LAMU FISHERMEN GET MVUVI IDENTIFICATION CARDS MINIMISE SECURITY AGENTS HARASSMENT

The national government has launched the Mvuvi card that will enable Lamu fishermen be easily identified by security personnel as they go about their fishing ventures on the Indian Ocean.
Atleast 300 fishermen were handed the Mvuvi cards that features the identification information of the fishermen including their National Identity card number, a special serial number and their respective beach management Units-BMUs.
The cards that were launched in Lamu ,have also been installed with a microchip that will enable security officers to monitor and be able to know where each individual fisherman is on the ocean.
The new cards will enable the fishermen conduct their activities without being harassed by security agencies over the issue of identification.
Somo Mohamed Somo said that the card will minimize security agents harassment, where also it will be easy to track and monitor fishermen.
“We are happy that Mvuvi card is out and that our fishermen have received them, the card will make it easy for us to monitor fishermen and also easy the work of police agents, also it will stop harassment by security agents” said Somo.
These comes as a relief for fishermen in the region who have endured a seven year night fishing ban that has seen many of them literally drop the venture.
Previous reports have indicated that Al shabaab militants have posed as fishermen so as to gain access to Lamu through the porous Somalia border.
The same avenue has been used by Alshabaab recruitment agents who pose as fishermen while actually ferrying radicalized youth in and out of Somalia via the Indian Ocean in Lamu.
Armed with these among other factors, security officers have numerously been reported to harass fishermen found fishing at night on suspecting that they could actually be militants.
The fishermen in these cases have been unable to prove their mission since many don’t carry their ID cards whenever they go fishing.
Those given first priority to access the cards are those from Ishakani and Kiunga areas that are located on the immediate border of Lamu and Somalia.
Lamu County Deputy Commissioner Louis Rono said the cards will enable the security agents in the region to easily fish out real fishermen.
400 fishermen have so far received the same Mvuvi cards in the first phase of the exercise.
A total of 4500 fisher persons in Lamu are targeted for the cards.
Rono said the launch of the Mvuvi card was a revolutionary moment in the security management of the region and urged all fishermen to fully cooperate with all security units to ensure marine security and that of the entire county is at its best.
“What we did today was the second phase. We did the first in April. The same process continues until all the over 4500 fishermen here all receive these cards. On security Lamu comes first,the cards will actually sieve the real fishermen,” said Rono.
Lamu governor Fahim Twaha expressed confidence that the move would greatly improve the sector which had dimmed due to the seven year night fishing ban which he said left many reeling in poverty in a region where majority depend on fishing as a livelihood.
“Lamu can’t do without fishing, we have survived on this sector for decades and I must say the ban was not doing it any good but now with these cards, the fishermen will still go out there and fish and live their lives as before,” said Twaha.
Lamu East MP Athman Shariff urged the fishermen to form formidable unions that will enable them access loans and improve their trade.
 Ends....

LAKE KENYATTA WILL BE GAZETTED FOR ITS CONSERVATION,WARMA ASSURES CONSERVERS

Deforestation, Human encroachment has been attributed to the main cause of Lake Kenyatta’s drying.
This was revealed by community based organizations that conserve the environment on the deforestation and also human activities that are being done in water ways.
  The exercise that was organized by Water Resource authority Management Authority (WARMA) is in the process of ensuring that Lake Kenyatta is gazetted for ease conservation.
During a meeting with different conservation groups in Mpeketoni, the organization stated that there is need for Lake Kenyatta to be gazetted for it to be conserved.
According to Mecoby a conservation community based organization that conserves the environment chair Kamau Gitu, there is need to have more trees planted so as to increase the forest cover , he suggested that farmers be given seedlings so as they can own the trees.
Gitu said “If we want to conserve the lake, let us return the forest cover that was there, this can be achieved by planting more trees in our farms and the degraded areas”.
Bahari nominated MCA Jane Wanjiku said that the government needs to intervene and take a step in ensuring that those that have occupied the water ways are removed.
She said that it is the government that needs to take a bold step in ensuring that the wetlands that have been occupied by individuals are reposed.
“The government needs to act fast and repose the wetlands and all waterways that have been occupied if at all we have to save Lake Kenyatta” The MCA said.
Zabedi Maina added stating that the cutline known to take water to the lake should not be interfered with thus it needs to be fenced and conserved.
He said that when the Lake had dried up march last year due to the prolonged drought that led to the death of over 300 hippopotamus and wildlife. The drought brought human animal conflict affecting 60,000 residents who depended on its waters.
During the drought, human-wildlife conflict was high with wild animals invading homes in search of water. Wild animals killed atleast 15 people injuring over 50 between January and April.
Zabedi said that encroachment has made things difficult saying there is need to sensitize locals before enforcement is done.
Clement Gumba suggested that for the CBO’s to be well conserved there was need for the gazettement of the Lake.
Water Resource Management Authority technical through the water resource authority officer Karanja Munyua said that a technical team is working on the gazettement of the Lake.
He said that the organizations is going to sensitize the public on the dangers of encroaching water ways.
“The ministry has a good will to have Lake Kenyatta be gazetted so that it can be conserved” said Karanja.
He said that desilting the lake will be a way of causing its death, ”forget about desilting,ones the lake is dug, it will be removing the membrane that holds underground waters” He said.
Lamu county conservation officer Evans Maneno said that to continue protecting the Lake, existing forest cover should be protected and that the community to take up tree planting exercise near and around their homes.
“What I can urge Lamu West sub-county residents is that there is need to plant trees in our homes and our shamba’s so as to add the existing forest cover” said Maneno.
The officer said that despite climate change being a global thing, there are mitigation measures that needs to be taken and that is planting of more trees so as to rich the required global percentage of over 10%.
He also urged herders to find alternative grazing areas as they are grazing in the lake, animals eating grass that is supposed to act as ground cover, also they are supposed to find other water sources since the large influx of animals in Lamu county from other counties has also played a big role in being the major contributors to the drastic reduction of water levels in the lake.
“Herders have also played a great role in quick reduction of water levels keeping in mind that evaporation rate is also high due to high temperatures, the best measure is for herders to stop grazing around or near the lake since the animals are destroying grass that is ground cover that protects water from evaporating fast, they (herders) should look for other grazing places and also get other water sources to preserve the Lake” he said.

