Writes Leo Odera Omolo
REPORTS EMERGING from the Northern Tanzanian town of Arusha say that tourism stakeholders in both Kenya and Tanzania wants the border between the two countries two world famous tourists attraction sites be opened in line with the principles and spirits of the East African Community.
The two world famous tourist sites are the Maasai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti National game Park in Tanzania.
According to the latest newsletter of the East African Tourism Platform {EATP}, the opening of the Bukologonja border which was closed by Tanzania unilaterally following the collapse of the first East African Community in 1977, would save tourists the five hour drive through the nearest border crossing point and encourage regional tourism.
The border at the Sand River is on the route used by wild bests during their spectacular annual migration that attracts thousands of tourists to both countries. Besides its closure, it was a convenient route for tourist visiting the Serengeti National Game Park-Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Following the collapse of the first EAC in 1977, Tanzania closed all border crossing points with Kenya for nearly seven years.
In the mid 1980, it reopened the main highway border points, but left the Bukologonja one closed.
According to EATP coordinator Wafart Matu, visitor to the Maasai Mara wishing to cross into Serengeti sometimes have to drive to Nairobi for an overnight stopover before proceeding to Arusha via Namanga border post and on to Serengeti.
Some tour operator firms based in the Kenya capital Nairobi have complained of extra distance owing to the closed border ,increased the cost of the Serengeti-Maasai Mara package.
Tanzania National Parks spokesman Pascal Sheleti, was widely quoted last week as having said hat Tanzania would not open the border because the differences between the two countries tourism polices.
“Kenya encourages mass tourism while Tanzania prefers quality tourism for a low volume of tourists, but with higher revenue so we feel that once we open Bukologonja border posts, tourist traffic from Kenya can be extremely high at the expense of the fragile Serengeti ecology.”
On his part Mr. Adrian Akiyo an official of the Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry in Tanzania said his Ministry would not bow to any pressure on the matter.” At the Bukulugonja border notwithstanding the East African Community Common Market Protocol that provides for the free movement of goods, persons, labor, services and capital within the EAC region.
“The EAC arrangement is not everything, Tanzania like other partners states is still a sovereign country. We are only obliged to implement those policies we agree with and not everything. Our orders must be respected,” he said.
In addition to the closed border, the stakeholders have also complained about the requirement for tourists to change vehicles at the border of Namanga, Sirari and Taveta, which they said was not only humiliating for the visitor but veiled bid by Tanzania to keep business competition away from its border crossings.
The stakeholders have called upon the two countries to resolve their differences bilaterally
Ends
By Our Investiagtive Reporter
Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma the man many considered to be the most inept, ineffective, salient and a non performing Governor among his peers finally managed to announce members of the Executive Committee after area residents had threatened to move to court to compel him to do so.
But the appointments were not without question marks as he brought on board four people and who contested political seats but lost during the last general elections and it was discovered that most of the people who were nominated pending their nomination approved by the County’s appointment committee lied about their academic credentials a thing which is likely to jeopardize chances of the approval of the nominees.
Ranguma who appeared to be reading the names he was either ignorant or was given admitted that he was aware that the list “may not be the best but he pleaded with all and sundry that they just allow the nominees to take their roles.
He could not be able to tell two people Lorna Omuodo and Meshack Nyabenge what their roles would be but instead he told Journalists to be creative and invent a word for their titles something which really aghasted and surprised those who were present at the function.
Earlier it had emerged that Ranguma had kept the names of the nominees secret and would not even allow his deputy Adhaimbo Odinga to peruse the document before his announcement.
“He was drafting the list alone and never wanted his deputy to be involved, seems there were some sources who were really keen to have the list go their way and instead it has really backfired as some of the nominees are likely to be rejected straight away”said a source who attended the meeting but never wanted to be named.
He announced a ten man Executive Committee comprising four women and six men as many have vowed to move to court to challenge his nominees.
Just who are those nominated?
1-Joseph Omulo Okal-County Treasurer,
He hails from Kano and In his a academic resume he presents himself as “a distinguished Finance and Banking Specialist with several years of Post-Graduation experience”’
He is one man who can’t make his own personal decision
The truth is that the said Okal contested Muhoroni Parliamentary seat against Prof.Ayiecho Olweny during the 2007 general elections and lost miserably coming last among the then five candidates.
It can be authoritatively be said that Omulo has been sacked from Co-operative Bank,Diamond Trust and he was sacked early this year from Family Bank in what his employers says is his ineptness.
Many await to see how he will handle the crucial financial docket.
2-Rhoda Atieno Obadha-Environment Management
She comes from Kano but was a married in Kisumu Nyahera, she contested during the last general elections CORD nominations but came distant last.
In her academic resume,she is portrayed as high level Management Consultant ing in sustainable ,micro finance ,water and sanitation.
She was sacked from Agricultural Finance Corporation where she was the area Manager over her financial misuse of the said Company’s money,she was later sacked from Kisumu’s ASK show.
She ran away from her husband after the man had an accident and was mentally derailed.
Many await to see how she will carry her duties.
3-Dr.Barrack Otieno Abonyo-Water,Energy and Natural Resource
He also hails from Kano he is portrayed as an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Florida A & M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The truth is that the man never stepped inside this institution and all checks reveals that he never schooled there.
He was deported from the US and arrived in Kenya and started going round that he wanted to be contest Gubernatorial seat only to discover that he was real broke and could not sustain his campaigns.
He is usually found idling at a certain hotel within the outskirts of town where he is given free accommodation and meals
4-Elizabeth Ominde Ogaja-Health
She is a fourm four drop out and her academic resume could not be provided.
5-JenipherAtieno Kerre-Education ,Youth,Culture and Social Services.
She runs organization called WIFIP which is a Non Governmental Organization where workers are badly mistreated and are not paid.
She uses deceit to organize workshops and seminars where she really swindles participants whom she usually invites.
During the time she was a teacher rising to a Head teacher she was faced with various allegations and at one time was charged in a court of law for embezzling school funds.
She is said to have studied for a Masters of Arts Degree in Distance Education??
5-Dr.Stephene Otieno Orot-Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
His resume says that he is an accomplished Veterinary Specialist who has risen through the ranks to be the Senior Assistant Director of Veterinary Services with the Ministry of Livestock
He hails from Kajulu within Kisumu East Constituency,
He was interdicted by the government after was found selling some Agrovet products using government vehicle and was later sacked.
8-Vincent Kodera-Phyical Planning,Roads and Public Works.
He is from Nyakach Constituency,he is said to hold a Bsc degree in Technology from Moi University.
HE is not known to have been employed anywhere, he contested Nyakach seat during both the 2007and the 2013 general elections and came third in both.
He has been out of employment since elections and his nomination came handy for him .
George Ongaya Okoth-Communications ,Planning and Development.
He is said to be;”an experienced and respected Proffesional with Impressive track record of Managerial accomplishments”
The truth is that Okoth has been an insurance policy seller within the streets of Kisumu.
He has worked as a commission agent for First Choice and Newday Insurance Brokers.
He was one of the people who were busy bodies during Ranguma’s campaigns.
Dr.Rose Kisia Omondi-Commerce,Tourisim and Heritage
She contested Nyakach Parliamentary Seat in 2007 and lost and during the 2013 general elections she contested as a women rep for Kisumu County and lost again to Rose Nyamunga
She claims in her academic resume that she studied Tourism from University of Waikato Hamiltone in New Zealand.
