She gathered children under a tree with the approval and support of some elders, who also saw the need for children to get education.
Way back in 2012, a one-acre parcel of land was selling at an average of Ksh7.8 million, which means it has tripled in the last decade.
Distressed livestock farmers display the carcasses of their animals which died as a result of biting drought in Kajiado.
Among the evils committed by the CECM was the continued disbursement of funds to students who had dropped out of school.
Dear readers:
Kindly send your observations or views on topical matters to news@countypress.co.ke.
Note that the Editor reserves right to edit your articles for purposes of clarity and precision.
There have been several incidents of buildings collapsing in Kajiado County, yet the red flags raised have gone unheeded even where lives have been lost.
In one year alone, three under construction have been reported to have collapsed in various locations.
The latest incident was reported in March 2023 after a six-storey building under construction collapsed on Ngong’s Kibiko Road.
Investigations revealed that the building collapsed as a result of non-compliance with specifications.
The building had been condemned by the National Construction Authority (NCA) and the County Government of Kajiado - but the construction works continued nonetheless, raising questions as to why no action was taken against the workers, the contractor, and the owner.
Kajiado West Police Commander Vincent Kitili said no one was injured during the incident and that they have launched investigations into the incident.
In September last year, another seven-storey building collapsed in Oloolua Ward.
Lands, Physical Planning, Urban Development and Housing CECM Hamilton Parseina said the building had been approved as a four-storey structure but the contractor personally increased it to seven floors, which is against the law.
Paradoxically, details on the signpost were of a different building located in Kibiko. Furthermore, the ones presented to the county government for approval were fake and the company, Cost Link Building, which was doing the construction, was not in NCA system.
In Kitengela, another building collapsed, killing two people as several workers narrowly escaped death.
In the same town, a private developer confronted Isinya Sub-county Administrator Bruce Likama over the construction of a high-rise building within EPZ Kapiti Estate, which is classified as a controlled area. He had powerlessly tried to stop its construction, saying he was enforcing a county notice to suspend the construction. Interestingly, construction workers on site had blocked the county reinforcement officers from shutting it off.
National Environmental Authority (NEMA) had ordered the developer to downscale the plans
to a three-storey building with an open slab rooftop through a letter dated February 24, 2023, but it was ignored.
This prompted the Physical Planning Department on March 22 to suspend the construction, directing the developer to submit copies of development approvals for re-evaluation.
“Take notice that the (building) does not conform to provision and zoning standards preferred in zone five (Epz area),” the letter that was signed by Perseina read in part.
Other officials from the department claimed they approved the project, yet the original plan indicated that the land approved for development was elsewhere.
The developer claimed that he could not suspend the construction,
citing a court injunction issued on October 13 2022.
Kennedy Maina, a contractor, says some of the buildings are condemned but the construction continues because some government officials are bribed to turn a blind eye.
Effectively, reinforcement officers are also directed not to get to the sites.
The standoff is as confusing as it is ridiculous. Meanwhile, construction work is going on.
Corruption by the county government, poor structural designs, non-compliance with specifications and poor workmanship have been identified as the main reasons they are collapsing like a pack of cards.
bodabodas respectively.
“We are not their property, and we are free to choose the mode of transport that suits us best,” exclaimed Peter Muoki, a Kitengela resident.
Chief Executive Officer: Peter Silsil
Managing Editor: Rosemil Oduor
Revise Editor: Kipkemboi Toroitich
Senior Reporter: Obegi Malack
Head of Marketing: Beatrice Njuguna
Intern Reporter: Vostine Ratemo
Layout & Design: Gabriel Sankale & Sydney Kimiywi Registered at
Residents of Kitengela township have expressed concern over disagreements between matatus, tuktuks and bodabodas plying the Acacia route, which has complicated their movement within the region.
The tuktuk and bodaboda operators are protesting what they call interference by matatu Saccos.
In a quest to give better
service, Nairobi-bound matatu Saccos have, from mid last year, been extending their routes to Acacia, a distance of about eight kilometres from the Kitengela bus stop.
Tuktuk and bodaboda operators dissent, resorting to threats and intimidation of the matatus, even going to the extent of barricading and pelting stones on those who defy their stance.
“We have been ferrying passengers on this route for the longest time and matatus now want to drive us out of business,” said a tuktuk operator who did not wish to be named.
Commuters on the other hand have sided with the matatus, welcoming the move with gratitude as matatus charge them only Ksh30 compared to Ksh80 and up to Ksh150 by tuktuks and
“They overcharge us, pack us like sardines, not forgetting that they are very rude,” he added.
He said if they cannot compete on price, then they should look for something else to do and leave the stage to those who are willing to offer services at competitive rates.
They are now asking the county government of Kajiado to intervene.
Matatus, tuktuks and bodabodas are fighting over customers, who prefer the matatus as they are far much cheaper and the crew treats them with respect.
By Obegi Malack
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior and Administration of National Government Prof. Kithure Kindiki has reshuffled county commissioners to enhance service delivery.
Among those affected are Kajiado West Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Moranga Morekwa, who was transferred to Tana North, and Kajiado North Deputy Commissioner Patrick Mwangi, moved to Samburu East.
The CS transferred eight deputy commissioners from their current stations.
James Taari from Tana North will be DCC Kajiado North while Lydia W. Munyi from Mumoni will be in charge of Kajiado West.
Kindiki recalled four commissioners to the Ministry Headquarters for re-deployment.
In a statement, Kindiki retained 15 commissioners at their current stations while transferring 20 across various coun-
ties and promoting 12 deputies.
Among those who were recalled to the Ministry Headquarters include Herman Shambi (Nandi), Mathias Rioba (TransNzoia), Michael Ivuto (Kirinyaga) and Stephen Kihara (Embu).
Commissioners who were transferred from their stations include Karuku Ngumo (from Murang’a to Wajir), Amos Mariba (from Nyandarua to Mandera), Nobert Komora (from Tharaka Nithi to Marsabit), Paul Famba (from Headquarters to Machakos), and Josephine Onunga (from Headquarters to Taita-Taveta).
Others include Susan Waweru (from Vihiga to Nairobi), Joshua Nkanatha (from Kiambu to Embu), and Onesmus Kyatha (from Mandera to Nyamira).