PARENTS TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID KIDS JOIN ALSHABAAB

Parents in Lamu County have been urged to take full responsibility of their children as they are vulnerable in joining the Alshabaab militant group in Somalia or any other illegal group in Kenya.

Speaking in Witu division during the celebrations of the African child on Saturday that had been organized by the Witu Catholic mission, Witu Kenya defense forces officer commanding Witu KDF camp major Cyprian Omari, said that most youths have become vulnerable thus joining the group with the aim of providing for themselves.

He said that the children as they grow mingle with different people in school, community who some recruit them into illegal groups without their knowledge, when the parents learn it is very late.

“Parents let us take the responsibility of our children, if we  do not provide for them they become vulnerable turn into crime and other join illegal groups without their knowledge” said Omari.

He also pointed out parenting as also another factor that has caused many teenagers and youths join the militia group citing that parents are supposed to bring the child back home instead of doing things that will make them run away to find solace.

”Parenting is a major issue with many children in Lamu, if parents can discipline their children, then no youth or teenager will agree to join the militia group, but as long as there is indiscipline in the community, noone to correct all the vulnerable group will join the group” said Omari.

The Major however said that security is being resorted urging the locals to cooperate by giving information of any suspicious character citing that the war on terror cannot be won if the community is the one hiding the criminals.

Witu is known to have been the home of Al-Qaeda top commander in East Africa and also Alshabaab commander in Somalia Fazul Mohamed who has a family in the town, making the town very vulnerable.

Omari said no child can be happy, play, go to school  in a war torn country citing that much has changed in Witu that was a dead town with little activity town that was filled with fear, but today children are schooling, playing comfortably showing that peace is being restored.

“Do not hide criminals, we are your warriors do not mislead us, lead us to where the criminals are, during our operations we have seen children playing football among other games, no child can play or even free to go to school in a country or place where there is war or insecurity is on” the major went on to say.

Omari has however called upon parents to sacrifice their children who have joined the militia calling them hyenas who will also turn hostile and kill them saying we all must be patriotic.

Politicians have also been told to stop politicizing security matters as wananchi take messages from them,most that is misleading.”Opinion leaders,politicians should not politicize security matters, mwananchi take what the politician has aid as the gospel truth”Omari warned.

Ends….

Female genital mutilation has been the major contributor for fistula cases among the Orma and Somali women in Lamu county.

Witu hospital in charge Ben Mwarabu said that all the 90%  referrals from the community (chalaluma,DideWaride) are difficulties in delivery as a result of mutilation that has been done.

The medical officer said that the mothers attended to at the facility majority end up not going home with the kids since they die during delivery as a result of difficulties during delivery.

He said that they normally get calls from the communities for referrals mostly at night after the tradition birth attendant has not successfully been able to assist the mother to give birth, complicating the delivery more.

"What I am urging expectant mothers from the Orma and Somali communities is to visit any health facility when they are due to avoid unnecessary complications that we have witnessed while assisting them to give birth"said Mwarabu.

 He said that the areas they get calls are dangerous to get to, the villages are in very dangerous areas.

"When I get a call from Chalaluma or Dide Waride I have to first plan how to get to the area since there are no roads,as a medic at night I cannot endanger the lives of  my workers since the area is very insecure" Mwarabu added.

