Category Archives: Kenya

Kenya: You’re invited to Nairobi SemaStory (Jan 21, 2014)

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From: Africa Live Art
To: jaluo@jaluo.com

Hello,

You are invited to the following event:

NAIROBI SEMASTORY

Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:

Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 7:30 PM to 10:27 PM (EAT)

The Blues Restaurant
Argwings Kodhek Rd
Nairobi, 00100
Kenya

The second edition of Nairobi SemaStory is here!!

RSVP here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1376996115882413/?source=1

SemaStory is an open mic event where the audience shares and appreciates a real life story. An oral story event event featuring a new theme each month…..so the stories are always fresh and entertaining.

We hope you can make it!

Cheers,
Africa Live Art

Kenya & USA: A Conversation with Our Legal Attaché in Nairobi

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From: Juma Mzuri

The FBI’s legal attaché, or legat, program places Bureau personnel in more than 60 countries around the world. Working primarily through U.S. Embassies, our employees serve at the pleasure of host country governments, and their core mission is to establish and maintain liaison with local law enforcement and security services. Such partnerships are critical in the fight against international terrorism, cyber crime, and a range of other criminal and intelligence matters.

FBI.gov recently sat down with Dennis Brady, the Bureau’s legal attaché in Nairobi, Kenya, to talk about our partnerships with the Kenyans and our work in that region of the world.

Q: What are the key threats in Kenya that impact Americans and U.S. interests?

Brady: The terrorist organization al Shabaab has been the biggest threat we face. Members of that group use IEDs [improvised explosive devices] to carry out terrorist attacks. They are known to throw grenades into local buses and attack local police officers. They also have a history of kidnapping Americans in Somalia—an area that our legat office covers. Piracy in Somalia is also a continuing threat.

Q: What types of FBI personnel are posted to Legat Nairobi?

Brady: In addition to our administrative and support staff, we have a special agent bomb technician, a member of the FBI’s counterterrorism fly team, and a Hostage Rescue Team operator embedded on a permanent rotating basis. So when something happens—a kidnapping or an act of terror or piracy—we can respond immediately with a full range of Bureau expertise.

Q: Is that expertise also used to help train Kenyan law enforcement?

Brady: Absolutely. Training is one of our key functions, and it’s been going on for years. We train Kenyan law enforcement personnel in a variety of disciplines, including crime scenes, IEDs, and tactics. We also provide instruction in areas such as fingerprinting, cyber investigations, evidence collection, intelligence analysis, interview techniques, and major case management. In the past few years, the Bureau has conducted more than 40 training sessions in Kenya and has trained more than 800 individuals. We also have 10 Kenyan graduates of the FBI’s National Academy who are still active in law enforcement. The Kenyans are very receptive to everything we offer and are enthusiastic, active participants in the process. What we provide supplements their own training and significantly improves their capacity to do their jobs.

Q: Does the training have other benefits?

Brady: Yes, it further strengthens our working relationship with the Kenyans and reminds us of how much we have in common. Kenya was formerly a British colony and has a European-style legal system. The police and defense forces are separate, and the country operates its law enforcement and courts under the rule of law. Kenya also has an extradition treaty with the U.S., so when we locate fugitives, we can get them removed through the legal process and extradited back to the U.S. to face justice. All of these things make for good partnerships, and that becomes critical when you are responding to a crisis like the Westgate Mall terror attack a few months ago. In a life and death situation like that, everyone needs to know they can rely on one another.

Q: On September 21, 2013, al Shabaab gunmen attacked the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi. Over a period of several days, they killed more than 70 people. What was the FBI’s response?

Brady: The attack started on a Saturday. I was called to the embassy, and we immediately began securing resources to assist the Kenyans. Our people were on the scene from the first day. The FBI’s role was—and continues to be—to facilitate, enable, and assist the Kenyan investigation and prosecution regarding a crime that occurred largely against Kenyan citizens on their soil.

Q: After the attack ended, what was the crime scene like?

Brady: Very complicated. Westgate was a large mall, four stories, with underground parking and an attached parking structure. In the process of fighting the attackers, there were explosions and a fire. The area where the attackers were had home furnishings that caught fire. The fire spread and continued to burn, causing that part of the structure to collapse into a pit that smoldered for weeks.

Q: Was it dangerous for investigators working to collect evidence?

Brady: It’s amazing we got our Evidence Response Team [ERT] people down into that pit. It was a very difficult place to work. While ERT was doing its work, every now and then a propane tank would explode or vehicles on the edge of the collapse would fall in and catch fire. But there was a lot of attention paid to the soundness of the structure and where we could reasonably collect evidence. Safety of the investigators was paramount. We had an FBI structural engineer and hazardous materials experts on scene in addition to our other assets. At the height of the initial investigation, the Bureau had more than 80 people on the ground there.

Q: Where does the investigation stand now?

Brady: The Kenyans have charged four individuals in connection with the terror attack, and the case is moving through the court process. The four are directly connected to the individuals who physically carried out the attack. Nobody is under the impression that we have fully identified the entire network in this attack, however. That’s why the investigation continues.

Q: There have been conflicting reports about what happened to the gunmen. Can you comment?

Brady: We believe, as do the Kenyan authorities, that the four gunmen inside the mall were killed. Our ERT made significant finds, and there is no evidence that any of the attackers escaped from the area where they made their last stand. Three sets of remains were found. Also, the Kenyans were on the scene that first day and set up a very secure crime scene perimeter, making an escape unlikely. Additionally, had the attackers escaped, it would have been publicly celebrated and exploited for propaganda purposes by al Shabaab. That hasn’t happened.

Q: All in all, are you pleased with how the legat responded to the crisis?

Brady: Very much so. Our people stood shoulder to shoulder with the Kenyans through some very difficult days. It’s also worth noting that it wasn’t just Americans helping the Kenyans. It was an international effort. But yes, I am proud of how the legat responded and how we were able to assist our host country when they most needed us.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2014/january/a-conversation-with-our-legal-attache-in-nairobi-part-2

KENYA: ODM IS BEING FIZZLED OUT OF KISII REGION

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News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisii Town.

The recently active participation in the just concluded by election in Nyaribari Chache by members of the “Nyandusi family” has spelt the looming signal of dooms and the end of CORD / ODM influence in Kisii region.

This is the family of the late Ex-Senior Chief Musa Nyandusi Ayacko who had ruled the entire Nyaribari Location with an iron fist for close to 30 years ever since 1930s, but still highly respected for what the former Chief did to the community in terms of introduction of modern agriculture, modern education, and massive development.

He was the father of the former cabinet Minster Simeon Nyachae, the former cabinet Minister, and the most abrasive politician. Nyachae is the founder of the Ford Peoples party, which once ruled supreme in Gusii region between 2002 and 2007. He has since retired from active politics, but his influence in the Gusii region remained intact to date.

Members of thus family brushed aside clan’s politics which usually dominate Kisii politics and vigorously campaigned for the winner Richard Tongi from the minority Boguche clan.

The Nyandusi family belonged to Abanyamasicho, which is part of a group of the amalgamated eight sub-clans called “The Kambanane”. This group boosts the voting strength which is in excess of 30,000 registered voters in Nyaribari Chache.

The ODM/CORD also got a big thrashing in Bomachoge Borabu by – election where the Jubilee’s Joel Onyancha beat its candidate Peter Kimori hands down.

