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Jaluo Kama Jaluo rade gi joluo wete gi… East African, international, news, politics, culture, business & economy, environment, arts, are discussed by contributors in Africa and world wide. Writers call for social justice, better governance, quality investment.

3Jun/130

The World Environment Day- 5th June

From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

I will be hosted at Radio Ramogi tomorrow at 8.00am in the morning and anyone who has access to a Radio can tune in. And today in the morning, Mr. Sam Okello- President of Sahel Publishing was hosted at Ramogi this morning and he discussed his new book- Luo Nation Rising. This is something we want to invite as many people to buy and read.

I bought my copy and Sam signed it off for me. Sam has been a great Friend to me and to KCDN and I am happy that he also Registered himself, his wife and his colleague as Members of Kimisho Community Development Network- KCDN when we met this morning.

The World will be celebrating the World Environment Day on the 5th June 2013. In Kenya, the main celebrations will be in Kisumu, while in Nairobi, in partnership with the Susan Owiyo Foundation, the Media, the Nairobi City County, the UNEP and many other partners, we will be hosting the Soko Bila Waste Initiative at the Wakulima Market.

16Apr/130

Kenya: Pumwani Majengo Clean up Campaign 27th April 2013

From: odhiambo okecth

Dear Friends,

After a grueling 4 Months, when we gave way for the Campaign and Election Period, in partnership with the Nairobi City County, St John's Community Centre and Pygron, we will be hosting A Clean-up and Awareness Campaign on the 27th April 2013 as from 8.00am at Pumwani in Majengo.

We are all agreed that the question of Garbage and Waste has been with us for far too long and that with the election in to office of a new Team of County Managers, we have firm hopes and beliefs that our Governors will rise to the occasion and help Kenyans work for a Clean County.

[image] A very familiar situation in Nairobi
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eV8UZPjZyI8/UW1MXiPokQI/AAAAAAAADZM/VYkFtehOZD8/s1600/625610_4435075041141_1500512952_n.jpg

We have agitated for proper waste handling and disposal technics and a lot of studies have been undertaken on garbage and waste in Kenya. An Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy for Nairobi has also been developed and still, waste and garbage clog our Cities and Towns.

All the knowledge we have on waste and garbage management is meaningless when it is all bottled up and confined to a few people as waste managers. It makes all sense when it is widely shared for the general good of all, and this is why we at The Clean Africa Campaign will keep all the Directors of Environment across Kenya on their toes.

The war on garbage will never be won by bottling up knowledge.

To this end, we have developed a work plan that will involve massive Awareness Campaigns in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Machakos, Nyeri, Meru, Nakuru, Kisii and Kakamega beginning this Month.

We will be joining with these Counties every 3rd Saturday of the Month for Clean-up and Awareness Campaigns and come September, we will host the inaugural inter-County assessments during the Kenya Environmentalist of the Year Award.

[image] We cannot live like this; this is Nairobif
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47k-kqrmgQg/UW1NT9YqhDI/AAAAAAAADZU/HWd4zcjFjYM/s1600/482047_10200466227684365_1157866896_n.jpg

We will be working with the County Governors and their Teams, our Partners, the Community Based Groups and the General Population in ensuring that we develop proper Waste Disposal and Handling Technics. This must start at the Household level where we will advance the Process of Separation of Waste at Source.

As we join forces in Pumwani Majengo on the 27th April 2013, we are inviting as many groups in the 10 Counties to join hands with us and our Partners as we work for Cleaner and Safer Towns and Cities.

Peace and blessings as we work for a Clean Kenya, a Clean Africa and a Better World.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Africa Campaign-TCAC.
Tel; +254 724 365 557
mailto:oto@kcdnkenya.org

http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com/

http://www.kcdnkenya.org

27Mar/130

Governors and The Waste Revolution in Africa

From: Michael Heery

so basically i cannot understand why african youth with some metal work skills cannot manufacture andn design their own waste compactors.iam sure there are vidoes on youtube with designs,.

- - - - - - - - - - -

From: odhiambo okecth
Sent: Tuesday, 26 March 2013, 13:57:01
Subject: Governors and The Waste Revolution in Africa

Friends,

Kenya will be witnessing the swearing in of many Governors tomorrow across the Country. In Nairobi, Dr Evans Kidero will be sworn into office at Uhuru Park in a ceremony that will start at about 10am.

Dr Kidero has promised that he is going to address the question on garbage that has ran amok in Nairobi.

This is refreshing because, waste is such a huge resource that must be tapped into. Many Environmental Managers in Kenya have simply refused to address the question of managing waste on the simple reason that they have massive personal returns in shifting waste from one point to the next.

[image]Garbage in Nairobi
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fx5cXhXhtwI/UVGjlsLXdcI/AAAAAAAADW8/JqzvBNAC4fM/s1600/482047_10200466227684365_1157866896_n.jpg

We all now know that Nairobi spends Kshs 40m every month in paying 20 Contracted Garbage Truckers who collect no garbage as they routinely queue for their pay cheque. This Kshs 40m is easy money for the Environment Managers and the Garbage Collection Constructors. It is such a lucrative business that simply lulls all one has read in Waste Management. It places extra bread on the table at a time the Council is unable to pay her employees.

The situation is the same across all our Councils and this presents a sad scenario.

We have refused to invest in human capital, in equipment and in modern waste handling technics, and we have chosen the easy way out; live with the rot as a small team skim the cream.

With the swearing in of this new breed of Managers, we are eager and hopeful that Waste and Waste Management is going to be the next frontier for National Development.

At The Clean Africa Campaign-TCAC, we are ready to work with these new breed of managers to help make a difference. We are developing our next 5 Year Strategic Plan and we are aligning this to the electoral circle, to enable us feed in with the new Governors and their Programmes. We are going to be available to work with all our new Governors and help make our Towns and Counties Clean.

There are various benefits that come with waste, and we will not engage in empty rhetorics where people talk about waste being wealth without actualizing the same. We will want to encourage the Governors to institute the concept of Separation of Waste at Source and enforce the same.

We will be inviting the Governors to register and train all Waste Handlers with the one singular aim of benefiting from the Waste Value Chain- from the generators to the collectors, transporters to the end consumers of Waste.

[image]No. This is not acceptable
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aY-y_5xAa_Y/UVGjxWzOdLI/AAAAAAAADXE/zTX6qfRpb4E/s1600/625610_4435075041141_1500512952_n.jpg

The Western World did not just become Clean. Efforts were made towards this and in Africa, we can also make efforts to make Africa Clean.

