Category Archives: HEADLINES

KENYA: KISUMU PARENTS MOVED TO COURT OVER THEIR DAUGHTERS EXPULSION FROM JOEL OMINO SECONDARY SCHOOL UNDER THE GUISE OF BEING DEVIL WORSHIPERS.

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By Our Investigative Reporter

A couple whose form two daughter has been expelled at Joel Omino Secondary School which is within Kisumu East District within Kisumu County ostensibly under the recommendation of the school’s Principal’s James Aggrey Otieno wife who teaches in the same school have moved to court to compel the school to re-admit their daughter school and produce evidence in court proving that the said student (name withheld) is a devil worshipper.

Narrating the incident to “Citizen Weekly” the girls’ parents Carren Adwenya and Paul Odoyo Agutu said that the secured admission for their daughter on 8th May 2013.

Documents within our possession shows that the school was paid ksh 10,000 on 15th May 2013 with balance of kshs 14,150 to be paid on admission after an admission letter was issued on 8th May 2013 .

“We discussed with the school Principal before admission reasons why we were changing for our daughter school as she used to previously school at Asumbi Girls and the Principal advised us that since the girl could not fit in a boarding school the best was for her to be in a day school” the girl’s mother said.

The parents say that on 17th may 2013 they received a call from a Mrs Otieno who introduced herself as the teacher in charge of counseling at Joel Omino who further said that she was counseling their daughter but the daughter refused to open up.

“At that point I asked her to talk with my daughter upon whom she said that the teacher was forcing her to admit what was not true and when I spoke with the teacher she told me to go and see her in school” said Mrs Adwenya.

When they went to Joel Omino the said teacher said that she had given their daughter an opportunity to write her life history before arriving at Joel Omino Secondary School but she failed to write that she was a devil worshipper.

We got agitated and all our efforts to explain to her that our daughter is a social and kind person who is always outgoing could not bear fruit.

“Upon realizing that she was adamant and arrogant ,the father excused himself as going to the bank and I the mother remained in school , I insisted that the allegation was not fair and I insisted that my daughter to giver her version of the whole issue” the mother further said.

Her daughter said that the said Mrs.Otieno had harassed her on 8th /06/2013 before her fellow Form two class and told her that she was in Joel Omino Illegally as the said teacher is the one who determines who iks to be admitted at Joel Omino.

“Mrs.Otieno had wanted my daughter to confess that she was a devil worshipper who had gone to recruit students at Joel Omino for her cult after doing the same at Asumbi Girls where she was before “she added.

The mother says that her daughter was officially released from Asumbi Girls to pursue further treatment on tonsillitis which she had.

The mother says that all that never augur well with her (Mrs.Otieno) as she claimed that we parents were siding with girl and she advised her daughter to ignore the allegations and concentrate on her studies and she further advised that the said Mrs.Otieno to stop counseling her daughter but the teacher insisted that she was going to continue.

“All was well not until 30th May 2013 when I got communication through an sms that my daughter should stay at home till Wednesday the 5th June 2013 when we her parents accompany her to school and according to the school Principal who is the husband of the said Mrs. Otieno our daughter had disobeyed a teacher at the evening assembly and caused disturbance” the mother further said.

The father says that her daughter despite having been released from school at 7.45pm arrived home at 8;15pm weeping and upon being asked what the problem was said that Mrs.Otieno who is the wife of the school’s Principal had highlighted that her daughter was a girl with evil spirits and asked her to read the bible so that evil spirits in her could go away and students were cautioned not to associate with her.

“Surprisingly she ordered my daughter to go for prayers in her office after assembly (for divine intervention) and at school Mrs.Otieno had convinced other students to isolate her resulting to us going to school to seek audience with the school principal “the father said.

Upon entering the Principal’s office they found a visitor whom they later discovered was a District Children Officer in Kisumu East and had come to investigate the case of a child who was being accused of being a devil worshipper ands was not in school.

The father says that the children’s officer insisted that all parties to the case be called in but it took her a lot of time to convince the school Principal who only allowed the Deputy Principal ,class teacher of my daughter and Mrs.Otieno” the girl’s father added.

Details which emerged from that meeting says that the Children’s officer wanted to know why Mrs.Otieno (the Principal’s wife) was the only teacher with problems with the said student yet she was not taking her in any subject; she lamentably defended herself that she was a senior counselor in the school from whom the principal relies on for admission.

“Surprisingly the school principal told us to go back with our daughter saying her admission was cancelled as she had a trial admission which I had never heard of and my daughter was not now being accepted at Joel Omino.

The children’s officer insisted on a written letter showing whether his daughter was a student or had been sent away but the Principal was adamant she advised them that the only way forward was to move to court since basic education was a constitutional right and one of the responsibilities of school principal is enforcing the said law.

In their papers to be filed in court, they demand to know the source of power the Principal’s wife has which makes her push innocent children out of Joel Omino yet allow their own biological children to learn and teach in Joel Omino while innocent children are being denied their right to education and to give protection to her while schooling at Joel Omino.

Contacted for comment the school Principal denied the allegations saying the student had been sent home to bring the fee balance and what she never brought on her admission while referring us to the head of his wife church Dr.David Owuor in regard to his wife’s spiritual prowess.

“The County Education Officer Mrs.Beatrice Adu knows the role my wife plays in this school, so refer all such questions to her” he added.

Kisumu County Education Officer did not respond to the numerous sms we sent to her before going to the press.

KENYA: HOW KISUMU MWALIMU SACCO HAS CONNED MANY

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By Our Reporter

Residents of Kisumu County and teachers risk loosing millions of shillings on pieces of land they are thinking that they have comfortably bought as it emerges that they were sold hot air by the Vice Chairman of Mwalimu Sacco Solomon Amute who operates a parallel society called Nyando Development Group which he claims is associated with Mwalimu Sacco.

Several unsuspecting members of the public who are not members of the society and who have bought parcels of land through the society are now coming to terms with the fact that they were indeed duped by companies which operate on a parallel basis with the body.

Kisumu Mwalimu SACCO chairman Mr Daniel Omoto who was shocked condemned the scam among some of his officials and says the police have been harassing him with arrests with aview of getting money from him yet he has all along said that Amute is the culprit.

“At a certain point Kisumu DCIO Henry Ndombi demanded half a million shillings from me to drop the fictitious charges they had wanted to trump on me, but I gave them all documents showing how my two officials Sande Ochieng and Amute are obtaining money from unsuspecting people through false pretence but they never did anything “Omoto lamented.

He says that Kisumu police knows what is happening as he says they have never taken any action against anyone including his officials whom he has personally lodged complaints about and recorded even a statement.. Omoto said that he is not aware of the existence Nyando Development Group (NDG) which purports to give out parcels of land on behalf of his organization and anyone who paid money to the said should either report to the police or count his money lost.

