Reject Online Issue 44

July 16-31, 2011

ISSUE 044

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

Life beyond Mau evictions True story of depletion as exhausted forest leaves communities bare

By VALERIE ASETO and GODFREY MACHUKA There was a time when Mau Forest was revered and it was a taboo to cut down trees from within it. This is when the forest formed an impenetrable canopy. The forest was respected because it protected generations. It was the source of medicine, food and fuel.

Today, things are very different. Respect for the forest is no longer there. A visit to the Mau Forest, for instance, will reveal bare ground of what was once a mass of indigenous trees being slowly replaced by plantations of exotic trees.

Coincidentally, the locals who used to inhabit the forest are now in tune with timber businessmen in cutting down the trees for firewood and charcoal. They claim to have no other sources of livelihood after the Government evicted them from the forest where they used to hunt and gather food.

Survival

The bees and animals that have survived because the forest is their natural habitat no longer have a home. Communities such as the Ogiek that relied on hunting and gathering for their livelihood are equally suffering. The Ogiek who were the original inhabitants of the Mau Forest have now become beggars because they are a people who have neither land nor skills on tilling the same.

“We cannot freely access the forest. Our bee hives no longer have a home and we cannot hunt animals partly because it is illegal,” laments Kobei, an Ogiek charcoal vender on the periphery of the forest. He adds: “Human activities in the forest have scared the animals away.”

Since time immemorial, the Ogiek heritage was thought of as having been built on a bond

to the soil of their homeland. This instilled a belief that where they existed was where they belonged.

As such, the Mau Forest used to be the foundation of their community, tradition, and culture. Their social and economic livelihood depended on the natural resources of the forest, forming a partnership, which was based on mutual respect, a reality that is no more.

Dialogue

While there has been politicisation of evictions of people living within the Mau Forest, the fact remains that communities that rely on the forest as their source of livelihood are suffering.

Speaking at a media dialogue on Mau forest and environment conservation organised

by African Woman and Child Features Service through the Media Diversity Centre with the communities that inhabit the area surrounding Mau, it emerged that politics of Mau is beyond the political class. It is above Raila Odinga and his calls for evictions and those of William Ruto saying his community is being targeted.

In the media dialogue attended by Maasai and Ogiek male and female leaders, it came out clearly that the death of the Mau forest is affecting a whole generation as their sources of livelihood get depleted.

Those who are protesting about evictions from the forest do not live there. However, those who live in the forest and who have been responsible for its depletion are people from far who do not understand ways of the forest and how the environment can be sustainably maintained by those who live around it.

Logging has been going on at the Mau unabated and sources estimate that 14 tonnes of trees are removed from the forest by a company the locals claim is certified and protected by the political leadership.

Different sections of the depleted Mau forest. Indigenous trees are slowly being replaced by exotic ones. Pictures: Godfrey Machuka

Kantau Nkuruna, a local Community Forest Association leader in Narok County says residents of the Mau Forest borders will soon be forced to take law into their own hands if the Government persistently ignores to listen to them.

Narok has become a time bomb.

When it rains the town gets flooded and many lives have been lost as there are no more trees to hold the running water as the surface has been left bare. Narok County has registered serious floods in the recent past resulting from heavy rains in the Mau Forest at times claiming lives besides displacing residents living in the plains of Narok town.

“We suffer most when floods come and we

are frustrated by the Government that hardly does anything even when we report or arrest those involved in the destruction of the forest,” he complains.

Today, more than a quarter of the protected forest reserves have been settled and cleared tearing out the trees at the heart of the forest that has triggered a cascade of drought and despair in Continued on page 3

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ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Team seeks change in leadership style

By ROBBY NGOJHI

A group of Kenyans have set a strategy aimed at changing the leadership style in Kenya.

Through a movement known as “Pioneers for Change” (P4C), the group has launched a national campaign aimed at changing the leadership style in the country through educating wananchi on their constitutional rights and empowering them politically.

The campaign was launched in Mwatate town, Taita Taveta County and involved trustees from different counties.

P4C National chairman, Ndolo Asasa said the campaign also involves engaging wananchi in agricultural projects in a bid to improve food security through what he calls ‘Stomach democracy’.

Speaking at the launch, P4C trustee, Christopher Mwambingu said the movement is introducing farming of tissue banana plants which will mature within a short period and survive with minimum.

In other counties they will introduce projects like passion farming or bee keeping depending with climatic conditions favouring the area.

Ndolo speaking to residents in Mwatate during the launch of Pioneers for Change.

Pictures: Robby Ngojhi

Citizen engagement

“We want to make sure that every Citizen is conversant with his or her constitutional rights. We also want wananchi to understand politics well so that they can elect ideal leaders in future,” explained Asasa.

He added: “By the same token we shall be engaging citizens in gainful farming activities which will improve food security and eradicate social problems like starvation which has been an old problem in most parts of the country.”

He criticised current leaders for allegedly being insensitive to the plight of the ordinary citizens by failing to control starvation despite it being a recurrent problem.

“During campaign periods, most political leaders normally use few kilogrammes of sugar, rice and unga as bait to win votes from starving citizens. This is not leadership but dealership,” asserted Asasa.

“We want to make sure that every Citizen is conversant with his or her constitutional rights. We also want wananchi to understand politics well so that they can elect ideal leaders in future.”

— Ndolo Asasa, P4C National chairman

“We have brought banana tissue to Taita Taveta because we know the crop does well here.

However, in other areas we shall introduce other projects with a similar objective to ensure Kenyans are free from hunger,” Mwambingu explained.

The movement has over 200 members and is going round the country registering more.

Asasa said in every village within the country they will select a Pioneers for Change steering committee which will implement their agenda.

“Our aim is to introduce new, fresh and alternative leadership in this country. P4C is not a political party, it is a movement. We welcome people from other political leadership who support our agenda to join and change the leadership of this country,” reiterated Asasa.

Oil prospects raises fresh storm

By EKUWAM ADOU Renewed search for seemingly elusive oil and gas in Northern Kenya, has been complicated with local communities now raising fresh demands from the oil exploration firm undertaking the exercise.

Community leaders from Laisamis, Marsabit in the vast arid North, have presented a raft of conditions and requirements they seek to be fulfilled before the commencement of oil and gas explorations scheduled to start soon.

The leaders have raised concerns over possible environmental pollution and contamination of the water table during the drilling process.

The local pastoral communities want guarantees that the chemicals used during the exploration process will not affect underground water, the only source for domestic and livestock use.

“We welcome exploration of resources in Laisamis, our community. Pastoralists have requested us to ensure that our land, environment and water sources are not affected or polluted,” said Mohamud Kochale a former Member of Parliament for Laisamis.

He added: “We asked the company to produce an environmental impact assessment report. The community wants to be assured that the exploration will not destroy their land, affect grazing or contaminate water sources.”

Besides environmental concerns; the local pastoral community is seeking to be enjoined in the expected economic windfall should the precious resource be found. They are asking the firm carrying out the oil exploration to pay a minimum of about KSh5 million as corporate social responsibility.

A section of local leaders who attended a meeting convened to discuss the prospecting at Gudduf area, south of Marsabit district in northern Kenya said they have presented the

communities’ demands in form of a memorandum to Africa Oil Corporation Company which has sub-contracted BJP to conduct the exploration.

BJP Company has already moved machinery and its workers to the site for the exploration exercise. In December, the company workers were attacked in Maikona area in Marsabit by area residents who were demanding to be assured of proceeds in case oil and gas were to be found. They also demanded that their member be given employment.

Set back

It is a major setback for Africa Oil Company, a Canadian oil exploration corporation which took over oil exploration in the north, from Chinese firms.

A Chinese company which had initially been carrying out the exercise in Merti, Isiolo District, pulled out in December last year citing failure to discover sustainable gas deposits.

Africa Oil Company has majority shareholding of 66.7 per cent and with Lion Energy minority shareholders jointly partnered to continue gas exploration in the expansive arid north A rig erected at Bogal-1 well at Bassa, Merti on a three year contract.

China National Offshore Oil Cordivision of Isiolo district. poration and China Petroleum CorPicture: Hussein Dido poration gave up on exploration at the end of the contract period 2013.

Block 9, Bhogal 1-well after drilling China Offshore with Africa Oil Corpora5,556 metres but could not return favourable findings of potential sustainable commercial tion of Canada and China Petroleum Corporation started drilling the well in October 28, gas quantities.

The Canadian company will continue with 2009, and reached a depth of 5,085 metres by the exploration targeting drilling additional May 2010, although the initial plan was to sink 1,500 metres deep at the block 9 Bhogal well at it to 5,556 metres.

Former Voi MP and Utalii College chairman Boniface Mganga welcomed the move and urged locals and all Kenyans to support P4C. “It is good that P4C is considering problems facing the common mwananchi like hunger unlike what we have been seeing with the current leadership style where politicians target weaknesses of the electorate to buy their support,” explained Mganga.

He noted: “It is also important to note that the movement is focusing on the importance of understanding the new Constitution. We know that most residents at the grassroots did not vote for the Constitution because they understood it but simply because they were carried by the euphoria.”

Elders differ over venue of county assembly

By JOHN NDIRANGU The council of elders in Embu and Mbeere otherwise known as Nyangi Ndiiriri has differed with the Embu County members of Parliament over their decision to hold a strategic plan meeting in Kiambu County.

About 500 elders meeting in Embu under the leadership of Dr Njagi Kumantha said the meeting in Kiambu would deny the common man an opportunity to participate.

They argued that resolutions reached at the forum would not reflect views of Embu County stakeholders. The elders further questioned the wisdom of the organisers on the location and distance of the forum.

“We question the wisdom of the organisers of the meeting. How will a common man in Embu County navigate his way to Kabete for the forum?” posed the leaders.

Chairman of the elders’ steering committee said they were out to ensure unity and cohesion of the various tribes and clans within the borders of Embu County.

For the county to take root and grow, the elders recommended that the location of the assembly and headquarter be addressed once governance systems are in place.

However, the elders concurred with the earlier decision by other leaders who endorsed Embu town to host the County government on temporary basis. The leaders would like to meet with all professionals and leaders in the county, most of whom are in Nairobi.

The meeting is to come up with a strategic plan of the county’s headquarters.

Four current MPs formed the Embu-Mbeere leaders’ Forum in 2008 among them Emilio Kathuri of Manyatta Constituency, Cecily Mbarire of Runyejes, Mutava Musyimi of Gachoka, and Lenny Kivuti of Siakago, who also doubles up as the chairman.

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

From the South with a message of peace Naomi Tutu walks in the shadows of her father

By DAVID NJAGI Her father has a pocket full of prestigious awards.

She too appears destined for a handful of crowns to make true the saying like father, like daughter.

The third born of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Nomalizo Leah, Naomi Tutu, is a passionate advocate for peace and human rights. She chose to walk her father’s path, albeit on a different front.

Born in Krugersdorp, South Africa, the mother of three chose her line of work after the bitter experience with an apartheid regime, which rode on a policy of racial segregation, resulting in years of suffering and oppression for black South Africans of the day.

She is not about to stop until the day women are recognised as vital players in bringing peace to the world. This is the work she is currently occupied with at her residence in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States of America.

“What I do mostly is partnering organisations and institutions in Africa with people pursuing similar causes in the USA,” says Naomi. “These could be churches, hospice groups or schools.”

The work has seen her brush shoulders with the high and mighty of the society. Those who have worked with her say she fronts a humble image, unlike the belief that famous people are consumed by pride.

Women’s conference

Recently she was in the country and could be found in the remote part of Kenya in North Imenti Constituency, Meru Central District, where she spent time at a week long conference sharing her experiences with women from different parts of the world.

Naomi was inspired to attend the International Peace Initiative (IPI) congress after learning that the meeting would bring women from different parts of the world to engage and share with those who are rural based on how they can participate in peace building activities in Kenya.

“The future resides in partnerships which make human connections with the goal of living in a world that sustains our lives,” says Naomi.

“So when I heard about the IPI congress and that it had interests in grassroot women participating and working with partnerships for peace, I definitely wanted to be here.”

It is easy to understand why this meeting inspired a lady who is used to steering her own, as well as a collective course. According to Naomi, the women’s agenda of achieving gender equality

is nowhere near expectations largely due to the widening divide between the rich and poor.

Naomi gives the example of her country of birth, South Africa, which she says has the best Constitution addressing gender equality, but has disappointing figures of grassroots women who do not have access to legal protection.

Legal access

“When you look at our Parliament and government Ministries, women are very well represented but there are many incidences of those who have been raped but cannot access legal representation,” she observes. Naomi explains: “I don’t think we have reached the level of gender equity that we for instance see in Scandinavian countries.”

She adds: “Clearly regulation is not enough but women must access these laws to be able to improve their lives. We also need to have access to proper funding to businesses as well as launch a serious education campaign about how parity and equity builds nations and sustainable devel-

such as Nelson Mandela.

Although she still has painful memories about her parents being arrested several times, she is glad that they were not detained for more than 24 hours.

This was not the case with the Mandela and Sisulu families, with whose children she shared the pain of being denied proper parenthood.

While the Sisulus were eventually arrested and detained, she is particularly happy to have had an opportunity to spend time and share with them, citing President Nelson Mandela, on his experiences in detention.

“For black South Africans it was difficult for most of us to understand why the Government would question its citizens’ humanity even in the precincts of one’s home,” says Naomi. Then she poses: “Just imagine what that means when you live with it day by day.”

Perhaps, it is this fickle past that inspired her to step into her father’s shoes as she continues to implore the world to listen to her version of peace building. In her view, the world has a lot to

“Our view of community is a very inclusive one and is fundamental. Our cultures teach us that we are human in our connections with one another.”

— Naomi Tutu opment.”

It is a setback she had wished would be corrected as her country gained self rule and struggled to shed off the ghost of apartheid and racism which had blotted South Africa’s image for about 43 years.

Born 49 years ago, Naomi founded the Tutu Foundation for Development and Relief in 1985.

It is said to have helped South African refugees process scholarships from its inception to 1990, where they learnt skills on how to support themselves while in exile as well as preparing them for constructive roles in a free South Africa.

Unlike the families of other anti-apartheid crusaders, however, she considers her parents to have been more fortunate to be spared the humiliation meted on other activists of the day

learn from African communities if it is to achieve global peace.

She for instance dismisses the impression often portrayed in Western media of Africa as a continent riddled with war and ethnic strife, and instead underscores the traditional African values of coexistence as the cogs that will steer world peace.

“Our view of community is a very inclusive one and is fundamental. Our cultures teach us that we are human in our connections with one another. I think this is a lesson that we have to offer the rest of the world,” advices Naomi.

She believes that African traditional conflict resolution techniques can actually be integrated into systems of governance if only leaders extolled cultural values by inspiring pride in the African belief system.

As a gender activist who has seen her country sideline women in issues of governance, she believes Kenya is a great country and holds the promise of wide gender mainstreaming in government.

Representation

She, however, takes issue with most African governments whose claim of including women in government is only visible when, for instance, a woman sits in the Ministries of Youth and Women Affairs.

“The dream of a United States of Africa has been one that I have always believed in, hoped for and think is possible,” says the mother of three. “However, we have to pressurise our political parties to be representative not only in terms of having women as candidates but also ethnically and economically so that grassroots people are elected into Parliament.”

One of her earliest childhood memories are of when she was being awakened in the middle of the night by her parents following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. She recalls reacting as if one of her kin had died and how her father immediately led the family to church to pray with masses of other grief stricken South Africans. Her worst experience was when both her grandparents died and she was not able to attend their funerals.

How does she manage to give time to her busy career as well as be there for her family?

As a single mother, Naomi considers herself blessed to have a dutiful first born, 28-year-old Joy, whom she says is often the stand-in-mummy, while she is on duty, although she has many friends who give support at her moment of need.

Family

She, however, says she misses being with her family while she is away on duty but is always confident that the values with which she has brought up Joy and her other two children, 19-year-old Mugi and Mpilo, 14, have prepared them enough to face the world.

During her leisure time when she is either reading books on modern mysteries, swimming or taking a walk, she likes to think of herself as Tutu’s daughter, who will emulate her father but not be him.

“Being the daughter of Desmond Tutu is something that I have grown up with and has opened many doors for me,” says Naomi who is currently the program coordinator for the Race Relations Institute at Fisk University, USA.

Shameless depletion of Mau forest Continued from 1 the surrounding valleys.

The forest is a major catchment area within the region. However, with the trees having been cut down, it is no longer serving its natural responsibility. The rivers that flow from the forest have dried up. And as the forest disappears day by day as a result of human activities, so too have Kenya’s harvests, its cattle farms, hydro-electricity, tea industry, lakes and even the famous wildlife parks.

On the contrary, the tale revolving around the Mau Forest keeps on taking new directions with the politicians playing cat and mouse games to satisfy their own interests.

Much has been said but no one seems to care about the Ogiek woman whose livelihood depends entirely on the forest.

The Mau not only provided for her basic needs such as shelter, food and clothing, but it was also an important aspect of their social and spiritual life. To begin with, the forest was a source where they got herbs that were used as medicine. It was from here that they also got firewood that was used for cooking and even as a source for lighting at night as well making their houses warm at night.

Now, these women have been left with no option but to walk miles and miles in search of their basic needs, especially food.

Anne Naramat one of the Ogiek women cries the forest is gone. “There are roads all over the

forest. The forest has turned into estates with people from all walks of life that one can hardly believe it is the same forest that used to be thick with all types of indigenous trees.”

According to Naramat, the Government has failed in its responsibility to conserve the forest by allowing illegal settlements within the reserves.

“This Government has totally failed in protecting the forest and its people especially the Maasai woman whose life depends entirely on the forest,” she says.

