Day: July 2, 2024

Farmers in Garissa are counting losses amounting to millions of shillings caused by the recent floods that covered their farms and swept off their crops.

In most farms along the River Tana, the flood water has subsidised, leaving a trail of destruction, from their access roads to their water pumps and pipes to their farm beds, and every short plant in the farms that was covered by floods is now playing ground filled with sand.

Around 8 kilometres from Garissa Town, we visited the 280-acre Qahir farm, which is owned by a society of 56 members.

Together with the farmers, we had to walk for almost two kilometres to reach the farm because the access road from the Rahya solar power plant was completely destroyed by floods, and some of its sections are still covered with water.

Garane Sheikh, the Qahir farm chairperson, says that the farm was started in 1994 and is divided into two areas: 240 acres for farming and 40 acres for grazing purposes.

Sheikh, as he takes us around the farm, regrets that since its sta
rt, they have never experienced the same loss as the one caused by the recent rains.

‘Since we started this farm in 1994, we have never experienced this kind of loss, especially where the floods have swept everything on our farm. As farmers, we are currently facing many challenges; the access roads to our farms are not accessible; they have become a river,’ Sheikh said.

‘The recurring droughts in our region had forced us to shift to farming because we lost our livestock every year. We have used these farms to earn our living and take our children to school, but now it seems we have to find other avenues,’ he added.

Abdullahi Yusuf, a member of the society, said that they had a locally available market in Garissa town for their produce, which includes mangoes, lemons, paw paws, bananas, and water melons.

‘During last year’s October-December rains, El Nino swept off our farms, and we got nothing. For the March-April season this year, we have experienced the same problems, and we are devastated by the loss o
f millions of shillings we have seen,’ Yusuf said.

‘We have lost 20 acres of banana plantations, 10 acres of lemons, 10 acres of paw paws, and our mango trees have also been affected,’ he added.

Yusuf called on both the national and county governments to come up with a strategy to redirect the excess water in the Tana River to other areas in the county through the drilling of canals.

He said that with proper planning, instead of letting floods wreak havoc for residents and farmers, the water can be directed to dams and benefit people and livestock.

The farmers further want extra dams upstream of the Tana River, arguing that the current seven folk dams have not been enough to hold the water flowing in the river, leading to flooding in parts of Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu counties.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) within Turkana County have received four wheelchairs from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) today.

The handover ceremony took place at the Child Rescue Center in Lodwar, IRC Child Protection Officer Regina Ongweso affirmed the organization’s commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable groups across the county.

‘The donation of these wheelchairs is just one part of our ongoing efforts to support and protect children and PWDs in this county,’ Ongweso remarked.

Chief Officer for Education, Social Protection and Administration, Etelej Korea Moses, expressed his gratitude to the IRC for their invaluable contribution.

He emphasized that the donation aligns with Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai agenda of fostering strategic partnerships and collaboration to enhance social services.

‘We do not take this support for granted. It is essential to bring together all like-minded partners to pool resources and address the needs of our vulnerable populations,’ Chief Officer Korea s
tated.

The recent data collection initiative across Turkana County highlighted the needs of PWDs, facilitating the identification of individuals requiring assistance.

The Chief Officer clarified that four recipients of the wheelchairs included two children from St. Paul II in Lokichar, one person from Lokitaung, and another from Turkwel had already been identified on the basis of the reports from the assessments.

Director for Social Protection, Mark Amiyo, and his deputy, Hebrews Ignatius Idoka, also addressed the gathering highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between the county government and NGOs to address the needs of PWDs.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has said hired goons infiltrated anti- government protests on the Finance Bill leading to looting and destruction of property worth millions of shillings in Machakos town.

Ndeti said the peaceful protests organised by young people last week on Tuesday and Thursday turned violent after the goons resorted to wanton stealing and looting.

The governor who spoke today at Mavoko when she witnessed the swearing in of the three Chief Officers(COs) into her government urged the police to track down those culpable and prosecute them.

‘The criminals who infiltrated the demonstrations by our young people who were protesting peacefully and destroyed property must be dealt with. The damage caused will attract another expenditure towards repairs at the cost of new development programs,’ she lamented.

On Tuesday last week irate protestors stormed the county headquarters and set ablaze two cars after vandalizing several other vehicles. They also stole property of unknown value.

A similar s
cenario was witnessed at the County Assembly where the goons burnt the visitors’ waiting bay before smashing numerous cars and looting personal belongings.

On Thursday a section of the protesters stoned the Machakos Family Bank Branch and looted several businesses including a supermarket and a butchery.

The governor called on the youths to identify and expose any criminal elements disguising as protesters.

‘We cannot allow people to destroy our property. If you spot them, point them out,’ she said.

Ndeti also challenged the youth to take advantage of the available opportunities in the country to spur development.

‘Anything we do we must ensure it is geared towards the interest of the majority who are the young people. If there are any opportunities, let us ensure we carry the young people along with us,’ she said.

Those who were sworn is as COs were Joyce Gituro (Public Communications and E-Government), Francis Munyambu (Inspectorate and Emergency Services) and Juliana Ndunge (Sewerage, Sanitation and W
aste Management).

