Category Archives: Leo Odera Omolo

EAST AFRICA: A STUDY REPORT HAS REVEALED THAT NEARLY ALL FISH SPECIES IN LAKE VICTORIA MAY BE EXTINCT IN THE NEXT 30 YEARS UNLESS POLLUTION AND OVERFISHING IS PUT ON CHECK.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

POOR management of the resources coupled with over-fishing, industrial pollution and the of Lake Victoria and its resources.

And now the residents of the region and the communities living along the shorelines of the lake as well as scientists and researchers have raised red flag over the reported rapid depletion of fish stock.

The fisheries ministry officials, especially the fish scouts and officials charged with the responsibilities of ensuring the orderly fishing stand to be blamed for not implementing the government policy to he letter.

Corruption is also cited when it comes to the issues involving fishermen’s using an unauthorized fishing net that kills immature fish.

The scientists and researchers have so far predicted that unless all these malpractices stopped, the lake could be depleted of all fish species in 30 years time, if the environmental degradation was not adequately addressed.

A damning study report recently released by the Lake Victoria Management Programme has revealed that production of the stock of the economically prized Nile Perch went down by 750,000 tones from 2005 to only 232,000tones in 2008.At the same time tilapia number dropped from 27,061 tones to 24,811tone during the same period of time.

“The fish industry sub-sector o the national economy which earns Kshs 7 billion annually in foreign exchange is now said to be set to record reduced revenue as a result,” says the report.

At the same time a researcher from a Swedish University has said that the number of fish species in Lake Victoria had dropped significantly from more than 400 at the turn of the twentieth century to only 192 a the turn of 21st century.

“The situation is alarming because over-fishing environmental degradation and pollution is still at the peak. Due to many industries up stream discharging pollutant material to the lake..

The scarcity of fish and acute supplies has I the recent past sent the prices of the commodity skyrocketing.

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natural calamities strikes many parts of Kenya following the arrival of the long rains

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

NATURAL calamities and disaster have hit Kenyans so hard in the past one week with reported death by a man trampled by elephant, while two people drown after their fishing boat was hit by a rogue hippo in Lake Victoria.

In the last two weeks, the lightning strikes left three Kenyans dead, and at the same time there were two incidents of big cats devouring domestic animals in Murang’a County and, and in Nyahururu.

The incident in which two fishermen drawn while on fishing expedition in Lake Victoria when heir boats was hit by a rogue hippo took place near Uhanya Beach in Usenge Division, Bondo district within Siaya County occurred on Monday.

Four fishermen had set on a fishing expedition in Lake Victoria when a five tone rogue bull of hippo attacked their boat and sunk it violently. Two of the fishermen managed to swam to safety, but two of their colleagues were unlucky. Up to the time of writing this report the bodies of Fred Ochieng 42 and Dancan Ochjonjo 20 were yet to be retrieved from the water.

The Assistant Chief of the area Manaseh Osur identified the survivors as Bill Omondi and Musa Okaka.

A 75 year old woman was strike dead by thunderbolt in Adanya village in Teso district within Busia County in Western Province.Rose Idanya 75 had gone out in the rain to pick up some of her utensils when the lightning struck.

The Area Assitant Chief Zachary Olekete has cautioned the residents against engaging in risky activities, especially during the down pour as the rainy season started. He further asked head teachers of all the primary schools in his area to ensure that they install lightning arrestors in all classrooms and important buildings within their schools compound.

His particular incident came only a week after two young men who had taken a shelter under a tree were struck dead by lightning near Mwakitau in Taita-Taveta district at the Coast Province.

Another incident in Keiyo district in the North Rift a woman and her daughter dead after lightning hit their home during the late afternoon heavy down pour.

In the same Taita-Taveta district a man was trampled to death by a rogue elephant. The incident took place last Sunday forcing the officials of the Kenya Wildlife Services {KWS} to mount the ground and air operation aimed at driving back to the close to 200 herds of elephants which had invaded the area and were causing havoc with human lives and food crops.. back to the nearby Tsavo West National Game Park where the jumbos are suspected to have come from before invading the villages causing havoc with human live and destroying a lot of food crops in the field.

The elephants had imposed dawn to dusk curfew forcing the children to abandon their studies In the nearby schools.

In Nyahururu a suspected ,female leopard which had strayed in the farming villages is blamed for having killed close to 35 goats and sheep. A farmer at Gichaka village in Olkalou constituency is now counting his loses after the beast had attacked her leopard her curbs attacked and killed her nine sheep on Tuesday morning.

Mrs Gechia Karichu the nine sheep were part of a flock of 23 she had taken to grazing shed near her house. But soon after returning to the house, three of the sheep came back bleating with one of them having been mauled in the leg. But when he went out to check what had happened to the sheep she found the carcasses of the nine sheep strewn allover.

The residents told the newsmen that the same leopard had killed many goats , sheep and dogs in the village in the last two weeks.

The area MP Erustus Mureithi who visited the scene appealed to the government to compensate the farmers who had lost their animals in such attacks by big cat.

The next incident involving the attack by a leopard was in Gikuyu Sub-Location in Murang’a district where a marauding male leopard killed seven sheep on Monday night. The big cat is reported to have strayed in the village from the nearby Mount Kenya Forest which was recently devastated by the wildfire.

The beast is also reported to have already devoured close to 5o goats and sheep during the last three weeks and it is so elusive that the villagers in collaboration with the armed game rangers have hunted it without success.

On Monday night at about 4.A.M a resident Mr Justus Mwan in bed woke up to a rude shock after he found the carcasses of seven sheep killed.

In unrelated story, an official of the KWS in Tsavo East National Game Park has made a startling revelation of people who have been faking snake bites so tat they could compensated. This discovery was made after it was detected that nearly all the companion forms were signed b only one doctor.

The Senior Kenya Wildlife Service Samuel Bukura said some people re known to have cut their legs using razor blades to fake snake bite or the purpose of getting compensated b the government.

The scam was discovered after many people had presented the forms bearing their claims for compensation after faking snake bite incidences.

“Most claims lodged in our offices, are bearing the signature o only one doctor paving he way for suspicion that the forms were fake. This , he aid is a clear indication that the compensation exercise is grossly being abused.

Bukura revealed that the government has set aside and released the colossal amount of Kshs 2.6 million which is to be paid out as compensation to the families of those people who were either killed and injured by wildlife in the coastal district of Taita-Taveta The issuing of payment of cheques and cash has been delayed because the people involved did not provide the officials with the correct information.

The payment has been categorized for those killed will be compensated with Khs 200,000 while those who sustained bodily injuries a result of attack by wildlife would be paid Kshs 50,000.mT in this category include the genuine cases of snake bites, and it is what has made so many people fake the injuries. Some have inflicted injuries n their bodies using razor blade top look like snake bites.

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EAST AFRICA: GLOBAL SHORTAGE OF FISH COULD LEAD TO THE BOOSTING OF EXPORTS OF THE LAKE VICTORIA’S ECONOMICALLY PRIZED NILE PERCH.

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Write Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

A shortage of Pangasius fish in international market markets following flooding in Vietnam is expected to boost Nile Perch exports from Lake Victoria.

Nile Perch sales in Asian and Western European markets have in past few years gradually reduced as more price sensitive consumers opted for Pangasius, a cheaper alternative source of white meat.

Analysis with the Food and Agriculture Organization {FAO} SAID Nile Perch exports from Lake Victoria could rise sharply this ear following shortages of the rival species after massive floods in the main producing Vietnam contaminated ponds.

“Drop in demand doe Pangasius and the increase in the value of marketing of certified Nile Perch in the EU {European Union}, could give extra boost to the fishery products coming from Lake Victoria,” says the agencies I the market update report for the month of April, 2012.

The food in the third quarter of lat year saw nearly 70 per cent of all pangasius fish processing plants in Vietnam Mekong delta shut down due to contaminated fish ponds mainly in Dong Thup and An Ging provinces.

The effects of the damages on the Pangasius market are expected to spill over into much of this year, reviving the Lake Victoria Nile Perch industry whose fortunes have been rising with adoption of certification programme .

Kenya and other East African countries mainly rely on Lake Victoria to support Nile Perch industries even though the business has in the recent years come under pressure from dwindling supplies and weak prices in the international market.

FAO report says, Lake Victoria Nile Perch exports to the EU had began stabilizing due to improved quality standards. In this period, Tanzania was by far the biggest supplier for European countries with 12,300 tones, following by Uganda and Kenya,” the agency said.

Statistics showed that n the first quarter of lat year, the EU remained the main market for Nile Perch with 8,200 tones of fillets coming from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

In 2010, Kenya exported 3,600 tones of Nile Perch fillets to EU markets, while Tanzania sold 16,300 tones and Uganda 11,800 tones.

Apart from competing from Pangasius, the Lake Victoria Nile Perch industry has also suffered an image problem over poor fishing methods that deprived the lake of its potential resources.

Data by the Fisheries Department showed that the Nile Perch stock in Lake Victoria decline from 1.9 million tones to 1.2 million between 1999 and 2001 before dropping drastically to 544,000 tones in 2005.The stocks were estimated at 37o tones in 2008.

As part of efforts to stall dip in Lake Victoria catch, governments have formed beach management units to oversee sustainable exploitation of the fish resources.

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KENYA: NEW HOTEL COMPLEX THAT WOULD CHANGE THE FACE OF THE ENTIRE HOMA-BAY COUNTY AND ATTRACT THE NUMBER OF TOURIST TO THE REGION IS ESTABLISHED AT NDHIWA TOWN.

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Ndhiwa Town.

A new hotel complex that is likely to change the ace of the entire Homa-bay County in the greater Southern Nyanza has been established near Ndhiwa district headquarters.

The Ndhiwa Village Resort Complex, which is located about two kilometer outside Ndhiwa Town has the state of the art finishing with extra facilities such as swimming pool, gymnastic wing and a dozen luxury cottages.

