Reject Online Issue 4

ISSUE 004, October 16-31, 2009

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Unfiltered, uninhibited…. just the gruesome truth

October 16-31, 2009

ISSUE 004

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

Tears of joy and sadness at Kibera slum upgrading project

By Doseline Kiguru For many of the slum residents to say it was a dream come true would be an understatement. To the residents of the sprawling Kibera slums, the move to the new houses in the slum upgrading programme was more like the biblical story of Moses taking the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan. And the move was truly a memorable journey to better housing, thanks to the Government’s slum upgrading project.

Residents of Zone A Soweto East were the first to move to the new high-rise build-

ings developed up by the Government at a cost of $1.2 million.

The day, September 16, saw about 1,800 residents of Kibera upgrade their living standards through the historical move witnessed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is also the local MP as well as Housing Minister Soita Shitanda and Assistant Minister Margaret Wanjiru.

But as the lucky residents beamed with joy, there were several others who watched with defiance from afar. They included landowners in the slum, mostly of Nubian extraction who accused the Government

of denying them the right of ownership to land.

The landowners had earlier temporarily halted the Government’s plan to improve the face of Kibera through the Slum Upgrading Project when they moved to the High Court to stop the demolitions.

Through their lawyer Mr Kibe Mungai, the 84 petitioners who successfully moved to court a day before the planned demolitions, heard from Lady Justice Abida Ali-Aroni that the issues raised were “weighty matters” which called for immediate action.

The halted demolitions were intended to make room for further upgrading of the Zone A Soweto East. According to residents and landowners who had moved to court, the Government had issued a one-month notice of eviction on August 14, last year. The initial relocation ceremony was expected to start on August 21, presided over by both President Mwai Kibaki and the Prime Minister.

Representing the petitioners, Mungai said the Government failed to recognise the rights of the landowners and landcontinued on page 2

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ISSUE 004, October 16-31, 2009

Unfiltered, uninhibited…. just the gruesome truth

Scramble for land as cement factory brings new lease of life to barren district

By Johann Wandetto Since the emergence of the modern Pokot who moved from Israel and Egypt via the Nile to settle in the war ravaged West Pokot, communities in parts of Baringo and Laikipia have never known peace.

And neither have they known riches.

West Pokot District, a semi-arid area that lies in the borders of Uganda and Kenya is a forgotten land to both local communities and visitors alike.

Previously administered from Uganda, with Kenya apparently not bothered with this huge swathe of wasteland, the area has been abandoned by subsequent governments since its “return” from Uganda’s grip in the early 1970s.

The locals had resigned to fate, placing their destiny in the hands of gods. They took their frustrations with vengeance on almost all their neighbours. They have since fought, killed and maimed in the name of “cattle domination” — a sober description of the brutal cattle rustling that abounds in the area.

But of late, the gods of this bellicose community appear to have smiled upon them and a visitor coming to the area can be forgiven for mistaking the optimistic residents as people who have just struck oil — or is it?

The government recently authorised the exploitation of limestone in the Sebit area of the district and licensed an Indian Giant — The Cemtech Group — to construct a cement factory in the area.

The sealing of the deal came after four other foreign investors failed to live up to the stringent conditions set for the factory.

The company that has pumped in close to KSh7 billion for the project, has literally transformed the entire region and its neighborhood.

All of a sudden, a community that did not respect land ownership and documentation on the grounds that all pastureland belonged to the pastoralists, is now scampering to the district lands office to demand title deeds.

Could this be the start of a new beginning?

The scramble for land in Ortum and Sebit area of West Pokot district has climaxed. Residents want to take advantage of the emerging infrastructure like water and electricity, which have now been piped to the precincts of the factory that is projected for completion in the next two years.

A road and railway network will also be established as the Government moves to cushion new investors from the effects of poor infrastructure.

Kapenguria MP, Mr Julius Murgor, says his first priority is to ensure the locals get access to the crucial land ownership documents. “We are also warning those in the neighborhood not to sell the land since such an attempt will open floodgates for moneyed investors to rip from our windfall.”

Cemtech Group’s victory in securing the contract comes after a two-year struggle amid stiff competition from other would-be investors. The Indian company has announced it would invest $80 million (KSh7 billion) in the project located in Pokot Central District.

The chairman of the Pokot County Council, Mr David Moiben says the good news had swept across the semi-arid frontier district like a bush-fire, with everybody in the neighborhood keen to get on board the best thing to have ever happened to the region.