ODM Leader Raila Odinga and other party luminaries campaigned for their candidates in both constituencies, but it ended in total disappointment.

However, the party mostly blamed its usually flawed and poorly managed skewed nomination system. The party adamantly ignored the plea by voters in Gusii who had demanded that the party should conduct preliminary nomination exercises to enable the voters to send up the most popular candidate. ODM instead came up with hand-picked candidates named from its Orange House head office in Nairobi, understandably due to the ever present of many brokers and tried to impose them on the Kisii voters.

It should be remembered that the ODM lost close to 10 parliamentary seats, which were considered very safe in its stronghold electoral areas. in Western Kenya to its competitors during the March 4,2013. It lost the following seats which include Kuria East, Kuria West, Teso North and Teso South. Also lost were parliamentary constituencies in Luo-Nyanza of Alego/Usonga, Muhoroni, Kisumu Town West, Awendo and Migori governor position seat went to Omingo Magara’s little known People Democratic Party {PDP} whose tickets were also used by Migori governor Zachary Okoth Obado and the Awendo MP Jared Kopiyo.

The most intriguing aspect of the recent by elections in Kisii only two party MPs supported ODM candidates. These were Richard Onyonka [Kitutu Chache South and Simon Ogari [Bomachoge Chache. and T.Bosire of Kitutu Masaba. The South Mugirango MP Manson Oyongo Nyamweya openly threw his weight behind Tongi who contested by Nyaribari Chache seat on Ford People party ticket thus attracting the backing of the mighty Nyachae family.

The CORD/ODM coalition, however, is still counting on the support of its few left stalwarts like Senator Chris Mogere obure, Nominated Senator Janet Ongera, Kisii governor James Ongwae and his Deputy Joash Maangi abd Women Representative Anne Otaraand several Ward Representatives. However, the gong appeared to be hard on the Raila Odinga party, which had ruled supreme in Gusii between 2007 and 2013 bagging nearly all the parliamentary seats. In Kisii and Nyamira Counties. The party should rebrand itself and strategize for 2017 general election. It must go back to the drawing board and usher in the necessary reforms in its electoral nomination system by avoiding many political brokers and hirelings.

There is clear evidence that many people in Gusii land now prefer the Jubilee coalition and the party of President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto should expect a great influx of people migrating from ODM to the Jubilee within the next few months.

Opinion leaders in Gusiiland, however, are saying the are not happy with the recent appointment of parastatal chiefs by President Uhuru Kenyatta whguch excluded Prof. Sanm K. Ongeri the former Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during the defunct PNU/ODM coalition Ongeri the most astute and dynamic politician who is arguably the most experience leader in the region has yet to be given any appointment despite having campaigned vigorously for the Jubilee coalition.

Ends

KENYA: KISUMU CLERGY UP IN ARMS AGAINST THEIR OFFICIALS

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By Our Reporter

Members of the clergy drawn within Kisumu Town are up in arms against two officials of their umbrella body called Kisumu Pastors Ministries Fellowship and Church Network whom they accused of having duped them to pray for Governor Jack Ranguma during a thanks giving in which the Governor.

They said the duo Reverend Wendy Magan and Bishop John Kuyo took away with them all the money which were collected that day in form of offerings and told them to tell them how much the offerings were.

The agitated clergy who spoke to the press after failing to meet Governor Ranguma in his office have vowed to camp at his office daily till they are paid for services rendered.

“The Chairperson of the Network together with another man who introduced himself as Ranguma’s cousin called us for a meeting and told us to turn up in large numbers to pray for him at the Jommo Kenyatta Sports Grounds which we did on the promise that we would be paid kshs 10,000 flat rate so that we wash our clergy frock with, to date we have not received the money and they don’t pick our calls, look at us how we look like,broke,tired and whether beaten” they lamented.

Through their spokesman, the Clergy also vowed to get the said money through hook or crook and warned Ranguma of their curse if he refuses to pay the said money.

“We are telling him that should we not be paid by Friday then we will call for overnight prayers to curse him and his leadership, either he pays the said money or begin a spiritual with us as we talk to the almighty God directly “ they added.

They further added that some of them had projected to take their children to school with the said money and use the remainder for other uses and now their plans have come to hilt.

Asked by this reporter why they demand to be paid for prayers yet the prayers should be free, the clergy never gave any direct answer but quoted a verse which says that “one should eat from his sweat” and what that’s exactly what they are doing.

“If Governor Ranguma thought the lunch he gave us was our payment then he is misled, we will get him from every hole he is in, he better owns up and pays us”they added.

Contacted for comment the Chairperson of the network failed to answer any of our sms but the said Ranguma cousin said the Clergy should be patient as they are compiling their details so that they are paid.

“We have a list of those who attended the prayers and we will pay them depending on their seniority, the payment will not be the same as we have a pecking order of seniority, in fact those who are making noises do not even have churches and I doubt if they indeed prayed for Ranguma” he added.

He made it clear that the clergy should not expect any penny from the offerings obtained that day as the said collections went to logistics adding that they will eventually be paid “however long it takes”

KENYA: FARMERS CALL FOR SPEEDY PRIVATIZATION OF MIWANI AND MUHORONI SUGAR COMPANIES

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

DISCONTENT is high up among the sugar cane farmers in the Nyanza sugar belt over the seemingly endless official receivers management of two sugar companies.

Miwani Sugar Mill and Muhoroni Sugar Company Limited, all government owned parastatals, were placed under the official receivership management in April, 2001. The then Agriculture Minister, Chris Mogere Obure, said at the time that the two companies were to be under the joint official receivers for protective purposes. THe receivership for Miwani was to last for three months while the Muhoroni Sugar Company was to last for six months

In the case of the heavily indebted Miwani Sugar Mills, Obure said government was to appoint financial experts to write its books of accounts and offset its debts. Miwani was heavily indebted to banks, suppliers, cane farmers and workers to the tune of about Kshs 4 billon.

At the time, Miwani had planted cane crops in its 9,700 neucleus farm, which experts had estimated that when harvested, crushed into made sugar and sold would generate sufficiently enough cash money which could offset its debts.

HOWEVER, Reports making the round says that the resources of the two public companies were later subjected to massive vandalization of the highest order. Following the appointments and dismissals of team of joint receiver managers after the other.

And ever since 2001 year after years passed without any signs as to when the joint receivership management would be lifted. Miwani the oldest sugar factory I the country grounded to a halt and stopped crushing cane about five years ago, while the ailing Muhoroni Sugar Mills is still functioning, but and ailing and limping.

Muhoroni MP James Onyango K’Oyoo recently raised objection to the latest appointment of the joint receiver manager of persons of not well proved credibility who however, stood his ground

The songs about the privatization of the five government owned sugar companies have been in the air for the last two decades while the joint receiver managers have continued milking the resources of the two companies. The deals also involved the Kenya Sugar Board KSB}, which is the official regulating body in the sugar industry as well as the parent Ministry.

The appointment of joint official receivers is said to be attracting a lot of goodies, thus confirming allegations and claims that the two companies have since become the “milking cows” for some unscrupulous Ministry’s officials and board members.

The farmers in both Nyando and Muhoroni districts now want the government to expedite the privatization of Miwani and Muhoroni Sugar Companies.

