A government research organisation is set to lose property worth more than Sh20 billion if urgent measures are not taken to ward off grabbers who have for years been eyeing its prime parcels of land and infrastructures therein.
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation which was previously known as Kenya Agricultural Research Institute is crying due to imminent loss of its prime pieces of land that are used by its Dairy Research Institute based in Naivasha sub-county within Nakuru county.
Livestock technologies and breeds developed in the institute have benefitted not only Kenya but many other countries in the Eastern and Central African sub-region.
Dr Titus Lanyasunya who is the DRI director says of the institute’s seven parcels of land, the government is set to lose five of them to powerful individuals in current and past regimes as well to other fraudsters claiming ownership of the same pieces of land.
“Kalro has seven pieces of land measuring about 10,000 acres but of these, about half is either already taken away or is on the verge of being grabbed. This is a very sad state of affairs given the importance of research in nation building,” said Lanyasunya. He equated the grabbing of research land facilities to grabbing of referral hospitals which Kenyans rely on for critical services. It is not only shameful but immoral whichever one looks at it. That is why we are asking all concerned, especially the government to intervene,” Lanyasunya said in an interview.
All the parcels of land are situated less than five kilometres from Naivasha town with some being adjacent to Lake Naivasha, which make them very prime and attractive to investors interested in floriculture, horticulture and hospitality industries.
The farms are known as Lower Farm (LR No 427) which is about 210 ha and also houses the institute headquarters, Ol-Magogo Farm 1 (LR No 4358 & 3989/7) of about 1562 ha, Ol-Magogo Farm II (LR No 3989/1) which is 28 ha, Top Farm I (LR No. 5210) measuring 544 ha, Top Farm II (LR No 5211 which has 514 ha, Karati Farm (LR No 5212) which measures 405 ha and Quarantine Farm (LR 12248) which is 400 ha.
Lanyasunya says of these farms, only two; Lower Farm and Ol-Magogo Farm I which have a total acreage of about 1772 ha are fully under Kalro use which translates to about 48pc of the total pieces of land that was set aside for livestock quarantine and research about 111 years ago.
“These pieces of land are in prime area and simple calculation will disclose the land is valued at more than Sh20 billion, notwithstanding the infrastructures therein. The figure could go up to more than Sh25 billion if you valued the cost of existing buildings and machinery,” he said.
The disputed parcels of land hold many public facilities developed over a period of more than 100 years. Closer look of the existing government records reveal that this institution was started between 9th and 15th August 1903 when Lord Delamere formally requested the colonial government for hiving of the said parcels of land exclusively for livestock quarantine and research. It was then called Government Agricultural Experimental Station which was changed to Kari after independence and recently to Kalro following the ongoing parastatal reform programme lead by former lawmaker Abdikadir Hassan who is now a presidential adviser.
From then and up to date, the farms have been used for livestock breeding and germplasm multiplication in cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigs, livestock disease control which includes development of veterinary interventions for combating livestock diseases, animal nutrition which includes wide range of rations and formulae for all classes of livestock, pasture breeding and other social-economic activities.
Lanyasunya says following the illegal allocations, Kalro and other government departments have been unable to exercise their mandate as required and further suffered massive lose which includes loss of superior government breeding stock and also valuable research data and information.
“As we speak now, the country has no quarantine farm, because the 400 ha that had been set aside was grabbed a few years ago. This piece of land (known as Quarantine Farm) serves as the only national quarantine station for breeding livestock. Efforts to recover it have proved difficult and costly. Support from relevant governments has not been forthcoming, perhaps because of the influential status of the people involved. This farm is one of the most prime parcels owing to the large lake frontage. Records at the ministry of Lands indicate that it has been sub-divided,” he said.
He said another piece of land was grabbed by a powerful individual in the Kanu government and later sold it to a foreigner who is currently undertaking horticulture and floriculture farming to the detriment of Kenyans since it was being used for research on Sahiwal cattle, sheep and goats.
The parcels know as Top Farm I and Top Farm II (LR 5210 and LR 5211) which belongs to the institute are presently being claimed by several senior government officials through a group of fraudsters calling themselves Isahakia self-help group.
In 2011, Kalro sued these fraudsters and an order was issued to them by High Court judges sitting in Nakuru, to either vacate the government land or be evicted.
“These senior government officials, some of whom served under Kibaki administration and still serving in the Jubilee government have continued to harass government workers. Recently, they sent tractors to plough 50 acres of government land but they were repulsed by our guards,” Lanyasunya revealed.
The director disclosed that despite many court orders issued ordering the fraudsters to vacate the land, responsible local government arms (regular and administration police) have failed to take action. The institute is now contemplating of writing to the Inspector General of Police and cabinet secretary Joseph Lenku for intervention. Those obstructing the action within Nakuru county are very well known to the institute.
The same group is said to have tried in vain to lay claim to parcels of land belonging to Naivasha Maximum Security GK Prison and Naivasha KWS but were sent away by the armed officers based there.
“Prison and KWS land was saved because the officers are armed and were able to repulse them. In our case, we only have unarmed guards. In many occasions, the invaders are escorted by armed administration police thereby making it easy for them to access government property,” he said of the predicaments the institute has been undergoing.
“If this is not stopped, the country will suffer irreparable damage in terms of a loss of scientific hub aimed at enabling the country attain itself self-sufficiency in food and employment creation, in line with Vision 2030. It is very important to underscore the fact that, research is the pride of any country and without it, it cannot develop. Based on this premise, Kalro research is the backbone of Kenyan agriculture by extension the overall economy of our country,” he reiterated.
Lanyasunya wants the Jubilee government to implement 2011 report by Parliamentary Select Committee on Public Investment which recommended the revocation of title deeds under the hands of individuals for the parcels of land that belongs to Kalro in Naivasha.
The committee, then chaired by Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi visited the area on May 30 2011 and recommended action be taken against those behind grabbing of the land saying research is vital for realisation of any meaningful development in the country.
The grabbing of the parcels has also put into jeopardy plans to implement a Sh2.5 billion World Bank project of setting up an ultra-modern research centre of excellence for East Africa in the area.
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Sunday, 2 November 2014
RUTO ALLIES OUSTED IN NANDI COUNTY COMMITTEES
Four members of Nandi county assembly sympathetic to Deputy President William Ruto have been dropped from leadership of county assembly committees following a stormy daylong session that almost culminated into a fistfight.
The quartet has been at loggerheads with their colleagues for campaigning against the Pesa Mashinani drive by the Governors Forum. Among the casualties are Orthodox Church clergy Thomas Maritim whose labour committee was disbanded and merged with that of sports and athletics, Kilibwoni ward rep Mark George who was demoted from chairman of trade, tourism and cooperative committee to a deputy, Kabisaga ward rep Baruch Suge who was switched from the justice and legal affairs committee and Kipkirui Chepkwony who was shown the door following longstanding differences with the assembly members. They are among 15 members in the 50 member assembly who worked round the clock in dissuading their colleagues from the push against a referendum.
Suge’s political takeoff was stifled by a by-election last year after an election loser moved to court in attempt to overturn his election by citing irregularities while an assembly member who did not want to reveal much said that Chepkwony had to endure the wrath of assembly members after he pocketed some lunch money donated by Ruto sometimes back when he visited Chemise location for a school and church fundraisers.
The anonymous assembly member claimed that Chepkwony had displayed arrogance by belittling fellow members because of his education and proximity to national leadership. According to the effected changes, Nobert Maiyo from Sang’alo ward replaces Chepkwony as the new chairman of health committee, Daniel Maiyo will chair the education committee after dislodging Julius Menjo who has been relegated to a newly formed but less lucrative committee on records and library while celebrated track star Amos Korir will chair lands committee as Koyo Ndurio assembly member Ng’etich will chair committee on equal opportunities. Chepkwony was retained as an ordinary committee member but slightly appeased by being elected the chairman of newly formed broadcast and media committee as a consolation. United democratic forum nominated member Consolata Rop was elected education committee vice chair, nominated member Kiptoo Koros was elected as the new justice and legal affairs committee to replace Suge who stormed out of the assembly after he was defeated. Assembly speaker who had some days before the rearrangement opposed to the changes was threatened with impeachment from a section of members who keen on reshuffle.
The quartet has been at loggerheads with their colleagues for campaigning against the Pesa Mashinani drive by the Governors Forum. Among the casualties are Orthodox Church clergy Thomas Maritim whose labour committee was disbanded and merged with that of sports and athletics, Kilibwoni ward rep Mark George who was demoted from chairman of trade, tourism and cooperative committee to a deputy, Kabisaga ward rep Baruch Suge who was switched from the justice and legal affairs committee and Kipkirui Chepkwony who was shown the door following longstanding differences with the assembly members. They are among 15 members in the 50 member assembly who worked round the clock in dissuading their colleagues from the push against a referendum.
Suge’s political takeoff was stifled by a by-election last year after an election loser moved to court in attempt to overturn his election by citing irregularities while an assembly member who did not want to reveal much said that Chepkwony had to endure the wrath of assembly members after he pocketed some lunch money donated by Ruto sometimes back when he visited Chemise location for a school and church fundraisers.
The anonymous assembly member claimed that Chepkwony had displayed arrogance by belittling fellow members because of his education and proximity to national leadership. According to the effected changes, Nobert Maiyo from Sang’alo ward replaces Chepkwony as the new chairman of health committee, Daniel Maiyo will chair the education committee after dislodging Julius Menjo who has been relegated to a newly formed but less lucrative committee on records and library while celebrated track star Amos Korir will chair lands committee as Koyo Ndurio assembly member Ng’etich will chair committee on equal opportunities. Chepkwony was retained as an ordinary committee member but slightly appeased by being elected the chairman of newly formed broadcast and media committee as a consolation. United democratic forum nominated member Consolata Rop was elected education committee vice chair, nominated member Kiptoo Koros was elected as the new justice and legal affairs committee to replace Suge who stormed out of the assembly after he was defeated. Assembly speaker who had some days before the rearrangement opposed to the changes was threatened with impeachment from a section of members who keen on reshuffle.