President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are set to officiate

A woman in Pokot tilling her farm. With the setting up of a cement factory. Land in Pokot has gained importance with residents now chasing after title deeds.

at the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for later in the month.

“Having received all the necessary licenses and permission from the Government and the Pokot County Council, we are now hitting the ground and are set to produce 600,000 tonnes of cement per year in the first phase,” says Mr Rajesh Kumar Rawal, Cemtech CEO. He added: “We expect the tonnage to double in the second year and triple in the subsequent years.

You require two tonnes of limestone to produce one tonne of cement and since we have 200 million metric tonnes of cement in the area, which is enough to take us for the next 50 years,” he said.

Murgor, who has also been involved with charitable work to improve the welfare of the Pokot people, says the locals would benefit most from water, low-cost housing projects, cheap electricity and good roads.

“Come to think of it, since the construction of the Turkwel Gorge Dam 20 years ago, residents as near as five kilometers watch as their power is connected

to the national grid to serve the so called developed communities. There is nothing as painful and now with our own factory we will no longer be the pot that cooks but does not eat,” he says.

Rawal says the company has lined up five world-class investors who will visit the country for a familiarization tour next month. He hopes that they will find something viable to invest in, and help elevate the status of the Pokot community.

Local residents will benefit from about 600 jobs that exclude experts who will be sourced elsewhere when the cement factory finally hits the ground.

Another 1,000 jobs will also be created through business relationships such as supplies and related conduits of production. It is projected that as a result of the cement mining, 5,000 families will benefit and improve their standards of living.

Says the CEO: “The company will establish the training department which will impart technical and managerial skills to the local employees. Our selected employees will also be sent to our cement plants in India for further training,”

Mixed reactions over Kibera slum upgrading project

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lords. The petitioners who are mostly landlords, accused the Government of siding with the landless and those in need of houses at the expense of the landlords.

The petitioners want the Government to give them leases to their plots. They, however, are not opposed to the relocation of tenants from the structures.

For its part, the Government has promised to compensate landlords and landowners for the land ceded to the project.

The protestors that claim to have been

settled in Kibera — Africa’s largest slum — between 1960 and 1980 by previous Governments. Others claim to be Mau Mau veterans or descendants of the war veterans.

The respondents in the case are the Attorney General, the Minister for Lands and the Commissioner of Lands. The exercise that has been welcomed by some and condemned by others, will, in its initial stages disrupt learning. Already, the ongoing school feeding programme that runs through school holidays, has been

disrupted, a situation that will persist for some time.

The Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme is the result of a meeting in November 2000 between the then President Daniel Moi and Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT at which the latter offered to spearhead a slum upgrading programme, starting with Nairobi’s largest slum. The project aims at improving the lives of people in informal settlements within the city through targeted interventions, including shelter, infrastructure,

land tenure, employment and HIV/Aids.

Kibera slum is home to over half a million people, spread over 12 villages covering approximately 250 hectares.

Research has shown that almost half of the city’s four million-plus residents live in over 100 slums and squatter settlements within its boundaries, with little or inadequate access to safe water and sanitation.

The state of housing in the slums is deplorable with most of the residents having no form of secure tenure.

ISSUE 004, October 16-31, 2009

By Odhiambo Odhiambo The first two Kenyans to have settled on the disputed Migingo Island have come out to speak on the tiny islet’s history.

Dalmas Tembo, 74, and George Kibebe, 75, say they were the first Kenyans to move to the island in 1991.

The two, both fishermen, were later joined by 60 members of their Samo Fishing Group who followed after receiving information the waters in the vicinity of the island was rich with Nile Perch.

“But before going there, we wrote to the Fisheries Department in Kisumu to ascertain whether the island was in Kenya or Uganda. The authorities assured us that Migingo belonged to Kenya,” recalls Mr Kibebe, the group’s secretary.

“Since piracy was then prevalent in the area, the Government gave us two administration policemen who lived with us on the island until 1993 when they were withdrawn because the pirates had disappeared.”

Kibebe says when they first landed on Migingo, the one acre island was devoid of human occupation.

“The place was covered with weeds and infested with birds and snakes. Two of our members, a Mr Ogweno from Rachuonyo District and a Mr Ochieng from Migori District were bitten by a snake when sleeping at night,” he explains. Ogweno died but Ochieng survived after he was treated with a herbal concoction.

The names of Mr Tembo and Mr Kibebe, who are now living along Lake Victoria’s Nyangwina and Muhuru beaches respectively, are contained in a memorandum the Government presented to the Ugandan authorities to prove the tiny island belongs to Kenya.

