August 1-15, 2010
ISSUE 022
A bimonthly on-line newspaper by the Media Diversity Centre, a project of African Woman and Child Feature Service
God’s gift to mankind Mukogodo Forest retains its virginity with strict traditional norms
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By Paul Mwaniki
s the destruction of the Mau Forest Complex and evictions of illegal squatters are compounded by political hype, the scenario in Laikipia District’s Mukogodo Forest is totally different. Mukogodo Forest is one of the largest indigenous forests in Eastern Africa that is protected by the community with minimum government involvement. Covering a total of 74,000 acres, the forest was initially the home of Yiaku speaking minority group, a Cushitic group that has over the years been assimilated into the Maasai culture.
Yiaku community The Yiaku way of life was hunting and gathering, and the forest was a good ground for their livelihood. It is estimated that this community used to live in the Mukogodo Forest over 4,000 years ago. However, due to infiltration by neighbouring Maasai and Samburu communities who are pastoralists, the Yiaku people were assimilated into livestock rearing. The community is estimated to number slightly over 4,000 people, according to a census by UNESCO. Their habitation in Mukogodo Forest, also included protection of their habitat. The infiltration of the pastoralist communities and their animals did not change their vow to protect the relatively highly expansive indigenous forest. Taboos were set to oversee that nobody ever dared to go against the set rules of conserving the heritage. Furthermore, the three communities marked sacred sites, where sacrifices and traditional rituals could be conducted. According to historians, the Maasai community was the first to be pushed to the area by the colonial government in
A section of Mukogodo Forest in Laikipia North district. It is one of the largest community guarded indigenous forest in Eastern Africa covering a total of 74,000 acres of purely indigenous trees. Below: Mzee Leteyon Leitiko, 72, an elder from the Yiaku community. Picture: Paul Mwaniki
mid 1930s after the invaders settled in the Laikipia plateau. By then, the forest was known as Dorobo Reserve, a name that referred to the Yiaku community. The Maasai pronounced it as iltorobo, meaning poor people with no animals. After the Maasai settled in the forest, they took up the role of conserving the
forest alongside their hosts. In any case, the conservation served their cause as it ensured availability of pasture for their animals and pastoral way of life. They set up grazing grounds to which they could drive their animals during dry seasons with enough supply of water as well as plains where their herd could graze during the wet seasons.
Taboos were set to oversee that nobody ever dared to go against the set rules of conserving the heritage.
The two communities became one. To run the forest, they had to develop suitable governing structures for their survival. The forest is to date a no go zone during the wet seasons, while during drought, a council of elders sits to decide where and when the animals should be grazed. Two major rivers and four springs from the forest are a reliable source of water for residents and their livestock. According to Mr John Legei, an elder, the strict rules have helped in the conservation. Continued on page 2
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ISSUE 022, August 1-15, 2010
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
Mukogodo Forest retains its virginity Continued from page 1
“These rules were set for our own good. Since the time of our fore fathers they have been followed to the book as no member of the community can dare break them,” explains Legei, 65, in an interview with The Reject. Legei says there were very strong taboos for those who dared go against the rules. “Apart from grazing, the forest is also the source for firewood, herbs, honey and natural dyes but only for home use,” he explains.
By BENDARO TSUMA
Strict system He says despite the huge piles of rotting logs scattered all over the forest and being potential for quick profits for charcoal burners, no one dares go that route for fear of the wrath of the council of elders’ court. It is normal for the Government to deploy officers and guards to manage and protect forests from both loggers and squatters. Not so in Mukogodo Forest. To the amazement of many, only one forester covers it with the help of three scouts from the community, whose work is mainly provision of assistance during times of natural disasters. “Here we do not have the problem of illegal loggers or charcoal burners. Manning the forest, therefore, becomes an easy task for the government,” notes Mr Emilio Mugo Senior Deputy Director with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), during a tour of to the forest recently. Mugo says the forest was exceptional considering how the community has managed to conserve it in its natural status. “It is out of this realisation that the forest is being used as a case study for other countries,” explains Mugo. He urges other Kenyans to visit the forest for a tutorial on ideal forest conservation. The forest has retained many pure strands of the rare sandalwood that is much sought after by illegal loggers for its lucrative price in the black market. A kilogramme of sandalwood fetches as much as KSh4,000. Ms Jennifer Koinante who is in the process of attracting the few remaining Yiaku community back to the forest with
Mukogodo forest officer Mr Simon Gioche and a forest guard at a spring in the forest. The spring is a major source of water for animals during dry seasons. Picture: Paul Mwaniki
assistance of the umbrella of Yiaku Peoples Association, says the sandalwood’s bark is used by the local community in making herbal tea. She rules out any other uses that may see the community’s conservation efforts go to waste.
Tourism prospects Koinante says that locals are now coming up with a forest management plan as passed by the Forest Act 2007 which will be implemented in collaboration with the Government. “We have plans to build lodges in the forest where we can practice eco-tourism and we expect tourists will be coming to visit this natural resource. “In return, we have well organised women and youth groups who are ready to work and earn through this business,” explains Koinante. The forest boasts rich biodiversity in terms of flora and fauna, being home to
210 species of bird, 35 big mammals and 12 small mammals. For those who are fond of watching butterflies, Mukogodo Forest is the place to be as there are over 100 species which crown the forest with different colours. Mzee George Rambei, chairman of four community group ranches, Lekuruki, Il Ngwesi, Kurikuri and Makurian says the community’s involvement in the eco-tourism project has enabled them to construct two community lodges for tourists that are already in operation. There are plans to build others. Women are also benefitting from selling beadwork to tourists who visit the lodges. As the Mau controversy rages after massive destruction of the largest water tower in the country, residents of Mukogodo are reaping from their sacrifice. The motivation to continue protecting their “God given” natural resource that is Mukogodo forest is still high.