Surprisingly ,she has never taught in any Kenya University as most varsities questions her academic credentials.
We could not establish her teaching records at both Moi and Kenya Polytechnic.
10-Hanif Rana-Industrialization,Enterprise Development and Transport.
She operates an internet Cyber station near Mamba Hotel; he has been rewarded by Ranguma because during the last general elections he gave out his two Lorries for Ranguma’s campaigns.
“I am surprised that Rana is saying tht he has Masters degree in Health Research and Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics.
Did he really go past fourm Four?”wondered one of his peers who knows him well.
Meshack Osindo Nyabenge-
He is said to have experience in Natural Resources Planning and Management and also he isa GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist.
He is also said to be holding a Mscin Geoinforamtion Systems from Netherlands and Bachelor of Science in Surveying and Photogrammetry.
The truth is that he was once in charge of Kakamega Juvenile Prison
He is a retiree and have very limited education, many were surprised when such a resume was read as a belonging to him.
He was a chief Campaigner of Ranguma as he hails with him from the Lorna same Kobura clan.
Lorna Omuodo-
She is said to be an expert in energy, social development and sustainable development
She presents herself as agraduate of Rural Sociology from Punjab University India.
The truth is she is a jiko maker and was once a subordinate staff with Kenya Governmnt
By Agwanda Saye
The government has embarked on a 20 year mitigation strategy to end the floods in Kisumu County.
The permanent secretary for special programs, Andrew Mondoh said the strategic plan will be implemented in three phases running through 20 years.
The first phase will be implemented in the first 18 months where assessment is done on the affected areas and the victims are given some materials. The strategy which is already in place involves giving the victims food stuffs, bedding and mosquito nets.
Mondoh said in the second phase which is to take up to five years the government will construct check dams in the flood-prone areas and in turn use the water for irrigation. The final phase which will take 20 years will include feasibility study on the affected areas to establish the real cause and exact and appropriate measures for controlling floods.
In this phase, Dams will be constructed across the rivers that burst their banks frequently during heavy down pour. Such rivers are Nyando, Auji and Miriu.
Mondoh said this as they assessed the flood situation in Muhoroni, Nyando and Nyakach constituencies in alongside his counterpart, Mark Bor, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Public Health. The team also included the provincial Security team, the Red Cross Society, World Vision and United Nation Children’s Fund, (UNICEF).
The team distributed 300 bags of rice, 200 bags of beans, 20 gallons of oil, 300 blankets and 180 Mosquito nets in Nyando and Kadibo. Similar amounts will also be distributed to flood victims in Muhoroni Nyakach and Nyatike.
The victims given materials were the adversely affected and were verified by a committee that included Red Cross and the Provincial Administration.
Public Health Ministry PS, Bor said that his ministry will provide nets to the victims as they were prone to water borne diseases.
“We are now providing treatment kits for prevention of water borne diseases,” said Bor.
Red Cross Western Region Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Owako said that the floods are still affecting Kano, Nyakach, Siaya and Budalangi.
Nyanza PC Francis Mutie assured that the government will do everything to ensure that also learning resumes in the affected schools.
Mondoh challenged the area residents to plant trees as a way of conserving the environment since that will help in stopping the floods.
…ENDS…
By Agwanda Saye
A Christian Organization Ministry is set to construct a health centre which is to cost Kshs 5 million within Siaya County to boost health care within the area.
Salem Orphanage Ministries head Bishop Pheobe Onyango said the clinic sponsored by Unbox Life International and her Kisumu Based Ministry is to serve those who are living along the beaches and other adjacent areas of Lake Victoria within Bondo District in Siaya County .
“We have palns to develop aclinic around this area to address the lack of proper medication in the area far away because even NGO’s have ignored it” she said.
By Dickens Wasonga.
It is ten in the morning.
Along a street down town Kisumu, a few cars zoom past.
Apart from the Mpesa shops dotting the place, not much activity is going on along the lonely street near Kamas area.
Being a Monday morning, the street could be deserted probably because most people are at their places of work.
But curiously, a rowdy group of young and skimpily dressed ladies emerge from an old and desolate building adjacent to the street. This gang immediately grabs my attention.
They appear drunk. Very drunk and one of them is shouting and gesturing wildly. She is on top of her voice.
Apparently, two of them have disagreed. From their heated argument, it’s clear the dispute is about a man.
It turns out these women are prostitutes fighting over a male client. The man, I learn has vanished, may be out of fear of a possible backlash.
If you thought sex peddlers are only found in Mombasa - going by the recent sex scandal story doing the rounds in the media, then you are wrong.
Dear reader, welcome to the world of brothels of Kisumu.
Just by the roadside and a few meters away from the two ladies, there is a bar. Here, all manner of alcohol is served.
I am told, as early as 7am, one can partake of the drinks although the place is not even a restaurant.
The pub is already full as I make my way in to piece together my story .Customers here are of diverse ages; after all what matters most in this place is money and not age.
The music playing inside the pub is so loud you can’t hear yourself speak. Never mind there is a law that prohibits selling of beer to patrons this early in the day.
Mututho law which expected people to engage in nation building at this particular hour does not apply here.
Inside the noisy bar one cannot escape noticing the swelling number of these skimpily dressed women.
Almost every male customer here is sharing a table with at least one of them.
At the face of it, what goes on here appears so harmless but soon, things begin looking a little strange as the new found ‘’ love birds’’ begin to walk in and out of the pub in turns.
Believe me; you haven’t seen anything yet out there. Behind the bar, there are over 30 rooms that can each accommodate at least a bed.
Strangely, they all have their windows wide open and as one makes his way to the washrooms meant for the bar patrons, you are able to see clearly through the windows what happens inside the rooms.
Here, in a broad daylight sex trade is thriving. The women parading their naked bodies outside these rooms located in the dingy corridors of the down town building are not afraid of anyone or anything.
One cannot help but wonder whether this trade has been legalized by the authorities in this lake side city.
So daring they are that approaching any man they see within the vicinity for sex isn’t a bid deal.
I gather from one of the waiters in the pub that each day, all the women operating from this brothel hire a room at sh 600 which they must pay for by midnight.
According to the waiter who requests to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal , sometimes the hookers agree to split the bill and use the room in turns , each time they get a client for what they call here ‘’short time’’.
She tells me that the place is so famous it attracts both men and ladies from far and wide. Some of the ladies servicing men here, she says are from the neighboring countries.
And if you thought there could be shortages, then think otherwise for she adds “as some goes away, new faces keeps trooping in each day”.
May be as a sign of improved business the owner of the bar has just thought it wise to give the building a face lift. The paint is still very fresh.
I try to find out who owns the bar and the brothel but no one, including the waiters and the bar man would dare talk to me about that subject.
To satisfy my curiosity about the existence of sex trade and more brothels within Kisumu City, I decide to investigate further.
Away from this bar, I take a ride on a motorbike and after about 15 minutes, am dropped next to the Kisumu main bus terminus, at a place popularly known as beer belt.
The place is abuzz with activities. Most of the traders here sell their wares in kiosks. Most of them are selling khat and cigarettes. Eateries also dot the place which remains noisy and chaotic.
Several Boda boda operators can be seen waiting for passengers at one side of the road that leads towards the united mall as you leave the Bus Park.