Although Kibebe is still engaged in fishing, Tembo has since quit and is now practicing horticulture farming.

The two pioneers were the first to put up three makeshift houses on the rocky island. They occupied the two while the APs’ shared the other.

According to them, trouble begun in June 2004 when Ugandan marine police who were staying in Remba Island came and pitched tent on Migingo following reports of good fish harvests.

“By this time, more houses had been built by Samo members. The Ugandans kicked us out and started collecting rent from our houses at rates ranging between KSh1,000 and KSh1,500 per month. We have since paid over KSh300,000 in rent,” say the duo.

The two Kenyans, the oldest fishermen on the disputed island, claim to have been paying Ugandan policemen KSh500 each on a daily basis as “protection allowance”.

Most of their catch was sold to the Muhuru Bay Co-operative Society that later sells the fish to commercial processors and exporters.

“I believe the Ugandans are intruders.

Where were they in 1991 when the island was nothing but a bush? Our Government should deploy armed forces to kick them

Unfiltered, uninhibited…. just the gruesome truth

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Migingo pioneers trace history of the disputed island

The first Kenyans to settle on Migingo Island Mr Dalmas Tembo (left) and Mr George Kibebe compare notes shortly before making an address.

out forcefully,” says Kibebe.

Previous attempts by the two to claim rent from houses they built, reportedly hit a snag after the Ugandans threatened them with arrest.

Tembo who is married to a Ugandan, claims he lost KSh700,000 and a motor boat when neighbours kicked them out of their house.

“It is wrong for them to say that Migingo is in Uganda and yet their currency has never been used on the island. Even Ugandans are using Kenya shillings in all their transactions,” he adds.

Two other Kenyan islands near Migingo are, however, unoccupied despite carrying plenty of vegetation. They are steep and reportedly harbour a variety poisonous snakes that scared away would-be settlers.

Kenyan fishermen and traders have already threatened to cut off supply of food and other essentials to the Ugandan security officers on the island as the international ownership dispute rages.

They said they would starve the marine police to death if they refuse to vacate the rocky island.

All supplies to the island including fuel comes from the nearby Kenyan beaches of Muhuru, Sori, Mugabo and Nyandiwa beaches. The nearest Ugandan beach is Bugiri, some eight hours away by boat trip.

It only takes one and a half hours to cross the lake from Muhuru Beach in Nyatike Constituency to the island.

At the height of alleged arbitrary arrests and harassment of Kenya fishermen by the Ugandans last year, the latter cut off

supplies to their hostile neighbours, forcing the Bugiri District Commissioner, Ms Mwanamoiza Chikomeko to plead with them for a rethink their stance.

She then agreed to the demands of the Kenyans that they be allowed to sit in the Migingo Beach Management Unit (BMU) meetings on equal representation.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga recently told the Kenyan Parliament that the ownership of the island was not negotiable, insisting the island belonged to Kenya. He urged Kenyans to be patient as the Government makes efforts to reclaim the island from Uganda.

The PM also said five other islands were annexed to Uganda by the former Ugandan president Idi Amin, and should be reclaimed.

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ISSUE 004, October 16-31, 2009

Unfiltered, uninhibited…. just the gruesome truth

Transformer vandals aggravate power problems

By Ryan Mathenge Power rationing that has become a daily hazard for most Kenyan consumers may soon come to an end if the anxiously awaited short-rains season takes root in most regions.

This, however, could become a bad dream if the current nationwide vandalism of the multi-million shilling electric transformers continues unabated.

The crime, that costs the country’s sole power distributor, Kenya Power and Lighting Company a fortune monthly, is driven by thieves seeking the highly priced transformer oil for sale in the black market. The well-organised racket appears to have replaced the equally well-coordinated theft of telephone cables that had made landline telephone communication unreliable countrywide. Theft of electric cables is not uncommon.

The vandals’ activity, coupled with the ongoing power rationing by the distributor, has conspired to make business undertakings, water supply and other household lighting uncertain. Murang’a District is one of the most affected regions.

Recently, the provincial administration reported a daring incident at Kimororio, a few kilometres from the District Commissioner’s office.

In a well-coordinated mission, a gang drove to the caged transformer in a vehicle with markings of the KPLC, and in broad daylight, brought down the transformer, siphoned the oil and drove off. It was the second such incident following last year when a gang climbed up the poles supporting a transformer, but in their attempt to siphon

A resident of Murang’a South District takes a look at a transformer that had been downloaded by vandals.

the coolant, were electrocuted to a cinder.

