COUNTY NEWS

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COUNTY PRESS

NAROK

Kajiado County 2020 KCSE, KCPE analysis

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Elders clear Soipan for Governor seat

Dealers in: Drip Irrigation Sprinkles Greenhouses Shade nets Irrigation pump Planting trays Dam liners

»» Pages 3 & 27

»» Page 2

RELAYING FRESH NEWS FROM

KAJIADO & NAROK COUNTIES

ISSUE NO. 110

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Nkedianye: I will send Lenku home JUNE, 2021

»» STORY PAGE 6

SPECIAL FEATURE

Where men are drugged, rendered penniless in clubs »» Page 15

BUSINESS

Stalls bribery claim rocks Sh700m market »» Page 7

AGRICULTURE

Former Governor, David Nkedianye speaks in an exclusive interview with County Press at a Kitengela hotel recently. Photo/Abdi Hussein

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT

Narok wheat yield drops by 40% »» Page 20 CRIME

Narok County Alarm over human Kitengela: Kenya’s suffers Sh2 billion waste dumping in new crime capital revenue loss»» Page 22 rivers »» Pages 16 & 21 »» Page 8

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JUNE, 2021

COUNTY PRESS

POLITICS

Soipan gets nod, vows to win governor seat “We have seen women such as Tanzania’s Suluhu Hassan rise to serve as presidents. Is governor’s seat higher than the presidency? - Julius.

By Ben Leshau

subsides.”

Legislator Tuya who is married to Naroosura/Majimoto MCA Stephen ole Kudate is the only female elected leader in Narok apart from the area Deputy Governor Evalyne Aruasa.

Addressing journalists at her Narok home, Tuya who is serving her second term in the position exuded confidence that she was in the gubernatorial race to win and overcome the stereotype that a Maasai woman cannot lead.

“I have done my level best with the Sh40 million National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and that little money has been felt in every corner of this county,” she said.

The MP explained that with a budget of Sh10 billion allocated

to the county, as a governor she will be able to transform the fortunes of Narok.

She, however, reiterated that she was not vying for the seat as insurance in the event the Woman representative seat would be abolished.

“With or without the passing of the BBI, I will be going for the seat and I am ready to face off with all the men. I want to be the first woman governor in the pastoral Maa counties in the country.

Women are good as men as far as leadership is concerned,” she affirmed.

The elders who endorsed the female gubernatorial seat aspirant said she was equal to the task of the county’s top seat.

Led by Kudate family Chair-

Narok Woman Representative in Parliament Soipan Tuya has now been given a nod by her family to vie for the gubernatorial seat.

So far it appears she will be the sole female aspirant for the seat and will battle it out with a battery of male aspirants most them her colleagues in Parliament.

Traditionally, women among the pastoral Maasai community are supposed to tend to house chores and child-bearing and it was almost a taboo for one to oppose men for leadership positions.

Things have now changed and the female gender is sticking out its neck and turning political tables without feeling intimidated or pulled back by cultural biases.

Despite the great strides made, the question that remains is if the pastoral community is now ready for a female governor come 2022?

Soipan Tuya, the first woman in the county to go against the grain, has already declared her interest to succeed the incumbent –Governor Samuel ole Tunai who is serving his last term.

“Today I hosted family elders and briefed them on my bid for the governor’s seat,” she stated Tuya recently.

She continued: “I am happy that they embraced it and gave me their blessings. I am now free to kick-start my campaigns as Narok Woman MP, Soipan Tuya (centre) with a team of soon as the Covid-19 pandemic women legislators during Inua Mama Campaign in the County recently. Photo/Bell Pere

man, Mr Lucas Kudate and Julius Kudate (ViceChair) the elders explained that they deliberated on her ambitions and gave her the green Narok Woman Rep Soipan Tuya addressing journalists after being given light. “ U n - the greenlight by family elders to run for like before, gubernatorial seat. Photo/Ben Leshau the Maasai Korei ole Lemein (Narok South) of today are liberated and have elected women as well as Narok North legislator leaders before and we are hope- Moitalel ole Kenta.

Others include the Sunkuli ful that they will give us the first female governor in Maasai land brothers,Youth PS Charles Sunkuthrough Soipan. Today we gave li and Nairobi-based businessman her our blessings,” said Mr Ku- Andrew Sunkuli.

The Sunkuli family has, howdate.

On his part, Julius warned Ms. ever split on the two aspirants Tuya’s competitors against using where each has vowed to press on their gender cards to discriminate despite the family pushing for a against her saying that their antics single candidate.

The family elders met a few will not bear any fruit.

“We have seen women such months ago and fronted Andrew as Tanzania’s Suluhu Hassan rise to fly the flag and advised Charles to serve as presidents. Is gover- who is a scholar to stay put in the nor’s seat higher than the presi- national government.

On the other side, CAS Ntutu dency?” posed Julius,.

He added that women make will be making his second stab at better and credible leadership un- the seat after coming second to like men who have always been Tunai in the last elections.

Three of the aspirants, Ms involved in graft,” he added.

Among those who have ex- Tuya, Tongoyo and Ntutu are pressed their interest in the guber- close allies of Deputy President natorial seat include Labour CAS William Ruto and are likely to Patrick Ntutu and legislators; Ga- square it out in the newly-formed briel Tongoyo (Narok West), Dr United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominations.

KDF soldiers differ with locals over land

By Abdi Hussein The Maasai Community residing on disputed land near the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) factory in Athi River recently engaged Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers in arguments over the land.

The KDF officers were fencing off the controversial land that the government was using for a goat and sheep breeding project along the Machakos-Kajiado border.

"We gave out the land to the State but after the project collapsed, government agencies now want to questionably possess the land," said Empakasi Oolera Trust chairman James Turere.

He claimed that Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) was being used as an excuse by certain powerful individuals out to grab their land.

The KDF recently took over the meat processing facility through a

decree made by President moved to court Uhuru Kenyatta. in 2020 after Local youths engaged the 2,000 acres the soldiers in heated exchunk of land changes while the latter was given to were digging holes across Nairobi Nationthe large tracts of land in al Park. They readiness to erect a fence. said it amounted Armed, the soldiers to historical land seemed unperturbed claiminjustice. ing they had an express They manorder from the KMC boss aged to obtain a KDF soldiers at Sheep and Goat land recently to fence the piece of land stay court order during the disagreement with locals over fencbecause the factory is curfrom Machakos ing of the controversial land. Photo/Abdi Hussein rently under military conEnvironment trol. and Lands court Despite serving them that prohibited four hours. with a court order, the officers went With palpable tension, the of- government agencies from accessahead with their mission until mem- ficers halted the fencing that would ing the land until the case was heard bers of the public became angry and have seen the eviction of dozens of and determined. engaged in an argument with the families residing within the targeted The 2,912 acre piece of land officers. was in the 1970s acquired by the area.

Journalists were blocked from Members of the Maasai com- government to be used for sheep filming the ongoing verbal ex- munity living on the land had and goat breeding but the project change that lasted for more than collapsed and the community re-

settled on the land.

The land that is located a few kilometres from Kitengela township, also hosts dozens wild animals from neighbouring Nairobi National Park.

It has several water towers, Empakasi primary school and residential homes.

"We will fight for our rights and we will no longer accept intimidation by the government,” said resident Wilson Kisemei.

The residents represented by lawyer Otiende Amolo have since held a crisis meeting with the KMC management and agreed to enjoin the factory management in the court case.

KMC has, however, insisted the project to fence some livestock paddocks will continue until an order stopping them is issued.

JUNE,2021

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COUNTY PRESS

Girls in Kajiado outshine Boys in 2020 KCPE

By Our Reporter

Isinya and Kajiado North sub-counties produced the highest number of learners who scored 400 marks and above in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in Kajiado County.

According to the county’s analysis, Isinya sub-county had a total of 153 leaners scoring 400 marks and above of whom 78 were boys while 75 were girls.

Kajiado North sub-county followed with 131 scoring 400 marks and above as girls outshined boys in the peri-urban region as 77 scoring over 400 compared to only 54 boys..

Kajiado Central, Kajiado West, Loitokitok and Mashuuru sub-counties had nine, 31, four and five candidates respectively who scored 400 marks and above.

A majority of them were boys with an exception of Loitokitok sub-county which had three girls scoring over 400 and only one boy attaining the same.

Generally, the county had 333 learners scoring 400 marks and above with majority of 175 being girls while boys were only 158.

A total of 11 boys and no girl scored below 99 marks in the county as Kajiado West led with

the highest number of nine, followed by Kajiado Central which had two boys.

The results further revealed that private schools in the county performed better than public schools.

Analysis of the mark range for those who scored 400 marks and above shows that private schools produced the highest number of candidates.

Private schools had 318 candidates of whom majority were girls who were 170 against the boys who were 148; out of the entire 333 total number of candidates who scored 400 marks and above in the county.

Public schools had only 15 candidates scoring 400 marks and above out of 333 candidates, which only included 10 boys and 5 girls.

Private schools in Isinya, Kajiado North and West subcounties had the highest number of candidates scoring 400 marks and above.

The county had 21, 789 candidates who sat 2020 KCPE with 11, 392 being boys, while girls were only 10, 397.

Loitokitok, Kajiado North, West and Central were the only sub-counties which recorded the highest number of candidates who sat the 2020 KCPE with over 3, 000 candidates.

KCPE ANALYSIS S/NO COUNTY

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

3.

4.

5.

6.

3.

4.

5.

6.

250 - 299

200 - 249

SUBCOUNTY

400 & ABOVE

PERFORMANCE RANGES -PUBLIC SCHOOLS 350 – 399 300 - 349

250 - 299

200 - 249

BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL KAJIADO ISINYA 1 0 1 65 47 112 143 132 275 179 192 371 186 170 356 KJD 3 0 3 82 67 149 229 168 397 486 365 851 591 482 1073 CENTRAL KJD NORTH 2 2 4 180 166 346 130 172 302 355 384 739 375 432 507 KJD WEST 1 0 1 42 38 80 215 155 370 489 375 864 506 486 992 LOITOKTOK 1 3 4 110 96 206 398 321 719 711 713 1424 616 684 1300 MASHUURU 2 0 2 35 23 58 163 113 276 230 213 443 217 201 418

TOTAL 10 5 15 514 437 951 1278 1061 2339 2450 2242 4692 2491 2455 4946

S/NO COUNTY

1.

2.

PERFORMANCE RANGE (PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMBINED) 400 & ABOVE 350 – 399 300 - 349

BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL KAJIADO ISINYA 78 75 153 383 310 693 354 338 692 286 315 601 243 239 482 KJD 7 2 9 152 117 269 356 261 617 588 438 1026 627 536 1163 CENTRAL KJD NORTH 54 77 131 583 546 1129 534 362 896 599 527 1126 615 579 1194 KJD WEST 14 17 31 160 141 301 321 249 570 536 441 977 534 519 1053 LOITOKTOK 1 3 4 175 172 347 502 409 911 783 791 1574 645 725 1370 MASHUURU 4 1 5 82 64 146 199 153 352 243 231 474 227 209 436

TOTAL 158 175 33 1535 1350 2885 2266 1772 4038 3035 2743 5778 2891 2807 5698

S/NO COUNTY

1.

2.

SUBCOUNTY

SUBCOUNTY

400 & ABOVE

PERFORMANCE RANGES - PRIVATE SCHOOLS 350 – 399 300 - 349

250 - 299

200 - 249

BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL BOYS GIRLS TOTAL KAJIADO ISINYA 77 75 152 318 263 581 211 206 417 107 123 230 57 69 126 KJD 4 2 6 70 50 120 127 93 220 102 73 175 36 54 90 CENTRAL KJD NORTH 52 75 127 403 380 783 404 190 594 244 142 387 240 147 387 KJD WEST 13 17 30 118 103 221 106 94 194 47 66 113 28 33 61 LOITOKTOK 0 0 0 65 76 141 104 88 192 72 78 150 29 41 70 MASHUURU 2 1 3 47 41 88 36 40 76 13 18 31 10 8 18

TOTAL 148 170 318 1021 913 1934 988 711 1699 585 501 1086 400 352 752

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4

COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

POLITICS The populous Kajiado North Constituency with a population of 306,596 is proposed to be chopped to form an extra constituency, same to Kajiado East Constituency with population of 210,473.

BBI: Kajiado leaders clamour for more MPs

By Abdi Hussein Intensive lobbying for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) bill was going on in Kajiado County, before the High Court slammed breaks on the process.

Interest was spiced by the proposed additional 70 constituencies which the High Court ruling also declared unconstitutional.

The BBI bill had proposed three more constituencies in Kajiado if it proceeds to the referendum stage and gets ratified

by Kenyans.

Politicians in the county were earnestly positioning themselves politically to benefit from the new constituencies.

There were proposals that Kajiado North constituency with a population of 306,596 should be split to form an extra constituency.

They had also suggested that Kajiado East with population of 210,473 be hived, while the third new constituency could have taken part of Kajiado North and East constituencies.

The proposals had raised simmering tensions between supporters of politicians with a large migrant community following and those backed by the local Maasai voters.

Several politicians had positioned themselves to benefit from

Politician Solomon Kinyanjui.

Peter Mositet, former Senator.

the spoils including former Senator Peter Mositet and business mogul cum politician Dr Solomon Kinyanjui.

Those two among others are eyeing to capture the Kajiado North parliamentary seat in the populous constituency.

The call for the subdivision of Kajiado East constituency has ignited a standoff, considering the constituency boasts of both urban and rural wards.

Olosirkon/Sholinke and Kitengela wards are urban wards while Imaroro, Kaputiei and Kenyawa/Poka comprise the rural wards.

Some politicians were said to have been lobbying and holding secret meetings as they demanded that Namanga road from Kitengela town to Isinya Township be used to set the boundary of a new constituency.

According to sources privy to new developments, some natives wanted the proposed constituency on the lower side of the road to be retained as Kajiado East Constituency.

The proposed new constituency on the upper side of the road, whose name was still being debated by the natives was then to be created,.

Residents of Kitengela town will be forced to travel 65kms to Mashuuru for constituency services if proposals by few politicians are adopted in case the appeal case filed by the BBI proponents is successful

Elijah Memusi Kanchori, Kajiado Central MP.

Daniel Kanchori, former Oloosirokon MCA.

and the referendum is passed.

Traders in Kitengela are however not excited: “Kajiado East constituency including Kitengela town should be made a new constituency because residents are mostly traders who share the same ideologies and interests,” said businessman George King’ori.

They want the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commision (IEBC) to consult all interested parties when reviewing the constituency boundaries.

Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi has waded into the boundary theatrics, arguing that his constituency is too vast hoping that any review will consider the area.

Senior lawyer and politician Mr Daniel Kanchori says ward and constituency boundary review is a process that follows certain requirements.

Kanchori slammed politicians for misleading electorates for selfgains. “ I know some politicians might be pushing for a review of boundaries with self-interest but let them know subdivision of a constituency is not the same as sharing a loaf of bread that is done in a huff,” said Kanchori.

Among factors considered by IEBC before reviewing a constituency boundary include population, geographical features, urban centres, community interest, communication, cultural matters and the economy.

KAJIADO EAST

MP tells County Govt: No services, no taxes

By Staff Reporter Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko has accused the County Government of Kajiado of failing to provide essential services while harassing residents for taxes.

She said the devolved unit ought not collect taxes while neglecting complaints of poor service from members of public especially in periurban areas.

She told the Kawendo Family Group a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) while issuing title deeds to their members in Kitengela recently that the county government leadership has failed miserably.

She said uncollected garbage in urban towns, poor road network, alleged biased employment, lack of water and sewer lines, corruption and grabbing of public utilities plots was

Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko (right) issues a title deed to a member of Kawendo Family Group flanked by his family members recently at Kisaju, Kajiado East. The group bought land through bank financing. Photo/Abdi Hussein

rampant.

“The county government ought not to be collecting taxes from the same people it has denied services,” she said.

“The county is bleeding,” said the second term legislator while insisting that a responsible government takes care of its people.

The MP who is eyeing the position of Governor, said Kajiado East Sub County has been sidelined in terms of development by the current leadership despite having cast a majority of the votes for the current administration after Kajiado North Sub County.

She urged residents to rally behind leaders who will be steadfast in improving their lives instead of taking them for granted.

“Our people do not need a chest thumping leader but one who is fo-

cused and ready to listen to their plight and come up with solutions,” said Tobiko.

She said bad leadership will continue holding people back and immerse them into poverty and urged the electorate in Kajiado to support her gubernatorial candidature in 2022 elections.

A prominent businessman cum politician in Kajiado George King’ori called for political tolerance, saying all candidates ought to be evaluated on their policies but not according to their ethnicity.

He said most investors in Kajiado want good service delivery for their business to flourish and in return help the county to boost its revenue collection.

“Politicians should play politics of unity that will not interfere with the smooth running of businesses and politics must not be based on ethnicity but on every candidate’s policies,” said King’ori.

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COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

PROFILE

‘Sir’Alex Ole Magelo- The story no one told you about The late Magelo dared to dream big away from tribal cocoons to excel in unfamiliar territories in politics, marriage, social life and in the sports arena. A standing ovation was in order during his funeral.

Narok North legislator Moitatel Ole Kenta described the late Magelo as an honest leader who never shied away from championing Maa community rights.

“We are happy our Narok son has rested in “Maasai soil” but in Kajiado County. Ole Magelo fought tooth and nail for Mau forest. He was a friend you could confide in,” said Ole Kenta.

Former Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye described him as a politician who used to shoot straight without mincing his words.

By Abdi Hussein husseinabdi527@gmail.com The heavyset late Alex Magelo used to take small strides when walking, a seraphic smile on his face, and when he spoke in polished Queen’s language spiced with an American accent, he never disappointed. He became a colossal figure in Maa Nation counties politics for years.

The former Nairobi County Assembly speaker, Alex Sanaika Magelo, who was 67, succumbed to Covid-19 virus complications on May 8th after a stint at Nairobi Hospital.

The father of three and grandfather of four was laid to rest in his Kipeto home on Saturday May 15th, 2021.

