fishermen complain of tough rules put by kenyan Navy on them

Fish farmers from Kiunga, Lamu East sub-county have urged the government to revoke the fishing orders on them, allowing them to do fishing even during the night. Ali Sharif said that day fishing does not enable them to get the daily bread as the number of fish is very low. He also said that their main problem is the Kenya navy that is monitoring their movements, punishing them when they get them fishing at night since it is illegal for them. Mohamed Ijali also added stating that they need the government to intervene citing that with the trend them what will block them and their children from joining Alshabaab in the neighbouring Somalia. Ali Mohamed also said that the Somalia fishermen are always protected and allowed to do fishing by the Kenya Navy. Ali said that night fishing gives them good fetch unlike the day fishing where the fish catch is very low. Ends….. 0723321326

LAmu governor Isah Timmamy calls on the county assembly to add more money in the agriculture docket to enable farming be done so as Lamu can be food secure. He said that 35,000 households are facing hunger that could not have been witnessed if there was more cash in tapping water from Tana river, drianed in lake Kenyatta that will enable irrgation take place.

DISABLED DEMAND POSITION IN THE JUBILEE PARTY. People living with disability from Lamu County are demanding to have two of their representatives listed in the Jubilee list in the national politics. Speaking on Saturday in Mpeketoni town, Lamu chairman Joseph Ng’ang’a Kuria, they do not want to be short charged in the 2017 positions like 2013. Ng’ang’a said that they have fronted two of their representatives from the National council for persons living with disabilities the current chairman Dr David Ole Sankok and Peter Muchiri be in the list of Jubilee party since they have been on the forefront fighting for them. “We cannot be short charged in 2013 then watch as the positions meant for disabled taken by other in 2017, we had to front one of our own who know our issues” said Ng’ang’a. He also lamented that there should not be other names that were fitted in the jubilee list purporting to represent disabled people citing that there are individuals who were awarded the positions whereas they are not disabled. Ng’ang’a said that they are not taking chances in 2017 top positions saying they will fight for the top positions and not wait for leaders to sympathise with them demanding to be given 100Million to campaign by the Jubilee government. ‘We do not need sympathy, what we need is equal representation just like any Kenyan, let us be given 100Million by the jubilee government so as to campaign like anyother Kenyan” Ng’ang’a added. They have also urged the deputy president William Ruto not to source for a deputy come 2022 as David Sankok is better placed to be his deputy. Lamu west aspirant Joseph Muthama, who has been on the forefront in assisting the disabled, said that people living with disability are supposed to have their issues dealt with seriously. Muthama said that the jubilee party is supposed to give the disabled persons their position without fitting other names. Ends… 0723321326

Over 1080 homes will be connected to electricity in Mpeketoni, Lamu county at a cost of 4 million shillings. Deputy president William Rut said on Tuesday during his tour in Lamu county. Ruto said that they want to ensure that all Kenyans are equal and affordable to all Kenyans. He said that the jubilee government is determined to make sure that all Kenyans get light whether in mud, grass-thatched houses. The government has a plan to make sure that the lighting programme that is going on in the country benefits even Mpeketoni people. ends... 0723321326

the only sacco in lamu partners with ABC bank for cheque clearing

Members of Lamu teachers Sacco can now make payments using cheques following a partnership between ABC Bank and the Sacco. The deal will see ABC Bank provide cheque clearing services to the teachers Sacco, which has 5 branches. Through the partnership, the Sacco will issue personal cheque books to its close to 1,000 customers. ABC Bank will be the clearing house through which the cheques will be processed. This will increase ease of payments and improve efficiency of doing business for the Sacco members. Saccos do not offer certain products such as cheque books, Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs). This forces Sacco members, especially those operating businesses, to turn to commercial banks for these services. Consequently, Saccos register significant customer attrition and stiff competition from commercial banks and deposit-taking microfinance institutions. By introducing cheque books, Lamu teachers Sacco will provide its customers with an additional secure payment solution which also gives them more control of their funds. “This solution is part of ABC Bank’s plans to provide more relevant financial services to the small and medium enterprises, who are key drivers of the economy,” said ABC Bank Relationships and sacco manager Wilson Assela on Saturday. Assela said that ABC is looking for value addition to support the cooperative movement, citing that business people and medium entrepreneurs need financial services. ABC Bank has entered into similar partnerships with other Saccos such as Fortune, Bingwa, Imarika and Unaitas, as well as Postbank, to enable them offer a wider range of services beyond what they are mandated to offer on their own. Speaking during the launch, Senator Deputy county commissioner Stephen Sangolo said it is an eye opener for teachers and other business owners since they will be able to get loans easily. Sangolo also said that with this move, development is going to be achieved since many Lamu people are business, “This partnership will facilitate the unlocking of the entrepreneurial potential of Lamu residents by enhancing ease of payments” said Sangolo. Assela said that ABC Bank is keen on empowering Saccos and other microfinance institutions in their quest to offer a wider range of services to their customers in order to become more competitive in meeting the needs of their market. The partnership is part of ABC Bank‘s efforts to boost the cooperative sector’s competitive advantage to best achieve their business goals, and to offer a seamless, convenient and comprehensive financial services experience to their members. Lamu teachers sacco chief executive officer Michael Kirui said that this will enable the sacco to increase its capital assets, where during the last financial year the sacco had 200 million capital asset with a profit of 3.5% where they expect it to increase. Kirui said that the partnership will improve service delivery to its clients where it will also open doors to other business people who are not teachers. He said that since lamu is in remote areas of the country, through automation, they will be able to reach its members who are in the areas using the technology,where it has opened doors for competition with other banks. Lamu teachers saccos outlets are in Faza,Mukowe,Hindi,Mpeketoni and Lamu island. Saccos chairman Joseph Agutu said that the members who left the sacco will come back since there is noother sacco in the county, only banks. ends...