The incident occurred in Makuyu.

Murang’a South police boss, Mr Antony Onyango gave the vice a different dimension: “We got a report that residents suspected KPLC staff are involved in the vandalism.”

Like the police boss, area residents pointed an accusing finger at the KPLC, pointing out that only highly experienced

people such as the company’s technicians would dare tamper with the transformers given the risks involved.

In Murang’a East, area District Commissioner Mr George Natembeya called on residents to guard transformers near their homes and business premises. In Kahuro area, the area District Officer Mr Chesut Komen recently learnt of the discovery of a vandalised transformer

near Maragua River that marks the border of Kigumo and Kahuro. His pleas to the KPLC personnel to collect the shell from his office were not heeded to with the expected urgency, raising all manner of suspicion.

Contractors installing both cables and transformers in the region are now compelled to provide 24-hour security against marauding transformer vandals.

Cereals price hikes in Nyanza as Tanzanian imports dwindle

By Odhiambo Odhiambo The cost of rice and beans has shot up in South Nyanza due to the dwindling supplies from neighbouring Tanzania.

Traders from Migori, Kuria West, Kuria East and Rongo districts in Nyanza Province say cereals prices had gone up, forcing them to pass the additional cost to consumers.

A two-kilogramme tin of rice is selling at KSh200, up from KSh140 while

the same quantity of beans is going for KSh170 from the previous KSh110. The cereals are imported from across the border due to their shortage in Nyanza Province, even though rice from the Ahero Irrigation Schemes, Nyando District is still available in the local market.

A Reject spot-check at the Isebania border town showed that Tanzanian suppliers were selling a two kilogramme tin of rice to Kenyan traders at KSh150, up from the previous KSh100. This gives the local traders a profit of Sh50.

A two-kilogramme tin of beans was being bought by the traders at KSh80 at the border town.

Consumers in the region protested at the price hike, accusing Tanzanian suppliers and local traders of colluding to exploit them ahead of the December and New Year festivities.

“As consumers, we should unite and abandon the Tanzanian imports to reduce the prices... these people are out to make a quick buck from us,” complained Mrs Janet Okello, a primary

school teacher in Migori Town. Both rice and beans were being consumed in large scale in hotels, schools and colleges in the region. They are also popular in orphanages and homesteads due to the prohibitive cost of fish and meat.

But a Tanzanian supplier, Mr Jamil Mohammed said the demand for both beef and fish outweighed supply. “We hope the supply will increase and push down the prices during harvest time,” he notes.

ISSUE 004, October 16-31, 2009

Unfiltered, uninhibited…. just the gruesome truth

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Tetu switches to big-time fish farming

By Joseph Mukubwa After many years of unemployment and food insecurity, Tetu residents in Central Kenya are now turning to fish farming.

The community that previously frowned on all fish-related undertakings, is now investing heavily in fish farming, creating employment and helping enhance food security, thanks to the high demand for fish countrywide.

Such is the growing popularity of fish farming, that would-be farmers are rushing to the area to learn the ropes from as far as Nyaribari Chache in south-west Kenya.

Aguthi Fish and Sundry Farming Project in Tetu East Division was founded mid last year and has 360 members drawn from the five sub-locations of Aguthi Location. They include Thage-ini, Ithekahuno, Gititu, Mung’aria and Gichira.

The project on a three-acre farm, is run by 15 committee members and eight exofficials.

The project comprising of tilapia and cat fish totalling 2,000 has created employment for many youths, diversified household income sources, and provided more protein intake to consumers.

“This forum is very important since it aims to give our fisher farmers, households and the community in general the best ways in which to carry out fish farming as a business.

“This initiative comes at an opportune moment in the history of the Fisheries Development Ministry which, in April this year, launched the National Oceans and Fisheries Policy which gives the sector the legal framework under which to carry out its activities,” said the Fisheries minister Mr Paul Otuoma.

The minister’s speech was read by his Permanent Secretary Prof Micheni Ntiba during the launch of fish harvesting and sale at the project.

The minister said the new policy identifies the development of fish farming commonly referred to as aquaculture, to be one of its core activities. It’s one area

Fisheries Permanent Secretary Prof Micheni Ntiba displays a cat fish that was harvested at Aguthi Fish Farming Project in Tetu Constituency. This was during the launching of fish harvesting and sale of the project. Photo: Joseph Mukubwa

that will not only reduce fishing pressure on the oceans, lakes and rivers, but will also enhance food security, employment creation, wealth creation and healthy living for Kenyans.