Among the DCCs who were promoted to county commissioners include Jack Obuo (Kiambu), Pius Mugambi (Nyeri), Joseph Biwott (Kilifi), Louis Rono (Lamu), Nayioma Tobiko (Kirinyaga) Stephen Kutwa (Baringo), and Caroline Mueni (Nandi).
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the aim of the shakeup is to improve service delivery.
By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail. com
They say if you educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a woman you educate a nation. One woman in Birika of Kajiado West Constituency is a true definition of the African proverb.
Hellen Nkatet Turere, 70, is among women who have come back to support their community and promote gender equality after going through formal education.
She is among the few older generation Maasai women who went to school. In 1961, before Kenya attained independency, it was simply preposterous to even think of school but she took that step of faith when her peers got circumcised and married off.
At the age of nine, she joined DEB Loitoktok School where she did her CPE in 1968, and later got employed in the Ministry of Lands and Settlement.
In 1970, she got married to Stephen Nkatet ole Turere and moved from Enkinyoi to Emugurr Nanyori, where she started farming to support her family, the needy and God’s work.
In fluent English, she says she got saved in 1965
She gathered children under a tree with the approval and support of some elders, who also saw the need for children to get education.
and one of the ways of ensuring the society followed her footsteps was through education.
The mother of seven started Ereteti Primary in 1978 in Birika as the nearest schools, Olkejuado PBS Olooseos and Oloolaiser, were more than 25 kilometres away.
She gathered children under a tree with the approval and support of some elders; the late Ntapayia Turere, Toyianka Saire and Ntoonto Maloi, who also saw the need for children to get education.
She later received support from the late Father John Mpayei, the first Maasai to study in Makerere College, now Makerere University.
He was then working with the World Vision and was able to arrange for a teacher, John Serpepu, to be deployed to assist her. His influence at the World Vision also brought more teachers as pupil numbers increased.
Joseph Turere donated the ten acres of land on which Ereteti primary and
secondary schools, and the church, now stand.
Her first seven boys and two girls sat CPE in 1984.
The school now hosts hundreds of students hungry for knowledge, knowing they will never know it all, but at least they will know enough to help them do great things just like Nkatet.
“My family was enlightened and that is why they took us to school. All my children received formal education. We lead from the front and have been pushing people to take their children to school,” she says, pointing out that religion has been the solution to female genital mutilation and early marriage.
The AIC Ereteti church, which stands out in Birika Centre, was the venue of celebration of her work recently. Multitudes came from different places to honour what she had done for the community.
Leaders who spoke during
the celebration described Nkatet as a woman who dedicated her life to the support of her community in matters education and religion.
Reverend Kelvin Ntapayi narrated how he would visit her home when he was in class eight. He would stay there for a month to sap her knowledge outside classroom.
Grace Asai said Nkatet has faithfully supported everyone in need of spiritual or mundane growth.
Some of Helen’s students are Philip Wuantai, Rev Kelvin Ntapayia, Gloria Sompet, Paul Tobiko (Director of Communications, Kajiado County), and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands Hamilton Parseina.
The party was attended by Kajiado West MP George Sunkuyia, Kitengela Member of County Assembly (MCA) Paul Matuyia and other leaders who paid glowing commendation to Nkatet for her work.
The training of the youth and women in agriculture will set a model for sustainable agriculture as well as showcasing innovation technologies to improve yields.
By Michael Opiyo440 youth and women in Loitokitok, Kajiado South Sub-county have been trained on modern commercial farming to better their lives through a programme dubbed Wezesha Agri Programme.
Funded by the Safaricom Foundation in collaboration with County Government of Kajiado, it aims at mitigating climate change and ensuring food security in the largely semi-arid and arid (ASAL) county.
Other partners include Africa Instore
Solution and Digi Farm, with the project taking place in Nkama village of Kuku Ward.
During the official launch of the programme, Safaricom Foundation trustee Linda Kasina revealed that 7 acres of demonstration farm had been set aside, with the graduating 444 being a testament to the hard work and determination to enhance agriculture in the region.
Kasina pointed out that the training being offered was not only a milestone in enhancing new skills in agriculture, but also a beacon of hope for agriculture in the county.
“The training of the youth and women in agriculture will set a model for sustainable agriculture as well as showcasing innovation technologies to improve yields,” she said.
Addressing the graduands, Kasina applauded the county government and other players for their partnership, which en-
abled the training to succeed.
Deputy Governor (DG) Martin Moshisho, who graced the event, lauded the programme for the change that it will bring to the beneficiaries and the county.
The DG said the county government has set aside Ksh50 million to support them towards
implementing the food security and self-reliance programme. He urged the youth and women to shun wrong attitudes towards agriculture as innovative modern agriculture is the way to go to not only ensure sustainable food security but also realize development.
By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail.com
Owning property in Ngong’ town of Kajiado North Sub-county is almost out of reach for most lower to average income earners as land prices soar.
The town is now among urban satellite towns that prices have gone overboard, having increased rapidly for the second year running.
Hass Consult Land Price Index report for 2022’s fourth quarter released in March, 2023 revealed that prices increased by 4.74 per cent over the three early months of the year and 14 per cent last year.
The town is now the fifth priciest satellite town in Nairobi and is now the fastest growing among the eighteen satellite towns.
An acre in Ngong’, which was selling at an average of Ksh25.4 million in 2021, was selling at Ksh28.8 million last year.
The average price in 2020 was Ksh21.5 million, increasing by 18 per cent the following year. Way back in 2012, a one-acre parcel of land was selling at an average of Ksh7.8 million, which means it has tripled in the last decade.
Ngong has overtaken Syokimau, whose asking price per acre is now Ksh28.3 million, and Juja at Ksh18.7 million.
Ruaka remains the most expensive satellite town, with an acre going for Ksh98.4 million. Kiambu follows at Ksh43.7 million.
For other towns such as Mlolongo, an acre fetches Ksh34.1 million, Tigoni goes for Ksh29.3 million, and Karen stands at Ksh65 million.
Ongata Rongai averages Ksh25 million per acre while Kiserian is at Ksh9.9 million.
Head of Development Consulting and Research at HassConsult
Sakina Hassanali said the increase was because the entire old infrastructure was upgraded and normally when this happens, there’s an immediate hike in prices.
“When infrastructure is upgraded, prices also start to move,” she said.