He was reacting to complaints from the public that some officials have duped members of the public under the guise of giving them parcels of lands at Kogony/kanyakwar which turned out to be non existent.

Omotto said he not aware of a subsidiary company within Mwalimu SACCO which gives out parcels of lands to members who are not teachers in Kisumu.

Amute while conducted blamed Omoto for witchunt saying Omotto is envious of his material achievements.

“He (Omoto)is not happy that I have build a house, bought car and I presently operate from town to my working station in Awasi” he said Omoto said the issue of the Nyando development group will be tabled in his next meting where action will be taken against the concerned officials.

A prospective buyer last used the services of private security to get back his money totaling to some 700,000/- after being duped by some Mwalimu SACCO officials where he could not trace a parcel of land bought at Kogony/Kanyakwar area.

The victim ended up a swampy area in Kogony while tracing the said parcel.

Outgoing Nyanza PCIO Mr Joseph Mugwanja last year launched a probe into such claims where some 32 parcels of lands were in dispute at Kogony,Dago and Kanyakwar.

Kisumu district lands registrar Mr George Gachihi has confirmed that there exists a cartel in his office where members of the public are duped.

Officials of the Kenya National Highway Construction Authority last week gave members of the public who have encroached into its road reserves to vacate those areas before structures there are pulled down.

The said Amute is regular patron at Victoria Hotel based near kwala Supermarket where he spends the whole day transacting his businesses at the expense of teaching as he is an employee of TSC.

Ends.

KENYA NATIONAL NGO COOPRDINATION BOARD TO RECRUIT WOMEN.

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By Agwanda Saye

The national NGO Coordination Board has embarked on a massive recruitment drive of all expectant women in Kisumu County as part of a wider 5 year program to improve maternal and child health in the region.

Executive Director of NGO Coordination Board Dr Hezron McObewa says the board is working closely with health sector NGOs within the county to compliment government efforts geared towards reducing infant deaths.

He says the Board has launched a project with one of the largest NGOs in Western Kenya, OGRA Foundation alongside other sector NGOs like Omega Foundation and Port Florence community hospital to give free National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) cards to expectant women.

McObewa says the pilot project of the program has kicked off in Muhoroni district in Kisumu County where over 100 expectant women within health centres and dispensaries’ have so far been recruited.

He says the women will be issued with NHIF cards as soon as they arrive for their first antenatal care clinic all the way through their pregnancy so that they can get enhanced services at delivery as part of efforts to improve safe deliveries’.

McObewa who is also the OGRA Foundation Founder Trustee and Former Director said Ogra is currently in the process of finalizing Memorandum of Understandings (MOU’s) with dispensaries and health centres within Kisumu County to give them delivery kits to every successful delivery that occur in such facilities.

He said they have asked partner organizations to initially set aside Kshs 6 Million per year for the program to improve maternal and child health care adding that Ogra has committed to set aside Kshs 6Million for the project annually to ensure the program covers all expectant women in the county.

He said project will run for 5 years alongside partnership with other NGOs’ adding that they will have covered the whole Kisumu County by end of June 2014 before rolling out the program in other counties.
INSERT . . .
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KENYA MP CAUGHT RED HANDED RECEIVING A BRIBE

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By Agwanda Saye

A Kenyan elected Member of Parliament is to be charged in court to face corruption charges after he was caught red handed taking a bribe of kshs 100,000 after he had demanded kshs 150,000 from a businessman over a Constituency Development Project.

Kasarani MP John Njoroge who is a former Deputy Mayor of Nairobi was arrested at a cty restyaurant as he received kshs 1000,000 part of the bribe he had demanded.

His arrest came about after officials from the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission set a trap on him.

According to Kenya’s anti-Corruption Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo,they received a complaint from a contractor in the constituency that the MP was demanding a bribe of Kshs 150,000 to enable him authorize his payment of kshs 3.3million from the CDF project.

“The payment was for the work the contractor had done on Baba Dogo Road Secondary School” said Waqo.

The MP however denied the allegations asn he was escorted in police car after several questioning at the Commission’s headquarters.

TOP KENYA POLICE IN MIGINGO AFTER ATTACK

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By Our Reporter

Top Kenya police led by the outgoing Nyanza Provincial Police boss Joseph ole Tito led a delegation to Migingo Island in Lake Victoria following an attack on three administration of police officers by Ugandan police.

Tito who was accompanied by Migori County police commander Clement Gatogo held a closed door meeting in the tiny controversial Island for close to four hours.

Tito however maintained that the meeting was a familiarization tour for the new police commander in the county.

He says the meeting was normal only to check on the living condition of the officers who are stationed at the Island to provide law and order.

However, Migingo Beach Management Unit chairman Juma Ombori says the meeting was necessitated by the attack on the APs by the Uganda forces.

Ombori says the three Kenyan officers were assaulted for no apparent reason by their neighboring colleagues sparking tension within the Island.

The attack was confirmed by the Nyatike deputy county commissioner Moses Ivuto who termed the incident as unfortunate.

Ivuto says the injured officers were treated in a nearby health facility and discharged and investigations into the attack is on.

Ends.

KENYA: KISUMU MAGISTRATE DISQUALIFIES HIMSELF FROM CASE

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By Our Reporter

A Magistrate who has been hearing a case in which a prominent real estate agent in Kisumu is charged with fraud yesterday disqualified himself from the proceedings.

Principal Magistrate Harison Adika quite the case in which the real agent Gorge Adada Nyagowa is charged with obtaining 400,000/- and 50,000/- from a woman under the pretext that he would secure her a parcel of land at Kisumu/Konya.

Nyagowa is charged that he February 11 2010 at Re-insurance plaza in Kisumu East district received a bankers cheque of 400,000/- and 50,000/- all totaling 450,000/- from Morine Leah Aketch Auma under the pretext that he could sell her a parcel of land at Kisumu Konya / 6067. The accused who is the proprietor of Michigen Investments was ordered released on a bond of 100,000/-.

Nyagowa also faces another charge before the chief magistrate Mrs Lucy Gitari over a similar offence.

The first count in the other states he on diverse dates between September 2009 and December he obtained 770,000/- from Philemon Odeny at Reinsurance Plaza within Kisumu under the pretext that he would secure him a parcel of land .

Count two states that he secured 400,000/- at Re Insurance Plaza from Timothy Otieno under the pretext that that h would give him a parcel of land Dago within Kisumu.

The last count states that he obtained 710,000/- at Re Insurance plaza from Joshua Okore under the pretext that he would secure him a parcel of land at Dago.

