Reject Online Issue 48

October 1 - 15, 2011

ISSUE 048

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

The elusive cattle rustlers

A rag tag troop that makes a shame of armed forces

By Paul Mwaniki The young men are running, with the cattle ahead of them and police in hot pursuit. They are agile, tall and dark. One of them senses that the police will catch up with him. In the hot sun, he removes his clothes, hides the gun in the bush, and leans back against a dark hot rock.

The paramilitary police chasing after him just pass by where he is leaning. Their eyes hazy from the heat of high temperatures and dust from the sand arid soil. The policemen try running towards the men ahead of them, they have not noticed the men leaning against the rocks.

In what seems like a futile effort, they only manage to get cattle that are too tired from being pushed hard. The young men ahead of them disappear, while those leaning against the rock take a different route.

Whenever they have staged a raid, they have left in their wake death and loss in magnitudes that are never accurately measured. They do not care who or what stands on their way because for them the end justifies the means. Their ultimate aim is to gather as many heads of cattle as possible whenever they set out on a mission.

Livelihoods

These are the dreaded cattle rustlers who have proved difficult to tame and a thorn in the flesh despite the Government having set up a para-military department within the police force — anti-stock theft unit — to deal specifically with them.

In the arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya, especially in Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo counties, communities rely on cattle as a source of livelihood. The counties are known to be home to nomads who migrate with families in the search for pasture and water.

The other areas that are also affected by cattle rustling include Kuria in Nyanza Province, as the raids are carried out between the border of Kenya and Tanzania. Pokot on the western side of the Rift Valley and Turkana in the north also suffer the consequences of cattle rustling not only among themselves but with communities such as the Merille of Ethiopia and Karamoja of Uganda.

The presence of the anti-stock theft police unit in these areas has not stopped communities from carrying out this age old tradition.

While cattle rustling may appear to be spontaneous the raids do not just happen. They are well thought out and planned many days in advance.

When the raids take place, they not only take away the cattle, but will kill the young men

from the community being attacked who might try to repulse the police who have attempted to follow them. The police despite being armed have also fallen victim to the raiders’ attacks.

Almost every year a considerable number of people are killed and animals stolen by cattle rustlers.

While cultural practices are tagged to cattle rustling, in most areas where it occurs, poverty and very low education levels are common features.

Why has cattle rustling proved to be a hard nut to crack for security officers?

One of the most common features in areas where cattle rustling is common is the difficult terrain. The areas are characterised with very high temperatures and rough terrains that are hard and rocky making it difficult to navigate.

Rough terrain

The areas expansive and the rough terrain make it almost impossible for security officers in pursuit of stolen animals to recover them.

The soldiers who are dressed in heavy combat gear are slowed down by their way of dress because these are heavy and leaves them hot and tired. The guns they are carrying are also heavy.

However, the cattle rustlers are people who have been born and brought up in the region.

They have mastered and adapted to the difficult terrain and just slip past security personnel who normally follow them many hours or days after an attack. The heat and dust therein is part of their life.

Raids are also organised after a prolonged drought and are always well planned and executed.

Cattle rustling raids are carried out by the young men in the communities. These are young men who normally serve as the communities’ security detail. While they carry out the raids, they are also charged with defending or protecting the villages.

Gun training

Young men who have undergone the rite of passage are trained to be warriors or morans and for one to graduate they must show what they have brought to the community in terms of cattle that is used to measure wealth.

Moses Lemeruni, a community elder from Sosian in Laikipia says the young men get first hand training on how to use of guns from the moment they reach the age of 12.

Most of these young men do not go to school and immediately they reach 12 years they are deemed to be ready to look after their Continued on page 2

From top: A cattle herder tends to his flock. Pastoralists celebrate the recovery of their stolen cattle in Transmara. Administration Police watch over recovered cattle.

Pictures: Reject Correspondent

Read more Reject stories online at www.mediadiversityafrica.org

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ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Could doctor’s negligence have led to botched surgery?

By NZINGA MUASYA

Giving birth is usually good news to most mothers but at times the expected joy can turn to unexpected tragedy.

And tragedy is what befell Jane Felistus Mutinda early this year when she walked into Kitui District Hospital to deliver her first born child.

What was supposed to be a simple and perhaps incident free operation to deliver the baby, turned out to be prolonged agony that finally claimed the life of the first time mother.

The operation went on well but the operating doctor made a terrible mistake while stitching up the mother. He ‘forgot’ a small towel referred to in medical terms as gauze inside the womb, as the mother and baby were wheeled back to their recovery bed.

Mutinda’s cousin Catherine Mulei who took care of her says that she stayed at the hospital for a week but the wound could not heal.

After sometime, Mutinda, 35, was advised to go home but given instructions to be visiting the hospital occasionally to have the wound dressed.

Poverty

“Her family is very poor and she could not afford regular visits to the hospital. She resigned to her fate and returned to the hospital in May when her condition deteriorated,” explains Mulei.

For the two months Mutinda was at home, her life was miserable as she could not move and vomited frequently.

“She was in a lot of pain such that she could not breastfeed. We used to dress the wound with cotton wool and it produced blood like fluid with bad smell,” explains Mulei.

All this time, Mutinda and her family didn’t know that it was the foreign material inside her womb that was causing all the havoc.

Back at the hospital, she was subjected to abdominal X-rays which did not reveal the cause

of the pain. She spent agonising time in hospital taking only pain killers as her condition deteriorated.

Through good Samaritans, the family raised some money and took their daughter to Machakos for an ultrasound scan.

The scan was done at Machakos Imaging Centre in June showed a mass with a linear edges lying below the left anterior abdominal muscles.

Foreign material

According to Dr Wambugu of the Imaging Centre, the foreign material was most likely a piece of gauze that had caused inflammation of the intestines.

The doctor noted that a large part of her womb had started to rot due to the foreign material.

Mutinda then returned to Kitui District Hospital where she was wheeled back to theatre to remove the material. She died moments later after the doctors opened her stomach while frantically trying to remove the gauze.

“When she complained of severe pains, the nurses hurled insults at her as she writhed in bed. The medical personnel completely neglected her. She died a very painful and slow death and somebody must account for her death,” says Mulei.

What irks the family is that the doctors decided to remove the material and discarded it without informing the family members in a desperate bid to cover up. The family is now agonising over the death of their daughter who died in an operation gone awry.

Peter Mutinda, an elder brother of the deceased laments that they have been kept in the

dark over the matter.

“When we went to the hospital, we were curtly told that Mutinda died during an operation and that was all. The doctors did not offer any more information and they have been playing hide and seek games with us, even refusing to give us the medical notes during her last moments,” he says adding: “We want to be told the truth for this blatant professional misconduct that has claimed our sister’s life.”

The family hired a private pathologist who did a post-mortem and attributed the death of the woman to the ‘towel’.

The pathologist noted the victim died as a result of failure of internal organs that had completely shut down. The medic said that the autopsy showed a certain patch of fabric that had been removed, adding that there were features to suggest a gauze that had stayed in the womb for long and which had contributed immensely to her death.

Inquest

Felistus’ mother Pauline Mukai holding the orphaned baby girl Pauline Kathini at her home in Kasokolo Village in Kitui. Below: Felistus Mutinda who died as a result of alleged surgical negligence. Pictures: Nzinga Muasya

Kitui police have opened an inquest file to look into the death.

However, they are facing frustrations from the hospital administration which has refused to release the medical notes and the file of the victim to them.

The doctor who carried out the initial op-

“This baby has been deprived of a mother’s love just because somebody was not careful in his work.”

— Pauline Mukai

eration and hospital’s Medical Superintended Dr David Kihiko have since been summoned by the Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board to explain circumstances that led to Mutinda’s death.

Now the orphaned, six month old Pauline Kathini has been left under the care of her 70 year old grandmother and will never enjoy the joy of a mother holding her.

“This baby has been deprived of a mother’s love just because somebody was not careful in his work,” says Pauline Mukai, the mother to the deceased with a distant look in her eyes.

A rag tag troop that engages in cattle rustling Continued from page 1 families’ animals.

“Cattle rustling is carried out for a number of reasons including need to restock and pride over the other community’s wealth,” explains Lemeruni.

His sentiments are echoed by Josephine Kulea a human rights advocate in Samburu and Laikipia who notes that at the age of 15, morans are already being involved in cattle rustling.

“According to Samburu culture, a Moran is allowed to carry out a raid. It is prestigious when one goes and comes back with animals especially from a rival community,” observes Kulea.

Cattle stolen by the morans are used for marriage ceremonies and in the expensive cultural exercise of beading where a young man has to buy beads for courting a girl he intends to marry.

However the major reason why the Government will not win the battle is the root cause of the problem - the origin of firearms.

Porous borders remain the entry point of the illegal arms. Despite the Government’s efforts to mop up arms from herders, they continue to acquire others even more sophisticated than ones used by security forces. This is also a disadvantage to those pursuing stolen animals.

Firearms used in cattle rustling are ordered from the Somalia, a country that has suffered instability for about 30 years and parts of Western Uganda.

Although the morans have not gone to any military training school, they know how to handle different types of guns.

According to Kulea, it is not easy for a common man to know how to handle the gun. She says the young men are trained by officers from different forces who have retired and others who have been suspended from duty for various reasons and who happen to be from the community. Some of them even participate in the raid, acting as team leaders. This then explains the military precision with which the raids take place.

“Since they are desperate after losing their jobs they come back home and are very instrumental in organising and executing the attacks. They hold prolonged training in the bush though very secretive and in collaboration with elders. They may even hold a prayer to ask God to guide them and be their protector during the raid,” she observes.

Disarmament

Government efforts to curb cattle rustling through disarmament have hardly borne fruit.

Though hundreds of guns are always being retrieved from the communities, the practice continues unabated.

Kulea notes that the police are sometimes overwhelmed by the state of firearms the raiders use during raids.

A police officer attached to patrol Kanampiu area and who sought anonymity notes that they morans are well versed with the region and the routes that they use in attacks.

“The raider are born and bred in the area and have adapted to the harsh climatic conditions. It is extremely hot and officers have to be

in their full uniform, combat gear, water cans, a firearm and rounds of ammunition,” says the policeman.

Few months ago, dozens of people were killed in Isiolo and Samburu East districts in cattle rustling incidences.

The practice of cattle rustling has always been a community thing in the region and police forces have always participated as a third party.

During a raid that occurred at Ratia in Laikipia West district a few years ago, the Samburu community attacked the Pokot in a piece of land where both communities clashed while in search of pasture. Police efforts to recover stolen animals were fruitless.

When a raid occurs in a village, instead of calling the police, the morans are quickly organised to pursue the animals. The police come later to join forces with the community in an attempt to apprehend the raiders.

Often, when this is not successful, the affected community retracts and opts to organise a counter raid at a later date to avenge on deaths and loss of livestock.

Peter Lemoire, a resident of Archers Post in Samburu East District says men who have taken part in a raid are treated with honour on arrival from a successive attack. With this he wonders whether the practice will ever end.

He says that the young men sell the stolen livestock and are the talk of shopping centres in the remote areas.

Lemoire blames the leaders in the region for not involving the youth in development activi-

ties. “Leaders only come here when the region has been hit by other raiders and start threatening the Government to act but when their own men go on raids, they keep quiet in manner likely to be seen as conspiracy,” observes Tom Lolosoli, coordinator of Samburu East Development Forum.

Sensitisation

Lolosoli says there is need to start a grassroots sensitisation campaign to educate the young men to abandon retrogressive cultural practices that bring agony to many people.

“We have lost strong men, women and children during such raids. We still do not see how we can get out of this,” notes Lolosoli. He adds: “We need to involve our elders in talking to these young men as well as leaders to build schools where our children can go and be wonderful people in future.”

Other than the Government placing temporary camps in the worst hit areas like Archers Post, Kom, Kanampiu, Tingamara and Naibor, more needs to be done in sensitising the communities involved through peace initiatives.

Laikipia Peace Caravan has been at the forefront in preaching peace among different warring communities in the county and neighbouring Samburu and East Pokot.

The initiative by local leaders and nongovernmental organisations has borne fruits as currently Samburu and Pokot communities are adapting to co-existence and are even sharing grazing fields in Laikipia West.

Read more cattle rustling stories online.

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Dwindling fortunes of a former envoy

By NZINGA MUASYA

Once he lived the life of the jet set and was known among the who-is-who of this country.

Today his life has taken a downward spiral and he spends his time roaming the streets and begging for handouts and cigarettes from anybody who cares to listen.

Mr Simon Mulei Muthoka is a common figure in Kitui town. Many confuse him for a grown up street boy in his sunset years. However, the 74-year-old dishevelled man is a former Kenyan ambassador in Beijing, China, whose life has taken a painful lonely turn for the worse.

Fluent in English, Muthoka walks slowly with a little stoop. He recalls how he rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty during his heyday.

“I used to fly three times a week from the mainland China to Shanghai and other rural towns on diplomatic missions,” Muthoka recalls the best of times during his tour of duty in China.

The chain smoking former envoy admits to have had a wonderful time in China. He recounts an incident when he was almost lynched by a mob after a road accident in a Chinese street. He was drunk while driving himself in the embassy vehicle.

Mass protest

“I was driving myself within Beijing city when I suddenly noticed a group of Chinese girls walking excitedly by the road,” he remembers. “I struggled with the car since they were very close but I lost control knocking down two of them.”

The incident almost cost him his life. He says that the other students became rowdy but he pleaded with them in Chinese.

“I finally got the girls in my car and drove them to a hospital,” he recalls.

While he thought the matter ended there, Muthoka was not prepared for what would follow later. The following morning there was a mass protest by Chinese youths at the embassy demanding his removal.

He was forced to flee for his safety and went into hiding for several days to cool off the tempers. However, his wife and son were flown back to Kenya for their own safety, leaving only himself and the accountant. He managed to survive the tribulation.

The former ambassador boasts of high academic excellence and a wide experience in civil service. He holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Oxford University and diplomas in Education and Accounting as well as Commerce and Trade.

Muthoka joined the public service as a clerical officer with the Ministry of Works in Mombasa after his secondary school education

Migori elderly demand equal share of funds

in Mulango Intermediate School in Kitui. He worked for nine years and says that it was while under one Engineer Kuypper in Nairobi while manning ‘Top Secrets’ registry that he came across an opportunity for Commonwealth scholarships and applied.

By FRED OKOTH

Principal

He got the scholarship and proceeded to Oxford University where he stayed from 19641966. “We were only six students from Kenya under the Commonwealth scholarship and we were to come and teach other Kenyans to take over from the colonialists,” he says.

When he came back in 1977, Muthoka was appointed the principal of Mombasa Government Training Institute until the director of Directorate of Personnel Management John Davies Malinda summoned him to Nairobi to disclose his posting to China the same year.

A single and outgoing 28 year old young man then, Muthoka was ordered to get married and produce a certificate of marriage in 14 days in preparation for the foreign job. He fulfilled this directive and flew out to China to undertake his duties. He says he was the youngest ambassador and second one to take up the posting after Henry Nzioka Muli.

An incident that has remained etched in his mind is when the Kenyan embassy in Beijing was temporarily closed after a seasoned politician Martin Shikuku made a statement that triggered resentment in China during the Cold War era.

When serving as a personal assistant to Ambassador Theophillus Koske in Beijing in late 1960s, Muthoka recalls how a Kenyan delegation went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to attend a forum for developing countries.

“While at the forum, Shikuku made a statement on the US Peace Corps and Tom Mboya followed it up cautioning the Government to tread carefully when dealing with French and Chinese Peace Corps,” he remembers.

“This did not go down well with the Chinese government and the first to suffer was the Kenyan mission in Beijing, Stephen Mativo Maitha whom we had left behind in charge of the Embassy was declared a persona non grata,” he narrates.

Diplomatic row

He says that they stayed at the Malaysian capital to avoid the diplomatic row as well as avoid journalists.

“When we bumped into a battery of reporters, we deflected all their stinging questions with a ‘no comment’ plea,” he chuckles.

When Muthoka returned to the country in 1980,after serving three years as an ambassador in China, he was again appointed ambassador to a non-English speaking country but he declined the appointment because of his young

Muthoka standing outside the KNA offices in Kitui. Below: The old man puffing a cigarette.

Pictures: Nzinga Muasya family.

“My children were very young then and I could not afford to take them to a country that does not speak English, so I declined the offer because I wanted the best for them,” the former envoy says.

After declining the ambassadorial appointment, Muthoka was deployed at the Directorate of Personnel Management as a management analyst until he retired in 1985. Unfortunately for the former envoy, he did not amass wealth while he was working and his only source of income in retirement was his pension amounting to KSh50, 000 per month.

But due to his old age and failing health, his daughters went to court and obtained an injunction barring his bank from releasing the money to the old man since he would squander the whole amount in Kitui town, most of it getting stolen.

Muthoka has since sought the services of a local lawyer to overturn the decision but so far the matter has not been resolved. Every time he is in town, he claims to be coming to see his lawyer to follow up on his pension money.

Though many describe him as a nuisance due to his begging habits, the former ambassador who is guarded about his family insists that he is comfortable living his life. His only son who was born in China lives in Maryland, USA while his two daughters are married in Kitui.

Muthoka who is a widower lives the life of squalor in his Kisasi village home and is always seen scouring the streets of Kitui town even during odd hours.

Fish farming in danger due to lack of storage

By ERIC MUTAI Farmers who begun rearing fish under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) in Embu are asking the government to establish a storage facility to reduce losses. The farmers said that they are incurring losses as their harvested stock does not find a ready market.

“The market is poor. We sell to individuals and some hotels in Embu town but they only buy a small fraction of the harvest,” said Morris Njeru from Embu East district.

