Shopper The Metropolitan 7
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AUGUST 2021, ISSUE 001
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•KAREN • LANGATA • NGONG • KISERIAN • MATASIA • ISINYA • KITENGELA • KISAJU • KAJIADO • ONGATA RONGAI • AND BEYOND.
Cooking gas high prices fuel charcoal burning in County Revenue Authority (KRA) imposed 16 percent tax on liquefied petroleum gas leading to cooking gas prices shooting through the roof, most households have now turned to charcoal as an alternative source of energy for cooking. In the region cooking gas is retailing at between Sh1,000 and Sh 1,250 for 6kg cylinder with 13kg cylinder selling for between Sh 2,300 and Sh
By Abdi Hussein
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ooking gas high prices currently have been blamed for sharp rise in demand for charcoal in Kitengela and other Kajiado satellite towns that, in turn, has fuelled illegal logging and charcoal burning in Kajiado county. Almost two weeks after Kenya
BONNY NJAGUA VENTURES
Why a property agent will give good returns
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Dealers in: Drip Irrigation Sprinkles Greenhouses Shade nets Irrigation pump Planting trays Dam liners Fine Touch Africa Ltd Shops in Ongata Rongai, Ngong and Nairobi CBD. Tel: 0700 169 962, 0775 881 049, Email: finetouch@finetouch.co.ke
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Children malnutrition alarms in Kajiado
Turn to page 2
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
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wheel loader among others. Other services are land selling. You can get Bedsitters at Sh6,000, Sh6,500 and Sh7,000, One Bedroom at Sh9,000, Sh10,000 and Sh13,000, Two Bedroom goes for Sh9,000, Sh12,000 and Sh13,000. For a bigger space, those who need Three Bedroom Sh15,000, Sh18,000 and Sh20,000. For Own Compound, you can get a house at Sh20,000, Sh25,000 and Sh30,000
HEALTH ISSUES
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COUNTY PRESS AGRICULTURE
Relief as Bar, restaurant licence fees slashed
REAL ESTATE
Many tenants and landlords suffer at the hands of property managers due to lack of information about the property agents. This year you have to get a trusted property manager who will give you good returns to you as an investor and excellent services to the tenants. 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. The venture also does excavation services, they have modest machines with well trained staff. The machines include back hoe, excavator and
2,600 depending on the brand. Two weeks ago the same cylinders used to retail at Sh800 to Sh1,800 on average respectively. With rising energy prices, charcoal remains the most sought-after source of energy in this region, despite the ongoing government ban on logging and charcoal burning countrywide.
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Isinya Sub county bar owners protest against alleged police harassment on June 16th 2021 at Isinya town. Photo/Our Reporter
ENVIRONMENT & SANITATION
NYS to rehabilitate Ngong dumpsite, says Uhuru »»
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MOTORING ARENA
Lease or buy? »»
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SPORTS
Trip to Emirates nurtured me: Coach Hamisi »»
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The Metropolitan Shopper
AUGUST, 2021
High cooking gas prices kilIing our forests ....Continued from Page 1 The national government imposed a moratorium on logging in public and community forests in 2018. Most residents, however, argue that they cannot afford cooking gas in the current economic hardship informed by collapsing business and massive laying offs of workers in the private sector prompted by Covid-19 pandemic economic effects. “I can no longer afford to buy cooking gas. I used to buy the 13 kilogramme cylinder twice per month. My only option is to use charcoal as a source of energy, which is not cheap either, but I can afford at least a two kilogramme container of charcoal daily,” explained Jane Muthoni. A spot check by the Metropolitan Shopper in Kitengela town indicated a bag of charcoal is retailing at Sh 2,500 with a two kilogramme container selling at Sh 100. Bags of charcoal are ferried from Kajiado Central and Oloilelai Subcounties using motorcycles where illegal logging and charcoal burning is said to have
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I can no longer afford to buy cooking gas. I used to buy the 13 kilogramme cylinder twice per month. My only option is to use charcoal as a source of energy, which is not cheap either, but I can afford at least a two kilogramme container of charcoal daily. - Jane Muthoni.
resumed lately. Removal of police roadblock along Namanga highway has escalated the problem. Motorcycle riders operate early in the morning with each motorcycle ferrying in between 4 to 6 bags per trip. A rider who spoke to Metropolitan Shopper on condition of anonymity said about 50 motorcycle riders are hooked into the lucra-
Bar, restaurant licence rates come down
tive business with each rider making two trips in a day. “Some of us supply to hotels and households, but some are paid to ferry the charcoal to waiting vehicles along the Namanga highway. The charcoal is transported to as far off destinations as Nairobi,” he confided. Charcoal retailers in Kitengela town and other satellite towns are enjoying a booming business. Oloilelai Sub county Deputy County Commissioner Justin Maina said the security team in collaboration with local administration and Kenya Forest Service officers has intensfied village to village patrols to curb the illegal logging. “We are aware of the new trend but we have intensified patrols. Lately we have taken dozen suspects to court and we will not relent in fighting illegal logging in private and communal lands,” vowed Mr Maina. Since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in March last year the security agencies seem to have relaxed on the fight against illegal logging
By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail.com Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku has slashed bar and restaurant licence fees by half after a petition by Kajiado North sub county bar and restaurant owners. He directed that a 50 per cent waiver be effected for all the licences payable to the Kajiado County Alcoholic Drinks Control Board in respect of bars and restaurants for 2021/22 Financial Year. All the application fees payable to the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Board will be suspended for the 2021/22 Financial Year. Licences falling under the same department will be harmonized and merged for ease of payment and administration. Lenku also direct that Kajiado County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (2014) be amended to provide for board membership to include representatives of bar and restaurant owners from each of the sub counties. He also directed bars and restaurants to operate for two hours earlier within their respective working hours. The Governor said the move is meant
to assist the business community in the food and entertainment industry in their recovery process from the Covid-19 pandemic. Vet Ngong Bar Owners CBO had petitioned the county government to consider 100% waiver on the liquor licence fee for the year 221/2022. In the petition dated 2nd July 2021 they also requested the county to consider reduction of the licence fee by 50% or such other favourable percentage in the year 2022-2023. They also appealed to have at least five persons to represent them in the Liquor Licensing Board in the sub county who will be articulating their issues. The business owners had also petitioned the county to scrap all hidden charges while applying for the liquor licences such as copyright and tourism licence. The health and single permit licences should be merged for ease of operations, they had appealed. The operators also appealed to the county government to give clear direction on working hours to avoid confrontation with law enforcers.
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See related story on Page 6.
Almost two weeks after Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) imposed 16 percent tax on liquefied petroleum gas leading to cooking gas prices shooting through the roof, most households have now turned to charcoal as an alternative source of energy for cooking.
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COUNTY PRESS
SCHOOLS / COLLEGES
Kefjoy Academy:UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL Our Vision
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Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku chats with bar and restaurant owners. Photo/Courtesy
that is currently being fuelled by high prices of cooking gas pushing the demand of charcoal higher. Residents interviewed by Metropolitan Shopper have appealed to the national government to review cooking gas prices downwards to save the country’s forests.
ocated opposite Tuskys along Kingdom Hall road, Kefjoy Academy unlocks every child’s potential. The institution is based on Christian values and aims at nurturing children through play, nature, selfdiscovery and exciting learning experiences. The school offers pre-primary, primary and a special unit. The institution is led by a stable administration team and friendly staff. Learning in Kefjoy is dynamic. It involves practical learning programs, integrated units for children with special needs and piano lessons designed to give children all-round development. Children are provided with toys for play, hot lunch, snacks, efficient transport and a secure and excellent learning institution. Kefjoy offers occupational therapy and emotional support workshops. The therapy is aimed at supporting the children with special needs while the emotional support helps the parents to these children to nurture them in an equal way. Kefjoy is simply the place to bring your child!
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The Metropolitan Shopper
AUGUST, 2021
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Women Fund Bill gets Kajiado County Assembly nod
KAJIADO COUNTY PRESS
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By Our Reporter
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he Kajiado County Assembly early in June 2021 passed a bill that will see womenfolk get funds for their economic empowerment. Ms Yvonne Tonkei, Chairperson sectoral committee on Gender, Tourism, Wildlife, Youth and Sports said that women for years have faced challenges economically and at that time modern governance looked into the welfare and situations of the women in the society. The Committee chair said that supporting women economically is in the spirit of devolution that must be embraced. “It’s true we recently supported and passed the Kajiado County Women Empowerment Fund Bill, this will be a milestone to Kajiado County considering that our cultural practices have never been favourable to women. A woman only owns milk that is produced by the cow, but not the animal. We want to see women investing in animals. We want to see women owning land and using the land as a resource for the purpose of leveraging their livelihoods,” stated Yvonne Tonkei Kajiado County Women Empowerment Fund Bill, 2021 now sets the pace for a County legislation that will see women
Women at a function. Kajiado County Assembly has passed a bill that will see womenfolk get funds for their economic empowerment. Photo/Courtesy in the pastoral community benefit for economic purposes. The fund will establish a framework for involving women in economic activities, training and build capacity for women. It will assist in the eradication of pov-
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erty through economic empowerment of women, she said. Nominated Member of County Assembly Patricia Mbaaria underscored the fact that women are not doing well economically as a result of lack of seed capital from the institutions that offer credit facilities. “A woman in a rural setting or the slums of our major towns is faced with challenges associated with finance. Larger percentage of women lack collaterals that are enablers for starting viable businesses. This bill will give women and the community based organisations donations and grants which will act as eye openers to women to rely on their creativity and business ventures,“ noted Mbaaria. Ms Mbaaria, the special elect member added that the fund will boost women already in existing businesses with additional capital to expand their entrepreneurial ventures. Joshua Oluwuasa of Kaputiei North Ward said that supporting women will go a long way in improving the economic standards of the families. “This is an important bill that envisages women being role models for the young girls who are growing up. It will encourage thousands of school aged girls to value education and work hard to be future leaders and managers in established businesses,”
said Oluwuasa. Once enacted into law the registered women self help groups will be supported to get a minimum amount of Sh 100,000 to a maximum of Sh300,000. Established institutions like women Saccos and other authorized businesses run by women have not less than fifty members. For sustainability purposes, the law will outline the viability of the business idea or concept, financial risks involved and the capitalization and asset capability of the business. Kajiado County Assembly will also be tasked with annual appropriation of the fund which will be disbursed as the revolving fund.Ms Joyce Wahome, a business lady based at Kitengela said that the law should ensure that the fund isn’t prone to corruption or misuse, but serves the right institutions. “If this fund is properly expended, the fact is we shall see thousands of women grow economically. It is only unfortunate if it is misused as a result of corruption and possibly discrimination. We call on the County Government to live to the spirit of devolution and mean well to the great women of this county,” observed Wahome.