Everything appears normal at least from the open air market. But one thing still stands out- the unusual high number of lodging and boarding houses surrounding the vicinity.
The lodgings, most of which are cheap and dirty offer a perfect hideout for these hookers and their clients.
Unlike the first place I visited earlier, here the ladies are not so young and trendy. They appear low class judging from how they dress.
Most of them can be seen milling around the bars and the lucky ones leads their catch away into the ‘’service’’ rooms.
After about 20 minutes or so, they emerge from the rooms and the trend repeat itself again and again.
But it is while under the cover of darkness that this operation is moved a notch higher in this part of the city, as I discovered.
Dressed in clothes that are more revealing than to cover their bodies, you spot many of them standing in strategic places behind the lodgings or parked vehicles, mostly Lorries whose drivers are also probably here to hunt.
Tucked safely behind these hide outs, the ladies can be heard giving catcalls to men passing by, even dropping in the ears of the strangers how much it would cost to sleep with them.
Occasionally they disappear into the brothels to escape being noticed by the police on patrol or simply slip into a bar to avoid being arrested by the cops.
This is the same story in Kondle area which is more vibrant at night given the high number of bars there some of which even have live band playing throughout the night.
While most of these ladies operate from brothels, majority hop from pub to pub seeking clients.
Along the Kisumu-Busia road, more brothels are to be found at Otonglo. Here the truck drivers are the main clients. It is not unusual to see several trucks parked there
Back to the CBD, along the Oginga Street and just before the central Square, twilight girls here lay in wait. This group of mostly young and trendy prostitutes targets the high end clients, mostly with cars.
Usually they can be spotted pacing up and down the pavement and once in a while stepping on the road as cars approach to grab the attention of the motorists.
Along the same street also exists a brothel where those who are lucky to get a client can take them. In fact most of the twilight girls operating along this street reside at the brothel.
Kisumu, like the other urban centers all over the world has been bitten by the bug which is prostitution, a trade as old as man itself.
ENDS
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
Scores of people sustained minor bodily injuries following the fighting which broke out at Manywanda health centre in Seme West Location where the local had gathered to install the new CDF disbursing committee.
Unconfirmed report from the area say, the area MP Dr. James Nyikal left the fighting venue with the torn up long trouser following the fighting which last for close to six hours.
Seme is one of the newly newly created parliamentary constituencies within the Kisumu County having been hived from the old Kisumu Rural constituency whose representative in the 11th parliament was the now ailing Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o
The Mp had fronted a senior lecturer at the Bondo University to be the new CDF local committee chairman, something which did not please the locals. The security were present mainly the APs, but did not intervene in separating the combatants who were consisting mainly of the ODM youth
The MP left the vanue of the melee quickly and the local people installed the new committee of their own choice after vehemently opposing the one proposed and fronted by the area MP.
Ends
BY DICKENS WASONGA.
WHEN talking about Kisumu County, it is Kisumu City that usually springs to mind.
But it is also difficult to divorce the region commonly referred to as Luo- Nyanza when discussing matters that are dear to Kisumu.
The two are interdependent, so to speak.
Although Kisumu County is home to Nyakach, Muhoroni, Nyando, Seme, Kisumu town East, Central as well as West constituencies, it’s the City that most people relate to more.
This may be so because of its commercial importance and value not only for the county but to the entire east African region where it’s believed to be an economic hub.
As a matter of fact, Kisumu is the headquarter to amongst other regional outfits, the Lake Victoria basin commission, one of the commissions established by the now revived east African community.
However, many leaders from this region have in the past faulted the media accusing it of painting the City and its people in bad light thus denying it the opportunity to attract investments.
It could be true or false but many leaders from this region believe the media has always been guided by mischief while reporting or telling the Nyanza stories.
To them, Nyanza, among other factors has remained behind due to bad publicity it gets in the mass media.
But if you ask me, what may qualify for one as news worthy piece may not necessarily be the same to what get covered in the media, whether in the print or electronic.
That is the way it is, but let me try to explain further.
Kisumu has in the past witnessed probably the worst forms of street protests that often degenerated into violent confrontations between the police and those demonstrating against one thing or another.
In most such encounters , some of the protesters ended up losing dear lives, killed by the officers or maimed by them .
Now, that is not the stuff one would ordinarily refer to as good news because it is not interesting reading about but remember the media has a role to play – key among them, to inform the masses.
As many police officers will tell you, none of those who have served in Nyanza are usually keen to take up such assignments as to contain rioters in this part of the world.
Call them petty, arrogant, naive or what you choose to, but the people of this region are not known to take excesses, whether from government or otherwise lying down and that probably explains the bitter protests and demonstrations which usually begin as peaceful demos in the region but sometimes turn to be very ugly in the end as witnessed in the past.
However, riots don’t mix well, either with development or peaceful coexistence and where there is violence; no development can ever take place.
But then again it is prudent to remember always that the media has a role; including telling you where there is chaos and therefore you cannot blame them for giving you negative publicity as long as you don’t conduct yourselves with decorum, right?
The media is only required to play that role responsibly and without omitting facts.
Interestingly however, what ails Kisumu, or what has held it back over the years, really does not only rest with riots and bad publicity, although these too have played an integral role.
The city, for instance proved pundits wrong in the recent past and manifested its ability to not only grow and attract more investors, but it also managed to bring back investor confidence which was at its lowest ebb in record time.
Examining the way in which Kisumu emerged strong, although badly wounded following the events after the disputed 2007 polls , one gets a clear indication that this city and the region has immense potential and energy for tremendous growth.
It is true the events of 2007-8 will forever remain edged in the minds of many and in the annals of history of this city for years to come but it also served as a big lesson on how not to manage conflicts arising either from social-economic or political disputes.
But if we want to remain true to ourselves, then let us accept facts as they are. The main problem for this region has been and remains bad leadership. A leadership without vision.
The leadership has overtime failed to show direction to the rest. Failing to guide its people and not leading from the front.
This leadership has been selfish, inept and above all not accountable to anyone but itself. This must not be tolerated moving forward.
Those who have been charged with the responsibility of managing public affairs have largely mismanaged it and the result of the rot that has existed over the years in most of our institutions is manifested all over.
Let’s face it; the issue has never been lack of capacity, in terms of potential to grow the region, far from it.
Land for example; as a factor of production is key and Nyanza is blessed with have huge chunks of fertile land most of which is just lying fallow.
Allow me then to ask the following:
Apart from not putting land into proper use, why have we failed to use the flood waters of river Nyando of Kisumu County and Kuja of Migori to be able to be food sufficient?
And why, for example, cant the rice farmers of Nyando be like their colleagues from Mwea in Embu? Can’t anyone please talk to them about value addition and facilitate them into adopting the same?
Can anyone please show me where serious mechanized large scale agriculture is taking place in our region save for those demonstration plots or in the sugar growing zones?
We must ask ourselves, what aren’t we doing right and how can we be helped to do it right?
Whenever it rains in this part of the world, it’s all misery, you all know it.
Rains to us bring doom as opposed to blessings. What does it take for us to learn a thing or two about building proper dykes like our brothers and sisters of Budalang’i to control flooding?
Come to think of it, what have we done with the huge and the untapped natural resource that is Lake Victoria?
Now the vast lake is chocking under the dreaded hyacinth weed and the local leadership, whether elected or otherwise is not mentioning it anywhere.
