Day: March 23, 2023

An estimated 5,194 households in Kieni Constituency will on Friday receive relief food from the National government. According to a schedule released by National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Nyeri County Drought Coordinator, Lordman Lekalkuli, the relief food distribution exercise will kick off in Kieni East Sub-County, which has been worst hit by the drought. ‘Our last food security assessment revealed that Thegu River (8,297 households), Gakawa (8,831 households) and Mugunda ward (8,975 households) are most affected by the drought,’ said Lekalkuli. ‘The National Steering Committee on Drought Response will distribute relief food to 1,362 households in Thegu river,1450 in Gakawa ward in Kieni East sub-county while 1,474 households in Mugunda ward and 908 households in Gatarakwa ward which are in Kieni West, will also benefit from the donations,’ he added. Data released by NDMA this month shows that Nyeri County is in the alert phase of drought with over 200,000 people in dire need of humanitarian assistance. In Kieni constituency alone, 80,000 households are facing starvation. The authority has also warned that the situation may not improve even with the onset of the long rains of March-April. ‘The key drought indicators are availability of food and access to water. The October 2022 rains were poor and the weatherman has forecast that the current rains will be depressed lasting between the last week of March to the first week of April. This below normal performance means that the food situation is likely to deteriorate further,’ said Lekalkuli who was speaking during the County Drought Steering Group meeting. At the same time, the Kenya Defense Forces has been drafted to rehabilitate 14 boreholes in Kieni Constituency at a cost of Sh3.5 million funding sponsored by World Vision. Lekalkuli said that work has already started in Kieni East which has the bulk of the dormant yet crucial boreholes. Those to be de-silted include Mathina, Ebenezer, Karaguriro, Thungari, Kamburaini, Msafiri, Mirera and Acacia among others ‘The county government through the department of water and the NDMA has already identified 12 boreholes in Kieni-East and two in Kieni-West for rehabilitation by the KDF. Additionally, we have provided water tanks for water harvesting to schools and we are in the process of rehabilitating the existing dams,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Pyrethrum farmers in Nakuru have a reason to celebrate after Governor Ms. Susan Kihika pledged to allocate the sub-sector Sh 27 million next year to enable the sector recover business. The governor said her government was committed to boosting pyrethrum growing by ensuring that at least an additional 1,500 acres of land was put under the cash crop in the next two years, adding that pyrethrum farming had empowered hundreds of farmers in the county who in the past depended on maize farming. ‘We are happy that the sector has picked up and we shall continue to support farmers through the provision of seedlings, processors and a market for their produce,’ assured Kihika. As part of the strategies to fully revive pyrethrum growing, Kihika indicated that her administration was working with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK), research institutions and other stakeholders to facilitate provision and distribution of enough quality seedlings to farmers in addition to increasing capacity of the pyrethrum processing plant. The governor made the remarks in a speech delivered on her behalf by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Agriculture Mr Leonard Bor during a stakeholders meeting in the pyrethrum value chain dubbed ‘Pyrethrum Caucus meeting’ at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) at Soilo in Njoro Sub-County. She said her government was working to ensure full revival of pyrethrum production by providing the necessary resources and incentives and by training more extension workers through a collaboration with Egerton University. The governor added that the county had established a call centre which was a one-stop shop where pyrethrum and other farmers could have their questions answered in real time to spur development in this critical sector. Kihika said her government will work closely with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) to ensure the seeds supplied to farmers are certified and suitable for planting in specific areas and advised investors in the lucrative industry to rethink their business model by ensuring they set aside enough money to pay farmers on time to enable them improve on their production. Kenya was once the world’s leading producer of pyrethrum but due to poor management of the defunct Pyrethrum Board of Kenya (PBK), the industry regulator, the business grappled with hard times for many years. In the 1970s and 1980s, Kenya used to produce more than 18,000 tonnes of pyrethrum annually. However, due to the many challenges, the crop production fell to about 60 tonnes. In 2022, production stood at 61 tonnes. The Agriculture CECM said that his team had put in place strategies to revive the once vibrant sector that controlled more than 70 per cent of the global market, adding that by doing so, it would create thousands of jobs for the locals. Bor noted that dedicating more land towards growing the crop was the surest way to increase production and assured farmers of getting good returns as pyrethrum had high demand globally. He said due to the global shift from synthetic to natural pesticides, pyrethrum farmers in Kenya stand to gain more if they improve production. He thanked the national government for its efforts in reviving pyrethrum growing, saying it will be a major economic driver for the region. County Agriculture Chief Officer Mr Kibet Kurgat noted that Kenya still had the potential to recapture its former 75 per cent pyrethrum world market share owing to the environment, legislation and the willing farmer base. He said after liberalization of the industry in 2013 following the enactment of the Crops Act (2013) and AFA Act (2013), the industry had witnessed a gradual increase of interest by farmers and investors at various levels of the value chain. ‘The European Union and the United States are keen on chemicals sprayed on horticulture products entering their markets and the local pyrethrum has a ready market owing to its high quality and low chemical use. Both European and America markets consume about 80 per cent of the Kenyan pyrethrum,’ Kurgat added. Nakuru County Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairperson Ms Isabella Makori said researchers at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) had developed high-yielding and disease-resistant pyrethrum seedlings to be distributed to farmers. Makori said the county government in collaboration with the central government was committed to supporting farmers in the sub-sector to increase the acreage of the crop to serve both domestic and international markets. She said the cash crop’s revival initiative also seeks to encourage participation of the private sector in the growing and processing of pyrethrin to make the sub-sector competitive after a decade’s slump. Makori appealed to the national government to fast-track modernization of the processing equipment at the Pyrethrum Processing Company which has a crushing capacity of 10 Metric tons a day for a higher processing capacity. Pyrethrum is grown in 18 counties with Nakuru, Nyandarua and West Pokot emerging as the main producers of the cash crop that was once christened ‘White gold of Kenya.’ The crop is also grown in Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Kisii, Kiambu, Narok, Nyamira, Nyeri, Baringo, Nandi, Meru, Embu and Murang’a among other counties.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Busia County is struggling with the increasing number of child labour and trafficking cases that are a threat to the future generation on education. This has been as a result of artisanal miner, fishing and hawking activities that have taken centre stage in the county. In efforts to address the scourge, Busia Children’s Department in partnership with Terre des hommes and both county and national government has launched sensitization programme to cross border traders from Kenya and Uganda and boda boda operators to help preach the gospel of save the child by stopping child trafficking and exploitation of children through cheap labour. Speaking at Breeze Hotel in Busia the Project Manager of the Child labour programmer from Terre des Hommes Mr. Evans Munga urged the members of the public to work closely with private sector in domesticating and amplifying labour laws and strengthening systems and structures ranging from regional collaborations to country engagements with the aim of streamlining the fight against child labour and other contributing exploitations. ‘Busia being a border town, and lack of awareness among the residents of Busia county remains the biggest challenge in the fight against child,’ noted Munga. Estimates show that 14 per cent of children in Busia County are victims of child labour as they are being exposed to serious hazards despite being at a young age which ranges from 5-11 years. ‘Busia is one of the largest harbors of child labor because of it being a border town and children are seen crossing through the border in search of jobs for money so as to cater for their needs. However plans are underway to eradicate child labor in all its forms by 2025,’ added Munga. His sentiments were echoed by Busia County Coordinator for Children Services Ms. Esther Wasige who outlined the causes and effects caused by child labor. ‘The main reasons that cause child labor include weak family systems, high poverty index in Busia, uncoordinated preventive and response mechanisms thus leading to children missing out on education, physical and mental effects and many of them suffer irredeemable psychological damages based on hazardous works,’ said Wasige. The organizations urged the government to provide support and help them set up rehabilitation and rescue centres that will aid in helping the children and give them social skills that would enable them to live better in the society. International Child Support Programme Coordinator Ms. Laventa Otieno urged the members of the society in partnership with the organizations involved to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced child labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking so as to secure the prohibition and elimination of all forms of child labour which includes recruitment and use of children as soldiers. ‘The debates we are having is aimed at sensitizing parents and students to appreciate that as they earn quick money in the mines and hawking, they can be more relevant to the development of gold mining in their area, once they have attained education,’ said Otieno. ‘We have many cases of child labour and several are not documented. We have reports of children who are trafficked to Kenya to work as house helps and others as attendants in restaurants, bars and lodges,’ she added. The organization now wants the county government of Busia to invest in child rescue centres to give new homes to the affected children.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Farmers in arable parts of West Pokot are delighted lot after heavy rains started pounding the area for several days now. The farmers who were worried about the long dry spell that characterized the last months of last year and early this year said it is a reprieve for them now that the rains have started with indications that they will be enough to sustain crop germination. Speaking to KNA, a farmer, who is also the Pokot South Council of Elders’ Chairman, Mastait Lokiles, noted that many farmers had prepared their land on time and planting is ongoing after it continued raining for two weeks now. ‘Some farmers had developed cold feet following last year’s long rains that began at such a time but disappeared for some weeks hindering proper germination,’ said Lokiles. He argued that since the rains started falling there has been consistency thus driving many farmers in the region to start planting this early unlike other years when planting normally takes place from mid-April. The farmers have lauded the government for supplying them the subsidised fertilizer that are going for Sh3, 500 per 50-kg bag. ‘I want to ask the government to consider increasing the supplies of the fertilisers to the region so that many farmers can take them immediately the planting season is here with us,’ said Lokiles. Many farmers in the region registered for the subsidised fertilizers and there have been long queues witnessed at the Kapenguria National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot. Peter Mnangat said he had decided to plant maize on his farm after the rains fell for several consecutive days. ‘As per this time there is a reasonable precipitation that will allow maize to germinate without any interruptions. We are hopeful this wetness continues through April so that those yet to establish their maize crops can do so comfortably,’ noted Mnangat adding that by next week his crops will have started sprouting.

