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Nyeri residents have benefited from a one-day sensitization drill on emergency fire response.

The Nyeri Fire Department says that drill was necessitated by low awareness levels among the public on what to do during fire emergencies.

The session was held at the Whispers Park Nyeri during celebrations to mark International Fire Fighters Day where residents received first-hand information and skills on what to do in the event of fire. Fire fighters also mounted an exhibition of their fire-fighting tools and also gave a demonstration of the evacuation procedure.

Speaking during the event, the Chief Officer, department of gender, youth, sports and social services, Joe Gethi challenged the participants to arm themselves with emergency response skills.

He noted that most of the fire incidents they have had to respond to this year were majorly caused by the inability of the victims to manage small fires which had eventually degenerated into major fires due to negligence and carelessness. He cited unprofessional electrical installations, fires started by children who are often left alone in the house and unattended rubbish fires as the major causes of fire emergencies in the county and urged the residents to be more cautious.

‘If a person can manage and control small fires before they escalate, it will reduce the damage caused. In the event of a big fire or there is no firefighting equipment then it is safer to exit the premises and reduce the fire’s oxygen supply by covering it with a blanket or sand instead of crowding which only adds more casualties most of the time,’ he stated.

The day was also marked with calls for residents to accord the first responders respect. The chief officer said that they had received incidents where fire engines had been vandalised and fire fighters had been assaulted by members of the public due to their response time.

‘We need to treat the firefighters and medics and their equipment with respect, care and acknowledge the work they do. These lifesavers are still humans who chose this noble profession and we should work with them not make their work harder. These are people who already work in a complicated environment, destroying their equipment only slows them and makes their work harder for them,’ said Mr Gethi.

Mr Gethi also decried the lack of compliance by households to the fire and safety regulations. He said that many houses lacked firefighting equipment, fire exits and also skilled personnel who can control small fires.

His sentiments were echoed by the head of the fire prevention unit in Nyeri, Nancy Njoki, who emphasized on the importance of having small fire extinguishers and advised the public on the importance of ensuring that entrances and exits are not abstracted.

‘It is very dangerous to have a bunch of keys together with your house keys because in the case of an emergency you might not access it fast enough and end up being harmed in the house. Also fire extinguishers sizes are available in quantities as little as two kilograms so whether you live in a residential or rental, it is essential to own since almost every household uses electricity, a gas cooker or any other fuel which can cause fire accidents,’ she advised.

International Firefighters Day is celebrated on May 4 each year to recognize and honour brave individuals who put their life in their line every day to save others. The celebration also provides a platform for first responders to sensitize the public on their role in fire emergency response and measures that the public can take before the fire fighters arrive at the scene.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Hundreds of marathoners participated in a 21 kilometer race at Ruma National Park in Homa Bay County.

The race dubbed ‘run with the roan’ was organised by Homa Bay county government, the Kenya Wildlife Service and other stakeholders to promote the conservation of the rare roan antelope and market the park.

During the race, 22-year-old Alfred Cheruiyot from Elgeyo Marakwet County won the men’s category clocking 1 hour and 8 minutes followed by Vincent Kipyegon from Kericho County.

More than 200 athletes participated in the half marathon.

Silus Kirui, Paul Machoka, Emmanuel Matungu, Bernard Bii, Kiprono Kipremeo, Reuben Rono, Robert Maiyo and Kenneth Rotich followed from the third to the tenth positions respectively.

In the women’s category, Careen Cheptoek from Elgeyo Marakwet won race after clocking 1;20;08hrs. She was followed by Frieda Chelang’a, Cynthia Jerono, Doris Jepkoech, Ronah Nyaboke, Rebecca Jesang, Ivine Chelang’at, Damaris Aleva, Fridah Rorimor and Isabella Chemurgo followed from the second to tenth positions respectively.

Each of the winners was awarded Sh250,000 while the runners up were given Sh100, 000.

The race was graced by Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga accompanied by her Deputy Oyugi Magwanga, Members of Parliament Caroli Omondi (Suba South) Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town) and Martin Owino (Ndhiwa).

Wanga announced that the marathon will be held annually.

The Governor urged stakeholders to step conservation efforts to protect the rare roan antelope. The antelope species is found in the Ruma park only.

During the event which began on Friday, both local and foreign tourists came to sample out the tourist attractions in Homa Bay.

‘The purpose of the run with the roan antelope race was to conserve roan antelope and market Ruma National Park both locally and internationally. We’re hope to attract more visitors through such events,’ Wanga said.