KPLC scales up tact on vandalism By ODHIAMBO ODHIAMBO The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has taken steps to arrest theft of oil on its transformers. Speaking at Stima Plaza in Nairobi, KPLC Operations and Maintenance Manager in Nairobi Mr Noah Omondi said they were piloting an intruder alarm systems which send alerts to the control centre at the Plaza. “Where we have installed these alarms, we are able to monitor the alarms and know the kind of activities going on around the vicinity of the transformers,” Omondi explained. “These then send messages that we are able to use to arrest vandals. The KPLC has been losing Sh600 million every year to vandalism on its trans-
Exotic tree traders lament hiked levies
formers. About 164,000 customers are thrown into darkness in blackouts within the same period as a result of the damage. The power transmission firm estimates that the country’s economy is suffering a loss of about KSh2 billion annually due to acts of vandalism. According to KPLC vandalism interrupted power supply to the customers last longer than disruptions caused by emergencies or disasters. “This is because it takes time to investigate and resolve vandalism cases before supply is restored,” he said. “In the past, vandals would raid transformers for the copper winding and oil. Then the Government banned exportation of copper in 2008 and the vandalism
shifted more towards the transformer oil,” he explained. “But we still have 20 to 30 per cent of vandalism targeted at copper windings,” noted Omondi. He pointed out that transformer oil still stood at 70 percent. The official said vehicle users, jua kali operators and light industries are the main drivers of demand for transformer oil. He said “mulika mwizi” initiative was one of the strategies they are using to get citizens to become partners with KPLC in the war against vandalism. KPLC loses an average 100 transformers every month with cases of vandalism being concentrated in Nairobi, Thika, Nyeri, Gatundu, Kiambu, Kiambaa, Kikuyu, Ruiru, Dagoretti, Karen, Kitengela and Machakos.
Mangrove traders in Lamu District are decrying high taxes charged by the local council. The council has raised the levy from KSh160 for 20 poles sold to KSh500. According to Mr Hassan Idarus, a trader at the Mokowe jetty dealers in mangrove trees were facing a lot of challenges. “I have been a mangrove trader for eight years and it is becoming difficult to do business now because the tax has been raised too high,” Idarus said. “We buy mangrove products from as far as Mwambore near Kiunga. We buy poles and fence pieces from Kiunga, Mkunumbi and transport them to Mombasa,” he explained. He said each businessman bought the products according to orders received from builders in Malindi or Mombasa. “We receive orders for poles, roofing sticks and fencing pieces which range from KSh40 per piece to KSh100,” he said. The poles are classified as boriti, nguzo, banaa and mazio. Boriti are the long poles used for constructing roofs, nguzo or banaa are thick stems from mature mangrove plants used as pillars, they are used in constructing huge roofs such as the ones used in tourist hotels. Instead of concrete pillars, the banaa act as pillars while the vigingi are short poles specifically for fencing. Wire mesh is usually nailed on them round a plot and mazio are poles used to block the entrance, they act as gates but on a wider area, say 50 or 100 metres where the entrance is completely blocked. “The ban on mangrove exports more than 10 years ago has also affected the trade,” said Idarus.
Island jetty under repair By Bernado Tsuma Rehabilitation of the Lamu jetty is expected to ease congestion at the offloading bay on Lamu Island. A construction firm M/s Cormaarco Construction Co. Ltd won the tender to repair the terminal jetty that is expected to complete by December. According to the site manager, Mr Jeremiah Apamo, the KSh230 million project begun in June 2009 and will be complete by December 2010. “The jetty was in bad shape as it has not been repaired for 25 years,” he said. A second jetty collapsed about five years ago and has not been repaired.
ISSUE 022, August 1-15, 2010
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
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Major health boost as hospitals are rehabilitated By Faith Muiruri The Government has rolled out an ambitious plan to rehabilitate 23 hospitals across the country in the next five years, in an initiative jointly being undertaken with the Government of Netherlands. The project which is set to cost a total of KSh2.73 billion will be financed in three categories and aims at rehabilitating, equipping and strengthening the selected hospitals spread across six provinces. According to the immediate past Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Medical Services, Prof James Ole Kiyiapi, the first allocation is a grant of KSh1.23 billion from the Netherlands Government (represented by Stichting ORET).
ment partners with a view to providing quality medical services to Kenyans in line with Vision 2030 and its Mid Term Strategic plan 2008-2012. Other key projects include the strengthening of Kisii and Kericho District hospitals in an initiative funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at a cost of KSh695 million.
