ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
May 16-30, 2013
ISSUE 083
A bimonthly newspaper by the Media Diversity Centre, a project of African Woman and Child Feature Service
County challenges
Nairobi County residents feeding on sewer vegetables
Cheap is proving to be expensive and life threatening as farmers rake millions By HENRY OWINO Majority of inhabitants in Nairobi depends on the food grown outside the city mainly from Nakuru, Nyeri and Kiambu Counties. However, some city residents have become farmers either by design or default depending on the residential area one resides in and one’s lifestyle. An investigation carried out by Reject, revealed that food crops, especially root-crops and vegetables are being grown in residential areas with the farmers using sewer water. The crops might look healthier and fresh but they have long term negative health hazards to those who use it. Indeed, a good number of the city’s residents ignorantly feed on these food crops grown in the sewers despite experts warning that they could have adverse effects on them. Nairobi Dam is one of the areas where the urban farmers have encroached to grow various roots crops and other vegetables using sewer water. The dam used to be a water reservoir for domestic and emergency water supply for the then city’s rapid growing population in the early 1970s.
The dam was also used as a centre for recreational activities such as sport fishing and sailing as well as a picnic site. However, this is no longer the case today. The dam has become a centre for collection of domestic, industrial and solid discharges dumped into the reservoir since early 1990s.
Reveal
A visit to the dam reveals that yams are common crops and occupy tens of acres on the dam land. Other crops include bananas, sukuma wiki (kales), cabbage, sugar cane, Napier grass, tomatoes and onions. These crops find ready market and are consumed in the neighbourhood, starting with residents of the sprawling Kibera slum itself, Woodley, Highrise, Jamhuri, Lang’ata, Otiende, Kenyatta market and other areas in the city. According to an expert, the dam could contain heavy toxic metals such as lead, zinc, iron, copper, cadmium, chromium and aluminium due to accumulation of household and industrial waste in the dam. These heavy metals contaminate the soil, as a result, food crops grown in the dam use it for its photosynthe-
sis and transpiration activities. A water engineer Vivian Nabuso says one of the ways heavy metals enter our bodies is through the food we eat. She cautions that most people who feed on these foods could suffer from organ failure, cancer, eye problems and other reproductive health problems. “Concentration of heavy metal toxins have the ability to impair cells, tissues and body systems responsible for our behaviour, mental health, and proper physiological functioning,” Nabuso cautions. She explains that though these metals are essential to human life, high intake is harmful. For example high intake of copper causes anaemia, liver and kidney damage. High intake of mercury causes damage to the brain and the central nervous system while chromium long term exposure can cause kidney and liver damage, and to circulatory and nerve tissues as well. Despite the health concerns, farming activities continue unabated in Nairobi dam. James Ouma owns two acres of land under yams. He has farmed and sold yams for the last five years. Continued on page 4
From top: Benjamin Njoroge with a colleague harvesting arrow roots at Nairobi Dam. Njoroge at his arrowroot farm. One of the plantation farms. Pictures: Henry Owino.
Continued on page 6
Read more Reject stories online at w w w. m d c a f r i c a . o r g
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ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
Women in Kilifi decry rampant defilement cases By YUSUF AMIN Women leaders in Kaloleni and Kilifi districts have raised an alarm over cases of defilement and rape of girls that are now rampant in the area. They called on human rights organisations to intervene and curb the vice. The women lamented that many school girls are being raped by old men in the County despite the county administration warning of tough consequences to the suspects. They noted with concern the recent case in which a pupil from Walea Primary School in Kaloleni District was raped and killed by unknown people on her way home from school.
Investigate
Led by Kaloleni women’s group leader Fatuma Mwakidudu, the women asked the county administration to investigate the case and arrest those involved in the inhuman act. “Although women have been reporting such cases to the police, very few culprits have been arrested” observed Mwakidudu. She expressed fears that more sexual violence incidents will take place if those involved are not brought to the book. Mwakidudu said that as women they are now working together with organisations advocating for children’s rights so that they can intervene and help the police in arresting men who have been involved in defilement and rape cases. Mwakidudu’s concern comes weeks after residents of Kaloleni blamed the county administration for not intervening in combating the problem that has been experienced in many parts of Kilifi County. “We may have to demonstrate in the streets of Kilifi County to express our concerns if no
one will be arrested over the rape incidents that have been going on in the county,” she vowed. In Kilifi District, Matsangoni area, residents are still in shock after an old man raped his daughter severally and impregnated her. Charo Karisa aged 50 was accused of forcing his daughter into intercourse while threatening to kill her if she reported the case to her mother. Speaking to the Reject in Matsangoni, area chief Festus Kahindi Yaa said they managed to arrest the man after they got information from close family members. Yaa further noted that the man had infected his daughter with HIV since he was positive according to medical tests that were conducted after he was arrested. Rape and defilement cases are now alarming and organisations that are involved in girls’ rights have been asked to intervene in full force to curb the problem. They say that most men who are HIV positive believe that when they have sex with a virgin they will be cured. This could be the reason why there is an increased rate of defilement in the County where its residents have been living in poverty. Kilifi County Director of Children Paul Kisavi warned culprits that they will be dealt without mercy through the law. He urged the police service to conduct thorough investiga-
tions on such cases. The main challenge the police have been facing in curbing the problem was lack of evidence over the cases,” Kisavi noted.
People from the Mijikenda community performing the Gonda dance to educate coastal people on how they can curb defilement cases that are rampant in most areas of the coast region. Picture: Yusuf Amin
Rise of rape cases against GBV survivors fear reporting to the police children in Kisauni worrying By GLADYS MORAA Interference and withdrawal of complaints in sex-related offences are major hindrances to the formal completion of investigations and prosecution of the culprits. According to Nyatete Nyakundi, a police officer attached to the Gender and Children Protection Unit at the Nakuru Police Station, most victims report the rape or defilement cases, but later decide to withdraw due to fear of stigmatisation and neglect. Most of those who withdraw, Nyakundi notes, are wives or husbands assaulted within marriages while the well-off compromise the affected families of the defiled children or rape victims to revert and or conceal evidence. “In particular, defilement and incest cases were the most difficult to handle as the parents make secret negotiations with the suspects, fear to expose their relatives while others opt to relocate,” he observes. In the extreme, the witnesses give contrary evidence to the one they initially recorded at the police station. “It is very difficult to investigate defilement and or incest cases. At times when the child is taken back to the family, the defiler compromises the parents, especially when he is an influential person,” notes Nyakundi. He adds: “For incest, where parents and relatives are involved, the victim and witness suddenly change their story in court.”
Violate rights
The gender police officer was speaking in Nakuru during a consultative forum organised by the Family Health Options Kenya, a non-governmental organisation engaged in providing medical and counselling assistance to victims of sexual assault. He called for support from the society to ensure that criminals faced the full force of the law and were prosecuted. “The society must know that these offences violate the rights of children, men and women and cannot be condoned. It is, therefore, necessary that they seek justice regardless of who is involved,” said Nyakundi. According to Steve Biko, Family Health Options Kenya Project Coordinator, majority of the husbands who were assaulted by their wives refused to report the cases to the police due to fear of being stigmatised. “They are more concerned about what the people will say about them. They make it clear that they only want medical attention and not justice. It is time we changed this attitude and helped men live a peaceful life within their marriages,” notes Biko. He urged victims to seek medical attention immediately after being assaulted instead of taking too long when infections may have subdued in the body.
By TERYANI MWADZAYA Residents of Kisauni can now fight pedophiles from the comfort of their homes using mobile phones. All they have to do is to dial a toll free emergency number — 116 — on their mobile phones to report such cases to the authorities. According to Tatu Mjaka, programme officer at Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children Rights (KAACR), the vice is on the rise and linked it to the culture of silence and irresponsibility by parents, relatives and other adults. This move was taken after it was noted that there has been an increase of child rape cases to 20 in a week in Kisauni. Mjaka said that many people lobbying for children’s’ rights but not all of them are genuine. He noted many people form organisations that purport to lobby for children’s protection but these outfits are actually in their own interests and not of the victims of sexual gender based violence. “Society should be proactive and use the free toll number 116 to report child abuse cases,” said Mjaka. It is through this move that the District children officer at Kisauni James Chebon cautioned the Kisauni District Development Committee to incorporate all stakeholders so as to stop the increase in child rape cases in Mombasa County. “This move should initiate responsibility in all parties involved so as to ensure abuse of children’s rights and sexual violence against them is stopped,” Chebon emphasized.