Kajiado County Women Empowerment Fund Bill, 2021 now sets the pace for a County legislation that will see women in the pastoral community benefit for economic purposes. The fund will establish a framework for involving women in economic activities, training and build capacity for women.
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The Metropolitan Shopper
AUGUST, 2021
Children malnutrition alarms in Kajiado County By Our Reporter
25 % malnutrition
Stunted growth
Kajiado County ministry of health has raised concerns over the high number of malnourished children in the county which adversely affects early child development. According to a report of a survey conducted recently, it was established that malnutrition linked to stunted growth malnutrition among children in Kajiado County stands at 25 percent, while one in every four children under the age of five is stunted (short for their age. Wasted (thin for weight) malnutrition stands at 10 percent with underage children standing at 22 percent. The county department of nutrition says the most affected children are in the far flung The county government in collaboration with non-governmental organisations has embarked on training journalists and community health volunteers (CHVS) on the importance of sensitizing the community on well-being and rights of children.
rural areas where a balanced diet remains a pipedream and heavy workload among women remains a challenge. County nutrition officer Ruth Nasikoi said high illiteracy levels, far flung health centres and ignorance has contributed to the high number of children who fail to attain full development amid high cases of malnutrition. “Most Maasai mothers are illiterate and poor to avoid a balanced diet for their children. Hospital facilities are few and far apart for them to seek nutrition advice,” explained Nasikoi. She said the affected child development has partly contributed to low academic performance in schools. “Most of the children suffering different forms of malnutrition record minimal performance in school.They also have troubled adulthood,” noted Nasikoi. As a measure to help contain the worrying situation, the county government in collaboration with non-governmental organisations has embarked on training journalists and community health volunteers (CHVS) on the impor-
Kenya loses Sh 373.9 bn annually due to under nutrition By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail.com Kenya is estimated to have lost an equivalent of about Sh373.9 billion (6.9%) of GDP due to under nutrition. This was revealed by Kenya Aids NGOs Consortium (KANCO) during media training on Early Child Development Advocacy in Kajiado recently. Rahab Mwaniki KANCO Campaign manager indicated health related costs were estimated to be Sh18.6 billion (0.3%) of GDP with education related losses estimated to be Sh3.2 bilion (0.06%) of GDP and productivity related losses contributing the largest cost at Sh352.1 bilion (6.5%) of GDP. She said children who are stunted before the age of five are more likely to under-perform in school; it has a negative impact on their produc-
tance of sensitizing the community on wellbeing and rights of children. CHVS are undergoing training on basic skills of balanced diet who in return train and influence locals to shun traditional feeding of babies which is limited to raw cow milk and goat fat, but instead embrace healthy foods. The report also captured low intake of recommended vaccines where mothers ignore immunization of children and in the long run leading to complications among children, which affect their physical growth and mental development. In the Maasai community, nurturing children is a sole responsibility of a woman who is in turn not empowered and subjected to heavy workload, including trekking for long distances to fetch water using donkeys. Traditional misconceptions are also a challenge when it comes to immunization of children. For children aged five to nine years, malnutrition in caused by inadequate food intake and infections increase the risk of being prone to underweight, anemia, and illness.
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young child practices, poor hygiene and sanitation practices, infections, long distance to health facilities, recurrent drought and food insecurity. Other causes are low nutrition knowledge among communities, high workload for women and poor infrastructure. Strategies that have been put in place to correct malnutrition include growth monitoring and nutrition education and counseling, integrated management of acute malnutrition, food by prescription and Anzilisha programme. Others are care groups model, baby friendly community initiative, integration of day care at work place, integrated outreaches and health campaigns, high impact nutrition interventions and Malezi Bora initiative. Early Child Development Advocacy (ECD) programme manager Stephen Ikonya said the training was to build capacity of journalists on importance of ECD, strengthen journalists’ un-
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Journalists during media training on early child development advocacy. Photo/Obegi Malack tivity at later stages in life. County nutrition Co-ordinator Ruth Nasinkoi said one in four children in the county is stunting. She said, however, the situation can be corrected in two years, that is when the mother gets pregnant to when the child is two years old. In a survey done in 2018 in Kajiado County, it was established that one in every four children is stunting that is 25%, wasting has 10%, underweight 10% , exclusive breastfeeding is 73.8% ( NI-ISG 2020), complementary feeding 34.8% ( NI-ISG 2020),Vitamin A supplementation is at 82% ( KHIS,2020), Iron and Folic Acid Consumption at 52.9% (NI-ISG 2020). Causes of malnutrition occur due to poor diet diversification, poor maternal infant and
derstanding of children rights and understand the importance of nutrition and immunization. Director Public Health and Sanitation Samson Saigilu said the county government of Kajiado has allocated Sh5 million to support nutrition activities while other organizations have also set aside funds to support the cause. during journalist workshop in a Kajiado County hotel recently The economic impact associated with underweight and stunted children is quite signicant with far reaching eects on Health, Education and Productivity
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The Metropolitan Shopper
FASHION & BEAUTY
Skin care habits that make one look younger By Rosemil Oduor One’s lifestyle as well as skin care habits greatly influence how fast or slow they age. Proper skin care ensures one looks younger. People like being told they look younger than their ages. Though it’s impossible to look young forever, there are habits that can prevent premature aging. Some of these habits include: • Too much exposure to radiation from the sun, phone screens as well as television. Radiation causes wrinkles on the skin and increases chances of one getting skin cancer. The use of sunscreen after ex-
posure to radiation helps restore the skin. • Bad sitting and standing postures. These affect one’s spine and also make them appear older and less alert. • Lack of exercise. Exercises helps people keep fit, improves blood flow in the body and nourishes the skin making one to appear younger. Sedentary lifestyles increase the chances of acquiring terminal illnesses like blood pressure. • Inadequate sleep. One should sleep for at least seven hours daily because sleep helps in refreshing and energizing the body. One’s sleeping position matters because sleeping with the face pressed on the pillow causes skin breakage and wrinkles formation. • Constantly rubbing the eye area causes breakage of the blood vessels around the eye. • Using the wrong makeup especially the foundation. Foundations look good when they match one’s skin complexion .Wearing the wrong color foundation makes one look ashy hence takes away the youthful glow of their skin. • Not moisturizing the skin. This ranges from taking enough water to using the right moisturizing products. People with dry skins should constantly moisturize it well.
Though it’s impossible to look young forever, there are habits that can prevent premature aging.
Tips on taking care of natural hair
Sylvia Wanjiku, a student at PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute from Nairobi County demonstrates to Janet Tundura hair dressing skills during a TVET symposium at Machakos show ground.
By Rosemil Oduor Taking care of natural hair has been a challenge for many ladies. It doesn’t help that a certain type of hair is considered more beautiful than another. Some have resorted to copying their models only to end up frustrated when they don’t get the desired results. The first step to taking care of natural hair is acknowledging that your hair is beautiful. You then need to identify the type of hair you have. There are four types of hair: type 1, 2, 3 and 4. The difference is that type 1 is straight, type 2 is wavy, type 3 is curly and type 4 is coily. Other tips for taking care of natural hair include: •
Some hair products use preservatives to increase their shell life. When selecting a product, one should check out for parabens, sulphates and alcohol. These ingredients have been proven to cause hair loss or make hair dry. One should opt for oil made from plants such as almond which helps in hair growth. • Not having tight hairstyles which damage the hairlines. • Avoiding frequent use of heat to straighten hair .This is because frequent heat destroys and discolors the hair. • Before washing your hair, detangle it.one should also refrain from over washing the hair because it makes the hair lose moisture. Hair should be left it to dry naturally. • Not combing natural hair when it’s dry to avoid breakages.
Choosing the right hair products.
BUSINESS NEWS
Retail chains in renewed hunt for consumer wallets in Kajiado North By Malachi Motano
He says the developments come hot on the heels of the setting up of a full-fledged branch by Naivas Supermarket in a bid to get a piece of the pie. Naivas has also a branch in Ngong town. Other smaller outfits that have joined the fray to get a slice of the growing consumer insatiable appetite include Zoros Supermarket that set up shop at Exciting area in the suburbs of Ongata Rongai. Other entrants include the Star Supermarket among others. Cleanshelf supermarket in Rongai has also been a dominant figure in the supermarket industry for quite a while. Similarly the subcounty is dotted with several smaller supermarkets competing for customers. They include Kwarematt Supermarket at Kware and Sweetworld Supermarket that has branches in Kiserian, Matasia, Ngong, Embulbul and Isinya. In Kiserian, there are Hypercity supermarket and Destiny with Joci supermarket featuring in Isinya.
The exit of giant retail chains -Uchumi, Nakumatt and recently Tuskys supermarkets has renewed competition among the new entrants into the retail chain especially for the places that remained vacant after the major exits in the continued hunt for consumer’s wallet. “Businessmen and women normally take advantage of any available opportunities to make an investment. The collapse of those big supermarkets left a very big space for grabs by investors,” says Dr. Maurice Kioko the owner of Johnson Medical Clinic in Rongai. In Ongata Rongai town, Maasai Mall where Uchumi was, has been taken over by Unique Supermarket while the spot that was vacated by former dominant giant Tuskys Chap Chap was taken by Tasia Supermarket but Tuskys still operates their old branch in Tuskys stage. Naivas staff cutting the cake during the opening of Rongai branch. The new entrants include Gravity Supermarket, the new kid on the block that has in the last one year or so opened three branches two in Ongata Rongai and another Rimpa. Gravity supermarket operates from Whitehouse building in Rimpa popular with shoppers. “Quickmart supermarket chain which took over from Tumaini in Ongata Rongai, now prides itself as a dominant entity in the business, having set up two branches in the town. Quickmart has gone a notch higher to establish its own Megastore in Ongata Rongai. The retail chain which has established itself in Ongata Rongai also boasts of a giant outlet in KiseMaasai Mall which used to house Uchumi Supermarket. rian which it recently put up from scratch,” says DaUnique Supermarket has taken up the space after the vis Kamau owner of Davis plumbing (Hardware) exit of troubled Choppies which suceeded Uchumi. Photo/ who has witnessed Rongai transform from a kind of Old Kware supermarket which has withstood Obegi Malack a village market into a big town. rising competition.
