Kirinyaga County Assembly member Kinyua Wangui has taken an initiative of keeping the youths from drugs and illicit beer taking by engaging them in football leagues. Kinyua was speaking on Sunday at Kamuiru primary school after awarding 9 football leagues after completing their sessions before engaging other teams in the country. Kinyua said that by the engagement, many youths have been kept away from drug usage since the places where the teams go to play are drug free zones. “I have taken an initiative of engaging the youths mostly men who have been lost in drugs mostly in Kagumo by making them busy by playing football” Kinyua said. The leagues have also been sponsored by National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the MCA to sensitize the impact brought by drug usage among the youths. Kinyua said that he will be looking for other sponsors willing to sponsor other sports so as to engage even ladies who he said have not been spared by indulging in alcohol taking. He said with the introduction of sports in Mutira Ward he said the youths through the groups will be able to get Uwezo and Youth fund so as to run projects when they are not in the fields. Football has seen students as young as 15 years exercise their talents where he said it is the only opportunity to give them equal opportunities. Ends...

AGRICULTURE CABINET SECRETARY TO CRACK WHIP ON QUACKS IN THE VETERINARY SECTOR.

AGRICULTURE CABINET SECRETARY TO CRACK WHIP ON QUACKS IN THE VETERINARY SECTOR. JANE MUGAMBI 28TH SEPT 2014. Agriculture cabinet secretary Felix Koskei has raised a red flag giving a stern warning on quacks masquerading as animal health practitioners who have invaded the sector putting millions of animals in the country at risk. In a speech read on his behalf by principal secretary livestock Prof Fred Sigor, animals in millions have been put at risk by the quacks. The cabinet secretary said that individuals with no training have taken toll, advantage especially in remote areas where animal health practitioners are few noting that farmers are incurring heavy losses due to wrong diagnoses and treatment. “We are losing animals at an alarming rate to quacks who have invaded the livestock sector, as a ministry we are registering all grandaunts’ to block those masquaranders” said Koskei. The minister instructed director of veterinary services to be vigilant and crack down all the quarks and eradicate the quarks from the sector. The minister told the veterinary director and chairman of the board of veterinary service to ensure all qualified animal health practitioner is registered by the government body to keep off masqueraders. The cabinet secretary also revealed that the ministry has started a program in line with vision 2030 where diseases free zones will be established and maintained as flagship projects pointing Ahiti Ndomba as one of the institutions. “We are going to have programmes in all veterinary institutions where it will focus on disease control where Ahiti Ndomba has been chosen to be offering the programme” Koskei added He said that the aim is to ensure there are no diseases in Kenya and guarantee food security in the country. Koskei said that the government plan to start exportation of animals to other countries saying that farmers will benefit from the program. Ends………………

Pediatricians at Kerugoya district hospital are in fear after more than ten children were diagonise with heart problems. The pediatricians who say that the children are from poor families are at risk of dying if not treated. Blessed Nobel Muthoni who is one year and seen months falls in the category of such kids who the doctors have sent out fears of not seeing their third birthdays if not treated early. According to Doctor Gideon Mburu, Muthoni’s case is different since her heart is on the left side instead of being on the right side making it hard for her to breath. The doctor says that the child has been taken to various hospitals and last week was transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital where the pediatricians according to the mother need 450,000/- for the surgery which the casual laborer cannot afford. Nelly Igoki who hails from Karurumo in Embu county but resided in Kirinyaga County is seeking for help to correct her daughter’s heart . “I cannot afford the cash that is needed, I am appealing to Kenyans to assist me have my daughters heart corrected, My husband left me when she was diagnosed and cannot even trace where he went” said Igoki. She also says that to earn a living, she does odd jobs to make sure that there is some cash in her bag incase her daughters condition worsens citing that she has to take the girl for checkups thrice a week which is turning expensive compared to the nature of the job that she does. “I was people’s clothes, till in their farms to make sure that I have some coins in my bag to because I do not know when the girl can become unconscious” Igoki added. At Kerugoya district hospital, Mburu says that they do not have alternative care since they do not have the required equipments to perfom surgery thus transferring them, to Kenyatta National hospital where there are such equipment. “I know Muthoni’s case since she was diagonised with a heart defect,she has been admitted severally,at Kerugoya hospital we can just offer alternative care as she waits for surgery to correct the defect”Mburu said. <

KIRINYAGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LAUNCHES ITS STRATEGIC PLAN,QMS AND SERVICE CHARTER.

KIRINYAGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LAUNCHES ITS STRATEGIC PLAN,QMS AND SERVICE CHARTER. JANE MUGAMBI 18TH JULY 2014. Kirinyaga university college on Thursday evening launched a five year strategic plan, the service charter and the ISO9001:2008 and the Quality management systems manual. Being the only public university in the county, region will use the three documents to give quality, equitable training for Kenyan manpower that is demanded by vision 2030. Council chairman Gideon Hanjari the documents fulfils the purpose in setting out the university strategic objectives for the five year period as well as reviewing and monitoring developments in the mandated area of provision of university education. Hanjari also said that the strategic plan will provide a clear picture of the university’s assessment of the factors that are affecting the education sector, the plan will also harmonise with the objectives of the second Medium term plan(MTPII) for the period 2013-2018 and the country’s economic blue print. He also said that the council is committed to improving the provision of the university’s education to ensure relevance, equity and technology transfer through sustainable development. The chairman also said that they want to produce fully trained, vibrant manpower to ensure a strong support structure for the economic development in the realization of vision 2030. "Ás the council we want to have a team of students who can handle their jobs after graduating, this will add the manpower in the country in the realization of vision 2030”said Hanjari. The development and execution of the strategic plan is projected to require 4.9billion so as to address the strategic objectives outlined, top training facilities and attraction and retention of competitive faculty for successful accomplishment. Hanjari was first to point out that race, religion should not be manner in denying any student or lecturers from Kenya admission or a chance to do their work citing that team work is what is needed in capacity building. University Principal Mrs. Mary Ndung’u said the they are ready to follow the three documents to improve education in the university. Ends….

FORESTS GRABED IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY

FOREST GRABBED. Kirinyaga County government has used over 300,000/- fencing its 2 county forests in Kirinyaga County avert land grabbing. The two Kerugoya urban forest and Karimandu forest in Kanyekiini location were fenced after encroachment for years in the 12.9Ha. According to environment CEC Dr Joseph Muthike they fenced to protect the indigenous rain forest which is there and also exotic trees that are there. He also said that the forest has been threatened for a longtime by encroachment and also land grabbing which is very prime. Muthike went on to say that the county government is keen in conserving the forest and also rehabilitate farmed patches within the forest areas. He said that fencing is going to be done in phases whereby 2017 it will be completed so as to protect it from land grabbers and the encroachers. “When we took over the 2 forests that are in Kerugoya town, we came to learn that there are some private developers who already had encroached the forest, we are fencing to avoid more encroachment so as to conserve and also rehabilitate them” said Muthike. The CEC also added that there are individuals who are claiming ownership of pieces of land within the forest saying the county government is not recognizing the ownership unless they have authentic documents or allotment letters. HE also said anyone who disputes the fencing of the forest exercise in protecting it present valid title deeds from the lands ministry where they will seek guidance from the National Lands commission. Muthike said that the final plan will be to convert the forest into an eco-tourism site and manage it with the local community and also do a forest management plan so as to conserve the rich species diversity of the forest. “As the ministry we want to make the forests into eco-tourism sites and manage them with local community, also conserve the rich species“ he added. In the near future, the ministry also has plans to construct board walks so that there is minimum impact by people who will be visiting the forest for education purposes. He said that since the ministry has received zero allocation of funds in the 2014/2015 budget in conserving these sensitive urban echo forest system ,he is appealing partnership with conservative bodies to partner with the county government in protecting and restoring the forest. Ends…

MUTIRA COFFEE FACTORY IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY PROCESSING,PACKAGING TIRA COFFEE AS A WAY TO INCREASE INCOME TO MEMBERS.

MUTIRA COFFEE FACTORY IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY PROCESSING,PACKAGING TIRA COFFEE AS A WAY TO INCREASE INCOME TO MEMBERS. JANE MUGAMBI 2ND JULY 2014. Mutira Farmers cooperative society in Kirinyaga County has embarked on a value addition project to increase payout to their coffee farmers in Kirinyaga Central constituency. According to Cecily Wangui the secretary manager in the society, said that they are processing and packing their coffee so as to help their farmers earn more money. She also said that the coffee is packed in 100gms packets and sold for 100/- from the factory with a brand name Tira Finest coffee. Wangui went on to say that they outsource the processing and branding as they are in the process of buying their own machines in the future citing a burden to the already burdened farmers by the little they get after deductions. “Tira Finest coffee is processed, packed by us Mutira farmers as a way to increase income to our farmers who are getting peanuts after the deductions. though we are outsourcing the processing services, we are embarking on having our own milling machines in the future to also cut down the cost being incurred through the outsource process” said Wangui. She also said that at the auction in floor the prices are very low citing that own packaging will double payment making profit to members and also farmers to get their own produce, also be proud of their product. Wangui also said 90% is exported and only 3% is left for consumption citing that if other factories can take a bold step in processing and packaging then their farmers will benefit. The secretary manager also added that research has shown that coffee is a cure to diabetes 2 and also an antioxidant, takers become more energetic urging farmers to consume their locally made coffee so as to promote it. ends...

