KAUI MWAI LAUNCHES HIS PARLIAMENTARIAN BID. JANE MUGAMBI

A parliamentary aspirant in Kirinyaga Central launched his campaign assuring electorates that he will be available to all their needs. John Kabui Mwai who will be contesting for the parliamentary seat on a TNA ticket will be battering it out with the sitting MP Gachoki Gitari who was accused of not being in the constituency as his home is in Nairobi. “Mimi nitakuwa nanyi kila wakati sio ati saa ile watu wanauliwa na wezi, businesses are being broken into will run away. You know my home as I have always been vocal in making sure that Kerugoya’s security is beefed up is what I will do if you (Kirinyaga central) people vote me in (I will be available for you electorates not being far like some MP’s who are only seen condemning incidents when they have occurred instead of being there trying to find a solution)” said Kabui. The former chairman for secondary school’s said that security has been a thorny issue for sometimes and needed urgent measures citing that together with the security team, he will be holding a series of meetings to make sure that security is restored to normalcy. HE said that he will continue with ensuring that property is protected as he has always been as the chairman of the business community in the constituency saying that he is not going to discriminate whether one is poor or rich. “I am going to make sure that the rich and the poor are equal by making sure that property is protected as I have always fought when I am the chairman of the business community” added Kabui. Kabui said that youths are the mainly vulnerable people to get into crime related activities for lack of employment saying that being an entrepreneur there are very many avenues which will enable the youth’s from the county to be self employed. He also said that community policing needs to be taken seriously and also have people in the team who are meant to beef up security as in the past there had been criminals who were in the group and would attack people when the operations were over mostly during the night. Kabui also promised to put up a dairy processing plant and support other projects that have been put up for the youths. HE also gave land grabbers and private developers a stern warning telling them the land will be reposed as it is public land. Kabui went on to say that public land that was sold by the council or any corrupt leader will be reposed and given back to the government. Ends..

a new sacco in kirinyaga

In a red shirt addressing wananchi.The chairman Nahashon Ngari of FANAKA sacco branch that was opened in Kirinyaga to help boda boda operators save money.A SACCO SOCIETY OPENED IN KIRINYAGA. JANE MUGAMBI 17TH DEC 2012. A Sacco meant to uplif

t the livelihoods of youths in Kirinyaga County has been opened at Kagumo town. The 1.2million FANAKA Sacco was officially opened by the chairman Nahashon Ngari is aimed in helping the youths to save their money and also uplift their living standards by getting loans which will be three times their savings at a 5% interest rate. He said that the main aim is to make sure that the youths get money as a loan from their savings so as to get engaged and out of illicit drinks. “I have opened this Sacco here in Kagumo for the youths to make use of it. I want the youths to get out of the drinking situation to a wealthy society” said Ngari. He also noted that the area being a tea and coffee growing zone, money is misused by the youths so much leaving them being beggars or leaving on handouts. Ngari said that the Sacco will assist youths to be self reliant as they do not have land to do farming but with good use of the Sacco, they can get loans to put up businesses. The Sacco has 133 members with capable leaders who want to assist the third generation which he said is in extinction in the near future if quick measures are not taken to save them by engaging them in businesses. He said the motive was to keep the cooperative movement which is aimed at uplifting the lives of Kenyans. “The youths are mostly in the boda boda business where there is easy money. I am requesting them to open accounts with us so that they cannot misuse the money” added the chairman. Ends…. 0723321326

nurses demo

nurses demo. jane mugambi Over 300 nurses in Kirinyaga took to the streets demanding to have their union be registered by the labour Ministry. Singing slogans of not being intimidated, they said that they want their union to be Nurses union and it be registered by the labour ministry and not be under civil servants. “What we want is to have our own union as nurses that is going to be registered by the name nurses which we train under and not be under civil servants” said Ann Ngari the union chair Kirinyaga Chapter. She said that under COTU so much has not been achieved citing that their plight has always been ignored as their issues are very critical. The nurses drown from the county converged at the Kerugoya district hospital chanting slogans which criticizes the government for not taking seriously their grievances. “We have seven pending issues that need to be addresses urgently. We buy what the ministry is supposed to have given us in times of accidents so as to save life money that is never refunded. though the nurses union am rest assured that we will have the required equipments and not endangering our lives” she added. Kirinyaga labour officer Njeru Kiura addressed them assuring them that their union is going to be under the ministry after talking to the permanent secretary in the labour ministry. Kiura went on to say that since the union is very new, they need to give his office time to get the full procedure. “I assure you nurses that what you are fighting for you will get it. Give me time so that I can get full information from Nairobi on the way forward” said Kiura. Adding the nurse chair said that it’s not that they are happy seeing patients suffer attacking the minister who is reluctant to address their issue saying that if their plight is addressed they are ready to go back to work.

BILHARZIA THERAPY.

BILHARZIA THERAPY. JANE MUGAMBI 2ND DEC 2012. Merck pharmaceutical has spent over 25 million dollars in the production of 25million tablets to fight tropical and neglected diseases like Bilharzia in Sub-Saharan Africa. Merck in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) the programme will be rolled out in 56 districts targeting to eradicate the disease by providing and giving treatment on prevention measures targeting over 16 million Kenyans who are at risk of infection. Merck Company is committed to donate 25 million tablets per year to treat the worms affecting over six million children in Kenya and the same will be up scaled to 250 million drugs annually by 2016. The ministry of public health and sanitation in conjunction with WHO will target school going children between 9-14 years in Mwea, Coast, Eastern and Lake Victoria among other regions which are Bilharzia pandemic to address the problem. Dr. Stefan Oschmann president Merck Serono and member of the executive board said they are targeting to mark the 100 millionth tablet donations at Mukou Primary school in Mwea, Kirinyaga County where paddy rice farming has led to the spread of the parasite worms. “We will scale this project to 250 million tablets per year and we are going to donate this amount up to 2016 to make it available to children” said Dr. Oschhmann. WHO global coordinator for Preventive Chemotherapy and Transmission Control of neglected tropical diseases, Dr. Dirk Engels said 90% of infections are found in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Engels said in collaboration with Merck, WHO took up the prevention and chemotherapy of Bilharzia victims to donate drugs 250 Million people who are affected by Bilharzia world wide have been neglected over the years since praziquantel therapy is considered the most effective treatment in the fight against the parasitic worm. He said that China, Brazil have been able to curb human Schistosomiasis where we are trying to eradicate in Africa and mostly in Kenya where there is irrigation being done to avoid stunts growth and cognitive development which leads to anemia. “We are rolling out the chemotherapy to see that the human Bilharzia is eradicated completely in Kenyan mostly where irrigation is done. Research has shown that children who have Bilharzia infection will get liver and kidney failure after they attain the age of 40 and above and it is not clinically possible to detect victims,” said Dr. Engels The programme will target 56 districts in the country where five million children will benefit from the free tablet every year in the mass treatment to children with severe cases leading to liver and kidney complications after 40 years. National coordinator for neglected tropical diseases at the ministry of public health, Dr. Dorcas Alusala attributed the prevalence of the worms to poor disposal of human waste in water canals and rivers thus sustaining the cycles. She also said that through her ministry, they are reaching out to school going children to make sure that they get the chemotherapy at an early stage to curb the development of worms transforms slowly only to mature when the children are at a teenage stage bringing health problems. “Bilharzia is a disease that affects school going children and matures when the children are at a teenage age. We in the ministry want to make sure that their growth is not harbored by the water borne disease to enable them learn properly” added Dr. Alusala. Dr Alusala said that in a study conducted in Mwea in Kirinyaga South district by KEMRI, the prevalence of Bilharzia infection among children aged 9-14 years is at 61.5% to over 50% of the population testing positive of the infection saying it is alarming compared to health negativity it brings to children. She said that bilharzia control plan is a major step towards eliminating the endemic neglected tropical disease thus promoting achievement of our national health goals. ends.... 0723321326

BVR'S ARE NOT TRANSMITTING CANCER OR MAKING MEN IMPOTENT.

BVR'S ARE NOT TRANSMITTING CANCER OR MAKING MEN IMPOTENT. JANE MUGAMBI 2ND DEC 2012. Finance minister Njeru Githae has dismissed rumours that the biometric voter registration kits may cause cancer or impotence among voters. Speaking after registering as a voter at Thumaita Primary school, he said those that are spreading the romours have ill intentions. “There are romours that is going round that anyone who uses the BVR to register will have cancer or become impotent. This is just a scare to make the voters not register” added Githae. Njeru said that the romours are to scare voters to keep off from registering as voters urging wananchi to ignore them (romours) and register. “Don’t wait until the last minute to rush to register as a voter because the kits may not handle more than one thousand people per day and potential voters may be locked out,” said the finance minister. Voter registration closes on December 18 few people are streaming to register fearing that majority will rush in the last days. “There is a lot of time between now and December 18th register now to avoid a rush in the last days” he added. However, the finance Minister has welcomed the alliance between The National Alliance (TNA) and United Republican Party (URP) urged for inclusion of more parties. He urged Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta who is the TNA presidential flag bearer to reach to other contenders to ensure they win the March 4 elections by land slide and avoid a runoff. “We held a parliamentary meeting and mandated Uhuru to join with Ruto and others who are willing to work with both to ensure we won the presidential elections round one,” said the minister. Githae who has declared he will be vying for the Kirinyaga County governor seat said the TNA/URP pact had the blessing of the Mps and the next move will be to popularize the same all over the country. The minister further described the withdraw of a case touching on the integrity of the two leaders as a major boost in the quest for Kenyatta and Ruto to become president and Deputy President respectively. Voters will make a choice of the leaders they want during the elections and the alliance is unstoppable,” said the Ndia lawmaker and hailed the judiciary for its independence. Ends…. 0723321326

UNSUSPECTED MEAT.