Other rumors making the round within Kisumu and its environs the round within Kisumu and its environs is say that an influential and crafty entity is currently working in cahoots and clandestinely with the wealthy Indian business while targeting the Miwani’s 9,700 acres nucleus estate land for the grab. A source has confided to this writer that it won’t take long the farm which has been subject to a heated exchange between the farmers and the receiver managers as well as protracted legal tussle through courts between the wealthy Indian businessmen in Kisumu is grabbed by the politicians and his collaborators.

The residents of Kano plains and the surrounding rural location are now urging the government either to hand over the two sugar mills to credible investors altogether with their assets including farms. They are insisting that anybody interested in Miwani and Muhoroni Sugar Mills should be ready to invest in the two companies with their crucial land farms intact as it could only play pivotal role in boosting the economy of the region if they are resuscitated and floated for privatization to investors.

The Kano people as well as farmers in the Muhoroni, Chemelil, Kibios,Koru, Fort-Tennan and those farming in the surrounding Locations of South East and North East Kano, Miwani and Kibos. Anything short of this will not be tolerated by the stakeholders.

The farmers are now bold and want the government to kick out the official receiver managers out of Miwani and Muhoroni as their presence is undesirable. This is because their resources. Five sugar companies, which are still under the public investments included the Awendo-based Sony Sugar, Chemelil, Nzoia, Miwani and Muhoroi sugar companies.

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KENYA LAWYERS BODY TO CHALLENGE GOVERNMENT BILL IN COURT

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To: jaluo @ jaluo dot com

By Agwanda Saye

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) will seek to be enjoined in a suit challenging the controversial Kenya Information and Communication Amendment (KICA) Bill 2013.

The LSK Secretary/CEO Mr. Apollo Mboya said that the Society has instructed Senior Counsel Mr. James Orengo over the public interest matter.

“LSK has instructed Mr. Orengo to have it enjoined as an interested party in the suit scheduled to be filed by Senior Counsel Paul Muite challenging KICA Bill,” Mr. Mboya said.

Mr. Mboya said that LSK is seeking to be enjoined as an interested party for purposes of articulating the broader constitutional issues.

“Our concerns are on the freedom of expression and information with a view of safeguarding constitutional provisions on the same,” Mr. Mboya said.

Mr. Mboya said that one of the objects of the Society as provided in the LSK Act Cap 18 is to represent, protect and assist members of the legal profession in respect of conditions of practice and otherwise.

“The KICA Bill raises several constitutional questions…we have further analyzed the President’s Memorandum on the Bill and its implications on the Media Council Act 2013,” Mr. Mboya said.

The LSK Secretary/CEO said that even though President Uhuru Kenyatta forwarded a Memorandum on the Bill to Parliament, it did not adequately address the constitutional issues therein,” Mr. Mboya said.

According to the analysis, the complaints commission should be retained under the Media Council Bill as the sole body to regulate professional ethics of journalists.

The Multi-Media Appeals Tribunal undermines constitutional principles on free and independent media under the principle of self-regulation and co-regulation.

“The Media council of Kenya should also be allowed to set standards and continue enforcement of professional ethics in line with Article 34(5) of the Constitution,” Mr. Mboya said.

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KENYA: KISUMU MAGISTRATE WHO FREED JOURNALIST’S ATTACKERS SACKED

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By Our Reporter

Kisumu based Magistrate Phylis Lusia Shinyada who set free four men who violently robbed a Kisumu based journalist has been sacked and found unsuitable to be a judicial officer by the Sharad Rao led Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board .

Shinyada had in late 2012 freed the four men ostensibly due to what she said was luck of evidence despite crucial exhibits having been brought to court by the Police.

While releasing its ninth announcement on determination on suitability of Magistrates and Judges the board also found the following Judges unsuitable to be judicial officers; Anne IreriRuguru, Douglas Musa Machage, Gilbert Kimutai Too,George Rachemi Sagero,Joseph Riitho Nduruni, Kinaro Dennis Abraham, Ruth Benta Maloba and Timothy Ole Tanchu .

In regard to Hon Shinyada the board made the following recommendations after having received four complaints against the Magistrate;

. In Complaint one, the complainant alleged that in Kisumu CMCCR. No. 393 of 2012: the magistrate did not take down accurate proceedings, and was bribed. He claimed that the magistrate omitted part of his testimony from her court record. The complainant, who appeared and testified, stated before the Board that the magistrate was on her phone all the time intermittently recording his evidence and paying little or no attention to his testimony. The complainant further averred that he believed the bribe was paid because the accused’s parent indicated their intention to bribe the magistrate if the out of court settlement failed.

In her response the magistrate vehemently denied ever receiving a bribe in the matter or ever in her practice. The Board was not convinced that the magistrate kept a proper court record. The Board also wondered why she was quick to find that no prima facie case had been established through argumentative reasoning in her ruling that went

against the known principles enunciated in Bhatt vs Republic36. The magistrate after a discussion of the issues admitted that she may have acted hurriedly. She attributes it to lack of experience and mentorship. She stated that there is no training or guidance given to junior magistrates on joining the bench. She states she was not bribed and that her action were very honest and above board.

36Ramanlal Trambaklal Bhatt versus Republic [1957] E.A. 332 it was stated thus:-“Remembering that the legal onus is always on the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, we cannot agree that a prima facie case is made out if, at the close of the prosecution; the case is merely one which on full consideration might possibly be thought sufficient to sustain a conviction.”

The Board finds that the bribery claim remains unproven. After a lengthy discussion the magistrate appreciated that it would have been prudent to put the defendants on their defence.

The second complaint was that in Kisii CMCC No. 88 of 2007 and No. 67 of 2009, the magistrate issued orders releasing the complainant’s motor vehicle to the plaintiff contrary to the orders issued by the High Court in Kisii. In her response the Magistrate stated that the case before her was not the High Court Case and that she had no intention of undermining the High Court’s findings on the same issue in a separate case. The Magistrate indicated that she took over the matter at the execution stage. It is clear that she never concerned herself with the decision of the High Court thereby making a contrary decision one year down the line. The Magistrate regretted her action. The Board finds that the Magistrate failed to exercise sufficient diligence in the matter.

The third complaint was that in Kisii CMCCR. No. 799 of 2011, the Magistrate threatened the accused with civil jail if he continued requesting to cross examine the witness. That the Magistrate was hostile to the complainant’s wife when she appeared before her to inform the court that her husband who was the accused was not feeling well. That the Magistrate further denied the accused the chance to cross examine the witnesses and refused to recuse herself. That she further rejected the probation report issued to her and ordered the probation officer to amend it to her desires.

The Magistrate’s response to the complaint was well explained. The complainant was unable to substantiate the issues and therefore the claim remained conjuncture and unproven. It was clear however that the Magistrate failed on her part to explain to the

Accused person his right to recall witnesses who had testified, when she took over the matter37. The Magistrate was well aware of this right but failed to ensure the accused enjoyed it. The Board felt that the conduct of the Magistrate on this specific matter painted a bad picture of the judiciary to the public. The Magistrate acknowledged the oversight and was remorseful for the same.

In complaint number four the complainant alleged that in Kisii CMCC No. 730 ‘A’ of 2009, the Magistrate adopted an incompetent surveyor’s report to determine a land matter and disallowed the complainant’s application for review on grounds that the complainant had filed an appeal despite having knowledge that the said appeal had been withdrawn.