We must move from being the Dark and Dirty Continent to one of Hope and Imagination. And our New Governors must be men who can dream new dreams for Africa. Not the lost dreams from our Fathers, the dreams that led us to poverty, disease, ignorance, corruption, impunity and tribalism.

Our Governors must dream new dreams that will lead Africa to a new healing process where all will unite in working for plenty, peace and growth.

We must join the Governors in working for cleaner Towns, Cities and Neighbourhoods, and we must all join in the Waste Revolution in Africa.

Peace and blessings as we work for a Clean Kenya, a Clean Africa and a Better World.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Africa Campaign-TCAC,
Tel; 0724 365 557,

http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

Nairobi Kenya.
The Clean Africa Campaign is an Initiative of KCDN Kenya.

26Mar/130

Africa: LAKE VICTORIA FACES ECOLOGICAL DISASTER IF THE DRY WATER HYACINTH IS SUNK IN THE WATER.

Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

Experts have once again sounded a stern warning that Lake Victoria is facing ecological disaster if the particles from dry hyacinth weed are left to rot and sink inside its waters.

The Kenya Marine and fisheries Research Institute {kemri} said in Kisumu this week that if the hyacinth weeds sunk, aquatic life would be placed at the high risk.

Several fish species in the lake, especially the much cherished Nile Perch and Tilapia and small fish like [Omena} that cannot survive inside the water with few oxygen concentration might be completely wiped out, said Dr Ojwang’ Oweke the KEMRI’s senior scientist.

Mad fish, locally known as “Kamongo” and cat fish locally called “Mumi”are among the specifies that can survive in the water with low oxygen concentration.

According to KEMRI’s researcher’s water hyacinth produces humid acid when it decomposes in the water-a process that used oxygen and deprives aquatic plants and animals of fresh air.

The acid contains harmful elements lie iron and manganese which the scientist attributed to the brown color of water supplied in the region by the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company ltd.

Dr. Oweke called upon the government to make use of colleges and universities in the region to assist in removing the dry weed by use of conveyor belt.

“This is the time for the government to come and try to use the conveyor belt mechanism t remove the dry hyacinth so as to save the lake.:

“The manual removal used by Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project in 2011 and late last year was a total waste of money, and time because this poised a high risk to the laborers and it also led to ever sprouting of the dreadful weed.

The scientist the machine would clear the dry water hyacinth and ump on the shore where it would be burned.

Reupen Omondi, another scientist said the hyacinth had turned brown because weevils had fed on it as it was drying up.

He insects were introduced in the lake by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute in 2005.

“Weevils are killing the weed and the government need to respond quickly to remove danger from destroying ecosystem, he said.

Ends

25Mar/131

Kenya: Celebrating Mediocrity of the Kenyan Media

from: odhiambo okecth

Hahahah Jonah,

This Photo was actually taken on the 13th December 2013 when we hosted a joint Press Conference with Chairman Hassan, the PC Nairobi and several IEBC Commissioners inviting Kenyans to Register as Voters.

You will remember IEBC did a lot of work with several groups and we all hoped that we were working for a Clean Process.

I was hence also taken aback to see this Photo in The Standard of today. It might give the false impression that I am party to what Chairman Hassan is saying. It might also give the impression that I conform to how IEBC has conducted itself.

I do not and I remain a firm believer in a Clean, Clear, Fair and Transparent ways of managing elections.

We are asking The Standard Group to make that correction.

Peace and blessings,

Oto

--- On Mon, 3/25/13, Jonah Ogaro wrote:

From: Jonah Ogaro
Subject: Celebrating Mediocrity of the Kenyan Media
Date: Monday, March 25, 2013, 1:52 AM

Ndugu Odhiambo

On Page 7 of Standard, I saw a true copy of yourself seated besides Mr. Issack Hassan of IEBC. What is cooking? Are you now an employee of IEBC?

Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2013 01:40:22 -0700
From: komarockswatch@ . . ,
Subject: [PK] Celebrating Mediocrity of the Kenyan Media

Friends,

We have come full circle and today, after some thorough soul searching, I want to ask: of what value is the Kenyan Media to Kenyans and the World?

As I was posing this question to colleagues at the office this morning, Wex pointed out to me an article by Clay Muganda, an article which escaped me but one worth reading- An inspiring article worth reading by Clay Muganda...

Now, in the US, sorry to give this reference again, I was so impressed by the CNN Journalists who were able to give us clear projections as Americans went to the ballot in November 2012. Through the Exit Polls, they were able to call the Elections in favour of President Barrack Obama, and they did this in real time. Within minutes of the last man casting his votes, their equivalent of our Dependent Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced Barrack Obama as having won back his seat and with a landslide. The Elections were never as projected by Opinion Polls- too close to call. It was a clear Usain Bolt win, where one can never dispute.

In Kenya, our Journalists were glued to returns as posted by the IEBC at a time when they had the capacity to report on results as recorded from Form 34s across all the polling stations in the Country. As Journalist, it was their responsibility to inform Kenyans on what was going on and on who was getting what where.

That the IEBC could gag the Media on releasing results is something that calls to question the independence of our Journalists and the Media Houses. How can we trust the Media if they can be this easily compromised and restricted?

[image]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ5M27cbQqo/UVAEXg5pN0I/AAAAAAAADWs/Xsvjh6dspS4/s1600/313876_10200479885665806_1801707901_n.jpgThe Kenyan Media is rapidly also becoming part of our Dirty Environment that we must all join hands in Cleaning

Was there a Conspiracy of Silence between the Media, the IEBC and the Dark Forces that were hell-bent on turning the wheels of change and reforms backwards? Can we find the Media complicit in the mass electoral fraud that Kenyans witnessed?

I am convinced that our Media Houses need to apologize to Kenyans and the World on their incompetence and sloppy handling of the Kenyan General Elections of 4th March 2013. I am also taking offense that The Standars Newspaper can have the audacity to use my Photo with Chairman Isaac Hassan in todays issue of The Standard at page 7 on a matter that I have no idea about. This is simply professional incompetence which I want to condemn.

That photo was taken on the 13th December 2012 when we as The Clean Africa Campaign joined in helping to mobilize Kenyans to Register as Voters and it has no relevance to the current situation in which Chairman Hassan has found himself in. To use the same photo now would create the impression that I am also enjoined in the electoral deceit that the whole World is witnessing. I am not party to that and I am having my Lawyers write to The Standard about this.