UNSUSPECTED MEAT. JANE MUGAMBI 18TH NOV 2012. Residents of Kariti location in Ndia constituency have been put on high alert against consuming uninspected meat allegedly being sold to unsuspecting members of the public in the area. The remarks were made by area chief Julius Mwangi at Gatare village during the commissioning of a well courtesy of former Kenya national highways authority managing director Engineer Stephen Ngari who is vying for the Ndia member of parliament seat. The chief said that there were fears that some butchers were allegedly selling uninspected meat to members of the public posing a serious health risk. Mwangi called on members of the public to be vigilant and report any such cases to police for action to be taken adding that unscrupulous businessmen could be selling bad meat to unsuspecting members of the public. Addressing hundreds of residents at Gatare well the former KENHA managing director Stephen Ngari said that the well will serve to provide water to more than three hundreds residents of Kianjege village in Ndia constituency. Ngari who is seeking to succeed finance minister Njeru Githae in Ndia called on the residents to change the way of life and take up activities that earn more money for their families and improve their living standards. Ngari said that one way of eradicating poverty in the area residents should pick up pig farming which is a profitable enterprise. The former KENHA managing director promised to provide water for irrigation to boost farming in the area as a way of uplifting the living standards of the Ndia people. In education matters Ngari promised to build computer labs and equip all schools in the area with computers as a way of ensuring students in Ndia are techno savvy. Others intending to succeed the Finance minister in Ndia include John Mithamo (Wasusana), Phillip Migwi (DO), Job Muriithi, Stephen Muriuki, and Mwangi witu. ends.. 0723321326

BATTLE OF POSITIONS IN TNA'S KIRINYAGA.

BATTLE OF POSITIONS IN TNA'S KIRINYAGA. JANE MUGAMBI 18TH NOV 2012. Battle Supremacy over the control of The National Alliance party (TNA) took center stage in Kirinyaga County,when two rival groups collided at Sagana Country club with each group claiming to be the bonafide’ party officials. One group led by Finance minister Njeru Githae converged at Sagana town where they were conducting party elections in the hall when a rival group stormed in threatening to disrupt the meeting led by John Mithamo better known as Wasusana from GNU. The youths said that TNA should not force other parties in Mt Kenya region to dissolve saying that they have a right to belong to a party of their choice pledging support for party presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta. Led by Wasusana who is vying for the Ndia parliamentary seat said that they are fully behind TNA presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta but urged him to avoid forcing other parties to dissolve. “We are all from Kirinyaga County and so the meeting which was called on Friday discriminated against those that are not TNA members. I am in GNU and so no one is supposed to force us on a certain party” added Mithamo In today’s elections which were conducted in absence of national party officials nominated councilor Muriithi Kang’ara was elected chairman his Vice is Michael Ndegwa, youth leader is John Irungu Goko, women leader position given to Mary Wagakure and the secretary is Nahashon Mugo Those elected as interim official on Sunday at Roswam hotel supervised by party secretary general Oloo Onyango were John Gathungu, vice Jamlick Ndege secretary James Waweru Gachibiri treasurer Munene Magondu organizing Moses Waweru Mugo secretary in-charge of finance Eric Muriithi Muchina, The rival groups engaged in a war of words which turned violent at some point prompting police to be called in to calm the situation. The rowdy youths were forced to move out of the venue and later the meeting went on amid high tension and Finance minister Njeru Githae joined the meeting after the youths had left. Addressing the meeting Githae played down the elections held on Sunday saying that those who participated in the elections were not members of TNA saying that those elected today were the bonafide party officials calling them bogus people. “Kirinyaga County including DP, Narc Kenya, KANU, GNU, and PNU have unanimously agreed to ditch their parties for TNA” added Githae after meeting some defectors from different leaders. Contacted for comments party Secretary General Oloo Onyango said that the genuine elections were held on Sunday where he officiated them saying that the list that he has is of Sunday and not any other group citing that those that conducted there meeting on Saturday, as they were invited and declined to attend the meeting and any other party officials were not recognized by the party headquarters. “We held elections for interim officials on Sunday. All aspirants were invited therefore any other purported elections are null and void. Those elections had no national headquarters representative as overseers. “ said Oloo via a phone message. “I personally conducted scheduled constitution of party structures and officials on Sunday. Anyother could be anything legitimate. The ones I recognise are the ones that I supervised” said Oloo Onyango in an SMS replying to several messages posed to him after the parallel elections It remains to be seen what direction the TNA politics will take in Kirinyaga county. Narc-Kenya chairman James Kibicho said that the finance minister is not sup-posed to generalize party’s defectors saying that they are individuals who are defecting to TNA for their own greedy reasons. He said that remarks being made by finance minister Njeru Githae are not true but propaganda. “The people who are said to have joined TNA after defection are not genuine party leaders and the finance minister is not supposed to generalize that its party’s that have been dissolved as the party’s are dissolved from the headquarters not county or district levels. The defection is just but propaganda” said Kibicho. He said that the flower party is still intact and has members who will be contesting several seats with it. “I am in the flower party, I have not defected and more so Githae needs to come out clean and tell Kirinyaga people that its individuals and not party dissolution” he added. Ends…

A WOMAN WHO HAS TAKEN A BOLD STEP BECOMING THE FIRST TO RUN A CHEATERS PROGRAMME. JANE MUGAMBI

. Many people attribute security business to be the work of men but not for Jane Mugo who has taken a broad step in making security work to be fulfill her child hood ideas. Having not been able to join the police force, Jane saw it was not all gone and set up a security firm which helps in investigations. “When I lost a chance to get in the police force, I continued to think how I can do to achieve my childhood dream” said Jane. Her work entails investigating whether there are people sabotaging your business? Workers stealing from you? Your spouse seeing your best friend behind your back? Solving such mysteries is the work and obligation of Jane Mugo, being the first Kenya’s top female to take jobs most men would rather avoid. Asked why she choose to put up Trimo security services,Jane said that this was triggered by the fact that her family members have experienced the worst and have even lost property they ones owned to either brokers or even their complainants who are wealthy and compromised justices to be favoured. “My family has gone through unbelievable injustices and my choice of business was motivated by my wish to find justice for others.” She says it is a challenging business that often threatens her personal security and that of her family. “I’m perhaps the most hunted woman in this country. Those whom I have exposed from the food industry,bank robberies and other sensitive businesses that am contracted to do always want to revenge. But with the precautions that I have taken, nobody has any chance to get to me,” she Adds. When she is on your case, you should be very afraid if her success rate is anything to go by for her research is always right and not through guess work or even hearsay. “When I get calls from clients, I give a 90 per cent assurance that the case will be closed,” she says. Looking at her client list which includes leading banks, food companies, manufacturers and high-end private individuals, it is hard to argue with her statement. Asked how she got into such an unconventional business, she said and adds that she engages four bodyguards while in public places. Business is booming and there is not one moment that she is not following up on cases. “Right now, I am following up on about 15 major cases for corporate clients. This mostly involves business espionage where clients wish to know of the strategies of competing companies, planned products and weaknesses,” says Jane, who has also extended her services as far as South Africa and Britain. Companies also engage her services to watch their staff’s secret dealings. There are also the much smaller but still very complicated domestic cases of infidelity, property disputes and such. Ms Mugo uses modern secret technology to gather evidence. Her eight years in the Kenya Police where she served in the Scorpion unit gave her practical skills for her job. While still with the force, she was trained as a detective at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). “I have the skills needed for doing investigations,I worked at the Kenya police department and while in the department,I also got to be trained at the criminal Investigations Department,so no one is supposed to doubt my work as a woman” she added. In love with your job Nonetheless, she attributes her success in business to passion. “I love what I do,”she says. “This is not a job where you can excel without giving 100 per cent, and it’s all down to being happy and in love with your job.” Quality of the work done is also something she is very careful to guarantee. “We risk as long as possible so as to have no doubt whatsoever about a suspect’s conduct before filing our report. We cannot afford to kill a person’s reputation or career by working on assumptions.” “On cases of infidelity for instance, a wife may suspect her man is seeing somebody in the office. It may only be a working partnership and we take as long as we can, shadowing and eavesdropping as much as is necessary to find the whole truth. Of course most end up as cheaters but that never affects our decision and we invariably treat each case as unique.” Spying is hard work and getting useful leads can turn out to be most difficult. “We get into a lot of preparation before we get going on our cases. You can never tell when an employee will sneak out to meet the private contractor for an inducement. Neither can you tell when the wife you have been detailed to report on will meet her clandestine lover. Time can be a challenge to manage,” she says. The other major challenge is the risk factor. “We do not follow saints and some of our cases are very risky. But the higher the risk, the fatter the cheque,” she says. Jane adds that her job has led her to the most uncomfortable places like brothels, bars and back streets topping her everyday haunts. On the other hand,her police connection puts her in good books as virtually all police stations in the country co-operate with her. Private investigators make good Money too; “Clients will pay anything to find the truth and while the police are Held up in operational and motivational difficulties, clients know they will always get express service with us,” says Jane, whose office on Chiromo Road and her nine employees attest to a woman doing really well. Her company, Trimo Security Services also offers VIP protection and debt collection services. “Debt collection is quite profitable with a going fee of between 10 and 15 per cent,” she explains. “With Kenyans a debt loving people, there are always opportunities for people to default. That is where our services come in handy.” Submitting results on time Equity Bank, KRA, InvesteQ Capital, Bhachu Industries and Herbatullah are but a few of her corporate clients. VIP protection is the reserve of mostly politicians when they go to public rallies and visiting musicians and private Business people. Jane advises on her secrets to business success; “Clients must always come first. I guess people have heard this enough but it is always worthy a repetition. Endeavour to always give your clients an ear and to give them utmost respect regardless of their class or demands. Also very important for me is service delivery. I always aim to live by the strict letter and spirit of my client agreements. That means submitting results on time and to make sure that meets the customer’s expectations.” She adds that no matter what job you are involved in, the pillars of a successful entrepreneur are always the same. “You must always apply yourself to the best of your ability, make sacrifices along the way and be disciplined. With all that, nothing is impossible,” says Jane, whose job demands nothing less. ENDS... 0723321326