CLAIMS ANGW'ENYI IS ARMTWISTING SENATOR TO PART WITH SALARY
Authorities in Parliament are pursuing allegations that a member of the National Assembly from Kisii county could be earning two salaries indirectly courtesy of a young inactive senator he hired from his rural constituency and sneaked into the Senate last year.
Sources claim that Kitutu Chache North TNA MP Jimmy Angwenyi has been pocketing his own salary and that of youth representation nominated senator Hosea Onchwangi also of TNA for merely being his godfather.
According to the sources, the outspoken MP sneaked in Senator Onchwang’i after the TNA gave Kisii county the opportunity to nominate a youth to the senate in an effort to endear itself to the Abagusii community.
It is said the MP grabbed the opportunity on the argument that having been the only MP elected directly on the party’s ticket in the county and region, he was best placed to protect TNA interests than his colleagues who had lost at the 2013 polls.
But on getting the nod, the MP defied all attempts at negotiating the deal with all the TNA and friendly politicians in Kisii but instead went underground in a clandestine hunt for a user friendly and youth he could manipulate and use in the Senate. But in the deal to bag the most appropriate nominee, he is sneaked in his direct personal financial interest.
After trying many options, the MP settled on young Onhwang’i, who is claimed to semi-literate from his home area who promised to be loyal and his foot soldier in the senate including giving him over 50pc of his monthly salary and other emoluments as payback for the favour of nominations.
The investigations into the nomination and salary fraud are coming following an outcry that the senator is a deadwood who is yet to make any statement in the senate since being nominated early last year. There are also allegations that he is always only available to vote but never make any tangible contribution even during senate committee deliberations.
In one incident while in a symposium for continental youth leaders in South Africa in mid this year, the MP ducked and pretended to have fallen asleep and avoided giving his official presentation one afternoon while he knew about the moment in advance. It was embarrassing to the Kenyan delegation that was headed by URP senator Kipchumba Murkomen who ended up stepping in to save the situation.
The sources in parliament say that it is a rare kind of fraud which means that the senate seat is not serving its purpose and that it is illegal for an MP to receive two salaries either directly or indirectly.
Besides, Ang’wenyi is being accused back in Kisii of letting down the community in this regard by nominating an unschooled senator who is unable to perform the job, yet the seat should have gone to the many well learned Abagusii youths who would have served well and open up more chances for the community to be getting similar and many more opportunities to serve the county,
Meanwhile, our sources claimed that MP is ever engaged in following the senator all over the place in Nairobi to collect any allowances the senator gets and in the evenings, he sits himself in bars and clubs in the city thus giving lip service to their main job in parliament and Senate. He is mostly at Tamambo at Karen Blixen in Karen.
Sources claim that Kitutu Chache North TNA MP Jimmy Angwenyi has been pocketing his own salary and that of youth representation nominated senator Hosea Onchwangi also of TNA for merely being his godfather.
According to the sources, the outspoken MP sneaked in Senator Onchwang’i after the TNA gave Kisii county the opportunity to nominate a youth to the senate in an effort to endear itself to the Abagusii community.
It is said the MP grabbed the opportunity on the argument that having been the only MP elected directly on the party’s ticket in the county and region, he was best placed to protect TNA interests than his colleagues who had lost at the 2013 polls.
But on getting the nod, the MP defied all attempts at negotiating the deal with all the TNA and friendly politicians in Kisii but instead went underground in a clandestine hunt for a user friendly and youth he could manipulate and use in the Senate. But in the deal to bag the most appropriate nominee, he is sneaked in his direct personal financial interest.
After trying many options, the MP settled on young Onhwang’i, who is claimed to semi-literate from his home area who promised to be loyal and his foot soldier in the senate including giving him over 50pc of his monthly salary and other emoluments as payback for the favour of nominations.
The investigations into the nomination and salary fraud are coming following an outcry that the senator is a deadwood who is yet to make any statement in the senate since being nominated early last year. There are also allegations that he is always only available to vote but never make any tangible contribution even during senate committee deliberations.
In one incident while in a symposium for continental youth leaders in South Africa in mid this year, the MP ducked and pretended to have fallen asleep and avoided giving his official presentation one afternoon while he knew about the moment in advance. It was embarrassing to the Kenyan delegation that was headed by URP senator Kipchumba Murkomen who ended up stepping in to save the situation.
The sources in parliament say that it is a rare kind of fraud which means that the senate seat is not serving its purpose and that it is illegal for an MP to receive two salaries either directly or indirectly.
Besides, Ang’wenyi is being accused back in Kisii of letting down the community in this regard by nominating an unschooled senator who is unable to perform the job, yet the seat should have gone to the many well learned Abagusii youths who would have served well and open up more chances for the community to be getting similar and many more opportunities to serve the county,
Meanwhile, our sources claimed that MP is ever engaged in following the senator all over the place in Nairobi to collect any allowances the senator gets and in the evenings, he sits himself in bars and clubs in the city thus giving lip service to their main job in parliament and Senate. He is mostly at Tamambo at Karen Blixen in Karen.
UWEZO FUND DIRTY POLITICS IN MALAVA
Only 128 youths and women groups from Malava constituency of Kakamega North district in Kakamega county qualified to be awarded Sh12,750,000 out of the Sh21,858,995 million the constituency received from Uwezo Fund. The issue has raised eyebrows with those left out openly complaining bitterly.
They say area MP Moses Injendi was instrumental in having youths and women groups from his political support base considered while those perceived to be opposed to his style of leadership were left out.
According to a source close to the funds secretary general Roseline Naliaka, more than 650 forms were given to various groups from the constituency but only 229 forms were returned for vetting out of which only 128 will be awarded loans after meeting the laid down fund rules.
Apart from politics, among the other issues that locked outmost of the groups was failure to follow the laid down procedures in group formation where some groups membership was below 10, the minimum number required while others violated laws in election of group officials as other groups were defaulters in past funds such as poverty funds and other youth funds.
Malava constituency consists of seven wards, West Kabras, South, and East, Manda/Shivanga, Butali/Chegulo, Chemuche and Mugai/Shirugu wards.
They say area MP Moses Injendi was instrumental in having youths and women groups from his political support base considered while those perceived to be opposed to his style of leadership were left out.
According to a source close to the funds secretary general Roseline Naliaka, more than 650 forms were given to various groups from the constituency but only 229 forms were returned for vetting out of which only 128 will be awarded loans after meeting the laid down fund rules.
Apart from politics, among the other issues that locked outmost of the groups was failure to follow the laid down procedures in group formation where some groups membership was below 10, the minimum number required while others violated laws in election of group officials as other groups were defaulters in past funds such as poverty funds and other youth funds.
Malava constituency consists of seven wards, West Kabras, South, and East, Manda/Shivanga, Butali/Chegulo, Chemuche and Mugai/Shirugu wards.
TRANS NZOIA ELDERS FEAR THEY WILL DIE BEFORE GETTING THEIR LAND
Three elders in Trans Nzoia county who were robbed 600 acres of land due illiteracy have appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to assist them to get back their land before they die.
The elders William Kuto (95), Kimagut Muigei (95) and Dickson Tuwei (85) said that they were conned their 600 acres of land in Chepchoina farm in 1970s by their late secretary Micah Shikule without their knowledge.
Also being petitioned is Lands minister Charity Ngilu and Mohammed Swazuri of National Lands Commission.
Speaking to Weekly Citizen, the elders said that they jointly bought the land from Agricultural Development Corporation at Sh 176,000 with the late Shikule who was the company’s secretary.
They said that according to the records, Shikule who was also a former lands officer took advantage of their illiteracy and obtained ownership of the 600 acres of land LR No 8164 in his name.
They said that the members rewarded Shikule with 100 acres of land when he assisted them to register the parcel noting that when the land was purchased, they did not settle in it immediately because it was leased to Kenya Seed Company as they waited to raise the balance.
Kuto who is the spokesman of the company said that the late Shikule sold the land to the late Joseph Kezia and his wife displacing them and his other 152 newly recruited members.
They said that the land was registered in the name of (KUSHIM) meaning Kuto, Shikule and Muigei) but it remained having the same No 8164. He later changed it on his referenced letter No L/1971/285 which were transferred through Ransley Philip Advocates.
“Shikule registered the land in his name without our knowledge and sold it to Joseph Kezia a former lecturer who was in London by that time,” Kuto said.
He said that after making the transactions, Shikule kept hiding from other members as they tried to get the truth on the matter of their land.
“We later met him and he declared that we had no land claiming that the only thing he could do for us was to refund our money,” Kuto said adding that they reported the matter to then district officer of Saboti division.
Kuto said that the DO wrote a letter ref: PT 9/1/Vol 1/27 dated on 10-3-1980 to Shikule summoning him to his office in order to explain what had transpired over the land in dispute.
Kuto further said that they went to Trans Nzoia Land Control Board on June 12 1980 at Kenya Farmers Association Kitale before proceeding up to Rift Valley Land Control Board.
He said that after hearing the case, the principal commission wrote a letter to the acting Trans Nzoia DC Mutua Kaluka instructing him that the members should be given back their portion as per letter ref: T&C6/6/1/1Vol.XV1/112 dated 11/12/1984 but all has been in vain to date.
It was revealed that on February 27 1985 the members went for arbitration meeting at the district commissioner’s office in Kitale where it was agreed that although Shikule had conned them, they should accept him back as their member but the land should be subdivided by six to enable him get 100 acres of land.
Kuto said that when Shikule realised that he was on the wrong, he sold the 600 acres of land to Joseph Kezia and Kezia Kakai adding that the two sued the members after receiving ownership of the land as per civil case 207 of 1983.