Mrs Gitari ordered him released on a cash bail of 30,000/-

Ends.

KENYA: CATTLE RUSTLING ALONG THE LUOS AND KALENJINS BOURDER IS AS A RESULT OF POVERTY.

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FrBy Agwanda Saye
LEADERS from Muhoroni have attributed constant cattle rustling along common border of Nyanza and the Rift valley on rampant poverty.

Led by Muhoroni Member of Parliament James Onyango K’Oyoo the leaders said youths should be empowered as one of the ways of eliminating the vice once and for all.

K’Oyoo said that use of force is not a sustainable solution to the menace which he observed requires dialogue engineered by leaders from both sides of the divide.

He was speaking over the weekend at St Joseph Koru ACK church during a funds drive where 1.5 million shillings was netted.

K’Oyoo called on leaders along the common border to hold peace talks and reconciliatory meetings as one of the ways of ending incidents of cattle rustling.

The Mp said leaders from the two common border areas will hold such talks when parliament takes a break in order to talk to youths on the need of mutual co-existence.

K’Oyoo said leaders from Tinderet, Sigowet, Soin, Ainamoi, and Kipkelion will hold the talks in order to find a lasting solution to the problem.

Outgoing Nyanza police chief Joseph Ole Tito sounded a warning to those perpetrating cattle rustling along the borders.

But K’Oyoo said the best solution was to talk to the youths and elders from both sides.
He called on the government to bail out both Miwani and Muhoroni.

“Companies can not be on receivership indefinitely” he said.

He said the government should either privatize the firms or give them to strategic investors.
Ends.

KENYA ANTI-CORRUPTION BODY LAMENTS OF HAURDLES .

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By Agwanda Saye

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is facing
insurmountable challenges towards recovery of illegally acquired
public assets. EACC Lawyer Ms. Judith Shamallah decried lack of
political goodwill in recovery of illegally and irregularly acquired
public assets including property belonging to the Judiciary. “Some
public institutions play hide and seek when EACC demand to peruse
their original documents during investigations,” Ms. Shamallah said.

Ms. Shamallah was presenting a paper titled Recovery of Illegally
Acquired Public Assets during the Law Society of Kenya (LSK)
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar on Integrity Issues,
Threshold and State Service at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi. She
regretted hurdles in the recovery of investments/assets stashed
overseas following several factors including communication barrier.

”Non-English speaking countries spend weeks or even months before
responding to our communication giving culprits time to transfer
illegally acquired investments to other countries,” Ms. Shamallah
said. She said that other countries dragged their feet while
responding to official demand letters from EACC.

However, she said that the EACC recently repossessed grabbed property
belonging to the Judiciary, public hospital in Uasin Gishu, houses in
Woodley (Nairobi), Mt. Elgon hospital (Kitale), Uhuru Gardens
(Mombasa), several plots excised from Karura forest , over l00 acres
of land in Ngong forest, acres of Government land and houses in
Milimani suburbs (Kakamega) among others. “The EACC is working with
the Judiciary and Executive towards overcoming challenges preventing
it from recovery of illegally acquired public assets,” Ms. Shamallah
said.

She said that most graft cases touch on the big shots in society who
fight to hold on to illegally acquired public property.
Ms. Shamallah said that lengthy court cases are among challenges the
Constitutional body encounters in daily practice. “Lengthy Court cases
challenging investigations and recovery proceedings by EACC is a
nightmare,” Ms. Shamallah said. She said noted that there is also Bank
Secrecy law in a country like Switzerland where accessing information
during investigations is near impossible.

Ends

KENYA: NAME OF KISUMU COUNTY DISTRICT NAME CHANGED.

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by: Chak Rachar

Kisumu North District within Kisumu County Constituency will now be officially called Kisumu West District so that its name tallies with the Constituency are like other areas.

This clarification was made by the area MP John Olago Aluoch who added added that all necessary procedures has been followed and two Locations;North West and West which previously was within Seme Constituency which is represented by Dr.James Nyikal will be form part of Kisumu West Constituency, Ksumu West District.

“It was really confusing for one to say that he comes from Kisumu West Constituency within Kisumu North District, it was not adding up that is why i took the responsibility with my Seme counterpart Dr.Nyikal to straighten up things “he added.

He added that former Permanent Secretary in charge of Internal Affairs in the Office of the President Mutea Iringo had given consent to the process.

Olago was speaking in Ojolla while distributing government bursary cheques worth kshs 5.1 to various schools within the constituency.

He supported teachers strike saying there is a need to put a stop to the ever always strike through either the government paying up or through mutual consent.

ENDS

KENYA: Nyanza COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN NYANZA HAVE BEEN CAUTIONED TO STOP BUDGETING HUGE SUMS OF MONEY FOR BUYING FUEL GUZZLING PRADO CARS.

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

The NEWLY ESTABLISHED County governments in the former Nyanza Province have been cautioned against spending taxpayer’s money extravagantly budgeting for the fuel guzzling Prado cars.

Instead, the Assemblies should vigorously look for funds for major repairs of roads traversing the countryside, which are in the pathetic state and become night mares during the rainy seasons.

Secondly the regional governors and their assembly’s members should work out the best way of internal revenue collection bases, and stop budgeting for the donor money looking luxurious vehicles, which will have no direct benefit to the residents.

These sentiments were expressed byt a senior politician in Homa-Bay County Hilary Ochieng’ Alilla.

Alila was reacting to the news that the Homa-Bay County governor Cyprian Otieno Awiti and members of his County Assembly Executive committee last week made a budget proposal of a colossal amount of money to the tune of Kshs 230 million in it5s 2013-2014 estimates for the purpose of buying several Prado cars.

“The fuel guzzling vehicles should not be the priority of the Homa-Bay County government. Moreover there is no roads on which these vehicles will be driven on,’ he said.

Homa-Bay County has only one major road which is tarmacked. That is the Katito-Kenya-Bay, Kendu Bay Homa-Bay and Homa-Bay Mbita road which is partly still under the construction.

THere is urgent need to have the Oyugis Rangwew road tarmacked, and also the Oyugis Kendu-Bay road. Other roads included Kendu-Bay Pala, Kadongo-Kendu Bay.

Another area which need the improvement of road network is the Sindo, Kisegi, Magunga, God-Bura, Nyandiwa, Lak-Nyiero and Sori Town.

The fishermen, the fish traders and farmers wanted this roads repaired or upgraded to all weather for easy communication to the hinterland market places for rapid economic growth,” said Alila.

The region needs this money for the improvement of other institutions of public interest with value added. He requested the Homa-Bay County governor Awiti and his team to rescind their decision and work on projects which have the direct benefit to the residents.Two or three Prado vehicles would be enough and the for the exclusive use by the governor and his deputy, but the rest should be smaller car with their engines powers not exceeding 1300 cc.