FISH FARMING.

FISH FARMING. JANE MUGAMBI 12TH NOV 2012. The government has constructed four fish cold storage plants at a cost of 240 million shillings to assist farmers look for market after harvesting. The remarks were made by fisheries secretary professor Charles Ngugi at the national aquaculture and research development center at Sagana in Kirinyaga County. The four storage facilities have been constructed in Rongo, Imenti, Tetu and Lurambi to help store fish citing that fish is a perishable commodity. Ngugi noted that fish farmers produce over twenty thousand metric tonnes of fish annually posing marketing the biggest challenge. Ngugi noted that the facilities will assist farmers to store their fish after harvesting before they look for suitable markets for their produce. “The four cold stores that have been constructed in different places in the country are for storing fish before a suitable market has been found for the fish” said Professor Ngugi. Addressing stakeholders in the fisheries department during a program to integrate fish farming with environmental conservation Ngugi called on fish farmers to plant trees to ensure the environment is safeguarded. Ngugi added that over 50 thousand fish ponds have been constructed countrywide since 2009. Ngugi noted that the Sagana aquaculture center is the main fingerlings production center to ensure a constant supply of fingerlings to farmers. HE said that the ministry of finance has rated the fisheries ministries as 98% compliant where the ministry received 7 billion shillings for the three financial year citing that they have used all their money in implementing the economic stimulus programme with farmers and the community. Ngugi said that the fish production has increased from 4,000 metric tomes to 20,000 tonnes in the past 4 to 5 years which has been made possible by the campaign that has been for fish eating in the country. HE said that there are planes to start constructing fish ponds in primary and secondary schools as a way to educate Kenyans on staying healthy by eating fish. ends,..... 0723321326

FATHER ACCUSES ASSISTANT CHIEF TO ESCAPE FROM SCENE OF ACCIDENT.

FATHER ACCUSES ASSISTANT CHIEF TO ESCAPE FROM SCENE OF ACCIDENT. JANE MUGAMBI 18TH NOV 2012. A father of three whose son was hit by a vehicle long Baricho-Kiburu road is crying for the assistance of the government to get the person who hit his son arrested after he was assisted by the area assistant chief aided the man to run away. Patrick Gichira 45, allege that the area assistant chief aided the driver of the vehicle that hit his son escape from the scene of accident even after the police orders. HE said that the son Dennis Mwangi the second born son had gone to church for catechism in the afternoon and as he was heading home at 5pm, the said vehicle KBM769W which was heading from Baricho to Kiburu veered off the road hitting the boy who was on the lefty side of the road at the pedestrians side. “I am disturbed that the area assistant chief assisted a man to escape from where he hit my son at even after the police ordered for the vehicle to remain as it always when an accident occurs” said Gichira. He added that he fears for his life and that of the son after the assistant chief got reports that he had moved to the area OCPD to place his complain. Gichira went on to say that when he contacted the owner of the vehicle who hit his son, he told him to go wherever he wants as he is untouchable wondering where he can get justice. “The driver of the vehicle that hit my son assisted us to get to the hospital but left me at the waiting bay telling me I can go wherever I want as he is not taking any responsibility” lamented the father. He pointed out that there has been several cases accident victims have fallen cruelty under the hands of the assistant chief who assist the drivers to escape from the accident sites and even downplay the accident issues not even reporting to the chief. Mwangi is in a stable condition but has severe chest and stomach pains where the doctors said he is out of danger. Contacted for comments area OCPD Patrick Oduma said that he received the complains from the father who is admitted with the son at Kerugoya district hospital saying he is investigating the matter and that he will be questioning the assistant chief to explain why he aided the driver to escape. Contacted the owner who talked with a lot of arrogance said that there is nothing that can be done on him as the father has no grounds of the accident as he was not around. Ends… 0723321326

BATTLE SUPREMACY IN TNA IN KIRINYAGA.

BATTLE SUPREMACY IN TNA IN KIRINYAGA. JANE MUGAMBI Battle Supremacy over the control of The National Alliance party (TNA) took center stage in Kirinyaga County,when two rival groups collided at Sagana Country club with each group claiming to be the bonafide’ party officials. One group led by Finance minister Njeru Githae converged at Sagana town where they were conducting party elections in the hall when a rival group stormed in threatening to disrupt the meeting led by John Mithamo better known as Wasusana from GNU. The youths said that TNA should not force other parties in Mt Kenya region to dissolve saying that they have a right to belong to a party of their choice pledging support for party presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta. Led by Wasusana who is vying for the Ndia parliamentary seat said that they are fully behind TNA presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta but urged him to avoid forcing other parties to dissolve. “We are all from Kirinyaga County and so the meeting which was called on Friday discriminated against those that are not TNA members. I am in GNU and so no one is supposed to force us on a certain party” added Mithamo In today’s elections which were conducted in absence of national party officials nominated councilor Muriithi Kang’ara was elected chairman his Vice is Michael Ndegwa, youth leader is John Irungu Goko, women leader position given to Mary Wagakure and the secretary is Nahashon Mugo Those elected as interim official on Sunday at Roswam hotel supervised by party secretary general Oloo Onyango were John Gathungu, vice Jamlick Ndege secretary James Waweru Gachibiri treasurer Munene Magondu organizing Moses Waweru Mugo secretary in-charge of finance Eric Muriithi Muchina, The rival groups engaged in a war of words which turned violent at some point prompting police to be called in to calm the situation. The rowdy youths were forced to move out of the venue and later the meeting went on amid high tension and Finance minister Njeru Githae joined the meeting after the youths had left. Addressing the meeting Githae played down the elections held on Sunday saying that those who participated in the elections were not members of TNA saying that those elected today were the bonafide party officials calling them bogus people. “Kirinyaga County including DP, Narc Kenya, KANU, GNU, and PNU have unanimously agreed to ditch their parties for TNA” added Githae after meeting some defectors from different leaders. Contacted for comments party Secretary General Oloo Onyango said that the genuine elections were held on Sunday where he officiated them saying that the list that he has is of Sunday and not any other group citing that those that conducted there meeting on Saturday, as they were invited and declined to attend the meeting and any other party officials were not recognized by the party headquarters. “We held elections for interim officials on Sunday. All aspirants were invited therefore any other purported elections are null and void. Those elections had no national headquarters representative as overseers. “ said Oloo via a phone message. “I personally conducted scheduled constitution of party structures and officials on Sunday. Anyother could be anything legitimate. The ones I recognise are the ones that I supervised” said Oloo Onyango in an SMS replying to several messages posed to him after the parallel elections It remains to be seen what direction the TNA politics will take in Kirinyaga county. Narc-Kenya chairman James Kibicho said that the finance minister is not sup-posed to generalize party’s defectors saying that they are individuals who are defecting to TNA for their own greedy reasons. He said that remarks being made by finance minister Njeru Githae are not true but propaganda. “The people who are said to have joined TNA after defection are not genuine party leaders and the finance minister is not supposed to generalize that its party’s that have been dissolved as the party’s are dissolved from the headquarters not county or district levels. The defection is just but propaganda” said Kibicho. He said that the flower party is still intact and has members who will be contesting several seats with it. “I am in the flower party, I have not defected and more so Githae needs to come out clean and tell Kirinyaga people that its individuals and not party dissolution” he added. Ends…

Ngare

Ngare \Residents of Kariti location in Ndia constituency have been put on high alert against consuming uninspected meat allegedly being sold to unsuspecting members of the public in the area. The remarks were made by area chief Julius Mwangi at Gatare village during the commissioning of a well courtesy of former Kenya national highways authority managing director Engineer Stephen Ngari who is vying for the Ndia member of parliament seat. The chief said that there were fears that some butchers were allegedly selling uninspected meat to members of the public posing a serious health risk. Mwangi called on members of the public to be vigilant and report any such cases to police for action to be taken adding that unscrupulous businessmen could be selling bad meat to unsuspecting members of the public. Addressing hundreds of residents at Gatare well the former KENHA managing director Stephen Ngari said that the well will serve to provide water to more than three hundreds residents of Kianjege village in Ndia constituency. Ngari who is seeking to succeed finance minister Njeru Githae in Ndia called on the residents to change the way of life and take up activities that earn more money for their families and improve their living standards. Ngari said that one way of eradicating poverty in the area residents should pick up pig farming which is a profitable enterprise. The former KENHA managing director promised to provide water for irrigation to boost farming in the area as a way of uplifting the living standards of the Ndia people. In education matters Ngari promised to build computer labs and equip all schools in the area with computers as a way of ensuring students in Ndia are techno savvy. Others intending to succeed the Finance minister in Ndia include John Mithamo (Wasusana), Phillip Migwi (DO), Job Muriithi, Stephen Muriuki, and Mwangi witu.