Fish farming is new in the region and farmers only started engaging in it in April last year.

This was after the government introduced 200 fish ponds per constituency through the Economic Stimulus Programme John Kiminda a fish farmer in Embu North district said that a small number of farmers

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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

who had harvested had sold them for KSh80 to KSh120 per piece and called for organised marketing. Manyatta MP Emilio Kathuri asked the government to introduce cold storage facilities for the highly perishable products.

“The residents begun stocking fish with great enthusiasm and the ministries of cooperative development and fisheries should move in to see that the farmer does not lack market,” said Kathuri adding that there are currently no fish storage facilities.

Embu West DC Maalim Mohamed said that lack of the facility is bedeviling the trade saying that the government is looking into the issue to encourage large scale fish farming.

He said that the government will first establish a fish feed manufacturing facility saying that with the current erratic rains in the area adding that the facilities will encourage fish

farming.

“Fish farming is a new area of agriculture in the region and is offering a protein supplement especially at this period when we have erratic rains. There is need to have a cooler in place fast enough soon to encourage the farmers,” said Maalim.

Early this year the government had assured them of a cooler saying that it was sourcing for land at Ena to put up the facility which would serve Runyenjes and Manyatta constituencies.

The DC said that the government has not gone back on its promise noting that lack of a cooler in the County is discouraging large scale fish farming.

He said that lack of storage facilities had slowed the gains anticipated by the government when it initiated the programme.

The Government is looking into possibilities of increasing the number of those benefiting from the benevolent fund meant for the elderly to ensure that more people are included in the programme.

Speaking in Migori, Gender Secretary at the Ministry of Gender, Social Services and Children Affairs Professor Colette Suda said that a large number of deserving Kenyan were currently not on the list of the beneficiaries of the fund and the issue would be looked into.

“We could not start by giving everybody the money,” she explained adding that once the kitty improves, other new beneficiaries will be added to the list.

Suda was speaking after presiding over the launch of the programme in Migori where 750 people were given KSh3, 000 each to help them meet their domestic needs.

“The money which should be KSh1, 500 per month will be given out after every two months to avoid elderly people having to walk long distances every month,” Suda explained.

Migori is the fourth district officially launching the funds after Nyando, Thika and Busia.

Suda who urged the beneficiaries to put the money into good use, defended the selection of the initial recipients saying it had been done by experts to ensure that only those who are really deserving were on the list.

“The selection considered both age and economic status of the beneficiaries and more people will be added to the programme once more funds become available,” explained Suda.

Expansion

Speaking at the same function, area MP John Pesa thanked the Government for choosing Migori as a pilot district where the programme will be running. He said there was need to ensure that more deserving Kenyans were included in the project.

“Parliament is looking into possibilities of expanding the project and soon a bill will be presented before the House to discuss the issue,” observed Pesa.

The programme started last month and will be carried out in 44 districts drawn across the country. The beneficiaries will be expected to collect their funds at the local districts headquarters.

Meanwhile, resident of Rongo district have urged the Government to rescind its decision to omit the district from those where the funds should be given, terming the decision as ‘discriminatory’ Led by the former area legislator Ochillo Ayacko, the residents said classifying the entire district as rich was unfair since poor people were spread all over the country.

“There is no collective wealth so no one can say a district is rich,” Ayacko observed adding that the Government ought to have looked for poor people from all districts in the country and put them in the list of the beneficiaries.

Rongo was classified as one of the ‘rich’ districts in the country and, therefore, omitted from the initial list but the residents feel that the decision was wrong.

According to Timothy Owuor, a peasant farmer from the district, the Government had used the income earned at Sony Sugar Company to calculate the wealth.

“This is not right since the company’s wealth goes to the Government and not the locals,” explained Owuor.

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ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Situation remains dire for squatters of Kibwezi

By JIRONGO LUYALI Immediately you enter Boma Five of Ilatu village in Makindu, Kibwezi constituency, you might easily confuse it for an IDP camp. Located midway between Nairobi and Mombasa, the area has a poor road network with no electricity and other social amenities.

The camp has makeshift structures almost similar to Manyattas only that these ones are made of sticks and dry grass, some covered with polythene papers.

“The situation here is much worse than that in a refugee camp.

At least refugees get donations from many NGOs. Nobody is there to come to our rescue,” said Diana Nzioka, 57, who is a mother of eight children with ten grandchildren.

Nzioka adds that her last born who is 15, is now in Class Six at Kaunguru Primary School which is situated ten kilometres away from the camp.

“Due to financial constraints, I have been unable to educate any of my children beyond Standard Eight.

Only three of them have a KCPE certificate, two dropped out of school while in Class Seven. Now my last born is in Class Six,” Nzioka added.

Survival

From top: A view of Boma Five squatter camp in Kibwezi. Julius Mwasia during the interview.

Diana Nzioka with her five month old grandson.

Pictures: Jirongo Luyali

According to her, life is now more difficult since no NGOs visit them. The Government is also doing little about the plight of the many squatters living there.

The German Agro Action Organisation stopped donating food and other items to them since the beginning of the year. With no farms to cultivate, parents here are sending their children to cities to eke a living.

Three of Nzioka’s sons are in Malindi where they ride boda bodas (motorcyle taxis) whereas two are in Nairobi where they work as casual employees in Industrial area. Her husband who is 77 years old, lives and works in Malindi as a night guard.

It is 4.30 pm when I enter the structure in which Nzioka lives together with her son, daughter in-law and four of her grandchildren. Here, I find them enjoying a meal made of pumpkin mixed with beans. She tells me that it is the only meal for the day since they usually eat once a day. The only food that can grow here is the pumpkin.

Apart from lack of food, people here have no proper housing. As you get into either of the makeshift structures, you must be careful not to pull it down due to nature of materials (dry grass and sticks tied together with a rope) used to construct them.

Nzioka’s structure has one bed made of pieces of wood dug into the ground, with sticks tied around. The door is made of an old mabati and is locked with a piece of barbed wire. The floor is no different from outside as nothing has been put on it.

Looking around the house, there are 20-litre plastic containers and paper bags tied around the walls of the structure. Three large stones have been placed in the centre of the structure. They are used as a cooking area, making the whole room stained with smoke.

The walls have large spaces in them thus the people inside suffer from cold especially during the night. It becomes unbearable especially when it rains. The only valuable item here is an old bicycle which the family uses while going to Makindu Shopping Centre, 15 kilometres away. Visitors sit on a log, while she and her family sit on the bed. The space inside cannot

accommodate many people and while inside it is difficult to stand or move around. You have to bend while going through the door as the structures are low.

Lack of education

“I have been unable to secure a job in Nairobi since I have no secondary or tertiary certificate. I have resorted to coming back as it is difficult for me in the city. There, the situation is even harder for those with families and no job. You see I have a wife with four children.

How can I survive in the city?” laments Julius, 36, Mwasia, who lives with his mother and wife in the same structure.

Both Julius and his wife Dorcas were born here. They did not manage to get to high school due to economic hardships.

Nzioka says that they migrated from Kyulu hills and settled in Kibwezi in 1992. She appeals to the Government and any well wishers to come to their rescue as they live in deplorable conditions. It is said that the land they are staying on belonged to the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.

What irks Nzioka most is the fact that the Government keeps promising to find a lasting solution to their plight. More than 2,000 families are still squatters in Kibwezi and each day that passes turns their hope to despair as more than 45 years after Independence a solution to their predicament appears to be fading.

Former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile has over the years remained one of the most vocal crusaders for the plight of squatters in Makueni.

The history of Squatters of Kibwezi

A

ccording to Lindblom and Hobley in their book Akamba of British East Africa, the Ngulia people are said to have been the indigenous Akamba of Kikumbulyu.

They lived in Kibwezi before 1836. They were forced to migrate during the great famine of 1836. Some went south to Rabai where the missionary Dr Krapf came across them in 1850, having lived there for over 15 years.

Others spread southwest and took up permanent residence in villages between Taveta and Lake Jipe in the Pare Mountains and then crossed to Tanzania to Usambara up to Musi valley and the depression of Maramba.

However, a large number remained in Kikumbulyu, stretching from the Kiboko river in the north to Tsavo in the south and westwards to Kyulu ranges known in other quarters as Ngulia ranges.

According to a 2002-2006 policy research project by the Masongaleni Community Organisation for Sustainable Development (Macosud), when the East African Scottish missionaries led by Dr James Steward arrived in Kibwezi in 1891, the Ngulia Akamba were there. This is proved by documented agreements between the missionaries and the Ngulia under the rule

of Kilundo in 1891.

The report further says that the Ngulia, who form part of the biggest population of Kibwezi squatters, had their settlements centred around water points, water courses, hills, near raised rock masses and areas with tall trees like baobabs.

Trouble for the Ngulia came in the late 1890s and early 1900s when missionaries are believed to have influenced white settlement in Kibwezi.

This included the need to create space for the white settlers’ estates, wildlife conservation and hunting grounds in Kikumbulyu. This was preceded by tactical evictions of the Ngulia.

Records indicate that the establishment of the Tsavo West national park led to the eviction of the Ngulia from Tsavo river through Mzima Springs up to Mtito Andei river.

Following the Crown Lands Ordinance of 1902, the Akamba Ngulia were restricted within Kikumbulyu native reserve where they were occupying three blocks - Kyale near Kiboko river; Mbui Nzau around the Mbui Nzau hills near Kibwezi; and Kyulu block along the Kyulu ranges up to Mtito Andei river.

Kyulu block was reportedly the biggest with a population of more than 5,000 people.

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Food insecurity forces children out of school

By JOY MONDAY

Ravaging drought in Turkana County has fuelled food insecurity and subjected residents to pangs of hunger with school children forced to join their parents to eke a living in a hard way.

The local pastoralists are selling their surviving livestock to secure the ever-increasing expensive food. As the drought worsens in the region, local schools are unable to retain most of the children in school with some engaging in cheap labour to support their families.

Irene Longole, 10 is among the many children who have skipped school to sell brooms to enable her buy food for her family. "I am going to the market to sell these brooms to enable me buy food so that we can eat,” she told the Reject. ”For two days we haven’t eaten anything and we just drink water and sleep. If somebody can buy these brooms, I will buy maize flour to prepare a meal,” the fatigued Standard Six girl said in Lodwar.

It is not Longole alone, burdened with the struggle to survive.

Her classmate Jacob Ekiru is out of school. Unlike Longole, Ekiru is selling homemade mats to raise money to buy food for his family. “I left home 15km away at dawn so that I can a get a buyer mostly those coming from Lokichoggio to Kitale.

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

5

Who will help these forgotten squatters?

Ravaging drought

I have managed to sell one mat and hope to sell more to get enough money to but food,” says Ekiru. The UN estimates that at least 3.5 million Kenyans are food insecure after a prolonged drought that has ravaged parts of the country. Pastoralists are selling their treasured livestock to buy food and evade starvation.

“Drought has killed all my goats and only this one survived. I have to sell it to get money to buy food since I don’t have anything at home to feed my family,” laments Peter Elimlim. Elimlim says he had a herd of over 300 animals before all succumbed to drought leaving the family without anything to depend on for food.

The Government has declared the current drought a national disaster and relief agencies are stepping in with emergency food aid, but this has done little to alleviate the suffering of families in the larger Turkana area.

"We have food aid programmes that target extremely vulnerable families but we can't cover everybody and many more still need the food aid but they aren't receiving it. Many will still die of hunger unless more food aid comes in,” said an aid worker.

Turkana has experienced malnutrition rates of up to 37.4 per cent; the highest recorded in 20 years and more than double the UN World Health Organization (WHO) emergency threshold of 15 per cent. Governmental officials and aid workers say there has been an increase in admissions of severely malnourished people to stabilisation centres, with children younger than five being the most affected.

“We have seen higher cases of severely wasted children aged fewer than five,” Lucas Ariong, co-coordinator of Riam Riam, a Lodwar based humanitarian organisation. The International Rescue Committee IRC and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) are running a food-for-work programme in Turkana in a bid to create a long-term solution to recurrent food and water shortages.

Food aid

Locals engage in activities such as construction of water points that can be used for irrigation; in turn they receive food. WFP currently has 265,000 food aid and food-for-work beneficiaries in Turkana.

The school-feeding programme is reaching up to 179,000 pupils. "We are engaging residents in activities that create some sustainability and give them food in the process. We want to discourage them, from relying on food handouts instead participate in sustainable activities,” WFP official who declined to be named said.

Agricultural experts argue that, the Turkana and other communities in Kenya's north cannot always rely on food aid. “It is unsustainable and the Government must create irrigation schemes to produce food to feed the residents there," Turkana Agricultural officer Patrick Anjele said.

Insecurity has been identified as one of the major causes of food insecurity with experts fronting peace building as sustainable solution in the County. Turkana has been subjected to perennial conflicts emanating from scarce resources and donors have put more funds to restore peace at the expense of economic development.

“The Government should provide security and ensure there is peace. This would enable people to settle and work and produce food for themselves," said James Lomenen, a youth involved in peace building activities between Turkana and Pokot communities. Lomenen argues that it is useless for the Government and other organisations to initiate development project when peace has not been restored. ”We have seen development projects such as irrigation schemes ruined by insecurity. There is need to bring peace among the communities,” says Lomenen.

By AUDI ZILPER They live in deplorable conditions in makeshift tents. They have no shelter and sleep on twigs placed on bare hard ground. Their tiny manyattas made of twigs and polythene paper offer no form of privacy. The dwellings are frequently swept off whenever it rains.

This is the plight of 3,000 Samburus in Laikipia. This forgotten Samburu Community popularly referred to as the “Pois Robo” are internally displaced persons after they were forcefully evicted from the Kabarak Farm they formerly occupied. They now have no option but to live in the makeshift camp, in dilapidated tents and squalid conditions that are a recipe for health disasters.

The farm was initially owned by retired President Daniel Moi. It is now owned by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). Most of these people have lived on this land in question since 1980’s and know no other home. Through their lawyer Dr Korir Singoei, the Community has gone to court seeking an adverse possession claim against the AWF and former President Moi. The eviction is the subject of a case at the Nyeri High Court.

Kituo cha Sheria together with Singo’ei went to Laikipia on a factfinding mission in a bid to understand the plight of these evictees. The visit unearthed shocking revelations of the conditions in which the Samburu of Pois Robo live.

Kituo and the community lawyer went to Kisargei, also known as The Kabarak Farm about 60 Kilometres outside Nanyuki Town, where the Samburu evictees have built makeshift houses of twigs and polythene papers, having been evicted from the suit property. Women and children dominate the makeshift camp after the men left to seek jobs elsewhere.

“We go for days without food. We share our watering hole with wild ani-

From left: A woman from the squatter community in Laikipia explains their problems during the fact finding mission by human rights lawyers recently. Another woman sits forlornly in her makeshift house at the camp. Pictures: Audi Zilper

mals. The government has neglected us. We wonder if we are part of Kenya.

When an animal dies or is killed, the government comes here in a big way, yet we have not seen anyone coming to our rescue. If there is anything like problems, then we have faced it all.

Only God has kept us going.” These are the words of Nakuro Lemeruni, 30, a mother of five children who looks twice her age and is resigned to her fate.

There are no health facilities around, the nearest is almost 60km away in Nanyuki town. They don’t immunise their children and depend entirely on traditional medicine which in some cases is ineffective.

The women claim that they are consistently raped whenever they go to fetch water from the Kisargei River.

This is the only watering point thus they have to choose the necessary evil.

The nearest water source is about three kilometres away and they share the water with domestic and wild animals from various conservancies in the area. Thus they are vulnerable to water borne diseases.

There is no single school in the region, and the children hardly ever go to school.

With no land to bury thier dead, they cover them in stones. At times, the remains are eaten by scavenging animals.

The squatters accuse the Government and specifically the Special Programmes ministry and Provincial administration of neglecting them. They take further exception to the silence by political leaders in the area.

Who will come to the rescue of this vulnerable and marginalised community?

6

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Late detection marks the ravages of breast cancer

By JOHN KINYUA Joseph Muriuki, 28, sat on the wet grass clenching the hem of his younger sister’s skirt. There was an unusual gathering at their home in the morning of Friday August 12, 2010 when well wishers visited their home to see their ailing mother.

The frown on his face was telling it all. Though he had never uttered a word all his life, he could tell that all was not well.

In a room not far from where they were sitting lay his 45-year-old mother wasting away from the ravages of breast cancer. The pain was she was going through was intense and she had been crying every day and night for nearly a month.

Muriuki’s younger sister Susan Wanjiku sought help from her former high school teachers when the matter got out of hand.

As frantic efforts were made to save Gladys Wairimu’s life, the fact that she was suffering from a terminal illness kept lingering in the minds of many. Doctors at Kikuyu Mission Hospital where she was taken made it clear that the illness had gone too far.

Detection

They told Wanjiku via telephone as her expectations were dimmed as she tried to come to reality with her mother’s illness.

Eventually, the woman who had been bedridden at her home in Manyatta village, Olkalou Constituency died in her sleep as a result of breast cancer at the Kikuyu Mission Hospital on September 3, 2011, just a month before the breast cancer awareness month.

Like Wairimu, many women are losing their lives to cancer due to lack of proper information and early detection, even as poverty among other factors come to play.

According to Margaret Mbogo, manager of the cancer care programme at Kikuyu Mission Hospital, a lot needed to be done for people to understand about breast cancer.

In spite of poverty that is ravaging many parts of the country, both men and women have neglected the role of being tested for the condition to enable doctors manage it in good time before it is too late. “Wairimu hardly lived a year since

she was diagnosed with cancer because of lack of proper therapy and treatment,” Mbogo observes She says the thought among adult cancer survivors that they cannot undress in front of their sons and daughters to get tested needs to be discarded. “When the disease is finally diagnosed, it is usually too late to reverse the situation,” she says.