Lastly, even as the IEBC was releasing what they called Final Results, they read results from all the 290 Constituencies across Kenya. How come no Journalist interrogated this? The best a smart Journalist could have done was simply to play the tapes again and tally the results as they were announced and match this to the phantoms that IEBC posted as their last results.

I accuse the Kenyan Media and our Journalists for taking Kenyans and the whole World for fools.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Africa Campaign-TCAC,
Tel; 0724 365 557,

http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

Nairobi Kenya.

The Clean Africa Campaign is an Initiative of KCDN Kenya.

21Mar/130

Kenya: Dictatorship slowly creeping in as we all watch

From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

A few things have been disturbing me, and as is in my nature, I will not keep quiet.

Is Kenya becoming a Police Dictatorship? Why is the Inspector General of Police keen on gagging Kenyans and denying us our freedom to assemble, talk and associate?

We have come a long way with our fight for democracy and reforms. Many Kenyans have been killed in this journey, while many more have been maimed, tortured beyond repair and suffered stints in detention for agitating for change and reforms.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AV7BLbtR0Fs/UUr07q9mmuI/AAAAAAAADWc/YuyuVZajW-4/s1600/DSCF8151.JPG

The more garbage we clear, the more garbage we generate.

We have come full circle and going by the results of the last General Elections which have been disputed, many Kenyans care less about reforms and democracy. But we all care about our freedoms.

The Civil Society have effectively undergone a complete metamorphosis and no one cares about the tenets of democracy any more. Many care only about the many hotel seminars that they attend and the attendant perks that come with such lofty engagements.

This is why many issues of Governance and Peace are only held in seminars and in hotels where the people who attend are the same same people who keep meeting about such things. They move to congregate from one hotel to another in different locations and they have largely remained isolated from the common reality.

Who is going to talk for the common man whose rights of speech, association and assembly is now being slowly eroded by the new Sherrif in Town? Is the Sherrif acting within the law when he declares all meetings illegal? Is he acting on behalf of some other unseen face? Or, is he afraid of something we all do not know?

Our agitation for repeal of Section 2A led to the first Multi Party elections where the Professor of Kenyan politics Mzee President [rtd] Daniel Arap Moi won albeit with a slim majority the General Elections of 1992. He again won in 1997 to complete his two terms in office.

During this time, there was acceleration of reforms and the gains we had made were never eroded.

Then in 2002, we all rallied behind Mzee President Mwai Kibaki. We started seeing systemic attempts to erode the gains we had made. The first such attempt was in 2005 when we were saddled with a watered down version of a Constitution which we effectively rejected.

The second such attempt has been the question of the County Commissioners. The Courts nullified their appointments but the Executive Wing of Government simply ignored those orders. They have now ordered the Ministers who won other posts to resign and that will be effected. It does not matter how much noise the Prime Minister may make on this.

We have seen nothing in the form of national healing and cohesion. Jobs have been given out in a manner that left many people wondering where Kenya was heading to. And the constant rejoinder was that people were being appointed based on their competency. Competency hence become the justification. And Kenyans watched with baited breath as some key State Offices become a preserve of competencies from the appointing authority.

We then went through a General Election that was generally flawed in 2007 and Mzee KIbaki reached a common agreement with Raila Odinga and they formed a Coalition Government. They forgot to punish the people who messed the election that severely caused friction between them. 1,133 Kenyans were killed at that time, 600,000 more were uprooted from their homes and property of unknown value was destroyed across all Kenya. And no one has been punished for this! And now, we are being warned not to talk, not to assemble and not to freely associate!

The International Criminal Court is also now realizing how tough it is to deal with the dark forces of impunity.

As we speak, there is a game of cats and mice going on with regard to resettling those who were Internally displaced. I thought these people were displaced from somewhere, and now that we have peace between the then protagonists, people can just happily go back to where they were displaced from.

I bet Kenya is facing more serious problems and the attempts by the IGP are simply therapeutic. I do not want to believe that we have gone full circle and all that we fought for have come to nothing.

It is also good to realize that material wealth has replaced ideals. Many people have at long realized that ideals do not place bread on the table, while money does. Many are hence throwing all caution to the wind in pursuit of power, raw power and money. And with it, Kenya is being saddled with a leadership that will shame the whole country.

Pray, why must we elect journeymen into our Legislative Bodies- the National Assembly and the Senate? What is the problem with us? The gods must be absolutely crazy and they must be dancing on the graves of all those gallant sons and daughters of Kenya who fought for reforms and return to Multy Party Politics.

I really would not want to imagine that the Police are willing to be major players in silencing Kenyans, or, clubbing Kenyans into submission at a time thugs are running amok across Kenya!

Crime is escalating and the Police are looking helpless about it. Yet, they have the audacity to come policing innocent Kenyans whose only crime seems to be Freedoms of association, assembly and speech.

I would want to believe that their hands are tied and they have enough to justify for their existence.

The dark clouds are gathering and everyone seems to be taking off as the Inspector General of Police assumes new powers hitherto not known in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,

Komarock Nairobi

27Feb/130

Kenya: CHF International and Partners doing great

From: odhiambo okecth

Dear Friends,

The CHF International, PeaceNet Kenya and Kituo Cha Sheria today invited a team of CSOs from Mathare, Kiambio, Kibera and Korokocho for last minute preparations for the General Elections in a series of meetings and trainings at the CHF International offices in Nairobi.

The first Team was that of Election Observers and they were taken through the Code of Conduct and Instructions on what their role will be come the 4th March 2013. We were ably taken through this by Gilbert from PeaceNet Kenya, Susan from Kituo Cha Sheria under the watchful presence of John of CHF International. Ms Selline Korir- the Director CHF International Kenya Tuna Uwezo was at hand to give the last remarks during the morning session.

I was invited to observe and share my thoughts with the CSO Leaders.

I was impressed with the state of preparedness from the Team and further, it was refreshing to hear that the TNA Candidate for Parliament in Mathare Constituency Mr. GM Wanjohi and the ODM Candidate for Parliament in Mathare Constituency Mr. Steve Kariuki and their campaign Teams met in Mathare Area 3C the other day at 6.00pm and they came down from their caravans, greeted each other and hugged.

That was a sure sign of maturity and it went a long way to calm the nerves of the residents of Mathare 3C. How I wished there was a Camera around to capture this great moment from our politicians.

Nairobi 2013

As we engage in last minute Peace Building efforts, we are inviting Kenyans to remain firm. This is our Country and we can either make or break her. We must learn from the TNA and ODM Leaders in Mathare that this is only a contest and not a conflict.