Naramat who is the Narok South Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairlady says they live from hand to mouth as are unable to feed their families.

“As a result, many women have lost their lives due to these kinds of hardship,” she says.

Scarce resources

According to Lucy Sadera women have been left wallowing in abject poverty with all the responsibilities on their back since their men no longer stay home in the name of searching for pastures.

“As a result, these women have continued to bear the greatest brunt of the forest depletion with no one to come to their rescue,” she says.

Sadera foresees a struggle for water and land which could even escalate into a bloody civil conflict if the Government does not act. “And the implications go beyond the environment. This has the potential to create insecurity as people squabble over dwindling resources. For example,

A Timsales truck loaded will logs from Mau forest. Illegal cutting of trees continues unabated. Picture: Godfrey Machuka at the moment different families have divided their portions and do not allow others to fetch firewood as it used to be,” she observes.

In echoing Sadera’s sentiments, Eunice Marima, former Narok South Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairlady says worse still, the water from the Mau quenches thirst far beyond Kenya. Its rivers feed Tanzania’s Serengeti and keep the fishermen of Lake Victoria afloat.

She singles out Egypt as the major beneficiary of the Mau Forest adding it’s ironical that Kenya depends on rice from Egypt and yet it ought to be the major producer.

“We are looking at securing the livelihoods and economies of millions of women who directly and indirectly depend on the ecosystem.

We must act now before the entire ecosystem is irreversibly damaged,” reiterates Marima.

However, she laments that it will take decades to restore the canopy years in which Kenyans

will continue to suffer from land degradation and climate change.

Mau Forest is the largest in Kenya, the size of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya combined with 10 million people depending on its rivers. The forest feeds six lakes that include Victoria, Turkana, Natron, Nakuru, Baringo and Magadi.

Though the Government through the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources revised its policy on planting over 540 million trees by 2030, without extensive consultation with citizens and tangible charges against those who breach environmental laws, the dream of a healthy environment is still farfetched.

Marima, who owns a mini forest in her farm, suggests that the Government should provide seedlings of trees they want to be planted by Kenyans instead of just giving orders on what should be done.

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ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Dialogue on sex open doors to health gain

By OMWA OMBARA

What are our children doing in maternity wards all over the country instead of being in class? Why are babies suckling babies when they should be in the Library preparing for their national exams? Why are our adolescents going through such intensive labour pains when their bodies are not ready to handle the process of child birth?

The Kenyan nation has gone berserk. It is sex everywhere in Kenya — left, right and centre. It is sex in the lake, beach, valley, mountains, schools and church. The new craze for our youth! Sadly, not a thought about the consequences until it is too late. In most cases, Kenyans remain silent on the subject of sex especially among teenagers until the consequences are manifested in pregnancies.

Nine-year-old girls in Kibera, Kayole, Kawangware and Korogocho are already experts in soliciting for sex from men, old enough to be their grandparents.

Tales of street children who sleep with watchmen behind public toilets have become boring.

Young girls who have run to the police stations for shelter after being raped have found themselves double victims of the crime.

Business as usual

Little girls dress seductively in clothes of the trade and prey upon men to rescue them from poverty. Three months later, these children die as they procure unsafe abortion and suffer from the consequences.

However, despite the deaths, it is business as usual as sex, unsafe abortion or childbirth has become a normal way of life for Kenyan children.

The situation is grave. So grave that on June 30, Kenya hosted guests among them Mr Getachew Engida, Deputy Director General of Unesco, Her Excellency Joyce Hilda Banda, Vice President Malawi, His Excellency former Zambian president Dr Kenneth Kaunda as well as reproductive health expert Prof Fred Sai from Ghana to discuss sex and sexuality among the youth.

Not to be left behind were Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyongo, Minister of Medical Services, Dr Jacqueline Sharpe President IPPF, Ambassadors from Japan, Finland, Rwanda as well as nominated MP Millie Odhiambo and Mama Chibesakunda Kankasa, a former freedom fighter from Zambia.

The delegation sought to find ways of saving the youth from the sex epidemic that turned out to be not just a Kenyan problem but a time bomb that was about to explode in Africa.

Stories that came out of the dialogue were heart rending. A mother in Kibera was asked why she has chased her daughter away from the house in the middle of her homework and right into the arms of a man who is supposed to pay her KSh200 for sexual services. This is what she said: “I have already slept with all these men and they are fed up of giving me money. That is I why I give them my daughter. She is still young and beautiful and she will bring in more money so we can survive.”

The ‘young beautiful woman’ is a 10 yearold-child. And where are the parents as their 11-year old children procure abortions and throw foetuses in the dustbins and toilets? Information emerging at the meeting indicated that Kenyan parents are busy making money from dawn to dusk as they sell their children sex predators.

However, the early sexual debut and irresponsible sexual behaviour is not limited to low income areas. Local universities have become a sex market as teenage boys and girls are left on their own to face a sexually reckless world. Some legislators, who are supposed to provide leadership to the youth have without embarrassment become part of the sexual explosion that has erupted in our society.

Said Nyong’o in his speech: “Unwanted

pregnancies and HIV/Aids can mess the life of an individual. Adults must support young people to make choices. Youth are growing up without guidance on sexual matters. Parents and guardians are busy making a living as the youth pick advice from television and FM stations among other media.”

Nyong’o praised the FM stations for helping youth seek action. “FM stations have conquered serious sexual health taboos by giving the youth a weapon to face the future.”

He advised the youth to articulate challenges and ensure they are placed in the national agenda. “If the fight for independence was met with sacrifice, so must the fight for development,” he reiterated.

The minister believes that such candid conversations are very important.

“The youthful group is a key resource for development and we can only ignore them at our own peril,” warned Nyong’o.

According to IPPF President Dr Jacqueline Sharp “it is the time for dialogue and time to engage the youth in the sex conversation”.

“Young people have great energy, intelligence, and strength, yet 70 per cent of young people are unemployed. They have a right to comprehensive sex education and the responsibility is ours as a society to give it to them,” observed Sharp.

She added: “Young people do not hold the answers but also need guidance. We hope that the dialogue can spread across the region.”

According to Deputy Director General of UNESCO, Getachew Engida the stakes are very high for sexuality education in Africa.

“Humanity is on the move. Knowledge level of our sexuality is very low. In South Africa, only 10 per cent of the youth have knowledge about sex,” he observed.

Engida reiterated that sexuality education is a good foundation for development and growth of the youth and that dialogue between generations — the young and the elderly is useful.

As per the May 20, 2011 UNESCO Report, Governments must design and deploy sexual education which is gender equality issue and culturally sensitive.

Sex education

He said sex education must start at local and national level and needs the understanding and support of everyone.

“Sex education must move with schools.

It needs the support of everyone and must run with the UNESCO-UN vision of 2010 to 2015,” observed Engida.

His sentiments are echoed by Joyce Banda, Vice-President of Malawi. “By telling them that they are leaders of tomorrow, we are postponing their participation. We need to create room for them now.”

To illustrate this, the vice-president explained that in Malawi the youngest minister is only 20 years old. With this she challenged the youth to face leadership courageously arguing that there are social and democratic challenges that undermine sexual and reproductive rights of adolescent.

“That is why you find adolescent boys unprepared for fatherhood. Adolescent mothers end up in maternity wards when they should be in school,” she observed.

Banda reiterated that young people are leaders of today and not tomorrow and leaders must create employment for the youth as well as provide them with life skills to deal with de-

From left: IPPF Youth representatives from sub Saharan Africa at the Sex Conversation seminar in Nairobi. Malawi Vice President Mama Joyce Banda and former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda follow the proceedings at the seminar.

Pictures: Correspondent mands and challenges of life. She stressed that leaders must find innovative ways to reach out to the youth.

Former Zambian President who is also the goodwill Ambassador for IPPF Dr Kenneth Kaunda said the extent of the arguments differ from one country to another but humanity has long recognised the need for reproductive rights.

Kaunda recalled with nostalgia his youth when settings took account of gender and the young had to be prepared for the future.

“Boys and girls were set apart and given strict advice on appropriate topics that would prepare them as part of their sexual education,” explained Kaunda.

Time is now

He reiterated: “In our modern society, this kind of education may be lost to Western culture which our younger people copy with abandon. We should consider sexual rights as human rights. If we don’t history will judge us

“That is why you find adolescent boys unprepared for fatherhood. Adolescent mothers end up in maternity wards when they should be in school,” she observed.

— Joyce Banda, Vice-President of Malawi.

very harshly.”

Kaunda called on the continent to accept people’s rights without reservation irrespective of base or religion. “Let us listen to the youth. We need to know what they think about our culture. This world has become a global village. We need to adhere strictly to our customs,” said the former president.

He reiterated that the “time is now when the younger and older generation must come together and talk”.

Mama Chibesakunda said she had the experience of a mother who gave birth to ten children and educated all of them. Today they are all successful professionals in different fields. She had words of wisdom: “From time immemorial, young people have been involved in matters of sexual and reproductive rights either actively or passively. We adults have not always been successful in dealing with the situation because we look at the issue from our situation. Culture, religion and politics are a hindrance.”

Chibesakunda lamented that culture and religion do not allow young people to question or address their sexuality.

“We must vigorously pursue programmes that involve parents. We need dialogue. Young and elderly people must stop viewing each other suspiciously,” she advised.

Continued on page 5

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Male circumcision not so strange after all among the Luo

Kenya’s drop in fertility rates

By BONIFACE MULU

By OMONDI GWENGI Prior to the recent male circumcision campaigns, there were men among the Luo who were being circumcised.

As many organisations heighten their voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) campaign in most parts of Nyanza, followers of Nomiya Church bask in the glory of having their men cut as a sign of the Biblical covenant between God and Abraham.

According to Daniel Omondi Okoth, a leader in the church, Nomiya Luo Church was founded in 1907 by Johanna Owalo after he got a revelation from God that he should start a church for Africans.

He, therefore, called the church ‘Nomiya’ which is a Luo word for “given”.

According to the Nomiya Luo Church Prayer Book Bishop Aldroph Obore greets the boys after they completed their days in seclusion.

1973; 118 Owalo was further instructed Pictures: Courtesy Nomiya Library to take a long sharp sword and circumcise his adherents as a sign of distinction besurgical blades and also invite a medical practi- enced many complications related to circumtween them and other Luo. cision. “We rarely experience complications This, therefore, becomes one of the distinc- tioner to witness the process,” he explains.

The Church claims they have not experi- related to the circumcision, but in case of tions between Nomiya Church and others. any, we do call in medical practitioners,” says “After a baby boy is born, we count up to Omondi. seven days and on the eighth day, the baby The Church has full backing of organisais circumcised as indicated in Luke 2:21,” extions that perform voluntary male circumciplains Omondi. sion. “Most people appreciate the practice,” he Church doctrines demand that the mother says. is kept in seclusion for 40 days when she gives George Ragwel Oudia who is a church birth to a boy and 80 days if it is a girl. teacher says that keeping a woman in secluHowever, not everybody can perform the sion is a sign of holiness and prevents her from cut unless inspired by the Holy Spirit. Omondi indulging in unfaithful practices after giving says that certain procedures must be followed birth. in order to have your baby circumcised.

“We believe that a woman should take “We only have one Sharif (one who perabout 80 days before she can have sex with her forms the circumcision) in the entire Siaya husband in case she gives birth to a girl. This County,” he says. also helps in keeping the child healthy as it deAccording to Omondi, when one wants his fies the Luo tradition of having sex three days son circumcised, they must report the matter after delivery.” to the church elders. Thereafter, Sharif will be After days in seclusion, the parent(s) of the contacted. He will then pray over it having baby are required to bring two virgin doves or been inspired by the Holy Spirit. However, the lamb as an offering.

Sharif is not an exception to righteousness.

However, Oudia says that since not many “He has to come a day prior to circumcipeople can trace these unique animals, one sion. He should not have slept with a woman can instead substitute the sacrifice with two that day,” Omondi explains. cockerels. One is burnt to ashes and the other Unlike in the old days when circumcision is eaten. “The slaughtered animals symbolise was performed using one blade, Omondi says the blood shed by the boy during circumcithat they now use sterilised surgical blades. sion,” explains Oudia.

— Daniel Omondi Okoth “With the era of HIV/Aids, we use sterilised

“With the era of HIV/Aids, we use sterilised surgical blades and also invite a medical practitioner to witness the process.”

5

The total fertility rate in Kenya has declined over the past two decades. According to the National Coordinating Agency for Population and Development (NCAPD), Kenyans have an average of 4.6 children, a slight decrease from 4.9 in 2003.

Peter Nyakwara, a senior programme officer NCAPD, said fertility in the country varied by residence and province. “Women in urban areas have 2.9 children on average, compared with 5.2 children per woman in rural areas. Fertility is highest in Western Province where women have an average of 5.6 children and lowest in Nairobi where they have an average of 2.8 children,” explained Nyakwara.

He said fertility also varies with a mother’s education and economic status. Women who have secondary and higher education have an average of 3.1 children, while women with no education have more than twice as many children. He said that fertility increases as the wealth of the respondent’s household decreases.

Nyakwara said poorest women in general have more than twice as many children as women who live in the wealthy households with the comparison being 7.0 versus 2.9 children per woman. He said maternal mortality ratio for Kenya is 488 per 100,000 live births.

He said 43 per cent of Kenya’s births occur in health facilities with 32 percent being in the public and 10 percent being in private sector.

This information came up just as the World Population Day was marked on July 11 with the global population being estimated at seven million people. Kenya’s population is about 40 million.

According to the 2008-2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, some 18 per cent of young women aged 15-19 years had already begun childbearing.

He said that 15 per cent are mothers and that an additional three per cent are pregnant with their first child.

“Young motherhood is slightly more common in urban than in rural areas. Young women with no education are more than three times as likely to have started childbearing by the age of 19 years than those who have secondary and higher education,” Nyakwara said.

He was speaking at a two-day seminar on the 2008-2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey organised by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. The seminar was officially opened by the Kitui District Commissioner Joshua Chepchieng.

Premarital relationships ruin student careers Dialogue on sex

By BEN OROKO Pre-marital sexual relationships involving school children and their male teachers have been singled out as one of the leading causes of poor education and national examinations performance in Gusiiland.

Nyaribari Chache MP, Dr Robert Monda decried rising cases of girl-boy and teacher-student pre-marital relationships in majority of the schools in the Kisii region. He lamented that the trend if not checked, will ruin the future of many young people in the region.

The legislator has warned pupils and students in his constituency and the entire Gusii region against engaging in pre-marital sexual relationships at the expense of

their education.

Monda challenged teachers to observe the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Code of Conduct while discharging their professional duties, warning them against retrogressive sexual activities that not only flouted the Code of Conduct but also went against the spirit of role modelling the learners into responsible citizens.

He told the learners to invest much of their time and energy in their studies, instead of indulging in irresponsible behaviour.

Speaking in his constituency during an inspection of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) funded projects, Monda reminded learners that their time in school was precious and they should utilise it to

achieve maximum performance.

“Being a leader and parent, I am privileged to share with you my academic and life experience to motivate you to make wise choices in life by re-directing your focus and energy into working hard in your studies if you intend to make it in future academic and life careers,” advised Monda.

The MP blamed conflict of interest and abuse of responsibilities among various education stakeholders for poor performance among children sitting for national examinations from the region.

He challenged schools management and administration to translate modern CDF sponsored learning infrastructures in their respective schools into good performance in national examinations.

Continued from 1

The dialogue was the first of its kind in subSaharan Africa. However, as curtains were closed the question being asked was if the Government, churches and community will yield to sexual education for the youth? Will the sex bomb be stopped?

The UN Report showed that 80 per cent of the youth are involved in sex before they reach 20.

The meeting called for political goodwill if sexual education is to succeed.

Prof Fred Sai, former IPPF President summarised the dialogue. “Today we have youth with PhDs driving taxis. The leadership should start now. Let the politicians give the youth a chance.”

There is no scientific evidence that if we teach our children sex education they will be more promiscuous. I challenge the youth to know the Constitution so they can be involved in these matters from a position of strength.”

6

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Desperate times as maize seeds vanish

By GEORGE OMONSO

State-owned maize seed producer, Kenya Seed Company, has admitted shortages of the most popular hybrids at its strategic reserves and is urging farmers to diversify instead of relying solely on maize production.

The company’s managing director, Willy Bett, says it is now official that they do not have maize seeds to meet the local demand.

Bett admitted that the firm has a shortfall of 20 per cent seed requirement, particularly in the popular hybrids of 614 and 6213, which are planted by farmers in the North Rift area.

At the same time, the official dismissed claims that the deficit was caused by exports to regional countries supported by some of its registered agents.

This comes at a time when the country is experiencing shortage of maize and maize flour prices have already gone beyond the reach of the common man.

Farmers have accused the company of allowing some senior politicians who are registered as agents to export the seeds to Rwanda, Uganda, Congo and Tanzania.

Shortage

Bett attributed the shortage to the dry weather which affected seed production in 2008 and 2009.

“We were able to produce only 80 per cent of the seed requirement,” said Bett. He attributed the shortage to the Government stimulus programme that saw the state purchase 95 per cent stocks at strategic reserves for free distribution.

“The deficit of 20 per cent was a result of drought and the removal of 95 per cent stock from the strategic reserve purchased by the Government for free distribution,” he explained.

“The Government purchased 95 per cent of the stock at the strategic reserve and distributed it to farmers who were affected by post-election violence,” he said.

However, he observed that farmers had doubled their production acreage because of the availability of government-provided subsidised fertilizer.

“Yes, there is an increase in demand for certified seeds contributed by expanded land for maize production due to the lowered cost of fertiliser,” Bett explained.

