mitment towards the reali- State coffers. The Link, January 2010 FARMING 23 Lake communities urged to Mt Kenya coffee diversify economic activities By SAMUEL OTIENO a similar amount had been set aside to assist in the construction of fish ponds FISHING communities have been in 53 constituencies in Western Kenya farmers sensitized urged to diversify their economic ac- as part of the government’s initiatives tivities in order to sustain the fisheries to stimulate economic growth in vari- resources in Lake Victoria. Indigenous ous sectors in the country. Fisher Peoples Network executive di- He said, each of the constituency rector Nyang’ori Ohenjo says pressure will receive a sum of Kshs. 8 mil- being exerted in the lake is a threat to lion for fisheries to facilitate artificial the resources in the lake. fish rearing. He said, the programme Ohenjo says communities along the is aimed at easing fishing pressure in lake should embrace plans by the gov- Lake Victoria currently overstretched ernment to support digging up of 4,800 with fishing activities. fish ponds in the region to raise The assistant director instructed different species as part of the na- District Fisheries Officers to ensure tional economic stimulus package. that the projects are effectively imple- He says the fish farming would also mented by the locals in abid to boost open up other opportunities for the fish- their economic stability. er communities such as fish feed pro- He said the government was much duction and rearing of fish fingerlings. concerned with the use of illegal fish- Speaking in Kisumu a head of the ing gears in the lake adding that only World Fisheries Day to be celebrated licensed fishermen will be allowed to in Usenge in Bondo district over the use only the authorized gears which do weekend, Ohenjo says there is need for not deplete the fisheries resource. concerted efforts between the govern- “The ponds are not only going to ment and civil society to improve on boost the financial base of the local the sector. community but they are also set to ease He says the sector is poorly devel- pressure currently being exerted on the oped though it has huge potential. lake as the many fishermen compete Assistant director of fisheries West- for the declining number of fish in the ern Kenya Michael Obadha says cur- lake,” said Obadha. rently there are 40,000 fishermen in the He said this is part of the Imple- Kenyan side of the lake. mentation of Fisheries Management Obadha says there is need to regu- Plan (IFMP) on Lake Victoria. late fish farming in an attempt to The IFMP came up with joint patrol ease pressure on the lake. Over Kshs. strategies known as the Monitoring, 424million has been put in place by the Control and Surveillance (MCS) to en- ministry of fisheries to facilitate fish sure that the lake was ridden off of the farming. Obadha also announced that illegal fishing gears.

Progreso organization officer in charge of coffee programme in East African regional office Mr Charles Mbarire addresses coffeee farmers from Central and Eastern provinces at Gikan- da Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society in Mathira district . PHOTO/JOSEPH MUKUBWA ADVERTISING RATES

Your support as our reader or advertiser ensures that the stories that matter By JOSEPH MUKUBWA tors were representing over 8,000 position as the highest average farmers. payment rate society in the dis- - the stories that help people make decisions about their education, health, ABOUT 100 coffee farmers and Progreso organization officer trict. It also been producing the governance, their livelihood, and their communities - reach them in a the management staff of the coffee in charge of coffee programme in best quality coffee and also put the simplified but factual way. factories have been sensitized on East African regional office Mr highest rate factory wise.” Said the how to improve quality and quan- Charles Mbarire says that Pro- chairman Mr Charles Kariuki. How to Advertise tity of coffee. greso Network is an NGO based The society is made up of Send us the details of what you want advertised and we’ll do the rest.These The farmers from Central and in Netherlands which is aimed to three factories which include Gi- can be sent in electronic form as e-mail attachments or in diskettes/CDs as Eastern Provinces toured Gikanda eradicate poverty among small chathaini, Ndaroini and Kango- well as hard copies. Coffee Farmers Cooperative Soci- scale farmers who grows coffee, cho. It has 2,729 members. ety in Mathira district where they cocoa, palm oil, soybeans, tea and This year of 2008/2009, it were sensitized in the tour dubbed sugarcane. paid an average of Sh 40.19 per ‘farmers exchange experience pro- The NGO which has nine re- Kilogramme of coffee which was Our advertising rates are as follows: gramme.’ gional offices the Eastern region the 84 per cent of payment of the Full page colour Kshs. 72,000 The two day product sold out. Full page black and white (inside) Kshs. 40,000 programme whose The society is made up of Gikanda so- Half page (Black and White) Kshs. 20,000 objective was to ciety is a fair- Quarter page inside Kshs. 10,000 bring farmers to- trade and UTZ The Link Classified Kshs. 4,000 gether in order to three factories which include certified and share experiences have been able Front Page Earpiece (colour) Kshs. 8,000 was organized by Gichathaini, Ndaroini and to go for second Front page strap Kshs. 6,000 a non- governmen- widow in mar- Back page strap Kshs. 4,000 tal-organization Kangocho. It has 2,729 keting of coffee. Back Page Earpiece Kshs. 7,000 named Progreso Its quality pro- Front Page Solus (colour) Kshs. 20,000 Coffee Support members. duction has been Back Page Solus (colour) Kshs. 15,000 Network. very high. The farmers The visitors Special Rates were drawn from Ndumberi Cof- of Africa have been in coffee pro- lauded the society for its big effort fee Growers from Kiambu district, gromme for more than five years in improving the quality and quan- We offer very special rates for advertisement of charitable activities Kangunu Farmers Cooperative in order also to do capacity build- tity of the farmers. programmesor services. To get special rates, contact the Editor or the Editorial Society from Murang’a North dis- ing with societies which have been They were impressed that some Assistant. trict and Riungagi Farmers Coop- well managed. societies are doing well locally erative Society from Embu district. Gikanda which was selected to more than factories outside the The details should be mailed to the Editor, P.O. Box 7438, 00200, Nairobi, Others included Kakuyuni be venue of the visit have in the country. Kenya. Telephone 020-601776, 020-3572365.You can also e­mail us at Farmers Cooperative Society from past achieved much and has been They expressed their happiness [email protected] or [email protected]. Kangundo and Tekangu Farmers recognized as one of the best so- during the visit saying they have NOTE: All payments should be made through cheques, payable to: Cooperative society. Gikanda so- cieties in the larger Nyeri district. learned much which they will du- ciety hosted them. All of the visi- “It has been awarded the first plicate in their societies. Institute for Civic Affairs and Development (ICAD). The Link, January 2010 24 COUNCIL Oyugis Villagers mobilize resources to councillors complete stalled council footbridge reject new By NYAKWAR ODAWO

THE residents of Burumba village clerk within Busia municipality have threatened not to participate in the identification of projects under the Local Authority Service Delivery By JOSEPH OJWANG Action Plan (LASDAP) process since Busia municipal council has failed to provide effective service THE newly posted Oyu- delivery. gis town clerk Mr. Henry The irate residents have ac- Momanyi was recently cused the local authority’s chief officers of failure to monitor and manhandled and physically evaluate the projects at the grass- thrown out of office by se- roots level with an aim of ensuring curity details of the acting that the projects are completed and clerk Fanuel Onyango. properly done before the contrac- tors concerned are paid. Momanyi had reported The residents have further at the Town Hall waiting to complained saying that the pro- be allowed in to take over posed location of the footbridge the office in line with the had for a long time become prone to over-flooding especially during regulations stipulated in the rainy season thus blocking the the Local Government Act. road leading to Busia town during Foot bridge built by villagers using money they managed to raise to complete the project. But that was not to market days. A villager is crossing the footbridge with his bicycle to Busia town. Photo/Nyakwar Odawo. be.The acting clerk who According to the LATF data is said to have refused in our possession, the local au- made soon developed cracks after less bulldog. independent monitoring and evalu- thority had allocated a total of staying in the sun for a long period However, the area civic leader ation team at the grassroots level to allow him in with the sh0.3million during the financial of time even before the same could Cllr Wilberforce Ochuka has attrib- that will work closely with the lo- blessing of councillors year 2005/2006 which was to be serve the purpose for which it was uted the mess to lack of transpar- cal authority service delivery action allegedly led him out as if spent on the construction of the intended,” one of the residents who ency and accountability on the part plan(LASDAP) and the tendering he was to be introduced to footbridge in question, the area spoke on condition of anonymity of the works department as well as committees so as to ensure that all residents having accorded it first councillors present in the said, adding that they later sat down the poor tendering system which the proposed