Category Archives: Travel

Kenya: New Bus Park constructed in Awendo on the main kisii-Migori road

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Writes Leo Odera OmoloIn Awendo Town.

A new ultra modern Bus Terminal has been constructed to cater for members of the public travelling between the farming towns of Awendo-Kisii-Migori and Rongo.

New Bus, which is now open for use by passenger veh9ices and other motorists, is located at Awendo Town. It has been established at a cost of Kshs 2.5 miilion.

According to the chairman of the Awendo Town Council, Johnson Omolo-Owiro,the civic body spent its own internally raised revenue in the construction of the Bus Terminal with extra facilities such as passengers resting shelters and other facilities.

This, he said, was necessary after the previous Council had squandered the fund which was availed to it the government. The Council felt there was a need for the construction of the Bus Terminal in order to save the lives of people who were crowding the busy highway at the junction of Mariwa Awendo road.

Coun.Omolo-Owiro said his Council has embarked in other projects such as street lights, refuse collection and road repair network.

The chairman thanked the government, especially the Ministry of Local Government for their continued support. And to reciprocate this good gesture, Coun.Omolo-Owiro appealed to the residents of Awendo town and its environs to turn out in large number on August 4 and cast their votes for referendum in favor of Yes.

He also thanked the area MP Dalmas Otieno for his tireless efforts to ensure faster development is realized for the Town. Otieno is the Minister for Public Service has been reported to be a down to earth man when it comes to question of promoting development activities in the town.

The new Bus Terminal, according to the chairman will cater for transport vehicles plying the busy Kisii -Rongo-Migori and Sirare on the Kenya-Tanzania border.

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East African Community: EAC to upgrade new passports for the citizens of member states later this year

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

The current holders of the East African passports have good news to smile about. Plans are a foot envisaged to upgrade these passports, which were previously meant to enable ease border crossings, to be upgraded to the internally accepted travelling documents.

The plans are in advance stage to enable holders of these passports, which were mainly to enable them travel within the EAC member states of Kenya, Tanzania , Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi to be upgraded to the international standards of travelling documents.

This will in future, allow citizens to travel around the world. The residents, however, will have to wait for some necessary logistics such as phasing out non-digital passports and re-printing of the new one with electronic and computerized security marks etc.

The new East African Community passport will comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO] document 9303 “the national readable zone”.

Previous details of the applicant for the EAC passport now be legible through a computer from the signature and photographs will be acquired and digitally stored in a database.

The old model of the EA passport introduced nearly a decade ago by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda before the joining of the Rwanda and Burundi of the EAC two years ago, has the holder data typewritten or hand written on it. It was meant to ease border crossings within only the three sister countries.

But the document has not been so popular to with the nationals of these countries as the traditional passport issued by the Departments of Immigrations in the respective states.

It ended up being used mainly by ordinary people such as traders and students travelling across the region with the government officials and business people shunning it.

The EAC Secretary General Ambassador Juma V Mwapachu was quoted this week by the EASTAFRICAN as saying that the EA traditional passport had been accepted internally, but they were not used internationally When they were first issued, the EAC passports were valid only within the

They would eventually replace the national passports. However, the proposal is unlikely to materialize in the near future as a lot of groundwork has to be done including phasing out the national passports of the individual member states and the printing of the new passports with security marks.

Unlike the EA passports which the applicant has to pay only USED 10 to acquire and only valid for five years, national passports of the partner states are valid for ten years.

However, the regional are yet to gain popularity, especially among Tanzanians compared with Kenyans and Ugandans, according to a survey carried out by a local media house.

Meanwhile the issuance of the old EA passport has been suspended indefinitely to allow for the upgrading work to be complete..

TH newly upgraded passports will be issued only and strictly to the citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

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leooderaomlo@yahoo.com

Kenya: SONYSUGAR told to repair the damaged Rapogi-Uriri road

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SONYSUGAR COMPANY TOLD TO REPAIR URIRI-RAPOGI ROAD WHICH WAS RECENTLY DAMAGED BY IT’S HEAVY MACHINERY AND TRACTORS.

Writes Leo Odera Omolo

The Awendo-based SONYSUGAR Company has been urged to undertake the repair work of feeder and access roads within its cane growing zones, which have been damaged by its heavy machines, tractors and worsened by the current long rains.

Uriri politician, who is also a Nairobi businessman, Mr. John Bob Awiti Otange last week wrote an open letter to the management of the government-owned white sugar manufacturing firm, and pointed out that an 8 kilometer section of Rapogi-Uriri road, which is linking the interior parts of the district to the main-Kisii-Awendo Migori highway is in a pathetic state. It has become impassable, particularly during the current heavy rains, and need urgent gravelling.