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The Metropolitan Shopper
AUGUST, 2021
REGIONAL NEWS KAJIADO CENTRAL
Traders pave way for Kajiado town’s Sh46m ICT public square By Staff Reporter Kajiado town open air market has been earmarked for demolition to pave way for Sh46 million Information and Communications Technology (ICT) enabled publicsquare funded by the World Bank. The public square is expected to economically boost the sleepy Kajiado town that is paid homage as the county headquarters barely two years after the town was elevated into a municipality. This will be the first public park in the vast Kajiado County. More than 300 daily traders and dozens ‘guest’ traders who flock the open air market every Wednesday have already been moved to an alternative modern retail market. A section of traders have lauded the initiative and urged the county government to allocate them operations street in Kajiado town once per week. The ‘guest’ traders move across the county in open air markets selling their assorted wares. On June 30th 2021 irate traders took to the streets and protested to the county government in what turned up a heated standoff with the governor maintaining his ground that the project will continue as scheduled. “My administration endures to serve people, but we ought not to be arm twisted. We may be forced to use excess force to ensure
with the county government of Kajiado expected to provide street furniture with solar power enabled sockets. Additionally, the park is designed to have two kiosks, ablution block and Maasai community cultural square where the natives will be showcasing and selling their traditional artifacts online.
Parsimei Gitau, Kajiado Municipality Manager. the project proceeds as scheduled,” Lenku said. Meanwhile, Idarmat Ward MCA Samuel Teum has moved a motion in Kajiado County assembly opposing the project. Originally the three acres piece of land was set aside for a public park, but it was allocated to traders by the defunct ol Kejuado county council leadership allegedly illegally in the 1990s. According to the Department of Lands records more than two acres have since been hived off and developed by private developers. Demolition of semi permanent structures recently started. The planned modern public square will be sitting on a three quarter acre piece of land
More than 300 daily traders and dozens ‘guest’ traders who flock the open air market every Wednesday have already been moved to an alternative modern retail market.
The planned modern public square will be sitting on a three quarter acre piece of land with the county government of Kajiado expected to provide street furniture with solar power enabled sockets.
Kajiado Municipal Manager Parsimei Gitau said the public square will create job opportunities for youths and will elevate the status of the town thus attracting investors. Youth groups will be considered to provide Wifi services at a fee. He said Maasai women will be allocated enough space to showcase and sell their traditional artifacts as one way to preserve the Maasai culture and boost them economically. “Previous poor planning of Kajiado town is a major setback to expansion for better services to our people. The county headquarter town has no public toilet or a public square. These are the mistakes we are correcting,” said Mr Gitau when addressing the affected traders. Mr Gitau took issue with the town’s snail pace development record, saying the municipality management is improving infrastructure, water supply in an attempt to provide investor friendly atmosphere. “This town goes to sleep by 8pm.We want to change the narrative and transform it into a 24-hours economy town. The Wifi enabled public square is one facet towards realising the dream,” he added. The public square is expected to be completed in three months’ time and perhaps jump-start the sleepy county headquarters town.
KAJIADO EAST
Isinya bar owners protest alleged police harassment By Our Reporter A simmering standoff is brewing between dozens of bar owners and security agencies in Isinya town,Kajiado East Subcounty. Addressing the media after a three hours crisis meeting recently between the bar owners and the Kajiado East Bar Owners Association officials, the dejected bar owners cited security agencies alleged harassment and extortion. Bar owners claimed the security agencies have been breaking into their bars and making away with liquor and money to their chagrin. They alleged the trend has escalated in the last two months. In May 2021, a middle aged man sustained bullet injuries during a scuffle between police officers and members of the public in one of the local pubs. They also accuse county reinforcement officers of alleged high hardiness in attempting to inspect their pubs while demanding business operations licence despite bar owners having a court order suspending all liquor licensing within Kajiado East sub county. Kajiado East Subcounty Bar Owners Association had moved to High Court in Machakos in April 2021 opposing single business multiple licensing formula effected from January 2021 by the county government affecting bars and restaurants. “Local chiefs and their assistants work in cahoot with a section Isinya officers demand-
cohol business in Isinya. We fear for our business and the culprits must be brought to book,” added Chege. The association claimed their meeting between Isinya sub county deputy county commissioner Justus Musau and the county Alcohol and liquor licencing board recently aborted. However, deputy county commissioner Justus Musau distanced his office from bar owners alleged harassment saying the security agencies have been effecting Government Covid-19 guidelines. He said some wine and spirits outlet owners have turned their outlets into pubs against the law. He said he had no evidence of money Isinya subcounty bar owners association patron Fredrick Chege ad- extortion by police officers. dressing the media after a section of bar owners staged a demo to proWe met with bar owners association oftest alleged police harassment in Isinya town. Photo/Our Reporter ficials and listened to their grievances. We also advise them accordingly. I do not have ing for protection fee. Once the bar owner does manding Sh 2,000 weekly protection fee. Our any evidence of our officers collecting bribes,” not comply, they break into the bar and vandal- plea to the relevant authorities continue to be stated Musau. ize it,” alleged Jane Musyoka, a bar owner at ignored,” claimed Mr Chege. Kajiado Alcohol and LiquorLicensing Kimalat shopping centre near Kitengela town. The bar owners association has accused Board Chairman Johna Marahpash said the Kajiado East Sub county bar owners as- certain individuals of inciting local residents board is adhering to court order suspending sociation patron Fredrick Chege said local ad- against the bars in the growing town. They alcohol licensing, but was at pains to explain ministration and the Kajiado alcohol and liquor say they fear residents will oppose alcohol why county reinforcement officers are alleglicencing board was acting in utter disregard of business as it happed in 2016 when protesting edly demanding the same from the same bar court order. women broke into all bars and destroyed alco- owners. “Most bars in Isinya are on the verge of hol and millions worth of properties destroyed Kajiado East Sub County boasts of more collapsing due to police harassment. Due to during the melee. than 1,000 bars and wine and spirits outlets Covid-19 government guidelines bars operate “We want the government to investigate with the populous Kitengela town enjoying the for only two hours yet police officers are de- certain inidviduals inciting natives against al- lion’s share.
AUGUST, 2021
The Metropolitan Shopper
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REGIONAL NEWS KAJIADO WEST
HEALTH ISSUES
Saitoti Hospital gets modern theatre (C-section) deliveries. During his tour in the Kajiado North Sub County the governor also commissioned the new cabro constructed road that connects Ngong to Gichagi. In Ngong’s Mathare Slum, he opened a community social hall, that is fully equipped with seats and a public address system and a community tent and also distributed food to the Ongata Rongai Saitoti Hospital Theatre needy. opened by Governor Joseph ole Lenku. Lenku who was accompaPhoto/Our Reporter nied by county assembly members Robert Sungura (Ngong), By Our Reporter James Waichanguru (Nkaimurunya), nomiKajiado North Sub County has received nated MCA Wachuka Mathenge and Kajiado the second fully equipped theatre funded by North MP Joseph Manje. the county government of Kajiado. The Governor said he will ensure that The Ongata Rongai/Saitoti Hospital the- Mathare, Gichagi and Nkaimurunya’s Kware atre and female pediatric ward was opened by slum residents receive title deeds. Governor Joseph ole Lenku. “Next year by June we will give title The theatre has boosted the availability deeds for Gichagi, we are dictated in ensuring of essential health services to residents of the there are no more land conflicts,” he said. populous region. CECM-Lands and Physical Planning The hospital now joins Ngong Sub Coun- Hamilton Parseina also assured the Gichagi ty Hospital and other hospitals in the county residents that the county will give allotment that have operational theatres. letters at end of October this year in preparaThe hospital has a fully functioning ma- tion to next year’s title deeds. ternity ward and has started doing Cesarean
Battle over dumpsite as county transports trash to Dandora By Staff Reporter 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 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
trash and directed the every trader to have dustbins and dump the waste to garbage lorries. These will prevent people who are not traders from dumping waste in the market. Samuel Muchiri ward administrator Rongai says they have been successful in ensuring garbage is cleared along the Magadi roads. 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
KAJIADO NORTH
Urban residents want more villages created in proposed Bill
James Ndirangu Waisha - Nkaimurunya MCA. By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail.com Kajiado County cosmopolitan region residents in Kitengela and Kajiado North Sub County are demanding that the county assembly of Kajiado should create more villages in the region. The residents said the draft of The Kajiado County Villages Delineation Bill, 2021 does not factor in population of the urban areas when coming up with village administrations. The bill seeks to create village council which will be chaired by a village administrator; there will be board members who will be
village elders. The bill indicated that there will be establishment of 102 villages for proper co-ordination and facilitation of citizen participation in the development of policies and plans and delivery of services. The urban towns wards had few villages compared to the rural and residents demanded that the MCAs amend the bill to ensure there is creation of more villages. Olkeri ward resident Susanne Lochess said the MCAs must ensure the bill is amended as proposed by residents. She said most bills are presented to the public for formality and amendments are never done. Nkaimurunya MCA James Waisha said the bill was brought to the public for discussion and assured them that amendment will be done. He said sub locations should be used in coming up with villages in his ward. The MCA said his ward should get more than nine villages; it had two villages in the draft. The bill proposed not less than three and not more than five Village Elders competitively appointed by the Village Administrator with the approval of the County Assembly, taking into account gender balance and people with disabilities. A proposal to add the appointment will be done in consultation with relevant stakeholders within the village.
Waste at Soko Mjinga, Rongai town. Photo/Staff Reporter 60km away. They transporters faced a challenge in Kajiado town, after locals blocked them accusing the county government of failing to contain the garbage at the source. The 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. The company is already recycling waste from Ngong modern 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. The county now transports the garbage to Dandora using private lorries, it has also cleared dumping points along roads and demanded people to manage their waste. Nkaimurunya Ward administrator Wilfred Ombasa said they cleared the Soko Mjinga
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.
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The Metropolitan Shopper
AUGUST, 2021
REGIONAL NEWS KAJIADO WEST
Bank rolls out tree planting programme
Equity Group Kiserian branch manager Pauline Kabiru planting a tree while Olooseos Secondary and primary learners look on recently. Photo/Malack Obegi By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail.com Equity Group has kick started 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 learn-
ers’ outstanding grades. Stafffrom 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.
Magadi residents alarmed over illicit brew upsurge
By Abdi Hussein
Magadi division, Kajiado County, administrators are on the spot over sharp increase of illicit brew trade to the chagrin of the local residents . Some of the administrators are said to abet liqour brewing that has affected several villages with revellers patronising the drinking dens round the clock in total disregard of Covid -19 protocols. The sleepy villages of Ngomonko and Entasopia are the most hit boasting of dozen brewing centres. A spot check indicates the traditional brew known as rorongana is brewed and sold in broad daylight. Youths and the elderly mingle freely in drinking sprees occasioning public altercations
that threaten public peace. The sale of the illicit brew is also attributed to insecurity cases involving herders relocating livestock in search of pasture and locals. Mr Ramadan Muendo says he recently almost lost his teenage son after a night long drinking spree. Mr Muendo says the liquor has reduced dozen youths from the region to zombies not ready to work. Locals point accusing fingers to the local administrators accusing them of abetting illicit brews. Magadi division is the driest part of Kajiado County with high poverty index level. Natives are mostly herders. Attempts to reach Kajiado West Subcounty Deputy County Commissioner nor Kajiado County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha for a comment were futile.