He said speculative prices of maize have increased the demand for certified seeds by farmers, but he urged the farming community to diversify and grow drought-surviving crops to tackle hunger.

Bett encouraged farmers to engage in the cultivation of finger millet, sorghum, wheat seed bean, sunflowers and pasture as alternative to maize production.

The shortage of maize seeds and delayed supply of fertilisers may result in a decline in production of maize by more than 30 percent.

The Cereal Growers Association (CGA) and the Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) have warned that many farmers are using uncertified seeds or those with low yields, and this will lead to a decline in harvests this year.

Poor planning

Kenya harvests more than 32 million bags annually, but CGA and KFA now argue that some farmers have been forced to reduce acreage for maize farming.

The shortage of seeds has affected planting of maize in high producing areas of the Rift Valley, including Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia.

Farmers have been queuing at KSC depots in areas such as Lugari and Eldoret in order to bid for seeds but the supplies have not been forthcoming.

Director of the KFA, Kipkorir Menjo, says poor planning by the Government in the agricultural sector would expose the country to serious food shortages as a result of the seed shortage.

“We seem to be repeating the same mistakes every year in the sector instead of put-

Farmers queue for seeds at the Kenya Seed Company depot in Eldoret. Acute shortages of seed have been reported in the region. Below: Managing director Kenya Seed Company Willy Bett during a press conference.

Pictures: George Omonso ting in place sustainable measures to ensure adequate food security for the country,” observed Menjo. He blamed the Minister for Agriculture, Dr Sally Kosgey, for failing to intervene in the trials that farmers have been facing.

Agricultural experts in some of the districts in the Rift Valley have indicated that many farmers have been forced to change the seed varieties they normally use, which could negatively affect production.

Shortages also led to increased prices of the seeds in the market. Agriculture PS, Romano Kiome, said the country may be forced to import seeds because of the shortage.

There are also fears that some stockers in the region were either hoarding the seeds or had sold them in neighbouring countries at higher prices. The shortage in the local markets has also pushed up seed prices.

The Kenya Seed Company Public Relations Officer, Sammy Chepsiror, who visited Eldoret, said that for the first time in four years the country was experiencing a shortage of maize seed meant for planting.

Chepsiror lamented that most stockers are selling the seeds at very high prices compared to Kenya Seed Company, which had led to farmers flocking their depot in Eldoret.

Some farmers complained that they were forced to travel all the way from Western Kenya to come and buy the maize seed, which

“There is corruption and bias in the sale of the fertilisers and we want the Government to intervene and take action against the officials.”

— Vincent Wafula, a local farmer

ended up being a waste of time and money.

The farmers also said that they were waiting for maize seed that had to be ferried from Kitale but were not sure it would be enough for all of them.

As the farmers in the North Rift area struggle to get seeds, a dream by hundreds of Pokot pastoralists to embrace agriculture in order to eradicate food insecurity is being frustrated.

In the past two years, several pastoralists in Pokot County have turned to farming to escape from perennial drought that hurts their nomadic life.

Abandoned livestock

Pastoralists-turned-farmers in agricultural areas in Pokot County are yet to plant due to lack of maize seeds.

“This is a bad year for us. We prepared our farms to plant but we don’t have seeds to plant and we don’t know when they will be available,” said Solomon Kura, a farmer in Kabichibich, Pokot South.

Farmers in the area wonder why Kenya Seed Company was unable to address the shortage in time to avoid the crisis.

Several herders in the county, particularly in West Pokot district, abandoned livestock keeping and turned to farming to fight hunger and diversify their lifestyle.

“We realised our cattle are not taking us anywhere. During the drought we find it difficult to access food. Since we started growing crops, we were able to feed our families,” said Abraham Domongole, a farmer in Kiwawa village in Pokot North District.

Persistent drought has forced many pastoralists into irrigation farming in Sigor, Ortum and Kacheliba to supplement food handouts from the Government and donors.

Some of the areas where the planting has not taken place include Murkujit, Chepareria,

Kanyarwat, Tapach, Lelan and Keriget.

Local leaders led by Pokot County Council Chairman, David Moiben, say that lack of seeds could discourage the pastoralists from farming.

“There is corruption and bias in the sale of the fertilisers and we want the Government to intervene and take action against the officials,” demanded Vincent Wafula, a local farmer.

NCPB should not discriminate but serve everyone equally for the benefit of the country.

“Why should government officials frustrate and hinder our efforts to enhance food productivity in order to curb shortages?” posed Wafula.

The farmers demand for the immediate removal of officials at the depot, arguing that most of them are corrupt.

“We want the Government to remove officials at the depot since we have no confidence in them,” they said outside the depot.

For weeks, farmers have pitched tent at the depot in the hopes of securing fertilisers that will be ready for planting following the start of the long rains in the larger part of Trans-Nzoia districts, the leading producer of maize in the country.

NCPB depot manager in Kitale, William Kiptoo, denied the accusations, arguing that his office is exhibiting transparency in the sale of the fertilisers.

“We are overloading fertilizers supplied to us and there is no corruption here as the farmers allege,” he responded.

Kiptoo said they had received 1,200 bags of DAP in the last two weeks, and assured farmers that nobody would be discriminated against.

Fertiliser dealers in Kitale are selling a 50kg bag of DAP between KSh3,600 and KSh3 800, while the Government sells the same at KSh2,500.

See commentary on page 19.

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Boys aim at nothing short of excellence Rural school builds character and hope for a better future

By JOSEPH MUKUBWA At the entrance of Nyeri town, a 49-year-old little known secondary school which has stunned many for its excellent work stands.

The school, which is Catholic sponsored is committed to offering affordable quality education to all by instilling a character-building workethic that produces young men who are excellent role-models.

Located in Nyeri town along Kimathi Street and run by the De La Salle Brothers, the school has a population of 450 students, 200 young boys in the Rescue Centre and 15 students in the Vocational Training Centre — all in the same compound.

Despite the school being in a rural location and without all the expensive facilities that go with giant schools, the students beat all odds to excel.

This is a unique school where all boys are treated equally. The school administration encourages high quality education and is committed to building character and academic excellence for young boys.

Boys and men

“Give us a boy and we give you a man. We have been doing exemplary work which has made us to be recognised nationally. In 2007, out of 110 students who sat for KCSE, only six of them did not join public universities,” said Peter Kombe who has been in charge of the school for over five years.

The results of the last two years had no major differences as many excelled. Out of the 112 who sat for KCSE last year, 102 candidates got above C+ with 34 candidates getting Agrade. In 2008, out of 112 students who sat for the exams, only seven students got below C+ grade. Last year, out of 112 who did the KCSE, only three students scored less than C plain.

Eighteen students scored A plain, 31 scored A-, 27 scored B+, 11 scored B plain while 15 scored Bamong others.

It had a mean score of 9.9107 being the best school in Nyeri County. It boasts of felling giants in Mt Kenya region as it was ranked position eight among private schools nationally. Overall position nationally, it was number 22.

The school has several secrets to success which include discipline, responsible students, committed staff and team work.

The school has never been in the news for indiscipline cases like strikes.

Team work

“We have a very good relationship between the administration and the students and have put suggestion boxes in case of complaints. We have good management and dedicated staff,” says the principal. Students also have an opportunity to travel abroad for exchange programmes.

The community surrounding the school which has been supportive has found interest in the school which receives many applications at the beginning of every year.

The school administration knows that every student can excel if he believes he is at the school to learn in order to get a good grade.

“We are here to develop minds no matter the kind of background they come from,” he adds.

St. Mary’s Boys Secondary School initiated the programme for Street Children in Nyeri in July 1999. Many

of these children come from existing homes but had become drop-outs.

Most of them had parents who could not afford to send them to school or had no the ability to cope with the children.

For some, the family situation is not supportive for a child to go to school on a regular basis. St Mary’s School feeds, boards and pays basic primary school needs for over 160 of the very poor children of Nyeri town and its environs.

These young boys live side-by-side with older secondary school students who provide an ‘older brother’ influence within a disciplined, caring community.

The school is a value-oriented institution and as such places high priority on moral Christian principles. Teaching is a vocation, not just a job. Teacher availability to students and personal moral character are high priorities considered when the school is hiring.

Several students interviewed are happy with the school administration for its efforts to ensure they excel in their examinations.

“When I came here, I was not bright as I am today, my hard work and that of the school administration has helped me have hope for the future,” says Martin Maina, a Form Three student who is an orphan from Kangemi area which is near the school.

“The additional resident Street Child Programme on campus serving over 150 enhances student sensitivity to the poor,” says the principal.

Hope for the future

From top: Students engaging during a sports competition at the school.

St Mary’s Boys Secondary School principal Peter Kombe with one of his students. Students playing basketball. One of the students (right) playing a game of chess with a student from a neighbouring school.

The principal receives a certificate for the school at a past function. One of the walls with the school’s name. Pictures: Joseph Mukubwa

John Wachira who is a student in the vocational wing says: “I was very happy when the school rescued me. I am now very busy in class unlike before when I was busy begging on the streets and sniffing glue.”

James Wanjohi who is in Form Two was also rescued from the streets. He says: “My life was at the garbage site all day before the school rescued me. I am now reformed and ready to pursue my career. I want to become a doctor after I complete university.”

The students are responsible for the daily cleaning and maintenance of the school compound and farm including livestock. No auxiliary staff is employed for this purpose since students are arranged in a systematic work schedule of 40 minutes daily that is run by student managers.

“Everything goes back into the school in a true “harambee” or self-sufficiency spirit. In addition, students learn good managerial and accountability habits that are useful not only in their own homes but for their future job survival,” explains Kombe.

In 1998, a programme was initiated to care for the numerous “street children” in Nyeri town.

Many of these were orphans, runaways or children abandoned by parents of dysfunctional

families. The initial number of 30 grew to nearly 200 in a short time and these were placed in local public primary schools.

St Mary’s is more than a school — it is a community. For many, it is their home-away-fromhome. Students have a sense of ownership of the school since they are responsible for the maintenance and its continued ability to assist them in achieving a better quality of life for themselves and their families through education.

The emphasis on community-building, corporate ownership, and an increased sensitivity to the less fortunate (Street Children Program) instills in the young man maturity that hopefully prepares him to take a more vibrant and responsible role in future civic duties.

Jane Mugambi, 60 who has been living at Blue Valley area says: “This is one of the best schools and we are proud of it. It has been beating giant schools from Nyeri County, we are very happy about its work.”

“My life was at the garbage site all day before the school rescued me. I am now reformed and ready to pursue my career. I want to become a doctor after I complete university.”

— James Wanjohi, form two student

7

8

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Institution aims at preserving culture through training

Informal traders cry foul over bank loans

By JOHN NDIRANGU

By ELIZABETH AWUOR As many people go for white colour jobs, a training institution at the Coast is encouraging technical courses that also help in preserving culture.

However, what is also emerging in this is that more and more men are opting out of enrolling in technical training as women continue to enrol in large numbers.

The women are undertaking courses such as embroidery and tailoring at the Research Institute of Swahili Studies in East Africa (RISSEA).

The students in this institution include university graduates and primary school drop outs.

Enrolment

Najash Hafidh who is in charge of Art and Craft Department at RISSEA (an institution under National Museums of Kenya) attributes the drop in enrolment to the quest by many young men to train in other technologically advanced fields.

He says a number of carpentry, construction, leather work and dhow making institutions have closed down including RISSEA’s Lamu branch.

Najash attributes the decrease in the number of young men undertaking courses like dhow making to the negative outlook that the young men are having towards the preservation of Swahili culture.

“The main reason for starting up the training centres was to pass on the knowledge from elderly craftsmen to young people since the traditional knowledge had not been documented or stored in any form,” explains Hafidh.

The dropout continues despite the fact that employment opportunities are available for those with carpentry, joinery and construction skills.

Hafidh reveals that ten former students of RISSEA have been contracted in the United Arabs Emirates where they are constructing buildings similar to Swahili structures.

Upgrading

RISSEA management is contemplating upgrading the institution to a higher level by introducing computer aided designs and hopes this will attract more male students.

However, female enrolment still remains high because women who undertake training at the centre want to gain knowledge that will not only help secure them employment in a production unit but will enable them do certain things within the household.

The institution admits more than 30 students every year who learn how to make buibui (an outfit worn by Muslim women), evening dresses of all designs, bed covers, pillows, baby baskets, hand made dustbins, pamper holders among others.

Domtila Mlagho and Clementina Njaka are former students of RISSEA who are now utilising the skills they acquired in their own production unit. The two started a dressmaking shop in Mombasa’s Central business District immediately they completed their training.

The business caters for most of their expenses and they are happy to have gone through the training. The two women are still students pursuing

Hundreds of applicants of the small and micro enterprise funds in the informal sector from Murang’a have expressed their concern over inability to access the money due to the tough conditions being imposed on them by lending financial institutions.

According to one of the applicants who sought anonymity, the banks which won the tender to lend the money to the applicants have laid down restrictions which are likely to block most of the small investors.

She singled out the 20 percent savings required in the personal account before being given the money. He observed that what was being asked for was too much to raise especially for those who do not have any source of income.

“How are we expected to raise this money yet under normal circumstances we are not able to save even as little as KSh500 a month?” posed the applicant.

She said that the funds might not benefit the people targeted by the Government if some of these measures will not be lifted to include everyone.

“The money might only benefit the people who are already in business since they can be able to raise the funds and have valuable assets to surrender as security,” she said.

From left: A decorated bedroom dustbin, pamper holder, sanitary towel holder.

The above items made by students at the technical training institute. Below. Ms Khadija Ridhwan the trainer holds some of the hand made products at the Research Institute, Eastern Africa. The items and dresses prices range from Ksh500 to Ksh5,000.

Ms Khadija Ridhwan (centre) shows a student how to cut material at the tailoring and embroidery workshop. Pictures: Reject Correspondent other disciplines but are earning a living from skills obtained at RISSEA. Mlagho who is a final year student pursuing a Bachelor of Education says her passion and love for unique designs drove her to enrol at RISSEA specifically to study tailoring and curtain making. “Apart from being able to design and make my own dresses, I feel proud when other people wear my designs,” observes Mlagho.

Just like they juggled between two institutions in 2009, the women are still shuttling between classes and work. They have employed someone who attends to customers at the shop when they are out and get back.

The busy schedule does not hinder them from meeting the needs of their customers as they are determined to stay late in the shop just to make sure they beat the deadline set for their clients.

The two make approximately two dresses a day and their outfits vary in designs which determine the prices.

According to Mlagho, a dress can cost as much as KSh15,000 or as low as KSh1,500 depending on the complexity of the design.

According to Khadija Ridhwan, chief trainer at RISSEA’s tailoring and embroidery department, the other factor that draws women to technical training schools is the Swahili culture that requires a woman to decorate her house as a wife and mother.

“A noble woman is one who can mend dam-

“Apart from being able to design and make my own dresses, I feel proud when other people wear my designs.”

— Domtila Mlagho

Condition

aged clothes at home and even decorate the house without hiring someone to assist,” explains Ridhwan.

The disparity in prior training does not in any way affect how they relate at the institution due to the foundation for sisterly relationship set by the chief trainer. All students are treated equally irrespective of whether they are rich, poor, educated or uneducated.

Prior training

“Any other education that a student may posses should help them grasp quickly what they are being taught in the technical school rather than make them look down upon fellow students,” explains Ridhwan.

The classes are held on a part time basis to give students time to attend to other important activities like household chores for housewives as well as jobs for those employed or in self employment.

The training institution has been in existence since 1992 and has attracted students from as far as Tanzania and Uganda.

Ridhwan who has been training for the last 12 years says the training manual aims at preserving Swahili culture but that does not hinder them from incorporating modern technology.

“We use electric sewing machines when making evening dresses but most of the other products that have decorations such as bed covers are hand made,” she explains.

Ridhwan is encouraging women from all cultures to engage in such training and be able to do some of the sewing and embroidery by themselves.

However, Murang’a county SME chairman James Karanja said the conditions are not being imposed to bar people from accessing the money but as a way of reducing possible losses likely to occur during recovery.

“Majority of the groups which have already been registered have never been in business and require strict supervision to ensure the money is not mismanaged or used for other unintended purpose,” said Karanja.

However, he expressed his worries over the choices of investment proposed by majority of the applicants noting that some of them may not reap good benefits.

“Approximately 80 percent of the youth who have applied have indicated they would like to purchase motor bikes and matatus which may not be rewarding,” he observed. He added: “I am afraid some of the choices made by the applicants might not bring good returns thus reducing their capacity to repay the money in good time.”

Karanja said they will be holding a few sensitisation sessions at every location to educate people on funds management and guide them on the investment projects to undertake.

He said that they will be forming a monitoring and a supervisory committee which will include technical officers who will monitor ongoing projects and give assistance where necessary.

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

9

Police to get better remuneration package

By CAROLINE WANGECHI and GACHINO THUO Police headquarters has admitted that the members of its force are not only poorly housed but also badly paid.

The headquarters conceded the force faces a serious shortage of houses for its officers.

Vigilance House also noted that the morale of its officers had been affected by poor housing that is currently provided to them by the Goverment.

However, while the issue of housing is being looked into, police salaries are set to be increased as a way of lifting their living standards.

According to Internal Security and Provincial Administration Permanent Secretary Francis Kimemia KSh5 billion has already been earmarked for salary increment of all security officers under terms that are in tandem with the recommendations made by the Commission on Police reforms led Titus Naikuni.

“The Government is professionalising the police service. In order to match their terms of service, we intend to raise their salaries in this financial year,” he said.

Kimemia noted the raise is similar to another one done in the last year saying this will go a long way in cleaning the image of the police force. The force is reputed as the most corrupt department due to poor remuneration and housing.