“The construction of Nairobi East District Hospital in Kayole is already underway in a project jointly being funded by the Kenya Government (KSh10m), and the Chinese Government which has given KSh544 million,” Kiyiapi said. He added: The new hospital will have a 112-bed capacity, and will result in increased access
“The initiative will help transform provincial general hospitals into referral institutions and decongest Kenyatta National and Moi Teaching and Referral hospitals.” — Prof James Ole Kiyiapi
Government boost Speaking during the launch of the project at the Meru District Hospital, the PS said the second allocation is a concessionary loan of KSh1.234 billion from the ING Netherlands Bank, while the Government of Kenya will contribute KSh261.5 million to the project. The hospitals covered by the project include Kakamega and Busia (Western), Migori, Gucha, Bondo, Kisumu and Kehancha (Nyanza), Transmara, Kapsabet, Nanyuki, Kabarnet, Narok, Longisa and Nakuru (Rift Valley), Nyeri, Thika, Nyahururu, Murang’a and Kirinyaga (Central). In Eastern Province, the selected hospitals include Kitui, Machakos and Meru Central District hospitals.
Rehabilitation
to healthcare services to the population in Eastern Nairobi.” The Embu Provincial Hospital is set to receive a major facelift in a project which seeks to oversee construction of new structures, renovation and refurbishment of existing buildings and completion of stalled structures. The hospital has been funded to the tune of KSh384 million by the Arab Bank of Economic Development for Africa (BADEA), while the Kenya Government has pumped KSh112m in the project to improve the current poor infrastructure to acceptable standards. The PS added: “The Wajir District Hospital is also undergoing major rehabilitation, and will be equipped with specialized equipment in a project funded by Kuwait Government at KSh800 million.”
Health facility to get state of the art theatre
New face “The project entails renovation of basic utilities in the selected hospitals except for Kisumu, Nakuru and Mombasa. The hospitals will be equipped with a reliable water and power supply, oxygen and waste management systems,” he explained. The selected hospitals will also receive specialised equipment such as a CT diagnostic, and breast cancer prevention programmes. “Hospitals will also be equipped with X-ray, ultra sound, mammography, computed tomography scanners, theatre equipment and incubators,” said Kiyiapi. To secure proper functioning of the medical equipment, pre-installation works, room adaptations and minor rehabilitation works will be incorporated as part of the overall project. He added: “New casualty and diagnostic services will be constructed in Gucha, Kilgoris, Kirinyaga, Longisa, Meru, Migori, Murang’a, Nanyuki and Nyahururu. In addition, the project will involve the strengthening of institutional systems by training key staff on operation and maintenance of equipment.” The PS reiterated: “The initiative will help transform provincial general hospitals into referral institutions and decongest Kenyatta National and Moi Teaching and Referral hospitals.” The project is a five-year programme which starts from 2009/10 financial year and is part of the 36 projects the Ministry of Medical services is implementing across the country, jointly with develop-
Immediate former Medical Services PS Prof James ole Kiyiapi (second left) with Lewa Conservancy CEO Mr Jonathan Moss, Imenti North MP Mr Silas Muriuki (centre) and Buuri DC Mr Samuel Mwati (left) when he received equipment donated by the Conservancy to Timau Sub-District Hospital. Picture: Paul Mwaniki
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By Paul Mwaniki
imau Sub-District Hospital in Buuri District is set to benefit from a multimillion theatre from the Government. The hospital will also be upgraded by construction of a twin ward one for women and children while the other will serve the men. Announcing this, immediate former Medical Services Permanent Secretary, Mr James Ole Kiyiapi said the Government’s agenda was to improve all hospitals in the country. Speaking during a tour of the hospital, Kiyiapi also promised an ambulance during this financial year and urged the
hospital management board to forward a request in writing. Imenti North MP, Mr Julius Muriuki who accompanied the PS said that through the Constituency Development Fund they will sink a borehole in the hospital to ease water shortage. Muriuki urged the Government to increase the number of clinical officers in the hospital to cater for the ever increasing population due to the increased horticulture farms in the region. He noted that pregnant women feared delivering at the hospital since it did not have a theatre as they would be stranded in case of complications. However, Kiyiapi assured the residents that construction of the new theatre is set
to start immediately at a cost of KSh10 million. During the function Kiyiapi received facilities worth KSh500,000 from Lewa Conservancy among them office tables, chairs, cabinets and refrigerators. Lewa Down CEO, Mr Jonathan Moss who presented the equipment said it was part of the contribution from the annual Lewa Marathon. “The conservancy will also assist with funds that will be used to do a master plan for the hospital in collaboration with the government,” said Moss. Kiyiapi thanked the Conservancy and called on other neighbouring farms to assist the hospital in one way or another towards its growth.
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ISSUE 022, August 1-15, 2010
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
Fear for the unknown overshadows common market
Brokers express anxiety over loss of income By MICHAEL OONGO For the past ten years, Mr Joseph Obanjo has earned his living as a broker at the border town of Busia. However, his fortunes are set to change as the region embraces the East African Common market. Obanjo, like many others who operate as go-between on the border of Kenya and Uganda are not so sure of their survival. Obanjo’s job entails connecting prospective sellers with prospective buyers for goods from Kenya and Uganda. All he does is negotiate prices for goods on behalf of his clients at a commission. The amount of the commission depends with the value of goods. Obanjo is sceptical about the benefits the move is expected to extend to the people of the member states. The single market encourages free movement of goods, people and services. It opens up opportunities for both professionals and business people within the region.
Job loss The middleman argues that the move is likely to render brokers jobless because the business people will now have direct access to the sources, thus bypassing them. There are over 1,000 brokers and loaders who derive their livelihood from cross border activities. However, they are now fearful that the free market would adversely affect their source of income. “The free movement of people across the common border is not good for some of us because those we are serving will no longer require our services,” says Obanjo. He adds: “They will be able to move unrestricted to the sources of their goods leaving us jobless.” He laments: “There are about 1,000 people who are dependent on this border for their livelihood. Where will they go after losing their source of income?”