Like the rest of the country, Nyanza has had its fair share of challenges and predicaments but as a region; this is the time to seize the moment as provided for in law through devolution to fix a few things and get most of them right.
In the same vain we must examine where we have come from even as we move forward.
Now, power has been devolved to us. We can choose to utilize our resources sustainably to create more wealth and grow or remain in abject poverty for ever.
In Kisumu, scores of industries remain inactive while others are completely shut down.
The Sugar sub sector which was once vibrant, offering hope to many farmers and their families is today registering lackluster performance.
Most of the public milling firms are at the brink of closure, sagging under huge debts which are uneconomical to service.
Cotton farmers who heeded calls by the government to revive cultivation of the cash crop are today stuck with tones of their produce in their farms due to lack of market or low prices offered to them by middle men.
Sadly nothing positive seem to come from this region which was once known as the home of great scholars.
Hundreds of thousands of youths are unemployed with most of them taking to riding bicycles with university degrees to boot in order to earn a living.
Many more are idling along and about the streets of major towns in the region and the temptation to venture into crime are real.
The only outstanding development in the region which one can single out is the Kisumu International Airport whose commissioning rekindled hope amongst the locals.
But with little or nothing to export, even the facility may largely remain underutilized or better still serve only those who can afford air fare.
Kisumu had its past glory.
Having emerged sometime in 1901 during the building of the Kenya –Uganda railways ,it provided the much needed link amongst the British east African protectorates of the time and indeed to the rest of the continent.
Known only as Port Florence then, Kisumu was clean, green, young and promising even at its nascent formations.
The lake next to which it sits had clear waters.
The population then was very small and the existing houses at the time were built in good order.
Land, mainly in the hands of government was huge, with the railways cooperation having most of it. Planning for what would become the third largest City in Kenya was proper and space for future expansion was factored in.
Like in other towns, roads were well maintained; water transport was vibrant with most shipping companies preferring to dock at the Kisumu pier.
Satellite towns like Kibos, Muhoroni and Butere in western region among others, flourished because the railway transport worked.
It was also the time Kendu bay, Homa bay, Asembo bay and the like were famous since the lake transport was effective and reliable.
But things began taking a downward trend with astonishing results. Where streets were fully lit, today Kisumu is a pale shadow of its former self.
While most towns are active at night trying to register a twenty four hour economy, Kisumu goes to sleep early.
In fact, save for the vibrant bars that remain active past mid night in most of the city estates and others within town, nothing can be noticed at the CBD after 9pm.
Apart from the Nakumatt supermarket that operates 24 hours within the CBD, the rest of the business premises remain a no go zone immediately after 7.30pm when most of them close.
The streets are dark with the posh Milimani estate being the worst lit and most dangerous if the increased house brake ins and attacks mainly targeting senior government employees in this hood is anything g to go by .
With no proper street lighting and enhanced security, no business activities can be undertaken, probably explaining why most parts of the city goes to sleep early.
As the new devolved systems take effect, most people are keenly watching how the governor and his team will strive to correct the wrongs that Kisumu has witnessed in the past.
This is why the local residents cannot allow their newly elected leaders to paralyze operations at the county assembly like their colleagues elsewhere in demands for better pay when a lot still needs to be fixed.
Most investors would for example wish to see the issue of land addressed.
This is probably amongst the growing list of towns where trying to buy land can be such a risky engagement.
Even people who are legally allocated land and are paying land rates are not immune to the risk of losing such property to swindlers who are all over the place.
Cases of land fraud are in their thousands as victims make endless trips within the court corridors in pursuit of justice in Kisumu.
Double allocation of land is no longer strange even as number of fraudsters and land sale cartels keeps growing each passing day.
Corruption has fueled the problem and the demand for housing in a town where it takes months to get development plans approved has not helped matters.
Even the ambitious slums upgrading program that began on a high note spearheaded by the ministry of housing has little impact to write home about.
The city fathers must quickly adopt new ways and methods especially on how they view and handle investors and do so fast enough to conform to devolution.
The perception that investors are only foreigners or people from outside the country must stop.
Developers who buy land in the town with intention to invest in real estate for example go through rough times indeed.
For starters , the development plans here attract very high fees and takes ages to approve although the same council by-laws requires that plots be developed within one year after allocation.
Stringent requirements sometimes leave many would -be developers dejected even in the face of the biting housing shortage in the town.
Even those who manage to get the approvals soon find that some of the essential services that would ordinarily be available courtesy of various government agencies to make investment affordable are lacking.
Most estates within Kisumu for example, are not connected to the main sewer system which is amongst the key mandates of Kisumu water and Sewerage Company.
KIWASCO has failed over the years to ensure the number of residents or homes connected into the sewer system is expanded.
What this means is that any developer who put up a housing unit in areas not covered must construct septic tanks which in most cases pushes tremendously the general cost of their projects.
While we impress upon investors to consider coming to Kisumu, the authorities must ensure the infrastructure available is supportive of such economic endeavors.
The roads in the urban area of Kisumu are pathetic and must be fixed. Despite huge amounts of money it receives yearly for upgrades there is little really on the ground to show for it.
Most roads in the industrial area for example are not tarmac ked and others that were are now completely worn out.
The streets are clean but the estates are doomed. Residents are forced to enter into collection arrangements in the estates with private garbage collectors to do what we expect the council to do for us since we pay taxes to them.
In fact Kisumu officially declared it had failed to get a dumping site even after allocating sh 10 M in the past for a dump site.
The Kisumu governor Mr Jack Ranguma who is expected to soon form a commission to run the city affairs on behalf of the residents must henceforth also find it his priority to stop those who pollute the lake with impunity.
Once billed as the second largest fresh water lake in the world, many are now debating whether this is still true of Lake Victoria given the increasing degradation of its waters.
Some of the industries, sugar millers and even local authorities neighboring the lake are known to be amongst the chief polluters and they seem to be getting away with it over the years.
These and many more are what many people from this region would want to see fixed and fixed completely by the devolved government and if they fail we will no longer have the luxury of blaming the national government or national leadership as has been the norm whenever we get it wrong.
END.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Homa-Bay Town
THE Homa-Bay County governor Cyprian Otieno Awiti has completed nomination and vetting of members of the Assembly committee comprising of seven individual talented men and three women.
The governor, however, faced serious accusation and allegations that two of the women nominated to the Assembly executive governing committee are known for political activities and long time social associates of senior ODM leadership in the region.
Mrs Consilata Yambo Migowa from Gwasssi will head waters services and environment, Ms Dorothy Atieno Okello will head Tourism, culture and Sports, Ms Beatrice A.Olomo will head housing physical planning,Nicholas Obuya Koriko will head the Finance and Economic Planning,
Also included in the County cabinet is Phrase Ogweno Ratego from Rusinga Island who will head the Natural Resources, Dr Odiwuor David Okeyo will be in-charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr. Lawrence Odong will take care of Health Services , Naphutally Matta will head Education, Information Communication and Technology and Eliud Otieno Ochieng is to head Transport and Infrastructure.
Governor Awiti was away and could not be reached to clarify the claims that his cabinet is dotted by women of low immorality who have been associating socially with some of the former ODM party Big-Wigs.
On two occasions his phone No 0722 539627 rang , but he promised he would contact this writer, but never called again.