At the same time, Kimemia announced that about 7,000 security personnel will be recruited this year to cater for the newly created administrative units and high demand of security personnel.

He observed that the requirements for qualification in the recruitment will be raised to ensure that the officers are highly educated and in a better position to advance their academic levels.

“With the rising demand of more qualified officers globally, police academic requirements will be raised from D+ in the KCSE to grade C because we want our officers to work professionally and also be in a position that will enable them advance on their education as they rise above ranks,” explained Kimemia.

Housing challenge

He was speaking at Nyandundo Primary school in Milangine District, Nyandarua County.

Kimemia’s revelations were strengthened at Kianyaga Police Station where deputy commissioner of police in charge of planning, Silas McOpiyo officially received 12 housing units constructed at a cost of KSh49.5 million.

“Housing is a major challenge in the force but it was being addressed,” McOpiyo said. He added: “Lack of proper housing for its officers had led to erosion of the morale and had painted the police force negatively.”

A tax force involving several government

Central Provincial police Boss John M’Mbijiwe handing over keys of the new police houses (behind) at Kianyaga police station in Kirinyaga East to Kirinyaga OCPD Patrick Oduma.

Below: The old police houses. Pictures: Caroline Wangechi ministries has been formed to deal specifically with housing problem within police force.

McOpiyo noted that on going reforms in the police force have taken into consideration police houses problem and the matter is being dealt with.

McOpiyo said that only two projects namely West Park in Nairobi with over 595 housing units and that of Kibis which had stalled are yet to be completed. However, he said plans to complete the housing projects are at an advanced stage.

Militia drive fishermen out of business

By JOY MONDAY For Hesbon Ekiru, life will never be the same again. Four years ago, the father of five was a promising fisherman in Lake Turkana.

However, the situation has changed and today Ekiru is out of business. In 2009, like any normal day, Ekiru left his Todonyang village for his daily engagement. Carrying his fishing gear, Ekiru jumped into a waiting motorboat and headed to the fishing ground, nearly 10 kilometres away.

While in the waters, Ekiru noticed another boat coming towards them. Soon the people in the second boat started shooting and in less than 20 minutes the fierce gun fire was over.

The enemies had overpowered Ekiru’s group and escaped with three weapons and all the fishing equipment.

“I am lucky to have survived the attack but my AK-47 rifle and fishing gear all went,” recalls Ekiru of the vicious attack from Merille tribesmen from Omorete area in Jinka district, South Ethiopian Zone.

Abandoned fishing

Left with nothing, Ekiru was forced to abandon fishing to take refuge in the safe area of Lwarengak, 14 km from Todonyang. Since then life has become cruel for Ekiru’s family as putting food on the table has become a nightmare.

“I used to earn good income from fishing.

Putting food on the table was not a problem.

I was able to send my two children to a high school in Lodwar,” he says.

Sharing the same tribulation is Agnes Ekidor, a single mother of two who abandoned her fish business last year.

“I made a living as a fish monger, but life has not been good since I abandoned the business,” explains Ekidor. She missed death by a whisker when Merille warriors descended on Todonyang Village and killed ten people last year.

The once bountiful lake in Kenya’s parched north-west has turned into a nightmare for local fishermen, forced into deeper waters and hostile zones in search of fish migrating from receding southern shores.

Weapons, mainly AK-47 assault rifles, have

From left: A Turkana fish monger carries away fish sourced from Lake Turkana. A Merille fisherman keeps vigil in a boat in River Omo. Bottom: Turkana fishermen in Todonyang demonstrate against the damming of River Omo by the Ethiopian government to generate electricity. Several Kenyan fishermen in the area have abandoned the activity due to vicious attacks from the Ethiopians.

Pictures: Joy Monday been added to their usual gear alongside the poles and nets.

Lake Turkana, the northern most part of Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes and fed mainly by an Ethiopian source, is also victim of a drought that is ravaging East Africa.

Ngirokol Luchakula, a teenage fisherman, nurses a bullet wound on his right arm after surviving an attack by armed Ethiopian fishermen.They killed six of his colleagues at a recent expedition to the lake’s north in search of food.

“We were in the lake for three days but we had not caught any fish at all. At about 4am, we were woken up by gunshots,” recalls Luchakula, whose bandaged arm is suspended in a sling.

Competition by local communities for resources of Turkana, which spans about 250 km long and 50 km wide has grown fiercer in recent months thanks to the drought that is threatening the lives of 11 million people. These are figures that have been given by the United Nations.

Turkana’s tributaries from Kenya have dried

up and fish mainly tilapia and Nile perch have ventured into deeper waters up north in search of food.

However, even there, life has not been any easier. River Omo from Ethiopia, the main tributary feeding Lake Turkana has been diverted to irrigate farms of people desperately in need of water in southern Ethiopia.

Shallow waters

In their bid to follow the catch, ill-equipped Kenyan fishermen who used to ply shallower waters are facing a double danger and are often confronted by armed Merille tribesmen trying to protect their own food source.

“These days, fishermen have to go far and deep inside the lake to find fish but they have no deep fishing equipment,” explains John Munyes, a Member of Parliament from Turkana who is also Kenya’s Labour Minister. He adds: “The Turkana fishermen must also be well armed should they come across the Merille.”

With fish supplies dwindling even in the northern lakes zone, competition for food has led to deadly skirmishes.

“One has to stay for at least two to three weeks in the lake instead of three to five days as it was before the drought,” says Richard Emanikor, a fisherman.

Although the situation in and around Lake Turkana is currently not as alarming as that in North Eastern Kenya, it could worsen.

“When people choose to go far inside the lake, they have to go with the security forces,” observes Emanikor. Unfortunately security officials are usually not available to provide escort. The Kenyan fishermen now want the Government to beef up security along the fishing grounds to protect them from incursions.

Area district commissioner Jack Obuo confirmed that peace at the border has become elusive and several fishermen have pulled out of the business.

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ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Uganda deploys extra security to Migingo

By ODHIAMBO ODHIAMBO The disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria bounced back to the limelight yet again after the Ugandan Government deployed additional security forces to guard it.

To assert its authority on the fish-rich island, the neighbouring country posted an additional eight marine police officers to join the 30 who have been serving as guards since the beginning of the ownership row.

They arrived in a police speed boat that also carried their arms and personal belongings which included clothes and beddings.

The move caused panic on the one-acre island, with Kenyan fishermen protesting the change.

“The Ugandans must be having a bad scheme up their sleeves following the new deployment… a fresh round of harassment and extortion could be in the offing,” said Juma Ombori, chairman of the Migingo Beach Management Unit.

He demanded an explanation from the Ugandan Government “on what necessitated the need to suddenly increase the number of the officers”.

Millionaire

The tiny island in Lake Victoria holds much potential despite failure by authorities from the two East African nations to resolve the row.

Fishing activity on this rocky island has turned many Kenyans and Ugandans into instant millionaires.

Big-time fishermen and brokers are living in posh estates in Kisumu and Kampala driving top–of-the–range cars as a result of proceeds from the trade.

According to records availed by the Fisheries departments in Kenya and Uganda, those working on the island can bring in as much as ten tonnes of Nile Perch daily, which is worth over KSh1 million.

The fish is sold to processing firms in Kisumu and Nairobi for export to the European Union market.

Senior Ugandan Government officials are also reported to be engaged in the fishing activity in Migingo, which explains why they are so keen to protect the island.

Fish transporting trucks usually line up at the Muhuru, Nyangwina and Sori beaches daily to wait for the catch delivered by boats from Migingo.

Fisheries officials have since confessed that if Uganda succeeds in taking away the island, the local fisheries industry is likely to suffer a big blow.

On the island, fish is the primary source of livelihood for all families. Although there are Ugandans and Tanzanians on the island, Kenyans constitute the majority and the currency used on the island is the Kenyan shilling.

Since the ownership dispute began, most processors in the region are operating at half capacity due to lack of the Nile perch species.

Prinsal Factory in Migori Town has been shut down and workers retrenched due to lack of the fish species.

“We anticipate a major drop in fish production if the row continues,” said Simon Munguti, Migori District Fisheries Officer.

Gold mine

Munguti says that out of the 200 engine boats operating in the Nile perch–rich Migingo, only 14 belong to Ugandan fishermen. There are about 800 Kenyan fishermen in the area.

Over 90 per cent of Nile Perch from the lake is processed and exported to countries such as Netherlands, Israel, Belgium and France among others.

“What remains in our market is poor-quality and undersized Nile perch that are normally less than 50 centimetres in length,” explained Munguti. He added: “Migingo is a gold mine, and this is why Uganda is fighting to keep it.”

Joseph Obala, who owns more than 50 boats in the lake, says people residing on the island want to know once and for all whether the island belongs to Kenya or Uganda.

Fishermen from Kenya claim to have lost millions of shillings to the Ugandan soldiers since they seized the island in Lake Victoria.

In some past instances, Kenyan fishermen have been forced to eat raw fish after refusing to pay levies demanded by Ugandans.

Fishermen said the armed Ugandan marine police harass and extort money from them.

The Ugandan marine police, all armed with AK-47 rifles and machine guns, have set up a camp and a cell in the island, where suspects are detained before being moved to the Bugiri courts about 300 kilometres away.

They have set up a radio room for transmit-

A section of the Migingo Island. Below: A Kenyan fisherman sits stranded after he was denied permission to fish by Ugandan authorities.

Pictures: Odhiambo Odhiambo ting signals to Bugiri District and Kampala and have a modern police patrol boat on standby.

Kenyans who have been tried in the Ugandan courts have been charged a fine of between KSh10,000 and KSh20,000. They have also been forced to forfeit gears worth millions of shillings.

Nyatike MP, Edick Anyanga, is among the

Senior Ugandan Government officials are also reported to be engaged in the fishing activity in Migingo, which explains why they are so keen to protect the island.

Nyanza MPs who have demanded a lasting solution to the recurrent cross-border fishing conflicts in Lake Victoria.

“We cannot continue to have conflicts for years and pretend to be comfortable in the East African Community bloc. The fisheries sector gives Kenya over KSh7 billion annually and must be protected from external interferences,” Anyanga said.

He insists that Migingo is in his constituency and has warned Ugandans against attempting to grab part of Kenya, since by doing so they could create a diplomatic row between the two countries.

The fishermen have since proposed that the lake be demarcated with a red ribbon so that everyone may know where the boundaries are located.

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

11

Lucrative crocodile farming

By ERIC MUTAI

Most people living near to the Tana River associate crocodiles with death. The reptiles have been known to attack those fetching water along the river and along the Seven Folks Dam. This year alone, Mbeere South residents have held four demonstrations along the Embu-Mwingi highway due to an increase of crocodile related deaths.

However, this will soon change as farmers realise that with the unpredictable weather patterns, crocodiles could be a source of income.

Last week, Kenya Wildlife Services officials toured wildlife enterprise farms in the Mt Kenya region creating awareness on crocodile farming that could offer a lifeline as an alternative to traditional crops agriculture.

Paul Opiyo, senior warden in charge of wildlife utilisation in the mountain conservation area says most people do not know the benefits of crocodile farming.

He says that it will soon be a source of livelihood to thousands of residents and urges people to venture into the trade.

Speaking to farmers at Galaxy Crocodile Farm in Kirinyaga County, Jane Gitau, area warden in charge, says that wildlife has been portrayed as dangerous for too long yet that is not the case.

An opportunity

“Residents need to look at crocodiles as an opportunity to generate some income and the positives of crocodile hunting surpass the negatives,” explains Gitau.

KWS gives permits to farmers wishing to venture into the trade and has called on local farmers to try it out.

The Galaxy Crocodile Farm Company Limited is owned by a Korean and is the largest farm of its kind in the Mt. Kenya region.

Another warden, Julius Cheptei, says that the reptiles do not have a hard rule on maintenance and that they can survive harsh conditions.

This makes their farming favourable, especially at this time when weather patterns are unpredictable.

“Wildlife farming has the potential to enhance poor farmers’ livelihoods,” says Cheptei.

According to Washington Otip, a crocodile attendant at the farm, farmers collect the eggs from the Tana River before taking them to the hatcheries.

The farmers must be licensed by the KWS, and the wardens say that egg collection in itself would offer employment to hundreds of idle youth.

KWS is also encouraging residents to establish private game sanctuaries to help reduce wildlife poaching and conserve endangered species.

KWS deputy director in charge of wildlife and community conservation, Joachim Kagiri, says there is a need to create a balance between the environment, people and development economics.

According to the assistant director of the mountain conservation area, Robert Njue, communities living close to the forest could thus reduce human and wildlife conflicts.

More than 500 farmers in the country are cur-

Washington Otip of Galaxy crocodile farm tending the crocodiles. Below: The business is turning lucrative as farmers realize the benefit of wildlife farming. Pictures: Eric Mutai rently operating wildlife farms as a source of income and food.

Among the game reared are snakes, crocodiles, tortoises, chameleons, lizards, butterflies, spiders and beetles.

Some of these animals are dangerous, so one needs training on their handling. Kagiri noted that peoples’ daily activities have a great impact on the environment and that each person has a role to play. Individual undertakings accumulate to community doings.

“As residents, you should not wait for the Govern-

The farmers must be licensed by the KWS, and the wardens say that egg collection in itself would offer employment to hundreds of idle youth.

ment to take care of your environment because you are the ones to feel the pinch in case of degradation,” he observed.

The KWS is creating awareness about environmental protection within rural communities in an effort to build an informed citizenry on forest matters.

Capacity

“We are building capacities of the people in rural areas because they are the ones that greatly determine how the national environmental outlook appears,” explains Kagiri.

He says that the challenge lies in trying to balance peoples’ needs with current inadequate resources while ensuring that the resources do not diminish.

KWS has been implementing the Mt. Kenya East Pilot Project for Resource Management in the protected areas of Mt. Kenya National Park, Mt. Kenya National Reserve with the communities of Nyeri North, Mathira East, Kirinyaga Central, Embu, Meru South, Maara, Imenti North and South, Meru Central and Buuri districts.

Women raid illicit brew dens

By KEN NDAMBU A group of women in Kyemwengi village, Kitui County have taken it upon themselves to put an end to brewing of illicit beer which has made their husbands abandon matrimonial responsibility.

The women, angered by their husbands’ behaviour, raided the brewing dens and accosted the revellers before handing over the notorious brewers to the local administration.

Defiant reveller

The women, irked by their husbands’ habit of spending most of their time drinking the brew locally known as ‘kaluvu’ at the expense of other valuable activities, raided the dens shortly before midnight, holding the merry makers hostage for hours.

The defiant revellers were beaten, and the one claimed to be the most notorious brewer Musyoka Manzi handed over to the local assistant chief, who took him to the police station where he was charged.

Mulwa Kimandi, suffered facial injuries inflicted on him by his wife during the four-hour operation. Sensing danger, another brewer, Kithuku Mutemwa, escaped the wrath of the irate women by jumping through a window. The women claimed their husbands have not only forgotten their parental and matrimonial responsibilities but that the brews are a major contributing factor to high levels of poverty in local households.

“It has become difficult to meet the education needs of our children because those who are supposed to help us are engaging in excessive drinking,” said Kathini Ngui, adding that the only alternative is to enforce the law barring brewing and consumption of the beer.

“For how long are we going to suffer, struggling to care for our families while our husbands spend their valuable time drinking?” asked Martha Mativo. She urged the provincial administration to be vigilant and arrest all those involved in the brewing of the illicit alchohol.

Women brewing chang’aa in one of the slums. Pictures: Correspondent Area chief Peter Ndambo, confirmed that two of the most notorious illicit brewers have been arrested and charged with the offence.

“I would like all assistant chiefs to crackdown on those involved in the trade as it had

slowed development in the area,” he urged.

Ndambo praised the women for their actions, saying they indicated the community’s support for the Government’s desire to enforce the new alcoholic law.

12

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Parents flock hospitals for pneumonia vaccine

By PATRICK MUTISYA

Lillian Masinde, 25, and a mother of four knows the pain of losing a child to pneumonia. When she heard about the vaccine through the community health worker, she rushed her 11-month old child to Lang’ata Health Centre to be immunised.

“I could not wait to have my child immunised after I lost the other two to pneumonia,” said Masinde.

Today the number of children visiting health centres to be immunised for pneumonia is on the rise. Just a few hours after the launch of the vaccine

by President Mwai Kibaki, parents flocked hospitals demanding the vaccine.

Sister in-charge of the Lang’ata Health Centre, Jane Kaburu, says the number of children in need of the pneumococcal vaccine (PCV10) is rapidly rising.

Older children

Public Health and Sanitation minister Beth Mugo says all children under the age of five will get the PCV10 vaccine. However, the Lang’ata Health Centre is facing challenges over the age group issue as parents flock the venue and demand for vaccination for older children.

“We are forced to tell parents with older children immunisation is restricted to the one year age group. This is because if we administer the vaccine indiscriminately we will run out of stock,” Kaburu explained.

Initially, the vaccine was only available in pri-

vate hospitals and was only accessible to the rich at a cost of KSh15,000 per dose.

Poor mothers whose children developed pneumonia watched helplessly as they succumbed to the disease due to lack of funds.

However, Kibaki announced that the PCV10 vaccine will be given to the children free of charge nationally in all public health centres. He lauded Government interventions for the drop in infant mortality rates.

