PRAYERS

PRAYERS.

JANE MUGAMBI 27TH DEC 2011.

Hundreds of worshipers set aside their daily duties yesterday, and drove around Mt Kenya for an annual prayer day organized by the Gikuyu and Mummify Cultural Museum.

This year’s event was however different, since there were no police waiting for the faithful as they transversed through Kirinyaga on their way to Mt. Kenya.

Ms Ruth Njoroge, a participant and culturalist led a group of about Masaai, Kikuyu community members in the event, where they started the journey yesterday morning at Samson corner along Mwea-Embu highway.

“This is a true face of how Kenyans should live. We have common cultures, beliefs and traditions which we should exercise so as to live in harmony,” said Njoroge.

The Mijikenda group could not avail themselves due to money difficulties that have been experienced in the country.

“Mijikenda’s wanted to attend the prayers in Mt. Kenya but due to lack of money, they have gathered in groups at the Coast for their prayers” added Ms. Njoroge.

She said that the difficulties that have been experienced in the country needed divine intervention and through the prayers as it has been experienced since 2008,2012 will be a miracle year where the difficulties will be eased counting that the leaders who will be elected will come from God through the prayers.

“We believe that the prayers that are going to be made yesterday, at the Mountain have a lot of significance for our country even the leadership, counting the problems that have been witnessed” She said.

She said that Egyptians who want to lead their countries for years spend three days praying at the same mountain wondering why in our country there cannot be leaders to lead us after the prayers.


“We should unite and pray because Kenya needs us dearly. We share same backgrounds and we should hence highlight peace and integration,” said Ms Njoroge.

The annual prayer event is organised by the Gikuyu and Mumbi Cultural Museum. Participants drive anti-clockwise in major roads surrounding Mt Kenya, where they make seven stopovers to pray.

However, the event went on smoothly, unlike in the last two years when some worshippers were accosted and frisked by Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and the paramilitary general Service Unit (GSU) officers who were deployed to search their vehicles, after it was suspected that the outlawed Mungiki members could sneak in to conduct illegal oaths.

Njoroge who addressed journalists at one of the stopovers said the annual event was a national event that did not segregate against any community or religion.

“We are praying for Kenya, our economy, our youth, our leaders and for peace and good governance,” said Njoroge.

Director General Gikuyu and Mumbi Cultural Museum Samuel Kamitha said Mt Kenya has a rich history that touches all African countries, saying the mountain hosted the holy covenant.


He said that in the 21st century, Kenyans need to export belief and religion for its country to have strength in the oldest shrine and wisdom.


“Egyptians have carvings that were created from Mt. Kenya a show that they believe that that is the place where God is” added Kamitha.


He said that there is no at any one time they have been linked with mungiki saying that there were the fears when the sect group was seen to be very strong.


“We have never been associated with Mungiki, wherever the government got the idea we do not know. our mission is to pray for the country and not be associated with a group that does not know God” he added.


The prayers are being funded by UNESCO where they are researching to help the modern man.


Sara Wambui, quoted the bible where prayers were answered when prayers were held in the mountain calling on others to join the group to cleanse our country.


Ends…/

0723321326

DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ENTERS KIRINYAGA GOVERNORSHIP RACE.

JANE MUGAMBI 13TH DEC 2011.

Director of Foreign Affairs Joseph Ndathi has declared his interest to run for the governorship in Kirinyaga County.

Ndathi was speaking during the Jamhuri celebrations where he urged the wananchi to elect leaders who will not make the resources in the county are not wasted.

He said that the county has enough resources that it can rely on for its running.

“The county has enough resources for its running, It’s needs a leader who will make sure that they do not go to waste” added Ndathi.

He said that the new constitution has created very many seats and also has protected the civil servants who want to run for the seats and not politicians alone to work for the wananchi.

He said that the 20 billion needs to be given to a person who will be accountable and honest.

Ndathi becomes the third person to declare his interest on the governorship after Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Njeru Githae and former Ndia Mp James Kibicho who have all called for wananchi to elect leaders who have vision and those that will be held accountable in case of misuse.

ends...

0723321326

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LOSING BILLIONS FROM ITS CUSTOMERS.

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LOSING BILLIONS FROM ITS CUSTOMERS.

JANE MUGAMBI 13TH DEC 2011.

Mwea rice farmers owe Water Resource management Authority(WRMA) over 1 billion shillings.

According to Philip Olum the CEO, said that farmers in Mwea have for a very long time not paid for the water that they use.

He said that in there case, they are taking National Irrigation Board at task to pay the money since it is the body that is responsible for the management of water in the area.

“I am taking up the issue with NIB since they are the permit holders” added Olum.

He also added that the government should chip in and give the criteria of how the debt is going to be paid before they (WRMA) moves to court.

Olum said that for over 8 years the company has been losing money through debts from the water sources, Nairobi, Kengen where it they moved to court to have the companies pay their debts.

The CEO said that the money that is paid will be used to build a dam which will be used for irrigation in Nyanza,Taita, Isiolo where they will extend all over the country even in the flooding areas to avert people being displaced by water and deaths.

“We are going to construct a dam that will act as a water reservoir to minimize flooding and people from being displaced” added the CEO.

He said that through Community based Organizations where the company has set aside 25 million for conservation of the environment in various parts of the country.

He said that the agenda is aimed at reduction of soil erosion, degradation and encourage the activities that are being done in relation to the management of the forest.

“The money given is to divert the attention of the community from destroying the forest” he added.

In September the company took a step of closing all water supplying channels to Mwea over the 1 billion debt.

ends..

0723321326

ALL BARS IN THE SPORTS GROUNDS TO BE SOLD.

ALL BARS IN THE SPORTS GROUNDS TO BE SOLD.
JANE MUGAMBI 13TH DEC 2011.
Sport Assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando has ordered all bars in
the playing fields in Kerugoya stadium be closed.
Speaking at Kerugoya town after watching several football matches
between clubs from Kirinyaga Central district, directed the
Kerugoya-Kutus Municipal Council to make sure that the sports club be
converted into a changing room for sports people.
“I am directing the Municipal Mayor to oversee that the sports club
which is in this stadium be converted to a changing room for the
sports people and not a beer center” added Kabando
Kabando said that the government is devoted in fighting drug taking
among the youths who are involved in sports.
“Hakuna hata kuvutia sigara kwa uwanja wa michezo(There is no smoking
or smoker who is supposed to be near a play field)”said Kabando.
He said that since sports people have showcased their talent and have
made the country be known through sports, the ministry will be used to
market the country.
Kabando also said that 3 million shillings have been set aside to
construct a center of excellence in sports at Kerugoya Girl’s
secondary school which has been voted as the best school in hockey.
He said that in the school, basketball, hockey, football, volleyball,
cricket pitches are going to be constructed in the school for the
public.
“The ministry is going to have several pitches at the said school
where members of the public can take the opportunity to play” added
Kabando.
He said that trained officers are going to be on the ground to assist
the sports officers to give the public more skills in sports.
Kabando also added that primary school’s are supposed to be centers
for juniors for pupils to participate in sports so that they may be
acquitted with the sport as they graduate to the senior category.

Ends…
0723321326

KARUA

KARUA.
JANE MUGAMBI 12DEC 2011.
Gichugu MP Martha Karua has urged the electorate to scrutinize the
track record of leaders seeking various positions in the country in
the coming general elections.
The lawmaker noted that some individuals were known to be of
questionable integrity and were likely to splash money to influence
voting at the grassroots level.
“Do not be cheated with money by the leaders who are of questionable
character during the voting time” she said.
Karua particularly urged the youth not to be misused by politicians
who were out to promote their interests at the expense of development.
“You should not vote leaders on the basis of where they come from but
one who is ready to deliver services to the electorate,” said the Narc
Kenya leader
She spoke during the Jamhuri day celebrations at General Kassam
Stadium in Kianyaga Town, Kirinyaga East district.
The outspoken Mp reiterated that she was still in the race to the
state house noting that her human rights and development record was
unchallenged.
On development Karua urged residents to be patient following
deplorable roads in the region as a result of heavy rains adding that
the ministry of roads has agreed to construct them after the rains
subsidize.
“We know the roads are poor but I would like you to be patient as the
government look into the problem,” said the Mp.
On The doctor’s plight she said that it is not the parliament that
gives payments urging the premier and the president to consider their
cry of the patients who cannot afford to take their patients to
private hospitals.
“Raila and Kibaki are supposed to give a word on the doctors’ issue
and it be addressed well for the average Kenyan who cannot afford to
take their patients to private hospitals” added Karua.