Good Samaritan

Mbogo urges all women to take advantage of forums which call for testing to help curb the spread of the disease.

Wairimu was rushed to hospital after the media highlighted her plight and a wellwisher came to help her. The good Samaritan who sought anonymity had volunteered to support the family in footing her hospital bills and other expenses amounting to over KSh100,000.

“I don’t need any publicity in this matter. I just came to help quietly. I believe that whoever helps a poor person in need lends God a debt and He will surely come to pay in his hour of need,” said the philanthropist.

Wairimu was first picked from her bed by an ambulance to Olkalou Sub-District Hospital. Since the hospital did not have adequate facilities for managing cancer, she was taken to Kikuyu Mission Hospital on referral where she successfully underwent an operation to remove her left breast.

Complication

Margaret Mbogo, manager of the cancer care programme at the hospital said the disease was at an advanced stage and had spread to other parts of the body. Owing to the numerous problems she faced at her home, Wairimu was traumatised and underwent counselling sessions.

According to Mbogo, Wairimu responded well to treatment after the operation in spite of the many complications arising upon investigations and tests. She spoke more coherently and even made phone calls, but went down in the last week of her life.

Wairimu had been rotting in bed with painful sores since July this year after she failed to get treatment at Nakuru Provincial General Hospital.

The late Gladys Wairimu with her daughter Susan Wanjiku at the Olkalou subdistrict hospital. Wairimu succumbed to breast cancer which was not diagnosed in time. Picture: John Kinyua According to Wanjiku, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in November, last year at the General Hospital and was scheduled to undergo an operation to remove the entire breast in May, this year.

However doctors at the hospital are alleged to have said there was no sufficient blood in their bank and Wairimu was instructed to buy some drugs which she had to take for two weeks to help replenish blood. “The drugs cost KSh18,000 which mum did not have. This was the beginning of her tribulations,” explains Wanjiku.

Wanjiku who is a secretarial and computer studies student in Nakuru went public and called her former teachers at Upper Hill Mixed Secondary School to inform them that she would not be going back to college as a result of the problems at home. The teachers, Sister Christina Nthambi, Fanice Wangila and Nancy Maina took the initiative of informing journalists and Wairimu’s plight was highlighted in the press.

Wanjiku was expected to seek treatment for her mother besides feeding her 28-year-old brother Joseph Muriuki who is disabled. He has never walked or spoken a word since he was born as a result of what is believed to be cerebral palsy. Muriuki who depended on his mother for everything has never been to any rehabilitation institution.

Breast Cancer Factsheet Breast cancer symptoms range from lumps to swelling to skin changes — mostly have no obvious symptoms at all.

Symptoms that are similar to those of breast cancer may be the result of non-cancerous conditions like infection or a cyst.

Breast self-exam should be part of your monthly health care routine. You should visit your doctor if you experience breast changes.

If you’re over 40 or at a high risk of the disease (you have a family history of breast cancer), you should also have an annual mammogram and physical exam by a doctor. The earlier breast cancer is found and diagnosed, the better your chances of beating it.

Screening and Testing

The tests used for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring, including mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, CAT scans, PET scans, and more.

Types of Breast Cancer The different types of breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), inflammatory breast cancer, male breast cancer, recurrent breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer.

Source: Breastcancer.org

Are children with cancer neglected?

By LUCY LANGAT

Kennedy Kitur, an Administration Police Officer, considers himself lucky. He is not sure if his eight-year-old son Emmanuel Kemboi would be alive today after being diagnosed with leukaemia three years ago.

“I will never forget September 18, 2008 when my son’s teacher informed me that he was unwell and I was urgently needed at Elim Nursery School where he was a pupil,” recalls Kitur.

He says: “When I got there, I found my son weak and his skin pale. I immediately rushed him to a paediatrician in Nakuru town, who recommended a blood test.”

After 48 hours, he received the results, indicating that Kemboi was suffering from Leukaemia.

“Though I had heard about Leukaemia, I had never bothered to find out much about it.

Somehow I had always assumed it was meant for others and not me,” says Kitur.

Salary advance

When he was informed about his son’s condition, he took a salary advance of KSh50, 000, which he thought would be enough to have the boy treated at a private children’s hospital.

“But within the three months I stayed there, the bill had shot to KSh750,000 and the hospital asked me for a logbook, title deed or surety to enable them continue keeping my son in hospital,” he says.

“I paid some money and still have an out-

standing balance then left for Kenyatta National Hospital which is public, hoping for cheaper treatment.”

It was at Kenyatta that he witnessed up to 32 children who had been abandoned by their next of kin after being diagnosed with cancer.

“I was only lucky that a local newspaper highlighted my plight. An old friend, Father Fernado Aguirre, whom I had met while on duty in Turkana called me,” says Kitur.

Facilities

Aguirre connected him with Messengers of Peace, a Spanish organisation that assists treatment of children hailing from poor backgrounds. The organisation arranged for Kitur and his son to travel to Spain where he started treatment in May 2009.

“It is a different world there, patients are well taken care of, treatment is much available and the facility is better equipped,” he observes.

Though Kemboi’s treatment is scheduled to end in 2020, Kitur is ready to take the long path, to see his son free from blood cancer.

“Every time I come to Kenya, I try to find out the plight of 32 other children who had been admitted at Kenyatta Hospital with cancer while Kemboi was there,” Kitur says. He notes: “Sadly, only three are alive. I highly doubt if my son would be alive if he was still being treated in Kenya. I am so lucky Aguirre came to my rescue. He was a God sent angel.”

Despite the fact that cancer among young children is on the rise in the country, little is

being done by the government and nongovernmental organisations to push for low cost of treatment.

Parliament is yet to pass a pending Cancer Bill that would make treatment of all cancerous diseases free and decentralise equipment for treatment to provincial levels. Many children end up dying of cancer as their parents cannot afford for treatment.

Other children end up being abandoned in hospitals when their families are informed that the disease is terminal or after parents fail to raise money to foot the hospital bill.

Recently a woman who works as a house help recently narrated to Kitur her experience with leukaemia. When her son was diagnosed with the condition, her family, neighbours and husband said it was a curse.

Emmanuel Kemboi, who was diagnosed with leukemia at a hospital in Spain where he is undergoing treatment.

Inset: Emmanuel’s father Kennedy Kitur.

“She went seeking treatment at a local Pictures: Lucy Langat government hospital in Kakamega but was “My heart bleeds, every time I see parents referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for suffer with their cancerous children but there which she could not even raise transport let is little I can do. One parent asked if she could alone cater for treatment,” he says. register her child as mine so that I would get She tried to seek help from traditional meditreatment for him too just as I got for my son,” cine men, ‘modern’ herbalists and even prayers says Kitur. from local pastors but none worked.

He wonders why there is so much attention “She lost her son at the age of five, after a on breast and prostate cancer, yet no one seems one-year fight with leukaemia,” he narrates, to raise awareness on children with cancer. adding that her in-laws rejected her and the “I hope the government will consider makhusband divorced her. She has now to work as ing cancer treatment accessible and affordable a househelp as her elderly mother takes care of for all Kenyans,” says Kitur. her other two children.

Leukaemia

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

A bleeding disorder that could be unique to Central Province

By WAIKWA MAINA At three years Derrick Chege is too young to understand the reason behind the special attention he gets from his mother. He is in his mother’s arms all the time or under a caretaker.

At his age, Chege does not understand why he is not allowed to mix freely and play with his age mates.

His face tells it all, he is unhappy and aware of the fact that the motherly love he enjoys is only a restriction that comes from her being fiercely protective of him.

And it may take long for him to understand exactly why she does that as it happened with 21-year-old Peter Muchoki, who has lived in isolation for years.

Muchoki is now in Form Four at Maragi Secondary School in Murang’a although his age mates are either in college or are already working.

But unlike thousands of others suffering from a similar medical condition, Chege and Muchoki are lucky that their condition was detected early enough.

Haemophilics

They are both suffering from Haemophilia, a condition that has gone unnoticed by many families leading to early painful deaths, shattered dreams and denied opportunities. For some young ones living with the condition, discrimination and stigma characterises their lives.

A research study done by the Haemophilic Society of Kenya indicates that out of every 10,000 births one is Haemophilic.

“The situation is aggravated by the fact that health facilities in the rural areas have no equipment to test the condition. Equipment to test the disease is only available at Kenyatta National Hospital and major private hospitals like MP Shah and Nairobi Hospital.

“Medical tests and medication are not only inaccessible but also very expensive for many families,” says Paul Kamau, an administrator with Haemophilic Society of Kenya.

Kenyatta National Hospital charges KSh1, 000 for a test while private hospitals charge between KSh6, 000 and KSh15, 000, not inclusive of drugs and other medication.

Costly drugs

Single dozes of drugs go for KSh144, 000 and are rarely available in local hospitals since they must be imported.

Chege’s mother Virginia Muthoni says that her son spent better part of his early life in hospital.

“I noticed a swelling on the back of Chege’s head when he was about two years old. The lump was as a result of falling down when playing but I became suspicious when it took longer to heal despite the fact that he had just fallen with minimal force.

Then, he injured his tongue and the bleeding was excessive com-

pared to the injury,” explains Muthoni.

This minor injury that most mothers would have ignored led to the young boy staying in hospital bed for ten weeks and the mother being left with a bill of KSh10, 000.

At the hospital, the medics suspected the boy could be Haemophilic and he tested positive.

Since then, the Chege has been in and out of hospital and most of the family earnings go towards his hospital bills.

“I no longer get casual jobs, most employers turn me away since I must give special attention to my son even when I’m working. Any slight injury or falling is a problem to him and the entire family,” explains Muthoni.

Muchoki underwent similar experience before he was diagnosed with the same condition.

Isolation

“The better part of my life has either been in the hospital or locked inside the house. No one wanted to associate with me, some claimed that I was bewitched while others thought I was an outcast, I kept asking myself, why me, why in my family,” recalls Muchoki.

He lived in isolation for so long and hence the reason why he went to school late.

Muchoki suffers from internal injuries that have affected his joints which are stiff. Internal bleeding causes lumps in his joints but both internal and external bleeding can cause death if not treated in time.

However, Muchoki’s life changed for the better after he joined the Haemophilic Society of Kenya and is now able to access drugs and other medication.

The society, in partnership with International Haemophilic Community offers support to patients for free.

The society continues to get many patients who cannot afford the expensive treatment for the condition.

“It is a hereditary condition but is more prevalent Central Province. We intend to conduct a comprehensive research to establish the magnitude of the condition and number of patients so that we can advocate for policy formulation at government level,” says Kamau.

He expressed concern that most medical insurance companies refuse to include haemophilic patients in their medical cover schemes due to the high costs of managing the condition.

According to Kamau, who is also haemophilic, more than 4,000 patients under the care

Young Derrick Chege with his mother Virginia Muthoni at Maragi Village in Murang’a County. Pictures: Waikwa Maina of the Society are from Central Kenya.

The organisation is involved in creating awareness among sufferers and their families as well as soliciting for medical care and policy advocacy.

“Medics should also be educated on this condition as survivors are advised not to queue when they seek treatment in hospitals. However, medics are unaware of this and end up mishandling patients which often leads to death or results in hospitalisation,” explains Kamau. Chege’s mother advises parents to be on the look out when their children bleed excessively from minor injuries or develop lumps from slight falls.

“Treatment should be availed in all hospitals for free of charge. Some hospitals detain patients who cannot afford to pay on time and as a result the bills keep accumulating,” observes Kamau, adding that the condition is a major challenge to early childhood development.

“Most talents are identified and modelled when the child is still young. Most of the best sportsmen start playing football and running when they are still young.

However, this is not the case with Haemophilic children who need special attention and cannot be left to play freely with other children,” Kamau notes.

Muchoki advises the survivors to accept their situation saying this is a medical condition like any other and expresses concerns that most of them end up living in isolation and being stigmatised due to ignorance.

“The better part of my life has either been in the hospital or locked inside the house. No one wanted to associate with me."

— Peter Muchoki

Make mortgage loans affordable for all

By HENRY OWINO President Mwai Kibaki has asked the Shelter Afrique and other partners to consider reducing rates of housing loans to affordable cost so that many people can benefit from the scheme.

The President spoke when he officially opened Shelter Afrique’s 30th Annual General Meeting in Nairobi. Kibaki said the housing problem is mainly attributed to the fact that Africa is currently experiencing the fastest urban growth rate in the world, estimated at about five per cent annually. He feared this has resulted in

7

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

environmental degradation, constrained transportation, unemployment and emergence of informal settlements.

He urged those spearheading housing and human settlements sector in the socio-economic development of the continent to consider these challenges during their deliberations on the four-day symposium and focus on the opportunities presented by urbanisation.

President Kibaki reiterated that many people come to live in towns and so plans to invest more resources especially in the area of housing is crucial. He added that people consider the option

of mortgage financing as expensive, risky and a preserve of the rich which should not be the case.

“The African continent must develop mechanisms that will make property financing affordable to majority of middle and low income populations,” President Kibaki suggested.

Governor of Central Bank, Prof Njuguna Ndungu said the average mortgage loan size increased from KSh2.5 million in 2006 to KSh4million in May 2010 partly attributed to the increase in property prices. Most slum dwellers live in deplorable situations as they cannot afford decent housing.

All about Haemophilia

By WAIKWA MAINA Haemophilia is a hereditary genetic disorder that impair the body’s ability to control blood clotting which stops bleeding when a blood vessel is broken.

According to Dr Ephantus Maree, there are two types of Haemophilia — A and B. Haemophilia A, also known as clotting Factor V111 deficiency is the most common form of the disorder, occurring in about one in 5,000–10,000 male births.

Haemophilia B, also known as Factor 1X deficiency occurs in about one in 20,000–34,000 male births.

Like most recessive sex-linked, X chromosome disorders, Haemophilia is more likely to occur in males than females. This is because females have two X chromosomes while males have only one, so the defective gene is guaranteed to manifest in any male who carries it.

According to Paul Kamau, administrative officer at Haemophilia Society of Kenya, female carriers can inherit the defective gene from either their mother or father, or it may be a new mutation.

Only under rare circumstances do females actually have Haemophilia.

The condition lowers blood plasma clotting factor levels of the coagulation factors needed for a normal clotting process. When a blood vessel is injured, a temporary scab does form, but the missing coagulation factors prevent fibrin formation, which is necessary to maintain the blood clot.

Symptoms

“A haemophiliac does not bleed more intensely than a person without it, but can bleed for a much longer time. In severe haemophiliac cases, even a minor injury can result in blood loss lasting days or weeks, or even never healing completely. In areas such as the brain or inside joints, this can be fatal or permanently debilitating,” explains Maree.

Its characteristic symptoms vary with severity, but in general symptoms are internal or external bleeding episodes.

Patients with more severe haemophilia suffer more severe and more frequent bleeds, while patients with mild haemophilia typically suffer more minor symptoms except after surgery or serious trauma. Moderate haemophiliacs have variable symptoms which manifest along a spectrum between severe and mild forms.

Generally, prolonged bleeding and re-bleeding are the diagnostic symptoms of haemophilia.

The most characteristic type of internal bleed is a joint bleed where blood enters into the joint spaces.

According to Maree children with mild to moderate haemophilia may not have any signs or symptoms at birth especially if they do not undergo circumcision.

“Their first symptoms are often frequent and large bruises. They have haematomas from frequent bumps and falls as they learn to walk. Swelling and bruising from bleeding in the joints, soft tissue and muscles may also occur,” observes Maree.

Children with mild haemophilia may not have noticeable symptoms for many years, and that is why Ms Virginia Muthoni, whose three year old son Derrick Chege is Haemophilic advises parents to be more vigilant.

8

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Illegal power connections in slums ticking time bomb

By CAROLYNE OYUGI It is early afternoon and everyone is busy trying to make money in Gatwekera, a part of Kibera slums except for Rose Omollo who is busy nursing her wounds.

According to Rose, she was taking a nap in the house when she felt some unusual heat around her and then heard people shouting outside. She dashed out to check what was wrong and to her surprise, her immediate neighbours’ houses were on fire.

“I got confused and didn’t know what to do.

Suddenly, I remembered that I had KSh10, 000 in the house which was meant for my sons fees,” she said while wiping tears from her cheeks.

“I rushed back to the house despite the many shouts from people. “While I was inside, the door caught fire and I had no way out. The room was full of smoke and I could hardly breathe. That is when I decided to kick the door and got out. I thank God that I got out alive though my leg was burnt.”

We were later informed that the fire was caused by electric fault. Rose who is a fishmonger, cannot sell fish any more. “My customers are not comfortable buying fish from me with the wound on my leg. I am also not comfortable selling food because I have to keep chasing away flies from my leg neither can I cover it because of the ointment I am applying,” she says. As a result of her challenges, Rose is totally dependent on her husband.

Electric door

Soon the children come calling at the door and they have to wait for their mum to open the door although it is not locked. This reporter tried to help but was quickly warned not to touch the gate because ‘it has a formula’.

“We just moved in here three days ago and the children do not know the safe parts of the gate. The metal gate has some electric current flowing in it because of the illegal electric connections that is so rampant in the slum.

The Omollo house is not the only one with this problem. There are several houses that have illegal and careless electric connections that have become a health hazard.

A few metres from her house we meet Fred Momanyi throwing his wet shoes to the roof.

According to Fred who is visiting his cousin, he cannot be in contact with the wet shoes as he places them on the roof because he will be electrocuted. Lazima nirushe na mbali ndio nisichapwe na stima. (I have to throw them from far to avoid electrocution).