We at The Clean Kenya Campaign and all our Partners who have been with us in the trenches and in the front line at Peace Building know the mood of Kenyans. Kenyans want a Clean and Peaceful General Elections.

We are all going to do our part as Kenyans and we are now calling on the IEBC to also stand tall and be counted. The last General Election was botched by sloppy and inept handling from the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya. This led to the team being disbanded in a most dis-graceful manner and they have for ever lived in shame.

The current Team led by the ever green Isaack Hassan and Maj James Oswago, must lift the spirit of Kenyans up. The lives and property of Kenyans lie on how you are going to handle the Elections of 4th March 2013. You may choose to stand tall and be counted as great Kenyans, or, you may fiddle and end up the way the defunct outfit went.

The die is cast and Kenya and the World is watching you.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya, a Clean Africa and a Clean General Election as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,

The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC

Tel; 0724 365 557

Email; komarockswatch@yahoo. com
Blogspot; http:// kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean Kenya

Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com

The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of KCDN Kenya

25Feb/130

Kenya: The die is cast; We must make it in Round 1

From: odhiambo okecth

Dear Friends,

We are on the home stretch and come Monday the 4th March 2013, the 14.3m registered voters in Kenya will be invited to step forward and help make a clear choice. As we do this, we must know that our votes comes with clear consequences and for those who have not yet made up their minds, tonight's Presidential Debate may help.

[ . . . ]

Read full message, see images

24Feb/130

Congrats Pst David Owuor

From: odhiambo okecth

Dear Friends,

Today, in the presence of a multitude of people at Uhuru Park, Pst David Owuor- a revered Man of God, 6 Presidential Candidates led by the Rt Hon Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga pledged to accept the verdict of Kenyans on the 4th March and more so, pledged Peace.

The six Presidential Candidates were;

Raila Amolo Odinga,
Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta,
Peter Kenneth,
Martha Karua,
James Ole Kiyiapi, and the ever green,
Mwalimu Abduba Dida.
It was a sight worth beholding as each Presidential Candidate took time to pledge for a Peaceful General Election, I was reminded of the various manifestos that I have taken time to look at.

I was intrigued by the absence of honesty on the part of our leaders. I have listened to all of them on their campaign trail as they traverse the Country soliciting for votes and I saw them lying between their teeth in the presence of the Man of God.

But being the optimist that I have all along been, I want to for only once believe that they committed themselves before the Man of God, the People of Kenya and before God that they will respect the results on the 4th March and invite all their supporters to respect the same.

On behalf of The Clean Kenya Campaign, and on behalf of all the Partners who have joined with us in The Human Peace Caravans that we have hosted across Kenya under the auspices of Kenyans for a Clean General Elections, I want to sincerely congratulate Pst David Owuor- a Man of God and his Team of Bishops who made Uhuru Park congregation happen for joining with us to preach for Peace in our Country.

It is worth noting that Kenyans for a Clean General Elections Campaign was launched on the 5th January 2013 and we have preached Peace within our limited resources to;

Huruma- 5th Jan 2013

Highrise in Kibera- 12th Jan 2013

Kariobangi North- 16th Jan 2013
Mathare- 19th Jan 2013
Dagoreti- 26th Jan 2013
Dandora- 2nd Feb 2013
Makadara- 13th Feb 2013
Kisumu- 16th Feb 2013
Westlands 20th Feb 2013.
We have a series of events next week that will culminate with Prayers and Award Ceremonies at The Courtyard at KICC on the 3rd March 2013 at 10am.

I want to really appreciate all our Partners for the support they have given to us to make these Human Peace Caravans the success stories they have been and I want to really appreciate the Administration Police Band and the Traffic Police for leading all these processions in Our Journey of Hope across Kenya.

I want to sincerely appreciate The Provincial Administration, the IEBC, the National Steering Committee on Peace Building and Conflict Management and the Freedom House for their support and partnership. We will give the extents of these Partnerships on the 3rd March 2013 as we appreciate all our Partners and Team Members at KICC.

We are happy that our message has rung out loud and clear, and from the many reactions we are seeing across the Country, it was never in vein.

May the good Lord grant us the Grace and Love to know that we are all One Family under God and come 4th March 2013, we can all vote in Round 1 for our preferred Presidential Candidate with the full knowledge that Kenya is marwa.

It will be a mistake to drag this thing to Round 2. Let us make up our minds and save Kenya the ignominy of a gloomy future by making the right choices.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya, a Clean Africa and a Clean General Election as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,

The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC

Tel; 0724 365 557

Email; komarockswatch@yahoo. com
Blogspot; http:// kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean Kenya

Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com

The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of KCDN Kenya

1Feb/130

THE PLANNED MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SODA ASH PLANT INVESTMENT IN LAKE NATRON HAS SPARKED OFF VEHEMENT OPPOSITION FROM LOCALS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND CONSERVATIONISTS IN TANZANIA.

Reports Leo Odera Omolo

INFORMATION emerging out of the Northern Tanzanian city of Arusha says the battle line is drawn between the environmentalists and conservationists vehemently opposed to the establishment of a multi-million dollar soda ash plant inside Lake Natron.

It says the move is against the background of the report that six foreign firms, which have placed bids to set up a controversial soda ash plant on the shores of Lake Natron.

According to the same source, the National Development Corporation (NDC}, a quasi-government organization, these firms are seeking to set up the USD 500 million factory to exploit a million metric tones of soda ash annually.

Lake Natron a volcanic lake near Engaruka area nearly 220 kilometers from Arusha town have reserves of at least 4.7 billion cubic liters of soda ash.

However, the plan to mine the deposits has been strongly opposed by residents and conservationist who have expressed fears that such a project would adversely affect the lesser flamingos’ population in the area.

The mine is to be set up in the middle of a nesting ground for the one third of the world’s population of lesser flamingos.

A 2010 report compiled by the Wild birds International and Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania had revealed widespread opposition among residents to the planned soda ash mine.

But another report seen in Arusha last week by a team of journalists shows the government of Tanzania is determined to kick-start the project on Lake Natron. The Wetland Management plan and environmental assessment study for the proposed project are set to be completed in June this year.

An August 2012 costs benefit analysis report showed that 75 per cent of local residents were vehemently opposed to the construction of the plant.

The report projected a loss on investment of between USD 44 million and USD 492 million over the next 50 years should the plan proceed. It predicted earnings of between USD 1.28 billion and USD 1.57 billion n over the same period if the government were to instead invest in local tourism and environmental protection in the area.