Crime His colleague, Mr Joseph Nandima, 32, thinks that with uncontrolled movement of people criminal activities are likely to be on the rise. “Our fear is that we will no longer enjoy the peaceful environment we are used to because many youths who depend on ferrying contraband goods will turn to crime as they will have nothing else to do,” Nandima observes. Most of the young people at the border town assist in ferrying goods for business people who evade paying taxes at the border. Goods which find their way out of Kenya into Uganda in this way include Supermatch cigarettes, Polyethylene bags, mattresses, mosquito nets, pharmaceutical products, cooking fat and coffee. From Uganda, Kenyans bring in cereals, cassava, bananas, bhang, cosmetics,
sachet alcohol and small arms. A good number of young men also earn their livelihood by engaging in smuggling activities as they run errands for unscrupulous businessmen who prefer to hide their identity because of the shadowy nature of their businesses. Sources at the Kenya Revenue Authority offices in Busia are optimistic that with the common market there will be even more activities at the border with the expected increase in volume of trade. The Officer Commanding Busia Police Division (OCPD), Mr Erastus Muthamia, admits that the expected inflow of human traffic will pose security challenges to both countries. However, he is quick to add that his officers are ready to face the challenges. “We are aware that security guards in Uganda are armed with guns but this should not worry Kenyans because we have taken the necessary steps to ensure that nobody sneaks into the country with
unlawful firearms,” explains Muthamia. Despite the apprehension about the accompanying human traffic problems, many people believe that the benefits the common market will bring far outweigh the negative effects it may bring.
Brokers down to business at the Malaba border point custom yard. They fear that if the member countries of the common market establish one central bank they will lose their jobs. Picture: Michael Oongo
Integration brings hope to merchants in Taita-Taveta By BEN MWANGA For residents of the larger Taita-Taveta District hopes are alive to business opportunities that will come with the East African Community (EAC) common market. The residents see plenty of business opportunities from the expanded regional market in terms of economic growth and wealth creation.
Prospects With the Protocol coming into effect, residents of the far-flung border towns of Taveta and Lunga Lunga in neighbouring Kwale District look forward to exploring economic prospects. “The Protocol will create a lot of investment and job opportunities for many jobless youth in the region,” says Mr Francis Rongaine, a businessman in Taveta. He adds: “Food security will be better given the symbiotic cooperation and pooling resources between the member states.” Rongaine says the EAC Common Market is now firmly in place and local residents can invest in member states as well as enjoy residency rights. He reiterates that the residents of the five-member states will now be able to effectively exploit their cultural diversities to
better their lives. “Regional tourism will give a much needed boost to domestic tourism,” he explains. He sees one of the achievements as that of Tanzania and Kenya harnessing their vast natural and human resources for the benefit of the people.
Improvement “We should take advantage of the EAC market as it will improve governance, service delivery, accountability and transparency to parts where many never thought that it would ever reach in their life time,” explains Rongaine. Generally, Tanzania has a better health care infrastructure with more to offer than in any other single country in the region. This is determined by the number of people from the region seeking medical attention in the neighbouring country. Kenyans interviewed, however, said all these wonderful prospects are to a very large
extent dependent on unprecedented levels of political will, trust and good neighbourliness to drive the process forward. He adds: “Free movement of goods and services have improved with the conducive environment that has been provided for by the integration.” The businessman, however, says there is need for more advocacy and awareness creation among the residents to be able to understand more about the integration process. Meanwhile Taveta DC, Mr Hiribae Nkaduda says the integration places the residents on the threshold of their long relations and more so trade links with their neighbours in Tanzania. “Traders along the Kenya-Tanzania border are looking forward to a more vibrant regime of interaction and free trade between communities that have done business for many years,” says Nkaduda. Continued on page 5
“Free movement of goods and services have improved with the conducive environment that has been provided for by the integration.” — Francis Rongaine, a businessman
ISSUE 022, August 1-15, 2010
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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
Fear for the unknown overshadows common market
Harassment of traders still witnessed at border points By ODHIAMBO ODHIAMBO While the East African Protocol is expected to rejuvenate good neighbourliness among the Community member states, things are not looking as rosy as they should. The Common Market Protocol which was launched in July was meant to facilitate services and trade within the region with minimum bureaucracy. However, this has not been the case as there has been no free movement of people, goods, labour and services at the Isebania border town in Kuria West District. Kenyans going into Tanzania and the neighbours coming into the country were ‘still being asked questions’ by the immigration and revenue authority officials manning the border post. Trailers transporting goods queued for several hours before being cleared by officials on both Kenyan and Tanzanian side of the border.