KIRINYAGA COUNTY ASSEMBLY ADAPTS THE APPROPRIATION BILL WITHOUT AMENDING IT.

KIRINYAGA COUNTY ASSEMBLY ADAPTS THE APPROPRIATION BILL WITHOUT AMENDING IT. JANE MUGAMBI 4TH JULY 2014. Kirinyaga County assembly on Thursday evening adapted the county government appropriation bill,2014 in the second reading without the amendments that had been placed by the governor Joseph Ndathi after he declined to sign it. According to budget and appropriation committee chairman David Mathenge the county assembly adapted the appropriation bill 2014/2015 citing that there were no proposals from the executive. Mathenge also noted that the executive is not yet advised on budget making process which starts on 15th February saying that there is a fight between the assembly and the executive. “madam speaker the CEC Finance is not well conversant in budget making, this shows that there is a fight between the assembly and the executive” Mathenge said. Gudson Muchina Thiba ward representative said that CEC finance knows that there are two arms of budget allocation where they had scrutinized last year’s budget which acted as a guideline where the CEC did not present budgetary proposals. Gudson also added that the public finance management bill, the executive must know there are timelines that must be followed. Budget vice chairman John Mwai said that the amendments are requested after the budget has been passed, saying the CEC must understand that the county was curved from two counties(Embu and Nyeri) where the allocation is not sufficient. “Madam being the vice chair in the budget committee I can say that whatever the county is given is not enough, our county was curved from two counties making it hard to do development for insufficient funds” said Mwai. He also said that being the PAC chairman, they are going to investigate how the county government was able to withdraw 30 million shillings without the approval of the county assembly saying that executive is disrespecting them. Jennifer Wanjiru who was opposed cited that MCA’s are overspending funds through foreign trips where she said as part of the recommendations, the assembly was supposed to reduce trips.”I don’t agree with the report, Madam speaker we have been in the media for overspending on foreign trips which should be reduced, we are using 70 Million on trips which can be used for development” Jeniffer said. Deputy speaker Kinyua Mutugi, added his voice saying that what the governor had returned for review was a crafted budget which did not explain how n where they will take the money, had not been captured in last year budget where projects that had been stated were not included in 2014/2015 budget citing as MCA’s their role is to be with Wanjiku who are supposed to benefit from the money and not be given to the executive. “The executive has been using money without the approval of the assembly supply chain, in last year’s allocation, the executive withdrew 10 million when only 3 million had been allocated, time has come when the county assembly must stop being used as a rubber stamp” deputy speaker added. Adopting the bill, the speaker Ann Wangechi told the house that it (bill) will be sent to the executive within 14 days where the same will be sent to the controller of budget as it was supported by 2/3 in the house as per the standing order 49 of the county assembly. The issues that the governor wanted to be amended through the memorandum were, the allocation to the county assembly of Kshs.482,916,163(19% of recurrent expenditure) was not in line with the circular from the commission of revenue allocation. Allocations on traveling and subsistence, capacity building, hospitality and general office supplies were not guided prudent use of resources and should be shared equally between the assembly and executive. County assembly had allocated 228,324,448/- as salaries which the factual estimated salary was 177,480,001 holding 50,844,147/-. DANIDA grant that of 10,390,000/- was not adapted in the amendment where the executive was directed to negotiate with DANIDA funding so that the funds are considered in September supplementary budget. Ends…

BHANG BURNT BY A COURT IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY.