It is anticipated that the environmental assessment studies will also propose that environmental friendly technology be used to extract and process the soda ash for export, as the government f Tanzania seeks to sidestep the growing environmental concerns.

“This time, the director General of the NDC Gideon Nassari was quoted last week as having said this./me, the government will do all it can to ensure the project is realized as planned,”.

He, however,. Decided to divulge the names of the six foreign multinational companies interested in the project. But said the NDC was still scrutinizing them for the purpose of identifying the most suitable one for a joint venture with the government.

Earlier plan for mining Lake Natron involved Indian firm Tata Chemical and the NDC, but the deal flopped and collapsed.

Soda ash, known chemically as sodium carbonate, is key raw materials for glasses, chemicals, soaps and detergents.

The NDCX says the proposed plant could earn the country up to USD 300 million a year and create more than 500 jobs.

The government will hold a 46 per cent take in the project through the NDC, once it reaches a consensus with any of the investors in on-going negotiations.

For the past six years, the project has been facing vehement opposition from environmentalists and conservationists who argued that setting up the factory near Lake Natron would wipe out the breeding grounds of the lesser flamingo, thus putting at risk 75 per cent of the global population of this near threatened birds species.

“Experience elsewhere shows that the excavation can be done without any harm to the ecosystem,’ said President Jakaya Kikwete while dismissing the fears that the plant will wipe out the flamingos population.

“What matters is the application of environmentally friendly technology to avoid disrupting the flamingos breeding sites. Sometime those who are oppose to the project did not know what it entails. Those opposed to the plant are really patriotic because it seems as if they are agents of some people we do not know. He added,

Ends

29Jan/130

The 2012 Global Green Economy Index

From: Yona Maro

Dual Citizen is an international consultancy that advises stakeholders in the global green economy on communications strategy and associated analytics. This is the third edition of their annual Global Green Economy Index (GGEI), an analytic tool designed to help governments, international organizations and investors improve their “green” branding and communications strategies. Specifically, the GGEI evaluates the green reputations of 27 countries as judged by expert practitioners; it then benchmarks these perceptions against Dual Citizen’s proprietary, data-driven measure of national green performance.
Link: http://www.dualcitizeninc.com/ggei2012.pdf

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21Jan/130

KENYA: SCIENTISTS AND CONSERVATIONISTS HAVE SOUNDED WARNING ABOUT EXCESSIVE POISONING OF RARE MIGRATORY BIRDS SPECIES IN AREAS AROUND LAKE VICTORIA.

Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

SCIENTIST, conservationists and environmentalists have sounded a stern warning and the alarm over wanton poisoning of rare migratory birds species along the shorelines of the Lake Victoria by illegal hunters.

The experts say the move is threatening tourism in the region and increasing gains made in controlling common diseases in the area.

Illegal hunters are said to have taken the advantage of the fact that thousands of immigrant and wetland birds species appear on rice plantation every year, some having flown from far away as Northern Europe and Asia to spend the winter months in the Southern hemisphere.

During the rain season, especially when it is also the time for planting water foods in the fields and attract a variety of wetland birds.

Another issue of urgent and great concern around Lake Victoria is the reported increase in cases of excessive chemical fishing, which is posing threat to have the fish from Lake Victoria boycotted by importers in foreign countries, and at the same which could endanger the lives of the local consumers of the fish commodity.

The department concern, which is part of the \ministry of Fisheries and Natural Resources seemed to be sleeping on the job and very little is being done to protect the fishing industry around the lake, paving the way for the unscrupulous fishermen to engaged on illegal and crude method of fishing by using chemicals which kills the fish in their thousands including fingerlings, immature and destroying the breeding grounds.

IN Luanda Kotieno beaches in Uyoma West Location within Rarieda District in Siaya county fishermen recently cornered one unscrupulous fisherman who was caught red handed while using unorthodox method by way of spraying substance of poisonous insecticide in the lake at night. The fishermen beat up the suspect to death.

It was after this incident when the police moved in and arrested score of youths suspected to have lynched the illegal fishermen. The youth and members of the fishing fraternity in the region have complained bitterly that the have been reporting to the higher authorities the presence of chemical fishing along the lake, but their reports have always been ignored by

The incident resulted in scores of people living around Luanda Kotieno being rounded up by the police and taken into custody. Dozens of them have appeared before a Kisumu court on suspicion of illegal killing of the fisherman, who was reported to have travelled into the area along way from Seme in Kisumu West district.

Once highly poisonous chemical is sprayed in the surface of lake waters it kills fish in their thousands and the fishermen business is only to collect the dead fish and thereafter sell them to unsuspecting consumers.

Fear persist that bad publicity about chemical fishing in Lake Victoria could jeopardize the fish export, which is fetching Kenya millions of shillings in foreign exchange from European Union countries, Japan, Middle East and the United States.

Poachers interested in catching and selling the birds meat as food. The poachers then wait till the birds have consumed the baits move very quickly and clobbered the birds before killing and taking the poisoned birds for selling in the villages.

Up to 50 per cent of large flock of wetland birds are killed in single session which amount to some 6,000 being killed per one month.

“Bush meat is more often associated with the mammals said one expert Mr Martin Odino who is himself a conservationist in the area.

Birds, he added that the birds too do attract more visitors to the region, particularly the lover and bird watchers.

Other crude methods are used by poachers is killing the birds including rainy snails with caboturan on the ground another highly poisonous.Insecticides. The bait is then left in the field for the yellow billed stocks. After eating poisoned snails the large birds are clubbed to death and the meat of the . . .

ENDS

18Jan/130

KENYA: OTIENO SUNGU LEAVES THE CLEAN KENYA CAMPAIGN-

From: otieno sungu

Good people,

In April 2011, Oto sought me out to come on board KCDN and help him restructure it. Then, there were several issues especially with people, both here in Kenya and diaspora claiming impropriety in KCDN on public funds.

Although I defended Oto then, I declined to join him. I was setting up my business interests and as such could not spare time for that. In October 2011, he sought me again with Mr. Oduya Magunga to join and help create structures in KCDN. During that meeting, Oduya declined to join but accepted to consult for a re-branded outfit.

Well, I bowed and agreed to join only if a team came on board. Those I sought include Mr. Atha Achola, Emmanuel Dennis, Winfred Nyambura, Samuel Wangatia among others. Oto sough among others Madam Kate Njiri.These people have various skills in organizational management. It is sad all these people also left at the initial stages of the re-brand.