The late Magelo dared to dream big away from tribal cocoons to excel in unfamiliar territories in politics, marriage, social life and in the sports arena. A standing ovation was in order during his funeral.

During his burial, Sir Alex, as he liked to be referred to by soccer lovers was showered with praises befitting a community kingpin. He came across as a patriot and de facto “peace broker” among his political class.

The late Magelo was born in Narok district in 1954 to the late Letoya Ole Magelo and the late Susan Magelo of Saiet as the first born son of 12 siblings.

He was survived by his wife Mrs. Lucy Muthoni Magelo,his children Peter Magelo (USA), Ms.Valentine Nashipae (Rwanda) and Ms. Maureen Magelo.

The multilingual Maasai community politician of Irkitoip ageset, Ole Magelo joined the paramilitary outfit in his early days where he served in the late President Jomo Kenyatta’s special commando unit after high school. He chose to pursue a de-

never favoured under the table deals a the expense of the community. We have lost a champion in Magelo,” said Mositet In 2019, Mositet and Ole Magelo were among several Kajiado leaders who came together to form the Muungano political outfit comprising former Governor David Nkedianye, Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko, Kajiado Central legislator Elijah Memusi, former NTSA boss Francis Meja.The outfit had become the biggest critic to Governor Lenku administration, but when the duo bolted the

A mourner carries a portrait of former Nairobi County Assembly speaker the late Alex Ole Magelo during the burial at his Kajiado Kipeto home. gree in Psychology in his late years.

He served as a nominated councillor in the defunct Nairobi County Assembly for 15 years before he was elected as the first speaker of Nairobi County Assembly between 20132017. Politics ran in his veins so much so that sometime back when he was unwell, he still used to attend political rallies albeit standing up with much difficulties.

Though he twice took a stab at Kajiado West parliamentary position and flopped, he positioned himself as a shrewd politician forming his own “political powerhouse.”

During his burial, his son Peter Magelo eulogised him as a charming steadfast father with a warrior spirit, overzealous and admired by many.

“The people loved Mzee, and Mzee loved them.He was a great dad,” he said.

Family members and friends of former Nairobi County Assembly speaker Alex Ole Magelo carry the casket bearing his remains at his Kajiado Kipeto home during his burial on May 15th 2021. Photos/Abdi Hussein His bosom buddy former Kajiado senator Peter Mositet eulogised him as a leader gifted with wisdom and who held the Maasai community pertinent issues close to his heart.

“Ole Magelo was a colossal figure in shaping of Kajiado politics. He was always there for our people. He

outfit collapsed with a thud.

Mositet was appointed Chairman of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority Board and Magelo was appointed by President Kenyatta as a member of the Kenya Leather Development Council last year.

Lately, the duo had become Governor Lenku’s key defenders.

Magelo spearheaded the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in Kajiado county in the Maa Nation team chaired by Governor Lenku.

Kajiado North MP Joseph Manje eulogised the late Magelo as the unifying factor between the Maasai Community and the immigrants especially in the Metropolitan area.

“Our late brother was the bridge between the members of Maasai community and the immigrants. He fitted in both camps and served as a unifying factor. We have lost a sincere leader,” said Manje.

Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku described him as his key political defender and confidant who meant well for the Kajiado population. “ He was a leader who had mastered how to manoeuvre in the murky world of politics. May he rest in peace,” stated Governor Lenku.

He was a lover of football and once served as Chairman of AFC Leopards and also dabbled as an interested person in the politics of Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

AFC Leopards fraternity led by Dr Dun Shikanda eulogised Magelo as “Saviour” to the club when he served as the chairman.

Sir Alex was a diehard Manchester United football fan and lover of American history informed by his English flavoured with American accent and mannerism.

The late Magelo was a sucker for time. Most of the time he kept glancing at his giant watch always on his wrist. He was a political student of the late Prof George Saitoti, once Nairobi firebrand politician Fred Gumo and the late Maasai kingpin William Ole Ntimama. Adios Sir Alex!

KAJIADO EAST

Emergency bursary for parents hit by Covid-19

By Our Reporter More than 1,500 needy students from Kajiado East Sub County have benefited from a Sh13 million emergency bursary fund.

The money was allocated by the county to cushion poor parents hard hit by effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Kajiado East Constituency Development Fund N-CDF committee says the fund was established to help many needy students who are not in school.

Officials said needy students across the constituency increased by double digits since last year be-

cause most parents lost their means of livelihood due to the Covid -19 pandemic.

The needy students identified by local administration in all 20 locations in Kajiado East Sub County shared Sh10 million disbursed.

Another program that also caters for students with special needs under constituency sponsorship was allocated an extra Sh3million.

Most parents lauded the initiative saying their children’s education was in limbo after they were sent home with accumulated school fees balances.

“I’m a single mother who was unable to provide basic needs for

More than

1,500

needy students from Kajiado East Sub County have benefited from a Sh13 million emergency bursary fund.

my family because my secondhand clothes business collapsed last year due to Covid-19 pandemic,” said Dorcas Katuku with tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.

She is happy that the emergency bursary would at least help her son to go back to school.

During the disbursement of the funds recently Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko said the emergency bursary was agreed upon after many parents complained since schools opened early this year.

She reiterated her commitment to continue supporting needy students in the region to increase the wanting transition from primary

school to high school.

Tobiko said more funds were allocated for expansion of public primary schools especially in the populous Kitengela town to accommodate the big number of pupils whose parents are unable to maintain them in private schools.

“We are aware of the mass exodus of students from private schools to the few public schools especially in Kitengela but we will expand existing schools because availability of land to build new schools has been a challenge,” she added.

The needy students’ cheques were picked by local chiefs and some heads of respective schools.

6

COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

POLITICS

Nkedianye: I will be back with a bang Among them are the Kajiado town mega library and Ngong stadium, which he says were his flagship projects that would have improved hundreds lives.

He says they were condemned into white elephant projects by the Lenku administration after schemes were hatched to deny them funding.

He said bad advisers to the Governor Lenku orchestrated a wellchoreographed scheme to deny the project's annual funding.

"Kajiado library would have catered for education needs for pupils and students while Ngong stadium was to help youths grow their sport talents but all that is a pipe dream," said Nkedianye.

The Sh119million library complex project was designed to have a cultural centre, resource centre, ICT block, recreation facility and children training unit.

The idea was mooted to cultivate a reading culture in the county targeting rural folks but five years later it remains an elusive dream.

The Sh198 million project Ngong Sports Complex project also commenced in the 2014-2015 financial year but currently only unkempt long grass can be seen there with very little progress.

By Abdi Hussein husseinabdi527@gmail.com

Former Kajiado County Governor Dr David Nkedianye says he is a man on a mission and that is to send the current occupant of the office home.

With less than a year remaining before gubernatorial seats are declared free for contest by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the former governort is preparing for the titanic battle.

He is assembling his troops in readiness to square it out with incumbent Governor Joseph ole Lenku saying he is the best bet to lead the county.

In an exclusive interview with County Press, he exuded confidence that he will be re-elected because of his development record when he was the governor.

The man known for his oratory skills says the current county boss will be haunted by his poor scorecard across the county.

Dr Nkedianye claimed the current administration has missed on priorities and is playing snowballing politics with mega projects his administration started.

In the 2017 general election, the Governor Lenku euphoria swept across the urban centres giving him a comfortable win of 174,982 votes against the then incumbent Nkedianye’s146,634 votes.

The large migrant population was a key determinant of the election outcome because they overwhelmingly voted for Lenku.

The Party of National Unity candidate Daniel Mpute Nina (Livondo) who came a distant third managed a paltry 3,012 votes.

Dr Nkedianye is now spoiling for a grand return match, as realignments take shape in the entire county especially in the gubernatorial race.

Pundits have billed the Kajiado race as one that will be tightly contested but Nkedianye says the projects he initiated will speak for him to the electorate.

Dr Nkedianye claimed the current administration has missed on priorities and is playing snowballing politics with mega projects his administration started.

Nkedianye slammed Governor Lenku administration for riding on World Bank funded projects in satellite towns terming it as a desperate move to hoodwink electorates.

He gave Lenku administration 40 percent score in performance, saying all the big projects in urban towns were donor funded.

“Let the county tell electorate

what they have done in the last three years.

They are performing terribly low," he added.

He faulted the dalliance between the Executive and County Assembly because of the Jubilee party tyranny of numbers in county assembly.

The former governor said most Members of County Assembly (MCAs) have absconded oversight roles to become the governor’s cronies.

"We expect our honorable MCAs to carry their oversight role diligently but some have gone to bed with the executive because of handouts and freebies which are not sustainable Former Governor, David Nkedianye making a point in an exclusive in any administration," said interview at a Kitengela hotel recently. Photo/Abdi Hussein Dr Nkedianye.

He claimed that during his tenure, he refused to be The current bus driver, he said, mantra. blackmailed even when political turis unable to control it and the whole "Most politicians including bulence was heavy. scenario paints a pathetic picture. myself are weighing options before Jubilee party boasts a majorGovernor Lenku recently said in declaring their party of choice for ity of both elected and nominated MCAs in the assembly and also a TV interview, that Nkedianye was 2022,” said Nkedfianye.

Nkedianye remained dodgy has the largest fraction of all elected his only challenger for governorship in 2022 elections. when asked if he was considering leaders.

He dismissed Kajiado East MP ditching ODM party before the genNkedianye recounted that his Peris Tobiko, Kajiado South MP eral election. tenure was challenging considering He said he had made political inthe devolved unit was being actu- Katoo Ole Metito and former NTSA boss Francis Meja who are also eyeroads in the metropolis areas of Kaalised and he did not have majority ing seat as jokers jiado, considered to have the swing MCAs backing in the assembly.

"I believe he is being haunted by vote especially in the populous KaThe former chairman of the Namy development scorecard shadows jiado North Sub County. tional Water Harvesting and Storage "In 2017 elections the ODM Authority, said the current county across the county because my administration left an indelible mark party was overshadowed by Jubilee administration is a "one man show" with dozens of ghost workers and but the time of reckoning is nigh,” party euphoria especially in satellite towns. I have made major inroads officers without portfolio but on said Nkedianye.

He downplayed rumours that gaining political ground. Most votpayroll.

He said there is a skewed em- he was to vie for senatorial position ers are now willing to vote for me," ployment scheme disenfranchising saying they were being peddled by he said.

The former county boss insists the section of Kajiado electorates not his political detractors to derail him from the prize. his name will be on the ballot sayseen to support the administration.

All gubernatorial hopefuls in Ju- ing he will not play second fiddle to "There is rot in the current bilee are swearing allegiance to dif- anybody and asked other contenders administration from corruption, skewed employment and employee ferent factions with some inclined to to support his bid because he is the intimidation,” he said and likened President Kenyatta and ODM leader best bet to oust Governor Lenku. the county to a bus with dozens of Raila Odinga handshake politics, while others are trumpeting Deputy pickpockets.

President William Ruto’s hustler

KAJIADO NORTH

By Collins Ochieng’

Residents repair road after protest

Kajiado North Constituency businessman Christopher Leiyan Roimen led residents in rehabilitating part of Ongata Rongai – Maasai Lodge road following a public outcry on its poor state.

That was after local residents protested over frequent traffic jams and vehicles getting stuck in mud on the earth road.

Roimen who was operating the road grading machine said the contractor has not been piad

by the Treasury work,” said and that is why Roimen. the work had Residents slowed down. held peaceful “ To g e t h e r protest over the with other bad condition well-wishers of the road that from the area, connects Tuala we contributed ,Olekasasi and materials to Nazarene Unirepair the road versity. as we wait for There was the contractor Residents led by businessman Christopher Leiyan Roimen a traffic snarl to resume the rehabilitating part of Ongata Rongai – Ole kasasi road. up for half a day

after the road was barricaded with burnt tires, as Tuk Tuk and boda boda motorbike taxi operators who also big stones to block the road.

“The road has affected us negatively due to increased cost of vehicle and boda bodas moving goods from Gravity to Twala or Rimpa,” said Alex Wachira, a resident .

Mary Wambui an egg seller said: '' I encounter loss most of the time when a crate of eggs gets broken while transporting due to the potholes.''

JUNE, 2021

7

COUNTY PRESS

BUSINESS

Stalls bribery claim rocks Sh700m market

By Our Reporter husseinabdi527@gmail.com The controversial Sh700 million modern market in Ngong town, Kajiado County has been rocked by bribery allegations in stalls allocation ahead of its official opening.

The ultra-modern market that has a capacity of 2,300 stalls with an IT enabled department and modern offices was funded by the World Bank.

It has been plagued by controversies from 2016 when traders defied being relocated to the temporary market near the Ngong stadium.

The County Government of Kajiado spent Sh60 million to relocate the defiant traders to pave way for construction of the new market sitting on a large piece of land next to Ngong bus terminus.

However, after completion of the four storey modern market billed to be the largest in East Africa, tension is rife with alleged corruption and politics taking a centre stage.

The bone of contention is the

Some corrupt individuals are demanding bribes during allocation of the stalls and we are also aware that some well-connected people have been allocated stalls through proxy and that is a time bomb.

- trader allocation of more than 500 extra stalls from the 1,700 list of original traders.

A group of politicians working in cahoots with alleged corrupt individuals are said to be demanding Sh250,000 for allocation of a stall at the new business premises.

Some individuals are said to be planning to cause a fracas to stop the process of allocating the stalls.

Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku (left) issues an agreement letter to a group of people living with disability to manage Ngong market ground floor toilets on May 25th, 2021. Photo/Abdi Hussein Several lists of the traders have been circulated to the chagrin of traders as rumours spread that another list of traders was recovered from a dumpsite in Dagoreti thus widening the controversy.

“Some corrupt individuals are demanding bribes during allocation of the stalls and we are also aware that some well-connected people have been allocated stalls through proxy and that is a time bomb,” said a trader in confidence who asked Governor Joseph ole Lenku to intervene.

Armed security officers have been deployed within the precincts of the market to control members of the public from accessing the building.

Lenku who oversaw the allocation of stalls to the first batch of traders on May 25, 2021, urged traders not to give bribes to politicians or county government officers to be allocated stalls.

He promised traders that the allocation process of the stalls will be conducted fairly and those who used to operate in the previous open air market will be given first priority.

“We are aware some unscrupulous people are asking for money for one to be allocated stalls but those are criminals who will not be condoned and the stalls will be allocated for free to those deserving

them,” said Governor Lenku.

He urged the security officers to be on high alert to thwart any attempts by those being incited by politicians to interfere with the process .

He said no hawkers will be allowed back by the roadside in Ngong town and also assured them that the Ngong bus park has enough parking lots for passengers and public transport.

“The market is a major artery of business booming in the entire county and we will, therefore, not let a few individuals interfere for selfish gains,” he added.

All traders are required to set up a decent working table to avoid congestion in the new market and people living with disability have been given priority to manage the ground floor toilets to earn a living.

Those who were lucky to get some stalls are optimistic that a windfall will be brought courtesy of the new market.

The market is expected to be opened by President Kenyatta any time soon and the county government will be responsible for daily running of the market.

The project is funded by the World Bank through the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Improvement Programme (NAMSIP).

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The manager will ensure your resolutions of New Year are fulfilled, a manager who advises you giving you dos and don’ts that will make you a happy landlord or tenant.

Bonny Njagua Ventures is among trusted house letting and property management ventures in Kajiado County, you should try the agent this year if you want to be successful in property world or if you want to live in an affordable house.

As a customer you will enjoy services such as paying bills as well as rent through your mobile phones without struggle, this will create more time for you to adventure other services.

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8

COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

HolyStar among top schools in KCPE 2020

Isaac Nyandika, The Headteacher.

By Obegi Malack HolyStar Academy is among top schools in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in Kajiado County.

The school located at Pharmada Estate, Rangau in Ongata Rongai recorded a mean score of 374 and was among leading schools.

The school head teacher Isaac Nyandika said they registered 21 candidates out of who four managed to score above 400 out of the possible 500 marks.

He attributed the sterling performance to the

learning patterns adopted by the school which ensured that all students studied as a group and none was left behind.

“There is no student who is left behind because they maintained good working relationships among themselves,” he said.

He also pointed out the fact that the pupils are inculcated with Christian values which contributed to the performance because they did not engage in wayward behaviour during the pandemic period.

The school is also a wellknit community because pupils and the administration live and work as a family which makes them relate well and share any challenges they face.

The head-teacher said they have meals together

Caleb Motende, 407 marks.

Daisy Moraa,

Debora Ooga, 401 marks.

Edson Hiram, 401 marks.

403 marks.

Holy Star 2020 KCPE candidates with Principal (left) and School Director.

and that is the time they freely share emerging issues among themselves.

Nyandika said although they had Covid-19 related challenges due to the closure of schools, they held online classes and ensured that the candidates received revision materials on time.

The school offers Early Childhood and Development Education (ECDE) and primary school classes.

It offers day and boarding facilities for students from class 6 to 8 and also caters for all the boys and girls academic and social needs.

It is constructing more building structures to accommodate more pupils in

the new Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).

The School started in 2009 with one teacher and two pupils in a one bedroom house guided by the motto of Education Is Never Complete Without Character.

It has grown and has a total population of more than 420 pupils, both day and boarding scholars.

The first group sat KCPE in 2015 and recorded a mean grade of 358.67 and the school has since then lived up to its Vision: To be a Role Model World Class Educational Provider in All Aspects.

The School Gate.

Who is behind rising Kitengela’s killings?

By Abdi Hussein husseinabdi527@gmail.com The transfer of senior police officers and administration officers in Kajiado East has not stopped run away crime in the populous Kitengela town and its environs.

The area remained a crime hotspot when five people were recently murdered in cold blood as property was also looted in the past two months in the town.

All the five murders occurred past curfew hours after the victims had engaged in alcohol drinking sprees.

Public outcry recently saw Isinya Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Stanley Too replaced by Justus Musau.

Long serving Isinya Police Division boss Kinyua Mugambi was transferred also to Kajiado county headquarters and replaced by Anderson Njagi.

But Njagi served for only a month before he was transferred to Athi River, in neighbouring Machakos County in the same capacity paving way for Ben Changulo as the new boss.

