SPECIAL REPORT The NEW ACT SET TO BAR CRIMINAL FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE — Pages 14 & 19 SUPPLEMENT Enhancing governance for all THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE Link PROJECT FUNDED BY THE EU MAY 2012 Issue No. 091 Kshs 40/= — Pages 15 - 18 Election violence triggers revealed It is now upto the state to act swiftly on the content of this report to save the country from violence By FAITH MUIRURI Education Consortium (CRECO) on conflict mapping and profiles of 47 counties in , points out that 80 percent of the counties rank within the moderate to VEN as efforts to reconcile commu- high risk of conflict areas. nities in conflict prone areas gain Counties more prone to violence include , momentum across the country, a , , , , Tana River, E , , , , Trans Nzoia, Mig- new report has identified possible triggers ori, , , , Uasin Gishu, Turkana, to ethnic violence ahead of the elections. West Pokot, Laikipia, , , and The report cites the delineation of constituency Kirinyaga. boundaries among factors likely to trigger flare-ups According to the report, cases of ethnic intolerance, and erode gains made in restoring peace in hot spot border conflicts, political party zoning, competition areas. over land and other resources, proliferation of small The criminal cases against the four Kenyans at the arms, weak security and poverty still rank high among International Criminal Court (ICC) also feature promi- factors that divide communities in clash prone areas. nently among factors likely to heighten tension ahead The report underscores the need to monitor areas of the elections. worst hit by Post Election Violence during the pre- “This should provide more justification for moni- election period, largely due to the unsettled or unre- toring the situation, especially with respect to possible solved deep seated grievances. treatment of communities perceived as victims of post The lobby group calls on the government through election violence,” adds the report The baseline report by the Constitution and Reform 8 Turn to Page 2, Col. 1 Mr. Ahmed Isaack Hassan, IEBC Chairman. UNDP releases funds for civic education ahead of general elections By JOSEPH MUKUBWA defend the rights of marginalized and weak groups, to discuss, interrogate and develop non violent exchange of ideas that will UNITED Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will fund aid the development of Kenya,” he added. community groups to the tune of Kshs 100 million to help jump- The director added, “As ambassadors, we do not expect start the civic education progamme ahead of the general elections. you to take sides when delivering civic education. The UNDP The UNDP Deputy Country director, Programmes Alfredo and other development partners supporting Amkeni Wakenya Teixeira said recently that the grant will help support the 50 or- has developed several principles to guide you in your engage- ganizations in civic education exercise for six months. ment with voters,” He said that Kenyans must choose to make Out of the funds, Central region will get Kshs 20 million with their country better and they must take responsibility for the 12 groups benefiting. realization of peaceful elections. Speaking during the official opening of a four day training of Regional PC Ng’etich said the Government is ready to sup- trainers workshop for civic educators at Green Hills hotel in Ny- port the groups during the civic education and also help in mo- eri, the director urged the organizations to ensure that the message bilizing residents in attending the meetings. of peace, of solidarity among Kenyans, of people based develop- “It is our utmost hope and belief that the residents of this ment and of non partisan interrogation of the issues is taken to the region will make informed choices at the general elections and UNDP Deputy Country Director Alfredo Texeira (left) shares communities. Texeira who was accompanied by Upper Central they will also get useful civic skills and knowledge that will a cup of tea with Upper Central Regional Commissioner Ann Regional Commissioner Ann Ng’etich said that the groups should enable them fully embrace the nation,” she added. Ng’etich during the opening of a four day training of trainer’s deliver non partisan and non ethicized civic education. The theme for Amkeni Wakenya’s civic education pro- workshop for civic educators at Green Hills Hotel in “You must assist the people and communities to understand gramme for the forthcoming general election will be: Free, Fair recently. Photo/Joseph Mukubwa the constitution and how it can be used to protect human rights, to peaceful elections: My responsibility.

Education remains elusive African leaders meet to EU, Danida release huge for pastoral communities pursue own STI agenda funds for environment —Pg. 6 —Pg. 12 —Pg. 22 Women trust fund kitty Food security initiative Police cautioned against remains under utilized Other inside stories taps varsity talent —Pg. 8 torturing suspects —Pg. 20 —Back Page The Link, May 2012 2 GOVERNANCE Election violence triggers revealed From page 1 amicably. They must also start banishing the Independent Electoral and impunity at local levels, especially Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and at County levels. All communities the National Cohesion and Integra- belong to all counties as no county tion Commission (NCIC) to support was established exclusively for any warring groups to develop dispute particular community. Kenyans resolution mechanisms ahead of the must learn to accommodate minori- elections. ties within counties where they are The lobby group further chal- the majority. lenges the Parliamentary Budget The report ranks Counties in Committee and the Commission terms of the threat of conflict as on Revenue Allocation to ensure shown in the table herein. both the National and the County It is now up to the state agencies budgets are aligned to address past to move with speed to put structures and present cases of exclusion and and measures in place to ensure that marginalization as outlined in the the threat of conflict in the counties Constitution. is closely monitored and diffused if Other recommendations include we are to avoid a repeat of the events putting in place necessary infra- of 2007/8 pre and post-election vio- structure to closely monitor the lence. counties prone to election related High Conflict Risks Moderate Conflict Risks Low Conflict Risks conflicts. Marsabit Embu The report also calls for the Isiolo Makueni establishment of a national peace Mandera Nyeri platform similar to the one that ex- Wajir Taita Taveta isted prior to the 2010 referendum Narok Homabay under the banner of Uwiano (cohe- CRECO and ELOG members at the launch of report on areas prone to election violence. Photo/Henry Owino Garissa Tharaka Nithi sion). Tana River Busia “The platform should promote existing District Peace Commit- The report recommends that Mombasa Elgeyo Marakwet advocacy efforts by the CSOs to tees and advocate for the transi- communities need to acknowledge Kwale Samburu sensitize the public on national is- tion of these structures into County that the country does not belong Kilifi Meru sues that have implications on con- peace committees with a clear and to any particular ethnic group or a Nairobi Kisii flict factors at the local level,” ex- strengthened statutory mandate of combination of any. Trans Nzoia plains. coordinating peace matters. “After having bequeathed our- Nyamira Murang’a Further, the CSOs should moni- The report further proposes that selves and our future generations a Migori tor compliance to the international, CSOs safeguard the rights of wom- new constitution, it is very impor- Bomet regional and local human rights and en, children, youth, elderly and oth- tant that all communities respect all Kiambu Nandi governance standards. er marginalised groups by ensuring human rights for all persons, respect Uasin Gishu Nyandarua The report at the same time calls representation and participation of the values of the constitution, pro- for concerted efforts to ensure that these groups in the upcoming elec- mote principles of governance and Turkana Baringo all political and democratic rights tions. also defend and protect it,” affirms West Pokot and governance processes during CSOs must also ensure that the report. Laikipia the upcoming elections are respect- IEBC, the police force, judiciary and Kenyans must also condemn Nakuru ed, protected and promoted. other institutions within the criminal violence and put to task politicians Kisumu It lays emphasis on the need for justice system are adequately fund- who preach violence and learn to Bungoma CSOs to participate effectively in ed to deliver their mandate. solve political and social differences Kirinyaga Mutunga backs Machakos Law Courts plan By PETER MUTUKU it is within the transformation pro- justice in our country. A gramme of the Judiciary espoused in beacon of fairness, effi- THE office of the Chief Justice the constitution. We have no option ciency and effectiveness Dr.Willy Mutunga has pledged to ful- no choice but to support it and fund in public service and value ly support the transformation project it. My office will ensure support the of transformation we want initiated by the Machakos Law transformation of Machakos station to see in our country.” Ma- Courts dubbed Maanzoni declaration and all stations in the country.” she khandia stated in a bid to enhance service delivery to assured Some of the major ac- court users. Machakos Law Courts resident tion plans include embrac- The Chief Registrar Ms. Gladys judge Justice MSA Makhandia said a ing a customer friendly Shollei stated that the transformation nonperformance and a weak judicial atmosphere whereby a plan rolled out by the Machakos sta- system has had devastating effects in customer care desk has tion was in line with the mandate of the country and cited 2007/08 post been set up to help assist the office of the Chief Justice which is elections violence. court users. working towards reforms in the judi- “Weak Judiciary leads to higher The court is also set to ciary to ensure better service delivery poverty rates, lower private economic adopt e-filing system and and efficient judicial system. activities, higher crime rates and gen- have an open door system “When the Chief Justice was ap- eralised lawlessness and impunity where it will hold court pointed, he assured the public that he which may even threaten the very open days to sensitize the will transform the Judiciary and rea- survival of our country,” Makhandia public on how to go about lign its operations to the values out- said. Makhandia added that to ensure court issues. lined in the constitution and expecta- better services to wananchi, Macha- The Maanzoni decal- tions of Kenyans. kos courts transformation will be doc- ration was formulated last “ I want to say that today is the umented in the courts daily practices month after a team of 10 proudest day in my life since my ap- in registry, chambers, courtrooms and officers from the Macha- Chief Registrar Ms. Gladys Boss Shollei and Machakos Law Courts resident Judge pointment as Chief Registrar because offices. kos Law Courts retreated Justice MSA Makhandia during the launch of Machakos Law Courts transformation I can actually see that transformation “It is collective vision by all of at the Maanzoni Hotel project dubbed Maanzoni declaration on Monday at the Machakos Law Courts is actually happening in the Judici- us who work at this station. Maan- along Mombasa- Nairobi grounds. Photo/Peter Mutuku ary.” Shollei remarked zoni declaration is the localized Higway and came up with Shollei added that the Judiciary transformation plan of our station. It the plan. will devolve financial management is our contract with the people of the There are short term, medium Chief Justice Mr. Duncan Okello as- of Judiciary will only come from be- and human resource for adequate larger Machakos region and among term and long term plans on how to sured that the courts will get full sup- low. We are the change we seek and transformation of the Judicial system ourselves to treat each other with re- transform the court and a budget re- port from the headquarters. therefore we should not hesitate in in the country. spect.” he said garding the same has already been Okello said nobody should doubt playing the role of transforming the “As a pilot court for transforma- He added:”We want to proudly forwarded to the office of the Chief the transformation process taking Judicial system.” He urged the public tion and as a model court that will set stand and say that our court station Justice for approval. place in the Judiciary because imple- to be actively involved with the trans- pace for other courts in the country, has truly become the custodian of Chief of staff in the office of the mentation is underway. formation process of the Judiciary for He added,”, Sustainable change better services. The Link, May 2012 EDUCATION 3 Report unveils Give us universities, North challenges facing education By LUKE KAPCHANGA Eastern teachers tell state INVOLVEMENT of parents, teachers and other stakeholders in the manage- By MALACHI MOTANO 2000 primary school tutors sities. ist girls initiative CARE and ment of schools is the key to addressing (in the region) are gunning or Many teachers in the area UNESCO, it is also a home challenges facing learning institutions. THE government has been have degrees. have enrolled for parallel de- theatre for workshops, confer- urged to establish university More open and active school manage- This according to Hassan gree or diploma courses at the ences and seminars to support ment is better and can prevent breakdown constituent colleges in Garissa Ibrahim is an indication that different centres their local home tutors so as to in relationships, which cause projects to and the entire Northern hub to teachers in the region are de- Fatuma Abass is a direc- remain relevant and competi- stall. Reports reveal that some head teach- enable Primary school teach- termined to further their edu- tor at Pastoralist girl’s initia- tive”. ers do not share school records with their ers further their education. cation with Garissa town be- tive (PGI). “Although Garissa Abass says that for very deputies and often make decisions inde- According to Hassan Ibra- ing transformed into education town is a hub to local and long north pendent of school management commit- him, the head teacher of Al- hub, hosting regional cam- international nongovernmen- had very few graduate teach- tees. In Bungoma, information displayed in notice boards is inconsistent with the Faruq primary school and also puses like the Kampala Inter- tal organizations (NGOs) for ers, but the tide is slowly the national treasurer for the paper records kept by schools. national University and local example education for mar- changing today, with scores of Kaitui Primary School in Kericho association of primary school learning centres for Nairobi, ginalized communities in primary school tutors pursuing head teachers association reported losing many girls to pregnancy Kenyatta and Egerton univer- Kenya(EMACK), pastoral- degree or diploma course. from migrant cane – cutters and has (KEPSHA), there are no con- pleaded unsuccessfully with parents stituent colleges for national to help protect their children. While in universities in North Eastern Mogotio District, it was found that par- region to enable teachers in ents were unwilling to refer early preg- the region to improve on their nancies to the authorities for action. professional skills. At Mitigani Primary School in “Currently, the number Makueni, parents” hostility towards the of students joining Garissa school was prompting many children to teachers training college and drop out of school. Such breakdowns of trust between parents and teachers often NEP technical training col- lead to poor performance. lege is negligible. As a result, In Galole District, there was discon- the Ugandan private universi- tent with education by the community ties have attracted more NEP due to perceived inadequate coverage students apparently due to the of the syllabus. On the other hand, there lower education bill and un- was laxity among teachers because they adjustable wide ranging aca- felt the community was not appreciating demic timetable”. their efforts. Such actions have a direct The search for degrees and impact on the achievement of pupils. In the upgrading of the academ- Chirchiro Primary School, Kisii Central, a breakdown in parent – teacher relations ic papers by primary school saw a three year drop in the KCPE mean teachers is being enhanced by score from 188 in 2008 to 159 in 2010. teachers service commission This were the findings by Social Intel- (TSC) with the chief executive ligence Reporting ( SIR), which seek to Gabriel Lengoiboni encourag- address two needs of better data for de- ing teachers to invest on pro- cision makers and renewed community fessional growth. spirit for self led development. The logic In an interview with The behind SIR, is that local mobilisation will Link, the TSC chief executive hold the effectiveness of authorities to ac- count and accord dignity to the voice of said, “To this end, I urge all the poor. It calls for empowerment of both teachers to undertake further stakeholders in development to deliver studies to improve their aca- better value for children, women and men demic levels and skills, to en- of Kenya. SIR enables district develop- sure that they remain relevant ment officers (DDOs), to get answers to a and competitive. set of questions by getting them out from Despite having no official behind their desks and down to social sec- university constituent colleges tors. District officers are to be trained to in the region, it is estimated use the set of questions as an entry point that three quarters of the over to better understand problems at the local Hassan Ibrahim the head teacher of Al-Faruq primary school during the interviews Photo/Malachi Motano level, create action plans to address them ,and resolve many issues as possible at the community level. The data collected and insight gained Poor syllabus coverage to blame for dismal results in Kisii is to be fed into district, provincial and National observatories” to allow develop- By BOB OMBATI tributed to poor performance, stress- Nyamira and Kisii counties revealed ployed 35 percent of teachers out of ment committees to take timely action. ing those setting the exams were not that teachers don’t follow a timeta- their pockets while those of Western The intention of SIR is to involve a series POOR syllabus coverage in Nyamira experts but only interested in making ble in teaching, thus hampering the province had contracted  to 16 per- of local actions to fix the issues as affec- and Kisii counties led to dismal per- money. He urged teachers to set exam- orderly and timely completion of the cent. tively and sustainably as possible. formance in last year’s Kenya Cer- The SIR report was generated from24 inations based on the covered syllabus syllabus. Parents must be supportive in districts in round one, covering 136 pri- tificate of Primary Education Exami- instead of buying test papers from The Coordinator noted that 16 and matters of education. They should mary schools, 87 health facilities and 56 nation (KCPE), a quality assurance shops with questionable standards. 13 percent of teachers in Nyamira and be ready to contribute something in water facilities. Minister of state for Plan- report says. Oyucho said the report showed Kisii counties respectively don’t at- employing teachers as they wait for ning, National development and Vision The report, compiled last year by majority of deputy heads had not been tend school a day, a scenario he said the government to do so because it is 2030, Wycliffe Oparanya said of the re- the Education ministry says poor cur- inducted on their roles and thus chal- contributed greatly to the poor per- through such initiative that perform- port as “it is a mirror that the government riculum coverage by Head teachers lenged the Kenya Primary Schools formance. ance can be improved, he said. uses to reflect on the extent of its develop- and their deputies had contributed to Heads Association (KEPSHA) to en- He told teachers to shift focus on KEPSHA chairman, ment efforts for future improvement and the poor results. sure that those teachers are inducted to standard mean scores to learning say- Samson Mokwanga and his Nyamira better provision of services”. The report- Releasing the findings during offer quality services. ing that SMS is a product of learning. county counterpart, Robert Misiani ing initiative will help government work- the counties education stakeholders ers at the local level to be local problem Uwezo Kenya coordinator, Dr Perennial drunk teachers noted told politicians to support schools solvers and provide policy makers with meeting at Nyanchwa TTC, Nyanza John Mugo told over 3,000 heads Mugo were assigned to teach standard right from the onset to help create a timely picture of what is happening on Quality Assurance officer, Nicholas and school management committees, 1-4 saying that this greatly interfered conducive learning environment in- the ground, he added. Oyucho said it was found that low that 33 percent of teachers in Nyanza with the good foundation of the chil- stead of blaming teachers whenever The minister emphasized that SIR, transition rates especially in Standard do not follow a timetable in teach- dren since the teachers used mother they performed dismally in national will help in highlighting innovations and 7 and 8 enhanced high school drop ing compared to 29 percent in central tongue to communicate. The officer examinations. gaps in community development and, outs for the girl-child. Oyucho said province. asked parents to be part of the learning Mokwanga said the association enable those charged with service provi- enrolment of boys and girls in both Mugo said that failure by the process like other regions saying part- had invited area leaders for the meet- sion, and development partners to learn counties was at par, but as the pupils teachers to follow the timetable has nership was key to good performance. ing but non turned up or send an apol- from and build on both the successes and progressed up the ladder, girls contin- failures. He stressed that fostering citizen greatly impacted on performance in He urged them to employ their ogy showing that they were indifferent participation in social sector investments ued to diminish, creating the disparity. national examinations, fueling con- teachers and stop relying fully on to education matters in the area and through SIR, leads to sustainable growth The Officer noted buying com- flicts among stakeholders. those of the government, stressing were only good at bashing teachers and achievement of greater equity in the mercial papers to test the pupils con- He noted research conducted in parents had em- whose schools performance dropped. development out come. The Link, May 2012 4 GOVERNANCE EAC countries urged to fund energy-saving stoves COUNTRIES within the East African hance free trade of products and move- for farming, income generating activi- that uses fuel-wood as major source of region have been urged to fund local ar- COMMENT ments without spending numerous days ties, housework, socializing or more cooking energy,” Boniface said. tisans engaged in the manufacturing of visiting multiple government agencies rarely, for leisure. The Kartech Artisan Industry Man- in various locations to obtain regula- A visit to an artisan industry in Nai- ager explained that a typical boarding clean cooking stoves to help conserve By HENRY OWINO the environment and address challeng- tory information permits trade licenses robi, Kenya to find out if they know of school of 200 students would require es posed by harsh climatic conditions. and clearance certificates to complete East African Integration and support approximately 8.5 tones of firewood The EAC member states namely import and export process. These offered by TradeMark East Africa to fuel per term, costing about $ 2000 to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and ion as the first stage of its regional in- processes have really hampered many small, medium and large entrepreneurs cook breakfast, lunch and dinner on a Burundi with South Sudan expected to tegration process, it should now follow business-people in enlarging their trade revealed that majority are unaware. an energy efficient stove. He explained join soon, need to open up market for by full implementation. This would en- to neighbouring regions, discouraging Boniface Kario, manager of this would represent a cut down of little known artisan industry that manu- able consolidation for a single trading interested and potential youth. Kartech Engineering Limited, an arti- about $ 4,600 per term which would factures the modern cooking stoves. bloc with uniform policies, resulting in Governments of EAC in collabo- san industry in Nairobi, Kenya makes have otherwise been consumed by a This industry just needs some finan- a larger economy market. ration with Trademark East Africa are modern stoves. He said he used to traditional open fire. cial support from the respective gov- For instance, in Kenya, artisan in- said to be working hard to counter these make metallic furniture for households, He said sales depend on the sea- ernments’ states to manufacture extra dustry employs more than 70% of the inefficiencies in trade facilitation. Set- schools, church, hotels and other busi- son like in schools when population modern stoves. This would promote total youth population either directly or ting up national Electronic Single Win- ness premises at Karatina in Central of students’ increases, demand rises, more use of improved cooking stoves, indirectly thus income generating ac- dows with revenue and port authorities, Province but moved to City when de- so same factors depends on restaurants which requires a fraction of the wood tivity. Apart from that, artisan industry cross-border trade certification agen- mand increased. and colleges. The cheapest stove for compared with traditional stoves. will offer alternative opportunities to cies and the private sector is good idea. Boniface realized that in Nairobi, domestic use costs between Ksh 5000 “Numerous projects failed to graduates from middle level colleges. The Single Window Information most people were using fire-wood to to Ksh 8000 depending on family size achieve their goals because they used They would be in a position to start for Trade (SWIFT) trade facilitation if make meals especially in big institu- but for big institutions, size depends on inappropriate technologies such as so- their own enterprises thereby reducing implemented will allow cross-border tions like school, consuming lots of fuel population and stove capacity range lar stoves or distributed appliances for the mismatch between supply and de- traders to access, and apply for regula- wood. So, he thought of making mod- from 10 litres to 600 litres. Boniface free without government financial sup- mand of labour in the country. tory documents at single location. ern stove that would use little wood and assured that such size of course in turn port. Women want modern user-friend- Although many youth look at arti- This way many youth would be smoke free. First he approached a pri- have potential to cook/heat for 5,395 ly cooking technology, so increasing san industry as the last option of em- motivated in the private sector trade vate boarding school and made request beneficiaries. the formation of local and regional ployment, this is where the country is reducing the unemployment rate and with sample at reduced price which Zipporah has been a cook at the markets for modern cooking stoves are headed to as a drive of revolution to solve the mismatch between skills de- was accepted as efficient, smoke free school five years and she said the stoves vital. industrialization. As envisaged in Ken- mand and supply in social sciences and and later given tender to made more. are very efficient, less time is spent cut- A functioning East Africa Com- ya’s Vision 2030, youth should see new science and technology. It also helps Since then Boniface has never looked ting the firewood, few firewood are mon Market can ensure the supply of emerging trends in labour markets. Ma- avert mindset of people that jobs are back instead opened another branch in used, food clean without ----.. She said modern stoves without the need for jority who are still seeking employment only in public sector. Mombasa to serve other institutions in health wise, the kitchen staff are always development aid. This should be done need to start venturing into this industry This is where the middle level the region. clean, not exposed to harmful emis- urgently not just for health reasons, but with skills gained in school instead of colleges proposed in the Kenya new Today Boniface’s artisan industry sions, the heat is used to the maximum also to reduce the enormous level of tarmacking for years. education system would play a great supplies modern stoves to all East Af- none goes to waste. wood consumption in the region,” says Unemployment robs people dignity role supported by current constitution rica Community member states with “These modern stoves make our Anna Ingwe, head of the GIZ stove and meaning. As the saying goes, an to reform operations in economy. It is main customers from Sudan and Rwan- work easier because ones the firewood programme in Nairobi. idle mind is devil’s workshop, so lead- high time such colleges are integrated da. In Kenya customers are hospitals, is lit, one can do other things aside like The EAC governments through ing to unintended consequences like in East Africa Community with focus schools, restaurants and colleges/ uni- knitting. There is little smoke emission, East Africa Legislative Assembly alcoholism, early marriage, crime and of having a common one for the five versities. He said the feedback have so we don’t smell smoke, our eyes are (EALA) must also be seen committed social instability. Unemployed youth is countries. been positive with most institutions never watery or red, and we do not have in supporting this artisan industry in easy to recruit into political thugs and The more artisans produce modern reporting fuel and monetary savings of drink milk. Even when I am pregnant their endeavour to promote East Africa in extreme cases, terror gangs. Unem- stoves, the greater it benefits women 60-70% and more efficient than tradi- there is no worry of heat affecting my Integration. In the five states forming ployment also keeps labour idle that and children in terms of better working tional cook stoves. foetus while cooking. I like using this East Africa, wood is becoming scarce. is a great drain to the economy to any environment, less exposure to smoke “Our bestselling modern stove is stove,” Zipporah said while smiling. To gain an impression of the fuel crisis, country thereby government should and therefore improved health condi- the 50 little capacities saving approxi- The ball is now set in the EAC’s you just have to walk to any forests of take the artisan industry seriously to tions. Other benefits includes; use of mately 17 tonnes Carbon dioxide per coat to support these artisan industries these five countries forming East Africa absorb pool of jobless youth. less firewood which means more mon- year. Total smoke emission is also re- to expand and grow in the region by Community. The landscape may look East Africa Integration should ey is saved to be used to buy necessities duced to 1,900 tonnes carbon dioxide integrating common trade policies with beautifully green but the woods have move fast in opening up of the borders such as food, school materials, medi- per year. We hope to help Kartech Arti- Ministries of Trade, Industrialization, vanished. for the traders in the artisan industry to cine, clothes and soap. Also time saved san industry grow and focus is to sup- East Africa Co-operation and any other The creation of EAC Customs Un- access the common market. It will en- in collecting fuel wood might be used ply the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa relevant ministries. Councilor mentioned in plot grab probe By KAVYU-KURA who had acquired the plot has been restrained by County Council of Kitui A LONG serving civic leader in Ki- from proceeding with the construction tui County is among councilors being until the matter is resolved. questioned in connection with the dem- We have established that County olition of a council office and grabbing clerk, Obiria, stepped in to reclaim the of the plot in market. public plot following public protests Sources have intimated that the after a council revenue office was de- civic leader has been summoned to ap- molished to pave way for construction pear before the county council works of a storey building. and markets committee to explain his Obiria wrote to acting Mutomo alleged role in the sale of the council District Commissioner Michael Lesi- property to a Kajiado businessman. mam asking him to ensure that no ac- The Committee headed by Cllr. tivity proceeds at the site as investiga- Amos Kumi will also grill other civic tors seek to establish how the council leaders in a bid to establish the circum- plot illegally changed ownership. stances surrounding the disposal of the Council chairman John Mang’uye plot in question. The committee will said that preliminary investigations then recommend action on those cul- had established that the grabbing was pable in the scam. an inside job and that the council had The Kajiado businessman is said to restrained construction works being have implicated the civic leader in the undertaken by the private developer. irregular acquisition of council prop- “This is a major scandal and we erty through falsified documents. want to establish who gave out the In March, council clerk Douglas plot and who exactly demolished the Obiria stopped construction work at council office that stood on it. We also the site after the private developer de- will seek compensation for any loss molished the council office in the land A woman pass by the grabbed Council revenue office at Mutomo market. A civic or damage the council has incurred grabbing episode. leader is being questioned in connection with the scam. Photo/Kavyu-Kura once we get hold of the culprits,” said Obiria told The Link that investiga- Mang’uye. tions into the grabbing of the council have to find a way to death with him. illegal acquisition of the three roomed cular to all local authorities stopping “We’ve decided to involve the plot were ongoing. He said it was too The county chairman and I will soon office in Mutomo market, despite the disposal and transactions on council police because the entire transaction early to give details of the probe prom- give you the full details on the matter,” local government minister Musalia properties until after the next general is criminal and irregular. The county ising the media that more information Obiria said on phone. Mudavadi’s embargo on transactions elections when county governments clerk has also issued notice blocking will be availed soon. Falsified council documents are be- in council land and property. will be in place. construction works on the grabbed “This is a seating councilor and we lieved to have been used to facilitate the Mudavadi recently issued a cir- Already the private developer plot” he said. The Link, May 2012 GOVERNANCE 5

