RICE MARKET JANE MUGAMBI 25/03/12 Rice farmers in the expansive Mwea rice irrigation scheme in Kirinyaga County are smiling all the way to the bank after the prices of their precious commodity shoot up with over 60%. Farmers are selling a 100 kilogram bag of unprocessed rice at 5,500 shillings up from 4,000 shillings last year December. A 100 kilogram of processed rice is now trading at 10,000 shillings following an intervention by National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). The government owned NCPB has started purchasing the commodity after farmers urged the government to intervene and rescue them from unscrupulous business men who were buying their produce at a throw away prices. The government through ministry of finance has also banned importation of cheap rice from Pakistan a move which has stabilized the prices in the area. NCPB has taken over former National Irrigation Board warehouses which there are buying the produce from the farmers. In December unscrupulous business men were blending the imported rice with local aromatic bishori which they later sold at very low prices polarizing the market. Also some business people bought the commodity from the farmers and hoarded it in order to cash in during the rainy seasons where prices shoot up with over 100%. A farmer Gibson Karanja termed the current prices as encouraging pointing out that the prices may shoot up. HE also said that this will be for the first time since rice prices were polarized in the 90's. "I am very happy to know that the price of Mwea rice better known as Bishori is going up compared to the 90's when the farmers were robbed off their money by Sacco's and several individuals"said Karanja. Mwea multipurpose society chairman Pius Njogu said that he’s pleased by turnaround saying that farmers would have something to smile about. Ends…………………………………………………………………… 0723321326

LEADERS ELECTED.

LEADERS ELECTED. JANE MUGAMBI 6TH MARCH 2013. Songs and dance marked the final tilling of Kirinyaga governor, senatorial and women representative seats after the returning officers declared TNA candidates as the winners. Supporters of the various candidates braved the scorching sun for hours as they wait for returning officers to declare the final results. The process was slow and tire ling but the candidates and their supporters remained glued to their seats waiting the results to be announced. And at around 5.30pm Kirinyaga County returning officer Paul Munene announced the results 48 hours after voters casted their votes. Former director of administration in the ministry foreign affair Joseph Ndathi was declared the new Kirinyaga governor beating four other candidates. Ndathi TNA candidate won the seat with landslide after gunning 148,226 votes with closest rival Bedan Kagai of GNU bagging only 65070 votes. Others who also contested the seat are James Kibicho of Narc-Kenya who polled 10,325 votes, Nyaga Munyambu of DP got 6435 and John Kiragu of Agano party bagging 7135 votes. Former Kirinyaga central MP Daniel Karaba emerged the winner after polling 215,977 votes to emerge the clear winner. Karaba also of TNA give four other candidates a run for their money to win the seat with landslide. Dickson Kirima polled 11,199 votes to finish second; James Karubiu polled 5628 while Julius Wanjohi gunned 4438 votes. On county women representative seat Winnie Karimi of TNA polled 160,000 votes to emerge the winner. Beth Ngunyi of mazingira green party became second after gunning 48,279 votes. Ends………… 0723321326

A MAN WHO MURDERED HIS COUSIN SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS IN JAIL BY A KERUGOYA COURT.

A MAN WHO MURDERED HIS COUSIN SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS IN JAIL BY A KERUGOYA COURT. JANE MUGAMBI 13TH MARCH 2013. A 22 year old man who murdered his cousin because of three eggs has been sentenced to seven years in Jail by a Kerugoya court. Bernard Ngaire was accused that on 20th February last month at Kiangwaci market, he accidentally stabbed his cousin Simon Mwangi with a kitchen knife where he later died while undergoing treatment after a quarrel. Senior Principal Magistrate Teresiah Ngugi said that with the evidence that was given by their cousin who was with the deceased Stephen Kinyua where he had gone to sell his three eggs, said that it was evident that the accused had always had a grudge with the decease. “It is very clear that with the evidence given by your cousin Kinyua, it seems that you(Ngaire) always picked a quarrel but the deceased was always very polite and used to walk away. What were you doing with a knife?”Said the magistrate. The deceased died while undergoing treatment at Karatina general hospital where he was rushed by police after he collapsed at the police station where he had gone to place a formal complain against his cousin. He was taken to Kerugoya G.K prison awaiting to be transferred to King’ong’o prison. Ends….. 0723321326

COUNTY HEADQUARTERS WAR.

