ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 1

April 16-30, 2013 ISSUE 081

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

CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Hope in County government Devolved system of governance could be Kenya’s last chance By JOYCE CHIMBI

In the wake of the most competitive and com- plex general election in the country’s history, it is all systems go as Kenya transits from a cen- tralized to a devolved system of governance. Many are hopeful that the solution to hun- ger, poverty and gross inequalities that have be- devilled the country lie in a devolved system of governance. “Due to the centralized system, where all de- cisions regarding this country are made in Nai- robi, people travel from the other seven regions to Nairobi since they believe it represents pros- pects for a better life,” says Dr Danson Mwan- gangi, an economist and market researcher in East Africa. He says that centralization of power and re- sources has compromised the establishment of strong linkages between policy, planning and execution of the national budget. “When the national budget is being read in parliament, millions of poor Kenyans hurdle around radio sets for news on price reductions of major items, our concern being our day to day survival,” says Benjamin Owuor, a mason in Nairobi. He notes: “Decisions regarding the needs of ordinary Kenyans are made in the Parliament that sits in Nairobi, we now want these deci- sions made in County assemblies that sit where the ordinary Kenyans are.” centralized government, allocates 75 per cent With recent statistics by the World Bank re- of its resources equally across the 210 (in pre- vealing that of the 800,000 job seekers, the job vious parliament) constituencies in Kenya, market can only absorb a paltry 50,000, thou- and only 25 per cent is based on the poverty sands of job seekers come to Nairobi to scram- rate of particular constituencies. ble for the limited opportunities. Ndebu notes that this is not enough to ad- Inequality dress inequalities across regions. “How can a district in Central Kenya receive the same As a result, according to experts on devo- aggregate allocations per head as a district lution, the country is experiencing massive in Nyanza with a poverty level of over 50 per inequalities across regions as the best brains cent?” he poses. move to Nairobi. The Central region also enjoys the advan- Ted Ndebu, a consulting policy analyst says tage of being one of the regions closest to Nai- that a centralized system of governance does robi city. not take into account poverty levels across re- “It is such insensitivity to regional inequali- gions in the dissemination of resources. ties that has provoked people at the Coast re- “Take Central Kenya, for instance, while gion to threaten secession. This is an overflow poverty levels are generally above 60 per cent of feelings of exclusion and neglect by post- nationally, here poverty levels have largely independence governments,” Ndebu explains. been below 30 per cent,” Ndebu expounds. Similar sentiments have also been ex- As a result, Mwangangi says, national pressed by residents of Northern Kenya. budget resources have not trickled down to “When we talk among ourselves, you will hear the ordinary Kenyan in a manner that would people saying that they are coming to Kenya, improve service delivery or even address their meaning they are coming to Nairobi city. We Kenyans walking to work. Below: James Onyango a jua kali artisan at his shed in plight effectively. don’t feel as if we belong to Kenya,” says Ali Still, the Constituency Development Fund Nakuru County. Devolution will improve efficiency in allocation and execution of (CDF), devolved funds established under the Continued on page 5 resources, equity, citizen participation and empowerment. Pictures: Reject Correspondent and Boniface Thuku Read more Reject stories online at www.mdcafrica.org 2 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 Future of teenager hangs in the balance after a hit and run accident By JOHN MAINA cleaning homes in the lakeside town. ing the girl with a bleak future. that one day, a good Samaritan will She does not have much to give to Since then, several religious knock on their door and give hope Last year August is a month that her daughter and the best that she groups and friends have contribut- to otherwise drowned hopes. will remain the darkest in Maureen can offer is company and morale ed KSh85,000 towards the hospital Moraa’s father has been at large Moraa’s life. The 15-year-old student support. bill leaving a balance of KSh50,000. since the accident. Although he calls was crossing the road in Keroka Moraa sat for the Kenya Certifi- once in a while, he claims to be in town in Kisii County when a speed- Victim cate of Primary Education (KCPE) a different town every time looking ing motorist hit her and took off. “Due to the fact that I am dis- in 2011 and attained 270 marks. Her for work to assist them. Moraa’s mother, Rose Mokeira, abled, I cannot do heavy work. I fend ambition was to continue with her The five remaining children are and good Samaritans helped rush for my family by washing clothes studies so she agreed to repeat class now distributed among extended her to hospital where she was admit- and utensils for neighbours who pay eight, in a bid to attain better marks family members to lighten the bur- ted and treated for head and spinal me in return,” explains Mokeira dur- that would see her access bursary den for Mokeira. injuries. ing the interview. funds. According to Alice Misati, Since then, the teenager’s life has Although Mokeira lives in Naku- Mokeira says the accident killed Mokeira’s sister and the only im- never been the same after she sus- ru, at the time of the accident Moraa her daughter’s dreams. She notes mediate guardian to the desperate tained head and spinal injuries. This was in Keroka town where she was says that the girl who cannot talk, family who is living with two of the has left her mother wondering if her staying with her grandmother. walk or even support herself, needs children, they had earlier tried to daughter’s life will ever get back nor- According to a discharge let- urgent medical attention in order to take the girl to Rift Valley Provincial mal. ter from Tenwek Hospital in Kisii, get her life back. General Hospital but were sent away In a single dilapidated room at Moraa sustained severe closed head for lack of funds required for a pa- the Rhonda estate in the outskirts injuries with seizures and partial Incapacitated tient’s admission. of Nakuru town, Mokeira, who has fractured spinal cord. The high hospital charges de- The family is now calling on well- Maurine Moraa at their home in five other children, is nursing her According Mokeira, Moraa was ter Mokeira from seeking further wishers to come to Moraa’s aid to Rhonda estate Nakuru County. She daughter. discharged from Tenwek Hospital medical attention for Moraa and enable her undergo physiotherapy sustained head and spinal injuries Mokeira survives by working as a when the bill escalated to KSh135,000 she is left with no option but to sit as well as acquire other medication during the hit and run accident. Picture: casual working washing clothes and and they were unable to settle it leav- beside her day and night hoping required to help her recover. John Maina

Cecilia Kiogora: Angel of mercy for Coast cancer patients Inmates plead for By ATIENO AKUMU parole in jubilee For the past eleven years, she has been helping cancer patients through year the tough and frustrating journey By NICOLE WAITHERA that begins once they are diagnosed with cancer. Inmates at the Naivasha Maximum Like a general, Cecilia Kiogora Prison are appealing to President has seen some of her patients fight Uhuru Kenyatta to release them in the the condition successfully to be be- jubilee year. stowed the ‘coveted’ title of survivors. They cited the Bible saying the She has also seen others pass on after biblical jubilee year saw the release of a long and protracted battle with the inmates who had been jailed for long terminal disease. by the king through the presidential However, when the inevitable pardon. happens, her focus shifts to the next Speaking to journalists at the insti- patient requiring her care and com- tution, the inmates argued that Presi- fort. Her hands are always full with dent Kenyatta should pardon them on patients to care for. this year when the country is also cel- “My job is basically to manage ebrating its 50 years of independence. cancer patients,” explains Kiogora pice are people with progressed ma- Cecilia Kiogora addresses some of her clients at the Coast with humility that belies the enor- lignancies, with their only remedy Hospice. She gives palliative care to cancer patienta. Reform mous task on her shoulders. being palliative care to relieve pain Picture: Atieno Akumu The inmates argue that they have It is around 2pm as I sit for the in- and make them go about their daily reformed and were not the same peo- terview and Kiogora discloses she has business. She gives an example of a prostate “Only recently I met a patient ple who were convicted of offences. already made over 40 calls to patients “Some patients come with stage cancer patient who has to be changed who claimed not to have slept for 21 Among those appealing for their who come for drugs, counselling and three cancers and the only thing one clothes by his daughter in the ab- days due to pain from cancer of the release is Peter Kamau, an inmate who support at the Coast Hospice, where can do in such a case is to offer pallia- sence of a male figure to take care of pancreas,” Kiogora says adding, “I has managed to sit for all CPA up to she works as a nurse. tive care,” notes Kiogora. She says the him. She says such a situation could gave him a dose of liquid morphine level K, the highest level in the land, When making telephone calls care and support helps the patients make a patient sink deeper “into the and the following day, he thanked me without repeating any level. He is cur- does not suffice, like in a case where die in dignity. dudgeons of despair or even develop profusely asking if I could give him rently serving a life imprisonment over a patient is bedridden, Kiogora along According to Kiogora, those pa- suicidal thoughts”. my number.” a robbery with violence charge. with three other nurses follow the tients whom doctors diagnose with “Imagine someone who was once Patients with cancers that have Kamau is currently pursuing a de- patient physically to their respective cancer at the onset of the disease strong but is incapacitated by cancer progressed and are in pain are nor- gree in commerce through distance homes. have a higher survival rate. Some of to an extent that he cannot take him- mally offered liquid morphine to al- learning from Strathmore University. Progress the survivors who underwent radio- self to the toilet,” Kiogora laments. leviate pain. “I want to serve all Kenyans. I am therapy 15 years ago and had their She says families of pancreatic a great mathematician and I hope to She has been visiting patients in Progress cancers dealt with visit the hospice as well as liver cancer patients are be a banker one day. I want to serve their homes in South Coast, Voi and every second week of every month to among those who have to put up However, Kiogora’s lowest mo- Kenyans and pay taxes like any other other areas in the province, to ensure share on their triumphs over cancer with a heavy emotional burden as the ments are when patients die after a Kenyan,” said Kamau. that their last days are peaceful and with those still battling the illness. patients are prone to become hysteri- short battle with cancer. dignified. “When survivors narrate how cal. According to Abigael Mwangi, Authority “We also train kin to be care- they have been able to embark on There are a number of cervical the Coast Hospice administrator, Another inmate, Kaberia Itaaru, givers to keep the bedridden patient their daily activities like farming, it cancer patients are also HIV positive. people who come for palliative care who has authored three books has also from developing bedsores,” she says. renders hope to those who may feel She attributes the cancer to weak- and support have no money to pay asked the President to remember them Kiogora notes that the emotional like giving up,” notes Kiogora. ened body immunity that exposes for the drugs. when he pardons inmates this year. burden that comes with having a can- Bear the body to opportunistic infections, The Hospice is linked to the Coast “We are also Kenyans and no mat- cer patient is enormous. And what’s cancer included. Provincial General Hospital (CPGH) ter what the court ruled over us, we more, the passing on of a breadwin- When it is evident a family is by the virtue doctors at Rahimtul- want to be free,” said Kaberia. ner can be painful to the extent of bearing a heavy emotional burden lah Ward (oncology ward) who refer He is also serving life imprison- causing children to desert homes. brought about by caring for a patient, “You surely cannot patients to the Hospice for palliative ment over a robbery with violence “Cancer is a progressive condi- she summons family members to care. charge. tion and apart from ‘swallowing’ reconcile before the patient passes increase one’s days Mwangi says even though drugs Officer in charge of the facility Pat- money, it also wears one down emo- on. Such a move helps to forestall any at the facility are subsidised, patients rick Mwenda also called on the gov- tionally and psychologically, family strife or blame games, especially be- but you can help still find it difficult to buy them, forc- ernment to consider their release. members of the patient included,” fore a patient dies. patients pass on ing the Hospice to give drugs to the “They have truly changed in char- explains Kiogora who attends to Apart from counselling relatives, patients free of charge. acter. The best gift the new government patients who suffer from breast, cer- if it necessitates, Kiogora designates peacefully and with Kiogora, who is an alumni of can give them is to free them, they are vical and pancreatic cancers among roles to relatives to ensure the patient Nyeri Nursing School, says: “You good people who have reformed and others. gets a good diet and is well taken care dignity.” surely cannot increase one’s days but deserve a second chance,” he noted. She says apart from a few cases, of to avoid them suffering psycho- you can help patients pass on peace- most of those who come to the hos- logically. — Cecilia Kiogora fully and with dignity.” ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 3 Serving the community lays foundation for medic’s inspiration By VALENTINE ATIENO They rolled out the programme girls at the community level and that in her career upon completion of the with KSh100,000 donations that was is why I needed to work with lowest course. She worked at Kenyatta Na- In Kenya it is not common for people raised from the board members. level providers like the mid-wives and tional Hospital and specialized on ma- to resign from well paying jobs to try She started without an office and clinical officers that the girls go to first ternal health just to ensure that all the their hands in politics. However, for could go to the community to edu- before they are referred to other spe- women got deserved attention. Dr Monica Ogutu, a trained medic, left cate them on the management of most cialised institutions,” she notes. She later on advanced her studies a well-paying job at Kenyatta National stigmatized topics which are easy to The organisation later on engaged by doing midwifery at the same college Hospital (KNH) to start working for prevent and manage like the hyper- in writing proposals in search of mon- and also proceeded to do her degree in her community. tension, sepsis infection that is expe- ey to enable it expand services. nursing at the University of Nairobi. In 1995 Ogutu quit her job after rienced during pregnancy and even They organised the first training to completing her studies on Maternal unsafe abortion. equip the mid-wives with knowledge Specialist Health in Uppsala Sweden to em- on comprehensive post-abortion care She was later posted to Kenyatta bark on community service. She then Inspiration and how to deal with it. National Hospital as a Gynaecologist founded the Kisumu Medical Educa- “After sometime I secured an office “Given that the girls are sexually ac- in-charge of the labour wards where tion Trust (KMET). in Migosi area in Kisumu and later on “One morning, a 16 tive, we addressed abstinence and ne- she treated several young girls with “I wanted an institution within the employed a community health worker gotiation for safe sex to prevent unsafe different maternal and reproductive community to assist young girls lead who was in charge of the office when I year old girl came to the abortion and HIV infection,” Ogutu health problems. normal life,” she explains. went out to the field,” she explains. explains. “One morning, a 16 year old girl However, not many people around Ogutu was inspired by the indig- hospital after she had From a humble background in Got came to the hospital after she had pro- her welcomed the move. Her col- enous local brains, a voice from the Osimbo in Siaya County, Ogutu recalls cured an abortion but the quack had leagues and husband thought she was non-governmental organisation for procured an abortion that during her formative years she was damaged her uterus,” recalls Ogutu. crazy and were opposed to the whole the local community and with this purely consigned to fetching firewood, She notes that by the time the girls idea as they thought she had risen to a she engaged the chiefs and ended up but the quack had water and house cleaning as education was leaving the hospital, she had no good position. addressing young girls at chiefs’ meet- damaged her uterus.” for the girl child was a privilege. uterus and her anus was destroyed be- “My husband was so annoyed and ings. The thought of becoming a suc- cause the quack messed up with vital thought that something was wrong “I went ahead and met with the — Dr Monica Ogutu. cessful founder of a non-governmental organs in her body. with me,” says Ogutu adding that “he Ministry of Health officials and told organisation (NGO) was unthinkable “This experience inspired me to even engaged a counsellor assuming them about what I was doing with re- then. start working within communities to that I had a mental problem”. gards to maternal health problems in public transport to reach people in far A mother of three and two ad- help de-stigmatize abortion,” she says. Nyanza Province,” says Ogutu. flung areas. opted girls, Ogutu started her primary KMET has 10 organisations that Inception She notes that she started operating “Then came a time for appraisal school at Got Osimbo Primary School. they support at the community level. Her husband only gave in after a at a time when it was so difficult to get and the donor needed to know how She did so well and got admission to They plan to expand support to 20 series of meetings but on agreement a donor because they needed to fund the money had been used when they Ngiya Girls’ Secondary School for her other organisations. that the relocation will not interfere an NGO with a history but this was came to assess us. She was so surprised secondary education in 1977. “When we started the organisation with the studies of their children. one just a newly formed. that we used bicycles to transport con- “After my fourth form I was ad- we had a total of KSh100,000 donations “I decided to form an NGO to deal After six months in 1995, the first traceptives and was so touched and mitted to Kenya Science to train as a from the board members and now the with women’s issues within the com- donor, Planned Parenthood Founda- promised to be back,” Ogutu recalls. teacher, something that was not my value of K-MET as per the projects munity and with some of my friends, tion of Africa (PPFA) came knocking The donor later bought the organ- wish but that of my parents,” she says. stands at KSh100 million and the build- we met at Kenyatta national Hospital and they gave the organisation money isation a vehicle to help in transport- Unknown to her parents and for ing is also worth KSh160 million,” she and decided to form an organisation for buying contraceptives that they ing the drugs to the community and her love for nursing, she secretly ap- reveals. that later matured and made me resign took to the communities. this brought on board a third em- plied for a nursing course at the Kenya To date the organisation has 82 em- and take up management seriously,” The organisation loaded the medi- ployee. Medical Training College in Nairobi. ployees with a total of 17 projects on she explains. cines in the bicycle and occasionally by “The most affected people are the True to her passion, she excelled going. Women want construction of health centre treated with utmost urgency By ANTHONY ZOKA children born and take the same to the nearest not safe for an expectant woman and dispensary at a later date for recording before her baby. Midwives in Rabai are a busy lot because their advising the mother to make arrangement for “We formed a women’s group by services are highly required and appreciated. the new born to be registered at the chief’s of- the name Jeza Zhomu (Mijikenda for Expectant mothers rely on them to deliver fice. try hard) over 20 years ago with the babies at home because they cannot access the aim of bringing services to our local- nearest health centre which is miles away. Delivery ity, but we only managed to solve the To get to a health centre in this region is Kanze who is illiterate faced many challenges water problem,” says Yaa. She notes: challenging because most roads like the Kibao- in terms of how she would record the births. “I did “The health sector and infrastructure KicheShika-Adabu Road are dilapidated and not have a chance to step into a class room so I is still wanting. I believe God is with very few vehicles ply it. did not write anything. I had a bottle where after us and soon the dream of having a The sight of pregnant women being pushed a successful delivery, if the baby is a boy I would health centre will come to reality.” on wheelbarrows heading to the health centre put a bean seed inside and a maize seed for a baby According to the 2009 census, about 17 kilometres away is not a rare sight. girl,” says Kanze. She adds: Soon an idea came to Jimba which stretches to about 13 Recently an expectant mother was forced to me that I could use my grandsons to record the square kilometres has a population deliver along the stretch before she could get to date and sex of the new born; This made it possi- of 5,600 people. the hospital. The baby delivered by the bush was ble for any person who wished to know the num- It is an area surrounded by two named “Menjir”, Mijikenda for one born by the ber of children born and their gender.” rivers which flood during the rainy roadside. To show just how precarious the situation seasons affecting learning and all is, Kanze says she uses plastic bags instead of other activities in the area. Accessibility the recommended clinical gloves in many situ- The poor state of road is also pos- Such scenarios are not strange to Jimba resi- ations as the latter are not available. ing a security threat especially at night dents of Rabai District in Kilifi County as there According to her records, when we visited where incidents of cattle theft have are no health facilities in the area worth talking her recently, 10 babies had been brought into been reported on several occasions. about. Rabai is essentially an island surrounded the world through her efforts. They were six by seasonal rivers which make the area inacces- girls and four boys. Maternal health sible during the rainy season. Joyce Yaa is one among the trained commu- Area assistant chief, Isaac Ndune Kanze Munga demonstrating how she uses plastic These are the challenges facing women in nity health workers who at least has knowledge Mkando, admits that medical facili- bags as clinical gloves in handling an expectant the region and the county government that is of how to safely handle an expectant woman. ties in Jimba, are essential as many mother. Picture: Anthony Zoka taking effect will have to treat as urgent. “I am forced to carry all the equipment I use risk their lives through the use of tra- Kanze Munga, commonly known here as for delivery because you cannot tell where you ditional birth attendants since hospi- He is calling on well-wishers and the State Mechibega, is among the famous midwives not are going to meet an expectant mother ready to tals are out of reach, especially at night. to consider the construction of at least a dis- only in Jimba but also in the neighbouring vil- deliver,” says Yaa. She adds: “I have on several However, the chief insists that there is posi- pensary in the area. He notes that a proposal lages of Rabai and Kisurutini locations. occasions helped fellow women deliver by the tive change as maternal and infant mortality rate had been forwarded to the Rabai District De- “We have adapted to these problems. As wom- roadside. That is why I have to arm myself with are now decreasing despite the many home de- velopment . This proposal can also be shared en, we lack privacy as some are forced to deliver the necessary equipment at all times.” liveries witnessed in the area, especially at night. with the county government which is tasked their babies on the way to hospitals located across However, Yaa thanks AMREF for training “The distance where the health facilities are with bringing services closer to the people and the river. I have been called many times in the her with three other women from Jimba area 17 located makes many opt for traditional heal- construction of a health facility could be one middle of the night to go and help an expectant years ago. ers, especially due to high poverty levels in our of them. mother to deliver a baby at home,” she says. According to Yaa, the poor infrastructure in area,” says Mkando.. He notes: “However, the If this is done as a matter of priority, the Kanze reveals that once she was advised by Jimba has worsened the situation as the motor- good news is that there is a change as we hardly women of Rabai will continue to suffer, espe- the area assistant chief to keep records of all the bikes currently commonly used for transport are record a child’s death under the age of one year.” cially during delivery of their babies. ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 4 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS

Majority of Kenyans lack knowledge on devolved government

By ROBERT WANJALA slow the realisation of County govern- ment intended results to its residents. The honeymoon is over as the 47 gov- The Constitution requires estab- ernors and 1,450 ward representatives lishment of County Public Services get down to work after their elections but there has been a delay in imple- and swearing-in. menting this aspect of the law to facil- They are now facing the reality of itate continuation of service delivery being the pioneers in the new devolved in counties. system of government under the new Constitution. Responsibilities Indeed, pomp and colourful cer- Otieno says outright roles by cen- emonies witnessed across the country tral government could stage a power ushered in a new dawn of self-gov- contest between national and county ernance saw Kenyans bubbling with level with possibilities of lawsuits confidence and high expectations against each other as they seek to as- From top: A section of the busy Eldoret town. Below: An aerial view of the town. About KSh70 billion brought about by the new devolved sert authority. has been allocated for setting up the county governments. Pictures: Robert Wanjala system. “Constitutionally, county govern- However, concerns are being raised ments have the mandate to handle over the country’s national unity amid functions such as health services, ernments could give governors, execu- system of government, devolution will country’s current highly fragmented these overriding anticipations. trade, education, agriculture, county tive committee and county assembly- give power of self-governance to the arrangements for service delivery, the Willis Otieno, a legal expert at transport, cultural activities,” says Oti- elect leaders a freehand over resource people and enhance citizen participa- legal structure for managing county Electoral Institute for Sustainable De- eno. misappropriation without people’s tion in exercising the powers of the public service has serious gaps. mocracy in Africa (EISA), says the National government on other oversight. State and making decisions. “Counties will have considerable public must be alive to the fact that hand is mandated with handling im- Other challenges that may delay the independence over public service devolved units will have to respect the migration and citizenship, national Expectations implementation of the new devolved management; responsibilities such principle of national and county gov- economy and planning, foreign affairs, Kipchumba Murkomen, Senator governments pertains the crucial laws as establishing and abolishing of- ernments as stipulated in the Consti- police service, national security, la- for Keiyo-Marakwet County says: “Ke- which were passed by the tenth Parlia- fices, appointing public officials and tution. bour standards and education policies nyans have high expectations as they ment before it was prorogue. exercising disciplinary control over among other key roles. break away from a centralised system “The legislators did not have suffi- them,” the reports said. Law Last July, the County Transition of government to the devolved system. cient time to internalise key provisions Articles 10 and 174 emphasise Authority took office to facilitate and Unfortunately many citizens do not of the new laws and this will obviously Policies national values and principles of coordinate the transition to devolved know what to expect from each set of affect the operations of the new county It states: “There should be a clear governance to people’s participation. system of governments as required by the elected leaders and the functions of government,” explains Murkomen. decision as to which national laws Under the objectives of devolution, the 2010 Constitution. the new devolved offices.” Crucial laws that were passed early and policies should be covered and the supreme law insists on promo- Among the functions to be under- According to Transitional Author- this year include Division Revenue which ones should be left to the coun- tion of democratic and accountable taken by the body include determining ity about KSh70 billion has been allo- Bill, County Appropriation and Coun- ties.” exercise of powers and to fostering the transfer of assets previously owned cated for setting up the county govern- ty Revenue Bill. Equally, Murkomen says fears national unity by recognising diver- by local authorities, facilitating devel- ments. Of that, KSh60 billion will go According to Otieno, proposed from the public on how the elected sity. opment of a budget for county govern- to services while KSh9.8 billion will be changes to laws as well as the late and governors and other public servants Concern has been raised that ments during phase one of transition spent on administration. hurriedly passed legislations to govern will manage the resources at their without adequate accounting and period and educating the public on The Transition Authority was sup- county governments’ public finance disposal without having a free hand oversight mechanisms in place, many devolved units. posed to be set up in 2011 and start management will impact negatively on to misappropriate them needed to be government assets are open to misap- The rule of law, democracy and working out on devolution modalities the first stages of the devolution pro- cleared. propriation. public participation are among the but it was instead constituted in July cess. Meanwhile the Transitional Au- County governments are taking national values and principles of gov- 2012. Last year, a report on devolution by thority has acknowledged that there over local authorities, several of which ernance contemplated in the constitu- Various local authority chambers, World Bank pointed out to the massive is need for scaling up public educa- are under heavy debts that range from tion of Kenya. which were designed for councillors task of decentralisation and the chal- tion on how the devolved systems bank loans, unpaid salaries and other Devolution, experts argue that were supposed to be modernised to re- lenges of how much and how quickly it operate. benefits as well as electricity and wa- public participation should increase flect the new participatory role of lead- can deliver that were inevitable. “Kenyans still need to be educated ter bills to loans from international accountability among public servants. ership under the county governments. The report noted that whereas on the role of the county governments,” donors. However, low public knowledge about Chapter 11 of the Constitution the devolved system of government says Kinuthia Wamwangi, Transitional Inheriting all these debts is likely to the functions and roles of county gov- 2010 envisages that under the county offers the opportunity to reduce the Authority chairperson. ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 5 Why development will not come so early to the counties By HENRY OWINO