DC challenges War on Aids on despite gains, says Mirugi teachers to By HENRY OWINO nations to chart the way forward. a significant reduction in AIDS on United Nations Programme on HIV/ The Minister for Special Pro- the long term. We have to start see- AIDS). “The effects of HIV and AIDS improve education ACCESS to HIV and AIDS treatment grammes in Kenya, Esther Murugi ing our response to the epidemic and continue to be felt within all sectors of in Sub-Saharan Africa remains a big who officially opened the workshop can be reconceived so as to have more society limiting the achievements of By BOB OMBATI challenge and the situation may wors- reiterated that Kenya has managed to positive and sustainable outcomes, not the overall development goals. Reduc- en following drastic cuts by the Glo- bring down the prevalence rate from a only in the short term but over the com- ing HIV and AIDS, therefore, will lead A DISTRICT Commissioner from bal Fund. Experts on HIV and AIDS high of 14.6% to 6.2 per cent for the ing decades”. The Minister at the same to economic security and stability. In Kisii County wants school heads held a two day workshop in Nairobi to last 28 years. “As we consolidate the time said that over reliance on donors Kenya, the voluntary male medical cir- to take advantage of improved in- share ideas on the new research find- gains we have made over the past 28 to fund HIV/AIDS programmes in cumcision (VMMC) has shown reduc- frastructure and facilities in their ings, best practices and lessons learnt years, let me remind my fellow citi- the country had affected sustainability tion of HIV infections by 64%. The ac- institutions to improve education on HIV and AIDS programmes from zens that the war against AIDS is far adding that the government is work- celeration of elimination of mother to standards and performance in na- different parts of the world. from over. Indeed, we already have 1.5 ing on modalities to ensure that fund- child transmission programmes has re- tional examinations. The objective of the workshop was million Kenyans living with the virus ing is locally available. sulted in considerable reduction in the Nyamache DC Stanley Too, to draw a roadmap towards enhanc- with100, 000 adults and 20,000 babies The Minister added that the stake- number of infants born with the virus. says the Government has helped to ing effectiveness, efficiency, financ- joining them every year,” Murugi said. holders need to use the workshop to Increased availability of generic build decent classrooms and availed ing and social sustainability in HIV She pointed out that in the com- evaluate if resources allocated annu- drugs has helped to lower the aver- learning equipment to schools, and AIDS programmes for Africans. ing years, the changing global, social, ally for HIV and AIDS programmes age treatment cost per patient through through Constituency Develop- African governments have spent sub- political, technological and economic and systems are effective and efficient various innovative approaches for ment Fund ( CDF) and other public stantive amounts of money in funding contexts will continue to affect both in delivering services to affected peo- commodity procurement in Kenya. funds saying school heads should HIV/AIDS programmes which has re- the epidemic and its management. ple in the respective countries. Unfortunately, there is rising number reciprocate through enhanced edu- sulted into behavioral change. Despite Murugi said: “Some of these Among the countries represented of older people and especially grand- cation standards and performance. this heavy investment, a lot more still changes are predictable; others will were Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Swa- mothers being overburdened with Too, who spoke at Itibo Era- needs to be done and that is why the take us by surprise. Tough choices ziland, Namibia, Brazil, Switzerland providing care to about two million or- mani Primary School during the workshop brought together over ten have to be made in order to achieve and France and the UNAIDS (Joint phans and vulnerable children (OVC). commissioning of completed five modern classrooms supported by Bobasi CDF, warned that it would By KAVYU-KURA be difficult for the elevated county national schools to get qualified OVER 100 victims of snake at- children from the area if they do tacks in may not be com- Snake bite victims not attain the grades required for pensated after the government admission. suspended the exercise citing fal- Too, who was accompanied by sified claims. his Sameta counterpart, Johnson The victims are among hun- abandoned by state Mwirigi and CDF chairman, Ni- dreds of others across the country cholus Magara challenged parents it was losing lots of money by to support teachers and children that will miss on compensation as paying fictitious claims and thus the Ministry of Wildlife moves to improve performance, noting, in February slammed a country- some parents had abdicated their enforce the suspension imposed wide suspension on payment of last February. roles only to blame teachers when claims related to snake bite inju- their children performed dismally The suspension came as the ries or deaths. However, claims government launched investiga- in national exams. for attacks, death or injuries re- “We want children to pass ex- tions into what is suspected to be sulting from other wild animals ams and join county and national a massive rip off that had seen it are being honoured,” our source schools. Do not be complacent pay millions of shillings to pho- said. with two or three children joining ny snake bite injuries and death In mid April, the warden in- national schools. Strive to have at claims. charge of Kora national park and least 80 percent of the candidates About 100 persons from the Mwingi north game Reserve making it to the top schools,” stated Mwingi region who had been Wilson Njue confirmed the -sus Too. The provincial administrator injured or killed by snakes had pension of the payment of snake commended the CDF committee not received their compensation bite claims. Njue disclosed that as and the area member of parlia- when the government slammed a the suspension took effect in Feb- ment, Chris Obure for supporting the project and challenged the local temporary ban of payments citing ruary he had up to 100 snake bite falsified claims. community to maintain it to ensure claims forms that were awaiting it benefited learners for a long a Residents on Mwingi where payment. cases of snake attacks have been time. He however pointed out that The DC said the Independent prevalent are now at a loss fol- since the suspension was meant lowing the suspension of com- and Electoral Boundaries Commis- to facilitate investigations into the sion (IEBC) was conducting civic pensation. Sources at the Mwingi government rip off through falsi- Kenya wildlife Service office said education nationally and asked area fied claims, residents who would residents to attend to be sensitized that at least 10 cases of snake be attacked by snakes should con- bites are reported every month. on the constitution ahead of the tinue filing reports with his office. upcoming general poll. “It is im- It was further established that “The suspension does not portant for you to understand the the suspension of compensation mean that the claims will never be constitution so that you can partici- of snake bite claims through a paid. After investigations are con- pate fully in its implementation to ministerial directive was occa- cluded, a decision with be made enhance good governance, democ- sioned by revelations that crooks and the genuine claims may be racy and leadership,” said the DC. and fraudsters connived with paid who knows. Therefore those He urged area dwellers to ac- crafty medical personnel and who are attacked should not be quire Identity and voters cards to police officers to present false Fifty-year-old Katindi Mutemi of Malawa village in Nuu division discouraged but should report to elect visionary leaders who will claims that passed as genuine and accompanies her three-year-old granddaughter at the Mwingi initiate and support development District Hospital where she was admitted after she was bitten in us as we wait for the conclusion were paid. of the probe,” said Njue. projects to benefit the community, “The government realized that the hand by a snake. Photo/Kavyu-Kura adding they should elect lead- ers based on their policies and not tribes. Magara said the project had cost Kshs2 million, adding that a similar one had been commis- Women invent survival tactics in Mwingi sioned by the DC at Itibonge Pri- By PETER MUTUKU lished a niche in the market through tify the traditionally held notion that “With more donors and well- mary School costing equal amount. their trade name, “Enziu Commer- women are basically dependant on wishers, we believe we can do much The Fund, said Magara had INSPIRED by the drive to become cial Bakers”. The chairlady Mwikali their spouses for survival. and be able to reach regional market,” helped complete majority of the self-reliant, a group of women have Momboko says the group who mem- The women have also been able adds Momboko. projects inherited from the former embarked on an initiative that has bership currently stands at 30 has been to attract support from the govern- She says that NALEP has donat- area lawmaker, Stephen Manoti, helped to transform their liveli- able to educate their children and fend ment sponsored National Agriculture ed a posho mill that facilitates in the stressing the improved infrastruc- hoods and increase their earnings. for their families. and Livestock Extension Programme production of flour from their cereals ture in schools had created a con- The group first began by grow- The women are also engaged in (NALEP). much faster as opposed to the popular ducive learning environment and ing drought resistant crops such as traditional basketry, mats and ropes, Through NALEP, women have traditional ways of grinding flour. improved education standards. sorghum, millet and sunflower be- which are sold within the district. been sensitized on how to grow “However, the posho mill is cur- He said CDF committee was fore they invested in value addition. “We are able to generate revenue, drought resistant crops such as sor- rently not operational because we committed to ensuring that learn- They now make bread, snacks just in the same way as our counter- ghums among others including other have not yet been able to identify a ers were provided with conducive and chapattis using the traditional parts in offices,” explains Momboko. income generating activities,’’ ex- safe place to operate the mill,” ex- learning environment to help them crops and today they have estab- The group has helped to demys- plains Momboko. plains Momboko. pass exams and exploit their poten- tial for their benefit and the society. The Link, May 2012 6 GOVERNANCE/EDUCATION KNCCI Nyeri branch elects new officials By JOSEPH MUKUBWA “We are looking for a starting base. Most of the elections in counties last month was small, he expected the Africa Now which has been working Then we shall recruit many members countrywide have been held ahead of the sales to rise and was optimistic that they closely with the factory to improve its THE newly elected Kenya National and build a commercial building,” said national elections which will be held in would be selling much more quantities productivity capacity and corporate gov- Chamber of Commerce and Industry the chairman. The branches have been Nairobi to elect the national offices. in future. Githinji was speaking when ernance. Africa Now Director Jane Terry (KNCCI) branch chair- dormant for the last few years and the And, Iria-ini Tea Factory in Othaya he received a Land Rover vehicle worth Nyambura who was present said the ve- man Joseph Machira has vowed to re- offices were rent out to other people and has released the initial two tonnes of Kshs 4 million from Africa Now to help hicle was a reward in recognition of the vive the branch. the offices are now being used as a hotel ready for the supermarket shelf- branded with extension work as it develops its di- factories uptake of new ideas meant to Machira who is a local businessman and as a church. tea bags to the British retailers Marks versification projects. improve the small scale farmers’ liveli- said he is ready to rejuvenate the branch The polls were peacefully held with and Spencer. The tea bags, branded Mt. “The branded tea project was only hoods through higher incomes. so that the local businessmen can benefit Wilson Mwaniki being elected as the Kenya Tea, will then be launched in Lon- one in our diversification program that “Africa Now has been involved in and take the branch to greater heights. vice chairman. Nineteen management don, in a move expected to give small is meant to increase farmers’ incomes training farmers on their role in our com- He vowed to mobilize resources in committee members were elected to rep- scale tea farmers attached to the factory that includes a tree farming, passion fruit pany’s management, other available op- order to build a four storey building at resent the eight districts in the county. a much higher return for their produce. growing and honey production,” said portunities while the management and the KNCCI office’s plot. The commer- The KNCCI national board member The Chairman of the factory’s Board the chairman. The deal with Marks and staff were trained on sound financial cial building will have offices and a con- Ben Odhiambo Kitoto was present to su- of Directors Githinji Wanjohi said that Spencer has been realized through the management and accountability to our ference hall. pervise the elections. although the initial amount exported advocacy of Africa investment lobby shareholders,” she said.

By MALACHI MOTANO STATISTICS from the Ministry of Education indicate that secondary school enrolment increased from 1.02 Education remains elusive to 1.7 million between 2007 and 2010, an increase of 67.56 per cent. In 2003, the transition rate from primary to sec- ondary school level was 46.3 per cent. This year 539,792 KCPE students for pastoral communities were absorbed into secondary schools, which translates to a transition rate Kenya may not achieve the education for all (EFA) 2015 target, a declaration that of 72.5 per cent. This is an increase of 26.3 per cent from 2003, which is was made by the world governments over a decade ago (MDG 2) in Dakar Senegal considered to be beyond the expected MDG target of 70 per cent. However, attendance at school: Most drop out in in North Eastern province the rate of the middle primary school classes. In enrolment has been adversely affected 2008, some Samburu schools had no with stakeholders expressing fears girl candidate sitting the national pri- that the above projections may prove mary school leaving exam. unrealistic. “There is a mentality that if girls Kelly Lanyasunya is 14-years-old, are educated and get jobs, the earnings and is learning at Lesadai primary will not return home but go to the hus- school in Samburu Central District band,” said another teacher. (central-northwestern Kenya). I just Most of the boys in school are joined a new school a few weeks ago late entrants; some of the girls stay (February 20), I got a new uniform at home to work. “In this community and I am making friends but if this people are not fond of keeping chil- area gets insecure, I will have to move dren in schools,” the teacher adds. to another school. Like her classmate, Nabik Kekichorumongi, is forced to Night school change schools whenever bandits at- However, some communities are try- tack the surrounding villages. ing to educate residents about the Stephen Leparachwo, head teacher value of education: Currently under at Lolkunono primary school in Sam- way in District, the pastoral- buru Central, said Lesidai primary ist night school initiative targets cattle school often receives parents bringing herder children who are unable to at- their children from Pura, a neighbour- tend day school. ing area affected by banditry. “The children leave the fields “When they come, some are even at 4pm and then attend class,” said without food. The bandits follow the Emanman. “The students get `uji’ fleeing residents (and their cattle], not (maize meal porridge) in the evening giving the children a chance to read,” and are taught until 10pm.” he said. Pre-school children. Majority come to school not learn but for food. Thanks to WFP school feedind programme Some children from these schools Much of the insecurity is due to Photo/Malachi Motano have progressed to the formal edu- cattle-rustling between the Samburu, cation system, but the night school Pokot, Turkana and Borana commu- Bernadette Lesuruan is the dep- the girls.” ping centre, the high cost of sanitary initiative is largely designed to teach nities, according to local residents. In uty head teacher at the neighbouring Apart from the location of the pads also feeds absenteeism. basic literacy to herders and others, he September, for example, Pokot cattle Lgoss primary school, “When there is school, 12km from the nearest shop- Early marriages also affect girls’ added. raiders killed 32 people of whom 11 conflict and the parents flee, we have were school boys in Samburu Central. more children coming to the classes.” Rustling has also affected food Food scarcity tends to drive up production, especially in fertile ar- school attendance, local residents eas like Ngano on the Kirisia ranges, said. When there is a general food where bandits lurk in the beauti- distribution, enrolment in school goes ful landscape, causing malnutrition down, while in more difficult times among the schooling population. the number of children increases, According to the headmaster of a Lesuruan said. local school, Simon Lenolkulal, inse- “During such times you see young curity worsens day by day in Ngano, children carrying toddlers to school “Sometimes we could hear gunshots, for the food… During the drought, so we seek cover on the ground with the children were entirely relying on the children. food in school. Some were fainting af- “There is a high rate of transition ter coming from home hungry. When even of school teachers here… Teach- there is no food (at all), school attend- ers are reluctant to work here because ance is very low.” of the insecurity. One week there is peace, the next week we are moving... Male/female teacher ratio Every week we enroll new children, There are few school teachers and and then when there is tension they hardly any female teachers. At Lgoss, leave.” Lesuruan was the only female mem- The school relies on food aid from ber of staff. agencies like the UN World Food Since I came here (in 2008) more Programme (WFP). According to Le- girls are staying in school especially nolkulal, however, people could farm those who would run away for the pe- the land and eliminate food aid, if riod of their menstruation,” said Lesu- Nabik Kekichorumongi and Kelly Lanyasunya of Lesidai Primary School have changed schools severally due to there were more security. ruan. “I bring pads to the school for insecurity. Photo/Malachi Motano The Link, May 2012 GOVERNANCE 7 Who ordered Manandu’s killing? By KAVYU-KURA The Director of Public Prosecu- Meanwhile the widow of the slain newspapers had a report that a fresh tions Keriako Tobiko has since writ- MP said she was ready to tell all she probe into the murder had began.” Kitui set to DETAILS have emerged over the ten to the Commissioner of Police knows about the killing. Both the She said she was happy that at last force behind the ongoing fresh inves- Mathew Iteere directing him to imme- Muliwa and Kyambo said that they the government had heard the cries of build modern tigations into the slaying of the former diately open fresh investigating into were first hand witnesses of the cold the family and moved in to ensure the Kitui North (now Mwingi North) the matter. blooded murder of the MP 27 years truth was unveiled. Member of Parliament Philip Mutisya Alluding to the finding of the Guy ago and would tell the truth about She said: “My son Muthami, and honey factory Manandu 27-years ago. Muli inquest that were never made what happened. I are ready to give our statements to By PETER MUTUKU The Link established that failure public, Tobiko asked the commission- They were with the MP when he the probe team about what we know to make public the findings of an in- er of police to “forward to this office and three of his supporters died in a about the killing. We were there and PLANS are underway to put up a quest in to the murder of the MP by all the relevant files and proceedings hail of bullets on the evening of Ja- witnessed everything first hand as the honey factory in Kitui town at a cost an Administration Policeman on Janu- relating to the inquest said to have nuray 17, 1985 outside the MP’s Bini- policeman opened fire.” of Ksh20 million. The project has ary 17, 1985 had remained a source of been ordered by the late Hon. Attor- sa bar in Tseikuru Market. The killer Kyambo who was seated near been initiated with support from the ney General Mathew Guy Muli. Administration Police officer later Manandu at the time he was killed Tana and Development disquiet and anxiety among his family members and constituents. “Appoint a team of experienced took his life with the same gun. and only escaped death miraculously Authority (TARDA). police investigators to work together The duo spoke in the wake of re- said he was equally ready to cooperate The Kitui Honey Refin- Besides, Vice President has exerted pressure to have another team from my office to un- ports that Toibiko had on April 4 or- with the investigating team and give ery Project Manager, Mr. Joses dertake thorough review and re-evalu- dered the police commissioner, Iteere, details of what he saw and what he K.Mugambi, says that the factory the truth about the brutal murder of his which is touted as the largest in predecessor and three people by the tions of the existing files and records to set up a team to open fresh investi- knows. Eastern Province comes as reprieve trigger happy policeman by writing relating to the death of the late Hon. gations into the MPs death. “I was there on that sad evening to farmers in the area who have suf- to the Attorney General Githu Muigai Manandu and interview and interro- But as Muliwa welcomed the fresh and I saw the armed policeman walk fered exploitation from middlemen. demanding the digging up of the truth gate the persons named above and any investigations in to her husband’s to where Manandu was seated and He spoke during a farmers field’s and making it public. other person who may possess rel- death she pointed out that no official open fire at point blank. I am ready to day organised by the KEFRI Kitui During the late MP’s 27th memo- evant evidentiary material.,” Tobiko’s communication had been made to her. tell the truth,” said Kyambo who es- Regional Research Centre. rial anniversary fete at his Kaningo told Iteere in the letter that gave a 30- She said; “I was only informed by caped with his life but two of his teeth Mugambi says the factory will home attended by Kalonzo as well days time frame. relatives working in Nairobi that the were knocked out by a bullet. serve farmers in Kitui, Machakos, as the Prime minister Raila Odinga Mbeere and Meru among others. He on March 23, family members led by urged farmers to increase production widow Rose Muliwa Mutisya made to enable them benefit from the fa- an earnest plea that the mystery sur- cility. Mugambi says that honey is rounding the brutal be unraveled. a remedy for several conditions in- Apparently moved by the family’s cluding treatment of wounds, severe coughs, colds and arthritis among desperation for the truth, both Kalon- many other ailments. zo and Odinga conceded on the need KEFRI regional Director, Dr. to put the matter to rest. They stressed James Ndufa, who presided over the the need to re-open investigations into function said that the institute will the matter. educate farmers on good practices Hardly two weeks after the late and encourage them to plant trees. Manandu’s memorial, the VPwrote “KEFRI mainly focuses on en- to the Attorney General Githu Muigai hancing the capacity of farmers to requesting for fresh inquest into the increase production by training them MP’s murder. In the letter dated April free of charge,” he explains. 4, Kalonzo expressed curiosity that The director decries the rate results of an initial inquest ordered by at which local farmers engaged in then AG Mathew Guy Muli were not charcoal burning have depleted in- made public. digenous trees but added that KEFRI “During my speech, I strongly has come with ways to conserve for- suggested that the inquest be made ests in the area. He says that farmers public and a fresh inquest be under- can now income from planting trees. taken to ensure that anybody with any During the field’s day farmers relevant information including the were sensitized on variety of tree widow, Mrs. Rose Manandu and one LEFT: The late Manadu’s widow, Rose Muliwa Mutisya, who says that she will tell all she knows species and educated on both me- RIGHT: dicinal value and trees that can be of the survivor’s of the attack, retired about her husband’s murder to the probe team. Daniel Mukiti Kyambo who survived the grown for commercial purposes. teacher Daniel Mukiti Kyambo are in- brutal attack at which the former Mwingi north Member of Parliament Philip Mutisya Manandu terviewed,” the VP’s letter in part. was killed. Photo/Kavyu-Kura

By AGGREY BUCHUNJU However, some of the newly created and surface area, the administrative unit savings. The scenario defeats the pur- districts lack enough funds to enable does not have a police station to enforce pose for which the district was creat- Services Bumula District is yet to become fully them to fully discharge their mandate. law and order. ed, as access to basic services remains operational six years after it was created Bumula district is one of the newly Lack of this key Government secu- a mirage. Realizing that the district by President . This has created administrative units that have rity component is not only detrimental to residents have for long lacked es- fails to forced residents to seek essential gov- failed to meet expectations of the resi- area residents socio-economic develop- sential Government services, Bumula ernment services from other districts. dents in terms of improved service deliv- ment but also to foreign investors. CDFC recently set aside Kshs0.5 mil- The situation has largely been ery due to lack of budgetary allocation. The area is endowed with arable land lion to assist in the construction of a take off in blamed on the haphazard manner in The district which also doubles as a con- suitable for growing sugarcane maize, Police Station. which Kibaki and his predecessor Dan- stituency has 10 locations and 25 sub-lo- millet, sorghum and cassava. It is, however, paramount that lo- iel arap Moi have created more districts cations. It covers an area of 347.8 square However, due to insecurity, there are cal leaders and civil society organisa- Bumula throughout the country ostensibly to kms and has 34,934 households with a no financial institutions in the area to of- tions lobby for adequate funding from bring Government services closer to the population of 178,897 people as per the fer services to farmers in terms of pay- both the Exchequer and CDF in order District people. 2009 census. Despite its huge population ments for their farm produce, dues and to urgently construct a police station. Mijikenda rally for better leadership By BEKADZO TONDO Boniface Mwamuye, the team held Senate, Women representative and official of the organisation Kashero Constitution. He said a survey done a meeting at a Kilifi hotel recently the MP seats in the county will have Chinyaka, who attended the meeting, in the past in the region had shown A COMMUNITY lobby group in where they rolled out the civil educa- to undergo a vetting process and that said for the to develop, that electorates have been violating Kilifi County has rolled out civic edu- tion programme which will be con- only those cleared will be supported elected leaders ought to observe high the electoral law by registering as cation program that seeks to empower ducted in all the seven constituencies by voters. Speaking to The Link after standards of good governance members with different political par- voters to effectively participate in the in the county’. the meeting, Mwamuye said the group “Good governance is a key com- ties something which is likely to deny election of good leaders in the coming “Our forum has developed a has so far held two meetings at Cho- ponent in development and as an or- them the opportunity to vote. general elections. programme on how we will carry nyi and Misufini in Bahari and Magar- ganisation we have agreed to work “Our people are not aware that The group drawn from the seven civic education in Kilifi County on ini constituencies respectively. together with the inter sub-community it’s an electoral offense to register as sub-tribes of the Mijikenda said they how best to get leaders for election,” Mwamuye said the group receives group of the Mijikenda tribes to offer a member of more than one political were committed to sensitise the resi- Mwamuye said. The members drawn support from Ecumenical Centre for the civic education,” Chinyaka said. party and that is one of the reason that dents on how to identify good leaders from the Giriama, Chonyi, Kauma. Justice and Peace officials who help Chinyaka said electorates also as an organisation we have decide to during the coming general election. Jibana, Rabai, Kambe and Ribe, said them in analysing the Constitution as need to be educated on the laws gov- go to the grassroots and educate the According to the group chairman, everyone interested in the Governor, far election process are concerned. An erning the electoral process as per the people,” Chinyaka said. The Link, May 2012 8 EDITORIAL & COMMENTARY The