Momanyi further complains that it is very hard to move around the one-roomed house because the iron sheet walls have electric current running on them.

An ariel view of Kibera slum is dominated by rusting iron sheets and television aerials boldly displayed on all the roofs. A clear indication that all houses have electricity and a very high percentage of the residents own television sets.

A section of Kibera slum in Nairobi.

Below: A boy who cannot come out of the compound because he fears touching the gate as he might be electrocuted.

Pictures: Reject Correspondent and Stephane Perrier However, the way the connection is done is worrying and if no action is taken then it might as well be referred to as a time bomb. The connections are done right from the electric pole to the bulb in the house or to the adapter.

The wires that are used are also questionable; they are very thin if not tiny with no protective coats. Most houses have no earth wires and hence the frequent electrocution.

Some wires pass in between houses and even inside the rooms while others pass in wet places where waste water passes. Some even pass through garbage areas where even children walk through.

Business as usual

John Wariri, who owns a video shop in Kibera, is very happy that there is electricity around because he would not have been able to operate his business which is his only source of income.

“I don’t care whether the connection is legal or illegal as long as I am earning and I can provide for my family,” he said adding that there are no jobs in Kenya and people have to create their own jobs and employ others.

Establish youth empowerment centres leaders told

By NICHOLAS MASIGA Members of Parliament from North Rift region are required to establish youth empowerment centres in their constituencies. This is to provide a one-stop shop for the youth to access information on reproductive health and HIV/ Aids services.

Speaking in Kitale, North Rift Regional Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga said that by establishing such centres, youth would access information that would contribute to reducing HIV infection rates.

He said according to Kenya Aids Indicators Survey of 2007, the national HIV prevalence rate was 7.1 per cent. However in North Rift it is above the national rate and urged HIV/AIDs practitioners to design varied programmes for various target groups to address the challenge.

He regretted that only eight per cent of HIV testing facilities offer youth friendly HIV services in Rift valley. He urged all stakeholders to be committed in addressing this scourge.

The administrator also pointed out that there is need to increase integration in provision of HIV/AIDs and reproductive health services in order to effectively utilise the limited resources available for the programmes.

Wanyanga also added that the government has established the youth Enterprise Development Fund which will help in addressing unemployment which is one of the major challenges facing young people in the region.

"I urge young people to invest prudently in order to reap benefits from the Youth Enterprise Development Fund and be able to repay,” said Wanyanga.

At night, walking through the slum has become a bit secure because of the many bulbs and security lights. According to the reports from the area police station, the crime rate has reduced significantly since the construction of flood lights at various parts of the slum.

According to Mama Mkubwa (as she is commonly referred to here) Kibera has become a city in a city and they are soon operating 24 hours. “I usually sell my chapatis till midnight and I am not afraid of being attacked by robbers or rapists who were so many back then,” she said.

According to Jacob Waweru who is a landlord, one can not get tenants if the house has no electricity. “The availability of electricity increases the rent hence more money,” he said adding that all his houses in Kibera have electric connection and it does not matter whether it is legal or illegal.

He also adds that the legal connection fee is very expensive compared to what they are paid as rent. The structures also have to be approved and yet most of their buildings do not

qualify.

Other landlords who have not connected electricity to their houses usually arrange with the neighbouring houses such that the tenants tap electricity from their houses at a monthly fee.

Illegal tapping

One such tenant is Hellen Mboya, a nineteen year old single mother. Hellen pays KSh400 for her rent then pays KSh100 to the other landlord for her electric bill.

She is however not comfortable with this arrangement because her light is always on for twenty four hours. She has no switch so she cannot control the bulb. However, she usually removes the bulb when she is planning to be away for long.

Kenya Power is aware of this. Late last year they tried to disconnect the wires but they were stoned, not even the police could help them.

The illegal power connections are a hazard that could result in unnecessary loss of lives and property in the event of a fire.

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

9

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Woman who rescued abandoned infant honoured

By HENRY OWINO A woman has been recognised for her compassion and selfless act of rescuing an infant who was abandoned in her neighbourhood four years ago.

The mother of six, 62-year-old Josephine Mwakazi, from Mwakingali Estate Voi town, Taita Taveta County, Coast Province disregarded her age, overwhelming family size and humble lifestyle to burden herself with another child.

Unlike other mothers who would have pretended not to have seen the child, Mwakazi never hesitated upon seeing an infant boy abandoned in her neighbourhood, she decided to give him a chance to life.

Today, that infant is a healthy four-year-old boy who is not only a jewel to Mwakingali residents but the surrounding community as well.

Baptised Moses Kofi Annan, he is a happy child whose story inspires many.

Jubilee Insurance Company recognised Mwakazi’s caring heart and selfless character of giving the child a new lease of life and changing the perception of adoption in the society by rewarding her with a Jubilee Insurance Samaritan Award (JISA).

Adoption

Mwakazi, among other neighbours, witnessed the abandoned infant a few metres from her homestead. Not even the umbilical cord had been cut. She was touched by a sense of compassion and together with neighbours assisted in cutting the child’s umbilical cord before rushing him to hospital.

Swinging into action at the Moi Hospital in Voi, Mwakazi immediately made enquiries on how to go about adopting the child — a long procedure with the Children Department, including getting consent from her husband Roy Mwakazi.

Mwakazi was so determined that she convinced him and he welcomed the idea of adop-

tion. The family named the boy Moses Annan, in honour of the former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan owing to his vanguard role in brokering peace in the country following the post election violence of 2007/08.

The infant’s rescue coincided with the signing of the Peace Accord to end the violence. The boy was later baptised Moses since he was left by his blood mother just like the biblical Moses.

The two names, therefore, reminding the family of two important things in the child’s life and everybody else treats him as part of the blood family.

“Moses is part of my family and everybody loves him. In fact if you are a visitor in my house, you cannot tell that he is adopted but because of the neighbourhood, one realises it after some time since you can’t stop them from gossiping.

It is true we adopted him and he is ours and nobody can take him away from us except God alone,” says Mwakazi.

The four years have not been easy as neighbours have rebuked her, with some calling her all sorts of names. Other have mad e claims that she just wanted to make money out of wellwishers some of whom had become her great-

“When I first saw the child, I was tempted to give him all the motherly love that every child deserves. I had a bubble in my stomach and felt the pain of a mother then never thought twice but straight away picked him up.”

— Josephine Mwakazi

Josephine Mwakazi, little Moses Annan and Nizar Juma, the Jubilee Group Chairman. Jubilee recognised her compassion in saving the abandoned children.

Picture: Henry Owino est admirers.

With all the discouragement she got from even some of her own relatives, Mwakazi never lost hope of raising the little Annan and today her story is well known in the community and is talked of positively with high regard.

Even high ranking government officials have come to respect her as a true leader, a mother to be emulated by many women if they really need to lead by example.

Not many women relish the hustle of bringing up a young one, let alone struggling to do so with limited resources in a tough economy, so what really pushed Mwakazi to consider the adoption?

She explains: “When I first saw the child, I was tempted to give him all the motherly love that every child deserves. I had a bubble in my stomach and felt the pain of a mother then never thought twice but straight away picked him up.”

She adds: “I did what was necessary and sought help from the hospital and that is how the child could become mine permanently. Today, he is four years old and I thanked God for him.”

Her family, the husband and especially the

children — a boy and five girls — have welcomed little Annan wholeheartedly.

She has brought him up personally having no house-help and is thankful he has had a normal childhood. She only had to seek the supply of special milk from the Children’s Department for a few months.

Children’s home

She is now contemplating opening a children’s home in the future, to care for abandoned children. Her husband, a former area councillor, says that the family will ensure that Annan is educated to the level he would want to.

“God salvaged my Annan from the jaws of the cruel hyenas, lions and other wild animals roaming our neighbourhood from the adjacent Tsavo National Park into the house. I am going to take care of him,” observes Mwakazi.

Annan celebrated his fourth birthday on May 3, 2011, and will begin school next year.

The family intends to break the adoption news to him only after he attains 18 years.

Woman entrepreneur earns best achiever award

By WAIKWA MAINA About four years ago, Rebecca Mwangi from Maturubari village in Kangocho area in Mathira division was like any other woman in her poverty stricken village.

She was not earning anything meaningful from her small shamba where she has built an empire for her family.

Last year, the mother of four was voted the best woman in the utilization of Women Enterprise Fund nationally and was awarded a trophy

by President Kibaki.

Her innovation and hard work has propelled her family to greater heights, this despite taking care of her ailing husband and their children.

Today her story is different. With an initial loan of KSh35,000 from Taifa Sacco Society Limited, Mwangi has created an empire, which is a showcase locally and nationally. Her handwork has seen her navigate African countries as a role model and trainer in agri-business.

Loan

She has been to Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana and finally South Africa where she gave her experience to women entrepreneurs from various countries.

“Were it not for Taifa Sacco and the government’s Women Enterprise Fund, I would not be where I am today. My husband was a mechanic before he was diagnosed with cancer. Then he was the family’s sole bread winner. He has been ailing for several years but my projects earn enough to cater for his treatment and family,”

explains Mwangi.

With the KSh35,000 loan from the Women Enterprise Fund through Taifa Sacco, Mwangi constructed three fish dams. Earnings from the fish sales enabled her to construct four more dams in her shamba which is less than an acre.

The innovative and hardworking mother approached Taifa Sacco for the loan in 2008 under the Women Enterprise Fund.

“I got the loan which helped me expand my fish farming project. I had two fishponds but the loan enabled me construct three more,” she says.

Success story

Two years later, having completed paying the loan, Mwangi went back to the same financial institution for more money. This time she secured a loan of KSh80,000 which she used to connect electricity to her home and improve on her coffee bushes.

Her Agri-business empire involves bee keeping, rabbit farming, brick making, dairy goats and sheep farming and general small scale farming. “I intend to start a hatchery project before the end of this year. I am confident Taifa Sacco will continue supporting me,” she adds.

Mwangi attributes her success not only to finances advanced to her by the sacco, but also to various training sessions organised by the savings organisation which has also aggressively assisted in marketing her products.

Mwangi’s efforts have enabled her meet President Kibaki. The President presented her with the award for being the Best Woman in utilization of the Woman Fund in the country.

Her home is always flooded with visitors from all parts of the country and outside Kenya who want to learn from her success story.

Her farm has turned out to be a resource centre. Her brick making industry employs more than ten people every day.

“I also join them in all the activities including moulding the bricks. Every moment of my time is spent attending to the projects,” she says.

Each farming activity in her farm supplements the other. Manure from the rabbits, goats and cattle are used in her coffee plantation while Rebecca Mwangi standing next to her fish pond in weed from the farm is fed to Mathira. She was awarded her exemplary utilization the livestock. of the Women’s Enterprise Fund.

This reduces the cost of Picture: Waikwa Maina production in the farm. She also harvests enough food crops from her fertile farm intermediaries of the Women Enterprise Fund to feed her family. The family also enjoys rabfor both financial and technical support to expebit meat since they are in plenty. Waste from rience the difference. the chicken project will be used to feed the fish.

“There are hundreds of types of business that Fingerlets which are grown in her fish ponds are women can successfully engage in but capital has on high demand. The Ministry of Fisheries has always been a major challenge. However, with done its best to market them on her behalf. the poverty eradication funds and others introShe appeals to all those who wish to make a duced by the Government, women in the rural difference in their life to approach friendly finanareas have no reason not to change and improve cial institutions appointed by the Government as on their lives,” says Mwangi.

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ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Embu farmers now embracing fish farming

By Kariuki Mwangi

Farmers in Embu have for a long time been capitalising on the production of coffee and tea as their major cash crops. However, the trend is now changing with the sensitisation on the importance of fish farming.

Embu district Fisheries officer Jackson Kamau says since the introduction of the Economic Stimulus Programme, over 600 fish ponds have been put up in Manyatta and Runyenjes constituencies within two years.

Kamau says that the residents have embraced production of fish for their home consumption and are now embarking on production for local and international markets.

The Fisheries officer notes that each of the ponds has been well stocked with 1,000 fingerlings. The Government has already paid for more fingerlings and fish feeds which will be delivered to the farmers in due time.

The fish farmers were urged to not only rely on big markets as they can harvest the fish and put up kiosks in their areas where they can provide their own markets and make money.

Cluster groups

“There is no way that you can sell a product that has not been tried. So we should embrace consumption of fish so that we can provide a good local market for the product,” observes Kamau.

The officer was speaking during a fish farmer’s field day at Ena in Runyenjes. He advised fish farmers to form cluster groups of 15 and register at the Department of Social Services so they can have a bargaining power in selling fish produce and avoid being exploited by middlemen.

Kamau notes that eventually a common cooperative society for fish farmers will be constituted so that issues affecting fish farmers can be addressed amicably to promote production.

The fisheries officer also advised farmers to invest in trout fish farming which is well paying as one kilogram of the breed goes at KSh750.

Fish farmers from Embu will also

From top: A farmer tries out a fishing net introduced in the area by the officials Fisheries officials explain various conservation methods to the farmers in Embu. Pictures: Kariuki Mwangi stand to benefit from a cooling plant pilot project that is set to be built in Nkubu, Meru County. The fish will be collected and taken to the cooling plant while awaiting the various markets without losses being incurred.

In satisfying the zeal of fish farmers in Embu, the Government is set to put up a fish feeds manufacturing plant in Embu, where the farmers who have already been trained in feeds manufacturing will manage the plant.

Kamau said that the presence of a fish feeds plant in Embu and a fish cooling plant in Meru will boost production of fish in the region as they will have a reliable source of feeds and a plant to prevent losses. This will enhance food security and improve economy of the area.

The farmers have also been provided with four fish harvesting nets, two of which will be used by farmers in Runyenjes Constituency and

the other towns to benefit farmers in Manyatta Constituency. The farmers will be expected to pay a small maintenance fee and eventually buy a net for every fish farmers’ group.

The Government has also deployed two fish farmers’ trainers per constituency in Embu to ensure that quantity and quality are maintained.

Production

“Farmers should look into the future and embrace water conservation. Most of the irrigation projects upstream might eventually drain all the waters and leave the area dry,” he observed.

Embu East District Commissioner Tom Macheneri pointed out that the production of fish has helped in the improvement of the economy and elimination of poverty in the district.

“The Government has embarked on building the capacity of fish farm-

ers, improvement of fish markets, and also working on ways of adding value and quality of fish products,” said Macheneri.

He noted that the Economic Stimulus Programme has immensely benefited the residents saying that

the KSh15 million which was used in building the ponds benefited the youths who built them.

He said that so far more than 6,000 youths have been employed through fish farming and the construction of water harvesting reservoirs.

Cultural practices deny the Kuria opportunities

By MBOYA RACHUONYO Outdated cultural practices have for a long time denied the Kuria people opportunity to compete favourably with the rest of Kenyans.

The serious challenge that needs to be tackled urgently is early marriages that the area District Children’s Officer John Lang’at singled out as “a shame” on the community.

Lang’at said the children’s department is battling with the task of rescuing 19 young girls who have been married off by their parents in the recent past.

Langat said his officer with the help of the teachers and local provincial administration are currently combing the entire Kuria region to locate homes where the young girls are hidden by their husbands.

However, the DCO lamented that it had been a difficult task battling to win the war on early marriages in Kuria as more cases were emerging everyday.

“I am worried about dropout rates among young girls to engage in early marriages,” said Lang’at. He lamented that there were 19 new cases reported recently of girls dropping out of

school and being married off.

The marriages which occurred in May this year, saw four girls; two in Standard Eight and one each in Class Seven and Class Six dropping out at Kirigoti Primary in Masabe division.

Addressing the Press at his Kehancha-Kuria District Headquarters, Langat explained that four other girls, aged between 12 and 16 years reportedly got married after dropping out at Rongabi Primary School in the same division.

Children’s rights

The officer complained some marriages are negotiated and consented by chiefs and their assistants at a fee.

Elites in Kuria have raised complaints over the manner in which authorities were handling children issues, accusing them of failure to implement the Children’s Act, which guarded the rights of the child.

The area District Commissioner James Mugwe recently ordered a probe and subsequent arrest of parents’ consented marriages of their young daughters. He said that violation of children rights is a serious offence and anybody found doing so will not be spared.

The DC said investigations to identify the culprits were in progress adding that parents who strike deals at the expense of their daughters would face the law.

At the same time, forces fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kuria West and East districts were also being accused of turning the struggle into a lucrative business.

Some members of the Area Advisory Committee (AAC) claimed that Non-Governmental Organisations were receiving millions of shillings from donors to fight the vice but waste most of it holding workshops, seminars and trainings in expensive hotels.

The allegations were raised during a meeting in Kehancha town that the NGOs would not like to see FGM ending in the region because it would automatically cut off the flow of money from donors.

The NGOs have been organising rescue missions but with little change of attitude on the part of the community.

The meeting resolved that the organisations in partnership with the Government should establish permanent rescue centres at strategic places that will accommodate girls escaping

from forced circumcision in their homes instead of spending funds in big hotels.

The hefty allowances paid to participants in hotels had made the local council of elders to also shift goals in their agreements to help eradicate the practice among the Kuria community.

Solution

The elders bit a hasty retreat on an MoU they wrote with children’s ministry last year by demanding an extension to the banning of FGM. Jecinta Murgor who represented the ministry of Gender, Social and Children affairs at the meeting suggested that it would be better if a lasting solution to the problem was found to protect young girls against all forms of violence, adding that there was urgent need to bring all stakeholders on board to prioritise the available approaches in fighting the practice.

The director who was accompanied by the Nyanza provincial children boss Joseph Kodongo asked the area advisory committee to ensure that the most notorious violence meted against children like child labour, early marriages and child neglect among others were addressed. Parliament has already passed the Anti-FGM Bill.

