Day: May 23, 2024

Three informal settlements within Kiambu County are set for upgrade through the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project-II (KISIP-II) programme.

This will involve the provision of title deeds, drainage, floodlights installation, provision of street lights, laying of sewerage lines and water and electricity connectivity among others.

The three settlements in Thika Municipality include Umoja settlements in Ruai, Kiangombe settlement in Thika Municipality, and Kiandutu settlement in Thika.

The KISIP project is a government project that was launched back in 2011 to improve the living conditions in informal settlements in selected urban centers. Furthermore, the project was instituted under the Ministry of Land, Housing, and Urban Development in the Slum Upgrading department.

Out of the 33 participating counties in KISIP II, Kiambu County, alongside Mombasa County and Uasin Gishu County, had been chosen to benefit from Component 2.

This selection underscores the significance of addressing socio-economic
challenges within informal settlement and emphasizes the commitment to address disparities and promote inclusive development across various regions within the county.

A team from the National Project Coordination Team (NCPT) led by Madam Gladys Juma was in Kiambu County headquarters to deliver the news of the allocation to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Salome Wainaina who lauded the move, terming it a major milestone in improving the lives of residents of Kiambu.

‘The selection of Kiambu County signifies a significant opportunity to address socio-economic disparities and promote inclusive development within informal settlements,’ she said.

Wainaina added that collaborations such as these from the National and County Governments will only serve to benefit and improve lives of the common mwananchi.

‘Through collaborative efforts between government agencies, stakeholders, and the community, these projects aim to create positive socio-economic impacts and enhance the quality of life for residen
ts in Kiambu County,’ she said.

The team from the National Government also met with the Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) to inform them of the selection and encourage their active involvement in the project.

The (SEC) members were urged to prepare and engage all registered groups within the informal settlements and were also encouraged to be ready to present their proposals for socio-economic inclusion, ensuring that the voices and needs of the community are effectively represented in the project planning and implementation phases.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Voi Member of Parliament Engineer Abdi Chome launched the disbursement of bursary for bright and needy students from Voi Constituency, studying in different tertiary institutions, an event that marked a crucial step towards supporting students facing financial challenges in pursuing higher education.

Through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), Chome launched bursary cheques worth Sh18,250,000, targeting 1,733 needy and deserving students enrolled in various tertiary institutions, including universities, colleges, Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs), technical training institutions, and Vocational Training Colleges (VTCs) within and outside Voi.

The bursaries aim to provide financial support for students from Voi Constituency in higher education, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the educational aspirations of Voi’s youth.

Speaking while issuing the bursary cheques at the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic (TTNP), formerly known as the Coast Institute of Tech
nology, the area MP reiterated the importance of education noting that in order to realize socio-economic development, there is need to embrace education.

Noting its importance, Chome urged the beneficiaries of the bursary to make good use of the funds by ensuring they attend classes and completing their education adding that education is the only tool to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich by providing equal opportunities for all.

‘Education is the only equalizer in the current world. To our students, please, make us proud. This will only be so by ensuring that you don’t quit along the way. Work hard, study smart and ensure that you excel in your studies,’ said Chome.

Chome disclosed that the bursaries were allocated based on the level of education whereby the least a student could get is Sh. 5,000 while the highest could receive up to Sh 12,000, a structure which he said will ensure that students receive the necessary support proportional to their educational needs.

He added that, ‘The bursarie
s also factor in Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) but I personally refer them as Persons with Determination because they are determined. They go out there and they live a life together with able bodied persons. As we look after those who are students, we will also consider those whose parents have such challenges.’

TTNP received bursary allocation worth Sh. 1,528,000 which is to be shared among the 191 student beneficiaries. Voi VTC received a bursary cheque of Sh. 225,000 while Voi KMTC received their share of Sh. 240,000.

The MP noted that Voi NG-CDF signed an agreement with the Kenya Posta who will distribute the cheques to the schools whose students have benefited from the bursary and the schools are located far from Voi, to cushion the parents and the school heads from incurring high expenses as transport while collecting the cheques from Voi CDF offices.

TTNP Deputy Principal Mr. Martin Makhoha, Voi Kenya Medical Training Centre (KMTC) Deputy Principal Mr. Peter Ndirangu, and Voi Vocational Training
Centre (VTC) Manager Madam Pauline Mamboleo were among those who expressed gratitude for the bursaries, noting that such initiatives significantly reduce absenteeism and improve academic performance of the students by ensuring students are present in school.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County Government of Trans Nzoia has expressed commitment to ensure empowerment of land owners in the region.

This is set to be achieved through land clinics which the county has organized through the department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Housing and Urban Development in collaboration with Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

The five-day empowerment clinics targeting land owners in the region, will be undertaken throughout the five sub counties.

Speaking while launching the clinics, Trans Nzoia County Physical Planning Director Beatrice Wangila hailed the move saying it will play a critical role in addressing some of the thorny land queries more so documentation.