LinkEnhancing governance for all Act on this report now to avert more violence HE findings of the baseline survey by the Con- stitution and Reform Education Consortium T(CRECO) on conflict mapping and profiles of 47 counties is hardly surprising. It has just confirmed what we have said repeatedly in our newspaper pages and supplements on conflict trends in Kenya and the need for vigilance and preparedness to deal with the symp- toms. The fact that about 80 per cent of the counties have been ranked as either moderate or high risk conflict ar- COMMENTARY eas, should prick hard the conscience of even the most thick-skinned authority into proactive action. Other- wise, God forbid, the last post-election violence may look like child’s play this time round. Food security initiative Already, the country is being Balkanized into tribal zones with tribal groupings like GEMA and KAMATU- SA being allowed to meet openly; suspectedly with the taps varsity talent encouragement of the powers that be. Strong political LIMATE change has largely been insuring crops, tools and equipment, use of parties are also being destroyed by prodding key leaders blamed on the rising cases of food COMMENT insect protected and drought tolerance crops to decamp so that they can run for presidency solely to Cinsecurity in the country. forms the basis of food security. split that votes along tribal lines to force a presidential The scenario has been complicated by use Dr. Florence Wambugu, the Chief Ex- of outdated farming technology which has By HENRY OWINO ecutive Officer, Africa Harvest, said feeding run-off. A country that ‘officially’ encourages division prompted two multinational companies in Kenyans in the 21st Century need modern along tribal lines is a country that has lost its head. Kenya to engage university students to ad- advanced Science and Technology which is In our view the criminal charges against the four Ken- dress the situation. knowledge acquired in various courses, the key of improving Agricultural produc- yans at the International Criminal Court (ICC) would Students in Free Enterprise Kenya they can come up with good and modern tion. She therefore called upon the varsity (SIFE-Kenya) in various public and private sustainable agricultural or food production students in SIFE-Kenya to use their skills to not be a threat to peace if the real powers in this country universities in Kenya are being sponsored innovations for farmers who still use outdat- avert the poor system of food production in did not decide to side with the suspected masterminds of through Rockefeller Foundation and Coca ed methods. We want the corporate and the the country and introduce modern farming the orgy killings that followed the forced announcement Cola Central, East and West Africa Food youth to facilitate access to food production methods that will ensure food security not of the flawed presidential election results in 2007. The Security Initiative project. and its security nationwide,” Shikwati said. only in the country but in Africa. Under the initiative, university students Shikwati told the students not to spend a Dr. Wambugu said most farmers are now people would have been made to see the ICC process as who are members of SIFE Kenya are ex- lot of time chasing for white collar jobs yet trying to adopt the modern farming tech- a bulwark against the runaway impunity in this country. pected to devise modern techniques of farming is another source of income. niques but the challenges they face are nu- But, contrary to reason, the people are being incited to farming and identify soil that supports vari- Mr. James Nyoro, the Managing Di- merous starting from land utilization, crops/ see the ICC as a threat to their kingship. ous crops in different weather conditions rector, Africa Rockefeller Foundation said seeds suitable for the farmland, weather pat- using methods that are not harmful to the most problems are more of policy than terns due to climate change caused by global The government must act on cases of ethnic intol- environment yet productive to the farmer. technology because once it is in place the warming during production time. She said erance, border conflicts, political party zoning, com- The initiative not only seeks to engage rest will follow without doubt. He added other setbacks experienced after harvest petition over resources (e.g. land) and proliferation of youth in productive work but also come up that most people confuse climate change for includes; storage, package, distribution, with ways to mitigate the adverse effects of drought yet the two are far apart. transportation to the market and pricing of dangerous weapons that have been rightly identified as climate that threatens food security in the Nyoro said climate change does not food which might discourage commercial factors that could trigger conflicts, especially in hotspot country. mean drought as many people may assume farmers to produce food that would ensure counties. Addressing varsity students drawn from but it comes with benefits that if well uti- its security. It is time for the Independent Electoral and Bounda- both public and private universities at a ho- lized, a lot of food can be grown as long as She however said at Africa Harvest, they tel in Nairobi, James Shikwati, SIFE Kenya farmers are educated on the new weather train farmers both young and old on horti- ries Commission (IEBC), the National Cohesion and Country Director, said this was an opportu- patterns. He said that climate change can culture production and other tissue crops Integration Commission (NCIC) and other state agen- nity for the youth in universities to show- be managed by implementing proper strat- like bananas, cassava among other drought cies to live upto their billings and come up with ways of case their talents in modern Agriculture egies and good policies that would ensure resistance crops which mature within short strengthening non-state actors and state actors in con- technology as opposed to the ancient time. the situation is better off than continued di- period of time and are beneficial to most Among the universities represented at lapidation. farmers in terms of food and generating flict-prone areas to jointly player greater roles in peace- the meeting were University of Nairobi, He explained that food security is the some little money. building efforts ahead of the general elections. Egerton University, Moi University, Africa availability of food, its affordability in terms Carren Mercy Ekwang, the president It is now up to the state agencies to move with speed Nazarene University, USIU, Catholic Uni- of pricing, getting it whenever one needs it of SIFE University of Nairobi said they to put structures and measures in place to ensure that versity of East Africa, Kabarak University in sufficient quantities on a consistent basis have taken Agri-business seriously which and Strathmore University among others. and having sufficient resources to obtain has seen the University winning the World the threat of conflict in the counties is closely monitored Shikwati stated that SIFE-Kenya is open it for nutritious diet. Nyoro said food pro- Cup trophy twice in a row in New York and diffused if we are to avoid a repeat of the ugly events to all universities in Kenya and it is up to the duction is therefore the system of making and Paris. She was optimistic that they will of the aftermath of 2007 general elections. students to form SIFE group in their respec- food available for the family, region, nation still emerge the winners in the competition tive universities. He further stated that SIFE or the continent regardless of its long term scheduled for 30th June. has helped many students to acquire jobs or sufficiency. Mercy said the University of Nairobi become self-employed especially in this era “Price fluctuation in seeds, fertilizers SIFE has several projects for instance, rab- of high rate of unemployment amongst the and other farm inputs is another major prob- bit keeping, garbage collection in Githurai youth. lem faced by farmers leading to low food estate, Green House for horticulture farming He said SIFE-Kenya will hold competi- production hence food insecurity in the at Kibera slums among many other projects The Link is published tion for varsity students in the established country. However this alone cannot solve in the pipeline. monthly by the Institute groups in June 30, 2012 and participants the problems until young and energetic According to Mayiani Saino, SIFE-Ken- are expected to come up with various Agri- farmers especially the youth from universi- ya Programme manager, there will be over for Civic Affairs and business projects they have developed in ties take farming seriously,” Nyoro advised. twenty teams competing and each univer- their universities as their own initiatives. The Managing Director, Africa Rock- sity is expected to have forty members but Development (ICAD) The aim of the competition is to provide efeller Foundation said high productivity only 4-6 students would represent the entire simple and creative alternative ways of for commercial farming, regular workshops group. doing farming in the 21st Century which to educate farmers on modern farming tech- Saino said the competition is open to all is coupled with many challenges, Climate niques like crop rotation, good leadership, universities but SIFE members only. She P.O. Box 7438-00200, Nairobi, Kenya. change among them. right political will and good policies are the said the best group will be awarded depend- Tel: 020 6001776 / 020 6001274 SIFE-Kenya this year’s theme is: Feed- only solutions that would ensure food secu- ing on their good report, projects, mem- ing Kenya in the 21st Century; Building rity in the country. He reiterated that proper bership recruitments , consistency in good Email: [email protected] Business and Youth Alliances. investment in agriculture production, hav- representation among other secrets based “Students are very creative and using ing efficient producers, risk reduction by known to the panelist of judges. The Link, May 2012 GOVERNANCE 9 LinkThe Enhancing governance for all Magarini receives EDITOR DANIEL OTUNGE SUB-EDITOR Kshs.65m CDF cash FAITH MUIRURI By BEKADZO TONDO ASSOCIATE EDITOR OLOO JANAK ABOUT Kshs.65 million out of over 433 million of Constituency Devel- opment fund disbursed to Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County since WRITERS the initiation of the fund in the country cannot be accounted for. MORRIS GITHENYA Central Area residents are now up in arms 0735 855586 demanding that an audit be done to expose the looters of the public funds. The constituents, who last month held JOSEPH MUKUBWA Central a peaceful demonstration to press for 0724 039787 the accounting of the funds by the area CDF committee, complained that projects are seen to have been done BEKADZO TONDO Coast and completed in paper work but there 0728 341240 was nothing at the ground. Records of the National Con- stituency Development Committee PETER MUTUKU Eastern show that Magarini got Ksh6 million 0721 455048 in the first allocation in the financial year 2003-04 and in the latest allo- cation of 2011-2012 it was awarded KAVYU-KURA Eastern Ksh87,754,103 bringing the total to 0721 000000 Kshs433,266,004. Sources told The Link in Magarini Residents of Magarini constituency in Kilifi county demonstration in the area streets protesting misuse of Constituency that the area residents BOB OMBATI Nyanza about ksh 65 million of the area CDF monies. The demonstrators claimed the funds were spent on projects became suspicious that things were which were none existent at the ground demonstration photos by bekadzo tondo Photo/Bekadzo Tondo 0728 435255 not correct as far as identification and funding of the CDF projects is con- ground,” he adds. the allocation of bursary funds. Wale the claim that the area CDF committee OJWANG OGOCH Nyanza cerned. Data posted at the National Wale who is the secretary of Ma- claimed that records from the CDF of- was involved in shady deals. Constituency Development Fund 0725 690223 lindi Residents Forum, said that a fice show that students from outside “This is a time of campaigns ahead website reveals that non-existent series of training programs on good the constituency in universities had of the coming general elections and projects were funded during the pe- governance conducted by Institute been allocated more money compared thus some leaders are likely to engage NYAKWAR ODAWO Western riod in dispute. Participatory Development (IPD) had to the local students. in smear campaigns to tarnish the “Some of projects that were pur- 0726 264153 equipped area residents with skills to However, the area MP, who is also names of other leaders and thus the ported to have been indentified and monitor their development programs. the Fisheries minister Amason Kingi electorate must be wary of such lead- allocated funds in the website do not According to Wale the residents denied misuse of CDF funds in his ers,” Kithi says. LUKE KAPCHANGA Western exist on the ground,” says a human social auditing exercise found that the constituency and blamed his political The director of IPD Mzungu Ngo- 0723 622136 rights activist Mathias Wale. local CDF kitty had allocated Kshs2.5 rivals for the unfounded allegations. ma said the residents have a demo- Wale says area residents have million to drill Kamale bore hole, but “This demonstration was purely cratic right to protest when things are conducted their own social auditing nothing existed on the ground. organised by my rivals because the not done as required and blamed the AGGREY BUCHUNJU Western exercise on the projects which has es- Other projects claimed to have issue of CDF mismanagement has no police for blocking the protestors. 0733 537002 tablished that most of the projects are been initiated but were not existing facts,” says Kingi. Kingi, who is the Ngoma said his organization just on paper. include allocation of Kshs 500,000 Minister for Fisheries Development which works closely with Amkeni “As the beneficiaries of the to buy desks at Bate primary school, and an acting minister for Industriali- Wa Kenya has been involved on civic projects we decided to conduct our Kshs700, 000 to construct classrooms sation has declared his interest for the education programs direct from the LAYOUT AND DESIGN: own social auditing on the projects at Bomani Primary School. governorship position of Kilifi Coun- school levels so that the people can and discovered that most of the During the demonstration which ty. The chairman of County know their rights and the procedures WALKER DESIGNS projects said to have been started and was dispersed by anti riot police, the Council Ngombo Kithi, who is also a to follow when things are not going completed on paper were not at the 0725 903 938 residents complained of favourism in close ally of minister Kingi ruled out on well. [email protected] Churches encourage child abuse, says official By NYAKWAR ODAWO made them rebellious even to their Otuko however called upon the against anybody engaging in child own parents. church leaders from the two districts abuse hence denying them the chance CHURCHES operating in Samia and The children’s officer said most to go back to the drawing board and to go to school and learn,” said Okiru, Bunyala districts have been accused reported cases on delinquent children reach the families of their members adding that majority of parents in of encouraging child abuse and de- engage themselves in criminal activi- in order to find out how their children Bunyala have allowed their children linquency. ties after spending the better part of live and also provide adequate spir- to engage in fishing and early mar- The accusations were echoed their time watching pornographic itual guidance and counseling. riage. Meanwhile, Kenyan fishermen by Samia District Children Officer videos leading to early marriages, The Children Officer commended have appealed to the government to This Newspaper appreciates (DCO) Dishon Otuko when ad- unwanted pregnancies and prostitu- the sponsors of the seminar led by protect them from being harassed by the facilitation accorded by dressing members of the Locational tion among other vices. Mrs Gloria Ababu, a representative Ugandan police whom they accused Children Council from Bunyala West “Research done by Children De- from APHIA-PLUS, a Non-Govern- of confiscating their fishing gears. the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung during the close of a three-day work- partment has proved that majority of mental Organisation, promised to The fishermen and the residents (KAS) in Kenya shop on child rights and protection in children, who watch pornographic continue sponsoring more such train- of Bumbe beach in Samia district, Port Victoria recently. videos and engage in prostitution are ings in the entire aimed who had attended a peace building The children officer expressed found to be those who have rebelled at addressing child abuse cases. forum under the auspices of Abenen- concern saying churches have failed against their churches and parents The sensitisation forum was at- go Youth Group recently expressed All correspondence and to provide proper and effective spir- due to neglect,” said Otuko. tended by members of the provincial outrage saying they were being tor- itual guidance to children from their Otuko said in every 10 cases of administration, medical officers, po- tured by the Ugandan police. “The enquiries to the editor, early childhood. child abuse reported, seven cases are lice officers, volunteer children offic- government has turned a deaf ear “Churches in the two districts found to come from Christians who ers from the two districts and other to our plight despite numerous ap- P.O. Box 7438, 00200, have failed to provide spiritual guid- do not go to church, who rebelled or stakeholders. peals for protection from harassment ance to children at a tender age to in- whose children have opted out of the Bunyala District Children Officer by the marine police officers from Nairobi, Kenya. culcate a sense of direction in them church. Maurice Okiru, who also attended Uganda,” said the fishermen. so as to grow uprightly,” he said. He He at the same time expressed the workshop on his part warned that The vice- chairman of Bumbe Tel: 020 6001274 said church leaders were only both- concern saying that in the year 2011 a legal action would be taken against Beach Fishermen Committee, Ni- ered about adults. total of 52 children in Samia District child abusers, especially on parents cholas Onyango Okado, on his part Telefax: 020 6001776 Otuko said the negligence on the dropped out of school due to early who marry off their young girls said the fishermen operating at the e-mail: [email protected] part of the church leaders has caused marriages with ten of them having daughters for purposes of getting ma- beaches such as Bumba, Buyukha a number of children to become de- been married off after their parents terial wealth. and Bujwanga have no say over their linquent a situation, he noted, has received dowry. “Legal action would be taken fish. 10 The Link, May 2012 GOVERNANCE

Row erupts Kisii water woes set to end soon over ownership By BOB OMBATI osks have been built at Daraja and bought untreated cheap water enue base from the current Kshs10 Mbili market towards Nyamataro from vendors, risking the lives of million to Kshs15 million per of cashew nut GUSII Water and Sanitation Com- to benefit the traders and area resi- their customers. month. pany (GWASCO) has commis- dents besides the hotels within the He urged the Hoteliers to invest Magoba disclosed that clients factory sioned multimillion water projects area. in huge water tanks in their busi- owed the company over Kshs 10 in Kisii County to serve residents Kegati Water Treatment Plant, ness premises and use treated wa- million in arrears, adding that gov- By BEKANDZO TONDO in the suburbs of Kisii town to ease he said was being upgraded to ter from the Company, stressing it ernment offices were major de- A MAJOR showdown looms water shortage and improve sani- pump 18 million litres of water per had enough water only that the op- faulters. The government channels between Kilifi residents and Mil- tation. day up from 6 million and asked erators were unwilling to use the funds to the districts for overhead lennium Development Company The Company’s Managing Di- Lake Victoria South Water Serv- essential commodity. costs. But, the officers in charge over a dispute in ownership of the rector, John Magoba said Water ices Board to rehabilitate pumping The officer said some hotel- do not pay money and keep on cashew nut factory. Services Trust Fund (WSTF) had facilities to hasten the process. iers and real estate developers promising, said Magoba. Local leaders led by the chair- granted the company Kshs15 mil- Magoba, who spoke to The had sunk unreliable boreholes and He said that company workers lady of Kilifi Town Council Mrs. lion to jointly implement the water Link in his office, said the - com were having problems treating wa- were forced to disconnect water Esther Kache want the factory to projects. pany will set up a water laboratory ter and maintaining them, adding for defaulters, who, he noted tar- revert to the community and plans Magoba said a 100,000 litre to test the quality of water in the it was more expensive than using nished the company’s name that to repay the Kshs56 million debt Water Tank was being installed area especially water fetched from the company’s clean, treated and it had failed to provide water. The owed to the company when the at Nyamataro suburb to serve the springs to ensure it was fit for hu- piped water. officer warned corrupt workers factory was put under receiver- area residents and the neighbor- man consumption to avoid break Magoba noted that the Com- to desist colluding with clients ship. hood with clean piped water, add- out of water borne diseases. pany has 8000 active clients, add- to waive charges as this would The leaders argue that the fac- ing the project will be completed The officer asserted that some ing that it targeted to increase the ground the company, stressing tory belonged to the community in September. commercial establishments had number to 12000 with the new they risked being shown the door and proper procedures were not The MD said three water ki- ceased using the Company’s water connection and increase its rev- unceremoniously. followed when its ownership was transferred to private investors. Dr Owan Baya of Pwani uni- versity who led community repre- Good governance gives glory to Mwingi council sentatives during a meeting with the management of the Millenium By KAVYU-KURA within the prescribed deadlines. Development Company says that “We sealed most of the loopholes the over 300 acres of land holding LACK of political interference in previously used to divert council’s the collapsed Kilifi cashew nut projects has seen the County Council revenue thus cultivating goodwill factory have not been properly of Mwingi pull itself from a poorly among the residents within our juris- utilized to generate income and performing local authority to take up diction. In return, the residents paid boost the economy of the Kilifi the eighth position nationally in the taxes to the council on projects were county. performance contract ranking. completed within the specified pe- He says that local leaders feel The County Clerk Elijah Mutam- riod,” said the Clerk. that the land holding the factory buki said political good will and a He said when he was posted to and the factory itself are being corruption free environment has seen the council slightly over one and half under-utilized and thus should the council leap from position 168 in years ago, he found the then “under- dog and poorly performing coun- revert to the community to enable 2009 to position 36 in 2010 and posi- residents exploit its potential. tion eight last year out of the 175 lo- cil,” grappling in underperformance cal authorities in the country. but immediately employed working During the meeting, the chair- Mutambuki said that councilors strategies that led to increased per- man of Millenium Development had given workers a free hand and formance within a very short period Company Mr. Charanjit Hayer did not interfere with projects thus of time. however expressed shock that enabling the council to greatly im- “When I joined the Council it leaders want the factory to revert prove on its performance. He said had been ranked position 168 in per- back to the community. in the latest rating, the council was formance but I introduced strategies He said that the move was un- the best in Kitui County while it was in which workers began working called for and urged leaders to in- number two after Machakos Mu- as team players but not as isolated stead explore ways through which nicipal Council in the entire Eastern groups or individuals. In no time we the community can benefit from province. were ranked position 36 among the the investment through creation In the recent performance con- 175 local authorities while in last of more job opportunities instead tract evaluation results released at year’s performance evaluation we of disrupting company’s opera- a ceremony officiated by President were placed position eight,” he said tions through changing owner- Mwai Kibaki at the KICC in Nairobi, with a ting of pride. ship. the Mwingi County Council was also Mutambuki said the performance “I am totally surprised that ranked position three in the County had also to do with the ability to har- you intend to repossess the com- Councils’ category after Saiya and ness political good will from the civic pany hand it over to the commu- in first and second slots re- leaders. He added that accountability in the use of funds had also been giv- nity,” said Mr. Hayer. spectively. Mr Hayer challenged the lead- The County Clerk also further en top priority. attributed his council’s improved “We are looking forward to im- ers to follow the laid down pro- performance to the existence of safe- proving on our performance further. cedures as the factory was legally guards that ensured that the council Next year we expect to be at the apex. transferred to a private developer. did not lose its revenue and project At the moment we are focusing on ar- “This is a private property and monies in corrupt deals. He said most eas that require upgrading within the The Mwingi County Council Clerk, Elijah Mutambuki, speaks about proper channels must be followed of the projects were also complete council,” said Mutambiki. the sterling performance of his local authority. Photo/Kavyu-Kura before negotiations to jumpstart the recovery process can begin,” said Mr. Hayer. The chairman accused lead- Threats of hunger in Mwatate as crops fail ers of politicizing the mater as the company owns the property By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU peas, pigeon peas, and maize crops. Residents are faced with a dilem- menace. legally and the management will Where are we going to get food to ma since KWS cannot compensate KWS senior warden in charge of not be intimidated by their move. RESIDENTS of Mwatate Division feed our families?” poses Maktau them because the law only gives a Tsavo West southern sector, Samuel Mr. Hayer urged the leaders in Taita Taveta County are faced ward councilor, Flumence Mshila. consolation fund for injuries and Rukaria says that the problem can to notify the company through with starvation. Mshila adds, “We don’t want deaths caused by wildlife attacks. only be resolved if residents approve proper channels before they can The residents say the area has to continue being dependent on “Under the current policy, in- the project to fence off the area. agree to any negotiations with the registered total crop failure due to government relief food as it is not dividuals who are injured by the Locals are however opposed community. the unreliable rainfall patter coupled enough to feed our families.” wildlife are entitled to Kshs 50,000 to the fencing project claiming that However, Dr Baya informed with human wildlife conflict,” she The residents say the elephant in compensation while in cases of their land might be taken away by the chairman that the leaders says. menace has left some of them vir- death, bereaved families qualify for KWS. had come to officially inform the A resident, Elizabeth Mzungu, tually destitute after bringing down Kshs 200,000,” says Ms Christine “We have spent huge sums of company of their plans before says that the massive invasion by their houses and destroying proper- Boit, a senior warden in charge of money in surveillance and chasing they can proceed with the recov- jumbos had exposed them to peren- ties. community in Tsavo conservation the animals using a chopper. The ery process. nial starvation. The jumbo invasion has also area. same resources could be channelled Hayer agreed to meet a sec- “Elephants usually destroy seen learning in several schools par- According to the civic leader, towards supporting community tion of the leader with the board plants before maturity. They have alyzed after hundreds of the affected residents are likely to remain poor if projects if residents approved the of directors of the company to completely destroyed the cow- students failed to turn out. there are no measures to contain the fencing project,” said Rukaria. formally discuss the matter. The Link, May 2012 CITIZENS’ WATCH 11 @

Save parents All job agencies illogical fees Police brutality to blame for abetting slavery increase IN the din of the current political noise should be closed in a country that has been in the elec- THE call by the Central Organisa- tion mode since the bungled one in the rise in Kenya’s death toll tion of Trade Unions (Cotu) that the 2007, attention seems to have shifted Government should outlaw foreign from issues of importance to the THE police seem to have oversteppt- recruitment and employment bureaus electorate to alliance building by the ed their mandate of enforcing law and until the Ministry of Labour and For- political class ahead of 2013 General order by engaging in violent acts that eign Affairs come up with a law to Elections. claim lives. The lawmakers are so immersed in regulate their operations is justified. They have thus been dubbed There has always been public their quest for votes, which have seen agents of death. From past reports them run around the country, wooing outcry and this is evident on the oc- and incidents, it is clear extra-judicial casional media reports about Kenyans the ever-gullible voters. killings, and enormous brutality has Matters would have been different who look for greener pastures in for- left many orphans, widows and wid- eign countries only to be subjects of if this and other elections were about owers, and many others destitute and issues of compelling public and na- slave trade and not the lucrative jobs tional interest. disillusioned. they were promised. Talking of issues, some school This is typical for a country whose Even though the high rate of un- heads, taking full advantage of this citicens are at risk from officers who employment in the country has be- perpetual confusion and glaring ac- are supposed to ensure security. come a nightmare, which the Govern- countability gap, have taken into arbi- The senseless killings by the po- ment and the youth are still battling, it trarily increasing school fees. lice witnessed lately are a sheer law- should not be seen by other people as This happens even after the stu- lessness and outright abuse of the in- opportunity to dupe vulnerable Ken- dents are issued with a fee structure violable, indivisible, and inalienable yans into taking up perceived employ- stating how much is to be paid for a human rights. ment only to turn them into servitudes. given school year. No sooner is this A case in point is the Dandora These individuals still remain amount paid than the parents are killings that claimed lives of innocent Kenyan citizens even as they look for asked to cough out more cash, with Kenyans who were only minding employment opportunities outside the head teachers citing inflation and their business. country and, therefore, the Govern- Government reluctance to bump up This has so far elicited mixed re- the subsidy. It is as if the only ones ment must remain proactive to ensure actions from far and wide: The trend that there is no room for witty individ- who are cushioned from the ravages has scaled up to levels beyond juris- of runaway inflation are parents. uals running these agencies to carry prudence. out blatant violations of fundamental Not even the Ministry of Educa- Needless to mention the demu- tion guidelines concerning levy ad- rights of Kenyans abroad. hanising acts allegedly meted on the The most worrying thing is that ministration is adhered to. locals by the Kenya Defence Forces Recently, a public boarding school The killings by the police witnessed lately are sheer lawlessness and the old labour laws that govern for- issued a fee structure stating clearly during the peace restoration in Mt. outright abuse of inviolable, indivisible and inalienable human rights. eign recruitment agencies at the mo- that students will pay an annual fee of Elgon region few years ago, the po- ment have failed to address the es- Ksh.38,000, the bulk of it, Ksh.25,000 lice force, too, and no wonder the mil- County early this month is one among ernment. calating cases of violation of human to be paid during the first term. itary fraternity, has often been found many of those that go unnoticed and It is illogical for a law enforcer rights even as our country boasts of a Just before the end of the term, par- on the worng side of the law. out of the public glare. to flout the very law that he or she is new transformative Constitution with ents were called for a meeting where Raping women, molesting mi- In 2008, Prof Alston and the obliged to adhere to. most dynamic and robust fundamental they were asked to part with Ksh.5,000 nors, and violating other human rights former Commissioner of Kenya Na- This prompts questions on the rights and freedoms in the world. more during the second school term. that call for immediate redress. tional Commission on Human Rights, level of training of the police offic- It is, therefore, imperative for the Students were expected to report with That lives can be lost so casually Hassan Omar, were vocal on extra ju- ers, and warrants stern action taken Government to move in with speed the full amount of Ksh.19000 for sec- reflects the shortcoming of law en- dicial police killings. against wayward officers. and enact new laws that will make ond term with no instalments and the forcers to value human life. Actually, The matter seems to have been If indeed Kenya wants to remain these agencies accountable for their balance of Ksh.3,900 to be paid in the this is a situation that has been with us downplayed and termed as lies with- a safe haven, then respect of human operations and also affirm the re- final school term. for a while. out proof. rights and justice should be to on the spect for human dignity, rights and Education provision has become It is about time that reforms took This marked the onset of the game agenda. a cash cow: the school bus project, freedoms of all their clients. effect. Police cruelty and heinous acts of musical chairs that ensured be- Bendict Toroitich, However, Kenyans expecially the borehole, dormitory construction and like the one witnessed in Trans Nzoia tween the civil society and the Gov- via e-mail. others where parents pay the entire youth must not be gullible to these un- four years. scrupulous people who promise them Question is: where does this mon- heaven on earth, but instead learn ey go? Is it any wonder that some head from the chilling stories of other Ken- teachers would rather hang on than go yans who came back home after years on transfer after ‘investing’ so much in of mistreatment from their masters. the institution under their jurisdiction? Not all that glitters is gold. Unlike banks known for having Nicanor Ndiege, hidden charges carefully concealed in Via e-mail the fine prints, parents are fleeced in broad daylight, with the full knowl- edge of education officers. Parents, who complain during meeting seeking to know the basis for the arbitrary in- crement, are arrogantly asked to play ball or transfer their children to other schools. It appears parents will have to or- ganize themselves into distinct groups * and address the issues seeing that their The editor welcomes letters and elected representatives have failed comments on a variety of issues. miserably! The letters should be brief, The media too has a crucial role topical and issue based. to play and must take up such issues The editor reserves the right to and stay with them until the relevant authorities do something constructive. edit for brevity or clarity. For, what is democracy and media Write to: freedom if civil liberties are trampled The Editor, upon by unscrupulous individuals and The Link, institions? Dafala Ibrahim, P.O. Box 7438 – 00200, Nairobi. via e-mail E-mail: [email protected] 12 The Link, May 2012 GOVERNANCE