In her response, the Magistrate was unable to substantiate why she never heard the review application despite the withdrawal of the appeal having been brought to her knowledge. The magistrate failed to quote authorities she relied on in her ruling. The Board felt that it was the duty of the Magistrate to ascertain that expert witnesses appearing before her are competent. Her failure so to do in this matter resulted in her recording evidence from an imposter surveyor. The Board concluded that the magistrate greatly relied on technicalities when writing her judgment in the matter. This was a deliberate infringement of the accused’s rights contrary to the provisions of the Kenyan constitution.

Complaint number five was from by a Law Firm who alleged that in Kisii CMCC No. 62 of 2010, the magistrate made an ex-parte order on an application which was already spent. That she declined the complainant’s application to summon the agricultural officer. She further proceeded with the matter ex parte and without ascertaining whether the mention notice was properly served thus denying the advocates the opportunity to peruse the agricultural officer’s report and or to cross examine the officer and proceeded to deliver the ruling on the matter ex parte.

Although the Magistrate denied all the allegations, it came out clearly that the Magistrate failed in several respects. The Board noted that the matter actually proceeded severally

without the defendants, and no notation is made on the Court record on whether the defendants had been served or not. On one occasion the defendant appeared ex parte and had interim orders that had lapsed extended. The Board felt that this conduct was inconsistent with judicial requirements of impartiality and fairness. The record indicates that the Magistrate greatly compromised the defendant’s rights to a fair hearing. The Magistrate explains that it was not intentional and regrets the same. The Magistrates conduct in this matter was quite despicable.

The Board felt that although the Magistrate’s language and writing skills in her judgments were commendable, she constantly failed to quote the law and decided cases in her judgments and rulings. Her judgments lacked good legal reasoning and displayed a poor analysis of the issues. She cited lack of proper induction, mentoring and training as the cause of her errors. The magistrate states that this is the first time in her career of about five years that anyone is pointing out her mistakes to her, and that she is very grateful to the vetting process, as it is also a learning curve. The Magistrate admitted that regular intervals of training and assessments would greatly improve their delivery. The Board unanimously determines that the Honorable Phylis Lusiah Shinyada is NOT SUITABLE to continue serving as a Magistrate.

KENYA: SUGAR CANE FARMERS ARE GETTING RAW DEALINGS FROM MILLERS

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

Reports appearing in heal media stating that there is discontent among sugar cane farmers over high cost of cane production in Kenya despite the country’s commitment to lift COMESA safeguard by March next year.

Cane farmers are taling myriads of production which are slowly driving farmers out of cane growing moving to other cash crops with letter return.

High cost of cane farm inputs, exploitation by millers , expensive credit and poor execution of regulations governing business in the sugar industry have seen farmers paint give in the production of sugar sub sector of the economy this year.

Nearly all the millers in the sugar cane growing areas have drastically reduced the price of van materials (cane) which had hit Konsoro two years age. The millers are charging huge transport fees.

On top of all the production, train cane farmers, corruption is also rampant in relation to cane harvesting programes rolled out by millers. Delayed payment and indication of deductions

Two new medium size white sugar processing factories were in southern Nyanza region Owal Wachara in Ndhiwa district, the other one in Trans-Mara, Narok county

At the commence business, the two mils when paying the farmers very competitive price of Ksh. 5,000 per metric from. In fact the seller industries in Ndhiwa was paying Ksh. 5,000 and not charging the farmer for transport credit. It has since reduced this to 3,800 per tonne and extra enhanced on the cost of transportation.

The Maasai farmers violently, protected against the unilateral increase in transport charge. They blocked the roads leading to the factory, forcing the operation to an halt at the Trans Mara suffer factory, said the same loader.

Similar problem has risen in industry mills, which is located at Wachara near Oria Narket on the border of Ndhiwa and Levivi Districts . Two mills, one located in places less than 5km from the area to base sony sugar company mills.

However, sony sugar has maintained its prices as rain comes at 480/- @ tonne plus transport lorry fees.

These are allegations and complaints that the Manager charged with the responsibility of harvesting in the Sukari Industries. as one solution of managing, demanded bribes from the poor farmers before carrying out harvesting cane from the farmers field.

This stop and move behind the scenes should he expose and investigated. It is even very sad at this time stage for it to occur.

The ailing Muhoroni Sugar Company has turned out to be a field for trading receivers at the expense of turning the factory around and selling it to strategic indicator with cane farmers getting 51 per cent.

Records and background of those being traded in may be shocking. How were they arrived at during this era of openness and transparency? Could one of the RECEIVERS have been involved in the run down of Mumias Out Powers Company where money COULD have been SWINDLED in purchase of very exorbitant and inflated priced cane transport trailers? Could one of Board which ensured that a situation that was meant to last only 4 month lasted forever on that the low rolled continue to the Milked?

If Milking has been enough can’t he call for a break so that the cow can be attended to by some health expert to ensure its health does not lead to total collapse and death instead of going for any “miller” who has no basic understanding of the cow’s health requirement?

Is it that those who tested other during the last elections must now eat?

Farmers are helpless.

END

KENYA: MUHORONI VILLAGE IN SHOCK AS 68 YEAR OLD GRANNY IS BEHEADED BY HIRED THUGS

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

RESIDENTS of Kanjuro village in Sidho East Location within Muhoroni sub-county, KISUMU County woke up last Thursday to a rude shock when they discovered that a 68 year old grand mother had been killed in a grisly murder and beheaded and some parts of the body missing.

The lifeless and mutilated body of Mrs Doris Amolo 68 year old grand mother Matete was placed on a plastic chair, while the head was kept besides it. Her both arms, particularly the little fingers were also severed off altogether with her lip.

Her 78 year old husband was in the house and they house door was locked from outside. The husband William Matete a retired employee of the Kenya breweries Limited had gonr blind, and the two were living alone in the house. Villagers became suspicious that something fishy had gone wrong when the deceased family house door remain locked from morning to noon hours. They later forced the door open when they discovered the body. The blind husband was still struggling to open the door locked from outside in vain.

POLICE IN Kisumu immediately swung into action and arrested three people. The suspect included a former civic Councilor in the defunct County Council of Nyando representing MSOGO Ward.

The police visited the home of a family relative and recovered several items suspected to have been stolen by the old woman’s killers. The items included a gas cooker, 50 corrugated iron sheets, several kilograms of roofing nails, 12 bags of cement. The police are holding the three who are likely to appear before a court in Kisumu to answer murder charges.

The deceased was the mother an unsuccessful aspirant for the Muhorooni parliamentary constituency in 2007 and now a director director of Algiers, East African Air Condition Limited in Kisumu.

After a thorough interrogation by the police, the two youths readly admitted that they were paid Kshs 20,000 by the ex-Councilor and were to be paid a balance of Kshs 30,000 to add it up to a total Kshs 50,000 upon the completion of the job. The youth told relatives and the police that they had taken the missing parts of the body to the e-civic leader to justify the payment of the balance money.