Nevertheless, security in the entire region remains elusive with Norkopir, Kyang'ombe and Korompoi estates bearing the major brunt of

crime.

The five murder cases in the last two months involved middle aged men said to have been hacked to death by unknown people after the 8pm curfew deadline and their bodies dumped by the roadside.

“Most of these killings were brutal and almost unimaginable, leaving questions yet without any possible arrest or even a credible suspect,” said a resident.

"Norkopir and Kyang'ombe estates remained insecurity hot spots because police officers have not stopped the wave of rising crime," said resident John Wambua.

He said house break-ins and unsolved murders have become a norm and people are being killed during curfew hours when police officers are said to be on patrols.

As criminals patronise Norkopir, visiting terror on innocent residents of the middle class estate, two police posts stand unoccupied two to three years after completion.

One police post was funded by Kajiado East Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the second post in Sifa farm was constructed by residents. Before Njagi was transferred, he had noted that the posts were not gazetted and fell short of a police post requirements.

"The police posts do not have an armory, report office, male and fe-

Samuel Maina displays a spent bullet at Isinya Mabatini area recently. He sustained gunshot wounds reportedlly when police entered the populous area within Isinya town to check on people who allegedlly were not adhering to curfew hours.

Photo/Abdi Hussein male cells among other requirements for a police post before gazettement but we will be deploying officers in the two posts during the day," said Mr Njagi.

Locals say deployment of of-

ficers during the day does not help considering criminals usually strike at night. Cases of burglary and vehicle theft sharply increased in the last two months, while in another incident a middle aged woman was gang raped on the way home along Old Namanga road recently.

Four men were reported to have been abducted on 19th April after a nyama choma lunch at a popular Enkare club.

The four Jack Anyago,37,Elijah Obuong Obuong ,35, Benjamin Imbai (30) and Brian Odour 36 years vanished only for their mobile signals to be switched along Namanga road the same day.

Their white saloon car Toyota Mark X was abandoned in a parking lot a few metres from the club.

Mr Obuong and Imbai bodies were later traced to Mathioya River in Murang'a County and General Kago funeral home in Kiambu respectively stashed in a gunny bag.

Early May 2021, livestock thieves stormed Samuel Tupet Korompo’s home in the middle of night and drove away his entire 35 Dopper sheep valued at Sh420,000.

They emptied his goats shed and slaughtered two of them at his main gate and sprinkled the blood on the gate.

On 12th May, 2021 police officers forcibly entered the populous

Mabatini area within Isinya town and reportedly began harassing tenants at around 9pm on claims of not adhering to curfew hours.

One officer allegedly fired a live bullet through one of the mabati houses grazing Samuel Maina’s head with a bullet.

The officers returned the following morning and combed the area while looking for bullet spent cartridge allegedly ssssto conceal evidence.

A resident claimed to have lost Sh20, 000 during the melee as residents scampered for safety before later rushing the injured resident to a nearby hospital.

"Police officers on duty at Isinya Police Station refused to record my statement,'' said Maina.

The owner of the premises Isaac Kuria, condemned the incident, as residents claimed police officers in the fast growing town often harass them.

Residents now want Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to intervene and ensure police protect civilians.

Contacted for comment, the new Isinya Sub County Police Commander Ben Changulo said he had barely reported into Isinya station as the new boss a few hours after the incident happened, adding that an investigation would be conducted.

COUNTY PRESS

JUNEL, 2021

9

POLITICS

CS Tobiko, Lenku clash at Magelo’s funeral

By Abdi Hussein husseinabdi527@gmail.com Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko clashed with Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku during former Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Alex ole Magelo’s burial over protocol issues.

The two leaders had joined hundreds of mourners who had persevered cold weather to bid farewell to a man many eulogised as a Maasai community rights champion at his Kipeto home in Kajiado on May 15, 2021.

Both sat on the first row separated by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s elder sister Christina Pratt who brought the President’s written message.

From a distance, one could see some palpable tension between the two leaders with each keeping to himself, as speakers showered the late Magelo with praises.

The tension finally exploded into tough talk when Governor Lenku was invited to the dais by his deputy Martin Moshisho to make his address.

He quickly stamped his authority and re-organised the programme and protocols by asking the CS to make his address so that he could be the last one to speak “because he is an elected leader” in Kajiado.

“I will now invite my brother CS Tobiko to address the mourners because as the leader

KAJIADO NORTH

By Obegi Malack Kajiado North sub county Education Director John Njoroge has praised public schools for recording exemplary performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2020 exam.

He said the good performance posted by public schools was due to reduced number of learners.

Njoroge said the big population of pupils in public schools had been the biggest challenge in provision of quality learning and services.

“Teachers were also able to have enough time with the learners and they had to compensate the time they lost when schools closed due to Covid-19,” said Njoroge.

it...ehe, “ said bitter Tobiko.

The CS probably felt he was senior to the Governor because he sits in the national government and his position is superior to that of the County President not knowing Lenku was going to pull a fast one on him.

Governor Lenku was then left to hog the limelight for more than 30 minutes on the dais, not mincing his words about the protocol issue raised

by Tobiko.

“For those worried about protocols: Protocols are given by the electorate not otherwise,” said Lenku.

He also rebuked an MP whose name he did not mention, who allegedly voted for the BBI bill in the national assembly only to slaughter a bull to celebrate the judgment made

by High Court judges to stop it.

“Anyway tuwachane nahayo hasira isiingie, (Let us leave that because it is annoying),” he concluded before asking Environment CS Keriako Tobiko (left) and Kajiado County Gov- Christina Pratt to deliver the ernor Joseph ole Lenku exchange greetings during the late for- President’s message. mer Nairobi Speaker Alex Magelo’s burial at his Kajiado Kipeto On May 14, 2021, two MPs home on May 15th. Photo/Abdi Hussein and a Senator are said to have been filmed celebrating the five bench judge ruling at a elected by people of Kajiado, I eating the humble pie. meat feast in Kajiado. will be the one to invite Mama At first, he threw tantrums Kajiado West MP George Pratt to deliver President Ke- over protocols saying he will Sunkuyia who supports the the nyatta’s message,” said the ir- revisit the issue in another fo- Tanga Tanga faction allied to ritated looking Lenku. rum.

Deputy President William Ruto The statement hit CS Tobi“If we were in another fo- had earlier fired the first salvo ko like thunderbolt, as he hesi- rum, I would have raised issues when he said the late Magelo tated for a moment, resting his on protocols but I will let it go was the Maasai Spokesman afchin on a baton he had before for now because we will revis- ter late Ole Ntimama.

“This man Magelo was fighting for Maa Community rights after the late Ntimama.

He was there for us in Mau forest dispute and other challenges facing our people,” said Sunkuiya.

In 2020 Governor Lenku was installed by elders from all the six counties where Maa speakers live to be their spokesperson and kingpin.

Though the family and funeral committee had requested for a non-political funeral, county politics played out.

Conspicuously absent was Kajiado South MP Katoo Ole Metito and his Kajiado East counterpart Peris Tobiko, both eyeing governorship.

That spoke volumes considering Governor Lenku had been bestowed by the family with the responsibility of spearheading the burial plans.

Both the Governor and the CS had visited the family to mourn with them earlier in the week but it was Lenku who officially announced the death of the late Magelo on May 8, 2021 as requested by the family.

Governor Lenku eulogised the late Magelo as a man who was his administration’s number one defender.

It appears protocol issues will continue playing out between governors, Cabinet Secretaries and senators eyeing governorship as the 2022 succession debate rages on.

Govt denies aiding public schools in exams He said private schools had challenges of teachers leaving to focus on other careers since they were out of school for a long time.

Private schools managers have argued that the standardization used favored public schools.

Thorn Tree Academy head teacher Joseph Kamau said public schools did not perform better than private schools.

“Private schools had low marks in expected high performing schools while low performing public schools received high marks,” said Kamau.

He added that public schools were disadvantaged because they had no online learning and record high number of students which is difficult to manage but

Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha had issued a statement before the release of the examination indicating that administration and marking will take into account challenges candidates went through during the nine – month Covid-19 shutdown.

they came out of the blues to top the country which is questionable.

Kamau said the government should be friendly to private schools and treat all equally since the pupils learning there are also Kenyan citizens and the parents pay taxes just like those in public schools.

He noted that categorizing of students during marking of the examination and registration should also be done away with.

Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha had issued a statement before the release of the examination indicating that administration and marking will take into account challenges candidates went through during the nine – month Covid-19 shutdown.

This was translated as benefiting those from public schools who the pandemic cut off their valuable time of six months.

The Education Permanent Secretary Dr Julius Jwan rubbished the allegations that the results were moderated to give private schools low marks.

He said the private schools had financial challenges and lost teachers to other sectors during the six months break, these caused decline in performance.

During the six months period the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) offered lessons through radio and TV lessons. Most private schools held their lessons online.

10

MAY 2021

COUNTY PRESS

EDITORIAL

Counties’ post Covid-19 recovery strategy needed Nothing as of now, besides politics, has arrested the attention of national and county governments as has Covid-19 pandemic, whose socio-economic effects have been felt far and wide globally. Ever since the first case was reported in the country on 13th March, 2020, it has had a debilitating effect on the country’s economy triggering job losses and livelihoods.

Amid pay cuts and tough times, Kenya Bureau of Statistics report put job losses at 4.64 million. Never before has the world seen anything so devastating since the Spanish Flu that killed 50 million people. That said, the 170 million currently infected worldwide with 3.5 million deaths is disconcerting—Kenya has reported 171,266 cases with 3206 fatalities— as a life lost is one too many.

Schools closure for nine months, a curfew and partial lockdown led to unusual spike in teen pregnancies, early marriages besides other woes.

With supply of World Health Organisation (WHO) COVAX funded AstraZeneca vaccine from Indian Serum Institute dwindling, thanks to the Indian deadly variant, a third and perhaps fourth wave in the counties could spell doom for us. As infections surge, the grim reality is that for some time we will have to live with pandemic in the new normal.

This fact calls for a rethink to craft a post Covid-19 economic recovery strategy for both counties and national government.

Since vaccine penetration is at a measly 4.5 and with 37 percent of Kenyans living below the poverty line, the odds are stacked against us.

Counties like Narok and Kajiado that rely on tourism and specifically the hospitality industry, have been hit hard by air travel ban leading to loss of a huge segment of their revenue from world famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Amboseli national park respectively, among other attractions. That is why these counties and others must recalibrate policies to quickly revive commerce. Narok and Kajiado governors Samwel Tunai and Joseph Lenku should work together under Narok-Kajiado Economic Bloc (NAKAEB) to restart stalled development projects.

Narok county lost Sh2.25 billion, 90 per cent in revenue from Maasai Mara due to the pandemic as Kajiado, too, had its commercial activities disrupted.

Counties should realize it takes a healthy population to tap resources and ramp up vaccination even as they observe social distancing and hand washing and wearing of face masks for some time to come.

RELAYING FRESH NEWS FROM

KAJIADO & NAROK COUNTIES

www.countypress.co.ke Chief Executive Officer: Peter Silsil Revise Editor: John Nyaosi Editor: Fred Biketi Business Development Manager: Stephen Makabila Layout & Design: Gabriel Sankale, Sydney Kimiywi Distribution Team: Daniel Maganya, Gerald Labatt & Peter Suge

Registered at GPO as a newspaper

OPINION & COMMENTARY

Good grades to restore confidence of public schools The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations released recently should boost the confidence of public schools after their sterling performance despite the Covid-19 pandemic challenges.

The high grades scored by public schools candidates across the country were indicators that they can regain their lost glory.

For those of us who went to school when private schools were an unknown phenomenon, the performance can only be welcomed with a sense of nostalgia.

It is also a wakeup call to policy makers in the education sector to do a lot of soul searching on where the rain began to beat our public schools to a point where they were being viewed as mediocre and a preserve of the less endowed in the society.

Granted, the private schools came in handy to fill the yawning gap in pupil enrolment and offered a welcome reprieve to those parents who wanted quality education for their children.

With the ever rising population of learners, a majority of public schools suffered a serious shortage of learning facilities and requisite infrastructure.

And so they became the underdogs in the education sector as parents opted to take their children to private schools.

However, with time some of the private schools turned themselves into business and entrepreneurship ventures in a do-or-die competition

for the best academic results which in turn was used as a bait to lure more learners and increase income for the institutions.

The private schools model as initially envisaged was obliterated and raw greed among the owners was witnessed through a cut throat

By Pascal Mwandambo

The high grades scored by public schools candidates across the country were indicators that they can regain their lost glory.

competition to get the best examination grades even using unorthodox means.

Some trained teachers with TSC numbers who could have been serving in public schools were lured with the bait of better pay to teach in some of the private schools thereby denying public schools the much needed workforce.

The coming of the coronavirus pandemic has however impacted heavily on the education sector and as things stand now, some private schools have been major casualties.

Starved of the much needed funds required for their survival as learning remained in limbo, most of them were forced to close shop or drastically scale down their operations.

On the other hand, all is not lost and the corona pandemic should serve as an eye opener on how to address emerging challenges in our education sector.

Top among them is the issue of school infrastructure and staffing, because regulations brought about by the pandemic such as social distancing requires expanding of existing infrastructure.

Hand washing with running water requires supply of piped water to our schools, which remains a pipe dream to most schools at the moment.

The writer is a freelance journalist, blogger and publisher Ndambo2010@gmail.com

COUNTY PRESS

OPINION

JUNE, 2021

11

Worrying times for job seekers as unemployment crisis worsens One of my painful moments in life is when confronted with so many needy cases where I have little or nothing I can do or offer.

Each week I get requests for employment from friends for their own children or relatives. And each week is a nightmare of being unable to help a person who wants to get some financial independence and willing to work but opportunities are lacking.

At times it gets into my mind that there is too much suffering. It’s never easy especially if you live in poor parts of the world.

I grew up when Kenyan economy was slower than the demands for jobs in the 1980s and the 1990s. It also coincided with difficult political moments in the country when the then KANU regime was also growing increasingly intolerant to any change but luckily the global political changes were not in its favour, especially with the fall of the then USSR and the communist/socialist dictatorship in late 1980s that had a stranglehold on especially countries in Eastern Europe. The West especially USA was not in any mood to keep propping or protecting any regime especially those with dictatorial tendencies after the end of

the cold war. Change had to come and it did.

While I was schooling at that period, I would face the spite or snide remarks like we were schooling and getting degrees en route to unemployment as hopes of getting jobs were also thinning by the day.

Population growth was unmatched by the ability to create jobs in the country. With Kenya tradition woes of corruption strangling the econo- Harrison Mwirigi Ikunda my and politics, it was not When we moved on to as promising at all. At one time while visiting some- the world of work many of one older than me who was us still found ourselves in doing well in the informal formal employment espesector, he snidely said that cially in the private sector.

While my age group people are busy studying grew up there was little to for degrees and wondered do or even sense about mowhere we were headed to.

I did politely respond bile telephony. Today, one that while we had heard for has to acknowledge transyears that Nigerians had ac- formation that has happened quired so many degrees and especially with regard to unemployment in Nigeria impacts of rapid changes was a big problem, we had in technology. Mobile telenot seen their government phony is currently a norm or there closing down universi- part of life. Mobile phones ties or higher education de- are an essential part of life spite the challenges. People today. While we grew there were still pulling through were no mobile money despite the problems there. transfer services like Mpesa.

I optimistically said there is Emails and social media or always a way for human be- even internet generally was ings to keep innovating and unheard of. Today Whatthus could not just give up sApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tikon education.

Tok, and YouTube are like basic needs as they make communication, interaction, commerce, political and social engagements and even professional pursuits easy.

Today I find so many young people even working for foreign companies or organisations while still on the Kenyan soil.

Some even work from their living rooms. What I’m alluding to? Even with the dark clouds of unemployment there are still enablers and new ways of creating jobs and commercial opportunities are growing.

In the past there was no technology to rely on unlike now where one can get an idea on job search online.

Unlike today we lived in a lesser open society. Today I’m not in any way saying things are so better. Obviously those in the know will tell you our economic development has been outmatched by the needs of a rapidly growing population.

Our economic development has been far outpaced by our needs for growth.

China in the past was poor has has grown fast economically yet we have not found the full ‘magic’ to fix our economy and still encumbered by retrogressive and

Proposed bill to empower women

By Obegi Malack

Locals during public participation exercise on Kajiado County Women Empowerment Fund Bill, 2021. Photo/Obegi Malack. income generated from the proceeds of the fund,” said Tonkei.

The fund will also be used to train and build capacity of women to eradicate poverty.

The purpose of the fund

The Writer is a Political, Economic and Social Analyst and Commentator.

YOU TELL US

GENDER & EMPOWERMENT

Women will get grants from the County Government of Kajiado if the proposed Women Empowerment Fund Bill (2021) is enacted into law.

The bill which is now at the public participation stage has received overwhelming support from local residents who now want its processing expedited so that they can benefit from the funds.

The Kajiado County Gender, Tourism, Wildlife, Youth and Sports Committee chairperson Yvonne Tonkei said the main objective of the bill is to facilitate the growth and development of women in the county.

“The empowerment fund will get monies appropriated through County Assembly grants, donations and

destructive habits like corruption.

This also happening when a dangerous phenomenon of climate change is busy decimating the world. and Kenya or any nation for that is not spared. I was doing some research on agriculture output for some crops like maize in Central Kenya and in parts of Kajiado lately. Unlike in the past the yields are much lower per acreage and crops more prone to varieties of diseases. Animals like chicken and cows are also afflicted.

Today many crops need varieties of chemicals and models of science to thrive unlike before.

Climate change is rapidly causing trouble unnoticed in many cases. Yet still when looked closely even Covid-19 and its various variants will be seen to likely have linkages to climate change.

On jobs, the government needs to be keenly aware that we have a lot to do to sustain a healthy population now and in future. When we grow an army of frustrated people we are creating a bad future for all of us.

is to expand access to finance in promotion of women businesses and enterprises at the sub-county and ward levels for economic growth; The bill also aims at modeling an alternative framework in funding com-

munity driven development to generate gainful self-employment for the women.