Perpetrators
Mjaka observed that many children are beaten and raped by house helps, close relatives and family friends but the cases go unreported. Not left out of the abuses, he said, are street children who even though are protected by law through the Children’s Act, still suffer. “It is through networking that the menace of street children will be forgotten as the cases will be handled by several organisations,” Mjaka said. He noted that the Government should give police of-
ficers special training on how to handle cases of sexually abused children so that they can cultivate a good rapport with them to enable proper relaying of information. Mjaka would like civil society organisations to be more proactive in advocating for children’s rights once the Cabinet starts its duties so as to initiate more programmes in protecting their rights. According to Joram Mutsotso, branch manager Christian Legal Education Aid and Research, more awareness on children rights should be advocated for as many people in the society are not well informed. “Action should be taken on the children night outs, local brew areas and beach playing instead of schooling,” Mutsotso reiterated. Mutsotso laments that although laws against sexual offences are in place there was still lack of strict enforcement measures to protect the victims leading to many cases being dropped in court due to lack of evidence. “The Sexual Offences Act spells out clearly what is the problem and how it should be solved, but the authorities are not strict enough to prosecute the cases successfully,” he observed. Mutsotso is hopeful that through civic education on the Constitution, the society will embrace and respect children’s right. According to Mutsotso the 47 devolved governments should take children’s issues seriously as a policy noting that it would be a most effective campaign. “The county governments should address the children protection rights in the devolved government so that cases of child abuse are not settled at home in silence.” In reference to the laws of Kenya under the Sexual Offences Act, rape is defined as the act of unlawfully and intentionally committing an act which causes penetration on someone’s genital organ and one can be convicted for imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years but may be enhanced to imprisonment for life. Defilement is when a person intentionally commits rape or an indecent act with another, within the view of a family member, a child or a person with mental disabilities. If found guilty of the offence, the suspect is liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 10 years.
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
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James Kididing Narok herd boy’s shining example of success in corporate world By MUNENE MAINA As the nation celebrated Labour Day, the success story of James Kididing, proprietor of Nosim Security Guards in Narok went unnoticed. His story is that of a shrewd and focused worker who unshackled poverty to rise from rags to riches. Kididing’s unwavering determination to change his life and that of others portrays him as a true patriot and manager. When you find him sitting in his office, there is little to tell of the ups and downs the father of one had to go through to start his company. While most Kenyans prefer to search for employment, Kididing decided to exploit that opportunity by starting his own firm which has grown to employ 50 employees. Born in a polygamous family in Loita Division of Narok South District, Kididing has a humble beginning. He says his father did not like schools and, because he loved him very much, he instead sent him to tend livestock. “My father saw schooling as a waste of time and he could not allow his children to get formal education,” he says. Kididing went through all cultural rites and after graduating as a moran he decided to start a business. With no formal education and entrepreneurial skills, he ventured into selling cows, which he drove all the way from Loita, in Narok County, on foot to Dagoretti market, in Nairobi. He did the business for a while before starting a canteen in Loita shopping centre although he could not cook or speak Kiswahili and thus it become hard for him to communicate with non-Maasai customers. Kididing had to hire someone to accompany him when shopping and this increased his expenditure.
Enrol
“It hurt me that I could not speak Kiswahili. I felt I had to go back to school despite my age,” he says. In 1994, while in his mid-20s, he looked for a school at the neighbouring Narosora division, but the then Kuntai Primary School head-
teacher advised him to enrol in an adult education centre. “I wanted to start my education right from nursery school but when the head teacher refused I had to go to another school. I did not believe adult education would help me attain my dreams,” Kididing notes. It was at Kanuka Primary School where the head teacher, David Mwangi, overwhelmed by his determination to get education enrolled him. “This was a great moment in my life. I joined class three and I worked hard to catch up with other students,” recalls Kididing. He stayed in that school for one year before he transferred to Ole Sankale Boarding Primary School where he did his KCPE and passed. He proceeded to Olechut Supat Apostolic Secondary school where he completed in 2004. “After KCSE, a friend advised me not to go back home but to stay in Narok town where I would be more exposed to opportunities. I agreed and with the support of my cousin I was able to settle down,” he says. After long search for a job, Kididing landed one as a marketing executive for an insurance company. With no skills on sales or on marketing, the work seemed hard and frustrating as he could not make money. However, despite the challenges he never quit. He says with time he started performing well.
Motivate
This motivated him to enrol for a sales and marketing course. Meanwhile, his star was on the rise and his employer recognised him and awarded him a certificate of proficiency. With good knowledge of how insurance industry works, Kididing decided it was time to start his own company. Having KSh18,000 in savings, he travelled to Nairobi to register his company. However, to his shock, he was informed that to register an insurance company he would need to have KSh20 million in cash or assets besides other
“My father saw schooling as a waste of time and he could not allow his children to get formal education.” — James Kididing
requirements that he could not meet. “The requirements I was given were to me like a dream. However, I was advised to start an insurance agency which I did,” he says. When his Nosim Insurance Agency failed to satisfy him, he hatched a new idea and started offering security services. Kididing says he enrolled for a certificate in security management and then registered Nosim Security Company. The company, which he says started with one guard being paid KSh3,500 and has now grown to have 53 guards. “I had to pay the guard KSh3,000 and take
KSh500 but I never gave up.” He says most people do not consider guards important in their business and thus pay them poorly despite their critical role. Kididing now has even bigger dreams; he plans to open a security training school in Narok. So far, he has already employed an ex-army and retired GSU officers to train his guards. He is also the owner of Narok Cleaner Services agency. The businesses man is now appealing to the County government to support the private sector in its endeavour to create jobs for the youth.
Electricity installation costs to plummet By DAVID KIMANI With the Rural Electrification Programme introduced by former President Mwai Kibaki, the lives of most Kenyans have improved for the better. Electricity has not only been instrumental at the domestic level but also in the business sector where most people are now engaging in businesses that run on electric power such as barber shops and posho mills among others. However, installation of electric-
ity is still considered a reserve of a certain class of people because most people find the current connection costs beyond their reach.
Reduced costs
Nonetheless, come September 2014, installation costs are expected to go down after the completion of the multibillion 280 megawatts power plant under construction at Olkaria under the management of Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). During a tour by the media to as-
sess the progress of the plant whose ground breaking was commissioned by the former president, KenGen chief executive officer Eddy Njoroge said that the completion of the power plant will be in three phases with the first phase taking place in December 2013. “The first phase will be the completion of a plant at Olkaria with an output capacity of 70 megawatts in December this year followed by a second one in March 2014 with the same output capacity,” said Njoroge. He added: “The other 140 mega-
watts plant located at Olkaria IV is expected to take over by June 2014.” He further said that the total takeover will be in September 2014 where the total 280 megawatts output will be achieved.
Increase
Njoroge noted that upon completion, KenGen will be in a position to meet more than 25 per cent of Kenya’s current electricity demand. “Once the project is complete, we will be selling power to Kenya Power at 7 US cents less making it the
cheapest power plant,” said Njoroge. He noted that the plant is one of its kind globally. Construction of the plant has been funded by the government of Kenya, World Bank, European Investment Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency among others. Construction of the plant has spearheaded plans to resettle the Maasai community, an exercise that will see more than 110 families resettled at a cost of $25 million on 1700 acres of land.
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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
County challenges
Heavily endowed with rich natural resources, poverty stalks Kwale By SHAKA MPEMBA
No roads
Medical challenges hit Kitui County hard Parents in Kitui County are being put on the spot over the rise in cases of malnutrition among their children. According to a medical report, for the last quarter of 2012, only 13 per cent of malnourished children below five years in Kitui South received health enhancement provisions. Despite a thorough awareness programme, only 818 out of 5,147 cases of emaciated children targeted in the last four months of 2012 were registered for the free food supplement. According Martha Kimatia, matron at Mutomo District Health Centre: “We are doing the best we can to have all malnourished children from the constituency appear at our health centres for assistance.” However, she hopes that with the on-going awareness programmes the number of children who are victims of malnutrition will reduce. Her sentiments are echoed by Amos Kilunda, District Medical Officer of Health for Mutomo and Ikutha districts who says: “Increase of food supplement is a must if all affected children are to benefit and recover from malnutrition.” Mutito District had recorded most cases of acute malnutrition. Out of the 1,525 children registered at the district dispensary for food supplements in the last quarter of 2012, 244 were severely malnourished, while 377 were moderately malnourished. In a similar report obtained from Tseikuru District, only 19 per cent of all targeted children were
Nairobi residents feeding on sewer vegetables Continued from page 1
Kwale Governor, Salim Mvuria, and his team are in charge of one of the richest counties in the country, but their biggest challenge will be how to effectively exploit the resources to benefit the residents. The County has a population of 713,488 and is strategically located on the south Coast. It is endowed with over 28 tourist class hotels, the famous Shimba National Park and several tourist hotels and minerals. According to the Revenue Allocation Commission, Kwale County will be entitled to Sh5 billion paid by the Treasury annually. The County has three districts; these include Kinango, which is semi-arid making it vital for livestock farming; Matuga leads in farming and Msambweni, which is partly farming and livestock as well as fishing, but has some areas that are semi-arid. “Though there are a myriad problems in Kwale County, education should come first. Remember some of our schools were at the bottom An aerial view of Ukunda town, the biggest in Kwale County. Titanium mining will commence in the region in December this year. Picture: Shaka Mpemba in last year’s KCPE,” says Khamis Mohammed, area resident. He adds: “School drop outs and smuggled goods from neighbouring Tanzania and county. The same will apply to Uranium that will early pregnancies is the order of the day.” other foreign countries. rake in KSh3 trillion in Mrima. Already there is exAccording to Mohammed those from primary Health facilities are in deplorable condition forcploration of ruby, oil, gold, silicon and sand among going to secondary are still few while in colleges ing many pregnant women give birth at home. The others. they are fewer noting that the region now hosted few health centres have neither facilities nor qualiIn Diani beach alone, there are over 28 tourista satellite campus of Mombasa Polytechnic Unified staff. class beach hotels together with major attractions versity. For both up-country people and locals, security sites at Shimba National Reserve and Mwalughanje. Indeed during last year’s police recruitment, the should be beefed up. Most of the tribal clashes like Alfan would like health facilities be expanded. grades had to be lowered so as to get the locals in. Kayabombo, Mulungunipa and just recently activiAccording to Juma Boga, an elder in Kwale The residents are appealing to the new crop of ties by the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) County, land problems remain close to the heart of leaders in the County to give education priority by have taken place in this county. most Kwale residents who are unhappy about landbuilding and expanding more primary, secondary “Peace is so vital in the area for us who witgrabbing, lack of title deeds for the locals and lip serand tertiary institutions as a first step towards fightnessed Kayabombo, we know what happened. You vice by the Government. ing poverty and high unemployment. could not follow your stolen cattle even when you “In other developed countries old people receive saw them passing by,” says Biti Alfan, a resident of pension. I have also heard that in other regions of Ng’ombeni. our country the money is given and here in Kwale Apart from the Nairobi-Mombasa-Lunga-LunShe adds: “Security is the most vital thing that it is not there. It is high time that something is done ga highway and a 20 kilometre road to Kwale town, our first Governor should address. Kwale has witfor the elderly,” he notes. there is no other tarmac road in the County. Bad nessed major clashes in recent times.” “Many of our youth are frustrated and jobless roads have led to many farmers losing their produce Alfan also wants the Governor and his team to forcing them to join groups like Al-Shabaab and due to delays and poor transport networks. set aside soft loans for women and the youth to enMRC as an option to get money while others have Area residents are requesting the County Govable them start and or expand businesses. become drug addicts,” Boga says. ernment to consider setting up a port for them at Starting in December this year Titanium will be He notes that that if such concerns are addressed Shimoni, near the Tanzanian border. mined from the region earning the country KSh25 then cases of school drop outs and early marriages Shimoni has been used as an entry and exit for billion annually of which 15 per cent will go to the in the area would be a thing of the past.