projects are properly priority. as villagers and unanimously re- in most occasion is based on “who done and also that proper tendering chamber only to make an The Works Department em- solved to contribute certain amount is who” thus resulting into shoddy procedure is followed to the letter,” abrupt about turn. barked on the construction of the of money to facilitate the comple- work to the detriment of the com- the civic leader said, adding that he The shocked and shaken said footbridge but the project nev- tion of the stalled footbridge instead mon mwananchi who is the tax- will do everything at his disposal to er took off the ground. officer rushed to the near- of relying on the council which ac- payer. fight impunity at the council for the “The culverts the contractor had cording to them has become a tooth- “There is urgent need to form an sake of development. by Oyugis Police Station to report the incident. “I don’t know why the- ses [guys] became violent and threw me out as if I’m Ahero traders get new stalls a criminal, yet I’ve been duly posted by PS of Local By JONES MAGARE Government to take over Shs107m spent on construction of 196 market stalls the office,” he told report- AHERO Town Council has raise Kshs.. 1 million, with the the project and completed con- ing funds for the project. ers. constructed 196 modern mar- balance of Kshs. 9 million being struction of 196 market stalls at However, Jua Kali Associa- Oyugis deputy mayor ket stalls at a cost of Kshs.107 funded through the global finan- a cost of Kshs. 107 million in- tion official Silas Ondiek says Evans Omondi, however, million in an initiative financed cial institution, “ Otieno says. stead of the planned 300. the allocation of the market said they have no apology World Bank . He says stakeholders were “The ministry engaged a stalls has been irregularly un- to make claiming that the In an interview with The required to contribute Kshs. contractor to build the stalls dertaken. “Provincial Local Govern- Link, Council treasurer Kiwan- 3,000 each and gradually in- but oversaw its construction Ondiek says of the 196 stalls uka Otieno says the objective crease their contributions to through its engineers and coun- council officials irregularly - al ment Officer is to blame of the project is to economi- for the problems bedevil- raise the targeted Kshs. 6 mil- cil officials, “ Otieno says. located themselves 38 units at cally empower small traders lion with the council injecting He says the stalls which at- the expense of the 300 stake- ling most of local authori- and stakeholders from the sur- its share. tract a monthly rental fee of holders who contributed Kshs. ties in Nyanza. rounding community of Ahero. The treasurer said the initial Kshs. 1000 each have been allo- 2,800 each for towards the Our position is clear and The project that was formal- sum of Kshs. 3,000 from stake- cated to stakeholders and trad- project. remains as we resolved ly commissioned by ministry holders was channelled and ers in line with a list forwarded “ We were told the stake- that no new officer will of local government last July handled through the town’s Jua to the council for verification holders’ contribution used to be posted to Oyugi’s town 2009 is also part of the civic Kali Association. by the Jua Kali Association. meet the cost of grading the site council until the disappear- authority’s poverty eradication But, he alleges that the first However, Otieno admits of the project, surveying and ance of Kshs.8 million was strategy in the area. phase of the project experienced that the process of allocating approval of the project plan,” unravelled and the former He says the project that was poor financial management by the stalls has not been entirely Ondiek says. chief officers who were initially started in 1998 was the stakeholders association. transparent adding that “some The Jua Kali official says jointly being implemented by “Later when the NARC council officials have benefited stakeholders were required to involved surcharged.” the stakeholders, Town council The deputy mayor al- government came to power in from the allocation.” gradually increase their contri- and the World Bank and later 2002, it revised all World Bank The treasurer says the sec- bution to Kshs. 6,000 each to leged that the Nyanza local taken over by the ministry as funded projects, including the ond phase of the project will meet the World Bank target of government office was part of the Kenya Urban Infra- market construction project at involve construction of an ad- Kshs. 1.8 million. busy transferring corrupt structure Programme (KUIP). Ahero township,” he says. ditional 102 market stalls. But They are now urging the and rejected chief officers “ When the first phase of Otieno explains that under he was non committal on when government to ensure sound to various stations without market stall project started, this shift in the new govern- their construction will com- financial management and fair- regard to the principle of the World Bank wanted both ment policy, the ministry of mence, saying that the council ness in the allocation of com- transparency and account- stakeholders and the council to Local Government took over was in the process of identify- pleted stalls. The Link, January 2010 POLITICS 25 Kisii court nullifies Magara election By BOB OMBATI fair. being granted the stay of execu- Citing Bokimai polling sta- tion of the orders for the MP to THE South Mugirango parlia- tion Number 051 where 74 il- surrender the election certificate mentary seat currently occupied literate voters were assisted, he to the Speaker. by Omingo Magara will soon noted their helpers failed to sign Last year, the same court nul- be declared vacant following the oath of secrecy, a concern lified the election of Bomachoge a court ruling that nullified his which compromised the princi- constituency elections after the election. ples of a free and fair elections. then area Mp, Joel Onyancha High Court Judge, Daniel Mus- The judge noted that though lost a petition by Simon Ogari inga cited massive irregularities Magara led during the recount and Zephaniah Nyangwara, a that marred the election and of the votes, there were vital move the petitioners termed the concluded that these had negat- documents missing to pack up genesis of democracy. ed the principles of free, trans- his win, a basis in which the pe- During a hotly contested parent and fair elections. titioner challenged his election. by-election, Ogari won the The Judge noted that though Some presiding officers, not- election on an Orange demo- Magara, who is the Trade As- ed the judge deliberately or in- cratic movement ( ODM)ticket sistant minister garnered 10204 advertently failed to sign form against Onyancha who vied on votes against the petitioner, 16As and make statutory com- party of National Unity ( PNU), Manson Nyamweya Oyongo’s ments, adding it was an election the election which proved that 5,758 the exercise had serious offence as the forms could not leadership emanates from the flaws which negated the - prin be relied on in determining the people and is not a product of a ciples of a democratic election. winners or losers in given poll- flawed process. Delivering the verdict in a ing stations. Magara who addressed his court packed to capacity, the Magara, who is the second anxious supporters outside the Judeg said the court was keen to Mp from Gusii to lose an election court precincts after the ruling ensuring that the electoral proc- petition after Bomachoge’s said he was ready for the by- ess was fair and accorded all Joel Onyancha last year sat election and urged them to stay parliamentary candidates and pensively in the company of put as he was sure of recaptur- their electorate a level playing his wife and supporters as the ing the seat owing to votes he ground to exercise their demo- Judge read the four-hour verdict garnered in the 2007 general cratic right. in the  packed court amid tight poll, which, he noted were dou- He faulted the defunct Elec- security. ble that of the petitioner. toral Commission of Kenya Shortly after the ruling, The courts, noted Magara for violating its own rules and Magara,s lawyer, Katwa Kigen could not choose a leader for regulations by hiring Joseph said he was headed to the court people, alleging it had erred by omambia Sanganyi as a Retun- Mr Magara of appeal to challenge the judg- going against the wishes of his ing officer for South Mugirango fill form 17 A and instead left some boxes were found stuffed ment and asked the court for constituents who voted for him constituency despite surpsass- it to the tallying Clerks who with presidential, civic and par- copies of the ruling for him to overwhelmingly and which, the ing the eligible age limit which messed with the exercise and liamentary materials and fault- prepare his applications. court proved during the recount currently stood at 55 years of left. ed the presiding officers for the He also asked for a stay of and scrutiny of the ballot pa- age. Musinga noted that four box- affected stations for being in- execution of the orders pending pers. Omambia admitted before es out of 116 brought to court sensitive to the exercise. the application which the judge Oyongo, who contested the court that he was 65 years in were empty while others lacked Justice Musinga said the rejected and ordered that he be seat in 2007 on Ford People 2007 and unqualified for the voters marked register, signed recount alone could not cure given the ruling immediately to ticket lauded the ruling, terming job, adding that he was called form 16A and counterfoils, the anomalies amid the glar- appeal. it fair, historic and a sign that an by the ECK and given the job making it difficult to ascertain ing irregularities, saying the Oyongo’s lawyer, Omwansa opportunity had been created though he never applied. the