KAJIADO NORTH
Commissioner warns sex workers operating in Kajiado
Shebah Osiemo, Kajiado North Sub-County Assistant County Commissioner Photo/Staff Reporter By Staff Reporter Kajiado North sub county assistant county commissioner Shebah Osiemo has said prostitution is a prohibited practice and will not be allowed in Kajiado North sub county.
The ACC said local administrators have been alerted to take action on women or men engaging in such activities in the region. Speaking to County Shopper Osiemo said the community should share information on persons engaged in prostitution for action to be taken against the culprits. Ongata Rongai Honolulu centre and the market area are famous sites for prostitutes. Young girls lineup along the corridors from as 7pm engaging in the vice. “The security officers have come up with measures and am sure actions have been taken against those who rent out their premises for prostitution,” she noted. Osiemo said due to Covid-19 young girls are involved in prostitution in a bid to put food on the table and boys too are engaged in the vice. She challenged parents to ensure their children are back to school, adding that local administrators have been urged to ensure every child is back to school.
CRIME & COURTS
Another boda boda rider murdered, motorbike tracked to Korogocho in Nairobi County By Our Reporter Kajiado County boda boda riders are living in fear following a wave of killings targeting new boda boda operators. In the latest case, a boda boda rider from Ongata Rongai town was murdered and his body dumped in Tuala, Oloosiron on the outskirts of the town. His motorbike is still missing but reports indicated its signal had been tracked to Korogocho in Nairobi county. The incident occurred a week after another incident in Kajiado town that saw a rider killed and his motorbike stolen. After the incident, irate riders protested and blocked Kajiado-Namanga road
before they were disbursed by security personnel. The Rongai operator was two weeks old in the business and was operating from Mayor Road stage. The deceased had at around 9pm communicated with a friend, who was identified, before he disappeared. The friend was informed later about a body that had been found in Tuala. The friend said he was a guarantor to a loan taken by the rider. The motorcycle had been purchased by a brother of the deceased. Oloosirkon Ward aspirnat Justus Bosire said the area has become a crime hotspot. Cases of human wildlife conflict also increased. A few weeks ago a man was killed and a car he was driving burnt.
Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya Kajiado branch chairperson Alex Gitari said cases of motorcycle theft have increased and demanded that security be beefed up. Gitari said most motorcyles stolen in the area are taken to Korogocho, Kariobangi and Kasarani in Nairobi county. “We are demanding that companies that instal the tracking system to also provide us with the trackers, those that control the trackers are very slow when we report theft cases,” he said. Gitari who is also chairperson Rongai division boda boda branch urged riders to register with the association to reduce such incidents. He said the boda boda riders may take matters into their hands
by ensuring wild animals are eliminated in the area if Kenya Wildlife
Service does not protect them.
Police officers at the spot where the body of a boda boda rider had been dumped in Tuala. Photo/Our Reporter
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The Metropolitan Shopper
AUGUST, 2021
11
COMMENTARY
Good grades to restore confidence of public schools
T
he 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.
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 competition to get the
Pascal Mwandambo The high grades scored by public schools candidates across the country were indicators that they can regain their lost glory. 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 door-die competition for the best academic results which in turn was used as a bait to lure more
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
ENTERTAINMENT By Our Reporter
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ntense competition for a slice of Ongata Rongai’s mouth-watering entertainment business is on. Party goers and visitors will not be disappointed by what the town has on its menu. Some of the most popular places include Baileys Lounge and Grill, Olive Or Twist, Rangers Club and Tembo Bar and Grill among others. They are among a long list of other joints that offer residents and visitors the perfect food choices and entertainment dose. The food and entertainment scene in Rongai town includes, Beatus Chicken and Coffee House, GiMor Restaurant, Siron Place Restaurant, the refurbished Club Legend, The Spot-Rumba House, Hornbill Bar & Restaurant, Choma Place Inn Bar and Restaurant, Pizza Inn and Chicken Inn. While new night clubs, bars and restaurants are opening up, old timers like The Spot in Nkoroi rebranded, putting on fresh offers to remain competitive and appealing. “Our marketing strategy is to exploit the determined market potential of the Club through communicating the unique set of goods and services on offer to clientele with direct focus to issues of quality and value for the money,” said Barasa Sindani, Director of Rhumba House Limited, owners of the Nkoroi-based The Spot Club. Given its strategic location, The Spot has access to the local business and residential community, institutional facilities, special class of revellers, family groups and visiting travellers,” said Sindani. A spot check by Metropolitan Shopper revealed that many social places are taking advantage of the love for premier league football, to provide its clients with
Battle for Rongai’s entertainment market
rite game. Most of the night clubs and restaurants are a big attraction owing to their proximity to Magadi Road-the main highway linking catchment regions of Ongata Rongai, Kiserian, Ngong, Karen and Langata. All these entertainment clubs, hotels and pubs have set their eyes on predominantly middle aged individuals, with high incomes in Rongai, making the area an attractive destination.
A spot check revealed that many social places are taking advantage of the love for premier league football, to provide its clients with live matches on big screens. In addition, the joints offer discounts on its alcoholic and beverage brands, during these matches.
The booming Olive & Twist Lounge. live matches on big screens. In addition, the joints offer discounts on alcoholic and beverage brands, during these matches. These sports Bars or Restaurant lounges offer all manner of foods, wines, spirits and beer, complete with HD TVs and modern sound systems that make patrons feel like they are in the front row of the big game, while sitting and sipping their drink. These entertainment lounges are unique in their locality, spacious and serene for serving drinks, foods and craft cocktails as the patrons watch their favou-
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The Metropolitan Shopper
AUGUST, 2021
PROPERTY WORLD
Why steel Mabati shops, offices are becoming popular
Dickson Mwangi, a property dealer.
Shipping container shops in Ongata Rongai. By Our Reporter
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hipping containers have become a surprising part of the urban infrastructure in Ongata Rongai, Kiserian and Kitengela and other towns in Kajiado county. It is easy to overlook the unassuming innovation that these steel containers have given to urban centres such as Ongata Rongai where new commercial and shopping centres as well as new office spaces sprout with each passing day. The shipping container is not only changing the urban fabric of towns in Kajiado County, but also the very dynamics of business. “There is a growing preference for the steel containers because they are durable and moveable. This enables a land owner who has constructed these units to dismantle or shift them to another location in the event that the business environment is not conducive,” said Dixon Mwangi, a property dealer with Goldland Estate Agencies Limited, located in Ongata Rongai. He added that those converting containers into business premises and mostly those who occupy land on a lease and thus would like to avoid the problem of putting down permanent buildings if the leases expire. “Contrary to public perception, these steel-made premises attract even higher rental charges compared to brick and mortar spaces. This is because these container-buildings are portable, transferable and are not permanent, advantages that other business structures do not offer,” explained Mwangi. A spot check by Metropolitan Shopper revealed a mushrooming of many container-built business centres with the latest one located on 4th Avenue along Magadi Road, opposite Ongata Rongai police station. “Essentially, what these steel developers are doing is recycling shipping containers by remodelling and using them to set up shopping malls, cafes, office spaces,” explained James Absalom, Project Manager at Apollo Associates. “It takes a shorter time for a developer to put up these steel buildings after complying with the required building codes,” he said. These steel structures are slowly becoming part of the modern urbanisation, infrastructure and the built environment in Ongata
James Juma Absalom, Project Manager Apollo Associates. Rongai, Kiserian and Kitengela. The container buildings provide fertile ground for builders to use their creativity and innovations, while experimenting with the materials to create offices and commercial spaces. Whether it is a wines and spirits bar, retail shop or beer garden or a commercial shopping complex, the shipping container has become a common feature of Ongata Rongai, Kiserian, Ngong and Kitengela. The shipping container is an appealing option, being rapidly deployable, scaleable, transportable, plug-and-play and a turn-key solution.Steel containers offer the advantage that the structure can be relocated and it takes a shorter time to put it up compared to a permanent structure. Developers only require a welding machine for an artisan to customize and model the steel building to the required specifications.
These steel structures are slowly becoming part of the modern urbanisation, infrastructure and the built environment in Ongata Rongai, Kiserian and Kitengela.
A man walks past container-shopping stalls along Magadi Road in Ongata Rongai.
13
THE CLASSROOM The Metropolitan Shopper
Kajiado takes 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 recently 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 A- out of whom the majority were from Isinya and Kajiado North sub-counties. Those who scored between B+ (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
Isinya primary school parents and teachers have raised concern over a dangerous bridge along Namanga highway in Isinya Subcounty that has turned into a death trap for pupils. In the last three years the school has lost two pupils and scores injured in multiple road accidents involving
recording the highest mean score 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.
trucks. Isinya primary school is one of the biggest public school with a population of 987 pupils i The bridge is 500 metres from the populous school and 20 metres from Isinya weighbridge. The weighbridge is on the Kajiado-Kitengela-Kiserian roads junction prompting heavy traffic that complicates vehicles movement.
Govt denies favouring public schools in KCPE 2020 By Obegi Malack Kajiado North sub county education director John Njoroge has praised public schools for recording exemplary performance during the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2020. The director said the good performance of the schools is due to reduced number of learners, the public schools record high numbers which is challenging in provision of services. The teachers were also able to have enough time with the learners and they had to compensate the time
Moi Isinya Girls retired cook feted
According to the analysis released recently by the county, only two students scored grade A plain and they were from Isinya and Loitokitok sub-counties.
Isinya primary parents raise alarm over death trap bridge By Staff Reporter
AUGUST, 2021
they lost when schools closed due to Covid-19. Njoroge said the 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 say 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 performers with public low performers receiving high marks.