The County Governments are here with us and set to benefit the common man at the grassroots levels. However, this new form of de- volved Government is in transition and it will be a while before benefits start trickling down to the 47 counties. Kenyans will, therefore, have to wait a little longer for its full realisa- tion. This might take between three to five years depending on how each county is structured. This is due to in- adequate resources available and prior developments within the counties and poverty levels. However, to the generation born before or during the time Kenya at- tained its independence, devolved Government is not new. The first time Kenya tried out implementation of the devolved system of government was in 1963 at independence in a semi-feder- al design. However, it was short lived. Past Then the country had national and seven autonomous regional govern- ments, each with a president repre- senting the Executive, a Legislative Assembly in the form of regional as- semblies and an independent public service. There was also a Senate at the na- tional level and it formed the Upper House that was to safeguard the inter- ests of the regional governments. Kenyans at a political rally. It is now upon elected leaders to deliver on the pledges they made during the campaign period key among Currently the country is back to them the realisation of devolution. Picture: Reject correspondent this form of government but this time under multi-party system. This, therefore, means there will must be consultative and cooperative. realisation. “Counties in such regions will really education (ECD) schools will be un- have to be checks and balances to Neither the County nor the National He notes that the county system of need to be assisted, not like Nairobi and der the county government. ensure proper distribution of state Government is senior or superior to government has brought the govern- Central provinces, which have the best According to Kinuthia, there are a functions and powers among and be- the other. ment close to the citizens for easy ac- schools and hospitals and are already lot of teething problems on how the tween the three arms of Government; The two governments and insti- cess and developments. well developed,” Kinuthia observes. new structure works but with time, Legislatures, Executive and Judiciary tutions established under them are He reiterates: “Let me clarify that people will come to understand. He according to the Constitution. required by the Constitution to en- Democracy these counties are not going to devel- outlines three types of counties; rural, sure participation by citizens in their “Not all counties will develop and op immediately. Each county is faced urban and city as well as those with Distribution affairs. The two have democratically grow at the same pace. You must un- with its own challenges; infrastruc- both rural and urban characters. Under this Constitution, there are elected representatives and autono- derstand that some regions were ig- ture, resources availability, circulation two levels of governments created on mous political authority. The elected nored by the previous regimes for a of funds, leadership and management Achieve equal basis. These are the County and representatives are for Senate, Na- long time due to single party dictator- skills,” Kinuthia explains. “We expect that by 2017 at least National Governments. tional Assembly, the President, the ship. I am happy that the Constitution He points out that most provin- three-quarters of the counties shall The Constitution further divides County Assembly and the Governor has added up devolution apart from cial hospitals are now changing the have achieved their goals and will Kenya into 47 counties with clearly in each of the 47 counties. democracy brought by multi-party status of their facilities to be referral be fully operational with much as- defined geographical boundaries. The In some regions, resources are system in the early 1990s,” notes Kinu- hospitals. This is because all referral sistance from the national Govern- boundaries of each of the counties either unutilised, under-utilised or thia. health facilities will be under the na- ment,” says Kinuthia. have been drawn by the Independent over-utilised to the benefit the county He recalls that before existence of tional government funding and not With the passage of the Urban Ar- Electoral and Boundaries Commis- residents. multiparty system, the national gov- county. eas and Cities Act by the Tenth Par- sion (IEBC) as provided for by the Kinuthia wa Mwangi, chairman ernments of the day, served the citizens Another competition is on the liament, the existing local authorities Constitution. of Transition Authority says the on the basis of how influential their schools’ status where confusion lies cease to exist. So there is no longer a Despite the Constitution creat- County government is a long term people (sons and daughters) appointed over which schools shall be within city, municipal, county or town coun- ing two levels of Government and 47 process that will not kick off in- in Government were loyal. He admits county level and those that will be un- cil. The role played by councillors has counties, Kenya is still a unitary state. stantly and might take three to five that it led to some regions being left be- der national government. In addition, been taken over by county ward rep- The relationship between the two years for its full implementation and hind in terms of development. what is clear is that all early childhood resentatives. Devolved system of governance could be Kenya’s last chance Continued from page 1 efficiency, inequality as well as Goals (MDGs) whose deadline is under a central government has education was grossly misappropri- Hassan, a resident of Garissa, North- exclusion. 2015.” done little to mitigate tribalism and a t e d ”. ern Kenya. According to Vision 2030, which Ndebu notes: “Devolution im- corruption. Ndebu concurs: “The Water min- “While we all run to Nairobi, no is a development blueprint, progres- proves efficiency in allocation and Consequently, the results have istry was last year rocked by a scandal one is left behind to develop the oth- sively, the average monthly wage execution of resources, equity, citi- been modest since millions of shil- where the Minister in charge was ac- er regions. Even regions such West- of a Kenyan will rise from the cur- zen participation and even the em- lings have either gone unaccounted cused of favouring her community in ern Kenya which are endowed with rent KSh21,250 ($250) to about powerment of citizens.” for, or misappropriated. the provision of water.” rich natural resources continue to KSh318,750 ($3,750). To address the issue of youth Gakii concurs saying that “a cen- post high poverty indexes,” says Ken Importantly, Vision 2030 whose Corruption unemployment, the Government tralized system of governance is also Mugo, a government tax analyst. main tenets speak to the Millennium He observes that devolution devised the Kazi kwa Vijana (Jobs too removed from the ordinary people Mwangangi concurs: “A central Development Goals (MDGs) lays reduces “horizontal inequalities for Youth) initiative “but, millions to efficiently scrutinize the spending of government has been the curse of out strategies to fight socio-econom- across regions by not only bringing of shillings have gone unaccounted public resources”. this country and the very reason we ic problems such as diseases, hunger, resources to within the grasp of the for, leading the youth to conclude It is expected that the dawn of the have not made a significant dent into illiteracy, poor sanitation and pov- community but by also providing the that it’s actually ‘Jobs to the youths, new devolved government may help problems addressed by the Millen- erty, while also managing natural people with an avenue to realise their money to the old’,” says Grace Gakii, make inroads into issues of extreme nium Development Goals (MDGs).” resources. priorities”. an activist with Bunge la Wananchi, poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy Devolving both power and re- The vision reads, in part: “As the While the outgoing regime has a local lobby group. and unemployment, which inciden- sources to the people is expected to country makes progress to middle- shown some commitment to im- She adds that under the Free tally, other than for unemployment, enhance the smooth implementation income status through these devel- prove the living standards of Ke- Primary Education Fund, another were the main problems that the of Vision 2030 by creating mecha- opment plans, it is expected to have nyans by decentralising projects, too devolved fund “millions allocated country’s first post-independence nisms to respond to problems of in- met its Millennium Development much power vested in the executive to finance access to free primary government vowed to address. ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 6 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Mineral and fish exploitation must be accompanied with improved infrastructure in Migori By OLOO JANAK sai, Kipsigis, Luo and Suba, which often degenerates into Even before the elections of Senators, Gover- bloody violence, disrupt- nors, women’s representatives and ward rep- ing economic activities and resentatives last month, key stakeholders were learning in some schools. busy working around the clock holding consul- Migori also hosts the tations, generating information and data on the disputed Migingo Island. needs of Migori County. The occupation of the From September 2010, stakeholders, led by island by Ugandan security local civil society organisations held a series of officers over the past five discussions at each constituency level; Kuria, years has adversely affected Migori, Rongo, Uriri and Nyatike. This was be- the fishing industry that is fore Kuria was split into East and West, Migori a major economic lifeline into Suba East and West and Awendo curved for the County. from Rongo. The improvement of Participants at a forum on Migori County development. New companies have since moved in to Each constituency had a technical commit- road infrastructure has prospect for gold and other minerals in the area. Picture: Oloo Janak tee which generated key social, economic and been identified as one of the political challenges which were consolidated most urgent and which can into key documents that were later tabled at unlock the potential of the of tobacco that is transported to Thika. Un- County administration as soon as the governor County Consultative Forums. County. der the County Government, it is our desire and his team settle down to work. Indeed as the new governor, Zachary Oba- to introduce value addition to our products do settles into office with the country ward rep- Loss by establishing a tobacco leaf processing fac- Implementation resentatives and forms the County Assembly, Maurice Ogur, a leader of the Matoso Fish- tory here,” says Chacha Mangiteni, a farmer in “We plan to table all these development they will have their job cut out for them with a ing Community in Nyatike, says they have been Kuria. plans and strategies to the County govern- lot of background data and information readily making losses due lack of roads and electricity. The reports indicate that there is potential ment for implementation and we shall continue available. “We have rich fishing grounds in Muhuru, for large scale tea farming, going by the experi- to closely monitor their performance,” says Matoso, Got Kachola, Sori and the Migingo ments done over the last 10 years in Awendo Charles Kajangara, a former Sony Sugar Gener- Challenges Island areas and the County can raise a lot of and Rongo, which yielded quality tea but which al Manager who was a key player in the county According to the Migori County Consulta- revenue and create more jobs if the roads were must be transported to factories in Kisii, more stakeholder forums. tive Forum Reports available at the offices of the improved and electricity installed along the than 60 kilometres away for processing. Trade with neighbouring Tanzania has also Migori Civic Local Affairs Network (CLAN) beaches,” says Ogur. The potential for dairy farming and im- been identified as key to the county’s econom- that initiated the process, a number of chal- The road infrastructure is a priority for all provement of local livestock raring have also ic development. Through Migori, Kenya also lenges were identified; some cross cutting while parts of the County as the single tarmac road been identified as important. Rongo, Awendo, imports a number of products from Tanzania others were constituency or area specific. from Kisii to Tanzania via Rongo, Awendo, sections of Uriri, Migori and Kuria are suitable although the balance of trade is in Kenya’s fa- Indeed, Migori is perhaps one of the most Migori and Isebania does not serve the rural for dairy farming. vour. cosmopolitan counties in Nyanza just like Kisu- parts. Nyatike and a few other parts of the County There are gold deposits in the Nyabisawa, mu city. If the roads are done it is expected to improve are good for cattle, goat and sheep rearing. Mikeyi and Masara in Migori Constituency; The Asians and Arabs are fewer in number trade and boost production and marketing of Macalder and Nyatuoro in Nyatike; Kitere, Ka- and have traditionally confined themselves to agricultural produce which includes tobacco, Priorities mwango, Kanga and Kakmasia areas of Rongo doing business but all the others have had inter- sugarcane, maize, bananas, millet, tea, ground- There is a government project on goat mul- and Kehancha in Kuria which will also boost ests that stretch into farming and fishing. nuts, cassava, pineapples and horticulture in the tiplication at Macalder area of Nyatike, which the economy. During the consultations, this was identified county. can be enhanced while at Lichota and Oyani Macalder was the prime gold mining area as a major challenge, especially the relations Migori is a leading producer of cane, to- outside Migori town, there are dairy produc- during the colonial period but the Italian min- between the Luo and the minority Kuria who bacco, maize and fish in Nyanza and the coun- tion and training farms that have been helping ers left shortly before independence. have been vocal and expressed fears of margin- try, and for a long time has been regarded as local farmers for decades. New companies have since moved in to pros- alisation. Nyanza’s food basket. However, bad roads A key priority is the matter of privatization pect for gold and other minerals in the area. The The smooth functionality of the county gov- have negatively affected production and mar- of Sony Sugar Company, which has been in the county government must now put its foot down ernment will be dependent on how inclusive keting. plan for a long time. and demand its share of the mineral resources the Kuria and other minority communities feel The consultative meetings proposed the “We as famers in Migori County must be which Migori County Council had for years left in a County government heavily dominated by need to establish fishing and tobacco industries involved and take charge of the factory when in the hands of foreigners. the Luo. among others to process local products and the privatisation process kicks off,” says Richard Migori County is set for devolution but will Other key challenges include insecurity, large- generate jobs for school leavers, some of whom Were, a cane farmer. only achieve faster economic growth through ly due to cattle rustling among the Kuria clans and have turned to criminal activities for survival. Stakeholder groups are already working accountable, transparent leadership and pru- between them and their neighbours, the Maa- “We have for a long time been producers on a robust engagement strategy with the new dent management of resources. Awareness creation on hygiene leads to drop of cholera cases in Kwale County By TERYANI MWADZAYA She said that through the new ini- So far, that theme has been popu- According to Iddi Abdilahi Yu- Kwale County thrived for four years tiative, most pupils’ attention and atti- lar and the school has led in the com- suf, programme coordinator: “The claiming more than 500 lives and led A new initiative to fight cholera in tude focused on their hygiene and how petition for two years. programme was initiated to boost to low standards of education for the Kwale County is already paying divi- to promote a cleaner environment. However, the teacher is concerned the learning abilities of the pupils. It remaining pupils,” he explained. dends. “The pupils are now cleaner as that the villagers still need to be mo- is through this programme that the Today, thanks to the Aga Khan According to the Rukia Beduni, they insist that their parents must tivated to participate fully in the proj- students’ education has improved.” Foundation project, Kwale County is outbreaks of the disease have reduced give them soap to bathe and wash ect working together with donors. Aga Khan Foundation’s coordi- an almost a cholera-free zone. recently after residents of Bowa Vil- their clothes,” noted Beduni, who is nator, Abdilahi Yusuf, said the pro- Residents are now conscious lage received training in children’s in charge of the child-to-child project Educate gramme was initiated to stop cholera about the quality of drinking water education known as child-to-child. at the school. It is through this subject that the outbreaks in the villages as the hospi- they consume and the villagers un- The project was initiated by the The pupils are also encouraged to pupils are also educated on first-aid tals were far and out of reach to most derstood the origin and how to pre- Aga Khan Foundation in 2009 to stop share that knowledge with their par- skills, which helps them take care of residents. vent a cholera outbreak. the spread of preventable diseases ents and relatives to cascade aware- the injured and or sick at home. The programme used pupils as The Aga Khan Foundation is such as cholera which had taken its ness in the neighbourhood. ”A clean mind thinks clean ideas,” they have convincing powers to their working closely with the Kenya School toll on the children and affected edu- ”Many parents are now aware observed Beduni, adding that her pu- fellow students and parents at home. Improvement Project, Madrasa Re- cation standards in the area in the and practice proper hygiene after the pils hope that the devolved govern- It was started 2009 and has al- source Centre and local government past five years. students shared the information im- ment would bring services like edu- ready benefited three schools in partners such as the District Centre for Beduni, who is a teacher at Bowa parted with them,” said Beduni. cation closer to the residents. Bowa village, Voroni and Mkokoni Early Childhood Education in Kwale, Primary School noted: “Cases of chol- In addition to the practical les- Fatuma Musa, one of the pupils, area making the other schools in the Mombasa and Kilifi counties, the As- era had forced many pupils to stay sons, the pupils are encouraged to said the programme has made her county emulate them. sociation for the Physically Disabled in away from school leading to poor write poems and recite them at public appreciate cleanliness as part of the Yusuf confirms that cases of Kenya and the Coalition for the Pro- performance I the examinations in the forums such as the National Music subjects since most girls from the vil- cholera have reduced in the past motion and Development of the Child past five years.” Festival. lage shy away from talking about it. few months. “Cholera outbreaks in in the Coast Region. ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 7 Renewed hope for entrepreneurs in Siaya By OMONDI GWENGI