The other condition was that we re-brand KCDN to have a national outlook and register it as a trust.

While we re-branded, it is my considered opinion that creating credible structures has faced stumbling blocks whenever we have attempted the same.

Under these circumstances and given this has been largely voluntary work to which I have dedicated my time and even my personal car, I believe institutionalizing TCKC will never be achieved in as long as there is no such goodwill or at the very least, intention to have it achieve organizational status with structures to boot.

Again, all, those I sought out since left when they realized that institutionalizing has become a problem.

I will be comfortable doing my fish and poultry farming business for I find that worthwhile. Should I engage in future social and community work, I will endeavor to ensure the standards I have always stood for remain.

Institutionalizing an organization is more than organizing all sorts of ah-hoc activities for quick and short term gains.

The details for my departure have been communicated to the various individuals, organizations and institutions with which we have conducted business just to set the record straight in these times when credibility is as valuable as never before.

To all those who will tell me ' we told you so", I can only say, trying sometimes is also an experience that ensures you may succeed in teaching old dogs new tricks although pundits say it has never happened.

All the same, I with Oto well in his endeavors.

Otieno Sungu

17Jan/130

Kenya: Nominations; Take personal responsibility

From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

I was hosted at Radio Ramogi this morning and what Mr. Ben Oluoch Okello and I were discussing are issues that touch on today's Party Primaries and the Mathare Human Peace Caravan scheduled for the 19th January 2013.

As we invite Kenyans to having a successful and violence free Party Primaries, we also want to share with you this;

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/1667316/-/klawebz/-/index.html

The Clean Kenya Campaign and Radio Ramogi is inviting all Kenyans who are participating in the Party Primaries to exercise extreme caution and take personal responsibility on the consequences of their choices.

The people we Nominate today are most likely going to be our next set of leaders. Those who get the Party Nominations in the Jubilee and CORD Coalition strongholds will definitely either become Members of the National Assembly, Senators, Governors, Women Representatives or County Ward Representatives.

We hence want to invite each and every eligible voter to seriously interrogate his or her choice, and live with the consequences of such choices.

Action Time in Kariobangi 16th Jan 2013 with Kariobangi Waste Management Alliance

Secondly, on Saturday the 19th January 2013, the PC Nairobi Mr. Njoroge Ndirangu, is going to lead the Mathare Human Peace Caravan across Mathare. He will flag off the Caravan at 8.00am outside the Redeemed Gospel Church and match with into Mathare. He will address the residents at several hotspot areas and ultimately address the public at Huruma Sports Grounds at about 9.30am. He will be accompanied by several Leaders who believe that peace is a must in our society.

Religious Leaders led by the Apostolic Bishop of the Redeemed Gospel Church Dr Arthur Kitonga and the SUPKEM Leaders will be present and they will also address the public as they pray for peace.

We are inviting any Partners who can take care of the Tents, Chairs, Podium and the PA and Sound System to volunteer their support.

Thirdly, Saturday the 19th Jan 2013 is going to be a real loaded day for us;

In Mombasa, Mr. Peter Nyaga- the Chairman of the Kongowea Traders Welfare Association, has just informed us that they will conduct a Clean-up cum Voter Education Campaign at Kongowea Market on Saturday the 19th January 2013 as from noon. All our Partners and Friends in and around Mombasa are invited to join with them for this noble exercise.

In the US, President Barack Obama will put politics aside on Saturday the 19th Jan and join in the National Day of Service, in solidarity with the people of Mathare.

In Bungoma, the Kibabii DTTC Red Cross Club will join with the Kenya Red Cross in Cleaning the Bungoma District Hospital and its environs and later host a Peace Rally.

Action Time

The Team

We wish all Parties a successful and violence free Party Primaries today as we invite your continued support, partnership and participation to make the Kenyans for a Clean General Election happen;

5th January 2013; Mathare in Starehe- Hosted

· 12th January 2013; Highrise in Langata- Hosted

· 16th January 2013; Kariobangi -Kasarani- Hosted

. 16th January 2013; Voter Education Launch at Dandora Sports Groun- Hosted

. 17th January 2013; Hosted at Radio Ramogi at 8.00am- Hosted

· 19th January 2013; Mathare Human Peace Caravan

. 19th January 2013; Kongowea Clean-up Campaign

. 19th January 2013; in the US; President Barack Obama joins in the National Day of Service

. 19th January 2013; Kibabii DTTC Red Cross joins in cleaning Bungoma District Hospital

· 26th January 2013; Dagoreti

· 2nd February 2013; Embakasi

· 9th February 2013; Westlands

· 13th February 2013; Makadara

· 16th February 2013; Kisumu

· 23rd February 2013; Kamukunji

· 3rd March 2013; National Prayers for a Clean and Peaceful General Elections at Uhuru Park
We have some Partners who have reached out to us and as soon as we formalize, we will announce their support and role in the Kenyans for a Clean General Election.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya, a Clean Africa and a Clean General Election as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,

The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC

Tel; 0724 365 557

Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean Kenya

Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com

The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of KCDN Kenya

12Jan/130

Tanzania under heavy pressure from environmentalists to shelve its plan to construct an international airport inside the Serengeti world heritage site

Writes Leo Odera Omolo

INFORMATION emerging from Dar Es Salaam says the United Republic of Tanzania is facing renewed pressure to shelve the construction of an International Airport next to the world heritage and famous Serengeti National Game Park, creating fears of possible delays in the multibillion dollar project.

THE Deputy Transport Minister Charles Tizeba was last week widely quoted by the local media houses as saying that the construction of the airport outside the Serengeti National Game Park is likely to fail because of an on-going campaign by environmentalists to stop the project.

“The government is facing real pressure from some circles, but it will go ahead despite all these,’ he said.

The construction of the USD 350 million airports was expected to start early this year and the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority had approved the project, he added.

The government move to put up the airport included the construction of a 321 kilometer tarmac road through Serengeti. This element was shelved over the concerns that it would interfere with the wildebeest migration, the only one of its kind in the world and crucial to the existence of the Serengeti ecosystem.

The friends of the Serengeti movement have repeatedly denounced having an airport so close to the world heritage site, saying it would attract human activities near the fragile Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

Opponents of the project have maintained an argent saying that the landing and takeoff of large planes in Mugumu could damage wildlife migration patterns.