Alila cited the Central Government of Kenya which a few years ago withdrew all the GK cars with the engines powers exceeding 1600 cc and replaced them with smaller car. Prados, Pajeros, and Mercedez Benzes were the category that were withdrawn and auctioned in order to save the government spending on fuel and spare parts.

ends.

KENYAN FAMILY OF PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA SAYS THEY WILL NOT GO AND MEET HIM IN THE NEIGHBORING TANZANIA.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

The family of the US President Barrack Obama who is currently on an African tour from which his ancestral home Kenya is excluded, have reiterated that they will not travel across the Kenya-Tanzania border to try to meet him there.

Mama Sarah Obama the 90 year old step grandmother of the US President, when contacted at her Nyang’oma Alego Kogelo home in Siaya County said they can’t travel to the neighboring country in order to meet her grandson.

”We are not invited therefore there is no point going there. Moreover Obama is the President of the US and all the arrangements for his African itinerary are organized by the US government”, she said adding “President Obama is on official visits to specific countries as the US President.”

“Joining him in the neighboring country of Tanzania, though it is next door to Kenya may interfere with his itinerary. He has a very busy and tight schedule and as such we have decided to not to attend any of his functions there.”

Mama Sarah Obama was reacting about the rumor which went around that members of the Obama family in Alego Kogelo were making tentative arrangement to travel to Tanzania today.

There is no such arrangement, though the US President would have loved to see him stopping in Kenya, however, briefly it could be. This is the second time President Obama has skipped Kenya during is visit to the sub-Saharan Africa. The first time was when he was first elected President when he visited Ghana. Obama is very popular with the millions of Kenya people whom for along time have been looking forward to see him visit the country of his father ancestral land.

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TANZANIA AND RUSSIA WILL SOON BE EMBROILED IN MAJOR LEGAL TUSSLES THROUGH COURT OVER DISPUTED URANIUM MINING IN MKUNJU RIVER MINING FIELDS.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

Tanzania and Russia may soon face each other in court in ne of the toughest legal battle against a Russian firm in a multimillion dollar engaged in the business of mining uranium over tax evasion.

Information emerging from Dar Es Salaam says that state is demanding nearly USD 206 million, which is equivalent to Tshs 329 billion taxes from the Russian firm ,Rosatom disputes the taxes invoices.JSC Atomredmetzoloi {ARMTZ} OF Russia in relation to its Mkunju River Uranium mines that the state owned mining arm of Russia’s nuclear watchdog

As a result the ARMZ, Uranium Holdings through its lawyer FB Attornery has filed a case before the Tax Appeal Tribunal of Tanzania to challenge the tax claim.

Gandasiosus Ishengoma also a lawyer confirmed last week that the ARMZ has challenge the state over its claim and filed a case through theTax Apeal Tribunal.

The Energy and Mineral Minister Prof. Sospeter Muhongo was quote by a source in Dar Es Salaam as saying that the Tshs 329.01 billion {205.80 million tax had originated from MkunjuRiver uranium mining.

TAnzania law was enacted in 2011 in order to close loophole in a tax holiday incentive because that allowed foreign firms to operate tax-free for first five years.

He same law stipulates that any foreign firm operating in the country must pay capital gain tax, when it changes to a third party.

Mantra Tanzania Ltd the former owners of Mkunju River uranium mine in December 2010 cedeed the project operations to AMZ after the firm had acquired the percentage. Mantra Resources of Australia For Tshs .1.667.1 billion USD.O43.8 million..

And immediately after the transactions, the state through the Tanzania Revenue Authority [TRA] issued invoices demanding that ARMTZ settles Tshs 327.7 million out of the total USD 9.8 in stamp duty.The sum is quoted as being equavalent to 43 per cent of the current Tazania’s health and social welfare budget of Tshs 753.85 billion..

Observers and watchers of Tanzania-Rusia relations have maintained that the tax battle between the two countries could create bad blood between the two business partners.

In April last year Tanzania licensed ARMTZ RANIUM Holding to establish the first uranium mines in Mkunju River which is located in the south of the country.

This licence is the first to be issued by Tanzania and the newly enacted mining laws.

Ends

KENYA: HOMA BAY GOVERNOR INVITES INVESTORS

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By Agwanda Saye

HOMA Bay County Governor Cyprian Awiti has urged investors to tap the vast potential that is lying idle within the region in order to spur economic growth.

Awiti said that there are many areas within the county where those who want to invest in can venture into.

The governor invited investors into the area saying tat Homa Bay County has fertile soils which can feed the nation if put into proper use.

He said the county has a lot of tourist attractions such as bird watching and many beautiful islands which can attract many foreigners.

The governor said there are also many scenic sites such as Homa hills and many other resorts such as Rusinga and the Tom Mboya mausoleum.

“Things such as Simbi Nyaima are of great potential’ he said

The governor said Lambwe National park has many animals which are of rare species and which can attract tourists if well marketed.

He also said many hectares of land are still there where foreign investors and even local ones can venture into.

Awiti was speaking in Mbita during a conference dabbed ‘The Homa bay we want” which was convened in order to exploit the potential of the County.

The governor who was accompanied by his entire cabinet said he will stick to his earlier pledge of eliminating hunger, disease and poverty.

Awiti told the participants that an investor will inject over 400 billion shillings into the county where they will come up with an agricity where green houses will be erected in various parts of the county.

He said the project will also encompass an airstrip and an ICT village.

Top leaders from Homa Bay County meanwhile skipped the crucial consultative forum which was convened by the governor in order to explore the potential of the area.

Awiti said Senator Otieno Kajwang and Gwassi Mp could not attend the meeting since they were out of the country in different assignments.

Awiti similarly said that Karachunyo Mp James Rege was absent from the forum since he was indisposed.

He explained that Kasipul Mp Oyugi Magwanga was also engaged elsewhere.

Mbita Mp Millie Odhiambo who was supposed to be the host was also conspicuously absent from the forum.

ENDS.

Kenya: estate agent

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From: Our Reporter

A PROMINENT real Estate agent in Kisumu who has been charged before various courts with land fraud has now started transferring his fixed and movable assets to third parties. Mr George Adada Nyagowa who is a former watchman and also now the owner of the notorious Michigen Investments has taken the drastic move after realizing that he risks going to jail and subsequently being forced to pay his victims who he has fleeced of millions of shillings. He no longer drives a posh black Toyota Hilux which is believed to be part of the proceeds of his loot over the years

Most of his victims are those who bought parcels of lands at Konya and Dago areas in the outskirts of Kisumu town. He has pocketed over 15 million shillings in Konya alone where members of the public purchase non existent parcels of plots. Adada who enjoys unsolicited protection from both the police and the judiciary was recently again charged before the area Chief Magistrate’s court with obtaining money from members of the public under the pretext that he would secure them assorted parcels of land.