By ANDREW ELIJAH
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
registered for food supplement. According Dr Violet Oramisi, Tseikuru District Medical Officer of Health: “Food aid can never be enough to avert a crisis attributed to natural causes.” Another medical issue posing adverse effects on residents from the area is failure by pregnant women to seek maternal care.
Refrain
These women have desisted from both ante-natal and post-natal care with only a small percentage delivering babies in medical facilities. In the last quarter of 2012, only 587 out of 1,467 pregnant women in Tseikuru District delivered their babies in medical facilities with the rest delivering in the absence of skilled birth attendants. In Kitui South, only 242 out of 1,062 turned up in medical facilities during delivery while in Mutito it is only 30 per cent that delivered in presence of skilled birth attendants. “Another challenge for women in the County is the long distances to medical centres, which has led to the poor utilisation of maternal health care services,” says Dr Joseph Kinyumu, the District Medical Officer of Health, Mutito District. Inadequate medical facilities, high costs at private facilities and a poor terrain in some parts of the county were also identified as major challenges inhibiting pregnant women from acquiring necessary maternal care. Medical officers also identified ignorance and apathy by residents, and women in particular, as another contributing factor to poor utilisation of
maternal care. In Kitui South, stigma and rejection against tuberculosis survivors emerged as a factor driving patients to early death as the disease remained a major cause of mortality in the area. However, default of medication also led to many deaths, and it was blamed for increasing cases of multi-drug resistance TB in the constituency. Pauline Maingi, who is the TB and Leprosy coordinator, from the constituency regretted that failure by some relatives to buy drugs for the patients had led some to feel rejected leading to suicides. Indeed, prolonged famine and ignorance have been highlighted as the major reasons for lasting and high prevalence of malnutrition in children in some parts of Kitui County.
Persist
The recurring drought in most parts of the County had forced many residents to be aid-dependant leaving children aged 10 years and below to suffer from lack of a balanced diet. Information obtained from medical reports prepared quarterly at district health centres shows the most affected areas were Kitui South, Mwingi North, Kitui East and some parts of Kitui West where residents have gone for over two straight seasons without any harvest from their farms. That notwithstanding, ignorant parents also bear blame for failure to register their underweight children for food supplements provided by the government through the ministry of health to curtail the calamity.
“I began this farming like a joke after seeing other people planting crops here at the dam without anybody questioning them. It took me time before taking a bold step to look for an empty space where I planted the yams,” Ouma reveals. Ouma prefers yams because they fetch more money when harvested and sold to the residents. He says: “This land is swampy and fertile. Yams mature between six to eight months.” Most of his customers are traders from the slums who purchase yams in large quantities at wholesale price before selling them at retail cost. Others have subdivided their land into several portions and have planted crops such as sukuma wiki (kales), carrots, cabbage, sugarcane and yams. A trader from Kibera, who sought anonymity says food crops at the dam are cheaper because the land is free. “These farmers got this land free of charge. Their prices must be fair especially for some of us buying in large quantities,” she discloses. From the dam these traders sell these crops to other slum dwellers at higher prices. Some rake in more than 100 per cent profit. In fact some have bought themselves motorbikes, pick-up cars and even built permanent houses in their rural homes.
Farming
A female farmer popularly known as Nyaboke has farmed on the dam for five years now and cultivates vegetables among them kales and tomatoes. Prior to this farming, Nyaboke owned a grocery kiosk that did not pay her well. “I was introduced by a neighbour who had started farming at the dam earlier,” she recalls. Today Nyaboke owns half an acre of land under which she has vegetables. She explains: “I supply vegetables to other small scale traders within the slum, four days a week. I also hawk it personally because it pays more than giving to small scale traders.” Nyaboke makes at least KSh5,000 per week. Benjamin Njoroge who plants yams and Napier grass is one of the oldest farmers at the dam. Njoroge started by raising vegetables on the sides of the dam after the 1998 El nino rains. “El nino rains left the better part of the dam silted. It looked fertile and attracted farming activities,” Njoroge recalls. In 2000, Njoroge discovered a number of people had already taken portions of land and planted vegetables. Encouraged by these farming activities, he abandoned vegetable growing and embarked on larger scale yam and Napier grass growing. The dam might have lost its initial glory but remains a source of income for several people especially at Kibera slums. Farmers say, they saw fertile land lying idle and resolved to make wise use of it. “And our efforts are still paying off,” they brag. Those doing farming on the dam mistakenly believe that the wastes make good fertilizer for their crops. The number of farmers at the dam is currently unknown. However, there are boundaries and each one of them knows each one’s plot. They also know the sizes of their pieces of land which ranges from small portions to over two acres hence no quarrel arises. These farmers are not sure when they will abandon farming activities on the dam. However, they are aware of the Government’s previous effort to rehabilitate the dam. They emphasize that only rehabilitation of the dam can halt their farming. The Government’s failure or delay to rehabilitate the dam being a bonus for them.
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
County challenges
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
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Rise of gender based violence cases in Narok By ANTONY TAIPUKEL Maasai women are crying out for help to the Government and non-governmental organisations to intervene. These women are victims of rising cases of gender based violence (GBV) and are calling on the authorities and civil society to come to their rescue. They fear that like most poor women in Africa, a majority of them are destined to live a life of poverty and cultural oppression and accuse their community of embracing a system that denies women their basic human rights. These include the right to education; right to control her body, right to choose whom and when to marry, and right to express an opinion. Cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, early and forced marriages, rape and polygamy that have made them subordinate to their men have frustrated their social economic development over the years. According to Lucy Sadera, chairlady Maendeleo ya Wanawake Narok County, oppression of women is embedded in Maasai culture that places them in the same category as children. Sadera says that despite the significant social and economic roles that they play within the community, they do not approve of the retrogressive cultural practices but it is the men to say when the elder girl should be circumcised and married; when land or any family property should be sold; when to have sex with her whether she is ready for it or not among other issues.
Decisions
“Our husbands just make decisions and challenging them is not an option. We just give in to everything, even perennial beating is part of our lives,” explains Sadera. The women were speaking during a Media Encounter between grassroots women and journalists organised by the African Woman and Child Feature Service through the Peace Initiative Kenya (PIK) project in Narok County. Peace Initiative Kenya engages with deeper structural issues around violent practices, especially against women and girls and supports women to address the violence they experience both within their homes and communities. The media encounter was an informal session between media practitioners and women from the grassroots and focused on issues around gender based violence as is experienced first hand by women. The media encounter gave the journalists an opportunity to listen to the women and get a better understanding of their problems and how they could highlight them from an informed position. According to Hon Soipan Tuya, the Women’s Representative Narok County, violence against women among the Maasai is normal. However, she notes that gender based violence is broader than wife beating. “Gender based violence needs to be humanized. It is important to encourage people to talk about how it affects them,” says Tuya. She spoke a day earlier when she addressed a Media Roundtable organized by African Woman and Child Features also under the Peace Initiative Kenya project. “Gender based violence is a socialization problem and there is need to
Women and journalists dance during a health break at the Media Encounter held in Narok under Peace Initiative Kenya. Below: Noonkipa Nkayama, a Maasai woman leader shares her views during the meeting. Pictures: George Ngesa and Valine Moraa put equal measure and bring it to an end,” Tuya notes. She adds: “It is important to involve everybody, including men, to deal with the problem holistically.” Tuya reiterated that legal option was not the solution: “It is important to talk to those affected and the men involved so that gender based violence can be brought to an end.” Even as Tuya spoke, women in Narok note that while the role of a woman in society is to complement her husband, this is not the same for the Maasai woman because she does much more physical work than the man; her chores are rather repetitive while those of the man are managerial in nature and often require decisionmaking.