The Ndhiwa Resort complex is built right in the middle of the hitherto sleeping health care club and has changed the face of the nearby Ndhiwa Town.

The Resort has started with 40 rooms and can accommodate up to 80 visitors, but plans are a foot to increase the number of the accommodation facilities up to 100 beds.

The hotel has a standby van which is given as supplementary services to the guest and can ferry them to the nearby Ruma National Game Park in Lambwe Valley which is about 20 kilometers away. And also to other pre-historic sites at tourists attraction scenery along the shorelines of Lake Victoria.

Other features of attraction include the large number of tamed and domesticated Guineas Fouls roaming about and at times flying overheads within the hotel compound. Well, fenced and secure for the safety of visitors, their vehicles and other valuable property.

Ndhiwa town is located on the main Rodi-Kopany-Karungu Bay road, which has recently underwent through re-carpeting and. Visitors wishing to travel to through the Game Park back to Homa-Bay town may also follow the forest road that is leading to the KWS head offices and the main gate to the park, which is also equipped with a modern lodge with the accommodation, food and alcohol beverages.

The hotel has other special features such as two conference halls, one for 100 people and the second or 70 people plus the poolside bar, a discotheque hall and a residents bar, several restaurants.

The Ndhiwa Village Resort, which is arguably the largest investment next to the Sukari Sugar Mills a white sugar factory, which is located 15 kilometers away at Wachara near Oria maket. The market is standing right on the border of Ndhiwa and Uriri districts, and can also be accessed via Awendo-Rapogi –Oria on all weather murram road.

The hotel complex is the brainchild of the Assistant minister for internal security Joshua Orwa Ojode who is the MP for Ndhiwa. The MP, however, could not explain as to what would be the cost of the project when completed, saying that would be done by experts from the government when they come to conduct the grading exercise. Experts have moderately estimated the hotel complex to run into thousands of millions shillings when completed. At the moment some final touches of work are still gong on the complex which is built to close to 4 acres of land all fenced with chain-link wires. It is surrounded by native villages making look sitting I the middle of typical African village.

And the next important building is the still under the construction District Commissioners officer which is also close to the multimillion shillings CDF office complex and Ndhiwa Law Court.

These two institutions have changed the faces of Ndhiwa, which was hitherto a sleeping dusty rural market with only an old building housing the colonial tribal court.

The Assistant Minister is the single investors, but other investors and shareholders might join him in the near future. However, for now the hotel is the exclusively property of Ojode family property.

It has created employment opportunities for close to 30 skilled and unskilled workers with several highly qualified chefs to cater for both for foreign and local tourists and will serve as gateway to the interior and wildest parts of he greater Southern Nyanza such as Suba North, Suba South, Nyatike, Uriri, Awendo and Homa-Bay districts. And also to the various fishing islands along the shorelines of Lake Victoria. to the interior parts of Nyatike, Gwassi, Mbita, Homa-Bay and even to far places like Awendo Uriri and Migori

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Kenyans athletes reject the pleas by ICC suspect to boycott London Olymnpic games

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

KENYAN athletes have rejected a call by the Eldoret North MP William Ruto that they should boycott the London Olympic Games to protest the ICC cases against the four Kenyan suspects.

The athletes – – the majority of them known for their exploits in international and local track events – – told a political group calling itself Kalenjin, Massai, Turkan and Samburu {KAMATUSA} to steer clear from sports activities and not to drag their politics into the sporting area.

The two-time Olympic medalist Dr. Kipchoge Keino who Is the current chairman of the National Olympic Committee and Athletics Kenya Secretary David Okeyo said it is wrong and unworkable for the leaders to introduce their politics in sports.

Representatives of the athletes also strongly condemned the boycott call. The majority of the athletes are currently training in Eldoret town, which is located within William Ruto’s constituency in preparation for this weekend’s third meeting of a six-leg tournament which will lead to the Olympic qualifiers.

The two days meet will be held in Kitale Ton in the neighboring Trans-Nzoia County. The proposal to have the athlete’s boycott the Olympic was one of the 16 resolutions arrived at after the Kamatusa meeting held in Eldoret on Monday this week. The meeting was hosted by Ruto who is one of the four suspects in the Kenyan cases now pending before the ICC

The majority of the long and medium distance runners are members of the larger Kalenjin ethnic group which Ruto belong to.

The Kamatusa meet was attended by over 30 MPs and other leaders mainly from the Kalenjin community. The resolutions were read by the chairman of the Kalenjin Council of Elder Major {rtd} John Sei.

“This year 2012 another Olympic year. Unless an environment of inclusiveness and fairness is provided, the Kalenjn community will consider asking the condemned athletes to boycott the Olympics,” said the resolution.

This resolution stemmed from another one which state that he entire Kalenjin community- including the athletes- had been condemned because of the crimes against humanity charges which William Ruto an radio journalist Joshua sang are facing at the ICC. The meeting resolved that the entire Kalennin community was on trial at The Hague.

But in a footnote and before the ink dried up in the Olympic boycotting resolution another group of Kalenjin leaders addressed the press conference and disowned the William Ruto’s group dismissing them as self-seekers and elf styled politicians “for hire.’

It included the four cabinet Ministers allied to the Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga dismissed the Kamatusa meeting that was held on Tuesday as “reckless and ineffective.’

The Mister included Franklin Bett {Roads}, Dr. Sally Kosgei {Agriculture}, Prof. Margaret Kamar (Higher Education} and Home Affairs Assistant Minister Beatrice Kones distanced themselves from the meeting in Eldoret in which the area MP William Ruto was endorsed the Kalenjin leader.

Dr Kosge hit at a similar meeting held two weeks ago by the Gikuyu {Kikyu} Embu and Meru Association {GEMA}. She explained that the two gatherings were alienating other Kenyan communities, a move that cold worsen relations in the country.

“If you have lived in the Rift Valley Province for as long as I have, you will agree that people from all communities live here. Why then would anyone select a few tribal groups and leave out the rest? The Agricultural Minister wondered.

The Road Minister Franklin Bett said politicizing the ICC process was not helping the suspects and instead called on all Kenyans to pray four he our accused persons who are facing cases at the ICC court, including Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta, Francis Muthaura and Joshua Sang.

“If we play politics with ICC, the situation for the suspect could get worse,” said the Minister. Meanwhile another group of the Kalenjin elders led by veteran Eldoret politician Jackson Kibor yesterday scathingly criticized the lat Tuesday meeting organized by William Ruto’s so-called Kimatusa group.

Kiore told newsmen tat those who attended the Kamatuisa meeting were not de facto Kalenjin elders, but people handpicked for the purpose of pressurizing the ICC in support of the four Kenyan suspect who are said to be in a great panic.

Kibor was accompanied by the ODM chairman in Uasin Gishu County David Songok, the Uasin Gishu North ODM chairman Said Chepkeitany, KANU official Jonathan Bii and Narc-Kenya’s leader in Uasin Gishu Kipkorir Menjo denounced the Kamatusa meeting.

At the same time the nation council of NGOs had also added its weight by saying that such groupings are a threat to national security in Kenya. “This is dangerous ploy aimed at causing tribal clashes in the country like the 1992,1997 and 2002. The government, the NGOs said, must act immediately, added the NGOs chairman Ken Wafula.

On Thursday Okey lashed out at the Kamatusa leaders and their resolutions which he said should be ignored.” Participating in the Olympic Games even without winning a medal is the dream of every athlete. It is wrong for anyone to ask them to boycott such an international vent because that would affect their careers, “ said Okeyo.

And on Wednesday, two middle and long distance Olympic medal hopeful Mark Kiptoo {10,000 meters} and Eliud Kipchoge {5,000m} said they will not allow themselves to be dragged into politics as they concentrate on their taining. ”We are athletes and that is okay for us. Please keep us out of politics,” said Kipchoge.

Veteran long-distance runner, two-time world championship gold medalist and two times Boston Marathon Moses Tanui asked the politicians to keep out of sport.

Tanui, who is retired fro the track in 2004 following a knee injury, is the first athlete to run the half marathon under 60 minutes., His world record was broken five years later by a fellow Kenyan Paul Tegat.

Daniel Komen, whose 1998 indoor and 1996 outdoor records for 3,000 still stands, and who remains the only man to run back-to-back under four minutes miles, added his voice by urging politicians to sort out their grievances without distracting the athletes.

“Let those training for the games do so peacefully. Once you start discussing politics in games then you ruin the games,” said Komen who is still being remembered for his rivalry with Ethiopian’ Haile Gebreselassie.,

At other camps training in the high altitudes in Keiyo and Iten, athletes and their managers said they would not allow anyone to discuss politics at the camps and referred journalists to the ALK. The Athletes rejection of the Olympic boycott call came as a section of elders and politicians from the Kalenjin community dismissed William Ruto’s efforts to revive Kamatusa mainly or the purpose of scuttling the ICC cases as uncalled for.

The Kalenjin elders opposed to the boycott calls said the meeting hosted by William Ruto in Eldoret town did not address serious issues affecting the people of the rift Valley. The faulted the meeting for endorsing Rot one of the ICC suspect as the Rift Valley’s Province presidential candidate and has URP as the party for the region as unwarranted, irrelevant and misleading.

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Kenya & Uganda: Fresh troubles erupted in the disputed Migigo Island in Lake Victoria between Kenyan and Ugandan authorities

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Sori/Karungu Bay

FRESH troubles have erupted on the volatile and disputed Migingo fishing island in Lake Victoria a Uganda marine police arrests and detains Kenyan fishermen.

The issue of the disputed rocky island has been the source of discontent and diplomatic thaw between the two partners states of the East African Community for close to eight years ever since the Ugandan authorities invaded the island and posed its revenue officers now collecting taxes from Kenyan fishermen in their own c0ountry. The Island according to 100 yer old colonial maps dawn in 1912 is virtually on the Kenyan side of the border.

Ugandan authorities are demanding that an assistant Chief posted to administer the island on behalf of the Kenya government be withdrawn immediately until such a time when the ownership issues are resolved.