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Women visit hospitals to curb maternal deaths

By SHABAN MAKOKHA The Government has banned traditional birth attendants (TBAs) from conducting home deliveries in Matungu Division in Western Province.

The District Medical Officer of Health (DMOH) William Malaguen said there are increased cases of mortality in pregnant mothers who go for delivery services at the TBAs homes.

Speaking at Shiembekho Cultural Centre in Matungu, the DMOH asked the provincial administration to ensure no delivery is done at the village level. “The TBAs lack delivery pads, techniques and can enhance the spread of HIV/Aids from one mother to another and even to the new born babies. They use the same gloves to handle several mothers oblivious of the danger,” said Dr Malaguen.

He asked the expectant mothers to shun the misconception that health facilities are expensive saying the government has subsidised maternity services. “The TBAs lack modern techniques in antenatal care. They massage the womb which can kill the unborn baby because massaging separates the baby from the placenta,” noted the district medical officer.

Malaguen pointed out that the district has a population of 154,077 people with 3.9 per cent annual production rate and 1, 155 mortality rate which is equivalent to 0.75 per cent of the district population.

“The district has 11 health facilities with Matungu Health Centre which is the largest facility in the district projected at level three in terms of health service delivery,” he added.

He underscored the need for an ambulance in the district to enhance referral cases which he said is rampant. Malaguen further added: “We are unable to ferry our patients to referral centres because we lack an ambulance in the district.”

However, some of the expectant mothers said they prefer TBAs because they offer friendly services. They said they are harassed, molested and bullied by hospital nurses when they go for delivery services in health facilities.

Jane Munyendo, the project manager of Umoja Women Group which hosted the forum, appealed on the importance of sensitising pregnant mothers on skilled delivery services.

Maternal deaths caused by Malaria reducing

By Fred Okoth There has been a marked reduction in the number of deaths of pregnant mothers reported in Kuria West and East districts following the efforts made in controlling Malaria in the region.

According to the area Medical officer of Health Solomon Bongo, maternal mortality in the region had declined tremendously over the past two years.

Speaking in Kehancha town of Kuria West district, Bongo said death in children under five years had declined from seven to three per cent.

“This has been due to the malaria control programme that was started in 2005 - 2010 and the eradication programme of Malaria which was starting in 2011 and expected to last till 2017,” said Bongo.

He further added that transmission of Malaria has been low after families received treated mosquito nets. This has contributed to reduced maternal and child mortality in the area.

“A new drug known as AL has been made available in all government and mission hospitals and Malaria patients are responding positively to this treatment,” added Bongo.

The MOH said public education will continue in the area and subsidised nets will also be distributed at all times to all residents as a move to fight the killer disease.

11

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

New lease of life as Prisons implement new laws

By JOY MONDAY It is Wednesday evening, hundreds of inmates scale the flickering light of a television screen in their dim lit Kitale GK Prison.

The news is on and everyone is struggling to have a glimpse of the day’s main events. Some sit on the concrete floor, some stand as others lean against each other not to miss the latest news.

It’s a familiar scene in another cell where a TV screen has been mounted.

In this prison, each cell hosts 60 men.

The mattresses, some on the floor, others propped up on bunks lying just a few inches apart. Clothes lines hang from the ceiling and black-and-white striped tops and bottoms hang like sad holiday decorations. The institution hosts 1,100 inmates against the recommended figure of 400.

Kenya’s prisons have been known for being over-crowded. Inmates brutally punished and served with uncooked food. However, times have changed and these kind of scenes are an improvement from just a few years ago as the Kenya Prison’s department commits to clean up its act.

Prisoner’s rights

With the prisoners’ rights guaranteed in the new Constitution, decongestion is a nobrainer, according to the Kenya Prisons Services. However, the Kenya Prisons Paralegal Project (KPPP) says that the goal will not be achieved if the authorities fail to exhibit the leadership required to make such dreams come true.

In 2008, the Kenya Prisons Service launched the Integration Correctional Services Improvement Programme after prison officers launched a widespread strike to protest against poor pay and inadequate living conditions.

A task force appointed to probe the crisis concluded Kenyan prisons were a ‘wild jungle’ where ‘disease, squalor and modern-day slavery thrived’.

The committee traced overcrowding back to decades of neglect. A report indicated that over the last two decades, Kenya invested heavily in the creation of new districts, police stations and court buildings but made little or no effort to expand or rehabilitate prisons.

Dr Ludeki Chweya, Permanent Secretary in the office of the Vice President and Ministrty of Home Affairs, admits the situation at the jail facilities is dire. Inmates have been sleeping on the concrete floor without blankets and some have even walked around naked with no uniforms to wear.

Comfort

“For many years, Prison was essentially just a warehouse for offenders,” says Chweya adding that things have changed and every prisoner has a mattress now.

“You get two blankets; three pairs of clothing as well as soap and tissue paper. From this year I am distributing shoes and sweaters, which never existed before,” says Chweya.

Never mind TV sets, which have started popping up in prison cells. While the service is making an effort to make the prisons more liveable, the real goal is to have fewer prisoners in their care.

“We asked ourselves ‘do we have inmates who do not have to be in prison? Are we trying to rehabilitate people who need not be in jail?’, posed Chweya. He answers: “The answer is yes.”

“That is where a new provision in the Constitution came in handy. Article 49 states that people suspected of crimes punishable by a fine or a sentence of less than six-months cannot be held in remand,” he said.

“In a country where petty criminals make up the vast majority of inmates, this clause has a big impact,” observes Chweya.

Other pluses for prisoners in the new Constitution include maintaining all the human rights in the Bill of Rights, the right to petition for habeas corpus and the right to humane treatment while in custody.

Boniface Wanyoike, a paralegal officer with KPPP says he is optimistic the new Constitution will aid in the ongoing change in Kenyan Some prisoners at a library at Kitale Main GK Prison prisons. where they can now access reading materials. Inmates “There have been rewatching television donated at the prison. forms. No one can doubt Pictures: Joy Monday that,” he said during an interview with the Reject in Kitale.

“The challenge is whether we have the kind negligence and irresponsible leadership. In the of leadership in prisons to bring about change. past, the service blamed many of its challenges The Constitution is just a set of laws. It has on lack of funding. In its report, the 2008 prisgiven life to people who believe in something,” ons review committee established the problem with the Kenya Prisons Service was not lack of he notes.

The Prisons Service has a track record of funding, but a failure in leadership.

“Improving the living conditions of prisonusing public money for private gain, gross ers, respecting their human dignity and rights should be mandatory,” says a senior prisons official on anonymity.

Officer in charge at Kitale GK Prison, Ahmed Rashid, says a taskforce of players in the criminal justice system has started planning how best to implement the new Constitution.

“We require time to decongest prisons more than just releasing petty remand criminals. The prisons service is exploring expanding community service orders so prisoners can serve their time outside the prison walls,” says Rashid.

He adds: “We are also thinking in terms of expansion and modernisation to be able to accommodate the increasing numbers.”

“We require time to decongest prisons more than just releasing petty remand criminals. The prisons service is exploring expanding community service orders so prisoners can serve their time outside the prison walls.”

— Ahmed Rashid

Decongestion

Rashid was speaking during the celebrations to mark the 100 years existence of the Kenyan prison.

The Prisons Service and stakeholders met in Mombasa recently to discuss plans of implementing the new Constitution. They have been given KSh207 million for its implementation between now and June 2012.

However, as much as the prison authorities try to decongest jail facilities, they need to work with the Judiciary to expedite the 713,381 backlog of cases from their end in the magistrates’ courts alone.

12

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Seek local doctors to save your child from cleft palate

By OCHIENG JUMA Born 11 years ago, Irene Musyawa has never been a happy girl. This is because she was born with a deformity in the mouth. According to her sister Caroline Wambua, the deformity made her shy away from normal life leading to few friends and loneliness.

Caroline and her aunt Damiana Kimeu had taken Irene to Makueni district hospital for her condition to be corrected after getting information that a team of medical personnel were in the area to correct such conditions. ”Even her grades had gone down due to the speech problem. But now we are happy that she will face every day with a smile,” Caroline said as she sat by her younger sister who had undergone a successful surgery.

Irene had a cleft palate which took a toll on her as she grew up. She had lost her selfesteem as her peers teased her.

A cleft or lip palate is a separation or split in either the upper lip or the roof of the mouth (palate) or sometimes both. It occurs when separate areas of the face do not join properly when a baby is developing in the womb.

The development of the face and the upper lip takes place during the fifth to ninth week of pregnancy.

Gratitude

Coming from a less fortunate family in Kikuu village, Kalawa division in Mbooni Constituency, Irene was unable to get surgery to correct the condition. However, when they got the news of the team of medical personnel coming to offer free surgery they took Irene to Makueni district hospital in Wote town, Makueni County where the team were based at the time.

“We are so happy for her; she will now be able to enjoy her childhood. We thank the team of doctors who managed to carry out the surgery. When we heard about the visiting doctors in one of the vernacular stations. We thought it was a joke, but now it has dawned on us that it is true. Irene will be happy to express herself with confidence now,” Caroline said.

Help a Child Face Tomorrow (HCFT) is an indigenous Kenyan non-profit medical relief organisation dedicated to providing quality health care to disadvantaged children with facial defects, deformities or injuries.

According to the organisation’s CEO Dr Meshack Ong’uti who is a reconstructive and maxillofacial surgeon, the main goal is to restore self-esteem in the children by providing

facial surgery free of charge.

“One of the things you realise is there are people who lived with these abnormalities for the last 70 years and even at 70 years they want treatment to be given to them. It shows that there is need for this kind of work to be done.

Our aim is not to go to a place once. We are covering the whole country. We have been moving from one district to one province to another in hope that we can be able to assist these patients.” said Dr Ong’uti.

Involvement

The former director of Kenyatta National Hospital is calling upon Kenyans to appreciate local specialists and make use of them through getting involved actively in changing children’s lives for a better future. ”Help a Child Face Tomorrow will vigilantly seek new local and international links and partnerships with corporations, medical groups, and community organisations specifically for resource mobilisation, advocacy, education and research.

These collaborations will allow us to reach our initial target of surgically assisting 300 children per annum, at an average of five to six children per week. Any child aged 18 years or younger will be eligible for treatment if, in the opinion of the medical team there is a reasonable possibility that the treatment will benefit the child by breaking the social isolation and emotional starvation due to disfigurement,” he said.

The organisation brings together professionals such as counsellors, cardiologists, speech language pathologists and other professionals in the medical work and out of it to further enhance the quality of life of the children after their operations.

After undergoing a successful surgery at the hospital 70-year-old Paul Maundu who has lived with the deformity and his family experienced great happiness. ”My grandmother is the one who told me about my dad’s earlier years with the deformity. She said my dad could not breastfeed well. He grew like that and went up to class four before my grandmother enrolled him in a tailoring school,” said second born daughter,

From top: Surgeons operating on a patient at Makueni District Hospital.

Irene Musyama rests in the ward after undergoing a successful cleft palate surgery at no cost. Pictures: Ochieng Juma Rosemary Kimuyu.

She added: “He managed to bring us up through his tailoring skills.

He has educated all the nine of us. We thank God for him and for this gesture that has come at the last years of his life, we are grateful. We wish it could be there earlier because he could have been able to talk and do much more.

Approximately 140,000 babies born in Kenya each year, there would be 280 children born each year with a correctable facial deformity. This does not include the number of children with disfigurement acquired after birth; that is tumours, burns or other injuries.

“There is a profound need for specialised medical care particularly in resource poor countries such as Kenya. Using the above numbers, a reasonable approximation would show that there are more than 10,000 children in Kenya with facial deformities that would be eligible for this programme. Majority of these needy children are in poor rural areas where there is no access to medical facilities or the financial resources for treatment are lacking,” Dr Ong’uti stated.

“Malnutrition, lack of certain food elements one week after a mother conceives, smoking and alcohol and chemicals usage are some of the causes of cleft and lip palates.”

— Dr Meshack Ong’uti

The surgeon highlights some of the major causes of cleft and lip palates as lack of proper nutrients, use of drugs, smoking and alcohol by pregnant women.

“Malnutrition, lack of certain food elements one week after a mother conceives, smoking and alcohol and chemicals usage are some of the causes of cleft and lip palates,” said the surgeon. “Only a small percentage is hereditary,” the surgeon remarked.

Free surgery

He adds that at least five out of ten children die of treatable facial tumours due to lack of accessible heath care saying that the national budget which is the main tool for mobilisation and allocation of public resources was insensitive to these needs and their roles in the productive economy. Makueni district hospital resident surgeon Dr John Ndung’u lauded the organisation and said that it was working as stipulated by government policy.

The organisation which has so far provided free facial and reconstructive surgery in Kisii, Kapsabet, Baraton, Isiolo, Longisa, Bangladesh, Makueni and Siaya. ”We call upon patients with these cases to come forward for free treatment,” Dr Ong’uti urged.

Church on a social transformation mission to fight poverty

By WANGARI MWANGI The Anglican Church has embarked on a social transformation project aimed at elevating people out of poverty.

Under the Mount Kenya Christian Community Service (MKCCS), the church has been conducting several projects to achieve its mandate of improving the lives of people in Mt. Kenya region.

Speaking during the MKCCS annual general meeting in Murang’a, the chairman Joseph Kagunda said they have prepared a strategic plan (2011-2015) which will act as a guideline towards achieving the set objectives.

He said the plan seeks to address three thematic issues which include; food security, health,

HIV/AIDs and youth empowerment, which he noted to be the major challenges facing the people in the area adding that if something is not done the situation might worsen.

“We shall spare no efforts to free our fellow men, women and children from abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty,” said the chairman.

In collaboration with other development stakeholders, the organisation has been able to reach 2,500 households where they train them on integrated dry land and organic farming as well as rearing graded rabbits and chicken. Their major focus is on agriculture because it can spur economic growth and boost food security.

“Our target is those people who have been forced to rely on relief food from government

or well wishers due to unreliable rainfall but we would like them to be growing their own food,” said Kagunda. He also revealed that in an effort to ease the burden of raising the children left to the elderly caregivers after the death of their parents, the organisation is rolling out a programme to empower them financially.

He said the number of orphans in the region is increasing when their parents die of HIV/ AIDs and the burden is being imposed on the aging grandparents most of whom don’t have the capacity to provide for them.

“In partnership with Help Age Kenya, we are offering loans to these people to engage in small businesses and enable them take care of the orphans under their care,” said Kagunda.

He said they have given loans amounting to

KSh5 million as well as enrolling some of the orphans in vocational training to gain skills and earn a livelihood.

Kagunda pointed out that they have launched an intensive campaign to steer the fight against stigma and discrimination against the HIV survivors, which he noted to be a major setback in fighting the spread of the disease.

Among other projects in line include the youth empowerment, where they are offering entrepreneurship targeting the young and potential entrepreneurs to unlock their potential in engaging in business.

They are also reaching out to the jigger infested people who have become marginalised and rejected in the society by providing basic health care and nutritional advice.

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

13

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Male cut picks up in Turkana

By Nicholas Masiga “When I learnt that medical male circumcision reduces risk of being infected with HIV by at least 60 per cent and that the procedure is offered free at Lodwar District Hospital, I considered undergoing it but I feared it would be painful,” said Lenox Isinyan.

Lenox, 25, is among a growing number of Turkana men who have benefited from the Government’s free VMMC programme which started in the area in April.

The first year student at Kenya Institute of Management has always wanted to be circumcised because his friends who are circumcised discriminated against him.

“My circumcised schoolmates would laugh at me because I was uncircumcised. My college mates did the same. But now that I am circumcised I will interact with them freely,” says Isinyan.

Traditional rights

When he was in primary school his friends urged him to be circumcised but his parents refused since the Turkana do not practice the rite.

His parents only allowed him to go through Asapan, a Turkana ceremony where youth get initiated into adulthood. It does not involve any cut. Usually, the clans perform these rites on specific youth who have reached adulthood and are ready to marry or would want to take on leadership roles in the community.

“I always wanted to go for the cut but my parents refused and I did not have money to pay for it,” says Isinyan.

During the April holidays, Isinyan went home to Lodwar and found that government

Hindu Council donates foodstuff

By AYOKI ONYANGO The Hindu Council of Kenya, through its affiliated institutions, has donated relief food to the people of Mwala constituency – in the larger Machakos District.

The foodstuff, which included maize flour and loaves of bread, was distributed to the needy in Wamuyu Village in Mwala.

“We have a serious food deficit and people are facing starvation. They are in dire need of food”, lamented Mwala MP Daniel Muoki.

A few months back, the Hindu Council donated 100 tones of maize flour to the Kenya Red Cross to be taken to Turkana to feed the people.

One of the Hindu affiliates Dagamber Jain Mumukhu Mandir organised the food distribution in Mwala, which included 10 tonnes of maize flour packed in a 10 kilogramme bag and bread.

“We have put aside 300 tonnes of maize flour and other essential food items to be distributed in the most affected regions,” said Shantibhai Shah, the drought relief project co-coordinator.

The Hindu Council through its affiliated bodies has in the past been involved in a number of projects in Kenya. These include organising free medical camps in various parts of the country, donating Jaipur feet to amputees, planting of trees, donating books and paying school fees for needy children.

Mwala MP Muoki asked the Government to seek a lasting solution to the drought menace in Kenya. He suggested the sinking dams in all dry areas and initiating irrigation in areas situated near rivers.

“Countries like Israel are drier than Kenya but because of irrigation and other modern farming systems, they have better food security than Kenya,” added Muoki.

in collaboration with other partners had organised a free voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) programme.

This time he convinced his parents to allow him to undergo the procedure because it would reduce his risk of contracting HIV. He arrived at Lodwar District Hospital in the morning where he was counselled before undergoing the procedure.