Walter Winja believes in being part of the solution and not part of the prob- lem of Siaya County. Using water drawn from a fish- pond, Winja irrigates his mango and avocado trees in Bondo District. He is one of the local farmers who have embraced horticulture as an al- ternative to the predominant fishing activity the area residents have de- pended on for ages. At one time, fishing looked at- tractive and lucrative in terms of its returns. However, over the years, the fortunes from the industry have sharply dwindled, forcing residents like Winja to look for alternative sources of survival. The monopoly of the fishing industry by some foreigners and tycoons from Nairobi has also dis- couraged and displaced many local fishermen and hawkers from the lu- crative business. Winja brings home the new reality that there is a life beyond the lake. The communities in Siaya County can eke a comfortable living through diver- sification into horticulture and other farming activities. Reality Winja is among the optimistic residents who are now looking up to County’s first Governor, Cornell Women offloading sand at Nambo Beach in Siaya Rasanga, and his team of ward repre- County. Below: A fisherman with his catch. Fish has sentatives to translate his dream into been the highest revenue producer in Siaya County reality through the devolved gover- and the community is now calling upon the county nance structure. government to establish a fish processing plant in the The earnings from horticulture area. Pictures: By Omondi Gwengi have turned round his life and made him an inspiration to his neighbours ing the highest revenue for the coun- times go for days without and other residents. ty, the devolved government must getting any fish to take to “Farming has helped me provide take into consideration the necessary the market,” she adds. for my family as well as paying school measures that would see the industry According to Conso- fees for my three children who are all not only benefiting the county, but the lata Achieng, the work is in boarding schools,” says Winja with individual fishermen as well. tedious and they hardly pride. get time to be with their The coming into force of the de- Measures families. She fears that the volved government and the new For a long time, the fishing indus- worst could happen. “We Kisumu International Airport is a try has not directly benefited the resi- spend a lot of time working godsend opportunity to him and dents of Siaya and they are now call- at the site and this makes other farmers as he hopes to increase ing upon the new county government us tired that even meeting his production for local consumption to address the issue urgently. our marital responsibili- and also for to export. “We need a fish-processing fac- ties becomes a challenge,” Even though some farmers bring tory here in Siaya if we are to benefit Achieng laments. She adds: a revolution of sorts in the economic from the proceeds of the trade. This “I am afraid that this could outlook of the fishing community, can only be done by the new county break my marriage but it is they are met with a number of set- government,” says Francis Olang’o, the only alternative source backs including the lack of equipment Usenge Beach Management Unit of livelihood for our fami- to enable them produce in large scale leader. lies.” and a market to sell their produce. According to Olang’o, this will not With the devolved gov- lems that the women face here. “We of Siaya would like their governor to “Water is not a problem in this only improve the economy of Siaya ernment, the women sand harvesters spend long hours wading in water to address is the tussle over Dominion region but how to get it to our farms but also create employment for youth. are hoping that things can be made offload sand from the boats and this Farms. is the main challenge which the de- Like the men, women who previ- better. They are calling on the respon- is a great health hazard,” says Adhi- When they danced and made volved government should urgently ously engaged in fish business have sible ministry to provide them with ambo. merry to welcome the investment, address,” says Clement Kodhek, also also changed tact. Today, the number the necessary equipment and skills to The women also blame fishing the people of Siaya knew that with a farmer. of women carrying baskets of fish for enable them perform their work as re- the death of their husbands. Several the creation of over 1,000 jobs to the Standards sale has gone down. Instead, every quired by the National Sand Harvest- women have been widowed when local community and introduction morning one sees a group of women ing Policy. boats carrying sand have capsized of commercial farming, their living Most youth in Siaya County do with babies strapped on their backs “Sometimes we use the wrong with their husbands on board. standards would improve. However, not access the development funds headed straight for sand harvesting method of sand harvesting because According to the records issued eight years down the line, there is not that would otherwise uplift their sites. They stay here until late in the we lack the necessary information on by Nambo Beach Management Unit, much to show for it. economic standards because the re- afternoon when, together with the how to go about it,” says Achieng. She there is always a case of a boat capsiz- There has been a tussle between volving funds are issued to registered men, eventually they make their way notes: “We are appealing to the Gov- ing per week. the local community and the investor groups only. back home for other duties. ernment and our leaders to help us “We have been recording at least over the leasehold. The local commu- A spot check by the Reject revealed For Eunice Adhiambo Omore acquire the necessary equipment and one boat capsizing every week of nity accuses the investor of destroying that although the youth are aware of who has been in the trade for the last skills for the trade.” which some always lead to death their crops and grabbing their lands the funds that are disbursed in all four years, this is just like any other On the other hand, Adhiambo while others are always rescued,” says among other injustices. constituencies and through financial business that demands hard work and would like the county government to Alfred Ochieng, secretary Nambo Despite several complaints by the intermediaries, only a few of them determination in order to put food on empower them with loans so that they Beach Management Unit. community, little has been done by have applied for it. the table and live a decent life. can start up their own businesses. the local leaders to save the situation. It has emerged that the require- “I don’t regret joining the trade be- “This work is risky and it likely to Create The people of Siaya are optimis- ment that the beneficiaries to the cause as you leave your home and ar- shorten our lives. We would like our If sand harvesting is a source of tic that the devolved government fund must be members of a registered rive on the site for work, you are sure leaders to empower women financially livelihood for people living along the will help them in solving this issue group. This has locked out a majority to get something to take back home,” so that we can be able to earn a living lake shore, the county government and make them be part and parcel of the intended recipients, hence frus- Adhiambo explains. She adds: “In from a decent business rather than should help them in terms of making of the project rather than seeing it as trating their ambitions. fish mongering business, you are not sand harvesting,” reiterates Adhiambo. it a viable activity with minimal risks. a stumbling block to their economic For the fishermen who are produc- guaranteed of fish and you can some- This is just one among the prob- Another issue that the residents development. ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 8 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Improved infrastructure, access to devolved funds a priority for Nyeri By JOSEPH MUKUBWA While many governors across the country are faced with the daunting task of resolving issues bedevilling their counties, it is not any different for Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua. The county’s residents already have a to-do list of the things they would like him to give priority. They want Gachagua and his team to give priority to job creation, road building and maintenance, sup- ply of water for domestic use and irrigation as well as extension of power supply to all corners of the agriculturally-endowed county. A cross-section of the 661,156 residents who were interviewed said they are optimistic that if those is- sues were tackled well by the new county leaders then their lives will be improved. Nyeri County lies on the slope of Mount Kenya and covers an area of 3,356 square kilometres. Unemployment According to Patrick Waithaka, a mechanic in Nyeri town, youth to farm and produce more in our A section of Nyeri town. The residents want priority given to job creation, road construction and unemployment is a major challenge farms,” says Njoroge Irungu, a farmer maintenance, supply of water for domestic use and irrigation as well as extension of power supply that has forced many of them to from Kabaru area, in Kieni adding in the county. Picture: Joseph Mukubwa form and join illegal groups like the “we also need soft loans to boost our Mungiki to terrorise and extort funds farming”. for intervention for farmers by the Njoki would like to see the gen- made a 24-hour town just like other by soliciting for ‘taxes’ from area resi- Irungu is also challenging his col- new leaders. der principle entrenched in the new major towns,” Maina says. dents. leagues to add value to their crops so However, according to Duncan Constitution effected in the County A teacher, Edward Mutahi, wants “If the County government can that they can have better prices and Gituanja Kiara, a youth leader, the so that more women can be em- the education standards uplifted by start small-scale industries for us, higher demand for them. County’s future as far as job creation ployed. hiring of more teachers and improv- then we will be home and dry. Many “We need to start small-scale is concerned is linked to embracing ing facilities in schools and colleges. young people who are educated are industries so that we can pack our information technology. He proposes Economy Mutahi would like to see youth idling at home for lack of jobs,’ says produce from the villages. We need that the County government gives On his part, Jackson Maina, a polytechnics to be revived to enable Waithaka. He adds: “Many young to sell our potatoes when they have creation of ICT villages a priority for 56-year-old businessman in Nyeri those who have not gone to universi- people have also been complaining been processed and packed,” reiter- training and job creation. town, cites insecurity as a major is- ties acquire knowledge and skills. that the Youth Enterprise Fund is yet ates Irungu. He adds: “Milk should Ann Njoki, who completed high sue that must be addressed by the new However, Ann Wambui from Ki- to reach them.” be processed and sold as dry milk for school four years ago, says unem- team, saying it has adversely affected eni is unhappy with the managers In areas like Kieni West and Kieni longer shelf life.” ployment is high in the area and the economy of the County. of the Women Enterprise Fund say- East districts, most of the agricultural Irungu laments that some agricul- especially for young women like “We want an enabling environ- ing the kitty was yet to benefit rural produce goes to waste in farms during tural farm inputs are too expensive for her, many of whom are forced to get ment for the business people and tour- women. the rainy season since buyers cannot the average farmer and there is need married early. ism industry. We also want Nyeri to be Wambui wants the Governor and access the area due to bad roads. his team to assist women access and John Maina is from Endarasha benefit from the funds so that they area where he grows onions, carrots, can start their own income generat- cabbages and potatoes but is a victim “I expect the Governor and his team to assist women ing projects. of the bad roods suffering during the Mary Njoki, a nonagenarian (90 rainy season. access and benefit from the Women Enterprise Fund years old), from Amboni in Kieni Like his neighbours in Kieni, Maina West District says funds set aside for has seen his bumper harvest go to waste so that they can start their own income generating the old have not benefited them. She because he could not transport them to projects.” would like to see the county govern- markets in Nyeri town and Nairobi. ment intervene so that they are em- “What we need urgently is subsi- — Ann Wambui powered with resources to enable the dised farm inputs in order to be able old buy food and medication. Sugar factory will be ideal for Busia County By GILBERT OCHIENG of the country for the same,” says Sakwa. “Would you imagine all the ten water The residents claim they are forced to She says that if properly tapped, the two points erected by Budalangi CDF in Bunyala wake up at dawn and to queue for the scarce List of priorities is something the new county important resources could boost the econo- East location during the financial year 2008 commodity because of the high demand. governments will have to deal with especially my and bail the community out of poverty. have not been working,” notes Anyango. “Here at Nabalaki, we have only one bore- now that it is the community which has the Other areas of key interests identified in- She observes that Ruambwa Health Cen- hole that was dug in collaboration with the right to decide on what they think is impor- clude the establishment of a sugar factory at tre, the only facility which serves Siaya and governments of Kenya and Finland some tant for them. Nasewa Sugar Nuclear Farm at Matayos. Bunyala East location and parts of Samia Dis- years back,” says a resident. For Busia County residents a sugar factory Sakwa says Busia is a cane growing zone trict, lack drugs and medical personnel. “Even the primary school depends wholly and a rice mill is top on their list of priorities. and farmers will benefit more by using their “At times, we are forced to travel all the on the sole water point for its daily need,” says They have also expressed a desire to have own County facilities instead of transporting way to Port Victoria District Hospital, 10 ki- another resident, adding that at times pupils the Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and his their cane all the way to Mumias in Kaka- lometres away for emergency medical atten- are forced to miss classes for hours as they go entire team including Senator Amos Wako to mega County. tion,” says Anyango. in search of the scarce resource. get down to work immediately. “There is also need to allocate part of the Lavine Ajiambo, 15, a Form One stu- According to Evelyn Sakwa, a rice farmer budget kitty towards the revival of stalled cot- Favour dent at Dibuoro Secondary School in Siaya from Ruambwa sub-location, Bunyala Dis- ton ginneries at Mulwanda and Nambale re- She accuses the medical staff of nepotism County and a resident of Namalo Village trict wants the county government to give spectively,” says Sylpanus Ochwang, a cotton and corruption saying they favour patients says she normally wakes up at 3am to fetch priority to construction of a rice processing farmer at Mulwanda. from a neighbouring country who normally a 20 litre jerri can of water for her ailing plant at Magombe. On her part, Sabina Anyango, a mother of dish out money in return for the services. mother before going to school. This forces She also wants Ojaamong, who is the three and a small-scale trader based at Ha- The residents of Namalo and Nabalaki her to forego evening studies so that she can former Member of Parliament for Amagoro rambee Trading Centre, says the Busia Coun- villages in Bunyala and Samia districts re- fetch more water. to build a fish processing plant at Marenga ty government should allocate part of its spectively have also petitioned the Busia “I, therefore, expect the newly established beach. budget to facilitate establishment of adequate Governor and his team to take keen interest Busia County government to move with “this will enable the fish to be processed points to address persistent water shortage in and promote construction of adequate water speed and address this problem as a matter of instantly instead of transporting it other parts the entire Bunyala East Location. points in the two areas. urgency,” Ajiambo stresses. ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 9 Residents want soapstone industry upgraded By BEN OROKO keting of soapstone products at Tabaka, so that a citizen participation strategic the community gets the best prices for their plan for the County. The first Governor of Kisii County, James Ong- unique sculptures. “The first Governor of our wae, has his in-tray overflowing with the expec- Mogunde also expects the Governor to County will succeed or fail de- tations of the residents. woo foreign and local investors to establish a pending on the approach of his Topping the list is establishment of a perma- soapstone, chalk industry in the County, to re- governance structures. However, nent and all weather road network and agro- cycle soapstone waste materials and have them I am optimistic that he will suc- based industries to tap the potential of bananas, turned into chalk, instead of having the waste ceed if he embraces citizen-par- avocado and sugarcane grown in the region. exported to a neighbouring country for manu- ticipation strategic planning to The region is also endowed with two leading facturing of chalk, thus denying the residents ensure socio-economic priority cash crops, coffee and tea, which are a major for- income and employment opportunities. projects he will implement come eign exchange earner for the area and the coun- She would like the county government to from the people themselves to try as a whole. come up with policies that would ensure local avoid conflict,” notes Nyakang’o. Another expectation among some area community members establish co-operative Further, Nyakang’o expects residents is the exploitation of the soapstone societies to control and manage soapstone af- the Governor to hire County industry in Tabaka in South Mugirango Con- fairs collectively, to avert exploitation by mid- staff on merit and not on clan- stituency, as part of the efforts to create job op- dle-men. based sharing of public service portunities for the youth and women entrepre- positions. neurs. Policy These sentiments are echoed However, despite the above, many residents “The soapstone industry in the County has a by Cyrus Matoke, a youth in Kisii still maintain that the County’s resources have great potential for local residents but due to lack township, who expects the new not been fully exploited to their benefit, leading of policies governing the industry it has been left Governor to create new job op- to a rise in poverty and unemployment among to middle-men who exploit unsuspecting local portunities for the youth and en- the youth. sculptors,” notes Mogunde. sure equitable distribution of the His thoughts are echoed by Peninah Abuya, public service jobs in the County, Ventures a resident of South Mugirango, who would with the youth being given pri- Kennedy Nyarwati, a resident of Bomachoge- want the Governor and his team to streamline ority, if they meet the required Borabu constituency, cites the dilapidated operations of the soapstone industry and en- qualifications. Mogonga-Kenyenya-Nyakembene-Kamagambo sure there is a level playing ground for all entre- road as an example. preneurs, especially women. Expectations He says it traverses an agriculturally endowed Abuya, who is one of the talented women Matoke expects the Governor area and if tarmacked could open up and link the sculptors in the area, says the county govern- to avoid rewarding friends and region to other areas in the County to enhance ment should come up with industrial investment relatives with public service jobs Soapstone sculptor Peninah Abuya displays agri-business. policies that are women-friendly, to encourage in the County, instead he should a carving of a woman taking porridge from a “The road network in the County, particu- more women engage in investment ventures to ensure qualified people are given traditional Gusii calabash at Tabaka in Gucha South larly in Bomachoge and South Mugirango create wealth and employment opportunities for job opportunities on merit for ef- District. Picture: Ben Oroko constituencies, remains one of the challenges the youth in the County. ficient and professional delivery the Governor has to address,” says Nyarwati. "I was brought up knowing that invest- of services to the public in line with streamline revenue collection in the County to Decrying exploitation of local banana farm- ment in the soapstone carving industry was a service charters. ensure all loopholes for revenue loss and misap- ers by middlemen, Nyarwati expects the Gov- preserve of men but with women's gains in the According to Julia Nyaboke, a fruit vendor propriation are sealed. ernor to lobby for the establishment of co-oper- Constitution I now have a chance to compete in Kisii town, the Governor can transform the “I expect the Governor to put in place ef- ative societies through which farmers could fix with men in the trade,” says Abuya. However, County by putting in place an investment hub ficient revenue collection policies to ensure no prices for their produce. Geoffrey Nyakang'o, an entrepreneur in Ki- and security measures that will attract more revenue is lost, and have every cent collected Agnes Mogunde, a resident of South Mugi- sii town and resident of Kitutu Chache North investors into the County to create job oppor- from the public accounted for, to enhance effi- rango, expects the county government to ad- Constituency, expects the county government tunities for formal and informal sector players. cient service delivery to the citizens," observes dress challenges facing exploitation and mar- to put in place governance structures through Nyaboke would like the County government to Nyaboke. Ganze mothers’ cry as malnutrition bites By YUSUF AMIN However, according to Haro Said, Kilifi Dis- trict nutritional officer, cases of malnutrition Women in Ganze are a worried lot because of had increased in the district because of the re- the rising cases of malnutrition among their cent strike of nurses in the country. children. The constituency, which is in Kilifi County, Promise has been a victim of food insecurity and this is Said, however, promised Kilifi County resi- adversely affecting children. dents that cases of malnutrition will be addressed Officials at the Kilifi District Hospital have as a matter of urgency. also raised a red flag saying such cases are on “The recent strike by nurses is also to blame the rise going by the number of children who for the rising cases of malnutrition but I promise have been treated and or admitted recently. that we have put measures in place to curb the The medics are appealing to the county problem,” he said. leaders to intervene and help the children get Kilifi District Medical Officer of Health, Da- nutritional foods to improve their health and vid Mulewa asked the leaders in the county to save lives. work together and improve services in the health A cross section of women interviewed at the sector. hospital say they live in worry of losing their Mulewa said that the facility admits many children. They are now asking other stakehold- patients from various parts of Kilifi County and ers including non-governmental organisations there was need for its expansion. A mother with her malnutritioned child admitted at Kilifi District Hospital. Cases of to intervene and come up with a lasting solu- According to Pauline Masha, who is attached malnutrition in Ganze District are increasing due to food scarcity that is looming in tion. to the children’s ward at the hospital, most pa- Kilifi County. Picture: Yusuf Amin Mama Kahaso Kadenge, who is one of the af- tients are from poor families who cannot afford fected mothers points an accusing finger at the two meals a day. many of them in various parts of Kilifi County,” will be a means to curbing malnutrition among hunger situation in Ganze District. Masha lamented that men had left the burden Masha noted. many children since they will have a well-bal- of looking for food to their wives while the chil- One of the mothers, Kahonzi Katana, from anced diet,” said Kahonzi. Authority dren suffered. Petanguo Village in Ganze District, who had her She expressed hope that her child would re- Kadenge wants the authorities to intervene She assured the residents that they will work child admitted at Kilifi District Hospital, asked cover soon and be discharged to join the family and save the situation. harder to improve standards at the hospital and the county government to come up with strat- at home. “Cases of malnutrition are on the rise and assist the patients. egies of food production at the banks of river Mulewa invited well-wishers to support the urgent measures must be taken to curb it,” said She asked mothers in the district to be care- Galana and Rare. hospital by providing foodstuffs to help fight Kadenge. She added: “The county government ful and detect symptoms of malnutrition early Kahonzi said that the rivers continuously malnutrition. needs to set aside funds to combat malnutrition enough so that it could be tackled by nutritional released water into the Indian Ocean instead of He reminded the public that everyone had in Ganze District.” officers at Kilifi District Hospital. being used for irrigation of the nearby farms to a responsibility in the fight against malnutri- She noted that the district has been rated as “Mothers should be very alert with their chil- produce food. tion by ensuring that children received a well- the poorest in the country. dren because malnutrition has been affecting “Enough production of food in the region balanced diet. ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 10 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Plough profits from minerals back to Taveta By BENSON MWANGA

