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Residents of Malaba have raised concern over increased usage of Plastic bags in Kenya causing blockages to the drainage and sewer line systems in the town.

They spoke during a hybrid forum organised by Malaba municipality to enable residents to articulate pertinent issues they would like the municipality to address in order to boost the operation and status of the municipality.

Led by Joseph Etyang from Malaba South Ward, the resident noted that poor planning is the main cause of poor drainage as the town lacks designated dumping sites and most buildings have been constructed along the drainage systems or road reserves.

Etyang challenged the municipality to work with NEMA and establish a proper waste management system like biodegradable bags and recycling of plastic bags that are smuggled from Uganda due to their proximity to the border.

‘The effects of poor drainage systems extend beyond single properties and are having a negative impact on roads, waterways, and health of the people. We must design a system that will address this,’ noted Etyang.

His sentiment was echoed by Rebecca Abosa, a cereal vendor at Malaba, who urged the leadership of the municipality to ensure dustbins are placed in market centres and along the roads to discourage long-distance drivers from throwing litter carelessly.

‘Our market lacks dustbins and washrooms, making it hard for traders and truck drivers with no option but destroy our environment,’ lamented Rebecca.

While responding to the suggestions by the residents, acting Municipality Manager Brian Abwaku said they have captured their concerns with a view to addressing them in future plans for the newly created border Municipality.

‘We want to make Malaba Municipality vibrant by ensuring that only structured community-based organisations are recognised to tap into county government activities,’ he said, noting that a spatial plan for the entire Municipality will be their top priority.

Malaba Municipality acting manager Brian Abwaku responding to issues raised by residents during a citizen forum at Malaba Municipality offices

The manager said apart from allocation received from the county government, they are hoping to receive further funding from the World Bank and through public-private partnerships, which he noted is geared towards making Malaba Municipality attractive to foreign investors.

Mr. Abwaku said they have ambitious programmes for the municipality, which entail the need to pursue the Kocholia land market, which he said needs proper planning and to expedite the acquisition of title deeds for Kocholia dam site project, which will cushion Teso North residents against frequent water shortages.

He noted that the issue of Amoni market was being addressed, urging traders to continue paying taxes as usual and adding that the Municipality has identified a partner who is willing to embark on recycling of plastic bags and availing a ready market for the same, thus creating employment for hundreds of youths.

‘Keeping gutters clear and extending downpours away from the house are the easiest solutions to many of these problems. Ensuring a six-inch downward slope, extending from the foundation to ten feet away, may also help,’ stated Abwaku.

He revealed that the Winkers-ACK drainage had encountered some challenges, ascertaining that renovation on the same will start in a few weeks’ time.

He warned contractors or building owners that all approvals will be guided by standards, noting that he will solicit partnerships with government agencies to deal with drainage in Malaba town.

‘Other issues of concern include dualization of the Malaba-Bungoma road from Kocholia to the One Stop Border Post, creation of bypasses, the need to come up with a strategic plan, and to lobby for own vehicles for solid waste management instead of relying on those from Busia Municipality.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has called on leaders in the county to set aside their political ambitions and work together for the benefit of the people.

Speaking at the burial of Mama Adiaka Loluk Konyen in Nabuin, Turkwel Ward, Governor Lomorukai said that political divisions were hampering the unity agenda critical for the successful delivery of leaders’ collective mandates.

‘We cannot afford to continue with disunity as leaders despite all our ambitions, we have to set aside our ambitions and join hands to work for residents until the next elections,’ he said.

The Governor outlined his vision to invest in mechanisation of agriculture as part of the county’s second agenda for food security. He said that the county will explore a food-for-work programme in future as a means to accelerate implementation of the food agenda towards ending reliance on relief.

He also assured residents that the County Government will allocate funds to improve road networks in the area and promised that his administration will be accountable for all resources set aside for projects.

He revealed that the county had increased allocation to the Skills Development Fund to Sh534 million to encourage more needy students to pursue their education. He asked head teachers to end the practise of sending students home for school fees.

‘We will agree with other leaders that we consider not paying bursaries to schools that are still sending students home for fees despite our persistent request not to. Refusing to listen to leaders who have solutions to issues only brings unnecessary conflicts’, he said.

Woman Representative Cecilia Ngitit echoed unity agenda and reiterated her commitment to work with the Governor. She promised that Turkana leaders would demand a fair distribution of employment opportunities in development organisations working in Turkana and ensure that 70 percent of opportunities went to residents of the county.

Leader of Majority and area MCA Stephen Edukon assured residents of commitment from leaders to develop the region, including setting up a model dispensary, improving road infrastructure and providing financial support to students. He announced that the county will partner with the Catholic Relief Services to set up water supply infrastructure in Nabuin.

Other leaders who spoke include nominated MCA Patrick Esekon. Also present were a host of county staff, led by Loima Sub-County Administrator Lokorikeju Titus.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Tatu City, the 5,000-acre mixed-use Special Economic Zone in Kiambu County has welcomed 50 aspiring youths for free skills training at the Tatu City Training Academy

Launched in 2018, the programme provides members of the local community with essential job skills and opportunities for personal growth and so far has benefited over 500 participants equipping them with construction skills and placing more than 80 percent of the graduates in jobs at Tatu City.

Head of City Management and Development Control Company (DCC) at Tatu City, Perminas Marisi, said that the Academy is fulfilling its mission of empowering youth in the local community.