Counselling session

“First, together with several men we were taken through a counselling session where the counsellor explained the importance of VMMC,” he says.

During the session they were asked general questions concerning their health and significance of having to be tested their HIV status.

Isinyan was then moved to an individual counselling session where he was tested for HIV before he was circumcised.

The importance of knowing one’s status during the individual counselling, doctors say, is to know the CD4 count of the client before proceeding to the next level. If the CD4 count is low, the medical experts will advise on what to do before undergoing circumcision.

Isinyan was circumcised in a procedure that only took half an hour. “I removed the bandage from the wound after only three days. I was advised not to use any drug apart from pain killers that I was given at the Hospital,” says Isinyan.

“I was free to engage in my usual duties,” he says adding that he was asked to abstain from sex for six weeks.

“I am now happy that I am circumcised. It is not painful. I encourage more men to undergo the cut during the ongoing free VMMC at Lod-

Clinical officers circumcising a man at Kainuk dispensary in Turkana County.

Picture: Nicholas Masiga war District Hospital,” says Isinyan.

“Even though I am circumcised, I know that I am not fully protected from being infected by HIV. I will require other protective measures such as use of condoms every time I have sex to completely protect myself from being infected with HIV,” says Isinyan.

According to the research done in three countries, it has been established that the HIV prevalence rate in countries where men are not circumcised is higher.

It is for this reason that the government through Nyanza Reproductive Society introduced free VMMC at Lodwar District Hospital, Kainuk Dispensary and at Kakuma Travellers Building after succeeding in Nyanza where

Turkana are benefiting through the procedure.

“According to Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey (KAIS) of 2007, the national HIV prevalence rate is about seven per cent but in Turkana, the rate is about nine per cent,” explains Dr Joseph Epem, Turkana Medical officer of Health.

Peter Lemu, a clinical officer with Nyanza Reproductive Society encourages men in Turkana County to take advantage of free VMMC. “We are happy that the number of men seeking the service in three stations in the country is encouraging. We have circumcised more than 4,000 men aged between 15 and 49 since we started the programme. We want more to come to help in reducing HIV infection in the area,” says Lemu.

Tribunal to protect persons with HIV/Aids in place the Constitution has established a strong framework for the observation and enforcement of fundamental human rights and freedoms. She said The National Aids Control Council (NACC) has this first HIV/Aids tribunal in Kenya has the role formed a legal Tribunal that will manage HIV/Aids of enforcing human rights as mandated in the Act in the country. The Tribunal is part and parcel of to operate in broad objective of fundamental huthe institutional framework established under the man rights and freedom under the Constitution.

HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2006.

Professor Alloys Orago the NACC Director Speaking at the official inauguration of HIV/ said Aids Stigma is more deadly than HIV itself.

Aids Tribunal at NACC headquarters in Nairobi, He said stigma has led to seclusion of many perMinister of State for Special Programmes, Esther sons living with the virus contributing to highMurugi said one of the highlights of the tribunal est killer from infection with the virus than the is that it is conferred with enforcement powers by scourge itself. the Act. She added that the tribunal will fill the Orago said Kenya now is celebrating 26 years vacuum that has existed in the protection of the since the first case of HIV infection was detected persons infected or affected by HIV/Aids. yet despite the major milestones achieved so far, According to the Act, it is an offence to conthe main hindrance to the progress remains stigduct an HIV test on a person with disability or a ma. He added that HIV prevalence is likely to reminor without the written consent of a guardian. duce further if people living with HIV/Aids are Some of the cases lined up for the tribunal include supported and accepted in all environments. discrimination against people living with HIV at The Chairperson of NACC, Professor Mary the work place, schools, colleges, foreign embassies Getui said gender based violence in particular has and even at home. had an upper hand in promoting stigma, as the Murugi said, “There are instances when the other party who is ‘always’ the man tends to initifundamental rights and freedoms of both the inate blame game on the woman, who may have been fected and the affected persons have been contratested while attending antenatal vened without any recourse for clinic. remedy.”

Getui said stigma has also She emphasised that the been associated with gender tribunal has the mandate to based violence in marriages and summon witnesses, take eviother relationships, unfair disdence, and recommend action missal by employers who grapple to be taken on anyone who is with the idea of having to spend found guilty of discriminating more money on the care and supagainst people on the basis of port of the affected employees their status. and discrimination by insurance “You will all agree with me companies who over time fear that making this tribunal to spending money on HIV infectoperate is long overdue,” said ed patients.

Murugi. “Stakeholders and our She said despite all the chalpeople who have been waiting lenges, the organisation’s success and anticipating for the Triremains scaling-up prevention bunal to commence its legal and treatment interventions to responsibility and operations, reach as many people as possible we highly regret the delays,” who require the services on a she added.

— Esther Murugi daily basis.

The minister reiterated that

By HENRY OWINO

“There are instances when the fundamental rights and freedoms of both the infected and the affected persons have been contravened without any recourse for remedy.”

HIV/AIDS situation in Matungu

By Shaban Makokha Eight per cent of the residents of Matungu district are HIV positive. The District’s Aids and STI Coordinator (DASCO) Christopher Kach has said.

Kach said out of the district’s 154,077 people, 15,729 were tested in the past year. Out of this number, 453 people tested HIV positive.

Kach further said out of the 453 who are HIV positive, 30 per cent are on ARVs and doing well. The DASCO officer said the district has a sufficient supply of HIV drugs.

He called upon any HIV positive person from any district to visit Matungu for the drugs saying they are meant to serve everybody and not the people of Matungu alone.

Speaking in a stakeholder’s forum held in Matungu, Kach said, “We have enough drugs for malaria and other opportunistic diseases with enough test kits. We therefore call upon our people to come for voluntary testing to know their status and be guided on how to live positively.”

He pointed out that all counselling centres in the district need severe supervision to determine the quality of counselling services they offer. He warned that inefficient counselling can result to death of the victim or their lovers.

“The quality of counselling maintains one’s stability. If it is poor, one may end up killing self or his/her lover,” he noted.

Kach appealed to all pregnant mothers to go for clinical services to enable them know their HIV status to avoid infection to the unborn babies.

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ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Relief for patients as Hospice is set to receive dialysis machine

By KARIUKI MWANGI

By HENRY KAHARA Kenya is still far from achieving the millennium development goal five, improving maternal health. Speaking at the Kenya Medical Association Conference at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Lord David Steel, former UK Member of parliament Lord of Aikwood urged the Government of Kenya to implement the Constitution if it wants to achieve this goal.

“If the Government can approach this problem with sex education for the young and better family planning provisions for all women, it will win the battle,” said Lord Steel.

Professor Joseph Karanja, who is an associate professor of Gynaecology at the University of Nairobi said that sex education has not been introduced in the school curriculum. Some religious leaders perceive it as teaching young boys and girls how to engage in sex.

“We can only improve this through educating even our children about sex education. This will help them to be responsible,” says Prof Karanja.

For a long time patients with terminal illnesses all over the country have been queuing at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for months to get the much needed dialysis services and other terminal illness medication.

The cancer patients in Embu County and the rest of Eastern Province have also been suffering from the shortage of the dialysis machines in the country bearing in mind that the province is usually affected by aflatoxin which is the major cause of cancer.

It is for this reason that like-minded members of the community united and came up with the Embu-Mbeere hospice. It will be geared towards helping the members of the society with terminal illnesses to ensure they live a positive life.

Embu-Mbeere hospice nurse in charge Stella Warui says that since opening its doors to terminally ill patients. The hospice has been giving palliative care to cancer and HIV patients to ensure they attain quality life.

Services

Warui says that currently they enrolled more than 120 patients who get assistance at the hospice. They also offer services to 150 patients in conjunction with the Embu Provincial General Hospital. “We are usually happy that they die a painless death with their symptoms relieved,” says Warui.

The hospice offers palliative services to the terminally ill to help relieve the pain and symptoms. They also offer home -based care for the patients who cannot make it to the hospice.

The hospice also offers family counseling for the family members to know how to treat them, training for the professionals on handling cancer patients and community sensitisation on the disease.

Warui also calls on residents of Embu, Kirinyaga, Meru, Mwingi and other surrounding areas to stop hiding terminally ill patients and make use of the facility to provide them with better quality life.

Mary Wambui, a nurse is one of the beneficiaries of the initiative. She has breast cancer.

She says that she has been able to live a good life despite being diagnosed with the disease. “I don’t know whether I would be alive were it not for this hospice,” she says.

Sex education will reduce maternal deaths

Stella Warui, the nurse in charge at the hospice checks a patient’s blood pressure.

Below: Stella displays the medicine that is available at the hospice.

Pictures: Kariuki Mwangi Wambui says that getting palliative services at other hospitals is expensive and out of the reach for many who cannot afford it. However, she calls on the Government and other well wishers to support the community based initiative so as to help give the patients a good life.

Queueing

“Most of these patients are dying queueing at the KNH awaiting services,” she says adding that the community initiative to give them services should be supported.

According to the hospice vice chairman Johnstone Nyaga, it is the responsibility of each member of the community to support the initiative saying that it is the only way to help the terminally ill.

Nyaga says that the Hospice will soon be fitted with a dialysis machine that will give the patients the relief from travelling to Nairobi for

the services.

“We expect to be giving full services to the patients to ensure we increase their life span and that they live a pain free life,” he adds.

However, Nyaga says that they are faced with the challenge of funds to complete all the buildings for service delivery and understaffing.

Taboo

Karanja says that sex education has for long been seen as a taboo but he urges the Government to introduce it if they want to achieve this goal.

Referring to the Constitution Karanja says: “Every child has the right to parental care and protection, which includes equal responsibility of the mother and father to provide for the child, whether they are married to each other or not.” He argues that sex education is necessary to get Kenya back on track with regards to family planning.

Monicah Oguttu, Executive director, Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET) said that women die while giving birth because of delays in receiving quality health care and making decisions.

She urged the Government to educate women and society at large. “We need all people to be informed about maternal health care to be in a position to prevent deaths which occur due to pregnancy related causes,” said Oguttu.

Residents complain about hospital management

By CAROLINE WANGECHI Residents of Kianyaga are complaining over the management of Kianyaga Sub-district hospital.

According to John Maina, a farmer who alleges he was turned a way at the hospital, there are no staff to attend to patients at night at the facility.

“We are sent away to take our dying patients to Kerugoya District Hospital which is about 15 kilometres from the sub-district hospital,” added Maina.

Selling drugs

Ann Wanja had been diagnosed with malaria at the facility and when she went to the pharmacy to get the free malaria drug, she was told that the drugs were not available. Wanja alleges that she was asked to pay KSh300 and the drugs would be availed.

“I tried to get to know why the malaria drugs were being sold and yet we know that the drug is free,” says Wanja who claims that her efforts to reach the hospital administration were unsuccessful.

Refuting the claims, Dr Peter Kimani said

that there is a shortage of staff in the hospital making it difficult to operate at night. Kimani says that they are only four staff to attend to over 6,000 patients.

He said that the facility has two nurses and two clinicians who work during the day making it hard to assign them duties at night having spent their day at work.

However, Dr Kimani said that with students from the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) interning at the hospital thus it would enable them to work at night with a member of the hospital staff.

He also said that they sent several letters to the Ministry of Health to request that more staff be sent to the health facility so that the patients can be attended to at night.

According to the Embu Medical officer of Health Dr Jorum Muraya, they are trying their best to see that the facility can serve patients at night. Dr Muraya also said the allegations being made by members of the public will be investigated.

The front section of Kianyaga Sub-district Hospital. Area residents are dissatisfied with the services offered at the facility. Picture: Caroline Wangeci

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

15

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Insecurity may hamper development

By HUSSEIN DIDO Cattle rustling, highway robbery and blame game are some of the issues pastoral communities in Kenya might inherit from the previous Constitution in new devolved system of Government.

Experts have already warned that some of these counties might drag behind because of insecurity as others take off after the next general election. The buck stops with the Government, which failed to address insecurity in this region while billions of shillings were channelled to the ministry of internal security and provincial administration with no impact to address insecurity.

Meeting

A high-powered security meeting was organised by the ministry of internal security and chaired by National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia after Isiolo delegates protested against the organisers for paying them lip service.

The delegates demanded for a neutral party to chair the meeting claiming that the provincial administration was taking sides and had failed to provide security.

In attendance were MPs, members from the Provincial Security Intelligence Committee, commissioners from the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) and NCIC. A representative of the PS internal security, Mutea Iringo lamented that the public keep on blaming the Government for not providing sufficient security when on their part they are not doing enough to create a conducive environment to promote peace.

He informed the participants that the responsibility of enhancing security rests with the Government, security organs and the communities. “We want you to cooperate with the security arm of the Government in order to ad-

dress this challenge,” said the PS representative.

At a point, some delegates stormed out of the meeting arguing that internal ministry officials were taking sides. It took two hours of negotiations to persuade them to return to the meeting. The delegates later accepted after Kibunjia was appointed interim chairman for security meeting.

The chairman stressed the need to seek an amicable solution to the conflict pointing out that individuals from communities on both sides of the committed crimes.

Kibunjia further observed that when people are living together they interact on daily basis and under such circumstances conflicts are inevitable. “We must co-exist and embrace dialogue among ourselves,” said Kibunjia.

He reiterated that the leaders’ aim of convening the regional meeting was to bring to a halt any further incidences of conflict. He also called upon all stakeholders to work together to ensure peaceful co-existence.

Iringo argued that the main source of conflict in the area revolved around access to scarce resources and could have been resolved agreeably through negotiation. He directed that the stolen animals, which are said to have crossed towards Laikipia District, be traced and returned to their rightful owners. He also called for the arrest and prosecution of criminals involved.

Disarmament

On disarmament, Iringo admitted that the process was not successfully completed in the last phase. He indicated that the Government is in the process of planning another disarmament exercise in the country where community cooperation is critical. “There has been conflict between the communities for years. We must appreciate what the Government is doing,” said Iringo.

On behalf of the Borana elders, the chair-

Livestock Development Minister Dr Mohamed Kuti addressing pastoralists during a security meeting. Picture: Hussein Dido man Isiolo county council Adan Giro complained that the conflict has affected the area and yet little had been done to contain the situation. Giro said that the Borana are aggrieved by the security lapse and unfulfilled promises to change the state of affairs.

The Isiolo community representatives and leaders in a separate meeting raised a number of issues in the presence of NCIC commissioners Mzalendo Kibunja and Halakhe Dida, KNHRC Fatuma Dullo, Provincial and District commissioners.

An opinion leader from laisamis David Timado accused the government of laxity in handling security matters. “This Government has failed to protect us and our property,” said Timado.

“How can the Government fail to address minor issues like insecurity and drought?” posed Timado.

This region is faced with a myriad of challenges including drought, insecurity and negligence from the previous regimes. We are appealing to our leaders to unite.

Moyale MP Mohamud Ali demanded for an immediate audit of the recent disarmament operation to mop up illegal firearms.

He said the government had selectively conducted the exercise and left other communities in a dilemma.

“The Ministry of internal security and provincial administration had selectively conducted the exercise. We must have an audit to establish how many firearms were recovered from every District,” said Ali.

Intelligence

Isiolo South MP Bahari asked: “Where is the Government intelligence and the provincial administration when hundreds of bandits assemble to plan attacks?” However Iringo said disarmament was called off in some areas like Samburu East following the referendum campaigns and due to lack of funds.

The NCIC chair, who was there as an independent peace stakeholder assured participants that their deliberations would be shared with relevant Government authorities at all levels.

Killings leave Trans Nzoia residents worried

By NICHOLAS MASIGA Whenever Trans Nzoia is mentioned what comes into mind is a food basket since it is a major maize producing region.

Despite its good climatic condition, limited seeds and high cost of fertilizer at the beginning of the year may have hampered maize production in the county.

However, seed shortage aside, continued incidences of insecurity that have made an impact in the county.

The recent killing of immediate former and long serving Kenya National Union of Teachers Executive Secretary John Wekesa has generated fear among the area residents.

Although the police in Kitale say that they have launched investigations following Wekesa’s death fear prevails among the residents of Waitaluk Village.

Information

According to Kitale Officer Commanding Police Division, Patrick Mwakio two suspects have been arrested and are helping police to get more information on who may be connected with the death.

Wekesa, who served as KNUT executive secretary in Trans Nzoia between 2001 to 2006 was killed as he was having dinner with his family. His wife and daughter were injured in the attack and were admitted to the Mount Elgon Hospital.

Teachers from Trans Nzoia County led by the current Trans Nzoia Executive Secretary Reuben Makheno condemned the killing and want the

Government to apprehend the killers immediately.

They point out that security in the area had deteriorated in the last six months and blamed the Government for not doing anything.

“We want the police to intensify security in this county as we are tired of brutal killings of our people,” demanded Makheno.

Just a few months before Wekesa’s death, former mayor John Wanjala was killed and his body dumped outside his house in Tuwan Estate. So far no one has been arrested in connection with his death.

Among others killed are three watchmen were who were guarding the World Vision office. Another watchSome of the animals recovered from rustlers in Isiolo recently. Cattle rustling has led to loss of man manning Ingo Club in lives in pastoralist regions. Picture: Hassan Farooq Kitale town was also killed.

Residents and family memdren,” observes Mwalwa. recently forced to demonstrate as they debers have not found any jusTrans Nzoia residents had accused the manded that the Government to intensifies tice over the loss of their loved ones. police of collaborating with criminals. This security in the area.