Market protocol “These people seem ignorant of the contents of the Protocol,” said Mr Mohammed Bilal, a Tanzanian trader. “They need extensive induction otherwise it will take ages before we can start enjoying benefits of the free market.” A spot-check by the Reject saw some Kenyans smuggling beauty products
through the illegal entry points for fear of being arrested and prosecuted. “We cannot trust what the Government is saying in Nairobi . . . these people like money so much and will not let us pass simply because of the free market protocol,” complained Mr Moran Mwita, a businessman. Kenyan fishermen operating at the disputed Migingo Island in Lake Victoria have also raised alarm. They claim to being harassed and treated like foreigners by the Ugandan security forces despite the Protocol. The neighbours, they say, are still charging them levies, vetting fishermen trading on the fish-rich island and seizing their fish catches. “We wonder if the fishing industry is not part of the Protocol. The Ugandans are still protecting imaginary borders in the lake at a time when our leaders are talking about free regional market...this is a fallacy,” said Mr Paul Odhiambo, a
Immigration offices at the Isebania Border Point. Kenyans and Tanzanians using this border post complain of harrasement by officials from both governments. Picture: Odhiambo Odhiambo
fisherman on Migingo. “In fact, the Ugandan officers should now concentrate on major security issues in the lake and leave us to do business without harassment and intimidation,” he suggested. “What is the relevance of the EA market protocol when these Ugandans are still talking about trespassing in the mass
Although member states had ushered in the common market policy, full implementation will be a gradual process that is likely to take as long as five years. — Amason Kingi
Integration brings hope to merchants in Taita-Taveta Continued from page 4
The DC says there exists strong cultural ties between the residents of the larger Taita-Taveta region and the Tanzanians, across the border.“The Wataveta consider Tanzania’s Chagga people in the Kilimanjaro region as their cousins,” he explains.
Trade barriers At the same time many Tanzanian children even cross the border on daily basis to attend classes in Kenya. Many sick Kenyans from the region seek medical services at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre which is famous for its services. Tanzania is among Kenya’s top trading partners within the region. The implementation of the protocol could be viewed as a blessing to residents within the region. However, all is not smooth. Local residents have been crying foul over the high number of trade barriers imposed by Tanzanian authorities, which include cumbersome and costly transiting rules and regulations. Locals are expecting that such contentious issues will be resolved and become a thing of the past once the East African integration process is fully operational. Nkaduda says residents will be able to get employment in the region without any
hitches. He adds: “The integration also allows traders to import and export goods freely within the region.” The DC says laws will be enacted and will remove barriers and restrictions on the movement, sale, investment and payments of capital. He further noted the region stood to benefit immensely from the anticipated increased economic activities and vitality the EAC integration promises. “The district’s proximity to the border should act as an impetus to locals to start focusing on issues that would stimulate the region’s development and improve economic growth,” says the DC. The border towns of Taveta, Lunga Lunga in Kenya and Holili in Tanzania are usually thriving with economic activities on market days —Wednesdays and Saturdays — and the integration will be a major boost to the locals. As is common in virtually all border towns, illegal and under-hand dealings are common in the two towns. Contraband goods that include drugs, human trafficking and car-jacking are common at the border. Kenya and Tanzania are linked by the VoiTaveta road and the Voi-Moshi railway. Nkaduda expressed concern over the
poor state of the road noting that it should be tarmacked to ease movement of goods and people as well as enhance trade links between the two countries. The government has in its budget for this financial year set aside KSh700,000 for the rehabilitation of the 112 Km dilapidated Voi-Taveta road. Locals say tarmacking of the road is long over-due, in light of its economic significance. The railway is another very important transport facility between the two countries but sadly it is no longer operational after the cash-strapped Kenya Railways ceased to operate both cargo and passenger trains along the route several years ago. The Taveta road which traverses the Tsavo National Park is the lifeline of Tanzanian’s exports and imports to and from the Kilimanjaro region hence the need for the government to give its upgrading to a tarmacked highway top priority. Land has been allocated for the construction of an international airport and a dry port in the area in readiness for the anticipated boom in trade in the region. Taveta Town Council has also embarked a major expansion and modernization programme of the town’s infrastructure including the border market and bus park.
water body?” posed Mr Brian Owiti, a fisherman. Lilian Akinyi, 30, moved to the border of Kenya and Tanzania in 2001 to engage in cross-border trade. Then, she says, life at the Isebania border town was not easy as it is today. Passing through the border point to either of the countries was a hectic affair. One would wait in line for several hours to be cleared by the revenue authority and immigration officials. Crews of trailers waited for several days as their goods on transit were being counter checked and verified by officials from the two countries. Scenes of tired drivers and turn-boys sleeping under their vehicles for days and nights had become very common at the border.
Patience But Kenya Revenue Authority and Immigration officials said they had stopped harassing Kenyans except ‘we are still studying finer details of the protocol’. “You should not expect benefits immediately. It will take some time for everybody to domesticate the new system,” said an officer who requested anonymity. The minister for East African Community in Kenya, Mr Amason Kingi said although member states had ushered in the common market policy, full implementation will be a gradual process that is likely to take as long as five years. “The full implementation and complete removal of barriers may be realised around 2015,” explained Kingi. The Common Market Protocol provides for free movement of goods, persons, workers, services and capital. It also allows the right of establishment and residence in the member states that include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania Rwanda and Burundi. The new EA market consists of about 126 million people with a GDP of over $73 billion. According to the East African Legislative Assembly, Mr Augustine Lotodo, there will be no work permits across the region and laws have been adjusted for all partner states to confirm. He said Rwanda had already dropped the requirement of work permits for Kenyans and “we expect the same to be extended to other EA countries.”