Ends……
0723321326

BANK MONEY TO KEEP THUGS AWAY

BANK MONEY TO KEEP THUGS AWAY.
JANE MUGAMBI 11DEC 2011.
Rice farmers in Mwea have been urged to deposit their money at the banks.
Area District Commissioner Kula Hache said that many farmers store their money at the mattresses in the houses.
She said that in the cases that have been witnessed, some farmers have lost millions of shillings to armed robbers who have broken into their homes at night after the rice has been harvested.
The DC went on to say that 1 billion shillings that is expected to change the livelihood of many farmers in the area might bring crime related activities in the area.
“The 1 billion shillings that is expected to be in the pockets of farmers will attract criminals ion the area so they have to bank it in the banks which are very many in the area” she added.
She also said that there are very many banks in the area and if they do not know how to operate, they need to seek assistance.
An aspiring Member of Parliament Daniel Ndambiri conquered with the sentiments saying that for years farmers have lost billions of shillings to armed thugs in the area.
HE however urged them (farmers) to take the initiative of banking thei8r money in the banks that are in the area.
“Take the advantage of the banks that are in Mwea to bank the billions that are expected soon after the rice has been harvested” added Ndambiri.
He has however added that there is importance of educating the farmers since many are illiterate where the provincial administration and the leaders from the area have to team up and remove the ignorance to avoid more money to criminals.
On The issue of cutting rice, he said that the Sacco’s have to find a way of how they will get their money without oppressing the farmers.
“Sacco’s need to get other ways of getting the “debts” that farmers owe them instead of cutting their rice, that’s like stealing from the poor” added Ndambiri.
ENDS..
0723321326

TUJU WARNS OVER UPRISING.
JANE MUGAMBI 11TH DEC 2011.
Former Rarienda member of parliament Rafael Tuju today warned the
government of a possible revolution in Kenya if the plight of joblessness
in the country among the youths is not tackled like it has happened in
other African countries like Tunisia and Egypt.

Tuju further called on the government to resolve the problem of striking
doctors to avoid loss of life as patients go unattended in public
hospitals. "doctors are more learned than some Mp's and yet they earn
peanuts while Mp's earn more than 800 thousand shillings per month."

The former foreign affairs minister made the remarks at Kirinyaga
Technical Institute when he took his presidential campaigns to Kirinyaga
county the home turf of Narc Kenya leader Ms Martha Karua.

Speaking in the same function attended by among others the assistant
minister for national heritage hon Wilfred Ombui where he officially
launched the Kirinyaga council of elders.

Mr Tuju urged Kenyans to vote the next president based on their track
record and past performance in public offices saying that he has never been
involved in any scandal."I have never been involved in any scandal like
oil, maize,KKV among otherwise" said Tuju.

Tuju added that his top priority when elected as the county's next
president will be to tackle the problem of joblessness amongst the youths
in the country.

Tuju further called on the police and council askaris not to harass and
solicit money from youths who sell their wares along the roads as it is the
only way they knew better to look for their daily bread.

Addressing hundreds of elders drawn from the entire Kirinyaga county Tuju
urged Kenyans to shun tribalism saying that tribalism was to blame for the
post election violence experienced in the country after the last general
elections. "Poverty escalates the problem of tribalism" added Tuju.

Tuju added that poverty breeds crime as youths are desperate with no option
but to involve themselves in such crooked behavior saying that he will
guarantee employment among the youths if elected the country's next
president.

The presidential hopeful however called for peace during this
electioneering period and called on Kenyans to co-exist and vote for the
right person based on their track record and not based on tribal lines.

He contributed 100,000 shillings to the Kirinyaga council of elders to
assist their activities.
ENDS..
0723321326
ends....

PLANT TEA

PLANT TEA
JANE MUGAMBI 8TH DEC 2011
Kirinyaga tea and coffee farmers will benefit from the already passed motion where farmers debts have been waived.
The motion that was passed on Wednesday will see farmers from the county save the 1.5 billion that is supposed to pay farmers channeled through Bingwa Sacco.
According to the area Mp Gachoki Gitari, he urged farmers to plant more tea trees and coffee bushes saying that they are going to benefit from the rising prices.
“I am urging all farmers who had cut down their tea steam due to anger on the falling shilling to plant” added Gitari.
He also added that also coffee farmers are supposed to also plant so that they can also benefit.
Gitari also said that the bonus should be used wisely citing that many men abandon their families and spend the money with twilight girls who have invaded the area.
“Many men run away from home when they get the bonus and spend it with twilight girls who have visited the area after they heard that bonus has been sent and only return home empty handed” added the MP.
The MP said that atleast framers will have some benefit from the waive citing that some farmers’ accounts were being left empty after the deductions were made making it hard for them even to pay school fees or even provide for their families.
Bingwa Sacco Manager Jane Mugo said that the debt owed by farmers amounting to 40 billion has been waived.
0723321326

EXPENSIVE FARM INPUTS KEEPING FARMERS FROM GROWING THE CROP.

JANE MUGAMBI 2ND DEC 2011.

Expensive farm inputs and escalating costs of production has scared farmers from doing coffee farming.



Michael Gichuki a coffee farmer said that high prices of farm inputs and escalating costs of production has scared away many from venturing into coffee farming.



Gichuki who markets his coffee through Thika Mills Limited after the collapse of Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) in 2008 added that many farmers in the county should be motivated to resort to the growing of the crop whose production which is very low.



“The government should zero rate all agrochemicals like fertilizers and chemicals as a way of winning back farmers into the coffee industry” said Gichuki.





“This will ease farmers’ burden in light of the run away inflation rate currently being experienced in the country”





Gichuki also added that farmers need to be educated on importance of proper coffee farming practices as many long abandoned the practice after world prices for the commodity started fluctuating in the late 1990s.



He said that he is optimistic that the industry will regain its former glory with recent improvements in world prices saying that farmers who had uprooted the crop have started planting again after the prices started being promising.





“I encourage farmers to back government efforts in reviving the industry by going back into coffee farming.I am delighted to see that many farmers have started planting the crop after realizing that there is a bright future in the industry”said Gichuki.

ends...

0723321326

DOOR TO DOOR TESTING TO CURB THE SPREAD OF HIV AIDS IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY.

DOOR TO DOOR TESTING TO CURB THE SPREAD OF HIV AIDS IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY.

JANE MUGAMBI DEC 2011.

Kirinyaga County has embarked on a door to door counseling and testing exercise to combat the spread of the deadly virus.



According to Kirinyaga Central Constituency Aids Control Committee (CACC) coordinator Faith Mwangi said the remedy in tackling new HIV infections at the local level lies in empowering the locals in partnership with relevant stakeholders especially among high risk groups.





Mrs. Mwangi added that stigma is still rife even at the work place where she also cited as a high risk area in new HIV/Aids infections.





“Stigma is high at many work places and this is literary destroying employees’ morale.As a country we have the answer to say no to HIV/Aids and stigma if we are going to win this war.” said Mwangi





The coordinator added that there are more than 19 Community Based Organizations(CBO) in Kirinyaga Central that are working in collaboration with faith based groups to educate members of the society on HIV prevention and testing, care and treatment for the infected and reduction of stigma at the local level.





The CBOs which have received a total of sh 350,000 funding from National Aids Control Council (NACC) have greatly shaped the community’s perception towards the pandemic.

The project which began in 2005 under the Total War against Aids (TOWA) slogan has led to behavioral change among many people including couples, says Mwangi.

“We are seeing some achievements as many people are coming out in the open in declaring their status” said the CACC coordinator.


“However there is urgent need to educate the Civil Society Groups (CSO) in capacity building as most of the members are illiterate which pose a big impediment in relaying the message to others.”

She says that to ease the obstacle the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) has entered into joint venture with Africa Health Organization (AHO) in sensitizing the local CBOs in project management, monitoring, knowledge management and mentoring of CSOs in the country from early next year.


The move is expected to boost the support groups in capacity building besides helping them to plan their own projects and possibly help in lower new infection rates in Kirinyaga County where more than 11,900 people are currently living with the virus.

Ends..

0723321326

MEMBERS of the public searching for the Administration's body that drowned in River Nyamindi in Kirinyaga South district.
The two joined the administration police officers from Nyeri with their Mwea counterparts in search of an administration police officer's body that drowned on Sunday in the swollen river Nyamindi in Kirinyaga South district.
According to area DC Kula Hache, the officer was in the company of the Ikunguru AP post that is in South Ngariama who were pursuing cattle thieves.
She said that the Ikurungu chief and the corpaoral had crossed the river to puirsue cattkle thieves who had stolen cattles from South Ngariama ranch and had been spotted by the public who informed the officers.
The DC went on to say that after they got the animals that had been taken to Mwea,they decided to go back to their camp that is in South Ngariama by crossing the said river.
She said that after the chief had crossed, the AP officer slipped into the man made log bridge and fell in the river where he was swept by the strong waves.
She said that his name will be divulged after his next of kin have been notified.
Search is going on.