Mr Awiti-Otange pointed out that the on going heavy rains, which is pounding the Lake region incessantly, has damaged a number of roads in the district, including the Rapogi-Oria and Oyani Achuth, as well as Rapogi-Awendo. The situation has been worsened by the recent harvesting of cane in farms adjacent to Rapogi market, where the Awendo based sugar miller used heavy machinery, while winching its tractors stuck in the mud.

The state of these roads has now made it impossible for motorists, including residents, who works in towns in other parts of Kenya, as well as those who live in Nairobi, to access their rural homes, forcing many families to walk on foot for long distances before they can access their rural homes. Some motorists are forced to abandon their vehicles at Awendo town or in Uriri shopping centre and then trek between eight and 15 kilometers by foot, in order to be able to reach their homes.

The businessman-cum-politician reminded the SONYSUGAR management that Rapogi-Uriri road has for many years been an all weather road until its tractors used it a couple of weeks ago while ferrying cane from the field to the factory. This was done during the current heavy downpour and has devastated nearly all section of Uriri-Rapogi-Oria.

Rapogi-Oria is so important economically as it links an area where both tobacco and sugarcane are grown in abundance and it is now not possible for the farmers to have their products and crops transported to the market. The pathetic state of road hurts the local farming communities. It has hit them below the belt as they are now stranded with their produce at home.

Mr. Awiti-Otange also urged the Provincial administration and police authorities to curb the upsurging waves of crime rate around Rapogi trading center and its environs, saying the local communities are now living in fear, following the recent spate of cowardly attacks and violent robberies against traders and individual within the vicinity of Rapogi. The government, he added, should use its chiefs and their assistant in combating and stamping out thuggery in the area.

Apart from Rapogi Oria road, which is linking Uriri and Ndhiwa district, the Rapogi Awendo road is a busy road for the economy of the region, and the SONYSUGAR company should undertake its repair, together with the Ministry of Works, so that people returning home for Easter Holidays can access their rural homes.

He suggested that the repair work should start at field 3A, Moses Awiti farm, near the junction of Rapogi Awendo and Rapogi Uriri road, and run-over Nyarago bridge, towards Ramuom School and Kaminolewe, covering Nyamilu shopping Centre, to the Uriri D.C’s office. This particular section needs urgent attention.

Mr Bob-Awiti-Otange also urged those charged with the responsibility of handling CDF within Uriri constituency to ensure that the damaged small bridges linking the villages are repaired immediately, as this would make it much easier for the farmers to transport their wares to the marketplaces.

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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MEMBER STATES TO ADOPT ONE SINGLE ENTRY VISA TO THEIR NATIONAL GAME PARKS.

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EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MEMBER STATES TO ADOPT ONE SINGLE ENTRY VISA TO THEIR NATIONAL GAME PARKS.

Reports Leo Odera Omolo

Residents of the East African Community {EAC] will be required to pay the same fees as Tanzanians to enter the country’s national parks.

A note recently sent to game park managers by Tanzania National Parks Authority spokesman, Pascal Shelutete, reads as follows; ‘This is to inform you that nationals of Rwanda and Burundi are to be charged preferential rates just like those of Kenya and Uganda.

“Thus arrangement is in line with the EAC plans to promote the region as a single tourism destination,” adds the note.

This mean EAC residents will now pay Tshs 1,500 [about USD 1 for adults]and Tshs 500 { about 35 cents USD} for children visiting any national parks in Tanzania per day.

Analysts believe the uniform directive is timely and will boost the industry in the EAC Common Market with nearly 130 million consumers and combined GDP of nearly USD 60 billion.

In 2006, each of the three founding EAC partner states of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were charging different figures for non-citizen tourists. In Uganda, the entrance fees for EAC citizens to any of the country’s national game parks was USD 10 per day, while Ugandans were charged Ushs 5,000 {about USD 2.5}.

In Tanzania, the entry fees to Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti for foreign tourists and EAC residents was USD 60 and USD 50 respectably. In Kenya, the average charge fee for non-citizens was set at USD 30 per adult and USD 19 per student or child per day.

At the same time, sources at the EAC secretariat in Arusha say a task force appointed to study the region’s preparedness for a single tourist visa will present its report in June this year.

“The partner states are still consulting on the matter with the possibility of a trial visa to be introduced first, as they try to harmonize their tourism policies and laws,” a source explained.

The secretariat is reported to have approached the partner states, seeking information from the immigration departments on visa regulations and statistics from major tourism market countries.