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ISSUE 022, August 1-15, 2010
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
Village in landmark power project By Muasya Charles At Ngere Market, 70 traders are happy that they no longer have to rely on kerosene lamps for lighting. Although the power they are accessing is only for light domestic use, they are happy that for now it is better than what they had previously. They have installed electricity from the Kiama River Falls to their business premises. That is why for Ms Mary Mumbi, the power project has changed her life. It has improved her standard of livelihood after she installed the power in her house. “I have started poultry farming using the electricity and I can also charge mobile phone batteries for other people which earns me extra income,” she says.
Power potential
Kitui High School named ‘centre of excellence’ By BONIFACE MULU
A villager walks down Kiama River whose falls the community uses to generate hydropower. Below: John Kinuthia displays an electricity meter box in one of the houses. Picture: Muasya Charles
For years, residents of Ngere Village, Gatanga Division, Thika have watched Kiama River Falls as any other scenic site, oblivious of its potential for tourism and hydro-power generation. When the City Council of Nairobi moved in to construct the Ndakaini Dam into which the river empties its waters, neither the civic body nor the local residents took note of the untapped resource staring them in the face. Things were to change for the better when the unrealised potential of the falls, dawned on the local residents. The falls have, as a consequence, become a lifeline to an estimated 180 local residents from a nearby village who now subsist on its power generation, courtesy of a community driven initiative. From a contribution of only KSh12,000, the villagers have installed electricity in their homes and the market centre. “We started the project in a simple way of mobilising the villagers to join hands and exploit the falls and maximise food production along the river banks,” says Mr
John Kinuthia, Chairman of Ngere HydroPower Project. Prior to 1985, the Falls was undistinguishable from any other tourist attraction. But a feasibility study by a consultant hired by members of the community based initiative showed that the Falls had a capacity to generate enough domestic power for over 500 homesteads.
Contribution Members, thereafter, approached the Kenya Power and Lightening Company and were granted authority to proceed with the requisite process in the exploitation of the resource. Work started in 1986. Prior to venturing into the project, the local residents had unsuccessfully applied to the power distributor for connection. The company’s charges of KSh30,000 per applicant were too high for the mostly peasant farming community. It was then
that their attention turned to the undiscovered and unexploited waterfalls. Members of the community based organisation, thereafter, agreed to make the contributions in three instalments of KSh5,000, KSh4,000 and KSh3,000. They managed to realise a total KSh2.16 million to kick-start the project. The local Constituency Development Fund gave an extra KSh300,000, thus enabling the group to buy an additional generator, as another KSh300,000 was acquired from the local tea factory to fund final touches to the power generation project. “The falls currently generates 5 kilowatts of electricity, though it has a capacity to produce 30 kilowatts,” says Kinuthia. Noting the plant had yet to be maximised to full capacity, the secretary of the project Mr William Kimani said they were looking for a consultant to deal with that possibility.
Education project faces major hitch By FIDELIS KABUNYI Construction of Kawaida Primary School in Kiambaa constituency of Kiambu District has stalled after a contractor withdrew from the project citing underpayment. Controversy emerged after the contractor, Rawford Construction Company demanded that the current Constituency Development Fund committee review the costs. The contractor’s argument is based on the fact that the money quoted in the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) in 2006 could not apply in 2009/2010 due to the high cost of building materials. Information available to The Reject indicated that the current committee declined to revise the rates and
instead terminated the contract insisting that the tendering process will be opened for advertisement to other contractors. The project was initiated in 2007 by the former CDF committee under the chairmanship of former MP Mr Njenga Karume at an initial cost of KSh16 million. Safaricom donated an additional KSh5 million to the project. According to the Kiambu District Development Officer, Mr David Kirimi, Rawford Contractors qualified for tender after successful bidding. However the contractor was unable to finish the project within the stipulated time frame of one year and had to seek consent to extend construction period from the incoming CDF committee after
Karume lost the seat in the last General Elections. The school is being relocated to a new site as it currently stands in a colonial cowshed that has become dilapidated, with the leaking roofs and muddy surfaces making it unfit for human habitation. The whole project entails the construction of a new modern school equipped with an Information Technology computer laboratory, spacious and standard classrooms so as to raise the profile of the area which is currently deplorable and ranks as the poorest in the district. The Ministry of Public Works has however offered to arbitrate the standoff and is working on a new guideline works to revise the rates for the work not done.
It is government policy that each of the 210 constituencies countrywide has a centre of excellence. And out of the 52 learning institutions in Kitui Central Constituency, Kitui High School has won the accolade. Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Kaluki Ngilu vowed to extend adequate funds to the school following its nomination as the Constituency’s “centre of excellence”. “Kitui High School is our choice. So as to have a complex we will build Kitui Girls’ High School and Kitui Teachers’ Training College within the compound of Kitui High School,” said the minister. Kitui High School was built by the colonial government in 1939. It has donated 45 of its 93 acres for construction of the Kitui Girls’ High School and the Kitui Teachers’ Training College. Construction work for the two institutions is yet to begin. Ngilu observed Kitui District currently has the highest number of government colleges in the Ukambani region. They include the Kenya Medical Training College, Kenyatta University and Nairobi University campuses and Kitui Teachers’ Training College.