HYGIENE.
JANE MUGAMBI 6TH DEC 2011.
GIRL’S hygiene in public schools needs to be given the first priority to curb related diseases that have been keeping many girls out of school.
Kirinyaga Central Mp Gachoki Gitari said that girls have always been disadvantaged when it came to hygiene wise citing that their toilets in public schools are pathetic.
Speaking while commissioning Kiarugu primary school modern Girls’ exhaustable toilet block in his constituency he said that girls have problems while going to the toilets since many have remained unattended a show that has put many girls’ life in danger and exposing them to very many diseases.
“Many girls have been out of school due to lack of proper hygiene where they have been exposed to very many diseases that affect them psychologically” added Gitari.
He said that at the age of 13 years many girls have body changes where they even start their menses but the condition in public toilets where some do not even have doors turn them away from school until when they will be relieved.
“Many girls start their menstruation at the age of 13, as a parent have seen it is better to give them (girls) a modern toilet where they will feel free while changing their sanitary pads in closed doors which do not have holes” added Gitari.
He said that in his constituency there are more 8 primary schools that are going to have a similar plan at a cost of 6.8 million shillings.
The Mp added that there are plans to have a similar toilet to be built at the Kerugoya Jevanjee.
Ends…
0723321326

DISBALED.

JANE MUGAMBI 25TH NOV 2011.

Persons living with disabilities have been urged to form groups to benefit from a multimillion kitty set aside by the government to empower them economically.



The National Fund for the Disabled assistant programs officer Bernard Aduda said the society has continued to hide their relatives who had disabilities subjecting them to unfair treatment.



He noted that there were few groups applying for funding from the government even after the Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta set aside over sh100 million fund for disabled during the budget presentation.



Aduda spoke outside the Kirinyaga Central District headquarters after presenting equipment worth sh174, 000 to 11 people with various disabilities in Kirinyaga County.



The equipment included knitting machines, welding kits, salon equipment and wheel chairs to assist beneficiaries start small enterprises to generate income.



Area DC Patrick Muli who handed over the equipment urged the beneficiaries to make use of them adding that with assistance the disabled would be independent persons in their lives.



“Some people still hide those with disabilities which is very wrong since the government cannot help them when they are not known,” said the administrator.



Muli said some of the disabled were locked in houses through out with some not getting to enjoy sunshine and other basic needs.

ends...

0723321326

What is this disease? What causes it? Is it curable? And many other questions race through our minds every time we see a child with one or more malfunctioning limbs.
There is a strange mystery that surrounds the condition medical experts call cerebral palsy. In a bid to explain the condition people have ignorantly branded it the curse, the omen and some even view it as punishment for sins.
Cynthia Nyakio 10years knows this all too well. She has been a victim of all this and now neighbours and relatives view her as the black sheep of the family.
“Life has been a nightmare for me ever since my daughter developed this condition back in 2005,” said Jane Muringo.
With tears in her eyes the mother of two explained that relatives and friends started avoiding her claiming that she was cursed. Her family turned into a subject of ridicule.
The only consolation left was her husband and after three years they bore a second daughter. The husband had however drawn more and more into drunkardness and was not assisting in any way.
He soon grew tired of the scorn and abandoned them making life even harder for Muringo and her children.
“Being the father and mother of my children especially Nyakio has made it very difficult for me to find a job to sustain us,” she said “I am forced to lock her up in the house as I go to find odd jobs to try and make ends meet.”
Muringo’s ordeal is because no one is willing to take care of her child when she goes to work. Her bid to seek for assistance from government offices did not proof to be helpful.
The ministry of gender children and social development office in Kerugoya directed her to Joy town school in Thika but the journey to Thika too was futile.
She was sent back to the Kerugoya office and despite paying an interview fee of sh200 at Joy town, they told her that Nyakio was not viable as they do not deal with such cases.
Inspite of all these odds, Muringo has learnt to cope with the situation as she now fully understands the pressure of cerebral palsy. She is however a bitter mother as she believes that her child’s condition was a result of a doctor’s recklessness.
A one on one interaction with Dr. Ezron Macharia revealed that this is partly true as medical mistakes are one of the major causes of cerebral palsy. He added that cerebral palsy is a none progressive disease that affects the mortar system.
“It is like a life sentence as once a child develops the condition she has to live with it for the rest of her life as the condition is not curable but can only be managed through therapy,” said the doctor.
He said that one of the most common mistakes that can lead to the condition is giving a child the wrong medication.
Macharia explained that the liver of a child is young not fully developed and hence unable to detoxify some proteins that need to be excreted such as bilirubin.
Bilirubin then finds it’s way to the brain and gets deposited at the base causing a disease called kernicterus that precipitate cerebral palsy.
The doctor explained that other medical mistakes that can cause the condition also includes leaving the child in the birth canal for too long causing lack of oxygen and failure to recognize and treat seizures.
He went on that failure to diagnose and treat meningitis in time as well as failure to perform C-section in presence of fetal distress may also cause the condition.
Macharia cited that the excessive use of vacuum extraction and failure to detect prolapsed chord is a regular cause too.
Cerebral palsy manifests itself in various forms. The child may be seen to have muscle tightness, involuntary movement, disturbance in gait and mobility, impairment of sight, hearing or speech and seizures as well as sharp pitched cries.
According to Macharia, one can easily detect a child with cerebral palsy by observing that the child lacks concentration and looks disoriented from the environment. A child with the condition usually has very disrupted sleeping patterns too.
He insisted that the risk of getting children with cerebral palsy can be minimized by ensuring that both parents are not below 20years or above 40years.
“people of African-American ethnicity are more prone to get children who will develop the condition,” he said.
Some other risks related to the child are when one of a pair of twins dies or children born with low birth weight. The first child and the fifth onward are also at a higher risk than the rest. Premature infants of less than 37weeks are at a very high risk too.
Rest we get too scared, Macharia was quick to add that only less than 10 per cent of the population is affected by cerebral palsy. He said that it is also important to not implicate any gender as the ratio of boys to girls affected is equal.
He advised the public to accept those affected as part of them as this assists them in their therapy too.

“It is important to realize that it is not the fault of the affected that they are this way and neither is it a curse or a punishment for sins,” said Macharia. “Anyone can fall victim.”

Just like Muringo, people should get informed about the condition in order to be in a position to deal with affected people like her daughter.
“I only wish someone would look at our struggles and have mercy on us atleast help my child get to a school of children with special needs so that I can be in a position to fed for them,” says Muringo as her voice drains into sorrowful sighs and tears flow freely from her eyes.
Ends…

RICE FARMING

RICE FARMING.
JANE MUGAMBI 23RD NOV 2011.

Mwea east district commissioner Ms Kula Hache yesterday urged rice farmers from the mwea irrigation scheme to desist from drowning their hard earned money by drinking illicit alcohol after they harvest their produce this season.

The administrator made the announcement at Kirinyaga county council social hall during a NACADA stakeholders meeting in Kirinyaga County to sensitize residents of Kirinyaga on dangers of alcoholism and drug abuse.

The Dc said that rice farmers are expected to have a bumper harvest this season where the produce is expected to fetch more than 5 billion shillings this season.

Huche added that second generation brewers from neighboring districts are targeting the rich rice growing area as a ready market for their products where she warned them that Mwea is not a testing area.

Ms Huche said that rice harvesting is expected to start from next week and farmers will smile all the way to the bank his season as the crop has been doing well.