On top of that, in areas like Kiambu, prices went up a long time ago and when a place gets expensive, people start to move to where prices are still low, in effect raising
the demand.
There has been improvement of road access to Ngong town in the last one year. Some sections, including Dagoretti Corner-Karen Roundabout (6.2km), Karen Road (1.9km), and sections of Lang’ata Road from Karen Shopping Centre (1.7km) have all been upgraded.
Ngong’ property agent Waikao Karioki says the reason Ngong’ properties are performing well is improved infrastructure and proximity to the city. He said the place is also secure compared to other regions.
For rentals, a 3-bedroom house with own compound can go for between Ksh30,000 and Ksh40,000,
which can be sold for between Ksh6.9 million and Ksh7 million depending on location.
The town, the only one in Kajiado County with a modern market and bus park, is expected to attract more property buyers after key organizations and institutions set up base.
The National Police Service Leadership Academy is the latest addition to others like IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), a renewable energy-powered facility.
The town also has Kenya Defence Forces offices, Judicial Training Institute, and Mathare Hospital.
Way back in 2012, a one-acre parcel of land was selling at an average of Ksh7.8 million, which means it has tripled in the last decade.A section of Ngong town. It is one of the fastest growing and most expensive towns in the country. Photo/ Obegi Malack
The County Government of Kajiado has trained tomato farmers on value addition that is aimed at increasing production and productivity in the rich farmland areas.
Over 30 officials from eight farmers groups were beneficiaries of the training that took place at ATC/VET in Ngong.
Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Jacklin Koin presided over the three-day training.
"We thank the county government for the thoughtful consideration. Now our products will find their way onto supermarket shelves," she remarked.
The same farmer groups were last year trained at Egerton University. They can now produce chili powder and reduce waste as the crop is highly perishable.
Enedy Linyonyi, one of the beneficiaries representing Glowing Women Group, said they will be able to handle mechanisms, control pesticides and execute protocols to have quality tomato products.
She applauded the county government for recognizing the importance of empowering women in agribusiness.
She added that before, many farmers were counting losses because of high production vis-à-vis poor pricing controlled by middlemen.
Deputy Governor (DG) Martin Moshisho, addressing the farmers, said the innovative equipment will support the food security agenda amid the onslaught of climate change.
He noted that due to perishability of tomatoes, Kajiado farmers have been incurring massive losses in the hands of middlemen. However, the farmers can
now add value and sell it at better prices.
“We used to dispose of most of our tomatoes due to their perishability. Thanks to the partners, we now produce tomato paste and have market linkages for our products unlike before,” said Orine Self-Help Group chairperson Grace Kamau.
Apart from the approved innovations, farmers are also supported to aggregate into marketing cooperatives and advocacy organizations so that they can reap maximum benefits.
They were assessed based on academic and professional qualifications, technical proficiency, leadership and integrity, general knowledge, and current affairs, among other qualities.
Two people, male and female, have been appointed to fill vacant positions in the Kajiado County Assembly Service Board.
Henry Senteman Kimiti from Kajiado East Constituency and Immaculate Guthera Salaon of Kajiado North emerged winners after rigorous interviews before being recommended for appointment by the assembly.
Immaculate Guthera Salaon and Henry Senteman
Kimiti were appointed to fill Kajiado County Assembly Service Board vacancies.
The County Assembly Service Board consists of the County Speaker, who is the chairperson, two members of the County Assembly nominated by the majority and minority parties, and one man and woman appointed by the County Assembly from among persons experienced in public affairs and are not members of the County Assembly. Their oral interviews were con-
By our reporter
Kajiado North MP Onesmus
Ngogoyo has officially opened the Ngong’ Multi-Purpose Social Hall funded by the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) in the 2020/2021 - 2021/2022 financial year.
Ngogoyo challenged locals to take advantage of the facility to host events and activities that meet their needs and benefit
them.
The MP said his administration is committed to completing all stalled projects to ensure the constituents receive value for their money.
The new multi-purpose hall will be beneficial to locals since it can host a range of events like educational events, social gatherings, sporting activities and religious functions.
During the event, the MP also issued bursaries worth
Ksh28,500,000 to 5,700 high school students.
The new multipurpose hall will be beneficial to locals since it can host a wide range of events.
ducted on 2nd and 3rd March 2023 by a panel consisting of Chief Hu-
man Resource Development Officer of the National Assembly.
They were assessed based on academic and professional qualifications, technical proficiency, leadership and integrity, general knowledge, and current affairs, among other qualities.
County Assembly Speaker Justus Ngossor presided over the Swearing-in of the new board members at the Assembly Chambers.
In his address after the swearing-in, he said the Assembly will bank on the rich experience of the duo.
The Speaker was flanked by the clerk, who is Secretary to the board Paul Matuyia, and Majority Leader John Loisa, and his deputy Daniel Kokan, among others.
Ongata
Rongai,Kiserian and Ngong towns in Kajiado County have recorded a spike in the number of cholera cases, which has been attributed to poor sanitation.
On March 5, 2023, twelve cases were recorded at Ongata Rongai Sub-county Hospital, while five have been admitted at Olekasasi Health Centre.
The Olekasasi facility was turned into a cholera treatment centre lately, even as the officer in charge Sylvia Ndung’u asked for more cholera beds and additional staff to handle the cases.
The county government
is yet to establish a functional sewerage system in the county, a situation that has led to improper disposal of sewer hence the spike in cholera cases.
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by toxigenic bacterium vibriocholerae serogroup 01 or 0139. Between 1 million to 4 million people around the world get infected each year and between 21,000 to 143,000 die of it.
The disease spreads rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene.
Treating sewage and drinking water means introducing
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged more than Ksh16 billion to cushion Kenyans against the ravaging drought that has left four million people on the horns of a dire hunger.
The assistance comes following a visit by First Lady Jill Biden, who focused her attention on the worst hit areas like Kajiado County.
The money will allow USAID partners to meet urgent needs of approximately 1.3 million people across Kenya.
USAID will provide emergency food such as sorghum, maize, yellow split peas, and vegetable oil to families living in areas where local markets are not functioning.
chemicals to kill parasites, bacteria and viruses that are harmful. Boiling water also ensures water hygiene.
Former Kajiado North Deputy Commissioner Patrick Mwangi said the cholera outbreak is as a result of severe water shortage.