Kenya has kept a contingent of Administration Policemen numbering about 30 on the tiny island. But they Kenyan policemen just sat down as the Ugandan authorities rounded the fishermen over the weekend and warned them not to fish on Ugandan territorial water.

Fishermen have told this reporter over the phone that on Monday morning three Kenyan fishermen were arrested by the Ugandan security personnel who accused them of trespassing into Ugandan waters.

The Ugandan authorities accused Kenyan fishermen for deliberately defying the orders and directive.

Three Kenyan fishermen were picked up by the officers on the disputed tiny fishing island as they returned from fishing expedition. Their boats and their engines intact and the catches were also confiscated.

The arrest of Kenya came barely three days after the Ugandan officers warned Kenyans against stepping into the Ugandan waters unless the Kenyan Assistant Chief recently deployed as an administrator on Migingo Island is removed.

The arrested Kenyans were then whisked away to the nearby Lolwe Island which is situated on the Ugandan side o the disputed waters of lake Victoria and b the time of filing this report, their fate remained unknown.

Armed Kenyan administration policemen on the island could only watch in disbelief as the sh90cked fishermen were bundled into a new speedboat brought in from Jinja town in Eastern Uganda.

Last Saturday, according to the chairman of Migingo Beach Management Unit Juma Omnboori, the Ugandan authorities rounded up all the Kenya fishermen operating on the island and told hem that from now onward they will not be allowed to fish on Ugandan waters.

A to Uganda policeman Agustino Choti told the Kenyan fishermen that a decision to ban Kenyans from he Ugandan water had been taken following of Kenya government having taken unilateral decision of posting an Assistant chef to Migingo while the negotiation to have the island ownership resolved was still in progress. As for now the waters around the island belonged no one, but Kenya should have been patient and wait for the matter to be resolved amicably by the two countries.

Consequently Uganda has sent more marine police and new patrol boats to the island, perhaps to ensure its order was completely enforced. Kenyan fishermen and fish traders operating on Migingop Island have since sent out an gent appeal to the government of Kenya to responds urgently and rescue them from further embarrassment.

“We are also surprised that our policemen who are supposed to protect us on this Island just sat down and watched as Kenyan businessmen and fishermen were being arrested and harassed”, said Juma Ombori.

The Saturday incident too pace while the area MP Edick Omondi Anyanga was a tor of his lakeside constituency, and he immediately appealed to the government of Kenya to expedite talks aimed at resolving the problems of Migingp Island. The legislator also appealed to the Ugandan policemen to treat Kenyans with a lot of respect and not to antagonize them.

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Kenya: The biggest shopping complex in Awendo Town is gutted by fire started from unknown source

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo in Awendo Town

MIDIMO HOUSE the three store biggest business complex in Awendo Town was partly gutted by fire whose source has remained a mystery.

The fire started in the eastern wing of the multimillion shilling property which is standing magnificently and the tallest and the biggest building in this farming town at about 5.30 later in the afternoon. Traders and businessmen operating shop in the building ruled out the possibility of the fire having been ignited by electrical fault.

The said the incident took place on Monday at the time when the eastern area of the building had most of its power supplies disconnected a couple of week ago. They suspected foul play.

Traders operating in the building and the kiosk owners around put a brave fight in a concerted effort to put off the fire in a Town which has no fire fighting engine. However, the few goods that they were able to retrieve from the burning shops were looted by the onlookers and standby who turned thieves.

The building belonged to Dr. Simeon Owuor Odede, a local businessman-cum-farmer and a former chairman of the Board of Director of the Awendo based SonySugar Company.

Dr Odede, however, could not be reached to give the estimate of the loses incurred and a to how mn8ch money the repair work would cost, but viewing the building from outside, one could just make the guesswork that the loss caused is enormous.

At the same the traders operating shops inside the building were seen counting for their loses. Three shops located downstairs were the most affected,

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two ODM parliamentary aspirants on votes canvassing mission in Rangwe and homa-Bay constituencies

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo.

Two leading contenders for various elective seats within Homa-Bay County were on a vote canvassing mission over the weekend which covered the newly created Homa-Bay Town and the old Rangwe constituencies.

Mrs Gladys Wanga an aspirant contesting Homa-Bay Women representative and one George Oner who is vying for the old Rangwe parliamentary seat address series of joint meeting in Central and East Gem Locations within Rangwe and also several women groups within Homa-Bay Town constituency.

Addressing the women groups in East Gem, Mr Wanga urged the women to ensuy4e that their daughters received good secondary and university education. She decried the rule of that stipulates that only women with secondary education may contest for the electives positions as being discriminative.

She said thee were many women of high leadership quality h0 could vie for elective position, but the new regulations would not permit them to do so.

She said women leaders should come out and contest all the elective position either in the County governance, parliamentary or Senate as one way of affirmative action for gender equality.

Mrs Wanga urged women to compete for all the elective positions even in the party branch leadership. She added that she was pleased that the new person who would be voted in as the first MP for the newly created Homa-Bay Town constituency will be starting a new home and must work yard to ensure the area receive faster growth of the ton and make it hub of business activities in the region. The Town has been chosen as the new administrative headquarters for the new Homa-Bay County and as such would require someone who works so hard.

Mr Wanga also spoke about the need for the electorate to go in for only the enlightened leaders whose kn0owledge and experience goes beyond the County and constituency levels, and who could go out there and attract financial and other assistance from foreign sources for the rapid development of the region.

Kenya: Death apointment – pioneer woman farmer in Kasipul Kabondo constituency

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Oyugis Town.

DEATH has occurred of a prominent and pioneer woman farmer in Kasipul-Kabondo who in her life tie had pioneer and embraced the new method of farming technology in the region.

Mrs Dorcas Akeyo J.Oyugi-Ogot who together with her late husband Mr James Oyugi Ogot had introduced the latest ultra modern farming technology in their mixed farm, which is located near Mikaye/Ober market next to the main Oyugis Kisumu road died on Saturday after along illness.

The family medium size mixed farm in Kakelo/Dudi Location in Rachuonyo South district within Homa-Bay County has remained a role model in the region for well over three decades.

They were the first couple to introduce graded dairy animal in the region in the late 1960s. He husband James Oyugis Ogot a top educationist who taught as a school teacher and later rose to the rank of a District Education Officer {DEO} in Siaya where he retired ten years ago before he a succumbed to his death about eight years ago.

However, Mama Dorcas Oyugi continued with her farming effort, which made her a role model in the region. The farm used to be the center of agricultural activities and had attracted the attention of the government and particularly the Provincial Administration. It has become the site for the annual Field Agricultural Day where farmers from all over Nyanza Province used to converge every year for training new method of farming.

Mrs Oyugis a mother of eight children all grown up with several grand children. After her husband’s death, she has continued with her farming activities under the guidance of her eldest son Dr. Kenneth Kambona a top agronomist who is working as regional consultant with the UNDP.

Top politician in the region have sent their condolences to the family of the pioneer farmer. Among the them Kasipul-Kabondo MP Joseph Oyugi Maguwanga, Karachuonyo MP Eng James Rege, an aspirant who is a candidate for the Homa-Bay Conty women representative Mrs Roselyn Onyuka, a former PDE Nyanza, former Kasipul-Kabondo MP William Oloo Otula, an aspirant for the Homa-Bay County governor Cyprian Otieno Awiti, another aspirant for the newly created Kasipul constituency Ong’ondo Were, civic leaders and members of the farming fraternity in the region.

A staunch member of the SDA church, Mrs Ouis was also a church leader and she had inspired many young Christians and members of the farming fraternity in the region.

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Kenya: The contest for the Homa-0Bay County Senate seat is expected to produce the fireworks

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

The campaign by aspirants vying for the Homa-Bay County Senate seat has kicked off in a high note with the potential contestants criss crossing the full length and width of the region in canvassing for votes.

The battle for the senate seat in this region has promised a lot of fireworks given the kind of the political elites and personalities involved in the race.

Two of the aspirants co so aggressively and his campaign style is sending shock-waves to other established politician in the region.

The politically well established contestants include the Immigration and Registration of Persons Gerald Otieno Kajwang, who is the MP for Suba South {formerly Mbita}, and the abrasive MP for Ndhiwa Joshua Orwa Ojode who is an Assistant Minister for Internal Security.

The third force is the populist and youthful Nairobi and Kampala based businessman Hilary Ochieng’Alila whose waves of popularity in the region has become a matter of serious concern by other aspirants.

The 37 year old Alila originally hail from Rapedhi area of Ndhiwa district, But he has made Homa-Bay his permanent resident and campaign center, Alila is so popular with youth and women groups and has mobilized big following in all the eight parliamentary constituencies, which include Suba North, Suba South, Ndhiwa, Homa-Bay Town, Rangwe, Karachuonyo, Kasipul and Kasipul-Kabondo.friends, but later turned bitter enemies..Ojode with close to 100,000- registered voters in his Ndhiwa home turf could easily tame Kajwang’. if he could garner close to 75 per cent of votes in his Ndhiwa home turf, then he would be hard nut to crack.

Kajwang’, however, hail from the Suba region, which could only account for about 55,000 or 60,000 after the fresh registration of he new generation of voters after the next registration of voters exercise due before the next polls.The Minister, however, has recently brushed shoulders with the members of the Suba communities in the two constituencies of Suba South and suba North folowing renaming of the two constituencies by the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission {IEBC} which did not go well with his personal interests. He faulted the IEBC for having renaming Mbita, the Suba North arguing that there were more Luo population residing in the constituency than those of Suba origin.

Pone civic leader in Rusinga Island has since filed a legal suit against the IEBC arguing that renaming of the constituency was not in the best interest of all the residents. The civic leader in question was present during the hearing conducted by the IEBC in Homa-Bay and the presentation of memorandums by the people from the two Suba constituencies. But the civic leader has since developed cold feet and moved to court as a lone ranger against the majority of the residents of Rusinga Island.