ELEPHANTS DESTROY CROPS

ELEPHANTS DESTROY CROPS.
JANE MUGAMBI 23RD NOV 2011.
RESIDENTS of Ngariama location in Kirinyaga east district are calling upon the Kenya Wildlife service officers to save them from the destruction of elephants.
According to John Muchiri, the elephants have been destroying their crops for two months now.
He said that the destroyed crops amount to over 250,000/- adding that if there is surveillance by KWS officers then there would be no destruction.
He cited coffee,maize,sugarcane,maize,bananas.sweet potatoes nappier grass as the crops that have been destroyed in most farms counting losses.
Muchiri said that there are three herds of elephants that have been invading their farms blaming the KWS officer for never responding to their distress calls seriously vowing to kill any rogue animal that is going to get into their farms.
"We are going to kill the animals once they get into our farms since that is the only time the officers are seen to respond well" added Muchiri.
KWS Senior warden Robert O'Brein said that the elephants are going down to the farms since the forest has turned out to be very cold,slippery,wet since the rains started invading where there are no electric fence.
He said that they are doing everything possible at their disposal to minimize the destruction and losses.
He said that Shehe,Chogoria,Nanyuki,Gichugu saying that they are mobilising rangers to patrol to avoid more destruction and the over 2000 elephants from destroying more crops.
According to the area DC Steve Makori there has been complains of elephants invading farms and destroying crops adding that he has a dossier of all crops that have been destroying which he is going to forward to KWS headquarters for compensation.
He also said that talks are needed between the KWS officers and the residents adding that they( villagers) are ready to kill any elephant that gets into their farm.

ends..
0723321326

FORBES SPREADING PROPAGANDA ON UHURU.

JANE MUGAMBI 21ST NOV 2011.

Nairobi metropolitan minister has said that there are leaders conspiring to tarnish Uhuru’s name.

Speaking art Kandong’u ACK in Kirinyaga South district, Githae said that the forbes magazine rating Uhuru as the richest person in world is maligned to tarnish his name and propaganda being peddle.

“Where did they get the figures from,to look at what he owns and even do the valuation” added Githae.

The Minister said that those that were behind the report thought that they would finish him politically citing that instead they have built his name.

“Those that did the report thought that they will finish him politically, Let me tell them that there mission has aborted” added Githae.

HE said that the valuation done was the wealth of all his family members and those that are connected to him either through blood relationship.

””The question when did a few goats or cows in some shamba owed by Kenyatta constitute to the money he owe”he wondered.

HE said that Kenyatta does not owe 50 billion shillings saying that they are rumors being peddled by his haters saying that through the KRA declaration forms, the country could have been aware of his wealth.

Githae said that what is important is not what Uhuru owes but how he portrays himself saying that he is a ugali nyama choma person like his colleagues adding that if he owes could be eating more expensive food.

“HE is a down to earth person, simple man”” he added

HE said that the figures are aimed to destroy his political career saying that if he has such billions then he is fit to be the countries president as he will not misuse the country’s money spent in his favor.,

HE said that the letter written from ICC freezing the Ocampo six assets is not called for citing that they are not thieves.

HE said that the six should not be subjected to such humiliation to be denied their rights as Kenyans adding that investigations are not yet through.

Githae added that there are four classes of people from Mt.Kenya region the first of pretenders who think that they can win, the second of hangers on who think they can do, the third is of jokers who want their names to be in the ballot papers to have a name that they contested ones.

Ends..

0723321326

KFS TO PLANT 20 MILLION TREES.

KFS TO PLANT 20 MILLION TREES.

JANE MUGAMBI 11TH NOV 2011.

THE GOVERNMENT is planning to pant more than twenty million trees in this season in honor of Nobel Prize laureate the late prof Wangari Maathai.

The remarks were made by the director of forestry David Mbugua in Kerugoya town in Kirinyaga county where he was addressing the media after attending a case hearing where he has been charged in court for obstructing inspectors alongside Kirinyaga zonal Francis Misonge.

Mr mbugua added that his department will partner with 79,000 institutions across the country where they will plan seventy one trees in every institution.

He further added that the forestry department is planning to rehabilitate the forests across the country to establish a good forest cover in Kenya.

Mbugua called for sustainable management of forests where trees will be logged to clear the old trees and poor performing trees in the forest and thin others to ensure that trees grow in a healthy manner.

However Mbugua added that the government has relaxed the ban on logging after the KFS board resolved to allow logging of old trees in Mt Kenya forests and other forests in the country.

The director added that the tree overgrown trees are worth more than 30 billion shillings adding that harvesting will be done professionally by his department.

The director added that the total area to be covered by the harvesting will cover 22,000 hectares where mature and exotic trees will be cleared and replaced with indigenous trees especially in the controversial Kamweti section of Mt Kenya forest in Kirinyaga county.
TMA chairman Bernard Gitau said that the timber wasting is due to the rules that NEMA has issued to KFS on harvesting and felling of trees.

He said that NEMA should understand that there is dense cover in 19000 hectares which need to be respaced management issue that does not allow any other party setting in.

“Kenya Forest Service and Timber Manufacturers association have been rehabilitating neglected nurseries in Mt.Kenya forest in two years” he added.

HE said that KFS should be left to manage the forest saying that it has professionals who know their work saying that other parastatals (KWS, NEMA) are behind the cancellation of harvesting of forest.

Mr. Gitau also said that their mandate is to conserve the forest saying that the loggers who have been cutting down indigenous trees are not their members.

“TMA has never been allowed to cut indigenous trees, KFS does not issue permit for indigenous clearing” added Gitau.

He said that they have 600 saw millers and 300 wood industries where 1 million Kenyans benefit from their services.

He said that the trees planted are for commercial purposes saying that logging should not be presumed as destruction.

Mr. Gitau also said that it is very contradicting to have government officers being taken to court by the same law that gives them power.

Kamweti forest which is 150 hectares is under forest management by KFS.

HE said that proper planting need to be done in the said forest which is under controversy after NEMA boss directed KFS not to issue any license to loggers.

ends...

0723321326

NACADA

NACADA.
JANE MUGAMBI
NACADA Director Peter Kogo has said that Mututho law is not contradictory saying that people want to go against it.
The director said that those that are against the law only want to add more danger on the youths who are the victims.
He said that the law is for the good of everyone citing the bill that Mt. Elgon Mp Fred Kapondi wants to table in parliament as of one who wants Kenya to be an alcoholic society.
“Kapondi is taking us to an alcoholic society n wants to reverse it to that of 1900”added the director.
Kogo added that the campaign against alcohol is to avert more deaths that are brought about by the second generation brews in the country.
HE said that all those that are packing their beer in plastic bottles have to follow the law and put it in glass bottle to avoid aldultering by rivals.
“We are not being harsh on manufacturers what we want is nobody to die from the adulteration that can be done on plastic bottles. They (manufacturers) have to put their product on glass bottle” He said.
On Kapondi’s bill, he has urged parliamentarians to ignore it citing that it is not for the good of the common mwananchi who is poor adding that it is not in good faith but meant to destroy the society.
“We do not want a more spoilt society than it is, Parliamentarians are supposed to reject the bill for the well being of the youths” added the director.
He cited that Kirinyaga central being a very small district very many brewing industries dealing in second generation brews which are bringing menace in the country where he ordered the owners to at least get to the Kenya breweries ort even Keroche standards.
Mr. Kogo also said that the youths in central Kenya have been finished by the brews adding that there could be human resource imports from other district since the youths have been lost in drugs.
Ends..
0723321326

PUPILS BARRED FROM SITTING FOR THE EXAM IN MWEA.

PUPILS BARRED FROM SITTING FOR THE EXAM IN MWEA.
Two pupils from Kirinyaga County were barred from sitting for the exams on Monday.
Fridah Wairimu 17 was to sit for his exam at Kimbimbi primary school but was barred from sitting her English and Mathematics papers by the school head teacher.
According to area DEO P.K Ngugi, their was an agreement between the teacher and the pupil that the student will not be sitting this years exam.
HE said that the head teacher had reported to him that the said pupil stopped attending school in April where she went to be a house help in Thika.
The DEO added that when the child went to school on Tuesday to sit for her exam, the head teacher spotted her and chased her away from school barring her from sitting her exam.
The pupil went back home but after a few minutes she was accompanied by her mother back to school where a bitter exchange of words was heard between the head teacher and the said pupil’s mother.
“There was an agreement between the head teacher and Wairimu’s mother that she will be sitting for her exam next year, the bitter exchange of words between the two could be a misunderstanding” added the DEO.
Duncan Mwangi a 16 year old was also barred from sitting for his papers after he was not registered for this years KCPE.
According to the pupil, the parents had paid for his exam fee only to realize that he was not registered.
HE said that when he reported for rehasing on Monday, he found out that his name had been omitted from the list.
Mwangi added that when he went home and told his parents, they decided to go to school on Tuesday but they were blocked from the gate by the head teacher saying that he was not a pupil and had no right to be in the compound during the exam period.
The DEO said that it was a mistake for the school not to register the pupil after the parents paid for him.
Mr. Ngugi said that there were complains that the said head teacher was not registering poor performing pupils so that the performance can be good.
He also added that the alleged head teacher had complains against him in the past years for not registering pupils despite them paying.
He said that stern action is going to be taken against the headteacher.
Mwangi threatened to commit suicide if he will not be allowed to sit for this years exam
0723321326

ILLICIT BREW STILL A THREAT IN KIRINYAGA.