A local source confided to this writer that there has been a long standing enmity within the larger MATETE family arising from unresolved old land dispute,. The Ex-Councilor, it was further alleged is fond of issuing death threats to members of this family., Most of these threats were reported to the police. Last year his son by the name Okoth attacked the deceased and assaulted her causing her bodily harm when the old grand mother cautioned him to stop grazing hers of cattle in her home compound. The deceased reported the matter to the police. She was issued with a P3 form, which was duly filled by a competent medic who had assessed her injuries as grievous harm. The P3was handed to the Police at Chemelil Police, but for the whole year the police did not act on it until the deceased met her death last Thursday.

The grisly murder come within only a month after the parents of Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor were killed and their house partly burnt in Kabete, Upper Nyakach region.

Muhoroni MP James Oyango Koyoo strongly condemned the cowardice killing of Mrs Matete and appealed to the police to step up surveillance in the area with the view to wedding out criminal thugs who are making the lives of fellow citizens difficult.

Koyoo at the same time appealed to his constituents to co-cooperate with the forces of law reinforcement in eradicating The alarming increased in criMe waves in Muhoroni.

At the time of writing this report, residents were still wondering why the neighbor of the deceased in whoise house the stolen items were discovered, and who is a school teacher living only 600 meters from thre victim”s house had yet to be arrested and charged with the offense of hadling stolen goods or items he had reasons to believe were had been stolen. The man is still moving around scots free.

The Ex-Councilor, according to residents who requested for their anonymity is a man who is fond of bragging off saying he had a lot of money and can hire thugs to eliminate anybody who crosses his path and bails himself out free.

Ends

KENYA: THE POLICE SHOULD CARRY A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION ABOUT THE SEVEN ACRES NYATIKE BHANG PLANTATION FARM

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

Once again police in Migori have impounded a bhang haul with a street value of Ksh. 1.6 million near Sori Bay town in Nyatike district. The discovery of the drug comes only three days following last weeks discovery of a seven acres of bhang plantation farm on top of Kimaye Hill near Wath Ong’er in North Kadem location, Nyatike District.

In the first discovery forced the police to call up 100 officers’ reinforcement from nearby station. The officers also sought for the lorry. Lord of prison inmates from Migori. GK prison to associate them in uproading the bhang which an eye witness were planted were planted on 7 acres of land on top of Kimaye hills in central Kadem.

Rumors making the round allege that the six suspects who were taken into police custody to face the full force of the law were merely the employees of a senior politician in Migori County who is suspected to be the owner of the plantation.

The uprooted plants were packed in vehicles which took them to Nyatike District headquarters where the drugs was burnt and destroyed. Six men who looked like the workers in the farm were taken into custody and would appear in court in due course.

In the latest incident Nyatike OCPD, Richard Makwata confrimed the incident. He said the police also arrested two suspects who were transporting the bhang to a house within Sori town centre.

He said the police got a tip off from members of the public who saw the suspect move. He added that when the police visited the house they found the bhang heavily packaged in under containers and full bags ready to go into the market.

The police also impounded the three boda boda motorcycles which were used on ferrying the drugs were also impounded at the riders taken into custody.

This later incident comes only three days after police in the area destroyed seven tones of bhang plantation worth Ksh 50 million during the raid on secret bhang farm in Ngatiu sub-location of Mrori county .

More than 100 policemen were drawn from the various Police Administration and Police Ground Investigation departments.

The vast on the term which it is they alleged belonged to a pronounced politician this was only after the police tip was led by Midori Police county commission Clement Gitongo who said the police that reveled information of the existence of bhang farms along the banks of River Keja.

Consignments of bhang from Migori County have always found a way into the cities and towns.

Several motorist have been nabbed at the police road checks and road blocks far away in places like molo, Nakuru and Naivasha after finding their ways from Migori ,kisii Kericho, but only land intrusion far busy in the region . This is a clear indication the lucrative bhang trade involved some powerful politician in Migori who have been operating claimleely with help of local policemen.

The bhang trafficking business has been thriving in the region in for a long time. Most isolated hill-tops are known to be the hideout of bhang farms not only in Nyatike su-county, but also in the neighboring Mbita and Suba regions.

The drug-lords are said to be stinking in wealth and would therefore go into full length to ensure that vehicles transporting the products to the big Cities like Nairobi and Mombasa passes through the police road blocks unnoticed.

Ends

KENYA: UHURU SHOULD SERVE ALL 40 TRIBES EQUALLY

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from: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013

William from Kilgoris writes: “Fr Omolo I must admit that I am among your blog news readers who were offended with one of your homilies during holy weeks this year when your 11 years niece asked you tough question on why particular tribe feel they are the only one who can rule Kenya and eat national cake alone.

I saw your next postage of people who reacted angrily, calling you names, but now with these appointments going on I can confirm that I do agree with you fully. Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter is a bitter man.

He has not only faulted the appointment of former Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura as head of Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor Development Authority, but also wonders why the appointments only favour GEMA people. This is very dangerous.”

Thank you William for this observation-in fact the problem with President Uhuru’s favouring people from his GEMA communities began in October when he appointed members of the committee to research into possible ways that can return home the Somalis refugees from Daadab.

He appointed Daniel Njuguna Waireri, chairman, Joyce Wanja Mburu, vice chair, Wamuyu Mang’ondu, Gladys Njoki Muhia, Nyokabi Githiora, and Charles Karanja Thingira, joint secretaries.

Others were Elizabeth Nyanguthii, Stephen Kiraithe, Athanas Gichuki Mwathe, Christine Agatha Waitherero, and Hosea Kimkung Maiyo as members. Research teams were Dr. Githinji wa Muoka, and James Lee Mukora.

Several leaders allied to Jubilee are also bitter with Uhuru, not only because he made appointment on political favour, but more so because of appointing politicians who were rejected during the general elections, and that they are too old to lead.

They included former head of Public Service Ambassador Francis Kirimi Muthaura to be the new chairman of the Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Development Authority.

Matu Wamae, chair of the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries for a further period of three years, while Colonel Geoffrey Kingangi, National Cereals and Produce Board. Former Marakwet East MP Linah Jebii Kilimo, head the Anti Female Genital Mutilation Board for the next three years.

The new appointments also saw former Kibwezi MP Agnes Ndetei appointed to chair the National Drought Management Authority Board and former Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki, head of Kenya Medical Training College Board.

Former Makueni MP Peter Kiilu, Water Resource Management Authority while Mohamud Mohamed Ali, National Hospital Insurance Fund board. The National Alliance (TNA) party Secretary General Onyango Oloo to chair the Lake Basin Development Authority (He is the only young person in this category).

Former Konoin legislator Dr. Julius Kones will head the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation. Tana and Athi River Development Authority will now be headed by former Isiolo South MP Abdul Bahari as Joseph Musebe becomes state broadcaster Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Board’s chair.

Sammy Tangus will be the boss at Postal Corporation of Kenya while Edwin Yinda will head the Kenya Information and Communication board of directors. Professor Terry Ryan who has long served as a member of the Central Bank of Kenya’s Monetary Policy Committee has been tapped to chair the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, while Taraiya ole Kores will chair the Kenya Meat Commission. At the same time, Sam Kona will head the Kerio Valley Development Authority while Kitambi Digore will head the Kenya Maritime Authority.

Samwel Nyageso will chair the Kenya National Library Services Board, while Sam Njonde and Peter Kinya will head the National Sports Fund Board of Trustees, and the Kenya National Trading Corporation respectively. The appointments will take effect from January 14 next year if approved by parliament.