Due to the high demand for fish, the Government is to put up 2,800 fish ponds in 140 constituencies across the country to spur economic growth in rural areas.

Otuoma says his ministry is currently in the process of rolling out the Fish Farming Enterprise Productivity Programme as one

of its key economic stimulus initiatives for rural areas. It entails construction of 200 fish ponds in each of the selected 140 constituencies, including Tetu.

Under the programme, the ministry will mobilise and sensitise fish farming clusters in all the 140 constituencies and thereafter construct, stock and supply farmers with inputs.

“The current area in the country under aquaculture production is only 722 hectares, while fish production stands

at a paltry 4,220 metric tonnes which is less than one per cent of the country’s production potential,” said the minister.

He observed that areas under fish farming in the country stood at slightly over 1.4 million hectares, noting that if fully utilised, production could be increased to 11 million metric tonnes per annum, thus increasing the production value to over KSh750 billion.

That would create an industry that in turn would employ a substantial number of fish farmers, fish feed manufacturers, fish processors and traders,” noted the minister.

He called for the conservation of the environment and water resources by planting of eco-friendly trees in the vicinity of the fish ponds and rivers to strengthen the country’s fish production.

“We want our members to be economically empowered through fish sales to make this project the best and be successful local community income and generating enterprise which is our vision,” said the minister.

Area Member of Parliament, Mr Francis Nyammo, said the fish project would be made the leading income earner as per the constituency’s development agenda.

The MP was among area leaders who helped launch the project with donations of KSh20,000 each, while members bought shares of KSh500 each.

Plans are underway to construct an additional 17 ponds at an estimated cost of KSh2 million, beehives at KSh150,000, and a poultry project at KSh600,000.

“The three projects are inter-related because bees will use fish pond water, fish will feed on poultry waste and poultry will feed on fish by-products like fish meal,” said the project chairman Mr E. Waithaka.

He added: “We also plan to establish tree, fruit and flower nurseries. We also need electricity at this site.”

Nyaribari Chache MP, Mr Robert Monda, former Mukurwe-ini MP Mr Mutahi Kagwe and Director of Fisheries Mr Godfrey Monori were among those who attended the launch.

Coffee farmers see hope in new milling plant

By Ben Oroko The huge losses Kisii coffee farmers suffer at the hands of uncaring commercial millers may be a thing of the past when their cooperative society constructs a milling plant in the south-western region of Kenya.

The over 44,000 small-holder farmers have for years agonised over the massive losses they have incurred due to high transportation, handling and processing charges at the hands of commercial millers located away from the region.

The coffee project will be established by the giant Kisii Farmers Co-operative Union (KFCU) at a cost of Sh25 million.

Contributions by over 25 primary produc-

er coffee co-operative societies affiliated to KFCU in Gusiiland, towards the establishment of the milling plant have kicked off.

The KFCU General Manager, Mr Robert Mainya, has confirmed that the contributions of Sh70,000 from individual societies were underway.

Mainya says the Union management has opened an account for the proposed project with the Co-operative Banks Kisii Branch, to which the societies channel

The over 44,000 small-holder farmers have for years agonised over the massive losses they have incurred due to high transportation, handling and processing charges at the hands of commercial millers located away from the region.

their share contributions.

He says the societies’ share contributions will enable the Union management raise 30 per cent down payment which translates to about Sh6 million of the total cost of the plant.

He, however, clarified that besides the societies’ share contributions, shareholding is open to individual members from the Union’s affiliate cooperative societies, with each member enjoying a minimum share contri-

bution of Sh3,000 or more, depending on one’s financial ability.

The official exudes confidence, saying the proposed project which is projected to benefit farmers from over 25 co-operative societies affiliated to the Union, was viable.

The General Manager challenges coffee growers in the region to improve their coffee husbandry and expand acreage under coffee bushes, to enhance viability and sustainability of the coffee milling plant.

Mainya’s remarks come in the wake of the project’s approval by the Union’s delegates during a Special General Meeting at the Union boardroom,

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Unfiltered, uninhibited…. just the gruesome truth

ISSUE 004, October 16-31, 2009

Community gambles girls’ lives with FGM

By Odhiambo Odhiambo All the arrangements had been made.

The party in her honour was in top gear.

But as the chief guest, Mary Wangwe, 11, was not amused with what was going on.