Life saving

“Child mortality rates have dropped from 74 and 115 in every 1,000 live births in 2003 to 52 and 77 in every 1,000 live Mothers queue at the Langata Health Centre for births in 2008. Within the same period, their children to get immunized. One-year-old the coverage for children fully immunMillton Ongola waits to be immunized. ised by their second birthday improved Pictures: Patrick Mutisya from 57 per cent to 77 per cent ,” said Kibaki. world and would work with developing countries “Mothers now know that the vaccine to achieve this goal. is a life saving mechanism and have responded “The roll out of the pneumococcal vaccine has quite positively,” explained Kaburu. become a reality across the world allowing develAccording to the CIA World Factbook, for oping country governments to reduce deaths and 2010, Kenya’s infant mortality rate is at 53 deaths enable millions of children to grow up healthy,” in every 1,000 live births. said Evans.

The interim CEO for the GAVI Alliance Helen The Government is geared towards meeting Evans said pneumonia is a life threatening disease Millennium Development Goal Number Four that has resulted in high infant mortality rates not which targets reducing infant and child mortality only in Kenya but the world over. She said the Alby three quarters by 2015. liance is devoted to reducing mortality rates in the

Moi censures move to Africa must embrace science to develop upgrade schools

By NZINGA MUASYA

Retired president Daniel Moi with AIC Bishop Silas Yego (left), Tony Sargent (2nd R) and David Musila singing a hymn at AIC Winzyeei Primary School. Picture: Nzinga Muasya

By NZINGA MUASYA The Government’s move to convert a number of rural based schools into national status has been criticised. Retired President Daniel Moi termed the move ill advised saying it will cause irreparable damage to the education system.

Moi spoke while commissioning a new building at AIC Winzyeei Primary School in Migwani District. He was accompanied by area MP David Musila.

Moi said the Government needed to build national schools at the county level from scratch and equip them without interfering with the existing schools. The school is sponsored by Rev Tony Sargent.

“Converting such schools into national status would not solve the current education problems in the country,” he said advising the Government to direct more resources into building more schools with the necessary equipment.

“I am disturbed to hear that the Government intends to upgrade some rural schools to national status. It is not a good idea for the Government to hijack schools built over a long time by the communities.

These schools play a key role in the community,” reiterated Moi. He noted it would be an exercise in futility, to upgrade such schools since the cost of running them would be shouldered by parents and deny many poor children a chance to learn in them.

Moi, who has initiated and sponsored several schools in the country, called on the Government to build more schools and polytechnics to cater for the increasing number of youth in the country without interfering with the existing ones.

Science inventions are touted as the glimmer of hope to a myriad of problems bedevilling the African continent.

Scientists, the world over believe that science can transform the African continent if embraced in the correct manner.

In the recent past, Kenya has started several science based universities and other institutions of higher learning with the aim of addressing such problems.

Chancellor of University of Nairobi Professor Joe Wanjui says that science for developmental transformation is viable.

Addressing students, lecturers and staff at South Eastern University College (SEUCO), a constituent college of Nairobi University Wanjui appealed to the Government to support science based institutions of higher learning to achieve their mandate.

The don, who was on a familiarisation tour of the college, emphasised the need for science subjects in universities as a way of addressing developmental challenges in third world countries.

Quick money

Prof Wanjui (2nd left) is welcomed by Prof Cornelius Wanjala as SEUCO principal Prof Geoffrey Muluvi (C), Prof Raphael Munavu and John Simba (L) look on. Picture: Nzinga Muasya

However, Wanjui lamented that because of insatiable thirst for quick money, universities that started as sciencebased had deviated from their core mandate to engage in other activities. He said this affected the competence of their science graduates in the job market.

“We have seen science based colleges and universities leaving their core mandate to engage in humanities and social sciences at the expense of their professional angle. This is very discouraging,” said Wanjui.

He noted that universities should develop unique and relevant science courses geared towards transforming the country in terms of development in line with Vision 2030.

Saying that other subjects such as humanities were equally important, the don underscored the importance of science in development saying that all developed nations in the world had done so because of science.

Wanjui further called for proper corporate management of resources in institutions of higher learning for quality delivery of services.

“The problem of developing countries was not lack of resources but wanton misuse of available resources,” said Wanjui.

He further cautioned against ‘moonlighting phenomenon’ by university lecturers, a situation whereby the lecturers hop from one university to another to maximise on income.

Wanjui said this watered down the quality of education since the lecturers do not have enough interaction time with their students.

“It is the responsibility of the Government to offer competitive pay packages to the lecturers in order to curb brain drain,” he observed.

At the same time, the don challenged the SEUCO administration to build houses for lecturers within the college to enhance student-lecturer relationship. He said there would be a disconnect between students and their lecturers when the teachers do not live within the campus.

Staff at the college commute daily from Kitui town, about 40 kilometres away.

College principal Geoffrey Muluvu revealed that the institution has 50 lecturers with PhDs saying that the Government was working to ensure the college offered quality education.

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

13

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Community empowered in self-sustainable projects

New strategy to help farmers with cereal storage

By AGGREY BUCHUNJU

Cattle grazing at Enkutoto in Narok North District during the rainy season. Picture: Kipkoech Kosonei

By ABISAI AMUGUNE Until five years ago, Josephine Ingabo could hardly receive 1.5 litres of milk from one cow from her herd of traditional cattle.

Perhaps what pre-occupied Ingabo most was to increase the number of the cows that signifies riches, respect and prestige in the African household set up.

From livestock diseases to lack of adequate animal feeds, Ingabo fought off all the odds to retain the big number of animals on her oneacre piece of land which she also used for subsistence crop farming.

Ingabo, a resident of the Mitua community in the heartland of Kimilili constituency, Bungoma County, was not the lone ranger in keeping this type of animals on the farm.

Ruth Bifwoli trekked several kilometres with her cows, taking them to the dip apart from growing maize to supplement her earnings. She ran a dairy project at the same time and spared little space to graze the animals.

Community land

Bifwoli was also lucky that she could prepare silage from maize stalks. However, she was disadvantaged in that she did not have technical know-how on livestock breeding for diversified production.

On discovering the difficulties the community was experiencing to make ends meet, her husband Bernard Bifwoli donated to the community a ten-acre plot on which to carry out agricultural demonstrations and research.

Ingabo was nominated chairperson of Mitua Project. She says initially they founded the group with 20 women but extended registration to 10 men on realising the latter had potential in community development. Eventually the membership rose to its current 40 women and men.

Today, there are several such-like community-based organisations spread throughout Kimilili Constituency. Area MP Dr Eseli Simiyu came in and has been liaising with development partners for support. The groups include

Ushirika, Makhengo, Malakha and Mitua Valekwa (widows).

For a start, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with the Kenya government gave technical expertise to the groups to improve their performance. Through the Ministry of Livestock Extension Programme (NALEP), Ingabo was trained on the basics of animal husbandry in workshops on general agriculture.

Today she can afford a smile that from the initial 1.5 litres of milk from each cow, she gets at least three litres. She has also managed to inter-breed her animals for hybreeds. “This is after I grew pasture from grass species such as Guinea, Lucicern, Boma Rhoda and Besmoniam,” explains Ingabo.

For Bifwoli, the Swedish-Sponsored VITree planting project based in Kitale came in handy as it initiated within Mitua an agro-forestry project. The group now boasts of a tree nursery for various seedlings including those with medicinal value.

According to VI-tree planting project extension officer Mary Nasimiyu, the organisation had projected field extension programmes outside North Rift region so as to reach many communities. The project currently has extended its operations in Uganda and Tanzania.

Bifwoli now receives orders for fruits from her banana trees. Her individual tree nursery has attracted both local and international ad-

“Out of the 60 banana trees from my farm, agricultural experts have extracted high-yielding hybrid stems which are now being distributed in Western Province for multiplication.”

— Ruth Bifwoli

mirers.

“Out of the 60 banana trees from my farm, agricultural experts have extracted high-yielding hybrid stems which are now being distributed in Western Province for multiplication,” explains Bifwoli.

Mitua CBO has given priority to the horticultural sector where records indicate that sales from vegetable and flowers had boosted its commercial activities.

Poultry

Because of the community’s proximity to Nzoia River, plans are underway for the organisation to start an irrigation project to cash in on the horticultural industry.

The organisation has also invested in a poultry project which started with 200 chicken. These have a readily available market in neighbouring towns like Eldoret, Kitale, Bungoma, Webuye, Kimilili and Moi’s Bridge.

IFAD’s regional representative Harrison Were says intervention in the Mitua CBO was on a pilot project basis and they will extend support depending on the its viability.

The integration of men in women-initiated project has set a precedence in Kimilili that “for every successful man, there is a woman behind him”.

Simiyu who recently toured the Mitua CBO demonstrations plots at Brigadier Centre said the support the groups were being given including from the Constituency Development Fund was collective responsibility of the community.

Those who have seen the benefits of the project like Ingabo are elated that the community which suffered acute outbreaks is now disease-free after they dug toilets in the area.

“For me and my neighbours we are now able to carry out our daily chores without fear of disease or contamination,” she says.

Their personal hygiene has improved because of taking balanced diets. They are also able to pay school fees promptly from the sale of farm products. The groups have also engaged several youths in employment, thus reducing poverty and unemployment.

Villagers block roads to press for water

By Caroline Wangechi Hundreds of demonstrators recently barricaded the Kivaa-Kiambere road to press for water community projects from the Government.

The angry residents used logs and boulders to block the road at Mutuovare market as they accused Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) of neglecting them.

They said despite many lives being lost to crocodile attacks at the Kiambere, Gitaru and Kindaruma hydro generating dams, the company has never bothered to find an alternative water source or provided them with clean water away from the reptiles.

Kiambere ward councillor Francis Njuki

said the residents were irked by the recent presentation of KSh5 million by KenGen Limited to a water project far from their village.

“We want the company to give us more money to implement a water project that will put to an end the menace posed by the crocodiles,” said Njuki.

The demonstrators braved a chilly night to ensure the barricades were not removed and vowed to hold on until their grievances were addressed.

Efforts by Mbeere South DC, Abdi Khalif, to convince the residents to open the road leading to Kiambere hydro dam and Ngiiri market fell on deaf ears.

A meeting held between the administration, KenGen officials and representatives

from the community ended without any resolution.

Mbeere OCPD, Tom Odera, said officers would be deployed to the road after a lorry driver was reported to have been robbed of cash by youths.

“We are moving there,” said Odera without giving more details of whether he would use force to open the road.

This is the second time in two months the road has been closed by residents after a crocodile mauled to death Joyce Ruguru on January 26.

KenGen vehicles heading to Kiambere Hydro dam were forced to return to Matendeni camp and no public service vehicle was running.

Maize farmers in Western and North Rift regions are losing their cereals to weevils due to poor storage.

It is estimated that farmers in the two regions lose between 30 per cent to 40 per cent of the produce after harvest to the destructive pests.

Due to perennial losses, some farmers now contemplate diversifying into other crops and animal husbandry.

They claim that maize farming is no longer viable because of high farm inputs as well as lack of storage facilities and market.

Justus Wafula, a maize farmer in Lugari District in Kakamega County, is thinking of quitting growing the crop completely.

Wafula decries costs of land preparation and fertilisers that are higher than the returns from a given piece of land.

He claims weevils have become resistant to the pesticides and end up spoiling the maize before it gets to the market.

“The pesticides we use do not preserve the cereals for even two months. Weevils attack the crop immediately after storage,” he observes.

He adds: “Weevils reduce the quality and quantity of the maize immediately after harvest, leaving the farmer with huge losses.”

Director Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange (KACE) Dr Adrian Mukhebi, attributes the loss to poor application of the pesticides and storage.

He says his organisation recently launched Warehouse Receipt System in Western and North rift region to assist farmers access proper storage facilities.

Market

KACE is a non-governmental organisation that assists farmers access market for their produce.

Mukhebi who is also the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) board member says that through the newly launched KACE system farmers will send their produce to the NCPB immediately after harvest for storage.

“The NCPB will issue farmers with receipts and undertakes to store the produce until the prices go up” explained Mukhebi.

This system will save farmers from incurring losses of their harvests through spoilage by weevils, theft, fire and unfavourable prices.

According to Mukhebi, farmers will at the same time use the receipts issued to them by the NCPB as collateral to access cash from financial institutions as they wait for the prices to improve.

“If loss of cereals can be prevented through proper storage facilities at the NCPB then this country will have enough food for domestic use as well as export,” observes Mukhebi.

He noted that with the East Africa Community Common Market Protocol now in place, the system will link cereals farmers to better markets.

Cereals farmers have been complaining about lack of profit due to high prices of farm input because they had been locked out from more markets that could offer better prices for their produce.

Mukhebi claims that the storage and marketing strategies will improve national food security as there will be plenty of maize due to expanded market and expected better prices.

Hudson Simiyu, a maize farmer from Bungoma North District lauds the system saying if properly implemented it will save farmers from exploitation by brokers.

At the time of harvesting, maize brokers invade western and north rift regions where they buy the cereal at prices as low as KSh800 per 90kg bag from desperate farmers.

The brokers store the maize until famine strikes and sell the same amount at KSh3,000 to the same farmers.

14

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Youth use social networks to discuss sexuality

By DAVID NJAGI It is a temperate Friday evening in Garissa’s twilight end of town. The spectre of night revellers flocking into DRC Night Club appears to bring cheer to a town at its lowest ebb from years of a religious grip and scorch of the sun.

Even women who have previously been chained by tradition and religion have joined a culture of bar hopping under the cover of neon lights.

Behind the club’s counter, Mueni, the bar attendant studies today’s class of customers, some of whom appear frenzied from the sexually explicit graffiti decorating the four corners of one of the most popular joints in town.

Mueni quickly shifts her attention to the team of waitresses, whom she dispatches to take orders with a precision that lacks any trace of remorse.

Within moments, Asset Abdi, a truck driver who is in the business of ferrying livestock from North Eastern Kenya to Mombasa perches himself on one of high stools that line the counter.

After three pints of beer, Abdi’s attention shifts to a table at the far end of the bar that is occupied by women clad in mini skirts who are imbibing on Smirnoff Ice and are furtively studying patrons with eyes peeling for potential partners.

A twitch

Satisfied that his catch holds the promise of feminine pleasure, the lanky youth whose expression has all along the evening been dulled by the day’s work breaks into a jester’s grin followed by a twitch at the angle of his mouth.

She understands the signal. After what looks like a brief farewell ritual to her colleagues, one of the women join Abdi, perches herself on his lap marking the beginning of a cycle that connects a well financed suitor with his object of desire.

After what looks to be a done deal, the couple elbows their way through the busy doorway to a nearby lodge, a seedy brothel next door that is equally creeping with teenage girls of every mix.

Not once does the couple take notice of the young lady who has been hawking condoms at the doorway of the DRC Night Club. However, she does notice an inquisitive mortal.

“Condoms in Garissa are very expensive because no one wants to be seen buying them openly due to the customary inclination of the community most of whom are Muslim faithful,” says Mwende, whose brief at the club to-

day is to hawk condoms. “Most of those who buy openly are people who are working in the town but originate from other parts of Kenya.”

It is easy to understand Mwende’s apprehension. The largest community in Garissa are the Somalis and they subscribe to Islam both of which do not allow them to openly talk about sex and sexual issues, According to Sheikh Mohamed, an Imam who preaches in Nairobi sex before marriage is considered taboo and punishable by stoning until death.

However, there is a new generational roll that appears to be changing this concept.

Armed with the social media tool, youth in North Eastern Kenya have found expression on the palm of the hand or by a click of a mouse.

Through networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin among others, the social media frenzy has found its place here, a trend that the youth thank for their new found freedom to connect with friends away from the watchful eyes of the elders.

Aden Khalif, a youth from Masalani who is waiting for his university graduation says new media has ushered in a new era in North Eastern Kenya, a trend that is preparing the region to usher in the next generational leap.

Taboo

According to Khalif, the youth have taken up the use of social media among themselves with a measure of success, but are faced with the tough choice of treading into the realm of a fruitful boom that the technology promises, or a dark age that has so far worried Muslim leaders.

“I use the social sites to connect with friends and interact about things that affect the youth such as HIV, abstinence, development and even politics,” says a youth who is a regular consumer of social media sites.

Social media has enabled him drive the development agenda among the youth in the drought stricken region which is 40 kilome-

Amina Abdi, a computer student at Mwaki Systems in Masalani browses through her Facebook page. She says she uses Facebook to connect with friends and also to have fun when she gets tired with the computer lessons.

Picture: David Njagi tres away from Lamu in Coast province.

“Communication has enabled me to share issues like stigma against people living with HIV as well as share messages about abstinence among,” says Khalif.

However, he says illiterate youth are not able to understand the new media. He is hopeful that with time those who are learned colleagues will be able to transfer the technology to the budding generation, majority who are ensnared into negative influences such as cattle rustling and joining militia groups.

He has a word of caution though: “I have encountered an incident whereby someone hacked into my account and negatively updated my status without me knowing. This is a big problem because I lost friends who thought it was me doing it.”

For Mohamed Ali Sheikh, a database assistant manager, the technology enables him to

Through networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin among others, the social media frenzy has found its place here, a trend that the youth thank for their new found freedom to connect with friends away from the watchful eyes of the elders.

mobilise the community into weekly meetings to discuss issues affecting the youth at his village in Dertu.

According to Sheikh, who sports an E63 Nokia phone with an aquatic keyboard, his group’s social sites have Islamic pages where the youth remind themselves of religion, whipping them back into morality and religion, traits that he says are based on group selection.

He says: “We share ideas. Like this Sunday we will be discussing the drought problem, leadership and any other problem that the community is facing.”

Share ideas

Sheikh adds: “Healthwise we tackle problems like nutrition, abstinence, threat of sexually transmitted illnesses and use of contraceptives because our religion guides us to follow the marriage path.”

There are others, however, who are yet to consummate the advantages of social media.