Advice She was addressing students, teachers and subordinate staff of the Kitui High School at the Board of Governors meeting where she was the chief guest recently. The meeting was chaired by the BOG chairman, Archbishop Benjamin Mwanzia Nzimbi. “Students should take education seriously,” Ngilu advised. She added: “If you acquire good education, you will make us happy. Without discipline, you will not achieve for us what we are thinking about you as leaders.” She reminded the students that completion of Fourth Form education is only the beginning of schooling and not the end of the process. She assured the teachers of her support. “Every person is proud to be associated with success. You must work for that success I am with you and what I want you to pay me with is good improved results.” The school has 700 students, 33 teachers and 39 subordinate staff. Kitui District Commissioner, Mr. Joshua K. Chepchieng, urged other students in the district to strive and make their schools centres of excellence.
ISSUE 022, August 1-15, 2010
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
7
Italian who came and fell in love
Philanthropic couple puts children in Magarini at ease
Adriano Ghirardello and his wife Giovanna Grampa together with the orphans at Pumwani Children’s Home. Inset: Area MP and East African Cooperation Minister, Mr. Amason Kingi shares a meal with the children at the home. Picture: Bendaro Tsuma
By Bendaro Tsuma A man sits at a table in the corner of the hotel’s spacious dining hall enjoying impala meat and rice. It is his first time in Africa, and his first wild game meal. That was back in March 1998. A decade ago today, at the Mombasa Serena Hotel, the memory is still so fresh. “I had been voted the best salesman by Toyota Japan and when I was asked where I would take my award holiday, I chose Kenya,” says Adriano Ghirardello. That marked the beginning of a journey that became a philanthropic mission. Ghirardello has partnered with his wife, Mrs Giovanna Grampa and formed Comitato Gaia Italy Omlus, a committee in charge of the couple’s philanthropic works. Today, the lives of 36 orphans have completely changed and they have acquired new hope for the future.
Touched The Ghirardellos have built the modern Pumwani Children’s Home, that easily stands out as one of the best in Coast Province. Was the couple’s settlement in Malindi out of sheer luck or chance? “While in Mombasa, I visited the national parks and changed my hotel from Serena to Leopard’s Beach. But before I left for Japan, I had a one day trip to Malindi and stayed at Palm Tree Club,” Ghirardello recalls. He says he had read the entire history of Kenya. “I fell in love with Malindi and kept on returning thereafter,” he says. In the end the couple decided to settle permanently in Kenya and bought a plot in Kibokoni where they put up a modest house which they occupied in August 1990. However, often Ghirardello and his wife felt a desire to come out of the hotel room
and mingle with the local people, real Kenyans in their own environment. But the couple were not happy with what they saw. There was glaring poverty in their neighbourhood. They were prompted to take action and hence the beginning of their philanthropic work. “As we toured Kipini in Tana Delta District, we noticed great poverty among the people and started to help in a small way. But we came face to face with grinding poverty in Magarini and started to assist the people seriously,” he says.
Orphanage The couple has been to as far as Shanga Island in Lamu District where they have assisted residents with water and mosquito nets. They built a nursery school which also served as an adult education centre at Sabaki across the Sabaki Bridge. “We adopted 50 orphans between Madzayani and Magarini village in 2004 and started looking for land to build a permanent children’s home,” he says during an interview. Following the acquisition of a plot in Pumwani, the couple begun construction of the Pumwani Children’s Home in 2006. ‘’We are housing 36 orphans in the home at the moment. We want to give a new lease of life to these children and fresh hope for their future,” reiterates Ghirardello. The children admitted to the home should be between three and 15 years old. “We are focusing on the future and want the home to be self reliant. We have
started several projects that would ensure the home is self reliant in about three years,” he says. Since the home caters for children upto 15 years, Ghirardello says those who finally leave the home have to get something to do with their lives. “We are building a polytechnic so that those who leave the home will acquire the necessary skills required to work and earn a living,” he reiterates. He explains: “This will ensure they do not go to the streets after their stay but will be engaged productively to contribute positively to the local economy and earn a decent living.”
Development
In response to his vision for the children, Ghirardello has planted valuable trees that include 8,000 casuarinas, 3,000 tissue blue gum seedlings, 500 cedar and 5,000 Jatropha plants. “In about three year’s time, the home can start to sell poles to earn cash,” he says. All the proceeds from the sales must strictly go back to the home. The couple have also developed a farm at Misufini which serves as a demonstra-
‘’We are housing 36 orphans in the home at the moment. We want to give a new lease of life to these children and fresh hope for their future,” — Adriano Ghirardello
tion integrated farm where multi-cropping thrives. Local people use the farm as a learning tool to adopt modern farming technology which could soon change their lives. The farm is managed by, Mr Alex Mwangemi, a former hotel manager, who also manages the Pumwani Children’s Home. The farm boasts of a success story as various crops hitherto believed to have no place in the area thrive. “On the three-acre demonstration farm, we have planted 3,000 casuarina trees, 9,000 jatropha curcus vanilla plants, tomatoes, pineapples, oranges, aloe Vera, neem tree seedlings, sunflower and other crops,” says Mwangemi. “Once mature, the crops will be sold and all proceeds directed to Pumwani Children’s Home,” insist the Ghirardellos. The couple believes that only sustainable projects should be started by foreign donors as opposed to those imposed on the people who, in most cases, have little know-how and once the donors leave, the projects collapse. “Any project should be sustainable. Donors should assist with the take-off and be able to leave it in the hands of the local people at a later stage so that even if they leave for home, the local people can successfully manage it,” says Ghirardello. This is the case for Pumwani Children’s Home where the philanthropic couple is gradually but surely changing the lives of orphans.