Expectations
In the Maasai culture, women are expected to do many chores which include constructing their huts, fetching water, feeding the animals, gathering firewood, milking cattle, cooking, bringing up of children and keeping the household functioning. Although she does not own any property, since everything belongs to the man, her husband apportions a number of cows, sheep and goats to her for which she takes charge of the products such as milk, butter, meat and skin among others but the ani-
mals still belong to the man. The most challenging thing for the women in Narok is that they are never able to tell when the man will beat them. The early warning signs are not there because in the relationships there are no endearments. These sentiments were also echoed by Narok County Deputy Governor, Evalyn Aruasa, who noted that most women were oppressed including those in leadership. She notes that cultural practices that were retrogressive should be done away with so that change can come to Narok County. “Let us hold on to our culture that will help us and do away with bad cultures,” Aruasa notes. She adds: “Involve men in the process because if they are left out nothing will happen.” According to Aruasa, unless women are economically independent, no change will come to them. “It is important that the Maasai woman becomes financially independent and this will reduce gender based violence,” she says. Aruasa challenged to women in the county to join hands and be one because gender based violence does not know political parties but cuts across. According to Pauline Kinyarkuoo, a women leader in Narok town, a Maasai woman is there only to receive instructions and orders from the hus-
“Let us hold on to our culture that will help us and do away with bad cultures. Involve men in the process because if they are left out nothing will happen.” — Evalyn Aruasa, Narok County Deputy Governor
band. “The closest she comes to her husband is during sexual intercourse and this is only when the man has decided that he needs to have to have sex with her,” she explains. According to the deputy governor, the County government has set aside funds to build the capacity of women so that when they are given loans, they will utilise them from an informed position. “We want to build the capacity of women so that they can understand what income generating activities they can do that are specific to the County,” she explains. Sexual rights are not a topic of discussion, says Kinyarkuoo, adding that sex is only for procreation purposes, and it’s not the right of a woman to enjoy, and that is why she is circumcised to cut down the libido.
Demand
“Whenever he comes home he hardly talks but just grants and yet I have to entertain him as demanded by custom. I am not supposed to express any feelings or opinion since I am part of his property and he can use me whenever he wants, even if I am not ready emotionally it’s my own problem,” says Kinyarkuoo. Since most Maasai men are polygamists, sexually transmitted diseases end up being ram-
pant among the wives. Most of the women in a polygamous relationship when infected they only use traditional herbs to try and cure these infections. They will only seek conventional medical attention when the problem persists but it will never be discussed with the husband since this could invite a beating. Kinyarkuoo notes that Maasai women suffer in the hands of men and have been turned into slaves since they have to fetch water and feed the cows, build their houses, cook and maintain the home and look after the children. Looking after the animals is integral to the local economy although women face serious threats to their lives and security in doing this. “When we go to fetch water, we can be attacked by wild animals and men. Men follow us and rape us when we go and get water. We fear wild animals and we fear men,” says Lucy Meshuko, a grassroots women leader. She notes that the authoritarian position of men and the power dynamics within the family are emphasised through domestic abuse. “In the Maasai culture, according to them, women own nothing, they inherit nothing and live their lives clamped under the authority of men,” reiterates Meshuko. Additional information by Jane Godia
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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
County challenges
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
Big plans for farmers in Embu By KAMUNDIA MURIITHI Farmers in Embu are set to benefit from the establishment of value addition industries and provision of farm inputs by the county government. According to Embu County Governor Martin Wambora his team will transform agriculture from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture by empowering farmers through the provision of quality seeds and subsidised fertilisers.
This is music to the ears of the farmers who have for long suffered from oversupply, especially of fresh farm produce, leading to wastage and exploitation by middlemen. “The value addition industries will raise the farmer’s earnings while ready markets for the produce will help cushion the farmers against loss,” noted Wambora The Governor plans to meet coffee farmers and their leaders to explore the possibility of putting up a coffee milling plant in the county. “Embu is a coffee-growing zone, but it lacks
a coffee mill. Having one would increase our coffee earnings which will in turn encourage more farmers to engage in coffee farming,” explained Wambora. He noted that he would also meet tea farmers to agree on how to sell their cash crop through auctions in Embu instead of in Mombasa. Noting that Embu is highly productive in growing of grains, Wambora who is former Runyenjes said plans were underway to identify land for the construction of a cereals depot
at Ugweri. He announced that a dairy factory will be built in Kithimu for processing of milk to cater for dairy farmers in the area. Wambora promised to ensure accessibility of water for residents of the semi-arid parts of Mbeere to boost agricultural production and increase food sufficiency. “We will link the farmers with regional and international markets to help improve the prices of the county’s agricultural products,” he said.
Roads and fishing top our list of priorities, Homa Bay residents lay it out By JOHN MANGA Residents of Homa Bay County residents are challenging their Governor, Cyprian Awiti, and his team to give infrastructure and the fishing industry top priority in his budget. They expressed concern over the poor infrastructure in the expansive County which borders with Uganda. During meetings held in Sindo town in Suba District, AgoroSare High School in Rachuonyo South District and Wiobiero Secondary School in Homa Bay District, a cross section of residents said transport had become a nightmare in the County following impassable dilapidated earth roads, especially during the ongoing rainy season. The residents argued that they could not carry out their business activities if the roads continued to be in a poor state. Former Gem West Councillor, Michael Ogalo, said many parts of the County were endowed with fertile soil that could support planting of many different crops, but the challenge was getting a market for them. “Many farmers in this area produce
perishable crops like tomatoes and vegetables but they end up not reaching markets. Most of these crops go bad before they reach the markets because heavy rains impede transport in the area,” Ogalo noted. The residents said the County could not achieve the desired economic prosperity if the conditions of the roads were not improved. Homa Bay County has four main roads which are Rongo — Kendu Bay via Homa Bay town, Kisii-Katito via Oyugis, Rodi Kopany–Sori via Ndhiwa and Homa Bay-Mbita connecting various towns in the County. The first two roads are well tarmacked, however, the last two are still undergoing construction but they pose a lot of problems in the areas which have not been tarmacked, especially whenever it rains. Apart from the four major roads, there are some other murrum roads which are useful in connecting various towns within each of the eight constituencies in the County. Most of these murrum roads require rehabilitation and are impassable after a heavy downpour. The residents expressed the need for
the County Government to utilise the available resources adequately to transform their lives. Lake Victoria is one of the most important natural resources and the residents take pride in it. Even though the lake is shared by more than four counties, the largest part is found in Homa Bay County.
Promote
The fishing community now want the County government to promote the fish industry in the area to uplift their living standards. “We work very hard fishing, but our sweat is enjoyed by middlemen and traders from Nairobi who buy the fish at very cheap prices,” said Wilson Bwana, Chairman of Koginga Beach Management Unit in Homa Bay town. He added: “We want our county Government to ensure we also have a fish
Homa Bay fishermen landing at Homa Bay beach. They want a fish processing plant established in the area. Picture: John Manga manufacturing industry to cushion us from losing the money to outsiders.” They maintained that there was a lot of potential in the fishing industry and it could create jobs, especially for the youth, and boost the economy of the area. On his part, Colince Odoyo, speaking on behalf of the youth, said they had high hopes that their Governor and his team, would give the industry a priority and support. Odoyo is a Maseno University student and a resident of Homa Bay town Constituency. “Our County is endowed with many products which require industrialisation. Apart from the fish industry, there are other industries like pineapple processing plants which are grown in large scale within Rangwe
“We want our county Government to ensure we also have a fish manufacturing industry to cushion us from losing the money to outsiders.” — Wilson Bwana
Constituency,” Odoyo said. Residents of Kasipul-Kabondo Constituency were appealing to the County government to create a potato industry in the area. The residents argued that they were producing potatoes in large scale but lamented the returns were not anything to smile about because of lack of a marketing and preserving system. “Farmers in this area are forced to sell their potatoes at throw away prices because they have nowhere to take them. So the only solution is to establish an industry,” said Samwel Owida, area resident. Meanwhile the Homa Bay Governor said his budget will prioritise views and needs of the area residents in line with the Constitution. “I feel there is no way you can serve interests of the people if you do not get their views first. My budget will entirely depend on the needs of the people and I call upon them to be frank and tell us about the projects which they would wish to see us initiate and launch,” Awiti said.
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
County challenges
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
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New farming technology set to change the face of Makeuni By OCHIENG JUMA A new water harvesting technique in Makueni County is slowly but effectively saving and transforming lives in the arid area. The area residents are benefitting from a unique water harvesting technique aimed at helping them access to water for domestic and economic gain. This is being done with help from the Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF), a non-profit organisation based in the region. The organisation has been working closely with organised self -help groups within the communities to address water and food priorities in the region. It has also been training them on sand dam construction and environment conservation. It is because of this that the organisation was recently recognised for its efforts towards increasing access to clean water, soil and water conservation as well as promoting food production through its revolutionary sand dam technology. It was awarded with Nestle Creating Shared Value 2012 runner-up prize money of more than KSh9 million. Currently there are about 1,220 farmers with an average of 6.4 members per household who make up about 44 self-help groups drawn from 10 districts of Makueni County. These groups have so far dug 1,344 kilometres of terracing, enabling them to grow more food and plant more than 830,000 tree seedlings. This has directly benefited 23,294 members and their families impacting on 342,500 people.