“I received a letter ref: LND 16/1/1/VOLXLV1/ (56) dated September 5 2009 advising the DC Trans Nzoia to settle them in the land and later lodged a case in court against Joseph Kezia Kakai who is the partner in the disputed property.
Some of the senior government officers who were informed about the matter since it began in 1970s include former permanent secretary in the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, former director of CID Noah Arap Too, anti corruption and former Rift Valley provincial commissioner Yusuf Haji and Lands registrar.
Others were former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and William Ruto when he took over the office after the 2013 general elections.
Investigations carried out by Weekly Citizen revealed that the 600 acres of land has been sold to the government and already more than 2, 000 IDPs have been settled there despite the fact that the matter is still in court.
The elders William Kuto (95), Kimagut Muigei (95) and Dickson Tuwei (85) said that they were conned their 600 acres of land in Chepchoina farm in 1970s by their late secretary Micah Shikule without their knowledge.
Also being petitioned is Lands minister Charity Ngilu and Mohammed Swazuri of National Lands Commission.
Speaking to Weekly Citizen, the elders said that they jointly bought the land from Agricultural Development Corporation at Sh 176,000 with the late Shikule who was the company’s secretary.
They said that according to the records, Shikule who was also a former lands officer took advantage of their illiteracy and obtained ownership of the 600 acres of land LR No 8164 in his name.
They said that the members rewarded Shikule with 100 acres of land when he assisted them to register the parcel noting that when the land was purchased, they did not settle in it immediately because it was leased to Kenya Seed Company as they waited to raise the balance.
Kuto who is the spokesman of the company said that the late Shikule sold the land to the late Joseph Kezia and his wife displacing them and his other 152 newly recruited members.
They said that the land was registered in the name of (KUSHIM) meaning Kuto, Shikule and Muigei) but it remained having the same No 8164. He later changed it on his referenced letter No L/1971/285 which were transferred through Ransley Philip Advocates.
“Shikule registered the land in his name without our knowledge and sold it to Joseph Kezia a former lecturer who was in London by that time,” Kuto said.
He said that after making the transactions, Shikule kept hiding from other members as they tried to get the truth on the matter of their land.
“We later met him and he declared that we had no land claiming that the only thing he could do for us was to refund our money,” Kuto said adding that they reported the matter to then district officer of Saboti division.
Kuto said that the DO wrote a letter ref: PT 9/1/Vol 1/27 dated on 10-3-1980 to Shikule summoning him to his office in order to explain what had transpired over the land in dispute.
Kuto further said that they went to Trans Nzoia Land Control Board on June 12 1980 at Kenya Farmers Association Kitale before proceeding up to Rift Valley Land Control Board.
He said that after hearing the case, the principal commission wrote a letter to the acting Trans Nzoia DC Mutua Kaluka instructing him that the members should be given back their portion as per letter ref: T&C6/6/1/1Vol.XV1/112 dated 11/12/1984 but all has been in vain to date.
It was revealed that on February 27 1985 the members went for arbitration meeting at the district commissioner’s office in Kitale where it was agreed that although Shikule had conned them, they should accept him back as their member but the land should be subdivided by six to enable him get 100 acres of land.
Kuto said that when Shikule realised that he was on the wrong, he sold the 600 acres of land to Joseph Kezia and Kezia Kakai adding that the two sued the members after receiving ownership of the land as per civil case 207 of 1983.
“I received a letter ref: LND 16/1/1/VOLXLV1/ (56) dated September 5 2009 advising the DC Trans Nzoia to settle them in the land and later lodged a case in court against Joseph Kezia Kakai who is the partner in the disputed property.
Some of the senior government officers who were informed about the matter since it began in 1970s include former permanent secretary in the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, former director of CID Noah Arap Too, anti corruption and former Rift Valley provincial commissioner Yusuf Haji and Lands registrar.
Others were former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and William Ruto when he took over the office after the 2013 general elections.
Investigations carried out by Weekly Citizen revealed that the 600 acres of land has been sold to the government and already more than 2, 000 IDPs have been settled there despite the fact that the matter is still in court.
KISUMU SCRIBES FIGHT FOR SPACE IN TOWN
A man masquerading as a journalist has taken Kisumu town by storm given the manner in which he invokes names of senior police officers in the country to instill fear in local police whenever he wants to extort from them.
The quack scribe has become the talk of the town as journalists and a section of police officers have questioned his way of operation where he confidently invokes the names of top security officers with an aim of gaining favours and respect among regional police officers and the locals.
Names of Interior CS Joseph Ole Lenku, Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo and that of Grace Kaindi are among the names the man has frequently invoked to intimidate local police officers and other unsuspecting prominent personalities in an attempt to gain favour from his victims.
The crook has fashioned himself as the only journalist’ in the region charged with filing direct intelligence reports to the offices of Ole Lenku and those of other senior security officers based at Vigilance House, a move that has made him become a powerful individual in the corridors of Kisumu Police Station and Kisumu in general.
Sources privy to his operation say that the ever shabbily dressed quack walks around with fake press card confirming that he is a correspondent attached to the defunct, The Truth Weekly newspaper which was owned by a Gor Semelang’o.
It is also reported that the smooth-talking man has devised a way of accessing phone numbers of senior police officers and will always send an SMS to the numbers identifying himself as a member of the Fourth Estate only to use responses from those numbers in confirming to his unsuspecting victims that indeed he is close to the chief security officers and enjoys private communication with them.
It is not clear whether Semelang’o is aware of the existence of a man who is using his company’s name with to extort money from members of the public.
One of his baffling ways of operations is intimidating traffic cops in seeking release of vehicles towed to the police station with traffic offences only for him to go round and pocket money from the vehicles’ owners.
Recently, there was a drama at the traffic department when he threatened to write what he termed as “a bad report’’ against the deputy traffic base commander after confusion ensued when he had gone to demand for the release of a Tuk-Tuk that was towed to the police station after a road accident.
An outcry has come from other departmental heads in the county who have been intimidated by a man whose chief intention is to fleece news sources.
In another baffling scenario, the journalist made an assurance to the recently transferred Kisumu OCS when he walked to his office and told him to ignore his transfer letter on allegations that he had handled his case with the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo who promised to revoke the transfer.
It was until last minute that the OCS who had banked all his hopes on the journalist discovered that he had been duped by the man who even bid him goodbye in his last day in the office but with the assurance that the officer will soon be brought back in Kisumu.
The OCS was among the top officers who were concurrently sent packing in transfers targetted at the regional top officers at the height of soaring criminal activities in the region after it emerged that some rogue officers were colluding with criminals to terrorise Kisumu residents.
Another sector where the man is said to have enjoyed free services by virtue of his fake position is entertainment as investigations reveal that he frequently walks into night clubs, threatens club owners and prostitutes with “bad report” in exchange of free beers.
The con artist in a bid to remain steps a head of security promptly registered his safaricom line under false information and any money sent to him would always reflect his fake name as opposed to his official name.
Local journalists union under the umbrella Kisumu Journalists Network have disowned the man said to be tainting the image of the profession and has called for a stern action taken against him.
“Recently, I was baffled to be informed by part of my sources who called me with messages of quick recovery when the said quack walked into their offices and claimed good amount of money to pay as my hospital bill after he cheated I had been knocked by a vehicle. That was a real lie I have never been knocked by a vehicle and I am as fit as a fiddle,’’ said the journalist in total embarrassment.
The quack scribe has become the talk of the town as journalists and a section of police officers have questioned his way of operation where he confidently invokes the names of top security officers with an aim of gaining favours and respect among regional police officers and the locals.
Names of Interior CS Joseph Ole Lenku, Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo and that of Grace Kaindi are among the names the man has frequently invoked to intimidate local police officers and other unsuspecting prominent personalities in an attempt to gain favour from his victims.
The crook has fashioned himself as the only journalist’ in the region charged with filing direct intelligence reports to the offices of Ole Lenku and those of other senior security officers based at Vigilance House, a move that has made him become a powerful individual in the corridors of Kisumu Police Station and Kisumu in general.
Sources privy to his operation say that the ever shabbily dressed quack walks around with fake press card confirming that he is a correspondent attached to the defunct, The Truth Weekly newspaper which was owned by a Gor Semelang’o.
It is also reported that the smooth-talking man has devised a way of accessing phone numbers of senior police officers and will always send an SMS to the numbers identifying himself as a member of the Fourth Estate only to use responses from those numbers in confirming to his unsuspecting victims that indeed he is close to the chief security officers and enjoys private communication with them.
It is not clear whether Semelang’o is aware of the existence of a man who is using his company’s name with to extort money from members of the public.
One of his baffling ways of operations is intimidating traffic cops in seeking release of vehicles towed to the police station with traffic offences only for him to go round and pocket money from the vehicles’ owners.
Recently, there was a drama at the traffic department when he threatened to write what he termed as “a bad report’’ against the deputy traffic base commander after confusion ensued when he had gone to demand for the release of a Tuk-Tuk that was towed to the police station after a road accident.
An outcry has come from other departmental heads in the county who have been intimidated by a man whose chief intention is to fleece news sources.
In another baffling scenario, the journalist made an assurance to the recently transferred Kisumu OCS when he walked to his office and told him to ignore his transfer letter on allegations that he had handled his case with the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo who promised to revoke the transfer.
It was until last minute that the OCS who had banked all his hopes on the journalist discovered that he had been duped by the man who even bid him goodbye in his last day in the office but with the assurance that the officer will soon be brought back in Kisumu.
The OCS was among the top officers who were concurrently sent packing in transfers targetted at the regional top officers at the height of soaring criminal activities in the region after it emerged that some rogue officers were colluding with criminals to terrorise Kisumu residents.
Another sector where the man is said to have enjoyed free services by virtue of his fake position is entertainment as investigations reveal that he frequently walks into night clubs, threatens club owners and prostitutes with “bad report” in exchange of free beers.