A portion of the fund equivalent to four (4%) percent will remain unallocated and shall be available to cover emergencies for women empowerment groups.

Allocations will be limited to groups with each getting a minimum of Sh100,000 and maximum of Sh300,000.

Myllene Anunda from Kajiado North said the bill will empower women who have suffered due to poor state of the economy.

The grant will be disbursed to legible applicants to a start-up business like micro and small enterprises, asset purchase, agri-business and asset financing and for business people to access local purchase orders.

Why I am mad with what is going on in Ngong I’m a peace loving and law abiding resident of Ngong. I’m also a bona fide and duly registered voter.

However, I’m perturbed by the rise in lawlessness, drug abuse and juvenile delinquency among the youth. They collude with criminal gangs to commit crime, cause disturbance of peace and also dumping of garbage in residential areas.

Uncollected garbage emits foul stench, it is an eye sore and a great health risk. We are all required to uphold high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. I am appealing, through County Press, to the relevant government authorities to take appropriate action.

- Mwalimu Rayan, Ngong

The Editor welcomes short and precise topical opinions of the day. Email your articles to: news@countypress.co.ke

COUNTY PRESS

12

JUNE, 2021

Naramat School candidates among top KCPE 2020 performers

N

a r a m a t Academy beat all odds posed by Covid-19 pandemic to emerge among top most improved schools in Kajiado County in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results.

The school which is located in Kajiado North Sub County posted a mean score of 368.21 up from 351.03 in 2019.

It registered 39 girls and 27 boys. The top candidate Karanja Kariuki scored 420 marks out of the possible 500 marks positioning him among the county’s top performers.

The school head teacher Steve Odero attributed the sterling performance to a concerted co-operative and collaborative teamwork among parents, teachers and students.

During the first phase of Covid-19, the school immediately initiated a manual home learning programme that saw

Steve Odero, Headteacher. parents collect assignments from the school for their children.

“The school invested in virtual learning programme.

This initiative created ample time for teachers to carry out individualized needs assessment for a possible remedial action upon resumption of learning later last year 2020,” he said.

Odero said student discipline, parental engagement and empowerment equally

played a fundamental role.

The school has a wellestablished mentorship and guidance and counselling structure manned by trained and qualified teacher counsellors.

In addition, the school has a robust teacher recruitment strategy with strict adherence to minimum qualification and subject specialization.

“Teachers and pupils motivation programmes and strong Christian foundation and values embedded in its motto ‘Determined to Excel’ are our key driving force,” he added.

ECDE Section.

The magnificent ECDE school.

Naramat Academy Congratulations to KCPE Class of 2020

POSITION SEX

NAME

1

M

KARANJA KARIUKI

420

ENID NDUTA

411

3

F F

RUKIA NAMUKHULA

410

F

MITTAN ZAWADI MWOGERA

407

M

SEAN MUCHIRI KIMEMIA

405

M

BRIGHTON MALELA MASAGHO

403

F

ABIGAIL NASHIPAE

403

F

JOY BOCHABERI OKEMWA

403

M

DERRICK KIMANI

402

M

ANTHONY MUNGAI

402

F

MEGAN NEEMA

401

F

KENDRA WAMUYU

400

2 4 5 6 7 8 9

Karanja Kariuki - 420.

Enid Nduta - 411.

Rukia Namukhula - 410.

Mittan Zawadi Mwongera- 407.

10 11 12

MARKS

SCHOOL AVERAGE

368

Sean Kimemia - 405.

Abigail Nashipae - 403.

Brighton Malela Masagho- 403.

Location: Matasia, Ngong Email: naramatacademy@gmail.com

Anthony Mungai - 402.

Megan Neema - 401.

Kendra Wamuyu- 400

JUNE, 2021

COUNTY PRESS

13

Good Hope Sacco diversifies its operations to maximize profits

By Nancy Masit Good Hope Sacco which was formally called Narok Teachers Sacco but later changed name in line with expanding activities has diversified its operations to maximize profits.

It is located at Mwalimu Plaza and is a deposit taking Sacco that serves not only the teachers but also other residents and workers.

The Sacco has plots for sale in Olerai which go for Sh300,000 per plot measuring 50 by 100m.

The amount is payable in two in-

stallments and its 5 minutes’ drive on Narok- Maasai Mara road.

Eure-Ekule plots are sold at Sh150,000 per 50 by 100m payable once, and is 2 kms from the tarmac road.

The sacco runs its Good Hope Business Centre where they rent out rooms at the cost of Sh10,000 per month per room. The centre has a bookshop which sells all types of books and materials for all learning institutions.

They have M–banking services and they also fund Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

Sacco CEO, Elvis Salaton Ololkipai.

Sacco has a bookshop as a subsidiary.

They boast of a coverage area of entire Narok County and have members from other counties like Siaya, Mombasa, Kajiado, Kisii besides provision of mobile banking services. Members borrow via mobile banking services.

They too have members from Maasai Mara Conservancies and they do capacity building for members on investments dealing with CBOS, FBOS and self-help groups.

The Sacco has Mahari Account where youths are encouraged to save money for marrying. They also offer Agricultural loan to farmers.

Good Hope products: - Normal loan which goes up to 48 months.

- Bank loan which goes up to 3 years.

- Emergency loan payable within one year.

- Premium loan payable within 3 months.

- Salary advance loan within one month.

- Tuliza loan payable within 9 months. _- Jumuika loan payable within 6 months.

There is also current and savings account, fixed deposit account and junior account.

Sacco has invested in technology through mobile banking.

Sacco CEO (left) walks in the streets to meet customers.

Mwalimu Plaza, the sacco headquarters.

A fruit vendor who has benefited from sacco loan.

A client being served at the FOSA.

Sacco staffer marketing plot for sale at a site in Narok. The sacco has ventured into the property market.

Boda boda riders also patronize sacco products and services.

For more information, contact : 0723- 031 812

14

JUNE, 2021

COUNTY PRESS

SPECIAL FEATURES

Henry Rufus Ole Kulet: The family’s untold story

T

By Lemomo ole Kulet he late Chinua Achebe once noted that “There is that great proverb — that until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” My dad Henry Rufus Ole Kulet was to the Maasai community what Chinua Achebe was to the Igbo community in Nigeria. Writing When my dad passed on recently, I received a lot of calls from friends, journalists, readers of his books and many more well-wishers to condole with our family. Most of these readers who called had a specific question that seemed to be asked by each and every one of them. They all wanted to know more about him and how he began his writing career. This year he was to celebrate his 50 years as a writer.

Henry Rufus Ole Kulet, DSM, EBS was born on 8th November 1946 at Enkare Ngusur, Narok County.

He began his academic journey at Siyiapei Primary School between 1955 to 1958, he later went to DEB Kilgoris Primary School between 1959 to 1962.

In 1963 he joined Narok Boys High School where he graduated in 1966 with Cambridge School Certificate. He did his professional certification at both Kenya Institute of Management (1970) for his Management Certificate, and Institute of Personnel Management (1975) for Human Resource Management Certificate.

He began his employment as Assistant Branch Manager at Kenya Famers AssociationKFA in 1969 and rose through the ranks, becoming the Personnel and Administration Manager by the year 1987. He retired from employment in 1988 to focus on his business and his writing career which spanned almost five decades.

His authorship history began in 1971 and it didn’t stop until his death. Over the five decades he wrote ten novels which include Is it Possible?, To Become a Man, The Hunter, a Swahili novel titled: Maisha ya Hatari, Moran No More, Daughter of Maa, Bandit of Kibi, Blossoms of the Savannah, which is the current set book in our secondary schools, Vanishing Herds and The Elephant Dance.

He received many literary awards during his writing career. The most notable include; in 1998 he was awarded -Third World Literary Award for Young Persons – Denmark – For his work on the novel To Become a Man. In the year 2008 he was nominated the International Dublin Impact Award for his novel Blossoms of the Savannah. In 2009 he was awarded the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature for his novel Blossoms of the Savannah.

In the year 2013 he was awarded for the second time the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature for Vanishing Herds. In the year 2017 for the third time, he was awarded the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature for his novel Elephant Dance. This made him make history as the first writer to have ever been awarded the price thrice.

For his literary contribution in the country, he got three National Recognitions by Head of State which include; Distinguished Service Medal -DSM awarded in the year 2000 by His Excellency D. T. Arap Moi former President of the Republic of Kenya. In the year 2018 His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, during Mashujaa Day Celebrations at Kakamega, recognized him as a National Hero on account of his Literary work done as a service to the Nation and in 2020 he was awarded the Elder of the Burning Spear -EBS by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta for his exemplary work to the nation of Kenya.

How did he begin his writing career? My dad went to school by force through the intervention of the colonial government. He said, “Like the characters of my first and second books, Is it Possible? and To Become a Man, my early education that was in the 1950s and 1960s was a game of hide and seek with the colonial administration. It was erratic and oftenly on and off.”

He informed me that while he continued uninterruptedly with the traditional form of education, he was most of the time in and out of formal classrooms depending on where the

family was residing at a given time of the year.

“When the prevailing circumstances dictated that the cattle be driven to Tanzania

Award-winning author Henry Rufus ole Kulet.

in pursuit of pasture, there we went without giving a hoot on what became of our schooling.

The formal learning had to wait until the following year when the cattle were driven back to Kenya,” Ole Kulet said.

His schooling according to him stabilized when he attended Intermediate school in Kilgoris between 1959 and 1962. It was during this period that he was initiated into moranhood. During school holidays he tells me they participated in lion hunts and other escapades that one was required to participate to prove he was fit to be called a man.

“Those years were full of adventure and apparently, my future in writing seemed to have been anchored in those formative years,” he told me.

It was during this period that an event took place which permanently etched in his young mind and which seemed to have been the catalyst that sparked off, inspired and defined his future in creative writing. It was in 1959, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I, the Queens Mother visited

the country and Narok town was part of her itinerary. He was among the morans picked to entertain her.

“After Her Majesty was gone, I scribbled something about her visit on a meatwrapping khaki paper I picked from a butchery. My English teacher, a Mr Kigen chanced to see it and thought I had written something interesting. He showed it to the Headmaster who too thought it was great.

The following morning during parade, he called out my name and fished out the paper from his pocket and read it loudly in front of the entire school.

He showered me with praises and patted me on the head. I cannot describe how happy I was, but believe me, there and then, a future writer was born,” he said.

The other incident that motivated him into becoming a writer happened while he was at Narok Secondary School in 1964 when the Prime Minister of the independent Kenya, His Excellency Mzee Jomo

For his literary contribution in the country, he got three National Recognitions

by Head of State which include; Distinguished Service Medal -DSM awarded in the year 2000 by His Excellency D. T. Arap Moi former President of the Republic of Kenya.

In the year 2018 His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, during Mashujaa Day Celebrations at Kakamega, recognized him as a National Hero on account of his Literary work done as a service to the Nation and in 2020 he was awarded the Elder of the Burning Spear -EBS by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta for his exemplary work to the nation of Kenya.

Kenyatta visited Narok town.

Ole Kulet later wrote an article that he showed his English teacher who in turn showed it to the principal a Mr Shaw who thought it was captivating. Shaw decided to send the article to the Nation Newspaper and it was published as a feature article and that was his debut as a writer.

Ole Kulet would later meet three people who started him off on the road to becoming a writer; Sylvia Cornor, an English teacher at Kericho Secondary School, who gave him a typewriter and introduced him to a Mr. Samwel Langat who was then the Executive director of Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.

It was Mr Langat who was to make the vital connection between him and Longman Kenya Limited. He introduced him to a Mr. Osborne, the then Longman’s publishing manager. Longmans became his first publisher when they published Is it Possible? (Which has since been translated into French, German, Swiss and lately into Indian language) and To Become a Man, in 1971 and 1972 respectively.

Later in 1973 a lady by the name Ellen Kitonga took over as Longman’s publishing manager. She took keen interest in his writing, encouraging him and inspiring him to write on themes based on Maa culture. That’s how it all began.

All his books have been subjects for research resulting in awards of numerous MA and PhD degrees to students in universities all over the world. A number of his books have been translated into French, German, Swedish and a Hindu dialect called Kerala.

In 2017 his book Blossoms of the Savannah was selected

by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development as a KCSE set book for the years 2018-2021. This same book has also been an ‘A’ Levels set book in Uganda. Is it Possible has also been a set book in Tanzania. All his books have appeared in the ‘Orange Book’ as course books or class readers in Secondary schools in Kenya.

Lemomo is a PHD student as well as an astute commentator on Maasai cultural traditions.

JUNE, 2021

COUNTY PRESS

15

SPECIAL FEATURES Plan how you will watch out for each other while you are out and also your own drinks. If you are at a venue that serves drinks, watch the bartender prepare your drink. Don’t accept drinks from strangers - Dr Stephen Lerionki.

By Ben Leshau

F

ebruary 3, 2021 will remain etched in the memory of John Makori, a Deejay (DJ) at a night club in Narok town.

Not because of anything good that happened to him but because it was the night he fell victim to a marauding gang of young, beautiful girls who have perfected the act of spiking revelers’ drinks.

By the nature of his job, Makori has witnessed a number of revelers having their drinks spiked and lose everything in the club but he never thought the same could befall him.

On the fateful night, he had completed his shift and decided to relax with customers who appreciated his work, some who offered him tips in cash while others bought him drinks.

Since he does not drink alcohol, Makori either exchanged

hours since they could not go home. One of them even shed tears,” he recalls.

They looked desperate and since he is a bachelor and did not have a date with his girlfriend, he decided to accommodate them as a Good Samaritan.

When they arrived at Makori’s house, one feigned hunger

inside his house.

“One moment, everything was fine – and the next, I’d lost control of all of my limbs and later woke up face down on the floor of a hospital waiting room not knowing what had happened.

The experience was completely disorientating both physically and emotionally because it

she was targeting more from him.

Kipkorir who had entered the club having Sh43,000 later also parted with his mobile phone and money in his bank account that night and later woke up drowsy and penniless.

“We had gone to hang out with my friends at a club and all was fine as we sipped our drinks

Twilight girls using deadly drug to ensnare men

took him a long time to feel normal again.

“Such vulnerability is uniquely challenging because of the bewildering mix of fear and confusion alongside the aftereffects of an unknown drug that has entered your system without your consent,” adds Makori.

He lost his music equipment worth thousands of shillings, cash, household goods, mobile phones and other valuables and he culprits have never been found.

Cases of drink spiking in some pubs in Narok County have been steadily increasing over the past one and half years.

Those affecting adult males almost doubled between February 2019 and 2021 with over 100 cases were reported at Narok Police Station.

Men are especially vulnerable, based on police records seen by the County Press at the police station, accounting for 98 per cent of the cases.

The Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 stop the trend because pubs and bars were closed – the most likely venues for such a crime to take place.

For Daniel Kipkorir, a teacher at a local high school A reveller in one of the drinking joints in Narok town. Twi- and the latest victim of drink light girls are said to spike revellers’ drinks sending them spiking, the lockdown felt like into slumber before robbing them of cash and other valu- a big relief to him. ables. File Photo “Because bars are closed, I no longer have to find exthe alcohol with soft drinks or and pleaded with their host to at cuses not to go to social events or drink, which had become an returned them to the counter in least make them fried eggs.

“I poured them some juice anxiety-inducing experience,” he exchange for cash.

All was well until 2am, when and mine too then went to the said.

In January this year, he went as he was leaving the club two kitchen to prepare fried eggs beautiful ladies who looked which I served them and sipped to a party with his two friends at a club on the outskirts of Narok stranded stopped him at the exit. my juice once only,” he adds.

What he did not know was town and all was well until a “They begged me to offer them a place to sleep for at least that as he was busy preparing the skimpily-dressed woman stole eggs, his drink was spiked right his heart but he didn’t know that three

undisturbed but all of a sudden a brown lady came over and requested to join our table and being such a beauty, we did not mind,” narrates Kipkorir.

His two friends left him with the lady who had by now become an acquaintance and he the decided to retire to bed with his new found love to bed, a decision he lived to regret.

“The only thing I could later remember was I went with her to the room but I woke up almost 18 hours later, my new smart phone missing and to my shock over Sh35,000 also emptied from my bank account,” he recalls.

He borrowed a phone from a friend and replaced his Safaricom sim card and on checking

Midazolam Drug used to spike the victims’ drinks sending them into slumber and thus giving the culprits time to check their pockets, robbing them of cash and other valuables.

his account balance, it had also been wiped off the Sh7,000 he had.

Kipkorir is not the only victim of this new criminals in Narok, but just one among many that had fallen prey to the seductive syndicate.

Barely a month ago, the same harrowing experience happened to two local tourists who had their mobile phones stolen after they were drugged.

Local police sleuths confirmed that few cases have been reported and that they were pursuing the culprits.

Urbanus Kioko, area DCIO though declined to divulge more on the progress of investigations only saying the reported cases were being investigated.

“We are tracking some key contacts that were provided by some victims and soon we will be making arrests and prosecutions,” he said.

He warned men against entertaining strangers, and called on victims of similar cases to report the incidents to police for action.

According to the security team, the drug identified as midazolam is used to spike the victims drinks sending them into slumber and thus giving the culprits time to ransack their pockets robbing them of cash and other valuables.

Though the sale of the drug is limited to medical prescription in Kenya, the security agencies believe that the drug could be smuggled from neighbouring Tanzania.

Dr Stephen Lerionki,a private medical practitioner said the drug is banned in Kenya’s chemists and pharmacies and is only prescribed and administered under strict medical situations.

“That drug is dangerous and can kill if ingested in huge amounts.

It also has serious side effects such as drowsiness and temporary dementia,” warned Dr Lerionki.

He urged revelers to party safely and only socialise with trusted friends to protect themselves against drink spiking.

“Plan how you will watch out for each other while you are out and also uy your own drinks. If you are at a venue that serves drinks, watch the bartender prepare your drink. Don’t accept drinks from strangers,” he advises.

He said if you accept the offer of a drink from a stranger, accompany them to the bar and take the drink from the bartender yourself.

“Be wary if a stranger buys you a drink and it’s not the type of drink you requested. Don’t take your eyes off your drink.