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ISSUE 022, August 1-15, 2010
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
Brothers declare war on malaria By Muasya Charles
Malaria is Africa’s worst scourge that kills millions of people annually, thousands of them in Kenya. Most victims of ndetema, the Kikamba name for malaria, are children under five years of age, and expectant mothers. However, three brothers Tito Abel, Michael Mwanza and Martin Kasimbi have come together for a common purpose — to eradicate malaria through both action and awareness campaigns in their home Kitui District. Mr Michael Mwanza, 30, holds a Diploma in Community Development from Daystar University and Advanced Diploma in Project Management from Catholic University. His brother Abel holds a Diploma in Project Management from Moi University. After completing his diploma course in marketing, Kasimbi worked with several companies in Nairobi before going back to his Kitui rural home to farm. Through a programme dubbed Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) being advanced by the Ministry of Health, a local NGO, Smile Africa Development Organization (SADO), which Abel heads, the community in Ukambani can now take preventive measures on malaria.
Bold initiative The organisation was registered in March 2004 with the objective of fighting malaria and other communicable diseases in arid and semi arid regions. It is also involved in other charitable work, although for the last two years it has concentrated on combating malaria. “SADO started its operations in Kitui District but has since spread to all the districts in Ukambani. There are plans to expand the programme to the rest of the country,” says Abel. He explains that SADO’s work involves visiting households and institutions to create awareness about the dangers of malaria. “This is followed by spraying mosquito breeding grounds such as backyards of homesteads and institutions,” he adds. Mwanza has become a common face in the district, earning the nickname mosquito buster because of his relentless efforts to clear the area of mosquitoes and malaria scourge. Working through community based organisations and self-help groups, SADO has become a household name in the region as its members readily offer the much needed services most of the time, despite the expense and difficulties of traversing the rough terrains. At the NGO’s offices off the Kitui-
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Tito Abel and his brother Michael Mwanza lead members of SADO in clearing mosquito breeding grounds in Kitui Town. Picture: Muasya Charles
Mombasa Road, one is baffled by the large number of visitors flocking the office to book to have their homes and institutions sprayed. “We have so far visited 875 households and 350 institutions,” says Abel. “We have also appointed volunteers to work as leaders to serve the surrounding communities. This way, the programme is sustained and spread to cover a larger area.” Abel is happy with the work they have done. “It is my joy to see people smile through my work. That gives me the drive to go on,” he says. The programme has done wonders to residents of overcrowded estates especially in Machakos and Kitui towns.
Peaceful nights Ms Perris Nzambi, a mother of three who lives in Mosquito Estate, Kitui town is full of praise for SADO. “Before they visited my home, mosquitoes were a big threat to my family as the insects bred even inside sufurias (cooking pans). The mosquito nets were not effective but after spraying, things have changed for the better,” says Nzambi. The Manager of the Kitui African Inland Church Children’s Home for Orphans, Ms Munanye Mureithi, says mosquitoes have become a menace at the institution, especially to the young. She lauds the SADO team for spraying the children’s dormitories and the compound. “The children now enjoy peaceful nights as the spraying has proved effective in eradicating mosquitoes,” says Mureithi.
Mwanza visited Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) in Kitui where an officer, Mr Samson Masaba describes his work as perfect and reliable. Masaba is now appealing to the Government to consider rewarding services of such young volunteers. “The SADO mission is to visit areas that could be a breeding place for mosquitoes and do what is needed to end malaria manifestation in addition to other measures needed in preventing communicable diseases,” says Abel. “The organisation’s vision is to see a healthy community free from mosquitoes and malaria, a move that will ultimately to put a smile on peoples’ faces.” Abel explains: “Basically what we are doing is to complement the Government’s effort of eradicating malaria.” He adds: “It is only a matter of time before the disease
“The organisation’s vision is to see a healthy community free from mosquitoes and malaria, a move that will ultimately to put a smile on peoples’ faces.” — Tito Abel
Executive Director: Rosemary Okello-Orlale Programme Coordinator: Wilson Ugangu Programme Officer: Florence Sipalla Programme Assistant: Mercy Mumo Editor: Jane Godia Designer: Noel Lumbama Contributors: Paul Mwaniki, Elisha Otieno, Bendaro Tsuma, Faith Muiruri, Michael Oongo, Odhiambo Odhiambo, Ben Mwanga, Muasya Charles, Fidelis Kabunyi and Boniface Mulu
will be completely contained in this arid and semi arid region that is prone to malaria.”
Challenges He cites lack of funds as a great impediment to their work, and appeals to the Government and other well wishers to help him source for funds to meet the cost of drugs, transport and upkeep for his technical team. “We rely on our pockets for transport and sometimes for buying chemicals which are expensive. Our efforts to get funding from different quarters have been futile,” he laments. “Ours is purely charity work and lack of facilitation prevents us from covering a large area,” he says, noting that ICON, the spray drug, costs between KSh1,000 and KSh1,500 per recommended dose. Although the community is aware about malaria and its dangers, high levels of poverty puts it at the receiving end as it cannot afford chemicals and drugs needed for malaria prevention. The organisation is also involved in promoting human rights and social justice, advocacy on HIV/Aids prevention and care for orphans. It is working with local churches and other organisations to empower the rural community to be selfreliant. He however thanks some well wishers such as the provincial administration and churches in the area who chip in with small facilitation to keep us going,’’ he laments.
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