Month: April 2023

One person has died and nine cows died as a result of floods that have been experienced in Narok County in the last one week. Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde confirmed that Narok East Sub County was the most hit by the flash floods since the rains started falling a week ago. Masinde added that a classroom roof at Kojonga Primary School in Narok East Sub County was also blown off by strong winds exposing the young children to the erratic weather conditions. At the same time, the Commissioner cautioned motorists plying along the Narok-Mai Mahiu highway of flash floods cutting across the busy highway and leaving behind debris and piles of sand. ‘I want to ask all residents to be very careful during this long rainy season. Those living downstream should move to the upper regions that are safer,’ said Masinde. He also called on residents to plant trees on their farms and institutions so as to mitigate the effects of floods and strong winds. ‘Let us take advantage of this rainy season to plant trees in our farms, government institutions, schools, churches and in any free space. Those who need seedlings can visit the Kenya Forest Services offices and they will be assisted,’ he said. He also asked the residents to harvest the rain water during this season which they will use during the dry spell. Speaking on a different occasion, the Narok East Member of Parliament (MP) Ken Aramat said five people and 20 cows have been reported missing in the area since the rains began. ‘We must all join hands to conserve our environment because if we do not, we will suffer from the effects of nature. Everybody should plant trees in their farms during this season and avoid cultivating along the river banks,’ said the MP.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A group of clergy from Embu County have urged leaders to tone down their speeches to avoid creating division in the country. The leaders led by Bishop Moses Masamba of the Anglican Church of Kenya (A.C.K) Mbeere Diocese called on leaders in Kenya to avoid expressing some sentiments as they are meant to incite and create division among the citizens. The Bishop urged the leaders in Kenya to mind about each other and uphold maximum respect for one another for peaceful coexistence. He also urged the Kenya Kwanza Government to see to it that it ends the standoff that is being experienced in the country because it is affecting the economy. He also said that the standoff is affecting the education sector in Kenya, especially schools that are located in towns where mass actions have been happening. The Mbeere Diocese Bishop called on the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition to focus on how they can reach a lasting solution through talks rather than putting the country in a standoff. He urged leaders not to focus on vengeance but rather on uniting Kenyans and building the economy of the country. Masamba also implored the Kenyan leaders to forgive each other and find a way of how they can work together for the progress of the country. The Bishop also urged Kenyan leaders to find a way to unite the country so that citizens can enjoy peace. Masamba further urged the Governor of Embu Cecily Mbarire to find a lasting solution to the water problem that has been facing Mbeere North and South.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Department of Children Services in Samburu County has kicked off efforts to formulate a Child Protection Policy that is aligned to the unique challenges facing children. Speaking during the inaugural meeting for the Samburu Child Protection Network (CPN), Samburu Children’s Officer Peter Mwangi said that the formation of CPN aims at bringing together all the stakeholders in child protection issues towards formulating a Child Protection Policy tailored to the issues facing children in Samburu County. He added that the network aims at establishing good reporting mechanisms and encouraging partners working for children’s welfare in the County to share their best practices on children’s matters to finally have a domesticated approach on children’s issues in the County. ‘In this County we have unique challenges facing children such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, teenage pregnancies, beading and many more. Therefore, we should have a structured Policy and CPN is a think-tank on child protection issues,’ he said. Mwangi noted that the National Child Protection Information Management System lowly ranks FGM and child marriages but they are the leading vices against children in Samburu County. During the meeting, children’s rights activist Ann Lelesiit noted that awareness of children’s rights is low and constant sensitisation should be carried out. ‘Issues such as FGM, child marriages, child labor and neglect are viewed as normal cultural practices and that is why they are rampant,’ she said. It emerged that there is lack of political and community goodwill in prosecution of violence against children cases. ‘Local politicians don’t openly condemn the vice for fear of losing votes and on the other hand, community members fail to show up as witnesses in court cases involving FGM and child marriages and they end up being dismissed,’ said John Korir, Children’s Officer Samburu North Sub County.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Chuka Sub- County police commander Paul Kuria has appealed to schools in Tharaka Nithi County to put in place strict measures that protect students against defilement cases. The sub-county police commander said that it is the mandate of every school to ensure no child is sexually harassed within its compound. Kuria noted that minors, especially those under 12 years were very fragile and should receive maximum protection from all the staff in schools. He made the remarks yesterday at his office while speaking to journalists after an incident where a 12-year old girl from Mwonge Junior boys and girls boarding primary school was defiled by a group of unknown people in the school dormitory. According to the sub-county police commander, the girl was abducted from the school dormitory and taken to a nearby forest where she was defiled and bizarrely returned back to the dormitory. The girl reported the incident to the school matron the following morning. ‘I don’t understand how a young girl can be taken out of the school, physically tortured and brought back to the school without anyone noticing, including the matron. That is negligence of the highest order,’ he said He revealed that the police have launched investigations into the matter citing that the school has faced similar allegations before. The commander further disclosed that they are putting in place strict measures to end child defilement cases in the county.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A 57-year-old South African male tourist died instantly Friday afternoon when a Toyota Land Cruiser he was driving allegedly collided with a truck on the B1 road at Otjiwarongo.

Namibian Police Force Unit Commander for Community Affairs in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha on Friday told Nampa in an interview that the deceased’s close relatives are yet to be informed of his death.

Mbeha said the deceased was travelling with his 54-year-old wife from the direction of Okahandja to Otjiwarongo at the time of the accident.

At approximately 700 metres towards the traffic circle south of town, the Land Cruiser allegedly collided head on with a truck which was transporting fuel from the direction of Otjiwarongo to Okahandja.

“Upon impact, the Toyota Land Cruiser overturned, and rolled several times before coming to a halt on its roof,” said Mbeha.

The incident happened at 14h30 on Friday afternoon, she added.

The 41-year-old truck driver who was alone, and the wife of the deceased both sustained injuries and were taken to the Otjiwarongo State Hospital where they received medical treatment.

A culpable homicide docket was on Friday opened against the truck driver at the Otjiwarongo Police Station.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: NAMPA