Sources added that there was a likelihood of starting with a trial single visa in June this year, to determine whether East Africa is ready to introduce a single tourist visa for the region.

Experts working on the matter want visitor’s statistics for the sample countries that will participate in the suggested trial visa before the actual document is introduced.

The major source market for tourists coming to East Africa are the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa and Scandinavian countries.

Also sought for is information on information and communication technology {ICT} system used by the partner states to network with various centers such as border points and embassies.

In recent past, tourism players based in Arusha were said to have faulted the EAC governments for delaying the single visa tourism entry visa for the region.

Tourists visiting the region often spend hours crossing from one EAC state to another because they use different visa for each country.

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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Tanzania: Ten Year BAE Systems Aviation Radar Purchase scandal that just won’t go away

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THE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR SCANDAL, INVOLVING THE BRITISH FIRM AND THE SUPPLY OF AVIATION RADAR TO TANZANIA COMES BACK TO HAUNT

Investigative News Writes Leo Odera Omolo

Information emerging out of the Tanzanian capital, Dar Es Salaam says that the country is at crossroads, wondering whether to investigate afresh an international corruption case involving British arms manufacturers BAE system.

This came about after the company had allegedly admitted it was guilty of dubious financial dealings in its sale of a USD 46million Watch Air Traffic Control System to Tanzania.

BAE Systems, it was reported, admitted there were malpractices received as payment in the deal.

In its latest edition, the EASAFRICAN weekly quoted the company chairman, Mr.Dick Oliver as saying in an exclusive interview that “Under the agreement with the Serious Fraud Office {SFO}, the company will plead guilty to one charge of breach of duty to keep accounting records, in relation to payments made to a former marketing adviser in Tanzania.

“The company will pay an agreed penalty of 30 million sterling pounds {USD 46 million}, comprising of a fine to be determined by the court, and the balance as a charitable payment for the benefit of Tanzania”.

But back in Tanzania, senior officials of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau {PCCB} and the Ministry of Justice, were reported to be tight-lipped on whether to continue with fresh investigations or not.

Last week, UK’s Serious Fraud Office {SFO} allowed BAE to plead guilty in a London court to the offence of selling to Tanzania a 28 million pounds air traffic control system, and yet requesting for USD 46 million in payment.

The SFO then dropped its charges against those involved in scandal, who included Tanzanian officials Anbdrew Chenge {then the Attorney General} business tycoon Tanil K.C Somaiya of Shivacom and one Shailesh P.Vithilan.

In court, they were accused number six, eight and nine respectively. Accused number seven is not mentioned on the charge sheet.

Mr Chenge was later appointed a minister for Infrastructure Development in the President Jakaya Kikwete administration. But he resigned after SFO implicated him in the scandal, with claims alleging that he had received 1.5 million sterling pounds from BAE as “Kick Backs”.

The World Bank and the International Civil Aviation Organization –before and after the purchase of the system –said it was unnecessarily overpriced.

The PCCB investigation was however largely dependent on SFO findings, meaning the country will have to conduct its own probe.

This viewpoint is supported by the Deputy Leader of the official opposition in the National Assembly, Dr Wilbrod Slaa. And the SFO has been actively investigating the USD 39.5 million {Tshs 53.billion} contract signed in 1999 to supply a radar system to Tanzania.

The probe also relates to payments of USD 12 million to Shailesh Vithilan, BAE’s former marketing adviser based in Dar Es Salaam.

A six year investigation by SFO identified key roles played in the radar deal by Mr.Chenge, the former AG, and Dr. Idris Rashid, the then Bank of Tanzania governor.

PCCB public Relations Officer, Doreen Kapwani, was quoted last week as saying that they were yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the matter.

Tanzania Minister for Justice, Mathias Chikawe, also declined to offer any comment. But by pleading guilty under section 221 of the companies Act,1985,BAE will not face an embarrassing court case.

Last month, Uganda civil aviation authorities demanded payment back for a dummy radar, which was purchase before the summit of the Commonwealth Head of States and Government {CHOGM] in November 2007, which has since then ceased to operate.

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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

Uganda’s Entebbe Airport is without a functioning aviation radar

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UGANDAN MPS TOLD OF HOW A MULTIMILLION SHILLING RADAR AT THE ENTEBBE AIRPORT, WHICH WAS OBTAINED DURING THE COMMONWEALTH SUMMIT, HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING.

Business Report By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

UGANDAN international airport {Entebbe} is without a functioning aviation radar. The one which was procured two years ago during the Summit of the Commonwealth Heads of State and governments {CHOGM} has ceased functioning.