It was not, according to her, time for celebration.

Everything including loads of food and drink had been organised by her parents for feasting soon after the traditional ceremony.

And so as not to be forced into joining in the fete, she walked five kilometres from home to escape the repugnant ritual.

Wangwe had expressed her opposition to the ritual. It was time for her rite of passage. The method would be the female genital cut, otherwise known as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

However, nobody was paying attention to her feelings. Her parents could have none of it. But for Wangwe, even at that tender age, her future was more important than the rite of passage. To save herself, she decided to disappear shortly before the circumcisers arrived.

The haven of safety would be the Guikonge Maranatha Mission Church.

Wangwe is not the only escapee guest here.

She is among the over 200 girls from the Kuria West District who have found refuge in the religious facility.

But other girls have not been lucky.

Maureen Chacha and Jane Ghati aged 14 and 17 respectively, are already wives married to elderly tobacco farmers in Kehancha Division, Kuria West District.

The months of November and Decem-

ber usually present girls from Kuria comAt the church, the girls are watched over munity with mental trauma as they never by the police as they are at risk of being enjoy the festive season. This is the period taken away by their disappointed parents when the traditional circumcisers make and guardians. Majority of these girls hail a kill charging between KSh200 ($2.6) to from Masaba, Mabera and Kehancha diviKSh500 ($6.6) per operation depending on sions where FGM is now at a climax. one’s ability to bargain.

FGM is a rite of passage so deeply enMajority of these girls, barely into pu- trenched in Kuria community and the berty, have had to face the knife. Even locals have refused to discard it despite those who have undergone alternative rites spirited efforts from NGOs such as Action of passage are never spared because even- Aid-Kenya and the Government. tually they will be cut even if it is through The practice has greatly affected girlthe medicalisation process. child education in the region, with most The problem is made worse by the fact of the initiates being married off early by that there are no government officials to their dowry-thirsty parents. monitor cases of child abuse considering “FGM makes girls attain false status of that FGM is outlawed. The department womanhood after they have been cut beof Children’s Affairs has skeletal staff and, cause then they are regarded as adults. The therefore, not able to cope with all matters community must change its attitude or we concerning children. will forever remain backward,” notes Robi.

Local administration including chiefs Kuria community occupies both sides from this border district condone FGM of the Kenya-Tanzania border. Well off with some of them actively participating in families usually take their children across the circumcision ceremonies. the border to Tanzania to stay with relaThe rescued victims tives so they can escape at Guikonge Maranatha the community pressure At times it some girls for circumcision.

Mission church are aged between 10 and 15 years.

However, there are who feel that they Majority of them were other parents who take are grown up once saved by Mrs Beatrice their daughters to relaRobi, the district chairthey have undergone tives across in Tanzania person of Maendeleo ya to be circumcised for FGM and drop out of fear of being arrested Wanawake Organisation and child rights activist. school. Some of them and charged in court.

Robi usually involves FGM is deeply enget jobs as barmaids trenched in the Kuria the police when she is on a mission to save girls or house-helps in the culture that education from the circumciser’s hardly fits in their list of nearby towns of Ise- priorities. About 62 per knife.

bania, Migori and Kisii.

cent of girls who enroll in primary schools in this district do no make it to secondary stage as a result of the cultural bias. They are forced into early marriage almost immediately after the cut.

“Majority of the girls usually drop out school in January every year following the circumcision season because they have to get married,” say Ministry of Education officials.

However, there is also the bias of who should get education between boys and girls from this community.

“Since Kuria is one the poorest districts in the country, parents opt to educate boys instead of girls. They believe they are just a source of wealth that comes from dowry,” says Mr Lucas Chacha, programme coordinator of Action Aid in the region.

At times it is some girls who feel that they are grown up once they have undergone FGM and drop out of school. Some of them get jobs as barmaids or house-helps in the nearby towns of Isebania, Migori and Kisii.

Despite FGM being deeply entrenched in the region, men from the community prefer to marry uncircumcised women from other communities. that do not circumcise.

Area MP and Roads assistant minister, Dr Wilfred Machage, has always appealed the locals to allow their daughters to first reach 18 years before they are subjected to the cut.

Robi is appealing to humanitarian agencies to come to the support of the rescued girls. “We have been receiving support from the church and well wishers but the assistance is inadequate,” she says.

A banner that calls for an end to violence against women. Female Genital Mutilation is one form of gender-based violence that stops girls from achieving their dreams.