Mzee Kerenke Ole Nakikoni blesses former Moi Girls Isinya students who visited him on June 26th, 2021. Photo/Abdi Hussein By Abdi Hussein
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every student by her name; his fatherly advice and his delicious meal he used to serve. Through subordinate staff, Mzee Kerenke was remembered as the best arbitrator in the school then. They said Mzee Kerenke left an indelible mark in their lives, urging the Maasai community to embrace girl-child education. “Mr Kerenke used to make Moi Girls a second home to Maasai students. He ably played a father figure role and encouraged us. We are indebted to him and we are glad we have shared another meal with him in our adult life,” reminisced Mary Seneta. A champion of formal education in those early days, Mr Kerenke who is a farmer in his rural home ensured all his children attained formal education. His son Josua Kerenke said the entire family were proud of the family patriarch’s dedicated job as a cook. “We did not know the magnitude of how our father positively influenced students at Moi Girls but to us he has been a beacon of hope and resilience,” said the son “Were it not for formal education,we could not have afforded to fete our former cook.We are championing formal education in Maasai community and we urge parents to embrace both girls and boys,” stated Ms Jeniffer Moinket. Though age is catching up with Mzee Kerenke, now a Maasai community elder, it did not deter him from blessing his unique visitors. He did not talk much during the visit but few words he spoke in Maasai dialect seemingly touched the former students that some shed tears of joy. Mzee Kereke Ole Nakikoni’s family members lauded the positive gesture saying at least the family patriarch’s work as a school cook was not in vain.
n sunny Saturday afternoon June 26th 2021 ,a convoy of vehicles zoomed into Mzee Kerenke Kajiado Central sub county, Enkinye village homestead and in a moment song and loud cheer rent the air as the occupants of the high end vehicles were ushered in by their former high school cook-Mzee Kerenke Ole Nakikoni. It was a moment of mixed reactions in a reunion of a retired cook and former students of Moi girls Isinya high school, with a few of the students unable to hold back their tears as memories hit them hard as tidal waves. With youthful days gone, Mzee Kerenke stood tall, his frame towering over his visitors like a soldier admiring his troops in a battlefield. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes but he could not allow them to flow-”Maasai men do not shed tears before women.” Have you ever visited your former school cook or watchman or even remembered them? It is not likely but these women, some living in the fast lane of life, pulled an unexpected gesture to a cook who was a “darling” of Maasai community female students then. The more than 100 women serving in different capacities in the country led by Nominated senator and former Kajiado County woman MP Mary Seneta, visited 70-year-old Kerenke Ole Nakikoni in his sunset years in his rural home more than 20 years after retiring. The retired polygamous father of nine used to be a cook in Moi Girls Isinya in 1980s and 90s and he was a darling of the Maasai community students. Though semi-illiterate, Mzee Kerenke is said to have played a father figure role to the girls and encouraged them when it was not fashionable for a Maasai girl to join formal education. The former students mentally walked down memory lane with their former cook, remembering how he knew each and Mzee Kerenke Ole Nakikoni. Photo/Abdi Hussein
The Metropolitan Shopper
14
AUGUST, 2021
ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION
NYS to rehabilitate Ngong dumpsite, says Uhuru the local residents. The Governor during his tour in Kajiado North said his opponents are behind the dirty state of the towns including Ongata Rongai, Kiserian and Ngong. Lenku said the opponents pay youths to dump waste on road reserves. He warned of legal action against anyone caught dumping the waste on road reserves. The Governor said the county is yet to identify a site to dump the waste, but they are in negotiation with different individuals to have a dumpsite site soon. He said he closed the dumpsite since it was used by private refuse collectors from as far as Nairobi County, adding that the waste should be managed from the source. A spot check in the area by Metropolitan Shopper indicated that the county now uses private garbage collectors to take their garbage to Dandora in Nairobi County, since the Dandora management is against other counties apart from Nairobi County dumping waste in the area.
By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail.com
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resident Uhuru Kenyatta has said his government will involve National Youth Service (NYS) in rehabilitating Ngong dumpsite. The President was speaking in Ngong at the Regional Police Traffic Training Centre (RPTTC) where he set on fire 5,144 illicit small arms and small weapons. He said he had held a discussion with Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku on how to solve the garbage menace. The President, however, did not give details on when and how the rehabilitation will be done. The county government had closed the site after filling with waste in a ditch that they had dug. The President said he would launch Ngong market once traders take their stalls. The county had planned to rehabilitate the dumpsite to be used as a recreation centre by
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Goldland Estate Agencies assists destitute children
oldland Properties G recently made a donation of foodstuffs and clothing to Saidia Furaha Children’s Home in Kitengela. The facility hosts more than 40 needy and orphaned children. “We are giving back to the community by assisting those who are less fortunate in
the society by putting back the smile on their faces. We are planning to give out this support to the home at the end of every year,” said Dixon Mwangi, a propertay dealer with Goldland Estate Agencies Limited, based in Kitengela and with a branch in Ongata Rongai.
Ngong Municipality Manager David Kubaai being taken through the waste recycling process at Ngong market by Dominic Wanjihia of Flexi Biogas. Photo/Obegi Malack
Waste recycling starts at Ngong new market By Our Reporter Waste recycling has started at Ngong new market to curb waste menace that had for years plagued traders and customers alike. County government of Kajiado had been faced with criticism on waste management in towns due to failure to manage waste in towns and markets which are among the main producers of large amount of waste. The county has now found a solution to mountains of waste produced at the Ngong modern market. Speaking exclusively to the Metropolitan Shopper Ngong Municipality manager Mr David Kubaai he said: “ Waste in markets will be managed by recycling it.” He said that they have entered into an agreement with a recycler, Biogas International (Flexi Biogas) to recycle waste from the new market. The municipality had allocated them a site near the stadium to recycle the waste. The CEO Dominic Wanjihia says he wants
The soft organic matter is recycled to produce gas and liquid fertilizer which can be used in farms and the hard organic waste is recycled to produce compost manure. They also collect plastic bottles which are used to in gardens to economize usage of soil. The biogas is used in a communal kitchen which is mostly used by market women. Edwin Manjala one of the company’s senior officers told Metropolitan Shopper that since the project started in January 2021 in the Ngong and they have been able to manage all waste produced by the market and no waste has been taken out of the market. They now transport waste from the modern market to the recycling site using a tuk tuk. The recycling market facility has five people from the Ngong locality who operate the recycling machines and, at the same, educate local people on benefits of waste recycling. The company plans to train more youths to recycle the other waste materials, such as electronic waste and art materials, which they will
Biogas International (Flexi Biogas) team removing waste from Ngong market. Photo/Our Reporter
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Dixon Mwangi hands over donations to children’s home.
to address the organic waste problem by recycling it to prevent poisoning of rivers in the county. The programme Green Ngong Project is set to manage all the waste generated from the modern market with the aim of zero wastes going to dumpsites. “Garbage dumping sites contain 80% of organic materials that is why recycling of the waste is very essential,” he explained. He said people should stop burning organic materials from the farms. The Ngong market produces up to three tons of waste every day, the waste is collected and separated into hard and soft organic matter which include vegetables and fruits.
sell as artists. They are looking forward to county government support to get access all markets in the county to instal the recycling facility. CEO Wanjihia says: “Our company’s goal is to help alleviate poverty using affordable, efficient and reliable green energy technologies and promote sustainable livelihoods to families mostly in the developing nations.” They have also installed biogas system (flexi biogas) in many homes which use waste. The company had installed biogas digester at Naikara Primary School in Maasai Mara in partnership with Action Africa Help International.
Business Front COUNTY PRESS
COUNTY PRESS
AUGUST, 2021 The Metropolitan Shopper
Kitengela family fun park launched
By Abdi Hussein husseinabdi527@gmail.com The populous Kitengela town continues to attract more investors eyeing the hospitality industry due to availability of land and its proximity from the capital city. Optiven Group, commonly seen as a major player in the real estate sector has added another feather to their hat by investing in a unique modern family fun fair park. Their Sh300 million Entertainment facility at Kitengela, aims to spur growth in the hospitality industry in the populous town. The group with a foothold in real estate sector is said to have ventured into hospitality
industry to tap unexploited potential in the area. They are targeting creating more employment opportunities. The modern Kitengela viz GMC Fun Place facility opened its doors in December 2019. It occupies eight and half acre piece of land. It however closed on 23rd March 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic. The highlight of the recent launch was the brand new half Olympic-size warm water commercial pool. The Director Ms Mary Wachuka Wachiuri said the idea was hatched after realizing Kitengela did not have a family amusement park.
NEMA cracks whip on noncompliant Kajiado abattoirs By Staff Reporter National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has raised a red flag over non- compliant abattoirs in Kajiado County. NEMA officials have expressed fears that people operating slaughter houses in most urban centres are compromising public health standards. The environment watchdog launched a two week inspection to ensure compliance at the 12 major slaughterhouses and dozen slaughter slabs after an uproar from members of the public. Kajiado NEMA director Joseph Kopenjo said most of these abattoirs have been polluting the environment by discharging both liquid and solid waste on roads and open ditches. Air pollution is said to be very offensive at some abattoirs, while others are said to have been operating without valid NEMA licences. “We have been receiving complaints over environment pollution emanating from the said slaughter houses and will shut down all non-compliant slaughter houses indefinitely,” Kopenjo warned. NEMA will also ensure no slaughter house or slaughter slabs operates illegally to safeguard public health. “We are moving in earnest to crack the whip on slaughter houses that are illegally operating away from the designated areas,” said Kopenjo. He said no slaughter house will be
Sacco turns Boda boda riders into millionares By Our Reporter Motorcycles are increasingly becoming a popular means of transport for many rural and urban dwellers but they are also leading causes of road accidents. The riders have also been accused of engaging in crime and contributing to teenage pregnancies upsurge according to a report by the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC). Many operators have become lynch mobs who know no traffic rules since the sector is operating with minimal regulation from the national and county governments. Many of the operators also live from hand to mouth because they have no skills on savings and so waste their money and engage in il-
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Kajiado County NEMA Director Joseph Kopenjo (second right) inspects buildings at Kitengela Kyang’ombe estate recently. More than 20 rental houses face closure due to overflowing sewers. Photo/Staff Reporter allowed to operate without approval and licence from Nema.A spot check by Metropolitan Shopper in several satellite towns in Kajiado showed that the slaughter houses are in a sorry state as residents endure offensive foul smell. Kiserian town residents bear the major brunt of environmental pollution from the two cow and sheep slaughterhouses. The slaughterhouses discharge effluent in open ditches flowing to a nearby seasonal river before flowing to Kiserian dam to the chagrin of locals. “Sometimes the whole town is enveloped by foul smell that comes with respiratory challenges,” said Daniel Sila. The situation remains the same
jiado West Sub County. “We had not saved enough so we shared the idea with Rafiki Bank who welcomed us and gave use a loan ,” Gitau says . The members continlegal activities. ued saving for six months But the story is different for and were thereafter a group of operators in Ngong, awarded a loan of Sh7 Kajiado North Sub County who million by Rafiki Microformed a Sacco to help them imfinance Bank. prove their livelihoods. Ngong Boda boda Sacco chairperson They successfully The group called, Ngong David Gitau displays an artist’s repaid the loan on time and Bodaboda Sacco is now success- impression of the houses they are that inspired many memful with a bright future for the op- planning to build. Photo/Our Reporter bers to continue investing. erators. Apart from the projects, The Sacco chairperson, Mr Da- gether, held a fundraising in Ngong the Sacco was able to buy motorvid Gitau speaking to Metropolitan stadium and got some money to buy bikes for its members and train them Shopper said the idea started in 2016, office equipment for a small office at on road safety, making them owners when they learned that a big number the Youth Empowerment Centre in of bikes and not riders hired by rich of their colleagues were dying from Ngong. people. They also benefited from accidents and involvement in crimes. The members proposed to buy Kajiado County Woman Represen“We lost a colleague every land through savings and started con- tative Janet Teiyaa’s affirmative acmonth in an accident and spent a lot tributing Sh100 daily to the Sacco tion fund which aided them to open of money for their burials while their kitty. a motorbike spare parts shop. young families were left fighting for After some time they identified This year the riders managed to survival by themselves,” he says. and bought a 15-acre piece of land get another Sh5.8 million loan from A total of 114 members came to- worth Sh9 million in Maroroi Ka- Rafiki Bank after they came up with
at Kitengela, Isinya, Ong’ata Rongai slaughter houses within the urban centres that do not have an elaborate waste disposal plan. Landlords with rental houses near slaughter houses are regularly forced to reduce rent to avoid tenant mass exodus due to environmental pollution. Hundreds vultures also patronise those areas. Slaughterhouse business remains a lucrative enterprise in the entire Kajiado county considering the livestock sector has an annual turnover of Sh3.2 billion with more than 110,000 head of cattle sold every year at main markets. Slaughterhouse service fee range from Sh1,450 for a cow and Sh550 for a goat or sheep.