Nyagowa appeared before the chief Magistrate Mrs Lucy Gitari and denied a total of three counts. The first count states he on diverse dates between September 2009 and December he obtained 770,000/- from Philemon Odeny at Reinsurance Plaza within Kisumu under the pretext that he would secure him a parcel of land.

Count two states that he secured 400,000/- at Re Insurance Plaza from Timothy Otieno under the pretext that that h would give him a parcel of land Dago within Kisumu. The last count states that he obtained 710,000/- at Re Insurance plaza from Joshua Okore under the pretext that he would secure him a parcel of land at Dago.

Mrs Gitari ordered him released on a cash bail of 30,000/-Adada is also facing trial before another court after obtaining 400, 00/- from a woman under the pretext that he could secure her a parcel of land at Konya area. Principal magistrate Harrison Adika is hearing the case .Earlier this year prospective land buyers roughed up the leading real Estate Agent in Kisumu while accusing him of fleecing them of unspecified amounts of cash under the pretext that her would sell them assorted parcels. The irate mob pounced on Nyagowa leaving him half naked.

Adada who is the proprietor of Michigen Investments which is based in Kisumu pleaded with the irate public to leave him alone but his pleas fell on deaf ears as they roughed him up. Chaos erupted at Konya village in the outskirts of Kisumu town where land surveyors, police and lawyers had gone there in order to access the situation on the ground. But the mob stormed the area next to Ukweli pastoral centre sending everyone scampering in different directions.

Earlier hundreds of prospective land buyers in Kisumu who claim to have lost millions of shillings to fraudsters posing as agents threatened to stage a major demonstration against the police and land officials in the area whom they say collude with the conmen.The victims said that they will stage a major demonstration against the office of the criminal investigations department for not arresting the agents. Some of the victims claim to have spent over 7 million shillings in developing parcels of land at Konya in the outskirts of Kisumu which turned out to be a road reserves. Some of the victims blamed officers at the land’s office in Kisumu for colluding with the conmen in order to fleece unsuspecting members of the public of million of shillings.

Another complainant Oliver Agnes alias Nyanaya said she had fallen victim to the fraudsters at Riat area. She said huge tracts of her parcels of land had been sold out by some of the conmen posing as agents in Kisumu town Former Nyanza CID chief Joseph Mugwanja confirmed knowledge of some of the cases. Mr. Mugwanja said he is aware of some cases since they were forwarded from CID headquarters for immediate action. Mr. Mugwanja confirmed that there are some 32 cases of that nature which are being investigated by the Kisumu DCIO.A number of top civil servants and businessmen in Kisumu have also fallen victims of the super conmen.

Investigations have revealed that those who have been fleeced of millions of shillings have been promised parcels of land at Kibos Road, Dago, Konya, Dunga, parts of Kajulu, Riat and Kisian, Dago together with Otonglo areas.

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The EAC has commissioned a study to enhance trade ties with the US

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo

The East African Community [EAC} has commissioned a study ahead of direct trade negotiations between the bloc and the United States which is keen to deepen ties with the region.

A directive by the EAC Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment, which consists of Ministers who handled the EAC docket, has directed the directors to undertake a study to determine what the negotiations should be based and how the region would benefit from any resultant agreement.

The Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement {TIPA] between the EAC and the US was initiated last year to support the economic integration of the region and enhance the EAC-US trade and investment play in economic and social development, including job creation,

Washington’s push for the clearly defined trade ties between East Africa Community and the United comes at a time when China is emerging as a dominant player in the region.

The study expected to be completed within four months will allow for shorter and more focused negotiations as opposed to the outgoing talks between the EAC a nd EU, which have dragged on for a long time.

A Mr Felix Okatch, a Kenyan multilateral trade expert, however, said the region should not expect a lot from the agreement because the distance between the two partners is a hindrance for trade when compared with the EU. Rwanda is the only country in the region that has a bilateral trade and investment agreement with the US. It was signed in December 2011.

He added that Rwanda-US deal would not affect the trade agreement to be signed by all the EAC member states and the US, as they would be bound by the most favored between nation {MEN} clause.

“In this case, what the US exports to Rwanda will also be exported to the other partners and what Rwanda exports to US can also be exported by the other partner states”, as per what the EAC treaty states.

The EAC-US trade and investment is a component of the US strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa,which President Barrack Obama announced in June 2012.

President Obama’s objecives are to strengthen democratic institutions, promote peace ,unity and trade and investment.

The total trade volume between the EAC and the US is estimated currently at US D 1.1 billion and the trade between the US and Kenya is estimated at 656 million followed by Tanzania USD 201 million, Uganda USD 142 million, Rwanda stands at USD 81 million while trade with Burundi is USED 51 MILLION.

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EU to give millions of Euros for the rehabilitation of water towers in Mt Elgon and Chrangayi regions

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

The European Union will fund the rehabilitation of the Cheranganyi and Mt Elgon water towers program in Western Kenya to the tune of 2.5 million Euros {K shs 278 million.

The two water towers are reported to have been massively depleted of the indigenous trees by illegal loggers threatening the survival of the rivers that depend on them including the world famous Nile River.

The project is to be undertaken by the Moi University, Eldoret in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute {kefri}

This was disclosed last week by the Dean of the Environmental Studies at the Eldoret based University Vinah Vindoi who disclosed that the project will be implemented over a period of six year and will benefit the local communities through the creation of jobs and rehabilitation of the much vandalized and depleted forest resources.

He said there has been discrimination in dissemination of information to the local communities leaving the room and vacuum which has turned into wanton destruction the two important water towers.

He said once the key objective of the project in sensitizing the local communities to the real need of conserving and protecting the towers, this could turn out to be the most important part of the rehabilitation objectives.

The local communities will then aide the conservation efforts by the government and other stakeholders.

Prof Sindoi said that KEFRI will conduct further research and recommend the type of tree seedling that will be suited for the area. The tree will be replanted in the area set aside as the commercial areas or zones and will be sourced from the local communities.

HE urged the local communities to take the conservation work seriously. The locals have bee accused of destroying hr forest through charcoal burning and illegal loggers.

Meanwhile another important project to get rid of Lake Victoria water hyacinth is also taking shape soon. The project is just about to take off in Homa-Bay and Kisumu Counties.

And this time around the Kisumu based Lake Victoria Environmental Program LVEMPI is determined to ensure that the dreadful weeds, which invaded the lake two decade ago, and since caused problems for the fishermen, and made navigation of small vessels well as ships difficult, is permanently eradicated.