The most interesting feature of the impending suit against the Suba population was filed by none other than Otieno Kajwang’ younger brother who is a lawyer in Nairobi, and the residents says they are seeing Kajwang’s hidden hand in the matter. The elders and residents who had requested for the change of the names of the two constituencies have vowed to render the support to the IEBC during the hearing of the case.

Another aspirant is a Mr Enock Aduke, who hails from Kodumo in Kabondo, but a resident of Kosele Town. His political clout and influence in the region, however remained unknown as he is a new comer to the game.

The former Kasipul Kabondo MP William Oloo Otula who had earlier announced that he would contest the Homa-Bay County Senate seat is reported to have chicken out and has since declared the would be trying his hand in his old Kasipul seat Otula made the announcement during the weekend burial at Kojwach village hoe near Ringa Market of a former PNU parliamentary candidate for Kasipla-Kabondo Akira Ngadi who was aid to rest last Saturday.

It is now clear that all the four aspirants for the Senate seat will be battling for the votes in the vote rich Rachuonyo region, which has registered close to 150,000 voters, but this figure could be increased to close to 180,000 after the next voters registration exercise before the polls.

The expected political scenario is that the real battle will be between Kajwang’ and Ojode, though the Ndhiwa MP will have the advantage of having a safe home constituency, while Kajwang’ home support has dwindled following the controversies with the Suba communities.

The man to watch is the youthful Alila whose influence is said to have gone higher notch and cut across the parliamentary boundaries. He has mobilized good following in far ends of the County like Kasipul-Kabondo, Mfangano and Rusinga islands. He is said to be a skillful operative who works with local women group and the fact that the youths are the majority of the voters, his popularity cannot be ignore. If the established politicians choose to ignore him they may do so at their own peril

Both Kajwang’ and Alila recently visited Wachara in Kwabwayi area of Ndhiwa which is Ojode’s stronghold for separate public functions, and the residents have since been speaking well in favour of the youthful Alila as the man of the man to watch.

What is likely to play on the ground is clans alliances within the and in the absent of any aspirant for the Senate seat from the votes rich Rachuonyo districts, Kajwang’ could be advantaged if he chooses to work closely with the area MPs like Eng James Rege {Karachuonyo? Joseph Oyugi Maguwanga {Kasipul-Kabondo}.He is the curret ODM chair for the Homa-Bay County branch, but he ius said not to be in good terms with the former Rangwe MP Phillip Okundi who is the ODN electoral board chairman, Okundi is still a power to reckon with in the old entire Rangwe region.

The coming months will reveal who is the real power in the contest, however, Alila is currently leading the pack with his flamboyant approach.

Ends

Kenya: Motorbike thief is lynched in a grisly killing in Oyugis Townas his relatives and friends watched helplessly

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo.

Residents OF Oyugis town in Rachuonyo South district within Homa-Bay County are still in a state of shock after witnessing one of the most cruel and grisly day light killing of a suspected motorbike thief.

The incident which sounded like a Hollywood movie story, according to sources had started in Oyugis Town a couple of months ago. The motorbike thief in his early 30-s, had stolen a boda boda motor bike in Oyugis his home town and rode it towards Sondu and Ahero and disappeared with no trace.

A report filtering in says he was using the stolen bike at Ahero town and its environs where he had take refugee to the home of his elder sister who is married there. After doing business for about four months, the suspect thief sold the bike and got paid money. The next thing he stole was another bike at Ahero and rode it back to his Oyugis home town.

The owner of the motorbike which was stolen in Ahero raised alarm and mobilized close to 40 other boda boda riders. The group rode towards Oyugis after receiving some information that the man was now using the same stolen bike as a boda boda in Oyugis Town.

They were armed with small axes, machetes and other crude weapons which they had hidden on their bikes. Upon reaching Oyugis they visited the home in Kokal village near Mithui .But the in the company of some policemen hoping to have the suspect arrested. But the suspect was nowhere to be found at home, so they arrested his father and took him to Oyugis police Station so that he could help in the investigations and search for his son and the stolen bike.

The group pursuing the suspect motorbike thief got the tip that he was hiding inside a friends house in Oygis Town. The group arrived and the suspect’s friend saw them first at took off, but the thief was caught red handed while changing the motorbike tyre within the compound.

He was frog matched to the Town Centre and upon reaching the tarmac road, he was hacked with axes and machetes, rungus and all sorts of weapons. His pursuers were armed with several liters of petrol. They doused him and necklaced him with a tyre and set him ablaze. It was a such a cruel death that even the policemen who had accompanied the group fled and took to their heels.

There has been an alarming increases in cases of boda boda motorbike getting stolen and at time violently which resulted in the riders getting killed before the thieves got away with the bike to unknown destinations. The situation is said to be so pathetic within Homa-Bay and Migori Counties as well as Kisumu county.

The badly mutilated body of the lynched thief was later collected by the police after it cooled of from the fire. The incident took place in full view of the deceased relatives and friends who witnessed it, but were helpless and could not help.

Ends

KENYA: UNKNOWN THUGS RAIDED PRESIDENT BARACK BAMA’S KENYAN RURAL FAMILY HOME AND STOLE TELEVISION SET.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

The Nyang’oma Kogelo rural family home of the US President Barack Obama was on Wednesday night this week raided by unknown thugs who stole a television set.

The thugs whose numbers remained unknown raided the homestead of President Obama elder step brother Mali Abong’o Obama, which is adjacent to the home of the step grand mother Mama Sarah Obama.

Malik Obama expressed fears that his family could be targeted by unknown enemies. The incident took place at about 10 P.M {Local time} after the family had gone to sleep. The television set was locked inside a pavilion

The theft occurred despite of the presence of a strong contingent of policemen who are guarding the family home on twenty four hour exercise.

The Kogelo Nyang’oma Police Station is barely 50 meters way, while the gates leading to Mama Sarah Obama’s home compound has several sentries working on twenty four hours security protection.

Life and that of his family and urged the Kenyan government to beef up the police patrol of the area.

He said there has been numerous incidents of similar theft. On one occasion his two smart mobile phones were stolen. He had reported the incident to the police, but none of the missing phone has been retrieved from anyone.

“If anything happens to me and my family the blame should be shouldered by the forces of law reinforcement in this area,”

Malik Obama has declared that he will vie for the Alego-Usonga parliamentary seat comes the next general election on the ticket of a political party he has yet to name.

Sources close to the family says Mali has been hosting various groups of supporters while strategizing for his campaign game plan, and that it could that some of his numerous guests might have carried the raid, because it

One impeccable source intimated that the suspects could be one of the many youths who have been milling around the home on daily basis when Malik called his supporters for briefing.

Political pundits, however, have dismissed Mali Obama as a non-starter saying he had no capacity of winning the seat which is expected to attract the troops of other aspirants, most of the university professors and wealthy businessmen and farmers.

Malik Obama said the latest incident came only few months after his two mobile phones were stolen from his home. Despite having reported the incident to the police no arrest has been made.

He further explained that a number of robberies have occurred at the Nyang’oma Kogelo market in the recent past, but no arrest has been made although the new police station is only about 50meters away from the trading center, and the local fears for the worse.

In another incident the thieves had robbed guard manning construction equipments which are used I the construction of the new road passing through her trading centre. A security guard was recently injured hen thieves cut him with machetes on a mission to steal equipments from the construction company.

However, Police spokesman at the Siaya Divisional Police, however, dismissed Obama’s allegation saying that the police may only institute investigations after a member of the public had lodged complaint with them. In the case of Malik Obama he had yet to make any report to the police.

Malik appeared before the newsmen while flanked by his mother Grace Kezia Obama.

Ends

Kenyan politicians should learn from the past lessons and learn how to approach the coming general election in a sober manner

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Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo
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Our beloved country is surrounded by several failed states, ungovernable nation and struggling economies due to man-made mistakes. Seeing these entire phenomenon’s in our immediate neighbors should serve us as the best lessons.

Although God has been with us ever since our nation attained its political independence 49 years ago, however, there is no guarantee that the same could be with us in the next decade. But I we are strong enough to discard negative ethnicity and parochial thinking; I am sure for certain that we can weather the storm.

As at for now, our country appear to be heading to a cross-road, judging by the chest thumping utterances by leading politicians from our parties.

The worse of it all, however, is the latest development whereby some people have started mixing politics with religion.

And with the election days now ticking on very fast, this is the time when w should all including religious leader hard pray hard for the Divine intervention so that our Almighty God could find an alternative escaping route for us, which is devoid of the previous experiences of the 2007/2008.

Instead of religious leaders giving Kenyan spiritual nourishment trough prayers in the churches and mosques, they have gone solo agitating for cabinet appointment that is based on religion and not on political ability and reputation.

In this context, I have in mind some of the degrading comments and utterances made this week by a certain section of Muslim leaders following the latest cabinet reshuffle effected by the two principals of the coalition government President Mwai Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga to streamline the ministries.

Cabinet reshuffle is just the very normal re tune in every government’s normal exercise. In the neighboring Tanzania such reshuffles have occurred whereby some people who had held plum ministerial slots for decades have been at time demoted and posted to serve the nation in other capacities even as low as the regional commissioners, which is an equivalent PCs in our country.

But the seemingly more patriotic Tanzanian officials, however, have always taken their new posting with pride and serves their people diligently without any complaint.

The supremacy of political parties is also paramount in that once you appointment of election to a public body was sponsored by a particular political movement, one must toe the line and strictly adhered o the policy and programmes of the sponsoring party. One working under such circumstance must always avoid flirtation with leaders from other parties which are perceived to be not reading in the same script with the doctrines of the party which had brokered such appointment o sponsored the person in question. It could be even worse in a coalition government like the one we have in Kenya.

In this context, I have in mind the sacking of the Tourism Najib Balala who is an ODM for Mvita. This legislator was elected on an ODM ticket to serve all the resident of Mvita constituency irrespective of their ethnicity, tribes, race religion, or creed.