IEBC TO BLOCK EARLIER CAMPAIGNERS.

IEBC TO BLOCK EARLIER CAMPAIGNERS. JANE MUGAMBI 24TH AUGUST 2012.. Kirinyaga Central Mp Gachoki Gitari has declared that the civic by-election campaigns that are going on will be the determining factor of how the general election will be like. Speaking at Kagumo town during the campaign rally of Ezekiel Githinji who is one of the councilors vying for the councilor’s seat with a TNA ticket, Gitari said that the results will be an eye opener for next year’s election. “I can bet that this civic by-election’s outcome will be how the general elections will be in the constituency” added Gitari. He was optimistic that The National Alliance party (TNA) will win the Mutira ward seat which is highly contested. Gitari also added that they will make sure that Kirinyaga County remains a stronghold for Uhuru despite having a presidential candidate with the largest numbers of voters. IEBC Kirinyaga coordinator Terry Mwai assured that the elections are going to be free and fair and warned politicians not to hold early campaigns, not to use abusive language and adhere to the law. She said that so far there are 12,847 registered voters with 13 polling stations. She said that the cleared candidates are David Wangui for GNU, Evan Bundi for URP, Perminus Mundia for DP, Joseph Wanjau UDF, Stephen Mugambi Narc-K and Ezekiel Githinji TNA where they will officially start campaigning on Sunday saying that any candidate who will be seen campaign earlier will be locked out of the race. Ends…

MURUGI,MUNGATANA CHOPPER SCARE.

MURUGI,MUNGATANA CHOPPER SCARE. JANE MUGAMBI 24TH AUGUST 2012. Special programmes minister Esther Murugi and Garsen Member of parliament’s journey was cut short after the plane they were in had an emergency landing at Kabonge primary school in Kirinyaga County. The two cut short their journey to Kiganjo police training school where they had gone to attend the pass out parade when they boarded their vehicles and went back to Nairobi. According to area OCPD Patrick Oduma, the plane made an emergency landing due to bad weather. He said that the 8.30 am incident caused confusion amongst neighbours who scampered from safety when they saw the plane swerve from the skies. Oduma said that the plane was from Wilson airport headed to Nyeri for the pass out parade at Kiganjo police training school. Due to shock, they got into their vehicles and went back to Nairobi and left the plane at the school’s ground. Oduma said that no one was injured in the mishap. ends.. 0723321326

A MT.KENYA PORTER GOES MISSING AT THE HANDS OF KWS OFFICER IN A RESCUE MISSION OVER PUPPIES.

A MT.KENYA PORTER GOES MISSING AT THE HANDS OF KWS OFFICER IN A RESCUE MISSION OVER PUPPIES. JANE MUGAMBI 24TH AUGUST 2012. A family in Gichugu is calling upon the commissioner of police, Kenya wildlife services Director Julius Kipng’etich to assist them find one of their own who went missing at the hands of KWS officers over a puppies quarrel. Samuel Kathuri a brother-in-law said that the last communication was on 14th of this month at 7.30 pm where he was invited for a cup of tea by KWS officers at Castle lodge where he is also an employee after airlifting Uganda officers at Kamweti forest after a foot path patrol. HE said that the three officers then requested him again to accompany when so that he may show them some directions in the forest since he is a licensed designated porter . Kathuri alleged that Duncan Mugo called him informing him that he was in the company of one Tanui, David Nyamu and Ambrose Mwaisano and that they had gone back to the forest to continue with the search of the soldiers but after ten minutes his phone has since been disconnected raising concerns where the officers took their relative. “My concern is to have him whether alive or dead, we have inquired from the KWS officers who are said that they gave Mugo lift so that he can show them the direction in the mountain but they have denied any knowledge of him” he added. Kathuri went on to say that Mugo had accused the three officers for stealing his puppies on 28th May this year at 5 in the morning without any pay where they later arrested him when they resisted paying for the dogs and charged him with being a poacher, trespassing into a national park without authority and that he was found with being possession of snares and traps with intent of poaching without authority where he was released on a 20,000/- cash bail. Tanui, Nyamu and Ambrose denied any claims that the person in question had accompanied them to the forest. “I do not think you are supposed to ask me such questions. I do not know such Mugo” Tanui told the star on phone. The family has searched for him even in morgues to no avail pleading with the two top officers to assist them after Kianyaga police officers told them to first know the KWS vehicle that carried Mugo on that fateful day making it hard for them since there has never been any communication between them and the said lost relative since his phone is off. Comments from KWS senior warden Simon Gitau Mt.Kenya region werer fruitless as his phone was switched off. ENDS... 0723321326

burnt

A well know jail bird was lynched at Sagana town by members of the public. Maina Jando was spotted at Sagana town by wananchi who had vowed never to allow him terrorise them. According to area Chief James Karunditu Maina had gone to visit Sagana town on Wednesday morning but he was cornered by members of the public as he tried to run away. HE said that wananchi became suspicious when they saw him around as any town that he visits there must be a robbery. The administrator added that since Maina was released from jail two months ago, there has been several robberies in Kagio, Sagana, Murang’a while being armed. “Maina was a very dangerous criminal, he has been involved in a series of robberies in Kirinyaga County and outside so when wananchi spotted him, they were able to corner him since he is bad news but it was too late for us to stop them since he had already been set ablaze and the area where he was lying was tossed with petrol” added The chief. The chief has urged members of the public to stop taking law into their own hands calling for cooperation to enforce community policing to curb crime in the area. The remains were taken to Kerugoya morgue. Ends… 0723321326

RECOVERY.

RECOVERY. JANE MUGAMBI 17TH AUGUST 2012. Police have managed to recover a commercial lorry belonging to Kindaruma hardware from Embu that had been carjacked by four men and a woman while on transit. According to the police boss Apollo Onyonyi the lorry was transporting hardware goods from Nairobi to Embu during the carjacking ordeal. He said that the lady requested the lorry driver to be dropped at Wamumu area where four men emerged from the bush and ordered the driver to get out of the lorry. Onyonyi went on to say that on alighting, he was tied on the hands, legs mouth before being put at the back of the lorry and they speed off to unknown direction. The police boss said that they received information from members of the public who were watching from far and followed the lorry. He said that on suspecting that they were being followed by the police, they changed the direction and used Sagana-Kerugoya route where they used a rough road to run away from the police. HE added that with the help of their counterparts they were able to intercept the Lorry at Kathaka primary school where a lady was arrested but the four gang men managed to escape in the dark. HE said that the commercial lorry KBC 339C was carrying hardware goods worth over 500,000/. The lorry was towed to Baricho police station awaiting the identification from the owner while the driver is assisting the police with investigations. Ends… 0723321326

KILLINGS ALARMING IN MWEA.

KILLINGS ALARMING IN MWEA. JANE MUGAMBI 17TH AUGUST 2012. Police are looking for two people who are suspected to have killed a suspected thief on Wednesday morning. Mwea-East police boss Apollo Onyonyi said that the public is not supposed to kill, burn or stone to death thieves or suspected criminals. HE said that a 25 year old thief who was beaten to death on Thursday was only identified as Kariuki from Mucagara in Gichugu and was in the company of two others who managed to escape. Onyonyi said that the thugs broke the door of the shop and locked it from inside where they were caught stashing shop goods from the shop in Kutus town. The people who killed Wednesday’s and Thursday’s thieves are residents of Kutus town who police are now hot in pursuit of them. HE has however urged Mwea residents have been urged to observe law and stop taking law into their own hands. This comes barely 12 hours after another thief was stoned to death after he was caught stashing goods from a shop in Kutus town. The Thursday’s thief was from Kiandai from Gichugu who was caught with a stolen bicycle who was burnt beyond recognition. The police boss has however said that the rate in which criminals are being killed in Mwea mostlyKutus is alarming calling for cooperation between police and wananchi to apprehend criminals to the police instead of killing them. Ends… 0723321326

ELEVEN CANDIDATES FOR KIRINYAGA CENTRAL CIVIC MUTIRA WARD.