By HENRY OWINO SIXTY ministers and several techno- crats in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Finance and African leaders meet to Planning, and Education from African continent held the first ever forum on STI for Youth Employment, Human Capital Development and Inclusive Growth for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. pursue own STI agenda The forum’s objective was to chart way forward on how Africans can out that for underlined innovations to relying on Agriculture that depends on agreed development goals, including regional and intra-regional levels and depend on their own available local be addressed the following objectives weather patterns and substitute it with the MDGs. support institutional and human ca- resources for innovation to its respec- must be put in place seriously; taking manufacture services which again are Further be guided by the commit- pacity building in research for devel- tive countries’ technology without stock of consolidated innovations and weakly integrated in nearly all African ment of African Union {AU} Heads opment. necessarily depending on the Western plan for STI, building of experiences states hence unpredictable. of State and Government for devoting To ensure that STI is used to solve countries. from lesson learnt from past exhibi- Mbarawa said Tanzania have at least 1% of GDP for Research and societal problems such as water, The chairperson of African Minis- tion innovations and add to new ones, therefore allocated 30% of the na- Development. Acknowledging the health, ICT, energy and agriculture, ters’ Conference on Science, Technol- promote rule of policy measures, en- tional budget to STI, developed STI commitment and the role of AUC and harnessing STI for sustainable devel- ogy and Education and also the Min- courage the role of research, explore institutions for Science and Technol- regional, multilateral and international opment was seen key factor to help ister for Science and Technology in the role of innovation in local coun- ogy, one known as Nelson Mandela organizations namely, AfDB, ADEA, improve the well-being of the African South Africa, Hon. Naledi Pandor said tries, examine brain to brain innova- Institute of Science and Technology UNECA, and UNESCO, among oth- people. Africa do not need to rely on funders tions and design possible response for Masters students in Dar else Sa- ers in advancing STI and youth devel- Putting place adequate mecha- or outsiders to develop technological- strategies. laam and Arusha Institute of Technol- opment in Africa. nisms to facilitate knowledge produc- ly but to innovate and be innovative. “It is high time we stop so many ogy purely for technologists. The technocrats experts in innova- tion and technology transfer between She added that Africa governments declarations we have made in the past The Tanzania Minister said some- tion and technology also agreed that countries through strengthening of must be ready to make the resources and take action now by implement- one wrote a book and quoted that: to create youth employment, human regional networks thus South to South easily available to the innovators for ing all the good thoughts to work. It is “The future is not some a place we capital development and inclusive and North to South cooperation and that innovation to take place in large only this way that Africa will move to are going but the one we are creat- growth as conference theme states, all developing appropriate financial in- scale and be recognized and spread that next level we are hoping for tech- ing now. The paths to it are not found countries should strive individually struments. to other African countries hence the nology wise,” Prof Kamar said. but made and the activity of making and collectively towards the devel- Promoting STI as a driver for in- world. Prof Kamar said in Africa, it is them changes both the makers and opment, review and implementation clusive growth and youth employment Pandor added that Africans them- only Tanzania and Tunisia who have the destination,” adding that is why of STI policies, law, strategies, pro- with a focus on entrepreneurship was selves must be ready and willing to achieved the 1% gross deposit profit Tanzania is making some progressive grammes and action plans at regional given emphasis to looked into by ; partner up with all sectors not just in- {GDP} to Science, Technology and steps in innovations hence technology and national levels for enhancing STI supporting innovation and entrepre- novation processes but all scientific Innovation as proposed. She said advancements in the country. in Africa as captured in the conference neurship programs for youth skills technologies both private and public. South Africa has not yet achieved it “There is need to recognize the theme. development and empowerment, inte- She alluded that united the Africa na- but drawing closer while is far below importance of Higher Education, Sci- They resolved to enhance the grating STI into national and regional tions will grow technologically but if the mark at 0.54% which means a lot ence, Technology, Engineering and linkages between Science, Technol- sustainable development agenda at all divided all shall fall apart regardless need to be done to push it to the re- Mathematics {STEM} for socio-eco- ogy, Engineering and Mathematics levels, giving priority and streamlin- of the resources availability. quired percentage. nomic development. Supporting and {STEM} with Education and Labour ing specific national programs that She said proper planning, imple- Erastus Mwencha, the deputy promoting economic and entrepre- Markets in Africa, by implementing focus on close interaction between mentation and innovation techniques chairperson, African Union Commis- neurial opportunities in Africa is the specific actions at the national and re- governments, academia and small me- must work hand in hand for techno- sion said it is only 7 per cent of the way out to STI realization,” Mbarawa gional levels, to support the improve- dium enterprises (SMEs) and support- logical innovations since Africans Commission’s budget is allocated for suggested. ment of STEM education in both ing the improvement of rural develop- are blessed with good talented skills Africa research for higher education. The three days conference of Af- contents and skills. This was seen as ment and informal economy. which are not yet identified and tapped He regretted that is very little consid- rica Ministers in charge of STI and one way of strengthening linkages be- Commitments to strengthen for developments. ering higher education is the pillar to Education came up with the follow- tween knowledge generation and en- Higher Education and Research In- “Africa should not depend on technological innovation. ing declaration to be observed and terprise development and put the nec- stitutions, including Research Infra- Western countries for innovative ap- Mwencha suggested this need to implemented by all African countries; essary measures in place to encourage structure, to increase Human capital proaches but should rely on their own be improved if at all, more research to be guided by the Act established African youth to pursue studies in the in STEM as well as knowledge pro- local available resources to build on leading to new innovations for tech- by African Union and the declaration sciences, technology including ICT, duction and dissemination, contribute their technological developments. nological developments in line with of the Summit of the Heads of State engineering and mathematics. to the initiatives aimed at promot- Ones the skills and talents most Af- the MDGs concerns. and Governments of January 2007 The conference agreed to strength- ing STI for development in Africa, ricans have are tapped and supported Donald Kaberuka, the Presi- which underscores the role of STI in en Scientific Research in Africa by namely AMCOST, UNECA’s Science by governments then the continent dent for African Development Bank socio-economic development and in promoting and increasing investment with Africa Conference, the AfDB- will have brighter future ever seen,” {AFDB} said Africa will only for- the achievement of the internationally in collaborative research at national, AUC-ECA-ILO Youth employment, said Pandor. ward if they become together to create UNESCO and ILO Youth and STI and The host was Kenya’s Minister for wealth in innovation not dependency engineering focused initiatives among Higher Education Science and Tech- syndrome. He reiterated that universi- others. nology, Prof Margaret Kamar who ties are under pressure to mould ca- Support the full establishment and said Kenyans are well known for their reers and sometimes quality is always management of the Pan Africa Uni- innovation which has been adopted by compromised. versity (PAU), the African Observa- the world and today the technology The AFDB President said that tory for Science, Technology and In- has improved to greater scales. may be one of the reasons why most novation (AOSTI), and AU’s research She suggested that to address of African universities are not ranked grants as well as support the Consoli- the Millennium Development Goals amongst the top best universities of dated Plan of Action (CPA) in Science (MDGs) that the universe is headed the world. Kaberuka urged the tech- review process. towards, the governments of various nocrat experts in higher education to Enhance collaboration with among countries should allocate 1 per cent come up with institute specialization others, AUC, UNESCO, UNECA, and of its gross domestic profit (GDP) for for particular career such as innova- AfDB on the development of national STI development. tion and technology than converging and regional STI policy instruments, Prof Kamar said the amount may courses and students. the reform of national STI systems, look very little but if well utilized can The Minister of Communication, and the promotion STI indicators. Fi- help create job opportunities to the Science and Technology in Tanzania, nally the experts called upon AUC to majority of the youth who are unem- Hon Makame Mnyaa Mbarawa said effective implementation and agree to ployed yet are talented in various in- they have taken seriously innovation establish mechanisms at national and novation skills which are untapped. after realizing problems with African Some of the ministers for Science and Technology at the regional levels to support oversight of The host Higher Education, Sci- development agenda which is heavily these declarations. ence and Technology Minister pointed Conference in Nairobi recently. Kilifi DC calls for legalisation of Mnazi By BEKADZO TONDO legalise it. The DC urged the Kenya and upcoming youth traders during sold in the market. in the market and there was a need Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to de- a stakeholders meeting to sensitize “KEBS has developed quality to improve the quality of local brews THE government has been asked to velop quality standards forthe wine to them on the importance of selling standards for Chang’aa soon after the and wines to ensure they do not harm legalise tapping, selling and drinking ensure safety of its users. certified products and getting the Government legalised local brews our people. of the Coconut Palm Wine (Mnazi), ‘Mnazi wine is the common local proper registration of their products but we are currently concentrating D.C Wachira said mnazi wine the Kilifi District Commissioner bear taken by many people in Coast by Kenya Bureau of standards. on the development of the same for could be a source of income for the Benjamin Wachira has said. including those coming from other KEBS, Coast branch Manager, Mnazi wine from Coast and muratina Coast people if proper policies were He said the drink was extensively regions because it is locally available Vincent Cheruiyot, told the forum from Central Province,” Cheruiyot put in place to guide in the tapping used in by the locals and cheap and it will be wise to have that his organisation had plans to de- said. and conservation of the product to due to its low cost and availability it legalized’ said Mr. Wachira. velop the quality standards for the lo- Cheruiyot confirmed that most ensure it does not harm the lives of and therefore urged the government The DC was speaking to local cal wine and soon the product will be Kenyans could not afford beers sold its consumers. The Link, May 2012 GOVERNANCE 13 Govt repossess two fish landing sites in Malindi By BEKADZO TONDO ing sites along the Coastal line and as have grabbed such sites to politely Mr. Kingi further warned private walls which block access routes to the I speak fish pond farmers and two fish surrender them” developers who have blocked access beaches and I am directing the clerks THE Government has repossessed landing sites which had been grabbed He expressed shock that over 400 routes to the beach to pull down the to the councils in coast and the offic- two fish landing sites from private by private developers have been re- fishermen had been displaced after perimeter walls immediately. ers from the provincial administration developers and more others are be- voked,” said Mr Kingi. their fish landing site at Bofa in Kilifi “Kenyans have rights to access to ensure all blocked routes are reo- ing targeted for recovery, the Fisheries The minister, who was accom- had been grabbed by a private devel- the beach areas either for recreational pened” said Mr. Kingi Development Minister has said. panied by the chairman of Malindi oper. purposes or for fishing and any private The minister said civil servants Amason Kingi said Lands Minis- County Council Kingi Ngombo and “Bwana Minister we are plead- developer who blocks such routes have the duty to implement govern- ter had nullified the al- Kilifi town council Esther Kache, said ing with you to assist us recover our with perimeter wall stands to face ment polices and they should not wait location of the two fish landing sites at his ministry will reclaim all grabbed bofa fish landing sites which had been prosecution” said Kingi. ministers to come down to the districts Malindi, which have been returned to public utility plots including the fish grabbed by a private developer and as The minister directed all local au- and address small problems which the local fishermen landing sites and public recreational we are talking to you now we have thorities and district commissioners in they could easily handle. The minister made the remarks at beach sites. been evicted from the site,” said the the area to ensure all the blocked ac- “Ordering a developer who erect- Mtondia Chief’s office when he ad- Kingi said: “the grabbing of public chairman of Bofa beach management cess routes to beach are immediately ed buildings near the ocean shore lines dressed fish pond farmers in Bahari utility plots such as the fish landing unit Mr. Hamad Juma. reopened. and blocking of access routes to the and those of Chasimba in Chonyi di- sites and public recreational areas like The Minister directed that the pri- “Local authorities and the offic- beaches does not require a minister to vision. that of Jomo Kenyatta public beach vate developer who grabbed the land ers from the provincial administra- fly from Nairobi as the clerks to the “My ministry is in the process of will not be tolerated and am challeng- to return the site failure to which the tion have powers to block any private council and the DCs have the powers recovering all the grabbed fish land- ing the private developers who could government will forcefully reclaim it. developer from erecting perimeter to do the same,” said Mr. Kingi.

Mariakani bikers defy council over Authority vows to tame new levy By BEKADZO TONDO MOTORBIKE operators in Mari- cowboy contractors akani town are up in arms following the introduction of Kshs500 monthly charges by the local authority. The angry operators confronted the chairman of Mariakani Town Council Charo Dena during a public baraza at Mariakani Milk Scheme and demanded that the council revokes the new levy. Led by their spokes- man Paul Katana, the operators ac- cused the council of imposing high levies on them. Trouble started when Katana took to the floor and urged the council to revoke the charges failure to which Motorbike operators will boycott paying them. “The council is fleecing motor- bike operators in Mariakani by forc- ing them to pay high levies of Ksh500 per month and the blame should go to the council chairman who failed to consult the operators before increas- ing the charges,” Katana said. But in quick rejoinder, Dena ac- cused politicians in the area of incit- ing operators in order to win their support ahead of the coming General Elections. “The council cannot re- voke the monthly charges imposed on the motorbike operators because the new levy has been gazetted follow- ing approval by the Ministry of Lo- cal Government. Politicians should refrain from inciting the public to boycott paying of levies to the local Public Works Minister Chris Obure (left) is shown the ongoing project of Othaya Level 4 Hospital by the superintending architect Samuel authority,” Dena said. Mbogo (right). Photo/Joseph Mukubwa Dena said the council relies on the Treasury to review base rates in the revenue generated from service By JOSEPH MUKUBWA ernment will soon announce the date briefcase contactors,” he added. levies to discharge its mandate and when the act will become operational. The minister said the registra- line with the current trends of infla- asked leaders not to politicize the is- ROGUE contractors will soon be- He said that the Act will provide tion will also ensure that the projects tion. sue. He said all traders must comply come history if proposals outlined in the legislative framework for central- undertaken are of good quality and “The escalating cost of labour and with the directive on payments or risk the National Construction Authority ized registration and training in the completed on time while barring non- materials has seen contractors fail to prosecution. “The council will con- Act are implemented. construction industry which is lacking performing contractors from migrat- meet obligation on the works tendered tinue collecting the money from the All contractors are to be registered at the moment to rein in on cowboy ing and actively tendering for projects for, leading to distortion of the Gov- motorbike operators as the charges afresh, retrained and regulated by the contractors who do not have the tech- in other Ministries. ernment’s programmes,” he added. have been approved by the Minister authority once the new law becomes Obure added that the effect of ris- for Local Government,” said Dena. nical or financial capacity to under- The Minister pointed that the A motorbike operator, Jacob Safa- effective. take construction work. mechanism is a complete shift from ing labour and material cost was par- ticularly experienced during the 2007 ri, who spoke to The Link on their be- “Currently it is difficult for the Obure was speaking at Othaya the old era where projects were never half, argued that the Ksh500 monthly government to regulate the sector be- Level 4 Hospital when he inspected completed due to poor planning lead- post election violence where overall fee they are being forced to pay by the cause contractors are not registered the facility. ing to the stalling of projects while cost went up by 57 per cent due to dis- council was too high and called for its under one body. The proposed central- Earlier, he toured Nyeri South Dis- ministries are left paying huge sums placement of people. reduction. “As motorbike operators, ized registration authority has powers trict headquarters in Othaya town and of money in pending bills for uncom- “We have however noted the cost we are not opposed to payments of lev- to black-list contractors and recom- the Nyeri Technical Training Institute pleted projects. of construction has gone up consider- ies to the council, but the new charges mend the expulsion of others if they in Nyeri town where he inspected the “The Act will see constitution of ably due to the high cost of building are too high and we appeal to the coun- do not meet the minimum require- materials which has been brought cil to reduce the same,” Safari said. ongoing construction projects done by a management board to register and The operators said the motorbikes ments,” said Public Works Minister, his Ministry. conduct business. The board will en- about by inflation and also the after- math of the post election violence they are operating are for hire and Chris Obure. He said the registration mecha- sure that only earmarked projects are thus may be forced to halt their opera- This new law targets all the 7,000 nism is currently fragmented with undertaken and done when funds are which rocked the country in year tions if the charges are not reduced. contractors in the country in order en- every government agency maintain- available to ensure timely comple- 2008,” he added. “Most of us have families and rely sure rogue contractors are locked out ing its own register. tion,” he added. Othaya District hospital which on this business for our livelihoods of the industry. “The new law will ensure that only On the ever rising cost of labour is being upgraded to Othaya Level 4 but if the council insists on levying The minister said the National competent contractors are awarded and construction materials, the Minis- hospital at a cost of Sh 436 million the new charges, we have no option construction Act is ready and the gov- tenders to curb the proliferation of ter said discussions are ongoing with will be finished by May 10th this year. but to close shop,” said Safari.

The Link, May 2012 SUPPLEMENT 15

PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE A monthly supplement funded by the European Union and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Project unites CSOs for peacebuilding Y the time you read this the regional functioning of the network and ensure since 2010, has struggled to find its column, we will know MANAGER’S COLUMN n e t w o r k s long-term success. purpose and unite its members. Dur- Bhow many legal political By so that they In Nyanza, the Nyanza Partners ing the C & C meetings BAKENA and parties we have in Kenya. At could act for Peace Alliance (NPPA) has been NABOK networks worked on ways to this moment of writing, the HANNA as a tool formed. The NPPA is an alliance of 41 strengthen their alliance, through car- majority of the political par- CLIFFORD for sustain- CSOs working throughout Nyanza re- rying out more joint peace activities. ties in Kenya are trying to get (PROJECT ability of the gion, from Migori to Siaya. The coordi- These joint activities would also enable their houses in order to be SUPPORT partnership nator of the network is Edwin Adoga, the network to raise its visibility and able to register in accordance MANAGER) for peace who was appointed by the members potentially bring in additional funds. with the requirements of the p r o j e c t . after proving his capability during his COPEN on the other hand, focused new Political Parties Act. If parties do Through the CSO networks the time as Regional Coordinator for the more on creating a more balanced and not comply with the Act, they will not achievements of the Partnership for Partnership for Peace in Nyanza. The accountable leadership, and improving be able to participate in the next Gen- Peace, particularly the capacity build- management of the network is shared communication that could drive the eral Election. Currently only six political ing and training on peace-building, will across a number of member CSOs, as network forward. Each of the networks parties have been awarded their certifi- be maintained and built on, resulting well as every member having a place has created action plans for the com- cate - which ensures that the party has in further capacity to prevent and re- on one of the four committees created ing months that aim at implementing a national outlook, 1000 members in solve conflict in the three regions. The to oversee the progress of the net- aspects of their sustainability strategy. at least 24 counties, a governing body outcome of each of the C & C meetings work. The NPPA benefits from the fact The sustainability strategies for all that addresses gender, regional, ethnic was a sustainability strategy for each that its members are relatively young the five networks can be found on and minority balance and has offices of the networks. and full of enthusiasm for change. Not- www.partnershipforpeace.eu and in in 24 counties. This ongoing exercise The CSO network in Western re- withstanding, a challenge which the this month’s supplement you will find is very important, not only for the le- gion, which brings together CSOs from network has faced so far has been a more articles about the meetings. gitimacy of the political parties but also Vihiga, Bungoma, Kakamega and Bu- lack of focus and direction for the net- It is hoped that the networks for the consolidation of democracy in sia counties, is called the Western Re- work – what can the network provide will succeed in guiding communities Kenya. A parallel exercise which con- gion Peace Network (WREPEN). WRE- over and above what individual mem- through the upcoming elections, com- solidates efforts in peacebuilding has PEN was formed quite recently, and is ber CSOs can offer, for example? plementing the efforts by the govern- been taking place in the Partnership currently in the process of registering In Rift Valley, due to the vastness ment to ensure that those running for for Peace project in the month of April. as an official organization. There is of the region, three networks have election do so peacefully and for the Between the 10th and 17th of April, a great deal of commitment and en- been formed, one covering south rift advancement of all Kenyans. Communication and Coordination (C thusiasm among the Western CSOs to (NABOK), one covering central (BAK- For the International Project Manager, & C) took place in each of the three work as a network, and after having ENA) and one for the North Rift (CO- regions. The purpose of these meet- recently appointed a new Chairman, PEN). The progress of each of the The writer is the Project Support Manager of the Partnership for Peace ings, which have occurred periodically Moses Odikor, the group is moving for- networks in Rift Valley has been quite Project. For comments or suggestions throughout the Partnership for Peace ward in unison. Some of the general varied. NABOK and BAKENA have not write to: project, is to bring together the CSOs challenges which WREPEN have been yet formalised their alliance, and yet [email protected] in each region and to strengthen their facing are a feeling a marginalization they represent very cohesive and work as individual organizations and by some CSOs, lack of funds for ac- functional cooperation – already as networks. The focus of this round of tivities, low visibility of the network. having organized joint activities. CO- INSIDE THIS ISSUE: C & C meetings was sustainability, thus During the C & C meeting, the group PEN on the other hand, while it has we worked on how best to strengthen worked on strategies to improve the been a registered and formal entity Church leaders urged to preach peace Trans Nzoia IDPs’ horrifying tales of destitution — 16 BY JOHN NYAMBUNE mother removed jiggers from her infested are sawn together with sisal, are almost in legs and hands. agreement that they cannot take it anymore. JUDITH Nakhumicha (not her real However, Nakhumicha is not alone. Her They have seen better days and no effort to meeting name) is barely six years of age. The situation is replicated in many children who repair them can bear any fruit. As such, the look on her face says she has seen it live in pathetic conditions in the Patakwa and occupants have to bare cold nights in the outlines causes of all. Donned in a frayed cream dress Teldet IDP camps in Trans Nzoia County. The evening while during the day the tents are as that reveals her skinny malnourished situation at the camp is an indication of how dusty as any earth road. conflict — 17 body, she sits helplessly under a tree low humanity can sink. But that is not all. Nakhumicha’s problems feebly chasing away houseflies that The new Constitution under Chapter Four, are complicated by poor sanitation and lack find pleasure feeding on her open states clearly that: “Every person has inher- of toilets in the area with most families lan- wounds. ent dignity and the right to have that dignity guishing in poverty, and highly dependent on Address roots of Her reddish eyes look pale and ex- respected and protected”. aid from either government or donors. hausted and, neighbors say, she has The IDPs live in tattered tents, which poverty to preserve been crying since morning after her despite being patched with paper bags that Turn to Page 16 peace — 18

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The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The Partnership for Peace Project is responsible for the views reflected in this supplement. 16 The Link, May 2012 SUPPLEMENT

Church leaders urged to preach peace By NYAKWAR ODAWO (MERA), recently, the group chairman John leaders drawn from the entire Busia County dAdenaurStiftung and Mt Elgon Residents Ochemo said the church was in a better po- who had attended the forum to work closely Association is targeting 120 groups at the HURCH leaders in Busia County have sition to preach peace. with the local provincial administration to grassroots level that will be used as a plat- been challenged to be in the forefront MrOchemo said the main objective of the sow the seeds of peace. form to reach the 3 million people through Cof promoting peace in their respective forum was to engage in active peacebuilding The provincial coordinator in charge of civic education aimed at promoting peaceful areas in order to guarantee harmonious co- process in the areas that were seriously af- peace building forum Peter Chem, who was co-existence among the various ethnic com- existence among the various ethnic commu- fected by the post-election violence such as also present, on his part said a total of 120 munities,” Chem said. nities in their areas of jurisdiction. Western, Rift Valley and Nyanza provinces groups, 40 from each of the affected prov- Even so, he cautioned members of the Speaking during a peace building forum ahead of the next general election in order inces (Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley) had community based organisations involved in held at Bukalama ACK church in Nambale to promote peaceful co-existence especially been targeted and will be used to reach peacebuilding initiatives to advise the peo- district sponsored by the European Union in in Busia County, which is a cosmopolitan re- 3 million people through civic education ple from their respective areas, especially collaboration with KonradAdenaurStiftung gion. He called upon the members of various ahead of the next general elections. the youth, not to be used by politicians to (KAS) and Mt Elgon Residents Association community based organisations and church “The European Union through Konra- create disunity. Trans Nzoia IDPs’ horrifying tales of destitution From Page 15 Despite the effort of the government in resettling IDPs from Rongai in Nakuru on a 700 acre piece of land in Chepchoina and Kapkoi farms in Kwanza District early this year, native IDPs of Trans Nzoia who are vic- tims of tribal clashes of 1992/1995 and 1997 post-election violence are still landless. Patakwa camp has 250 IDPs while Teldet, which is the largest, holds 373 IDPs who are all congested in one and half acres of land. Mary Nangila is mother of six and grand- mother of four amongst them Nakhumicha. She has lived in as a squatter in Patakwa camp since her childhood. “I was born here and this is my native land, but it never crossed my mind that one day I will be a squatter in my own ancestral land,” she says adding that things changed during the tribal clashes of 1992/1995 and the post-election violence of 2007 when they were forced to flee to show ground. “The government under the Peace Initia- tive ‘Operasheni Rudi Nyumbani’ assured us of our safety and told us to go back home. We came back here and we were informed that this land belonged to somebody else.” IDPs in a camp. she said, tears welling into her eyes. She continues, “Because we do not have commissioner’s office and Ministry of Lands handle all the cases at the same time”, said and a quarter acres of land for each IDP, we a privilege of owning the land as we are but no help is forthcoming. The Government Mr. Mkwele. cannot estimate how much the land will cost barred by both government and private de- should re-consider finding alternative ways Mr. Leonard Barasa Director Catholic but I know there is enough money to do this velopers to cultivate the land, we are just of re-settling these IDPs. There are many Justice Peace Commission in Kitale blamed work. Our obligation as special programmes congested in this tiny land”. IDPs groups like Trans Nzoia Squatters Alli- the past regimes of ignoring the plight of is to resettle them and building houses for Due to the congestion, sanitation in the ance and Umoja Clash Victims”. He said. IDPs. He further accused some politicians them. But this will be done as soon as the camp is pathetic and the smell of dry fecal The victims in the camps have also and government officials of grabbing several land is available and we agree with the own- matters of both human beings and livestock blamed the judiciary for dragging land cases hectares of land from the victims who did er,” Erepete explained. permeates the atmosphere as chicken are for upto 10 years saying they have lost con- not have land title deeds. Mr. Barongo Gideon, a lawyer based in busy searching for food in the matter. Vic- fidence with it. “Almost 5000 victims are still landless Kitale,says the Government has an obliga- tims say the toilets in the camp are perma- According to Mr. Mkwele judiciary has since tribal clashes of 1992/1995 and post- tion of resetting the victims. “Although the nently shut down after they started over- been reluctant in giving verdicts on pending election violence of 1997. While, the Nation- constitution has not come out clearly on the flowing four months ago. land cases. al Accord paved way for the government issues of the IDPs, this does not deny them “We have several cases of stomach prob- “Cases of double allocation and trespass to resettle landless people, we were side- the right to own land. They are also entitled lems and other related diseases that affect are very common. For instance, two people lined during the ‘Operesheni Rudi Nyum- to own land. They need to be treated like both children and adults. Some people who are allocated the same land and both of bani’. They went ahead and destroyed IDPs any person. The constitution says that eve- have money are forced to go to the nearest them have legal documents, when cases are camps at the Endebess without informing rybody has a right to own land.” market known as Embakassi about four kil- taken before the court it takes several years us. The government should stop being se- Sabaot MP says he will ometers away to access a toilet on the pre- to resolve them. lective and give equal treatment to the IDPs push the three bills namely National Land text that they have gone shopping,” says Mr. Some complainants wait for long for jus- and squatters remaining unsettled,” he ob- Commission Bill 2012, land registration Bill Peter Ndiema a resident of Patakwa. tice to be done until they grow old and die served. 2012 and Land Bill 2012 to pass in parlia- Kenya Land Alliance North Rift repre- before justice is done or cases concluded. Special programmes officer in charge of ment to bring some relief to squatters and sentative Mr. John MatandaMkwele accused He said adding that the National land Com- the IDPs North Rift Region Mr. Peter Erepete IDPs in the country at large. the government of failing in its mandate. “In mission should be formed urgently as it will said the government is still looking for land Regional Provincial Commissioner for Trans Nzoia, we have IDPs and they need be able to solve land issues. to resettle the victims. North Rift Valley and Turkana Regions, Mr. also to be resettled, this people have been “Kitale High court has only one judge af- “Ministry of Lands has responsibility of Wilson Wanyenga said vetting of the IDPs using non- violent ways to go the district ter one of them died, it is difficult for him to buying the land and sub-dividing it into two in Patakwa and Teldet has been completed.