He urged those handling food to maintain acceptable hygiene standards.
Despite the county government banning food hawking and vending in streets to curb the spread of the disease, a spot-check reveals that vendors’ businesses are still operational.
Tito Titus, a food vendor in Ongata Rongai, acknowledged
Additionally, in areas where markets are functioning, partners will provide cash-based assistance to families, which will in turn support local economies.
USAID will also support programmes to prevent and treat child malnutrition as more than 970,000 children aged five and below are acutely malnourished across the country.
USAID has acted early and aggressively in responding to the drought in Kenya, providing nearly $310 million (Ksh38 billion) in humanitarian assistance in 2022 Fiscal Year alone.
The First Lady had visited drought-affected communities in Lesoit Village of Matapato North, Kajiado County, and subsequently appealed to wealthy nations to give more support to the millions who continue to suffer from one of the worst droughts in recent decades.
Kajiado County is mostly inhabited by the Maasai community, who have been the most affected, losing thousands of their livestock.
“There is the war in Ukraine. There is the earthquake in Turkey. I mean there are a lot of competing interests but obvi-
that as a result of the cholera outbreak, his sales have reduced due to mistrust by the buyers.
However, he assured vendors that it’s his personal responsibility to make sure the water he uses is safe.
“It is my responsibility as a food vendor to make sure that the food I sell to my clients is healthy because I care about them,” Tito said.
Diana Njeri, who says is a big fan of smokie pasua (smokie with kachumbari), buys street food after carefully considering whether or not the vendor and where the eatery is situated is clean.
ously here, people are starving,” Biden said, having assessed the situation on the ground.
She had a firsthand experience with a group of women who have been affected by the drought, observing eventually that the situation was dire.
She at the same time promoted HIV/AIDS education programmes and initiatives that teach women economic empowerment and financial stability.
She was also involved in educating the young generation on skills they need to get employed or start their own businesses.
Biden has been in the country before, but it was the first visit by a senior White House official to the continent since Joe Biden rose to power in 2021.
The First Lady was accompanied by US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Mwiteman and CS for Arid and Semi-Arid Areas (ASALs) Rebecca Miano.
Her visit is part of a commitment by President Biden to deepen US partnerships with African nations on various fronts.
Recently I met some disillusioned guys in a village town after an event that I had attended, complaining of a difficult life posed by cancer, inflation, violence, crime, hunger, and many others that are exhausting and sapping. They clearly looked very discouraged.
I dissuaded them from getting hopeless based on the fact that despite the numerous challenges humanity has faced over time, there are still a lot of positives we can recount nonetheless.
I pointed out the rapid changes in technology, including the transformative mobile telephony and products such as MPESA, which are items we take for granted today yet just not long ago, they were just mirages out of this world.
It reminded me of a trip I made to Germany a few years ago while on a significant assignment that involved stakeholders of various sectors and industries in Kenya. While visiting one of their prominent car manufacturers, a key presenter from the company took us through how the firm and several industries were severely damaged during the Second World War and how the country was devastated by it.
I did ask how the country and the people managed to cope afterwards with that infamous conflagration. The answer was resilience, just looking at the future from that point of view.
At that time, the people of that country hoped, aspired and were determined for a better nation and emerged from the war to be one of the most developed and with a lot of decency in our current world political and economic paradigm.
We may be suffering from a myr-
The writer is a political, economic and social analyst and commentator.
hm.ikunda@gmail.com
Harrison Mwirigi Ikunda @hikunda
Harrison Ikunda
iad of problems, but we shall surely overcome them.
What is not in doubt is that Kenya is struggling and will continue like that for a while. I do know for sure the public is waiting for so many things to improve, including the cost of living, endemic corruption, cattle rustling and banditry, terrorism, unemployment, etc.
We will not and cannot build a decent country with destructive poverty staring us in the face. Is there hope though? Yes there is.
Amidst all these, numerous developed or newly developed countries have overcome much to get where they are today. Similarly,
we as Kenyans can overcome the hordes of challenges we are currently facing.
They revolve around how and what timeframe we are looking at. Obviously there is a lot to do and it will require a lot of political and economic engineering and goodwill.
A lot of political sacrifice will be required to get there. Without that we are going nowhere and in years to come, we will still be lamenting.
Obviously as Kenyans we have been resilient just like the Germans were after the war.
How do we build resilience? There is no resilience when there is no hope or people are not seeing signs of things getting better. People need to be shown the direction at the basic level.
For instance, we could explore opportunities out of Kenya for employment needs a lot of guidance, appropriate structures in place, and regulations and laws that tame rogue recruitment agents.
For sectors and industries, we need to see efforts towards local manufacturing, increased direct foreign investment, support for agriculture production and value chains, tourism having organized marketing campaigns and requisite investments, improving security, and so on.
We need to see corruption curtailed and progress continuously being made towards that. We need to see a lot of infrastructure developments happening, and many other good things in the country.
In a nutshell tangible, visible and verifiable actions are part of the mix. In essence, we need assurances alongside requisite verifiable actions.
More often than not, a lot of focus has been placed on mining and construction firms as the main causes of environmental degradation when in reality, people’s individual actions also contribute towards the same.
Individual actions range from how we manage our trees, control erosion on our farms, and whether or not we plant grass or cover crops on bare land.
Environmental activists and conservationists have always been vocal against the activities of mining firms, calling for their immediate cessation but citizens are the bigger plunderer not being addressed.
Trees and forests perform the miraculous, genius acts of watershed protection and carbon sequestration. They also supply us with essential environmental, economic, recreational, scientific, spiritual and cultural benefits and also act as wa-
Managing a government at whatever level calls for commitment and a sense of humanity to be able to lift the quality of life of those served.
The recipients of those services reciprocate by paying indirectly through tax, surrendering the decision-making regarding how their money is spent to those they elected to do things on their behalf.
This is the true essence of democracy, which is based on mutual trust that the best interest of the elector will be taken care of by the elected. Both parties are bound by the constitution and ethical considerations to play their separate roles faithfully and without reservation.
However, Kajiado County seems to be dragged behind by a grinding apathy as far as service delivery is concerned. It is probably the only county in Kenya that that does not have a clear policy on sewerage and drainage systems management.
Even with decentralization of resources that has been spread out to counties from centralized pools in national government, successive Kajiado county governments already spanning ten years have never thought of streamlining sewer and garbage collection.