Source: Kenya News Agency

At least 1,853 households from four wards in Makueni County will get assorted food stuff donated by the national government through the National Steering Committee on Drought Response (NSCODR). The beneficiaries are drawn from Kimakiu/Kalanzoni, Kilome and Kasikeu wards in Mukaa Sub County and Kee in Makueni Sub County being the worst hit areas by the prolonged drought that has failed crops for five seasons now. The revelations were made yesterday by the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Devolution Ms. Teresia Mbaika, while officially launching distribution of relief food to famine stricken families in Makueni County. ‘This is part of the national government’s efforts to cushion families that have been affected by drought countrywide,’ said Mbaika while flagging off the relief food distribution in Makueni at Mukaa Sub county headquarters on Wednesday. She disclosed that the beneficiaries who were drawn from Kimakiu/Kalanzoni ward total 500, will each receive 6kgs maize flour, rice 8kgs, cooking oil 1 litre, uji mix 3kgs and green grams 3kgs and it is expected to last them for two weeks. Further, the PS said that a total of over Sh 800 million has been spent to ensure distribution of relief food to nine counties that are classified as the worst hit by the prevailing drought in the country. The monies are being collected under consolidated fund with a slogan ‘Wakenya Tulindane’ that many people have given donations including Safaricom, Family, Equity, Kenya Commercial Banks respectively among others. The National Steering Committee on Drought Response (NSCODR) is chaired by the Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Mr. Peter Ndegwa where members include government and other organizations. The food to the other remaining wards, will be brought as from Thursday. In these areas, livestock have died though they did not say the number and children are malnourished as a result some have dropped out of school. During the event, the PS said that the national government will rehabilitate boreholes and also desilt dams in the affected areas to ensure they get water for domestic use and watering their animals. At the same time, Mbaika said that the government was also desilting dams in major national parks to avert wild animals from dying saying they contribute to the growth of the economy. On the environment, Mbaika noted that climate change is real and has impacted negatively on the globe saying everybody must play a part in conserving the environment in our country. ‘I urge the 47 counties to plan ahead of any eventualities. There is also a need to involve our young children in schools in conservation matters,’ she posed. Mbaika challenged the youth to support the government of the day while warning them against being misused by politicians. Addressing the same function, the Executive Committee Member (ECM) for Devolution Mr. Japheth Mangoka said that the County Government of Makueni has distributed relief food to 34 schools in Kimakiu/Kalanzoni ward. Although Mangoka did not disclose the amount of food distributed, he said that the county government will give green grams and sorghum seeds to farmers in the area to plant during this period. ‘I urge the farmers from Kimakiu/Kalanzoni ward to adhere to the government directive to plant green grams and sorghum seed during this period of depressed rain in the area. This is what will earn them good yields,’ said Mangoka. Makueni County Commissioner Mr. William Kaimba thanked the government for the food donation while saying there was a need to send more food to the area to cushion the suffering families. Speaking at the same event, Miss World Kenya Chantou Kwamboka who was representing Wakenya Tulindane, appealed for more donations from well-wishers while saying there was a need to educate children on farming. ‘I practice modern farming and our children should be educated about farming,’ she observed. Present included Mukaa Sub County Acting Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Elisha Kiogora, the Makueni National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Coordinator Ms. Alice Munyao and other senior officials from the national and county governments.