It is arguably that Balala was one of the most effective and efficient Minister in the coalition government, but at the same time we must not lose our sight that he his appointment was brokered by the ODM a part of it cabinet share in accordance to the national accord, and a such his loyalty to the sponsoring political party is paramount and superseded any other consideration. Balala’s sacking therefore was long over due.

I therefore strongly disagree with those accusing Raila Odinga of being a dictator. The question of dictatorship id not arise nor is the question o dishonesty on the part of the Prime Minister. In my view Raila is too tolerant person a far as the essence of party politics are concern. He has accommodated many politicians with diverse opinions under the one roof of his ODM party.

We must remember the old past, especially during the reign of power of the retired President Daniel Arap Moi’s KANU regimes when some Ministers were forced to remove their cabinet flags flying in their vehicle bonnets by the police manning the road blocks after the swift sacking announcement at lunchtime via the Voice of Kenya.

It is still fresh in our minds of an incident in which cabinet Minister from Western Kenya was caught in cross fire a s he drove from Nairobi to Nakuru on his rural home on one early afternoon after he ha been fired via one o’clock radio news footage, which he apparently was unaware of. The former Minister got a shock for his life. He was stopped at a police road block near Naivasha town, while sleeping on the left side of the back seat of his vehicle; ordered not only to remove the flag on his car, but also to surrender the official government vehicle to the next nearby police station and find his own way home. What a humiliation experience?

The impending general elections will come and go like any other previous elections and as such we should not lose our sight on the important task of building Kenya as one strong and a united nation.We must tone down our emotions and avoid venomous utterances while taking into consideration that not all of us will be sitting in the State House, but only one Kenyan with God’s blessing will be the sojourner in that House on the hills.

I am not only blaming the politicians, but also strongly abhorred the quack clergymen and priest who have been offering their services cheaply to politicians by offering them prayers by roadside, public rallies in return of financial gains or political favors.

These are some of the most ungodly actions in our country. Such religious have no moral authorities to offer prayers to the politicians outside the established churches of God. I am sure for certain that God doesn’t listen to their sycophantic and commercialized prayers and those they are praying for could face the severest punishment instead of blessings.

All in all Kenyan leaders must tone down and seek for divine intervention so that peace could prevail in our beloved motherland. The true spirit of cohesion is the answer, and not by the way of government creating so many money guzzling and ineffective commissions which are only consuming taxpayers money without achieving any tangible result that is good for the Wananchi.

Instead of offering prayers for drunken youth accompanying politician in public rallies, our religious leaders should organize one national day of prayers for the soul of those thousand of Kenyans who laid down their lives as the result of politically motivated killings during the post-election violence and those our people who wallowing in abject poverty at the numerous IDP camps.

Our leaders should brainstorm together and find the solution of how to settle the IDP so that they could resume the normal life, and have their soul and spirits genuinely reconciled with their tormentors who violently evicted them fro their legally acquired farms and property. We must not be deceiving ourselves that our leaders have reconciled themselves simply for political expediency. The genuine reconciliation must take the root in the grass roots in rural locations in places lie Narok South, Molo, Elburgon, Kuresoi, Olengruone, Londiani, Burn Forest, Turbo,Uasin Ngishu,Cheranganyi,Nandi North an Nandi South, Nandi Hills,Naivasha,Trans-Nzoia, Tans-Mara,Nakuru, Sotik-Borabu borders.

These are the place where clergymen should be accompanying politicians while preaching the gospel of serious and genuine reconciliation involving the population. Such prayers meeting are so necessary and most essential as we are approaching the next general elections. Such reconciliatory prayers must involved the elders of the communities and the down trodden citizens of this country, some who are so bitter for having lost the possession of anything they had before 2007/2008 orgies. Instead of half-hearted votes hunting reconciliation meetings like those we have witnessed in the recent past

Let us build a better Kenya for the future generation and stop placing our country in the election mood all the times. This is naive and primitive please give Kenyans a break so that they could cultivate and pant their farms now that the long rains is around.

There is nothing wrong with us holding the next general election in March 2013 as per High Court judgment, but there is still room for the two principal to agree and have this date changed to December this year owing to other logistics and technical problems such as schooling period for our children etc.

Ends

Deaths and injuries caused by unexploded World War 11 bombs left behind by British soldiers is a menace around Lake Victoria

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo.

SIXTY Seven years down the line ever since the Second World War Two ended in 1945 its effect and deaths are still being felt by resident of Suba region in Southern Nyanza.

Fishermen working along the shorelines of Lake Victoria have in the recent past fished out some the metal objects which some of the ignorantly took to their home a souvenirs, but which later turn out to be the most deadly and lethal explosives suspected to be part of unexploded bombs dumped in the lake waters and left behind by the British soldiers.

Towards the end of last year, an object fished out of the lake at Ngodhe Island , which is adjacent to Rusinga Island killed a fourteen year old teenager who touched the object.

Unexploded bombs dumped in the lake at the end of the Second World War 11 in 1945 have of late turned out to be the lethal weapons killing, maiming and injuring people stumbled onto them.

The recent series of bomb explosions cause by these unidentified metal objects fished out of the water have claimed lives of several people.

These series of incidents have forced the police chiefs in the region to issue stern warning to members of the public who tumbled on such objects to report to the police, who in turn would quickly summoned the experts to come and have them detonated.

The region’s police chief Cherono Gidhinji said on Monday that some people are keeping these bombs sin their homes as souvenir after fishing them out of the lake during their fishing expedition exposing their families to a great danger.

One man had ignorantly kept the bomb in his kitchen near fire.A number of people have sustained serious bodily injuries after the metals objects they picked along the shoreline of the like turned out to be explosives. The incident has been reported from other location bordering Lake Victoria and its suspected that the departing British soldiers might have dumped a lot of the explosives in the water.

Adult and children have been warned against picking any metal objects washed ashore either by fishermen or by waves as such objects could cause sudden death when they exploded.

Ends

Kenya: Sharp disagreement as Kenyan MPs probed the forged UK dossier while a British Minister flew into Nairobi and disowned the alleged memo

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Reports By Leo Odera Omolo.

INVESTIGATIONS into the validity of the alleged UK memo tabled in Kenyan Parliament three weeks ago stated on Monday this week

The probe is being conducted by members of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Foreign Relations, is investigating the matter, adjourned two weeks ago.

Earlier on Monday morning, the committee adjourned he session with the former Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula to allow him to “bond with his family after the Bamako ordeal. The minister as stranded in the West African state of Mali following a military take over which occurred while he and other Minister from the African Union were attending a ministerial Council meeting on security in Africa, and thereafter could not find flight home because the coup leaders had closed the Bamako International Airport. The Minister was later flown to Abuja in Nigeria after being evacuated by a pane charted by the Kenya government from where he took a flight to Nairobi.

Internal Security Minister Prof.Geore Saitoti appeared before the committee in his capacity as the chairman of the Cabinet sub-committee on the ICC, But the Minister asked for more time because it was important “ all the six members of the committee are present.”

The document tabled in the House by Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo, alleges among other things that the UK was planning to put pressure on the ICC to indict President Kibaki. The memo further said in part that the UK planned to install Prime Ministr Raila Odinga as president.

These allegations prompted the Whitehall to dispatch the British Minister in charge of Commonwealth Affairs and Africa Henry Bellingham to Nairobi. The British Minister flew into the Kenyan capital, Nairobi two days ago and categorically denied his government involvement.

Bellingham on Monday this week met with the heads of security intelligence and electoral body to forge what he described as a “working meeting on bilateral relationship.”.

Bellingham also refuted the popular claims making the round in Nairobi that he had been snubbed by President Mwai Kibaki, saying his visit to Kenya was mooted at a London conference on Somalia between Kenya and UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

The UK Minister sentiments were supported by the new Trade Minister Moses Wetangula who until yesterday was Kenya’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Wetangla said at a press conference hurriedly convened after around table meeting, to deny claims that Bellingham visit was related to a document touching on the ICC cases that was presented in Parliament.

“I am aware of speculations about my visit. I have made it clear my visit is to discuss the many shared interests such as Somalia. It was planned for several weeks and never in response to the alleged document,” said Bellingham.

The UK Minister was speaking on the very day investigations by a parliamentary committee into the dossier got of to a heated start after an MP who is allied to the Prime Minister Raila Odinga ODM party accused the panel of trying to intimidate her.

“ I feel I am being treated like a hostile witness, said Nominated MP Rachel Shebesh in the wake of a barrage of questions from members of the Defense and Foreign Relations Committee..

Members of the committee included Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa who within hours was appointed to the plum government slot of in the Ministry of Justice and Cohesion who had accused the nominated MP for trying to tarnish the reputation of the Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo who was the whistle blower who tabled the alleged UK dossier in the House.

Wetangula has made it clear that Mr Bellingham had not requested to meet Kibaki. Instead he had sought for a meeting with the head of the national Security Intelligence boss Michael Gichangi, the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission chair Isaack Hassan and several ministers to talk about security, the coming general elections and bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

Bellingham reiterated that he had made it clear to Wetangula that the said ICC document were not genuine. He described them as malicious and aimed at destabilizing bilateral relations between the two countries and damages the political atmosphere ahead of the impending general elections in Kenya.

He went on, “ I am concerned that among other preposterous allegations, President Kibaki and Prime minister Raila Odinga were dragged into this I an attempt to create division and instability just when Kenya needs a stable and peaceful environment to conduct elections and implement the new Constitution, “said Bellingham.

The visiting British Minister said that the UK government had made t clear that London had no interest in any particular outcome in the Kenyan elections and as such would not back any candidates or parties instead, it would remain non-partisan.

“We in the UK support transparent, credible, peaceful elections which produces results that the people of Kenya of whatever political persuasion, accept as the legitimate expression of the will of the people.” Bellingham added.

Among the top Kenyan government official the British Minister met on Monday was the Prime Miister Raila Odinga.