‘By equipping them with practical skills, we are not only empowering them but also contributing to the growth and development of the construction industry, he said

One of the highlights of the academy is its certification process where Graduates receive certificates validated by the National Industrial Training Authority, (NITA) enhancing their employability and career prospects.

‘These certified individuals are eligible for job placements within Tatu City and other companies specializing in the construction industry. The academy’s commitment to job placements provides a crucial pathway for graduates to contribute to the development of the broader community,’ Marisa said.

In collaboration with ArcSkills, a professional development agency in Kenya, the programme offers a comprehensive curriculum spanning 8 to 12 weeks which focuses on providing highly relevant courses tailored to the construction industry, including electrical work, plumbing, painting, steel-fixing, masonry, plasterwork, tiling, and Environment, Health and Safety practices.

Peter Kimurwa, CEO of ArcSkills said they were excited to continue partnering with Tatu City Training Academy.

‘Our training modules equip youth with industry-relevant skills and knowledge, ultimately bridging the gap between education and employment, transforming their lives, and fostering sustainable economic growth. We look forward to witnessing the achievements of the latest cohort at Tatu City Training Academy,’ Kimurwa said.

Tatu City’s comprehensive community partnerships also include a school meals programme that provides high-nutrition daily meals to 2,000 children in state primary schools in and around Tatu City and so far, has provided more than 1.2 million meals.

Tatu City is Kenya’s first operational Special Economic Zone (SEZ) owned and developed by Rendeavour, one of the largest new city and industrial park builders in Africa. It is one of the largest construction projects in East Africa and a regional hub for businesses, homes, education, and recreation within a 5,000-acre infrastructure.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Garissa County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich has urged area residents to work closely with security agencies in the area as government steps war on the Somalia based Al-Shabaab militants.

Cherutich asked residents to take a leading role in ensuring that they provide information on suspicious characters in their midst.

Speaking yesterday at Garissa High during the school’s education day celebrations the County Commissioner said that the government will continue working round the clock to ensure that the region is peaceful, locals too have a big role in actualizing the same.

‘Security has badly affected the education sector in the region, which has in turn affected results in national exams. We must all come together and join hands in eradicating the Al-Shabaab menace in the region. It’s possible and we can do it,’ Cherutich said

On security of teachers, Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed who was the chief guest challenged the residents to take upon themselves the responsibility of protecting the tutors saying that when they are attacked it is their children ‘who lose’.

‘Security is paramount. Its absence means that our children will not go to school. They will not have teachers to teach them. This will bring forth a generation that will be challenged in coping with the modern world. Let us jealously guard our security,’ Dekow said.

Garissa KNUT Secretary Abdirizack Hussein on his part said the issue of teachers’ security should not be left to the security apparatus alone saying that all community members should be involved in ensuring that they are ‘safe and secure’.

‘The security of our teachers should not be taken lightly. It should be a combined effort between the parents, the national government, the teaching fraternity and everybody else to see how best we can be able to secure the lives of our teachers,’ Abdirizak said.

‘If the teachers’ lives are under threat, then I don’t think we will be able to go forward as a region, we will lose big time as a community we will be doomed,’ he added.

Last week’s killing of a local teacher in Mandera County has reignited calls for more protection of non-local teachers amid sustained attacks by the militants in the region.

During the two attacks in Wargadud and Iresuki in Mandera South, two police officers and a non-local teacher were killed. A Safaricom mast was also destroyed.

Leaders who spoke among them politicians, clerics, security officials and education officials all emphasized the urgent need to ensure the safety of non-local teachers especially those working in remote areas.

Source: Kenya News Agency

East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP and UDA interim Vice Chairman Hassan Omar has stated that the time has come for the country to focus on the economic revolution to end the cycle of poverty among the citizenry.

Speaking Saturday during the launch of a youth empowerment project in Junda ward, Kisauni Sub-County, Hassan challenged leaders to focus on empowering local youths instead of endless politics.

‘Ghanaian founding President the late Kwame Nkrumah said after the political revolution, it is an economic revolution to uplift his people from the vicious cycle of poverty,’ added Omar.

Hassan advised Junda youth to take up any opportunities that would uplift their livelihood, saying that gone are the days when leaders only engaged them for political expediency.

Hassan, who has been launching a series of empowerment projects, announced plans to allocate Sh2 million in each of the 30 wards in Mombasa County to support economic empowerment of local youth.

He announced that the government is exploring grassroots talent development geared towards identifying talents to restore the country’s lost glory in various sporting disciplines, including football, netball, cricket, and volleyball.

Hassan challenged Mombasa leaders to desist from politics and instead focus on empowering the local youthful population grappling with hard drugs.

He said that whereas the national government has drawn various grassroots development agendas, there is a need for local elected leaders to complement them through meaningful development agendas in Mombasa County.

Meanwhile, Hassan scoffs at the recent street demonstration in Mombasa, which he argues is aimed at derailing the revival of port and maritime businesses.

He said the objective of the organisers of the demonstration is to kill economic revival in the country.

‘These demonstrations have nothing to do with the interests of common people. We prevail upon Mombasa leaders to stop killing our county’s economy, which is recovering,’ he observed.

He vowed to mobilise the residents to stop further demonstrations so as to ensure development plans such as the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone will thrive.

Omar added that the national government, through KPA, is planning to purchase new ferries to ease congestion at the Likoni Ferry crossing channel.

Source: Kenya News Agency