Amina Abdi, a computer student at Mwaki Systems uses Facebook on her phone to connect with friends and also to have fun when she gets tired with the computer lessons.

For Hani Abdi, however, a pretty teenager who completed Form Four at Garissa Girls’ High School last year, social media is still a technology she is yet to embrace but is keen on taking lessons on Information Communication Technology (ICT) to enable her connect with her sisters in the United States.

Isiolo on the road to becoming a resort city

By HUSSEIN DIDO Isiolo town is headed towards becoming a new city ahead of the Government blue print of Vision 2030.

The town, situated in the middle of the country and a gateway to Northern Kenya, is now on track to obtain its new status with investors from parts of the country scrambling for space to take advantage of the new opportunities.

The town was among one of the three proposed resort cities in the country with the other two based at the Coast.

Already the construction of Isiolo International Airport has kicked off and will take one year to complete. The town’s abattoir is on its way to completion.

The construction firm currently undertak-

ing expansion of the airport said they were optimistic that the project will end by March next year.

The construction of Isiolo-Moyale highway to Merrile town is complete and awaits the second phase to Ethiopia to open up the region for development.

The construction of the airport will cost an estimated KSh400 million.

Isiolo Water and Sewerage Company is also working on strategies to expand the new sewerage system along with the expansion of water services to cater for the growing population.

The new development has since attracted developers from others parts of the country.

Isiolo Airport is the only one in the region with a capacity to hold heavy commercial aircrafts. Commissioning of the international

airport will decongest air traffic from the Wilson and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

According to site agent heading the construction of the airport Engineer Mark Michieka, the number of aircrafts landing at the airport can be determined by the air control officials.

“Isiolo’s flat topography makes it a safe location for an international airport. It is also accessible from any part of the country since it is at the heart of the country,” said Michieka.

The facility is expected to open up the so called marginalised areas and is the second airport in dry area after re-carpeting and upgrading of the Wajir Airport to international standards.

Tourism industry in the northern tour cir-

cuit is set to rake in huge profits as tourists can easily access the region without delays by traffic jam on roads.

Currently, tourists accessing the numerous parks in the region use light planes which can only land in a private airstrip at Lewa Downs Wildlife Conservancy.

Isiolo DC Mr James Mwaura said the new development would contain insecurity in the region.

The Minister for Livestock Mohammed Kuti said construction of a modern slaughterhouse was underway and thousands of jobless youths stand to benefit from the project.

He noted: “Pastoral communities from Upper Eastern region would benefit as the livestock and its products find its market in the greater region.”

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

15

Simbi Nyaima myth moves to the big screen

By NICK ODHIAMBO An old, tired-looking woman enters a home where revellers are celebrating the marriage of their daughter in Simbi village, Homa Bay County.

Anyango Nyalul, is looking for a place to lay her head since it is getting late in the evening.

She intends to proceed with her journey the following day.

However, the revellers, mostly villagers, refuse to accommodate her. Many abuse and ridicule her.

“Go away, you ugly woman! Who told you this is a place for useless people like you?” they tell her. As they heap abuses on her, little do they know that she is the daughter of famous rainmaker.

After she is told to leave, Anyango goes to a nearby home, where she finds a woman and her two children. Again she asks for food and accommodation, this woman obliges and welcomes Anyango into her home.

The woman’s husband was among those who sent Anyango away at the celebration.

The following morning, Anyango tells the woman, whose husband had not returned from the celebrations to pack her things and together with her children leave the place.

Joseph Olita, the man behind the award winning film, The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin and Oliver Litondo, the man behind the movie on Kenya’s oldest primary school pupil the late Mzee Maruge, First Grader.

Delivering his speech during the launch, Olita appealed to the Government and film lovers to ensure the industry is given enough funding and promoted in the country.

Olita said Kenya has rich sceneries, which has made it possible for many films shot in the country win international awards. He urged the stakeholders to come together and promote local film industry.

“We are appealing to the film stakeholders and the media to help in promoting film industry in the country. We have rich sceneries and actors, what remains is empowerment.

Filming should also be taken to the villages not only brought to Nairobi,” said Olita.

The Lake Victoria Basin Film Maker Guild (Kenya), chairman Okech Obat Masira says lack of technological equipments and sponAnimals grazing next to Lake Simbi, a water body with mysterious myth over how it was formed. Pictures: Nick Odhiambo sorship has grounded the film industry in the country. He appealed to stakeholders to ensure the industry is put in the limelight.

Heavy rains

The rainmaker’s daughter explains that there will be heavy downpour that will destroy the whole village, particularly the home where celebrations were taking place because they refused to welcome her.

When they leave, it starts to drizzle and the drinks turn into water which later fills the village. The village then sinks killing the revellers and forming a lake, this is the water body known as Simbi Nyaima.

This is a mythical story among the Luo about how Lake Simbi Nyaima was formed.

It is from this story that scholars, actors, writers and film makers in Kenya have come up with a script to make a film about the mythical lake.

The film, Simbi Nyaima-Abuor will feature

Talent

“We have abundant artistic talents and we would be happy if the Government came in to support the sector.”

— Okech Obat Masira

“We have abundant artistic talents and we would be happy if the Government came in to support the sector,” he said.

Obat said promotion of the film industry in the country is invaluable. He urged stakeholders to find film sceneries in the villages to have the best shooting grounds.

“We have good places for shooting. What is left is to utilise the sceneries to have the best films and to improve the industry,” observed Obat.

Written by Otumba Ouko of Maseno University’s Department of Creative and Performing Arts, the film will be shot for three months in South Nyanza, Nyanza Province. The shooting will be done within many areas in the re-

gion that have beautiful sceneries.

“A lot needs to be done to promote the industry in the region,” said Otumba.

The shooting of the movie is seen as a move to promote the local film industry. This movie has attracted many actors who have promised to give it the best shot.

“I am going to make this one of my best works. I am still strong and feel young. I have to work and ensure this is achieved to promote the industry in the region,” reiterated Olita.

The cast presents a unity in diversity. Actors have been drawn from different parts of the country. Artists who have shown tremendous performance in the field of acting have been selected from Turkana, Kitale, Eldoret, Kisii and Nairobi.

“We appeal to well wishers and the corporate society to support film making outside Nairobi.

Film making must take root in the grassroots,” observed Otumba.

Young thespian shoots to the platform of poetry

By MACHARIA MWANGI When she took to the podium to recite a poem, many mistook her for an aging woman due to her mastery of the Kikuyu dialect and idiomatic expressions. Her attire was a replica of the traditional regalia worn in yesteryears.

Back in her native Ngarariga home in Limuru, those familiar with her acting prowess and recitation skills fondly refer to her as “Shosh”, slang for old woman.

However, 20-year-old Ann Wangui is nowhere near the septuagenarian people confuse her for, but the fresh-faced thespian is not taking offenses.

“When reciting a poem, I usually assume the role of an elderly woman, which suits me best,” explains Wangui.

The ever-jovial actress who took acting seriously while in Form Two is cutting a niche in the narration world and is set to go places. She is receiving several offers to recite poems in weddings and public rallies.

“The offers are at times overwhelming and leave me spoilt for a choice,” says Wangui who is a former student of Ngarariga Girls’ School. Like many artists, Wangui honed her acting skills in church where she proved a class above the rest in solo narratives. The feat earned her several shots at the national level.

After joining secondary school, Wangui was requested by her teacher to recite a poem during a harambee to raise funds for the school bus.

She went cold with fear. Wangui was unsure of the response from the attentive parents and dignitaries. However, she put up a magnificent performance, winning a round of applause from the expectant crowd. This was the turning point that greatly boosted her morale.

Back at school, Wangui was having problems raising school fees. Brought up by a poor single mother, settling school fees dues was a major challenge.

“I was forced to repeat Class Eight since my mother could not raise enough money to pay school fees,” she recalls.

Talent

Watching her mother struggle to pay fees deflated her ego and ate into her confidence. Her acting ability was the only thing that kept her in school, albeit with some reluctance from the school administration.

While in Form Four, she was called upon to recite a poem during the homecoming party for the area MP, Peter Mwathi. The occasion was to open another chapter in the life of the determined youngster.

The lawmaker and his guests were thoroughly impressed by Wangui’s antics. They showered her with praises and gave handsome donations in appreciation of the raw talent she exhibited. The MP promised to visit her at school. “My problem in clearing school fees was brought to the legislator’s attention

Anne Wangui on Stage. Pictures: Macharia Mwangi by the school administration,” Wangui recalls.

Luckily for her, the MP offered to clear all the outstanding dues. With the fee burden out of her way, Wangui was able to concentrate on her studies while at the same time polishing her recital skills. Having distinguished herself as an able actor, Wangui was offered a chance to sharpen her skills at a local radio station.

She is now earning a living from her talent and supplementing the family’s income.

“I charge between KSh5,000 or more depending on the occasion,” she says.

With no manager to help her cope, Wangui has been taking care of her own shows, making her vulnerable to exploitation by some unscrupulous clients taking advantage of her talent.

“At times, I am forced to leave the stage in a hurry. The audience thinks that I have been given a lot of money while performing on stage and wants to share the loot,” explains Wangui.

However, she is not done yet and is happy to be supplementing her mother’s income.

“My mother is my source of inspiration and greatest supporter,” says the gifted actress.

“I owe it all to my mother. She is motivational and has single-handedly seen my family of four through very hard times,” observes Wangui.

Her dream is to pursue a career in journalism and become a news anchor. She also hopes that she will later study production.

“I want to join a journalism college to help me pursue my childhood dreams,” she adds.

Wangui hopes she can get a sponsor to help realise her dreams. Her role model is renowned poet, Carol Nderitu, whom she hopes to emulate one day.

Wangui spends most of her time with elderly people who teach her about Kikuyu customs to widen her knowledge.

“I am comfortable composing English poems, but when acting in my mother tongue, I need to be sure of the lines,” she says.

With her determination, Wangui is set to go places in the poetic arena.

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ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Help IDPs repossess original land, government urged

By JOHN NDIRANGU A parliamentary committee for internally displaced persons has pledged to compensate those who lost their businesses and properties during the post election violence.

The Committee, which met with over 340 integrated displaced persons in Embu County said all those affected by the post election violence must be resettled before the next general election in 2012.

Speaking during the public hearing, Imenti Central Member of Parliament Gitobu Imanyara said the committee will also recommend a special fund for the families who hosted those affected by the violence.

“The token will encourage a sense of brotherhood by recognition in terms of compensation,” Imanyara said.

The committee was formed after Parliament realised that the Government was not keen on solving the IDPs’ problems including their resettlement.

Imanyara alleged the Government has instead been focusing on the deferral of the Ocampo six instead of creating a special provision that would get the IDPs out of the camps.

Imanyara said findings from the Committee will be used to put a law in place that will ensure all the IDPs are resettled before the next general election.

Draft bill

He added a draft bill on forced displacement will be tabled in parliament.

He challenged William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta to have their meetings in areas that were most affected by the post election violence and preach the return of those displaced to their original land.

“Alliances being advocated by the leaders were only meant to advance individual political interests and parliamentarians would not support any move from the Government which does not augur well for the country,” observed Imanyara.

Igembe North MP Ntoitha M’Mithiaru who chaired the meeting said those displaced and have no documents to prove ownership of their land must be assisted to

repossess them.

“Why is the Government purchasing land for the IDPs when they can take them back to their original land?” Mithiaru wondered.

He said the aim of the committee is to ensure all the internally displaced persons are settled and that all the affected people get fair treatment from the Government.

Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Rose Nthiga underscored the need for the Government to put up an elaborate programme to address the psychological trauma with the victims underwent during the violence and to educate their children.

An IDP camp in Nyandarua. Some IDPs are still waiting to be resettled by the Government, four years She said children after the post election violence. who witnessed the Picture: Reject Correspondent violence should also be assisted and given a chance to give their living in.

Nanjala witnessed her mother and sister evidence.

She said the mother out of desperation who was pregnant at the time being raped.

The meeting became emotional as a 22turned to selling illicit brew which led to her The sister who gave birth to twins later year-old woman narrated the ordeal she and arrest and imprisonment for six months at died with one of the babies out of the compliher family underwent during the post election Embu GK prison after she failed to pay the cations related to rape. violence.

KSh20,000 fine.

Nanjala said they were later forced to vaSusan Nanjala told the parliamentary com“I am now forced to look after six children incate their home and move to Embu where her mittee for resettlement of IDPs how her brothcluding my late sister’s young ones,” said Nanjala. mother originally came from. er was burnt to death in a sugar plantation in She urged the Government to consider The tearful Nanjala said their uncle asLukole Village, Mumias as he tried to escape the internally displaced persons for financial sisted them with four iron sheets which they the violence. assistance and to give them priority on job used to put up the small house they were still placements.

The committee consists of 21 MPs and is chaired by the Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuru. They are going round the country taking views of Kenyans on ways to solve the IDP problem. The report is expected to — Ntoitha M’Mithiaru, Igembe North MP be released soon.

“Why is the Government purchasing land for the IDPs when they can take them back to their original land?”

Ukambani hosts trade fair Laikipia residents ahead of devolution settle land case

By BONIFACE MULU South eastern Kenya trade fair took place at the Machakos Stadium recently. The fair was organised by a development initiative known as Mutui Museo (the good neighbour) with support from the Investment Authority.

Exhibitors were from all over the region. Traders from Kitui County showcased mineral deposits, honey, beads, calabashes, quivers, water melons, baskets, mats, drums, pots and wood carvings among other items that can be found within the region.

“The trade fair is a continuous exercise. Kitui County will be the host next year followed by Makueni County in 2013,” explained Engineer Simon Mulang’a, an Architect and group secretary. Teachers, business people and the clergy are among key stakeholders targeted for the county’s development.

Among the region’s attractions are rocks, hills and valleys as well as the South Kitui National Game Reserve.

There are several villas, decent and superb hotels among them the Ki-

tui Parkside Villa, Kitui Resort Club, M&M as well as Talents Hotels.

Professor Eliud Mathu, who is the event’s steering committee chairman is also geology lecturer at the South Eastern University College (SEUCO) based in Kitui. He said SEUCO is ready to help in the mining of cement in Mutomo area within the county.

“We look at the opportunities and reduce the threats. We look at the strengths and reduce the weaknesses. We in the Kitui County want to move ahead,” Mathu said. He added: “We (the SEUCO) will continue doing research and development for mineral resources in Kitui.”

He observed that water harvesting technology and knowledge was needed for water projects to succeed in the region since there is a lot of water under the rocks within the vast county.

Mathu called upon the locals to invest in water. He cited Israel which is a desert but is a country where people there do not have water problems because they have invested a lot in water harvesting.

At the same time the colonial Mat-

inyani market in the Kitui County has been re-opened after its development stalled 60 years ago. The market, which is within the Kitui Municipality area, was started by the colonial government in the 1940s but stalled before it actually took off.

It was recently officially re-opened by the area civic leader Kathukya Munguti and the locational chief Franklin Paul Nduu. The ceremony was attended by people from the Matinyani, Kyangwithya, Nzambani, Kasyala, Tiva, Kabati, Tulia, Miambani and Kwa Vonza among many other parts of the county.

The market days will be Tuesday and Saturday. Both the councillor and the chief called for traders to come from Kitui and other parts of the country.

“We appeal to everybody to come and sell or buy products which include livestock, fowls, cereals and vegetables at the market,” they said.

According to Chief Nduu Matinyani market stalled because it was swallowed by Kitui and Kabati towns.

“We decided to revive the market after we were given our district (Matinyani) last year,” he said.

By ELIUD WAITHAKA Plot owners in Laikipia Central District have a reason to smile after the county council promised to withdraw a court case between them and a land buying company in case which has hindered development in the area in the last 19 years.

The announcement by council chairman Joseph Karonji led to jubilation with the members praising the action.

In a meeting organised at Matanya Trading Centre between members of Matanya Estate Limited and the council officials, Karonji says the Council has lost million of shillings in the court battle over the period, and thus there is need to settle the matter.

The chairman said that the two parties have resolved to settle the matter out of court so as to enable the owners develop their plots.

“These wrangles have cost the council millions of shillings. There is an urgent need to resolve the matter once and for all so that the area can develop. The council is

ready to withdraw the case from court,” reiterated Karonji.

Chairman of the land buying company Waweru Githinji, lamented that some individuals grabbed some plots and this is what led to the crisis.

Since 1993 plots in Chuma, Male and Matanya areas in Tigithi division have not been developed because of the crisis.

Laikipia Central acting DO 1, Mwangi Nyaga, who was present in the meeting criticised the grabbers and cases involving land, saying these are some of the issues that scare away potential investors.

However, he hailed the two parties for agreeing to settle the matter out of court.

He directed that there be fairness and transparency when giving out the plots.

“One should produce necessary documents to prove that they are the rightful owners of the piece of land they are claiming. We don’t want other cases concerning the same plots,” cautioned Nyaga.

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

17

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Malindi held hostage by Italian tourists

By KIGONDU NDAVANO

Curio oriented businesses that depend on seasonal tourism are now faced with idleness in the next three months.

As the months of tourism limbo boom come to an end, smiles that had faded and silence that had pervaded the corridors of this establishment may soon be revived as foreign tourists mingle with Kenyan stall owners.

For the last four months of high tourism season, excitement was high as stall owners struggled to entice tourists to enter their stalls and buy different types of curios. This is July to December.