Other issues discussed touched on the ongoing war in Somalia, tourism, immigration, regional stability, trade and the elections.

Ends

Kenya: Why is Gema behaving like Kenya’s modern day “Kabaka Yekka” of Buganda of the 1960s?

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Commentary By Leo Odera Omolo

Those older Kenyans who were living here around the year 1965/1966 and who can still remember and follow up the history of constitutional crisis in Uganda would definitely agree with me that members of the GEMA communities are now pursuing the politics of the tribal fiefdom the same way the Baganda did it.

The Baganda with their numerical strength and slightly enjoying the economic power over other Ugandan communities they referred to as backward and primitive failed to realize the importance of nationhood and this negative politics became the genesis o political turbulence in that country ever since 1966.

The Bagandas had launched the infamous “Kabaka Yekka” party immediately after the return of Kabaka Mutesa11{King Freddie} from Great Britain where he had been exiled by the colonial authorities for a couple of years. The vent took place soon after the first general election in which Democratic Party under the stewardship of the late Benedict Kiwanuka swept the board beating other parties in the first general election.

Kiwanuka was himself a Muganda, but a staunch Catholic adherence and this did not pleased many politicians in Buganda region, especially when Kiwanuka was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of Uganda during the responsible {interim government}. They conspired with the late Kabaka Mutesa 11 and launched “Kabaka Yekka”.

Desperately hungry for power to govern the entire Uganda, the Buganda politician and the Kabaka became vulnerable to political manipulation by the late Apollo Milton Obote a Northerner who headed the splinter group of Uganda People Congress, which had just broken the rank with Uganda National Congress which was led by Joe Jolly Kiwanuka.

The alliance between Kabaka Mutesa’s “Kabaka Yekka”worked briefly and the combined forces of the two parties hounded Benedict Kiwanuka out of the office in the independence general election of 1962 which ushered in the independence of Uganda in October the same year when the British government Union Jack was lowered and the new Ugandan national flag went up.

However, the signs of discontent started showing up soon after independence leading to the excessively cunning Milton Obote unilaterally scrapping of the independence constitution in 1966 automatically dismissing Kabaka who was just a ceremonial Head of State and President and assumed all the executive power for himself.

The Kabaka Mutesa 11 gave the national government one month to remove all the institutions of the government out of Bagada region. The Kampala City which housed the government is located inside Buganda and in essence the notice required Obote to remove the entire government out of Kampala and relocated it elsewhere. This was an action which was a clear case of rebellion and near impossible.

Obote’s reaction was devastating. He dispatched a contingent of Uganda military expedition force to Mengo the House of Buganda Kingdom with clear instruction to arrest Kabaka Mutesa 11 so that he could be charged with High Treason. And Kabaka and his men fought back in a shoot out which escalated for the whole day.

Mengo was besieged,but the Kabaka Mutesa 11 managed to escape via Rwanda and went Britain in exile for the second time in less than ten years where he eventually died.

I am making the Uganda references specifically to warn those engaged in forming amorphous tribal political alliances as the short-cut to the presidency of this country to be aware of the risk involved. What have be fallen the Ugandans may be knocking at the doorstep of Kenya’s politics, which may plunge this country to a very distasteful conditions of chaos and anarchy.

In the case of GEMA leaders .especially politicians from other regions who have been associating themselves with Uhuru Kenyatta in the so-called G7 might have by now realize that they are quite irrelevant as far as GEMA leaders are concern. There virtually no mention of any other politician or anything to do with he millions of votes which are in the hands of other Kenyans outside the Mont Kenya region. Their fate {non-Kikuyu G7} members were sealed off.

The last week’s Gema meeting had sent out a very loud and clear messages to the likes of Kalonzo Musyoka Eugene Wamalwa, William Ruto, Ali Makwere,Raphael Tuju and their troop soldiers that they do associate with the people they really don’t know well leave alone understand their culture.

I am also saying that God is great. He placed the Kikuyus under slopes of Mount Kenya, the Chaggas under the sloes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Wahaya in Bukoba and Baganda in Buganda region of Uganda with a beautiful City of Seven Hills {Kampala}. Had the God made a grave mistake of placing the four inter-related Bantus communities under one country and under one national flag, things could have been quite different if not for the worse treacherous.

The GEMA leaders have since coined one misleading word; “Anything About Raila” {ABR} meaning the Prime Minister Raila Odinga is their main headache. Such references about an individual does not augur well in the national objective of peaceful co-existence. .The Luos, Raila’s own community have lived and worked peacefully under two Kikuyu presidents, namely the founding President the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and President Mwai Kibaki. In fact it was the Luos who created both Kenyatta and Kibaki presidency.

And Kenyans are wondering why the Gema community could spent enormous resources exclusively to strategist how to scuttle the presidential ambition of a Luo like Raila Odinga?.Is it not the time for paying back in reciprocation of what the Luos have done to the Kikuyus in the past?

How do they think any sane people in other Kenyan community could trust their parochial approach of national issues such as presidential elections if they are so selfish and shameless partners as they appeared to be?

By coining such ill-famed word Anybody But Raila {ABR} it is a clear indication that Gema leader are selfish people who have no idea about the national cohesion and the need for Kenyans to work together as one nation and one people.

Raila ha never ruled Kenya before any nobody in his best frame of mind could come and tell us how bad his presidency would be. It is therefore my sincere hope that the younger Kikuyu generation, especially the intellectuals should come out and tell the elders, particularly those who still believes in the day of impunity to discard their outmoded politics and join hands with Kenya to work for a better country.

We need each others contribution in kind so that we could built a strong nation and preserve it as one unit and not a fragmented tribal fiefdoms.

Ends

Kenya: daggers are drawn in the battle for Sigowet/Soin new parliamentary seat

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Sondu Market
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The newly created Sigowet/Soin parliamentary constituency could prove to be the biggest hub of more economic activities in the South Rift Region.

The area is unique in that it produces a lot both green leave tea bushes and sugar cane at the same time making it an area where the money could be in the highest circulations.

Sigowet/Soin is also an area where the border is proximity for inter-communal barter trade to flourish between the three major communities in Western Kenya. These are members of the Kipsigis, Luos and Kisiis.

The fast growing Sondu Market could be developed into an area of a booming trade. Sondu has half it is land with parts of it and right in Sigowet/Soin and the other half in Nyakach district. It is situated in a beautiful location between several hills overlooking Sondu/Miriu River.

The busy market is also serving the interest of the residents of North Mugirango Borabu who are living just across Sondu Mriu River separate only by the main Sonu-Oyugis road to the residents of Kabondo East in Rachuonyo South district.

Soundu Market is surrounded by five administrative districts, namely Sigowet/Soin, North Mugirango Borabu,Kasipul-Kabondo and Nyakach. Business people and trades from all the five districts have stake in the business and commercial activities of the market, thus the source of rapidly mushrooming new commercial buildings now springing up everywhere in trading center, though in the past its development was for many years hampered by intermittent tribal conflicts of interest and violence.

Insecurity around Sondu Trading Center could be partly attributed to excessive cattle rustling on both sides of the borer, especially between Sigowet/Soin and Nyakach. But with the newer generations of highly educated lots, this primitive culture is slowly being discarded by and replaced by commercial minded people, who prefer putting up beautiful commercial buildings and hotels in the center for the purpose of improving economic activities of the Center.

Unlike the neighboring Belgut and Ainamoi constituencies which boast of several green leave tea manufacturing factories under the management of the Kenya Tea Development Agency, and the multinational foreign tea plantations and factories, this new constituency has only one small size Soin Sugar Factory. A lot of cane produce in the area are finding their ways t the nearby Muhoroni and Chemelil Sugar Mills.

The green leave teas re sent to Mamul, Tegat,Kabianga and other factories in Belgut and Cheptororit in Ainamoi and also crushed by factories owned by multinational tea factories in both Kericho,Konoin and Bureti districts..

The old larger Belgut constituency has had close to seven or eight different MP ever since its inception in 1963. Its first legislator was the late Alfred Kericho who won the 1963 independence general election on a KADU ticket. He was dethroned by Walcey Rono in 1969, but Kerich bounced back in 1974.but was again sent parking by the late Ayub Chepkwony in 1979.

Chepkwony lost the seat in 1983 to Kiptarus Kerior in 1988, but the latter was beaten by Chepkwony again in 1992 only to for Kerior to reclaimed the seat in 1997 and in the 1990, the constituency was subdivided into two with the creation of the Ainamoi constituency.

Eng.Kipng’eno Arap Ng’eny the former Minister for Water Development became the first MP for Ainamoi in 1997, while the former Finance Assistant Minister Charles Kirui captured the old Belgut. However Kirui lost the Belgut seat to his brother in law Charles Keter in 1997.

In 2002 the former CID Director Noah Nondin Arap Too dethroned Ng’eny, while Keter made a history of becoming he first MP to have successfully defended his Belgut seat.All the previous occupants of the seat served only for one time and nobody had served for the consecutive terms, though some of the were sent to the cold and later recaptured the seat, but only after a five year break.

In the coming elections the man who is favored by most of the electorate and is tipped to wit the seat is Justice Kemei, the former Marketing and Communication Director with the Chemelil Sugar Company in Nyando district. He lost narrowly to Charles Keter in 2007 the much flawed ODM nomination system which was open to massive rigging, especially during the preliminaries.

Kemei is now in consultant business in Mombasa and Western Kenya,but frequenting the area almost every weekend while widely consulting with the electorate. He has one of the most attractive track record of development due to the fact that while he was serving at the nearby Chemelil he initiated a lot of development project and also helped many youth secured jobs.

Rumors making the round is that the former MP and Assistant Minister Kipatarus Kerior who is now a member of the Kenya Sugar Boa of service to the constituents. But when reached Kerior evaded questions about his entry into the race, only saying it will depend on the interests of the residents.

Also rearing to go is a senior lecturer at Eggerton University, NjoroDr. Malawi. The other aspirant is the Kericho business tycoon Kenneth Mutai who is a cousin of Keter.