ELEVEN CANDIDATES FOR KIRINYAGA CENTRAL CIVIC MUTIRA WARD. JANE MUGAMBI 2ND AUGUST 2012. ELEVEN candidates have declared interest in Mutira ward by election in Kirinyaga Central constituency. The eleven candidates have declared interest in the seat which fell vacant following the death of councilor Joseph Karimi in February. The late Karimi passed on in hospital as doctors struggled to save his life after he took a poisonous chemical. Among those who will be vying the civic seat, ten are from the Uhuru Kenyatta-led The National Alliance (TNA) party. Area Member of Parliament, Gachoki Gitari said all the TNA candidates would be subjected to nominations. "We have no preferred candidate and those who have declared their interest to fight for the seat must participate in the preliminaries," said Gitari. The MP said even the party leader Uhuru had said that there is no direct nomination or favourism. "The Deputy Prime Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta clearly said to me that there is no direct nomination or favourism despite the closeness with the party leader. They are supposed to be very ready for nominations," he said. Gitari said all the candidates of TNA would soon be called and briefed on the party's guidelines and policies. "A meeting for all the candidates would be convened for briefings before September, 17 by-election," he said. The MP was optimistic that TNA would win the seat adding that campaign strategies were being mapped out. Some of the candidates are seen holding secret political meetings in hotels ahead of the poll while others are criss-crossing the ward reaching out voters. Ends… 0723321326

HORTICULTURE

HORTICULTURE . JANE MUGAMBI 31st JULY 2012. Horticulture farmers from Kirinyaga County are set to benefit from a food processing factory that is set to be constructed in Kagio town at a cost of 200 million shillings. The factory is expected to boost the production of tomatoes in the region as well as create employment to thousands of farmers in the Mt. Kenya region. Speaking at Kagio during a tour of the site yesterday, industrialization permanent secretary Dr. Karanja Kibicho said that area residents will benefit as the prices of their produce are set to improve after value addition of their products in the factory. The Ps added that the town council of Sagana/Kagio has already provided the land where the factory will be constructed. According to the ministry of agriculture, farmers in Kirinyaga County raked in a total of sh 13 billion from horticulture production between 2009 and 2011. This marked a two percent contribution to the total national horticultural production within the same period. According to a validated report availed to The people by Kirinyaga Central District Crops Officer Julius Komunga, the county also recorded the highest output in French beans production for three years countrywide. French beans production rose from 24,540 in 2009 to 27,325 metric tonnes in 2011 translating to 66.6 percent towards the country’s total production fetching farmers sh 3.099 billion. Komunga added that the Ministry of Agriculture has been sensitizing horticulture farmers on the importance to access market information in order to sell their produce in line with prevailing prices. He noted that under the now defunct National Agriculture and Livestock Programme (NALEP), hundreds of farmers have formed various common interest groups that will help advance on best crop husbandry practices. “Under NALEP we managed to train farmers on best farm practices based on selected crops such as tissue culture bananas and grafted mangoes. This has in turn assisted them in identifying a common market where they can reap maximum benefits from their produce,” said the crops officer. Komunga said that the ministry has also been conducting routine disease and pest surveillance within the County and forwarding any complaints from farmers to the Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (KARI) for necessary action. He said such information will help farmers make informed decisions early in time and cushion them against any unforeseen loss in case of a disease outbreak. Meanwhile, the ministry of Agriculture is set to launch a website which will aid farmers identify potential clients and markets for their produce The center to be known as the Farmers Information Center (FIS) will contain data entries for all producers, consumers and buyers will also cushion farmers against rogue brokers as it will link them directly to available marketing outlets. “The FIS will not only link farmers with their counterparts in other parts of the country but also enable them sell their produce in line with the prevailing prices. It will also help one identify the actual location of the producers as it will employ the use of the Geographical Information System (GIS),”added Komunga. Ends…… 0723321326

UPGRADING OF KIRINYAGA TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

UPGRADING OF KIRINYAGA TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. Kirinyaga Technical Institute has been upgraded to a university college. The senior principal Peter Munyi said that the institution will be known as Kirinyaga University college from September. According to the chairperson of Kirinyaga University council Judith Bahemuka, the core mandate is to give quality education saying that the existing buildings that are under construction will be completed to enable students get place to learn. She commended the outgoing senior principal Munyi for the step he had taken of making sure that there is a spacious library which will be holding books worth 50Million shillings, twin mechanical workshop which will hold 360 students,12 classroom to hold 300 students each, dormitories have also been added so as to make it possible for students to get places. Bahemuka also said that the institute, will not scrap the existing certificate and diploma courses which have been offered for the past38 years, even if there was change in the running of the institution. She said that in September 250 students are expected to report to take courses in commerce, Information Technology, Mathematics, science as they try to find other courses that will favour other students. The former Kenyan ambassador to Burundi added that Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology which has taken over Kirinyaga Technical Institute will also continue with the research of how they can improve rice issues that have been affecting the rice for some years now. “We are very pleased to tell Kirinyaga people that as an institution that is well known for research, we are determined to make sure that rice issues are solved” she said. Dr. Salome Gichure from the ministry of higher learning said that the employees in the institution will be incorporated top work hand in hand with the lecturers who will be reporting in September before the government can thing about them after. Dr. Salome went on to say that the principal’s position will be competitively advertised per the education Act. She said that they are going to be ICT integration to enable the students fit in the competitive world after the 27million Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) tuition block is completed. JKUAT vice chancellor Mabel Imbuga said that Kirinyaga people should not see as if their institution has been stolen but know that they have come to mentor, educate their own children. Kirinyaga University is the sixth to be upgraded from a technical institution to universities after Muranga, Taita Taveta, Nyandarua, Karatina. Ends.. 0723321326

A RETIRED TEACHER TRANSFORMING EDUCATION SECTOR.

A RETIRED TEACHER TRANSFORMING EDUCATION SECTOR. CAROLINE WANGECHI. John Ndungo a retired lecturer and a teacher has come up with a new method of curbing cheating during the national examination. A former St.Agustin lecturer in Embu took the initiative and made a programming that he has used in several schools in Kirinyaga County as a test. He said that he was motivated when he saw the education ministry’s circular that made it clear that all teachers have to learn computers without specifying what they needed to equip themselves with but they all rushed to computer schools to fulfill the ministry’s mandate without consulting. Ndungo got a scholarship to study computer science at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)where he got his degree. He says that after the four years at JKUAT he went back to his former school St.Agustin where he was given his position as the director of studies and with the position, he was able to put his computer skills into practice where a computer class was also started to make sure that whatever the training teacher planned in their lesson plan, it was converted into computer training habit. Ndungo went on to say that during his teaching times, he came up with formulae 2010 learning habits, synergic simulations in schools, simulations in computer method, simulations in synergic thinking, syllabus instructions to computer technology habits books that he says has taken him 13 years while doing a research on computer skills in primary and secondary schools in Kenya. “After teaching for years and saw that computer learning was being done unprofessionally, I came up with several guideline books that I have used in my teaching where it has turned up to be very right for the learners” he said. HE says that the ministry of Education is failing teachers in the country for not giving them the specific learning that they should undertake saying that telling a teacher to be computer literate is not enough as whatever they are going to learn will only be the packages which everybody else has done citing that the Permanent secretary needs to come with a system on how teachers are supposed to undertake computer technology seriously. With the failure of the Ministry of Education to establish a way of teaching teachers, he was able to put up several learning institutions that offer computer lessons saying that very many people from different disciplines have been able to benefit from his teaching establishing centers in Ishiara, Embu, and Kianyaga. He says that teaching is supposed to be beyond the chalk board learning habit and be converted to computer technology if at all the vision 2030 has to be reached where everybody is supposed to be literate. He said that computer learning through the programmes that he has invented will ensure that cheating in schools will be of the past as there is no written material all tools are in a computer. “I have been able to invent a programme that I have assessed students during the mock examinations with and have seen that if it is absorbed by the ministry of education where no printing of papers is done, then there will be no exam cheating” he said. HE says the new technology will integrate their work, skills where teachers will also be able to have cordial relationship with their pupils and students. HE says that several teachers who were training in his university have established their places in different schools after they got the training in computer skills urging other teachers who are in training schools to take the advantage of learning computer science. Ndungo said that his system is not 8-4-4 or 6-3-3-2 but 6-4-4-4 where before the students get out of school, they have the knowledge of computer technology right from standard one to university level. His university has been able to training over 300 teachers and over 100 nurses since it was established in 1999. Ends…. 0723321326

BARICHO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL PROFILE.