If you need to leave to go to the toilet or dance, for example, ask a trusted friend to keep watch,” he adds.

16

COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

ENVIRONMENT

Electric fence erected in reclaimed Mau forest ducts a supervised grass cut-andcarry system for their livestock,” explained Mr Kisalu.

The reclaimed forest is now a protected area and livestock grazing had been banned to protect the over 3 million indigenous trees planted in November 2019.

Kisalu further stated that the fencing of the Mau complex will change the political narrative that politicians used to get political gains.

A total of 30,000 acres that were recovered after the evictions and its regeneration is ongoing because of increased levels of rainfall witnessed over the last A farmer walks past the fenced section of Mau forest at two years.

Sagamian area in Narok. The fence is expected to keep off Once fencing is complete, land speculators and restore the vital water tower. Photo/ the government will install surBen Leshau veillance cameras in five main Commissioner Felix Kisalu said

By Ben Leshau entry points to ensure there will the local community was in full be no vandalism.

Electrical fencing of the Maa- support of the project unlike in the Kisalu expressed hope that sai Mau forest has begun in earnest past where political interference the communities living around the with the government managing to was witnessed sparking rebellion. forest will get employment opporHe said the security team in tunities as the government aims cover 15 of the targeted 30sq kms.

The fence is expected to keep the area managed to conduct suc- at cultivating a tea zone and other off land speculators and restore the cessful public participation to crops like avocados. vital water tower which was re- sensitize locals living around the Homes around the Mau forest covered from squatters and illegal reclaimed forest on the importance will also get power supply from of conservation. occupants. electric fence for their domestic “We did adequate capacity use.

Work on the fence began in January and is expected to be com- building among the locals before we started the fencing project. We pleted at the end of the year.

Narok County Deputy County resolved that the community con-

Exhausters dumping human waste in rivers the lorries have been releasing waste water from toilets into the manhole for a long time and no action has been taken despite reports being made to environment offices.

“The dumping has been ongoing for a long time with no action taken by concerned officials,” said Ngong resident Hassan Saleh.

There is no sewage line in all Ngong resident, Hassan Saleh in a heavily populated manhole built by exhauster service towns in the region providers for dumping waste. Photo/ and human waste exObegi Malack hauster services are a booming business.

By Obegi Malack Charges for the services in

the towns range from between Ngong residents have asked Sh9,000 to 15,000 shillings, with The National Environment Mansome of the waste dumped in the agement Authority (NEMA) to manhole coming from as far as take action against human waste Ongata Rongai. exhausters dumping the sludge in Saleh said the waste is diverted a manhole near Ngong mosque. to Mbagathi River which is now The residents complained that

contaminated and poisonous to residents who live along the river and animals.

Former Ngong Civic leader Felix Githaiga says the town has no sewer system and some of the lorries dump the waste in an old sewerline that was put up decades back to serve few people.

He said the town needs a new sewer because the old line blocked and it cannot be reused, Kajiado Environmentalist Christopher Mureithi said the residents have also turned the rivers Mbagathi and Kandisi to sewer dumping sites.

He asked home owners to put up waste treatment facilities rather than releasing raw sewer into rivers and roads.

“Property owners are deliberately draining their toilet waste into these water bodies killing life in them and affecting domestic and wild animals,” he said.

Ngong Municipality manager George Kuubai said every household should manage its sewer because flats should have septic tanks which should be emptied as often as possible.

Nine arrested for selling banned plastic bags

By Abdi Hussein National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) officers have arrested nine singleuse-plastic bags suppliers in Isinya town, Kajiado County.

The arrests came after a resurgence of plastic bags sales in Kajiado County by unscrupulous traders.

The ongoing crackdown is targeting retail markets in all satellite towns in Kajiado County where an influx of single-use- plastic bags is on the rise despite the ban.

According to Kajiado County NEMA Director Joseph Kopenjo, unscrupulous traders are sneaking the plastic bags into the country from neighbouring countries using the porous borderline.

He said traders were using transporters coming back from those countries to bring in the plastic bags as the country grapples

with Covid 19 pandemic.

"Plastic bags are back and they are no longer sold in secret,” said a trader at the Kitengela open market who uses plastic bags to park fruits for her customers.

More than three years since the government imposed a ban on single-use plastic bags, they remained one of the most serious sources of pollution country wide.

Unscrupulous traders are sneaking the plastic bags into the country from neighbouring countries using the porous border.

-Joseph Kopenjo KAJIADO NORTH

County asked to complete school project

By Our Reporter Ole Kasasi High School Principal Johnson Gitau has asked the County government of Kajiado to complete the construction of the abandoned multipurpose hall.

The Principal said the project procurement was done by the past regime of former Governor David Nkedianye and its groundbreaking

the project,” Mwathi said.

The school head said they are also facing challenges of poor access roads because the contractor tarmacking the Olekasasi Rimpa road had abandoned a section that connects to the school.

He commended the county for construction Hellena Bridge where a pupil from the school was swept away by floods during heavy rains

Olekasasi High School Principal Johnson Gitau at the abandoned multipurpose hall. was done in 2018.

“Work on the project was done for few months before it was abandoned and we have since then written several letters to the county but we have never received a reply,” he said.

Ongata Rongai Ward representative Mwathi Pere said the county government has not paid the contractor, which is why it abandoned the project.

“The contractor pumped in millions of shillings but the county failed to pay him to continue with

in 2019.

The Principal, however, challenged the government to expand the bridge for easy access and also asked Environment CS Keriako Tobiko to help implement a tree nursery project he promised the institution during his visit.

The institution is also facing water challenges because the Oloolaiser Water Company stopping pumping water after Kenya Power disconnected electricity.

JUNE, 2021

COUNTY PRESS

17

KAJIADO CENTRAL

Human wildlife conflict escalates in Kajiado Central Sub-County

By Abdi Hussein Farmers in Kajiado Central Sub-County are up in arms over the massive destruction of crops by a herd of roaming elephants.

The jumbos have in the last two weeks rampaged villages like Maili Tisa and Koitiko in the area that is known for agri business de-

stroying crops worth millions to the chagrin of farmers.

Hundreds acres of maize, cabbage, melon, a variety of fruits and other farm produce have been destroyed.

They have also destroyed several communal and private water projects as they caused panic among residents prompting locals

A herd of elephants graze in a private sanctuary along the Amboseli Ecosystem. File/Photo

Covid-19 pandemic pushed me from town to the village to start agribusiness and earn my daily bread but the elephants have now destroyed the crops before I begun harvesting, - Rianto.

to stage a peaceful protest in the area.

More than 10 of the giant animals are commonly spotted during the day roaming within residential areas risking lives.

One of the farmers Moses Rianto said he lost more than Sh1 million of crop on his two acre piece of land in the last two weeks despite continuous alerts to Kenya WildLife Services(KWS) officers to intervene.

“Covid 19 pandemic pushed me from town to the village to start agri-business and earn my daily bread but the elephants hasve now destroyed the crops before I begun harvesting,” said a dejected Rianto.

He said they have always coexisted with the wild animals but it is becoming untenable Dozens of farmers are now seeking compensation from KWS citing laxity in protecting them and their properties to minimise the escalating human wildlife conflict in Kajiado county.

They are urging KWS to relocate the animals to public game reserves lest they reiterate by attacking and killing the animals.

In June 2019, three people were killed by marauding elephants in Mashuru Sub County and in May 2020 KWS was forced to sedate and relocate three male Jumbos using trucks that had strayed into Kitengela residential areas.

The KWS Assistant Director Kenana Lekishon blames human settlement blockage to wildlife migratory routes that prompts wildlife to stray to residential areas.

According to a KWS source, 23 people have so far been killed by wildlife in Kajiado since 2012.

More than134 people have suffered from serious and life changing injuries while more than 1,000 livestock have been killed, properties worth over Sh 200million destroyed.

The KWS officer in charge of Kajiado County was not available for a comment.

We need a friendly governor, former police commissioner says

By Our Reporter Former National Police Service Commissioner Ronald Musengi has called on Kajiado North constituency residents to unite and demand a share of Kajiado County government.

The brother of late Interior Security Minister George Saitoti has accused the leadership of Kajiado County of unfair treatment of Northerners.

The former commissioner said the region was ranked the richest in Kenya during his brother the late Saitoti’s leadership but it has turned to among Former National Police Service Commissioner Ronald the poorly managed re- Musengi. Photo/Obegi Malack gion, with locals lacking services.

Musengi who was that we were promised in site to a public park, equipspeaking in Ngong said the their first year in office,” he ping hospitals among othgovernor has not fulfilled said. Musengi said the lo- er projects.

Musengi who has depromises he had made to cals are experiencing chalthe locals dung his cam- lenges of waste, sewerage clared to run for Member among others. of Parliament position in paigns.

The governor has main- Kajiado North said he is “We are yet to see implementation of projects such tained that he has fixed ready to work with a govas clearing dumpsite, wa- problems facing the region ernor who will put forward ter, stadium among others by kick starting the process priorities of the northernof rehabilitation the dump- ers. The governor should

We are yet to see implementation of projects such as clearing dumpsite, water, stadium among others that we were promised in their first year in office, -Musengi

appoint his or her deputy from north.

The commissioner turned politician said the

current Member of Parliament Joseph Manje has failed to address challenges facing the region, he has failed to oversight the county and demand for implementation of projects as promised.

The politician challenged the current MP to ensure he is in negotiation table in benefiting from BBI constituencies if the country goes for a referendum, he said the constituency should produce one more constituency and is against part of the region to be and taken to East and West.

The politician said he had held meetings with several gubernatorial aspirants and is hopeful he will get a friendly governor to work with.

He said the region needs a deputy governor since it contributes more than half of revenue to the county; he said it should also get a share of allocation because of the large population.

Narok County 18

JUNE, 2021

News

Narok Referral Hospital land encroachers to be evicted

By Bell Pere Narok Referral Hospital land encroachers will soon be evicted to pave way for the construction of a doctor’s residency.

Narok County Governor Samuel ole Tunai, during a drug disbursement exercise at the hospital, said that a number of people had encroached onto the piece of land that extends all the way to Mau – Narok road.

“I will soon be sending bulldozers, so kindly

start packing your belongings to avoid property loss,” he added.

The Governor said that once consultations with the department of lands were complete, the encroachers will be given a month to vacate.

Mr Tunai also said that Narok County Governor Samuel ole Tunai at once the Narok Narok Referral Hospital. Photo/Bell Pere

‘

I will soon be sending bulldozers, so kindly start packing your belongings to avoid property loss -Governor

Food, face masks donation for people living with disability Narok Peace Association is a Christian based association formed in 2016 and endeavors to unite Narok County especially against vices such as tribalism.

By Staff Reporter Narok Peace Association has put a smile on over one hundred persons living with disability after a bountiful food and facemask donation.

The donation that had been intended to coincide with Easter included maize flour, a bar of soap and cooking oil.

According to Joshua Ole Kaputa Narok Peace Association director, he said that festive seasons were all about sharing especially to those that were considered as vulnerable in the community.

Mr Kaputa further said that the corona virus had taken a heavy toll especially on persons living with disability who were often forgotten by the government.

“Most of the people living with disability beg on streets exposing them to the virus. Furthermore some are unable to work in order to earn a living,” he added.

The donation was made possible through various donors who chipped in such as Maraglass and Sinende supermarket.

Mr. Kaputah raised concern over the community practice of hiding away persons living with disability. He gave an example of a person living with disability who was rescued after being locked for over sixteen years.

“It saddens me to hear parents locking their children away just because they were born with a condition,” he said.

He urged the community to embrace persons living with disability.

Joshua Ole Kaputa Narok Peace Association director at Narok Stadium during the food donation excercise.

Photo/Our Reporter Grace Wangare Narok Peace Association Chairperson said that as an association they encourage all the vulnerable persons within the community

to seek help.

“We are able to create an impact by what we have and not by the riches we possess.

Lives are touched by our kindness and not riches,” she added.

Paul Ole Sopia a beneficiary of the donation thanked the association for their commendable efforts in remembering them during this trying times.

He faulted both County and National government for neglecting persons living with disability during the current difficult pandemic period.

“Some of as limp, some of us crawl and some of us cannot see. The government has imposed a curfew that has not considered some of us whom because of physical challenges are unable to be on time,” he added.

Medical College is complete, the students who will be learning at the institute, will need a residential place near the institute.

The medical college will not only have state-of-theart-equipment but also four surgical theatres and a modern mortuary. The college will also have at least two hundred and fifty students at a time.

“The college will be training medical professionals who will assist not only save lives in Narok, but also in Kenya,” he added.

Grace Silantoi also a beneficiary of the food stuff thanked and placed a blessing upon the association to further their reach across the county especially to the interior parts.

She also reprimanded the Government for not considering the children of persons living with disability when it comes to job employment.

“Some of us are blessed to be parents but our children are unemployed. As we are aging, we become highly dependent on them. The government should try to consider,” she added.

Narok Peace Association is a Christian based association formed in 2016 and endeavors to unite Narok County especially against vices such as tribalism.

The association endeavours to assist persons living with disability, widows, orphans and the elderly within the community.

Along with other stakeholders such as Red Cross Society, the association has been able to feed thousands, offered shelter and education to orphans and street children.

Narok County News

COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

19

Maasai women turn to bead weaving for livelihoods Ntinka added that Nkoilale Community Development Organisation officials then decided to

By Nancy Masit Nancymasit80@gmail.com.

Maasai women from Nkoilale women group in Nkoilale village in Narok South subcounty have turned to bead weaving which has completely turned their lives positively.

Magdalene Ntinka who is the production officer at their craft centre said the group was started in 2005 and has 85 women whose main activity is beadwork and shop operations. They have opened a women craft centre to market their products.

Magdalene said that when the women started their project, there was no identified market and they used to sell their items by the roadsides or under trees where they sold at any price and sometimes at very low prices and hence could not earn enough income to cater for their basic needs. When they charged higher prices sometimes the clients declined to buy the item and often demanded explanation as to why the price was high.

look for a market for them which they found. They found an organisation that took the women officially and looked for them someone who was employed by the organisation to train the women and be checking the quality of the beadwork items they were making.

Magdalene said that the women

ABOVE: A member of Nkoilale Maasai women group weaving a bracelet. This trade has empowered the group members financially.

RIGHT: The Craft Centre where the women ply their trade. Photos/Nancy Masit

are able to make bracelets, belts, necklaces and decorate Maasai rungus (clubs) using the beads. “The women have benefited greatly from beadworks where they sell items and get money to take their children to school, improving their livelihoods by buying the modern equipment for cooking, for example, cooking gases, buying jiko koa and producing biogas,” she said.

She concluded by saying that they have bought water tanks to harvest water and they also conserve environment by buying tree seedlings for planting in their homesteads. They also assist their husbands by building modern houses so that they no longer live in manyattas.

She urged the County government of Narok to assist women in opening more women craft centres in the entire county so that the women can employ themselves and earn a living from the beadworks.

Nkoilale women benefit from 5 day training on soap making

By Our Reporter Women from Nkoilale Women group went through a five day organic soap formulation training conducted by Nkoilale Community development organisation with support of Kenya Community development foundation, Osotua foundation.Their trainer was from FAVA herb.

Nelson Kirogor who is the manager Nkoilale Community Development Foundation said

the aim of the training was to empower women so that the soap making becomes an income-generating activity for them as well as accessing the organic soaps which will have minimum chemicals for their personal use as an effort to improve health at household level.

Nelson added that it was a beginner course and another big training will be conducted which will help them to perfect their skills as an effort to produce qual-

One of the women testing the quality of the soap.

ity product which can be sold locally and internationally.

Mr Kelvin Maina, the soap trainer from FAVA herb trained

‘

Once women are trained to make the soaps, they will be able to meet international standards and make products that will be sold in the market.

- Maina

The rice soap.

25 women from Nkoilale women group on soap making and formulation where he taught them on how to use locally available materials like coconut oil, avocado oil, castor oil, honey , moringa plant , rice and goat milk whereby soaps are made naturally.

Maina said that once women are trained to make the soaps, they will be able to meet international standards that make products that will be sold in the market. The types of soaps that the women

were able to make included, Aloe Vera, honey, rice and goat milk soaps which are 100% organic.

He said that the soaps can be used by everyone with either oily, dry or normal skin.

He concluded by urging Kenyans to appreciate and buy locally made commodities and also told the county government to encourage more women in various women groups across the county to attend he same training.

Teacher Maina observes as the women mix the ingredients. Photos/Our Reporter

20

AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

Digital tagging to ease livestock tracing The Deputy County Commissioner Mutuku Mwenga lauded the initiative saying it will address persistent cattle theft in Narok.

He urged farmers to embrace technology.

By Nancy Masit Nancymasit80@gmail.com The Department of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries has embarked on a livestock digital tagging exercise in Narok County.

The exercise will be undertaken under the leadership of Dr Bernard Njathi and Alice Odotte from Lofte Kesho using the modern livestock tag.

The two experts are in Narok to aid the pastoral community advance animal identification and animal traceability.

Lofte Kesho is an integrated FinTech and Agri Tech player founded in 2018 that offers an Livestock being loaded onto a truck to be ferried to Dagoretti in Nairobi. Narok County has animal identification and trace- begun tagging of the animals to ensure easy traceability. Photo/Nancy Masit ability platform.

“In partnership with Infocorp Njathi. financial benefits associated with cows for free and then charge othTechnologies, Lofte Kesho has He said it was targeting emerg- their animals. ers at affordable prices. rolled out Farm Trek, a solution ing markets via its block- chainThe company whose headThe Deputy County Commisthat brings inclusive financial ser- based platform and works with quarters is in Kenya will first pilot sioner Mutuku Mwenga lauded vices to the livestock industry,” Dr smallholder farmers to unlock the project by tagging about 100 the initiative saying it will address

persistent cattle theft in Narok.

He asked farmers to embrace the technology quickly so that they can benefit fully because it will also help them identify their animals.

“Farmers will also insure their cattle including dairy cows through an affordable insurance policy and will be compensated if they die,” said Mutuku.

Lofte Kesho is an integrated FinTech and Agri Tech player founded in 2018 that offers an animal identification and traceability platform.