Source: Kenya News Agency

Seven people have been confirmed dead while four others are receiving treatment at Bondo sub county hospital after mine walls collapsed burying them alive at Lumba Village Rarieda sub county today morning.

The 11am fatal incident occurred at Kasweto goldmines in North Ramba sub-location.

Siaya County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo confirmed the incident saying the four survivors were rushed to hospital in critical condition.

Area Member of County Assembly Gordon Onguru who was among the first people at the scene linked the tragedy to weak mine walls occasioned by the use of explosives to crack the stones in the mines around the region.

Rarieda Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Kennedy Lunalo said the miners went against directives that had outlawed mining in the region following heavy rains.

Lunalo said that it has been a challenge for the administration to ensure that the directive to cease mining is adhered to since most homesteads in the area have their own mining shafts.

He however said that the
y will continue cautioning artisanal miners in the area to stay away from the dangerous mines to avoid similar tragedies in future.

‘We intend to traverse the sub county to warn our artisanal miners that the mines are dangerous. There was a similar incident a few months ago where we lost two lives not very far from today’s incident. We have to act to stop the loss of lives,’ Lunalo said.

The seven bodies have since been retrieved and taken to Bondo sub county hospital mortuary.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Sub county security committees in Murang’a have recommended only 1, 715 bars to be licensed from the beginning of this financial year.

Following inspections done by members of the committees, 840 outlets were ordered to cease operations over flouting of various irregularities.

Some of the bars the committees established were acting as hideouts for criminals and trafficking of drugs with others found flouting the laid down regulations and selling of counterfeit brews.

All the approved bars and restaurants were expected to have paid for their licenses via the county government portal before closure of last financial year.

Murang’a Deputy County Secretary Bernard Wanyoike on Tuesday told KNA that the security committees settled on licensing of 13 night clubs, and 217 restaurants across the county.

‘Last year more than 2,000 bar owners operated through a court order as they avoided the inspection and vetting process,’ noted Wanyoike saying this time, the inspection was intense as the county is committed to c
rackdown on the selling of illicit brews and crimes related to alcoholism.

Bar and restaurants operators whose applications were rejected were advised to lodge an appeal within seven days upon payment of Sh.5, 000 appellate fee.

Governor Kang’ata speaking during a field day last week lauded the liquor committees for conducting the inspection of the outlets with diligence to the public satisfaction saying those whose applications were rejected will be given a fair hearing on appeal.

The conclusion of the licensing period encountered hue and cry after some administrators differed with the county government officials over claims that the approved lists of the applicants had been doctored inserting some of the rejected outlets.

Another issue that emerged included a doctored list of liquor brands approved for sale in the outlets.

When contacted, Murang’a County Police Commander David Kainga said the approved list will guide the county liquor board in ensuring only listed bars are allowed to operate.

‘Those w
ho will be caught flouting the regulations will be dealt with as the law provides,’ said Kainga.

Categories for approval, Night clubs 13, Hotels 54, Bar and Restaurant 217, and bar only 1,431.

By Bernard Munyao

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kapsowar Cultural Festival was held yesterday at Moi Kapsowar Girls in the Kapsowar Ward, Marakwet West Sub County bringing together the community to celebrate and reflect on their rich and vibrant cultural heritage.

The festival featured captivating performances from various cultural dancers, highlighting the unity and diversity of the region.

Korir Wesley, a soloist from the Tumbai Cultural Dancers in Tumeiyo sub-location, Kipsaiya location, Kapsowar ward, emphasized the festival’s importance.

‘This cultural festival is significant as it brings people together, entertains, and promotes growth.

He noted that it reminds residents of how people dressed during weddings, peace treaties, meetings with neighboring communities, and childbirth ceremonies.’

Through their songs and dances, the performers also preached peace, Wesley explained, stressing the need to uphold cultural practices that promote peace and discourage those that lead to conflicts.

Joshua Kipruto, MCA Kapsowar ward, assured that this fes
tival is just the beginning. ‘This is not the last cultural festival in Kapsowar but the first of many to come,’ he stated.

Kipruto highlighted the role of dance groups in curbing idleness among the youth. ‘Today is not only about culture but also about identifying our youths’ talents,’ he added.

He promised to secure more funding for the festival to benefit more groups. ‘The only way to empower these groups is through funding, and I will look into allocating more money for the festival,’ he assured.

Purity Koima, County Executive for Sports, Gender, Culture, Youth Affairs, and Children, acknowledged the financial support from various wards for the festival.

‘In the past financial year, five wards allocated money for the cultural festival, and we are now in our second ward,’ she said, thanking those who registered with the ward administrator to participate.

Koima stressed the importance of preserving good cultural practices while eliminating harmful ones like FGM.

‘There are good cultural exercises that
need to be maintained, such as lullabies and festival songs, and we must do away with the bad ones,’ she noted.

Participants at the festival will receive up to Sh25,000 each. Koima urged all 20 wards in the county to set aside funds for the cultural festival. ‘We need to make talent profitable for our people,’ she added.

Koima noted that plans are also underway to establish a county cultural festival platform where people can showcase their talents and sell their cultural items as a source of revenue.

‘This festival is also a tourist attraction,’ Koima noted, highlighting the potential for cultural tourism in the region.

Source: Kenya News Agency