BARICHO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL PROFILE. CAROLINE WANGECHI. Many ask why Baricho High school has always been rated the second best but the best boys secondary schools. Baricho’s principal Kamau Githaka, the school’s programme has been introduced to make sure that students-teachers relationship is tightened and also as a way to encourage students in subject promoters programme. Mr. Kamau said that the new school’s programme which starts at 6.45 am to 11.30 pm was introduced to make sure that the school fraternity works as a team to improve the education level and grades of the school. He said that teachers have embraced the new programme that has been running now for six years by helping the “weak” students to understand by having private tuition. Kamau said that the teachers reach to the students depending on the performance in various subjects to make sure that they understand where a lunch Continuous Assessment Test (CAT) is given to the students so test their understanding. The principal said that the lunch CAT is done with the help of the dean of studies, where short exams are done to engage the form one to three’s in testing their understanding in all the subjects that are in the ministry of education curriculum. “We made sure that new programmes were introduced in the school so as to change the schools grades by making sure that the students are assembled in class at 6.45am where a teacher goes to teach and they sleep at their own time but by midnight no student is supposed to be in class reading” added Kamau. HE said that with the population of 1160 students, there are four teachers manning the school making sure that the students do not misbehave at night and during the day. Kamau added that teachers use 7.30pm -8.30pm evening classes as time to continue with the syllabus which is supposed to be cleared by third term making sure that student understand. The principal said that when the programme was started, it seemed hard for some students but for now, the school administration has tried to abolish the programme to no avail. “we have tried to abolish the new programme so that students can learn on their own to no avail instead the students have requested for more learning time which to us is very taxing for them” he added. Kamau said that the school has grown from a single stream to six streams where the mean score has also grown with the rising number. HE said that students are also motivated using different methods where they are also encouraged to participate in different curriculum activities where they performed to their level best by taking a solo verse and oral narrative to the national level and emerging position three and four respectively. “As the school administration, we said that the students have to get engaged in extra curriculum activities so that they can also showcase their talents” said the principal. The school is on a 24 acre piece of land where the landscape has always stood as a challenge for development making a small potion very congested where there are 2 science laboratories, dormitories built with the assistance of the constituency development fund.

BUDGET

BUDGET. Kirinyaga County Council has set aside sh 80 million for the completion of projects in its sh 332,879,206 budget for the 2012/2013 financial year. During its last budget presented by the Chairman for Finance Geoffrey Githinji before the public as the country moves to devolved governments, the local authority also projects to raise its revenue base by more than sh 22 million compared to the 2011/2012 one which stood at sh 300,919,078. Clerk to the county council Ariithi Johnston said that the council expects to receive sh 180 million from the Government to enhance servicing of capital projects like rehabilitation of access roads and construction of bridges and drainage systems. He said this will greatly help farmers in ferrying of agricultural produce to markets something which has cost them incur losses from their crops during the rainy season. “The council has set enough money in its budgetary estimates for infrastructural improvement especially on link roads and putting up more culverts to eases drainage during the rains. This being our last budget as a council, we do believe all the earmarked projects will be completed by March next year in time for the county governments,” said Ariithi. Out of the 33 projects to be completed at a cost of sh 41 million include stalled ones which will eat in a total of sh 6.8 million from the council’s budget. The budget session which lasted for a record one hour, comes at a time when the local authority is faced with numerous challenges including a low revenue collection that saw the council overshoot its 2011/2012 budget estimates by over sh78 million. This has been attributed to the failure by the council to net a whooping sh 81.8 million from local sources as revenue like rents, debts and land rates. The council managed to collect a paltry sh 35.5 million and plans to raise this amount to sh 110,833,331 in its 2012/2013 budget. “We shall ensure that new revenue sources are identified to widen our revenue base during the next financial year. We also hope the Government will disburse more than sh 19 million it owes the council during the current year together with an accumulated balance of sh 80 million accrued over the years,” said the council Finance Chairman.

TEA-PS KIOME.

TEA-PS KIOME. The recently introduced new valerem tax will revamp the tea industry, Agriculture permanent secretary Romano Kiome has said. HE said that the tax would be utilized to help farmers replace their old bushes with new clones developed by the Tea research foundation to improve the quality of tea. “The tax introduced should not be seen as if the money is going to waste, the money is going to be used to improve the quality of tea by replacing the old tea bushes with new clones” said Kiome. HE said that the levy is going to be used for research, marketing and value addition to help farmers upgrade their tea so that tea production can increase. Kiome said that the government has plans to help over 600,000 small scale tea farmers in the country to uproot old tea bushes and replace them with improved varieties. Dr. Romano Kiome said that farmers have to know what the research centre is doing to improve the tea quality ordering the factories manager have to be printing copies to the farmers showing them what they are supposed to do. He said that the state will set up a fund to mitigate farmers from losses during the exercise expected to take around five years. Dr. Kiome noted that most of the tea bushes in the country were planted between 1960 and 1970 saying that they were no longer giving maximum production to farmers. He was speaking at the Kangaita Tea Research Foundation of Kenya centre (TRFK) in Kirinyaga County during “leveraging innovative technology in Tea Agribusiness for attainment of vision 2030” organized to educate tea farmers on new production techniques that have been developed by TRFK in tea production. The PS said that multinational large scale farmers have already begun the process of replacing their tea bushes and the programme will be initiated by government to support individual farmers saying that small scale farmers have to get the share of replacing their tea bushes. He said currently most tea bushes produced an average of two kilogrammes of leaves yet there were better varieties which would triple the same under similar conditions. Continued subdivision of land, Dr. Kiome noted, has exerted pressure on production and said unless the farmers planted the high yielding varieties the sector will be hurt by reduced returns. Tea sector earned the country sh107 billion last year after global prices where Kirinyaga County will get 6 billion shillings being the highest earner in the country saying that the prices have short from 50/- a kilo from 17/-. Dr. Kiome however advised farmers to stop indulging in politics at the expense of taking care of their farms adding that what counts at the end of the day is the income to an individual. “Tea was the number one foreign exchange earner last year and we do not want politics to interfere with the production,” said the official. HE said that he was astonished to learn that there was purple tea that has medicinal value urging Kenyans to take the advantage of it to curb the increased diseases like diabetes, arthritis, fluoride is also found in tea and also has classical anti-inflammatory agents that are fighting some disease agents. ENDS……… 0723321326

TNA NOMINATION

TNA NOMINATION JANE MUGAMBI 12/07/12 Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitari today has supported TNA position that no candidate would be issued with direct nominations during the party nomination. The MP maintained that they should be no sacred cows during the The National Alliance party (TNA) Nomination for the next year General Elections saying that all candidates must be treated equally. The MP supported Deputy Prime Minister’s Uhuru Kenyatta assertion that he would not support any candidate during the party nominations. “I am very happy that the DPM said that there will be no favourism on party nomination” added Gitari. Uhuru has warned various political aspirants in central Kenya against using his name to get votes in the General Election or win party nominations. Uhuru was also reported disowning aspirants vying for various county seats claiming that he favored them over the rest. Some candidates have been making frantic effort to catch Uhuru’s attention even some putting up posters and banners comprising of their pictures and that of Uhuru. But the DPM have categorically cautioned the aspirants from using his name to win party nominations and said that all candidates should be subjected to rigorous nominations devoid of any manipulation. Speaking at Kiaritha village in his constituency the MP said that everywhere Uhuru goes, the rallies outcomes have made TNA a popular party and would give Kenyans a free hand to elect the leaders and those that are allied to the DPM. He said that the party must be seen to carry free and fair nominations with its members fully involved in the nominations process. “We have been in very many parties where there was no fairness when it came to nominations, what we want is that the nominations will be free and fair to avoid confrontations” he added. The PNU legislator revealed that many candidates especially current Members of Parliament wanted to use their position to solidify their position in TNA a move he pointed would have eroded the party popularity and creates un necessary tension and conflict within the party. He said that the party officials should resist any pressure of issuing direct nomination to selected few in the party irrespective of their position but said that all candidates should be allowed to compete fairly for the best candidate to emerge. Gitari also revealed that consultations are still going on between Alliance Party of Kenya (Bus) led by energy minister Kiraitu Murungi and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta. He said that the two leaders would soon issue a joint communiqué where they announce the formation of coalition between the two parties. The Kirinyaga legislator said that party with similar ideologies should come together and form a coalition in order to face election as single entity. He said that Uhuru Kenyatta presidential quest continue to receive more support and urged the local residents to support him. Ends…………………………………………………………………… 0723321326

UHURU.

UHURU. JANE MUGAMBI Deputy Prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta has urged politicians to unite and work together. Speaking at Mugumo secondary school during the burial ceremony of Geoffrey Kariithi, he said that people are not supposed to be gauged with their parents faults saying that his father’s woos are not supposed to be weighed on him. Uhuru added that those that fought for Kenya’s independence have tried to shape it and that they destined it to whatever it is today. “we as leaders, we are not supposed to be judged with our parents mistakes, whatever they did was to make Kenya what it is today” he said. HE added that if Kenya leaders and politicians emulate Kariithi’s efforts in working, he has shown that they were visionary leaders who were having a vision for the future of the country with no propaganda. Uhuru said that he is ready to work with any politician pointing out that he is ready to work with Martha Karua. “Mwari wa maitu andu a Kenya nio makoiga nuu agatuika mutongoria wao wona dashindwo nii ngurutithania wira nawe na wona washindwo nii nitukurutithania wira nwae(My sister Kenyans are the ones who will decide who will be their president. I am ready to work with you depending on the outcomes)”said Uhuru. Ends… 0723321326

CLERIC CLERIC CONCERNED OVER SUICIDE CASES IN KIRINYAGA.