Narok wheat yields to drop by 40%

Stephen Mosinko, a wheat farmer at Eor-Ekule area in Narok East constituency inspecting his crop. Photo/Ben Leshau

By Ben Leshau land under wheat as they prepare farms for the planting for this Wheat yields are expected to year’s crop. due to increased cost drop by 40 percent in Narok as a of fuel. result of reduced acreage under Farmers representatives the crop because of high cost of Musa ole Nampaso and Ibrahim production.

Dikirr explained that the recent A spot check by County increase of fuel by around Sh6 Press found that majority of per litre had negatively affected farmers have reduced the size of their business.

“Before the fuel was increased we used to till an acre of land at Sh2500 but now we are being charged Sh3000 per acre which iscostly,” said Nampaso.

The farmers appealed to the government to lower taxes on agricultural inputs as well as the newly imposed tax on fuel to lower the cost of production for wheat.

They said the high costs of land preparation and farm inputs had forced to cut down the acreage set for planting wheat by 50 percent.

Nampaso who is a large scale wheat farmer at Ntulele in Narok East revealed that most farmers in the county were contemplating abandoning wheat for other crops.

He said he used to plant 1000 acres of wheat but this season he has only invested in 500 acres.

The farmer noted that the government had already imposed taxation on all agricultural products including pesticides pointing out that the additional tax on

40% drop

They said the high costs of land preparation and farm inputs had forced the to cut down the acreage set for planting wheat by 50 percent.

fuel has boosted the cost of production.

He noted that there will be a shortage of wheat this year which might force millers to import the cereal to meet the country’s demand.

Nampaso said last year wheat production was on the lower side due to heavy rains that led to siltation.

He has since urged the government to increase wheat prices to Sh4000 from last year’s price of Sh 3300 per 90 kg due to the increased cost of production.

Abraham Ole Dikir who is also a large scale farmer said transport cost to ferry seeds to farms has doubled with farmers forced to dig deeper into their pockets.

He recalled that previous governments used to look into the welfare of the farmers and called on the jubilee government to also lower the cost of production for wheat by reducing the taxation on diesel fuel.

COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

21

KAJIADO WEST

Battle over dumpsite as stand-off chokes Ngong, Rongai

By Obegi Malack Waste management in Kajiado West and North sub county towns has become a major challenge after Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku banned dumping of waste at the Ngong dumpsite.

The dumpsite has now been rehabilitated to a public park and garbage collectors have been ordered to either dump waste in Kajiado town dumpsite or at the Dandora dumpsite to allow quick rehabilitation of the Ngong site.

Lenku’s order came as a surprise to private garbage collectors in the region, as some said they will be forced to renew contracts with clients and called for dialogue with the county government.

Kiserian resident James Njogu said a private garbage collector demanded he renews his contract after the closure of the dumpsite.

The garbage collectors indicated that they used to spend a lot of money in accessing the Kajiado town dumpsite which is more than 60km away.

They transporters faced a challenge in Kajiado town, after locals blocked them accusing the county

Governor Joseph ole Lenku at Ngong dumpsite after ordering its closure. Photo/Courtesy government of failing to contain the garbage at the source.

Led by Ildamat MCA Samuel Teum, the residents pleaded to Lenku to move the Kajiado site to another area as earlier promised.

The MCA said the dumping site was too small to even accommodate Kajiado waste.

The county had in 2019 set aside millions of shillings to relocate the dumping site to another area but is yet to do so.

Ngong Municipality Manager George Kuubai said the World Bank through Ngong Municipality allocated Sh38 million for decommissioning of the Ngong dumpsite.

The manager said they are putting up structures to ensure that every town manages its waste and have already entered into an agreement with Biogas International, a company that recycles waste to recycle waste in markets.

Bank rolls out tree planting programme

The company is already recycling waste from Ngong temporary market and Rongai will be the next market to receive services from recycling company.

“Every market will recycle its waste through the company which will also provide employment to locals,” he said.

According to a government official who sought anonymity the government is facing challenges because it has not identified a another site to relocate the Ngong dumpsite.

The Keekonyokie clan opposed the relocation of the dump to Veterinary farm where the government intended to put up a recycling plant after claiming ownership of the land.

Some Ngong residents are also demanding the relocation to the veterinary site claiming the land while others want the government to purchase land.

In the latest meeting between environmentalists and garbage collectors, it was proposed that the county sets up a small space in Ngong dumpsite to allow dumping as they wait for

a permanent solution.

Some locals led by former Ngong councilor Felix Githaiga Zipapa have also gone to court to stop excavation activities at the dumpsite.

Ngong Sanitary Landfill Enterprises (Acting in the interest of the Residents of Ngong Slums, Ngong Ward, Kajiado Sub-County) has sued Kajiado County Government and National Environment Management Authority (Nema).

They stated that excavation works in the dumpsites did not involve inclusivity and accountability reporting by the County.

The petitioners had proposed decommissioning of Ngong dumpsite and commissioning of an Integrated Waste Management System at Kerarapon( Veterinary farm).

They are demanding that the county implements an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Study which was conducted and a report developed in 2018 through a partnership by the Kajiado County Government and the UN Habitat, with funding from World Bank.

They also stated that the Ngong Dumpsite has over the years become a fundamental threat to the health of locals with residents’ houses barely 10 meters from the dumpsite.

The case was mentioned in a Kajiado court and the respondents were requested to file their affidavits.

THE AZURI SCHOOL Learn

Grow Play

Location; ( Oloosirkon /Tuala)

Participants take part in Equity Group tree planting exercise.

By Our Reporter

Equity Group has kickstarted a tree planting exercise in Kajiado West Constituency and its environs to increase forest cover in the country.

Equity Group Kiserian branch manager Pauline Kabiru said the exercise will see 35 million trees planted countrywide by next year.

Kabiru who led the tree planting exercise said her branch will plant more than 60,000 trees this year.

“This will programme will cover schools, churches, government areas, private homes and any other spaces that we will be given to plant trees,” she said.

The branch manager urged the local community

to make use of the ongoing long rains by planting trees so that they can nourish.

Kajiado County Senator Philip Mpayeei’s wife Florence commended the bank for the initiative and challenged locals to protect the trees.

She said a good environment on school compounds contributes to learners’ outstanding grades.

Staff from the bank’s Kiserian branch, local administrators and students planted trees at Olteyian Primary, Olteyian Secondary, Olooseos Mixed Secondary,Olooseos Girls and Olooseos Primary schools.

During the bank’s 35th Anniversary in October 2019 the Group CEO and Managing Director, Dr.

James Mwangi said they had allocated Sh350 million towards the exercise.

Equity had partnered with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to promote Farm Forestry Initiatives.

It supports transition to clean energy that reduces reliance on wood fuel, charcoal and fossils fuels like kerosene as a source of energy.

Equity has other initiatives in the Energy and Environment space ongoing that have seen it plant more than 1 million trees in the Mau Water Tower in Narok County.

The national government will plant 2 billion trees within the next two years as a way of addressing world climate change.

Tel: 0722367934 / 0723489455 Email: azurischool@gmail.com

Bar and Restaurant for Sale in Kiserian

Sold with stock 7 accommodation rooms Two TVs, 32 and 24 inch Music system Fridge Beds, beddings, chairs and tables

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22

COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

TOURISM & WILDLIFE

Corona: How Narok tourism has taken massive beating

By Bell Pere The first case of Coronavirus disease was reported in December 31st December 2019 at Wuhan China and the World Health Organisation was informed of a possible outbreak in other areas. A few weeks later on 13th January 2020 the first case was reported outside China raising concern over the virus whose carriers exhibit flu like symptoms.

Kenya’s Ministry of Health put in place guidelines to avert the spread of the disease.

On 15 March last year, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed that travel from any countries with any case of coronavirus be restricted. This was the onset of chaos for the Ministry of Tourism.

Maasai Mara Game Reserve hoteliers immediately started receiving cancellations from international tourists.

On April 6th President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a cessation of movement in and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area for a containment period of 21 days.

From then on some of the domestic tourists, especially those from counties such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale cancelled their visits.

According to a statistics survey conducted by Statista, in the first half of 2020, 45 percent of tourism businesses in Kenya estimated a revenue loss above 2.5 million Kenyan shillings, as an effect of the coronavirus (CO-

AT A GLANCE -- On approximation the Maasai Mara game reserve brings about 2.5 billion each financial year to Narok County.

Therefore the county will be losing 2.25 billion if the cessations will be extended by the National Government.

-- The Ministry of Tourism has estimated that since the first case of the coronavirus was reported, Kenya has lost Sh80 billion and is expected to lose more if the pandemic will not be contained.

-- Even though the Narok County boss sounded disappointed by the cessations, he said that saving lives was much more important than generating income for the county.

VID-19) pandemic.

Roughly 23 percent of businesses indicated losing from 500 thousand to 1 million shillings, while approximately 15 percent of businesses pointed a loss of revenue above 500 thousand shillings.

Wildebeest in the Maasai Reserve.

Tourists viewing wildlife in serve.

The Ministry of Tourism has estimated that since the first case of the coronavirus was reported Kenya has lost Sh80 billion and is expected to lose more if the pandemic will not be contained.

Kenya soon reopened its borders to international tourists in August last year and some form of normalcy resumed in the tourism sector.

The hospitality sector was

A majority of international flights around the world land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport located in Nairobi.

Narok County Governor Samuel Tunai who is also the chair for Tourism in the Council of Governors, said that this move will bring about massive losses to the Maasai Mara tourism industry.

He said that the county will lose up to ninety percent of revenue generated Mara Game from the reserve.

“As you know our County Government majorly depends on the Maasai Mara Game reserve for income Olaro Conservancy is on generation,” he the way to Oloolaimutia added.

Gate in Maasai Mara. Pho“On approxito/Staff Reporter mation the Maasai Mara game reserve brings about 2.5 billion each financial year to Narok County.

Therefore the county will be losing 2.25 billion if the cessations the Maasai Mara Game Rewill be persisted by the National Government,” he noted.

Even though the County urged to expand its tourism products to boost post-COVID-19 re- boss sounded disappointed by the move, he said that saving covery.

The industry has just slightly lives was much more important gotten from its Knees but anoth- than generating income for the er lockdown has been imposed county.

In turn, the cessation will by the National Government on bring about loss of jobs for those March 26th 2020.

The lockdown has been im- working in the hotel industry posed on the country’s capital consequently the county’s revecity Nairobi among other coun- nue allocation will soon be drastically affected. ties restricting movement.

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE

Uhuru, Raila commission Imaroro, Isinya, Ngong roads

By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail.com President Uhuru Kenyatta has commissioned the 48 kilometre Ngong-Kiserian-Isinya and the 43km Kajiado-Imaroro roads in Kajiado County.

The President who was accompanied by the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the two roads, developed by Intex Construction Limited, are the first in the country to be constructed on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The roads are key in Kajiado County and will ease traffic in Nairobi County and improve economic potential of the counties.

Uhuru who also toured the newly constructed Gataka road said the new roads will decongest the towns. He said Nairobi

Metropolitan Service Green Park Bus Terminus on Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi which he also inspected will also decongest the city’s CBD. Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) plying Ngong Road, Lang’ata Road, Rongai, Kiserian and Ngong will terminate at the Green Park bus terminus.

The President said he had to open the road with few people due to Covid-19 protocols. The government had banned gatherings to reduce infection rate in the country, he said and emphasized the importance of observing the Ministry of Health Ccvid-19 protocols to curb the pandemic.

Raila on his part, said he was President Uhuru Kenyatta, Transport and Infrastructure impressed by the progress of works CS James Macharia and former PM Raila Odinga during being carried by government, addopening of Isinya –Kiserian –Ngong road. Photo/Courtesy ing that the Green Park bus terminus is a major step towards making

Nairobi a friendlier, less congested, and livable city.

The Isinya -Ngong road will connect Suswa road in Narok County which is under construction and residents travelling to Narok and other parts will have to use the road instead of passing through Maai Mahiu which is sometimes impassable due to heavy traffic.

The Kajiado -Imaroro road and Suswa roads will also be beneficial to farmers since they will connect them to towns of Kajiado, Ngong, Kiserian and Kitengela to sell their produces.

The President had earlier opened the 4.2 km access road connecting the Nairobi Inland Container Depot (ICD) and the Southern By-pass near Wilson Airport.

JUNE, 2021

COUNTY PRESS

23

KAJIADO NORTH

Residents and church in land tussle of the land while the community says it was only allowed to put up a worship centre.

Trouble began when the church started erecting a perimeter wall around open grounds, maintaining that they are the custodians of the land.

That caused tension leading to a meeting that was called by the local administration as the construction was stopped to allow for dialogue.

The residents now want the government to protect the land which they say is public land and to stop any further constructions.

Olkeri Chief Mr Kirorio said the church wanted to develop a section of the field into a basketball and volleyball pitch for a boys boarding school they are building.

Local residents are, however, opposed to the construction and want the

Board demands oversight over World Bank funds

By Our Reporter

Ngong municipality manager David Kuubai has dismissed claims by board members that they have been sidelined from participating in World Bank funded projects.

He scoffed at claims that they have been left in the dark on what is happening in the municipality and have also not been trained to know roles they play in the last two years.

The board members had protested to the County Government of Kajiado demanding autonomy and independency of the municipality but Kuubai said the demands were political.

The members had written a complaint letter to Governor Joseph ole Lenku complaining of not being involved in projects funded by World Bank.

In two letters seen by County Press, the members exposed struggles they are going through as members of the municipality which was formed two years ago.

In a letter dated 14, 07, 2020 which was received by the County Government of Kajiado Secretary on 8th September 2020 the members Alfred Njuguna, Wilson Naimasia, Justus Manyara, Peter Kago and Elizabeth Sopiato indicated that they had been left in darkness on what is happening in the municipality.

National Lands Commission through Ministry of Lands to take up the matter and resolve the dispute within shortest time possible.

They want a public participation meeting to present their views because a meeting that had been called did not take place.

Efforts to get a comment from the PCEA were not successful.



Matasia Sports grounds.

By Our Reporter

Residents of Olkeri Ward in Matasia, Kajiado North Sub County, have petitioned the national and county governments to resolve a land dispute between them and a church.

They claim the ground which holds Enoomatasian Public Primary School, Enoomatasian Mixed Secondary School and Enoomatasian Girls School is community land and doesn’t belong to Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA Enoomatasian Church) In the petition drafted on 29th April 2021, they said the 44. 4 acre land was donated by Saruni Family in 1950s for construction of a public primary school for children who used to walk for long distance to access schools.

But PCEA also claims ownership

44.4

ACRES AMOUNT OF LAND donated by the Saruni Family in the 1950s for construction of a public primary school.

projects that were carried out in 2018/2019 financial year and those that will be carried out. Kuubai added that the World Bank has been receiving documents on what is done and what needs to be done after board meetings.

The two Municipalities Kajiado and Ngong are under Kajiado County Department of land, Physical Planning and urban Development.

In 2018/19 financial year, the World Bank allocated Sh215 million for Ngong and Sh50 million for Kajiado municipality which they used for tarmacking several roads.

Ngong Milele Mall road to Florida tarmacking cost Sh51m, Olkeri Kiserian Primary road Sh53m, Rongai Kobil road Sh69.9m and Kajiado KCB road at Sh50m.

Projects that have been identified for funding in the second alNgong Municipality manager David Kuubai addressing Kazi Mtaani Youth. Photo/Obegi Malack location received from the World Bank, include the tarmacking of They complained of non- three additional signatories Brian municipality is working according to roads in Kiserian town. involvement of board directors in Sekento, Ann Kwamboka and Caro- the law and board members should The 1km Saitoti Hospital road World Bank projects in 2018/19 line Chege. play their roles as per the law. that connects Magadi road in Nkaimfinancial year where they received They complained of manageHe said some of the members urunya Ward will also be tarmacked Sh215 million and also demanded ment challenges, lack of training for who have declared to run for political to improve access to the hospital training to know their roles. three years, nonpayment of allowanc- offices want to disrupt the running of which serves hundreds of patients They claimed the county did not es since 2019 and non-involvement the municipality for political gain. every day. release the full budget for 2020/2021 in projects.

The Manager denied all the allePart of the allocation will also be financial year and further demanded Other grievances were lack of gations raised by the board members, used in putting up a waste recycling that the municipality should have its independence and autonomy, lack of saying they were paid their allowanc- plant because the county government own bank account for accountability office space for board members and es in the first quarter on May, 2021 of Kajiado has already begun process purposes. zero implementation of board agenda and will receive the remaining soon. of rehabilitating the Ngong dumpsite They also requested for an ap- items.

“They were taken for training into a public park. pointment with the Governor to raise The members also claimed the three times and they understand that The municipality has already enthe issues but the request has not so municipality has no control of fi- they report to the county and are not tered into an agreement with Biogas far been granted. nances allocated to them, since board full time workers and, therefore, do International to recycle waste from The members wrote another fol- members are not involved. not need offices” he said.

Ngong market, an exercise that has low up letter dated 2, 03, 2021 with The manager, however, says the He said they were involved in already begun.

24

COUNTY PRESS

JUNE, 2021

LAND MATTERS

Ketraco to compensate land at Sh1.2m per acre Melton Birisha signs new land compesation rates agreement on behalf of other land owners as Ketraco Chairman, Joe Mutambo looks on.

Ketraco is constructing the IsinyaNamanga power-line after it struck a deal with land owners. on. Photo/Abdi Hussein

By Abdi Hussein husseinabdi527@gmail.com Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (Ketraco) will now continue constructing the Isinya-Namanga power-line after it struck a deal with land owners.

The Sh2.6 billion construction that runs across Kajiado Central Sub- County stalled eight years ago due to a compensation stand-off between Ketraco and the farmers.

The company however budged after it agreed to revise the compensation upwards from Sh800, 000 to Sh1.2 million per acre on the 90kms long project.

Some affected farmers had moved to court while others blocked Ketraco con-

tracted workers as they were working on the on the line passing through their land.

The community rejected the revised offer of Sh800, 000 per acre compensation at the rate of 35 per cent as proposed by the National Land Commission (NLC).