THe weed which has been a menace to fishing expedition in the areas affected like Homa-Bay and Kisumu Counties will be removed manually and biologically.

This comes after all the previous effort to clear the lake of the weed had flopped. LVEMP is expecting to receive a machine for this purpose from the Kenya Marine and will also use the weevils to feed on the weeds.

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KENYA: HEADTEACHER SET ABLAZE PUPILS SANDALS

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By Agwanda Saye

There was drama at Raga Primary School in Karungu Division, Nyatike district after parents and pupils went on the rampage demanding the transfer of the head teacher after he burned pupils’ sandals.

The head teacher collected the sandals from the over 400 pupils and set them ablaze arguing they are not part of the school uniform.

Today, pupils and parents demonstrated up to the school carrying placards and twigs demanding his immediate transfer from the school.

The head teacher who is also the Migori KNUT vice chairman locked his office and fled from the angry pupils and parents.

The pupils who accompanied their parents on barefoot vowed never to resume classes until the head teacher is transferred.

Nyatike district education officer Kinaiya Siloma confirmed that his office is aware of the incident and there is already a panel constituted to look into the matter.

Siloma however urged parents to give dialogue a chance and not to disrupt the learning process of their children.

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Kenya: Nairobi based businessman donated 10,000 pair of rubber-sporting shoes to all primary and nursery schools in Seme constituency

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

A Nairobi based businessman Mr Edward Omol has made a hefty donation of 10,000 pair of rubber-sporting shoes worth K,shs 2.6 million.

The shoes which is to be distributed to the nursery and primary schools pupils in the entire Seme constituency within Kisumu County included those small sizes fitting nursery schools children to the medium numbers that is fitting lower, medium and upper primary pupils.

Mr Omolo who contested the newly created Seme parliamentary seat in March this year, on a ODM ticket but lost to the incumbent Dr. Nyikal said children learning under a highly hygienic conditions stands a better chance of furthering their education to e higher height of success.

The distribution will be done on the basis of 360 per each school. The donor conducted the distribution of the shoes while accompanied by four Assembly representatives from the entire Seme constituency and members of the school committees, PTA chairman and opinion leaders in a colorful ceremony which started at Kirindo Primary School.

The donor handed his donations to the School’s committee chairman Kilion Otieno and another Kisumu and Mombasa based businessman, Mr George Abaja who is a director of a construction firm.

Also accompanying him were four County Assembly representatives Benter Nduta ,Ogoli, Okoth Diang’a and Makadede four local Assembly representatives. All the four thanked the businessman and asked him to maintain the same spirit of helping the unfortunate people.

Other schools which benefited from this hefty donation were Bundi, Jimo, Kayila Siala, Reru, Gumo and Kayila. THe businessman also donated 20 green houses to be used by other school’s pupils in growing vegetables, fruits and other cash crops and promised to donate more

This was the largest donation ever made for the schools in the region by an individual and it has since rekindled politics of the area a fresh with a lot of murmuring going around.

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Kenya: Mega land scandal reported in Kericho where the DC, Chief, MPs and ex-civic leaders grabbed the land meant for the landless Talai clan

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WRITES Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town.

A MEGA land scandal, which looked similar to the now infamous “Anglo Leasing Financial Scandal” has hit Kericho town like Tsunami. It has prompted the residents to call for the revocation of the allotment and start a fresh. This is after it has been discovered that those earmarked to be settled on the land were not given anything. But the D.C. and the Town’s chief had chosen to allocate the land for themselves.

The ex-Kericho Municipal Councilors, relatives and friends of the former MPs, and their political cronies undeservedly benefited from illegal allotment.

The residents were now up in arms appealing to the Kericho County governor Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony to order for all the pieces o land which were dished out t undeserved persons revoked for fresh re-allocation.

Prof Chepkwony could not be reached for his comment as it was stated that he had travelled outside the region.

The scandal involved the peace of land parcel in the town ,which was set aside by the government to be use in settling members the landless Talai{Laibon} who returned to the region in 1962 after being force into colonial exile for 40 years by the former British Colonial rulers.

The Talai clan estimated to be numbering about 259 families have since been living in a small piece of land which belonged to the Municipal Council of Kericho in the most squalid condition.

Al l the previous KANU administration had failed to have the Talai clan settled on the land they can call their own ever since independence. But the defunct coalition government headed by he retired President Mwi Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga had agree to have the matter solved once for all. The government negotiated with one of the multinational Tea companies operating in Kericho and Bomet Counties and secured the land which is next to the posh Tea Hotel.

The Prime Minister visited Kericho on several occasion in the company of the then Lands minister James Aggrey Orengo and it was agreed that the Talai people be settled.

Unconfirmed allegation and rumor say the DC had allocated himself five plots of 500X100 each using the names of his junior staff, mainly the local Kipsigis working in his office including Administration Policemen. The D.C.Joseph Njora has since been transferred to Makueni district in Eastern Province. All the alleged grabbed plots were sold like hot cake.

It is also being rumored that former Belgut MP Charles Keter who is now the Senator for Kericho had the lion’s share. All of his supporters and his multi-million cousin Ken Mutai were the beneficiaries. Former Kericho Mayor John Kauria, it is being alleged, to have grabbed several plots.

Most of the ex-Councilors who grabbed the plots are said to have quickly sold them and have since been seen driving sleek new cars in own.

The MP who benefited from the allocation included Magerer Lang’at [Kipkellion} and the Chief Town Duncan Bii is said to have allocate himself 12 plots.

Prior to the negotiation between he government and the Unilever Tea company, the company had already earmarked the plot toe used in establishing an aborreterum in own. The grabbers who seemed to have been in hurry moved in with the snake speed and started demarcating the land even before the el was sealed off and the land surveyed as required by the law. The grabbers went as far as breaking the beacons of the adjacent land plot and house belonging to the former director of the Brooke Bond tea Company Mzee Musa sang’.

Members of the Talai sub-clans were previously scattered in various districts whose inhabitants are the members of the larger Kalenjin ethnic groups. The had their ancestral land homes in Emngwen, Nandi County, Kericho and Bomet Counties, Baringo and Koibatek,mosty Eldama Ravine and in other regions.

But following the malicious ad falsified accusation by the colonial chiefs, white missionaries and white selrs, that they were practicing witchcraft, the Colonial administration in Kenya I the year 1934 ordered thathey be rounded up and exiled in a remote section of Gwassi Hills in South Nyanza.