a proposal of owning matatus and acquired a 33 seater bus worth Sh6.2 million. The purchase of the matatu secured them an appointment with Deputy President William Ruto who hosted them at his Karen home and awarded them Sh500,000 for operating a successful business. The good work has also attracted support from area MP Joseph Manje and Ngong MCA Robert Sungura who have offered them bursaries for training of the riders. Training of members on road safety AA insurance has also been helpful since motorbike accidents have drastically reduced in the town. The Sacco is now planning to build three bedroom houses for the members on the 19-acres piece of land they acquired. They have already consulted with the contractor and registered with Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO) who will offer each member Sh1 million loan for construction of the houses.
AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
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The Metropolitan Shopper
Ipomea ‘poisonous’ nector killing bee keeping enterprises in county By Our Reporter Bee keeping enterprises in Kajiado county are on the verge of collapsing as bee farmers incur huge losses due to ‘poisonous’ nector extracted by the bees from the Ipomea plant. Currently, honey produced in Kajiado County is considered ‘poisonous’ and avoided by traders. Ipomea, the green leafy plant is the biggest challenge to bee farmers currently occupying more than two million acres in the vast county. The seeds are easily dis- Modern beehives at a farm. This type of farming is dying in Kajiado persed by wind. Oliame leteti , Maasai dialect for Ipo- county. File Photo mea isn’t eaten by domestic animals, livestock, nor wild animals due to its awful Central sub county is the most affected. smell. The death of honey enterprise might Once this plant flowers another danger looms as bees collect nectar from the also affect food security; the Maasai complant dashing hopes for hundreds of bee munity traditionally uses honey as food farmers. The honey is said to make the preservative especially on meat. According to the Agricultural sector consumer doze after taking it. “My family members used to consume development support programme (ASthe honey collected from family beehives DSP) county co-ordinator Halima Nenkari until we realized it was making them the plant poses a big danger to herders and sleepy and suffer from fatigue,” said Nan- bee farmers as the plant is spreading fast cy Marikua,Kajiado Central sub county in the region. “The dangerous plant is spreading at resident. Farmers say initially they used to fetch an alarming rate endangering livestock Sh500 for a kilogramme of raw honey, rearing and bee keeping. The only remedy but it kept shrinking to Sh 100 per kilo- is uprooting it and fencing off the land. It a gramme. Honey brokers no longer comb terrible plant ,” said Halima. In most parts of Kajiado Central ,women and children the villages for the honey like before. “Bee keeping in this region is unten- spend most of their time uprooting the able. Wild honey is also too dangerous plant said also to be affect a person’s reafter locals discovered the honey makes spiratory system. In the next five years it’s estimated the consumers doze. I used to keep more than plant shall have spread to more than 3 mil50 beehives in my ranch but cannot do it any more,” said Timothy Kores, a local lion acres chunk of land reducing the numbee farmer, adding: “ Wild honey collect- ber of cattle by 40% and thus endangering ing has died a natural death in this region.” Maa community pastoralists’ way of life. A spot check by Metropolitan Shop- Wild animals in game reserves and private per indicated that most bee farmers have sanctuaries in the entire Kajiado county abandoned the enterprise with modern may be greatly affected too. bee hives lying empty in thickets. Kajiado
AUGUST, 2021
How organic farming could help to combat Covid-19 risks By Staff Reporter Coronavirus disease which has killed thousands of people worldwide continues to threaten countries’ economies. Evidence to date suggests that two groups of people are at a higher risk of being infected and succumbing to Covid-19 disease. These are older people and those with underlying medical conditions such as those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory dis- Ngong Organic Farmers chairman Peter Melonye with Nelly Otieno of KOAN and Ann ease, and cancer. Some of these diseases Mwaura (right) of CSHEP who were awarded are lifestyle diseases that during celebration of World Food Day in Kiare associated with bad serian. Photo/Staff Reporter eating habits or people consuming food produced (CSHEP) official, Ann Mwaura said orthrough conventional farming in total dis- ganic farming is not harmful since it relies regard of their health. on techniques such as crop rotation, green Organic farmers have appealed to peo- manure, compost and biological pest conple to change their lifestyles by practicing trol. organic farming and consuming organic During the event several farmers were food to beat Covid-19. taken through organic farming methods. Ngong Organic Farmers Association The farmers have open market and exhibichairperson Peter Melonyie said organic tion every Friday of the week in Enkang farming is the solution to lifestyle dis- Kiserian where they also sell their prodeases. He says there has been an increase ucts to supermarkets. of diseases in the country because people Rabbit farmer Phelister Kanini said no longer care about the quality of food rabbit urine should be used in farming produce and instead put emphasis on the since it is not poisonous and is environquantity of their produce. mental friendly. Farmers also displayed Speaking at Kiserian last year during herbal medicine which is from plants. The World Food Day celebrations, marked event was attended by Kenya Organic yearly on every 16th October, Melonye Agriculture Network (KOAN), Biovision noted that the association of organic farm- Africa Trust, Brooks Enterprises, Rue Orers is concerned about increase of the life- ganics among others. style diseases which have reduced lifesPesticide poisoning causes more pan of human beings. deaths than infectious diseases in develNon-governmental organisation oping countries. Community Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Environmental Programme
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Renewable energy reality check
conomically speaking, something in abundance is cheaper than that in limited supply. This synonymously describes fossil fuels in most countries around the globe. Charcoal is commonly used in cooking both in urban and rural settings because of its economic benefit. Despite being a contributor to the global energy mix, charcoal releases a lot of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causing global warming. The felling of trees to produce wood fuel has brought about desertification in some areas, affected the air quality as well as water catchment areas . As a result of the relative low cost of charcoal, its availability and suitability as well as people’s over reliance on nonrenewable energy, the uptake of renewable energy in some coun-
tries has become a dream. Increasing populations in developing countries has led to increased energy demand hence the emerging energy crises. The World Health Organization has for years highlighted the link between the changing environment and epidemic diseases. According to a recent letter published by Lancet, the leading scientists reported that climate change is to blame for the emergence of Covid-19. Human behaviour has had harmful impacts on our environment bringing about stressful economic and health times around the globe. Lives have been lost, many have been displaced, vital ecosystems and wildlife as well as the economy have been destroyed by climate change. Sadly, the marginalized communities suffer the most because of their dependence on cheap energy which affects their health.