This is not the first time the Youthful Nandi hills MP Afred Keter put President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy in an awkward position when it comes to the appointment of key government job positions.

He said recently he will never apologize for speaking on behalf of the Kalenjin people because Uhuru/ Ruto have sidelined Kalenjins and that he will not shy away from telling them the bitter truth saying it only takes brave people like him to correct the wrongs.

He says Uhuru only appoints Kikuyus to permanent jobs in Government while leaving Kalenjins on temporary jobs in acting capacities for years, something which is unacceptable.

Keter is not alone in this battle. Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, has also expressed outraged at the appointment of former head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura to chair LAPSSET project.

Mbiuki, a hitherto ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, says leaders from Mount Kenya east will meet to review their support for the Jubilee regime over the appointments. He said it was unfair to bring back Muthaura to the public service after he retired and publicly announced that he is not seeking to hold office anymore.

Nepotism and tribalism are a national disaster in Kenya since independent. He says one can not marginalize a whole country in an effort to favor a few, arguing that Uhuru only favors one particular clan in Meru.

It has also been revealed that State-owned Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has some employees who had as many as five relatives on the firm’s payroll, Business Daily reports.

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539546/1917212/-/ro9df2/-/index.html

William and other readers of this blog, you should know that my campaign has always been that all 40 tribes should be treated equally. That is why I don’t agree with Alfred Keter who feels offended because his Kalenjin communities are not awarded jobs because William Ruto is deputy president.

I don’t also agree with some Merian leaders who say that they will not vote for Uhuru come next election because their communities have also been left out. This is what I am against and will continue that way.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ
UN Disarmament
Conference, 2002

Kenya: What is killing the Luo Community

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From: Gordon Teti
To: “jaluo@jaluo.com”

We shout loudest and act tactlessly without strategy. I should not be taken wrong here. I am not saying that whatever it is that made Baba dispense with Miguna Miguna during an election year was not serious enough to warrant the action taken because I do not know the reason(s) but the timing was wrong, and I was hoping that there were some lessons learnt, but it looks like it is business as usual for those jostling for favours within the King’s court with the resultant consequence of exposing the King to serious danger.

We make our actions and reactions so predictable hence our vulnerability. Let Kidero and Dalmas open the tap wider so that many of our thirsty and hungry people can quench their thirst and have something on the kitchen table for their starving children; there is completely nothing wrong with feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. Even more importantly, there is nothing untoward with educating the poor and orphans.

Warnings to Kampala and Nairobi Willing to Participate in Genocide

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From: Yona Maro

South Sudan’s neighbors threaten to step in to end fighting

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By Dr. Peter Kopling Joseph

December 29, 2013 (SSNA) –East African leaders on Friday gave South Sudan’s warring factions four days to lay down their arms after nearly two weeks of widening violence.

If they don’t, the leaders of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) warned they’ll “take action” to stop the conflict that the United Nations says has killed more than 1,000 and forced some 121,000 from their homes.

The group didn’t specify what sort of action it would take. But a communiqué issued Friday in Nairobi, Kenya, appears to throw the group’s weight behind South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.”

The above is an excerpt from CNN news online. If true then I must say I am bitterly disappointed but yet not surprised by the move of Kampala and Nairobi in particular. How can those who live in glass houses throw stones?

Museveni of Uganda, rules his people with iron fist and manipulates the constitutions to allow him to rule till death do him in and groomed his son to take over, he essentially murdered his opponents and democracy in Uganda, do we expect anything different from him than support one like him and that he understands Kirr and supports him? As I write his UDF are already fighting for Kirr at the frontline, so what is new here other than making it formal and now with kenyan support?

In Kenya the Kenyata’s tribe have ruled and monopolized power and economy which kirr is copying for his Jiengs in South Sudan. The Kenyan President himself is a wanted man, so why will AU and international leaders give us those with blood stein in their hands to mediate?

Is it surprising they would throw their weight behind Kirr who clearly has destroyed democracy in South Sudan and now have massacre women and children in the capital Juba, in the footsteps of these leaders who pledged him their supports?

Kirr committed the first sin of recruiting tribal militia; the same that initiated mutiny among them after Kirr ordered those opposed to his rule be arrested to include Riek. This same militia went about and killed women and Children and the elderly of the Nuer people not too far from Kirrs Palace and to say these leaders of Uganda and Kenya support such and these are the very same one to mediate who are now throwing threats here and there?

If these East African mediators are honest, they should and must condemn Kirrs Massacre of Nuer people in Juba, Which they have not done till today. Without which, Musevenis Soldiers who are already in the front line are now being Join by Kenyan soldiers to come and complete the genocidal ethnic cleansing of the Nuer people started in juba by Kirr. Is this really what Nairobi and Kampala are advocating for? Are they prepared for this?Have they really understood this?

Let the Kenyan and Ugandans ask themselves very carefully, when they join Kirr in the front line, who are at the other end of the firefight?

The answer is very simple; at this point it is the very same Nuer people who are fighting for their dear lives, preventing being wiped out by Kirr as he started it in Juba not just to topple Kirr. Their fight is a direct response to kirrs intents and massacre. Do the Kenyan and Ugandan wants to make it easy for Kirr to complete his work of genocide and ethnic cleansing?

I am not a Nuer but a very concerned Southern Sudanese and I must warn the Ugandan and Kenyan, the day you step into this war, it is the day the wait if over for the rest of us. We shall not stand by and see our Nuer brothers and Sisters wiped out by combined forces of Kirr’s tribal gangs and his foreign mercenaries. The rest of South Sudan shall join in and we shall fight it out to the very last man.

Given Museveni armies are already in the front line for Kirr and if Kenya too joints them, they have already lost credibility of being neutral and they should abandon mediation to Ethiopia and other world leaders, unless they are ready to participate with Kirr in genocide he started in Juba only halted by Riek and his forces.

Kenya and Uganda must not swallow kirrs poison and buys all that he says, The rest of South Sudan is watching closely, instead of pouring water, they are pouring gasoline and the fire that shall flair as a result, they will find it hard to extinguish.

He who maintains Silence in the face of massacre is a murderer

Dr Peter Kopling Joseph can be reached at drkopling@aol.com

PRESIDENT KENYATTA HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT HIS LOYAL SUPPORTERS TO THE POSITION OF TRUST

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo IN Kisumu CITY

Those politicians making noisy over the appointment of of parastatal heads have got it wrong. They ought to have known that such coveted appointment are not done by tht President single handedly, but only after a thorough consultation involving other arms of the government including the security intelligence for clearance.

This has been the tradition in Kenya ever since the country become independent in 1963 and thtrefore not the creation of President Kenyatta alone. Apart from the clearance by the department of the security intelligence it also required the approval and implementation of the parent MINISTRY INVOLVED.

What counts most is one’s total loyalty to the head of state who is the appointing authority and the government. The President of the Republic of Kenya cannot wake up in the morning and announce such appointment without proper consultation. And it is constitutional prerogative to do so without knelling down before anybody.

Ambassador Francis Muthaura comes in with the wealthy of experience in public administration and I do not see anything wrong for him being considered for such a plum job. He is more than qualified and his age cannot be a barrier to the job. Let the noisy making politicians respect the country constitution that empowered the President to be the appointing authority.