Other potential contestants include the former Agricultural Services Manager at Chemelil Sugar Company Eng. Richard Koech who is currently in consultancy business in East and Southern African regions. The retired former top manager of Finlays Tea and Flower Company Mr Soi and an ex-high shoo teacher Mr.Kemei.

Other areas of economic activities within Sigowet/Soin constituency include the fast growing Soliat border market, which s close to Kericho Nyando border and also Muhoroni Town.

ENDs

PHOTO OF Mr Justice Kemei, one of the leading contenders for the newly create Sigowet/Soin seat.

Kenya: Invitation of Kenyatta and Ruto to officiate in Harambee at Jaramogi home is roundly condemned by Luo politician and civic societies and clergymen

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Writes Leo Odea Omolo In Kisumu City

The much highlighted big catch of support in Luo-Nyanza by the G7 allies having netted one of Raila Odinga’s step brother who has promised to host the group’s two presidential aspirants for fund raising in the rural Kang’o Kajaramogi home in Nyamira Sakwa Central, Bondo district could turn out to be the work of conmen and fraudster out to fleece the two of their campaign resources.

George Ayugi “Mbuta” who had brokered the relations used to be an ODM operative with no significant following inside Luo Nyanza,but known as one of the many political hirelings.and sycophants relying an leaning heavily on MPs for survivals.

His relations with the Eldoret North MP William Samoei Arap Ruto came while the latter was the Minister for Agriculture and had appointed him to sit in the Sugar Arbitration Tribunal, though he is a semi-illiterate person.

The relationship between the two is nothing but an act of belly-begging. Ayugi who hails from Ugenya constituency cannot even host Kenyatta and Ruto in his own home turf, leave alone inviting them to the home of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

Councilor Omondi Odinga, the step-brother of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga is heavily indebted civic leader and not a very forthright person to be relied upon.

So far a number of Luo personalities whose names appeared in the invitation cards as the chief guest and deputy chief guest respectively have come out strongly and denounced the planned fund raising meeting.

One of them is the Mumias Sugar Company Chief Executive Dr. Evans Kidero who has strongly denied having any link with the planned Harambee meeting. Kidero who is currently in the Unite States where he had gone on official duties disassociated himself from the planned fund drive.

“I do not even know the man {Coun Omondi} in person,”Dr Kidero retorted angrily, adding that he is a staunch supporter of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and cannot conduct any fund drive function at his parent home without his blessing.

Another personality whose name is also appearing in the invitation card Poycarp Ocholla Kamili a prominent businessman in Mombasa and Muhoroni went into the air via local vernacular FM Radio Station denying having any knowledge about the planned Harambee fund rising for Omondi Odinga. He said he had at no time ever discussed the issue with the Councilor and wonder why his name has been printed in the card without his knowledge.

He threatened to institute legal action against the Milimani Councilor.

The planned Harambee meeting in question is scheduled for April 6,and the Councilor has invited Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and William Samoei Ruto as some of the principal guests.

Meanwhile Kisumu City was over the weekend a wash with rumor that the late Jaramogi has sent a dream to his youngest son Coun Omondi Odinga telling who will be the next President of the Republic of Kenya.

Early last year, Coun. Omondi Odinga was reported o have lured one of the candidate aspiring for the Kissumu County Senate seat into the Milimani home of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the place where his mother is living for a ma blessing ceremony party. The aspirant, is said to have spent a fortune in lavishly entertaining the invited guests with food and alcohol beverages believing that the blessing ceremony had Raila and the entire family blessing

The whole exercise turned to be an air balloon, and the said aspirant was conned colossal amount of money. There were other reports alleging that the younger Oinga had received colossal of money from some women working at the main Kisumu Jubilee Market on the promise to secure jobs for the in the Municipality.The woman have since threatened to stage street demo ageist the Councilor and on one occasion cornered him in a building forcing him to flee through the back door as they women were baying for his blood.

In another incident, it is being alleged that Coun Omondi Odinga had purchased a motor vehicle from a group of local dealers and issued them with a bank cheque that was later not honored by the bank, and the dealer are said to be still pursuing him over the matter.

. There are also numerous reported cases of extortion and irregular dealing with the City business men, an the Asian traders are the most victims.

However, one clergy man who preferred to remain anonymous said that Omondin Odinga needs prayers because rebuking him will not help him in anyway.

On political pundits in Kisumu said that for many years those close to Raila Odinga in Luo-Nyanza have been branding those with diverse opinion as traitors and other derogatory names, but this time around the real and true traitor has emerged within the Odinga’s household..

“We are closely watching how the Prime Minister is going to handle this volatile issue where his own step brother has disassociated from his political leadership and has invited his rivals and political enemies to the Jaramogi homestead” remarked one civic leader in Kisumu.

Omondo Odinga has called for Harambee to fund raiser the money for his election campaign. He is eyeing the Bondo seat which he currently represented by his elder brother Dr. Oburu Oginga, who is an Assistant Finance Minister. The late Jaramogi had represented the seat ever since it inception in 1963.Thereae unconfirmed report that the Assistant Minister is now eyeing for the Siaya Senate seat.

Other sources from those versed with the Odinga family affairs says the disagreement has come about following the alleged plan to turn the late Jaramogi’s Milimani House, which the two elder brothers Raila and Oburu had planned to turn into a public institution. There could be more meet the eyes than the true picture of the situation on the ground.

Other leading personalities in Nyanza have said that the tour and possible pubic address by Kenyatta and Ruto in the region is okay and would be most welcome. However, judging from the malice and damages it has caused to the Prime Minister in his backyard, the tour would not be feasible. The two will have to wait and re-arrange for their tour of Nyanza separately from that of Omondi Odinga’s invitation which could turn out to be not very peaceful because the residents of the region view such invitation to be full of malice and political intrigues.

So far Omondi Odinga’s action has been roundly condemned by all level minded Luos politicians who view it as a betrayal b y a lone ranger and a man full of mischiefs.

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KENYA: THE COUNTY OF HOMA-BAY HAS MANY TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND ATTRACTIVE SCENERY WHICH COULD TURN THE REGION INTO THE RICHEST WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED

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A Special Feature By Leo Odera Omolo In Homa-Bay Town
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HOME-BAY County one of the newly created 47 counties under the new constitutional dispensation is promising to offer a lot for the future of the residents along the eastern shoreline of Lake Victoria
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The County’s shoreline in Lake Victoria is covering close to a distant of approximately 28o kilometers. It starts at Nyakwera on the Nyakach-North Rachuonyo districts borders and winds up at Lakinyiero in the Southwestern border of Suba South district with Nyatike district in Migori County.

There close to twenty small fishing islands on the Kenyan side of the lake and some of them are potential as tourist’s destinations.

The County is also full of pre-historic sites which could be developed as potential tourist attractions if the next county governance could do its home work and if possible succeed in luring both foreign and local investors to come and developed tourist class hotels, lodges and beach resort facilities.

The region is also potential destination for bird watchers, but above, the Suba region could provide close to 60 per cent of the County annual income accrued from fish, and fish trade, tourism, hotels, lodges and beach resorts, though these could be achieved on self-help development schemes, but it would also require a lot of input from possible foreign sources and massive investments.

Already local inputs are evidence in places like Mbita Town, where several beach resorts of the tourist class have sprung up in the recent past, more efforts is still required to crown it all. The proprietors of the beach resorts also need more capitals to invest in extra curriculum activates such as boat racing, skiing ensure that their facilities are well equipped with speed boats to ferry the tourists around the lake on von voyage trips to the nearby pre-historic sites and birds watching trips.

A local resident who is a candidate vying for the lucrative and powerful position of the county governor Dr. Mark Matunga recently made a moderate estimation that Suba region alone could rake in close to 70 per cent of the County annual revenue.

Dr Matunga cited the recent restocking of the Ruma National Game Park in Lambwe Valley with new species of wild animals such as zebras black and white rhinos, giraffe, improved fishing facilities and fish trades and other facilities.

In the recent past, Homa-Bay County has witnessed the construction of new tarmac roads like the Kendu-Bay-Homa-Bay and Homa-Bay Mbita roads as some of the component of e important development of the infrastructure taking place.

The region, especially the Suba region is well served with the Ndori –Luanda Kotieno ro which winds u at the Mbita Ferries, which is plying the narrow Nyanza Gulf between Luanda Kotieno on the Rarieda side of the lake to Mbita Town.

The private firm that owns and manages the Mbita Ferries has recently introduced new and the largest ferries that can carry up to 30 motor vehicles plus close to 200 passengers at a go in one trip. This is a tremendous improvement and would provide the travelling passengers with quick accesses in crossing the narrow channel. The ferry service is expected to improve economic activities in the Suba region as it will facilitate quick travelling to businessmen and traders visiting major wholesale and distribution shops in Kisumu City.

The private firm that runs and manages he Mbita Ferries is reported to have already initiated a tentative plans it envisaged to launch a new ferry service between Mbita and Mfangano Island in the near future, It will also be ferrying both passengers and vehicles aboard that could be used by visitors on while touring around the important sites and scenarios on Mfangano Island where all weather roads have already been constructed.

The construction of roads on Mfangano Island came about as a personal initiative of Dr.Matunga, who is a native of the Island who also single handed initiated the massive electrification. He single-handed secure a powerful diesel fired engine ,which has now brought the hitherto sleeping and backward Island into limelight of brightest lights through the power supplies to schools and other important institutions as well a to the individuals homes.

There are close to twenty small fishing islands on the Kenyan side of the lake, some which could be developed as the tourist destination, and could make the country compete with other tourist destination regions like Seychelles Islands, Mauritius and even South Africa. Notable islands which are suitable for the establishment of beach resorts and lodges include Takawiri, Ngodhe, Kiwa, Remba,Ringiti.