Mwarabu also added that those that come to deliver have been married off at a very early age saying that when delivery due to their age, the body not we'll formed they end up getting fistula from the complications.

"It is very hurting and demoralizing to a medic who assists a mother to deliver only to lose a child or a mother during delivery, most of the young mothers who come to deliver had been married off at a very young tender age making them get fistula due to complications" the medical officer added.

Witu division assistant county commissioner Emmanuel Koech has given parents of the Orma and Somali communities who are marrying off their young girls to old men a Stern  warning to stop.

Koech said that the division that has the communities who are known to marry off their young girls at a tender age will be arrested and prosecuted.

The administrator said that the young girls are supposed to be in school not making them mothers at a tender age saying that is destroying their lives.

Koech said any parent found marrying off their daughters will be arrested and taken to court saying that some traditions have already been passed by events and times.

This comes after the Lamu chief of staff Mohamed Bute is alleged to have married a 16 year old girl from Chalaluma.

The administrator said that such traditions have already been passed by time,the girl child is supposed to be in school learning not a wife.

Sentiments were echoed by area member of the county assembly Jonathan Mketta who said that 98%of young girls who are supposed to be in school today married off to old women per the traditions.

Mketta said alot of Civic education need to be done to the community citing that even the most educated, serving big positions in government when at the village doesn't have a voice on the vice being done.

"Even those in big offices or have big positions in government do not have a voice on any traditions being practiced they cannot point out on either early marriage or even female genital mutilation for fear of being rejected by the community" said Mketta.

He said that the chiefs, their assistants are supposed to use their offices strictly to make sure that the girl child from the Orma community gets education instead of being married while young.

"The exercise can be stopped by the chiefs and their assistants if at all they are serious but how can they fight it yet they are marrying such young girls, they have to be an example" said Mketta.

The MCA said it's a collective matter that will not be taken lightly by the communities practicing it saying that the communities have to be involved.

ends...

Lamu County commissioner Joseph Kanyiri on countering violent extremism.
The fight is for all not the government alone.

caption 1-Lamu education CEC also deputy governor Abdulhakim Aboud,Lamu Eat MP Sharif Athman with the best student AbdulAziz Ali after he was given a certificate of recognition for being the best student from lamu East.The occasion was held at Faza secondary school

caption 2-Best teacher from Lamu east being presented with a certificate by Deputy governor also education CEC Abdulhakim Aboud during a prize giving day ceremony at Faza secondary school.

caption 3-Lamu deputy governor AbdulHakim Aboud,Lamu East MP Shariff and Faza ward MCA Fahad Adnan present books to Sheikh Aboud Mohamed in Faza secondary school.

 LAMU LEADERS JOIN HANDS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY.

JANE WANGECHI

Lamu West Member of Parliament Stanley Muthama has called upon all elected leaders to work closely for the benefit of Lamu.

For the first time in the history of Lamu County to have elected leaders from different religion, tribe   shared a podium.

During a prize giving day for Faza ward in Faza secondary school on Saturday, Lamu west MP Stanley Muthama went for the occasion at Lamu East to show his commitment for elected leaders working together.

He said issues of segregation should be of the past if at all Lamu has to move forward citing that elected leaders must work closely together despite the political vehicle that took them to parliament.

Muthama went on to say that Lamu will be a good place if all leaders will respect each other and be ready to work together.

“we cannot say that we are serving same people when we are divided, we as elected leaders must respect each other, work closely  if at all we want Lamu to move forward” said Muthama.

In Muthama’s manifesto education is his priority, when addressing the locals he said he want to work with Lamu east and any other leader who wants education to improve in Lamu county citing that there are students studying in different schools in the constituency from West and vice versa calling for cordial relationship to ensure that parents see the need for education.

HE called upon parents from Lamu east to embrace education , educated children will be able to uplift the families standards.

The Maendeleo chap chap member added that most school going children are not in schools due to parents laxity, a call he made to parents to make follow ups on their children’s education.

“Parents must participate in education of their children, they must make follow ups to check their progress not to wait till when they are summoned in schools” Muthama added.

In a rejoinder his Lamu East counterpart Shariff Athman said that they(Muthama and him) are determined to see that more pupils get to secondary schools and proceed with education so as to upo,lift education in the county.

He also said that schools must get more learning materials apart from what the government is giving due to influx of learners.

“We as leaders must get more learning materials if we want education standards to go up, with the influx of learners we must support learning institutions” Shariff went on to say.

He said he will support Jubilee agenda, not ready to oppose them instead he will support them to make sure that education is improved, reaches to the levels they want.

Area Member of the county assembly Fahad Adnan said that even in Quran, muslims are told to look for education calling upon parents to take their children to school.”Parents must take children to school” He said.

“Education is the only key to success, I am not ready to interfere with education , instead am ready to support it for the benefit of my people, we need learned people to clean the poverty in our constituency” Adnan said .

 ends.....