The consequence is a haphazard, disjointed and rudimentary disposal of both solid and liquid wastes, with no one accountable for anything happening around this important element that is a public health concern.
It is upon this confusion that crooks arrogate themselves to run the sensitive component that the constitution wisely placed under county governments.
Consequently, rogue landlords and their agents have connived to empty their sewage reservoirs into the already filthy drainages; well aware of the dangers they are exposing hapless residents to.
It is high time someone took up the responsibilities bestowed upon them, or as we have warned before, public health concerns in the county are a ticking time bomb that no one is eager to see explode.
Omondinorman994@gmail.com
ter catchments, biodiversity conservation reservoirs, carbon sinks and wildlife habitat.
However, due to the constant felling of trees, clearing of natural
vegetation and poor farming practices, there has been a significant alteration of rain patterns which has affected farming seasons.
Deforestation in Kenya is estimated at 50,000 hectares annually, leading to a consequent yearly loss to the economy of up to $20 million.
70% of Kenyans rely on wood biomass for their energy but that privilege should not compromise the rights of the future generations to use the valuable natural resources we are endowed with.
Though there exist policies aimed at protecting the environment in Kenya, they have neither been exhaustive nor well implemented.
For example, the Forest Act (2005) introduced participatory forest management through the engagement of local communities, among other measures. It also led to the formation of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Community Forest Associations.
Others laws are in the Constitution, the National Land Policy, the Land Act 2012, and the Revised National Forest Policy 2014.
The constitution and economic blue print Vision 2030 requires the country to achieve 10 per cent forest cover. To this end, all stakeholders must be involved, including, and especially those at the grass root level.
Data collection is paramount for the country to achieve the indigenous tree species protection policy.
Each clan elder or ‘nyumba kumi’ representative will have to register all the big indigenous trees in their jurisdictions then send the data, complete with photos, local names of trees, approximate size and locations, to a central
national database.
In case one needs to cut down a tree for whatever purpose, they will have to seek permission from the relevant authorities. If permission is granted, one will be required to plant 15 new seedlings as replacement.
Let us all work towards curing the cancer not treating the symptoms. We can only do this by planting trees and not waiting to build dykes because of floods.
It’s important for us to protect our big indigenous trees by enforcing policies to protect them.
In doing so, we shall have done a good service to the environment, which will go ahead to mitigate these effects of climate change we’re currently feeling.
Our
By Obegi Malack
The Beacon Technical Training Institute (BTTI) celebrated its 15th graduation ceremony at the SIFA hall in which close to 300 students joined the job market after being awarded certificates in various vocational fields.
The youth were implored to uphold integrity and respect even as they carry the skills they acquired through training into the job and entrepreneurship market by transforming their own lives and the community by Jane Wathome Beacon of Hope Executive Director.
Pointing out that the institute empowers youth to be entrepreneurs, Jane urged the graduates to maintain integrity, respect, honour and humility in order to be successful in life. “You can have all skills but without respect and integrity you will not succeed,” she said.
The colourful event was attended by a host of professionals, including those from Christian Aid, an organization that had sponsored some of the graduands through a programme dubbed Jenga Kijana.
By our reporterFor children to fulfill their dreams and reach their optimum potential, they have to be in institutions that closely nurture them to bring out the best in them; the rightly called centres of excellence.
One of the centres of excellence in Kajiado County is Our Lady Queen of Mercy Academy located in Kitengela town in Kajiado East Constituency, which has persistently produced top candidates in the country.
In 2018, one of their candidates was ranked among the top in the country and second in the entire county. Gabriel Miseda got 440 marks to join Maranda High, and went on to score A plain of 83 points in 2022 KCSE, ranking among the crème de la crème in that
Christian Aid Country Director Janet Ngombalu said they chose to partner with the institution as they share common values of helping the community through poverty reduction, adding that the graduands had been empowered to bring change.
“We believe youth have solutions
are those who got government loans through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Chief guest Dr. Julius Muia, former Principal Secretary (PS) at the National Treasury, urged the students to be innovators rather than job-seekers.
He asserted that once out in the field, the graduates have the capacity to come up with new ideas and implement them through the technical competencies they have acquired from the institution.
Christine Owano, a hospitality graduate, said the training was the best thing that happened to her as she acquired skills that are already changing her life.
Others who graced
the occasion were Beacon of Hope Board of Management (BoM) member Veronica Kebuka, BoM member Ken Wathome, Deputy Principal Margaret Lasalo, and Head of Education and Training Ibrahim Karonji.
The institution is situated along Gataka Road a few metres off Magadi Road, behind Maasai Mall in Ongata Rongai township, offers diploma, certificate and artisan courses tested by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). It also hosts a primary school that runs from kindergarten to junior secondary school (JSS).
to challenges facing the nation. They should believe in themselves and be mentors,” she said.
Christian Aid has supported more than 1,000 youths through the Jenga Kijana project. A total of 200 students were under the programme while 92 were self-sponsored. Besides, there
exam.
In 2022 KCPE, it had a mean score of 310. Though it is way below their best ever performance of 357 in 2020, they are firmly focused on reproducing and even surpassing that exemplary stellar result.
The school director Christine Mutambu said that since its inception in 2001, they have always wanted the best for their learners.
She said the school has a religious orientation where they put God on the forefront of all their activities.
“We have days of prayers and hold guidance and counseling sessions. These have
made pupils pious, feel valued and interact freely with their teachers,” she said.
Learners, teachers and parents work as a team and administrators are always ready to solve challenges facing them, and since majority are from poor families, they are allowed to pay fees in installments.
The director lauded parents for helping the institution to instill values in their children and supporting the school’s academic programmes.
The school currently has a population of 450 as more enroll in their Junior Secondary School (JSS) section, whose considerations have been worked out with 6 class-
rooms being put up as more are planned to accommodate the increasing numbers.
Computer is taught from
Grade 3, as are French lessons. They have also invested in online learning.
Some of the attractions in-
clude timely safe transport to and from school and amazing playfields.
Christine Mutambu, DirectorA section of the graduands Photo /Obegi Malack
We have days of prayers and hold guidance and counseling sessions. These have made pupils pious, feel valued and interact freely with their teachers.