Some of them were vanished in Northern Tanzania. Some of their elderly leaders were detained in Embu, Meru and Nyeri prisons where they died. Other were dispatched to Kismayu while one who was known as Arap Koilgen was detained on Mfangano island inside Lake Victoria where he died around 1956In 1961 one a diminutive Member of the Colonial Legislative Council the late Dr Taaitta Araap Toweett, who was representing the entire Kipsigis region moved a motion in the House asked the government to allow thetalai n toreturn toteir ancestral land. The motion which was supported by other MLC including Daniel T Moi, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Dr Julius Kiano,Tom Mboya and other nationalist was accepted by the colonial government.

And in the middle of the 1962 when it was only six months to the attainment of Kenya’s political independence

As political independence the journey of returning home.

The deal , however, was hurriedly and poorly negotiated and brokered with the British colonial administration and did not produce a tangible plan and program for the land on which the returnee could be settled on.

All the land previously owned by the Talai clan had been taken over by their neighbors and relatives during the many exile.

In Nndi the Talai oved nd settled in a place called Kaptel near the SDA University of East Africa {Barraton} and settle at Kapsisiywo, Other went to Cheranganyi,other to Trans-Nzoia and Uasin Gishu districts and found land for them in the settlement schemes. Others went Eldama Ravine Iand Baringo County.

Their population had grew from 2700 to about 7000 people.So aboiut 200 family remain stuck as squatters in Keicho Municipality for all these years.

This is the can of the famous freedom fighter Orkoiyioyot Koitalel Arap Samoei w hose rug-tug forces of the Nandi warriors fought he British for nine years and also prevented tem from building and completing the Mombasa-Kisumu Railways l ine. Samoei was shot and killed in 1905 after he was tricked to attend a peace meeting with the head of the British expedition forces who shot it point-blank.

The Talai before their expulsion were being accused by the colonial chiefs of practicing sorcery and preventing the population from becoming member of the churches and the youth from acquiring modern education in schools run by missionaries. Other allegations were that they were intimidating the white settlers and stopping from acquiring more land for tea plantation in Kericho, Sotik ,Nandi Hills and other areas.

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THE MUGO REPORT: MAY 2013

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From: Mugo Muchiri
Los Angeles, CA
June 1, 2013

THE MUGO REPORT – May 2013

Q: Good morning Bwana Mugo, nice to see you. Another month gone by, can you believe this?

Mugo: Good morning ndugu and asante. Yep, as they say in the song, ‘life is a-fleeting!” Tell me about your clan, how are they doing?

Q: Actually pretty good, considering. I’ve been trying to sell them on the turmeric tip we talked about last time. Asked them if they can ‘kusindikisha’ me. Well, we’ll see how that goes. Any tip for this month?

Mugo: Ground spices in cooking. When I saute my food, I use a combination of turmeric, fennel, cumin, coriander, mixed in a 1:4:2:3 ratio respectively. Try using a teaspoon in either ghee (clarified butter) or olive oil when sauteing. This is a secret of Maharishi Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of developing and maintaining perfect health as revived by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 80s. You’ll notice that Kenyan Indians use plenty of spices in their cooking. Infact the curries which are a hallmark of their cuisine have found great favor with many a Kenyan urbanite.

Q: Share with us the benefits of cooking with spices?

Mugo: They’re wide-ranging. Turmeric is considered a liver detoxifier, is known to tame high cholestrol levels, boost immunity and aid skin complexion so that you can, according to Mulu Mutisya, ‘ng’alang’ala like a tomato.’ Both turmeric and cumin are antioxidants, meaning they scavenge free radicals in the system. Fennel of course is excellent for good digestion, while coriander acts as a blood purifier. Used together, an immune system-boosting synergy is further created. This, in Maharishi Ayurveda, contributes to balancing the doshas that underlie one’s constitution.

Q: Sawa. Let’s turn our eyes now on Kenya this past month of May and do some reviewing.

Mugo: Am ready when you are.

GOVERNANCE & DEMOCRACY

Q: Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Simiyu Khaemba was unhappy with the revenue collection from markets, PSVs etc. One of his first acts upon assuming office was to dismiss the officials responsible for collections. The very next day, revenues went up from SHS 200,000 to SHS 1,000,000 a day, representing a 500% increase. Why do we still have our hats on?

Mugo: It’s a great start. You have drama, you have impact…….I mean these pistons are not waiting for a committee, they’re firing on all cylinders! What I worry about though is consistency. Reform is a journey. We don’t need one-hit wonders. It’s the sustainability that’s key. I just loved reading that story! If this is what ugatuzi or devolution is all about, then let the inspiration spreads to other counties.

Q: Let’s talk a little about democracy and free speech. I’m concerned about what I see as a creeping tendency to stifle free expression among, surprisingly, reasonably well-educated Kenyans? And here’s exhibit A to prove my point: I love following Professor Mutua Makau, the famous Nation newspaper columnist who does a weekly piece there and is, very notably, dean of SUNY Buffalo School of Law. What concerns me is the manner in which the guy gets slaughtered by his readers, judging from their comments. I mean, it’s not just swipes, it’s a freeking bloodbath! Are your eyes seeing the same thing as me?

Mugo: Well first of all, like you, I admire Makau. His voice is singularly unique. Where many vacillate on modes of expression, lucidity has found a home in his pen. In Makau World, boldness and incisiveness runneth over, spontaneously oozing wits in his writings. But his most prized possession in his arsenal, if you asked me, is his love of country so vividly discernible from every piece he crafts. These attributes haven’t stopped many of his readers from spitting venom at him when their views are divergent. Their level of rage and detestation has a personal element that’s clearly uncalled for and quite disturbing. Is it not possible to disagree without being disagreeable? I think the answer should be ‘yes,’ if education works.

AFRICA AND THE ICC

Q: Sawa. I’ve noticed that the closer we get to the trial dates of President Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy President William Ruto at the Hague, the more the flurry of activities to either delay, derail or even stop the judicial proceedings from commencing. First we heard submissions at the United Nations in New York by both Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Macharia Kamau, and his deputy, Koki Muli. Notably, African Heads of States just concluded their annual summit in Addis Ababa with a resolution to request a referal of the cases back to Kenya. What do you make of these moves?

Mugo: 1133 Kenyans were viciously killed simply because someone’s tribal arithmetic didn’t tally the way they thought it should. Someone needs to answer for that!!!!!

Of the 600,000 Kenyans displaced from their homes, many continue to languish in IDP camps. I actually saw a good number of them when I visited the Nakuru Pipeline IDP camp last December. Someone needs to answer for that!!!!!

There was a rapefest, burnings, forced circumcisions and just about everything that would describe a Hell on earth. Someone needs to answer for that!!!!