“The new airport", said the Minister, "would offer tourists the option tour KilimanjaroIntrnational Airport and after visiting Tarangire.LakeManyara, Ngorngoro Crater and SERENGETI International Airport to fly back homer".

Analyists,however, say the airport would increase the number of visitors from 800,000 annually to 1.6 million by the year 2015 and double tourism revenue from the current USD 1.4 million to USD 2.8 million annually in the next three years.

Ends

4Jan/130

Protected Planet Report 2012: Tracking progress towards global targets for protected areas

From: Yona Maro

The Protected Planet Report was recently launched at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. The Report is the first edition in a series that will be produced on a biannual basis to evaluated progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11, which requires at least 17% of the world’s terrestrial areas and 10% of the world’s marine areas to be effectively, and equitably protected and managed by 2020. The report utilises information from three indicators brought together under the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership; Coverage of protected areas, protected area overlays with biodiversity and Management effectiveness of protected areas.

The report also reveals a profound shift in areas critical to the success of protected areas, such as management and governance arrangements. Nearly half of the world’s protected areas are within sustainable-use areas and protected landscapes / seascapes, and nearly a quarter are managed by non-governmental actors or under co-management arrangements, often with indigenous peoples or local communities.
Link: http://www.unep-wcmc.org/medialibrary/2012/09/14/eb3bb854/PPR2012_en.pdf

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12Dec/120

Kenya & Tanzania: Massai issued a threat to block tourist from accessing Serengerti park and Ngorongoro World Heritage Site

Writes Leo Odera Omolo

The Maasai pastralist community living in the Northern Tanzanian region of Arusha has issued the government with ultimatum to either supply its starving members with free food or else it would block tourists from accessing the famous Serengeti national game park and the adjacent Ngorongoro World Heritage site.

The community has accused the Tanzanian government of reneging on an agreement and pushing its people into starvation.

The community, which is spread across the Tanzania-Kenya borders with half of its people living on the Kenyan side while another half on the Tanzanian side has given the Tanzanian government until December 22 to start issuing its members with free food as stipulated in the Ngorongoro agreement or allow them to cultivate the game park land and conduct farming therein.

The Northern Tourists Circuit comprises the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, which accounts for 80 per cent of the country’s annual tourism earning estimated at USD 1.3 BILLION.

According to the pastoralist community leaders, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority {GCAA} has failed to provide for the community.This failure has resulted in the deaths of three children from starvation and hunger.

The NCAA is legally bound to take care of the |Maasai patoralist population living within the conservation area in order to protect the wildlife and other natural resources.

He community says it will block tourists from accessing the parks to pressure the government to honor its part of the deal, or allow its people to cultivate the land in the parks and conduct farming activities therein.

The Maasai said the would turn the tourist circuit into a no-go zone for tourists during this Christmas season.

He ultimatum was issued last week by the secretary of the Ngorngoro Pastoralist Committee .Lazaro Saitoti who said that the government must immediately supply the community with 9000 tons of emergency food grains.n addition to the NCAA giving the pastoralist community the sums of USD 9,375 million,which is equivalent to 30 per cent of the NCAAtuoirst collection of USD 5,215 million,up from the current USD 812,200 million.

The committee protect the interests of the 64,000members of the Maasai community living within the Ngorongoro Conservation area.

Other demands by the Maasai contained in the statement is that none members of the community living in the area be forcefully evicted from the protected areas..

Further demands were that hotels and lodges operating within the conservancy areas should give the community the lion’s share in terms of employment opportunities.

The community is also demanding for three representatives on the NCAA board. Currently the board has only one member from the community. They also wanted to be assured of the political goodwill to develop the community along with its neighbors

The Ngorongoro member of parliament Kaika Sabubg’o Telele warned that the community threat to block the access to the famous tourist attraction sceneries was serious and things could get out of hand unless the government take the quickest action to address the problem.

IN the MP’s view, the delay in supplying food May be a calculated move to frustrate the indigenous Maasai to leave the NCAA and find places to stay away from the conservation zones.

A senior govern ment official, however, dismissed the threat as politically motivated and asked the community to channel its case through the right channel to register their complaints.

ends

11Dec/120

Kenya: Let Friday the 14th December be a Public Holiday

From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,
In our continuing mobilization process for the Massive Clean-up and Voter Registration Campaign in Kenya and Nairobi in particular, we are requesting His Excellency the President to announce Friday the 14th December 2012 as a Public Holiday to enable as many Kenyans Register as Voters.
We have had several engagements with many people across Kenya and it seems like time has been of real essence in this process.
We are happy that as many as 9.0 Million Kenyans have registered as Voters as by this evening across the Country and that is encouraging. We are also very happy that the Media have been on top of this and the FM Stations are doing some great work. Let us not leave this to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission alone. Let us make it our responsibility as Kenyans.

[image]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yGGtL4Rq9E/UMdhUYe6dDI/AAAAAAAACUo/lg93ijc7aeQ/s1600/PICT0305.JPGA meeting of this morning at IEBC Nairobi with L-R; Ms Milliam Gachihi- Coordinator Mathare, Ms Jane Wasilkwa- Coordinator Kibra, Mr. Peter Muigai- Cordinator Starehe and Mr. Otieno Sungu standing. Odhiambo T Oketch and Ms Bilhah Kiptugen are seated

We will be on Radio Ramogi tomorrow the 12th December 2012 at 8.00am with my Colleague Migosi Otieno Sungu, and we will be inviting Kenyans to come out en mass and make Friday the 14th our D-Day as a People. Then on Thursday the 13th December 2012, I will be on the Citizen Power Breakfast Show at 8.00am where together with Ms Bilhah Kiptugen- the Nairobi IEBC Coordinator, we will be rallying Kenyans for Friday the 14th December 2012. This is our D-Day, and together as a people, we can hit the 18 Million mark and even beyond.

To crown this all, on Thursday the 13th December 2012 at 10am, the Chairman of IEBC Mr. Isaac Hassan, in the company of the CEO IEBC Major James Oswago, the Town Clerk City Council of Nairobi, the PC Nairobi, the CEO Africa Youth Trust Mr. Nahum Okwiya and the Commissioners of IEBC, will give a Media Briefing at the IEBC Headquarters announcing Friday as our D-Day for Voter Registration. We want to invite each one of us to play our part and invite our Friends to Register.