After the prolonged drought that killed thousands of animals in Kajiado, the region has again been hit by calamity as heavy rains wreak havoc, causing death and damage to infrastructure and property.
Three children aged 8, 10 and 12 drowned in Eselenkei, Kajiado South Sub-county. They had been reported missing for two days before their bodies were retrieved from a river where they had been sent to fetch water.
Sub-county police boss Shadrach Ruto said the boys may have decided to swim as the water was irresistible after long periods of drought. They might have got stuck in the muddy river bed.
In Kajiado West on Suswa Road, whose construction has been ongoing for four years now, the works were ruined by floods in Kimuka and Ewuaso, with a number of vehicles getting swept away and settlements rendered inhabitable.
It is the first time it has rained heavily in the area since road works began in 2018, which is aimed at connecting Narok County through Suswa as an alternative route when the busy Narok-Mai Mahiu road is impassable, parts of which were also cut off.
Joseph Kinayia, a resident of Kajiado West, said the road drainage is poor, opining that the contractor should have kept in mind that the area gets flooded when heavy rains pound.
In Kajiado North, Ololua was hit by similar floods; with some roads including Zambia rendered impassable. Parents had to keep their children at home for fear of the dangers lurking on the way to school.
Mary Kamau said the drainage system is poor, observing that the government should invest in better engineering before tarmacking any road.
Sadly too, rogue landlords take advantage of the situation to release sewerage water onto roads and into drainages when it rains.
In Ngong town, most informal settlements like Mathare and Gichagi were affected.
Kandisi’s Fatima South Bridge in Ongata Rongai Ward that killed five people in 2018 was not spared either. No one could cross over to the town in the last few days.
The bridge has never been repaired nor investigations done after it collapsed.
Lydiah Githuku, a Kandisi resident, said the local leaders should prioritize the Fatima Road that connects Rongai to Kandisi and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
During commissioning of the
Climate Change activist Vivian
Looremetta has called for long term solutions to address the on-going drought that has seen many pastoralists lose thousands of their animals.
Speaking while donating food to the elderly in Onyonyori, Kajiado West Constituency, Looremetta recommended that the government should drill more boreholes and build dams to tap rain water that is going to waste.
ed to help them deal with the trauma caused by the huge loss of their cattle.
She also urged the community to invest in the education of their children so that in future, the children can support them.
Charles Leshore of Maa Museum pointed out that the drought is as a result of climate change, hence a long-term solution such as tree-planting and total ban of charcoal business should be embraced.
project, former president Uhuru Kenyatta promised to fix all access roads.
Last month, residents protesting over pathetic Maasai Lodge-Olekasasi-Kitengela road complained that the road was initially tarmacked and later dug up with a promise to build a modern tarmac road.
They accused the government of failing to complete the works after the contractor abandoned it citing non-payment of dues as per contract.
The tarmacking of the Maasai-Lodge-Ole Kasasi- Rimpa Road resumed after Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo held talks with Roads, Transport and Public Works Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen.
It was part of a 65km network in the constituency that had been planned to be completed before 2022. Ngogoyo said his administration is dedicated to improving the road network within the constituency to reduce traffic congestion.
She also recommended that the pastoralists should be trained on new ways of farming such as hydroponics, which can feed humans and cattle with less costs.
She noted that the pastoralists should be psychologically support-
He argued that wetlands should also be protected since they hold between 20 and 30 per cent of all the carbon found in the world’s soil.
“Wetlands should be used more for bee keeping,” he said, adding that preserving nature starts at a personal level, hence everyone should embrace it.
Climate Change activist Vivian Looremetta with a Maasai elder who lost all his livestock . Photo/ Obegi Malack.
Rural Women Network ( RWN) has embarked on teaching women in the drought stricken Kajiado County beadwork as an alternative source of livelihood since livestock, the main source of livelihood in the area, have died as a result of drought.
The organization has also trained women on farming, especially bee keeping, among other projects.
RWN Executive Director Pauline Kariuki said the women are taken through leadership roles and how to do the beadwork business. The project is funded by Fair for All through Huairou Commission.
Kariuki, who is also a community development and social worker expert, expressed concern that most women in business from the area engage middlemen who take advantage and reap where they did not sow.
She noted that RWN works towards increasing productivity, en-
hancing livelihoods, promoting climate smart agriculture, and mitigating food and nutrition challenges.
The network’s aim is to strengthen the participation of grassroot women smallholder farmers in local, national and global debates on food and agriculture and to enable them better understand global policy frameworks which impact them.
Charles Mbuthia, an expert in Organizational Development and Institutional Development (ID/OS), said the women group leaders should keep records, involve committed members, write business plans, engage the government, and market their products online so as to witness tremendous growth of the businesses.
Lucy Lemashisha, a community leader and one of the beneficiaries of the training, said the training has opened the minds of women to sell their beadwork globally since initially, it was only being done locally.
She urged the national and county governments to support them expand their businesses.
Samuel ole Sekento, a quality control officer at Ushanga Kenya Initiative, said they have been able to support a number of women in beadwork to market their products
He challenged the women to take advantage of global trends to make unique beads.
Ushanga Initiative, in conjunction with Kajiado county government, is coming up with an USSD code to support the women market their products.
Ann Nashipai, Deputy Director Cultural Tourism and Wildlife at the county government, said through the trainings, the women have been taught how to make beads that meet the standards.
25 patients are undergoing dialysis in Kajiado as the World Kidney Day (WKD) is marked, most of whom come from Loitoktok Sub-county.
Celebrated at the Kajiado County Referral Hospital, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for health
Alex Kilowua said plans are underway to install a renal unit in Loitokitok Sub-county Hospital.
He added that treating kidney ailments was pretty expensive and encouraged people to register for health insurance.
“As the world marks WKD, we gear our campaigns towards people registering for National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to cater for hospital bills because dialysis is very expensive,” he said.
of prevalence to carry out the necessary tests and give clear directions on the way forward.
Noordin Salaash, one of the dialysis patients, said it has been a difficult journey considering the resources he has put into treatment.
“I wish I could have gone for a checkup early enough. However, I’ll soon get a kidney transplant, which will cost Ksh2 million,” he noted.
The Medical Superintendent Dr. Fred Ayany lamented that some patients resorted to suicide to end their suffering as the economy and drought conspired to make their lives unbearable.
“We have received many reports while following up to find out why they skipped dialysis, only to be told they committed suicide,” he said.