Political pundits and local observers felt that only Mrs Consilata Yambo Migowa is fit to sit in the cabinet, but others two would fail to pass the immorality test.
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By Agwanda Saye
The Commission on Administrative of Justice has launched its Kisumu Branch office which , marks the beginning of the Commission’s decentralization process to the Counties to take services closer to the public in line with the constitution.
The CAJ Chair Otiende Amollo says the Commission appreciates the Challenges faced by the public especially the limited knowledge about administrative justice and their entitlements to the demand prompt and quality services from public institutions.
According to the commission man Kenyans countrywide are in demand of their services owing to systematic weaknesses as well as behavioral aspects that have always impeded quality, prompt and efficient service delivery in the public sector.
“In the year 2012, the Commission handled a total of 4,062 complaints, out of these 1,398 complaints and inquiries were resolved” Amollo added.
He added that the statistics showed that the majority of the complaints and inquiries received were against the Ministry of Lands at 11%, National Police Service at 10%,the Judiciary and Provincial Administration 8% each ,State Law Office 5%,Ministry of Labor 4% and Ministry of Finance and the City Council of Nairobi at 3%.
“In terms of the categorization, most of the complaints and inquiries related to delay, unresponsive official conduct, unlawful official conduct, administrative injustice inefficiency and abuse of power among others” he added.
The Commision will also be opening another office in Mombasa to cater for the public within the Coastal Region and will also set up offices in other regions based on the resource allocation.
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Reports Leo Odera Omolo
RESIDENTS of Kokise village in Central Asembo, Location,Siaya County were on Thursday thrown into the mourning mood following an ugly incident in which a Nile crocodile grabbed and devoured a 14 year old Form Two student at Kokise Secondary School.
The boy had gone along the shore of Lake Victoria to have a bath when the reptile struck. The deceased, Bramwel Otieno, screamed hard while trying to free himself from the grip of the reptile in vain.
People working in the nearby farms along the lake shore heard Otieno’s screaming and rushed to the scene, but it was too late as the reptile had already overpowered the victim and dragged him into the deep waters.
This was the third incident within a short period of time where rogue hippo had killed two fishermen in similar fashion.
According to the area’s administrative chief, Mr Eric Okal, Otieno could have been saved had there been more people at the scene at the material time.
So far the deceased body had not been retrieved or recovered from the lake, but a search team, who included divers and policemen, were at the scene.
Siaya Governor Cornel Rassanga appealed to the officials of the Kenya Wildlife Services “KWS” to dispatch game rangers to the area to try to relocate the reptile or shoot it dead.
The governor, however, warned the residents to steer clear of the lake’s shorelines,specially at this time when it is raining heavily in the area. He declared the lake shore line the most dangerous area.
ENDS
Writes Leo Odera Omolo
Kenya’s newly elected Head of State President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta was among the heads of states and governments of the East African Community{EAC} who were in attendance at the Summit of the regional trading bloc held in the Northern Tanzanian City Arusha last Sunday.
The one day Summit, which brought together heads of states of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania was held at the Ngurudoto Mountain Lodge, which is located about ten kilometers outside Arusha town.
Other heads o state who were in attendance included Yoweri Museveni {Uganda}, Jakaya Kikwete {Tanzania} Pierre Nkurunzinza {Burundi} and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
At the end of the one day summit, the EAC leaders sign draft resolution in which they sent out a strong message that the region would not tolerate insecurity or destabilization that would scare off investors an undermine development efforts.
The leaders further stated that with the recent discovery of oil and gas deposits, the region must get rid of any efforts o derail its quest to settle down and tap the vast natural resources for development.
“No one should be allowed to derail or to destabilize the region. Our region is now conducive for massive investment and development ‘” said President Museveni who read the final draft to the newsmen.
President Kenyatta on his part stressed that instability must be fought off in order to make the ac region a pace which is conducive for investment and development. CHEERED TO BY HIS COLLEAGUES, President Kenyatta who attended the summit for the first time since he was elected to the office following March 4 ,2013 general election in Kenya was the center of interest by onlookers and government officials.
President Kenyatta said the stability must remain a critical ingredient for the future development and prosperity.
The Kenyan leader said that his country’s priority will be to work closely with the EAC partner states.
Meanwhile other information emerging or the EAC Arusha based secretariat says the five member countries have raised concerns about Tanzanian reluctance to scrap the work permit stance that is still undermining the free flow of labor across the region.
THE LAST Sunday summit meeting asked Tanzania to consider resolving the issue and report on it during the net East African Legislative assembly meeting scheduled for Uganda next months.
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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In MigoriTown.
The inter-communal relations between the Luo and their minority Kuria neighbors with whom they two communities are sharing the devolution governance of Migori County is cordial and very warm.
The two communities are forging ahead with the real task of development after the County governor Zachary Okoth Obado had instituted his executives committee for the County.
This followed the swearing in of the County Speaker a Mr Gordon Ogola, a Nairobi based lawyer and the deputy speaker.
The former chairman of the defunct Awendo Town Council Johnson Omolo Owiro who is representing Central Sakwa in the regional legislative body was elected the leader of the majority while Daniel Okello clinched the leadership of the minority.
The assembly members categorically denied there was tension between the two communities. Out County has taken off and what we are aiming for is the real task of nation building said Representative Johnson Omolo
Representatives said the reported tension was the figment work and imaginations of some NGOs operating in the area who are sowing the seeds of discord.
By Agwanda Saye
Kisumu Governor, Jack Ranguma has said that his government will prioritize environmental cleaning up of Lake Victoria to remove water hyacinth and check unabated dumping of industrial effluent into the shared water mass.
Ranguma, while presiding over the official opening of Kisumu County Assembly, stated that the county government will also invest in comprehensive healthcare and agriculture to address persistent food insecurity without losing sight of environmental conservation.
“We are committed to improving the abundant potential in health sector, tourism, fishing industry and production of ethanol by local sugar industries through expanding existing capacities alongside removal of water hyacinth to enable lake transportation”, he explained.
The Governor who earlier in the week toured Nyando, Nyakach and Muhoroni areas which bore the brunt of flash floods, announced that elaborate plans had been put in place to improve existing dykes to effectively control perennial flooding that resulted in the loss of lives, crops and animals.
Ranguma said his government will embark on turning Kisumu into a city of the future to ultimately serve as a study for the country and regionally.
“Our County will promote foreign investments and attract donor funding, while remaining committed to stamp out corruption, neglect and waste to facilitate economic growth”, he reassured.
The governor swore to seal all the corruption loopholes and smash the elaborate syndicates hell-bent on thwarting Kisumu County’s development efforts.
“Each one of us has a duty to protect public wealth, considering that we have the best human resource and stand up against the exploits of opportunists and say no to the Lords of corruption”, he said exuding confidence.
Ranguma vowed to embrace consultative leadership through engaging the diverse and competent resources at their disposal by establishing growth centers at specific sub-Counties (Districts).
The Governor also pledged to spearhead a comprehensive, cost-effective healthcare for Kisumu County residents and transform The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital into a preferred regional facility for locals and neighboring counties.
ENDS:
By Agwanda Saye.
The High Court has ordered lawyers to adhere to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Revised Dress Code.
High Court Judge Justice David Majanja dismissed a case seeking to declare the Advocates Revised Dress Code (2013) unconstitutional.