The con artist in a bid to remain steps a head of security promptly registered his safaricom line under false information and any money sent to him would always reflect his fake name as opposed to his official name.
Local journalists union under the umbrella Kisumu Journalists Network have disowned the man said to be tainting the image of the profession and has called for a stern action taken against him.
“Recently, I was baffled to be informed by part of my sources who called me with messages of quick recovery when the said quack walked into their offices and claimed good amount of money to pay as my hospital bill after he cheated I had been knocked by a vehicle. That was a real lie I have never been knocked by a vehicle and I am as fit as a fiddle,’’ said the journalist in total embarrassment.
WHY NAKURU NORTH DISTRICT HQ PROJECT STALLED
The Auditor General’s report for the year 2012-2013 reveals that the construction of the Nakuru North district headquarters stalled after a contractor abandoned the site over claims of nonpayment for work already accomplished.
According to the report, on June 6 2013, the district commissioner, Nakuru North entered into a contract with a local building and civil engineering company to construct the headquarters of the newly created Nakuru North district at a contract sum of Sh40,486,860 for duration of 28 weeks ending in January 2014.
The payment records revealed that the contractor was paid a total of Sh7,713,705 on June 29 2013 for the first and second certificates. A fee note for Sh13,560,000 dated October 28 2013 in respect of certificate No 3 had not been settled.
Physical verification of the project on March 27 2014 established that the building was approximately 55pc complete but the contractor was not on site and no work was going on. Further enquiries however, revealed that the contactor had abandoned the project due to nonpayment for the work already done. It was also noted that in 2012/2013, the only funding received for the project was Sh8 million. Under the circumstances, it is apparent that the project has stalled and the funds already spent may go to waste. Due to escalation of costs, more funds may be required to revive the project.
According to the report, on June 6 2013, the district commissioner, Nakuru North entered into a contract with a local building and civil engineering company to construct the headquarters of the newly created Nakuru North district at a contract sum of Sh40,486,860 for duration of 28 weeks ending in January 2014.
The payment records revealed that the contractor was paid a total of Sh7,713,705 on June 29 2013 for the first and second certificates. A fee note for Sh13,560,000 dated October 28 2013 in respect of certificate No 3 had not been settled.
Physical verification of the project on March 27 2014 established that the building was approximately 55pc complete but the contractor was not on site and no work was going on. Further enquiries however, revealed that the contactor had abandoned the project due to nonpayment for the work already done. It was also noted that in 2012/2013, the only funding received for the project was Sh8 million. Under the circumstances, it is apparent that the project has stalled and the funds already spent may go to waste. Due to escalation of costs, more funds may be required to revive the project.
CLAIMS THAT NAROK NORTH MP HAS DESERTED ELECTORATES
Narok North constituency MP Moitalel ole Kenta has come under bashing for allegedly running away from his electorate with some vowing to teach him a political lesson come 2017 general elections.
Some of the constituents claimed the MP has drastically turned out to be unreachable by his electorate with some narrating how they have desperately tried in vain to reach him since he was elected sitting MP after he cut short political career of the elderly and Maasai longserving spokesman William Ole Ntimama.
One furious constituent from the MP’s Naisuya village while biting his hand finger in anger told Weekly Citizen how he has desperately tried to reach his neighbour, the MP, in his Narok town residence for the last two years without success. .
“Effort to inquire information from his CDF office staff in Narok town allegedly worsened his mood when some staff rudely turned him away before they banged the door behind him,’’ explained the MP’s rural home neighbour.
As some electorate accused the MP of having deserted them and changed his earlier friendly approach, others are said to be busy shopping for his possible replacement in the next elections.
The names of longtime Ntimama political enemy Sileila ole Mwanik and the current Narok town MCA Benard Ole Torome are being floated for possible consideration if Kenta fails to read the writing on the wall and change tact and his attitude. They claimed that his decision to keep off from the area Governor Samuel ole Tunai has worsened his political career because meaningful development projects cannot take place in his constituency without a united teamwork between the two.
Kenta who is the only MP from the county elected on TNA ticket since his election to Parliament in a hotly contested political battle between him and Ntimama has never shared platform with the governor or other MPs all elected on URP tickets despite being in the ruling Jubilee coalition. He has on many occasions bragged to be too close to the president.
Many elites who some lost their jobs to support Kenta are today desperately for the jobs the MP allegedly promised to push for them using his close association with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Some from Purko clan known political allies of Kenta claimed their jobless status was courtesy to authoritative and combative approach to issues by the MP to Narok government administration and pleaded with him to change so that they could be considered for employment alongside others in view of the fact that they have the required qualifications. Kenta is a renowned Nairobi lawyer with offices on Bruce House.
They asked Ole Mwanik and Torome to start parking their political bags ready to crisscross the constituency as they respond to public demand for a change in the area leadership.
Effort to get comment from the MP on the alleged desertion from his electorate was futile after his two mobile phones went unanswered for several times.
Some of the constituents claimed the MP has drastically turned out to be unreachable by his electorate with some narrating how they have desperately tried in vain to reach him since he was elected sitting MP after he cut short political career of the elderly and Maasai longserving spokesman William Ole Ntimama.
One furious constituent from the MP’s Naisuya village while biting his hand finger in anger told Weekly Citizen how he has desperately tried to reach his neighbour, the MP, in his Narok town residence for the last two years without success. .
“Effort to inquire information from his CDF office staff in Narok town allegedly worsened his mood when some staff rudely turned him away before they banged the door behind him,’’ explained the MP’s rural home neighbour.
As some electorate accused the MP of having deserted them and changed his earlier friendly approach, others are said to be busy shopping for his possible replacement in the next elections.
The names of longtime Ntimama political enemy Sileila ole Mwanik and the current Narok town MCA Benard Ole Torome are being floated for possible consideration if Kenta fails to read the writing on the wall and change tact and his attitude. They claimed that his decision to keep off from the area Governor Samuel ole Tunai has worsened his political career because meaningful development projects cannot take place in his constituency without a united teamwork between the two.
Kenta who is the only MP from the county elected on TNA ticket since his election to Parliament in a hotly contested political battle between him and Ntimama has never shared platform with the governor or other MPs all elected on URP tickets despite being in the ruling Jubilee coalition. He has on many occasions bragged to be too close to the president.
Many elites who some lost their jobs to support Kenta are today desperately for the jobs the MP allegedly promised to push for them using his close association with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Some from Purko clan known political allies of Kenta claimed their jobless status was courtesy to authoritative and combative approach to issues by the MP to Narok government administration and pleaded with him to change so that they could be considered for employment alongside others in view of the fact that they have the required qualifications. Kenta is a renowned Nairobi lawyer with offices on Bruce House.
They asked Ole Mwanik and Torome to start parking their political bags ready to crisscross the constituency as they respond to public demand for a change in the area leadership.
Effort to get comment from the MP on the alleged desertion from his electorate was futile after his two mobile phones went unanswered for several times.
SIAYA BOXING RING SAGA KNOCKS OUT ASSOCIATION
Officials of Siaya County Amateur Boxing Association have said corruption messed the association’s plan to have a boxing ring, and want Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter.
In a press statement, the officials accused three of their members and Alego/Usonga CDF committee members of colluding to embezzle part of the money allocated for the construction of the boxing ring.
Former Alego/Usonga MP Edwin Yinda approved Sh298,000 from area CDF in 2012 for the construction of the ring and purchase of equipment, the statement stated.
From the amount, Sh260,000 was for the ring Sh39,000 for gloves, mouth guards, shoes uniforms and emergencies.
It was further stated the plan was shattered when three of the members allegedly colluded with CDF officials to withdraw the money from a bank and shared half of it among themselves.
With the remaining amount, the statement said, a substandard boxing ring was made at the home of the assistant coach Joseph Ochieng’.
George Ondugu who won the tender to construct the ring said he was not given the work but he later learned that someone else had done it.
An approved quotation copy Ondugu showed the press indicated that a standard professional boxing ring measures 20 x 20 feet and is made of high density cushions, block boards, leather and special elastic ropes. In addition, it should have executive chairs.
Sicaba secretary William Ochieng who is boxer Conjestina Achieng’s elder brother said the ring which was made measured 17 feet square, and is made of waste timber planks, veneer, poles and sisal ropes.
Ochieng said the association officials read mischief in how the CDF committee changed the decision about the ring. The committee initially promised to use the money to make the ring then hand it over. A letter dated November 7 2012 signed by the CDF account manager, Malaki Magero stated in part, “remain patient as CDF does the purchase and assembling of the boxing ring, which will be handed over to you after completion”.
Two weeks later, the committee said the association should tender for the work, and be given the money to pay the contractor. “The tendering was done, and Ondugu emerged the winner out of five applicants,” said the secretary.
Sicaba officials alleged they only heard later that the money had been sent to a certain bank account and was withdrawn by some of their members and a Mr Odipo.
Magero, the CDF account manager, said the money was released after three members went to his office purporting to represent the association.
The association wanted a professional boxing ring to save them the cost of hiring one from Kisumu for Sh10,000 per day for competitions and to be a source of income as it hoped to attract the hosting of tournaments.
Now Sicaba wants the EACC to intervene in the matter to help recover the money that will be used to construct a professional ring as was planned. “Our attempts to seek justice from the police, the current area MP, and the Siaya county government have all failed,” said the association secretary.
In a press statement, the officials accused three of their members and Alego/Usonga CDF committee members of colluding to embezzle part of the money allocated for the construction of the boxing ring.
Former Alego/Usonga MP Edwin Yinda approved Sh298,000 from area CDF in 2012 for the construction of the ring and purchase of equipment, the statement stated.
From the amount, Sh260,000 was for the ring Sh39,000 for gloves, mouth guards, shoes uniforms and emergencies.
It was further stated the plan was shattered when three of the members allegedly colluded with CDF officials to withdraw the money from a bank and shared half of it among themselves.