COUNTY HEADQUARTERS WAR. JANE MUGAMBI 13TH MARCH 2013. There is a tough of war on where the governor and his team will have their offices. A section of leaders have come out strongly opposing the governor's office to be in Kerugoya and instead to be in Kutus. During the meetings that have been held, retired Archbishop David Gitari,finance minister Njeru Githae among other leaders has been very vocal saying that the county headquarters be at Kutus since it is a central place. On the other hand former Gichugu MP Martha Karua,has differed with them over the decision citing that the government does not have resources to put up new buildings and also the proposed town does not have land where there could be offices. Out of the decision, the county commission has decided to hold the swearing in ceremony at Kutus town. The swearing in will take place at Kutus primary school where the procession will start from Kirinyaga University college grounds where he called upon all Kirinyaga residents to attend the ceremony so as to hear what their elected leaders plan to do for the county. He said that from the deliberations, the governor and his team will occupy Kirinyaga county council and part of the District's offices that are on second floor saying that the occupants have always been evacuated and moved to other offices and renovation has started. “From the outcome of the deliberations, we have decided the governor and his team will occupy the County council offices while other will be at the District officer’s office on the second floor” said Keter. He said that renovation has already started and that by the time they are sworn in, the offices will be ready and they can start working in. Ends.. 0723321326

HEALTH

ready for comments from colleagues. HEALTH. Thousands of Kenyans suffering from various diseases are seeking treatment in India’s best hospitals for cure. The patients who are suffering from Kidney failure and cancer have decided to spend large sums of money to see that they get their health back. Apollo Hospital, Medanta and Indians spinal Injuries in New Delhi are the best hospitals in India where Kenyans and other people from the world bring their loved ones for treatment after the service lack in their own country. At the Apollo’s hospital December alone, out of the 70 kidney transplants that were done in the month of December,60 patients were Kenyans stating that the senior surgeon Doctor Vijaya Rajikumari the best renal surgeon performed surgeries to them giving them hope to see another day. In an exclusive interview Dr. Vijaya better known as Viji said that that was her busiest month citing that she would carry out 5 transplants a day 24/7. “Ever I started working in the hospital, the month of December has been one of my busiest months having done over 60 kidney transplants to Kenyans alone posing a very big question and also worrying” said Dr. Vijaya. Dr. Viji said that she is very much ready if the Indian and Kenyans government can have an exchange programme to atleast hold some sessions to teach Kenyan doctors who she said need to be equipped with the evolving technology in medicine and other fields when it comes to treating patients. “It is very costly to get treatment in India and I have seen how relatives who have kidney patients since it is my line of duty struggle even to make sure that they are able to get the expensive medicine from India and if given a chance and the two governments invites us as experts to give some lessons, I will be very happy because the cost will be cut and Kenyans will be able to get treatment at home” She added. She said that the cheapest transplant goes for 10,000 lurks bringing the figures to be close to 2 million Kenyans shillings being for medication without for maintenance and buying of medicines which goes for close to 500,000/- Kenyans shillings. In the month of January she did about 40 transplants bringing the number down citing that she is ready to give patients another smile after a long struggle with dialysis and other infections. Dan Seth,38, a primary school teacher in Rift valley could not believe his eyes when he saw a container full of urine that was his was being emptied after close to three years being on dialysis where he would spend close to five hours as the dialyising machine removed waste from his body as it was toxic to him. HE said that though the operation is expensive, it was worth as he is now back on track without going for dialysis which was time consuming and also needed a lot of resources for one to be “clean”. “I cannot say I have used a lot of money for the transplant compared that I will never go to the hospital to be dialysed. Now it’s about being a “new” creature to the old as I can now remove the waste product that was being removed by machines” said Dan. Joseph Kimiiri,45, shifted from Bombay in Mumbai to New Delhi after doctors told him that he had to stay another one year with a stomach dialyser. When he went to Apollo hospital, he had to be on Dr.Vijaya’s observation after he got an infection which postponed his transplant severally but after it was contained, he was transplanted on 17th January after a four months stay in India. “I cannot regret as to why I had to stay for such long in India because after the six months stay three in Mumbai and three in New Delhi, I got hope in New Delhi where the doctor had to fight the infection that I had very serious to ensure that the purpose that had taken me there many miles away from home had been accomplished” said Kimiiri. The youngest was Millicent Njeri 23, who had been on dialysis for close to three years at last she had her transplant on 17th of January a day that will never be erased easily from her mind. Having been in and out of hospital for various infections which doctors from Kenyatta to Nairobi west hospital could not identify, she is now at rest after the transplant. Their message to other Kenyans suffering from various ailments that is life threatening is to take a bold step and seek assistance for treatment. “I am urging any Kenyan suffering because having been born urinating then all over sudden there is no excretion, it is very disturbing. Let Kenyans not fear to seek for assistance as this is the only way to restore their hope in living” said Vincent Kamau. ends... 0723321326