Left: Anne Muthama at her stall in Malindi. Right: Joseph Atika, a Kisii Soap Stone Curio dealer outside his stall. Pictures: Kigondu Ndavano Stall owners would be observed quickly receiving Italian have chosen to remain are just idle in their stalls. lapse. was fine and he made good sales. tourists who dominate the Malin“Malindi literally dies and hotel workers are However, Kagwi is also not happy with the di circuit as they crisscrossed the corridors of this Some try to keep themselves busy by cleaning the establishment. “Ciao benvenuti amici, che volete, dust from the merchandise which has remained forced to go on leave and even if other tourists high and low tourist seasons of Malindi. He notes abbiamo tante cose qui (hello welcome friend, in the shops,” explains Ann Muthama, a stall wanted to stay at Italian-owned hotels, they can- that a system should be found to attract more not because these remain closed,” notes Muth- guests to Malindi instead of depending on Italwhat would your like, we have many items here)” owner.

She has operated a stall at the market for more ama. ians alone. were the words commonly heard. than ten years and stocks wood carvings, banana “When the Italians are in Malindi, we all fight fibre items, paintings and necklaces among other for them to buy our items and when they are She adds: “When the hotels close, it means gone, there is emptiness and very low business,” Soon there would be haggling and excitement items. Muthama appreciates that business with inside the stalls as money in foreign currency ex- Italian tourists has been good but hates the sea- that we have to depend on the savings we have argues Kagwi, noting that the low tourist season sonal restrictions on tourism in Malindi. made. It is possible that without new incomes, brings an entire economy to a standstill for sevchanged hands.

While dusting her items, Muthama notes that we might as well exhaust all the savings and re- eral months.

Moments later tourists would emerge loaded with curios to carry home while the stall owner although she had chosen to remain at her cu- turn to work empty-handed at the start of the rio stall, she opens only in the afternoon when high tourist season in July.” would smile, happy at having made a sale.

Kagwi says that instead of closing shop, he With at least one curio stall hosting stock However, when the season is over the scene a handful of walk-in tourists might turn up to worth between KSh100,000 to KSh150,000, the will also spend time doing some more paintings, changes. The flow of tourists to the Malindi make purchases. fact that all the stalls have to remain closed or idle especially if he gets any inspiration.

Tourist Market, which hosts more than 500 stall “As an artist, I shall remain here at the marmeans an entire economy comes to a standstill. owners, nearly collapses. Unlike the four months “I think we have created a very bad system of A commercial small scale artist with a huge ket ready with paint, brush and the canvas and if of high season started, when at least 100 guests poured into the scene everyday, in the low season tourism in Malindi. This is because more than 90 stock in his stalls, Andrew Kagwi, has not closed any inspiration comes, I shall paint and stock my per cent of local hotels are operated by investors his stalls and will always display his wares to capi- shop with more paintings.” only a handful are seen.

For a week, Joseph Atika has kept himself More than 200 stall owners will close their and tour operators whose marketing efforts are talise on the few walk-in international and local busy making final touches on Kisii soap stone establishments and start travelling to their specifically targeted at Italian tourists,” explains tourists.

The artist, who usually operates with several curio outside his shop. Atika, who specialises in rural homes until the high season starts once Muthama.

When the Italian tourists return to their salespersons to whom he hands over various Kisii soap stone pieces, buys unfinished pieces again.

“You can see, the corridors of the market are country nearly all the hotels and villas are left paintings for sale at the beach and other parts of and makes them smooth before washing, polishempty and there is ominous silence. Those who empty and businesses that depend on them col- Malindi, appreciates that the high tourist season ing and displaying them for sale.

Empty handed

Business flu

Low season

Savings

Charitable trust to fence off Mt Kenya

By JOSEPH MUKUBWA

Many deaths have been reported by the communities living near the Mt Kenya forest, as well as the destruction of food crops worth millions of shillings for which communities are rarely compensated.

This human-wildlife conflict that has gone on for generations will soon come to an end once a new fence is constructed around Mt Kenya.

Rhino Ark Charitable Trust will soon set up an electric fence around Mt Kenya and Mau Mt Eburu forests at a cost of KSh1.1 billion.

Once the electric fence is complete, food production will double since food crops will no longer be destroyed by wild animals.

The land value in the surrounding community will rise, and the fence is set to create jobs for the community around the forests and supply other benefits.

Protection

Most important of all, the forests will be protected from human destruction and encroachment. This project will be implemented with support from the Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Wildlife Service.

The two projects will be undertaken in full collaboration with the local communities around Mt Kenya and Mau Eburu forests who wish to work with Rhino Ark. The Mt Kenya fence will circle over 2,000 Km2 and will be at least 400-kilometres long, which is the same length or possibly longer than the now complete Aberdares fence.

It will require KSh1 billion to build the electric fence around Mt Kenya, which hosts the Mt Kenya National Park. The fence surrounding Mau Eburu will cost KSh100 million.

The project is scheduled to be completed within five years and is subject to a regular flow of funds and support from KFS and KWS. “Mt Kenya is a prime water tower of this country. With the Aberdares, these two adjacent mountain ecosystems are the source of four of Kenya’s seven largest river systems that provide water and energy —both surface and geothermal — for Kenya’s population and the city of Nairobi, in which over 50 per cent of national GDP is derived,” said Colin Church, Rhino Ark management committee chairman.

Prime area

Mt Kenya is an internationally significant, protected area inscribed in 1997 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The World Heritage Commission recognised Mt Kenya as ‘one of the most impressive landscapes of Eastern Africa, with its rugged glacier-clad summits, Afro-alpine moorlands and diverse forests, which illustrate outstanding ecological processes’.

Mau Eburu and Mt Kenya are strongholds for the critically-endangered Eastern Mountain Bongo antelope.

Mau Eburu holds about 80 Km2 of pristine forest. Although the area has been infiltrated by illegal loggers its forest-edge communities are already trying to conserve both its water catchments and indigenous forests.

Mau Eburu will require a fence of about 50 kilometres which is a little longer than the nowcompleted Mt Kipipiri section that Rhino Ark undertook in 2008-2009. Mau Eburu is just 30 kilometres from Mt Kipipiri and the Aberdares.

The Kipipiri fence adjoins the Aberdares with a wildlife corridor and was built in 18 months.

“In Eburu, Rhino Ark is already providing support and mounts major awareness initia-

tives over the plight of the Bongo, now on the IUCN’s Critically Endangered Species listing. Remnant groups of Bongo survive in Eburu and local community patrols are already at work to protect them,” explained Church.

Straddling part of the Great Rift Valley, the Eburu volcano is a prime recipient of subterranean water inMountain hikers climb Mt Kenya recently. flows to Lake Naivasha and Picture: Joseph Mukubwa Lake Elementaita. significant conservation projects.”

Mau Eburu forms part Amongst those already undertaking signifiof the Rift Valley conservation and ecology ecocant conservation work in the Mt Kenya area system stretching from Nakuru, Lake Nakuru are the Kenya Forest Working Group, the Bill National Park, the Soysambu Conservancy, Lake Woodley Wildlife Trust (with whom Rhino Ark Naivasha, to Longonot and Hells Gate National also works on aspects of the Bongo Surveillance Parks.

Project and on providing community surveillance units), and the Laikipia Wildlife Forum.

Rhino Ark expressed its commitment to con“To comprehensively fence off Mt Kenya and tinuing its close partnership with the GovernMau Mt Eburu — one of the Mau’s 22 forest ment in order to roll out these projects. blocks — will become Rhino Ark’s primary for“Electrified fences are tools to assist the manward conservation thrusts from 2011 onwards,” agement processes of those responsible for wildnoted Church. He added: “These projects will life, forest and water management. They can be be the recipients of Kenya’s home-grown, astonmoved, changed direction and opened for wildishing fundraising initiative and unique annual life easements,” Church noted. event —The Rhino Charge which attracts global The Trust will commit to implementing a interest.” The last Rhino Charge was staged on policy for wildlife easements and corridors as June 3. “Rhino Chargers are known for being embedded in the new Constitution. daring. We are daring to take on the equally huge “Rhino Ark will remain totally committed to challenges in Mt Kenya and Mau Eburu,” obthe Aberdares. We will be completely involved in served Church following the Rhino Ark Trustees an overall ecosystem integrity master plan and endorsement of the new initiatives. for the long-term management of the Rhino Ark He reiterated: “Rhino Ark will be seeking to Aberdare fence,” he pledged. work closely with other partners to support these

Fencing

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ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Tsetse eradication initiative shifted

By KARIUKI MWANGI After a vigorous fight against the tsetse fly in the Mwea Game Reserve and surrounding areas registered positive outputs, focus has now been shifted to the Meru National Park, Oldonyo Sabuk and neighbouring zones.

This follows efforts by the Pan-African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) which was officially launched in Kenya in 2005 after a declaration was passed in year 2000 in Togo by African heads of state to eradicate the fly to stop the sleeping sickness disease that it brings in human beings as well as Nagana in animals.

Within the continent, tsetse flies are only found in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mali, Ghana and Burkina Faso. Meru-Mwea regional coordinator for PATTEC Joseph Gitau Mbao says that there are 37 fly species, eight of which are found in eight different regions of the country.

Success

“When the programme was started to eradicate the flies, the most affected areas were Meru National park, Mwea Game Reserve and the Oldonyo Sabuk areas,” says Gitau. He adds: “This concentration was attributed to the movement of animals to livestock markets.”

At the beginning of the initiative, traps were netting 70 flies per trapper day in the Mwea Game Reserve and over 1,000 flies per trap per day in the Mwea National Park. Prevalence rates of the disease in the areas were 14.6 percent and 13.5 percent respectively.

Gitau points out that successful methods of tsetse fly eradication include static and mobile targets. He is hopeful that the fight against the tsetse may be won like the successful fight against rinderpest that was celebrated last year.

Mobile target method, which is being used

outside the parks, involves registered groups of livestock farmers who reside in the affected regions and supplied with spraying pumps and the insecticides.

The farmers are advised to spray their animals once a week and then go and graze the animals in tsetse fly-infested areas. Consequently, when the flies try to bite the animals, they are killed by the insecticides.

Traps

“The method has been successful due to the cooperation of the communities surrounding the Mwea Game Reserve, who have been losing animals to the Nagana disease,” explains Gitau.

Static target method is usually used inside the national parks since farmers are not allowed to graze there.

“This method involves putting up coloured, insecticide-soaked traps inside the parks so that after landing on them, the tsetse are killed,” explains Gitau.

He says so far they have been able to put up 429 static targets at the Mwea Game Reserve.

With the support of the communities around the reserve, they have been able to fully eradicate the area of tsetse fly.

The traps put up in the Mwea Game Reserve in June 2009 to monitor the insects have not caught anything and cases of sleeping sickness and trypanosomiasis in the area are currently reading at zero.

However, Gitau observes that they cannot ascertain the full eradication of the flies in the area since animals are still moving in and out in search of water and pasture.

“The farmers have even started venturing into dairy farming and have also stopped using the insecticides that we had supplied them with but it is still too early to celebrate,” says Gitau. He reiterates there is need for more monitoring until uniform results are reported in all infested areas.

Funds released to clean rivers

By FRANK OUMA Industrial effluents in River Sosiani set to end after the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources moved in to clean the river.

Pollution of the river has been attributed to washing of cars and other industrial waste, denying the locals access to clean water.

The project is expected to cost KSh15million in the financial year 2010-2011 under the management of the District Environment Committee in Eldoret East.

According to the Permanent Secretary in the ministry Ali Mohamed, the rehabilitation programme is a countrywide issue and is being undertaken in areas that include Nyeri, Garissa, Kisumu, Kakamega and Mombasa.

He said that the greening programme is in line with the aspirations of Vision 2030, which aims at increasing Kenya’s forest cover from two percent to at least 10 percent, with plans to plant 7.6 billion trees.

Mohamed asked local authorities to ensure that all rivers traversing their towns are clean.

The Ministry will provide technical support that will include monitoring and evaluation to ensure objectives of the programme are achieved.

Environment Minister John Michuki, who spoke during the launch of the initiative asked local authorities and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to implement by-laws on pollution of natural resources.

“I am worried that no action has been taken against companies discharging toxic wastes to rivers and lakes causing harm to marine animals,” Michuki said.

He added: “Waste management is paramount in environmental conservations and it is up to relevant bodies to enforce laws against pollution.”

The minister announced that plans are underway to rehabilitate contaminated natural resources through partnership with relevant government departments and community participation.

“We will enforce environmental laws that limit any agricultural activities and settlement close to river banks,” warned Michuki.

Farmers from Karaba in Mbeere South District follow proceedings on how to eradicate Tsetse flies at a Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis eradication campaign (PATTEC). Mwea and Meru regional coordinator Joseph Mbao (left) samples to the veterinary services director Dr Peter Ithondeka (in a cap) and other ministry officials on the static targets. A static target object.

Pictures: Kariuki Mwangi Gitau observes that the eradication of the tsetse flies in the Meru National Parks and Kina in Garbatulla in the upper eastern remain a major challenge, saying that it will take time to

fully eradicate the tsetse fly in the areas.

The farmers in the Mwea region will continue to reaping benefits from dairy farming since the area now appears to be free of the insects.

Stakeholders accused of stalling conservation efforts

By ALICE WANGECHI Environment minister John Michuki now says that conflict of interest and misappropriation of funds among key stakeholders is to blame for the minimal progress that has been made towards environmental conservation.

The minister noted that billions of shillings meant for conservation programmes were being used to finance boardroom meetings that kept on recycling past agenda at the expense of conservation.

He said some environmental stakeholders were only keen on reaping huge sums of money in form of allowances and other administrative logistics as they spend time deliberating on issues that had already been concluded and documented.

“Impressive papers with documented environmental conservation strategies were accumulating dust on shelves while key stakeholders keep on convening meetings under the guise of improving on them,” noted Michuki.

Consequently, the colossal funds injected in environmental conservation work did not reflect the desired impact towards containing degradation. Michuki, while speaking in his Kangema constituency said that stakeholders in the environment sector had transformed themselves into ‘checkmates’ who were only keen to

safeguard their selfish quest for money instead of coordinating their activities.

“Environment matters are very critical towards development in any country.

They need an effective way of coordination if any progress is to be realized,” said Michuki. He added: “When stakeholders work in isolation, very little impact can be felt.”

He said the greatest environmental challenge facing the world was climate change caused by adverse effects of carbon dioxide and other gas emissions to the atmosphere.

Climate change

Climate change is a long term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in the average weather conditions or a change in the distribution of weather events with respect to an average, for example, greater or less extreme weather events. Climate change may be limited to a specific region or may occur across the whole earth.

The minister said that the adverse effects of global warming was the reason why the world was witnessing serious cases of over flooding since the heat on world surface had caused sea levels to rise abnormally.

“It is unfortunate that countries like

USA, which were the leading polluters of environment through emissions from their green houses were half-hearted to implement the Kyoto Protocol that had stipulated for action against them to remove carbon dioxide and other poisonous pollutants from air,” explained Michuki.

He said that the Heads of State in the East Africa region had resolved to continue with environmental conservation measures as a region to combat global warming and enhance food security after realising that the developed world were adamant to finance developing countries, which were the most affected by the green house gas effects.

He disclosed that his ministry would launch the green school programme which would target 126 schools in Naivasha, Gilgil, Kinangop as well as North Narok and provide them with water tanks that can hold 10,000 litres with adequate gutters that would be used for rain harvesting.

He said trees would then be planted using the harvested water in the selected schools before being distributed to area residents to be planted in their farms.

“Massive tree planting through reafforestation was capable of reversing the effects of global warming by 95 per cent,” explained Michuki.

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

19

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

New rice variety to revolutionise households in Butula

By MICHAEL OONGO John Machio is a very distraught man. For nearly two years he has waited in vain for his cane to be harvested.

Machio, a farmer in Butula had put his two acre farm under sugarcane hoping that after only 18 months, he would be a rich man. However, this was not to be. His dreams were shattered since Mumias Sugar Company which was to harvest his cane has not done so.

His troubles are nowhere near ending since Machio borrowed money from various friends to meet his basic financial obligations such as school fees for his three children while using his still-to-be harvested cane as security.

The farmer, like many others in the area, has yearned for an alternative crop that would give him quick returns on his farm without having to wait too long to reap the benefits.

Recently, however, Machio and other farmers were happy to learn that there is a new variety of rice, known as NERICA or New Rice for Africa that has proved suitable for the region and which only takes three months to mature.

According to information available in Wikipedia, Nerica rice was developed by researchers in 2008 at the Africa Rice Centre through a project funded by the African Development Bank (ADB), the Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Rice varieties

It was developed to improve the yield of African rice varieties and is said to be drought resistant hence its suitability for upland areas.

Following the success of the pilot project, the Japanese International Co-operation (JICA) and the Government of Kenya have availed several tonnes of Nerica rice seeds to about 2300 farmers in the area for planting this season.

The rice was introduced in the area by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with JICA in 2008 as a pilot project involving 90 farm-

ers who were given seeds for initial planting.

They harvested 3.6 tonnes after three months.

Area District Agricultural Officer Benjamin Onyancha said the crop was suitable for the area because of its high yield compared to other cereals like maize, sorghum and millet that have been grown by the local farmers over the years.

“The crop can produce up to two tonnes per acre with only 20 kilogrammes of seeds and matures faster than paddy rice. It is also disease resistant,” explained Onyancha, adding the grain requires minimal inputs compared to other crops.

Onyancha who is upbeat about the crop says: “If farmers take planting of this crop seriously, then I hope it will be the best option they have picked to help alleviate poverty because it is promising very good potential.”

Pioneer

John Mutanda, one of the pioneer farmers of the crop believes that the new rice variety will help revolutionise farming in the area if the locals take it seriously.

“From my experience with this crop, I have realised that if we embrace it, we can be able sustain ourselves both economically and food wise.

Its gains far outweigh what we get from planting sugarcane”, Mutanda told the Reject.