Security
According to Andrew Musila, development director at Africa Sand Dam Foundation, the technology was started in 2010 with the aim of supporting rural farmers to achieve water, food and income security. “Through the Foundation we have been able to support communities in the dry regions to harvest water which they use for crop production and fish farming,” explains Musila. Since inception, the Foundation has constructed 96 sand dams within Makueni County and at the same time supported other organisations to replicate the technology within the country and beyond. “To build the dam a wall is constructed on seasonal rivers to trap sand and water. During the rainy season the water carries sand and silt away and when it reaches the wall, deposition of sand which is the heavy material, takes place then silt is washed over the dam,” explains Musila. He adds: “The sand stores water during the rainy season so that communities are able to get it during the dry season.” The Foundation decided to focus on this technology because the region is very humid and hot by reducing evaporation rate compared to other technologies like water pans where loss of moisture is very high. The communities contribute local materials like sand, water, rocks and casual labour while the Foundation provides cement, metal bars and skilled labour. Nicholas Kalunde, a beneficiary of the sand dam technology, says when he started farming in 2006 the main challenge was access to adequate water. “It was until Africa Sand Dam Foundation visited the area in 2010 and trained us on sand dam construc-
tion and environment management that we were empowered to start vegetable farming among other productive activities that have really transformed our lives as a community,” Kalunde says. He is a member of Umisyo wa Kiumoni self-help group that is based close to Machinery town along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway. “We used to draw water from a well which could not support us in farming but now we have enough water from the sand dams which we pump and irrigate on our tomatoes and sukumawiki (kales),” he says. On her part, Peninah Musa, secretary Mumbuka self-help group based in Muthingiini Village, Mtito Andei Division in Kibwezi District, lauds the initiative saying it has taken them to the next level through running a fish farm among other activities like tree planting in the area.
Benefits
Musa notes that through fishfarming the group and community at large have benefited from a better source of income. The fish has also been beneficial in their nutrition as a source of white meat. “As the Kamba community we did not know the importance of fish but now residents within the village come to the fish farm to make orders,” says Musa. She adds: “We are selling a plate size fish at KSh100 each.” Nestle corporate communications and public affairs manager, Christine Masta, who visited some of the projects the Foundation is undertaking in Makueni County noted that they
had worked hard to improve the quality of lives and that is why they got the award. “In 2014 we will be rewarding another winner of Nestle Creating Shared Value and so far by the time the nominations were closing at the end of March, we had 739 applications from 93 countries,” explains Masta. She notes: “Kenya sent 54 applications and with this prize, the winner is expected to scale up their existing projects or expand their projects to other areas.” The Africa Sand Dam Foundation
“As the Kamba community we did not know the importance of fish but now residents within the village come to the fish farm to make orders.” — Peninah Musa
From top: Members of the Umisyo wa Kiumoni self-help group in Kibwezi, Makueni County working on their farm. One of the sand dams built by Africa Sand Dam Foundation in Kibwezi. A thriving farm with kales planted through the help of sand dam technology. Pictures: Ochieng Juma will use the prize money to spread the sand dam technology across the continent. Currently, the organisation is offering key learning and technical
support for sand dam pilot projects in Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Niger, Chad, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and India.
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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
County challenges
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
No more sex-for-fish
Women in Bondo empowered with alternative sources of income generation By ISAIAH GWENGI Women fish traders in Bondo District, Siaya District are heaving a sigh of relief as they no longer have to be held at ransom by men who demand sexual favours. Not so long ago, women who turned down the sex-for-fish overtures by male fishermen were doomed and would not get any portion from the dwindling catch. Most of them returned home empty handed. Often, the women would have little choice since only a few of them own fishing boats and, therefore, have little control over the industry. However, this is now water under the bridge. A group of women in Siaya County now has a reason to smile after Action Aid, in collaboration with Support Community Oppressed and Discriminated Alliance (SCODA), a local nongovernmental organisation, moved to support them in Usigu division with a grant of KSh5,000 each for alternative business enterprises. This has enabled the women take charge of their fishing business without having to deal with external pressure from men. In an interview with Reject, Simon Akama, SCODA’s Chief Executive Officer says after realising that there was abject poverty that forced many women to be desperate and gullible, they designed and implemented a project to alleviate desperation, change lifestyle and economically empower women fishmongers. “Initially, the project was targeting 24 beaches along Lake Victoria in Usigu division. So far, we have tried it in two beaches, namely Honge and Nyaudenge beaches,” explains Akama. In order to initiate the project, SCODA’s Programmes Coordinator, Rogers Otieno, says they had to have a meeting with leaders of the Beach Management Units (BMUs) and create awareness among them on the challenges facing
women fishmongers. They also informed them of their plans to work with the beach operators. “We identified 40 women fish traders from two beaches and, thereafter, conducted training on alternative business enterprises,” explains Otieno. After the training, the organisation identified and funded 30 women with KSh5,000 each to start up alternative businesses in a bid to move out of the trade of fish mongering that had seen them completely frustrated by their male counterparts who control the fishing industry. So far, a number of women who have benefited from the project are already engaged in alternative businesses. They say their lifestyles have completely changed.
Risk
Anna Wadamai is a widow who has been in the fishing industry as a fish trader for many years. She says that for a long time, women were forced to exchange sex for fish oblivious to the risks it posed to their lives and those who depend on them. “In order to get fish from the fisherman, you have to incur expenses like buying for them fishing gear and other materials needed,” explains Wadamai. “Once you have a Jaboya (fisherman who gets you fish in exchange for sex), you have to buy for him fishing gears, food and cigarette, whether he goes out fishing or not,” explains Wadamai. She notes: “This is an expensive venture for women.
Jaboya is there to consume the little resources you have and not improve your life in any way.” However, for those women who are unwilling to provide all these, their bodies are used as an option. However, Wadamai, being a beneficiary of the project, says things have greatly changed in her life as she can now plan, implement and evaluate her business with ease.
Options
For Susan Akinyi, farming was the only thing she could venture into with the grant after her fish business took a nose dive. Today, she has no regrets. On her small parcel of land, she is able to grow food and cash crops for domestic use and surplus for sale at the local market. “Even though my farm is not that big, I manage to get food and sell some at the local market in order to raise money to educate my daughters. I usually give some vegetables to the school in the form of barter trade to subsidise the school fees,” explains Akinyi. According to a report from SCODA, the project has since seen 23 women out of 30 becoming role models in their respective beaches and 13 of them have since stopped fish mongering. “These women have testified that they can now get food with ease without exchanging sex for fish in order to educate their children and meet other needs. They are also able to provide medical and material support to their families,”
“Once you have a Jaboya (fisherman who gets you fish in exchange for sex), you have to buy for him fishing gears, food and cigarette, whether he goes out fishing or not.” — Anna Wadamai
Women paddling a boat during the launch of the project dubbed ‘Alternative Business Enterprise’ in Honge Beach,Bondo District, Siaya County. Below: Susan Akinyi in her farm. Pictures: Isaiah Gwengi
says Otieno. Even though they have made various achievements since the inception of the project, Otieno says that they are still facing some challenges. “Five women have so far dropped out due to personal problems that could not allow them to maintain the businesses,” he reveals. With the capital at hand, Otieno notes that it was quite small and hindered faster growth due to more business overheads. “Lack of project funds has hindered us from venturing into the main project phase and incorporate more beaches and women but we have hope that we will succeed,” says Otieno.
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
County challenges T
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
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Marsabit hit by high cases of cancer as myths hinder care By HUSSEIN DIDO Miligit Eisim, 45-years old attempted murder twice after she gave up on life when she was diagnosed with cancer. A mother of three, Eisim lived in Kargi, Marsabit County for years and the area residents respect her for hard work and devotion towards community development. However, cancer of the mandibles has left her with untold suffering. Her attempts to terminate her life by hanging and consuming poison failed after villagers rescued and confined her at the local dispensary run by the Catholic church in Kargi Marsabit County. The attempted suicide was a sign of frustration and anger that Eisim tried to express in order to cut her life short as the terminal illness took its toll on her. At Kijabe Hospital, Eisim underwent jaw grafting operations thrice before she was discharged early this year. According to John Kodeisa, nurse in charge at Kargi Mission Hospital, the dispensary was only offering her pain killers, dressing, nutritional support and spiritual care to help make her comfortable to cope with the situation. “The dispensary has been giving Eisim daily dressing to avert infection and help her heal while the families and friends are allowed to visit her,” he said.
Beliefs
However, Eisim is not the only cancer survivor in the region. According to Kodeisa cancers of the breast, stomach, mandible and cervix were on increase in the last 14 years in the area. He said in some instances the communities regarded the disease as a curse. “We have people who attribute the disease to families who have benefited from livestock stolen from one community or another,” noted Kodeisa. He said these beliefs had forced many people not to go for screening and testing services available at the Kenyatta National Hospital and other level five hospitals in order to detect and contain the spread of the cancer. Kodeisa said that the mission dispensary had embarked on an aggressive campaign to create awareness that the disease was not contagious or a curse as it has been claimed by some people within the community. The church’s effort in providing health education to the pastoralist communities has been hampered by lack of access to screening services especially among the women who stay in villages and lack transport that would enable them get to the services. According to Lawrence Bonyale, a village elder, cancer had spread fast in the region since 1980 when an oil exploration company visited the area and dumped some toxic wastes.