With the remaining amount, the statement said, a substandard boxing ring was made at the home of the assistant coach Joseph Ochieng’.
George Ondugu who won the tender to construct the ring said he was not given the work but he later learned that someone else had done it.
An approved quotation copy Ondugu showed the press indicated that a standard professional boxing ring measures 20 x 20 feet and is made of high density cushions, block boards, leather and special elastic ropes. In addition, it should have executive chairs.
Sicaba secretary William Ochieng who is boxer Conjestina Achieng’s elder brother said the ring which was made measured 17 feet square, and is made of waste timber planks, veneer, poles and sisal ropes.
Ochieng said the association officials read mischief in how the CDF committee changed the decision about the ring. The committee initially promised to use the money to make the ring then hand it over. A letter dated November 7 2012 signed by the CDF account manager, Malaki Magero stated in part, “remain patient as CDF does the purchase and assembling of the boxing ring, which will be handed over to you after completion”.
Two weeks later, the committee said the association should tender for the work, and be given the money to pay the contractor. “The tendering was done, and Ondugu emerged the winner out of five applicants,” said the secretary.
Sicaba officials alleged they only heard later that the money had been sent to a certain bank account and was withdrawn by some of their members and a Mr Odipo.
Magero, the CDF account manager, said the money was released after three members went to his office purporting to represent the association.
The association wanted a professional boxing ring to save them the cost of hiring one from Kisumu for Sh10,000 per day for competitions and to be a source of income as it hoped to attract the hosting of tournaments.
Now Sicaba wants the EACC to intervene in the matter to help recover the money that will be used to construct a professional ring as was planned. “Our attempts to seek justice from the police, the current area MP, and the Siaya county government have all failed,” said the association secretary.
COURT LENIENT TO HUSBAND WHO STABBED WIFE AFTER BURST
Family members broke into tears of joy in a Thika court after a 51-year-old man charged with stabbing his wife of 24 years with a knife was released from custody and asked to be reporting to the local probation office for the next two years for supervision.
The accused Joseph Mwangi was charged that on August 20 this year at Kimorori village in Murang’a county, he stabbed his wife Susan Wangechi on her left shoulder after a domestic quarrel causing her grivous injuries.
Appearing before the Thika Principal Magistrate Walter Onchuru, the accused had pleaded guilty to the charge but admitted that he engaged into a fight with his wife when he got home to find his wife of 24 years with another man in bed.
The accused in his mitigation told the court that he had travelled home from his duty station in Nairobi after news reached him that his secondary school daughter had been sent home from school for lack of school fees yet he had sent money for her school fees but on reaching home, he found his wife with a man.
The accused who was unrepresented told the court that the relationship between him and his wife was strained and they had temporarily separated after he found her with yet another man 2007. They had reconciled last year but it appears it was an exercise in futility.
Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Francis Kimani told the court that the accused, on the material day had arrived home at around 1.00 am and found his wife with a man on their matrimonial bed. In a fit of anger, he stabbed his wife several times with a kitchen knife injuring her seriously.
Neighbours answering to the distress call saved the complainant and rushed her to Kenol Hospital where she was admitted in a serious but stable condition.
The magistrate, while making the ruling, said that the man was greatly provoked by the action of his wife and probation report indicated that he was a peaceful man who loved his family. He was driven by extreme anger to commit the crime that saw him appear before court.
“I therefore release the accused but he should report to the nearest probation office for the next two years for supervision,” he ruled.
The accused Joseph Mwangi was charged that on August 20 this year at Kimorori village in Murang’a county, he stabbed his wife Susan Wangechi on her left shoulder after a domestic quarrel causing her grivous injuries.
Appearing before the Thika Principal Magistrate Walter Onchuru, the accused had pleaded guilty to the charge but admitted that he engaged into a fight with his wife when he got home to find his wife of 24 years with another man in bed.
The accused in his mitigation told the court that he had travelled home from his duty station in Nairobi after news reached him that his secondary school daughter had been sent home from school for lack of school fees yet he had sent money for her school fees but on reaching home, he found his wife with a man.
The accused who was unrepresented told the court that the relationship between him and his wife was strained and they had temporarily separated after he found her with yet another man 2007. They had reconciled last year but it appears it was an exercise in futility.
Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Francis Kimani told the court that the accused, on the material day had arrived home at around 1.00 am and found his wife with a man on their matrimonial bed. In a fit of anger, he stabbed his wife several times with a kitchen knife injuring her seriously.
Neighbours answering to the distress call saved the complainant and rushed her to Kenol Hospital where she was admitted in a serious but stable condition.
The magistrate, while making the ruling, said that the man was greatly provoked by the action of his wife and probation report indicated that he was a peaceful man who loved his family. He was driven by extreme anger to commit the crime that saw him appear before court.
“I therefore release the accused but he should report to the nearest probation office for the next two years for supervision,” he ruled.
POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS IN VIHIGA POLITICS
A courtesy call on Vihiga governor Moses Akaranga by his political archrival who emerged second in the race for the top seat Ken Butiko has fuelled speculation of a political pact between the two politicians ahead of the 2017 general elections.
Akaranga contested on the little known Progressive Party of Kenya to win the governorship against a strong wave of Musalia Mudavadi’s UDF and Raila Odinga’s Cord which were the most popular parties in the area during the 2013 polls.
The former church minister, banker and cabinet minister managed got 58,580 votes with Butiko coming a close second with 56,059 votes on Cord ticket. Other aspirants who contested for the position included Prof Inonda Mwanje (FPK), Dr Jairus Amayi (UDF) Francis Inganji (Napk) and Reuben Kigame (RBK).
Butiko mounted a formidable campaign that saw him traverse all corners of the county with pundits viewing him as a front runner in the race. Political observers have attributed Butiko’s loss to Akaranga to the fact that he shared the Banyore votes in Emuhaya and Luanda constituencies with other candidates from the area; Prof Mwanje and Dr Amayi as well as gospel singer Kigame who has roots in the area but has settled in Hamisi constituency.
The 30-minute closed-door meeting in Akaranga’s office has generated interest in the county with political grape vine gripped by rumours of an imminent memorandum of understanding between the two in a political deal that could see Butiko becoming running mate to Akaranga in 2017 elections.
But Butiko has refuted reports of negotiations of a power deal, emphasing the visit was purely a courtesy call to get him informed of Akaranga’s development agenda for the county, maintaining that he will contest for the same position in the next elections. He asked his supporters to ignore the rumours of him settling for a running mate position and wait for the mother of all battles in 2017. He ruled out early campaigns for the position saying Akaranga should be accorded ample time to implement his election manifesto of which will be reviewed by voters at the end of this term.
Butiko met Akaranga accompanied by nominated member of Vihiga county assembly and ODM youth leader Ben Ombima and Mwibona ward county rep and deputy assembly minority leader Zack Manyasa before they were later joined by deputy governor Caleb Amaswache alias Yokozuna.
However, the three left the governor’s office after about five minutes duration, leaving Akaranga and Butiko in the meeting only for Akaranga to summon his press team for a briefing and photo session.
A posting on social media by the governor’s press team merely indicated that Butiko had paid a courtesy call on Akaranga and expressed the desire to work with him in achieving the set development goals for the county.
Political events are unfolding in the county ahead of 2017. Yusuf Chanzu has declared he will go for governorship on UDF ticket. However, he is said to have declined upon learning professionals and businessmen across the region were pushing Ken Vitisia to go for the seat. Vitisia has links in the constituencies and if he decides to run, envoy Franklin Esipira from Emuhaya is likely to be his running mate. Emuhaya MP Wilbur Otichillo is also set to run for the coveted governorship seat.
Chanzu has not identified his running mate but word has it, Akaranga will drop Amaswache in favour of Sande Mukuna, currently serving as an executive member in the county. Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi has also hinted he is going for the seat. As things stand with Chanzu being blamed for being sympathetic to deputy president William Ruto, a man out to block Musalia Mudavadi’s political mechanisms, then Vitisia, a diplomat, is a man to watch. In Nairobi, those who bankrolled Akaranga election in 2013 Teazers Brothers among them John Nanjoli, Patrick Nanjoli, Geoffrey Injogu, George Odanga, Lawrence Chongo, a one Musumba and banker Anai George are all gravitating towards Vitisia. Ken Imbuga, a key player in 2013 strategies that worked for Akaranga, is playing his cards safe.
In the larger Bunyore, Vitisia is said to have a network which cuts across the board. Those close to Mudavadi say he contributed a lot during his bid for presidency.
Akaranga contested on the little known Progressive Party of Kenya to win the governorship against a strong wave of Musalia Mudavadi’s UDF and Raila Odinga’s Cord which were the most popular parties in the area during the 2013 polls.
The former church minister, banker and cabinet minister managed got 58,580 votes with Butiko coming a close second with 56,059 votes on Cord ticket. Other aspirants who contested for the position included Prof Inonda Mwanje (FPK), Dr Jairus Amayi (UDF) Francis Inganji (Napk) and Reuben Kigame (RBK).
Butiko mounted a formidable campaign that saw him traverse all corners of the county with pundits viewing him as a front runner in the race. Political observers have attributed Butiko’s loss to Akaranga to the fact that he shared the Banyore votes in Emuhaya and Luanda constituencies with other candidates from the area; Prof Mwanje and Dr Amayi as well as gospel singer Kigame who has roots in the area but has settled in Hamisi constituency.
The 30-minute closed-door meeting in Akaranga’s office has generated interest in the county with political grape vine gripped by rumours of an imminent memorandum of understanding between the two in a political deal that could see Butiko becoming running mate to Akaranga in 2017 elections.
But Butiko has refuted reports of negotiations of a power deal, emphasing the visit was purely a courtesy call to get him informed of Akaranga’s development agenda for the county, maintaining that he will contest for the same position in the next elections. He asked his supporters to ignore the rumours of him settling for a running mate position and wait for the mother of all battles in 2017. He ruled out early campaigns for the position saying Akaranga should be accorded ample time to implement his election manifesto of which will be reviewed by voters at the end of this term.