Many countries around the world are working around the clock to finally put an end to the energy and climate change crisis being faced. Cape Cod Canal, in the US, is working on harnessing the tides to generate energy. According to the CEO of Littoral
By Olivia Auma
Power Systems Inc., the tidal turbines that can provide electricity for decades to come are wellpoised to take off and could mark the start of another renewable energy in the world. In Kenya, activists from Greenpeace Africa took to court the initiative to implement the Lamu Coal Plant and won the case. Such efforts are to be imitated around the globe to help nations survive this scourge. Human race has wasted decades arguing whether or not global warming and climate change is real rather than defusing the threat as appropriate. Instead of launching a transition to renewable energy, the consumption of fossil fuel increased. It is not too late though. It is time, beyond urgency, for people from various economic backgrounds across the world alike to quit fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy and
other climate resilient practices. It is eminent that our future is at the mercy of the very energy sources we are using. Instead of going on chasing the wild goose, countries should let go and invest more on the renewable energy industry to save the world. Kenya is on its way in ensuring renewable energy sector is not news across the nation. Solar energy, for example, though not adopted in most parts, has been embraced by many especially those in rural areas. This move is promising as the public at large is aware of their environment and acts appropriately to ensure the future is secure. The writer is the Programmes, Advocacy and Fundraising officer Kenya Motors Repairs Association (KEMRA)
ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AUGUST, 2021
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The Metropolitan Shopper
SGR: Vandalism in Kajiado blamed on Covid-19 curfew
Tarmacking of 64km road in North nears completion
By Staff Reporter
By Our Reporter
Criminals have now taken advantage of Covid-19 curfew to vandalise part of the Nairobi –Naivasha (SGR) line in Kajiado County. The robbers are giving Kenya Railways (KR) officials sleepless nights by taking advantage of the surrounding forests in Kajiado North Sub County to hide the railway metallic pipes. The looted metals items are sold as scrap metal at Vandalised sections of SGR line in Kajiado Gataka centre and surround- North sub county. Photo/Staff Reporter ing towns like Matasia, Rongai vandalism exposed operations passengers are forced to spend and Kiserian. The thieves have removed threatening lives of commut- Sh300 more to access Nairobi Railways station in town. metallic pipes installed at the ers. “Any individual found Those who live far from SGR Bridge that crosses Magadi Road on the way to Kise- vandalizing railway property is the stations along the route are rian past the Maxwell Univer- guilty of a felony and liable to forced to use boda boda motorprosecution,” Mainga warned. cycles which cost Sh200 to and sity at DK24 to DK26. The SGR passengers op- fro due to the pathetic roads. Two boda boda operaDuring commissioning of tors have so far been arrested erations resumed recently after transporting the stolen items to April’s Covid-19 restrictions the project president Uhuru by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Kenyatta promised to fix the Matasia. The Madaraka Express access roads. Police Inspector Mercy The President directed Minoh who is in charge of the Commuter Service serving the SGR unit says the criminals Ngong, Ongata Rongai sta- Cabinet Secretary of Transvandalize the line at night and tions from Nairobi terminus port and Infrastructure James hide the metals in the Olkeri, resumed on October 21 KR Macharia and Kajiado North notice indicated. Constituency MP Joseph ManOloolua forests. The Sh150 billion project je to fix Kandisi and Ngong She said police are on high cuts across Nairobi, Kajiado, roads for accessibility but the alert and will make arrests. Olkeri Ward resident Phil- Nakuru and Narok counties roads are yet to be fixed. Meanwhile, Kenya Railip Kimani, however, accused with four passenger stationsthe local security team of Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Mai ways (KR) has acquired five sleeping on the job and asked Mahiu and Suswa with an trains (diesel multiple units) to inter-change station at Nachu. operate in Nairobi. them to intensify patrols. Kajiado County residents The KR will work with “No one should be allowed to risk lives of commuters, we say the stations are not acces- Nairobi Metropolitan Services are hoping to greatly benefit in sible and ticket prices are too to ease traffic jam in the coshigh. mopolitan area. the future,” he said. It costs Sh100 from Kenya Railways (KR) managing director Philip Ngong/Rongai to Syokimau Mainga had earlier said the and Sh50 to Nairobi CBD but
Tarmacking of 64 kilometre road in Kajiado North constituency by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd Company is now nearing completion. Kenya Rural Roads Authority ((KeRRA) Ag. Director General Eng. Philemon Kandie said Kajiado County Government should ensure any building in the area has a septic tank to prevent sewage which may damage the new road. The DG had visited the site where he was updated on its progress. He was taken through issues that need to be solved by the contractor such as allowing people to access their homes and working on pedestrian ways. The meeting was attended by Municipalities Managers David Kobaai (Ngong), Parsimei Gitau (Kajiado), Nkaimurunya MCA James Waisha, chair of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) Peter Mositet and Gataka Road Residents Welfare Association chair Leiyan Roimen. Kobaai said the Gataka road will decongest the towns and transport from Ngong to Ongata Rongai will be easier. Roimen noted the main issue was unattended section 2. 4 kms DO offices to Maasai Mall junction,
which is unmotorable. He said the contractor had dug the road and left it unattended for a long time. The contractor had claimed he had no clear maps on the size of the section and the road had water pipes, saying that is why they started tarmacking from other sections. The attendees said the map will be provided since it is available. Most residents had been blocked from accessing their homes, while others had to refill the trenches dug on the 2.4km section to make their homes accessible. Residents who spoke to Metropolitan Shopper urged the contractor to focus on the 2.4 Km before moving to other areas. They said tarmacking of some sections to connect Matasia Ngong road should have been done later since Gataka to Ongata Rongai section was a priority and is used by motorists to ease the Magadi Road traffic jam. The Chinese company was awarded the Sh2 billion tender in 2018 after applying on May 2017. Residents urged the firm to upgrade alternative feeder roads to be used by motorists who are inconvenienced during the long rains. At one time residents had complained and planned a major protest on February 2020 to force the
government to ensure the work is speeded up. Nkaimurunya Ward MCA James Waisha said work on the 2.4 km had not been done because there were issues of relocating water pipes. The Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company (OWSCO) have now reached a consensus on how to remove the pipes. At one time MP Joseph Manje accused Kenya Power of demanding that the construction company pay Sh28 million to relocate its power lines. He said the charges were too high and that was causing delay in tarmacking of the road. He had appealed to the power company to reduce the charges to allow work to proceed. The MP’s office said they held a meeting and the matter was solved, but the wires are still hanging dangerous on the tarmacked road. The contractor has already tarmacked the Gataka road, Embulbul to Rongai DO offices and is now proceeding to Tuskys Chap Chap to connect Magadi Road. He had also done some sections in Olkeri and connected the Matasia Ngong road. On the Maasai Lodge Rimpa road, the work was sub contracted to another company and the construction has begun.
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Why can’t we make Kenya an economic model for africa?
W
e have often been reminded of a time in the 1960s when Kenya was at the same level of development with countries like South Korea and Singapore. Whereas South Korea and Singapore have developed, Kenya is still a third world country. The reasons for this failure by Kenya and by extension many African countries are plenty amongst them being corruption, tribalism and bad politics. Rich countries like Germany and Japan have relied on human resources to develop, something which is also available in Kenya. Unless there are developed countries in Africa which can act as role models, the quality of life in Africa will remain a joke to be laughed. In the recent UEFA champi-
onships, England lost on penalties to Italy. The penalties were by three black players and this resulted to online insults for the blacks. With poverty rampant in Africa, the negative connotations of blacks are exacerbated making us to be labelled failures even in unwarranted fronts. I have always wondered why some societies are too prone to failure in governance. Is it because of disproportionate discrimination or is it their culture that doesn’t allow innovation? What makes Africans the laughing stock? Why is it that we seem to lag behind so much on so many indexes despite our huge potential? Unlike other continents, Africa has been slow to innovation hence it has lagged for so long.
Harrison Mwirigi Ikunda Economies like those of US and Canada in America, Germany’s in Europe, Japan’s, South Korea’s, Singapore’s and China’s in Asia have set the pace to be admired globally. What do we say of Africa
then? We need some economies winning in Africa . If we don’t do so,Africa will likely remain in the same ignominy of backwardness. Why do we have great soccer stars from Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal , England and such as our role models? In Kenya we have history of great business people coming from Murang’a County or great long distance athletes North Rift of Kenya that keeps inspiring people from different areas. We certainly need some cultural engineering for economic success and good governance in Africa. We can’t have an African continent always regarded as home of military coups, corruption, voodoo, black magic, diseases and retrogressive culture. If we can have some great
economies and well governed countries we could have examples to of similar case studies for others to point at. That should be an aspiration. I see Kenya having many factors to favour it to be one such model for Africa. Why not? What is so difficult to emulate great economies like those of Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore? A willing spirit creates a situation of its persistent aspiration. Africa has to change. The Writer is a political, economic and social snalyst and sommentator. He is also the leader of a Leading Renewable Energy Organisation in Africa alongside being a researcher and consultant,
The Metropolitan Shopper
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AUGUST, 2021
MOTORING ARENA
Why it is cheaper to lease car than buy By James Kogi
T
he flying car is here with us. It was recently tested by the makers Klein Vision between two airports in Slovakia on their 142nd successful landing. This means in the future year 2045, one will be able to leave your house in Nairobi, drive to Wilson Airport, get ushered onto the runway and take off in your flying car to Moi International Airport Mombasa. You can drive into Mombasa City to work for the rest of the day and be ready for a return journey home in the evening. Unmanned cars are also with us. Tesla and other car manufacturers are busy carrying out live tests of the same. In the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, unmanned buses and taxis are now entering service and passengers can board them by way of an App. Which begs the question, why do we all go for car ownership? With advances in technology and with many options coming on the table, it may be time to start reviewing car ownership. It is said that if an asset appreciates over time, own it. But if it depreciates in value over time then it makes sense to lease or rent it. Over a period of 48 months, it would make sense to lease a brand new vehicle for the period after which you return it and take up another brand new vehicle of your choice. The multiplier effect of such leasing would be immense in the economy in terms of job creation. The local content that would go into these locally assembled vehicles would include upholstery, seats, floor mats, bolts, plastic mouldings and many other accessories and this would encourage cottage industries to grow in this country. These leased vehicles would also require service and maintenance and this would grow the network of new vehicle dealerships across the country as was witnessed up to the 1980s. Our medium and large garages would gradu-
ate to new car dealer status and thereby put their many years of experience to good use. The onus is on the government to provide more incentives for leasing to become the preferred way of car ownership. Already various pieces of legislation have been passed in this regard to enable both national and county government agencies to lease vehicles, construction and other high value equipment but a lot more still needs to
Over the next two decades, vehicle leasing is set to provide a good impetus towards the Big 4 Agenda since transport and logistics will remain an integral part of all these sectors of manufacturing, food security, housing construction and universal health care.
the initial cost as a resale price, the monthly costs over the period if one went for a purchase would work out to be around ninety thousand shillings while in the case of leasing the costs work out to be around eighty eight thousand shillings. Leasing is a very viable option and is currently employed by the multinational organisations as a way for them to concentrate on their core business while leaving the logistics function to be handled by professionals. Remember that leasing usually comes in two options namely wet and dry. For wet leases the vehicle maintenance costs are already factored into the monthly rentals while in dry lease these maintenance costs are incurred sepa-
rately. Players in the leasing space are still few but these pioneers have played a leading role in entrenching leasing in this country. All the major new vehicle distributors in Kenya also now have leasing as an option for their customers. It will be interesting to see how leasing can be implemented in the used car market where instead of purchasing your used car for private use or for taxi business, you lease one instead. Over the next two decades, vehicle leasing is set to provide a good impetus towards the Big 4 Agenda since transport and logistics will remain an integral part of all these sectors of manufacturing, food security, housing construction and universal health care.
be done. Most Kenyans, however, want to feel they own their cars. But an analysis of the true total cost of ownership shows otherwise. Taking the case of a typical brand new car costing Sh3.8 million, it would be interesting to compare the true costs over time. Lease periods normally are for 4 years or 48 months and with bank interest rates pegged at 12.75% while other costs include a bank loan fee of 2%, comprehensive insurance of 4.5% and a total depreciation over the four years. Assuming that at the end of the 4 year A fleet of vehicles on the road. Leasing makes economic sense than period the vehicle would fetch around 38% of buying.
INVESTMENT
Somaliland investors target Kajiado in new bilateral trade deal By Our Reporter Investors from the State of Somaliland are keen to explore the Kenyan solar energy ecosystem, livestock value addition and large scale dry land irrigation schemes. The new economic plan could rake in billions of shillings in investments in the country as Somaliland moves fast to create networks with neighbouring countries in a race to beat its chaotic neighbour-Somalia. Kajiado is one of the counties on their radar due to similarities in geography, weather and natural resources as well as the willingness of local leadership to venture into these high impact ventures. Areas such as Magadi in Kajiado West and parts of Kajiado East and South have been identified as hubs for solar energy and large scale livestock farming and mineral exploration and are likely to be the first stop
Somaliland President H.E Musa Bihi Abdi meets Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku recently at the port City of Berbera. Photo/Courstesy
of potential investors. Details of these engagements seem to have gone a notch higher after Governor Joseph ole Lenku led a Kenyan delegation that met investors from the Gulf region in mid June 2021. The Governor led the delegation that included Rosemary Odinga, daughter of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Mandera senator Mohamed Mohamud in a four-day visit to Somaliland, culminating in bilateral talks that will soon culminate into high impact projects. The Kenyan team first graced the commissioning of Berbera Port Complex built at cost of Sh 45 billion by United Arab Emirates investor, Dubai Ports World. The port will be a gateway between Africa and the Gulf region countries and is expected to be a key
trade link on livestock and minerals import and export businesses. The team met Somaliland President Musa Bihi Abdi at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa together with local investors who have expressed their desire to partner in a number of projects. Although so far no deal has been hammered, Somaliland envoy to Kenya Bashe Omar confirmed the high level talks on economic partnership first between Kenya as a country and counties as smaller units of devolution. Governor Lenku said Kajiado County offers a conducive environment for local and international investors due to availability of large tracts of land, available labour and proximity to markets in the Capital city, Nairobi.