The Ministry of Lands initially valued the land in Mailwa and Lorngosua at Sh750, 000, a figure that was earlier disputed and rejected by the community and elected local leaders.

The community in Matapato North and South wards said their land had been under-valued and on May 6, 2021, the Ketraco management led by Chairman Joe Mutambo held a meeting with the community at Maili Tisa to strike the agreement which paved way for restart of the project.

When they emerged from

the four hours stormy meeting, Ketraco announced that the land will now be valued at Sh1.2million, bringing the conflict to an end.

“Justice has finally prevailed and we have accepted the new rates for the project to continue,” said residen Melton Birisha.

They now want compensation to be fast tracked to enable those with homes along the designated power-line to shift.

Governor Joseph ole Lenku who played a vital role in convening the meeting, said the stalemate had slowed down work and created bad blood between the company and the community.

Mutambo said about 500 land owners along the way-leave will benefit from the compensation deal, among them the land owners and other neighbours.

Residents are poised to benefit from Sh 300million Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) package from Ketraco.

HEALTH

Narok procures Sh40 million worth drugs

By Bell Pere Narok hospitals have received Sh40 million worth of drugs and nonpharmaceutical supplies from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to help achieve universal medical health care within the county.

Speaking at the Narok Referral Hospital where he flagged off the distribution of drugs, Narok County Governor Samuel Tunai said the drugs were provided by national government.

“The provision has come at the right time because Narok hospitals were facing a shortage of drugs,” said Tunai.

The drugs will be distributed to 116 health facilities within the six sub counties in the county.

Narok County Governor Samuel Tunai, Health Chief Officer Sarah Hassan and Narok Town Ward’s Bernard Torome inspecting drugs at Narok Hospital.

Photo/Bell Pere

Currently Narok County has 1227 health professionals with 300 of them working overtime and 278 on contract basis under the national government’s universal health care program.

Tunai said the county has 11 ambulances working for 24 hours in case of emergency services and was also proud that health care facilities, emergency services were fully operational.

Narok Health Chief Officer Sarah Hassan who was present during the drug distribution exercise said the County received 3000 corona virus vaccine doses.

She urged all frontline workers among them medical practitioners, teachers, police officers and field journalist receive the vaccine.

KAJIADO SOUTH

will develop their pieces of land independently and land conflict will come to an end,” said Mr Maai.

Members lauded the initiative saying they can now access financial institutions for loans using the title deed as their collateral.

Kajiado Lands Office Registra Paul Tanui was tasked to assure the title deeds issued are authentic to allay fears that members could be shortchanged by the ranch management.

“My office has carried out due diligence and certified the title deeds issued are original and genuine, said Tanui.

Kajiado Deputy Governor

Joy as group ranch gets title deeds

By Abdi Hussein husseinabdi527@gmail.com Some members of Eselenkei group ranch in Kajiado South have received the first batch of title deeds after a long wait.

Some 321 members received their title deeds ahead of a further 3689 titles that are expected to be issued upon completion of ongoing subdivision.

For many years Eselenkei group ranch members had demanded that the land be subdivided to enable them develop

Kajiado County Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho issues a title deed to Eselenkei Group Ranch Chairman Mr Oloshaiki Maai recently. Photo/Abdi Hussein

their own portions of land and for proper planning.

The subdivision had experienced many false starts until members collaborated with officers from the Ministry of Lands and county government officials to carry out a non-contested exercise.

Ranch chairman Oloshaiki Maai said the process was smooth and has brought to an end simmering land conflicts among the members.

“The exercise was transparent, ensuring each member got the right acreage and we are now hope our members

Martin Moshisho lauded theexcercise, saying it will root out land fraud and restore public faith in the ministry.

“We commend the Ministry of Land for digitising the land registry because over the years, our people have been swindled their lands by unscrupulous land dealers,” said Moshisho.

He cautioned residents against selling their pieces of land carelessly and becoming squatters in their own ancestral lands.

“Getting your title deed must not be a permission to dispose of your ancestral land and it is high time our people stop selling land for borrowed lavish lifestyles,” he added.

THE CLASSROOM COUNTY PRESS

SEPTEMBER, 2019

JUNE, 2021

5

COUNTY PRESS 25

Why Narok top KCPE girl wants to be gynecologist

I was inspired to be a gynecologist by Karen Hospital-based medic identified as Dr Daniel Thuo who treated a relative when she had a womanhood issue.

By Ben Leshau After being faced with challenges such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), teenage pregnancies and early marriages, girls in vast Narok county finally have something to smile about as one of their own came top in KCPE with 416 out of the possible 500 marks.

Sophy Mutheu Benson,13, topped the county beating all the boys against all odds to shine despite studying as a day-scholar at Catholic-sponsored St Peter’s Academy in the slums of Majengo on the outskirts of Narok town.

The teenager told journalists at her home in Lenana estate that she is not new as far as academic excellence is concerned, saying that she has been topping her class since she stepped in standard one eight years ago.

“I was expecting to perform well more than what I got but it is well. I have been a bookworm ever since I started schooling,” she narrated.

Sophy who wants to join Alliance Girls High School aspires to be an accomplished gynecologist so that she can help pregnant mothers in remote areas in Narok and

Sophy Mutheu (centre) the top overall KCPE candidate with her parents Mr Benson Nguthu (right) and mother Lillian Benson celebrating her excellent performance. other Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) deliver safely.

She revealed that she was inspired to be a gynecologist by Karen Hospital-based medic identified as Dr Daniel Thuo who treated a relative when she had a womanhood issue.

“Several mothers die every day in pastoral areas due to lack of access to prenatal and antenatal ser-

vices which I would like to assist after being a qualified gynecologist,” Sophy adds.

The county top girl who is fully aware of the challenges girls in rural areas of the county regularly face, believes that “what a boy can do,a girl can do it even better.” She said parents should give the girlchild an equal access to education like the boy-child.

Oloolaiser Water reels from power cuts as new board installed

By Obegi Malack Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku has appointed a new board to head Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company Limited (OWSC) after the old board’s contract expired.

During his visit to Kajiado North, the governor said challenges facing the company will be solved by the new board.

He said the new board takes over immediately.

The board consists of Meshack Ngare Ondieki, Patrick Githaiga, Joan Mithian, Purity Shimaloi and

Kaakua Julius. The board monitors and evaluates functions of the company for a three year contract.

They will choose their chairman, assistant and chairs of sub committees to lead them to start work and will work closely with Managing Director to ensure services are provided.

The appointment of the boards comes after Kenya Power disconnected electricity supply to the Water Company after failing to pay electricity bills amounting to Sh35 million that increases monthly.

Oloolaiser Water Company plant in Kiserian. File/Photo.

The lack of the precious commodity has affected locals including schools that depend on the company for supply of water. This has led to the institution go against guidelines on health and safety protocols for reopening of basic education institutions.

In Ole Kasasi High School, the head teacher said they depend on rain water after the company failed to supply them with water for some months now.

“We are facing a lot of difficulties, we depend on rain water and we are praying it rains before the water gets finished again,” he said.

At Nakeel Boys, the Principal Kennedy Mwaniki said they have been experiencing water challenges for a long period but have sorted out the issue. Athi Water has drilled a borehole and provided a solar system one of a kind in the region.

he starlet also asked parents whose school-going daughters accidentally got pregnant to give them another chance to go back to school.

Her parents Benson Nguthu and Lillian Benson could not hide their joy over their daughter’s academic brilliance saying they were not surprised as she has been performing exemplarily since her

childhood.

The Mother, Mrs Benson who is a teacher at nearby Masikonde Secondary school describes her daughter as a self-driven individual.

“Sophy is a self-driven person and as her parents we have never pushed her to do anything. She knows when to read, when to do house chores and when to play. I can describe her as a ‘perfect’ being,” said Mrs Benson.

She adds that Sophy who is the third born in the family of four girls was disciplined and committed to her studies.

On his part, the father Mr Nguthu, a local businessman reiterated that he is proud of his daughter’s performance, adding that girls should never be discriminated against.

“Sophy’s other two elder sisters equally performed well; one is doing Civil Engineering while the other is doing Commerce at different universities. With support, girls can do even better than boys and can uplift the lives of their families,”he adds.

Sophy scored 89 (A) in English,93 (A) in Kiswahili, Maths 80(A),Science 75 (A-) and 79 (A) in Social Studies and Religion.

KUSNET seeks more funds for children living with disability teachers, adding that the union is targeting to have a membership of 18,000.He noted that if Kenya Union of Special the Teachers Service CommisNeeds Education Teachers sion (TSC) signs the collective (KUSNET) has called on bargaining agreement then any the Ministry of Education member who would like to join to increase capitation funds the union would be fined. to support special needs stuMoses Kendagor who is a dents. special needs teacher said that Speaking after conductthere is a need for the governing the National elections ment to look into the plight of held at a hotel in Narok visually impaired students who North constituency, KUSuse Braille. He said that they NET secretary-general are limited due the high cost James Torome observed of learning equipment, adding that the union is focused on that the capitation fee should service delivery for special be increased from the current needs teachers as well as KUSNET Secretary-General Sh2,100 per student. the special needs students.

Charity Machocho who “Unlike other able- James Torome. Photo/Bell Pere is a trustee at KUSNET stated bodied learners, special The secretary-general who that special needs students interest learners need more funds. The Education Ministry was elected unopposed further face a myriad of challenges, should, therefore, add more called on union members to pointing out that more resourcfunds to this group,” said Mr hold their horses on matters es should be channelled to speconcerning the collective bar- cial needs education. She urged Torome.

Torome urged the Ministry gaining agreement (CBA) in- the government to supply face of Education to ensure that stu- sisting that the union will make masks and sanitizers to the spedents are provided with proper a major announcement on July cial needs schools for the sake of improving health care for the infrastructure to allow ease of 1, 2021.

He noted that the union has students. access to classrooms and other a membership of over 9,001 amenities within their schools.

By Staff Reporter

26

County Business

By Abdi Hussein The East Africa Community (EAC) Secretary General Peter Mathuki has called for harmonizing business standards across the region to boost intra trade between partner states.

He reiterated member states commitment to seamless bilateral trade when he led a high powered delegation from Kenya and Tanzania in an impromptu visit at the Namanga at One Stop Border Post.

Mathuki was appointed to head the Arusha based secretariat last month and the visit was among his first assignments.

He said some NonTariff Barriers (NTBs) at the border entry point were slowing business flow and called for a harmonized standard of business between Kenya and Tanzania especially on taxes.

He added that the EAC secretariat will provide a platform for cross border trade through trade by facilitating agencies like the East African Business Council and discuss sustainable solutions to boost bilateral and regional trade.

“We are rooting for the harmonization of standards for the most traded goods in the region," said Mathuki He said intra trade within EAC stands at 15 percent currently but projected a triple digit growth in the next five years to 45 percent because of

high volume of trade.

He said the lukewarm relationship between neighbouring countries because of maize importation ban has reduced imports and exports to Kenya and vice versa.

"Business volumes between Kenya and Tanzania have reduced significantly in the last

relationships in the past resulting in illegal goods crossing via clandestine routes.

The EAC is pushing for free movement of goods to reduce the cost of doing business with hope that SMEs will either import or export goods through the right channels. " We must come up

trade especially on cereals.

He encouraged cross border traders to seize the opportunity of good relationship brokered by President Kenyatta and his Tanzania counterpart Samia Suluhu recently.

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Namanga Station Manager, Joseph Moywaywa said Kenya’s top exports to Tanzania included detergents, tiles, auto-motives and solar panels.

Ta n z a n i a ’ s top exports to Kenya were fresh vegetables, alcoholic drinks and fertilizer.

However alcohol drinks exports had reduced owing to the temporary closure of bars severally by the Kenyan government to curb Covid-19 spread.

The visit came three days after the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya visited Namanga and ordered the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to stop registering maize already checked by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service(KPHIS) to avoid an unnecessary cross border crisis.

AFA had banned maize importation from Tanzania and Uganda on March 5, 2021 claiming it contained high levels of aflatoxin resulting in bilateral trade standoff between the two countries.

Non-Tariff barriers hit EAC trade

EAC secretary General Peter Mathuki . Photo/Abdi Hussein. one year due to the Covid 19 pandemic and other administrative crisis," he added, and called for a holistic approach to tackle the challenges.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have borne the brunt of strained

with policies to protect and boost their trade," said Mathuki.

Traders called for the harmonization of taxes and charges across the region, reduction of weigh bridge costs and punitive fines imposed across borders.

EAC Secretariat is set to avail a trade hotline providing cross-border traders with a platform to register their challenges and get prompt feedback, across all EAC border posts.

The secretariat is on facts finding mission in all border entries within East Africa.

Tanzania Ambassador to Kenya, who was part of the large entourage, John Stephen Simbachawene said the Tanzania Government will deepen relations through resolving trade barriers disrupting

JUNE, 2021 COUNTY PRESS

Narok suffers Sh2bn tourism revenue loss

By Ben Leshau Narok county government lost Sh2.25bn tourism revenue loss at the world-famous Maasai Mara Game reserve last year due to the ban on international flights into the country.

Governor Samuel Tunai who is also the Tourism Committee Chair in the Council of Governors said the loss was occasioned by a travel advisory.

Many countries in the world banned tourist flights to combat the spread of the virus at the height of the pandemic last year.

“The county usually gets annual revenue of Sh 2.5bn from the Maasai Mara and we lost about 90 percent of the collection

Narok County Governor Samuel Tunai.. Photo/Bell Pere.

as no visitors visited the game reserve,” said Tunai.

He said 80% of Easter holiday hotel bookings at the game reserve were canceled after the government again restricted movement in five counties to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“During the third wave, 80% of room bookings were canceled meaning most hotels will be forced to lay off a number of their employees,” he observed.

He lamented that the Easter season, was one of the peak seasons at the Mara Mara where many foreigners and locals prefer celebrating the long holiday but this year’s plans just went up in smoke.

“In normal circumstances, the hotels are fully booked during the Easter holiday season, however, the case was very different this year with the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the whole world,” he said.

The county boss reiterated that the sector was slowly recovering from the losses made last year but unfortunately, the third wave of Covid-19 has once again hit the tourist industry.

He however lauded the measures set by the government to curb the spread of the virus which has saved lives.

Lenku urged to waive business tax Suswa market thrives amid Covid-19 pandemic

By Obegi Malack and Collins Ochieng’ Business people in Kajiado County have urged the county government to cushion them from Covid-19 pandemic effects.

The traders now want Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to waive taxes and levies for three months.

They said the recent stringent lock-down measures

by President Uhuru Kenyatta caught them by surprise when they had not recovered from losses incurred during the first lockdown.

The president had ordered an 8pm to 4am curfew and banned movement into and out of Machakos, Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Nakuru counties.

Kiserian market chairman Muthama Ganga said traders’ profits reduced by more than half and they are now struggling to put food on the table.

“Sh30 daily charges at the

market should be suspended for some time because other counties such as Machakos have cushioned their business people from the pandemic,” said Muthama.

Nkaimurunya market chairman James Gachie had earlier directed traders not to pay market fees, arguing that traders were not getting services from the county government and they had also

Kiserian market.

been affected by Covid-19 pandemic measures.

A fruit vendor at the Nkaimurunya market Wayne

Gitau also argued that the Sh30 daily tax should be suspended.

“The curfew has adversely affected me because I used to make a lot of money from late buyers arriving from work in town who purchase fruits to eat at home,' he said.

Another trader Joseph Okello, a fish seller said he gets his supplies of fresh fish from Kisumu and so his business almost collapsed during the lockdown.

Hospitality Association of Kenya coordinator Clifford Wanjala from Kajiado North Sub County said the county should come up with a stimulus package to support people in hospitality sector who are now jobless.

The association held protests in Nairobi CBD demanding president Uhuru to ease the lockdown measures.

The president had ordered all restaurants to serve food to customers on a take-away basis and ordered closure of bars.

By Nancy Masit Nancymasit80@gmail. com Suswa market in Narok East Sub County has continued to operate despite the challenges posed by the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Market chairman Kalembe Ole Monyis said the pandemic affected the sales that dropped but they were struggling to shore up trade volumes.

Traders lamented that business has gone down due to the outbreak of Covid-19 but they are hoping to increase sales after the lock down was lifted.

The market was started in 1996 to sell and buy livestock and the traders come from Naivasha, Limuru, Dagorretti, Nairobi, Githunguri and Narok.

Kalembe said that the population of livestock sold on market days is 1500 cows, 3000 sheep, 3600

goats and 200 donkeys.

Market Secretary Elijah Ripoi Ole Koilel was grateful to the Narok County government for the support it has acorded them through department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

They were also supported by the World Bank through Rural Pastoral Livelihoods Resilience project which gave the Sh18 million to construct a modern livestock yard.

Ole Koilel said the biggest challenge they experience is insecurity and requested the county government to deploy guards at Suswa.

He also requested the department of Livestock to vaccinate livestock against Foot and Mouth disease because of recent outbreaks.

He said farmers are grateful Governor Samuel Tunai who provided them with Artificial Insermination services to improve their

breeds.

The market is run by a Community Based Organisation (CBO) called Nkonyek Olosho which has 228 active members.

Ole Koilel said they need sheds for collection of hides and skins to supply the tannery.

County Director of Livestock Dr. David Mpilei they were training market users to observe all Covid-19 protocols.

They will also ensure that Nkonyek CBO gets more pure breed bulls to improve their livestock.

Dr Mpilei added that farmers will be given market access through market linkages and improved off take.

The county will also do pasture establishment, storage and conservation activities through pastoral field school models.

27

JUNE,2021

Nakeel High School posts best KCSE 2020 performance amid Covid -19 challenges

Kennedy Mwaniki, School Principal.

By Obegi Malack

akeel Boys High School 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade improved despite Covid-19 pandemic challenges.

The school recorded a mean score of 6.345 an improvement from 6.023 recorded in 2019 KCSE. The school had 47 candidates who qualified to join universities with others qualifying to join colleges.

The Principal Kennedy Mwaniki said the school improved compared to last year due to discipline among the candidates and support of the teaching, non-teaching staff and other stakeholders.