“At first I planted only four kilogrammes of the seed but harvested four bags of rice weighing 80 kilogrammes each,” explains Mutanda. He adds: “This made me believe that I have wasted a lot of time and energy on sugarcane which takes almost two years before being harvested.”

Mutanda notes that the crop only needs two weedings before harvesting compared to sugarcane which must be weeded four times and requires a lot of inputs. “Besides serving as cash crop, the rice is also consumed within the household thus helping cut down food costs,” observes Mutanda.

Currently one kilogramme of rice sells for KSh80 and a 90 kilogramme bag would fetch up

Butula MP Alfred Odhiambo (centre) distributes rice seeds to farmers. Local farmers are set to benefit from the new Nerica rice variety. Pictures: Michael Oongo. to KSh6,400 compared to a tonne of sugarcane which fetches KSh3,948.

Francis Okoth, another farmer who participated in the pilot project says: “I am extremely pleased with this new variety of rice because it can help us fight poverty if we take it seriously given that it matures very fast and is generally not costly to manage.”

Okoth who started with only one kilogramme of seeds boasts that out of this he got 100 kilogrammes and sold about 60 kilogrammes at KSh6,000. The money he got enabled him to pay fees for his son in a local secondary school.

Okoth has vowed to plant the crop in large quantities in order to reap its benefits.

However, like with everything, there are challenges, and for the farmers in Butula it is how they will prepare their land noting that the cost of tilling has gone up. Most ordinary farmers cannot afford to prepare their land. For instance, oxen-driven plough owners charge as much as KSh3,000 which the average farmers cannot afford.

The famers appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to avail tractors for hire to enable them

prepare the large tracts of land needed for planting the crop.

Responding to this request, Onyancha advised the farmers to approach the local agricultural mechanisation centre based in Bumala for a tractor they can hire to enable them prepare the farms.

The centre charges farmers KSh3,000 an acre. “Although there is only one serviceable tractor which is serviceable, those interested can make early bookings for their land to be prepared early enough,” explained Onyancha.

Although Butula is endowed with fertile soil and reliable rainfall, the area has lagged behind in agriculture because the locals have not taken farming seriously. Onyancha noted that area farmers have been concentrating on crops such as millet, sorghum, maize and cassava which have unfortunately not had any positive impact on their lives.

His sentiments are supported Mutanda who is also chairman of the newly formed Rice Farmers Association, Butula branch.

Mutanda maintains that most people especially the youth prefer idling around instead of taking farming seriously.

COMMENTARY

Seed company should explain shortfall

By ABISAI AMUGUNE

For some time now, Kenya Seed Company has cultivated a cool attitude. It was not until the beginning of this month that the firm was found to have inadequate maize seed supply for the current cropping season.

The last time the Kitale-based parastatal was in the limelight was when the former CEO, Dr Nathaniel arap Tum and a group of four others had a case in court.

Though the entry of the incumbent chief executive, Willy Bett, initially sparked controversy and acrimony perceptions towards him turned positive as time went by.

Former Agricultural Minister, William Ruto, a close ally of Bett, had sourced the incumbent MD from Post Bank, bringing with him his former colleagues to KSC to reign supreme.

Sitienei had been the “blue-bird” of Ruto’s predecessor, Kipruto arap Kirwa, who after the entry of NARC government in 2003 bundled out Tum and company from office. This was a test of supremacy between Ruto and Kirwa.

On April 4, 2011, Bett addressed a press conference at the company’s KSh100 million Mbegu House in Kitale after persistent outcries from farmers over lack of maize seed.

Accompanied by his deputy, Busolo Alfred, the PRO, Sammy Chepsiror and the head of Human Resources, Judy Kosgey, Bett moved to allay fears of food insecurity in the country. It was not immediately established why the mar-

keting manager, Francis Mwaura was not enlisted for the news briefing that targeted to set the records straight.

Bett outlined the mandate of KSC in enhancing food security and distribute qualified seeds to farmers. KSC supplies 85 percent of seed requirements for exports beyond the African continent.

According to Bett, the 20 percent maize seed shortfall is due to the supply of seeds worth KSh600 million under the government’s economic stimulus and seed relief programmes.

Seed shortage

The seed shortage could also stem from the government’s subsidised prices of DAP and CAN fertilizers, which have pushed farmers to buy maize seed in bulk for expanded production.

Bett believes that KSh2,500 for a 90kg bag of commercial maize has resulted in increased demand for seed. He also blamed the 2008-2009 drought for the shortage.

Since the minimum period for production of seed is two years, Kenya seed Company has no immediate solution to the current impasse.

Bett wants farmers to diversify production of crops, including possibly using wheat as an alternative to maize and beans for an improved diet. His press release demonstrated that the seed company has not developed a proper strategy for its reserves owing to unforeseen weather conditions.

Coming only three weeks after the farming

community was assured there would be enough seed stocks, Bett, should have advised the Government against purchasing the seeds under the ESP that deprived reservoirs.

What would happen should the current erratic weather conditions persist? Will the country be able to afford importing seed? What was the hurry for the ESP programme?

Under normal circumstances and good storage conditions, seed stocks can last ten years without going bad. In accordance with the seed company’s core mandate to guard against food exploitation, the firm’s top priority should be to ensure that farmer’s expectations are met in good time.

With the first planting season coming to an end toward the end of April, famers will experience yet another nightmare as they prepare for the second season which commences in July and runs through August.

I didn’t expect Bett to ask farmers in TransNzoia to start producing wheat instead of maize because wheat requires more land and advanced production technology. The two crops also survive under different ecological conditions.

It is also unthinkable that farmers in Trans Nzoia should plant beans alongside maize for better diets. Serious farmers in this region have always maintained good diets and each has his/ her priority in the crop that he/she wishes to grow.

I would have expected to see the KSC boss working on the diminishing space of land to

produce seed rather than glossing over on being the final person running the firm’s affairs as the government appointed CEO. There is not enough reason to have the Kenya seed Company subsidiaries in Tanzania and Uganda — Kibo Seed Company and Mt. Elgon Seed Company respectively — when the sister firms cannot help in the diversification of seed production.

However, it is worth noting that Kenya Seed Company is already undertaking a 10 percent increase of maize seed under irrigation schemes to cover the growing demand.

Maize seeds

However, the company will have to contend with loopholes on our international borders to clamp down on illegal exports. Unconfirmed reports say that an influential person has sold huge stocks of seed and has made a killing.

For the remaining one million kilogrammes in the seed company’s outlets in Kakamega, Bungoma, Eldoret, Kisii, Kitale, Kericho and Nakuru, one can only hope that farmers will not be sold the seed alongside forced fertilisers and other inputs. The loss of jobs at Kenya Seed Company at the expense of professionalism should be avoided at all costs.

Perhaps KEPHIS could help by showing the Kenyan farmer stocks available in the Kenya Seed Company stores and other competing private companies. For it is only through this that the country will be assured of its food security.

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ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Water and pasture conflict spreads to Kitui

By KEN NDAMBU

Kalambani Sub-Location Assistant Chief, Charles Nzoka, is a troubled man. He is not only working under pressure from his seniors but is also stressed by the nature of his administrative work.

The administrator in one of the most remote areas in the far-flung Mutomo district 170 kilometres from Kitui town has found himself providing services to pastoralist communities from as far as Wajir and Tana River Districts, as well as the residents he serves.

The chief and local councillor, Kavindu Allan, have assumed the role of arbitrator between the herdsmen and villagers to ease tension that has arisen over water and pasture, a situation that has put many women in a dangerous spot.

Recently there was tension at Kalambani Trading Centre over water and pasture.

A lorry full of police officers in riot gear, under the command of Mutha Officer-Commanding Station had to come in and rounded up six herdsmen alleged to have terrorised residents as they grazed herds of camel on farms.

Harassment

As the security officers interrogated the herdsmen, a man who assumed leadership of the nomads emerged from the crowd and pleaded with the officers not to harass them but to ensure there was peaceful co-existence with the locals.

Mohamed Bule from Elwak in Wajir County serves as the headman for the pastoralists and is used by the administration to mediate issues between the nomads and the villagers.

From February this year, when drought started ravaging North Eastern Province and parts of Coast Province, thousands of camels, goat and sheep have found their way into Kitui County through Tana River District.

According to Bule, 200 manyattas have been established in Mutha Location and an estimated 1,000 herders, mostly from Wajir, are now grazing in the area.

“We cannot estimate the number of livestock we have, but they are many, especially camels, and we are moving towards Taita Taveta as we cannot wait for the drought to clear our only source of livelihood,” explained Bule.

Musya Kisovi, a farmer in Ithamba Nzou village, is counting his losses after a herd of camel swept through his cowpeas and millet farm.

“We are starving because all that we had in the farms has been cleared by the herd of livestock, and our plea to the Government for help has been futile,” explained Kisovi.

Facial wounds

His neighbour, Agnes Katumbu, is also nursing facial wounds inflicted by a female pastoralist when they fought over who would fetch water first from a borehole near Thua River.

“Since the nomads encroached on this area, women suffer because the few water points available have dried up from overuse, forcing us to trek long distances in search of water,” said Katumbu.

She observed: “The herders have completely strained our water and pasture sources. We do not know what to do next as we have nowhere to graze and water our livestock.”

The herdsmen are also in a dilemma as locals have taken the law into their own hands and attacked livestock found on the farms.

Mohammed Ali, who has 50 camels claims he lost three to machete wounds inflicted by the farmers.

Top: A herd of camel which have encroached Mutha Location from parts of NEP and Coast Provinces. Bottom: Mutha OCS Afred Baraza argues with Pastoralist’s leader Muhamud Bule at a water point in Thua River. Pictures: Ken Ndambu.

“Irate farmers pounced on the camels in a waterpan and cut them in the legs with pangas, killing two of them. I am treating the third one,” said Ali. Bule appealed to the Government to mitigate drought by establishing many water points that will sustain pastoralist communities in their areas. “Livestock is the mainstay of the pastoralist communities and chasing them from areas they move in their search for water and pasture may not be a solution. Structures should be put in place to enable them co-exist with non-pastoralist communities,” explained Bule.

Death

He said they came from Abakore Location, Wajir County, where most of the herdsmen are starving to death and there are only a few camels left. “We are not here because we want to be but because of the effects of prolonged drought in North Eastern Province, which have taken a toll on animals,” he explained.

When asked why the pastoralists have not sold their livestock to avoid eminent death, Bule said there is little demand for animals and that most of them are weak and can only be sold at a throw-away price.

“Buyers come here, and a bull of camel, which should in essence fetch KSh120,000, is going at KSh65,000, which to us is very little,” Bule stated. He added that those who buy have problems travelling with their purchases to Mombasa because the animals are too weak to walk.

Councillor Kavindu said there is no end to the smouldering conflict between the pastoralists and locals because the herders have reached Mutha Market, which is 80 kilometres from the border.

“As we try to have the problem solved by taking them back to their areas of origin, more pastoralists enter the district at night, and soon

“The herders have completely strained our water and pasture sources. We do not know what to do next as we have nowhere to graze and water our livestock.”

— Agnes Katumbu

they will be heading to Makueni County,” explained Kavindu.

He added: “Camels, which graze off trees are very destructive to the environment. If this is not checked, they will destroy the fragile ecosystem left behind by the charcoal burners.”

Kitui-Mutomo Game Warden, Joseph Kavi,

expressed fears that the pastoralists will destroy fauna and flora in Kitui South Game Reserve since it lies between Mutomo District and Tana River District.

“This is a serious problem which needs to be addressed urgently in order to avoid wildlife and human conflict,” said Kavi.

Mbeere residents get fresh water

By KARIUKI MWANGI The Government of Japan has granted a donation KSh8 million for the completion of the Mbeere North Water Project that will serve more than 10,000 residents with clean water for domestic use.

Japanese ambassador to Kenya Toshihisa Takata said the grant aims to complete the project that was started by the Siakago Constituency Development Fund last year.

According to Takata the grant will help in laying small pipes 28 kilometres inside villages as well as construction of 11 water kiosks to ensure every household has running water.

He reiterated everyone’s right to access clean and safe water for domestic consumption. The Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will continue to support Kenya on the project.

“Provision of clean water remains a major challenge for Kenya. The Japanese government has also granted more that KSh2.2 billion in the improvement of water supply in Embu and its environs,” explained Takata.

He was speaking in Kanyuambora Mbeere

North District during the signing of the grant.

He said the Japanese government will also build the management capacity for all stakeholders to ensure sustainability.

“It will be of no use if we commission a water project that will not last for long. We are therefore building the capacity of relevant stakeholders to ensure good management of the water so it can benefit generations to come.”

Takata said it will be the responsibility of the beneficiaries to sustain the project as it would reduce rising cases of waterborne diseases.

Siakago MP Lenny Kivuti observed that the residents who are in an arid and semi arid area have been longing for clean and safe water to run in their taps.

“Completion of the project in three months will be of immense benefit to the residents,” reiterated Kivuti.

The money being given through Tana Water Services Board will be used to distribute the water all over the district. “The CDF has also set aside half of its allocation to water distribution until all the residents are assured of clean water,” Kivuti said.

ISSUE 044, July 16-31, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

21

Prisons move towards rehabilitation

By KEN NDAMBU Four-year-old Ann Syokau longs to be in school to learn and play with her peers. Unlike other children of her age, the little girl is growing up in a world much different from that of other children.

Ann is not in a juvenile home but is confined due to mistakes of her mother, Peris Waruguru. Waruguru is serving a one-year term jail in Kitui GK Prison for stealing a mobile phone worth KSh3,000. Since she was unable to leave her daughter at home alone, the little girl was forced to join her mother in prison.

“My husband was so annoyed with the crime that he refused to take care of the child and with no other relative to take the burden, I had no option but to come here with here,” Waruguru told the Commissioner of Prisons, Isaiah Osugo, when he visited the facility recently.

Upkeep

Touched by the little girl’s plight, the Commissioner gave KSh4,000 for her upkeep even though prisons are only allowed to maintain those convicted.

“This is very pathetic and mechanisms should be put in place for children of inmates to be given to their immediate next-of-kin as no one is supposed to suffer for someone else’s misdeeds,” he said.

Osugo said there is need to revise existing laws on civil cases so that one is not sent to jail for small debts but made to pay by way of existing property.

Given Ann’s case study, Osugo said the Government will pay KSh21,600 towards her upkeep for one year, or KSh1,800 per month which is disproportionate to KSh3,000 which sent her mother to jail.

“These are the reforms the judiciary and the prisons should carry to conform to the present conditions in prisons like in other countries,” said Osugo. He added that if this is not done, the increasing number of inmates due to small crimes will put a strain on prison facilities.

The Commissioner who took time to interact with the inmates, ordered the prison authorities to ensure inmates have access to television and radio services so as to acquaint them with what was happening in the world.

Rehabilitation

“We have moved to an evolution where prisons are no longer centres for punishing those who do wrong but rehabilitation centres for convicts to explore skills and talents as well as make themselves reliant after completion of jail terms,” observed Osugo.

He said the department is carrying out reforms to unlock untapped potential in inmates as one way of empowering them once they get out of jail.

“Modalities are being worked out with industries in Nairobi and other major towns so that convicts serving long term jail sentences and with unique industrial skills are attached to them instead of letting the talents go to waste in prison,” Osugo said. Should the plan succeed, the industries will pay the relevant prisons where the inmates are detained some

Little Anne Syokau and her mother Peris Waruguru (third left) together with other inmates applaud at the prison.

Prisoners waiting to be addressed by prison officials.

Commissioner of Prisons Isaiah Osugo (Centre) admires carpentry work at Kitui GK Prison. Pictures: Ken Ndambu

“There is need to revise existing laws on civil cases so that one is not sent to jail for small debts but made to pay by way of existing property.”

— Isaiah Osugo, Commissioner of Prisons

fee while a certain percentage of the package goes directly into the prisoner’s account.

“Everyone, including prisoners, requires a different set of skills for life’s numerous tasks,” noted Osugo, asserting that when inmates complete their jail term with skills to start a new life, they are easily accepted by society.

The Government is exploring ways of setting visiting days in prisons so that the convicts can share experiences with their families.

“The aim is to make the inmates, especially those serving capital sentences, co-exist with their communities in order to avoid isolation

after completion of their jail terms,” observed Osugo. He added: “Cases of inmates being killed through lynching can only be avoided if proper mechanisms are put in place to ensure prisoners have contact with the societies they come from while still in jail.”

The health facilities in all remand prisons will be updated to meet the requirements for district hospital status in order to ensure proper treatment of the inmates.

“Health is a basic right and hence the need to improve health facilities in all prisons, especially in remand prisons,” reiterated Osugo.

Executive Director: Rosemary Okello-Orlale

Editor: Jane Godia

Write to:

info@mediadiversityafrica.org

Sub-Editors: Florence Sipalla, Omwa Ombara and Mercy Mumo Designer: Noel Lumbama

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Contributors: Valerie Aseto, Godfrey Machuka, Robby Ngojhi, Ekuwam Adou, John Ndirangu, David Njagi, Omwa Ombara, Ben Oroko, Omondi Gwengi, Boniface Mulu, George Omonso, Joseph Mukubwa, AbisaiAmugune, Aggrey Buchunju, Caroline Wangechi, Elizabeth Awuor, Gachino Thuo, Joy Monday, Odhiambo Odhiambo, Ken Ndambu, Eric Mutai, Patrick Mutisya, Nzinga Muasya, Nick Odhiambo, Macharia Mwangi, David Njagi, Hussein Dido, Eliud Waithaka, Kigondu Ndavano, Kariuki Mwangi, Frank Ouma, Alice Wangechi and Michael Oongo.

The paper is produced with funds from