Butiko met Akaranga accompanied by nominated member of Vihiga county assembly and ODM youth leader Ben Ombima and Mwibona ward county rep and deputy assembly minority leader Zack Manyasa before they were later joined by deputy governor Caleb Amaswache alias Yokozuna.
However, the three left the governor’s office after about five minutes duration, leaving Akaranga and Butiko in the meeting only for Akaranga to summon his press team for a briefing and photo session.
A posting on social media by the governor’s press team merely indicated that Butiko had paid a courtesy call on Akaranga and expressed the desire to work with him in achieving the set development goals for the county.
Political events are unfolding in the county ahead of 2017. Yusuf Chanzu has declared he will go for governorship on UDF ticket. However, he is said to have declined upon learning professionals and businessmen across the region were pushing Ken Vitisia to go for the seat. Vitisia has links in the constituencies and if he decides to run, envoy Franklin Esipira from Emuhaya is likely to be his running mate. Emuhaya MP Wilbur Otichillo is also set to run for the coveted governorship seat.
Chanzu has not identified his running mate but word has it, Akaranga will drop Amaswache in favour of Sande Mukuna, currently serving as an executive member in the county. Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi has also hinted he is going for the seat. As things stand with Chanzu being blamed for being sympathetic to deputy president William Ruto, a man out to block Musalia Mudavadi’s political mechanisms, then Vitisia, a diplomat, is a man to watch. In Nairobi, those who bankrolled Akaranga election in 2013 Teazers Brothers among them John Nanjoli, Patrick Nanjoli, Geoffrey Injogu, George Odanga, Lawrence Chongo, a one Musumba and banker Anai George are all gravitating towards Vitisia. Ken Imbuga, a key player in 2013 strategies that worked for Akaranga, is playing his cards safe.
In the larger Bunyore, Vitisia is said to have a network which cuts across the board. Those close to Mudavadi say he contributed a lot during his bid for presidency.
THE RETURN OF POLITICS OF HERO-WORSHIPPING AND ANGLING AT STATE HOUSE
Our Senior Reporter
The latest wave of pro-State House sycophancy and increasing “government praise-singing” across the country is the work of desperate elected leaders scared of actual dangers of prosecution or removal from office for indulging in corruption, criminal activity and incompetence.
Leading the strange group of elected leaders chorusing high- sounding public pronouncements like: “Our people should work with the government to get development” and a myriad of attacks on fellow leaders is a group of middle level politicians, notable amongst them being second time Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka.
Last week, media reports had it sensationally that the MP recently hosted over 20 colleagues “of like political behaviour” in his house in Nairobi where they agreed to support Uhuru Kenyatta all the way.
Onyonka who is an opposition MP has come out strongly in support of the Jubilee administration even purporting to prescribe new opposition presidential candidates for 2017 in a campaign that has left many, including his rural voters in Kisii county perplexed and confused. But hidden behind the new scheme is a strategic campaign to access favours and government protection from self inflicted ills.
Other leaders who have treaded this path with zeal and who have left many wondering include a slew of MPs from Coast led by immediate former opposition Chief Whip in the National Assembly Gideon Mung’aro, some legislators from Western led by the now quiet Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and Major John Waluke (Sirisia), several legislators from the Gusii counties of Kisii and Nyamira, a group of MPs from Ukambani led by Joe Mutambu, Kisoi Munyao , Francis Mwangangi and Victor Munyaka. Others are Mithika Linturi and several governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), William Kabogo (Kiambu), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Nderitu Gachagua (Nyeri) and Okoth Obado (Migori) among others.
But just as they claim to be working hard to unite Kenyans behind the government, while strongly encouraged by Jubilee hawks: Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi), Charles Keter (Kericho), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) and Mike Sonko (Nairobi) details have begun to emerge how each and every top player in this game is struggling with horrible allegations of malpractices that threaten their political careers and are merely using the sycophancy to appeal to State House for direct protection.
In Budalangi, Namwamba is facing a backlash from voters after strong allegations of his role in misappropriation of the area’s CDF millions of shillings feared to have been embezzled by members of his kitchen cabinet.
The same applies to Governor Mandago who a senate probe committee was told how he cannot explain glaring procurement fraud including paying several contractors upfront tens of millions of shillings even before the jobs for the payments were advertised.
In Nairobi, Senator Sonko lives with many doubts about his huge amounts of money he literally dishes out to the poor to influence their political support plus many cases of involvement in questionable land transaction deals (he has been mentioned in the Karen Land scandal as a beneficiary). There are also allegations of some unclear criminal matters which in the past landed him in court several times and one case of escape from prison which for sure one will go to great lengths to seek protection from high office.
In the president’s home county of Kiambu, Governor Kabogo has been accused of incompetence.
But it is the case of Onyonka that has raised many eyebrows about the true intentions of the drivers of the latest wave of pro-government sycophancy across the country. His father Zachary Onyonka who was minister was a principled, outgoing, resourceful, inspirational and industrious politician of his time.
Reports emerging have it that Onyonka, whose marriage has been at centre of discussion in his late 50s, could be making his way to the powers that be to get recognition for immediate survival and financial bail outs to settle debts.
More importantly, the former assistant minister is worried of the ongoing case in a Kisumu where he is accused of embezzling millions of Kitutu-Chache constituency CDF money which he allegedly diverted to finance his private business deals. He fears being convicted and jailed and badly wants intervention from State House and the Office of the President to intercede for him to survive the onslaught.
An elderly politician from his constituency has challenged him to be like Uhuru whom he is playing the sycophancy accordion for, by living up to his father’s standards and principles the way the president has remained loyal to Jomo Kenyatta’s values, behaviour and friends. He notes that whereas Uhuru remains “Jomo Kenyatta”s true son” in word and deed, Onyonka is the exact opposite of his late father.
Many accuse Onyonka who resembles his late father of ruining his father’s legacy. Throughout his political career, he is not known for any development project in Kitutu-Chache or Kisii county as a whole.
A senior retired politician from the area who sought anonymity for personal reasons has also warned that the more Onyonka pretends to be “serikali damu”, the more it could be possible he could be deeper into more misappropriation of public funds in his constituency and that he could be appealing for sympathy and protection from the Office of the President in case the frauds catch up with him.
He is accused of having not initiated any meaningful development programmes and has no history of striving to properly shape the politics of Gusii region and its people, but merely sneaks into any team that appears popular at any election time to use it and ride on their back to make it to parliament. But immediately after any elections he embarks on his own designs.
It is now emerging that many politicians across the country who is castigating opponents at the slightest provocation are not worth their salt. The group is saddled withmany corruption cases; sexual and criminal scandals and they are merely tricking their way to protection and state favours.
Kenyans are fully aware that past top sycophants during the Kenyatta, Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki regimes proved to be political fraudsters who manipulated closeness to the presidency to commit big crimes against the country and fellow citizens. Some thrived in mega corruption scandals, assassinations, land grabbing, drug dealings, gun running, magendo and even in general crimes. Therefore, analysts are questioning as to whether the new crop of sycophants are re-crafting the old order and could be infiltrating the presidency in order to get the opportunity to re-commence state sponsored socio- economic and political thuggery.
Anglo-Leasing, Goldenberg, Grand Regency sale, Artur brothers, land grabbing, ethnic clashes, the Turkwel Gorge scandal, the recent maize scandals and many others have been the works of sycophants.
Recently Mithika Linturi took parliament for a ride, parading a motion to impeach Devolution and Planning cabinet secretary Anne Waiguru. He was merely a gun for hire to pre-empt a genuine impeachment motion. He lined his pockets and took off. Major Waluke is yet to come over the maize scandal that almost saw him and his business partners fold and acquire the National Cereals and Produce Board.
The latest wave of pro-State House sycophancy and increasing “government praise-singing” across the country is the work of desperate elected leaders scared of actual dangers of prosecution or removal from office for indulging in corruption, criminal activity and incompetence.
Leading the strange group of elected leaders chorusing high- sounding public pronouncements like: “Our people should work with the government to get development” and a myriad of attacks on fellow leaders is a group of middle level politicians, notable amongst them being second time Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka.
Last week, media reports had it sensationally that the MP recently hosted over 20 colleagues “of like political behaviour” in his house in Nairobi where they agreed to support Uhuru Kenyatta all the way.
Onyonka who is an opposition MP has come out strongly in support of the Jubilee administration even purporting to prescribe new opposition presidential candidates for 2017 in a campaign that has left many, including his rural voters in Kisii county perplexed and confused. But hidden behind the new scheme is a strategic campaign to access favours and government protection from self inflicted ills.
Other leaders who have treaded this path with zeal and who have left many wondering include a slew of MPs from Coast led by immediate former opposition Chief Whip in the National Assembly Gideon Mung’aro, some legislators from Western led by the now quiet Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and Major John Waluke (Sirisia), several legislators from the Gusii counties of Kisii and Nyamira, a group of MPs from Ukambani led by Joe Mutambu, Kisoi Munyao , Francis Mwangangi and Victor Munyaka. Others are Mithika Linturi and several governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), William Kabogo (Kiambu), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Nderitu Gachagua (Nyeri) and Okoth Obado (Migori) among others.
But just as they claim to be working hard to unite Kenyans behind the government, while strongly encouraged by Jubilee hawks: Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi), Charles Keter (Kericho), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) and Mike Sonko (Nairobi) details have begun to emerge how each and every top player in this game is struggling with horrible allegations of malpractices that threaten their political careers and are merely using the sycophancy to appeal to State House for direct protection.
In Budalangi, Namwamba is facing a backlash from voters after strong allegations of his role in misappropriation of the area’s CDF millions of shillings feared to have been embezzled by members of his kitchen cabinet.