Contaminated water
He blamed water from a borehole that had caused them pain and suffering when hundreds of their animals perished in a day in the year 2002. Bonyale said experts from the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) had analysed water in Kargi boreholes and found it to be unfit for human consumption. “The report by Water Resources Management Authority indicated that parameters, such as conductivity, sodium chloride, nitrate and total dissolved solids are still above the World Health Organisation recommendations values hence posing health risks,” averred
Bonyale. The February 4, 2009 report recommends the use of alternative sources of water for domestic purposes. A recent visit to the borehole indicated that the borehole has been completely sealed and another source created for use for both livestock and human consumption. “The closure of this borehole was ordered by parliament and we expect them to reveal the mystery behind its closure and compensate the communities for the loss of animals,” said Bonyale. He said a priest from the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit had sent samples of the water to Italy for analysis. “The results of the test the church released showed that in some cases the mineral and chemical composition of the tested water are not within the limits of the law,” Bonyale said. The residents began having problems with their underground water in 2002 when they lost 7,000 sheep and goats within a short span of time. “The animals had taken water from a recently sunk borehole. After the incident, the borehole was sealed,” said Edward Chorondo, a local elder.
Diagnosis
After this incident and the diagnosis of several cases of cancer, residents began to suspect their water was contaminated. In 2007, a local NGO, Global Concern Incorporated, got an American team from William Consulting Incorporated to test the water. The team reported that levels of nitrate, nitrite and arsenic were high in Kargi waters. According to the report, nitrite, which is toxic, was the likely cause of death of the sheep and goats.
Top: The nurse in charge John Kodeisa administering drugs to Miligit Eisim at Kargi Mission Hospital in Marsabit County. Kargi women drawing water from the new borehole. Pictures: Hussein Dido “The reason for the tests in regard to these two minerals is that an excessive amount of arsenic has been cited as the cause of cancer of certain internal organs, and chromium has been cited as causing throat cancer,” the report says in part. Cancer is not a health issue confined to wealthy nations. Cancer is more common in low and middle income countries, causing more deaths than Aids, malaria and tuberculosis combined.
“The reason for the tests in regard to these two minerals is that an excessive amount of arsenic has been cited as the cause of cancer of certain internal organs, and chromium has been cited as causing throat cancer.”
However, through proper screening and treatment, many of these deaths can be prevented. It is estimated that as many as 3.7 million cancer deaths can be avoided each year, upto 80 per cent of those in low and middle income countries.
Burden
The cancer burden will continue to escalate in the years to come. The public health community must act now to enhance the prevention and early detection of cancer in low and middleincome countries. Without a unified and integrated international response, cancer deaths are predicted to reach 13.5 million by 2030 in the world. Marsabit Catholic Peace and Justice Commission coordinator Godfrey Godana called on the Government and other well-wishers to intervene in pro-
viding mass screening for the women in the region. He said many women especially from the pastoral communities are not in a position to raise money needed to visit clinics in Nairobi for cancer screening and hence hampering early detection to avert further deaths. Godana said many of the cancer cases were diagnosed on women in the age bracket between 40 and 50 years. He said more than 100 women have lost their lives in the area in the last 15 years following the new disease. The World Health Organization has pledged its commitment to addressing the global cancer burden and will continue its efforts to increase awareness and reduce the impact of cancer on vulnerable populations around the world. The challenge is how this can be achieved when little is done at the village levels.
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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
County challenges
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
Women initiate open air market in Kilifi By YUSUF AMIN Over 400 women groups in Kilifi County have initiated an income generating project that will boost their living standards as the county government takes its course. The women under the umbrella Juwaba, an abbreviation from ‘Jumuiya ya Wanawake Bahari’ have started an open air market at the Juaba Women’s Hall in Kilifi town which will help them sell their products. Addressing the women during the official opening of the market, Juwaba chairperson Dorothy Chome said the different women’s groups have various activities like greenhouse projects, carpentry and chicken rearing among others but they lack the market to sell their products. Chome noted that the market will be open only on Wednesdays. She urged women to turn out in large numbers to promote the market by bringing many products for selling. Chome noted that women have been engaged in vegetable production within their farms but they had been operating at a loss due to middlemen who buy their products at low prices. “The market will make sure that women have more income that will change their lives since they have been left behind for a long time due to lack of market for their produce,” Chome observed. Women who were present during the officially opening of the market expressed hope that leaders in the county government will help them in expanding the market.
Hopeful
Sidi Kazungu from Ganze said that women from the area have been involved in agriculture but have been living in poverty due to lack of markets for their produce. Sidi expressed hope that the opening of the market is the beginning of a new change to women in Kilifi County, especially in Ganze which has been rated the poorest constituency in the country. She urged women leaders in the county to conduct forums to sensitise others on how they can save their money after selling their products. “I am really concerned and would like to urge leaders to educate us on how we can sell and save some money at the same time to enable us carry out development projects that will help in poverty reduction,” Sidi noted.
One of the women present at the function is Kache Katana from Magarini. Katana is a farmer and plants tomatoes, sukuma wiki (kale) and cabbages on the banks of River Galana. She noted that the market has come at a time when women are struggling to come out of traditions that have barred them from engaging in development activities that can help uplift their standards of living. “I have a lot of produce from my farm in Magarini and I believe this market has come to rescue us from the hands of self-centred businessmen who buy our products at throw away prices,” Katana observed. Esha Said, who is the founder of Juaba, noted that the market was established after consultation with the Kilifi County leaders. Said asked leaders from the region to inform the residents about the market in public barazas so that they can come in large numbers to buy
Juwaba founder Esha Said buying muchicha (traditional vegetables) from Muungano women group during the official opening of the women open air market in Kilifi County. Picture: Yusuf Amin the women’s products. She said that women in the community should be empowered, noting that “when you empower women you empower the whole community”.
Change
“Women in the community can bring change and through this market they will have a means of income to feed their families and educate their children,” Said reiterated. She noted that women have been side-lined for a long time but time has come to rescue them from the hands of men who wanted them to be home looking after the children. “Women should now work hard for their
success in this region through the county governments where more funds to empower them will be initiated,” Said advised. In Rabai and Kaloleni, women welcomed the project saying that their products which come from palm trees such as coconut and makuti will have a place in the market. According to Said, plans are underway to start a women’s financial institution in Kilifi that will enable them to acquire loans at low interest rates. She noted that most financial institutions charge high interest rates which have been blamed for the low number of women applying for loans that could boost their businesses. She assured women that the financial institution will be created soon.
Over 100 organisations benefit from World Bank funding By JOSEPH MUKUBWA About 100 community based organizations from Nyeri County have benefited from the KSh50 million from a World Bank Project. The management project regional manager Daniel Rotich recently presented the organisations with cheques at the Karatina Stadium. The Management Project is World Bank programme which gives grants aimed at conserving the environment. Other organizations supporting the project include the Kenya Forest Service and National Irrigation Board. Since the programme started three years ago, 713 groups from the Upper Tana region have benefitted from KSh323 million. The programme targets projects which are close to rivers that drain water into the Tana River. This includes the upper Tana region comprising of seven counties which are Machakos, Kirinya-
ga, Embu, Nyandarua and Nyeri among others. Some of the projects being funded include agricultural, livestock, fisheries and agro forestry. “We encourage them to do commercially viable projects. We target CBOs which are working on activities aimed to improve their livelihood and which are able to do environmental activities,” said Rotich. Some learning institutions like schools have started biogas and bio- latrine projects. “We have funded two schools in Kirinyaga County which are doing biogas projects. Twenty–seven schools will also be funded; six for biogas while 21 others are for bio latrines which are also using human waste,” he explained. Rotich said the biogas is directed to a digester which is later used in the kitchen for cooking. The farmers are first trained on how to utilize these funds to ensure ac-
countability and transparency. Mathira sub-County Commissioner Godfrey Kigochi said the groups have been doing a good job which has helped to reduce food insecurity. According to Joseph Maina, treasurer of Mik Dairy Self-help Group whose project is based in Karatina said the funds will be of much help as it will enhance value addition. He was speaking after receiving KSh1.9 million
“We shall be making yoghurt and pasteurized milk for longer shelf life from the 6,000 litres collected daily. The funds will benefit over 46 CBOs involved,” noted Maina. The monitoring and evaluation unit which conducted its audit released their report which showed that about 87 per cent of the funds have been well utilised, giving hope of more funding in future.
Mathira Sub-County Commissioner Godfrey Kigochi (left) and Natural Resource Management Project regional manager Daniel Rotich (Right) enjoy a jig with General China Women dancers at Karatina Stadium in Nyeri County recently. Picture: Joseph Mukubwa
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
County challenges
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
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Farmers in Nyanza embrace new fish technology By AJANGA KHAYESI Fish farming is slowly, but effectively taking root in Western Kenya around Lake Victoria. The new lucrative venture was unheard of in this region where the residents relied heavily on fresh water fish for food and livelihood. However, in recent years the Government has deliberately initiated fish farming projects targeting individual farmers and institutions to increase the supply of the product locally and regionally. The targeted institutions comprise educational and religious institutions as well as hotels among others. According to Jonam Etiang, Kisumu District Fisheries officer, the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries construct the fish ponds. They also provide the technical knowledge as well as stock fingerlings and food to feed the fish for the first six months. The ministry invests KSh60,000 per fish pond to empower villagers and make them financially independent. While fish farming might look as a new thing, it is something that was started during the colonial era. Fish ponds were introduced in Kakamega and Nyeri counties in the 1950s while Nyanza region depended on Lake Victoria for its supplies. Little wonder then, prospective villagers were hesitant to venture out substantially, preferring the traditional way of fishing.
