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.


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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.

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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..

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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…
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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.

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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..
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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..
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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.
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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...

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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.

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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…
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