votes for each candidate court was not concern with the Ombati also opposed the appli- for the people of South Mugi- The Judge observed that from some polling stations. number of votes but the elec- cation, saying Kigen could di- rango to elect a leader of their the Returning officer, who was He said, during the recount toral process which was key in rectly appeal against the ruling own choice freely, fairly and handpicked erred by failing to and scrutiny of the ballot boxes, declaring the election free and within the thirty days without transparently. Women asked to reject parachute politicians By BEKADZO TONDO ical parties come to the grass- get funds to sustain their lives roots and look for the women but the objective has totally MEMBERS of Maendeleo Ya support in the campaigns but been eroded by the politicians. Wanawake Organization from soon after they get into power The official said the politi- Malindi have accused influen- they forget them and I urge my cians have now turned to civil tial politicians in the country of fellow women to say enough is society organizations which misusing women during elec- enough,” advised Chiraga. were formed to speak for the tioneering period to ascend to The official was speaking at voiceless Kenyans which they positions ofpower. Breeze point hotel in Malindi now use as political avenues to The women complained that during an annual general meet- ascend into power. politicians including the presi- ing for Malindi Residents Fo- “Politicians are now looking dential aspirants in the country rum where new board members for ways to be elected as offi- had turned their umbrella dody were elected with Mr Deche cials of the Malindi Residents into a campaign tool to marshal Sonje being elected the chair- Forum and other civil society support during elections after man. organizations to market them- which they abandoned them. Chiraga said the principle selves for political reason and Led by the branch chairlady objective of MYWO has been such leaders should not be ac- Mrs Selina Chiraga, the mem- lost because the politicians cepted, “says Chiraga bers said time had come when have turned the organization as The women civil society women should reject politi- a political group . should stick to their agendas of Group of women in past function cians who used them as vehi- She said the organization fighting the rights of the- vul cles to propel into leadership was started many years to bring nerable people in the grassroots They complained that poli- the Malindi Residents forum positions. together poor women and start and not to create avenues for ticians in the area have been because they fear the organiza- “During elections period small income generating busi- potential politicians to market fighting the operations of the tion will undermine them po- politicians from different polit- ness and some merry round to themselves. civil society organization like litically. The Link, January 2010 26 CLIMATE CHANGE 25M more malnourished Agriculture Provides Challenges children and Solutions for Climate Change by 2050

By A CORRESPONDENT

THE impact of climate change on poor people can be averted with $7 billion additional annual invest- ments in rural development Twenty five million more chil- dren will be malnourished in 2050 due to effects of climate change, according to a report by the In- ternational Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). This study, the most comprehensive assessment of the impact of climate change on agriculture to date, compares the number of malnourished children in 2050 with and without climate change. “This outcome could be avert- ed with seven billion U.S. dollars per year of additional investments in agricultural productivity to help farmers to adapt to the effects of climate change. Investments are needed in agricultural research, improved irrigation, and rural roads to increase market access for poor farmers. Access to safe drink- ing water and education for girls is also essential,” said Gerald Nel- son, IFPRI senior research fellow and report lead author. The study, “Climate Change: Impact on Agriculture and Costs Most farmers are affected during this season of climate change. of Adaptation,” was prepared by IFPRI for inclusion in two sepa- By GERALD NELSON rate reports from the Asian Devel- adapting. due to climate change. With- would increase farmers’ ability opment Bank and the World Bank, The recent food price crisis out new technology and ad- to adapt. Most of these strate- both released today in conjunction MEANIGNFUL climate demonstrates that a “business justments by farmers, climate gies would also help small- with international climate change change discussions must ad- as usual” approach to agricul- change will reduce irrigated scale farmers to improve their meetings in Bangkok. dress agricultural and land use ture is not an option. Over the wheat yields in 2050 by around incomes and food security, and Without new technology and adjustments by farmers, climate practices. Agriculture, broadly coming decades, it will be nec- 30 percent in developing coun- would be necessary even with- change will reduce irrigated wheat defined, accounts for about one essary to increase food produc- tries compared to a no-climate out climate change. yields in 2050 by around 30 per- third of global greenhouse gas tion dramatically to respond to change scenario. Irrigated Whatever the outcome of the cent in developing countries com- emissions. More sustainable, population growth, changing rice yields will fall by 15 per- meetings in Copenhagen, fund- pared to a no-climate change sce- productive agricultural prac- diets, and chronic malnutrition. cent. Reduced yields will lead ing must be made available to nario. Irrigated rice yields will fall by 15 percent. tices could contribute signifi- The negative effects of climate to significantly higher prices, assist farmers adapt to climate Even without climate change, cantly to mitigation. change on agricultural produc- resulting in 25 million addi- change, as well as to mitigate food prices will rise, but climate At the same time, the large tivity and natural resources will tional malnourished children in its effects. Too much is at stake change makes the problem worse. majority of the world’s rural only intensify the food security 2050, compared to a no-climate to allow this opportunity to slip Without climate change, 2050 poor people depend on small- challenge. change scenario. by. wheat prices will increase globally by almost 40 percent. With climate scale farming for their food and A recent study by the Inter- Fortunately there are many Gerald Nelson, a IFPRI senior change, wheat prices will increase income. Poor farmers are par- national Food Policy Research techniques available to that research fellow, is available for by 170 – 194 percent. Rice is pro- ticularly threatened by climate Institute (IFPRI) found signifi- would allow agriculture to interviews in Copenhagen. Turn to page 27, Col. 1 change and will need support in cant decreases in crop yields reduce GHG emissions and State set to reopen cashewnut factory Faced with years of poor market- sector about 15 years ago. waterloo following a policy deci- lost together with revenue to the Masaku (agriculture) and Nasaro ing and unproductive trees, cashew The task force team has also sion to allow the export of raw government. The cashew nut in- Hada from Kwale. nut farmers are seeing a revived been asked to develop the legal cashew nuts, in effect leading to dustry has the potential to employ Among a raft of proposals the income generating opportunity framework for the regulation of the closure of the then vibrant Kilifi more than 5,000 people and at the Government intends to regulate where they can stay in their homes the industry and propose develop- Cashew Nut Factor in Coast Prov- same time contribute over Sh5 bil- the cashew nut sector by first regu- and still earn a living. ments on the issue of export of raw ince with others following suit. lion to the exchequer. lating the sale of nuts. To begin Revival of the cashew nut — a nut versus local processing. The sector has currently two The crop had a turnover of Sh2 with traders will not be allowed to key cash crop in Coast Province The cashew nut is an impor- million trees that produce 10,200 billion 15 years ago and currently export raw cashew nuts, they will — and the Kilifi Cashew nuts tant cash crop for Coast Province tonnes of cashew nuts this trans- just manages only Sh160 million. only be allowed to sell the produce Processing Factory has been in the and with a total plant population lates into 5.1 kilogramme per tree, The former MP and Managing Di- from farmers to local factories for political talk and is one of the cam- of over two million trees, the po- compared to 30 kilogramme per rector of Kilifi Cashew nut Factory processing. paigning gimmicks for all times. tential of the crop in improving the tree if well managed. John Safari Mumba was appointed The directive was however op- However, the Government ap- people’s livelihood is great. Over 80 per cent of the trees are by the government to head the posed by the Kenya Cashew nuts pears to have started walking the However, production of the said to be suffering from powdery taskforce. Processors and Exporters Asso- talk in this revival mission, setting crop has recently been on the de- mildew - a fungal disease that af- Members include Nancy Abisai ciation who argued that the ban up a taskforce to look into ways of cline from 14,000 tonnes three fects a wide range of plants. (Programme Manager, Policy & would reduce the number of com- revamping the sub-sector, whose years ago to 10,000 tonnes last Following the closure of the Advocacy, Shelter Forum), Fran- modity buyers leaving farmers at collapse is blamed on unplanned year. Kilifi Cashew Nut Factory in cis Muniu (cashew nuts research- the mercy of unscrupulous mid- liberalisation of the agriculture The cashew nut sector met its Mombasa, over 3,000 jobs were er, KARI Mtwapa), Margaret dlemen. The Link, January 2010 CLIMATE CHANGE 27 Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture By LINK CORRESPONDENT