Programme
However, the current fish farming programme was started in 2009 countrywide and comprised of 200 fish ponds constructed in 42 districts. Kisumu Rural was involved in 2010 followed by Kisumu Town, Kisumu East and Kisumu West constituencies in 2011. Currently 300 ponds have been constructed in every constituency in Kisumu including Nanga and St Mark primary schools respectively. “The project saw the first five pioneer schools entering the programme last year but the first quarter of 2013 has witnessed 20 more schools involved with 40 others underway,” explains Etiang. During a recent introductory course to fish farmers in Kisumu, certain factors were identified as pre-requisites to be considered when selecting the fish pond site. These include suitable land, water supply, security, labour, type of soil and market for harvested products. “Land should be free from pollution and flooding. It should have adequate source of water supply, good soil quality without gravel or rocks,” says Susan Adhiambo, also a fisheries official.
Research
According to Adhiambo, for farmers to earn profits they should conduct market research for the type, size and quality of fish required, selling season and price as well as market source. Farmers constructing fish ponds close to natural resources like rivers are advised to be acquainted with legal issues and environmental policies. They should also take into consideration development activities in
the neighbourhood. The construction work includes surveying land, selecting benchmarklower place, clearing vegetation, removing top soil, pegging and excavating the pond. “The medium sized pond measure 300 square metres with the shallow side bearing one metre high while the bottom area should be one and half meters deep,” says Adhiambo. Agricultural lime and nitrogenous fertilizers are applied in the pond to neutralise acidic soils of 6.5 to 7 PH before stocking the young fish. Just like cane or maize farmers, organic and inorganic fertilizers are applied to enhance ponds. “Organic manure such as poultry waste, cow, sheep or goat droppings can be added in the pond or farmers may buy Diaamonia Phosphate (DAP) or urea of Nitrogen and use according to instructions of an agrovet.
Management
During stocking, farmers would require to consider any of the three types of fish; Tilapia (or scientific name oriocronals), catfish (clarius gariapinas) or ornamental fish. Tilapia has high demand in both local and international markets. “Mixing different fish types in one pond has disadvantages such as cat fish feeding on niloticas eggs thus scheming the fish population in an area,” explains Adhiambo. Competent pond management results into excellent healthy fish, safety and quality harvest among others. “Management includes monitoring every morning, carrying out routine work, maintaining the pond to prevent predators such as snakes, lichens, hippopotamus, crocodiles, insects, man and birds such as Kingfisher,” Adhiambo reiterates.
Top:Workers excavating for a fish pond at Nanga Primary School in Kisumu County. The newly constructed fish pond at the school. Pictures: Ajanga Khayesi
Fish consume artificial and natural foods such as microscopic plants, dead organisms and aquatic plants. Artificial materials include rice and maize bran, fish meal and slaughter waste as well as vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbages, pawpaw, avocado and groundnut cakes among others. “Fish are fed when the water temperatures are high at 10 in the morning and at 4.00 in the afternoon, considering fixed quality, time and position daily,” says Adhiambo. Although fish are rarely attacked by bacterial and viral diseases, they undergo stress if not fed or if left in an unclean or overcrowded habitat. “When fish are stressed they open
up their mouth, breath faster, concentrate at inlets, forsake eating and swim cycling erratically in the water,” Adhiambo explains. Mature fish are harvested early in the morning or late in the evening at the age of six to eight months old.
Consumption
Fish can be consumed fresh or preserved by smoking, sun drying, salting, icing or for potential market solutions in schools, hospitals and hotels among others. “The water hyacinth menace has covered most landing and breeding areas on the lake, stressing up aquatic life while polluting the environment thus denying food and fresh air to lives in water,” says Adhiambo.
“Every year, the ministry bans trawling on the lake to allow breeding period. However, fish mongers in Nyakach get supplies from ponds to meet the market demands," adds Ruth Owiti, a farmer in the area. Atila Diang’a of Sigana Farm in Muhoroni believes that fish farming will reduce unemployment in the community, alleviate poverty and diversify stocks from different farmers for local and international markets. “With 600 constructed ponds in Nyakach area, farmers have formed group clusters between 15-20 people, registered with the government organs,” says Etiang. He adds: “They have also opened bank accounts and supply the catch into the local markets.”
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Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
County challenges
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
Coffee farmers blame smuggling racket on poor pay By BEN OROKO Poor wages and salaries for coffee workers have been blamed for increasing cases of underhand deals of processed coffee beans rocking co-operative societies in Kisii County. A number of small-holder farmers who spoke to Reject blamed the problem on poor pay for the guards saying they colluded in the coffee smuggling racket. Moraa Gisiora, a coffee farmer and member of Nyamonya Main Farmers’ Co-operative Society (NFCS) in Sameta District, said they were suffering because of the syndicate. She regretted that despite strict rules by the Coffee Board of Kenya (CBK), which has the mandate of regulating coffee production and sale, the theft of the cash crop coffee was frustrating their efforts towards earning a decent living. Gisiora accused some factory workers of being behind the racket, noting that they were engaged in smuggling of processed coffee beans from drying beds and stores to sell to middlemen in the black coffee market. According to Moindi Nyaribo, a farmer who is also a member of Nyamonya Main Farmers’ Co-operative Society, it was unrealistic for the co-operative societies’ management to entrust farmers’ produce worth millions of shillings in the hands of poorly paid workers. “Going by the high cost of living in the county, it is prudent for the co-operative societies’ management in the coffee growing areas to consider reviewing wages and salaries upwards for their workers, to avert cases of illegal coffee trade deals to earn extra income to the disadvantage of the farmers who lose a lot of income to coffee theft syndicates involving the factory workers,” noted Nyaribo.
Ghost coffee
He claimed that some coffee factory clerks colluded with farmers to trade in ‘ghost’ and inflated coffee kilogrammes out of the cherry coffee delivered and weighed at factories as part of the efforts to supplement their meagre earnings. “It is regrettable that ghost and inflated coffee kilogrammes sold to some farmers by corrupt clerks contribute to poor coffee earnings as the fake kilogrammes eat into the genuine farmers' kilogrammes of coffee, affecting the rate at which final payments are calculated,” says Nyaribo.
Nyamonya Main Farmers’ Cooperative Society chairman, Julius Maganga admits that poor wages and salaries for co-operative societies’ workers posed a serious challenge to the coffee produce delivered to factories. He noted that unless this was checked it would continue to affect farmers’ returns. Maganga noted that his management was in the process of reviewing the factory workers’ wages and salaries upwards to address the concerns raised by the farmers. "As the management, we take our workers’ and farmers’ concerns seriously," stated Maganga. He noted to being aware that during coffee peak season, there was a security threat to the farmers’ produce and to the lives of factory guards.
Security
“During coffee peak season, the management was forced to enlist security services of community policing members following reports that some guards were colluding with black market coffee dealers to have farmers processed coffee beans smuggled at night from the factory drying beds,” Maganga observed. He revealed that there were incidents where community policing members impounded several bags of processed coffee beans smuggled from one of the factory’s drying beds at night through the services of the watchmen on duty. “They were acting on a tip-off before they tracked the coffee consignment to a local stream where it was hid before being transported by bodaboda (bicycle taxi) operators to the broker’s destination,” Maganga said. He reiterated: “Coffee smuggling from the factory drying-beds and stores has a negative economic impact on the farmers through loss of their income.” Maganga said this also has the potential of crippling the operations of local co-operative societies due to lack of coffee produce for processing and marketing. He said they had been informed that most cases of coffee smuggling involved insiders,
especially factory guards and other employees who always monitor the quantity of coffee beans delivered and processed before volunteering the information to potential black market coffee dealers.
Coffee farmers drying their beans in Kisii County. Smuggling of coffee is crippling the sector. Picture: Courtesy AWC
Cowboy contractors Bill on community land evictions in Kisii put on notice and resettlement almost ready By BEN OROKO All roads contractors in Kisii County who have been swindling public funds through shoddy roads projects have been put on notice that they risk being blacklisted and prosecuted. Kisii Governor James Ongwae has warned questionable contractors who have been receiving public funds for substandard roads projects that they will face the law and have their companies blacklisted. Ongwae warned that it will not be business as usual for contractors who have been doing shoddy road jobs in the County, swindling millions of shillings from the taxpayers. Speaking at Ufanisi Resort in Kisii town after officially launching the County’s 100-days Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), Ongwae warned that his Government will not tolerate questionable road contractors who have been using corruption to swindle public funds through substandard road constructions. Flanked by his deputy Joash Maangi, Kisii County Commissioner Lydiah Mu-
riuki and Emmanuel Lubembe from the Department of Public Service Transformation, Ongwae vowed to take stern action against any public officer or roads engineer found colluding with contractors to certify roads which do not conform to the required standards.
Standards
He noted that such officers will be held accountable on public funds lost through payment to contractors whose work was questionable. “I am not a roads engineer by profession, but I will hold all public officers and engineers accountable if they will be found to have certified shoddy road construction and sanctioning of payments towards such projects which do not meet the required standards,” warned Ongwae. He directed all public officers in charge of roads and infrastructure in the County to ensure within the first 100days of the County’s Rapid Results Initiative, to ensure that all potholes on the roads within the Kisii Central Business District have been filled to the give roads in the town a facelift.
