Day: July 28, 2023

The County government of Migori will soon launch various programmes to help tackle the water hyacinth menace in Lake Victoria.

Migori Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko while presiding over the issuance of four fish cages, three motorcycles, and 400 hundred life jackets to Luanda Konyango beach in Nyatike Sub-County acknowledged the problems brought by water hyacinth.

Achilo said that the county government would deliberate on the issue and come up with a solution that would solve the water hyacinth problem once and for all.

He further elaborated on the county’s plans on promoting the blue economy by creating an industrial park to boost the fishing industry in the county.

Migori County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock Lucas Mosenda outlined the county government’s commitment to ensure that communities around Lake Victoria have sustainable food and livelihood sources.

He acknowledged that the water hyacinth at Luanda Konyango beach has been a menace for the local fishermen but promised that the county together with various stakeholders will soon address the issue.

Alice Adhiambo, a fishmonger at Luanda Konyango Beach asked the Migori County government to step in and aid in cleaning the lake explaining that the presence of water hyacinth is detrimental to fishermen.

On his part, Nelson Onyango a fisherman in Luanda Beach also claimed that the presence of water hyacinth has led to the emergence of dangerous wild animals like hippopotamus and crocodiles that pose a threat to the Fishermen. He added that the high presence of water weeds has also led to the reduction in the number of fish on Luanda Konyango beach.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Government has put up a collection point for subsidized fertilizer at Sombogo Tea Factory in Marani Sub County, Kisii County to ease access to the vital farm input.

The move is aimed at simplifying the process for farmers to obtain subsidized fertilizers and cereals at their convenience to spur agricultural production in the region.

Speaking during the launch of the collection center, Principal Secretary of State Department for Crop Development, Phillip Harsama lauded the initiative and urged farmers to seize the opportunity by registering for subsidized farm inputs at other county Agriculture Offices.

The PS noted that over 11,600 farmers in Kisii and another 86,000 in Nyamira are already benefitting from the subsidies, highlighting the positive impact of the program.

However, Harsama issued a stern warning to farmers reselling the subsidized farm commodities at lower prices saying that the utilization of the resources responsibly will ensure the farmers maximize their profits.

The fertilizer subsidy program is part of the government’s key efforts in addressing the issue of rising food prices.

Kitutu Chache MP, Japheth Nyakundi, noted the government has reduced the cost of fertilizer from Sh. 7500 to Sh. 2500, with the aim of meeting the increasing demand for food in the country.

Amidst the growing concerns over the high cost of living, Nyakundi criticized the opposition’s demonstrations stating that protests would not yield the desired results.

Instead, he called for unity and cooperation among the political class and urged the opposition to support the government in its efforts to lower the cost of living.

The MP stressed the significance of empowering farmers and encouraging increased food production through their hard work on the farms.

Similar sentiments were shared by the South Mugirango MP, Silvanus Osoro who emphasized the need for practical solutions to address the challenge of rising food prices.

Osoro said it was important for citizens to contribute to the reduction of food costs and urged farmers to actively engage in agricultural activities instead of protesting.

The legislator advised the Azimio leader to prioritize discussions with President William Ruto with the sole focus of lowering the cost of living.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government has begun the construction of the 478-kilometer Lake Victoria ring road which connects counties sharing the lake.

Sub-South legislator Caroli Omondi said the road will transform the economy of the region as it will open up tourism and regional trade.

Speaking when he accompanied officials from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on an inspection tour of the project, the Legislator called on the locals to support the project.

He noted that among the areas it will pass is Suba South which has never had a tarmac road since independence.

Mr Omondi said the road will promote the development of other infrastructure like improved beaches, better hospitals and markets.

‘We look forward to working closely with the government to actualize it,’ Omondi said.

He said when completed, the road will boost the region’s agricultural production alongside tourism and sustainable fishing activities.

‘We will ensure Homa Bay County will be one of the top tourism destinations in the country once the project is complete,’ he added.

KeNHA will undertake the construction of the road in six sections which are categorized in lots based on counties.

KeNHA Regional Director Eng Julius Mak’Oderoh described the road as a game changer to the region’s economy.

He said the road is supposed to bring development to counties along the lake.

‘Its construction will ensure schools and hospitals along the lake are improved,’ the KeNHA official said.

Currently, KeNHA is doing maintenance and improvement of all sections of the road ahead of the completion of the project.

In Suba, the agency is improving sections that were initially impassable before the project officially starts.

The Engineer said the World Bank and the African Development Bank were funding the project.

He said the road will be built to international standards.

‘It will be classified as B2 with a width of seven meters and a speed range of 80 kilometers per hour,’ Eng Mak’ Odero said.