AFRICAN countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their dependence on rainfed agriculture, high levels of poverty, low levels of human and physical capital, and poor infrastructure. The negative effects of climate change on crop pro- duction are especially pro- nounced in Sub-Saharan Af- rica, as the agriculture sector accounts for a large share of GDP, export earnings, and employment in most Afri- can countries. Furthermore, the vast majority of the poor resides in rural areas and de- pends on agriculture for their livelihoods. The crop model indicates that in 2050 in Sub-Saharan Africa, average rice, wheat, and maize yields will decline by up to 14 percent, 22 per- cent, and 5 percent, respec- tively, as a result of climate change. Irrigation water supply reliability, the ratio of wa- Climate change has had adverse effects on agriculture which remains the only source of livelihood for many households. ter consumption to require- ments, is expected to worsen ed to increase in Sub-Saha- calories less per person in children between 2000 andductivity can compensate for in Sub-Saharan Africa due to ran Africa between 2000 and 2050, a 21 percent decline. 2050, from 33 to 42 million.many of the adverse effects of climate change. 2050. With climate change, In a no-climate change Climate change will furtherclimate change. Sub-Saharan Without climate change, however, food availability in scenario, only Sub-Saharan increase this number by overAfrica needs 40 percent of the calorie availability is expect- the region will average 500 Africa (of the 6 regional 10 million, resulting in 52 estimated 7 billion USD per groupings of developing million malnourished chil-year in additional global agri- countries studied in the re- dren in 2050. cultural investments, the ma- 25M more malnourished port) sees an increase in the Additional investmentsjority of that for rural roads. to increase agricultural pro- -IFPRI children by 2050 number of malnourished From page 26 will face bigger declines in crop # yields and production than in- jected to increase 60 percent with- dustrialized countries, the study out climate change, but it will go finds. The negative effects of cli- The up 113 – 121 percent with climate mate change are especially pro- SUBSCRIPTION FORM change. 2050 maize prices will be nounced in Sub-Saharan Africa more than 60 percent higher with- and South Asia. Compared to the Link out climate change, but they will average biophysical effects of cli- be 148 – 153 percent higher with mate change on yields in the in- Enhancing governance for all climate change. dustrialized world, the developing The first of its kind, this study countries fare worse for almost all Please accept my/our subscription to The Link for the period of ...... months combines climate models that crops. project changes in rainfall and “Agriculture is extremely vul- dating from ...... to...... temperature and a crop model to nerable to climate change, because capture biophysical effects with farming is so weather-dependent. I/We …………………….………………...……….....………………… of P.O. Box...... ….…...... …… IFPRI’s economic model of world Small-scale farmers in develop- agriculture. The latter projects ing countries will suffer the most,” Code ……...... ….…… Town …...... ….…..….…Tel No.…….……...... …. Street ...... changes in the production, con- noted Mark Rosegrant, director sumption and trade of major agri- of IFPRI’s Environment and Pro- Building ...... Floor ...... Room No ...... Mobile ...... …… cultural commodities. duction Technology Division and The modeling does not include: report co-author. “However, our Email: ……...... have paid Kshs...... l the effects of increased vari- study finds that this scenario of ability in weather due to climate lower yields, higher prices, and in- (Attached, please find money order No ...... change creased child malnutrition can be Please send me ……...... ………....………..copies per issue every month. l the loss of agricultural lands due avoided.” to rising sea levels In addition to increased fund- Signature and /or stamp of client/:...... …...… Date ...... l climate change-induced in- ing for rural development, IFPRI creases in pests and diseases recommends more open agricul- Back issues No/Months: ...... l increased variability in river tural trade to ensure that food will flow as glaciers melt reach the poorest populations in Fill in this form and attach a postal money order of Kshs. 660 and post back to:- All these factors could increase times of crises. “If governments the damage of climate change to and donors begin now to invest Institute for Civic Affairs and Development agriculture. seriously in adaptation for poor Developing countries will be farmers, we can avert this bleak P.O. Box 7438 - 00200 Nairobi hit hardest by climate change and future,” said Rosegrant. The Link, January 2010 28 HEALTH Kilifi men use wives to know HIV status Nanyuki By BEKADZO TONDO District MARRIED men in Kilifi are Hospital to using their expectant wives to establish their HIV/AIDS status, a survey conducted by be upgraded human health based organiza- tions have revealed. By JOSEPH MUKUBWA Sources within the organi- NANYUKI District Hospital will soon zations said that married men be upgraded to a model regional refer- celebrate and openly declare ral hospital, it has been disclosed. their HIV/AIDS status soon Medical Services Permanent Sec- after they get status reports retary Prof James Ole Kiyapi said re- from their expectant wives cently that the hospital will be among the many hospitals in the country who are usually subjected to which will get a face-lift and upgraded the test whenever they visit to the level of regional referral hospi- prenatal clinics. tals since it serves several districts sur- The Technical director of rounding the larger Laikipia district. Strengthen Community, Part- Speaking after touring the medi- nership and Empowerment cal facility, the PS said the hospital is among the 23 medical facilities that (SCOPE) in Kenya, Mr Jasho have been earmarked for upgrading Bomu, confirmed that surveys and targets government and health fa- had shown that women form cilities all over the country set for re- the majority of people visiting habilitation to cover a period of three heath centers to establish their years. “The hospital will be among the status compared to men. Widows and orphans at a seminar. hospitals which will benefit when the Bomu said it was after the Government will be creating regional tests when attending to the an- husbands accompany their ples to be cooperative in the more to come out. referral hospitals for specialized cas- tenatal clinics that wives take wives for the tests when they process. ”A very big number of mar- es.” He said. the results to their husband Bomu said his organization ried people and those aspiring He said that most of the projects in go for the antenatal clinics. the country are already ongoing and where they also get chance to However Mr Bomu said in collaboration with the offic- for marriage and the youth the ministry would release funds by know their HIV/AIDS status. his organization has started a ers from the ministry of health have been coming out for the next financial year to put up a model But senior medical officer campaign to sensitise married and other health concerned tests but I urge more to respond maternity wing ward in the hospital. from Kilifi district hospital couples on the need to accom- Non Governmental Organi- to the service,” said Bomu. Kiyiapi who was accompanied by who declined to be named, pany each other and get tested zations have been organizing Records from the district hos- Water assistant minister who is also the area MP Mwangi Kiunjuri said that said HIV/AIDS status of ei- on their HIV/AIDS status for moon light HIV/AIDS free pital show that the HIV/AIDS already the developments have already ther the husband or the wife the couple to be sure of their testing and counselling. prevalence in Kilifi district by been ongoing in some hospitals such cannot be used as a basis to health status. He said a number of peo- end of last year stood at 7.1 as Embu Provincial General Hospital determine the disease status of He said the plan was in the ple, both married couples and percent with women and girls which he said has used over Kshs. 700 each other. final stages of implementation youth, have been volunteer- being affected more compared million so far and Kisii General Hos- pital . The officer suggested that and appealed to married cou- ing for the services and urged to men and boys. About 70 other hospitals and health centres are also currently under devel- opment according to Ole Kiyiapi. “The ministry is undertaking a ma- By A CORRESPONDENT jor rehabilitation program in the next three years in most of the hospitals in Do the drugs you buy from your the country since the wards are not local chemist bear a Kenya Bu- Alert over fake drugs enough, there is congestion and most reau of Standard mark? equipment is not working. We want Beware. They could well be drugs importation and quality as- but diverted to the local market. health services to be affordable and ac- counterfeits. surance as it can only affix stamps The committee heard that there cessible to all.” Said the PS The Kenya Bureau of Stand- on documents released at the port are about 30 per cent of goods Others present during the function ards (Kebs) has made it clear that upon shipment of the same. meant for local use while the rest included the chief pathologist Dr John it does not certify drugs or phar- “We can only do visual in- are