The dress code sparked public debate as it barred female lawyers from wearing revealing clothes including sleeveless shirts or dresses. It also made it mandatory for male Advocates to appear in court clad in dark coloured suits.
Lawyer Andrew Barney Khakula sued LSK and the Attorney General on January 24 arguing that the dress code violated Article 47 of the Constitution that guaranteed fair administrative action.
“The petition is frivolous and dismissed with costs to the first Respondent (LSK),” Justice Majanja ordered.
Following the Judgment, LSK CEO Apollo Mboya dispatched a circular to the 10,240 Advocates countrywide to abide by the Revised Dress Code. “Members are now expected to adhere to the dress code for appearance before courts and Tribunals,” Mboya said. The CEO warned that Advocates who appeared in court or tribunal dressed contrary to the code commited a professional misconduct.
Justice Majanja said that neither the petitioner (Khakula) nor his advocate failed to appear in court despite the hearing date being taken by mutual consent,” Justice Majanja ordered.
Justice Majanja said – in a two page ruling - that Khakula further failed to comply with an earlier order to file written submissions before he directed the matter to proceed for hearing.
Khakula was seeking a review of the Advocates Dress Code which is to give guidance to lawyers concerning matters of dressing for purposes of appearance in Court.
“I am satisfied that the petition does not disclose a cause of action as he does not state how his rights have been violated or identify the manner in which the dress code infringes on his personal rights and fundamental freedoms,” Justice Majanja ordered.
LSK opposed the petition arguing that its Council is empowered to issue regulations and directions regulating the conduct of Advocates including the manner of dress in court.
The dressing code barred wearing of culottes, shorts and jeans are not allowed – whether they bare suites or not – skirts must be of dark colours and at least knee length.
And blouses must be black, charcoal, grey, navy blue or similar colours and may be printed materials of a combination of the colours together with cream and white.
Shoes that expose the toes of both male and female lawyers are banned unless suffering from a feet ailment when sandals can be allowed. Shoes must be black, grey, navy blue or brown.
However, it allowed female lawyers to wear trouser suits and braid their hair when appearing before Judges, Magistrates and Tribunals.
The hair braids must be neat and held back from the face with a hair band, ribbon or hair grip when appearing before court. Braids should not be intertwined with coloured threads or flamboyant so as to bring the legal profession into disrepute.
Ends…
By Dickens Wasonga
The country may not know that even in the just concluded polls there were IDPs, only that this time they were quickly compensated and they moved back to their homes.
This was the case in Kisumu's Kondele and Car wash areas where some people pitched camp at the Kondele police station albeit briefly. However its the good gesture by the government in Kisumu to coordinate efforts facilitated by well-wishers to appease these Kenyans that has left tongues wagging with a section of Nyanza IDPs of 2007 election related violence lamenting that they were a forgotten lot .
At the heart of the matter is the Sh 10,000 payment each of the more than fifty families said to have been evicted from their homes in Kisumu after the Supreme Court verdict on March 4 polls received.
Some fifty three families allegedly dashed to police stations in Kisumu out of fear immediately the court upheld Uhuru Kenyatta Presidency.
Spontaneous protests rocked parts of the city among them Kondele, Nyalenda, Nyawita and Obunga areas immediately the ruling was made but police moved swiftly to quell the tension.
Later, Kisumu East District Commissioner Willy Cheboi told Journalists that the security team had directed all the families camping at the police stations to vacate them since there was no cause for alarm.
The DC warned that some people were masquerading as Internally Displaced Persons to seek favors from the Government.
However, it later emerged that the families were compensated despite the government officer’s earlier claims that they would not be compensated since their property were safe.
When contacted for comments regarding the payment of the families, Kisumu East DC Willy Cheboi said he would not comment on the matter since his office did not coordinate the payments.
“The coordination of the payment was made by the County Commissioner’s office hence the officer is at the right position to comment on the matter,” Cheboi said.
The County Commissioner Lorna Odero when contacted confirmed payment of cash to the said families.
She however, denied the payment being from the Government.
“We paid the families but not from government funds. The payment was coordinated by my office but the money came from well wishers,” Odero said.
She pointed out that The Kenya Red Cross, the disaster committee and the Kisumu Rescue Committee gave out the funds for compensation.
Several IDPs in Nyanza have in the past raised concerns over the delay in compensation by the government.
They have raised complaints of not receiving compensation as their colleagues from other parts of the country and wondered how quick “a few in Kisumu were paid after the Supreme court verdict.”
Their leaders claimed the move was a clear pointer to their earlier claims that the government was favoring some IDPs while ignoring the plight of some who have been kept waiting for assistance five years down the line especially those from Nyanza who returned to the region after fleeing violence of 2007 election .
According to the chairman of 2007 IDPs from Nyanza Mr. Nelson Owegi not even a half of the 126,000 returnees from the region have been compensated by the state over the loss they suffered in the skirmishes.
Owegi said this was despite earlier promises made to them last year in August by the PS Andrew Mondoh during a meeting held at the PCs office which was atttended by representatives of the victims from across the region.
'' We even visited the PS in his office in Nairobi four months later for a follow up meeting and he promised us payment before the general elections. We feel we are being discriminated by the government'' he said.
Owegi was forced to flee the violence from Limuru where he was doing business and suffered a great loss during the violence which rocked the country following the disputed results of 2007 polls.
ENDS.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo
Information emerging from the Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar Es Salaam says that armed conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is likely to shift to the East African Legislative Assembly this week with the regional parliament taking Tanzania to task over its support for a new UN sanctioned peacekeeping force following the recent breakdown talks between the M23 rebels and Kinshasa government.
Tanzania currently chairs the Southern African Development Community {SADC} peace and security Council, that political pundits and analysts argue that leaning towards SADC give Dar’s conflicting obligation to the international conferee on the Great Lakes and east African community, leaves on a collision course with Uganda and Rwanda, which are vehemently opposed to troop deployment under the UN.
A Ugandan member of the East African Legislative Assembly Fred Mukasa Mbidde was last week quoted as having tabled a motion at the regional parliament asking Tanzania to support the position that "military confrontation can only escalate war".
THe EALA member said, ”Our position is based on three facts,
One, that Uganda and Rwanda may be drawn into an unnecessary war,
Two, that Uganda and Rwanda sometimes, Tanzania always suffer the humanitarian burden,
Third, war can only lead to further proliferation of arms in the region."
The motion at the EALA meeting which is scheduled for April 16 will also propose that SADC AND THE un Security Council resolution or an “offensive international peacekeeping force” against M23 rebels be kept in abeyance to give dialogue a chance.
The newly elected Kenyan head of state President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta will attend the EALA meeting o the first time since winning his presidential race on 4 March 2013.
However, this latest development comes as Tanzania prepares to seek parliamentary approval for its troops participation in the mission when the government tables on 3 May 2013, the Ministry o Defense and National Service budget, which its national security council has already endorsed.
Tanzania is also engaged in other UN peace keeping missions in Liberia,Sierra Leone,Ivory Coast and Sudan It has committed itself to deploying 850 troops in the DR Congo, part of UN Security Council sanctioned 2,000 –man “Intervention Brigade” approved a week ago.South Africa is another SADC member state wit economic interest in the SADC has also agreed to contribute troops, according to the Uganda EALA member Mbide.