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

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The Partnership for Peace Project is responsible for the views reflected in this supplement. The Link, May 2012 SUPPLEMENT 17

By LUKE KAPCHANGA Webuye meeting outlines causes of conflict ROSTY relationships and poor negoti- ating skills between provincial admin- Fistrators and church leaders are fueling insecurity in Webuye. This was said during a peace meeting for Webuye division in Bungoma East dis- trict. The meeting was organized by Am- bana Sirende CBO and facilitated by Mount Elgon Residents Association, under Part- nership for Peace Project funded by the European Union. Church leaders were accused of inciting the youth against the provincial adminis- tration whenever conflict arose between them. The meeting identified rising poverty levels among the youth as a major concern as it has been linked to insecurity which could spark off violence during election pe- riod. Michael Barasa, an official of Ambana Sirende Community Based Organization, said children as young as 9 – 12 years are involved in criminal activities. “The trend of insecurity is worrying when school going children turns to crimi- nality to fend for their families and meet their personal needs,” Barasa observed. The pace for the open forum was set by the Western provincial coordinator Peter Chem, who urged participants not to ex- pect much information from facilitators. “We are here to learn more from you, Youth during post election violence in 2007/2008. Inset: Peter Chem, Western Provincial Coordinator. so kindly speak out openly on underlying issues that are likely to spark off violence in abandon pregnant girls at the parents school get employed as house helps and increase among the youth and the supply this area,” Chem said. homes, who also lack adequate income to farm hands and because of the meagre in- chain is well connected from Uganda up to Isabella Wanjala told the meeting that support additional family members. come, majority end up as gangsters. Mombasa. food insecurity has led to increased cases Richard Situma decried the breakdown This group also marries early and get “The drug business is protected and any of theft, and house break-ins in general. of the social fabric, where by the commu- divorced when life becomes difficult due to attempt to disrupt the distribution network “Those stealing are after securing food, nity has no say when it comes to discipline scarce resources. can be repulsed fiercely”, he said. as they lack alternative sources of income of children in their upbringing. On his part, Hussein Simiyu, the assist- The drug supply chain is highly connect- generation,” she said.She challenged lead- “In the past children belonged to the ant chief for Misikhu, accused parents for ed and those arrested are released under ers at all levels to be agents of change to community but now parents do not want turning early pregnancies into business. unclear circumstances when they appear in create job opportunities and maximize on their children to be punished when they go Simiyu told the meeting that some par- court land use. wrong,” he observed. ents opt for out of court settlements es- Leaders at all levels were accused of Rose Wakasa, who heads a CBO for Provincial administrators pointed an ac- pecially when offenders are willing to pay setting bad example to the youth on de- teenage mothers, complained that most cusing finger to parents over the rising cas- fines. velopment and discipline. Job Matala said girls were giving birth at home before at- es of teenage pregnancies and insecurity. “Most girls suffer in silence especially in leaders do not provide any direction to the taining 18 years. BramwelJuma, assistant chief for Mala- cases where the culprits pay fines or when people and thus cannot be relied upon to The boys behind the pregnancies, she ha, complained of high rates of primary the offenders are close relatives,” he said bring about peace and development. noted, were Bodabodariders who are very school drop outs saying this meant that the He complained that poor parenting and He complained that leaders do not un- irresponsible due to unreliable sources of affected children may not be able to secure failure by parents to provide necessary derstand themselves; they do not know the income to support families. meaningful employment in the future. needs is the cause of insecurity. concerns of the people other than worship The problem gets worse when the boys Juma said children who drop out of Simiyu noted that drug abuse is on the wealth. Western peace builders vow to soldier on

By AGGREY BUCHUNJU The 40 CSOs have formed one organ- continue to build peace and ensure that ganisation to be sustainable it should isation called Western Region Peace Net- the knowledge gained during the three have effective management, positive NDING of the Partnership for Peace work through which they will continue to year project implementation period is relationship with stakeholders and high Project funded by the European pass on the knowledge achieved through passed on in order to avert violence. quality services that respond to felt EUnion (EU) will not mark the end the Partnership for Peace Project. MERA was given the mandate to con- needs. of peace programmes in western region. Speaking in KakamegaTown recently tinue coordinating the activities of the A consultant with the project, Ms Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) during a two day meeting, the peace network including sourcing for funds as Kristina Flodman, emphasized the need that partnered with Konrad Adenauer network members said that it would be the organisation awaits registration cer- for the network members to update Stiftung (KAS) under the umbrella of self-defeating if peacebuilding and con- tificate from the registrar of societies. themselves regularly in order to work Mount Elgon Residents Association flict transformation processes in the re- The Partnership for Peace Project In- harmoniously. (MERA) during the implementation gion were to stop immediately after the ternational Manager Hanna Carlsson ap- She called upon the network mem- of the EU funded peace project have exit of the EU funded project. pealed to the members of the network bers to embrace internal monitoring and vowed to proceed with the peacebuild- Consequently, the CSOs asserted that to be focused and embrace teamwork. evaluation through regular appraisal ing programme. with or without donor funds they will Ms Hanna observed that for the or- meetings.

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

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The Partnership for Peace Project is responsible for the views reflected in this supplement. 18 The Link, May 2012 SUPPLEMENT PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE Address roots of poverty to preserve peace By JONATHAN KIMUGE OMMENTATORS in Europe talk of a crisis in the Euro Zone where coun- Ctries such as Austria complain of 5 per cent unemployment and about 6 per cent of the population living below the poverty line. When we consider that Kenya has 40 per cent unemployment and 50 per cent of its population lives under the of- ficial poverty line the concept of a crisis in Europe seems rather shallow. Kenya alone has about 25 million inhab- itants living in abject poverty and accord- ing to the United Nations 12.5 million are threatened with drought and famine in the region. This contrasts with many who live in luxury in the metropolis of Nairobi next to Africa’s largest slums. Something is very wrong and radical changes are required. East Africa’s ails are not caused by one single factor. There are a complex series of causations that are playing and hinder- ing economic empowerment. This article is an attempt to throw light on the complexi- ties and yet offer new dynamic models which will probably facilitate and speed up growth. A section of Kibera slum in Nairobi. Many Kenyans live below poverty line. The Causations: infected have now sadly perished which “Common Good”. The new Kenyan consti- er than smart and sustainable solutions. 1. Climate Change: Global warming is has raised Kenya’s life expectency, howev- tution is a bold attempt to address these The sheer amount of money that is spent causing the migration of deserts and once er, we are left with a lost generation. 10 per issues but it is yet to be implemented. paying for pilgrims to fly to Africa from fertile land is now arid or semi-arid and cent of Kenyan children are orphaned. The developed countries, not to mention their youth require mentoring and nurturing to 6. Civil War: The instability in the region upkeep and living expenses is a significant no longer conducive to traditional farming and in particular in neighboring Somalia is methods. 75% of Kenya is according to the secure a robust future. However, there are financial investment. Arguably, these acts too few mature and experienced Kenyans adding further pressure to Kenya and East of charity actually exacerbate the situation United Nations either arid or semi-arid and Africa generally as refugees flee the life the remaining fertile farm land is mainly to to help these orphans and disadvantaged adding to the attraction of people to flee to youth develop to secure the future. threatening situation. The negative per- the slums. be found in the Great Rift Valley. ceptions this is having on the rest of the 2. Crop diseases and pests: The crops 5. Racism and Nationalism: Tribal rival- World is challenging the tourist industry There is the need therefore to fast track are being attacked by natural hazards ries in Africa are deep seated. Rwanda’s as well and denying Kenya income from changes in people’s thinking on how to en- which are mutating and changing mak- genocide is not that long ago. The post- visitors who are staying away in their thou- gage duty bearers to come up with solu- ing management of farmland complex. It election violence in Kenya back in 2007- sands. tions to the problems that bedevil the mar- requires skilled know how to respond to 2008 left thousands dead and millions ginalized and disadvantaged in the society displaced. It is still lying under the surface 7. Misguided Charity: Prof. Muhammed- that breeds conflict. crop diseases and the vast majority of the Yunus is a critic of charity which he argues population simply do not have the capacity and there continue to be great challenges fails to facilitate sustainable growth. Char- The Writer is the BAKENA Peace Network to understand the diseases and adminis- to heal the Kenyan soul and bring commu- ity is based on pity and often doctrine rath- Coordinator ter or afford the consultants to do this for nities together in trust and focused on the them so the appropriate measures can be implemented. CONTACT ADDRESSES: 3. Population Growth: Somalia has a staggeringly high birthrate of 6.3 births Partnership for Peace, Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, Mbaruk Road 27 per female. When we consider that some P.O. Box 66471 - 00800, Nairobi, Kenya, females die young and are infertile the Telephone. +254 - 20 - 2610021 number of births per head is extremely Fax: +254 - 20 – 2610023 high. Developed nations such as Austria e-mail: [email protected] have just 1.3 births per female. Rapidly ex- panding population adds greater pressure PARTNERS on the existing resources. Mt. Elgon Residents Association (MERA) Community Initiative Action-Group (CIAG-K) Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) Chem Ngeywo, Project Coordinator Edwin Adoga, Project Coordinator Mr. James Kimisoi, Project Coordinator 4. Longevity: Kenyans live to an average age of 63 years which has increased from P.O. Box 21-50201, Cheptais, Mt. Elgon Milimani (Hosted by CADIF Kenya, The Catholic Diocese of 55 years just 5 years ago. The reason for Mobile : 0720-744827; 0734-517489. next to Plan Intern. Milimani) P.O. Box 842-30100, Eldoret. the low life expectancy is because of dis- Email: [email protected] P.O. Box 9104-40140, Kisumu. Tel 2031272; 0722-448110 eases such as HIV, TB and Malaria and in- Tel: 0705-266 057 or 0735-865 026 E-mail: [email protected] adequate health care and prevention. Ken- E-mail: [email protected] ya has the 4th highest HIV infection rate in the entire World. Many of those who were

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

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

The Link, May 2012 20 GOVERNANCE Who enjoys the Police cautioned against wealth of Taita Taveta County? By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU torturing suspects TAITA Taveta County is vastly en- dowed with enormous resources By KAVYU-KURA violated. She added that charges She said that there was need for by the police. “We wanted to train which singles it out as one of the would also be pressed against vio- the police boss to respect the rights you on human rights based han- richest Counties in the Country. THE Police force has been cau- lators of human rights. of junior officers by ensuring they dling of the public in order to ward From minerals found in the low land tioned against subjecting suspects areas to great opportunities for eco- Munala said KNCHR was con- did not stay long in hardship sta- off animosity and mistrust among tourism and Agriculture, the county to torture as this could lead to stantly monitoring government tions, given punitive transfers, the two groups,” said Beth. prosecution of concerned officers. is a hidden treasure whose potential agencies for alleged violation of awarded promotions on merit and The police officers were in- remains largely unexploited. The senior human rights of- rights and ensures redress for gen- the rights to their families respect- ducted on the Chapter on the Bill The county is rich in minerals ficer at the Kenya National Com- uine violation cases. The organiza- ed. of rights in the new constitution, that range from Asphalt, Iron Ore, mission on Human Rights, Lois tion, she added had also a role to An official from the Kitui pa- how to handle suspects and the Green garnet, Ruby, Tsavorite, blue Atambitsa Munala, said recently advise the government to enhance ralegal office Christine Beth noted public in a humanely manner and sapphire and garnet. The miner- that the Kenyan constitution and the promotion and protection of that the training sought to mini- their relationship with KNCHR als are mainly concentrated in the various international conventions human rights. mize manhandling of the public among other topics. low land areas of Kasighau, Chun- criminalized torture and any form gaunga, Kamtonga Mwachabo and of human rights violation. Mkuki. She asked the police to apply However, the resources have not been fully exploited to earn locals human rights based approach while any substantive income. Poverty handling suspected criminals and levels remain high in the area where the general public to avoid a brush residents toil endlessly in the mines with the law. She said police offic- to eke out a living. Most of these ers needed to acquaint themselves mines are privately owned by prom- with human rights principles in the inent businessmen and politicians course of their work. while locals only work as casual The KNCHR official was labourers. Poor working conditions speaking at the Kitui Agricultural coupled by insecurity and low wag- Training Centre during the train- es mainly define the mines. In 2009, a Scottish mining pros- ing of 50 police officers on the ide- pector known as Bridges Camp- als and principles of human rights. bell who discovered Tsavorite was The two day training workshop attacked and killed by a gang of was organized by the Kitui pa- youths on his way to the mines in ralegal office in conjunction with Mwachabo area in Mwatate con- KNCHR. stituency. Political interference also The human rights official noted continues to impede investments in that in the face of the impending the sector. Prospects to mine iron reforms, the officers must cultivate ore at Kishushe area have stalled due to politicization of the project. human rights culture in their work Scores of attempts by prospectors in order to bridge the widening to invest in the mining project have gap between them and the mem- been fruitless as politics take an bers of the public. upper edge. Last year Devki Steel She pointed out that the Mills Chief Executive Officer Raval KNCHR seeks to work hand in Guru attended a special full council hand with the police in upholding meeting and announced plans by the human rights of all Kenyans and company to spend Kshs36 billion in putting up a steel processing plant in would not hesitate to seek redress The Kitui Deputy OCPD, Moses Kanyi (right), among other police officers who received training on for persons whose rights were the area. He said that if the project human rights issues at the Kitui Agricultural Training Institute. Photo/Kavyu Kura proceeds according to plan, then 90 percent of the jobs would go to the local community to help address the rising poverty levels. However, some local leaders are World Bank funds fishing activities at the coast opposed to the plan and have con- By BEKADZO TONDO however blamed lack of modern is improved and challenged other Ganze through water buzzers as vened several meetings to incite res- fishing gears by the local - fisher fishermen especially from Lake the area was too dry. idents against the investor who they claim is part of a clique that wants THE Government has received men in Coast Province for the low Victoria to increase their produc- Farmers led by the chairman to amass immense wealth at the ex- Kshs 3 billion from the World fish catch. tion. of Vitengeni Fish Pond associa- pense of the residents. The District Bank to improve fishing activities Minister Kingi said “Our lo- The minister said though the tion Mr. Kennedy Mwangome had Geologist officer Edward Omito has in Coast region. Fisheries Devel- cal fishermen have no capacity coast soils are not good at hold- complained to the minister that remained silent over the matter. opment Minister Amason Kingi of catching big tonnes of fish due ing fish pond waters ,the govern- most fish pond farmers were about Apart from mining, the region says the funds have been chan- to the overreliance on local fish- ment will not relent in encourag- to abandon the farming due to lack has enormous potential in agricul- neled to the government through ing gears like canoes which can- ing farmers to continue with the of water for their ponds. “Water ture and is endowed with a number Kenya Marine and Fisheries Insti- not venture into deep seas fish- farming saying the farmers will be sources to feed our fish ponds, re- of tourist attraction sites namely the tute (KEMFRI). ing while others use local fishing supported with fish pond liners to mains a big challenge to our farm- scenic hills and the unique forests lines.” Kingi made the remarks at contain water. “The type of soils ers in Vitengeni and we appeal which are likely to boost the econ- The funds will mostly be used omy of the county. to fund research programmes on Vitengeni divisional headquarters found in most parts of Coast Prov- to the government to supply us Areas of Werugha, Mwanda, fisheries matters, train local farm- recently where he addressed fish ince are porous something which with water or else we abandon the Mghange and Taveta are known ers and equip them with modern pond farmers after inspecting the has made it difficult for the ponds farming” said Mr Mwangome. to produce milk and vegetables fishing gears. farming activities in the field. to hold water but that challenge which are then sold to big hotels in The Minister laments that coast The minister distributed fish will not make my ministry to stop Mombasa and other parts of Coast province which has a vast cover of liners to the fish pond farmers and the project as it will support the province. The region also boasts of Indian Ocean waters has been pro- gave his personal donation of Kshs farmers with fish pond liners to mountain forests such as Ngangao, ducing only six percent of the total 100,000 to Vitengeni fish farmers contain waters in the ponds” said Fururu, Chawia and Mbololo which association to improve their farm- Mr. Kingi are said to be the only homes to fish exports in the county while the some unique birds and butterflies. rest comes from Lake Victoria. ing activities. The minister further said the Researchers have been visit- “It is shocking to learn that Kingi who was accompanied government will construct a fish ing the area to study birds such as Coast Province, which is endowed by his assistant minister Ali Chi- processing plant in all counties Taita Apalis, Taita white eye and with enormous water resources aba and the Fisheries Director in where fish pond farming is prac- Taita thrush which are only found from the Indian ocean has only charge of fish quality Assurance ticed. He said the farmers need in Ngangao forest. These resources managed to contribute six percent and Marketing Okumu Makogola fish processing plants in their re- if well utilised can help generate of the total fish exportation while said his ministry was committed spective areas so that the fish can enough revenue in the area. Pascal Lake Victoria and other local wa- to develop fisheries activities in be processed and more value add- Mtula, who is a local investor, says ter sources from rivers and other Coast. ed so that farmers can fetch good that most businesses in the area are He said part of the World Bank profits. not structured to benefit the local lakes from upcountry have been residents. “Most people do veg- producing over 94 percent of the donated funds will be used to sup- He said his ministry will liaise etable farming but they lack ready fish being exported to other coun- port fish pond farming in the Coast with the water ministry to sup- Mr. Amason Kingi: Fisheries market to sell their produce and earn tries,” said Kingi. The minister region to ensure fish production ply water to fish pond farmers in Development minister. regular income,” says Mtula. The Link, May 2012 GOVERNANCE 21

By KAVYU-KURA Numbers not A MEMBER of Parliament has ex- pressed fears that the millions of MP cautions over the answer shillings to be paid out to residents of Mui Coal basin in Kitui County to women in compensation may lead to fam- ily breakups. The MP for Manyatta problems Emilio Kathuri who is a member of Kitui coal millions the Parliamentary Committee on En- By PETER MUTUKU ergy, Information and Communica- AS MORE women prepare to ascend tion said unless the money is managed to leadership positions as guaranteed prudently it may lead to disintegration in the Constitution, questions abound of the family unit. as to whether the seats will attract in- Kathuri stressed the need for dividuals who are able to articulate proper counseling of the Mui basin women issues in a way that helps community to ward off family disin- in the alleviation of poverty to spur tegration. “We have in the past seen development in different parts of the families break up when they get colos- country. sal amounts of money. There is need A program’s officer with the to avoid such cases within the Mui Caucus for Women leadership, Joy coal basin here in Kitui,” said Kathuri. Masheti says that numbers only, may Kathuri made the remarks recently not help to bring the desired change. when he led another member of his According to Masheti, zeal is the committee Cyprian Omolo (MP Uriri) key thing, women who are commit- in a tour of the Block A and B of the ted to aspirations of fellow women at Mui coal basin. The entourage also in- all levels and are determined to see cluded members of intergovernmental change. “Some women will be elect- committee on coal led by the chief ge- ed to parliament but still stand with ologist in the Ministry of Energy Eng. their respective parties even when John Omenge. important women issues are being They were received at Yoonye discussed,” she says. area by District Commissioner She cites an example of how James Kamau and the Community li- women in the tenth Parliament came aison committee on coal that included together during the Constitution re- lawyer and an aspirant for Mutitu view process in and en- parliamentary seat Mike Mulei and dorsed affirmative action which is a Mining Geologist at Magadi Soda now entrenched in the constitution. MPs Cyprian Omollo (left) and Emilio Kithuri listens to the chief geologist, Ministry of Energy, John Omenge “That was the first time that Martha Mumo Kiema. Kathuri asked com- during a visit to the Blocks A and B of the Mui coal basin in Kitui county recently. Photo/Kavyu-Kura Karua who is Narc Kenya leader munity liaison committee members to took a unified stand with the likes of take up the responsibility of caution- He assured that the local com- According to Commissioner of squatters” Mabea said. Rachel Shebesh and Millie Odhiam- ing locals against the mismanagement munity would be involved in every Lands, Zablon Mabea who was in Mabea said the government was bo from Orange Democratic ODM,” of the money. He said there was need step of the implementation of the coal the entourage, the government in- developing an integrated master plan she says. She says that unless gender for residents who will be displaced en- mining project. He said residents who tends to move the affected people for urban settlement and housing for sensitive women are elected, then we sure they acquired land to set up new will be involuntary forced out of their into “highly developed” settlement people in mining regions and other are likely to miss out on this grand homes. homes will be given various reloca- schemes where they will be provided resettlements. Geologist Omenge said opportunity to mainstream gender in Saying that already the exchequer tion options to choose from. He said with all the basic amenities. Mabea an inter-ministerial committee over- all governance processes. had spent up to Ksh. 1 billion in coal displacement will be progressive and recently said that the integrated re- seeing the project will discuss the pro- “When women are included in explorations, Kathuri said his com- systematic to ensure it had a human settlement approach will involve the posed Eco-village resettlement action decision making process they will mittee would continue to support and face. Omenge criticized Non-govern- government creating a township and plan with the local community before help in making a gender sensitive closely monitor the coal project that mental organizations for confusing the building modern homes that with it is implemented. budget which is likely to spur devel- would not only turn round the econo- the locals by peddling lies thus incit- be accompanied by schools and hos- “It will be easier to provide them opment and address the needs of all my of Kitui but that the entire coun- ing them to oppose the coal project. pitals. with water, electricity and even good without discrimination,” she added. try’s at large. He called on NGOs liaise with the The Eco village plan is a clean schools if the displaced people are set- “If you look at our parliament which Omenge noted that the coal project ministry of energy personnel in order break from previous resettlement tled in the same area than when they is male dominated, many of the times will be the engine to drive the eco- to give the right information about the systems. Traditionally displaced are left to scatter all over on their own” they make decisions that appear to fa- nomic growth in Kitui and asked the coal project. persons are usually given monetary Omenge said. He added that resettle- vour their male domain, but if we can locals to tap into the coal value chain At the same time an assuarance compensation and left free to migrate ment of those to be affected will be have more women representatives, by investing in businesses that cor- was made that all the residents of Mui to regions of their choice. “We must done with a human face so that the the needs of both gender are to be ad- relate with coal project. He called for coal basin who will be displaced dur- be careful enough to avoid creating a local could view the project positively dressed and thus contribute to mean- training local youth in skills that will ing the mining of the commercial min- more complex squatter problem with and that compensation will be paid ingful development,” she added. enable the get jobs in the coal extrac- eral may be resettled in South African broken families where villagers are out as per in internationally accepted According to Masheti, if Kenyans tion project. model Eco villages. duped by land brokers and end up as World Bank rates. want to reap the fruits of this constitu- tion they have to be ready to imple- ment it to the later. “This is the only way to go, to involve both genders and to elect people who are result driven not just for the sake of getting the numbers Mathira road but people who are driven by pas- sion,” she advices. Masheti says that the Constitution enables this to be realized at the County level where it set for repair states that not more than two thirds of one gender will be allowed to seat in By JOSEPH MUKUBWA of roads after the project is fin- the county assembly. ished,” he said. According to the Constitution, THE government has earmarked He however proposed that the (Article 177(b)) not more than two Kshs20 million for rehabilitation road be upgraded into bitumen thirds of the membership of the as- standards. sembly shall be of the same gender. of a ten kilometre road in Mathira According to the book beyond East district. The MP at the same time said numbers which narrates about the im- The Construction of the Kiam- that he will oppose plans by the pact of women in leadership in East abara- Karatina-Mung’etho road government to raise to Kshs 500 Africa, “one way to improve wom- is scheduled for completion by the monthly contribution to Na- en’s status is to train those in various October this year. tional Health Insurance Fund cadres who will serve in the govern- The road is being constructed (NHIF) by self employed people. ment and non-government organiza- under the Roads 2000 project “This move violates the rights tions to act as catalysts of change and which seeks to improve the stand- of Kenyans, majority of who can- facilitate the integration of gender in ards of roads in the area. not afford to raise the required decision making and policy forma- Area MP Ephraim Maina said Kshs 500 per month due to the tion.” that the project will help ease prevailing economic hardships,” Karen Sherman, Executive Direc- said Maina. tor for Global Programs at Women communication and transportation for Women, says that “When you of agricultural goods in the area. The MP said that the govern- invest in women, they typically in- “It will also help to create ment should improve health fa- vest 90 per cent back into the health, employment for the local youth cilities in the country and employ nutrition and education of their fami- who will be hired to work in the enough medical staff instead of lies, as opposed to 30-40 per cent for The 10 Kilometre Kiamabara- Karatina- Mung’etho road which is be- project. Motorists will no longer forcing Kenyans to remit cash for men.” ing upgraded at a cost of Kshs20 million. Photo/Joseph Mukubwa complain of regular breakdowns medical cover. The Link, May 2012 22 DEVELOPMENT Group moves EU, Danida release huge to empower Kilifi women funds for environment By BEKDAZO TONDO By JOSEPH MUKUBWA ency with the relevant government of man Stephen Munyiri, Community ing with dispensaries and health cent- A WOMEN organisation has Kenya policies and strategies such as Environment Facility Programme ers to improve the health standards disbursed Ksh35 million to THE European Union has disbursed Vision 2030, medium term plan and Manager Joseph Ruhiu and CDTF of local communities,” the envoy empower women and youth Kshs 2.3 billion to fund environmen- country strategy paper. programme coordinator Salesius added. The diplomat said the targeted economically in Choni and tal programmes in the country. Planning PS Edward Sambili in Miu. projects will help reduce pressure on The four year programme under a speech read on his behalf said the Thonke said 15 projects in Nyeri the natural resources in the country’s Kikambala divisions of Kilifi the Community Development Trust funds have been earmarked for com- County will benefit from the funding water towers. district. Fund (CDTF) is a joint initiative be- munity environmental management amounting to Kshs 151 Million. The The Central Provincial Director Chonyi was allocated tween the European Union and the projects. 39 of the 97 projects target envoy said the funds would be used of Planning Grace Muimi noted that Ksh15 million, while Kikam- Royal Danish Embassy (Danida) the five major water towers namely to rehabilitate the degraded areas of most of the projects that could not be bala got Ksh20 million. Ac- which is scheduled to run up to 2014. Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Mau forest Mt Kenya forest. funded due to insufficient funds must cording to the Coast Coor- The programme targets the envi- complex, Cherengani and Mt Elgon “The officials entrusted in the be implemented in order to improve dinator of Women of Kenya ronmental component of community which were the target of the Commu- implementation of the funds should their livelihoods and urged other do- Initiative (WOKI), Ms Rachel development programme in addition nity Environment Facility. uphold transparency while using the nors to contribute more funds to the Dzombo, the funds will assist to climate change and renewable en- Those present included Mt Envi- funds so as to reap maximum benefit CDTF to enable reach out to more the groups to start income gen- ergy. ronmental Conservation group chair- from the donation. We are also work- communities. Speaking during the launch of Mt erating projects. Kenya Environmental Conservation Ms Dzombo said WOKI and Poverty Reduction Project at Ka- was formed to empower vul- rindundu area in Nyeri County, Dan- nerable groups such as women, ish deputy ambassador Ole Thonke youth and men in the region by said the funds have been channelled offering them loans so as to be to 97 projects in the country. able to engage in small-scale “The Community Development income earning projects. Programmes seeks to reduce pov- Dzombo, who is a former erty in the country through empow- ering communities to initiate and Permanent Secretary for Gen- implement community based socio der and Social Services, said economic infrastructure and environ- lack of financial support to mental conservation projects,” said women and youth had contrib- the ambassador. He said the purpose uted to high levels of poverty of the funding is to mainstream com- in many families. She said the munity- led approaches to poverty re- poverty levels in the country duction and sustainable management could drastically improve if of natural resources in rural and peri- vulnerable women were sup- urban areas. ported with finances. Danida will disburse Kshs 1.4 billion to CDTF environment facil- “Lack of financial support ity through its Natural Resources among women and youth has Management Programme to finance contributed to high levels of various community led management poverty facing many families initiatives of natural resources as well in the country and it is the ob- as projects on climate change, renew- ligation of Non Governmen- able energy and gender. tal Organisations (NGO) and The programme is being imple- Danish Deputy Ambassador Ole Thonke hands over financial documents to the Mt Kenya Environmental the government to join hands mented in line with the Denmark’s Conservation and Poverty Reduction project chairman Stephen Munyiri at Karindundu area in Nyeri and assist them,” Ms Dzombo commitment to the Kenya Joint County. Community Environment Facility Programme Manager Joseph Ruhiu look on. said. Assistance Strategy and in consist- Photo/Joseph Mukubwa She was speaking to wom- en who had gathered at Karisa Maitha Stadium to sensitise women on issues related to Migori women urge MPs to speed up land laws their rights. She said local women can now access the By LINK CORRESPONDENT matrimonial property after the men’s hands,” she says adding that empower women on the issue of funds and pay school fees for death of their spouses. despite the provisions on the new land ownership will have to be their children while others can HUNDREDS of women in Migori According to Milka Awiti, who constitution, women have been accompanied by a campaign to County want parliament to hasten works in the Macalder mines in marginalised economically as they change perceptions at the village start business or engage in the enactment of land bills to make Nyatike, , land re- do not own any land. level and especially within the commercial agriculture. it easier for them to own land, es- mains critical to women’s empow- She says things are even made provincial administration. ‘Woki supports the youth, pecially after the death of their erment as majority hardly benefit worse whenever gold has been “We might have the most pow- women and men groups with spouses. from the mines, even when the discovered in a piece of land erful legislations but as long as loans so that they can easily According to the women, de- gold has been discovered in their owned by a woman since the men chiefs still believe women cannot pay school fees for their chil- spite the promulgation of the con- own pieces of land. within the locality always believe own land, then there is nothing dren, start business or engage stitution, widows continue to lose “Here, land is still solely in they are then the ones to run the much that will be achieved,” she in commercial agriculture in- mines. says adding that in the rural areas, stead of begging,” Ms Dzom- And while she says some the chiefs still play the role of ar- bo said. progress has been made in the leg- bitration on and matters and will islation aspect, there was still a lot need to be educated on the new She decried the increased to be done by the implementer’s to rules. cases of sexual harassment ensure that the rights are not just She also underscores the need among women in the area add- in paper. to increase the number of times, ing that women and underage And because of this, she says the lands board sits to ensure that girls were sexually harassed most women within the gold min- land cases are sorted out faster. daily and urged the govern- ing areas, even the actual owners On her part, Education Center ment and police to protect of the land have been reduced for the Advancement of Women, them. into scavenging from the ashes (ECAW), Chairperson Dennita Kilifi District Commission- thrown away by the men and look- Gati, the issue of women inherit- er, Benjamin Wachira warned ing for the little gold they can ever ing the land will have to be rein- get from it. Things have become forced in the new land bill even chiefs and village elders worse as men abandon their fami- if it has already been mentioned against tackling rape and de- lies after they receive payments here. filement cases at the villages. from the lucrative trade. “In Kuria, when it comes to ‘All rape and defilement cases Similar sentiments are shared land, women simply have no say,” need to be reported to the po- by Margaret Awino, a resident of she says adding that they have not lice and later taken to court Oruba area in Migori district. She been allowed to own land by the for disciplinary actions to be Miss Dennita Gati talks to the girls during the training. says that any new legislation to customs. taken against the culprits. The Link, May 2012 23 DEVELOPMENT Hard work pays off for Machakos council By PETER MUTUKU Machakos town Member of Par- liament Dr. Victor Munyaka who was MACHAKOS Municipal council has present at the event lauded the council been ranked amongst the best per- and added that the council should be forming local authorities in the coun- given the lead role in development and try in the recently released perform- planning of the Konza ICT City. ance contract results. “I will move a motion in Parlia- The council, which took the third ment to endorse the Municipal Coun- position countrywide, attributes its cil of Machakos as the lead agency performance to hard work. in planning and development of the “It is through hard work by all Konza ICT City because it has shown our staff that we have managed to get that it is capable and can perform bet- recognition countrywide as a top per- ter.” Munyaka said forming council. I also want to thank He also said that the Konza ICT the civic leaders for providing us with City is within and a conducive working environment,” not as speculated by adds Machakos town clerk Sheikh leaders from Makueni. Abdullahi. Munyaka urged the local investors Abdullahi also lauds the residents to embrace the development opportu- and the business community for work- nities provided by the Konza ICT city. ing closely with the council. “I call upon the locals to embrace He says that the council will con- the Konza ICT City and invest heav- tinue engaging the business communi- ily because they stand to benefit. We ty through dialogue and consultations do not want people from outside the to ensure growth of the town. county to be the only investors at “I want the business community to Konza.” the legislator said understand that the council will con- Machakos town mayor Timothy tinue to engage them through dialogue Kilonzo urged civic leaders and coun- to ensure the growth and development cil staff to maintain the harmonious of the town through partnership be- working relationship to ensure that cause we cannot succeed alone with- they maintain their performance so out them,” he says that they can take the lead position in The council has been register- Machakos town clerk Sheikh Abdullahi displays the trophy they were awarded for top performance in the next local governments perform- ing improved performance in the last the 2010/11 local authorities performance contract during celebrations at the council grounds. Macha- ance results. three years. During the 2007/08 the kos town mayor Timothy Kilonzo looks on. Photo/Peter Mutuku The mayor urged all stakeholders council ranked dismally at position to continue partnering with the council 152. However, in 2008/09 the council ranked in position one because the top scored highly in 59 of the targets while pledged to rally the business commu- to develop the town and ensure quality made a drastic turn and took position position was taken by the town coun- good in 3 of the targets and that is how nity in efforts to support the council service delivery in order to maintain 13 but in 2009/10 they dropped to po- cil of Kikuyu while position two was we managed to become position three for the continued development of the the top position in performance. sition 69 before jumping back to posi- taken by the town council of Othaya. countrywide in local authorities’ per- town. tion 3 in the 2010/11 local authorities’ “In the performance contract 2010/11 formance contract.” Abdullahi said. performance contract. we had 70 targets and we managed to Newly elected Machakos County The clerk said that in the mu- excel in 8 of them meaning we sur- Chamber of Commerce boss Simon nicipalities category, the council was passed the targets by 30 percent. We Kitheka also lauded the council and ADVERTISING RATES