BHANG BURNT BY A COURT IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY. JANE MUGAMBI 8TH JULY 2014. A Wang’uru court burnt bhang worth 2 million after the case was dismissed. According to principal Magistrate Peter Kiama the case that started in 2013 took only 6 months for its completion citing technicalities that saw the case dismissed. Kiama also added that the exhibit was destroyed sop that it cannot go back to the market citing that there has been very many please reported daily at the courts. “We had to destroy the exhibit to avoid it going back to the market after the case was completed, we are having very many young people are arrested and brought to court” Kiama said. The 2000 stones of bhang that were nabbed in an abandoned house at Mahigaini in Mwea west in the month of May 2013 by police who were acting on a tip off from members of the public who suspected a house where the bhang had been packed at night was not being opened. The magistrate said that they are sending a message to peddlers and suppliers that they are on the look out and that the other which has cases will also be destroyed when the cases are completed. The prosecution side said that they were unable to show possession and that the landlord or the owner of the house was never arrested being one of the witnesses did not appear in court to testify for the period the case was in court. Eliud Mbui and Peter Kinyua Mwaniki were arrested on 1st May 2013 at Mahigaini village in Kirinyaga County jointly was found trafficking by storing 2041 bundles of cannabis sativa with a street value of 2 million shillings. Area police boss Titus Yoma who was also there urged members of the public to work closely with the police to ensure that the vice which has resurfaced is cleared completely. He pointed out that the most affected areas are Makutano, Ngurubani, slums in Mwea where he said the drug is being sold in rolls. ends....

HIV CASES IN SAGANA

AS the advert runs in the TV stations of HIV and Aids being witnessed in marriages is evident in Kirinyaga County where new HIV cases have been reported in Kerugoya district hospital in the months of January and February this year with January only recording 17 cases. The new cases according to Jane Muchiri nursing officer and also the counseling officers says the cases are mainly in the married couples who she said are at the age of 45-70. She said that 20 men who have gone for testing in the facility without their wives a third of them have tested positive a move she said is worrying. Muchiri also pointed out that those that are on ARV therapy are 11 in January while the rest are on Septrine since there CD4 count is not below 450,1644 are previously on ARV. The new cases and where HIV has shot is in Kirinyaga Central district where 5 of those tested 3 are testing positive. Other non communicable diseases like TB, Herpes and their CD4 count is 350 they are put on Septrine. In the months of December and January, the nurse in charge was quick to say that they lost over 20 patients who were on ARV’s and declined to continue taking the medicines. Kerugoya district hospital medical Superintendent Gideon Mburu said that more education needs to be done mostly on married couples since that’s where new cases are being reported. “We have more new HIV cases in Married couples, ages of 45-70 years which is worrying” said Mburu. He also said that initially new cases were being reported in single women citing that it has gone down tremendously. Separately in Sagana girls between the age of 14-17 are infected by the deadly virus where in a month those that attend antenatal clinic and testing positive is going up daily a trend that is worrying. The girls who some have been put on ARV’s said that they have are doing prostitution in the town when they were very young. Kirinyaga West District officer Philo Muoki said that young girls who have joined prostitution in the town are the cause of the rise of HIV. He also said that with the start of long distance drivers spending towns, lack of jobs among the youths t has turned out to be a big challenge. Muoki added that it has been made hard to finish the vice since parents attack police officers saying that they are being “cut off” from their source of income. “As an administrator I have fought the vice for years but the parents as making every step hard for us they are blaming us on killing their source of income” said Muoki. ENDS…. 0723321326

Senate committee on agriculture, land and natural resources on Friday described a section of cap 347 of National Irrigation Board as unconstitutional. The committee led by its chairman Lenny Kivuti said that he’s aware that a section of the controversial act is unconstitutional and thus they are null and void. Speaking after committee hearing on rice farming in Mwea constituency, the chairman insisted that any law that contravenes the constitution is null and void and need immediate amendment. “Cap 347 that is used by NIB in Mwea is Null and Void so farmers are not supposed to be oppressed” said Kivuti The chairman noted that the high court sitting in Nairobi has already declared some section of the act as unconstitutional and observed that those sections be amended by the national assembly to conform to the supreme law of the land. Accompanied by committee members, Boy Juma Boy, Naisula Lesuuda, Henry Ndiemo and Kirinyaga senator Daniel Karaba, the committee observed that they will take the matter of title deeds to national land commission and cabinet secretary in-charge of land to see how they can assist farmers get title deeds of their rice fields. The committee termed issues facing rice farmers in the expansive Mwea irrigation scheme as very emotive single ling out land and revenue from rice as some of the issues which need urgent government interventions. Mr Kivuti said that his committee has received several memorandum from the farmers and County leadership on various issues ailing the irrigation scheme revealing that his committee will put up a report which will be tabled before senate for discussion and adaption. He revealed that his committee will involve the ministry of agriculture, ministry of land and ministry of water and environment while writing its report and promised rice farmers that his committee will definitely come up with good report. The Embu senator said that the hearing which was well attended by farmers was an eye opener as the committee has run a lot from it. He however said that his committee can’t promise farmers when they will get their title deeds but said that they will ensure their case reaches all those concerned. During the proceeding farmers said that they have confidence with National Irrigation Board and should continue discharging its mandate in the 28,000 acres rice field. They argued that NIB has been able to manage the scheme and provide water and other infrastructures needed in the largest rice irrigation scheme. Kirinyaga senator Daniel Karaba said that he was pleased by the committee move to hear farmer’s grievances saying that he’s optimistic the myriads problem facing rice farmers will be dealt with. Karaba singled out issue of importation of cheap rice in the country as one of the issue the government must look at urgently. He said that cheap rice imported in the country has greatly affected the prices of rice in the country forcing the farmers to incur heavy looses. He also demanded subsidized fertilizer for rice farmers saying that government has neglected rice farmers while catering for other sectors. The senator pointed that the president directed prices of fertilizer for maize to be subsidized but left out that is used by rice farmers. Ends…………………