Taita-Taveta residents continue to cry foul over what they term as massive marginalised and neglect by the previously central government. Against this backdrop, the residents are optimis- tic that the landscape will improve for the best as the County government takes shape. Residents in the region, which is arid but en- dowed with vast natural resources are optimistic that their first Governor John Mtuta Mrutu and his team will give them priority over foreigners who have benefitted the most in the past. The residents want the Governor, in the pre- dominantly semi-arid region, to go back to the drawing board and take stock of opportunities that lie within their borders. Food security is one area that they would like Governor Mrutu to focus on. They want him to address the persistent food and water short- ages to reduce their dependence on relief supplies from the government and other donors. One of the major challenges facing the county is the thorny squatter issue. Majority of the locals live as squatters on either private or government land as huge chunks of land are owned by a few influential individuals. Mzima Springs, a major water source which can be used to transform the lives of the local community through provision of water for do- mestic and irrigation purposes in the area is only Women in their quest for minerals at Sere mining site. Inset: Some of the gems on benefiting Mombasa. display at the Sere mines. Area residents say profits from minerals are not ploughed Sustainability back to them. Pictures: Benson Mwanga Over 65 per cent of the total land area is oc- ployment and also improve regional trade and cal development,” notes Mwandawiro. cupied by Tsavo National Park, 24 per cent by integration in East and Central African country’s According to the first Women Representa- private farms while residents occupy a paltry 11 citizens,” says Mwakio. tive in the County Joyce Wanjala Lay: “More per cent, which is dependent on unsustainable is another issue that has been compounded by Taita DC Njenga Miiri concedes that al- and more investors can come to do business rain-fed agriculture. the high influx of thousands of livestock from though the region is endowed with enormous here if only the Government can improve the The region has some of the most famous tour- North Eastern Province. resources poverty is still rampant. He says the state of roads that are currently in a bad state.” ist attraction site in the country mainly Tsavo East Wildlife is also a major resource in the available resources have not been tapped effec- On his part, Richard Mwangeka says as “we and Tsavo West National Park, Mudanda Rock; county, but it is yet to benefit locals as they tively to benefit the locals. move to embrace the devolved governments, picturesque Taita Hills Forest which hosts Taita have no stake in the management of Tsavo Na- “The region is third in terms of resources historical land injustices, development imbal- White Eye and Taita Thrush, endangered butter- tional Park, which is under the Kenya Wildlife in the country, but this has not been translated ance among other pressing issues need to be ad- flies including wildlife and plant species, Sarova Service. into tangible gains that would improve the living dressed”. Taita Hills and Salt Lick Lodges, Lion Bluff, Kila- standards of the locals,” notes Miiri. “We are optimistic and buoyed by the pros- guni and Ngulia Lodges among others. Degradation At the same time, he observes that frequent pects of being able to chart our own develop- Over 80 per cent of mining in the county is There has also been persistent human-wildlife wildlife invasion was also partly to blame for low ment agenda once counties become operation- carried out in the area but residents remain poor conflict which is partly to blame for food short- agricultural production and unrelenting famine al,” says Mwangeka. leaving the mines to benefit outsiders who con- ages and poverty in the area through massive in the region, an issue that needs to be addressed According to Gabriel Nyambu, chairman trol the lucrative sector. wildlife crop destruction, injuries and deaths. if the area is to become self-sufficient in food Taita Council of Elders and Nahashon Mkunde Records show that much of the gemstones The region has a population of 284,000 out production. spokesman of the Taveta Council of Elders, the exported from Kenya, such as green garnet and of which over 155,000 are dependent on relief Miiri concurs that there can be no mean- devolved government is a panacea to the numer- ruby, originate from the county where mining is supplies. ingful development without improved road ous challenges the local community has been fac- highly concentrated. The poor state of the Voi-Mwatate-Wundanyi network. He says the situation would be better ing over the years. Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu says the and Voi Mwatate-Taveta roads has been a major if the on-going construction work at the Voi- “We are blaming the local community’s prob- area has potential for the establishment of an iron threat to the tourism industry. Mwatate-Wundanyi road is fast-tracked. lems on poor leadership and we hope this will ore melting plant. Apart from iron ore the area “Rehabilitation of these key roads could “Once the KSh2.3 billion road is complete, change for the better following the introduction also has several other industrial mineral deposits. boost tourism given that the region has numer- it will be a boon to the local economy as move- of county governments,” says Mzee Nyambu. “The County government should put in place ous tourist attractions including its rich cultural ment of goods and services will improve tremen- He adds: “Past leaders have failed to effectively measures that will provide more opportunities diversity and the picturesque Taita Hills with dously,” says Miiri. champion for the interest of the local community. for acquisition of capital and also provide skills to their indigenous and forests which are a biodi- The leaders have failed to take former govern- locals on the extraction of minerals,” says Mwa- versity hotspot,” says Haji Mwakio, chairman Economy ments to task to champion development.” deghu who is also a miner. Taita-Taveta Human Rights Network. Residents feel that these resources should The residents says the KSh2.34 billion allocat- Horticultural Production Centre, Coffee and Besides the Tsavo Park, the region also boasts benefit them as they move towards devolved ed to the county by Commission on Revenue Al- Dairy cooperative societies, which used to assist of other exciting tourist attractions like rocks, governments. location was small and would not meet demands farmers in marketing their farm produce, col- caves and historical sites. “We have nothing to show in the way of of the local community. lapsed decades ago due to corruption and gross “Voi-Mwatate-Taveta road is an international infrastructure despite economic opportunities However, the Governor was optimistic say- mismanagement. road that links Kenya and Tanzania and once that lie within. Enough resources are generated ing: “We will find other ways of raising revenue At the same time, environmental degradation rehabilitated it would help create wealth for em- from the area but little is ploughed back for lo- to supplement the government allocation.” Murang’a farmers want a boost in the industry By RYAN MATHENGE milk production. “Murang’a County has 68 health facilities which and, therefore, need the government to cater for According to Ephantus Kimwe from Maragua, are inadequate for the over one million popula- their interests. Farmers in Murang’a County want their governor, the establishment of an animal feed manufacturing tion spread across the seven constituencies,” said They want the county government to ensure Mwangi wa Iria, to put cash crops at the top on pri- plant will save millions of shillings which farmers Mwangi. that all institutions have the capacity to handle is- ority in-tray. lose annually to middlemen and traders who im- A leader in her own right, Mwangi noted that sues raised by persons living with disabilities. The farmers believe middlemen who have been port the goods.“The cost of animal feed has been the leaders must give education top priority and ur- “We are people who require a lot of facilitation exploiting them over the years are the problem that prohibitive and some of the feeds are of poor qual- gently address the declining standards in national from the county government,” said Mungai. must be tackled by the county government. ity but farmers have no option due to lack of fi- examinations. On the other hand, the youth are pleading for an They expect the county government to ensure nances,” Kimwe noted. “Over the years the region has been doing badly environment for wealth creation where commercial problems in the coffee and tea sub-sectors are ad- Women, on the other hand, want the county especially in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Edu- banks will lower interests on loans. dressed for them to maximise their profits. government to establish more health centres and cation (KCPE), a trend that must be changed by Francis Mwangi, a youth leader, said many of his They also want the county government to estab- upgrade existing ones. The women appealed to stakeholders,” said Mwangi, a retired teacher. peers have been locked out of business because of lish irrigation projects in the lower regions that will the governor to ensure that health centres are well Not to be left out are people with disabilities who the ever increasing interest rates. see the area turned into a food basket. staffed, equipped and provided with enough drugs. want the county government to ensure issues affect- ”Many want to apply for loans from the com- Livestock farmers also want the county govern- According to Mary Mwangi, from Gikindu Lo- ing them are addressed. mercial banks as the Youth Enterprise Fund has ment to support establishment of plants that will cation, the governor and his team should account According to Kennedy Mungai Wanguma, limited facilitation and we want to engage in big produce animal feeds. They say this will increase for the pledges made in the pre-election period. many of them cannot afford specialized treatment business venture,” noted Mwangi. ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 11 Voi residents Banditry attacks a daunting want emergency response centres security headache in Kitui established By ALBERT MUTUA By NZINGA MUASYA Hundreds of residents of Sofia Bona Perennial water shortage, famine, insecurity and in Taita Taveta County are still poor infrastructure are Kitui County residents’ wak- counting their losses following the ing nightmare. heavy rains. However, residents of the county, a semi-arid Over 40 houses in the village in region in Eastern province, are now optimistic that Voi District were marooned and de- their first governor Dr Julius Malombe and his team stroyed by the floods flowing down will move with speed and address the myriad prob- the hills of Voi. lems he had promised to address during the first 100 The heavy rains brought down days of his five-year tenure. part of the hill destroying many hous- Indeed, James Kivunzi, a newspaper vendor in es and roads along the way leading to Mwingi town, says: “Water and food security should a major traffic snarl up transport sec- be the top priorities for the governor and his team. tor. All the other problems are compounded by lack No serious injuries were report- of water and adequate food.” He poses: “If there is ed as most residents fled to safer enough water in most parts of the county, then food grounds. insecurity can reduce substantially?” Later, the residents of Sofia with He advises the county government to establish assistance of their neighbours joined earth dams along the many seasonal rivers dotting hands to drain out water from their the region to harvest water for domestic and agri- houses and to also salvage electron- cultural use. ics, beddings and foodstuffs. “The greater area of Mwingi has many large sea- Sofia Bona is at the low land of sonal rivers whose water goes to waste every year. It Voi District which places it at risk of should be properly harnessed for use,” Kivunzi says. floods to occur during heavy rains. His sentiments are echoed by Lena Mutunga, a Due to its location, Voi has been businesswoman in Kitui town, who says provision experiencing floods when heavy rain of water will see the locals engage in small scale ir- showers especially at the mountains. rigation farming and reduce dependency on unreli- able rains and relief food. Manage “Water is a major problem in our county. The Voi District Officer One, Isaac County government should ensure there are bore- Mujesya, asked the affected residents holes and dams in every location. This way people’s to construct houses away from the lives will change for the better,” observes Mutunga. water ways so as to avoid losses dur- ing rainy season. Develop However, the District Disaster She says the standard of roads in the area would Management committee led by the have to be improved saying most of them have been District Commissioner had a dif- in a sorry state since time immemorial. ficult time calming down Mkam- Mutunga would also want to see health sector buri Nyambu, who wept and asked: given attention saying that hospitals lack requisite “Where have you been all this time? facilities, personnel and drugs. We have never seen you visiting this “It is disheartening to see people die of prevent- area while you all know that Voi has able and treatable diseases due to lack of drugs and been affected by rains from the hills? health personnel,” says Mutunga. She notes: “There Ngwenze King’ole, a mother of seven, breast feeding her baby at Ililuni Forest after We do not recognise you as a disas- is need to upgrade existing hospitals and subsidise fleeing her home following bandit attacks. She wants security matters addressed by ter committee in Voi.” fees to cater for the poor as well as establish one re- the new county government. Pictures: Nzinga Muasya The management committee ferral hospital.” climbed up the hill to determine the Mutunga also notes that the mineral wealth Chris Mbithuka, 26, an elected youth leader fleeing a bandit attack late last year in which two possible cause of the large amount of in the county is yet to be fully exploited saying it says: “The County government should be able to people were killed and houses torched. water flowing from the hills. would boost the economy, create jobs and improve create job opportunities and shared them fairly. “All we need is security. Without security we can- people’s standards of living. The county boasts of We do not want a situation whereby unskilled la- not go back to our homes. When we ran away the Cause an estimated 400,000 million metric tonnes of coal bour is sourced from outside yet local unemployed food crops in our farms were destroyed by the herd- Meanwhile, Kaloleni Ward Rep- found in Mui basin valued at KSh3.4 trillion as well youth can do the jobs,” Mbithuka says. He adds: ers and their livestock. It is a perennial life of misery, resentative, Omar Ahmed, has as huge deposits of iron ore in Ikutha. “We should be fully involved as future leaders of something must be done,” says the mother of seven. blamed the Kenya Wildlife Services Other minerals in the county are limestone in this county.” Her sentiments are echoed by Nzoki Mwanza, for causing the problem by creating Mutomo and Kanziku as well as gypsum and pre- a 76-year old woman who says the suffering vis- ways directing water to homes in- cious stones. Kivunzi says the County Governor and Security ited upon them by the bandits is immeasurable. stead of to the open field leading to his team should look for experts to educate the lo- However, most residents of Malalani and Endau She pleads with the County government to come to the destruction of homes and crops. cals on the mineral deposits found in their areas and locations in Mutito District are worried because of their rescue. “This problem has never been how these could benefit them. He says a substantial insecurity. For a long time the residents have been “After what I saw I cannot go back home. It is like this before even during long percentage of the mineral wealth should be chan- victims of armed raids by Somali bandits from the better in the forest where we are sure of our safety. rains but things have now changed nelled back to the residents. neighbouring Tana River County who cross the bor- We fear for our lives,” she says. after the Kenya Wildlife Services According to Rev. Titus Kyembeni, head pastor der in search of water and pasture for their livestock. According to Kamuti Musili, chairman Mala- made some trenches which direct at Victory House International Ministries, good in- The result is a vicious conflict whereby some of lani community policing, more police officers are the water from the hills to the resi- frastructure is crucial for the economy of County. the locals lose their lives as others flee their homes needed to patrol the porous border and bolster dents’ home,” noted Ahmed. He Kyembeni says resources and efforts should to seek refuge in forests. security. added: “The KWS should divert the be channelled towards construction of the Kibwezi- Ngwenze King’ole, from Malalani, would want “Occasionally people abandon their homes and water to the park, which they can use Mutomo-Kitui-Mwingi road, adding that the tar- to see improved security for what she calls injus- daily activities to live in the bush for fear of attacks. for their own benefit and not direct- macking of the 300 kilometre stretch would open tice visited upon them by the herders. She is among There is need to establish police posts in this area,” ing it to the people’s homes.” up Kitui County for business. 200 families who are camping at Ililuni Forest after says Musili noting that education has been adverse- However, KWS representative Rodah Musili, a communication ly affected because most teachers Samuel Rukaria, denied that the expert from Mutomo, concurs saying and pupils are forced to withdraw organisation was the cause of the travelling within the County, espe- “We will give from school for fear of their lives heavy water flowing from the park to cially during rainy seasons is always and safety. homes. a big challenge. security paramount However, Kitui County Dep- The County representative la- Both Kyembeni and Mutunga importance in the first uty Governor Peninah Malonza mented that they have no rescue cen- note that education standards in Ki- assures the residents that the tre that can respond to an emergency, tui County have deteriorated over 100-days in office and County government was equal to nor a fire station in Voi, Mwatate or time and blame this on poor staffing the task and will give their con- Wundanyi in case of a fire incident. and inadequate facilities. improve the welfare cerns priority. Ahmed said the residents expect On their part, the youth are opti- Malonza says they will give se- the county government to ensure mistic that the County government of youth and women.” curity paramount importance in there that emergency services and will create jobs as pledged by the — Peninah Malonza, Kitui County their first 100-days in office; the rescue centres are setup up there ur- various coalition partners during the second would be to improve youth gently. gruelling campaign period. Deputy Governor and women welfare issues. ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 12 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Human-wildlife conflict must cease in Laikipia