The M23 rebels and the Kinshasa government of President Laurent Kabila have been in talks aimed at ending fighting which ha claimed many lives and displaced thousands since late last year when a section of rebels that had joined government after brokered deal opted out and resumed fighting citing marginalization.
A UN probe committee accused Rwanda and Uganda of supporting the M23, but Uganda was .Kampala in spite of the accusations, brokered the dialogue between the belligerents citing the talks broke two months ago following a violent split in the M23 leadership. Uganda’s Defense Minister Dr Crispus Kiyonga however, continued with the efforts to brig the belligerents back to the talking table.
The Permanent secretary in the Ugandan ‘s ministry of Foreign affairs James Mugume dismissed talks as ridiculous exercise between Uganda and Tanzania.
He said, It is entirely untrue. We are currently hosting SADC and EAC Joint Chief of Staff we are doing truck carrot we are supporting dialogue but if dialogue fails then members can resort to other means of resoling the conflicts ,he added.
Mbidde said the regional parliament {EALA} has ten a position for dialogue and Tanzania position for troop deployment is against this spiriti of dialogue
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Reports Leo Odera Omolo
POLITICALLY motivated thuggery which was so rampant in Oyugis town during the recently concluded general elections is still thriving prompting the residents to call upon the Provincial Administration and police authorities to declare the town an emergency area.
Oyugis town is the largest commercial an administrative town in Rachuonyo south district. The residents want the authorities to intensify night police patrols of this busy commercial town after close to three people have been reported killed by night gangsters.
The town became so much prone to thuggery during the recently concluded general election, when marauding went into the rampage of hunting or the supports of different and preferable candidates with machetes and other crude weapons.
Last weekend, a Chief Inspector of Police who was in-charge of the prosecution Oyugis courts became the latest victims of thuggery. The officer was walking back to his house after purchasing some milk in the shops in the town when the attackers whose numbers remained unknown pounced on him with pangas and other crude weapons.
Other unconfirmed sources said tat Chief Inspector John Kipyegon was armed with his services revolved, which the thus I suspected to have stolen. He was found by a good Samaritan who rushed him to Kisii hospital about 32 kilometers away where he was pronounced dead before receiving treatment. The incident occurred at about 8.p.m
Another young man who was walking to his home in Kokal village, which is located next to Oyugis town was killed in similar circumstances. Oyugis own, which is located right in the middles of the main Kisumu-Kisii road which houses the main-bus terminals.
Thugs are said to be targeting those travelers alighting out of Matatus and county buses late in the evenings. Several people have reported being attacked by gangs said to be numbering between six and eight, but so far no arrests have been made despite of the town having a full fledged and well equipped police station.
The former MP for Kasipul-Kabondo William Oloo Otula appealed to the area OCPD whose offices are situated at Kosele district headquarter to consider increasing the number of officers to be on patrol of Oyugis town to stamp out insecurity there.
The fast growing Oyugis town, he said, is yawning or investment, but as the situation stands today, he said no sane person would risk investing his/her money in the crime prone town.
Otula appealed with the officers from the CID department operating the area to work closely with the local population so as to enhance the security of the area.
Since the election is long over, bands of youths hitherto marauding youths who were supporting various parliamentary aspirant I he area should be disbanded and it is up to their members to embark on gainful development activities instead of thuggery, aid one trader in Oyugis town.
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By Dickens wasonga,
The founders of the world’s largest micro-lending platform for social good, Kiva are in Kenya to officially open its Anglophone Africa Regional office in Nairobi, Kenya.
Matt Flannery and Premal Shah, the CEO, the President and Co-founders, respectively, officially open the Kiva Regional office based at the Strathmore Business School at Madaraka tomorrow.
The Nairobi office is Kiva’s first outside of the U.S., a tremendous milestone for the nonprofit organization, which was founded in 2005 to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty, expand economic opportunity and generally change lives for better.
“As we open the doors to our new office in Nairobi, we are opening the door for new opportunities at Kiva and exciting partnerships across Africa,” said Matt Flannery, CEO and co-founder of Kiva. “Nairobi is an emergent hub for social enterprise because of the entrepreneurial spirit that is nurtured here. By laying down roots in Nairobi, Kiva will be able to strengthen and expand innovative partnerships that help to advance our mission to alleviate poverty and advance economic opportunity throughout the region.”
Through Kiva, anyone with an Internet connection can make a loan as little as $25 to the borrower of their choice on Kiva.org. And with Kiva’s repayment rate of 98.9%, lenders are able to relend their money again and again, or withdraw it from the system. Kiva’s community of 900,000 lenders have crowdfunded more than $410 million in loans for one million people worldwide. In Kenya, more than 63,000 people have received a combined total of $20.5 million in loans funded by 250,000 people from 125 countries.
These microloans help borrowers start and grow businesses, go to school, buy clean energy products, and finance sustainable agricultural practices in Kenya and more than 65 other nations.
“Fundamentally, Kiva is about recognizing and supporting the potential that each person has whether they live in the next town or across the world,” said Premal Shah, Kiva Co-founder and President. “When we recognize and act on the potential in ourselves and others, as lenders or borrowers, powerful things can happen.”
Kiva leverages the power of collective good and new technologies to push the boundaries of economic opportunity in unique ways. To reach people on a local level -- including some of the most remote places on earth -- Kiva works with upwards of 150 partners, 14 of whom are in Kenya. These partners have traditionally been microfinance institutions that administer loans for borrowers. Increasingly, Kiva is partnering with organizations that do not have their own lending programs; partners such as universities, social enterprises, and non-governmental organizations.
Kiva’s partners in Kenya are opening up new and innovative loan products through Kiva’s flexible, risk-tolerant capital. Together with Strathmore University, Kiva offers smart students from low-income backgrounds an 11-year tuition loan, with a five-year grace period. These students are proving that tuition loans are viable investments, opening doors for students in the region and around the world. Students like Lydia from Turkana County in northern Kenya, who is the first in her family to graduate from secondary school.
“There are a lot of challenges that I have faced, but normally I encourage myself by saying, ‘What matters in life is not really where I am now, but rather the direction I am heading,’” said Lydia, who is studying for her Bachelor of Commerce degree at Strathmore. “I will never allow my past experiences to compromise the quality of my future. Given this chance by Kiva, my higher education can be achieved. Thanks to God for this opportunity.”
Kiva partner, Juhudi Killimo, provides financial services to over 7,000 smallholder farmers in rural Kenya, approximately half of whom are women. Juhudi’s mission is to provide market-driven, wealth-creating financial services including loans to acquire productive assets such as dairy cows, chickens and irrigation equipment. Another partner Komaza, helps borrowers convert drylands into productive family tree farms in Eastern Kenya. Komaza equips local farmers with the supplies and training they need to plant fast-growing trees on their unused land. This generates income for their families and creates a sustainable wood supply for local markets.
Kiva is continuing to innovate in Kenya through their new pilot project, Kiva Zip. Kiva Zip enables anyone –organizations or individuals who care about economic opportunity—to become Trustees and vouch for entrepreneurs seeking microloans to start or expand their small business. Once endorsed, borrowers can post their loan request on Kiva Zip and connect directly with Kiva’s growing global community of lenders to receive an interest-free loan. Loans are received and repaid via M-PESA.