15 million oxygen plant to be set up in kirinyaga

A 15-20 million oxygen plant is going to be put up in Kerugoya district hospital as a way of reducing buying gas cylinders that are expensive. According to medical superintendent at Kerugoya district hospital Gideon Mburu, the decision was reached after consultation and seeing that the hospital is buying many cylinders and that it had the capacity and also able in making its own oxygen. He also said that in a hospital ready oxygen is needed because there are many different cases that are referred in Kerugoya district hospital from the 84 dispensaries and 12 health centers. He said that oxygen is on high demand in many hospitals citing that sometimes there is no enough oxygen where their staff is forced to make impulse buying or even transferring patients to other hospitals where the commodity is being found. “Its is very challenging to take a patient who had been referred to your hospital to another hospital for lack of an essential commodity like oxygen” said Mburu. Mburu said that they want to make sure that every ward has a line for oxygen to enable the nurses’ work easier and also save patients lives. He added that they plan to start selling ones the plant is completed to other hospitals within and out of the county. Kerugoya district hospital has 28 doctors and 58 nurses serving a population of 572,032 persons. This is aimed at the plans that are underway of having a medical training college built in the county to enable training easier. ends.......

water provision

Kirinyaga County governor will spend over 50 million shilling this financial year to supply both domestic and irrigation water in arid areas of the County. According to county governor Joseph Ndathi his administration is determined to ensure water supply is evenly distributed in all corners of the County Speaking after commissioning a 7 million shillings Kenera women water project at Difathas in Mwea, The governor revealed that water projects has been given first priority since most of the area faces an acute water problem. He said that lack of water for irrigation especially in agricultural rich area has resulted in to a biting drought since many crops dry up for lack of water. Mr Ndathi observed that with proper distribution of water farmers will be able to produce enough for local consumption and to feed neighboring county and export. Accompanied by county executive member in charge of environment and water Dr Joseph Muthike, Ndathi revealed that many projects will be facilitated with finances so that they can be able to construct water tanks and buy pipes to supply water. Among the projects to benefit with county funding are Kiangai water project which has be given 10 million shillings,Kiandai water project 3 million Nguka 9 million shillings and South Ngariama water project which has been given initial funding of 3 million shillings. The projects according to governor will be supported by county government even after completion and the county government will be responsible for mentainance and any other civil works. Residents will not be allowed to pay any cent to use the money for irrigations or for domestic as the county government will be responsible. The county government he insisted is determined to ensure no water project stall or collapses under their watch pointing that managements of the water projects will be streamline to ensure people of high moral caliber lead the projects. County CEC in charge of water Joseph Muthike revealed that the county government is in the process of formulating water policy which will guide water provision in the County. He said that his ministry is in the process of formulating a policy which will later be drafted as an Act to be passed by county assembly. Dr Muthike said that the act will be much help as it will be able to guide water management in the county saying that currently there is no policy guiding the water management in the county. At the same time the governor faulted some leaders who he said have formed an habit of misleading public on every project the county government plan to undertake. He said that some leaders have been criss-crossing the county inciting the residents against the county government. The governor told the politicians to read the finance bill properly before they start misreporting the facts. “Don’t know where this people are getting this figures our finance bill has nothing that has been increased, the boda boda people are paying 20/- the 50/- being said I being the governor does not know where the figure came from” said Ndathi. HE said that his priority is to serve Kirinyaga people and not to engage in politics as part of his campaign promises. Ends………………………………………………………