The same applies to Governor Mandago who a senate probe committee was told how he cannot explain glaring procurement fraud including paying several contractors upfront tens of millions of shillings even before the jobs for the payments were advertised.
In Nairobi, Senator Sonko lives with many doubts about his huge amounts of money he literally dishes out to the poor to influence their political support plus many cases of involvement in questionable land transaction deals (he has been mentioned in the Karen Land scandal as a beneficiary). There are also allegations of some unclear criminal matters which in the past landed him in court several times and one case of escape from prison which for sure one will go to great lengths to seek protection from high office.
In the president’s home county of Kiambu, Governor Kabogo has been accused of incompetence.
But it is the case of Onyonka that has raised many eyebrows about the true intentions of the drivers of the latest wave of pro-government sycophancy across the country. His father Zachary Onyonka who was minister was a principled, outgoing, resourceful, inspirational and industrious politician of his time.
Reports emerging have it that Onyonka, whose marriage has been at centre of discussion in his late 50s, could be making his way to the powers that be to get recognition for immediate survival and financial bail outs to settle debts.
More importantly, the former assistant minister is worried of the ongoing case in a Kisumu where he is accused of embezzling millions of Kitutu-Chache constituency CDF money which he allegedly diverted to finance his private business deals. He fears being convicted and jailed and badly wants intervention from State House and the Office of the President to intercede for him to survive the onslaught.
An elderly politician from his constituency has challenged him to be like Uhuru whom he is playing the sycophancy accordion for, by living up to his father’s standards and principles the way the president has remained loyal to Jomo Kenyatta’s values, behaviour and friends. He notes that whereas Uhuru remains “Jomo Kenyatta”s true son” in word and deed, Onyonka is the exact opposite of his late father.
Many accuse Onyonka who resembles his late father of ruining his father’s legacy. Throughout his political career, he is not known for any development project in Kitutu-Chache or Kisii county as a whole.
A senior retired politician from the area who sought anonymity for personal reasons has also warned that the more Onyonka pretends to be “serikali damu”, the more it could be possible he could be deeper into more misappropriation of public funds in his constituency and that he could be appealing for sympathy and protection from the Office of the President in case the frauds catch up with him.
He is accused of having not initiated any meaningful development programmes and has no history of striving to properly shape the politics of Gusii region and its people, but merely sneaks into any team that appears popular at any election time to use it and ride on their back to make it to parliament. But immediately after any elections he embarks on his own designs.
It is now emerging that many politicians across the country who is castigating opponents at the slightest provocation are not worth their salt. The group is saddled withmany corruption cases; sexual and criminal scandals and they are merely tricking their way to protection and state favours.
Kenyans are fully aware that past top sycophants during the Kenyatta, Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki regimes proved to be political fraudsters who manipulated closeness to the presidency to commit big crimes against the country and fellow citizens. Some thrived in mega corruption scandals, assassinations, land grabbing, drug dealings, gun running, magendo and even in general crimes. Therefore, analysts are questioning as to whether the new crop of sycophants are re-crafting the old order and could be infiltrating the presidency in order to get the opportunity to re-commence state sponsored socio- economic and political thuggery.
Anglo-Leasing, Goldenberg, Grand Regency sale, Artur brothers, land grabbing, ethnic clashes, the Turkwel Gorge scandal, the recent maize scandals and many others have been the works of sycophants.
Recently Mithika Linturi took parliament for a ride, parading a motion to impeach Devolution and Planning cabinet secretary Anne Waiguru. He was merely a gun for hire to pre-empt a genuine impeachment motion. He lined his pockets and took off. Major Waluke is yet to come over the maize scandal that almost saw him and his business partners fold and acquire the National Cereals and Produce Board.
MWEA TRUST LAND DISPUTE PITS KAMBAS, KIKUYUS, EMBUS AND MBEERES
Ngome Council of Elders of Mbeere are up in arms against Kirinyaga county leaders with claims that the contested Mwea trust land lies in their jurisdiction.
According to the chairman Eston Nthinga, they are guided by the 1939 Carter Commission that settled the traditional boundaries between Kirinyaga and Mbeere communities. The elders were reacting to press reports by the Kirinyaga leaders that the land belongs to Kirinyaga county.
There have been reports that the Kirinyaga county plans to subdivide the trust land without involving Embu governor Martin Wambora. Wambora has, however, said he was keen to see the tussle over who was the true beneficiary solved.
The governor said the county would hire surveyors to speed up the process to ensure it was completed immediately. This is the first time that Wambora has publicly declared his stand over the land dispute which has pitted the Nyaangi Ndiiriri and Ngome council against the Mwea council of elders on how to undertake the adjudication process.
“I don’t want to meddle in the Mwea issue. This is not a politicians’ issue. Elders from Mbeere, Embu, Kikuyu and Kamba have all moved to court staking claim to the land. They agreed to abandon court and agree among themselves on the sharing. I will provide government surveyors to carry out the process,” said the governor.
According to the chairman Eston Nthinga, they are guided by the 1939 Carter Commission that settled the traditional boundaries between Kirinyaga and Mbeere communities. The elders were reacting to press reports by the Kirinyaga leaders that the land belongs to Kirinyaga county.
There have been reports that the Kirinyaga county plans to subdivide the trust land without involving Embu governor Martin Wambora. Wambora has, however, said he was keen to see the tussle over who was the true beneficiary solved.
The governor said the county would hire surveyors to speed up the process to ensure it was completed immediately. This is the first time that Wambora has publicly declared his stand over the land dispute which has pitted the Nyaangi Ndiiriri and Ngome council against the Mwea council of elders on how to undertake the adjudication process.
“I don’t want to meddle in the Mwea issue. This is not a politicians’ issue. Elders from Mbeere, Embu, Kikuyu and Kamba have all moved to court staking claim to the land. They agreed to abandon court and agree among themselves on the sharing. I will provide government surveyors to carry out the process,” said the governor.
MUROKOMEN UNDER FIRE FOR GIVING DP RUTO QUESTIONABLE ADVICE
Outpoken Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen who is tireless in defence of the Jubilee government is now being accused of misleading Deputy President William Ruto leading to marginalisation of the community that voted almost to the last man for the Uhuruto axis in 2013.
Speaking to Weekly Citizen but preferring not to be named, a spokesman of the Marakwet professional association accused Murkomen of “sedating the whole community with lies and empty chestthumping on national TV channels” while the people who voted for Uhuruto have nothing to write home about.
The spokesman accused Ruto of failing to appreciate the overwhelming support the community gave Jubilee enabling it to win the hotly contested poll and only appointing Nandis and Keiyos to senior positions.
The professionals warned that they will soon meet to chart their political future and are considering joining the Pesa Mashinani push of Isaac Ruto or even Cord referendum thrust
“if the current marginalisation of the community continues unchecked.”
During the 2013 presidential poll, Rift Valley voted overwhelmingly with their central Kenya allies for the Uhuruto, snubbing Raila Odinga who in the troubled 2007 elections won support across the country.
The resulting political violence in 2007-8 left more than 1,300 dead and 650,000 mostly Kikuyu and Kalenjin displaced. But in 2013, the two populous communities agreed to bury their hatchet and despite facing crimes against humanity charges at ICC romped effectively capturing the presidency with Uhuru wearing the shoes of his late father and post-independence founding father of the nation Jomo Kenyatta.
Speaking to Weekly Citizen but preferring not to be named, a spokesman of the Marakwet professional association accused Murkomen of “sedating the whole community with lies and empty chestthumping on national TV channels” while the people who voted for Uhuruto have nothing to write home about.
The spokesman accused Ruto of failing to appreciate the overwhelming support the community gave Jubilee enabling it to win the hotly contested poll and only appointing Nandis and Keiyos to senior positions.
The professionals warned that they will soon meet to chart their political future and are considering joining the Pesa Mashinani push of Isaac Ruto or even Cord referendum thrust
“if the current marginalisation of the community continues unchecked.”
During the 2013 presidential poll, Rift Valley voted overwhelmingly with their central Kenya allies for the Uhuruto, snubbing Raila Odinga who in the troubled 2007 elections won support across the country.
The resulting political violence in 2007-8 left more than 1,300 dead and 650,000 mostly Kikuyu and Kalenjin displaced. But in 2013, the two populous communities agreed to bury their hatchet and despite facing crimes against humanity charges at ICC romped effectively capturing the presidency with Uhuru wearing the shoes of his late father and post-independence founding father of the nation Jomo Kenyatta.
BUNGOMA NOW THE COUNTY TO WATCH AS IT INITIATES PRO-PEOPLE PROJECTS
Correspondents
Bungoma county is fast transforming and may soon become the best performing county in terms of development and economic growth. Having started off on a negative publicity slate, Bungoma has quickly cut a niche for itself as no day passes by without being featured in mainstream and other media, highlighting development activities happening in the county.
A fact-finding mission in the county established residents are proud of devolution and the benefits that have accompanied the decentralised system of governance in Bungoma.
Agriculture development
This sector is in high gear following a decision by the county government to adopt the value chain approach that has brought tremendous growth.
Already, the county has embarked on streamlining the management and operations of the troubled Kitinda Farmers Cooperative Society dairy plant in readiness for its revival to operate at full capacity. Milk processing will be enhanced once fully operationalised. Capacity will be increased in the other operational coolers of Kaptama, Naitiri and Tongaren.
The county cabinet resolved to enhance the region’s food security this year where 9,000 resource poor farmers, 200 from every ward were supplied with free fertiliser and seeds. The rest of the farmers bought the 50kg fertiliser bag at a subsidised price of Sh800.
To boost livestock production, the county cabinet further approved the expenditure of Sh56 million towards purchase of breeding stock of dairy cows and goats as well as poultry following a new policy presented by the agriculture executive.
Greenhouses have been distributed across the county. At the start of FY 2014/2015, 45 houses were distributed, one per ward. Earlier, 52 green houses had been given across the county to enhance the production of horticulture crops and ensure all year production.