The Head of State must comport him or herself as the embodiment of the collective consciousness of his or her nation, and not one of an elitist subset. To me, the AU Heads of States resolution is a lagging indicator of an Africa that’s sick to her core, where food is regarded as poison, and poison as food. We need a savior and thank God we have one in Ms. Fatou Bensouda. The Jesus’ and Mohameds of their day led tortured lives precisely because tough medicine rarely finds a welcoming ingester. Appreciations and worldwide acclaim become latter-day developments.

Now Uhuru and Ruto have multiply attested to their innocence and must be so considered before their trials. Many Kenyans believe them. Moreover, they themselves have repeated many times ‘Shetani atashindwa.’ So why all the behind-the-scenes efforts to prevent them from giving Kenyans and the world an opportunity to prove their innocence? Why scuttle a process whose benefit to their co-presidency would essentially be of a liberative nature?

Or is this to continue being an Africa where the champion swimmer tells everyone that winning the race is a foregone conclusion, but alas his coterie of trainers and aides does everything to prevent him from even nearing the water’s edge?

And another curiosity: one of the two guys judged centrally responsible for the mayhem gets what? A retirement gift of a brand new SHS 500 million home exclusively funded by the taxpayers. Never mind that he has several palatial homes in Muthaiga, or that his land holdings put him at the second or third largest landowner in Kenya, a country where more than 60% of its population lives on less than one and a half dollars a day! Perhaps an appropriate gift should have been a tour of future digs at Kamiti, a la Emperor of China.

CHALLENGES

Q: Nimesikia hiyo mambo. The ICC is obviously a very emotive issue and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more as the trial comes closer. I’d like us to step aside for a moment and look at some challenges and opportunities for Kenya this past month.

Poaching continues to be an ever-growing menace in Kenya. Here are some statistics:

– October 2012 – Hong Kong Customs seizes 4 tons of ivory tusks; value $3.4million

– November 2012 – Dubai, UAE seizes 215 ivory tusks; value $4million

– Jan 2013 – Hong Kong Customs seizes 779 ivory tusks

– May 2013 – Dubai Customs seizes 259 tusks

– May 2013 – Hong Kong Customs seizes 113 tusks; value $400,000

Meanwhile, Liu Guangyuan issues a statement on March 12, 2013 ‘educating’ Kenyans that concerns about China’s involvement in illegal ivory are unfair and misinformed. Ati they send text messages to all Chinese tourists to Kenya “not to engage in the ivory trade,” ati “harmony between nature and humankind is the most important component of Chinese civilization,” ati “China put the African elephant on the list of first-class wildlife species under special state protection,” ati China’s only current stockpile is 62 tons of non-poached ivory. Please bwana Mugo, help me out here!

Mugo: My honest opinion: it’s sweet BULLSHIT! There’s no doubt that the Chinese are a great people with an awesome heritage and great talent. It is that part of Civilization that gave the world the art of papermaking, gunpowder, printing and the compass (used, amongst other things, for navigability). But there’s another side to the Chinese persona that can be raw, vicious, calculating and unrelenting. It has a ravenous appetite that stops at nothing to get its fill: from big ticket items like African minerals and oil; to extorting trade secrets from US China-domiciled research center; to military intelligence garnered through cyber snooping. Even comparatively smaller menu items like shark fins are not spared.

The problem with Africans in general, and Kenyans in particular is our short memories and blind trust that makes us so amenable to be taken advantage of. If you ‘escort’ an ailing heart for an operation in South Africa with $5000, then ALL GLORY to you.

WANANCHI WENZANGU, AMKENI!!! MUSIKUBALI KUFUMBWA MACHO. Wake up to the fact that if nothing is done now, if the status quo prevails, in as short a time as 10 years, we’ll have no elephants and rhinos remaining to roam our continent – a large transfer of living wealth from Africa to the dead wealth Ornament rooms across South East Asia.

Mozambique which was awash with rhinos a few decades ago now has only one or two in the whole country which are encouraged to ‘get going’ to increase numbers. Ati text messages. How come the US or European embassies don’t send text messages to their visiting countrymen and women?

Fortunately, we’re seeing signs of movement in the right direction. Just today, we’re learning that 32 senior KWS personnel have been sent home pending investigations to finger the culprits vis-à-vis the high-level collusion of poachers with senior ranks at the organization.

William Kiprono, the KWS Director needs to be singled out for special mention. He’s working with another noted Kenyan – Inspector General Kimaiyo – to remove Somali herders who’ve leased large tracts of land in Taita-Taveta obstensibly for their commercial livestock endeavors (to fatten their herds). But poachers masquerading as herders have used this cover to visit havoc of elephant and rhino stocks. ALL KENYANS MUST JOIN HANDS WITH THESE SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO TURN THE TIDE ON A CALAMITY THAT HAS REACHED TRULY EPIC PROPOTIONS.

Even then, one has to realize that Kiprono and Kimaiyo’s combined efforts could not have been as bold or even evocative of hope were they launched outside the context of a reformist agenda that propelled the new Jubilee government to office. My wish is for the President to be focused on this issue and to be unrelenting in his behind and sometimes not-so-behind-the-scenes support for wildlife protection.

OPPORTUNITIES

Q: Asante. I think we should wrap this up now. But not before pointing out at least one area of Opportunity for Kenyans.

Mugo: I am impressed by K-Rep bank and its ‘Maji ni Maisha (Water is Life) project. The company has partnered with the World Bank and European Union to expand access to water in communities that suffer perennial water shortages. Reports have it that about 220,000 Kenyans have already benefited from these types of water projects. K-Rep provides 80% of funds while the communities – through funds such as CDF – come up with 20%. Where viability and sustainability are shown, the World Bank can provide up to 40% subsidies. This is a pick-up type story. You feel good because you know the right thing is being down by your fellow wananchi.

Just in closing, I urge any Kenyan of repute and influence to take 30 minutes to study the concept of Volunteerism as seen through the prism of TEACH FOR AMERICA. I say this because I’m really concerned about the demands of more and more money from so many sectors of the economy. To name a few, the JUDICIARY (can you believe this nonsense of wanting to spend 300 million to buy a new plane so Judges can be flown to remote parts???), the TRANSITION AUTHORITY, the LEGISLATURE, now TEACHERS all want more mullah.

Let’s explore how we can include the Youth on a volunteer basis in the development of our nation. It’s not a freebie. They would get vouchers for work done – whether it’s tree planting, lake cleaning (hyacinth in Lake Victoria), agriculture, etc. – which are redeemable as tuition payment at qualifying universities or tertiary institutions. Or perhaps redeemable through food via the National Cereals and Produce Board. Everything doesn’t need to be monetized.

Q: Haya ndugu, kwaheri. Mpaka next month na Asante for your participation.