CLERIC CONCERNED OVER SUICIDE CASES IN KIRINYAGA. JANE MUGAMBI Clerics from Kirinyaga County have expressed fears over the rising suicide cases. According to Anglican Church of Kenya vicar Maina Thungururu, the rate at which the young people are committing suicide is rising by day. He said that the most affected age is between 23-35 and 50-80 rating men as the ones who are committing suicide at a very high rate. “We are getting cases of men between 23-35 and from 40-80 who are killing themselves sending fears” added cleric Maina. Maina said that the reasons as to why there is an increase in suicide cases is because of land, illicit brew taking as the highest contributors. He said that the land and illicit beer taking issues needs to be addressed with seriousness citing that the number of the boy child is decreasing by day due to the deaths. A 24 year old man was found dead in his house after committing suicide in Kirinyaga County. According to the area Chief Jamleck Kabui, Muriithi Kabuci was found unconscious in his bedroom on Tuesday morning. He said that the mother suspected something was amiss when she saw her son’s house locked on Monday and on Tuesday. Kabui went on to say that the mother decided to check on what had happened on the son and since the door had been locked from inside, through an opening, that is when she saw the body of the son lying on his bed and informed a neighbor who joined her. They later informed the chief who assisted them in breaking the door of the deceased. Kabui said that the deceased took a rat poison citing that he had tried committing suicide thrice adding that the fourth time succeeded according to his plans. The administrator said that the reason for him to commit suicide is not known citing that it could have been a family problem where his cousin killed himself three months ago.

CELEBRATING THE AFRICA CHILD.

CELEBRATING THE AFRICA CHILD. JANE MUGAMBI 15TH JUNE 2012. Over 100 pupils from WAMUMU rehabilitation school in Kirinyaga County celebrated the African child day in style by being engaged in communal cleaning at Kimbimbi sub-district hospital. The pupils together with the school administrator’s participated in the cleaning of the sub-district hospital as well as talking to patients admitted in the hospital to give them encouragement. Speaking to the media, Davelyne Mundi said that the juvenile in the school had to interact with the community t show them that they were apart of the society. HE said that Wamumu is rated as a high risk school where children who have been found guilty of crimes like robbery with violence, rape, defilement and all other crimes are taken. “The school is rated as a high risk one where children who have committed all sorts of crime and have been convicted are taken after they are found guilty by our courts” added Mundi. The school head added that by being engaged in community work, they will be able to interact and will be enlightened and that they will be sensitized to demand for their rights so that they can live a decent life after the three years that they are in rehabilitation schools for correction. "The children are supposed to understand that they are not in rehabilitation schools because they are hated but it is because they have to be corrected and be seen tat they have a clean record to get back to their own homes and that their behavior have changed" added Mundi. He said that children being convicted in such schools from correction away from their homes and their loved ones gives them psychological torture seeing as if they are hated. Mundi also added that they receive children of different ages as from 13-17 years. He said that they have different programmes that help the children in behaviour, vocational and academic where they continue with their studies when they are away from homes. "In the rehabilitation school there are different programmes that help the children have complete behaviour change from education, vocational and behaviour programmes" he said. Mundi went on to say that from the school, they have an individual plan that they undertake in the rehabilitation process form the 130 children who are taken there so that the children are able to be self employed since there are different trainings apart from the normal class lessons citing that the reason is to have that when they are out from rehabilitation schools, they will not get engaged in crime activities and get back to the schools. ends.... 0723321326

SCRABBLE FOR TNA IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY.

SCRABBLE FOR TNA IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY. JANE MUGAMBI 10TH JUNE 2012. Scrabble for TNA (The National Alliance) party by politicians has intensified in Kirinyaga County with several emerging leaders claiming to be bona-fide officials of the party in the County. Every leader eying for a political seat in the fourth coming General Election has opened an office claiming to be TNA spokesperson in the County. In Mwea an aspiring parliamentary candidate Peter Ndambiri officially opened a TNA office at Ngurubani town and declared that he will is Uhuru’s appointee to coordinate party operations in the area. Speaking to press after unveiling the office Ndambiri revealed that the party will start a recruitment drive as they prepare for elections from the county level to the chairmanship position. He said that already they have appointed several youths in the area to be interim party official’s whose responsibility would be to carry out recruitment and popularize the party in the area. The candidate revealed that his move to open an office in the area have been Okayed by the party headquarter and dismissed other political leaders planning to open similar offices as opportunists. “I am the accredited person from the headquarters who has been given a go ahead to open a TNA office in Kirinyaga County, the others who will be doing it will be opportunists” added Ndambiri. Mr. Ndambiri said that the party will carry intensive campaign in the area to ensure it remains the sole political party in the area. But several leaders dismissed Ndambiri move terming it as self defeating and told him to stop misleading the residents. Mwea MP Peter Gitau said that he will soon be opening a TNA office in the same area saying that he will be cleared from the headquarters with certificate from the officials after receiving blessings from the party leader Uhuru Kenyatta. The MP said that some aspiring candidates want to hijack the party and impose themselves against the resident will a move he said will be strongly resisted. “There is no person who has been given a go ahead by Uhuru to open a TNA office because the party is barely a month old and there are some logistics that are going on which have not been completed. I will be countering Ndambiri by opening an office after I am cleared from Nairobi” added Gitau. Several leaders have started holding meetings in the county on how they are going to open offices under TNA. On Saturday, professionals, aspirants from the area held an indoor meeting on the move to decide how they re going to grab the attention of the party leader to be appointed to run the County’s affairs. Led by Beth Ngunyi who is aspiring to be the women leader, she said that they will not rest until they get Uhuru to convince him that the fit to run on the ticket since they are popular. “I will not rest until I get a sitting with Uhuru and convince him that I am popular in the area as I tested when I was contesting for the member of parliament position during the by-election that was held last year in Kirinyaga Central district” said Beth. Ends… 0723321326

COFFEE THEFT. JANE MUGAMBI 7TH JUNE 2012. Armed gangsters last night raided Mitondo coffee factory in Kirinyaga County and stole coffee worth million of shillings. Ten armed thugs armed with crude weapons raided the coffee factory at around midnight and attacked two night guards who were manning the factory injuring them seriously. According to Robert Ngari on of the guards, the thugs beat them senselessly before tying them with a rope and locked them in a kitchen. The two night guards said that they escaped death through grace of God as the gang members hacked them indiscriminately and left them to die. One of the guards Robert Ngari said that the thugs battered him with a metal bar and sustained broken legs and limbs. Ngari said that they were asleep when the gang made a surprise raid and ambushed them where they were guarding saying that when his colleague heard him scream in pain, he went to see what had happened to his colleague only to be attacked saying that despite that they were armed, the number of the gang members was big overpowering them and their efforts to rescue themselves was thwarted after they were subdued. This morning irate farmers stormed into the factory and accused the management of inefficiency and complicity counting losses with some breaking down after realizing the hope has been dazzled. They said that they hoped of a good time ahead after producing one of the best produce for many years. They argued that the management failed to ensure their coffee is well guarded pointing that hiring only two guards to watch coffee worth million of shillings was irresponsible and urged the police to do proper investigations. The Coffee according to the farmers was expected to be delivered for milling next week pointing out that they suspect collusion among the management of the factory. The two guards are still admitted in critical condition but doctors at Kerugoya district hospital termed their condition as fairly stable. Contacted for comment Kirinyaga police boss Patrick Oduma said that police have launched investigations but said that they are yet to recover the produce. He said that police are following crucial lead which he said would help them arrest the suspect. Oduma at same time called the farmers to give police any information which may assist them with investigation. Oduma termed the robbery as an inside job pointing out that several officials of the coffee factory have already recorded statement and are assisting police with investigations. He pointed out that police want to establish the security arrangements and the person responsible of records and store as the investigations point collusion among the senior officials. The police boss noted that going by many incident of coffee thefts being reported in the County the management ought to have had taken extra precautions to prevent such an incident. He said that management of all coffee factories in the County have been advised to beefing up their security and ensures the coffee does not stay in their factories for long period of time. Oduma said that CID officers are following crucial lead and soon they will have suspects in custody. The OCPD said that the guards would also record statement with police as they can give vital information which may assist the investigations. ENDS.. 0723321326

MWEA EAST DC RECORDS ASSAULT STATEMENT. JANE MUGAMBI 23RD APRIL 2012. An administrator has recorded a statement with the police after she was accused of assaulting a pupil during a demonstration last week. Mwea East district commissioner Kula Hache recorded a statement with the district criminal investigative departement at Wang’uru on Friday afternoon when she was summoned by police. According to the DCIO Fondo the DC was summoned to record a statement after the mother Jacinta Nyaguthii and his son Dennis Nyamasio a standard seven pupil at Ngurubani primary school recorded their statement. He said that the pupil had to be taken to hospital for specialized treatment after his ear started aching after the DC slapped him. The DCIO said that they are waiting for the state counsel to give them directives on the assault allegations that are being made against the administrator. “We are waiting for the state counsel to respond to our application on the assault allegations that are being made against the DC” added Fondo. On Friday and Monday the pupil was taken for treatment at Kerugoya district hospital after he was issued with a p3 form where the Ear, Nose and throat (ENT) specialist examined that the child has internal injuries as a result of slapping which has affected his hearing. The incident occurred when pupils and their parents stormed the Dc’s office accusing her office and the district land registrar of doing nothing as private developers encroach the schools 25 acre land. The district commissioner had a hard task trying to calm the crowd of angry pupils and parents who booed her accusing her, the district land registrar and a private surveyor of colluding to grab the schools 25 acre land. Led by Mr Stephen Ngure Githinji the school’s PTA chairman and Eric Muchina the area MP personal assistant the pupils cut short their studies for the better part of the day to make their demands known. Carrying twigs and placards and chanting slogans “shamba letu and DC must go” the demonstrators disrupted business in part of the busy Ngurubani town as they blocked the road leading to the Dc’s office. The parents accused Kirinyaga county council of fueling the disputed of the schools parcel of land by failing to confiscate the title deed from the original owner even after he was compensated by the council to give way for construction of the school in the late 60’s. The parents called on the ministry of lands and the ministry of education to take an urgent action as the future of their children was at risk as the land could be grabbed by private developers claiming that they bought it from the original owner. The administrator further cautioned parents against politicizing the running of the schools affairs and involving children in school politics. ENDS… 0723321326