Community forces ban on charcoal Your support as our reader or advertiser ensures that the stories By KAVYU-KURA They went ahead and detained the ve- bear and unproductive wasteland. hicle for hours as they offloaded the “Due to the charcoal production, that matter - the stories that help people make decisions about CHARCOAL burning in Mui area of bags of charcoal. the areas of Kalikioni, Mikolosoni, their education, health, governance, their livelihood, and their Kitui East District has been banned Nduvani, Nzia, and Kathangu are no Later, the chairman of the larger communities - reach them in a simplified but factual way. with immediate effect owing to a sim- Mwingi Charcoal Transporters Asso- longer productive. We hope the media mering row with the residents. ciation Joseph Kimwele arrived at the and the civil society would move in The area District Commissioner scene wielding documents to vindicate to highlight the serious dilemma my How to Advertise Martin Mwaro and the Kenya Forest the lorry crew. However, the villagers people are faced with,” said Cllr. Mu- Service Zonal Manager John Njoroge remained adamant that the lorry must longo. Send us the details of what you want advertised and we’ll do the says charcoal burning has been be towed to Mwingi police station. He said he feared that unless the rest. These can be sent in electronic form as e-mail attachments or banned to forestall any ugly or tragic Kimwele and his team, however, authorities intervened promptly, it was in diskettes/CDs as well as hard copies. incident between the residents and managed to trick the villagers to allow highly likely that something disastrous charcoal dealers. the offloaded bags of charcoal back would happen as the residents take the The decision to slam the ban by into the lorry as exhibit for the possi- law into their hands to block charcoal Our advertising rates are as follows: trade in the area. the authorities came in the wake of ble case to be filed in court against the Full page colour Kshs. 72,000 an incident in mid April in which irate lorry crew. Once all Miambani villagers impounded and the bags of charcoal Full page black and white (inside) Kshs. 40,000 detained a lorry carrying charcoal and were back on the Half page (Black and White) Kshs. 20,000 threatened to set it ablaze in an appar- truck, the crew sped ent public driven campaign to curtail off at high speed to Quarter page inside Kshs. 10,000 charcoal trade. the chagrin of the The Link Classified Kshs. 4,000 The about 100 villagers had to be villagers. Front Page Earpiece (colour) Kshs. 8,000 restrained by the area civic leader Sta- S p e a k i n g nislous Mulongo as they threatened to on phone later, Front page strap Kshs. 6,000 destroy private property while others Kimwele dismissed Back page strap Kshs. 4,000 bayed for the blood of the lorry crew. the incident as overt The residents were up in arms over infiltration of cheap Back Page Earpiece Kshs. 7,000 wanton destruction of forests due to politics into the Front Page Solus (colour) Kshs. 20,000 charcoal burning and have vowed to charcoal trade. He Back Page Solus (colour) Kshs. 15,000 physically block any charcoal burning said efforts to ham- activities because the authorities were per the charcoal doing nothing to stop the harmful ac- trade would come a Special Rates tivity, according to Cllr. Mulongo. cropper as it was le- We offer very special rates for advertisement of charitable activities As the villagers milled around the galized through an lorry with intend to burn it, the crew Act of parliament. programmes or services. To get special rates, contact the Editor or stealthily sneaked from the scene to Cllr. Mulongo the Editorial Assistant. save their skin only to emerge hours said that there has later in the company of a contingent of been a hue and cry The details should be mailed to the Editor, P.O. Box 7438, 00200, Administration Police officers. over consistent de- The head of the security team, struction of indig- Nairobi, Kenya. Telephone 020-601776, 020-3572365. You can also inspector Munyoki pleaded with the enous forests due e­mail us at [email protected] or [email protected]. irate villagers not to take the law into to unchecked but their hands but his efforts bore no fruit sustained charcoal The lorry crew upload bags of charcoal that had NOTE: All payments should be made through cheques, payable to: as the residents insisted they would not burning in his Mui area.been He offloaded said the by the irate Miambani villagers. Institute for Civic Affairs and Development (ICAD). allow the charcoal to leave the area. activity has left huge tracks of land Photo/Kavyu-Kura The Link, May 2012 24 DEVELOPMENT

Plan International Ganze youth, launches school Nema set to rehabilitate women to get feeding program state loans in Ganze dams in the country By JOSEPH MUKUBWA and Murang’a Counties. campaigns and public forums to By BEKADZO TONDO By BEKADZO TONDO He said Kshs 800 million has help educate wananchi on how to THE National Environment Man- THE Government has disbursed OVER 11,500 hungry children in been spent in de-silting , fencing control and extinguish forest fires. Ksh4 million to empower women agement Authority (Nema) has and tree planting activities in Ho- Chokwe called for commu- Ganze District have been selected set aside Kshs 17 million for re- and youth groups to fight poverty to receive food under Plan Inter- hwe dam in Mathira District of nity participation in conservation in Ganze District. According to the habilitation of various dams and Nyeri County. of the environment, especially national feeding programme. wetlands in the country. D.O Bamba Stephen Kaloki, the According to the Kilifi Pro- “The authority was sourcing wetlands that are threatened by funds will be distributed to youth Nema’s audit committee chair- for funds to help rehabilitate other people who practice farming ac- gramme Unit Manager, Ms Mar- man Edwin Muinga Chokwe said and women groups in the area garet Kahiga, 35 education insti- water points and major water tow- tivities. through loans to initiate income that the authority will work with ers in the country,” he added. “We will continue to sensitize tutions, mostly primary schools, the local community to hasten the generating projects. have been put under the feeding He at the same time said there the public on the need to promote Mr. Kaloki said the funds are rehabilitation process. was need for massive public edu- conservation as a venture to arrest programme. The chairman who was ac- to be disbursed through the district Speaking to The Link at Mov- cation and awareness on fires, so climate change. Let the public poverty eradication committee and companied by the Central Pro- as to control spread of fires, espe- know that environment is life and ing the Goal Posts Grounds at vincial director of environment urged the targeted people to form Mnarani in Kilifi town during cel- cially in various water towers in all world countries are doing eve- groups and apply for the funds. Wachira Bore spoke during a tour the country adding that the recent rything to promote conservation ebrations to mark 75 years of Plan of Hohwe dam in Mathira district. “Beneficiaries in the first - al International in its commitment to series of wild and forest fires was activities,” said Chokwe. location must repay the funds to Chokwe also toured various a threat to the environment, since Other dams which the board children affairs, Ms Kahiga said dams and water pans which have enable other groups receive fund- poverty facing families in Bahari it reduced forest cover which is is concerned are Kabura-ini in ing and have projects replicated been rehabilitated by the author- dismally low. Kieni, Kigumo in Murang’a and and Ganze had forced children to ity in Laikipia, Nyandarua, Nyeri across the county and boost their drop out of school. He called for increased media Chepalungu dam. income,” said Mr. Kaloki. Children from different pri- He said due to unreliable rain- mary schools converged at the falls in the area, most families grounds and held all sorts of ac- have been forced to depend on tivities including playing games Government supplied relief foods and dancing that climaxed with and from other well wishers as the being refreshed with soft drinks people could not be able to pro- and some meals. duce their own food. “Plan International has He said Bamba division is one launched school feeding pro- of the divisions in Ganze district, gram in 35 learning institutions which has been adversely hit by in Ganze so as to retain hunger famine due to prolonged drought stricken children in schools,” said and urged the people to take ad- Ms Kahiga. vantage of the funds to apply for She said the schools benefiting loans to initiate projects. from the project were selected fol- Local leaders claimed that resi- lowing survey reports conducted dents were walking long distances by the district drought manage- in search of water for domestic ment office in collaboration with use while livestock farmers have the Ministry of Education on migrated from their areas to look drought and poverty in Kilifi Dis- for pasture and water for their ani- trict. mals. “A special criteria was used Mitangani Ward Councillor Daniel Mangi challenged the Gov- before arriving at the selected ernment to come up with better schools and that came after do- ways which could help the region ing survey reports on the poverty produce food to sustain their fami- facing families in the area and the lies instead of depending on relief drought which has been experi- foods. enced in the area for the past two He urged the Government to years,” said Ms Kahiga set aside funds that can be used She said many girls from the to construct dams in the three di- area were forced to drop out of visions of Ganze district so that schools due to poverty, early mar- Nema’s audit committee chairman Edwin Muinga Chokwe pumps water in a borehole at Hohwe dam in farmers can start farming through riages and pregnancies. ‘The tran- Mathira district. Photo/Joseph Mukubwa irrigation. sitional rate of school going girls in Bahari and Ganze is low due to the level of poverty incidences in families,’ said Ms Kahiga. Ms Kahiga further said death Bussy Busia-Kisumu highway set for repair cases of children below five years By NYAKWAR ODAWO the establishment of the cycle tracks for The re-carpeting of the highway overloading cases to the authority as was still a challenge in the sur- motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians to will take approximately 12 months a matter of urgency so that appropri- vival of infants in the district and THE government through the Minis- minimise frequent road accidents in the and urged the contractor who has al- ate action can be taken against those said Plan International will offer try of Roads has set aside Ksh1 billion region, which he said had been on the ready been identified to adhere to the involved,” said the minister. some food support to healthcare for the re-carpeting of the Kisumu- rise in the past few months due to the timeline adding that Busia-Malaba Labour Assistant Minister Sos- centres to improve children’s Busia Highway, which connects East poor status of the road. highway will also be rehabilitated. peter Ojaamong, who had also attend- health status. She said her organi- and Central African countries. Bett instructed the Traffic Police He called on the Busia town resi- ed the occasion on his part appealed sation currently supplies food to This was disclosed by Roads Min- department to ensure that overloading dents to report overloading cases to to Lands Minister James Orengo, who institutions such as Roka, Kizigo, ister Franklin Bett at the Busia Bus Park by long distance vehicles is curbed the authority so that legal action can be was also present, to move with speed Takaungu and Junju, Sokoke and during a familiarisation tour aimed at once and for all saying the highway taken against those involved. “Over- and carry out thorough investigations Palakumi health centers in Bahari establishing the status of the busy high- has extensively been damaged by loading is purely to blame for the poor at the Busia Lands department where and Ganze with uni-mix. way recently. The minister said the re- overloaded trucks ferrying goods to status of the busy Busia-Kisumu high- claims were being made that people Ms Kahiga said Plan Interna- carpeting of the highway will include and from the neighbouring countries. way. It is your responsibility to report have been issued with fake title deeds. tional has been conducting some awareness programmes to the By MORRIS GITHENYA community on children rights Murang’a receives coveted ISO certification saying most of the children rights MURANG’A College of Technol- were being violated. ogy, rated among the best managed guidelines. quality management systems. lege is striving to improve the qual- She said many girls have fall- institutions in the country, has re- Senior deputy Director of Tech- The Principal Fredrick Magua, ity of education offered to the stu- en victims to defilement, but since ceived the coveted International nical Training at Ministry of Higher said in the recent performance con- dents. the community have not known Standard Organisation (ISO) Cer- Education Jackton Andai said it was tract ranking, the college had been Wainaina said KEB was com- the rights of the children, such tificate. a Government policy that all depart- ranked in the 9th position out of the mitted towards ensuring Kenyans cases are not taken to the authori- Kenya Bureau of Standard issued ments be ISO certified. 69 tertiary institutions in the country. get quality and tested products. ties such as the children office or the administration of the institution Andai spoke when Kenya Bu- On certification, Magua said “As a department we have to do the police for legal actions to be with a Standard Mark Certificate reau of Standards official, James students from the college can work our mandate by ensuring that Ken- taken against the culprits. after nearly five years of struggle to Wainaina presented the Board of anywhere in the world. yans are safe when using any of the comply with the set standards and the institution with a certification on The Principal said that the col- products,” said the KEB official. The Link, May 2012 FEATURE 25

By PETER MUTUKU it could get to the market due to poor roads The bananas and sugarcanes are IN a sun-baked Vinda village at the transported using hired donkeys to Ka- Mbiti defies the rain gods lundu market in Kitui town, about 30 Far East of Kitui Central District in Kitui County, Itila Mbiti is regarded from the sale of oranges alone. Most of “I was 25 when I went to Mombasa However, it has not been a rosy kilometers away, he notes. as a model farmer by all standards. the buyers come to the farm,” he says. like many of my contemporaries. After farming affair for him. He remembers The nightmarish journey from his Mbiti uses furrow irrigation by digging The farmer reveals that he also earns staying there for a few months, I real- an ugly incident three years ago when farm to the market starts at 3.00 am if trenches along seasonal rivers cutting substantive amounts of money from ized it was vanity. I came back home a farmhand he had hired was buried he has to make it to the market on time. across his farm to water his plants. the sale of bananas and other fruits. The and fell in love with farming,” Mbiti alive by a wall of sand near a river Each donkey is hired at Ksh200 to do The 67 year old man has been in 67 year old farmer who is the envy of says, adding that there is a lot of unex- while flattening a section of the farm. the work. However during the rainy fruit farming agriculture for the last 40 the village abhors laziness and is up by ploited potential in farming. When Mbiti went to check on him, he seasons, it becomes even difficult for years. Mbiti’s farm is covered by green 5.00am to check on his farm. Mbiti digs trenches to deviate sec- found the wall had caved in. the beasts of burden to navigate the al- and healthy vegetation that is rare to “Through farming I have been tions of seasonal rivers cutting across “I called his name but there was no leys, prompting the farmer to sell his find in arid and semi arid regions. able to educate my children, at least his farm and the water spreads freely response. I panicked. Neighbours as- produce at throw-away prices. The farmer grows bananas, paw to form four level. Those who did not to water his plants. He has done this for sembled here and helped to retrieve his He observes, “If the road network paws, oranges and mangoes. The fruits go past form four cannot blame me, it the last 40 years, getting bumper har- body while some villagers were baying was good, farmers in this area like my- of his labour are evident in his farm was their wish, not lack of school fees,” vests each passing year. for my blood,” says the old man, point- self would be very rich, but now we are where burgeoning trees weigh down avers the farmer, a father of 19 children His second wife Vivian acknowl- ing to where the farmhand was bur- forced to watch our produce rot in the their produce. The healthy canopy of and a husband to two wives. His first edges that her husband is a workaholic. ied. Through the help of his clan, the farm since we are unable to get it to the banana plants in his farm would rival born is a military officer while others “Initially I thought he would work farmer however settled the matter the market. Our efforts are certainly going those found in Kisii. are teachers. himself to death but overtime I have traditional Kamba way by compensat- to waste.” The farm also has about 300 orange Mbiti who did not get formal edu- become used to it. It is very common ing the family of the deceased. Mbiti appeals to the area MP Char- trees. Elsewhere in his 15 acre farm cation recalls how he made up his to see him working in the farm late in But a challenge that has been both- ity Ngilu to ensure that access roads in is a section dedicated to sugarcanes mind to go full blast into farming after the evening with sweat dripping all ering Mbiti overtime is the pathetic the area are made to ease the transpor- stretching several metres. “wasting six good months in Momba- over his body,” she proudly says of her road network in the area. He says most tation burden and reap maximum ben- “Per season I get about Ksh60, 000 sa” idling around. husband. of his produce goes to waste before efits for his sweat. Banana farming transforms lives in villages Although for many years Banana has the scene. Were it not that the gov- veals that near the peripheral of the been considered just like any other ernment stepped in to offset the debts forest one could see patches of big crop, in the last decade its farming worth billions of shillings owed to cof- green leaves that are identified as has taken another dimension and fee farmers, the region would not be those of banana plantations though not slowly reclaimed its adorable position producing much of the product. as pronounced as the tea bushes. amongst otherwise erstwhile domi- They engaged in quick paying However, in some other parts the nant cash crops in the Eastern side of farming activities like dairy cattle and bananas crops are covering a size- Mt. Kenya, argues Malachi Motano. banana farming. able part of an individual’s entire land One of the farmers who had in- meaning that some farmers are now PLACES like Meru South, Imenti vested so much in coffee farming to prioritizing on banana farming. South, Imenti Central and the newly an extent of establishing his private A drive along the ridges that char- created district of Maara in Tharaka coffee factory in Kanguku village in acterize the vast Meru region clearly Nithi County had coffee and tea as Iruma Sub-location Miriti Chabari reveals that banana farming is now a dominant cash crops in the upper re- recounts, ‘’I have never regretted my force to reckon with. gion while the lower parts had other decision of shifting to banana farming. Coffee societies in the region have crops like cow peas, sorghum, millet, I would not have been able to educate felt threatened as some farmers have cotton, and green grams. my children to university level.’’ started opting for banana farming and However, the experience today de- He remembers when he would they are using the same coffee farms picts a different scenario especially in wait for a year to get any proceeds to plant bananas. As argued above the the upper regions. Though coffee last from coffee delivered to the coffee returns from coffee are diminishing at season fetched millions of shillings to factory. ‘’This is why I thought of ini- the expense of other cash crops main- farmers the enthusiasm amongst ba- tially seeking a license to establish a ly bananas. nana farmers is overwhelming. private factory, the idea I also kicked The Maara District Co-operative Farmers tour a banana plantation. In the places where farmers had out of my mind”, he claims. Officer Ms. Anastasia Wacuka says The realization that banana deliv- that the highest paying coffee factory has been enhanced because of tech- cess’’ the DAO says. The Meru South coffee, farms have now been replaced nologically advanced varieties that District Horticultural Officer Ms. Ai- with bananas after the deductions of ery meant instant payment made many paid its members at Kshs.95 per kilo- wild and they enthusiastically engaged gram adding that with these kinds of have come into the market today. The leen Mwendandu says that farmers huge coffee loans either acquired by Maara District Agricultural Officer were now coming together to address the societies, factories or individuals in the farming. The quick growth from payments, farmers will surely go back planting to harvesting comparing with to rehabilitating their coffee or plant (DAO) Mr. Kirera Mwirigi says that the problem of marketing their pro- soured and became unserviceable. banana farming is one of the horticul- duce. She adds that already six groups This posed an eminent danger and other crops also endeared many to opt fresh seedlings probably of superior for banana planting. quality than what they already have in tural crops that have made an indel- are now in place and are selling their coffee farmers had little to gain from ible mark in agricultural activities in produce as a group. the coffee sales after the deductions A recent aerial surveillance in the their farms. eastern side of Mt. Kenya forest re- The impetus of banana farming the district. “This has greatly enhanced their and many quietly disappeared from Due to its various uses like cook- bargaining power and they were sell- ing it as a food, eating it as a fruit sell- ing between Kshs. 12 and Kshs. 14 per ing it as a quick cash crop, leaves and kilogram,’’ she says. The six groups stem being utilized as fodder for the combined produced 119,056 kilos cows and goats makes it unique. ‘’In from January this year that earned fact, banana farming had gone along them Kshs. 1,576,524 shillings by the in enhancing food security in the end of April this year. The 6 groups area,’’ Mr. Mwirigi says. area Mwonge Kilimo, Nkio Banana, The Officer says that conventional Mukamanda self-help group, Mugir- varieties that were being planted earlier irwa Horticultural group, Kamugunda in the district were not yielding well- group and Kibugua Kilimo Group. paying bananas due to the small size. Good varieties and with good He however says that with the introduc- husbandry takes 16-18 months from tion of new varieties developed bananas planting to harvesting while after that like the tissue culture, banana farmers 8-10 years of harvesting, the crops are now getting much more that what declines in productivity . The replace- they used to get about ten years ago. ment of plantation is however recom- The problem is however how to mended after this to maintain better satisfy the great demand of these new yields that would benefit farmers. varieties that were developed by the Many parents are able to sustain Kenya Agricultural Research Institute their children in schools by selling (KARI). The same institute is credited bananas and submitting the returns bit with developing other varieties like by bit to the school administration and Grand Nain, Chinese Cavendish, Wil- were able to see their children through liams, Lacatan, Paz and Valery. Other to secondary education. varieties grown in the area include The Iruma Mixed Day Secondary Dwarf Cavendish, Wanjare (sweet ba- School Principal Mr. Kariuki Thairu nanas) and Uganda red. confirms, ‘’some parents have been “Our farmers are aware that the approaching me to be paying the fees tissue culture is a better variety and in bits and by the end of a term or they always ask us to provide or make form 4, they end up clearing the fees A banana planatinon in Mt. Kenya region. Photo/Malachi Motano arrangements on how they could ac- after selling bananas.’’ The Link, May 2012 26 FARMING Bomet, Narok farmers tour By JOSEPH MUKUBWA maner division in said farmers in the area have A GROUP of farmers from Narok started embracing the technology, and Bomet counties have toured whereby they are growing passion Laikipia and Meru counties to fa- fruits. miliarise themselves with Conser- “Bomet is not as dry as Laikip- vation agriculture. ia County and since our group About 20 farmers who vis- started growing passion fruits ited Lengetia, Wango Embori and through conservation agriculture, Ngare Ndare farms in an exchange we have witnessed a great differ- programme were happy to learn ence. We have learnt a lot in this more on the new modern technol- programme,” said Cheruiyot. ogy. An agricultural officer from Conservation agriculture in- Laikipia East Julius Gitonga said volves zero or minimum tillage the new farming technology has of farms, a technology which is immense benefits since costs pre- mostly practiced on arid and semi viously charged on ploughing and arid areas. harrowing have been minimized. An agricultural farmer Letoluo Gitonga added that by using the Kishuyan from Olkurto area in method as compared to conven- Narok North district noted that tional farming, there is high rain climate change has in the recent infiltration into the soil and low years affected crop production, surface runoff. planting and harvesting seasons, He also said that there is re- thereby necessitating acquiring of duced time in the farm. new methodologies. On the issue of machinery, the Kishuyan however lamented agricultural officer said small scale that the new technology may be farmers can afford them because costly to small scale farmers be- there are those that are hands and cause tools involved are expen- animal drawn. Some of the Bomet and Narok farmers who toured Laikipia County recently. Photo/Joseph Mukubwa sive. Qureish Noordin, the project Another farmer Rose Cherui- coordinator of the Lake Victoria yot from Tendwet Village, Che- Basin Commission who sponsored the trip said that the farmers were methods which will enhance their soil erosion and hence conserve exposed to innovative farming income and reduce pollution and environment. Auditors at Nzoia Sugar as cane stealing spikes By LUKE KAPCHANGA formation generation, collection and no.362146607780. On harvesting forwarding them to management. programme the name given for the FORENSIC auditors have been dis- They never meet farmers to ad- same field was that of Kennedy S patched to Nzoia Sugar Company vice on existing problems, emerging change. following the rising cases of cane issues, make resolutions and make The forensic consultant is expect- theft at the nucleus estates which follow ups for intervention. ed to follow guidelines issued by the have cost the company Ksh 100 mil- “What is worrying is that exten- Head of public service and secretary lion from 2007 and undermined cane sion officers never interact with farm- to cabinet Francis Muthaura in 2010 development. ers and only wait for directives from on cases that involve public officers. The audit approved by the com- superiors “, the source added. In a circular to Attorney General, pany’s board of directors will help The top – down approach, the Permanent Secretaries’ and Chief unravel the mystery surrounding the source revealed is hurting the exten- Executives Officers s of state cor- scam and those involved. The audi- sion services and the information de- porations dated 24th may 2010, the tors will investigate paired stacks, livered as orders from senior manag- guidelines were a commitment to im- wrong estimations and hanging tick- ers is either distorted or diluted by the plement directives by the president ets from 2007 to 2011. They will spe- time it reaches the farmer. and prime minister to fight corrup- cifically interrogate staffs handling The managers are working on the tion and restore integrity in the public harvesting, transport, payments and assumption of knowing it all, and service. records. junior staffs have to implement what It notes that delays in resolving The consultants, PKE (Pernell they are told, discouraging extension suspected corruption cases due to le- Kerr Forster), will be paid a fee of officers to report any findings from gal procedures led the public to have Ksh.3.5million and are expected the field. a perception that Government is not to hand over the report findings to The management has the pre- able to fight the vice. The concerned the Chief Executive Officer Saul sumption that cane farmers should be officers were given power to dismiss, Wasilwa in a month’s time after com- educated, yet they are knowledgeable interdict or suspend affected persons mencing work. Sugar plantation: Cane theft has been rampant at Nzoia Sugar Company. and have goals and targets to achieve in line with regulations. Sources at the company said de- Butali Sugar Company, but this is not vesting tickets for nucleus estate are whenever they grow cane. Mr Joseph Kawa, NSC public spite the declining cane yields at the reflected in the records. quite different from the outgrowers The source further went on, “there relations officer said the forensic nucleus estate, the matter has never The audit follows the rising cases both in colour and serialization in- is a crisis in the agriculture depart- consultants have been called in as a been reported to the board of direc- of stealing of nucleus cane which is cluding format”, Egesa said. ment regarding the set timelines for strategy by management to stream- tors. They further alleged that the allegedly transferred to an outgrower He explained that drivers of trac- cane harvesting, fertilizer distribu- line improved performance in the ag- findings might be doctored as those farmer who also works with the com- tors which collect cane usually pick tion, in put charges and payment time riculture departments involved in the poaching of the com- pany. This was confirmed by Agricul- yellow copies of harvesting tickets, frame”. “The company is undergoing pany’s cane are well connected in- ture manager Macklins Wasike, in his to allow them to weigh the cane This he added had resulted in in- changes for improved productivity dividuals who could influence the statement to the police on September ,while at the weighbridge a transport efficiency when it comes to handling and service provision to our farmers”, outcome. 9, 2011. clerk verifies the ticket for confirma- farmers issues. he said. He denied claims that exten- They cited the recent spate of fire Wasike stated that after receiv- tion. He cited the case Alice N Na- sion services were dysfunctional as outbreaks in the nucleus which has ing information that unscrupulous Out grower farmers have of late songo, whose weighbridge ticket is farmers needs were being addressed burnt an estimated 1,000 acres of individuals were stealing cane from opted to sell their crop to other mill- 612115, field no. 34312400430- ac- on time with harvesting programme cane in a deliberate bid to divert at- the nucleus, he went to field no.243 ers mostly , Butali and West cording to information compiled going on systematically. tention of the auditors. in the accompany of agriculture serv- Kenya sugar companies which pay from the field. Kawa emphasized that extension With the evidence of widespread ices manager Michael Kulundu ,and them better rates. Office records of the same farm- services were being offered to farm- fires, auditors will not be able to make indeed found that it was true. He ad- Farmers accuse the management er give variation of the filed no. as ers by having organized field days, sense of poor cane husbandry in the mitted that IT staff were behind the of Nzoia of poor extension services, 34312400431. This means that the farmers barazas and demonstrations. nucleus, which has resulted in losses vice as they had doctored reports delayed payments for harvested cane, farmer can either claim payments The company he noted has been by the company, yet it allocates a lot from the field. exploitation and insensitive to their twice or lose out completely. able to organize 60 field demonstra- of resources in cane development. He explained that there was glar- concerns. There are those cases where the tions, 123 field barazas, tours by di- Again management classifies ing evidence that field tonnages were A source at the agriculture depart- farmers names are changed, like that rectors , all this provide forums for burnt cane as lost, yet there are cases lower than actually realized and ment, noted that extension staff at the of Linet N. Wakhungu weighbridge farmers to discuss issues affecting when cane is harvested and sold to hanging tickets do exist. “The har- company are merely engaged in in- ticket 612307 dated 28/2/2012, field them. The Link, May 2012 FARMING 27 Murang’a coffee farmers acquire milling plant Embu farmers unite By MORRIS GITHENYA will be made available,” said Wanjohi. Farmers Union and Murata Sacco to increasing demand in the international for better returns Cooperative societies leaders re- waive loans that were burdening the market. By PETER MUTUKU MURANG’A Coffee farmers have cently flocked to Maragua town to coffee farmers to extent of uprooting Maribe said the mill is expected to FARMERS from seven different agri- acquired a milling plant worth Ksh40 have a glimpse of the machine saying their trees. be operational by July this year. The cultural sectors in have million from Brazil. their dream of Murang’a owning its Meanwhile, following the acquisi- mill is being assembled in Maragua joined hands under one umbrella body Management of Mugama Farm- coffee mill has come true. tion of their own mill, Coffee farm- town. The mill will help farmers earn so as to increase their bargaining pow- ers Cooperative Union bought the The leaders talked of how they ers from Murang’a have resolved to money previously used to facilitate er in the agricultural sector. The farm- plant to minimize transportation costs have been exploited by private mill- terminate their milling contract with transportation of coffee beans to pri- ers drawn from the dairy, horticulture and exploitation of farmers by private ers by exaggerating milling loses and private millers once the Eastern Ab- vate millers, said Karanu. and other sectors want to find lasting millers who have invaded Murang’a other expenses. erdare Cooperative Coffee Mills (EC- Njinjo called on farmers concerted solutions in the agricultural sector. coffee growing areas for the last three efforts to curb coffee theft that has af- KARES agribusiness services or- Over the last three decades farm- COMILL) becomes operational. ganizing director Cyrus Mbogo said years. ers from Murang’a have been keen Thousands of coffee farmers said fected farming. that the farmers under the Rugendo Receiving the plant recently, the to establish their own milling plant in they will not renew contracts with We as farmers must look for ways dairy alliance want to build a strong union chairman Francis Njinjo, said order to save them the agony of losing millers upon expiry of the current to curb coffee theft that has become a farmers’ institution that will help them the machine will ensure that the sub- their cherries to thugs, said Njinjo. contracts to support their recently ac- menace, said Njinjo also chairman to in outsourcing financial services. stantive amounts of money spent in Coffee experts said private millers quired coffee mill. New Kiriti farmers cooperative soci- Mbogo pointed out that the farm- the transportation of coffee beans is have opposed the purchase of the mill Mugama Farmers Cooperative ety in Mathioya. er’s have realized that it is only through paid out to the farmers. The milling through their agents due to fears that Union has already imported a Ksh40 Union’s General Manager Ephan- working together as a group that they plant is expected to start operating all the societies will transport their million coffee mill from Brazil that tus Wanjohi said they have opened can attain the required economic ben- next month after being assembled. produce to the mill for milling. aims at reducing farmers’ expenses in merchandise stores to ensure farm in- efits from their farming activities and “The main purpose of purchas- avoid being exploited by middlemen. Njinjo recounted how the late Cab- milling the black gold coffee. puts are accessible. “We are trying to come together ing the mill is to ensure that farmers inet Minister John Michuki facilitated During a meeting chaired by Mu- He said the union stores have been as farmers from all the sectors to es- money that is channeled towards the the importation saying he will forever gama Union Chairman Francis Njinjo operational in all divisions. We are out tablish strong and powerful bargaining transportation of coffee beans to the be remembered for the gesture. and his Ecomill counterpart Maribe to ensure increased coffee production power, because farming as individuals millers is dispensed with,” said the The government has since released Karanu, the farmers also resolved to by availing the required farm inputs, is not only exposing us to exploita- chairman. a Kshs 1 billion waiver to Mugama increase coffee production to meet the said Wanjohi. tion but also denying us the benefits of The milling plant situated in Ma- trade,” he said. Mbogo noted that they ragua town, will create employment intend to increase the agricultural pro- and ensure increase of coffee produc- ductivity of the area by ensuring that tion to meet the increasing interna- farmers access reliable and affordable farm inputs. tional demand, said Njinjo. Irene Ndwiga a farmer in Embu Last year, leaders’ resolved that district said that they are looking for- Murang’a town will serve as the ward towards the operationalisation of county headquarters while Maragua Rugendo dairy factory which will soon town will remain as an industrialisa- be installed with milk cooling systems tion centre with Kenol being a com- from the ministry of cooperatives de- mercial centre. velopment and marketing. Union’s General Manager Ephan- Ndwiga said that the farmers plan tus Wanjohi said farmers have been to embark on value addition instead waiting for the arrival of the plant. of selling their milk products to other companies to enable them reap highly Maragua is perceived to be the centre from their produce. “We as farmers of Murang’a County thus all the soci- plan to invest in value addition to max- eties can access it for delivery of their imize on benefits in the market instead coffee beans. of selling our produce at throw away The union, Wanjohi said, will prices,” she said. provide all the required farm inputs She said that Rugendo dairy re- to farmers to ensure they increase ceives 40 000 litres of milk daily from production as a gesture to appreciate farmers in Embu only, saying if they the government’s move in waiving can access quality animal feeds they can be able to produce even more and loans amounting to Kshs1.2 billion help curb the prevailing milk shortage that had been a burden to institutions in the country. in the past two decades. Ndwiga was categorical that the “Mugama union has opened farmers will be having difficulties in stores in all the seven constituencies practicing farming for economic de- in Murang’a County in a bid to have velopment unless they come together all the farmers get services near their and have a collective access to credit homes. All the required farm inputs services, farm inputs and jointly sell A farmer picking coffee in his farm. Photo/File their products. # Malindi Coconut plant to The SUBSCRIPTION FORM