By PAUL MWANIKI animals, and in return they can be of benefit to every resident through cre- Residents of Laikipia County, located ation of jobs and income generation,” along the slopes of Mount Kenya, are says Mumbiko. optimistic that Governor Joshua Irun- gu and his team will hit the ground Solution running and improve their livelihoods. He notes that Kirimon Game The County with a population of Ranch in Laikipia North could be over 400,000 is characterised as an made a reality by the County govern- arid and semi-arid region but with the ment where all the animals which highest number of freely roaming wild cause trouble outside the ranches can animals. This then makes human-ani- be relocated to. mal conflict and cattle rustling among Previous leaders in the local au- the major challenges facing Laiki- thority blamed lack of funds for their pia residents. It has been the cry of the failure to act. farmers and pastoralists. However, human-animal conflict is not the only challenge facing the new Conflict County government. The problem of human-wildlife Alice Nduta, a businesswoman in conflict has been the talk of the Coun- Nanyuki, hopes that the county govern- ty and barely a week passes without ment will be at the forefront in easing reported cases of elephants invading the transport menace in the rural areas. people’s farms and homesteads de- She notes that most feeder roads stroying property and crops. linking major towns and the main Laikipia is unique as the only place roads are in a pathetic state. A tamed elephant at Ol Jorgi Ranch in Laikipia North. The elephants are used in educating school where elephants have been given peo- “Most of these roads were done us- children and community groups on the importance of wildlife in the society. Pictures: Paul Mwaniki ples’ names that, in one way or anoth- ing murram and when it rains they are er, caused tribulation to the residents. left like valleys. The drainage are poor- Kariuki notes that Laikipia has ex- Samburu and Isiolo counties. Pastoralists are not left behind Recently an elephant named ‘John ly done and this makes the roads im- perienced many cases of child abuse Farmers would like the new leader in the long run towards improving Killer’ was killed for constantly tram- passable most of the time,” says Nduta. which have been reported to the local to increase the water levels of Laikipia’s their livelihood in the county which pling on people. She adds: “We would like to see more administration but no action has be major rivers for purposes of promot- for many years has produced the best According to Waweru Mumbiko, permanent roads built that can last for taken. ing irrigation in the area. beef locally and nationally. a farmer at Ngobit in Laikipia Cen- a long period which can only be done “Cases of early marriage, child rape, Indeed, Governor Joshua Irungu, The problem of perennial animal tral, the Governor and his team must if those contracted are monitored care- and female genital mutilation (FGM) has his work cut out for him and he diseases are things they want eradi- find a lasting solution to their biggest fully as they deliver.” among others are very common in will have to promote the establish- cated so that the region can be de- problem. Nduta is optimistic that construc- the region but little has been done by ment of cottage and large scale in- clared a disease free zone to empower He says that though Laikipia has tion of more secondary schools will be the government to solve this problem,” dustries in the scenic County on the them to have access to international the majority of private ranches occu- of benefit to the County. She says every observes Kariuki adding “we need the slopes of Mount Kenya. The County markets for their animals. pying over 65 per cent of its land, the primary school should have a second- County government to fully imple- is endowed with large scale flower According to John Legei, a pastoral- owners who are the beneficiaries of ary school of its own. ment the Children’s Act locally”. farms and ranches that could create ist at Kimugandura, the region has the revenue from tourist viewing the wild While the issue of infrastructure is many jobs and boost the economy. ability to export cattle to the Middle animals through tourism, have done a major problem, issues of child abuse Opportunity There could be value addition to East and Mauritius just like the local little to assist farmers. abound in the County. Residents are also curious on how crops produced in the region before ranchers whose farms are disease free. “We want the Governor to work According to James Kariuki, a so- the Governor will tackle the issue of they are sold. This is something that Legei urged for convening of a with Kenya Wildlife Services and the cial worker with a non-governmental insecurity orchestrated by rampant the Governor promised the residents consultative meeting with the local private ranchers so that a lasting solu- organisation says the Children’s Act cattle rustling, banditry and prolifera- during his campaigns and they are ea- leaders to discuss the way forward on tion can be reached in confining the should be enforced. tion of small arms from neighbouring ger to see it roll. this issue. Tea hawking a major set-back in Nyamira By BEN OROKO come among the local residents,” she were experiencing low noted. green leaf tea processing Green tea leaf hawking by small-hold- Speaking to the Reject in Nyamira, capacity, threatening their er tea growers contracted to Kenya Orwenyo who is also a prominent operations and job security Tea Development Agency (KTDA) is farmer in the area, reminded farmers of their employees. threatening the future of the industry that delivering their green leaf tea to in Nyamira County. the factories where they were regis- Warning A number of stakeholders from the tered as members and shareholders “Low crop intake has County have raised a red flag over the had several benefits accruing from the been attributed to green matter, warning that if the trend con- same, including guaranteeing them leaf tea hawking among tinues unchecked, companies in the end year tea bonus payments which the companies’ registered area will be subjected to working be- were not offered by the multi-national small-holder tea grow- low their processing capacities, leading tea buying companies. ers, denying the factories to loss of revenue and massive lay-offs. “As an experienced tea farmer and enough green leaf tea to According to Mary Orwenyo, KTDA official, I am reminding small- process,” she noted. a Kenya Tea Development Agency holder tea growers from Nyamira Her sentiments were (KTDA) director at Sanganyi Tea Fac- County and the larger Gusii region supported by Willis Odhi- tory Company, has asked small-holder to weigh the net benefits between de- ambo, KTDA regional tea growers contracted to the tea firms livering their green leaf tea to their manager who warned that in the region to desist from the habit. factories, where they are registered as if green leaf tea hawking A small-holder tea farmer at her farm in Nyamira County. Tea farmers in the growers, and the multi-national tea will not be checked, the area area are being urged to deliver their tea to factories where they are registered Register companies where they have no formal will be faced with increased as growers to avoid delayed payments. Picture: Ben Oroko Orwenyo noted that they were tea business agreements,” said Orwe- poverty and crime as ma- threatening operations of compa- nyo, adding “this will help them make jority of the residents who the liberalisation of the tea industry, were assured of value addition to the nies. “If they continue delivering their the right decisions concerning their depend on the crop will have been he cautioned small-holder tea grow- produce as opposed to multi-national green leaf tea to multi-national com- investment in the tea sub-sector”. exploited by multi-nationals through ers against over-dependence on quick tea buying companies whose aim was panies under the guise of ‘soko huru The official’s sentiments came amid unreliable payments for their tea pro- money from tea hawking. short-term as all they wanted was to (liberalised market economy)’, they revelations by various KTDA-run tea duce. He said it is through KTDA-run buy green tea leaf from farmers and will be see loss of jobs and reliable in- factories indicating that some of them Although Odhiambo welcomed factories that small-holder tea growers the contract ended there. ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 13 Farmers want a fertiliser factory set up in Uasin Gishu By ROBERT WANJALA

Residents of Uasin Gishu County, the breadbasket of the country, want their first Governor, Jackson Mandago, to give the building of a fertilizer factory the first priority. William Koech, who is a farmer, says the new crop of leadership should urgently plan to establish the factory in the County as they had promised dur- ing campaigns. “We also want leaders to move with speed to come up with ways that would enhance value addition to our farm produce,” says Koech. Residents also want agriculture prioritised: “This County is endowed with good soil and climatic condi- tion for agriculture. However, with- out proper mechanisms to take full advantage and exploit the potential in agriculture, issues like unemploy- ment will remain unsolved,” says Wil- liam Chumo, also a farmer. Needs Chumo wants the governor to capitalise on the agricultural poten- tial of the county and use it to create jobs and boost the economy of the County. Chumo says civic education should be scaled up to facilitate public participation to ensure accountability among the leaders. He would like to see Governor Jackson Mandago and his team exercise an open door policy and remain accessible to the residents. “We want the governor to be ac- can always find us instead of jamming Phanice Njeri, a trader in North cessible at all times. Let him organise the streets in search of daily liveli- Rift region concurs saying that lack regular forums at the grassroots lev- hood for our families.” of knowledge on county governments els to listen to the pressing needs of Among services under County will deny them an opportunity to de- the electorate,” says Chumo. governments include delivery of mand their constitutional rights. The residents’ expectations are as county health services, pre-primary However, Njeri says: “I have many high as they are varied. “I voted be- education, agriculture, county trans- expectations even though I do not cause I was told devolution will bring port, cultural activities and trade de- understand the different roles and resources and government services velopments. functions played by the county gov- closer to people. As a hawker, top on Although experts have expressed ernment. my list is to see the new governor and confidence that devolution would cor- Topping her list of pressing needs his team creates a friendly and en- rect historical injustices that had been is access to quality education for her abling environment to allow people partly entrenched by a highly central- three daughters. “The free primary like us to operate without harassment ised government, managing inflated education has been helpful but it was and intimidations by County askaris expectations by citizens will be an im- frustrated by shortage of teachers (guards),” says Peter Owino, a hawker mediate challenge. and enough classrooms in order to in Eldoret. provide quality education,” she says. “We have had challenges doing Expectations However, on the other hand, Jan- Traders sorting tomatoes at Eldoret market. Below: Monica Chumba “Kenyans have high expectations business in the past. We want to be ice Korir wants health facilities in the admires her maize plantation. Famers want the new government to as they break away from a central- County to be better equipped. given space and ample time to do establish processing plants for value addition. business, like everyone else, to con- ised system of government to a new Korir says: “I want to see the Pictures: Robert Wanjala tribute to the revenue generation to devolved system,” says Kipchumba governor and his team prioritise support development of our County,” Murkomen, a devolution expert the building and equipping of more Owino reiterates. and Senator for Elgeyo Marakwet health facilities to enhance accessibil- vices to spur economic developments appointments to guarantee national Roselyn Mukhwana, a vegetable County. ity of health by the public.” in the County. unity. vender wants the new team to pri- “The greatest concern we have is However, James Katundu, a busi- But Isaya Kosgey and Daniel “We can only compete with the oritise the building and expansion of that civic education for various posts, nessman in Eldoret wants security Kirwa, a driver and salesman respec- rest of the 46 Counties if we remain the traders market to create jobs and functions and offices is seriously enhanced to allow him run his busi- tively, say security and roads mainte- alive to the fact that diversity is a key boost their income. wanting. Citizens have very high ex- ness without any fear. nance should be a priority to boost pillar for development. People have Mukhwana says: “Construction of pectations yet they have very little Katundu also wants roads that business and agricultural production high expectations and some think more traders’ markets and stalls will knowledge on the functions and how lead to various centres within the in the county. it will be automatic for employment help us carry out our businesses in a the county government operates,” region upgraded to facilitate quick Other demands by the residents because they support certain candi- strategic place where our customers Murkomen said. movements of people, goods and ser- are the diversity when making any dates,” says Moses Busienei. Governor gives sports priority in his agenda for Kisii youth By BEN OROKO the trend through revamping of the son to worry because of our perfor- could identify and develop such tal- various sports clubs for them to be sports field, as part of his efforts to mance in sports has gone down yet ents for the socio-economic welfare assisted in discovering and exploit- Though Gusiiland was one of the exploit the potential of sports talent the region was a pioneer after pro- of the society. ing their talent. pioneers in sports in the country, among the youth. ducing the first Kenyan to win the Ongwae observed that estab- especially in athletics, the region country a first world medal,” said Youths lishment of sports clubs in all the continues performing dismally in Facilitation Ongwae. Expressing concern that sports constituencies in the County will the world of sports with majority of Speaking during his swearing He noted that Naphtali Temu standards in Kisii County had gone not only facilitate young people to talent going to waste due to failure in ceremony at the Gusii Stadium, won Kenya the first medal during down, Ongwae stressed commit- discover their sports talent but will by the local leadership to tap on the Ongwae promised to improve its the 1968 Olympic Games in Mex- ment to revamp performance in the also add value to sports adminis- existing sports abilities among the status to international standards and ico. region through setting up of sports tration and management practices. youth. ensure there were enough sports fa- He regretted that there was un- clubs and sponsorship of various ac- Ongwae noted: “Sports clubs The worrying trend has prompt- cilities in the County to facilitate tal- tapped sports talent in villages due to tivities for the youth. will facilitate identification of un- ed the Kisii County Governor James ented young people. lack of organised sports administra- He challenged the youth in the tapped talent among many young Ongwae to swiftly move in to reverse “As a community we have a rea- tion and management structures that area to mobilise themselves into p e op l e .” ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 14 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Revival of collapsed industries form great expectations in Nakuru