Some of the vocal critics of the appointments perhaps would have wished to see their political cronies given these jobs despite of experience and qualifications. We are still smarting from an era where one Leader had appointed close elatives and cousin’s t 21 of the plum jobs. This what happened during the PNU/ODM coalition. Such shameful acts should not be allowed to happen again in Kenya,

I can challenge those who are vocal over President Kenyatta’s appointments in parastatals and quasigovernment organizations to give us the breakdown of what happened during the coalition government.

Leo Odera Omolo

KENYA: CRITICISM AND ATTACK ON GOVERNOR KIDERO BY LUO LEADERS IS UNCALLED FOR

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu CITY

The bunch of Luo MPS and leaders attended the so-called consultative meeting in Bondo last week. They denounced the Nairobi governor Dr. Evans Otieno Kidero for his effort to assist the poverty ridled community by conducting a series of high profile Harambee fundraising towards socio-economic projects in Nyanza was misplaced.

These gentlemen of parliament should know that the index of poverty in Luo-Nyanza is the highest in this country. Therefore, the community would definitely welcome anybody who is readily coming to their assistance with both arms. The region therefore needs a foresighted person like Dr Kidero who is mindful of the less fortune members of the society.

Some of the leaders who spoke the loudest should perhaps spent their valuable hero worshiping individuals instead of making any meaningful contributions to wards development activities in the region. One of the examples is the Homa-Bay Senator, Gerald Otieno Kajwang’ who spearheaded anti-Kidero debate, was first elected to represent the larger Mbita Constituency in Parliament before it was splintered into two parts with the creation of Suba South or Gwassi constituency some years ago. Kajwang’ later jumped the ship and relocated his politics to HOMA-bay County and contested the Senate seat, but left nil record of development in Mbita. However, the Senator cannot account for any single economic or infrastructure project he had initiated and completed in Mbita after being in Parliament for close to 17 years.

The outspoken Senator can only be remembered with the song lyrics of Bado Kuna Mapambsno as his only legacy in Mbita. He was eventually forced out of Mbita which he left in a huff after sensing defeat early this year and relocated his politics to HomaA-Bay town for the purpose of hoodwinking the voters in the larger County.

Kajwang’ entered into Parliament almost at the same time with the late Joshua orwa Ojode, the former Ndhiwa MP who was elected in 1974. Ojode, however, left behind a remarkable record of development in Ndhiwa. The MP who converged at Bondo and vilified Kidero are some of those leaders still happy when presiding over the Poverty ridden people, while some of them are swimming in ill-gotten wealth. They should know that hero worshipping politics is now outmoded and has no place in modern society,

Instead of criticizing Dr Kidero, the MPS should strive to sensitizing their people to compete with their neighbors in wealth creation. The Luos have been wallowing in abject poverty ever since this country attained its political independence in 1963, while other neighboring communities moves much faster and turned their areas.

Good example is the comparison of Kisii town and Kisumu CITY. While Kisumu is lagging behind in development, activities in Kisii town are very competitive while Kisumu is stinking in dirty garbages and broken sewerage lines which goes for weeks unrepaired.

Let these MPS come up with tangible ideas on how the Luo-Nyabza could move much faster and catch up with other regions, instead of polarizing the region with deceitful politics, which are full of empty slogans.

Ends

KENYA: A MAASAI WOMAN ESCAPED DEATH AT THE JAWS OF ROGUE MALE LEOPARD.

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Reports Leo Odera Omolo

Cases of wildlife – human conflict still persist in Kenya with fresh report which emerged during Christmas holiday. A middle aged Maasai women narrowly escaped death after she was attacked by a full grown male leopard while fetching firewood in a village near the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is in a Narok land, 80Km – 250kilometres southwest of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

The victim who was alone in a thicket reportedly encountered the beast on X-mas eve at a place called Aitong area

Officials of the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) said the women escaped with some minor injuries on her hands, face, head and back

She had gone to fetch firewood to prepare supper for her family when the incident happened. The KWS official Benard Karua said she is lucky to be alive because moments after the attack one raised alarm which scared the beast away

The KWS hinted that the woman is entitled to compensation for injuries following the – introduced wildlife conservation management- act placed by parliament

In a separate incident of 15 years old boy was killed while a 13 year old girl escaped with broken limbs when they were attracted by a crocodiles which testing water in the River Tana in Garsen, Tana River County in Kenya’s coastal region.

Eye witness saw the body of Abdi David, a herdsboy, that had yet to be recovered at the time of writing this time report.

They said the girl, Leila Santuri, a standard five pupil at Garsen Primary School, suffered broken limbs during the attack.

Both her legs were broken during the vicious attack by the reptile. She was rushed to Malindi Hospital where she is receiving treatment.

The hospital authority confirmed that she was admitted to the facility on December 14 but decline to disclose about her latest condition. She is, however, responding well to treatment.

Another brother of the two victims was attacked and killed by a crocodile in the same spot in 1990, but the government has yet to compensate the family.

The Ward Rep for Garsen and the family of the herdsmen called on the KWS to s build the protective measures as a part of its corporate social responsibility to prevent crocodiles from attacking those villagers fetching water.

ENDS

HIGH COST OF LIVING IS TO BLAME FOR SUICIDE IN KENYA, SAYS FR WASONGA

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

The parish priest of Blessed Sacrament, Oriang Catholic Church in Homa Bay Diocese said on Sunday that the high cost of living in Kenya is to blame for rise of suicides cases. Delivering his homily based on the feast of holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Rev Fr Christopher Wasonga said urgent action is needed to address the situation.

Father Wasonga was referring to recent media reports where a husband went berserk in Mai Mahiu, Naivasha killing his wife before taking his life as his children watched. The man in his late 50s committed suicide by hanging himself in his bedroom, hours after strangling his wife.

The man was said to be a sand harvester had earlier quarreled with the mother of four resulting in a fight. In the bizarre incident, the man was rescued by his two children after he tried to hang himself only to later on lock himself and take his life.

The Father also referred to an incident in Homa Bay where a man killed his family members and then committed suicide in Rodi Kopany Township of Homa Bay County. John Otieno, 40, killed his wife Linda Ochieng, 25, and two children before hanging himself at their rental house.

Otieno, whose original home is in Lela village, Migori County, was living in Rodi Kopany, where he sold clothes for a living. According to the Otieno’s mother, Consolata Otieno, her son and daughter-in-law had not quarrelled and she could not tell what prompted the killings.

He also mentioned the case where a woman, 27, killed her three children, seriously injured a fourth one and then took her own life at Matulo village in Siritanyi on the outskirts of Bungoma town.

Also in Vihiga where a 38-year-old man hanged himself in his sitting room and his wife hospitalised at Mukumu Mission hospital with grave injuries.

The deceased, Kevin Bunali, had four children both orphaned now as their two mothers had passed on earlier. He worked as a carpenter.

The wife, 25-year-old Judith Deizo, who is hospitalised, was his third wife and has no child with him. Since they got married earlier last year (2012), there has been no peace in that house as they have been fighting each other often.

Father Wasonga also referred to a case in a village in Uasin Gishu County where a man went berserk and killed his two children before committing suicide over a domestic dispute.