be ready soon, says Kingi LinkEnhancing governance for all By BEKADZO TONDO a direct impact on the economy of the local people,” he adds. The minister THE Government is putting up a Co- at the same time says that plans are Please accept my/our subscription to The Link for the period of ...... months conut Processing factory in Malindi at underway to revive collapsed facto- a cost of Kshs.500 million. ries in Coast region and cites Kilifi dating from ...... to...... Acting Minister for Industrialisa- cashew nut factory, bixa at Kwale and tion Amason Kingi says the factory cotton ginneries in Malindi among I/We …………………….………………...………………… of P.O. Box...... ….…...... …… will become operational by the end of those earmarked for the exercise. this year. He says the move aims at uplifting Code ……...…… Town …...... ….…..….…Tel No.…….……...... …. Street ...... Speaking to the residents of the living standards of local residents Chasimba location at Jomeka, Kingi and augmenting efforts to alleviate Building ...... Floor ...... Room No ...... Mobile ...... …… says the project is a joint initiative poverty. He notes that currently coco- by the Government and development nuts farmers were being forced to sell Email: ……...... have paid Kshs...... partners. “The government is fund- their nuts to the neighbouring coun- ing the project to the tune of Kshs 100 tries at throw away prices due to lack (Attached, please find money order No ...... million. Donors will contribute the re- of a processing factory. maining amount,” said Kingi. “The coconut tree is vital and can Please send me ……...... ………....………..copies per issue every month. The minister notes that Coast re- help in the production of brooms, car- gion highly depends on coconut and pets, earrings, bangles, Coconut oils Signature and /or stamp of client/:...... …...… Date ...... cashew nut trees for their mainstay but and many other products to help cre- very little support has been accorded ate wealth for the Coastal people and Back issues No/Months: ...... to the two cash crops. generate revenue for the government,” “The government seems to have said Kingi. He challenged the coconut Fill in this form and attach a postal money order of Kshs. 660 and post back to:- put more emphasis on tourism indus- farmers to form Saccos to enable them try as the only source of income for reap from the benefits of trade once Institute for Civic Affairs and Development the Coast region and deliberately ig- the new processing factory becomes nored the two cash crops which have operational. P.O. Box 7438 - 00200 Nairobi The Link, May 2012 28 FARMING Othaya coffee farmers receive share certificates By JOSEPH MUKUBWA others from abroad and from African coffee producing countries such as OVER 2, 600 coffee farmers in Oth- Rwanda. aya who are shareholders of the Oth- The society is now planning to aya Coffee Mill have received their open coffee shops and kiosks for pro- share certificates. motion of domestic coffee consump- The 2, 643 shareholders who are tion. members of Othaya Farmers Coop- “Various strategies have been laid erative Society received their share down to take the society to the next certificates recently at the coffee mill phase of growth. They include roast- situated at Gatuya-ini area near Oth- ing the coffee, packaging it and selling aya town and presented to them by of branded Othaya Coffee in super- Central Provincial Cooperative Of- markets,” the chairman added. ficer Stanley Mwenje. Mwangi at the same time advised The mill is a modern facility of the the society members to improve cof- society which has a share capital of fee husbandry so as to raise both the Kshs 6.6 million. Since it was started quality and quantity of their produce. last year, the plant has milled 765.92 The chairman requested the soci- tonnes of coffee from the 19 coffee ety members to make supplementary factories affiliated to the society. effort so to recover production and “The coffee mill was purchased quality of coffee which probably will following frustrations and sabotage by bring massive results to their lives. some commercial millers we had con- “We appeal to all members to tracted to mill the society coffee. The make additional effort to improve pro- mill started operations on 7th June duction and quality since this is the last year and has since been a source only way you can earn higher returns of employment for the local people and eventually get dividends from the hiring nearly 100 casual workers sup- mill,” the chairman said. ported by some society staff,” said the Central Provincial Cooperative society chairman Newton Mwangi. Officer Stanley Mwenje appealed The mill is one of the activities un- unto the farmers to continue investing dertaken by the society. It has been an in the coffee industry and put more ef- attraction to other coffee based coop- fort to reach more than 6 Million Kilo- erative societies in the country. grams of the production since last year The milling plant has since hosted they were able to have 3.9 Million kgs Central Provincial Cooperatives officer Stanley Mwenje (right) awards a certificate to a coffee farmer at visitors from all over the country, of coffee. Othaya coffee mill headquarters in Othaya recently. Photo/File

Farmers demand Kisii coffee farmers relieved of debt burden action against By JOHN NYAMBUNE Phase two will be implemented to ensure that production is sus- of coffee theft in the area but also re- traders selling if parliament approves the Ksh4bil- tained throughout the year to avoid duce the high costs of transportation The Government has waived coffee lion captured in the current Govern- disrupting operations at the newly and increase farmers’ earnings. fake seeds debts worth Kshs.18million owed to ment supplementary budget. established coffee mill in the region. “With the establishment of a cof- small-holder coffee farmers in Gusii He spoke as it emerged that the Speaking at Moromba Main fee mill in Gusii region, incidents of By JOHN NYAMBUNE region. coffee subsector in Gusii region is Farmers’ Co-operative Society coffee theft will be minimized as the Co-operative Development and picking after farmers who had ini- grounds in Naymira, Mr William distance to the new mill has been FARMERS in Trans-Nzoia Coun- Marketing Minister, Joe Nyagah, tially abandoned the crop in favour Asiago who is a farmer in the reduced together with the costs of ty want the Kenya Seed Company says the waiver seeks to enable of alternative crops like tomatoes, area Asiago points out that Ba- transportation,” stated Asiago. (KSC) to deregister stockists sell- small-holder coffee growers across bananas and other fast maturing tian was fast maturing and would Asiago challenged local co-op- ing counterfeit maize seedlings. the vast region to focus their ener- cash and horticultural crops due to help to ensure coffee production erative management officials to ed- This follows the seizure of gies on producing quality coffee to mismanagement are back with a is sustained throughout the year, ucate farmers on the importance of over 4,000 kg of the seeds from a enable reap maximum profits from bang. translating to increased farmers embracing modern crop husbandry leading supermarket and a stock- favourable prices in the world cof- Already the farmers are explor- earnings and alleviating poverty at and agronomic practices, to tap the ist in Kitale by the police and fee market. ing possibilities of adopting the household levels. benefits of the new coffee mill in the KSC officials. Speaking in Kisii during a leaders Brazilian coffee variety widely He says that the mill will not region and maximize their coffee The farmers accused the busi- meeting at the Gusii Coffee Farm- known as Batian as part of efforts only help to curb widespread cases earnings. nessmen of defrauding them and ers Co-operative Union(GCFCU) undermining their efforts to real- grounds, Nyagah disclosed that ize bumper harvest. the Government waiver came as Mr. Joel Gesuka, who spoke demand for Kenyan coffee in the on behalf of the farmers, said the world coffee market increased tre- sale of uncertified seeds would mendously especially in India and ruin their productivity. China. “We are not sure whether the Among societies whose debts seeds we planted are going to ger- have been waived include GCFCU minate. We want KSC to blacklist and Wakenya Pamoja Sacco Soci- all dishonest agents, particularly ety whose debts amounted to Ksh those who were found selling 13million and Ksh5.7million re- fake seeds in Kitale,” and Gesuka spectively. at a news conference. The GCFCU used part of the According to the farmers un- Ksh13million to purchase a truck certified seeds have far reach- valued at Ksh 11.2million to facili- ing implications and may totally tate the transportation of coffee to ruin maize growing in the region. the market, while Wakenya Sacco They urged the Government to spent Ksh 5.7million to advance ensure the unscrupulous busi- loans to small-holder coffee grow- nessmen involved in the fake ers to offset farm labour expenses seeds cartel are punished. to improve their coffee production. “We want proper investiga- The Minister who was accom- tion over the fake seeds because panied by the Commissioner of we fear there are attempts from Co-operatives Fredrick Odhiambo, certain quarters to cover up the Nyanza Provincial Co-operatives matter,” Gesuka said. Officer, Zephaniah Osok among They asked KSC to do way other officials from the Ministry, with agents and instead distribute clarified that the debt waivers only seeds through the National Cere- cover phase one. Co-operative Development and Marketing Minister, Joe Nyagah recently commissioned Gusii Coffee farm- als and Produce Board and Kenya ers Co-operative Union’s lorry bought at Ksh11.2m. Farmers Association. The Link, May 2012 29 REGIONAL NEWS MCK vows to Oparanya in standardise Mudavadi assures traders of journalism fairness in stalls allocation defence of training By JOSEPH MUKUBWA first be given to the genuine traders lished comprising officers from his Ababu who gave way for construction of the ministry, the municipal council and By MORRIS GITHENYA DEPUTY Prime Minister Musalia market. the beneficiaries to oversee transpar- By NYAKWAR ODAWO Mudavadi has assured traders in the “My ministry together with the ent allotment of the market stalls. THE Media Council of Kenya (MCK) newly opened Kamukunji market in Nyeri Municipal Council will ensure Nyeri Kamukunji market which PLANNING Minister Wycliffe has vowed to standardise media training Oparanya has defended in Kenya in order to realise high quality Nyeri that transparency will be up- that transparency and accountability has taken one and a half years to personnel, a member has said. held in the allocation of market stalls. guides the allocation of the market be completed has over 500 market Budalang’i CDF committee from A council member, Linus Gitahi, The Deputy Prime Minister who stalls taking cognizance of the traders stalls, one cafeteria and an ablution alleged embezzlement of project said the body will standardize curricu- was in the company of Cabinet Min- relocated from the site and already block. funds as had been claimed by lum of journalism training in the country isters Soita Shitanda and Esther Mu- enumerated as well as the vulnerable The Kshs 223 million modern some residents. to ensure quality is adhered to. rugi said only genuine traders will and special groups such as orphans, market is a result of close collabora- The Minister, who was on an Gitahi also the chief executive of- benefit from the stalls in the market widows and people with disabili- tion between the Ministry of Housing inspection tour of CDF projects ficer at Nation Media Group said regu- that was officially opened by Presi- ties,” said the Housing Minister. through the Kenya Slum Upgrading in Budalang’i Constituency re- lation of courses at institutions offering dent Kibaki recently. He assured the residents that an Programme and the Nyeri Municipal cently, said he had received sev- journalism would see quality students eral letters from some residents after the trainings. The assurance followed reports allocation committee will be estab- Council. He was responding to queries raised that the allocation exercise was claiming that most projects were by Mt Kenya University’s board of trus- marred by corruption. non-existent yet the CDF com- tees’ chairman Simon Gicharu. Gicharu Murugi who is the area MP said mittee had allocated funds to- had asked the council to regulate the that traders who were initially oper- wards the same. country’s journalism training centres ating from the market must be given Some of the projects the saying some of the institutions have consideration during the allotment minister said had been listed as been invaded by unscrupulous char- adding that the few stalls which will non-existent included Siagonjo acters. “Kenyan journalists are rated be left will be given to the less fortu- Stadium, Lugale Primary School among the best in the continent. We nate in the society. administration block, multi-pur- cannot condemn the sector when we can pose dining hall at Makunda Pri- do something to ensure training process The initial beneficiaries are 465 remains credible,” Gicharu said. traders while the total stalls are 513. mary School and Busagwa Youth At the same time, Gitahi said Kenyan Mudavadi said the exercise must Polytechnic among others. universities should nurture talent that be done in a transparent manner add- However, the minister con- can be used in local TV programmes. He ing that those involved must show firmed the existence of the said there was a lot of unexploited tal- honesty. projects which are operational ent in the country’s institutions of higher The DPM said the stalls must and appealed to the residents of learning that could replace foreign con- Bunyala to stop politicising de- tent in our television stations. velopment projects. He questioned the logic of Kenyan ‘I have personally visited TV stations airing foreign movies when we have abundant activities which can some of the projects claimed to fill the space. He was officially launch- be non-existent and have con- ing the School of Journalism at Mt Ken- firmed that they are there and ya University, Thika. operational,” said Oparanya, Gitahi, was the Chief Guest during adding that they should keep off MKU’s Journalism Department Open anti-development politicians who day ceremony where he also received want to find fault on others at the newly acquired radio and TV equipment expense of development. ‘valued Kshs20 million. He said following the com- The Nation Media CEO asked uni- plaints, he sent a team of auditors versities and other institutions to use research and innovation to create job on the ground from the ministry opportunities and help the country move to carry out a spot check on all towards realisation of Vision 2030. the CDF projects in the constitu- He said last year the Nation Group ency adding that the auditors’ es- launched The Next Big Thing, a forum tablished that the funds had been that is meant to nurture talent among the properly accounted for and that youth. There is no reason why MKU there were no ghost projects as cannot be the next big thing in Kenya. claimed. Communication innovations like Oparanya said since the Facebook, Gitahi said was initiated by university students adding that Kenya CDF’s inception in 2004, had the potential to come up with global Budalang’i Constituency has innovations. done well than most constituen- At the same time, he said the young cies in the country. generation should work towards nation- The Kshs223 million Nyeri Kamukunji market which was officially opened by President Kibaki recently. The minister said the Govern- al integration and cohesion, rather than INSET: Musalia Mudavadi (left) with Housing Minister Soita Shitanda during the official opening of the ment will disburse an additional copy foreign ideologies. market. Photos/Joseph Mukubwa Ksh17.5 million, which will be sent to each constituency in or- der to ensure that all incomplete CDF projects are finalised before the next general election. Unite or perish, rights groups warned The area MP Ababu By AGGREY BUCHUNJU have since multiplied due to the Ken- He, however, challenges human Kiama made the remarks recently Namwamba on the other hand ya’s cases at the International Crimi- rights defenders to be conversant with in a Bungoma hotel where he met said Budalang’i Constituency LACK of collective action among hu- nals Court (ICC) in the Hague and bill judicial reforms, police reforms and leaders of human rights organizations was the only one that had been man rights defenders may jeopardise of rights enshrined in the constitution. bill of rights in order to be smart in and doctors operating in Bungoma given an additional civic ward. the movements’ activities in the coun- “It is apparent that human rights their activities. county and its environs. On projects, the MP challenged try. The Independent Medico-Legal defenders are more insecure than even The director adds that for the hu- Human rights defenders who at- those spreading propaganda that unit (IMLU) Executive Director Peter during the nyayo era due to the ICC man rights activists to effectively tack- tended the meeting include Catho- Budalang’i CDF had been mis- Kiama decries the scenario saying it issue and the widened Bill of Rights le government officers, they should lic Justice and Peace Commissions used to come out in the open and may defeat the purpose for which the which Government officers especially know the rules and policies pertaining (CJPC) co-ordinator Albinus Muga, pinpoint the ghost projects. movement was born. in the lower hierarchy do not want to to the issues being handled. Mwatikho Torture Survivors Organi- “Those spoiling the name Kiama says that the scenario does embrace,” he says. Kiama asserts that the work of hu- sation coordinator Taiga Wanyanja of Budalang’i CDF committee not only put human rights defenders Kiama as a results challenges hu- man rights activists is not just fault- and his Field Officer Emmanuel Khae- claiming that money had been lives at risk but also opens room for man rights defenders in Bungoma finding but also to engage public of- mba and Martin Wanyonyi from Legal allocated towards ghost projects state officers to infiltrate the move- County to build new networks and ficers in discussions with a view to Aid Centre. should come out in broad day- ment through proxies. He stresses that strengthen them so as not to be shaken providing alternative policy measures. In attendance also were Dr Peter light and pinpoint the said dialogue and collaboration between by the powers that be. For the purposes The IMLU boss discloses that his Marumbu, Dr Amin, and Dr Joseph projects rather than speaking be- of speeding up their response towards organization will soon train doctors Owolla, all from the public sector. Kia- different human rights actors are requi- hind my back for their own politi- site for their own safety and provision tortured people in order to preserve particularly pathologists attached to it ma was accompanied by IMLU board of quality services to torture victims. evidence, Kiama asks human rights on forensic medical report writing in of Directors vice chair Dr Mohammed cal mileage,” said the MP, adding The director said human rights de- activists to let the communities know order to strengthen torture victims evi- Said and Kamau from National Coali- that he should be left in peace to fenders’ workload and their enemies them and the work they do. dence in courts of law. tion for Human rights defenders. serve his constituents. The Link, May 2012 30 REGIONAL NEWS Kilifi resident ESP opens oppose coal mining in the area Churches urged doors for By BRIGHTON KAZUNGU women HUNDREDS of Zowerani resi- dents in Kilifi District have rejected to unite Kenyans fishers plans by the ministry of energy to By KAVYU-KURA the people who will lead our country. will be devolved to the grassroot. By JOHN NYAMBUNE establish a coal plant in the area. The church’s active participation can- “We need trusted leadership FISH farming in Nyanza province The residents say the project is THE church has been challenged to not be gainsaid in order to get the right and participatory development. The set to jeopardize their only source of play a key role in reuniting Kenyans has opened doors for women en- leaders and preclude what befell us in church needs to have a voice that will trepreneurs in a field that has been livelihood if allowed to go on. ahead of the forthcoming general elec- 2008,” said Mutie. ensure transparency and accountabil- Led by their chairman Benjamin tions. considered culturally a man’s do- He lamented that in 2008 Kenyans ity in the management of resources. I main. Dadu, the residents further say The Kenya Film Commission senselessly butchered and killed each know for sure there is no leadership in that more than 600 people will be CEO Peter Mutie and the Information Women can now freely engage other. He pointed that as the country the rural areas that has a voice as trust- in the production and sale of fish, displaced if the project goes on as Secretary Ezekiel Mutua said recently moved towards elections, the church ed as that of a church,” noted Mutua. planned. that the country heavily relied on the thanks to the introduction of the guidance was as critical as was cru- He said the church should not be a Economic Stimulus Programme Dadu says that the community church to move forward and avoid a cial. “We need to pray for those with sidelined in development but should be will only consent to the project if repeat of the 2008 post-election vio- by the government. bad intentions in order for our country incorporated in CDF boards and be in Initially, women fishmongers the affected community members lence. The duo was officiating over to shun negative tribalism that would the core of decision making in devolved are fully compensated and given an the consecration on the newly built had no option but to rely on their result to fare-ups and hostilities,” said governments. He said he was optimis- male counterparts to get their alternative site for resettlement. Ielanthi AIC Church in Kithyoko area the Film Commission boss. tic that the devolved system would ac- He notes that the land targeted in Yatta district in early April. stock because they were never Mutua expressed concern that al- tively involve the church for the sake of allowed to venture into the lake. for the project is covered by palm Cautioning over the re-occurrence though in the past, the best schools transparency and accountability. and cashewnut trees from which the of political violence, Mutie urged the This forced them to trade sex for and health facilities in the country He stressed the need to enlighten fish and the resultant effect has community derives their livelihood. church to help the country shun tribal- were established and run by church and educate Wananchi about the ben- He demands that an environ- ism and elect the right leaders in the been the high HIV/AIDS preva- missionaries, in Ukambani and other efits that come with the new constitu- lence rates. The ESP projects have mental impact assessment survey coming general elections. Mutua, on rural areas of Kenya, the role of the tion. “I think this is the time that we be undertaken to establish the vi- his part, asked the church to revert to however helped women to tran- church has since diminished signifi- need the church to take that role to scend cultural barriers and become ability of the project. spearheading development and man- cantly leading to the stalling of devel- sensitise the public,” pointed the In- The residents lament that the agement of devolved public funds in self-reliant in the fish trade. opment. He called on the church to re- formation secretary. “Prior to the introduction project may not generate equal rural areas. claim its lead role of not only donating He said the citizens need to under- value to the land and the plants if “The Church must be the leading of the ESP sponsored project, money for development projects but stand what the new constitution means women who dared indulge in the they allowed the Kenya Electricity light. You understand that in the next to also sensitising Wananchi on their for them in terms of governance, in Generating Company (KenGen) to six or seven months we will enter a trade were scorned by the commu- role in the wake of the new constitu- terms of their power to participate in the nity and treated with disdain. But forge ahead with the project. very trying time of seeking to elect tional dispensation where resources management of the country’s affairs. The area councilor Gambo with the ESP, majority have been Mwambeni says local leaders were able to form self-help commu- not involved by the provincial ad- nity groups that have empowered ministration in the consultative them to take charge of their trade,” meetings that preceded with the adds Dorina Atieno, a member of identification of the site. the group while feeding fish in Gambo further says that they her three pond. The group whose will oppose plans to impose the name means tilapia in dholuo res- project on the community and added onates with success as members that respective investors must work own ponds which have become hand in hand with the residents so their only source of livelihood. that the project may succeed. “Dorina started with one pond Women led by Naomi Kadzo three years ago after she received said that their land is fertile and they a go ahead from her husband. The have been practicing agriculture for venture is a resounding success many years and demanded for an as she earns from between Ksh explanation from the provincial ad- 30,000 to Kshs70,000 from each ministration as to why the land was of the four ponds she has estab- hived off without their consent. lished. Mrs Kadzo says that residents She says that initially people were shocked when a group of thought that the ESP initiative strangers visited the area to conduct would collapse. “However when feasibility studies without prior con- we had the first harvest and the sultations. society around saw that the re- Kilifi DC Benjamin Gachichio sults were impressive, there was however says that the residents a remarkable change of attitude were consulted and he was disap- towards us,” she says, adding that pointed by the move they had taken. this helped the groups number to He says he plans to convene a grow. public baraza to resolve the prob- Dorina and her group are lem. Information secretary Ezekiel Mutua (left) and the Film Commission CEO Peter Mutie unveils the plague to mark the among farmers in 31 constituen- consecration of the Ielanthi AIC church in Kithyoko area of Yatta district. Photo/Kavyu-Kura cies in Nyanza who are produc- ing over 100,000 metric tonnes of stock worth Ksh 140 million. “I managed to clear school fees It is back to the roots for Ukambani over hunger for my children after partial har- vesting. We no longer rely on rev- By PETER MUTUKU community has formed interest groups currently keeping over 40 local hens. of challenges and has been unable to enue generated from sugarcane,” mainly in Mwingi Central, Mwingi In Enziu sub-location, Waita loca- penetrate the local market where the Malin Likowa, another farmer in DROUGHT which has for decades West, Mwingi East, Kyuso, Mumoni, tion, another group of 30 members is community regard camels as dirty the group says. Likowa started fish remained a dominant feature in Ukam- Enziu, Ukasi and Tseikuru to grow engaged in the production of sorghum, and therefore their milk is seen as un- farming two years ago. bani region is quickly fading as resi- crops for both domestic and commer- millet and green grams. hygienic and a cause for diarrohea, Fish farming has a higher re- dents embrace drought resistant crops. cial purposes. The group has managed to invest trasmits livestock diseases, pests and turn as fish is not prone to diseases The Ministry of Agriculture Among groups formed through in value addition and the results are also leads to desertification. The group like other farm animals and unlike through the National Agriculture and support by NALEP include the 4KK impressive. Today the group is force however plans to harness camels ca- crops, their survival is not limited Livestock Extension Programme (NA- Youth Group in Tseikuru Location, in the market and has acquired a trade pacity to plough, weed and provide by poor weather conditions be- LEP) has helped transform the area by Mwingi North Constituency, which is name, the Enziu Commercial Bakers transport during dry season. Further cause farmers who start with 1,000 encouraging and supporting farmers to currently engaged in poultry keeping. through support from NALEP-SIDA. Kisungi Basketry Self Help Group fingerlings are assured of the same revert to traditional plants. The youth group comprising of 20 The group started with only 16 that is located in Konyu sub-location, number at harvesting’. Agricultural members has been trained on poultry members and the figure has grown Katse Location, Mumoni Central divi- “In Migori County, the gov- Officer, James Muchoka says that management. The group has also been grown to 30 members (eight men and sion, Mumoni District is engaged in ernment started with 1,065 farmers through the programme farmers have funded by the World Vision to con- 22 women). In Nguni division, the Ka- the making and selling of traditional with a particular focus on women abandoned food crops for drought re- struct poultry houses, drugs, feeds and ghui Youth Group in Ukasi market has baskets locally in large numbers. groups. About 1,244 fish ponds sistant crops such as sorghum, millet, solar driven incubator. ventured into camel keeping project. Through NALEP-SIDA, the group were built through the Economic green grams, cassava, sweet potatoes, The plans to buy a solar panel to The project has been funded to tune of has been trained on local basketry and Stimulus Programmes,” adds the mangoes, poultry and camel keep- enable them operate the incubator to Ksh722,800 through NALEP ASAL is engaging in the making of fireless county fisheries officer in a recent ing among other income generating hasten the process of hatching of eggs component. cookers, chopping baskets, trays and meeting in the county. activities. He says that currently the and improve production. The group is The group however faces a myriad wall mats in 2009. The Link, May 2012 REGIONAL NEWS 31 Shun tribalism Jigger survivors now live normal lives By JOSEPH MUKUBWA lies at Karung’e area where Ahadi “From there, we expect to get ganizations have vowed to continue and prosper, Kenya Chief Executive Stanley about Kshs 1.2 million in another four initiating other viable projects aimed INITIALLY, they would cry foul over Kamau started the project of fighting months. This money will help the fam- to help the families who initially were Bungoma negligence and even walking was jiggers before spreading to other parts ilies to buy clothes, school uniforms not recognized in the society. a problem, but today, they are busy in the country. and other family and school items,” “The projects will go a long way in residents told walking and working in their farms. He has since established many says Kamau during the fifth celebra- empowering the people economically Forty two-year-old Mary Nyawira projects for those who are already tions since the trust was formed. and also enable them generate some By AGGREY BUCHUNJU is among the about 2,000 people from healed including banana and bee The people of Gitugi village now income. Jiggers menace cannot be Mathioya district who were initially keeping projects. are expected to form a community eliminated unless the affected fami- ALTHOUGH infested with jiggers, but have recov- The banana project is expected to based organization where the income lies are empowered economically,” he has the potential to become a ered and can work to put food on the rake in Kshs 400,000 in the next three generated from the projects will be adds. commercial hub, lack of vision- table. months as the bananas have started shared equally among them. About 200,000 jigger-infested ary leaders continue to consign The mother of six children works maturing. Ahadi Kenya and other joint or- people have received free treatment the area into stagnation. tirelessly in a three acre- farm do- and fully recovered from the menace. The Regional Commission- nated by Ahadi Kenya Trust to jigger Kamau says the jigger menace is er, upper western Mr.Rashid infested families in Gatugi village in real in many parts of the country and Mohammed advises Bungoma Murang’a County to enable them fend calls upon the government to set aside County residents to shun tribal- for their families. funds to help eradicate the parasite. ism and elect leaders on the ba- About 3,000 tissue bananas have He says that funds must be allo- been planted in the farm to enable the sis of their capacity to provide cated at county levels to help eradicate families generate revenue from the the vermin which is blamed for high quality services. initiative. Rashid, at the same time poverty levels. This project aims to boost food The Ahadi Trust boss says more points out that ethnic diversity production and also alleviate poverty. must be reflected in leadership resources should be channelled to pri- Apart from this plantation, those mary schools and semi arid parts of to address its cosmopolitan stat- who have fully recovered have each the country to help fight the menace. ure and promote peaceful coex- planted 50 banana trees in their homes According to statistics more than istence. where they also expect to make bump- 400 people have succumbed to death He reiterates that without er harvest soon. owing to severe jigger infestations in peace and good leadership, the “I am expecting more than Kshs the past five years. In Murang’a Coun- residents cannot benefit from the 10,000 in the next few months once ty one person dies every month. enormous potential in agricul- my 50 bananas mature. This will en- He laments that lack of proper tural, tourism and cross border able me to feed my family since the funding was hampering the fight trade. bananas were not affected by the dry against vermin at the same reiterating The provincial administrator spell which hit the area early this year. his earlier calls for the government to further reminds those aspiring to We are using them for cooking and come out with an anti-jigger policy as be County leaders that the new also for ripening,” says Nyawira. it was doing to other diseases like can- constitution provides for equita- At the neighbouring home is cer and Malaria. ble distribution of resources. Elishiba Nyambura, 35 who is also The anti jigger crusader also notes He challenges County lead- expecting a bumper harvest. that through the initiative hundreds of “My five children were infested ers to respect the supreme law pupils who had dropped out of schools with jiggers. My legs were also in- due to the parasites have been treated reiterating that for peace to pre- fested and it was not possible for us vail there must be equitable dis- and have now gone back to school. to engage in any meaningful activity. Anti-jigger ambassador Cecilia tribution of both the national and My husband was also badly infested. County cake. Mwangi said this is a major milestone Today, we are a happy family. We since those who were initially ignored One of the objects and princi- are able to seek for casual jobs while Ahadi Kenya Trust CEO Stanley Kamau with anti-jigger ambassador by the society are now engaging in ples of devolved government as my children are able to concentrate in Cecilia Mwangi during the tour of a tissue banana project in Mathioya productive work to build economy in outlined in Article 174 (h) of the school,” says Nyambura. District of Murang’a County. At the centre is one of the jigger infested the area. constitution is to ensure equita- These are among the many fami- victim who has since recovered. Photo/Joseph Mukubwa ble sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya. Rashid made the remarks re- cently at a Bungoma hotel dur- ing the National Cohesion and G7 alliance calls for peaceful elections Devolution Forum. By AGGREY BUCHUNJU prayers are Satanic because they do He challenged other political lead- political violence in the country on the The two day forum was fa- not wish anything good for the human ers to support the G7 initiative to unite Government’s failure to address youth cilitated by Friedrich Ebert Sti- THE deputy Prime Minister, Uhuru race,” Ruto claimed. Kenyans instead of castigating them. unemployment problem. tung (FES) in collaboration with Ruto said the prayer of G7 mem- Kenyatta asserted that it is only Wamalwa challenged the coalition Kenya Correspondents Associa- Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP Wil- liam Ruto have re-emphasized the bers is to see peaceful elections in the through forgiveness and reconcilia- Government to empower the youths tion (KCA). country. tion that Kenyans can work together in the country economically so as not Participants drawn from all need for forgiveness and reconcilia- tion among the Kenyan communities. He reiterated that no citizen of this regardless of their party’s affiliations to be used by politicians to cause vio- parts of the County were taken country will be killed or have his/her to rebuild the nation. lence. through the constitutional re- Speaking at Posta Grounds in Bungoma town, the two politicians property destroyed during the struggle He reminded Kenyans that they “The government should look for forms at County level, realities, for this nations leadership. are duty bound to decide the political ways that will enable the youths to gaps, understanding the dynam- asked Kenyans to remain united dur- ing and after the next general elec- Uhuru echoed Ruto’s sentiments destiny of this country without coer- fill their pockets with money and not ics of devolved governance in saying that never again shall Kenyans cion and intimidation. stones which they use to perpetuate Kenya--County challenges and tions saying their prayer meetings are aimed at uniting Kenyans. turn against each other during and af- The MP as a result challenged violence,” he said. opportunities and land policy ter the elections. Kenyans not to allow foreigners to Wamalwa said that although the among other topics. Consequently, the two dismissed those against the prayer meetings ‘as Kenyatta urged all political leaders choose a leader for them adding that youths in the country constitute 73 The facilitators included to strive to unite people arguing that the move will belittle the country’s percent of our population the coalition William Oloo, Paddy Onyango, associates of Satan’ who are not will- ing to see this nation heal from the ills it is upon the leadership and Kenyans sovereignty. government has failed to put in place Martin Oloo and Khisa Caleb themselves to ensure that peace pre- Speaking at the same function clear mechanism and policies to ad- among others. of the post election violence. “People who are always against vails in the country. Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa blamed dress their plight.