ILLICIT BREW STILL A THREAT IN KIRINYAGA.

JANE MUGAMBI 21ST OCT 2011.

Residents of Kirinyaga West District have been urged to engage in viable incoming generating activities in the area to propel development in the area.



Kirinyaga West district commissioner Rhoda Onyancha noted that many people had ventured into initiatives like brewing of illicit beer as a means of earning a living something he noted had hindered economic development in most areas of the county.


“Instead of brewing beer people should resort into starting investing in milk and farming activities while taking advantage of the improved infrastructures in the area.’ she said

On her part Kirinyaga West DC Rhoda Onyancha decried the high rate of poverty and escalating social ills like suicide as a direct consequence of parent’s failure to take their rightful place in the family.



“We are the ones responsible for the ills affecting our children” she said.

“By denying our children quality education we are destroying them by driving them into anti-social behaviors like drugs and suicidal tendencies”



While noting that brewing and consumption of illicit liquors had gone down in the area Onyancha still warned bar owners flouting the Alcoholic Act would have their licences revoked.



She also called upon parents to be liberal enough on matters pertains to bequeathing property to their children especially land.



“You don’t have to issue a title deed to your son.” Said the DC.

“Allocate him a piece of land where he can work and eke a living as this will eliminate many problems affecting the family today.’’



Many were also advised to invest their money wisely especially with the coming payment of coffee and tea bonuses.



She decried the fact that many men are moving to Embu, Karatina and Kerugoya to spend their money in lavish lifestyles while leaving their families to suffer at home.

Touching on security the DC urged residents to volunteer any strangers in their areas to the relevant authorities for appropriate action to be taken.

Residents were also reminded to be fully conversant with the contents of the constitution as they prepare to go to elections come next year.



“We must understand the contents of the constitution to know our roles and required responsibilities of the leaders of the leaders to choose’’ she added.


ends...
0723321326

DIRECTOR AND ZONAL FOREST OFFICER RELEASED ON A 70,000/- CASH BAIL.

DIRECTOR AND ZONAL FOREST OFFICER RELEASED ON A 70,000/- CASH BAIL.

JANE MUGAMBI 7TH OCT 2011.

Kenya Forest service director David Mbugua together with his Kirinyaga Zonal Forest Officer Francis Misonge were released on a 70,000/- cash bail each by a Kianyaga Court.

The two pleaded not guilty to three charges that on 21st Sept 2011 at castle forest within Kirinyaga County, they were found harvesting pine trees without an Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A)report contrary to the Environmental Act.

THE second count read that the two failed to comply with a legal order of stopping felling of trees in Kamweti and Castle forest.

The third count which fell to the Zonal forest manager was that he blocked the NEMA officers Samuel Kivuti from getting out of the forest where they had gone to do an EIA.

According to their lawyer Joe Kathungu, made an application to have his clients be supplied with statement and copies so as to proceed.

Mr. Kathungu apologized for the director who did not appear in court yesterday saying that it was as a result of communication breakdown adding it was not his intention.

“I apologize on behalf of the director, it was due to communication breakdown in his office he did not fail to be in court as required yesterday intentionally” added Kathungu.

Senior resident magistrate Thomas Mwangi said that the copies, statement will be supplied to the defense so that they can be conversant with the charges.

Mr. Mwangi also said that he will make his rule on their on defense saying that since they pleaded not guilty to the offences, their will both be released on a 100,000/- bond of one surety or 70,000/- cash bail or they be remanded in custody.

They were both bailed out by the Timber Manufacturers members who had come to Kianyaga court to show their solidarity.

Ends…

0723321326

CHIEF AND HIS ASSISTANT INTERDICTED OVER ILLICIT BREWING.

CHIEF AND HIS ASSISTANT INTERDICTED OVER ILLICIT BREWING.

JANE MUGAMBI 25TH OCT 2011.

A chief and his assistant have been interdicted by the Central Regional Commissioner Anne Ng’etich over illicit brews.

Kanyekiini administrators were interdicted after 10,000 liters of makabo were found in an abandoned house in Mukinduri village in Kirinyaga Central district.

Reading the interdiction letters at Mukinduri catholic grounds, Mrs. Ng’etich said that Lawrence Munyi and Andrew Koori have since ceased from being the administrators of the said area.

“Macharia Munyi and Andrew Koori are not working for you wananchi since you know that there has been brewing of makabo in the area for a very long time that needed to be controlled” added the regional commissioner.

She said that Central has witnessed deaths and the whole country is astonished with the crisis that is in the region.

The administrator added that there should not be any hesitant while dealing with drunkard ness in the region.

“We should not hesitate while dealing with drunkard ness in the region, many lives have been lost to illicit brews in Central” added Mrs. Ng’etich.

The Regional PC added that the law has to be followed by all administrators in curbing the rising brewing of the illicit brew saying that there are also finding a long lasting solution of making sure that second generation brews are never manufactured saying that they are a disaster.

Area Councillor John Kibara said that for a very long time political interference has seen very many chiefs and their assistants interdicted in the area ruling out that there is a politician who is behind the whole issue since the chief has been doing his work well.

She also said that political interference should not bee seen as the main cause of the interdiction of the two administrators.

“Politics should not be brought in the issue, it was evident that 10,000liters were in the market on Sunday ready to be sold to people, as the administration we are working to make sure that the Rapid response initiative which has given them 100 days is effected” added the PC.

She said that it is action that is being taken against the administrators adding that whoever is going home is not due to a politician but due to his won failure to act.

“Whoever is going home will have called for the sacking, how comes a PC can raid the area without the chief and his assistant being aware of the brews” she added.

ENDS..

0723321326

PROBATION TEACHING PETTY OFFENDERS ON WAYS OF GETTING MONEY WHEN THEY
LEAVE PRISON.
JANE MUGAMBI 28TH SEPT 2011.
The Kirinyaga Central Probation department has embarked on a
systematic process geared not only in promoting crime prevention
activities but also impart the offenders with self-sustenance skills
once they are through with their probation stints.
“We have undertaken a comprehensive program for CSO(Community Service
Offenders) to help them work part-time and also give them a chance to
do alternative jobs’’ said Mr. Mwaniki Korugari, Kirinyaga District
Probation Officer.
‘’This is usually possible since we teach them skills that equip them
to be economically empowered in developing not only himself but the
also the society.’’
The Probation Service department was instituted in the Office of the
Vice President and Ministry of Home Affairs in 1999.It’s main agenda
was to assist petty offenders in resettlement and reintegration in the
society through provision of unpaid work to government institutions
and members of public.
The CSO are usually allocated a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5
working hours everyday at their designated sites.
It also provides counseling services to them in order to reduce the
social stigma attached to criminals by the society.
The department mostly deals with people serving non-custodial
sentences in petty offences like drunkenness and disorder, creating
disturbance, assault, affray and being in possession of local liquor.
It also aims in empowering offenders improve their quality of life
through self-help initiatives that tap their unutilized skills.
The CSO are mostly deployed in government and public institutions like
schools, hospitals, construction sites and rural water projects where
they provide unpaid community service.
“It is a pay-back to the public since they had offended the public’’
says Mwaniki.
The department has an 1/8 acre of land where CSO are trained in good
crop husbandry not only to make them self dependent but also enable
the society benefit as well.
The specially prepared demonstration plots utilize natural organic
systems which are not only locally available but have little or no
side effects.
They are also less costly in relation to convection horticulture farming.
Using improvised watering equipments and mulch the department has
given the trainees a hands on skill approach in growing of vegetables
like kales, spinach, lettuce, carrots, amaranths, tomatoes and onions
Besides horticulture and as a mitigation to deforestation there are
nurseries where eucalyptus and bougainvillaea seedlings have been
grown to be distributed to the CSO to plant in their farms back in the
villages.
According to Mr. Mwaniki the entire farming practice is carried out
organically using green manure mulch and biological pest control
methods.
“After probation we do follow up on the offenders by giving them seeds
to start up own projects, ’’added Mr. Mwaniki.
“This has seen an 85% reduction in new offences among the CSO and also
crime in the District.’’
ENDS…
0723321326

20 children rescued from child labour in mwea.