meant for transit, but somehow Njue and hospital medical superin- maceutical products. This means spection and not quality,” said Mr end up in the local market. tendent Dr Leonard Mbuthia. that any of its marks on these Kimuri. “We have little experience According to the Kebs team, it Kiyiapi also noted that apart from products are fraudulently obtained in drug testing,” he said. has found it difficult to intervene the government funding, the hospital and affixed. The committee chaired by Dr at this point as it has no powers to will get financial help from the Dutch Kebs acting managing director Robert Monda, the MP for Nyarib- inspect goods on transit. government financing project. Joel Kioko told a parliamentary ari Chache, is investigating the The committee heard that car- Kiyiapi said that the government committee that consumers may proliferation of counterfeits in tels have discovered this loophole would allocate about Kshs. 10 million not be aware of this fact. the pharmaceutical industry in the and are exploiting it to divert into to help finish the construction of the “There are lots of fraudulent country and is expected to start local market goods meant for tran- hospital’s kitchen and laundry which compiling its report in two weeks’ sit. people and cartels out there who have been left incomplete for several do this,” he said. times. “We are now aware of dumping Kebs manager in charge of sur- It has scheduled to meet the of transit goods for local use and years. veillance Mr Wilberforce Muthi- Medical Services Minister next that is now a big problem,” said “This hospital is among the 23 gani cited an incident last year week before winding up its inves- Assorted drugs the Kebs director. hospitals which will benefit from this when a purported Aids drug was tigations. The team was, however, urged financial year with the Kshs. 32 mil- detected bearing the body’s qual- Dr Monda ordered the Kebs of- The committee urged Kebs to collaborate closely with KRA lion which will be pumped in the fa- ity mark. ficials to forward to the Clerk of to work closely with the Kenya which has better mechanisms of cility. The Government will also hire Kebs formally wrote to the the National Assembly Wednes- Revenue Authority (KRA) and the detecting the dumping. five management team per hospital Ministry of Health alerting it of day, the letter that was sent to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to Dr Boni Khalwale (Ikolomani, who will be manning the money.” He the fraud although those behind it Ministry of Health alerting about find ways of fighting counterfeits New Ford Kenya) said KRA tracks added. escaped a trap laid by the former. its mark on the purported Aids in the industry. all goods on transit and once Kiyapi said the management team The case involving a purported drug. The Pharmacy and Poisons dumped, owners must pay VAT will include the human resource, fi- Aids spray drug was detected by A committee member Vic- Board was urged to set up a de- and import duty. nance and accounts, procurement and the Kebs surveillance unit. tor Munyaka (Machakos Town, partment at Kebs for this purpose. “It is possible for Kebs to work operation/ management which are The two and the Director of ODM-K) said Kebs should be em- Meanwhile, the committee was with KRA in its real time tracking aimed to manage well the funds. Industries Mr Erastus Kimuri ap- powered to do testing on drugs and alarmed by a confession by the system so that you are in a position He also said that the hospital would peared before the parliamentary pharmaceutical products and affix Kebs team that it is unable to de- to inspect and stamp those goods be reconstructed in a more planned committee on Health where they its stamps as they were trusted by tect counterfeits among about 70 to ensure the safety of consum- manner as it lies on a 28 acre piece of said Kebs had little involvement in consumers. per cent of goods meant for transit ers,” the member urged. land yet it is not utilized. The Link, January 2010 HEALTH 29 Nyong’o decries poor state of mental hospital Prisoners By MORRIS GITHENYA country as a stumbling block many of the mental disorders towards delivery of service to had been caused by high in- receive free MEDICAL Service minister suffering from mental illness. take of brews and substances at Prof Anyang Nyong’o has de- The Minister, who was ac- early stages of live. Murang’a cried pathetic state of country’s companied by NACADA chair- district has more bars than screening mental hospitals, saying they man Dr Frank Njenga, said 40 schools and colleges put to- are not conducive for treatment. percent of patients seeking for gether. There were 163 bars The minister cited Math- medical services have underly- in the district as compared to diabetes ing mental disorders that have 46 primary and 23 secondary ari Mental Hospital in Nairobi By JOSEPH MUKUBWA as the worst after having wit- not been diagnosed. schools nessed the poor state of the He said there were many Dr Njenga said the country Kitchen and dining hall during doctors and nurses in the gen- was facing a severe shortage MORE than 500 prisoners his official visit. eral practice who can provide of mental health experts to ca- of King’ong’o GK prison in Speaking at Kangema health adequate mental health support ter for the 34 million people. Nyeri recently received free centre during the celebrations but they lack training to enable There were only 75 trained per- medical check up on diabetes to mark the 18th World Mental them to be attached in the psy- sonnel who are hardly enough disease. Health Day, the Minister also chiatrists wards to visit all the health centers in During the screening tests cited lack of psychiatrists in the The Kisumu Rural MP said the country. Prof Nyong’o to mark the World Diabetes Day, twelve new cases were established bringing to a total of 17 inmates who have been identified to be suffering from the disease. Voluntary programme on A volunteer of the Regional Health care centre which is a community based organization Mr Kamau Gatwechi said that male Circumcision launched the exercise was meant to cre- ate awareness among the in- mates in what they have to do By GILBERT OCHIENG during the circumcision proc- ess. in order to curb the disease. Men in Busia who are yet to Meanwhile, the government Kamau said that those undergo circumcision process has embarked on an ambitious mostly affected are between have been advised to take ad- project that will enable vulner- the ages of 32-46 years but vantage of the newly launched able farmers in Busia district to said the number may be high voluntary male circumcision acquire the farm inputs so as to as they were only able to test programme jointly supported empower them to increase the 500 inmates out of 1,600 in- by the National Aids Control production of maize. mates who are in the prison. Council (NACC) and a non- Addressing a stakeholders He said that research has governmental organization forum at the district informa- identified that 70 percent of [DEVIRUCO] within Busia tion and documentation cen- people suffering from Diabe- township. tre’s boardroom recently, the tes type two are from develop- Addressing the public dur- Busia district agriculture of- ing countries a reason he at- ing the launch of the pro- ficer Mr Samson Khachina tributed to poor feeding habits. gramme dubbed “Voluntary said that under the programme “This Diabetes type two is Male Medical Circumcision” 1,000 vulnerable farmers in the most common in Kenya espe- at the Busia Township Youth district will receive farm inputs cially in Central province as polytechnic recently, a senior to the tune of Kshs.5.8million many foods they consume are public health official Mr Rich- aimed at jump-starting the carbohydrates based.” Kamau ard Onyango commended the maize production. “Each farm- said. National Aids Control Council er will be given a 10kg bag of He urged Kenyans to go saying it has played a leading certified seed and 50kg DAP for regular check ups to en- role in the fight against HIV/ bag of fertilizer that will enable sure that they are healthy and AIDS by ensuring that high them to plant an acre of land,” ensure that they are eating a standards of hygiene are main- the district agricultural officer healthy diet as a way of pre- tained and that the implements said, adding that the said farm- venting the quick spread of used for the operation are not ers will receive the farm inputs diabetes. shared amongst those people at the onset of the long rains “But the society has not undergoing the circumcision early next year. taken diabetes seriously be- process. The district agricultural of- cause it is a silent disease and Mr Onyango further said ficer further said that the- vul so we want the government to there were many health ben- nerable farmers are expected to address it the same way they efits associated with the- cir harvest a total of 20,000 bags of address diseases such as Ma- cumcision such as the reduced maize worth Kshs.40million, laria, HIV/AIDS among other risk of urinary track infections adding that under the pro- diseases.” He added. in childhood, reduced chances gramme, the government in- He said according to a re- of contracting the sexually tends to create a cereals bank cent research, diabetes has Male circumcision in progress. transmitted infections (STIs), that will enable the farmers to been established as a leading reduced frequency of genital have adequate stock of maize cause of blindness, heart at- ulcers (wounds), prevention of by about 60percent,” a senior facility adding that parents and for own consumption and a tacks, stroke and amputations. a condition known as phimosis public health officer said, add- guardians must also give in- surplus for sale. “Though the inmates get the (inability to pull back the fore- ing that this does not, however, formed