tainable, limited funding and poor housing and inadequate water and Over a million Kenyans infested by jiggers sanitation. Jigger endemic areas were iden- By NYAKWAR ODAWO day sensitisation workshop held at equate water supply and sanitation. can be a useful barrier to new infec- tified as Central, Coast, Rift Valley, a Busia hotel recently attributed the “Thus behavioural and sanitation tions. Nyanza and Western provinces and ABOUT 1.4 million Kenyans suffer high rate of jiggers infestation to pov- interventions are the most important He said spraying of infested that the most-at-risk population co- from jigger infestations, a senior Pub- erty, poor housing and sanitation and jigger control mechanisms followed households and pets with pyrethroids horts are children under 10 years, the lic Health official has said. ill-health. by physical provision of proper hous- has been on-going as a routine activity elderly and the physically and men- The Vector and Vermin Control di- The public health officer said the ing or modification of existing struc- by environmental health personnel in tally disabled persons in the affected vision and the department of Envi- main predisposing factors for jiggers’ tures such as plastering of walls and endemic district, however the activity areas, approximately 10 million. ronmental Health in the Ministry of infestation are poor housing especially smoothening of floors with cement has been hampered by stigmatization, The three-day sensitisation work- Public Health and Sanitation official, dusty floors, poor personal hygiene mortar, slime or cow dung,” said Wan- lack of community participation in shop was attended by all Provincial Peter Wanjohi, who was addressing practices such as infrequent washing johi, adding that wearing of shoes, planning, implementation and evalu- Public Health Officers’ countrywide, an interagency committee on Public of feet and poverty as a constraining though not scientifically proven as a ation in the fumigation and treatment university students, teachers and other Health and Sanitation during a three- factor in access to proper housing, ad- method of jigger infestation control programmes rendering them unsus- related departments. The Read The Link monthly for issues affecting LinkEnhancing governance for all communities across Kenya The Link, May 2012

By HENRY OWINO

THE government now intends to in- crease allocations disbursed through the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) Women trust fund kitty in a move that seeks to empower more women economically. According to Mr. Wainaina Wa Njeri, the Women Trust Fund Chief Executive Officer, the fund is- an remains under utilized chored on the Millennium Devel- opment Goals (MDGs) that seek to Research findings indicate that promote gender equality and em- technology has negatively affected power women. more women than men due to their The fund was started in 2007 frequent usage of computers, mobile and its operations officially began in phones and television. She cited that 2008 with only eleven partners. To- the research also indicated that ma- day up to Ksh2.3 billion has been al- jority of women prefer social media located to the kitty and Ksh.2.1 mil- to any other form of communication lion loaned out to various women more than their male counterparts. enterprise groups. “Women should not celebrate Women groups that qualify for the development of technology but funding receive up to Ksh.0.5 mil- should use the technology to make lion depending on their approved money. Network for business pur- business plan. They are required to poses and ensure out of ten calls you repay with slight interest of as low make, seven are for expanding your as 8 per cent rate far down compared businesses,’’ says Gladys Arisa. to what most commercial banks that Arisa stated that in twenty hours charge as high as 25 per cent. The of a day, a woman would spend at WEF remains the lowest interest fee least sixteen hours in one of the charger. modern facilities either partially on “We have two types of loans it or fully glued to it. Social media on groups which is Tujimarishe and computer internet, she highlighted Tuinuke, designed to help women takes the lead in modern technology sustain their businesses”, says Wain- facilities usage by women especially aina. in urban centres with television fol- Wainaina was speaking at a func- lowing a cross sectional of women tion in Nairobi organized to motivate either in rural or urban areas. women to form business enterprise She regretted that mobile phones groups and borrow the money that are used widely in making or receiv- has been set aside by the govern- ing calls which are not business ori- ented but could be used to network ment for women entrepreneurs. He An open air market along Ngong Road with some household basic needs. mentioned that in the mid-term plan to find business partners and may be of the vision 2030, one of the most interest loans and hence have ben- to all Kenyans”, says Wainaina. He no minimum amount of loans given to order or purchase for more stock. important areas to address is the is- efited over 439,000 women in the also added that they give loans to to any individual women. She however, urged all women sue of gender and equality. He stated country so far. He added that the groups running economic activities According to Gladys Arisa, who have not yet formed or joined that the government is committed to state intends to impact more women and to individual women with sus- women should use technology to any business enterprise groups to do improving the lives of women be- in the coming years in the spirit of tainable business ideas. find business connections, network- so as the government is ready and cause they contribute more to eco- reducing the disparity gap. He also promised that from next ing with fellow business people and committed to support women busi- nomic development of the country. “We are not only happy that year, the amount of money lent to vi- quicken communication than physi- ness enterprises geared towards eco- The Chief Executive Officer our credit services are available in able women groups will be doubled cal movements. nomic development of the country added that all loans are given as zero all the counties but also affordable in each category adding that there is Arisa said recent International hence empower women nationally. Plans underway to rescue abused children Hunger claims lives in Turkana not caused by a shortage of food, but By PETER MUTUKU In addition 100 families will be fa- district level to make the process more By MALACHI MOTANO cilitated to engage in income generating inclusive,” explains Ms Mumo assert- by “lack of logistics”. The government PLANS are underway to rescue chil- activities through training schemes and ing that the move will enable the com- AT least 14 people have died in Ken- had failed to transport food to villages, dren in worst forms of child labour micro-finance schemes. munities to identify those supposed to ya’s north-western Turkana region - he said. The UN says the drought has (WFCL) in the country, through a pi- The Kitui project targets 3000 chil- benefit from the project. the first hunger-related deaths in the been caused by a lack of rains for suc- lot project sponsored by International dren and will be implemented in five She, however, observes that since current regional drought, even as the cessive years. It has declared famine Labour Organization - International locations by three organizations namely one of the main factors that lead to rest of the country begins to receive in parts of Somalia, which is worst af- Programme on the Elimination of the Kitui Development Centre (KDC), child labour is poverty at the house- short rains. fected. Child Labour (ILO-IPEC). the Catholic Diocese and the Child Wel- hold level, vulnerable families will The MP for Turkana, John Munyes, About 1,300 Somalis - mostly The initiative is to be imple- fare Association. be helped to start income generating says the deaths were in three remote women and children - are crossing into mented through the government “The theme is to accelerate con- activities to improve their incomes. villages after the government failed Kenya each day in search of food, the aided Strategic National Action Plan certed action to combat child labour,” Ms Mumo avers that youth participa- to transport food to drought victims. UN says. The UN’s Food Security and (SNAP) Project. says Kithome adding special attention tion will also be encouraged through The United Nations says more than Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) said The project which targets three will be paid to children in worst forms staging of drama and plays in some four million Kenyans are threatened that famine was “likely to persist until districts of Kitui, Kilifi and Busia aims of labour through Integrated Area Based schools as a way of ensuring that the by starvation in the region’s worst at least December 2011”. at creating child labour free zones in Approach (IABA). interest of the child is catered for. drought in 60 years. US Secretary of State Hillary Clin- the country, says Titus Kithome, the Janet Mumo, the KDC Project Man- “The objective of the project is to Other countries affected are Soma- ton has called on the militants to let the Kitui Local ILO-IPEC-SNAP Co- ager says her organization targets 1800 have effective models for establish- lia, Ethiopia and Djibouti. The 14 peo- aid through in Somalia. “Al-Shabab ordinator. He says that the project is children in three locations of Chang- ing child labour free zones in the area ple who died were Kenyan adults, but are preventing assistance to the most slated to benefit a total of 8155 chil- withya East, Wii and Kitui Township in addition to harmonizing the child children are also severely malnour- vulnerable populations in Somalia,” dren from the three districts upon its which produces high number of child legislation programmes with the Na- ished, says the Member of Parliament she said. “I call on al-Shabab to allow completion in 2015. labourers due to their proximity to the tional Action Plan to eliminate child adding that people feel abandoned’ assistance to be delivered in an abso- He explains during the implemen- District headquarters. labour in the country’’, says Mumo. Mr Munyes, who is the labour lutely unfettered way throughout the tation period about 3700 children will She says 1000 children will be res- Despite introduction of free pri- minister in Kenya’s coalition govern- area... so that as many lives as possible be removed from hazardous work, cued from worst forms of child labour mary and secondary education, child ment, says the death toll would have can be saved.” 300 protected in the work places and by initiating a number of activities. labour persists and the situation has been higher if the Red Cross was not Some 3.2 million people in Soma- undertakings and 4155 stopped from “We have established child labour been aggravated by the prevailing distributing aid in Turkana. lia are in need of immediate life-saving joining the labour sector. committees from the sub-location and harsh economic times. “It would have been a disaster,” he assistance - almost half the population, said. Mr Munyes said the deaths were the UN says.

The Link is published Monthly with support from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Kenya. P.O. Box 7438 - 00200, Tel 6001274/6001776 Nairobi. Fax 020 6001776 Email: the [email protected].

The Link, May 2012 14 SPECIAL REPORT

BACKGROUND

HE new legislation bor- rows heavily from Chap- Tter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity and demands that public offic- ers bring integrity and honour New Act set to bar criminals to their offices as well as the country. The Act has been tailored to arrest misuse of power by plac- ing an obligation on state offic- ers to serve the people rather than rule them. It is likely to stem the culture of impunity from holding public office which has, for decades, eroded office, individuals are to take public confidence in govern- and subscribe to the oath or af- ance institutions and under- firmation of office in the man- The enactment of Leadership and Integrity Act sets the pace for a mined the rule of law. ner and form prescribed by the new order devoid of wayward politicians. It signals the end of an era Constitution. Responsibility of leadership where individuals have run for political office or held onto a public The Ac t borrows heavily from Conduct of State officers appointment even with criminal charges hanging over their heads. the Constitution (73 (1)) which The new law affirms stipula- The new law sets out integrity standards for public officials among outlines that the authority as- tions in the Constitution that a signed to a state officer is a state officer has an obligation to them the President, Deputy President, Ministers, Permanent secre- public trust to be exercised in a behave, whether in public and taries, MPs and Judges. The standards are to apply against all those manner that is: official life, in private life or in (i) Consistent with the association with other persons, that will seek political office and will be fully enforced in the forth- purposes and objects of in a manner that avoids. coming elections. The new law implies that individuals facing crimi- the constitution (a) Any conflict between (ii) Demonstrates respect for personal interests and nal charges are no longer fit to hold public office until they are cleared of the charges, the people public official duties reports FAITH MUIRURI, our Sub-Editor and Staff Writer. (iii) Brings honour to the (b) Compromising any public nation and dignity to the or official interest in office favour of a personal (a) Is liable for disciplinary The law provides that a person ficers (iv) Promotes public interest action in the respective who has been dismissed or re- The law directs that a gift or dona- confidence in the integrity (c) Demeaning the office the office moved from office is disquali- tion to a state officer on a public of the office officer holds (b) May, in accordance with fied from holding any other or official occasion belongs to the the disciplinary procedure state office. government. The law provides that The guiding principles of lead- A person who contravenes the be dismissed or removed the officer remits the gift or dona- ership and integrity include provisions from office. Financial probity of State of- tion to the State unless in cases (a) Selection on the basis of personal integrity, competence and suitability or election in free and fair elections (b) Objectivity and impartiality in decision making and in ensuring that decisions are not influenced by nepotism, favouritism and other improper motives or corrupt practices (c) Selfless service based solely on the public interest, demonstrated by (i) Honesty in the execution of public duties (ii) The declaration of any personal interest that may conflict with public duties (d) Accountability to the public for decisions and actions (e) Discipline and commitment in service to the people

Oath of office of State officers Before assuming a State office, acting in a State office or per- forming any functions of a State Nairobi City Hall

The Link, May 2012 SPECIAL REPORT 19 New Act set to bar criminals from holding public office pointment to a State office un- equitable provisions of (i) Men and women deputy governor of a The enactment of Leadership and Integrity Act sets the pace for a less they are Kenyans. services (ii) Members of all ethnic county or other member The legislation makes it ille- (d) Involvement of the people groups of the executive new order devoid of wayward politicians. It signals the end of an era gal for a state officer or a mem- in the process of policy (iii) Persons with disabilities committee of a county where individuals have run for political office or held onto a public ber of the defence forces to hold making government dual citizenship. (e) Accountability for The new law lays emphasis on (i) Attorney-General appointment even with criminal charges hanging over their heads. However the provision does administrative acts the need to uphold the values (j) Director of Public not apply to (f) Transparency and and principles of public service Prosecutions The new law sets out integrity standards for public officials among in them the President, Deputy President, Ministers, Permanent secre- (a) Judges and members of provision to the public (k) Secretary to the Cabinet taries, MPs and Judges. The standards are to apply against all those that will seek political office and will be fully enforced in the forth- coming elections. The new law implies that individuals facing crimi- nal charges are no longer fit to hold public office until they are cleared of the charges, reports FAITH MUIRURI, our Sub-Editor and Staff Writer.

where they are exempted under an Act of Parliament In an apparent reference to the constitution, the new law also bars state officers from (a) Maintaining foreign bank accounts except in accordance with an Act of Parliament (b) Seeking or accepting a personal loan or benefit in circumstances that compromise their integrity

Restriction on activities of State officers The Act prohibits a full time State officer from participating in any other gainful employment . Fur- ther, the law also bars State officers from holding office in a political party. Currently, a number of state Parliament in session. officers continue to hold positions in political parties in direct contra- commissions of timely and accurate (a) all state organs in both (l) Principal Secretary vention of the Constitution. (b) Any person who has information levels of government (m) Chief of the Kenya Further, the law provides that a been made a citizen of (g) Fair competition (b) all state corporations Defence Forces

retired State officer who is receiv- another country by and merit as the (n) Commander of a service According to the constitution, ing pension from public funds is operation of that country’s basis of appointments of the Kenya Defence a State office means the not legible to hold more than two law, without ability to opt and promotions Forces out. (h) Representation of following offices (o) Director General of the concurrent remunerative positions (a) President as chairperson, director or employ- Values and principles of public Kenya’s diverse National Intelligence service include communities (b) Deputy President Service ee of (c) Cabinet Secretary (a) High standards of (i) Affording adequate (p) Inspector General and the (a) a company owned or (d) Member of Parliament controlled by the state professional ethics and equal opportunities Deputy Inspectors (b) Efficient, effective and for appointment, (e) Judges and Magistrates (b) a state organ (f) Member of a Commission General of the National economic use of training and Police Service or resources advancement, at all (g) Holder of an independent Citizenship and leadership office (q) An office established and The law also provides that a person (c) Responsive, prompt, levels of the public designed as a State office effective, impartial and service of (h) Member of a county is not eligible for election or ap- assembly, governor or by national legislation.