ISSUE 004, October 16-31, 2009

Unfiltered, uninhibited…. just the gruesome truth

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Stench and fear of disease keep Kangangu villagers on the edge

By Ryan Mathenge The encroachment by Maasai herdsmen and their large herds into the vicinity of the remote Kangangu Village, Murang’a District, is disrupting the peace tranquility of the rural habitation.

And why?

The Chairman of Mt Kenya University Mr. Simon Gicharu (second right) presents a cheque to Gitugi Girls’ School. Girls only schools are said to perform better than where they are mixed.

Mixed schools blamed for girls’ poor performance in examinations

By Ben Oroko While girls and boys live together in communities, the idea of them sharing educational facilities is raising hue and cry in certain quarters.

Policy makers in the education sector argue that the poor performance by girls in national examinations is because of their presence in mixed secondary schools. This despite the Government addressing issues of gender disparities that particularly affect the girl-child.

The experts are now rooting for singlesex secondary schools especially in the Kisii region of Nyanza Province, where girls’ performance has been dismal.

The worrying trend was best captured during Nyaribari Chache Constituency Education Day. The event at Senior Chief Musa Nyandusi, Kegati Primary School, featured several key speakers who called for the establishment of more single-sex girls’ secondary schools to redeem the image of the girl-child’s education in the area.

Leading the debate was Nairobi Province Quality Assurance and Standards Officer, Mrs Alice Gichana who challenged the local community, sponsors and policy makers to consider establishing more single-sex girls schools.

The argument raised being that a single sex schools are friendlier and offer a conducive environment for learning that would enhance girls’ performance. She said mixed schooling was unfavourable for girls who faced a myriad adolescent and teenage challenges that impacted negatively on them.

“Research has shown that girls in mixed secondary schools perform poorly both

“It is the duty and responsibility of every parent to ensure the girlchild is given a conducive environment and support to pursue education successfully and without discrimination.”

— Prof Sam Ongeri in national examinations and general academic work, as compared to their counterparts in single-sex girls schools,” explained Mrs Gichana, adding, “This is due to peer pressure caused by girl-boy interactions which diverts their concentration”.

If the single-sex girls’ schools policy is adopted and implemented in Kisii, it will effectively reduce the glaring gender disparities between the number of girls and boys sitting for national examinations in the region.

The officer’s observation comes in the wake of recent remarks by Education Minister Prof Sam Ongeri in which he expressed concern over poor performance by girls in Nyanza, and in Kisii region particular.

Ongeri challenged headteachers of several girls secondary schools in the region to delve into reasons behind the poor performance and forward their findings to the Ministry of Education for action.

The school principals included Esther Ong’ondi (Kereri Girls’ High School), Joyce Orioki (St Charles Lwanga Ichuni Girls’ High School) and their colleagues from Sengera, Kioge, Nyabururu and Sironga girls’ schools among others in the region.

Ongeri challenged principals from in the province to sensitise parents and local communities on the importance of girlchild education to both the society and the nation.

“I am challenging all communities and parents in Nyanza Province to change their attitude towards girls’ education, and wake up to the reality that times have changed.

“It is the duty and responsibility of every parent to ensure the girl-child is given a conducive environment and support to pursue education successfully and without discrimination,” said the minister.

He said lack of knowledge among many residents in Nyanza Province had kept them in the dark on the importance of girl-child education.

The minister assured parents that his ministry would institute measures to address gender disparities and reduce the widening gender gap between boys and girls in national examinations performance.

This is because of the stench from the hundreds of decomposing carcasses of cattle that are dying daily for lack of pasture and water after months of wandering the vast regions of the Rift Valley into Central Kenya.

And the deaths are not just due to the severe drought that has progressively turned pasture land into bare desert, but, also the killer East Coast Fever, according to local veterinarians.

Sick and weak cows are succumbing to the tick-borne disease after being left behind by herdsmen as they transversed Makuyu Division in search of what is left of pasture and water for the surviving livestock.

A visit to the village mid last month revealed carcasses left in the isolated farms and other heaped near Kangangu Primary School awaiting disposal.

District Veterinary Officer, Dr Jane Njuguna said East Coast Fever was the main cause of death for the animals, But assured members of the public there was no reports of an outbreak in the area.

She said Makuyu town council was responsible for disposal of the carcasses.

Nominated Councillor Elizabeth Wambui Mwangi described the situation as pathetic with thousands of residents being exposed to bad smell.

“The animals are dying at a high rate and the situation is worrying.