“All our candidates qualified for courses in various universities and colleges. They recorded good results because they maintained discipline and interacted with the teachers,” he explained.

N

Mwaniki noted that the learners had completed the syllabus on time and that gave the students time to do their revision.

Like any other institution the administration introduced online classes, but they were not successful since most students reported facing challenges to do with poor internet connectivity. The online class was suspended after a month.

All students reported back after Ministry of Health gave out Covid-19 guidelines for reopening of schools, he said, adding that the administration had to implement the guidelines strictly. “We ensured there were water points in every corner of the school compound and also insisted that all learners put on face masks,” as a measure to safeguard the school fraternity.

“The school medical centre was also put on alert and the students and staff followed the guidelines.

As result no cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the school. We would like also to thank the Kenya Commercial Bank who supported the school with water tanks,” said the Principal.

The school’s green environment provided an ideal and conducive atmosphere to boosts learners’ performance.

“Our students participate regularly in planting trees to increase forest cover in the country and we have been able to plant 2,000 trees donated by Equity Bank,” he noted.

The institution has invested in farming and it has 21 cows that produce 100 litres of milk consumed in the school.

“We have a farm that produces vegetables for the students and staff,” Mr Mwaniki stated.

Nakeel also has continued to excel in in co-curricular activities-

Newly constructed classrooms and Laboratory. and have been able to successfully represent the region in Basketball and Handball. They have also participated in Science Congress competition up to the national level.

The school, despite its success story faces challenges in admission of form ones since the classes are few. It will receive around 300 students which will push streams to 6 instead of four. The current student population stands at around 1,000.

Mr Mwaniki said the school is expected to perform better now that they have solved the water challeng that they have been experiencing.

Athi Water had drilled a borehole and provided A solar system one of A kind in the region.

The administration is also calling on the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers due to increased number of students The school is also facing challenges of infrastructure as it has no enough classes, dormitories, dining

hall, laboratories and staff houses.

A new laboratory that was built by Kajiado North National Govern-

ment Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) also needs to be equipped.

The school has installed solar power for lighting and other operations.

A solar powered borehole at the school.

P.O.BOX 15620 MBAGATHI Tel : 0719352266 Email: nakeelboys@yahoo.com info@nakeelboys.sc.ke

Kajiado takes over 1400 students to university

By Our Reporter Kajiado County will be taking over 1, 400 students to university after a total of 1, 476 students scored C+ and above during the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

According to the analysis released by the County, only two

students scored grade A plain and they were from Isinya and Loitokitok sub-counties.

The extrapolation further shows that 36 students scored Aout of whom the majority were from Isinya and Kajiado North sub-counties.

Those who scored between B+

BOYS

GIRLS 667 773 1408 662 908 291 4709

1015 696 1243 714 808 194 4670

ENTRY A 1682 1469 2651 1376 1716 485 9379

A1 0 0 0 1 0 2

of 5.00 while Kajiado Central and Loitokitok sub-counties each had a mean of above 4.0 The county had a total of 9,379 students sitting for 2020 KCSE examination out of whom 4, 670 students were girls while 4,709 were boys.

Kajiado North sub-county had

the highest number of students who sat the examination with a total of 2, 651 students.

Out of those 1408 were boys, the highest in the county, while 1, 243 girls sat the 2020 examination in the populous sub-county

2020 KCSE ANALYSIS

KAJIADO COUNTY 2020 KCSE ANALYSIS SUBCOUNTY ISINYA KAJIADO CENTRAL KAJIADO NORTH KAJIADO WEST LOITOKITOK MASHUURU TOTALS

(plus) and C+ (plus) grades were 1,438 students.

However, a total of 443 students scored grade E with Kajiado North sub-county having the majority number followed by Kajiado Central and Isinya Sub-counties.

Isinya was the best sub-county recording the highest mean score

B+ 18 3 11 1 3 0 36

68 30 42 2 12 1 155

B

B96 51 66 15 26 4 258

C+ 137 71 123 25 56 4 416

C 165 96 155 74 105 12 607

C201 140 258 129 209 18 955

D+ 186 183 335 211 270 54 1239

D 196 239 374 232 292 89 1422

D215 251 417 281 333 109 1606

X

E 295 323 610 347 333 162 2070

64 68 193 39 52 27 443

W 33 10 57 13 23 4 140

Y

P

U

0 0 0

0 0 0

6 3 3 1

0 0

0 0

1 14

1 1 7 1 1 11

MSS2020 5.008526 4.268041237 1.921568627 3.833210874 4.179078014 3.279166667

Read comprehensive list of KCPE and KCSE perfomance of schools in the July County Press edition

County Press JUNE, 2021

Lenku urged to waive business tax »» Page 26

MD exits as cement firm surrenders land

The company transferred 745 acres in Athi River, Mavoko valued at Sh 5bn as an instalment of the loan that accrued to Sh 6.6bn owed to the bank.

By Abdi Hussein husseinabdi527@gmail. com The loss-making East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) has surrendered a prime piece of land to pay a Sh 5 billion loan owed to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

The company transferred 745 acres in Athi River, Mavoko valued at Sh 5 billion as an installment of the loan that accrued to Sh 6.6b billion owed to the bank.

The process was validated by the Commercial court in Nairobi recently because the Lands Act stipulates that for a state corporation to sell a piece of land to offset a loan, the process has to be validated by a court of law.

The two parties reached the agreement for the debt laden EAPCC to evade the auctioneers hammer because KCB was holding the piece of land title deed as collateral against the loan.

The transaction was made despite four private entities including squatters occupying the land bidding to buy it competitively.

KCB is said to have paid for the land stamp duty to allow the title transfer.

Central Bank of Kenya(CBK) prudential guidelines do not allow a commercial bank to hold land for more than 24 months but the bank also has a responsibility of recovering depositors money.

High court advocate Daniel Kanchori questioned the process terming it illegal and unprocedural, considering the matter involves two partly tax payers owned institutions.

The land is occupied by hundreds of squatters with active schools, churches, hotels and agri-business in full operation.

In 2019, EAPCC passed a board resolution to dispose part of its 16,000acres piece of land to raise Sh45 billion and settle debts to turn around the company.

In an extraordinary meeting held on 27th September 2019, KCB was to be given the first priority in the sale of the land to recover its Sh5.4billion COUNTY PRESS

“I refused to be East African Portland Cement The recruitment process compromised on Company(Eapcc) challeng- of a Managing Director is the sale of land and ing recommendations of the underway supposed to replace I was on the verge Ndung’u Land Commission or confirm Kiprono for the of implementing Report on illegal and irregular position. the company turn allocation of public land.

Like Mr Nthei,his prearound strategy,” In the report released 17 decessor Simon Ole Nkeri Nthei told County years ago, the Commission exited following boardroom Press. recommended revocation of wars before the end of his He is credited titles allocated to the cement contract in what has become for reducing hu- manufacturer for 22 land par- a common trend to most CEOs man capital wages cels in Machakos and Kajiado in the last 18 years. from Sh130 mil- counties. The Commision had In 2018, EAPCC sold lion to Sh60 million said the allocation of public 900 acres at Sh5.2 billion to monthly and reduc- land was illegal and irregular. Kenya Railway Corporation ing electricity debt Justice Oscar Angote dis- for construction of an inland from Sh500 million missed the case, saying the port currently underway. to Sh200million. company failed to challenge Approximately 4,256 The new de- the Commission’s recommen- acres has been surrendered East African Portland Cement Company headquarters in velopment comes dation within reasonable time. to the government for affordAthi River. Photo/OurReporter in time when the An insider told County able housing projects.

M a c h a k o s E n - Press that the cement producAttempts to reach the MD vironment and tion at the plant is dwindling Kiprono or board Chairman debt the cement manufacturer As he began his leave, the Lands court has as suppliers have also not been Edwin Kinyua for comments owes the institution and Sh600 board appointed Mr Daniel dismissed a case filed by paid. were unsuccesful.

COUNTY PRESS MAY, 2021 X million accumulated in inter- Kiprono, who was then head ON GOING!!!

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Minis ests and penalties annually. of internal audit, as the actApart from KCB, several ing Managing Director of the other institutions were to be company on the same day.

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Approved Minisb was to be used to revamp the leave elapsed the board exInternational Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) For studen struggling cement manufac- tended his leave by five more Required fo 2021 School of ICT Why ICDL? Minis ture. days up to the end of April Approved by the goverment as the entry level for computing literacy skills International Driving (ICDL) For students waiting toComputer join university eduication -useful forLicence academic reserach However, a split between 2021 when he returned and CISCO RequiredCertified for promotion andNetwork employment inAssociate private,parastatal and goverment institutions Cisco (CCNA) Approved b the company management and found his office occupied by Computer Packages For studen CISCO Computer Course some members of the board Mr Kiprono.

Web design & GraphicNetworking design Required fo (CCNA)Communication Technology Information Prior to his appointment Certific Approved (Guaranteed placement for CISCO students) (Certificate/diploma) Certific as Acting Managing DirecFor studen Computerized Accounting (Sage & Quick books Certificate in Computer Applications Packages Certificfo CISCO Required Advanced Excel , MS-Outlook Certificate in Compuert Aided Graphic Design Approximately tor Mr Nthei served as Head Cert and dip in Human Management Programming (C, Resouce C++, Visual Basic, Java) Certificate in Web Design & Development of Finance with his contract Cerifica Diploma in Risk Management Technical Support A+ & N+ The best for bridging Cert and dip in college Human Resouce Management Certific expiring in Oct 2022, but that Cerificate in Database Management Technologists Certified Information Communication Diploma in Risk Management Certific courses, certificates Certificate in Computerised Accounting (KASNEB) Certified Information Communication Technologists Enroll position was also occupied Certificn Humanities & Social sciences (KASNEB) Enroll now for these courses (KNEC)(ICM) and make significant Cert & Dip in Sales & Marketing and diploma courses and tim further complicating matters Certific Cert & Dip in Sales & Marketing (KNEC)(ICM) and in timely contribution to your career.

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GOING!!!

May 5, 2021when he exited Moi / Harambee Ave.GOING Junction INTAKE ON!!!

(Equity Bank) cell: 0702Licence 627 320(ICDL) Registration MOHEST/PC/1304/010 International Computer Driving International Computer Driving (ICDL) (KASNEB) Moi Ministry / Harambee Ave. Junction (Equity Bank) Enroll n Dip in Business Management (KNEC)Licence Tell: (+254) 20 of 2242272, 20 2211707 School Business Cell: (+254) Cert 707 090&060 0737 730 281 International Computer Driving (ICDL) the government on mutual agreement terms ICDL? Licence Tell:&(+254) 2211707Why Cell: (+254) 707 090 060tim Cert Dip20in2242272, Sales &20Marketing (KNEC)(ICM) Cell: (+254) 721 170791 and Why ICDL? Cell: (+254) 170791 Cert P.O. & Dip. in Business Management Approved the government entry Licence levelskills for computing Why ICDL? Artisan courses Approved by721 theby goverment asComputer the entry levelas forthe computing for affordable after working for the comInternational Driving (ICDL) Box 49624-00100, Nairobi E-mail: admin@riccatti.ac.ke Website:literacy www.riccatti.ac.ke literacy skills byinthe goverment the entryeduication level for computing skills Human Resource Management For waiting to join as university -useful for literacy academic reserachE-mail: CertApproved &students Dip Business Management (KNEC) CONTACT US P.O. Box 49624-00100, Nairobi pany for 14 years.

For students waiting to join university -useful foradmin@riccatti.a For students to join eduication -useful foreducation academic reserach housing Why ICDL? Sales and Marketing Required forwaiting promotion anduniversity employment in private,parastatal and goverment institutions Nairobi Campus: Kitengela Campus academic reserach Required for promotion and employment in private,parastatal and goverment institutions Approved by the goverment as the entry level for computing literacy skills “The board considered Cert & Dip. in Accountancy Agriculture Hse, flr.

Mileele Centre 3rd flr Required for1stpromotion and employment in private, parastatal projects. students waiting toJunction join university Networking eduication -useful forCourse academic reserach(Equity Bank) CISCO MoiFor / Harambee Ave.Computer Certified Public Accountant and government institutions the various options and settled CISCO Computer Networking Course Required for and employment in private,parastatal and govermentCell: institutions Tell: (+254) 20promotion 2242272, 20 2211707 (CCNA) (+254) 707 090 060 Cert & Dip. in Supplies Management Kitengela Campus (CCNA) on the option that you will be Cell: (+254) 721 170791 CISCO Computer Networking Course (Guaranteed placement for CISCO students) Mileele Centre 3rd flr CISCO Computer Networking Course (Guaranteed placement for CISCO students) (CCNA) paid your terminal dues up (Equityadmin@riccatti.a Bank) P.O. Box 49624-00100, Nairobi E-mail: (CCNA) Certificate in Computer Applicationsfor Packages (Guaranteed placement CISCO students) Cell: (+254) 707 090 060 School of Hospitality Certificate in Applications Packages over mode of sale resulted in to the end of your contract,” Certificate inComputer Compuert Aided Graphic Design (Guaranteed placement for CISCO students) Certificate in Aided Graphic Design Cert & Dip. in Food and Beverage Production, Certificate inCompuert Web Design & Development Certificate in Computer Applications Packages boardroom intrigues . read part of the letter issued to Certificate in Web DesignApplications & Development Cert andand dip inSales Human Resouce Management Certificate Computer Packages Service (KNEC & ICM) Certificateinin Computer Aided Graphic Design Cerificate in Database Management Cert and dip in Human Resouce Management One faction is said to have Mr Nthei signed by Kiprono.

Diploma in Risk Management Certificate inDatabase Compuert Aided&Graphic Design Certificate in Web Design Development Hotel and Catering Management Cerificate inin Management Certificate Computerised Accounting Diploma Information in Risk Management Certified Communication Technologists Certificate in Web Design & Development Cert and dip inOperations Human Resouce Management been pushing for Eapcc to sell County Press has learned Front Office and Administration Certificate in Computerised Accounting Certified Information Communication Technologists Cerificate in Database Management (KASNEB) Cert andand dip inBakery Human Resouce Management Enroll now for these courses and make significant Diploma in Risk Management Pastry (KASNEB) Cerificate Database Management Enroll nowin for courses and career. make significant the land and pay KCB while the board decision was reached Certificate inthese Computerised Accounting Cert & Dip in Sales & Marketing (KNEC)(ICM) Diploma in Risk Management and timely contribution to your Certified Information Communication Technologists Artisan Cookery Cert & Dip in Sales & Marketing (KNEC)(ICM) Certificate in Computerised Accounting and timely contribution to your career.

Artisan courses Certified Information Communication Technologists (KASNEB)Food & Beverages the other wanted KCB to sell to avoid protracted court batEnroll Courses now forthat these courses and make significant Artisan Artisan courses will courses make you tick Cert & Dip in Business Management (KNEC) (KASNEB) Sales & Marketing (KNEC)(ICM) Enroll now for these and make significant and timely contribution to you your career.

Courses that will make tick Cert & Dip in Business Management (KNEC) the land and remit the surplus tles that could taint the strugCert & Dip in Sales & Marketing (KNEC)(ICM) Artisan courses and “Corporate timely contribution to your career.

Training,Evening & Saturday Classes Available” Courses that will make you tick Classes Available” Cert & courses Dip in Business Management (KNEC) Artisan to Portland accounts. gling company’s image.

“Corporate Training,Evening & Saturday CONTACT US Courses that will make you tick Cert & Dip in Business Management (KNEC) CONTACT US Nairobi Campus: It is during that period, Mr Nthei claims he was a Kitengela Campus Campus “Corporate Training,Evening & SaturdayWote Classes Available” Nairobi Campus: Kitengela Campus Wote Campus Agriculture Hse, 1st flr.

Mileele Centre 3rd flr “Corporate Training,Evening & Saturday Nesa PlazaAvailable” 2nd Floor, “Corporate Training,Evening & Saturday Classes Available” Mileele Classes CONTACT US Agriculture Hse, 1st flr.

Nesa 2nd320 Floor, the Board asked the then act- sacrificial lamb by a section of Moi / Harambee Ave. Junction (Equity Centre Bank) 3rd flr cell: Plaza 0702 627 Moi /(+254) Harambee Ave. Junction Nairobi Campus: Kitengela Campus (Equity Bank) cell: 0702 627 Wote Campus Tell: 20 2242272, 20 2211707 Cell: (+254) 707US 090 060 0737 730320 281 CONTACT Tell: (+254) 20 2242272, 20 2211707 Agriculture Hse, 1st flr.

Mileele Centre 3rd flr ing Managing Director Mr board members who did not Cell: (+254) 707 090 060 0737 730 281Floor, Nesa Plaza 2nd Nairobi Campus: Cell: (+254) 721 170791 Wote Campus Kitengela Campus Cell: (+254) 721 170791 Moi / Harambee Ave.1st Junction (Equity Bank) 0702 627 320Floor, Agriculture Hse, flr.

Nesacell: Plaza 2nd Mileele Centre Stephen Nthei to proceed for favour surrendering the piece P.O. Box Nairobi E-mail: admin@riccatti.ac.ke Website: www.riccatti.ac.ke (+254) 2049624-00100, 2242272, 20 2211707 Cell: (+254) 707 090 0603rd flr 0737 730 281 MoiTell: / Harambee Ave. Junction cell: 0702 627 320 P.O. Box Nairobi E-mail: admin@riccatti.ac.ke Website: www.riccatti.ac.ke (Equity Bank) (+254) 72149624-00100, 170791 Tell:Cell: (+254) 20 2242272, 20 2211707 0737 730 281 a 40 days annual leave from of land to KCB but instead Cell: (+254) 707 090 060 Cell: (+254) 170791 Nairobi P.O. Box721 49624-00100, E-mail: admin@riccatti.ac.ke Website: www.riccatti.ac.ke February 8th this year. rooted for an outsourced buyer.

P.O. Box 49624-00100, Nairobi E-mail: admin@riccatti.ac.ke Website: www.riccatti.ac.ke

Congratulations

MAY

INTAKE

ONGOING

CISCO

4,256

CISCO

CISCO

CISCO CISCO

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