consent in person. “In order to enable the Min- free tests, there lies a challenge skin)and paraphimosis (inabil- mean that those who have been Onyango further pointed istry of Agriculture to realize of following up the identified ity to return the foreskin to its circumcised are safe from HIV/ out the risks associated with its main objective that is aimed cases due to lack of adequate normal position). AIDS. the circumcision which include at achieving food security in resources.” He concluded. “Thee research studies un- The public health officer at pain, excessive bleeding, ex- the district, farmers all over the Several prison warders dertaken recently one of which the same time said that youths cessive swelling, infection at district will undergo a mara- were also screened in the exer- in Kisumu have shown that under the age of 18 must be ac- the circumcised part, injury to thon training in January 2010, cise that was carried out by the circumcision lowers the risk companied by either their par- the sexual organ and adverse the district agricultural officer team of laboratories attendants of acquiring the HIV/AIDS ents or guardians to the health reaction to the anaesthetic used said. from the NGO. The Link, January 2010 30 NEWS AG to decide the fate of officer arrested over bribe By KAVYU KURA gations to find out whether the the law. sonally took over the task of suspect had been involved in The Knut boss consequently recording statements from the THE fate of a senior ministry other cases of alleged bribery as demanded that the ministry of civil servant. of education official caught the Kyuso Kenya National Un- education officials should - in Mr. Namatsi told the press red handed taking a bribe from ion of Teachers (KNUT) branch terdict the officer just as he was then that his office gave the a teacher in the newly created called for elaborate investiga- interdicting teachers at will un- Ndooni Primary School head Kyuso district lies solely with tion. til he was cleared of any wrong teacher the treated Ksh17,000 the Attorney general. The Kyuso KNUT execu- doing by a court of law. currency notes to handover The human resource officer at tive secretary Ms. Agnes Kam- Mwingi Officer Command- to the suspects after he com- Kyuso district education office bua Musee said if the CID dug ing Police Division (OCPD) plained that the officer had Mr. Muthengi Kanui who was deeper into the bribery saga at Mr. Kenneth Kimani said the been pestering him (teacher) arrested by CID officers in early the Kyuso education office they suspect was arrested at the demanding a bribe. December as he received a Kshs were likely to uncover unimagi- Mwingi Makuti pub as he re- The CID officer said as the 17,000 bribe from a teacher in a nable fraud.. ceived the bribe from the head teacher handed over the treated Mwingi town pub is however She said that many teachers teacher of Ndooni Primary money to the officer at 5:30 free after he was released on a had on a number of occasions School in Tseikuru District Mr pm at a pub where he was tak- Ksh.10,000 police bail. visited her offices with claims Samson Mwangangi Munyoki. ing drinks, CID men pounced According to the Mwingi that officers had been demand- Mr Kimani said that on him and whisked him to the District CID boss Mr. Leonard ing hefty bribes from them be- Mr Wako the officer had demanded Mwingi Police Station where Lutta Namatsi, police are cur- fore effecting their (teachers) Kshs.17,000 from the teacher he was locked up over night. rently awaiting committal bun- transfers from one school to pretexts to demand bribes from so that he could quash a pos- He said as intensive inves- dles from the AG before they another. teachers over petty disciplinary sible interdiction after the latter tigation were being conducted can proceed to court. “In fact I have incriminat- cases. failed to register eight standard the suspect would remain out He however said that police ing evidence showing that a Many are the times when the eight pupils during last year’s on police bail he was a civil were following crucial leads certain teacher sent Ksh.5, 000 officers threaten teachers with years Kenya Certificate of Pri- servant and would be sum- that could unravel more details to an education officer who had interdiction over petty offences mary Education Examination. moned to appear before an anti- in the case as the officer is al- demanded a Ksh.10,000 bribe unless they coughed up a bribe The OCPD said the officer corruption court once the AG leged to have demanded more to transfer her to the neighbor- of not less than Kshs.10, 000, was briefly held for interroga- gives the nod. bribes from other teachers. ing Mwingi district only for the further claimed the teachers un- tion as investigation got under- We are taking our time to He said that even after be- lady teacher to be transferred ion boss. way before he was released on thoroughly investigate whether ing interrogated and set free, to Kaghui in Kyuso after she She said that she was sur- cash. He stressed that he would other teachers may have given at least for the time being, the failed to raise the bribe bal- prised that even as the officer subsequently be charged before a bribe to this officer. We are suspect will have to report to ance,” claimed Ms. Musee. was being investigated for a an anti-corruption court either also waiting for the parents of the CID offices regularly until She further alleged that some serious criminal offence of cor- in Embu or Nairobi. the children who failed to sit a decision is made on his fate. officers at the Kyuso education ruption against the public ethics After the officer’s arrest and the KCPE examination to come Mr. Namatsi said the CID office had perfected the art of Act, he continued discharging owing to the gravity of the mat- forth and record the statements, officers had extended investi- fault finding which they use as his duties in contravention of ter, the Mwingi CID boss per- said the CID boss. Water project receives Programme launched a major boost to promote peace By GILBERT OCHIENG Ojamii FC was rated as the By ANDERSON MRENJE RESIDENTS of Busia municipal- most disciplined team whereas Home Boyz FC was rated as the THE water crisis which has for long ity have embarked on an ambitious plagued Rabai location in Kaloleni programme aimed at promoting most promising team. At the same District has finally been resolved. This peaceful co-existence among the time,Mr Peter Ogutu was rated as follows the commissioning of a 12 kil- different communities. the best coach whereas Mr David ometer water project jointly by Kenya A series of peace-driven soccer Odhiambo Odimo was rated as and Italian governments at the cost of tournaments will be held as part of the second best coach with play- Kshs.18 million. teh initiative. ers Danson Namasaka, Ayub The Italian government approved In an interview with The Link Okwemba and Erick Wabwire be- the funding of the Mwele-Simakeni in Busia Township Youth poly- ing rated as the most promising water and sanitation project through technic, the sponsor of the soccer mid-fielder,top scorer and best a proposal by the Kilifi- Mariakani goal-keeper respectively. water and sewerage board few months tournament dubbed “nicky amol- ago. lah peace cup” Mr Nick Ochieng The tournament sponsor un- The funding comes as a big relief said that the idea is to mobilize derscored the importance of peace in the area which has for many years resources and sponsor the soccer in the society saying that the soc- experienced severe water shortages event was motivated by the ugly cer tournament will go along way which forced women to walk for long incidents which marked the last in promoting peaceful co-exist- distances in search of the precious general elections that saw innocent ence in the community concerned commodity. Rabai residents will thirst no more. people losing their lives and prop- taking into consideration the fact The number of seasonal dams and erties. that Busia municipality was a cos- boreholes which were the major water “We will have toilets and bath- year when housesholds were expected About 12 teams drawn from mopolitan area. sources in the area were not adequate rooms put up in villages, schools, to have access totapped water. “The main objective of the to give a sufficient supply of water to mosques and churches plus the exten- The second phase which will en- Teso and Busia Districts took part the over 25,000 residents. sion of the tapped water to as close as tail the construction of storage tanks in the peace soccer tournaments soccer tournament is none other When complete, the project will the doorways of these institutions,” at the selected sites will begin early held in Busia Township Youth than to sensitize the youths on the come as a reprieve for the residents in said the pioneer of the project. this year with six tanks of different polytechnic ground last December. dangers of drug abuse by keep- terms of domestic use and livestock as A recent survey carried out by the capacities of 45,000, 50,000, 50,000, During the tournamnet Oti- ing them active through sports, opposed to the past days when it was water board of Kilifi-Mariakani Water 65,000, 75,000 and100,000 liters be- mong FC from Teso district HIV/AIDS awareness campaign scarce. and Sewerage Company, revealed ing earmarked for cosntruction. emerged winners in a highly con- as well as empowering them so The founder of the project Mr. An- that most villages some of which The project founder however not- tested match after scoring four as to discover hidden talents,” he thony Kenga Mupe, told The Link that were densely populated had one or no ed that the excavation of the trenches goals in penalty shoot out after the said. Ochieng further said that the the project sponsored by the Kenya toilet at all. was done by the community through two teams failed