20 CHILDREN RESCUED FROM CHILD LABOUR IN MWEA.
JANE MUGAMBI 5TH OCTOBER 2011.
TWENTY children from Nguka village have been rescued by the Provincial
Administration in Mwea.
The children who are between 12 and 18 years were removed from the
shamba where they had gone to start their work of chasing quelea
birds.
According to area Assistant Chief David Gikunju, he was informed of
young boys who had been spotted hovering around the rice fields by
teachers.
He said that the children have been working for a very longtime in the
fields with the knowledge of their parents.
The Administrator said that the children dropped out of school to work
in the rice fields and some have been skiving going to school to work
in the rice field.
Mr. Gikunju gave a stern warning to all parents who have collaborated
with their children to drop out of school is going to be charged in a
court of law.
“Parents who are not taking their children in school are going to be
punished by a court of law for being irresponsible” he added.
He also said that together with the children department, the children
are not going to be taken back to their homes saying that the same
parents will not emphasize on them going back to school saying that
they are looking for a children’s home where they will be taken as the
court decided their fate.
Peter Ndambiri an educationist said that the boy child in Mwea is at
risk citing that the biggest number has dropped out of school to work
in the rice fields.
He said that as a matter of concern the education sector needs to
sensitize parents through the media on the importance of education.
“The education sector needs to take a step and educate parents on the
importance of education in Kenya” added Ndambiri.
HE said that parents who are leaving their children to work in rice
fields need to be punished thoroughly.
Mr.Ndambiri also added that the employers of the underage boys need to
be punished.
Ends…
0723321326

caption Timber Manufacturers Association (TMA) during a press conference at Kutus town on Saturday. From left Bernard Gitau TMA National chairman flagged by National secretary John Wakaba.
TIMBER MANUFACTURES ASSOCIATION.
JANE MUGAMBI 9TH OCTOBER 2011.

Timber Manufacturers Association has said that timber worth 56 billion shilling is wasting away in 38 hectares in Mt.Kenya forest.

According to TMA chairman Bernard Gitau said that the timber wasting is due to the rules that NEMA has issued to KFS on harvesting and felling of trees.

He said that NEMA should understand that there is dense cover in 19000 hectares which need to be respaced management issue that does not allow any other party setting in.

“Kenya Forest Service and Timber Manufacturers association have been rehabilitating neglected nurseries in Mt.Kenya forest in two years” he added.

HE said that KFS should be left to manage the forest saying that it has professionals who know their work saying that other parastatals (KWS, NEMA) are behind the cancellation of harvesting of forest.

Mr. Gitau also said that their mandate is to conserve the forest saying that the loggers who have been cutting down indigenous trees are not their members.

“TMA has never been allowed to cut indigenous trees, KFS does not issue permit for indigenous clearing” added Gitau.

He said that they have 600 saw millers and 300 wood industries where 1 million Kenyans benefit from their services.

He said that the trees planted are for commercial purposes saying that logging should not be presumed as destruction.

Mr. Gitau also said that it is very contradicting to have government officers being taken to court by the same law that gives them power.

HE said that the three parastatals need to sit down and talk on the measures that should be taken to avert more court cases to support that pin pointing fingers on KFS.

John Wakaba the National secretary said that Kamweti forest which is 150 hectares is under forest management by KFS.

HE said that proper planting need to be done in the said forest which is under controversy after NEMA boss directed KFS not to issue any license to loggers.

Kamweti and castle forest has seen the director of KFS and the zonal manager arraigned in court facing three charges for failing to comply with NEMA law to carry Environmental impact Assessment

Ends..

0723321326

MEN JOIN HANDS IN FIGHTING AIDS.

MEN JOIN HANDS IN FIGHTING AIDS.
Every child has the right to live despite being disabled or even HIV
positive, the new constitution has a bill of rights which should be
followed.
Article 53(1) sub-section ‘e’ reads, ‘Every child has the right to
parental care and protection, which includes equal responsibilities of
the mother and father to provide for the child, whether they are
married to each other or not…It is against this vital social
obligation that an organization was found in 2001 to eradicate the
misconceived idea that men have little or no role in bringing up
children.
“We need to sensitize men on the need to be involved in the family,’’
said Mr. John Wesonga a coordinator with Movement of Men against AIDS
In Kenya(MMAAK) in Kerugoya.
MMAK which has several branches in Kenya was started as a rallying
call for men to take their central role in the family especially in
the fight against HIV/AIDS and child education in the context of their
sexuality.
With its headquarters in Nairobi the organization has been able to
spread its tentacles in Mombasa, Karatina, Kericho, Kisumu and
Kirinyaga County.
“We have seen that men can play a big role in the prevention of
HIV/AIDS in the context of their families especially PMTCT (Prevention
of Mother to Child Transmission)’’ added Mr. Wesonga.
Initially the brainchild of HIV positive men, MMAAK currently has 180
fully trained Community Health Workers (CHWs). The CHWs are
currently working with trained health service providers from Ministry
of Public Health and Sanitation in designated locations in the
country.
MMAAK is also providing care and support to the infected and affected
men in Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central, Coast and Nairobi.
This is done through home based care and visits, Voluntary Counseling
and Testing, provision of Anti Retroviral, Nutrition and Referrals.
Through its slogan ‘Man can make a Difference’ the organization has
undertaken three projects in PMTCT, Families Matter! and AB(Abstinence
and Being Faithful).
According to Mr.Wesonga Kirinyaga Central has been earmarked as a
pilot site in Kirinyaga County.
“We need to lay groundwork survey here before rolling our programs in
other areas of the county’’ said Mr. Wesonga.
To achieve their objectives in Kirinyaga Central, MMAK has demarcated
their area of operations into 5 divisions; Kanyekiini Kanyeii, Nduini,
Ngaru, Kimandi and Karia where they have stationed their
Community Health Workers to facilitate their programs.
“The PMTCT program is specially meant to encourage men in the family
be participants and not spectators in family affairs during and after
the pregnancy of their spouses. We also advice the men to undergo
counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS alongside their wives.’’ Added
Wesonga.
Through the various workshops carried in the area, men have slowly but
surely shed the long-held traditional view that the role of bringing
up a child lies solely on the mother.
As a result the men are not only helping in shedding the stigma
attached to HIV/AIDS sufferers but also participating in family
planning, nutrition of mother and child during pre and post-natal
periods.
“Most of these workshops are targeting men in the rural areas where
cultural attachments are deeply rooted. Here men still hold to
retrogressive ideals geared towards isolating them from being part and
parcel of their wives. It’s difficult but it can be done.’’ Says
Wesonga.
The organizers have also received invaluable support from CRS
(Catholic Relief Services) and funding from CDC (Centre for Disease
Control) of US.
According to Mr. Wilson Nzau another facilitator from MMAK the advent
of illicit brews in the country have impacted negatively on the
society leading to rapid spread of HIV/AIDS and the eventual demise of
the family.
“When we came we realized that men were not interested in raising up
of their children but had delegated it to their wives. ‘Said Wesonga.
We have seen that men can play a big role in prevention of HIV/AIDS in
the context of their families especially PMTCT.’’
The PMCT project is a pilot project being carried out in the District
within the next four years.
It is basically designed to stem the rapid spread of the scourge
especially by reduction of infection among the babies born from
infected mothers.
There are 9 VCT centers which have been established in the county
together with 6 CCCs (Comprehensive Care Clinics) and 45 health
facilities offering PMTCT according to Kirinyaga District Development
Plan (2008-2012).
Currently there are 11,900 people living with the virus with only
2,735 receiving ARVs despite the district having a 90% awareness of
the pandemic.
The AB project is aimed at drastically reducing the growing number of
new infections both among married couples and the youth who are hard-
hit by the disease.
“We advocated for AB since it was the only one which is 100%
effective.’ says Nzau.
“We gave advice on how to live positively once one tested positive for HIV’’.
As part of their efforts to reach the wider community the organizers
hold their sessions in the five divisions on a rotational basis.
Each session has a class of 12 to 18 adults and every member must have
a child aged 9 to 12 years old.
Most of their classes have an average of 14 men and 4 women .Here the
participants hold discussions of how couples can be of integral
importance in raising children and inculcating vital truths as far as
sex and sexuality is concerned.
Through these interactive programs men are challenged on their need to
be there for their children and family at large instead of assuming
the presence is not vital.
‘’Men should not only be providers but protectors of their families.’
emphasized Mr.Nzau.
‘’Children who are informed by their parents in sexuality delay sex as
compared to those who have never been sensitized.’’
After 5 weeks of intensive training, the members are ready for their
graduation and equipped with necessary skills to be inculcated to
others in the community.
Basically it is these trained parents together with MMAK staff who
play the bigger role of spreading the message to the uninformed.
MMAK also utilizes the local churches and the Provincial
Administrators in accomplishing their mandate at the grassroots.
Most of the classes are held in Chief’s barazas or in church halls.
Last year alone the association was able to train 360 people most of
who are actively involved in giving handy advice to their peers.
“The program has really helped the men to appreciate their families.
Men must lead from the front and take time for their families.’’added
Nzau.
The Families Matter! Programs have been geared towards wooing the
husbands into taking the lead in the welfare of their children.
The efforts include visiting them in school and being involved in
heart-to-heart talks on issues like sex erstwhile almost deemed a
taboo in family circles.
As a result of these discussions communication between the spouses has
tremendously improved albeit for the better.
The association has also constructed a waiting bay at the Kerugoya
District Hospital where men can relax while waiting for their spouses
during their routine ante and pre-natal clinic.
The facility which is set to be launched in October this year was
built at a cost of sh900, 000.
Once operational it will be installed with a television set fully
connected to Dstv channels where they can watch their favorite soccer
teams and get educated on HIV and AIDS.
“We are looking forward to many men accompanying their wives whilst on
visits to the clinics.’ Said Maddo Onyango a program officer for
MMAAK.
‘’This will encourage others to take a similar step in the long run.’’
Similarly children awareness on emerging social issues has improved to
a great extent.
However according to Mr. Nzau a lot is yet to be realized.
One of the challenges facing the families in the locality is
gender-violence against women.
According to him most women don’t know their rights.
They only come in the open when something horrible like incest has
happened in the family.
This has been a challenge which has often led to suspicion in the family.
Similarly illicit brews have taken a huge toll on men compounded by
abuse of drugs.
This has led men to neglect their duties in the family.
Another problem has been men absconding duties in the homes and
putting up with well-up women where everything is provided.
This has specially been rampant in Mwea and Sagana.
Despite the odds the organization has achieved a lot in the area in
safeguarding a generation’s survival in view of the short duration of
5 months they have been in operation in Kirinyaga Central.
Mr. Nzau’s parting advice to fathers is to have at least 30 minutes
talk to their children once in a while and make that day special to
the kids.
This may be all the child will need in making of informed choices at
the earliest opportunity.
“You either talk to your child or you burry him’’ concludes Mr. Nzau.
Ends…
0723321326