EIGHT DEAD DUE TO FLASH FLOODS IN MWEA. JANE MUGAMBI 1ST MAY 2012. Mwea Mp Peter Gitau has urged area residents who have built on the river banks to vacate. The Mp said that due to lack of land, some people have built their houses at the banks of river Thiba terming the move as dangerous. HE said that flash floods are expected in the area giving an early warning to Mwea people, who are also on the downstream. “I am appealing to the people who have built their houses at the banks of river Thiba and are on the downstream to vacate to avert death as the water levels has increased” added Gitau. The MP also said that the government as for now needs to have come up with a plan on how the people who are in Githogondo, Kamuchege, Murubara, Kwa V and Gatwiri should be relocated top safer grounds as the river have already burst displacing them. Gitau said that so far eight people have been reported having died as a result of drowning adding that wananchi are supposed to be very careful with the rivers and not even ignore the seasonal rivers and canals as five of them mostly being children have fallen and swept by canal waters. He said that National Irrigation Board should also open the drainage system that it has closed as the upgrading process is being done saying that the waters have started displacing people at Thiba slums. HE said that the soil type which is black soil and retains water is the cause of raise of the water level in Mwea. HE said that water being used in rice fields have increased sending fears of the outbreak of water borne diseases urging the Kenya Red cross and the ministry of special programme to act fast in seeing that wananchi have been moved to safer grounds and that NIB sends a tractor to unblock the drainage to give way to the water to get to the river and stop going into peoples homes. HE also said that the bursting of river Thiba is sending fears to school going children who parents are fearing that can be swept anytime as the water levels are increasing unnoticed. HE also warned school administration from sending children to fetch water the river saying that any death the head teacher or the teacher on duty who sent them will be held accountable. Ends.. 0723321326

FLOODS JANE MUGAMBI 02/05/12 Twenty families have been displaced by floods following a heavy down pour that has been witnessed in the past few days in Kirinyaga County. The families fled their homes on Sunday after their houses were submerged and property worth thousands of shillings destroyed at Gatuiri village in Mwea West division. Among the property swept away by floods were toilets, clothes, utensils and crops. The families were sleeping when heavy rains which flooded the area started falling, submerging their houses after the water found the drainage system’s outlets closed by National Irrigation Board for the construction of the Dam . They were woken up by floods which got into their buildings and left the area for safety immediately. A victim, Mr James Muriuki said he and his family escaped death by a whisker when they were woken up by the water which was in their houses when their beds were soaked with water. The victim claimed that they almost drowned when the floods hit the village at midnight terming there escape as lucky. “It is through God’s luck that my family was able to escape from the floods immediately the houses started being swept away” added Muriuki. The victims are now being accommodated by good Samaritans who rescued them while others are spending their night in the cold. Another victim, Susan Wanjiku said she and other family members lost everything to the floods. The victims are appealing to well wishers and the Red Cross to donate clothes, food and other necessities. They also appeal for assistance to be able to construct new dwelling places. Area assistant chief Mr Justus Wanjohi said the situation is bad and the victims needed to be assisted. He said that the families require food, clothe and drugs urgently for them to survive. Mr Wanjohi said an outbreak of diseases is likely because of poor sanitation. The administrator said that toilets in the village were completely destroyed by rain storms and there could be an outbreak of diseases if urgent measures are not taken. The administrator advised the residents especially those living in flat areas of Mwea plains to be alert and move to higher grounds to avoid being drowned. The long rain that has been raining in the last three weeks has wreaked havoc in the area. It has destroyed bridges, crops and killed three people among them two girls aged two years. One of the victims’s aged 30 years drowned at Marurumo village as he was crossing the flooded Nyamindi River and his body is yet to be retrieved. This comes barely a week after the area Mp Peter Gitau urged them to vacate from the water way mostly those that had settled at River Thiba’s banks. Ends………………………………………………………………

Rice destroyed by floods. JANE MUGAMBI 9TH MAY 2012. Farmers in Mwea irrigation scheme are counting losses worth millions of shillings after their Rice was destroyed by flood waters following heavy rains in the area. The problem was made worse after the banks of river Thiba broke down flooding more than two hundred acres of rice in the country's expansive rice farming region. The farmers are now calling on the government through the ministry of agriculture to assist them since thy had invested alot in the rice which have been destroyed. However more than fifty families are spending nights in the cold after their houses were marooned by flood waters following the heavy downpour in the area. According to Anthony Gikunju Mwaniki a resident of the area, the farmers will be unable to farm next season due to the loses incurred. "Tumepoteza pesa yetu yote yenye tuliinvest kwa shamba(We have lost money that we had invested to the floods" said Mwaniki. Speaking on phone, National irrigation board Manager Hosea Wendot said that they are looking for ways to manage the situation saying the rains have hampered construction work of canals in the rice fields. Wendot called on residents living in areas prone to floods to move to safer areas to avoid being carried away by floodwater. ends... 0723321326

FARMERS EDUCATED ON FARMING MALE FISH FOR MEAT NOT REPRODUCTION. JANE MUGAMBI 14TH MAY 2012. The ministry of fisheries development has established an ambitious programme to train fish farmers how to breed male fish with the aim of improving quality of meat and ensure constant supply of fish in the local and international market. The programme will train 150 farmers drawn from across the country in the 160 constituencies where the government has established 200 fish ponds in each constituency through the economic stimulus programme. The farmers are currently undergoing training at the national aquaculture research development and training center in Sagana Kirinyaga County. Speaking during the official opening of the training Fisheries permanent secretary Prof Micheni Ntiba said that the programme intends to train farmers in the production of male fish which will be reared alone in a fish pond to boost quality. Prof Ntiba noted that when fish are mixed in a pond the male spend most of heir time reproducing while the female spend most of the time laying eggs and protecting the young ones hence affecting their growth and quality of meat. The permanent secretary noted that the programme aims at training farmers in the production of male fingerlings and rear them separately in pond to ensue that they pack meat properly hence boost quality of meat as well as fetch better income for the farmers. The farmers will be mandated to produce certified male fingerlings in their respective localities and supply them t farmers locally. “Production of certified seed should be enforced by the government so as not to frustrate farmers” added Ntiba. Prof Ntiba noted that the ministry will also maintain a brood stock of female fish to produce eggs for reproduction purposes. The permanent secretary noted that many countries that have achieved medium income status in the world have relied on fish to drive their economies. He however called on all the stakeholders in the fish industry to partner with his ministry to ensure that they create awareness about fish across the country. Ntiba added that in the last three years Kenya has made tremendous progress in the production of fish and stands at number four in Africa. “We are geared to become number one soon” added Prof Ntiba. Ends..

YOUTHS.

YOUTHS.
Youths have been urged not to engage in violence during this electioneer period.
Kirinyaga County youth Chairman George Kagori said that the youths have been misused for a very long time due to unemployment.
Speaking during a youths meeting organized by Africa youth trust, he said that the youths should read and understand the constitution so as to be aware of how the devolved government is going to be run.
“The youths have been misused by politicians for a very long time due to unemployment for a very little pay, the meeting is aimed at bringing them together so as to do civic education so that they can understand how the devolved government will be working” added Kagori.
The secretary to the National Justice and cohesion ministry, Maina Ndung’u, said that the justice ministry has laid a national value policy that will be tabled in parliament next week for approval.
He said that the policy is going to be implemented by institutions that are in existence to avoid discrimination, maintain values, integrity that is in chapter 6 that is on integrity article.
“The integrity article will address the issues that have been thorny like the way women, people with disability who have been mishandled for years, giving them powers to fight for their rights” added Ndung’u.
Ndung’u also added that as the cohesion ministry, they have gone to churches where peace message is supposed to be preached by the church ministers urging the media to uphold the code of ethics on balancing and fairness not inciting saying that many people believe on what the media says.
“The media has been said to be the most reliable source of information, if they continue to preach peaceful messages by not being partisan then we will not get into 2007-2008 fracas as we wait to go for the elections, we are also targeting churches where peace messages will be preached to the youths not to get engaged in fracas for a fee” added Ndung’u.
He said the civic training is going to go on as from April this month to June through out the country where 100Million shillings is expected to be used in the training exercise.
He said that they have produced a training manual which has the concepts targeting all Kenyans through Kenya National Integrated Civic education Programme(Kenice)despite the region saying that corruption and marginalization has made the country not be able to implement the constitution.
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