to score within soccer tournament will take place Italy Department Development Pro- The project will however be im- participation in kind where youth and annually so as to ensure constant gram would help improve the living plemented in two phases where the women groups and other welfare or- the official 90 minutes. standards and hygiene of the residents. first phase which commenced in De- ganizations were involved. Otimong FC was rated as the peaceful co-existence among the The project will also enatil the cember involved the excavation of After the completion of the whole best team whereas Busia Combine various communities within Busia construction of toilets and bathrooms trenches and fitting of 4-inch pipes all project, a community based manage- emerged the second best with Bu- municipality and its environs. in most of the villages and other insti- through the 12 kilometers. ment board will be put in place to sia Youth Community and Mun- The winning teams were award- tutions in addition to the water exten- This phase was expected to run for oversee the smooth running of the dulusia FCs emerging third and ed prizes which included trophy, sion within the area. a month till the end of December last services in the near future. fourth respectively. cash, uniforms and footballs. The Link, January 2010 NEWS 31 More reliable power for Mt. Kenya By JOSEPH MUKUBWA will improve the power system’s would shortly announce service level flexibility, improve reliability of standards that would ensure custom- ers benefit from prompt service. KENYA Power and Lighting Com- power supply to both existing and expected new customers.” The MD The company has for the last two pany has invested over Kshs1.8 bil- years supported projects benefit- lion in various projects in Mt Kenya added. At the same time, the region has ing various communities across the region to reinforce and upgrade the country through the Corporate Social power distribution. benefited from 175 rural electrifi- cation schemes under the Govern- Responsibility programme. In the last The KPLC Managing Director financial year, the company spent Engineer Mr Joseph Njoroge says ment’s Rural Electrification pro- gramme. Sixty six of these schemes Kshs 17 million on various projects that to enhance reliability and de- in the education, health and environ- pendability of the power distribution are complete while 109 are under construction. ment sectors as well as other social system and consequently improve projects including the Mt Kenya re- service delivery in the region, the “These schemes have improved the social and economic status of the gion. company is implementing various “Some of the projects in Mt Ken- projects the will improve the quality region to a great extent with 149 trad- ing centres, 29 tea buying centres, 13 ya region include the fencing of Mt of supply in the region. Kenya and Aberdare forests through The projects include the construc- coffee factories, 13 health centres and 40 secondary schools now on power the Bill Woodley Trust and Rhino tion of the 122 Km 132/33 kV line Ark Charitable Trust respectively, to from Kamburu sub station to Meru supply.” The Chief Executive Officer noted. which we contributed Kshs 2 million and establishing a 132/33kV 23MVA in the last two years as part of our sub station in Meru at a total cost of The company which recorded a pre-tax profit of Kshs 4.78 bil- environmental conservation initia- Kshs 1.6 billion. tives.” The CEO added. “Kiganjo, Othaya and Karatina lion during the 2008/09 financial year compared to Kshs 2.73 billion KPLC connected 200,600 new sub –stations will also be upgraded customers in the last financial year to have two 7.5 MVA transformers in year 2007/08 has continued to in- novate and reengineer the business that ended in June this year, surpass- each at an approximated total cost of ing the target of 200,000 set by the Kshs 143 million among others. The processes in order to make services more efficient by introduction of au- Government. new projects and upgrade of exist- The company is targeting to con- ing stations will also enable KPLC to tomatic meter reading for 4,000 large power customers. Kenya Power and Lighting Company staff at work. nect 1 million more customers in a connect more customers to the grid five- year- period ending 2012. and supply them with quality power.” Njoroge who was accompanied for the public to be vigilant and pro- ized in the country per year. by the chairman board of directors, The chairman Pepela said the He said. tect the system from selfish and hun- “As much as I laud the provincial company was working with other Njoroge added that there are Mr Crowther Pepela, director Mr grier individuals. administration for helping in the fight Esau Kioni and Deputy Central Pro- sub sector players and the Ministry also over 30 ongoing reinforcement He revealed that 463 transformers against the vice, I urge the members of Energy to ensure that there is ad- schemes in the region that are being vincial Commissioner Mr Ahmed worth Kshs 231 million have been of the public to brace for the commu- Omar also decried the high incidenc- equate supply of power from more upgraded by the company at a cost of vandalized in the last one year in the nity policing.” The MD added. and diverse sources even in situations Kshs 101 million. es of vandalism of power equipment region translating that in that rate In order to enhance customer in the region and urged the members of drought like the one experienced “When complete, the schemes about 2,000 transformers are vandal- service, Njoroge said the company recently. Influx of small arms a Kakamega municipality threat to Kenya’s security By ANDERSON MRENJE crossing the border even after the set to receive a facelift closure of the Kenya border with THE influx of small arms in the Somalia. By BILL ESSAU chief officers. Developers of the houses were hands of criminals in the country According to Saitoti, though “We want to move the market given green light to build by a cartel has caused the government to in- closed, the 900-kilometer Kenya- KAKAMEGA municipality has to the plot in question so that we that has been operating at the town tensify internal security. Somalia border stretch was too embarked on an ambitious plan to can rescue the same from being hall’s engineering and planning de- This follows the prolonged wide and will require a more flex- clean the town and improve service grabbed. As you know some people partments. conflict in Somalia between- gov ible strategy. Administration and delivery to its residents. purported to have sold it but the sale All such buildings will be ernment forces and militias which regular police will now have to The council, which is famous for in invalid since all trust land is only brought down regardless of who have complicated the country’s work together to ensure security is incessant wrangles between coun- held on lease and cannot be sold,” their owners are because besides security for decades where a larg- maintained, he urged. cilors and chief officers has this said Finance committee chairman the developers by passing the pro- er number of inhabitants flee to The minister order comes at a time round decided to settle on its Ponyochi Kunyobo. cedures, the structures are a risk Kenya. time where more than 70 illegal core business.. Expansion of the bus park is because they can easily collapse, Illegal immigrants armed immigrants were arrested in vari- To begin with, the council which meant to ensure all public service “argues Mathias Sichele, the town with firearms have been sneaking ous parts of the Coast province. has operated for over a decade with- vehicles which had abandoned the planning committee chairman. through the Kenyan borders with Furthermore, six Somalis and a out a dumpsite has set aside money facility and are now collecting pas- Sichele says that plots which many of them claiming to be refu- Tanzanian were seized in connec- for the purchase of land to establish sengers anywhere in town enjoy an have remained undeveloped for gees while they are part of the war- tion with a cache of weapons found a dumping site. operating base. over 18 months since they were al- ring factions in Somalia. on a ship on the Coastal waters. The project estimated to cost The council, members of the located are to be repossessed. Those The link established that many However, the PC Munyi said Kshs. 1.5 billion will draw most of provincial administration and traffic whose owners have accumulated of the bad elements disguise them- that security in the province had its funding from the World Bank police department have been hold- arrears in rates will also be repos- selves as escort for small vessels improved in the recent months and municipalities kitty meant for waste ing meetings on how best to manage sessed. entering the country through the that cattle rustling cases in Tana management. All councils are re- matatu operations in the town. The repossession of the plots, he port and undermine security. River and Tana Delta districts had quired to raise 20 percent of the This has culminated in issuance says, is meant to create room for de- This has prompted the minis- reduced. total amount for them to become of an ultimatum to the operators velopers who are ready to develop ter for internal security to order The link however established eligible for funding. who have been forced to only pick the town. security officials to be vigilant that the Coast provincial secu- Further, the council intends to and drop passengers from the bus “Many people have shown in- and maintain surveillance along rity agents had held meetings with expand the current bus park to cov- park. terest in investing in this town but the 900-kilometer Kenya-Somalia their Tanzania counterparts with a er the open air market situated along Also to be affected in the plans have been