HYDRO POWER.

JANE MUGAMBI 10th August 2011.

As the country grapples with shortfalls in power supply due to high demand
which has resulted to rationing, a tiny village in the slopes of Mt. Kenya
forest has no worries.

After many years of struggle Kiangima-Kiangibuini community group has
successfully commissioned a micro hydro power project that has lit the
entire Thaita village in Kirinyaga County.

Started 11 years ago the group intention was to get their homes connected to
the national power grid from Kerugoya town about 15 kilometres away but this
was never to be.

The chairman John Waweru Karani recalls that they approached Kenya Power as
80 members and requested for a quotation of the cost of supplying their
homes with electricity.

“We were given a sh7.4 million quotation and we knew our quest to lit our
homes had been doomed since we could not afford that amount,” says Karani.

For some time the group became docile as the members resigned to the fate
that they would never find their homes connected to power as the money
required was beyond reach.

But along River Rutui which cuts across their village is a rocky water fall
and from the stories they have heard such natural rapid water falls were
capable of generating power.

An idea was born and the rest is history. Currently the group is generating
11 KVA of electricity which has supplied 23 homes.

Karani says that each of the 80 members have contributed sh28, 000 each and
the group also benefitted with sh800, 000 from the Kirinyaga Central
Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“The initial capital was not easy to raise and we wrote a proposal to the
CDF which was funded to boost our savings,” says the chairman.

They constructed a power house at the base of the water cliff and a dam
across the river to collect water which is used to drive the turbines.

Project consultant Kinyua Ngigi explains that the water is fed to a 10 inch
galvanized iron pipe from the dam and cascades 14 metres to the power house
through the pipe.

“This gives the water more pressure to turn the close flown turbine in the
power house which is firmly held on the concrete floor,” noted the
technician.

The turbine turns a three phase alternator which generates electricity that
goes to the control switch before it is transmitted via high voltage
aluminum cables to the end users.

Ngigi says that the turbine is made in such a way that it turns the
alternator three times more and depending with the water pressure it could
generate up to one megawatt of electricity.

During off peak hours when consumption is relatively low extra power is
wasted through heat by six 1,000 watts ballast resistors to avoid over
damaging the alternator.

After water runs the turbine it is released back to the river and the
process is repeated every minute to keep the lights on.

“An environment impact assessment gave the project a clean bill of health
since water is only diverted to turn turbines then released to the main
river. The energy is also clean,” notes Ngigi.

The green fields of tea plantations have been dotted with electric poles
that dot the village delivering power to several home steads as far as two
kilomtres away from the power house.

“It had never come to my mind that I would one day have electricity in my
house until September last year when the dream came to be true,” says Joseph
Ndinwa a committee member.

He says that after paying the sh28, 000 one is connected to the power which
is reliable and very cheap to maintain. Kenya Power charges about sh35, 000
to connect a single phase power to an individual.

Members pay sh100 per month regardless of the electricity they have consumed
making it affordable to many villagers.

Currently the project has installed a three phase electricity line due to
limitation of funds with about 60 members waiting to be connected.

“Aluminum wires are very expensive as well as treated poles that we use to
distribute power across the ridges,” explains the chairman.

Another challenge has been the low water levels of the river which if the
dam is expanded the alternator could be maximized since now it is only
producing 110 KVA compared to 1 MW at maximum.

But it is all happiness in homes where electricity has reached them as they
no longer buy paraffin to light their houses at night.

Stanley Karimi and his wife Sarah Wanjiku life has changed since they were
connected to the power with their farm completely transformed.

Apart from watching a coloured television which was never to be found in the
village, they have bought a chuff cutter which is powered by electricity.

“We have several dairy cows and with the chuff cutter our work has been made
easier since we get our feeds from the shamba and cut them using the
machine,” says Karimi.

The couple has also invested in chicken rearing with hatcheries using
electricity and the sky is the limit for them courtesy of the investment.

Several salons, barber shops and other cottage industries are evident and
positively transforming lives in a village that could have been forgotten in
the power grid.

As some Kenyans grapple with power rationing the Thaita villagers are
enjoying electricity 24 hours and as long as the turbine roars their lives
will continue to be better in years to come.

Ends…

0723321326

Subject: cotton farming

caption.

Tharaka residents during the field day.

1969 89M variety that is under supervision in Tharaka South district.

COTTON FARMING.

JANE MUGAMBI 21ST JULY 2011.

The European Union has collaborated with the Kenyan government to improve cotton production efficiency in small scale farming system in Kenya.

According to Dr.Karanja, Tharaka South district has a problem of soil fertility where the residents had complained about soil fertility had affected production for a very long time and for their research 89m was the cotton variety preferred to the area.

Dr.Karanja said that the researching institutes CABI, EU, Common Funds for Commodity (CFC) ,KARI want to improve cotton production efficiency in Kenya mostly in the areas that cotton was their cash crop.

HE went on to say that their mandate is to transfer technology to farmers in their fields which will be done through farm field’s day.

Dr. Karanja went on to say that through the fields day the comparatives made will be able to improve the production of cotton production.

He said that the exchange programme is between the Kenya and Mozambique where some farmers will be visiting to learn more on production So that farmers may be able to respond to the problem.

He said that their two cotton varieties which are under research to improve production.

Dr.Karanja said that US$2,457,000 is going to be used to improve cotton production on research in the country.

HE said that in Tharaka South district where the climate is very dry, needs 89M variety that can stand high temperatures to conserve water.

He also added that the varieties will be able to identify the pests and the methods that are affecting the cotton while in the fields for production.

He said that through filed days,farmers will learn new methods that will make them earn a living and will also make them embrace what they have learnt on growth.

Ends..

0723321326

BIOGAS.

JANE MUGAMBI 7TH JULY 2011.

With spiraling fuel cost and unprecedented global warming that is responsible for a myriad of problems affecting people, renewable energy comes in handy.



Governments, organizations, individuals and institutions have been urged to cut Green House Gases (GHG) that have been blamed for climate change that has severely left many with dire consequences.



Among measures that have been encouraged is the use of green energy which minimizes production of carbon dioxide and methane that is tilting the atmospheric pressure leading to a lot of warmth.



It is against this background the ministry of agriculture and Germany Technical Cooperation (GTZ) came together in 2008-2010 to support individual farmers to construct simple biogas projects in rural Kirinyaga County.



Thomas Kinyua was one of the lucky small scale farmer to benefit from the renewable energy project that has changed life for better.



On his one and half acre farm at Githioro Village in Kirinyaga Central district he has 40 dairy cows that are properly housed which probably made him an ideal candidate for the project.