Another potential Island is the famous “Soklo Kipenji or Soklo Kibanga” which is close to a number of important fish landing beaches around Usawo on the mainland. Next to “Soklo Kipenji” is the Sukri, which is much close to Homa-Bay town on the mainland. Sukri ha fertile an which is arable and has so many inhabitants living on it, though most of the spent their day time doing or tending to their businesses in Homa-Bay Town and only retires to the island at the fall of the night using motor boats and home made canoes.

“Soklo Kipenji” is full of myths in folklore tales of the past. For many years, the locals held firm believes that it was a place where there is a hidden powerful and invisible devilish being from other planet. Fishermen dared not land their fishing boats on “Soklo Kipenji” and travelers plying the nearby lake waters on their r way to Mbita Point from Homa-Bay pier were always forewarned not to ask any question.

It has never been inhabited nor frequented by the locals, and it was said that even the fish eagles never landed their catches on its rocks, and that ever crocodiles, lizards and monitors stayed away fro the tiny island. Unconfirmed reports says that two White European explores who defiantly ignored the advice of the locals not to visit the Island in 1922, shortly immediately after the end of the first World War, and attempted to land – – their boat mysteriously disappeared never to be traced to date. And that is how this Island earned its name.

However, following human settlement pressure in the nearby Lambwe Valley forest, Baboon, Monkeys and even hyena have of late took refuge on this island. It has been deprived of its natural trees by charcoal burners and women in search of fire wood, leaving only sky pointing sharp rocks with no vegetation to protect its soil.

Ake Simbi Nyaima, the volcanic lake, which is situated in Central Karachuoyo Location in Rachuonyo North district as well as birds sanctuary near Oyugis, are some of the potential areas worth development, if at the Central Government is keen in resuscitating its forty five year old Western Kenya Tourist circuit, which has remained in the drawing board ever since it was initiated and launched by the then Minister for Tourism and Wildlife S.O. Ayodo in 1967.

Homa-Bay County is also rich in minerals, especially gold, which are said to be in abundance around Wire Hill near Oyugis, and at the old Awuoro mine about six kilometers south east of Oyugis Town and near Mithui Secondary school Kokal area.

The now closed down gold mine which is only a few meters away from Ruga Market on he right side of the Oyugis-Kisii road thrived in the 1930s and early 1940s, but he foreign investors, mainly South Africa Bower and Australian miners close them own following pressure mounted by the black nationalist during the struggle for political independence. The gold deposits were never exhausted.

Red ochre could also be mined on the slope of the Hill facing Mithui ,which are so good for home floor colors, and next to the scene on the Oyugis Gamba Market {Rioma road] one come direct to the old caves where people used to take cover from their invading enemies during the old days.The caves are now being used as pilgrimage site by religious people.

The crocodile shaped rock on to of a hill in Kauma Kwadhigone area of Karachuonyo could be another potential center of tourist attractions of attraction, especially to those visitors wished to see the wonders of the world.

A tourist class hotel is already in place put up by he Germans near Kowu9or Pier,{formerly Homa-Lime area} which adequate facilities for any class of visitors, VIP included. Another decent hotel facility is the tausi hotel, located within Rodi Kopany Market, which serves as the junction of Homa-Bay Rongo and Ndhiwa Rangwe roads. And a few kilometers way is the latest Ndhiwa Resort, which is established in Ndhiwa Town and the brain child of the area MP Joshua Orwa Ojode. The road from Rodi Kopany to Ndhiwa has been modernized and the work is progressing well via Aora Chuodho, where the Massoulin of the world record breaker polygamist of all time the late Ansentus Akuku Ogwela, commonly known as Akuku Denja is buried. In his life the danger man is believed to have married more than 100 wives, though at his death there were only 39 of them were still living in his three homesteads which are well spread from Central Kanyamwa, Kwabwayi and Karungu Locations. He had more than 209 children.

Branchi off at Mirogi Trading Center, the visitor has only eleven kilometer
drive into the main gate of the Ruma National Game Park in Lambwe Valley. Next to the park is he pre-historic” Kor Lang’o”, the now defunct main road believed to have been used by the Massais people while taking their herds of cattle for water I Lake Victoria centuries ago.

the KWS headquarters for Ruma National Game Reserves one can drive via Kanyamwa escarpment and link up with the main Homa-Bay –Mbita road at Ogongo or drive to Homa-Bay town only 23 kilometers away from the Forest main gate. Inside the Game Park there is a lodge with all facilities which offer social amenities to the visitors wishing to stay overnight.

Branching off at Mirogi Trading Centre is only eleven kilometers drive to the Lambwe Valley is being maintained by the KWS. Homa-Bay Tourist Hotel could be the next destination for the visitors while other could pt up at the Hippo Garden Hotel also located in Homa-Bay town. There are small and medium class hotels offering accommodation in town. But now that Homa-Bay Town has been chosen as the regional administrative headquarters for the
Homa-Bay County more enterprising hotels are expected to sprung up.

The lakeside town which hitherto was a sleeping town is expected to be the hub of business activities in the region due to its proximity to land and water transport system to other destinations in the region. Both foreign and local entrepreneur are welcome to invest in a five star or lesser graded hotels in order to tap the revenue expected to flow in from the tourist and other visitors to the region.

The resuscitation o Homa-Bay town will, however, depends on the good governance and proper planning by the County governance. But given the fact that all major roads leading to the ton have been constructed and the other on modernized.

A large deposits of lime and cement tones were recently discovered around Ruri Hills and the new Homa-Bay County will have to go out flat looking for the potential investors into the a Cement factory.
The town is now looking rejuvenated and no longer the dusty place of the past .This has been done head of the inauguration of the new County Offices, which will be immediately soon after the next general election, perhaps next year.

Moving further west, visitors will be able to see the famous pre-historic site of the famous Nyamgondho Wuod Ombare shrine at the shore of Lake Victoria not far away from Nyandiwa Beach Trading Center.

The government has already signed a new contract with the Chinese road construction firm to have the Mbita-Sindo-Magunga road, which is expected to link up with another highway from Ndhiwa ro Sori .Town in Nyatike district. This give unlimited access to tourists and visitors an easy driver along the lake with the possible branching off to areas like Kisegi and Nyandiwa chi is a fast growing beach town.

Former Gwassi MP Zadock Syong’o whose birthplace is at Kisegi had secured the power supplies to most schools and market places in Gwassi. Next to Nyandwa is the beautiful Kiwa Island which has a population estimated to be slightly over 500 people complete with their domesticated animals. The new road will traverse via Sindo,Nyabera, and pass through the Ruma National game Park to Magunga, pss through the junction of Tonga Secondary School via God Bura to Kokomo and Kiabuya junction and then to Laknyiero from where it will link up with Sori Town.

Plans has already been envisaged to have this road constructed via the vast Kadem up to Muhuru-Bay near the Kenya Tanzania border. This plan was recently disclosed by the Prime Minister Raila Odinga when he addressed a mammoth crowd at Kaswanga in Rusinga West Location, Rusinga Island during the burial of the former Kenya’s Permanent representative to the UN the late Michael Okeyo.

Mfangano Island is another place which is full of pre-historic sites, and yawning or the development of more tourist class hotels. On top of Soklo plateau, there are several sources of mineral waters, which could be bottled

The same could be said of the twin island of Rusinga. Here a few hundred meter of Wanyama fish landing beach there laying deep in the water two oxen looking like stones. The stones according to the local folklore were the remnants of two full grown up bulls which belonged to two cousins called Mnyama and Ware. The stones are called Nyama gi Ware signifying to the two sub-clansof Wanyama and Waware, and the saying goes that the two bull had fought the fiercest battle until they landed in the water where they turned into permanent stones. These are just mythology tales. However, the area is potential for the development of good beach resort hotel of tourist class.

A;ready there in place a tourist lass hotel at Kamasengre next to the airstrip and not far away from the buralk place of one of the uncompromising champion of freedom fighter/architect of Kenya’ independence and charismatic politician the late Tom Mboya, the former Minter for Economic Planning and Development in the post-independence cabinet who was assassinated in a Nairobi street in 1969.

Some, medium class hotels are already in place in Mbita Town, which included Mbita Beach Resort, ICIPE Guest House, Rusinga Holiday Inn, and others currently catering for visitors, but more facilities including speed boats for sporting are still required for the region to be able to reap the fruit of the expected influx of tourists into the region in the near future.

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Kenya: Former Jaramogi’s aide dies in a Kisumu Hospital aged about 80

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo.

 One of the top former aides of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga has died in a Kisumu Hospital aged about 80 years.

Crispin Were Olonde who was a key aide of the late Jaramnogi Oginga Odinga in the early 1950s and late 1970 has died in a Kisumu Hospital.

Olonde  passed away at the Jelaram Hospital, Kisumu on Thursday night after being admitted there for some undisclosed ailment.

Before joining Jaramogi, C.W. Olode was the long serving editor of the defunct RAMOGI weekly newspaper. He also worked hand in hand with the late Dixon Oruko Makasembo during the days of the Central Nyanza African District Association {CADA before the birth of KANU in 1960s.

Olonde had brushed shoulder with the Colonial police and later on with the police in an independent Kenya due to his radical stance. At one time he narrowly escaped the police dragnet in Kisumu after beating the former Nyanza P.C. Charles Murgor and went into self-impose exile in Uganda for a couple of years.

In the early 1970s Olonde abandoned politics and joined the staff of the Chemelil Sugar Company Limited the company’s welfare manager where he retired about 15 years ago after attaining the mandatory retirement age.

One of his comrades Edwin Onyango Radier, the former Deputy Mayor of Kisumu yesterday sent his condolences to the family of the decease. Radier said plans are underway to accord Olonde a heroic send off. It will include the laying in state at the Ofafa Memorial Hall for an overnight stay before the body is ferried to his Nyakach Jimo home for burial and that the tentative plan will be announced after consultation with the family.

Olonde left behind several wives and many children most of them grown ups. He was the key planner in the late Jaramogi’s team for many years

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