There is an urgent need for a lasting solution to the problems,” said the civic leader.

Local residents led by Mr Robert Mukora detailed how they have suffered from the stench as relevant government officials have failed to take action against the herdsmen for failing to bury the carcasses.

8

ISSUE 004, October 16-31, 2009

Unfiltered, uninhibited…. just the gruesome truth

Ford Foundation President visits Kenya, lauds paper

By SUSAN MWANGI The Ford Foundation President, Mr Luis A. Ubiñas has commended the Media Diversity Centre for its work with correspondents in Kenya.

The President was especially impressed by the Reject Online newspaper that publishes articles of importance to communities by correspondents that media houses have not published.

Mr Ubiñas was in Kenya early this month to visit organisations receiving funding from the international body. They include African Women & Child Features Service, which is one of the beneficiaries under the Media Diversity Centre (MDC) programme.

The MDC programme has been empowering correspondents around the country by setting up media development content centres.

During a meeting with MDC in Nanyuki, Mr Ubiñas commended the NGO’s work with correspondents in Kenya and especially on the start of the Online newspaper.

“This is a step in the direction the Foundation is planning to move into by working with grassroots through such organisations and bringing up development issues to the national level,” said the President.

He added: “MDC is doing exactly what Ford Foundation wants to do by working with journalists who are leaders at the grassroots.”

He noted that with the growth of Information technology, MDC has the capability of building an online community that goes beyond the national level to international audiences. This would be crucial in times of crises that would be known at the click of a button.

The grant has so far enabled over 70 correspondents countrywide access to computers and internet connection. This will enhance their media work that is controlled by timeliness of news from the field to the media houses.

According to Ms Susan Mwangi, MDC programme officer: “So far, MDC has started media content centres in Garissa, Nanyuki, Migori, Busia and Kitale. We have also mapped out other areas to set up the centres that include Murang’a, Narok, Malindi and Mwingi.”

Ford Foundation President, Mr Luis Ubinas (centre) with Ms Rosemary Okello, (left) Executive Director African Woman and Child Feature Service and Miss Susan Mwangi, Programme officer media Diversity Centre during his visit to Kenya early this month.

She explained: “This is only a start and we hope to have more media centres in very remote areas of the country where what happens may remain unknown despite it being of importance.”

The Reject newspaper highlights human-interest and development issues that go unreported in the mainstream media.

Other than this current issue, there have been three others published on the MDC website.

During his visit, the President made a courtesy call to the District Commissioner in Laikipia East and emphasised on the need for the Government to partner with non-government organisations in dealing with social problems affecting the communities.

Later on, he visited Dol Dol Primary School where the Coalition of Violence

Against Women (COVAW), another guarantee of Ford Foundation, runs a programme that encourages girl-child education among the Maasai community. COVAW engages paralegals who handle gender-based violence issues as well as forced and early marriages among girls in the community.

Mr Ubiñas is the ninth president of the Ford Foundation and has worked extensively with profit and non-profit organisations before joining Ford. He has served on the boards of a range of local and national non-profit making institutions including Leadership Education and Development, the Steppingstone Foundation, the March of Dimes in Boston and the United Way in San Francisco in the United States.

Mr Ubiñas spent 20 years at McKinsey & Company, where he worked with telecommunications, technology and me-

Executive Director: Rosemary Okello-Orlale Programme Coordinator: Wilson Ugangu Programme Officer: Susan Mwangi Project Editor: Jane Godia Project Designer: Noel Lumbama Copy Editor: Frank Wanyama Contributors: Doseline Kiguru, Johann Wandetto, Odhiambo Odhiambo, Ryan Mathenge, Joseph Mukubwa, Ben Oroko, George Omonso and Rahma Maingi

dia companies and led McKinsey’s Media Practice on the West Coast. His work centred on leading major change programs.

The Ford Foundation works on resolving problems in communities, working directly with those affected. It is also involved in efforts to expand democratisation and civic participation; protect the rights of women and girls; expand economic opportunity; strengthen the capacity of local philanthropies and non-profits; advance public service media; and build new partnerships for peace and social justice.

Since its inception, the Foundation has provided nearly $270 million to hundreds of innovative organisations.

At the end of the Ubiñas’ one-week visit, the Foundation hosted a cocktail for its guarantees in Kenya as an appreciation of the work they are doing.

www.mediadiversityafrica.org Write to: info@mediadiversityafrica.org The paper is produced with funds from Ford Foundation