On Friday the 14th December 2012, Courtesy of Safe and Friendly Cities for All, the UN Habitat, the Unicef, the UN Women, the IEBC, the Provincial Administration, the Africa Youth Trust and The Clean Kenya Campaign, we will host a Massive Clean-up and Voter Registration Campaign in Nairobi and we are inviting as many people as possible to join with us in this goodwill gesture at our Focal Points in Nairobi; Mathare, Eastleigh, Kibera and Mukuru. All the 74 Wards of Nairobi are invited and all leaders are invited to marshal their followers and Friends.

The Main Programme at Mukuru will be Flagged off by the Town Clerk City Council of Nairobi Mr. Tom Patrick Odongo in the presence of the IEBC Chair Mr Isaac Hassan and his entourage.

Lastly, if Nairobi gets it right, the whole Country will get it right. These are the latest figures for Nairobi and Kajiado and we must all re-double our efforts Countrymen and women;

Westlands- 75,791
Dagoreti North- 63,250
Dagoreti South- 57,534
Langata- 54,690
Kibra- 62,698
Roysambu- 69,275
Kasarani- 66,275
Ruaraka- 60,366
Embakasi South- 58,828
Embakasi North- 53,725
Embakasi Central- 69,124
Embakasi East- 60,863
Embakasi West- 64,381
Makadara- 66,649
Kamukunji- 59,276
Starehe- 76,624
Mathare- 56,385
Kajiado North- 64,183
Kajiado Central- 27,977
Kajiado East- 45,230
Kajiado West- 37,529
andKajiado South 30,655.

I am happy that Embakasi Central where I live is leading in Nairobi. We will bring you this matrix daily and we want to see who comes out tops.

Let us shame the devil of apathy for we are Kenyans.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya and a Clean Africa as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director, The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKCTel; 0724 365 557 Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean KenyaFacebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya

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10Dec/120

Kenya: Clean up and Voter registration in Nairobi; 14th December 2012

from: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

We want to invite all the Residents of Nairobi and Kenyans at large who are of voting age to join with us in a Massive Clean-up Exercise in Nairobi on the 14th December 2012 across all Nairobi and also Register as Voters. Let us make it our Personal Responsibility to mobilize our Friends, Relatives and even our Neighbours to come out and Register as Voters.

This Exercise is being supported by the Africa Youth Trust and her partners; UNICEF, UN Women and UN Habitat and will be enjoined with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for Voter Registration. We have been in discussions with the IEBC at the highest levels and we are happy that the IEBC Nairobi Team and the National Office have come out strongly to join with us in this Massive Exercise.

As at the 8th December 2012, only 8.6 Million Kenyans of voting age had Registered as Voters across the Country against a target figure of 18 Million. Nairobi had Registered only 990,127 Voters and this is wanting.

Kenyans joining in the Clean up Campaign in Nairobi in June 2012

We are happy that the City Council of Nairobi and the Provincial Administration in Nairobi will be joining with us in mobilizing for as many Residents in Nairobi to come out and Register as Voters on the 14th December 2012 as we also Clean our Neighbourhoods.

We will have four Focal Points namely;

Eastleigh,
Mathare,
Kibera and
Mukuru, with Mukuru being our Launching Pad for the day.

We are working with the IEBC Nairobi Coordinator and other Partners in planing for this and we will announce our Guest Lists tomorrow afternoon. But we have a team from the Africa Youth Trust, the Unicef, The UN Women, The UN Habitat, the Provincial Administration, the City Council of Nairobi, the IEBC and many more joining with us for this Massive Clean-up Exercise cum Voter Registration Campaign.

We are also happy that many Media Houses will help out with mobilization for this Exercise and as we write this, we have an invitation to talk about this at Citizen, Radio Umoja, and as usual, Kiss FM will be on top of issues.

We are reaching out to all the Media Houses and on Thursday the 13th December, 2012, there will be a Media Briefing in Partnership with the IEBC, the CCN, the Provincial Administration and the Africa Youth Trust to call Kenyans out.

We can achieve the target of 18 Million Voters as set out by the IEBC, so, let us all come out across Kenya on the 14th December 2012 and hit this target.

Let us shame the devil of apathy for we are Kenyans.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya and a Clean Africa as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean Kenya
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com
The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya

6Dec/121

EXPERTS HAVE WARNED THAT THE NILE PERCH LAKE VICTORIA FISH STOCK IS DWINDLING TO THE POINT OF FACING EXTINCTION.

Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu

Lake Victoria the world's second largest inland water mass is rapidly losing its fish stock. The worse affected is the economically prized Nile Perch species.

According to the information contained in statistics compiled from various fish landing beaches on the Kenyan side of the lake, the Nile Perch, which is commonly known as “Mbuta”, is an asset to the country because Kenya export tones of its fillets to the European, Japan, US and Israel markets.

The statistics are backed up by a study report by the Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute {KMFRU}. Nile Perch species stocks in the lake has reduced to 34 per cent.

Mbuta was among many alien species of fish introduced into Lake Victoria in 1950s by the British colonial authorities to boost its economic benefits, but this has turned to be unsustainable in the long term since the lake ‘s ecological function and ecosystem suffer from elements beyond its boundaries.

According to the research, 49 per cent of Nile Perch is harvested before it reaches maturity stage, thereby interfering with the reproduction process.

A mature Nile Perch weights over 200kgs and is more than six feet long; but the KMFRI study says fishermen do not let the fish grow to this size. The Nile Perch is also a predator that dominates its surrounding and feeds on other fish as well as its own offspring.

KMFRI researcher Simon Agembe was recently quoted as saying that due to reduced fish yields, reducing biodiversity and water borne diseases, the livelihood and well being of more than 40 million people who depended on the lake’s resources, remains at risk.

Dr Agembe said if the fishing is not regulated, stocks of other species like dagaa {Omena} is likely to decline since fishermen are piling pressure on them.

Dagaa’s decline stands at 54 per cent. The study recommends that the government puts measures that will protect Nile Perch and other species in place.

The study proposed the protection of breeding areas and introduction of an alternative source of food in the lake region and income for fishermen to reduce the pressure on the lake.

Expert attribute the deflation of fish stocks in Lake Victoria to over-fishing, the use of unlawful and wrong fishing gears such as fish nets, the illegal use of chemicals which kills fish in their thousands, .

Fishermen and villagers around Luanda Koteno in Rarieda district were recently reported to have cornered and killed one fisherman who was caught red-handed while using chemicals at night in this way.\

A good number of youths, who are suspected to have lynched the fisherman they found using chemicals on fish, were later rounded up and charged with the murder in a Kisumu court., But the use of chemicals on fish is said to be still on the upsurge.

Ends