There have also been other murders outside forced Mwalwa to transfer all officers at Trans Nzoia East District Commissioner Kitale town within the same period whereby Sibanga Police Post after complaints that there Abed Mwalwa says insecurity intensifies dura young man was killed at Namanjalala in seemed to be collaboration between Kenya ing the planting season where the farms act as Kwanza and another one from Liyavo in the Police Reservists and criminals. hiding ground for the attackers. same constituency was murdered on his way Police arrested three suspects and recov“I would like residents of this area to help home from work. ered an AK-47 rifle with 25 rounds of amus by reporting anyone they suspect to be a In Cherangany several deaths have been munition. thug, some of these people are your own chilreported. Residents of the constituency were

16

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

CCK move to tame courier services

By DAVID NJAGI

If acquiring a new cell phone was a joyous occasion for Dominic Micheni, then having it ferried through the G4S Courier Services to his work place at Chuka High School was an even more exciting feat.

The school nurse says not only did the service save him transportation costs to Nairobi; it spared him the time and risks involved in highway travel, for only KSh320.

Through his brother who works in Nairobi and Nancy Mutuota, the G4S sales officer on duty at the courier service station off Standard Street, Micheni has since pledged his loyalty to courier services to handle long distance transactions.

Not far away from where Mutuota works, a lanky gentleman strides into the DHL offices along Mama Ngina Street on a bright Monday afternoon.

Convenience

After exchanging pleasantries with the DHL customer attendant, the middle aged man hands over a parcel at the counter, that he needs mailed to his sister, Josephine Musoi, in the UK. It will cost him at least KSh3, 000 to have the parcel, which has Josephine’s certificates enclosed, delivered in Europe by Thursday, according to the attendant on call.

Both Micheni and Musoi are among a growing number of consumers who are reaching out to the new world order of courier service transactions.

In Kenya alone, the Communication Com-

mission of Kenya (CCK) estimates the sector is worth KSh15 billion, one reason that is making its officials nervous.

Market intelligence indicates that private parcel delivery has eaten into the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) market share, a trend that could render the government agency obsolete if not outdated.

According to CCK, The number of post offices under PCK now stands at 697 down from 721 in 2007 while sub offices stand at 196, down from 223 in 2007.

Illegal operators

At the same time, the number of licensed courier operators stands as 150, says CCK, but lately there have been concerns about illegal entry of unlicensed operators in the sector.

Apart from loss of goods on transit, security officials say private courier services are being used by criminals to smuggle drugs and illegal firearms in the country, due to the privacy and protection of goods that the service ensures.

But most consumers agree it is an efficient means of parcel delivery compared to the services offered by PCK. “In cases of lost deliveries you will find that it is the consigner who has not given the courier service accurate details hence the losses,” says Michael Owora, of Corporate Reflection public relations firm in Nairobi.

Other consumers however say the transacting firm should shoulder the full responsibility whether the client is right or wrong.

“Once the delivery firm has entered into a

The G4S Courier Services Station sales center off Standard Street in Nairobi.

Picture: David Njagi contract with the client it means that it has assumed full responsibility of the cargo,” says Theuri Mwangi, a project manager with Shell Oil Products, Africa.

On a global front, delivery through courier is still the preferred means of transaction. However, high costs and the length of time it takes to deliver the load home are considered a hindrance by Kenyans living abroad.

According to Irene Wangechi Thuo, a programme officer with the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases based in the US, transaction through courier has its risks because it compromises privacy.

“The goods on transit usually go through a thorough security check hence the delay in delivery,” says Wangechi. “I usually send a friend travelling to Kenya to deliver a present to my mother.”

Such concerns will inform a CCK led consumer awareness campaign that seeks to educate consumers of postal and courier services about their rights and obligations.

Launched last month, the two-month Kaa Macho campaign is expected to educate consumers on safe handling of postal articles, buyer awareness, security of postal articles and mail fraud.

Finally, price control law in place in Kenya

By MUSA RADOLI For more than two years the country has been experiencing escalating prices of essential commodities, which clocked unprecedented high levels in April. This exploded into public protests and the emergence of the price control law.

The escalation has continued to worsen despite the Government’s efforts to try and control the galloping state of affairs by introducing subsidies and tax waivers particularly on some food and petroleum products without achieving results.

According to the Kenya Bureau of Statistics, at the end of last month, the prices of food and petroleum products since last year have increased by over 50 per cent.

This state of affairs has led to worse degeneration by the continued weakening of the Kenya Shilling against international currencies, the unstable prices of petroleum products and spiraling inflation. This has adversely affected food production and resulted in deliberate hoarding of essential commodities by traders and middlemen cartels.

The Act

The Price Control (Essential Commodities) 2011 Act assented by President Mwai Kibaki last month provides for the regulation of prices of essential commodities in order to secure their availability at reasonable prices.

A statement from the Presidential Press Services declared: “Under this Act, the concerned Minister may from time to time, by order in the gazette, declare any goods to be essential commodities and determine the maximum prices of the commodities in consultation with industry players.”

The passing of the law has predictably provoked angry reactions and protests from manufacturers and the trading community against the move which was initiated by Parliament.

This has set the stage for questions on whether the law is going to be effectively implemented already with speculation that the busi-

ness cartels are plotting to hoard essential commodities to push their prices up to defeat the purpose of the new law.

This eventually saw the Bill passed last year despite the fact that the new law unlike the previous Bill provides a huge window of consultation with stakeholders by the finance minister before effecting any controls.

Rising prices

When Parliament passed the Price Controls (Essential Commodities) 2010 Bill, the President declined to assent to it citing a good number of reasons. The situation eventually saw Parliament amend contentious areas that the head of state had pointed out that saw the birth of the new law.

At that time the president argued: “That fixing the maximum prices of good considered essential in the country’s economy, Kenya would be going against agreements it had signed under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation adding that the move would be impossible to implement and explode the eruption of unscrupulous traders to profiteer on the situation.”

President Kibaki further argued at that time that the concerns raised would impose on Kenyans the same problems the same Bill was trying to neutralise.

“Aside from going against the general liberalisation policies, it violated the basic principles of World Trade Organisation agreements on national treatment that Kenya is a contracting party to,” said the President.

Since the beginning of the year, the prices of essential commodities started escalating to an all time high of more than KSh100 per kg of sugar and KSh150 per 2kg of maize flour.

The situation has not improved to date. The Government blamed speculative traders for hoarding the commodities with the latest reports that they were making as much as 300 per cent in profits on the targeted essential commodities.

In the emerging scenario with the new law, the stage is set for the Government to control the prices of essential goods such as maize flour,

A supermarket shelf with essential goods. Kenyans hope that the price control law will put a stop to the sky rocketing commodity prices. Inset: Mathira MP Ephraim Maina who first moved the Price Control Bill. Pictures: Reject Correspondent wheat, rice, sugar, paraffin, diesel, cooking oil and petrol.

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Kenya Association for Manufacturers (KAM) argue that the President’s move to establish this legislation is in contravention of the provisions of the free market economy.

However, the architect of the Law Mathira MP Ephraim Maina argues: “It is the government’s principal responsibility to ensure that the basic essential commodities are readily available to the citizenry at affordable consumer prices and not dictated by the whims of unscrupulous profiteers.”

Chairman of the manufacturers association, Jaswinder Bedi says that KAM has always advocated for free market enterprise that could give consumers competitive prices. He argues that price control is not the solution to the high cost

of living bedeviling the country.

Singh says that the association will always pressurise for a free competitive market economy. It is the only way consumers can be assured of getting the best prices since controlled prices will not be the best for consumers because of the same controls.

New law

Under the new law, the finance minister will be expected to consult with the business industry in fixing prices as well as ensure such a move considers the relevant treaty or convention ratified by Kenya.

He is authorised from time to time, by the Kenya Gazette order, to declare any goods to be essential commodities and determine the maximum prices of the commodities in consultation with industry players.

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

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Campaign for guinea pigs in fight against food insecurity

By EUTYCAS MUCHIRI For a 69-year-old granny from Nyeri County, it has not been easy to convince fellow county mates to diversify from keeping traditional animals to other domesticated ones that are unfamiliar to them.

Rose Wanja from Kahuru Village, Mathira District started the campaign two and a half years ago to help farmers achieve food security. To serve as a good example, Wanja bought herself the little known guinea pigs, which have multiplied to over 50.

She has traversed the area for over a year now, taking advantage of forums such as farmers’ field days and agricultural shows to showcase her techniques, hoping farmers will emulate her.

Her efforts are slowly bearing fruit after other farmers from her district and the neighbouring Nyeri South District joined her in rearing guinea pigs. One of those who have since joined her is a farmer cum politician Samuel Kibaba from Othaya.

Various breeder

Kibaba, who is the Thuti Ward Councillor who bought the guinea pigs from Wanja early this year currently owns 20. He says it is time Kenyans emulated other countries that have been able to achieve food security.

“In a country like Peru, an estimation of 65 million guinea pigs are consumed every year and I don’t see why we should not imitate them and subsist what we harvest from our farms and fight hunger in our country,” says Kibaba.

Another breeder is Kelvin Wambugu from Mweiga Division in Kieni District has over 100 guinea pigs which he has kept for more than a year. “The animals’ supplement harvests from my farm,” he said.

Other continents where guinea pigs have been reared for centuries include Europe, United States and South American countries like Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia. In Africa, guinea pigs are widely kept in Cameroon, Iringa Region

of Southwestern Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Wanja was introduced to guinea pig keeping by a farmer from Kirinyaga County. She had gone there to buy rabbits when she learnt of the rodents and she opted for them. This was after a short talk on their rearing by her host. She took home a female and a male.

“Many were surprised in the village when I came back with the strange mammals. This earned me a nickname mutumia wa tubia (The rats’ woman) in the village, which is the name they call me to date,” she says.

Though the name sounds offensive to some, she is proud of it and turns quickly when referred by it than her real name, that is according to her neighbours.

Wanja says many could not understand why she could not go for a cow, goat or even the rabbits, given that they have better returns these days. Though people trickle to her home to see the creatures, her efforts to convince them to keep them had been futile at first.

Guinea pigs are larger rodents and weigh between 700 and 1,200 grammes. They measure between 20-25 centimetres in length and typically live an average of four to five years but may live as long as eight.

They were widely used for research purposes since the 17th Century but have since been largely replaced by other rodents such as mice and rats.

A guinea pig is able to breed year-round. As many as five litters can be produced per year.

Gestation period lasts from 59–72 days, with an average of 63–68 days. They are as such more

The capacity of the Kitui Development Centre (KDC) to implement, monitor and report on child issues has been enhanced.

The non governmental organisation’s Child Labour Project programme officer, Dominic Mbindyo said that the NGO contributes towards the elimination of child labour in Kitui District.

He said that they had withdrawn 1,880 children from work in the area and protected them.

The 1,880 include 860 children aged five and 17 years who they have removed from the worst child labour and taken the to schools and youth polytechnics. They have prevented 1,020 children in the same age bracket from dropping out of school and joining the worst forms child labour.

Mbindyo said that they succeed in the work by working through the Support in Child Rights in Education through Art and Media (SCREAM). He was addressing participants at a one day workshop organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for the Kitui Development Centre (KDC) partners on child protection systems and ILO conventions

profitable source of food and income than many traditional stock animals, such as pigs, goats and cows.

Pets

Their meat is high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol and is described as being similar to rabbits’. The farmers say that an adult guinea pig goes for KSh500 while a young one is sold at KSh350. They are herbivores and feed on fresh grass hay and green leaves among other weeds.

Kibaba who rears them as pets says: “Keeping them is not costly as they feed on weeds obtained from the garden. Other than selling them for cash and using them as a source of food, they are also a good source of manure and can be kept as pets due to their beauty.”

But the project is not without downsides. Wanja says diseases are the major problems that she has been experiencing. Some die at a very early stage from mysterious diseases.

“Since this kind of project is not well embraced in this side of the coun-

“The animals’ supplement harvests from my farm.”

— Kelvin Wambugu

Guard children against child labour

By BONIFACE MULU

From top: Rose Wanja holds one of her guinea pigs during a field day at Wambugu Agricultural Training Centre.

She is teaching farmers how to rear the animal. Guinea pigs in a cage at Wanja’s farm in Mathira District, Nyeri County.

Pictures: Eutycas Muchiri

on child labour.

He said that they had economically empowered 220 vulnerable parents and guardians to protect their children from exploitation. Mbindyo said the worst forms of child labour are exploitive, hazardous and likely to interfere with the child’s education, health and development.

He cited the use, procuring or offering a child for illicit activities such as the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant international treaties.

“This means that a child for, instance, accompanying his or her parent at work is deemed to be employed even if the actual payment goes to the parent,” he asserted.

“If a family is employed in a family business, the child is in a labour engagement even if the child is not paid,” the children’s welfare official told the workshop.

He said that any situation where there is in existence a contract for services where the party providing the services is child labour whether the person using the service does so directly or through an agent.

“For statistical purposes, the ILO defines this as work which does not exceed fourteen hours per week,” the NGO official said.

try, I lack medical specialists conversant with their health issues. I would be having hundreds of them by now were it not for the diseases leading to high death rates,” she laments.

Lack of improved breeding stock is also another major problem they experience. They have nowhere to buy bucks for cross breeding as others who keep them, basically bought them from the same person.

The Deputy Director, Livestock Development Officer Vincent Githinji urges other farmers to diversify and emulate developed countries like China by keeping various species of animals. He was speaking at one of the farmers’ field days in Othaya.

“You should emulate her and try to spread your farming wings. Let us not just stick to rearing animals that we have been keeping for years. We can now expand and keep other animals like in countries such as China and many others in the world,” observed Githinji.

Drought to blame for increased raids

By JOHN ORONI Northern Kenya has like most parts of the country experienced extreme weather conditions of perennial drought and floods in the recent past. When drought occurs there is loss of life of human beings, livestock, wild animals and plants.

In communities where livestock forms the basis of livelihood the loss is not taken kindly. The need to restock forces extreme action such as cattle rustling. The prolonged drought has contributed to increased cases of cattle rustling in Turkana and West Pokot Counties. Over 3,000 heads of cattle and 10,000 goats have been stolen with ten people feared to have been killed by bandits and security personnel.

However, over 100 heads of cattle have been recovered in the recent past by the provincial administration as they were about to cross over to a neighbouring country Uganda.

The animals were stolen from Turkana South and Pokot Central Districts where three people were killed during the shootout between the rustlers and a combined force of security personnel.

The recovery follows peace and reconciliation efforts launched by local leaders and the provincial administration as drought continues to drive the two communities out of their manyattas (homes) to seek pasture and water in Uganda and neighbouring counties like Trans-Nzoia, Marakwet and Baringo.

However, the communities have received hostile reception due to their activities that includes cattle

rustling and the hosts’ fears that they may be attacked by the two communities.

Trans-Nzoia County for example has been victim to cattle rustling in the past 15 years where locals have lost thousands of cattle to the Pokot cattle rustlers apart from the community grazing their maize fields.

Drought in the two regions has greatly contributed to insecurity and cattle rustling activities in the North Rift Region as currently the two counties have been ravaged by lack of water and pasture.

In Turkana South, Local District Commissioner Joseph Munyiri with the help of a combined security officers recovered 50 heads of cattle that had been stolen from herders in the area. Pokot Central District Commissioner Daniel Kirui said 12 heads of cattle stolen from the Pokot pastoralists in Salmach area had been recovered and returned to the owners.

However, the recent disarmament exercise seems to have flopped and local cattle rustlers are still armed to the teeth. This is despite the provincial administration claiming that the process was successful with the locals surrendering all illegal guns to the Government.

The two district Commissioners said that district security teams and peace committees in the two counties had stepped up reconciliation programmes to bring peace between the communities in two counties. The two were addressing security meetings at Lochakula in Lokori during a peace meeting attended by members of the two communities.

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ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Deaf and blind pupils given hope

By HENRY OWINO

The rights of deaf and blind people are hardly recognised by many in society. Few public places such as hospitals, schools, supermarkets are friendly for their trouble-free navigation. Even fewer work places are customised taking into consideration the needs of this group.

Deaf blindness is a unique disability with its own methods of assessment and education.

The disabling condition brings enormous challenges to the individual and those who support them.

Take for instance, a school going child. Although the severity might vary, it could lead to additional learning disabilities causing serious developmental delays in a child. Parents of such a child need to understand the condition to be able to deal with it effectively.

Many living with this disability have poor cognitive, social development, orientation mobility and acquisition of communication and language. Many parents have suffered in silence with their impaired children not knowing where to seek help.

Government owned Kilimani Primary School in Nairobi has set up a unit for the persons with these disabilities. The unit has six specialised teachers and a teacher’s aide. The school unit has become popular for the services it offers to the disabled pupils.

Specialist

Teacher Mary Kwamboka is a committed and dedicated specialist in the unit for the persons with hearing and seeing disabilities.

She has been in the unit about ten years. She understands every child and they identify her through touch.

“Due to stigma or lack of proper information, some parents have locked up such children denying them their rights,” she lamented.

“Let such parents know that we can assist their children,” Kwamboka explains.

At Kilimani school special unit, there are 14 pupils who cannot see and cannot hear aged between 22 months and 17 years. This unit has offered the pupils growth in terms of development.

“Age is not a limitation here especially when it comes to persons of such nature. What matters is the attitude and commitment the learner has,” says the teacher.

To assist the children even more, the school’s unit has its own calendar of events. The pupils identify with the daily and occasional seasonal programmes run at the facility.

Kwamboka says that it is only the new pupils who get assistance with everything but with the support of the older children.

They get acquainted very fast and become part of the family. The teacher assures that all children are always given full attention by teachers to avoid any possible incidences.

Like any other school, they follow a curricu-

lum. The unit has three major programmes for the pupils in the special unit. The first is the preacademic programme where the child is taught various sign languages including textural.