By GLADYS MORAA had, the members of County Assembly An overview of Nakuru town. Revival and establishment of agricultural and manufacturing industries to must work hard to encourage appre- create more job opportunities is key to the development of the County. Pictures: Gladys Moraa As the dust settles after election of ciation and accommodation of each governors and speakers to county as- other’s diversities to promote peaceful Other concerns Jerotich raises are gua, prioritised provision of water to they all collapsed,” says Kemunche semblies, residents of Nakuru County coexistence,” says Bishop Daniel Gitau, the establishment of more maternal the residents. In places like Rongai, Masese. “If the county government re- have great expectations of their Gov- coordinator Nakuru Church Elders hospitals to assist majority of rural Molo, Naivasha, Subukia, Bahati and focuses their energies in reviving and ernor, Kinuthia Mbugua and the 55 Council. women who are unable to enjoy safe Njoro, women walk for long distanc- expanding them, we will have more elected county ward representatives. Gitau is appealing to the County and skilled health care services in a es only to fetch the polluted water,” job opportunities.” These expectations include how Assembly to focus on and address clean environment. observes Khaemba who also trains Masese, who is also an activist in they will handle peace-building in a divisive issues revolving around land However, for Maina Kamau, a women on harvesting rain water. good governance and democracy, county that has been divided along ownership and resettlement of squat- businessman in Nakuru town, secu- She notes the need for the county pointed out the need for the county ethnic lines. Land remains a burning ters and victims of the 2008-2009 rity is a major concern. leadership to establish favourable pol- government to ensure equitable dis- question that they must immediately post-election violence. “We want to be assured of the se- icies geared towards boosting wom- tribution of resources to enhance uni- address. Education standard in Na- curity of our property and ourselves. en’s economic empowerment. form development. kuru County have dropped and the Emerging issues We want a 24-hour working environ- “We want women to be trained on residents want to see these improved. “Land is a major issue in this ment. The County Assembly should starting income generating projects as Efficiency There is also the question of insecuri- County. There are many conflict- consider putting in place CCTV se- well as how to acquire loans and man- Simon ole Nasieku, national chair- ty as well as the high unemployment. ing land issues especially in Kuresoi curity systems in all corners of this age their respective businesses,” she person of Kenya National Association The cosmopolitan county with a North and South, Naivasha and town,” says Kamau. says. of the Vendors and Informal Trad- population of 1.6 million people cov- Rongai. The County Ward represen- For Mary Khaemba, accessibility Revival and establishment of agri- ers, wants the county government to ers eleven constituencies which in- tatives being the closest leaders to the to clean tap water should be addressed cultural and manufacturing industries come up with efficient physical plan- clude Molo, Njoro, Naivasha, Gilgil, people, must be able to either coordi- within 100 days by the county leaders. to create more job opportunities is also ning strategies to decongest the town Kuresoi South, Kuresoi North, Sub- nate with National Assembly in solv- Khaemba notes that the county another concern raised by the residents. and hence provide ample space for both ukia, Rongai, Bahati, Nakuru Town ing them or pass legislations that will government should provide piped “We used to have a beer manufac- the small and medium sized entrepre- West, Nakuru Town East. tackle the problems,” notes Gitau. treated water to each and every turing factory in Njoro, a hides and neurs. Nakuru County has major tourist However, Alice Jerotich, a resident homestead across the county. skins factory in Molo and bicycle man- “A modern market that can ac- attractions and is home to Lake Nakuru of Molo would like to see priority “I am happy that even elected ufacturing factory in Subukia in the commodate small micro enterpris- National Park, Menengai Crater, Hell’s given to the revival of the potato plant Women’s Representative, Mary Mbu- 1980s but due to poor management es (SMEs) is most welcome,” says Gate, Lake Naivasha, Lake Elementaita which collapsed six years ago. Nasieku. He adds: “Proper plan- famed for glimmering flamingoes, Hy- “The collapse of the potato ning to ensure the matatu (mini rax Hill and the Longonot Crater. plant greatly affected potato “Proper planning to ensure the bus) and boda-boda (motorbike The County is well endowed with farming in this constituency. taxis) operators should have natural resources like geothermal en- During its days of operation, matatu (mini bus) and boda- designated places from which to ergy, the only site in the world that we never lacked adequate cer- boda (motorbike taxis) operators operate and this would greatly harbours the resource, forests, fresh tified seeds unlike now,” says decongest the town and provide and salt water lakes, a variety of wild- Jerotich. should have designated places an easy environment for busi- life, minerals like iron ore and pasture However, she would like the ness activities.” land. Governor and his team to give from which to operate and this According to Joseph Miruka, Various manufacturing and ag- infrastructural development a student at Jomo Kenyatta Uni- ricultural industries have also been and expansion first priority. She would greatly decongest the town versity of Science and Technol- established in various parts of the notes the pathetic state of roads ogy, a bursary fund should be County. leading to Kuresoi North and and provide an easy environment set up at the County level to ad- “Considering that all communi- Kuresoi South constituencies for business activities.” dress the plight of the thousands ties live in this county and the pro- from Nakuru town and would of bright and needy students in tracted inter-ethnic strife we had have like to see them repaired. — Simon ole Nasieku, the area. ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 CHALLENGES of COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 15 Perennial flooding a matter of urgency for Narok By MUNENE MAINA & KABIA MATEGA Narok is one of the richest coun- ties in the country but the resi- dents have little to show for it. The residents are now look- ing up to their Governor, Sam- wel Kuntai and his deputy, Evelyn Chepkurui to come to their rescue. Many of them are still living in abject poverty and practicing cultural practices that impede development despite the County being endowed agriculturally. The County is also home to the world famous Masai Mara National Game Reserve, that hosts the sev- enth wonder of the world — the wildebeest migration. In the just concluded elections one Member of Parliament re- tained his seat in Narok County, while three ward representatives managed to successfully contest for their seats out of 30 county wards. In a County where politics is largely influenced by clans and land among other factors, voters chose to replace the entire crop of the old guards with new blood. Narok residents now hope that the new leaders will steer the County to attain the much needed development. Leadership Top on the list of their expec- Narok Town Central Busi- tations is that the poor road network ness Association, says most will be dealt with immediately. The trading centres in the county residents note lack of enough schools are poorly planned and lack and health facilities, unemployment, vital social amenities. human-wildlife conflict and retro- “All trading centres are gressive cultural practices. They also poorly planned especially note that poor drainage system in Narok town, which is the major trading centres including County headquarters. It Narok town are the cause of frequent is congested, lacks proper flooding leading to loss of lives and sewerage system and there damage to property. is no clean water for resi- The past leadership has been dents despite often being af- blamed for using the county’s wealth fected by floods almost every to benefit them at the expense of year,” says Dr David Sankok, development in the area. Residents Chairman of Narok Town hope the new leadership will end Business Community. corruption and establish proper According to Karaya management of the county’s revenue Ngare, proprietor Kanga for their benefit. Complex Building, the busi- In 2010 Narok had the highest ness community expects percentage of Kenyans who paid better service delivery by the bribes at 65.98 per cent followed by new crop of leaders as per Kisii, Homa Bay, Garrisa and Nyami- their election pledges to the ra according to a report; National residents. Corruption Perception Survey carried Agricultural and live- out by Ethics and Anti-corruption stock farmers say they have Commission (EACC). been frustrated by the poor David Mpatiany, chairman of state of rural roads leading Narok Wheat Farmers Association to their farms and want the is optimistic that the new county new team led by the Gover- government will bring about devel- nor to give infrastructural opment given that the new leader- development first priority. ship consists of young professionals and there are funds allocated to the Resources A section of the flooded Narok town that was rendered a no go zone when floods submerged some County. Majority of farmers are still stuck vehicles and buildings courtesy of the poor drainage system. Below: Pupils from St Mary Girls Primary to the old methods of farming that School. During the floods, learning in most schools is disrupted. Address yields little due to lack of technical Pictures: Kabia Matega and Munene Maina Women leaders who include advice from field extension agricul- Mary Simat and Lucy Sadera are tural officers. asking the County Governor to give Narok is home to the renowned locals. With the new County gov- and this denied many qualified youth Governor, women will be able to es- top priority to the perennial flooding Masai Mara Game Reserve that at- ernment in place we hope all will be job opportunities. tablish their place in the society. problem, particularly in Narok town. tracts millions of tourist annually. well,” says Stephen Kishoyian, chair- “We hope that professionalism Women in the county are not They also want the new team to The recently introduced elec- man Narok County Youth Coalition will guide the hiring of workers,” says involved in leadership and develop- address the human-wildlife con- tronic ticketing system within the for Change. Kishoyian. ment due to retrogressive cultural flicts in the world famous Masai gates of the game reserve has been Kishoyian says the leadership practices that are still rampant in Mara National reserve, as a long a subject of discussion with some should create more job opportuni- Gender the area. term issue. feeling that the method which is ties for youth and help empower Sadera, who is the chairperson According to Narok North edu- “These are problems that should said to have helped curb corruption them as they have been sidelined in Maendeleo ya Wanawake in Narok cation office, the rate of girl-child be solved once and for all were the benefited a few while denying the the past. North and Narok South districts says drop out from school stands at 40 leadership given more focus on them,” youth jobs. He notes that workers in the de- that with two women at the helm of per cent due to female genital mu- explains Sadera. “The contract should be re- funct Narok County Council were leadership, County Women Repre- tilation (FGM) as well as early and Mpatiany, who at one time chaired viewed as it has not benefited the not employed on the basis of merit sentative Soipan Tuya and Deputy forced marriages. 16 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 Election of Kenyatta, Ruto not a guarantee to peace in the Rift Valley By REJECT REPORTER The election of Uhuru Kenyatta as president and his running mate Wil- liam Ruto as Deputy-president has been hailed as proof that ethnic ten- sions have been resolved. After all, Kenyatta is Kikuyu while Ruto is from the Kalenjin, communi- ties that were on opposing sides in the bloodshed that followed the presiden- tial election in December 2007. However, in the northern Rift Val- ley region, that was the focus of much of the violence, memories of Kikuyu- Kalenjin clashes are still fresh, and the issues that divided communities then are still present. Ruto was part of the Orange Dem- ocratic Movement, (ODM), which disputed the defeat of Raila Odinga in the 2007 presidential election. Ke- nyatta was a Member of Parliament having won through KANU, the main party that had been leading the coun- try since independence but backed Mwai Kibaki for presidency. The lat- ter was vying with the Party of Na- tional Unity (PNU), which claimed victory. During the violence, the clashes that pitted PNU and ODM support- ers quickly assumed an ethnic dimen- sion, with Kikuyus broadly supportive of Kibaki and the Kalenjins, Luos and others backing Odinga. More than 1,200 people were killed and 600,000 displaced in the fighting, before a power-sharing deal was reached in which Kibaki remained president but Odinga became prime minister. However, tensions remained high in the Rift Valley until this year when Kenyans went to the ballot box An aerial view of the Huruma village inside Kieni again. Despite their election victory, Forest in Gatundu north. Below: IPDs demonstrating Kenyatta and Ruto, together with a to be resettled by the government. Pictures: Wanderi third suspect, Joshua arap Sang, are Njenga and Reject Correspondent due to go on trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague to face charges of orchestrating the notes that there is lingering animosity went off peacefully. bloodshed. between the two communities. At the same time, The political alliance that Kenyatta “Many of us are still hurting,” he Kenyans’ faith in the and Ruto formed last year proved a says. “There is no proper local mecha- ICC has declined successful strategy, winning them nism for perpetrators to come out and steeply in recent weeks, large numbers of votes from both Ki- confess and seek forgiveness despite after the court suffered kuyus and Kalenjins in the Rift Valley. the resettlement of some victims.” a series of reverses For some former protagonists, the The 2007-2008 violence may for- particularly where wit- election draws a line under past dif- mally have been about an election re- nesses withdrew. ferences. In their view, it also makes sult, but in the Rift Valley, it brought Witnesses the ICC process seem redundant. many old resentments to the surface. “We fought in the 2007 General Perceived injustices done to one side Just as Kenyatta and Election and have since moved on or another, land disputes, and com- Ruto were declaring vic- peacefully,” says Rachael Korir, from petition for resources meant that tory, ICC Prosecutor Fa- Burnt Forest in Eldoret East, part of conflict quickly escalated. These un- tou Bensouda dropped the Rift Valley. She adds: “We Kalen- derlying issues have not gone away charges against a fourth because they have not been resolved. suspect, former civil ser- jin and our Kikuyu brothers and sis- unrest. ing most Luo, Luhya and Kamba vot- “While the events of 2007-2008 vice chief Francis Muthaura, after a key ters are peacefully with one another Amid the political jubilation and ers — who chose Odinga. played a crucial role in the just-con- witness admitted lying to the court. now and therefore the ICC should the ICC’s embarrassing setbacks, George Kegoro, executive direc- cluded electoral process, issues that Immediately after the Supreme give way to allow us to address our some say the need to prosecute past tor of the International Commission informed the violence are yet to be Court confirmed Kenyatta’s election on differences internally.” perpetrators of violence is as urgent of Jurists in Kenya, believes these addressed,” says John Ndeta, Media March 30, following a legal challenge as ever – if only as a deterrent for the divisions need to be addressed head- and Peace Coordinator, Peace Initia- by Odinga, the prosecutor made it Wounds future. on. tive Kenya project. He says: “Kenyans public that three prosecution witnesses Her sentiments are echoed by “Kenyans can choose to appease “We must as a country openly start have realised that violence is not the had withdrawn their testimony against John Kamau, from Ruto’s home town themselves with the relative calm the discussing ethnicity, ethnic coopera- solution to their conflict, and that the suspect, citing threats made to their of Turbo, near Eldoret who says: “The country is enjoying at the moment, tion and political competition, for the peace is the way to go. However, is- families. message [of the elections] was simple but sweeping under the carpet the sake of national unity,” he notes. sues of illegal and irregular land allo- “The dropping of Muthaura’s case — Kenyans want to forget what hap- crimes committed more than five However, James Kimisoi of the cations and resource inequalities are and witnesses withdrawing from pened and move on. Kenyatta and years ago and pretending we have Catholic Justice Peace Commission yet to be dealt with.” these cases is disheartening and Ruto should be given time to dis- moved on amounts to deception,” ob- drew a distinction between the rhet- Peace organisations and initiatives quickly obscuring our hopes for jus- charge their services to Kenyans.” serves Richard Maina, a lawyer and oric about peace-building coming in the Rift Valley welcomed the ICC’s tice at the ICC,” says Anne Kandie, However, not everyone in the re- chairman of the Rift-based Champi- from Kenya’s new leadership and the intervention, saying it contributed to who lives on the outskirts of Eldoret. gion is so sure that old wounds will be ons for Peace group. He adds: “With- need to work towards genuine recon- ensuring that last month’s election Her husband died in the 2007-2008 healed so easily. out holding perpetrators accountable, ciliation on the ground. According to one businessman in the past injustices will haunt us for- “Political convenience along eth- Turbo, most of the people who were e v e r.” nic lines has continued to compro- forced to leave their land five years “While the events of 2007-2008 played a mise efforts for justice in this coun- ago are still afraid to return, despite Peace-building try,” he says. “People easily believe the political accommodation reached crucial role in the just-concluded electoral Nor does the Kikuyu-Kalenjin what politicians say and forget the by Kenyatta and Ruto. electoral alliance forged by Kenyatta atrocities they have gone through.” “Healing and reconciliation in this process, issues that informed the violence are and Ruto mean that ethnic divisions This article was produced as part area is superficial and could explode yet to be addressed.” are a thing of the past. While Kenyat- of a media development programme at the slightest provocation,” he says. ta took around six million votes, that implemented by IWPR and Wayamo Another man, who lives in Eldoret, John Ndeta, Media and Peace Coordinator, Peace Initiative Kenya project leaves another five million — includ- Communication Foundation. ISSUE 081, April 16-31, 2013 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth 17 Giving children a fighting chance against pneumonia By Joyce Chimbi ing cause of death and has predicted that the vac- cine will prevent an estimated 7 million deaths by The pain of losing a child to pneumonia is one 2030. that all Hannah Kaigai knows too well. “My son According to GAVI Alliance, an organisation got pneumonia infection when he was seven with a mission to save children’s lives with im- months old. From then on his health was never munisations, the vaccine has prevented an esti- the same and he was always cold even when the mated five million deaths since it was created in weather was hot. He died at the age of three.” 2000. There are many mothers in the country who can relate to Kaigai having suffered similar painful Trials experiences of losing a child to pneumonia. How- Despite the fact that the pneumococcal vac- ever, children need not die of pneumonia. Many cine trials were carried out at the Kenya Medical more can be saved the heartache if parents take Research Institute (KEMRI) for over a decade, the their infants to hospital for pneumonia vaccine. drug had remained inaccessible to thousands of “There is no reason children should still be children. dying of vaccine-preventable diseases. The global This has seen health experts continue to cry vaccines community could be doing a lot better to foul over what they saw as Kenyan children being make sure all babies in developing countries are used as guinea pigs for a crucial life-saving drug fully vaccinated against killer diseases. We need that has until now continued to be inaccessible. vaccines that are easier to use in hard-to-reach Before the launch, the vaccine was already places,” says Dr. Manica Balasegaram, Executive available in various private hospitals but had re- Director, MSF Access Campaign. mained out of reach for many children. A full dos- age was going for about KSh15980 ($188) which Figures for many Kenyans living under a dollar a day is Former Kieni East division District Officer Stephen Sangolo gives a child a polio Yet, government figures reveal that an estimat- too prohibitive. vaccine in a past event. Medics say that immunization is the lifeline to saving children ed 30,000 children die annually from pneumonia. Consequently, “hundreds of mothers and their under five years from dying of preventable diseases. Picture: Joseph Mukubwa Besides morbidity and mortality arising from babies convened at the Kenyatta International pneumonia, thousands of parents have had to en- Conference Centre (KICC) to have their babies In 2009, the Government clashed with an “most of the time you find that their babies are dure the pain and stress of having to live with a vaccinated”, says Belinda Otieno. American drug manufacturer over the inhibitive not immunised exposing them to a myriad of pre- child who is suffering from pneumonia. Otieno, a mother of two sets of twins, who costs. Further, the manufacturers had offered to ventable diseases,” explains Ann Nduta, a volun- A situation that provoked the Government benefitted from the vaccination explains that “all give Kenya a onetime dose, an offer that the Gov- teer nurse in Nairobi’s informal settlements. into action which included launching of a new measures necessary must be undertaken to save ernment refused because the country was looking To respond to this crisis, Safe Womanhood pneumonia vaccine in 2011. the lives of babies from diseases that are prevent- out for a sustainable solution. Organisation (SWH) has already held a large- “Pneumonia is an inflammation of one or both a b l e”. This solution came through GAVI, an alliance scale pneumonia awareness event for Somali and lungs and is often due to a bacterial, viral, fungal During the launch, former President Mwai of private-public partnerships geared towards sav- Oromo refugees residing in Eastleigh, Nairobi. or parasitic infection and common symptoms in- Kibaki announced that the Government will ing children lives by facilitating access to vaccines However, in spite of these concerted efforts, a clude fever, shortness in breath, chills and cough- “provide this life saving vaccine free of charge to in poor countries, committed to support the in- lot more needs to be done before Kenya’s under ing,” explains Allan Njue, a public health officer in every child less than one year old in public health troduction of the new pneumonia vaccines in 19 five babies are completely out of the woods. Nairobi. He adds: “Parents now have no reason facilities”. developing countries within a year. According to World Health Organisation not to have their child immunized against this A pledge that literally proved to be a breath Although dependent on the availability of (WHO), more than 150 million episodes of pneu- condition.” of life for many children, particularly among the funds, GAVI plans to roll the vaccines out to more monia occur every year among children under With the launch of the penumonia vaccine, poor, who constitute a significant percentage of than 40 countries by 2015. five in developing countries, accounting for more Kenya became the first African country to roll the populace. It is imperative to note that other stakehold- than 95 per cent of all new cases worldwide. out what in medical circles is referred to as The significance of this commitment cannot ers from non-government organisations are also Further, statistics by WHO reveal that “more pneumococcal vaccine. be over-emphasized seen that it comes after a long working towards improving access to vaccination. than half the total number of pneumonia epi- Since then, the Government has expressed struggle by the government to subsidize the cost Outreach sodes among children under five worldwide oc- optimism that pneumonia will cease to be a lead- of the vaccine. Kenya being home to thousands of refugees, cur in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa”. Taking stock on challenges and successes …..as Kenya continues to contain highly contagious vaccine preventable diseases By Joyce Chimbi In 2000, countries represented ing in urban slums at 151 per by the World Health Organisation 1,000 live births. And the lead- According to Medical experts, immu- (WHO) regional office for Africa es- ing causes are preventable. nization is not only the most cost-ef- tablished a goal to reduce deaths aris- To achieve the Millennium fective health intervention, it is also the ing from measles. In five years, these Development Goal (MDG) 4: most successful, preventing millions of countries, including Kenya, sought to To reduce child mortality, im- deaths every year. cut measles mortality to 50 per cent. munization is key. “Immunization prevents devastat- Strategies adopted included routine Medical experts such as ing illnesses, disability and even death immunization. According to Kenya Dr Onyango lay emphasis on from vaccine preventable diseases such Expanded Programme on Immuni- the fact that to reduce by two- as measles, polio and pneumococcal,” zation’s (KEPI) by 2004 Kenya had thirds between 2000 and 2015, says Dr Ken Onyango, a paediatrician reduced the number of reported mea- the under-five mortality rate, in Nairobi. sles cases by 99 per cent coming from the Government “must make A traumatic encounter with polio left Mary Wanja with no use of her While millions of Kenyan children 11,304 in 2001 to 20 in 2004. immunization accessible to ev- hands and legs. She has nonetheless turned her life around painting have been saved from these prevent- “Immunization has far reaching ery child less than five years old”. using her mouth. Access to a vaccine would have saved Wanja’s situation. able diseases, there are those that have benefits and April 21 to 28 being the According to KEPI: “The Picture: Reject Correspondent not been so lucky. World Immunization Week, as a coun- country’s routine immuniza- Mary Wanja, now 56 years old, lost try, we must take stock of successes and tion trends have shown steady the use of her legs and hands due to a challenges in fighting vaccine prevent- but slow increase. Nationally, After a massive polio immunization ly attacks children under the age of five. childhood traumatic encounter with able diseases,” says Onyango. measles routine immunization is on campaign, the situation was effectively It is commonly passed by faeces of an polio. Established within the Ministry of an increase, but the levels have not in- contained restricting the spread of the infected person getting into the food “For many years, I had lost hope in Health in 1980, with the goal of im- creased as fast as they would have been highly contagious polio virus. chain, or rather the ingestion of the life after having suffered persistent dis- munizing all children in the country expected.” However, this was only for a while, material contaminated with the polio crimination and neglect,” she explains. against six vaccine-preventable diseas- Further, KEPI notes: “Measles im- before the country could breathe a sigh virus found in stool. It causes paralysis Throughout her childhood, Wanja es, KEPI has made tremendous efforts munization coverage is currently only of relief, when in 2009 another case was and can be fatal. fought numerous painful incidences of to increase access to immunization at 65 per cent coverage, a level that diagnosed in Turkana. Again, as is the While polio has no cure, it can be stigma and discrimination. services. is not sufficient for controlling out- case with Garissa, this incident was at- contained and or eliminated through At one point, while still admitted in KEPI has also steadfastly sought to breaks. Mass vaccination campaigns tributed to cross border human activi- vaccination. hospital, her father, unable to come to provide ‘effective and potent vaccines’ have been conducted in Kenya since ties. Although it is clear that Kenya is terms with a disabled daughter claimed and also to increase demand for the 1996.” In 2011, a three year old boy in moving in the right direction towards that Wanja had already died. services in order to reduce infant mor- While Kenya had enjoyed 21 years Western Kenya was diagnosed with containing vaccine preventable dis- While Wanja was not lucky, the bidity and mortality rates arising from of a society free from polio, this status polio prompting the Government to eases, Kenya’s under five children are benefits of immunization are now be- vaccine preventable diseases. changed when in 2006 a case of polio drive a massive polio vaccine campaign still not completely out of the woods. ing extended to female adolescents In Kenya, the average deaths for was positively diagnosed in Garissa. in Western Kenya and the surrounding Kenya is among ten countries facing against the life threatening cervical those under five is about 77 deaths per It had been found in two refugees at districts in Rift Valley region. serious challenges regarding access to cancer. 1,000 live births. It is, however, stagger- Daadab Refugee Camp. Polio is highly-infectious and main- immunization. 18 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 081, April 16-30, 2013 Homosexuality: The taboo subject Debate over gay rights rages as calls for understanding are raised