The land has since been registered as Uzuri Farm Ltd with a full time manger Jane Wairimu Mbeu who explains how the biogas project has changed their lives.



“Before the idea of producing biogas was sold to us by the ministry of agriculture, we used to take the cow dung to the shamba where it was used as manure,” she says.



Mbeu is not aware how much destruction the decomposing dung was doing to the environment as it released tones of methane gas.



In 2008 however GTZ through the ministry of agriculture proposed to construct a biogas digester that would not only tap the methane but produce cheap energy for the home.



The total project cost sh400, 000 with the GTZ contributing about 25 percent of the amount while Kinyua paid the rest of the rest of the money.



Once the dung is collected from the cow shed its is carried with wheelbarrows to the first tank where it is mixed with one part of water and stirred.



“It must be added as frequently as three hours and left to decompose for some time in the digester with the methane gas settling in the upper compartment,” explains Mbeu.



The digester has a capacity of 18 cubic metres and its walls are enforced by bricks and cement to ensure it is air tight.



After the dung is digested it no longer decomposes again and it is removed and let to dry in pads outside before it is transported to the shamba as manure.



The final manure is high in urea and other nutrients needed by the plants with no harmful effects to the environment.



Apart from providing the raw material for biogas, the dairy cows produce an average of 450 litres of milk per day which is sold to locals and major dairy companies.



Alex Kathigi a worker in the farm says that the gas produced is supplied to them through under ground pipes and they no longer need to buy paraffin for their stoves.



“We used to spend over 600 shillings to buy paraffin but since the biogas project was constructed we do not even know the price,” says Kathigi.



The methane has been piped and connected to seven cookers with two burners each and they have never gone for a day without fuel.



The energy is also used to bake muffin cakes with a modified stove that uses less fire wood and methane and employs three people.



“Profit margins have remained consistent since we have saved on energy use by using biogas which we produce in the farm,” notes Kathigi.



Such cottage industries, according to youth leader George Kagori, are capable of employing hundreds of youths in rural areas and curb migration to major towns.



Kagori says with the support of government the projects should be rolled out in many areas to keep the youths busy and ensure they do not engage in drugs and criminal activities.



National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Kirinyaga County Officer Samuel Nyaga contends that bio gas if replicated in many homes would save the area large volumes of fuel wood.



He notes that every year thousands of trees are felled for wood as well as charcoal giving a lot of pressure to state and private forests.



Nyaga says although the initial cost of such projects is high, cheaper bio gas technology has been developed and soon it will benefit more farmers.



“We degrade the environment very much by cutting down trees to get wood fuel and bio gas could supplement the demand if constructed by all farmers,” says the officer.



Muchangi Muriuki an environment expert notes that with only two cows, a farmer is capable of generating enough biogas for use thought out the year.



He says that farmers have traditionally kept animals for milk, meat, skins and bridal presentation but the need to adopt energy saving technologies has stated changing things.



The managing consultant at DiverCT EHS Consult Ltd. points out that majority of people in developing countries rely on nature for survival yet they don’t exploit it fully.



“Biogas is a naturally occurring gas and if well harnessed it would not only reduce the GHG effects but save our forests from being cleared,” he says.



Muriuki however says such small projects are yet to start earning carbon credits where individuals and organizations are paid for using such renewable energy that conserves the environment.



Hundreds of farmers flock to Uzuri farm located five kilometers from Kerugoya town every year to learn the biogas technology and it is hoped more will take up the projects in future.



Methane is a naturally occurring Green House Gas (GHG) just like water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and ozone.



However certain human activities that include farming, mining, industrialization and other activities add to the levels of most of these naturally occurring gases.



Atmospheric methane traps infrared radiation from the earth, which causes a rise in the atmospheric temperature, therefore contributing to global warming.



Muchangi Muriuki explains that once in the atmosphere, methane can linger for around 12 years making it one of the GHG that interferes with the ozone layer.



The environment expert points out that research shows that methane is 21 times more potent that carbon dioxide although the latter occupies 220 more times in the atmosphere.



“Human activities especially industrial related has increased GHG in the atmosphere which in turn led to global warming,” says Muriuki.



Frequent droughts, flooding, extreme colds and other weather changes have been witnessed as a result of global warming with clearing of forests adding salt to the injury.

When methane gas escapes to the atmosphere it reacts with ozone causing damage to the layer which in turn affects infra rays.

The gas is produced in decomposing refuse in dumpsites and dung through anaerobic process but unless it is tapped to use like in biogas the world has to bear the consequences of letting it free.

With reduced forest cover that act as carbon reservoirs global warming remains a major challenge to modernization.

Biogas contains about 60 percent methane and for it to combust it mixes with oxygen and produces heat used for cooking and lighting houses with no environment hazard.
ends...
0723321326

NEMA ON COUNCILS.

NEMA ON COUNCILS.
JANE MUGAMBI

Three local authorities in Kirinyaga County have been given a three months notice to fence off their refuse dump sites or face legal action.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is concerned that the councils have been dumping in open grounds where scavengers easily spread the refuse posing danger to human lives.

Kirinyaga County Environment Officer Samuel Nyaga said today that Kerugoya/Kutus municipality, Kagio/Sagana town council and Kirinyaga county council must comply with the directives.



He noted that the authorities have to erect a chain link or concrete walls around their designated dumping sites as per the waste disposal regulations.



“The local authorities have to comply with the regulations as laid down else they will face legal action from NEMA,” said Nyaga.

Nyaga further decried poor waste management and urged the local authorities to put up more refuse receptors in all major urban centres.

But the officer also blamed tenants of dumping litter outside their residential plots making the areas filthy and risky for habitation.

Most drainage has been choked by polythene bags especially in Kagio and Mwea towns where refuse has littered all the streets.

“We must all take responsibility by ensuring we dump litter in designated places or else the premises will be shut down,” said Nyaga.

SETTLEMENT.

SETTLEMENT.
JANE MUGAMBI 9TH JUNE 2011.
Over 30 families have been settled in South Ngariama ranch in Kirinyaga south district.
The families were evicted from Mt.Kenya forest 24 years ago and have been staying at Gathuthuma and Gatwe village in Kirinyaga central district.
According to Florence Wanjiku 80 who has been in the village,they were evicted by the government forcefully and promised that they were to be allocated land where they were to settle.
She said that since 1984,they have been waiting to be given a place to call home after their houses which were in the forest were demolished by police officers.
Ms.Wanjiku went on to say that whatever the government is pledging will come to reality when they will be given the 3 acres pieces of land.
According to the DC Patrick Muli,over 30 families have been allocated land in South Ngariama but due to the climatic conditions,they have vowed not to leave the village.
He said that the families have been resisting to move to the area since in Mwea it is dry and the altitude in Gathuthuma is very wet.
He went on to say that many have been used to doing casual jobs like picking tea,picking coffee to earn a livelihood citing that in Mwea there are no such labours for them thus making it hard for them to shift.
Mr.Muli added that genuine squatters who are known by the government are 30 citing more have started that the biggest percentage has been settled citing that they do not want to vacate the public land that a health center and a police post want to be put up.
The DC also said that the families have to vacate the public land so that construction of a police post can start citing that security in the area is questionable.

POLICE BRUTALLITY

A 46 YEAR OLD MAN ADMITTED IN HOSPITAL AFTER HE WAS BEATEN BY A POLICE OFFICER.

JANE MUGAMBI

09/06/11

A 46 year old man is admitted at Mwea medical clinic in a critical condition after he was brutally battered by an administration police officer.

The man Anthony Mugo Muthara was picked from his house by the officer yesterday at around 7.AM in the morning and locked up at nearby Nguka AP post after they differed over a woman.

The father of three said that he was sensesly beaten and humiliated by the officer after he warned him to keep off from his wife.

He revealed that the officer and his wife had been having an illicit affair behind his back but on Monday evening he caught them red handed and warned him to keep off from his family.

The administration police officer however was not ready to leave the woman and to silence the man he decided to beat him to silence and in the process seriously injured him.

The victim complained over severe head, back and chest pain which doctors said was as a result of serious beatings he received in the hands of the officers.

He said that he was locked for eight hours before he was released without any charges being preferred against him.

Contacted for comment Kirinyaga North DC Peter Leilei termed the incident as unfortunate and revealed that he has instructed his officer to dig deep and unearth the circumstance under which the incident occurred.

He said that its a criminal offense for officers to batter people instead of protecting them and warned of dire consequence if the officer is found to have infringed the right of the man.

The administrator said that the officer has been recalled to the district headquarter to come and record statement before further action is taken against him.
Ends………………………………………………………………
0723321326