Among the 53 Kiva Zip Trustees in Kenya is Shining Hope for Communities. Shining Hope combats gender inequality and extreme poverty in the Kibera slum, serving people who are generally not able to access traditional sources of credit. In just five months, Shining Hope has vouched for more than 50 women seeking to start or expand their small businesses, bringing additional income into their homes and families.
Kiva is a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that connects millions of people around the world through lending to alleviate poverty and expand opportunity. With as little as a $25 loan, anyone can help a borrower start or grow a business, go to school, access clean energy and realize their potential. Since its inception in 2005, Kiva and their growing global community of 900,000 lenders have crowd funded more than $400 million in loans to over 1 million people, with a 98.9% repayment rate.
ENDS.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.
The political mood inside Luo-Nyanza after yesterday’s swearing in of President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and his deputy William Samoe Ruto is all soberly and the residents of this region have said they are willing to cooperate fully and work with new Kenyatta administrati9on for the better future.
Contrary to the beliefs in certain quarters that the chaos which had erupted last week following the Supreme court’s verdict on electi9n petition filed by the CORD leader Raila Odinga would erupt again.
But no ugly incident was reported in any parts of the Luo-Nyanza as Kenyans celebrated the colorful swearing-in ceremony at the Ksarani Sports ground in Nairobi
Some motorists, particularly matatus which are usually plying the Eldoret Kisumu and Kericho Kisumu roads kept out of business for the better part of yesterday morning fearing that youths would set illegal road blocks and lit bonfire on the roads.
This caused a lot of difficulties for passengers travelling the same distances would set illegal road block sand lit bonfires as they did last week that provoked the two day running battles between them and the police.Two people died from the police gun-shot wounds, scores were arrested and 24 others were hospitalized.
The popular issues, however, is that President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto and their closest advisers should be given free hand and breathing space to select the new cabinet team of youthful technocrats with unstained names
All the political deadwoods and old and tired politicians whose performance in the past regimes were riddled with the mega financial scandals should retire honorably and go home.
Across section of those interviewed by this write within Kisumu City and its environs have supported the views expressed by Kiambu governor William Kabogo that those who had lost the elections on March 4, 2013 should be excluded from the cabinet after their rejections by the voters.
Govern9or Kabogo had mentioned the names of Charity Ngilu, Najib Balala,ChirauAli Mwakwere,and Naomi Shaban.
But also the persons the residents of Nyanza be excluded from the cabinet included the former Minister for Foreign Affairs Prof. Sam Ongeri, Raphael Tuju and Omingo Magara, Otieno Kajwang’of Anyang’ Nyong’o.Charity Ngilu’s yesterday speech at the State House did not go down well and was not well received by the residents of this city who argued that despite being a partner in the jubilee alliance an election loser like Ngilu should not beall9owedtoaddress Kenyans n an important state functi0n.She is a political reject and should stop pestering Kenyatta and Ruto for cabinet appointment
Appointment together with other election loser would amount t an insult to Kenyans.The new cabinet should be free of political turn-coats, party hoppers and political chameleons.
Meanwhile the news making the round in Kisumu and its environs is that prominent Luo leaders and members of the Luo Council of elders are currently conducting the behind the scene meetings while plotting and strategizing or plans to have the community send a very powerful delegation to President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto in the near future on a mission dabbed as “To pledge the community’s unswerving loyalty to the new government.”.
The community had voted form President Kenyatta arch-rival Raila Odinga during the recently concluded general election. Although their presidential candidate had lost the election to Kenyatta, thr community did not want to live in isolation, but wouldliket9pulltheir strength and resources together wit other Kenyatta in the real task of nation building, “said one the elders in Kisumu who is part of the team, but who requested for his identtytobeke0tmsecret for the time being.
‘Ker” Meshack Riaga Ogalo, the de facto chairman of the Luo Council of Elders is said to have already blessed the plan for the community to warming itself up to President Kenyatta and, the new government.
Ker Riaga Ogalo could not be reached for his immediate comment over the issue.
Another rumor making the round in Kisumu City and its environs is that the youthful MP for,Kisumu Town Central Ken Obura has accepted to stand down and resign his parliamentary seat in order to facilitate the entry into parliament by the CORD leader Raila Odinga.The deal is said to have been concluded and its in its advanced stage.
Hon Obura who hails from Kabonyo area of West Kano has the blood relations with Mr.Odinga his mother hails from Bondo not far away from Raila’s rural home.When his father the late Obura MaugoTipo a former civic leader in the defunct Kisumu County Council, the young Obura moved out of Kano plains and established a home for his mother in Bondo among their uncles.
Obura could not be reached immediately to confirm or deny the rumor..
Writes Leo Odera Omolo
Tanzania is expected to spend the colossal amount of USD 330 million to upgrade its railways network in order to make it competitive with those across Central and Southern Africa.
The venture involves track repair and up grades including changing the national network rail line to the standard gauge.
The move according to an impeccable source in Arusha follow tripartite agreement to harmonize operations between the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority [Tazara] Zambia Railways Limited,and the Societe National des Chemine des Fer do CongoSari of the Democratic Republic of Congo,the National Raiway operation of Tanzania,Zambia and DR Congo respectively.
The deal which was signed recently is expected to facilitate smooth and seamless transportation of goods and passengers in the three states.
Tanzania’s Transport Minister Harrison Mwakyembe was quoted last week as saying the sums of Tshs 6 billion {USD 3.7 million] had so far been spent on the renovations, train carriages and railway infrastructure for the Tanzania Railway ltd.
The government has ordered 274 passenger wagons,22 locomotives,23 wagons and 34 railway stocks,brakes {brakes vans},which are expected in the country before the end of June this year.
According to Minister Mwakyembe, the government of Tanzania through Tazara has also secured USD 39 million from China to buy six new locomotives 80 new wagons and spare parts as well as to renovate nine locomotive engines.
The Central rail line running westwards from Dar Es Salaam through Dodoma will be improved substantially this year, he added.
The upgraded Tanzania Central line on a standard gauge is expected to carry 35 million tones of freight annually to Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and eastern DRCongo..
Dalmas Ndamburo the managing director of the Tazara said the acquisition of the new locomotives and other measures by the management is expected to increase the tonnage of cargo that it hauls.
Dr Ndamburo said the government of Zambia is providing the USD 82 milion needed to keep the UHURU railway line afloat.
Tazara operates in two countries of Zambia and Tanzania –both which have regional managers working on the set performance benchmarks. Tanzania hosts the headquarters. Each regional manager has been tasked with the responsibility of increasing tonnage of cargo and goods from 30,000 to 809,000 tones.
The railway line which is to connect Rwanda,Burundi and Tanzania is now under construction.
Charles Tireba, the deputy Minister for Transport sasid the Dar Es Salaam-Isaka-Kigali / Reza, Getag M Mosongoti Railway project which is estimated to cost USD 52 billion will take four years to complete and is expected to lower Rwanda’s and Burundi’ transport costs.
Rwanda and Burundi have had to bear high transport costs when ferrying goods from the Kenyan coastal port of Mombasa and Dar Es Salaam, which has increased the cost of doing business in the two countries. The new railway line is also expected to reduce the time it takes to transport cargo from Dar Es Salaam.The use of road takes four days while the railway will take just two days.
Tanzania is currently seeking USD 13,3 billion to finance infrastructure projects.
These projects include the rehabilitation of the railways from Dar Es Salaam to Tabora as well as Kilimapanda line to Kasanga port on Lake Tanganyika.
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