Speaking after the conclusion of the race, the governor expressed optimism that the marathon has put Homa Bay in the international map as a tourist destination.

Apart from the roan antelope the park is also home to zebras, rhinos, giraffes, buffalos among others. It has more than 400 different bird species.

Homa Bay has the longest shoreline of Lake Victoria in Kenya with more than 137 active and operating beaches. There are sandy beaches in some islands like Takawiri.

Caroli Omondi who participated in the 21 km race said Ruma National Park was unmatched in terms of diversity should be the destination of choice for both domestic and foreign tourists.

‘Homa Bay is rich in tourist attractions and there is no need to go anywhere except this park. The event was well organized considering it was the first time,’ Omondi said.

Other partners included Athletics Kenya, the Kenya Wildlife Service, Victory Farms, Diamond Trust Bank among others.

Athletics Kenya coaches Paul Rioba said the race should be gazetted to enhance its potentiality to attract more participants.

KWS Assistant Director Catherine Wambani said they are ready to work closely with the Homa Bay government and other partners to protect the wild animals.

‘Let’s join efforts to ensure we protect our animals because of their value. We’re supporting all initiatives aimed at conserving wildlife,’ Wambani said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kisa East member of the Kakamega county assembly (MCA) Stephen Maloba was laid to rest at his munjiti home in Khwisero Sub County on Saturday.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa described the late Maloba as a great leader who was committed to championing the welfare of the common man in society.

The governor assured the MCAs that the Council of Governors (CoG) is in the process of addressing modalities on how they can be given armed bodyguards.

Deputy governor Ayub Savula mourned the fallen MCA as the promoter of good governance and a man of integrity.

The county legislators led by the speaker James Namatsi called for justice in the murder of their colleague who was stabbed by a knife a month ago.

They eulogised the deceased as a selfless servant, a true patriot, and a peacemaker who will be greatly missed by the entire leadership and community at large.

‘We are calling on the wheels of justice to ensure those who killed the MCA are brought to book,’ said the speaker.

The MCAs raised concern about their security calling for the National government to accord them armed bodyguards.

He said the murder of Maloba is a painful reminder of the need for peaceful and respectful political discourse in the Country.

He also said that the late Maloba will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the people of Kisa East and his passion for the development of the great County.

‘The family of the late Maloba is yearning for justice. The assembly is demanding justice,’ The speaker said.

Several leaders who attended the funeral included Siaya Governor James Orengo, former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, former defense cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa, former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala, Roots party leader George Wajackoya.

Others were Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya, his Emuhaya counterpart Omboko Milemba and several MCAs.

The deceased was serving his first term and he is survived by the widow Rael Maloba and six children. The county promised to employ some of his children.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government is set to fast track the construction of Koru-Soin multi-purpose dam in Kisumu County to curb flooding in Nyando.

ICT and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo said the project which has been in the pipeline for years was top on the agenda of the Kenya Kwanza administration adding that funds will be allocated in the budget to fast track the project.

The government, he said, was concerned about the plight of thousands of households displaced by floods in Nyando adding that the problem shall be sorted once and for all after the completion of the project.

Speaking at Ombaka evacuation centre in Nyando Sub-County where he distributed relief food to families displaced by floods, Mr Owalo said water shall be abstracted from River Nyando into the dam to reduce flooding downstream.

The project, he added, will also be used to generate electricity and distribute water for domestic use and irrigation to boost food security in the area.

Owalo who was accompanied by SASRA Chairman Jack Ranguma, former Kisumu Senator Fred Outa and lawyer Miguna Miguna urged leaders from the Nyanza region to rally behind President William Ruto to fastrack development in the area.

The Kenya Kwanza government, he said has demonstrated its commitment and willingness to unlock development in the area calling on the local leaders to support the administration for meaningful gains to be realised.

Besides the dam, the government, he added, was constructing a multi-billion aquaculture project at Kabonyo-Kanyagwal in Kisumu to help revive fisheries in the area.

Farmers, he added, stand to benefit immensely from the project through training and capacity building to unlock the economic potential of the sector.

The government, he said, was committed to fulfilling election pledges adding that through the chaters signed with various players across the value chains shall be accomplished.

So far 12,500 people have been displaced by floods in Kisumu with fears of more households being affected following heavy rains being experienced in the area.

The affected households currently living in different evacuation centers are in dire need of food and nonfood items as efforts to mitigate against the effects of floods in the area continue.

Source: Kenya News Agency