According to a specialist Dr. Mwololo Carolyn, they attend to an average of two to three patients a week and asked that stereotypical understanding will stig-
Members OUR SERVICES Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Treatment Extractions Crowns and Bridge
matize instead of finding the root cause of prevalence.
“Medicine is based on science and you cannot say or attribute the risk to af-
A Better Life Starts with a Beautiful Smile We Love to See You Smile We invite you to join us in our mission of sharpening smiles and making a difference in people’s lives by taking advantage of our holistic and comprehensive services at incredibly low prices. LEAD DENTIST: Dr Paul Murumbwa (BDS)
Our mission is to provide excellent Dental Services with comfort, compassion, safety and fun.
of the public undergo free screening and check up for kidney diseases to mark World Kidney Day 2023 at Kajiado Referral Hospital. Dentures and Removable Partial Denture Dental Implants Crowns and Dental Braces
fected areas unless we carry out research to find out more on the matter,” she emphasized.
Soon the specialist will visit the areas
Dental cleaning and Fluoride Treatment Dental Fillings afyak2021@gmail.com www.afyadentalcare.co.ke
By Obegi Malack
Photo/ Michael Opiyo The Metropolitan Shopper APRIL, 2023 Root Canal Treatment
The management of Olekasasi Health Centre has called upon the county government to equip the hospital, which was officially opened on August 8, 2019.
The Level 3 hospital manager Silvia Ndung’u said the hospital lacks a maternity ward and a theatre.
She further revealed that the hospital, which offers maternal and child health services, diagnostic services, family planning services and curative services, among others, also needs staff quarters.
The facility’s chairman Major Humphrey Kiarie requested for additional staffing due to the increase in the number of patients.
It serves over 10,000 people from Olekasasi, Ongata Rongai and its environs.
He also requested that the hospital be fenced and a borehole drilled.
Additionally, the community asked for upgrading of Ole Pasha ECDE centre.
Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho, who visited the health centre, promised more funds to equip it.
He also promised to fence the local ECDE centre and equip it.
Rongai MCA Titus Matheka said he will work with all leaders, including Governor Joseph ole Lenku, for quick development of the Ward.
Kidney specialist
Dr. Carolyn Mwololo will visit the areas of prevalence to carry out the necessary tests and give clear directions on the way forward.Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho in Olekasasi Health Centre. Photo/ Obegi Malack
Among the evils committed by the CECM was the continued disbursement of funds to students who had dropped out of school.
By Obegi Malack Obegimalack@gmail. comKajiado County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Vocational Training, Youth and Sports Jeremiah Ncharo has been impeached by the County Assembly for gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya and other relevant laws.
The impeachment motion was moved by Mosiro MCA Jonathan Koroine and 21 MCAs voted in support of the impeachment motion against 20 MCAs who tried to save the officer.
The MCAs noted that the CECM was voted out pursuant to Section 40 of the County Governments Act.
Koroine claimed that the Department of Education failed to use the list of beneficiaries submitted by the chairperson of the Bursary Committee for Keekonyokie, Rombo and Lodokilani wards contrary to regulation 8 of the Kajiado County Public Finance Management (County Bursary Fund) regulation, 2016.
Financial reports from the auditor general for the financial year ending June 30, 2020 revealed that Ksh 30, 119, 000 and Ksh53, 285, 920 was disbursed without approval from the Ward Education Bursary Committee contrary to regulation 4 of Kajiado County Public Finance Management.
The education department was also accused of irregular appointment of Ward Education Bursary Committee members since the appointments were not supported by the committee members’ education quali-
fications, work experience documents and duration of residence in the ward contrary to Regulation 8 of Kajiado County Public Finance Management (County Bursary) Regulation, 2016.
The MCA also accused the department of lack of equitability in distribution of bursaries.
The Auditor General flagged the Kajiado County Education Bursary Grants and Scholarship Fund for the year ended June 30, 2021, noting that the disbursement of the bursaries was not supported by Ward Committee minutes.
The Auditor General pointed out that the first and second cycle of the bursary disbursement was done using a ward bursary committee whose tenure had lapsed contrary to regulation 9 of Kajiado County Public finance management (County Bursary Fund) Regulation, 2016.
Ncharo authorized and oversaw the appointment of a new Fund administrator contrary to section 116 (2) of the Public Finance Management Act which states that
the CEC Member for finance shall designate a person responsible for administering that Fund.
The CECM was also accused of violating the Constitution of Kenya on objectivity and impartiality in decision making.
He is accused of overseeing the enrollment of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) grade 6 pupils contrary to the Basic Education Act.
The MCAs alleged that Ncharo misused public resources.
“Despite the fact that several students under the scholarship programme dropped out of school, the CECM continued to oversee the disbursement of funds to the students who dropped out of school hence leading to the loss of public funds,” part of the assembly statement read.
Alais Kisota , the CECM for Public Service, Administration, Social Services, Citizen Participation and Inspectorate Services, survived impeachment after a heated debate in the assembly.
scattered like the many skeletons around the homestead.
The elder may be suffering and depressed but he must show he is in control; he is the head of the family and leads the village – so must not show signs of weakness.
He has a young girl who dropped out of grade six. The girl opens up and tells me that the par -
bra as he tried to lift it up is receiving medication,” he reveals.
In a bizarre incident in Kajiado South, baboons invaded Kimana Girls Secondary School, making away with foodstuff and other items from the dormitories. The hungry baboons overpowered the school workers who tried to stop them.
Kenya Wildlife Service indicates that the Amboseli ecosystem lost 6,093 animals to the drought between June and November 2022, including 127 elephants, 93 giraffes, 3,872 wildebeest, 1,395 zebras, 131 Thomson’s gazelle, 174 Grant’s gazelle, 106 impala, 52 buffalo, and 93 endangered Maasai giraffe.
The Maasai have never known fishing, but necessity to survive has pushed them into this economic activity. Six people have since died as hippos in Ewaso Nyiro River attacked them, probably due to their inexperience.
By Obegi Malack obegimalack@gmail.comThe fate of centuries-old Maa way of life is on a delicate balance as the worst drought in 40 years threatens to wipe out part of its cherished pastoralist heritage.
With their livestock gone, many other cultural values will be eroded, especially those associated with generational continuity like marriage and payment of dowry.