Much of this coaching is done in two different rooms, the sensory and language rooms respectively where there are flickering lights, a radio and objects with different textures and colour to enable them identify materials having smooth, rough, hard, hairy among other sensations. All these processes are done by hand communication.

Training

In the language room, there are braille alphabetical notes, objects with different sound pitch, a mirror and signs indicating numeral numbers to help in counting and reading.

The second programme is known as the pre-vocational. The children are trained in various art works like mat making, bead making, sewing, knitting, weaving, food preparation, gardening, making saw dust charcoal, ironing, washing clothes, brushing shoes and adapted physical education among other activities.

The third programme is orientation and mobility that helps the children move freely in the compound to know their environment. This is achieved through swimming, picnics, ball games, bicycle riding, rope skipping, guided athletics, gymnastics and many more.

This category of activities helps the children develop strong muscles, socialise with others, discover and nurture their talents enabling the to feel a part of the school community.

Jane Ouko is mother to 16 year-old Louise Ouko, a deaf-blindness pupil at Kilimani School, Nairobi. She is also a teacher at a nearby school. Ouko is the national treasurer of Parents of deaf-blindness Persons Organization (PADBPO) at Sense International East Africa, a charity organisation that provides expert advice and specialist services for children and adults who are both deaf and blind.

Louise has gone through many turbulent waters in her life but credit goes to her mother who has stood by her for the last 16 years despite many challenges.

Ouko said finding a school where Louise could be admitted for her education was a big challenge. “I tried almost all schools that I thought could admit Louise but in vain. I even had to move after my daughter Louise was admitted in Kilimani School Unit for deaf and blind to be closer to her and oversee her progress and other special needs that would come by,” Ouko said.

Mrs. Ouko is very pleased with the administrative staff at the school who have continued offering support to Louise and other vulnerable children at the unit. “Louise nowadays reads, writes, cycles, shops, knits, makes necklace beads and even visits washrooms alone. My daughter’s general life and health have improved tremen-

Jane Ouko with her daughter Louise who is both deaf and blind. Some of the bead work that Louise makes in her free time.

Mary Kwamboka explains how she teaches using numbers and signs at the special unit at Kilimani School.

Pictures: Henry Owino dously,” Ouko admits.

She urges parents with children with such special needs to take them to school and without shame. “It is only at school that they will be motivated and educated,” she reiterates adding that this is a basic need for the children.

The Kilimani School administration is calling upon Government, donors and well wishers to come to the unit’s aid with financial support, food and more learning accessories that the children with dual sensory disability need.

The other challenge in the school unit is lack of enough teachers. The ideal ratio should be one teacher to one child but currently the ratio is one teacher to two children.

Light shines for visually impaired in Northern Kenya as ICT centre is set up

By EKUWAM ADOU The visually impaired in Upper Eastern region have every reason to smile. They will soon be able connect with their loved ones through the computer.

Thanks to the ultra-modern information communication centre specifically designed to overcome their visual deficiency - they will soon be interacting more through social networks and getting information from the Internet.

The Isiolo Welfare Group for Disabled (IWGD), with support from the national fund for disabled is set to launch state of the art ICT centre for use by the visually impaired persons in the region.

According to IGWD programme director Elly Owuoti, the computers at the centre will

be fit with ‘jaws software’ which will enable the visually challenged to connect with what they are typing on the keyboard through the sound generated identifying the letters keyed in.

Job Access with speech (JAWS) software makes it possible for the blind to use computers that use Microsoft windows. The programme allows users to access information displayed on the screen via text to speech or by means of Braille display and allows for comprehensive Keyboard interaction with the computer.

A visually challenged person using the computer is guided by commands relayed through the earphones which transmit sounds of letters that correspond with every key typed.

Owuoti said the facility valued at KSh250 million will be set in Isiolo town and will serve Marsabit, Moyale and neighbouring Samburu East area with visual disabilities.

He said the project’s idea was born out of the realisation to integrate the physically challenged members of the community to information communication technology in line with the Government’s Vision 2030 economic blue print.

“Disability is not inability. We need to reintegrate the visually impaired to modern technological advancement for them to positively contribute to the country’s development,” Elly said.

The beneficiaries of the project are gearing up for the opening of the facility, the first in the marginalised region. Retired teacher, Reuben Oyan said the Internet facility will enable him open up to the rest of the world. “I will be able to interact with my donors, friends and well wishers whom I will be in constant communication with,” said Oyan who is the chaplain in

Salvation Army run Olympic Primary School.

Oyan who has been teaching for the last 35 years said the computer programmes will aid his career. “I am told through the Microsoft Excel programme, I will be able to record data on students performance which can automatically be produced in order of merit, unlike the current manual system,” observed the retired teacher who is still teaching on a part-time basis.

The selected first batch of 30 visually impaired members will undergo three week basic computer training to induct them with skills to enable them use the facility.

“We will undergo basic training on computer skills to enable us use the facility, otherwise the centre will be irrelevant if we do not acquire skills that will help us use it,” observed Oyan.

ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

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Helping youth nurture their talent

By NICHOLAS ROBI In an open yard sandwiched between a storey building and St Patrick ACK Church Nairobi Kayole Estate, a small iron sheet (mabati) structure stands where various artistic work is conducted.

Little did we know before approached via Kioi Street that this small house is called “Kijiji Art Studio” upon making our way inside after we were welcomed by the founder of Kijiji Art Studio; Michael Wafula, we found several art works that are attractive and few youths and two children putting their skills on the drawing papers and on poetry books.

Even though an ordinary studio should have power (electricity) and computers, Kijiji Art Studio does not have a computer; meaning every array of activities ranging from painting, sculpting, etching, poetry, music, among others is done by hand.

Michael Wafula, 37, the Founder of Kijiji Art Studio tells us that the Studio started in 2009; even though the idea was conceived early. Wafula, an artist by professional, stated the studio as a Centre of Information where various artists from the neighboring estates such as Umoja, Donholm and Komarocks could come and meet and share their skills. Little did he know that the Studio could one day attract youths in the area who were eager and curious in discovering their talents.

Hidden talent

Upon seeing high level hidden talents in the area, Wafula an artist of 18 years experience decided that it was time to give back to the society by registering youth who were willing to join Kijiji Art Studio at KSh10 per day.

“The fee that the students pay is used to pay rent and purchase material for the art work,” explains Wafula. Just like any other institution, Kijiji Art Studio has its rules and regulations that govern its members. The rules instil discipline and discourage youth from engaging in moral acts such as drug abuse, prostitution among others.

“For instant a member risks being deregistered if he/she fails to attend lessons for 3 consecutive days without an apology and present member should arrive early and do the right thing in the Studio,” adds Wafula.

Currently the group has over 32 members who carry out various activities ranging from poetry, painting, sculpturing, music, graphic design; drawing with all these activities any youth who has the potential talent to develop it, Kijiji Art Studio is the right place to be.

Hope

“We are always available to help any youth who would like to develop his or her talent as long as he can prove and show us what he or she can do,” says Wafula. Due to its many activities many youths and children have found the facility to be useful owing to important skills that are required.

Several youths, who worked with Wafula before are now enjoying the fruits of their labour having opened up their business, thanks to what they learnt under their mentor Wafula.

Roselyn Njeri and Oketch are among former students of Kijiji Arts Studio who have opened their businesses. Njeri who was a waitress before joining Kijiji Art Studio, is running a business of screen printing, tapestry, designing of mats in Mwiki Kasarani Estate. Oketch on the other hand is running a successful business of designing and printing T shirts in Umoja Estate.

There are other rising stars like Margret Wangare and Sheila Rono who wants to be giants in poetry. Wangare 22, a form four leaver joined the studio in May 2011.

“I know that poetry will take me far one day,” says Wangare. She adds that she has no regrets being in Kijiji Art Studio because she knows she is on the right track even after she was unable to study Computer Science in Uni-

versity due to financial constrains.

Sheila Rono, 19, is dancing the same tune; she wants to roll the wheels of poetry far. She wanted to study Anaerotical Engineering but she could not, because Kenyan Universities are beyond reach of ordinary people like her, but she is smiling because she has found herself in Kijiji Art Studio.

One of the trainers, George Omulo, 26, believes that the Centre has created a big change to most of the youths, something he did not expect would happen.

Passion

“I thought of the youths who come to the Centre with very little knowledge on arts and would not change even after sharing and training them with the little knowledge we had,” explains Omulo.

On his part, Wafula says that involvement of the youths at the centre in income generating activities has enabled majority of them to create employment opportunities.

The centre’s activities have also From top: The section positively impacted on the slums of Kijiji Art Studio. environment with more people A display of art at seeking their partnership and asthe studio. Poetry sistance. Often, they normally restudents Sheila Rono ceive calls from various learning and Margaret Wangare institutions who always seek their practising their art near services.

Kijiji Art Studio.

Wafula and Omolo and other members do visit schools within Pictures: Stephen Akuno the slum to identify their talents and train them. Schools such as Galilee Primary School, By Grace realise and nurand Bethlehem Children’s Home have benefitture his talent. ted from Kijiji Art Centre lessons especially Children for young kids. “Most of the children have taland youth who ents and skills but they don’t know how develare interested op them. We have seen the need to help them in poetry and in identifying their talents,” says Omulo. Brian music have also Manyali, class Six pupils in Galilee Primary gotten the opSchool love painting, drawing and to him the portunity to help they are getting from the centre, has siginteract with nificantly added value to their lives.

Wangare and Sheila who have also Felix Mwangi 16, from By Grace children’s helped many school children nurhome is also a beneficiary of the centre, he ture their talents. believes the little help he has acquired from With the rising demand of the Centre has given him the opportunity to youth who thirst for knowledge, most of the members who happened to be trainers have been forced to help where necessary.

For Omulo who is also a part time secondary school teacher is spending some of his time with the youth when he is free.

Even though the Centre is doing well in terms of helping other youths, they have received numerous challenges that once in a while have seen them not running their activities smoothly.

Support

“We are always available to help any youth who would like to develop his or her talent as long as he can prove and show us what he or she can do.”

— Michael Wafula,

Due to lack of support from relevant organisations, they are forced to source local material for use in dumping sites. They lack modern facilities for training such as computers, electricity, trained tutors, secured and adequate space among other challenges.

However, the centre has managed to hold a few exhibitions especially at the village market in Westlands, at the Godown Art Centre in industrial area and others.

However there is an illusion created by the public which has dented their reputation and this has seen them differ with many people who are always opposed to the activities of the Centre.

Wafula cites an incident in which some security officials came to the Centre demanding to know what business is conducted in the stu-

dio before leaving the place.

“Many people are not aware of what takes place at Kijiji Art Centre, but once they visit they get surprised with what most of us are involved in,” explains Wafula.

Despite all these challenges, the Centre has come up with various items which have attracted outsiders who have bought most of their artworks.

The youths are optimistic that in five years to come the centre will be a big institution as they progress.

Their message is simple; the government should initiate more projects that will help the youth thus keep them away from drugs, crime and other vices.

More talent academies should be established in each county to absorb most youth who have missed the opportunity to further their education but have talent.

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ISSUE 048, October 1 - 15, 2011

Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth

Takawiri Beach girl swims her way to the University

By OMWA OMBARA As one walks around Takawiri Island on the shores of Lake Victoria, the most common sight is that of young girls each carrying a baby on her back. The girls, young primary school dropouts aged between 11 and 15 years are in their hundreds. The young mothers are idle and hang around the beach as they desperately wait for willing fishermen to buy them bar soap, tea and mandazis.

The fishermen know that the girls have no source of income and no future so they take advantage of them. The loaded fishermen, who sometimes earn KSh20, 000 daily not only give the young girls money but infect them with HIV/Aids. They do not allow the girls to use condoms. Indeed the girls look rather sickly, pale and elderly for their age.

Fish island

Everywhere on the island is fish, baked fish cakes, fish mandazis, fish chapatis, fish samosas, deep fried fish boiled fish it is indeed fish land. But getting to date the fishermen is not always an easy affair.

Sometimes, in often nasty incidents, the girls fight over the men with their mothers some of whom are boyfriends to the fishermen. It is a world of survival at Takawiri Beach and only the tough women get going.

Takawiri Island is about 800 km from Nairobi and is accessible through a 45-minute ferry ride from Luanda Kotieno Beach in Kisumu to Mbita and a 20-minute motor boat ride to Sienga.

This is the island where Sheila Onyango grew up. She is the first girl in the Island of about 1000 people to make it to University. Sheila, a second year Public Broadcasting student at the University of Nairobi, is the second born in a polygamous family of 11 children and four mothers. Born to a semi-literate fisherman Naftali Onyango Orao, Sheila watched in dismay as her classmates and relatives dropped out of primary school due to pregnancy. But she was determined to move on.

When her elder sister got pregnant in Class Eight, she felt devastated. Her father was no longer willing to pay school fees for his daughters but after convincing him that she would keep the promise and complete her education, he finally agreed.

From that day, Sheila decided she would be a role model, not just to her family but to all the girls in Takawiri Island. Soon she became the School’s Headgirl and supervised her younger siblings’ homework.

Achievement

Sheila passed her Class Eight exams at Takawiri with 353 out of 500 points and joined Koru Girls High School in Kisumu.

Going to boarding school for the first time was a great eye-opener. Whereas in Takawiri they learnt most lessons in their

mother tongue and were introduced to English in upper Primary, Sheila was impressed to hear her classmates in Form I “speaking English as if it was their mother tongue”. She says, “I had come from a rural environment. Whenever I spoke English the girls would giggle and some would laugh hysterically and mock me.

But I fought them by asking the teachers questions and disrupting the class until I understood the subject. I stayed focused as I remembered my late mother’s wise counsel, ‘laughter and abuse has never stuck on anybody’s forehead or body. It will pass’.”

Kiswahili was a challenge too. But unlike Takawiri Academy where there were no teachers, Koru Girls had a teacher for every subject and together with Mrs Konje and Mrs Imelda Oyombe, she explored her favourite subjects History, CRE, Agriculture and English.

Sheila shares a room with her two classmates at a hostel in South B. She walks to the Kenya Institute of Higher Education for her lectures. She says some of her colleagues at the University may consider her backward because she does not wear tights and mini skirts to class. “Discipline is an important part of one’s life. One cannot succeed without discipline. I have never been to a nightclub. I avoid bad places.

That is where girls risk pregnancy, drug addicts, alcohol which interfere with one’s education.”

She says the University is a sea of freedom and nobody bothers whether you at-

tend class or not. Sheila a member of the Seventh Day Adventist likes to read her Bible whenever she is free. “My mother wore long clothes. When I see some of the skimpy clothes my colleagues wear to class, I wonder if they have a family background at all. Decency and self respect is truly lacking!” She says.

Sheila goes home to Takawiri every holiday but she says she feels alienated and at times discouraged. She wishes there were more college or University students she could associate with. Rumours are rife in the village that girls at the university are promiscuous and thin because most of them abort children regularly. “At home, some people fear me naturally because I am in University.

Most of the girls see themselves as failures. For some it is too late because they squandered their chances when they had the opportunity to learn. Some even dated their primary school classmates,” she says.

“I had come from a rural environment. Whenever I spoke English the girls would giggle and some would laugh hysterically and mock me. But I fought them by asking the teachers questions and disrupting the class until I understood the subject.”

— Sheila Onyango Executive Director:

Exposure

The exposure level at Takawiri Island is low. Most of the population has never been out of the island and most radio stations only pick signals from Uganda and Somalia.

“I don’t believe in starting life at the top but at the bottom. I don’t want to budget with a boyfriend’s money because I know that I will one day have to pay for it dearly and the price might cost my life and my future. I would rather struggle and one day enjoy my hard earned sweat,” she says.

Takawiri Island has only one nursery school, one primary school and one mixed secondary school. Sheila, who lost her mother Syprose Akinyi four months ago, says her siblings are now under her care. Her siblings Helen, Thomas and Brian are in Form Four, Form Three and Form One at Mfangano Island. They look up to her as a role model as she pursues her four-year programme as a parallel student. She hopes to be a television or radio broadcaster in future.

Sheila Onyango at the Takawiri beach. Inset: Sheila’s late mother Syprose Onyango.

Pictures: Reject correspondent and courtesy

Women urged to explore funding initiatives to develop

By Fred Okoth Women all over the country have been urged to take advantage of the funds available to them through several government initiatives and start projects which can improve their lives.

Gender Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Special Services Professor Collette Suda said it was only when the women were financially empowered that they will be able to actively participate in the nation building.

“We have to take advantage of the several avenues to financial stability offered by the Government,” she said adding that this had now been made easier after the Government rolled

out several programmes.

However, Suda regretted that not very many women had come out to take loans and start their businesses. She cited that it is a missed opportunity for women as initiatives such as the Women’s Enterprise Fund are available for this purpose.

This, she said had led to fewer women benefiting from the fund despite the fact that the Government had been allocating millions to the fund each year.

Suda was speaking after distributing cheques worth over KSh2 million to 46 women groups drawn from Rongo and Awendo districts in Migori County.

Rosemary Okello

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Paul Mwaniki, Nzinga Muasya, Fred Okoth, Eric Mutai, John Kinyua, Lucy Langat,Waikwa Maina, Carolyne Oyugi, Jirongo Luyali, Henry Owino, Audi Zilper, Nicholas Masiga, Kariuki Mwangi, Mboya Rachuonyo, Ochieng Juma, Wangari Mwangi, Henry Kahara, Caroline Wangechi, Hussein Dido, David Njagi, Musa Radoli, Eutycas Muchiri, Ayoki Onyango, Boniface Mulu, John Oroni, Ekuwam Adou, Shaban Makokha, Stephen Akuno, Stephane Perrier, Hassan Farooq Fred Okoth and Joy Monday.

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