By KARIUKI MWANGI A bill which is set to address the wrangles pertaining to community land, evictions and resettlement of people in the country is in the offing as the task force reviewing views from members of the public compiles its report. According to Harry Mugo, chairman Task Force on Community Land, Evictions and Resettlement, they are compiling views of Kenyans regarding the issues and a draft bill will be tabled in Parliament by mid-year. Speaking at a stakeholders in Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, Mugo pointed out that they have received a lot of views from the various communities over land issues. “We have gone round the country receiving the views of Kenyans, and I can assure you that every ethnic group has given different views regarding community land and issues pertaining to evictions and resettlement,” he said.
Guidelines
Mugo said it is expected that the bill will map out community land in the country and provide guidelines in law on how evictions are expected to be done and the mode of resettlement for evictees. According to Faith Waigwa, a lawyer with the
task force there is need to define what community land is so that it can be mapped adding definition of a community in that context must also be looked into. “When we talk of a community, are we talking of a certain ethnic group or is it a group of interested members cut across several counties such as the pastoralists?” she posed. Waigwa noted that evictions must be done in a humane manner unlike in the past where people have lost lives and property adding that there has to be appropriate notice given before it is implemented. “We also have career evictees in the country, people who are always available to say they were evicted every time there is an eviction,” she said adding that the bill will also provide guidelines on who the real evictees are. Waigwa pointed out that the issue of resettlement and compensation has been numerously touched on by most Kenyans across the country saying that the reimbursement process should be fast tracked. “We have heard of cases where people are evicted and even die before they are compensated and that should be a priority so that immediately after eviction, people get reparation and move on with their lives,” she noted.
ISSUE 083, May 16-31, 2013
Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth
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Is the media losing its watchdog role? By ODHIAMBO ORLALE Questions are being asked by professionals and members of the public about whether the media will be able to carry out its watchdog role as the Fourth Estate, especially under the new Constitution and the fourth President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy, William Ruto. Fears have been expressed that the media shied away from its umpire role and instead focused more on peace-building during the run-up to the elections, for fear of post-elections violence. The post-election violence occurred in 20072008 and left over 1,000 people killed and 300,000 displaced across the country. Those concerns were raised during a recent media roundtable organised by Media Focus in Africa held at Alliance Francaise, in Nairobi with discussions being led by panelists: Andy Kagwa (Senior Editor, Standard Media Group); Dr Ken Ramani (Lecturer Mt Kenya University) and Anthony Ragul (founder www.ipadabribe.co.ke). The theme of the public forum was: Government accountability – Re-Thinking Media’s Role and Strategy Under Kenya’s New Political Dispensation. According to Ramani, the media has its work cut out as the country enters a new political dispensation and the devolved government structure takes root. However, he cautions the media to keep an eye on “the tyranny of numbers” in the National Assembly and the Senate, both dominated by Jubilee Coalition saying it was food for thought. Ramani, who is a former writer at The Standard Group, says the public expects to see the media step in and fill the void created by the political parties, Members of Parliament, Senators and their colleagues, who have joined the Government.
“The media must still play its role in keeping the Government on its toes in the absence of a strong opposition,” noted Ramani. He posed: “I am also wondering whether the mainstream media is ready to cover all the 47 county assemblies, the Senate and the National Assembly at the same time?”
Challenge
According to Ramani, the role of the media under the new Constitution has now Andy Kagwa, senior editor at the Standard Group and Ken Ramani, lecturer at Mt been expanded to monitor how the national Kenya University participating during the media round table. Picture: Odhiambo Orlale Government and the devolved 47 counties are run while at the same time ensuring that wa said. He asked: “Are we only being a conveyor Githongo among others on its performance and “our democracy was healthy”. belt of news or are we driving the devolution future role in the country. He noted that so far, the fourth President, agenda?” “The media was very critical of the GovernUhuru Kenyatta, and his Deputy, William Ruto, He noted that it was the media’s responsibility ment in the 1980s and 1990s when some of the have ignored using the word “corruption” in their to keep all county officials, who are public serjournalists were arrested and detained for filing public statements and in their party manifestoes vants, under check from day one after their elecinvestigative reports about the Moi Government? as a major policy. tion, saying the social media has been outdoing But now the media is being praised by the Chief Ramani challenged the media to play its them in that area. Justice, Willy Mutunga, IEBC top brass and the watchdog role now more than ever before to However, Kagwa admitted that the quality of President among others as we hear claims that ensure that graft was nipped in the bud at the journalists in the country was a cause for concern stories are being planted by intelligence officers in national level before it cascades to the devolved referring to an incident when one of them asked newsrooms,” noted Kulundu, who is a member of units. if a senatorial candidate would name his running the Kenya Editors’ Guild: “How adequately are the media personnel mate if he was elected. Githongo was more cautious saying the role equipped at the county level in order to play their The Constitution is very clear that it is only of the media is to act as an umpire and keep the watchdog role effectively?” he posed. the presidential candidates and gubernatorial Government on its toes but it should not attempt On his part, Kagwa noted that the issue of candidates who must name their running mates. to play the role of the opposition. graft had become a lip service in the country. The other four positions do not have deputies. “It is not the role of the media to be the oppoHe challenged the media to be at the forefront in sition but its responsibility is to play the watchdog fighting and highlighting corruption. role. As we speak today, are people reading the Kagwa took issue with most media houses for Another senatorial candidate was asked what Constitution? Issue of corruption in the media reporting news about devolution and the counhe would do about the water hyacinth menace in must also be addressed to reduce cases of jourties but not going a step further to analyse the isLake Victoria, yet his mandate has nothing to do nalists being corrupt, compromised and or unsues involved to help their audience understand with such issues that are the domain of MPs and professional,” noted Githongo. them better. County representatives. The April 30 media forum was the last in a se“So far the print media has set aside special During the open session, the media was takries of 12 whose themes were around the electoral pages for the county news after they were acen to task by Hassan Kulundu and Nyambura process. cused of being Nairobi-based and focused,” Kag-
Opposition
Nyabururu School gets its KCSE results at last By BEN OROKO The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has finally released last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) withheld results for 266 candidates from Nyabururu Girls’ National School in Kisii County. Speaking at the school, Kisii County Director of Education, Isako Chepe Konchora told the Reject that the release of the results was a clear indication that the candidates from the School did not engage in any examination malpractices. He said the examinations examining body’s officials visited the school and conducted investigations into the matter before releasing the results. However, Konchora called for patience among parents and guardians over the pending cases of nine candidates from the school whose results are yet to be released, ruling out speculation that the results could be cancelled over irregularities. Flanked by the Kisii Central District Education Officer Martin Mwa-
Nyabururu Girls National School principal (centre Emelda Ochenge celebrating with her students after the release of KCSE results. Picture: Ben Oroko lo, Konchora warned parents against transferring their children from the school over the examination results challenge, saying the school performed well in last year’s examinations despite its results being withheld by KNEC. “The withheld KCSE results for
the school had caused a lot of anxiety among various stakeholders and now that the results have been released there is no cause for worry among students and parents,” stated Konchora. The school's Principal Elmelda Ochenge expressed confidence in
KNEC's verdict saying despite the challenges the school performed well in last year’s KCSE examinations, with one candidate scoring A (Plain), 30 candidates with A (minus), 44(B+), 61(B), 66(B-), 49(C+) and 7(C), translating to a mean score of 8.7 up from 2011's 8.3, recording a positive deviation of 0.4 points. Ochenge disclosed that the target mean score for last year’s candidates was 10.2, but the school managed 8.7, expressing confidence that the current batch of candidates will achieve a target of 11 points. "I have no words to express my happiness over the release of the school’s KCSE results and thank God for the results since the school community have been agonising on the fate of our girls’ results,” stated Ochenge. This comes immediately after secondary school heads from Kisii County condemned KNEC for withholding KCSE results for some schools leading to anxiety and stress among parents, candidates and other stakeholders on the fate of such re-
Executive Director: Arthur Okwemba Editor: Jane Godia
sults. The heads also took issue with some school administration from the region, accusing them of exorbitant fee increments overburdening parents. Meeting under their umbrella, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KSSHA) Kisii Chapter, the heads blamed KNEC for failure to do their investigations on alleged irregularities in time, thus causing unnecessary tension among candidates and parents. However County chairman Jairus Onchoke clarified that the KCSE results withholding did not amount to irregularities even as last year’s candidates from Nyabururu Girls National School pitched camp at the institution. Onchoke said that the two national schools in the county were inadequate and called for identification of more schools and have them equipped to cater for bright children from poor backgrounds who could excel in national examinations.
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Sub-Editors: Mercy Mumo, Joyce Chimbi and Odhiambo Orlale Designer: Noel Lumbama
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Contributors: Henry Owino, Gladys Moraa, Yusuf Amin, Teryani Mwadzaya, Munene Maina, David Kimani, Shaka Mpemba, Andrew Elijah, Antony Taipukel, John Manga, Kamundia Muriithi, Ochieng Juma, Isaiah Gwengi, Hussein Dido, Joseph Mukubwa, Ajanga Khayesi, Kariuki Mwangi and Ben Oroko.
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