So intimidating and helpless is the situation that people are turning to fishing and other economic activities that were out of context before as families have lost their entire herds, taking them to the brink of despair and disillusionment as it is the only culture they have known their entire life.
With nowhere to turn to and as a last resort, they try to find buyers for the skinny remnants of their formerly prestigious stock in vain. So they are left to die to the last and strongest of them.
A visit to Olergesailie village in Kajiado West, one of the worst hit, attests to the long suffering. Anyone who has been there before will tell you how life has changed.
There is sorrow written all over the faces of the inhabitants, which
can be felt even in the hushed tones they converse in. You can easily see it has been long since they ate a decent meal as their skinny frames radiates older age than they really are.
On a normal day, the centre is lively bursting with activity; full of crowds and animals. It is now dry and dusty with only a few donkeys with pricked ears, perhaps wondering what might be the matter.
Charles Leshore is the director Maa Museum and Centre for Indigenous Culture and has worked with the pastoralist community for years. He was behind the recognition of Olergesailie village as the best tourism village in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Leshore now works with Keekonyokie Elites Association which has been documenting effects of the drought to find a longterm solution.
He says the community has lost hope on pastoralism as rich families have been turned to beggars.
“The people would have been in the fields grazing or in markets selling their livestock, but this day they are at the centre for they have nowhere to go to,” Leshore says.
Two senior Maasai elders, Julius ole Saitaga and Emmanuel ole Saita-
ga, say they have never experienced anything like the drought in living memory.
Emmanuel, probably in his 70s, says he was a wealthy person respected in the village, but is now a pauper as he depends on well-wishers to survive. He lost all his livestock.
Part of his wealth is his children, whom he declines to number as it is an abomination in the Maa culture.
The remaining eight cows, for which he has been buying hay from Kiserian town more than 50 kilometres away, are weak and wasting away at home for the feed has become too expensive to buy and transport.
“I have been struggling to keep my children in school, but sooner I will have nothing to keep them there,” he said.
The elder has thirteen children in school.
Julius, a father of twenty children from three wives, has only four surviving cows.
“We have nothing to feed on. Our only source of income is lost, and the price of livestock has dropped by more than half,” he said, his arms folded across his emaciated frame.
In his homestead, a weak skinny cow lies down behind the manyatta. It is clear its bones will shortly be
This pastoralist decides to carry home what was left of his animals which he lost to the prolonged drought.
Photos /Obegi Malack
ents lacked school fees as the parents are unwilling to talk about it.
She is just one among many in the county who have been left to the wiles of nature.
Only 85 per cent of learners have reported to junior Secondary School (JSS), with many pupils yet to join due to lack of fees.
Oletepesi Primary School is among those that have recorded dropouts, numbers showing that from 540, a hundred have dropped out in 2023.
Wild animals have also died of starvation.
“A boy who was bitten by a ze-
Some residents have resorted to charcoal burning to survive, which aggravates the situation more.
The County Government of Kajiado has been providing flour for porridge for lower grades, but the other children have to pay to eat.
Most parents cannot afford and they also trudge to school over lunch hours to beg for food, which the children are eager to share.
The two elders said they are ready for a radical cultural shift if that could be the lasting solution. They are now asking the government and well-wishers to drill boreholes, repair existing ones and encourage some other forms of economic activity to keep them alive.
They are ready to venture into farming and would like to have water points for irrigation as their traditional ways of life is not sustainable.
Climate change activist Vivian Looremetta, who distributed food in Keekonyokie, said the elders who have lost their livestock need counseling to overcome their depression.
The activist also recommends educating the community on alternative ways of livelihood such as hydroponics, which can feed human beings and cattle at less cost.
They are ready for a radical cultural shift if that could be the lasting solution. They are now asking the government and well-wishers to drill boreholes, repair existing ones and encourage some other forms of economic activity to keep them alive.A stressed livestock keeper nostalgically examines the skeletons of his dead cows. Leaders are of the opinion that they need conselling to deal with their situations.
We believe in building long-term value added relationships with our clients. We endevour to:
Understand our clients, their business and vision. This we do by encouraging interactions both formal and informal. Continually review our process to adapt to the needs and challenges of our clients.
Work with the client in reviewing and improving their process to ensure we are able to achieve our mutual objectives.
Advice our clients on development in the law that impact on their business and opportunities that may arise thereof. Any insights in these “extra curricular activities” are shared with the client.
By Vostine Ratemo
Residents’ associations are not common in the country despite their massive benefits to the community. The associations provide a platform for residents to present their views and concerns as well as meet formally to consider matters of local concern.
The most inclusive thing about these associations is how they encourage and promote a community spirit, which oppose discriminatory tendencies like racism, sexism, tribalism, xenophobia, harassment, and all other forms of prejudice.
Running a residents` association requires coordination from the board members, members, volunteers, donors, sponsors and partners, who among other things, offer monetary aid to ensure the foundation delivers to its people.
Kilimani Project Foundation (KPF), one of the leading residents’ associations in Nairobi, has over the past ten years been an organized voice and engagement platform for citizens
committed to making Kilimani a community of choice.
It has an audience totalling to 18,266 across all social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and newsletter subscribers.
The association’s chairman Daniel Nyakora said the group came together because in history, organized people always protect citizens from the excesses or inadequacies of government.
He went on to add that through the association, he is inspired to be an active citizen
Carol Lukalo, a board member, says she joined the foundation so as to be part of those bringing communities together since she is a big fan of integrated communities.
Her sentiments were echoed by Becky Karanja, another board member, who joined the foundation because of her desire to make a positive impact on the neighbourhood and environment around Kilimani.
“Instead of complaining about it, I wanted to do something about it,” Karanja said.
Emma Miloyo, the board’s vice chairperson, said she joined the foundation’s board in 2019 since she wanted to be part of the group that made a difference in her community.
Irungu Houghton, board member and founding chairperson, said he has a deep sense of belonging and relatedness to his neighbourhood.
“We are no longer a community of complaint and agony but one of choice and agency. I have gained far more than I have given in my view,” he said.
KPF stands on these pillars; planned development, safety and security, enterprise, environment, and social cohesion.
According to last year’s report, they earned a TCPAK award and were the first runners-up in the Nairobi Forum City Planning Mobility, Access Award, and the Nairobi Forum Environment Award.