Kajiado is one of the counties on their radar due to similarities in geography, weather and natural resources as well as the willingness of local leadership to venture into these high impact ventures.
The Metropolitan Shopper
AUGUST, 2021
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SPORTS
Trip to Emirates nurtured me, says coach Hamisi By Our Reporter When Hamisi Mohamed from Oloolua Ward Kajiado North formed a sports academy to nurture young talents in his home, he did not expect to be on the map as a UEFA and CAF professional football Coach. Hamisi who is popularly known as Kaka, had no experience about football when he began couching young boys under Young Talents Soccer Academy. He had been forced to start the training after the boys spent a lot of time out of school due to post election violence in 2008. The tactician says the boys were exposed to violence scenes on television and he had to start the academy to keep them busy. In the first training, more than 80 children attended and that motivated him to continue with the idea with the support of well-wishers and volunteers. Starting the training academy opened doors for him and he received training courtesy of British Council and English Premier League. He also received a licence and participated in more than 100 courses. His love of nurturing young talents led him to get appointed assistant coach U20 Kenya National Team (Rising Stars), where he is currently and has been able to train a number of couches around the country. One of his memorable achievements is when he received a call informing him that he will be among coaches to participate in a global competition in 2018. English Pre-
mier League side Arsenal FC had partnered with World Remit, an online money transfer platform, to run “Future Stars” coaching programme for two weeks in London. Hamisi was selected competitively through public voting. He received 35% of votes beating five finalists from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Somalia to receive the exclusive training programme with Arsenal Football Development coaches in London. He says that through the project he received greatest experience and interacted with international coaches including those who coach top teams and clubs in the world. “I was in Arsenal and they have invested in facilities, they have more than eight training grounds,” he says, adding: “They are taking sports seriously and they have departments which are operational.” A lot of opportunities are now coming after the training. He received Arsenal youth shirts for his team and has received contracts with a number of schools to train their students. He has worked as assistant coach Wazito FC until October 2019 when he resigned. His Young Talents Community Sports Project is now a CBO that deals with soccer, volleyball and basketball. The academy has produced a number of boys who have participated in major tournaments including Kenya Under 17 squad that participated in CECAFA Championships. The tactician says the County Government of Kajiado should invest in facilities and take sports as fulltime engagement. He
Matasia residents petition govt over Matasia ground By Correspondent Residents of Matasia, Olkeri ward in Kajiado county have petitioned both the national and county governments to address disputes over Matasia grounds. In a petition drafted on 29th April 2021, the locals claimed that the 44.4 acres of land which holds Enoomatasian Public Primary School, Enoomatasian Mixed Secondary School and Enoomatasian Girls School is a community land and doesn’t belong to Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA Enoomatasian Church). According to the residents, the land was donated by the Saruni family in 1950s for the construction of a primary school. Tensions rose when PCEA, which claims ownership of the land started putting up a perimeter wall on the open grounds. Construction was stopped and a meeting, which did not take place was called to allow dialogue. 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 it is putting up. The locals are opposed to the construction and want the National Lands Commission through the Ministry of Lands to take up the matter and give it the attention it deserves within the shortest time possible. Efforts to reach the PCEA for a comment were not successful.
Matasia sports ground
Coach Hamisi Mohamed in Emirates. says a private organisation that owns Vapour FC Stadium in Ngong will be fixing what is needed. “The stadium has been approved by the Kenyan Premier League to be home ground for City Stars and Posta Rangers and it will hold KPL matches soon. This will bring a lot of revenue to the county besides boosting trainings,” he noted. “I talk with young people and coaches about sports and motivate them. I always tell them things will be better one day, we have talents here but luck leaders who embrace sports,” he said.
The coach says that he was approached by administrators to give details to receive presidential award, but is yet to receive communication on what transpired on the way. His coaching sessions have reduced drug usage, tribalism and crime besides motivating youth in the region and in the country at large.
Kajiado boxers’ journey to the national league
Kajiado boxers during Kajiado Novices contest in Kajiado North. By Staff Reporter Kajiado County has for a long time not been recognized in the boxing sport until recently when boxers from the county participated in National Novices Boxing Championships in Charter Hall 2020. Seven boxers represented the county with three reaching the semifinals. They are Paul Teeka (Light Fly Weight) Abdul Rahmani (Middle Weight) and Linford Aima (Light Weight). Two who got to the quarter finals were Francis Xadie (Light Weight) and Kefa Kanali (Bantam weight). The county team dubbed The Boxing Morans was awarded most promising boxers in the country during the boxing event. The team is managed by Kajiado County Boxing Association (KCBA) which is under Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK).
The boxers participated in the National Intermediate in Thika in 2020, an event which was cut short by Ccvid-19. Three boxers had qualified for semifinalists: Teeka (light flyweight), Benson Matheka (flyweight) and Kanali (bantamweight division). Coach Michael Otieno, who is among pioneers of Kajiado boxing, says in the years to come the region will produce boxing champions in Kenya and internationally. “The boxing association was founded by our chairman Moses Kamalik and me. We have successfully held the Kajiado Novices and Kajiado Intermediates,” he said. The former boxing champion said the youth have talent and a platform to showcase their talents. He also said the registration of KCBA will identify young talents
who will be great boxers in the future. Otieno won National Novices in 2016, an achievement which motivated him to form Ongata Rongai Boxing Club , the first boxing club in Kajiado. The club is among the several clubs under the umbrella of KCBA that have won several titles. Other clubs are Beasthouse Boxing Club, Ongata Rongai Lions Den Boxing Club, Kajiado Boxing Club in Kajiado town and Ngong Boxing Club. Ongata Rongai Boxing Club captain Welterweight Khal Gordon is also the Captain of South Sudan National Boxing team. Kajiado Boxing Club is led by former Kenya International, 1987 All Africa games light middleweight gold medalist Mohammed Orungi. Ongata Rongai Lions Den Boxing Club is led by Arthur Njoroge, Beasthouse Boxing Club is controlled by Titus Matheka and Ngong Boxing Club under Paul Muhia. The association, which has 110 boxers, recently unveiled its official website (https://kcba.co.ke). Its long-term plan is to make boxers self-reliant through the sport. The association has financial challenges and inadequate sport equipment and are calling on corporate sponsorship to run the association.
Kajiado County boxing team, officials and supporters during National Novices Boxing Championships in Charter Hall, Nairobi County. Photo/ Staff Reporter
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ENTERTAINMENT
PROPERTY WORLD
Why steel Mabati shops, offices are popular
Bringing Buyers and Sellers together •KAREN • LANGATA • NGONG • KISERIAN • MATASIA • AND BEYOND
AUGUST, 2021
Ipomea ‘poisonous’ nector killing bee keeping enterprises in county »» Page 16
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The Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning has opened its first land registry in Kajiado West constituency at Olepolos. The registry was gazetted by Cabinet Secre-
tary Farida Karoney on March 5, 2021 in Kenya Gazette Supplement number 20. Kajiado West Constituency Member of Parliament George Sunkuyia had on October 26, 2020 written to the Ministry
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requesting for an office in the region. He complained that people from as far as Torosia on the Kenya –Tanzania border residents travel all the way to Ngong in Kajiado North Sub-County for services. Residents of Pakaase that also borders the two countries in the South West and Mosiro also get their land services in Ngong. Sunkuya said the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) allocated funds for construction of the new registry and requested the ministry to OCTOBER, 2019 post officers to the office so that residents could start getting services.
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Sacco turns Boda boda riders into millionares
Battle for piece of Rongai’s entertainment pie
Land registry opened in Kajiado West
Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning CS Farida Karoney at Ngong land registry recently. Photo/Obegi Malack
COUNTY BUSINESS
020 6001006 0737 965259 0722 883143 0734 515902
Our Contacts Visit us today or call to book an appointment Ongata Mall Building, 1st floor above Aga Khan Hospital Ongata rongai. Tel: 0716 221 017 rehemadentalclinic rehemadentalclinic
COVID-19 Protocols adhered to
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COUNTY PRESS
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COUNTY PRESS
VISION
Empowering Children for Future Through Holistic Education.
MISSION
To educate the whole child spiritualy, physically and emotionally for a sense of moral, professional and social responsbility.
St.Joseph Ngong P.O. BOX 655-00208, NGONG 0723 402 522 Email: st.josephngong_catholicacademy@yahoo.com
OCTBER, 2019
COUNTY PRESS
OSILIGI HEALTH CARE Osiligi clinic, which is located in Kiserian, is now open for all and offering quality services. The facility has a team of dedicated and qualified personnel always ready to attend to patients at all times of the day. It has a highly networked system and links to many referral hospitals in cases of emergencies.
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COUNTY PRESS
FEBRUARY, 2020
Ronkai Medical Centre and Laboratory we Treat, God Heals
OUR SERVICES Clinical Services (Consultation & Treatment) Clinical Laboratory VCT- Services Diet Advice-Free Drug Testing Counselling done Family Planning Special Clinics:(I) Diabetes (II) Hypertension 9. Parental and Youth Mentorship 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Call 0720391388 or 0721161270 For enquires and booking of appointments
FOR ALL WEDDINGS, TEAM BUILDING, MEETINGS AND PARTIES Balanced
For more information contact: 0725 777 653 bookings@sukigardens.co.ke
Diet
NB-Qualified clinicians and technicians available LOCATION Quickmart Building (Formerly Tumaini) 1st Floor Suite 16
CONTACT: 0720388360 Email: ngongsprings@gmail.com
Nkoroi Catholic Parish
Total petrol station
Ongata Rongai
Kiserian
Rimba Road
SUKI GARDENS
COUNTY PRESS
The Metropolitan Shopper is published monthly by Inset Ventures Ltd, Head Office: Ongata Rongai, Osiligi Building 2nd Flr, Opposite KCB TEL: 020 6001006 / 0737 965259 / 0722 - 883 143 / 0734 515 902. E-mail: marketing@countypress.co.ke. P. O. Box 1234 -00511, Ongata Rongai.