Members of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee were told on Wednesday that the radar equipment, procured by the Ugandan government at a cost of Ushs 600 million during the CHOGM Summit two years ago has already broken down.

Stephen Magezi, the Commissioner of Meteorology, told the committee members that the equipment was delivered on November 26,2007, three days after the beginning of the summit, and broke down in 2009.

This particular equipment was supplied by a South African firm, Netsys International.

When asked whether the system worked, Magezi referred the committee members to the person who had been handed the equipment, a Mr Vansar Baryamu, who then told the committee that the system had worked only for a short while, but it ceased and stopped functioning last year.

“It is software. It went down last year. The problem has been the lack of electronic engineers”, he added.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development, David Obong’, told the committee chairman, Nandala Mafabi, that the department made a loss since the radar did not serve the purpose for which it was procured, and therefore, the suppliers should refund the taxpayers money.

The PS also ordered that the officials involved in the procurement should be investigated for procuring “fake” equipment.
“The company must refund the money, including interest and damage. The officials, starting with the Commissioner Magezi, should be investigated for abuse of office, “he said.

Apart from the financial loss, Magezi also pointed out the danger of having an airport without functioning radar system.
He explained that the radar detect serious issues, and if neglected, it could readily bring down a plane.

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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

MORE INTERNATIONAL FIRMS SCRAMBLE FOR SHARES IN THE AILING AIR TANZANIA CORPORATION, WITH A CHINESE COMPANY FROM HONG-KONG ALL SET TO TAKE THE LION’S SHARE

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MORE INTERNATIONAL FIRMS INVITED TO BID ON AIR TANZANIA.

Business News  By Leo Odera Omolo.

Tanzanian government is reported to be eying for more bidders for its financially strapped national carrier, Air Tanzania.

The government wants it revived so that it could take advantage of the  fast growing air travels market in East, Central and Southern African regions, as well as take advantage of the exploding Chinese population in East and Central Africa.

The government has now decided to invite more international firms to vie for a stake in the ailing airline, despite having already entered the final stage of two-years negotiations with a Chinese firm, China Sonangol International Holdings, to buy a controlling stake in the ailing Air Tanzania Corporation Limited.

According to sources in Dar, the state owned national carrier last month cut its workforce by 155, amid talks of a partnership with China Sonangol. Only 182 employees remain on the job. It cited overstaffing and accumulated staff wages as the reasons for the layoffs.

The envisaged plan has been confirmed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Omar Chambo, in an interview published this week by the influential regional weekly, the EASFRICAN, in which he is quoted as having disclosed that talks between the government and the officials from China Sonangol International Holdings are at an “advanced stage”, without offering any further elaboration.

The PS further disclosed  that the negotiations with the Chinese firm do not bar the government from looking for other investors, and that already, several other companies have shown interest in the carrier. However, he declined to name the other firms and their number, only saying this could jeopardize the discussions.

According to Chambo, the government of Tanzania wants to see Air Tanzania revived and brought back to take advantage of the fast growing markets like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, China and Malawi.

But observers and critics alike say the government has not kept its word on giving Air Tanzania full support, since the firm broke ranks and parted ways with the South African Airline {SAA} in 2006.
Air Tanzania Corporation Ltd, formerly known as Air Tanzania Corporation, was privatized on December 2, 2002, in a deal in which SAA acquired 49 per cent shares in the firm for USD 20 million, which largely went into shareholding, with the rest going into capital and training accounts.

And last week , a US firm, Celtic Capital Corporation of Texas, said it was ready to take over the operations of Air Tanzania.

Five firms based in the US, the UK and the United Emirates have also shown interest in running the cash-strapped airline.

According to other reports, in August 2008, the Tanzania government held secret discussions with the Chinese Development Bank to sell the 49 per cent shares acquired back from SAA to a Hong Kong based private firm, with a view to reviving the ailing airline.

In the deal, China Sonangol International Holdings was expected to fund the operations of the airline that is now struggling to regain its reputation and position in the regional and international market.
The EASTAFRICAN also quoted the chairman of Sonangol International, Sam Pal as saying that China Development Bank would be funding the takeover of Air Tanzania, but bureaucracy has delayed the takeover.

Mr Pal disclosed in the report that the Sonangol has already started the construction of Terminal Three of Julius Kambarage Nyerere international Airport in Dar Es Salaam, and is working on expansion of the airport.

Sonangol said it has already bought an Embarer fleet for Air Tanzania.
China Sonangol International Holdings Holdings Ltd, which was established in 2004, mainly engages in oil, gas and mineral investment and exploration, crude oil trading and large scale national reconstruction projects.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company also deals in chartered airlines in Angola, the US and the UK.

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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com,