unable because of lack border to keep out illegal intrud- view to addressing the security is- the busy Kakamega-Webuye road to are owners of premises which have of space whereas some people are ers. “You have to be vigilant and sues at the border. be able to handle more vehicles, ac- been constructed in various parts holding land here for speculation keep out people who do not mean This strategy will ensure ad- cording to town mayor Vincent An- of the town without a full council purposes,” adds Sichele. well, he said. equate security is provided at the jeche. minute approval as required by law. The new council administration The security minister George port and within establishments The open air market is to be re- Some of the houses have been says it is keen to reintroduce public Saitoti attending provincial secu- that cater for tourism activities in located to the current fish market built on top of sewer lines whereas meetings through which the civic rity meeting at the Coast, chaired the region which the council an- which reports indicate has been sold others are standing on areas re- body would be able to collect views by the area PC Ernest Munyi, in- ticipates greater returns from the to a private developer through col- served for roads, according to An- from the people on how best they dicated that some elements are still same. lusion between some councilors and jeche. want to be served. The Social and cultural factors need to be understood and respected when trying to get farmers to adopt new practices. LinkEnhancing governance for all — Ismail S. Kimole The Link, January 2010

sion. This strategy has been used to sup- Peace initiatives in Mt. Elgon port people left without houses dur- ing land clashes which preceeded the post-election violence in Mt. Elgon.. Ngeywo says another 650 people target militia group in the region have benefitted from Trauma Healing presided over by both Actionaid andCheptais Focus Youth By BOSCO MAGARE and light weapons, the co-ordinator Group in Cheptais division. says. At the same time, under the pro- FORMER Saboat Land Defence He says similar training pro- gramme, Actionaid and MERA with Force (SLDF) fighters comprising grammes for the SLDF youths have other partners of peace building sup- 306 youths have abandoned their mil- been undertaken in various areas such port elders engaged in peace meetings itant activities and embraced peace as Chemondi Chesikaki, Kabero and adding that the initiative focused on building initiatives in war-torn Mt. Kaptoboi in Sasur locations. 120 elders across the district. Elgon region. Mt Elgon region has greatly been He says MERA and The Link The peace building initiaves hit by the clashes sparked off by land under its Rural Women Peace Link, spearheaded by a local Non-Govern- related conflicts which has necessitat- equally supported 80 widows with mi- mental Organization (NGO) Action- ing more NGOs, Community Based cro-finance, to enable them engage in aid and Mt. Elgon Residents Associa- Organizations (CBOs) Youth Groups farming activities in areas in Bungoma tion (MERA) are aimed at restoring and the government to focus on this and Mt. Elgon districts. sanity in the area previously ravaged latest peace building initiatives in the The co-ordinator says the widows by violence which targeted local resi- region, Negywo says. are also trained as stakeholders on dents He says Actionaid and Mera have GBV in both Bungoma and Mt. Elgon Mt. Elgon Residents Association launched a number of mitigating pro- areas. Widows in these two areas also (MERA) Western Provincial Co-ordi- grammes to address massive loses oc- substantially benefit from other forms nator Peter Chem Ngeywo in an inter- casioned by persistent clashes some of support such as provision of cor- view with The Link says 306 SLDF of which currently supports vulner- rugated iron sheets to enable them miltant youths have been trained in able groups who have borne the brunt rebuild their homes destroyed through peace building initiatives among war- of heinous activities occasioned by land clashes and post-election vio- ring factions in the community. Area Chief and residents receive iron sheets from Actionaid- SLDF. lence. Ngeywo says that under the Cheptais DI. Actionaid and MERA support has Funding for the procurement of programme the SLDF youths have been extended to 120 widows, wid- these support and other relief ma- equally been encouraged to abandon mand for land rights which had been stitute in Kitale by Actionaid through owers and other categories of affected terials are extended to the affected their warlike activities in favour of flouted by foreigners perceived to MERA. people in Mt. Elgon district. and vulnerable groups in Mt. Elgon peace. have irregularly acquired the region’s Under the peace initiative the Ngeywo says Actionaid and and neighboring Bungoma districts The Actionaid sponsored peace fertile parcels of land, Ngeywo ex- SLDF youths have been trained in MERA support and mitigating pro- through a number of Non Governmen- building initiative through MERA plains. conflict resolution and reconciliation grammes for this vulnerable catego- tal Organizations (NGOs, Community involves changing the attitude of the Ngeywo says the youths were management skills and peace shat- ries of people are focused mainly in Based Groups, Youth Groups and the SLDF youth fighters whose past ac- trained in the peace building initia- tering early warning mechanisms in- Mt. Elgon district areas of Cheptais government of Kenya (GOK). tions were ostensibly driven by a de- tives at Manor House Agricultural In- cluding issues related to small arms and Sasur locations in Cheptais divi-

By KAVYU KURA

MWINGI District hospital mortu- ary urgently requires Kshs 10 mil- Mortuary in deplorable state lion to become fully operational. take action over the sickening state showed Mr. Musyoka the cool- Conditions at the District mor- at the morgue. ing chambers whose systems had tuary have deteriorated to alarming The visits to the mortuary by the broken down in which some em- levels following the collapse of the two legislators took place in mid balmed bodies were preserved. cooling systems three years ago. December. She explained that the assault- An awful stench emanating Mr. Musila who is an assistant ing stench emanated from the13 from the preserved bodies has be- minister for defense was the first decomposing unclaimed bodies come unberarable forcing local to visit the district hospital where placed outside the morgue cham- members of parliament to move he caught hospital authorities off bers that had not been embalmed fast to forestall protests by resi- guard. A seemingly angry Musila and were awaiting court orders for dents and ensure the situation is ranted and raved at the district them to be disposed off. rectified. medical services officer Dr. Daisy The VP was accompanied dur- Vice President Kalonzo Musy- Ruto for ignoring the morgue. ing the tour of the facility by the oka who is the MP for Mwingi The MP became visibly bit- Mwingi DC Mr. Peter Kinuthia, north and his Mwingi south coun- ter when Dr. Ruto insisted that all the Mwingi town council chairman terpart David Musila made sepa- was well with the morgue with the cllr. Festus Nzungu and Mwingi rate impromptu visits to the hospi- former demanding to know where county council vice chairman cllr. tal to question why the problem at the pungent smell that was notable Julius Maundu . the morgue had not been addressed at a considerable distance from the Mr. Musyoka confided that he three years after it developed. hospital originated from. planned the emergency visit to the But the visits by the politicians But Mr. Musila would not hear mortuary after he got word that his appear to have been prompted by anything of the explanations ad- Kalonzo listens to a point made by Dr. Simon Mueke as other constituents were planning to hold protests by members of the public vanced by the medical officer. a demonstration over his failure to who were warming up for a dem- Unconvinced, he shelved his mis- leaders including Mwingi DC Peter Kinuthia (extreme left) and address the deplorable state of the onstration over the sorry state of sion to tour the Morgue and left in a the Dr. Daisy Ruto (extreme right with black folder) looks on. facility that caters for residents of the morgue that served residents of huff but not before asking Dr. Ruto —Photo/Kavyu Kura six districts. both constituencies. to ensure the morgue was rehabili- He said since the cooling sys- The VP had to personally admit tated without further delay. plorable state of the facility. So shocked was the VP after tem at the morgue broke down a that he visited the hospital to assess But during his visit two days lat- Besides fighting the stench from touring the facility that he curtly couple of years ago the locals have the situation and demand action er Mr. Musyoka appeared to mean rotting bodies that was powerfully told the assistant director for medi- had to dip deeper into their pockets after he got wind that residents of real business. He had to endure a assaulting his nostrils, the VP came cal services Dr. Simon Mueke that when one of their own died and had Mwingi town and neighbouring ar- pungent smell of decomposing hu- face to face with rotting bodies he had a challenging task to restore to take their bodies to far off places eas were planning a demonstration man bodies to venture right into the piled on top of each other outside operations at the mortuary. like Matuu morgue for preserva- to protest against his long failure to mortuary to see first hand the de- the collapsed cooling chambers. Inside the mortuary Dr. Ruto tion.

The Link is published Monthly with support from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Kenya. P.O. Box 7438 - 00200, Tel 601274/601776 Nairobi. Fax 020 601776 Email: the [email protected].