Agriculture extension officers have been equipped with 15 motorcycles to enable them easily access and support farmers across the county while the Chwele Slaughterhouse is in its completion stage to increase poultry production.
Tea production in the highlands of Mt Elgon sub-county is on the rise. The county is in the process of procuring 0.5 million tea seedlings to encourage uptake. Tissue culture banana farming has been embraced and 80,000 seedlings purchased to support banana farmers alongside 500 bags of Irish potato seed. The county has also acquired strategic stock of agricultural materials and other small equipment such as tractors, certified crop seed and embarked on training staff and farmers on value chains.
Roads development
Roads infrastructure exercise is ongoing and offering employment to many youth, women and the disabled in the county. Nineteen dilapidated link roads in three major urban centres of Bungoma, Kimilili and Webuye are complete, upgraded at a cost of Sh230 million.
In Bungoma, the upgraded roads include Tourist Road, Posta-Kenya Seed-Chemist road, Cooperative-Municipal market road, Cooperative-Oldrex road, Simba Street and Police- Milimani road. The famous Moi Avenue which stretches from the airstrip to the bus stop is 80pc done and open for public use.
In Webuye, Kenyatta Street and all gravelled roads; Generation-Lufwindiri road, KMTC-SA Church Primary road, Sango market-Maraka road) have been reopened.
In Kimilili, Kitai-RC School-Full Gospel Roads, Soweto-Lane 1, 2 and 3 Roads, Basimaholia Road-DC-Mdogodogo market, Slaughter House-DO Office Roads, Maruti-Mount Crest- Posta Roads, Kweyu-Khamulati- Omwenge Roads and Highway- Police training centre Road have been reopened for public use.
Upgrading of rural roads is ongoing. Contractors are on site on 68 rural roads in all the 45 wards.
In Mt Elgon subcounty, an improvement program costing Sh98,344,838.48 million funded by the county government is underway on 12 roads to speed up delivery of agricultural produce to markets. The two bridges over Nguresai and Sasuri rivers are under construction at a cost of Sh12,124,134.
In Tongaren sub county, the county government is putting a lift on the poor road network with an injection of Sh64.32 million into the rehabilitation of eight roads to ease movement in this agriculturally rich sub county. The roads under repair run for 45 km across Tongaren, Soysambu/Mitua, Ndalu/Tabani, Milima, Naitiri/Kabuyefwe, Mbakalo wards.
In Kabuchai, five rural roads are undergoing rehabilitation at Sh45.1million while Sh68 million has been splashed out on the improvement of roads in Webuye West subcounty this financial year.
In Bumula, a total of Sh48.3 million is being spent on the rehabilitation of eight key roads. The link roads covering a distance of 33.7km run across South Bukusu, Kabula, Bumula, Khasoko, West Bukusu, Siboti and Kimaeti wards.
More works are ongoing in Webuye East where seven roads are under upgrade at a cost of Sh 88,091,089 and four more rural roads in Sirisia sub county at a cost of Sh21,681,664. A total of Sh35,673,051 has been invested in Kimilili subcounty to rehabilitate five rural roads.
Kanduyi subcounty has the second highest budget of Sh83,653,095 million after Mt Elgon. Twelve rural roads are being upgraded to complement the seven urban roads that have been tarmacked and reopened to the public.
Some previously impassable roads like the Misikhu-Brigadier Road which was previously impassable is now under emergency programme construction, being upgraded into an all weather road. The county’s vision is to have an efficient and modern transport system that enhances mobility and safety.
The health sector
Health emergency response is set to improve with the procurement of five ambulances in the first phase for Bumula, Sirisia, Tongaren, Kanduyi and Mt Elgon sub counties, while six more are expected before the end of the year.
In an ongoing initiative to equip health facilities across the county, Bumula Health Centre received beds and mattresses as the county government unveiled plans to upgrade it to subcounty referral facility. The county plans to have a referral hospital in each of the nine subcounties and standard health centres in the wards.
Drug distribution is consistently done and remains a top priority to allay fears of the previous drug shortage. The distribution benefits the nine hospitals, 13 health centres and 261 dispensaries.
A programme to upgrade the maternity wings in key hospitals is under way to provide our mothers with a better environment. The maternity wing at Kopsiro Health Centre is complete soon to be officially opened.
The setting up of a blood satellite at Bungoma Referral Hospital is in final stages, a blood bank that will serve patients in need of blood transfusion. Procurement of five fridges for the blood bank is also underway.
The laboratory at the Bungoma District Hospital is now ISO certified as it has emerged to be the best performing in the whole country and now equipped with blood screening equipment for HIV Aids, Goitre, Herpes, Hepatitis and Prostate Cancer. Previously patients suffering from these ailments would be referred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret or the Provincial General Hospital in Kakemega, which was costly.
Under Gender, Culture, Youth and Sports
The county government launched a Sh90 million youth fund to empower the youth through structured sustainable engagements and a Sh40 million women fund.
Sporting sector is set to get a boost too. The county is underway constructing a high altitude training centre at Chemoge in Mt Elgon. This would be a further boon to tourism fortunes in the western tourist circuit. The county government has also embarked on reclaiming historical and cultural sites for rehabilitation and development into tourism and cultural heritages sites starting with Sudi Namachanja mausoleum in Bumula.
In Tourism, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources
The resource mapping of tourist sites and facilities is now complete. This is coupled with marketing of the sector, an initiative that has made Bungoma a new tourist destination as a result of the unique cultural backgrounds and breath-taking sites. Mt Elgon route mapping has also been done.
Tree planting exercise is on-going, aimed at increasing tree cover in the county and a community based ecosystem management plan for Chetambe and Mt Elgon done.
Environment conservation is continuous where the county acquired tools and equipment for garbage collection through the program “Rapid Result Initiative integrated solid waste management to deal with the garbage and litter menace in Bungoma, Webuye and Kimilili towns and their environs. Most youth have been empowered in this program, forming 90pc of total beneficiaries alongside vulnerable groups of women and street families.
Another urban cleanup community participatory project has been done in Bungoma and Chwele as well as waste compaction and rehabilitation of Tuuti dumpsite.
Beautification of urban centres is underway. A lot of marketing and publicity about the county’s potential tourism base has been enhanced through community interactive programmes such as environmental conservation, tree planting, and miss tourism competitions.
Documentary on circumcision is complete and has attracted the international tourism expo in Las Vegas. The county is committed to promote its tourism. Recently, Bungoma came second after Mombasa county at the Magical Kenya Expo in Nairobi in October 2014, being the second best county to showcase unique and attractive tourism products.
The education sector
Cumulatively Sh172.5 million has been given in bursaries across the 45 wards in support of students who hail from poor backgrounds. The bursary has so far supported 60pc needy students in the county.
The sector has been developed further through the employment of 2,000 early childhood development teachers in all public schools across the county, an initiative that has improved the welfare of 2,000 families.
To support ECD education, construction of 135 modern ECDE classrooms, three in every ward and 405 toilets are on going. This is a project under FY 2013/14. The ministry also has secured collaboration with Kenya Technical Teachers College to train youth polytechnic instructors, in an effort to improve standards in the polytechnics.
Under Lands, Urban and Physical Planning
To boost security, street lighting program has been launched. Construction is on-going in Chwele, Cheptais and Myanga market. The project will be extended to other market centers and key areas across the county. Moreover, high mast floodlights have been installed and are operational in Mjini, Muteremuko and Mandazini.
A modern bus park in Bungoma town is complete and has been launched. It has stalls, public toilet and restaurants.
In Trade, Energy and Industrialisation
Already, a Sh50 million ward trade loan was launched in July, 2014 benefitting 1,912 entrepreneurs. Pre - loan training was done to 1,144 approved beneficiaries and Sh1.1 million disbursed to each ward. This is a loan with very low interest rate of 5pc and a repayment period of two years.
The revolving county joint loan is also ongoing. Sh10 million had been set aside in the 2013/2014 financial year budget to fund the policy that seeks to improve businesses in the county. Entrepreneurs are able to borrow up to Sh300, 000. The county joint loans board is also operational where you can borrow at least Sh50,000 up to Sh300,000.
Plans are underway to raise maximum borrowing to Sh1,000,000 through the county trade loan scheme whose policy has been approved by both the cabinet and county assembly. It targets graduating MSMES.
Capacity building of MSMEs on sound business skills was done in all wards where 3,703 entrepreneurs got trained. The training aimed to equip the small investors with business and entrepreneurial skills.
Jua Kali shades are under construction at Mbakalo, Tongaren and Lwakhakha markets at a cost of Sh45 million, the programme will be extended to all other markets.
High mast floodlights are being installed in six major markets in Bungoma county to enhance security and facilitate 24 hour trading operations. Installation of the flood lights are underway at Kanduyi, Myanga, Chwele, Kamukuywa, Lugulu and Cheptais by the ministry of Trade, Energy and Industrialisation will cost a total of sh18 million.
In partnership with Rural Electrification Authority, various projects are ongoing. Worth noting is the schools electrification programme with 152 primary schools completed. The project will be extended to other education institutions once all schools are powered.
Water,
There are 450 water projects, 10 in each of the 45 wards are on-going, aimed at providing access to clean water across the county. Schools are the main targets especially primary schools. Syombe water borehole project in Bumula has been commissioned. It is one of the 450 ongoing water projects. Piped water schemes in Mt Elgon have been completed namely; Kopsiro-Chebyuk water project, Emia- Kipsigon water project, Chesikaki water scheme and Cheseker water supply.
Affirmative action to ensure equitable distribution of resources has been adopted by the Bungoma county government to ensure previously marginalised areas are brought at par.
More development plans are underway in the financial year 2014/2015; plans aimed at empowering the people of Bungoma and growing its economy to best compete with the other 46 counties and achieve the devolution dream.
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