By CAROLYNE OYUGI

When John Mwia was growing up, he never liked toy cars or playing foot- ball like boys of his age. He preferred softer and beautiful things like dolls though he never had a chance to play with them. He also liked helping in the kitchen, something that made his mother uncomfortable. He only came to understand what was happening to him when in high school: “I started paying attention to my grooming and noticing ‘beautiful’ boys around me,” Mwia explains. Turn However, things took a dramatic turn when a boy at school approached and seduced him. “Contrary to what you would expect, I felt comfortable with this move. The boy was hand- some and neat; I felt the same for him.” The affair between the two boys grew to a sexual relationship. In college, Mwia realised he was not the only one with this ‘weird’ at- traction to men. There were many others and they even had formed a group where they would meet and discuss issues affecting them. However, despite this, those who are gay do not openly talk about their circumstances. Most of them are forced to hide because many Africans countries, Kenya included, have not come to terms with homosexuality. David Kuria Mbote, Kenya’s first openly homosexual candidate for Culturally, Africans regard gayism as a curse against tradition and reli- public office. John Mwia a 32 years old bisexual man who wants gious leaders within the continent are the government to protect their rights. totally opposed to it. Pictures: Carolyne Oyugi and Courtesy However, even though homosexu- ality is treated as a taboo subject, at nicated from the church because of Mwia who have come out in the open the back of many people’s minds lin- their association gays. Such church about their sexual orientation and are gers the question as to the number of leaders include Rev. John Makokha working with others to ensure that gay people in the country. and Rev Michael Kimindu both of their rights are not violated. According to a popular gay rights The Other Sheep East Africa. According to Fred Omondi, who website, GayKenya, six per cent of the According to Makokha, their main works with Kenya Aids Vaccine Ini- Kenyan population is gay. objective is to educate the public and tiative (KAVI) as a counsellor and have a dialogue with the said parties mobiliser of Most at Risk Population Uproar about what the Bible says or does not (MARPs), there are many Kenyans It is recalled that former Nomi- say about the subject. who are living double lives. nated MP, Millie Odhiambo caused Kimindu, however, regrets that an uproar in the Tenth Parliament they have been judged harshly by the Admission when she raised the controversial is- society. “We are considered to be sa- Omondi admits that the homo- sue for the first time when she tried to tanic and encouraging sin. We have sexuals are very secretive and they allude that even some members of the been told that if we are sympathising have to earn your trust before sharing august House are gays. with them (gays) then that means we information about their sexual orien- Considering that the Kenyan are one of them and so we have no tation. them,” explains Mwia. ence but his leadership qualities. population is close to 40 million, this place in the church,” he says. Mwia, who works with Kenya A clear indication of the large “We need to judge our leaders by roughly translates to 2.4 million ho- Aids Vaccine as the bridge between number of homosexuals and gays is their qualities; what they can do to mosexuals and, therefore, calculates Dismissal MARPs and the Government is, how- the increase in the number of groups improve our country not by whom to show that one out of every 16 peo- Kimindu shared with the Reject his ever, happy that the Government has fighting for their rights. The politi- they sleep with,” notes Kuria. ple in Kenya is homosexual. dismissal letter dated December 18th, stepped in to sensitise the most at risk cal wave is also changing and for the Mwia’s wish is that one day Ke- Despite opposition by religious 2007 that read in part “Please make a populations. first time in East and Central Africa nyans will accept the reality that ho- leaders it does not mean that there is point of seeing me as soon as possible The, MARPs, are groups of people David Kuria, a politician, came out mosexuality exists and let them live no homosexuality in places of wor- so that we can discuss matters con- who are disproportionately at higher openly about his sexual orientation freely. ship. There are whispers that some cerning Other Sheep East Africa …... risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV and declared his interest for an elec- From all aspects, it is clear that ho- religious leaders have been suspect- …Until our discussion is done, my because they engage in behaviours that toral seat. mosexuality is a reality in Kenya, and ed to be homosexual but these are instruction is that you should not per- predispose them to HIV infection. Kuria was vying for the senator the challenge is how to handle the claims without proof. form any leadership duty in St. Luke’s “Gays and bisexuals are very se- position in Kiambu County. He is, situation in a way that all citizens are However, in recent times, there P a r i s h”. cretive people and for you to reach however, concerned that people do protected and the national values are are priests who have been excommu- There are, however, people like them then you must work with one of not judge him by his sexual prefer- still upheld.

Executive Director: Arthur Okwemba Editor: Jane Godia Write to: [email protected] Sub-Editors: Mercy Mumo, Joyce Chimbi and Odhiambo Orlale Designer: Noel Lumbama Contributors: John Maina, Atieno Akumu, Anthony Zoka, Valentine Atieno, Robert Wanjala, Henry The paper is supported by: Owino, Oloo Janak, Teryani Mwadzaya, Omondi Gwengi, Joseph Mukubwa, Benson Mwanga, Nzinga Muasya, Paul Mwaniki, Yusuf Amin, Gladys Moraa, Munene Maina, Kabia Matega, Ben Oroko, Nicole Waithera, Ryan Mathenge, Gilbert Ochieng and www.mdcafrica.org Albert Mutua.