Source: Kenya News Agency

An eco-tourism site is set to be established at Iveti forest in Kathiani Sub County in Machakos as a tourist attraction while at the same time conserving the forest for sustainability for nature walks and relaxing. Machakos Forest Conservator Ms. Mary Mwai while speaking to the press at Iveti Forest during the International forest day, said that they are looking forward to getting visitors at the eco-tourism site to generate revenue for the county and also diversify recreational facilities on offer for residents and visitors to sample. She said it is important for Machakos people to find time from work to unwind and have fun at the eco-tourism site in the forest. ‘This will be a game changer for Machakos people and visitors from other areas where they will have an opportunity to enjoy nature walks, interact in social gatherings, and go for picnics,’ said Mwai. She said there are a lot of benefits that come from the eco-tourism such as zip lining which will attract people from all walks of life, thus bringing in money and encouraging more developments and employment opportunities. Mwai asked Iveti residents that the only way they will manage to establish an eco-tourism site is by maintaining the forest and protecting it from destruction by fire and deforestation. ‘I implore you to plant and maintain these trees in the forest and the ones at home because the benefits of trees are a lot since forest cover brings rain and freshens the air that we all need,’ added the Forest Conservator. She pointed out that Iveti forest, which is 347 acres, is the biggest and only gazetted forest in Machakos and so it is the responsibility of residents to maintain it since other counties have over 20,000 acres. Kathiani Deputy County Commissioner Ms. Mary Kamau encouraged Machakos people to take advantage of the rains and plant more trees especially along the river banks, water catchment areas, in institutions and their homesteads. Kamau hailed the people of Kathiani that after the presidential directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2030, they have managed to plant over 4,000 trees in the Sub County. She also warned Kathiani people against sand harvesting along the riverbanks, especially Thwake River and Muoni Dam. ‘We have talked to the people who are scooping sand, planting crops such as arrow roots and grazing their animals near Muoni Dam to desist because soon the dam will dry up,’ said Kamau. The International Day of Forests was proclaimed on March 21st 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly, to celebrate and raise awareness on the importance of conserving all types of forests. The Theme for 2023 is ‘Forests and Health,’ all countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees such as tree planting campaigns.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Voice to the Voiceless has partnered with the Kenya National Library Services to offer Kenya sign language classes to interested members of the public. Rahab Wairimu, one of the trainers, who has a hearing impairment, and her interpreter Elizabeth Miringu told KNA that they launched the programme in Nyeri last month after realizing there was a gap between the hearing-impaired community and other members of the public. ‘We also felt the need to introduce sign language here because it is a challenge speaking to people in private since you need to have an interpreter. Another reason is that it is difficult to get easy access to government services or any other services in places like supermarkets, banks and health facilities because most of these institutions and organisations here do not have a sign language interpreter,’ she disclosed. Wairimu said that working with the Library has benefited them since they get access to free internet for research, computer classes where the deaf can come and learn. The arrangement also enables readers who visit the Library an opportunity to learn about the program. To reciprocate they offered a one-week free training to the KNSL staff on Kenya Sign Language. She explained that the classes are for anyone who is interested especially for the basics level but for the advanced level they prefer someone who is already in possession of a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. ‘In recent days, we have noticed that a high number of those interested are mostly young women in terms of gender and age bracket. The classes are part time because it is more of practical work where the lessons are usually three times a week, with each session taking two hours usually from 4pm to 6pm or from 10am to 12pm,’ Wairimu said. ‘We charge a little amount of Sh20, 000 for the basic level and Sh25, 000 for advanced level which runs for three months each and is inclusive of registration, tuition, attachment and exam fees,’ she noted. Dorcas Wanjiru, a Form-four leaver and currently a learner at the library said that she decided to enrol in the training since it will be an added advantage in her future professional career. Wanjiru who intends to pursue Law reckons that the skills will come in handy in assisting those in need of her services. ‘I have met some of the hearing-impaired in public and was able to communicate due to this training. Initially, this was not possible since I did not have such skills and therefore was not much of assistance to such persons,’ she said. In coming years, the trainers hope to reach a large number of Nyeri residents especially those in the service industry. Wairimu explained that doing so will help create awareness as far as those living with the challenge is concerned besides helping in reducing stigma for the affected. ‘In order to inform a large number of people about the sign language classes, we reach out to the public through the churches, public announcements and also talk to the relevant health authorities under the county government,’ she said. She urged the county government to consider sign language classes or get interpreters to help the deaf community in communication when they need their services. Wanjiru further explained that there is a difference between Kenya sign language (KSL), British sign language (BSL) and American Sign Language (ASL) since in every country, they have their own culture and way of doing things. She however said there is no major difference between the three categories of sign language in terms of alphabet and numeric. International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is celebrated annually across the world on September 23 every year along with International Week of the Deaf. It is the same date that the World Federation of the Deaf was established in 1951. Currently, more than 1.5 billion people (nearly 20 per cent of the global population) live with a hearing loss; 430 million of them have disabling hearing loss. It is expected that by 2050, there could be over 700 million people with disabling hearing loss globally. According to the National Population Census of 2019, there are 153,381 hearing-impaired people in Kenya aged above five years. The report further shows that most of those people (129,518) were in rural areas compared to 23,843 in urban areas.

Source: Kenya News Agency