Another major road being undertaken in Suba is the 72 kilometers Mbita-Sindo-Kiabuya-Sori road whose construction will start next week.

It is being undertaken by Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) through China Civil Engineering Construction Company which has three years to complete the project.

Mr Omondi said the road started more than three years ago but the contractor withdrew from the site over unknown obstacles.

‘We are optimistic that the project will continue as planned. We have agreed that labour be provided by locals,’ Mr Omondi said.

Suba South Deputy County Commissioner Sebastian Okiring’ told residents to take care of government infrastructure.

‘Taxpayers will part with a lot of money to put up the road. It, therefore, does not make sense to set fire on the road during demonstrations,’ the administrator said

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Principal Secretary (PS) for the state Department for Crops Development, Mr. Kello Harsama has unveiled Mini National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots in various sub-counties in Gusii land to distribute subsidized fertilizer to farmers.

The PS while launching the subsidized fertilizer at Nyamira North Sub County, stated that the crops department made the decision of starting mini depots after farmers complained of the high transportation cost incurred when procuring their fertilizer from the one NCPB depots located in Nyansingo and Kisii town for Nyamira and Kisii Counties respectively.

‘Many farmers in Gusii land were unable to access governments’ subsidized fertilizer because of the high transportation cost and besides the fertilizer was brought late when the majority of farmers had already planted their maize crops the reason why my department in consultation with your constituency leaders decided to launch mini supplying depots in Gusii land for easy access of this fertilizer.’ PS Harsama explained.

‘The president has decided to reduce the cost of crop production for the common people so that it will eventually reduce the cost of flour and other food products courtesy of subsiding fertilizer so that the complaints about the high cost of basic food like flour will be reduced. Further, your leaders are in consultation with various stakeholders to see to it that the cost of seeds is also reduced so that even the most vulnerable person in our communities is able to plant maize in their farms.’ The PS hinted.

He confirmed that he will be sending officers from the main NCBP depots to launch branches in their sub-counties to assist in issuing subsidized fertilizer early enough before the second phase of the planting season sets in so that farmers can benefit from the subsidy.

North Mugirango MP who had accompanied the PS said that the decision to open up new mini NCPB depots was very much welcome because most farmers were discouraged from using subsidized fertilizer due to unaffordable transportation costs and the challenge of delivering the fertilizer late when the majority of the farmers had already planted.

‘Government’s decision to grant our request of opening new NCBP deports close to the people is very much welcome and will enable everyone to plant in the coming season after harvesting the current crop. This program is meant to reduce the cost of maize production, especially for small-scale subsistence farmers so that they are food secure at the same time reduce the maize cooking flour price for those who do not have their own farms to plant and rely solely on buying maize or flour to have their day’s meal.

The PS launched other deports in Kitutu Chache and South Mugirango constituencies in Kisii County.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Elders in Laikipia County have been urged to help in resolving communal conflicts in the area pitting different ethnic communities against each other.

Laikipia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri noted that community elders were best placed to mediate in inter-communal conflicts common in the area that have also seen loss of lives and property.

Speaking on Thursday in Nanyuki town during a training workshop on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms for peace committee members and government administrators, Kanyiri noted that most conflicts in the county were resource-based where communities mostly fought over land, grazing rights, and livestock watering points.

‘We are urging elders in the peace committees to be proactive in peacebuilding in times of conflicts as a way of averting bloodshed and loss of property. Let them reach out even to their counterparts in neighbouring counties since some of the violence witnessed here emanates from across the county’s borders,’ the CC said.

He further called on the elders in the peace committee to help in appealing to the warring communities to surrender illegal firearms in their possession to authorities as a way of easing tensions and restoring peace.

‘There are so many illegal weapons in the hands of bandits and other criminals, especially in parts of Laikipia West and North sub-counties. It is upon you as peace ambassadors to help the government recover those arms that are being used by criminals to cause mayhem in the region,’ the administrator said.

Kanyiri encouraged the elders to embrace traditional ways of mediation and dispute resolution in resolving conflicts but cautioned that any inter-communal mediation should be guided by law to guard against subversion of justice.

Nasibo Rehema, a peace committee member from Nanyuki town, noted that elders played a critical role in peace-building and diffusing tensions, especially among communities.

‘Most of the conflicts witnessed in many areas are perpetrated by the youth and young adults, therefore this training comes a long way in equipping elders and other peace ambassadors in dissuading our young people against engaging in violence,’ Rehema said.

Laikipia County has been having a fair share of violent conflicts over the years mostly due to banditry and cattle rustling. Other conflicts pitting pastoralists and crop farmers are also rife as the herders forcefully drive their animals to graze into farms resulting in violence.

The three-day training on ADR is an initiative of the government in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and targets all 47 counties.

Source: Kenya News Agency