The county has implemented a noble initiative to address the issue of landowners not fully utilizing their land due to inadequate documentation. ‘These clinics aim to educate the public on land matters, particularly the acquisition of valid land documents thus empowering them to utilize their land more effectively,’ he said.

Urgi
ng residents to ensure proper land documentation, Wangila informed that land title deeds are important documents which can help one acquire loans for business or agricultural productivity.

Present, Kiminini Deputy County Commissioner Hellen Opondo singled out succession as a major contributing factor to most families lacking title deeds.

She said family issues are to blame for this scenario explaining that those affected would mostly fail to join hands to oversee the process.

On her part, FAO County representative Lynda Achieng stressed the Organizations commitment to ensure land conflicts are resolved and policy frameworks implemented for achievement of sustainable socio-economic development essential for the realization of Vision 2030.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents and motorists using the Garissa – Madogo road can now breathe a sign of relief after the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) reopened the road following completion of road rehabilitation.

The road that is the gateway to the North Eastern region was destroyed by flash floods when River Tana burst its banks after heavy rainfall one month ago.

A spot check by KNA on Thursday on the section of the road showed both pedestrians and vehicles are now able to crossing to either sides of the banks of the river.

The repair brings to an end the month-long suffering that saw Garissa town and the region at large literally cut off from the rest of the country.

The road repair that commenced on Thursday last week saw engineers and officials from KeNHA work round the clock to complete the road works.

Citizens wishing to cross over either side have been paying Sh200 to boat owners who have been operating in the area.

Meanwhile Madogo residents are now calling on the Kenya Power and Lightning Company (KPLC)
to move with speed and restore power in the town.

Several power poles along the Garissa – Madogo road were swept away by floods leaving thousands of residents in darkness.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Over 70 exhibitors are showcasing their innovations in the Nanyuki Agricultural show in Laikipia County that seek to address climate change.

The exercise that kicked in earnest is focusing on using modern technologies to enhance value addition and improve productivity for sustainable economic growth.

Mount Kenya Agricultural show chairman Newton Kabuthia told media that innovators from banking, hospitality, tourism and agriculture that were among the sectors participating in the show to sensitize residents on the available opportunities that bolster technology.

This year’s theme was, ‘Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth.’

‘I encourage those willing to learn more about agribusiness to come and participate. About 74 exhibitors from different sectors are showcasing their products,’ said Kabuthia.

Laikipia County Commissioner (CC) Onesmus Kyatha said that security was beefed up in the area and at the same time revealed that the Office of the President was
also exhibiting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) plan for the first time.

‘The programs showcased are the government’s top priority like BETA. They align with President Dr. William Ruto Key pillars on agriculture, affordable housing, universal health care and technology,’ said Kyatha.

The CC pointed out that the move was aimed at ensuring residents get to understand government development initiatives at the grassroots level.

The Agricultural show that started on Wednesday will end on May 25, and is expected to attract over 10,000 guests.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Several households in Kisumu County are counting food stocks losses worth Sh12.7 million following the recent floods which left behind a trail of destruction.

The deluge significantly affected Ahero ward where some 300 households lost 500 bags of maize, 20 bags of beans, 20 bags of sorghum and 16 bags of rice valued at Sh2.2 million.

At Kabonyo Kanyagwal Ward which was adversely affected by the backflow from Lake Victoria, 250 households lost 300 bags of maize, 10 bags of beans, 20 bags of sorghum and a bag of rice valued at Sh. 1.3 million.

Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Agriculture Kenneth Onyango said families in Kobura Ward lost food stocks worth Sh1.7 million, Awasi/Onjiko Ward Sh1.1 million, East Kano/Wawithi Sh1.4 million, West Nyakach Sh890, 000, Manyatta B Sh 255,000, Nyalenda A Sh. 460,000, Kolwa East Sh.640,000, Kolwa Central Sh520,000 and Nyalenda B Sh1.9 million.

Whereas some of the food was washed away by the floods, Onyango said most of it was destroyed during
evacuation.

The situation, he added, has affected food security in the areas adding that the county government was working closely with the farmers and partners to ensure they take advantage of the ongoing rains to plant.

Commodity prices, he said have not been affected by the situation adding that major markets including Kibuye which serves Kisumu and other counties in the Nyanza region and beyond have maintained the same prices as before the onset of the rains.

The county government in collaboration with partners, he added, will give incentives to farmers to ensure they replant to boost food security in the area.

He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed with One Acre Fund and NCBA Bank to ensure that farmers access inputs at a subsidised price.

As a long term measure, the county government, he said, was working on an insurance policy to cushion farmers against such natural disasters.

Other measures, he said include the completion of the Koru-Soin dam which has stalled to regulate th
e flow of water in river Nyando in line with containing floods.

Source: Kenya News Agency