Julius Yego, 36, killed his two sons Franklin Cheruyiot, and Eliud Kipkoech aged 4 and 2 years respectively after a fight with his wife Damaris Yego. Confirming the incident, Eldoret West OCPD Ndung’u wa Ikonya said man after the heinous act hanged himself while the wife managed to escape.

During the mass attended by all Oriang family members from all outstations, Father Wasona also introduced Rev Sr Janet Owuor of Camilian missionary sisters from Oriang, Nyasore center who was celebrating her thanks giving mass after her final vows which took place on December 7, 2013 in Karen, presided over by Homa Bay Diocese, Bishop Philip Anyolo.

Just as Father Wasonga was deeply concerned, majority of Kenyans are optimistic that 2014 will be a lot better than 2013. According to a new survey, 21 per cent of Kenyans say 2013 was a “generally bad year”, with 7 per cent describing it as a “terrible year”.

Overall, this year was most disappointing to residents of Nairobi County, with 17 per cent of those polled describing 2013 as “terrible”. This assessment is partly attributable to the high cost of living in the city, which residents list at the top of their issues of concern.

Economically, there were disappointments too, owing to strikes involving teachers and doctors. And the fire at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in August which destroyed investments and lives of many families as did the terror attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, a month later.

Meanwhile, the question of unemployment remains a source of headache more to residents of Coast and Western regions at 60 and 58 per cent, with their counterparts in Central (39 per cent) least concerned with the challenge.

Jubilee said it would create jobs for young generations, but to the surprise Present Uhuru Kenyatta shocked Kenyans by recycling old losers in politics by recent appointments. This is indeed a political suicide.

Jubilee is on the process of retrenching civil servants. When this happens many children will not be able to go to school because their retrenched parents will not be able to cater for their school fees and basic needs.

Unless the amendments to the Finance Act of 2012, which introduced a 10 per cent excise duty on transaction fees for financial as well money transfer services are not made, many Kenyans are going to suffer a great deal.

Most young people graduate from school and there is no immediate system to accommodate them, this result into hopelessness and at times misery resulting in suicides.

Yet suicide in Kenya is not openly discussed, one it is treated as a criminal offence. The survivors of a suicide attempt end up in jail instead of a correctional mental facility. Where the individual managed to kill him or others too, the people close to the victim may refuse to report the case to government agencies for fear of being victimised or charged.

Yet still, suicide has taken a new trend in Kenya where teenagers between 13-15 years have increasingly resorted to it following what they term as failure in the national exams. This leaves them feeling worthless, depressed and incompetent.

For example, when the 2011 KCPE results were announced, the media reported several incidences of candidates who resorted to suicide when they did not perform as anticipated.

Family dysfunction such as divorce and separation also affects young people’s response to issues in life. Most of the young people who commit suicide do it with the mindset that they are punishing their parents.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ
UN Disarmament
Conference, 2002

KENYA: THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES IN NORTHERN KENYA AS TRIBAL WARFARE INTENSIFIED.

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By a special Correspondent

Reports emerging from the northern Kenya town of Moyale, which is close to the Kenya – Ethiopia border in Marsarbit county has its 48,000 people displaced following incessant fighting between rivals tribal militias groups have left the town in dissolute state.

Out of the 12 locations that make up Moyale sub-county of Marsabit County only a two people have remained in their homes which the track of the turn’s population estimated to about 82,000 have fled leaving only a few people behind following incessant fighting between the tribal militias groups, which has claimed dozen of lives in the recent past

The rural militias groups represented the various different communities which included Gabra and Burji on one hand and the Borans on the other.

It is only in three locations of Bori, Dabel Somare and Nana locations where people are still holding on to there properties. These areas are mainly occupied by members of minority Gorse and Sakuye communities who are not taking part in the ethnic war.

The regional parties’ boss in the area confirmed that the fighting had erupted in the area way back in July this year and has continued intermittently with properties worth millions of shillings destroyed.

At the same time the government has announced plans to disarm the armed police reservists operating in the war ravaged county. The deputy regional commissioner Kanunyaan Chedotum said the reservist who are commonly referred to as home guards, are reported to have been taking sides in the fighting on tribal line while using their licensed guns.

The home guards are supposed to supplement the work of the police but most of them have been tribal militias using the officially licensed guns which fighting alongside their tribal militias.

Moyale is the Commercial border town that connect Kenya with Ethiopia, is reported to the admires on its knees, especially from December 4, when the war erupted for the first time.

So far houses belonging to Boranas and Burji have been burned down.

The fighting recently intensified as the militias taught for close to five consecutive days using heavy artillery, and the train in those areas are said to be rugged making it impossible for security personnel to reach trouble spots. It is rushed into deep hills and valleys that are impassable. The region is rugged with deep hills and valleys that are impassable.

Kenya: Pres. Uhuru wa Kenyatta, you are not always right.

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From: [Eng. Muita]

No, this is not the Kenya we want. Please stop these kind of appointments. We want you to unite all Kenyans. I and ofcourse most Kenyans are not happy with the way you said that nobody should tell you who to appoint or not. Give other Kenyans a chance, this is what is required of you as a president.

Do we have somebody of a little influence who can forward the above message to the President?

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KENYA: KISUMU INDIAN BUSINESS PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN FEAR OF BEING TARGETED BY CRIMINAL THUGS

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By Special Correspondent

Members of the Asian business community are living in fear that they are being targeted by gun toting criminal gangs which has been terrorizing them.

The lakeside city which hitherto has been the haven of peace and security has of late been experiencing the alarming upsurge of crime waves which includes armed robberies, thugging and other petty crimes like pick pocketing.

A young Asian who recently graduated with a degree from one of the public universities was shot dead inside his parents shop down town. His killers have yet to be apprehended.

Ramal Kotak was just about to close his parents shop which is located in Accra street when two men, one of them armed with a pistol, walked in while pretending to be customers. They accused him, demanding money. He resisted. One of them opened fire and shot him at close range killing him instantly. The men ransacked the shop and took all the day’s collection, an unspecified amount of money, and walked away.

The killing of the young Kotak sparked off the day long boycott by the Indian dukawaka. The ships in the Central Business District remained closed for the whole of last Tuesday making Kisumu working like a shock town. The Asian merchants were protesting against insecurity which they claim has reached an alarming proportion.

A month ago an elderly European volunteer had his home in the posh Milimani Estate raided by a gang of armed men who strangled him to death.

In Kibuye area criminal thugs raided Midway Hotel, which is owned by Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo and robbed revellere money, mobile phones and valuables. One of the customers had a licensed gun .

In the same Kibuye area, a prominent surgeon, Mr. Opande, was shot and killed when a gang of criminals raided Wayside Bar. His killers are still at large.

In the same area a prominent businessman cum-politician Shem Onyango “Kwega” was way laid as he drove to the bank to deposit weekend collection at his kondele based fuel station. His wife who was with him in the vehicle sustained gun shot injury in her arm, but she survived and was hospitalized.

The thugs escaped in a stolen car with more than Kshs one million, which the deceased was taking to the bank at the time of the incident, which his believed to have been the day collection at his fuel station business. N all these nobody has been convicted to the for this serious crime offence

The town is full of thugs and petty offences such as mugging, pick pocketing sre the order of the day. At the Kisumu main bus terminal it is being estimate that close to 200 thieves are operating there targeting unsuspecting travelers who they rob with complete impunity..

Ends