Month: April 2023

Governors from Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Baringo counties have been urged to enhance their unity and advocate economic investment and also promote initiatives to foster peace. In a joint communiqué 57 professionals from the four devolved units indicated that towards finding a lasting solution to banditry and cattle rustling menace the counties should come up with a joint strategy of utilizing available resources and allocation of resources to boost industrial development and create employment opportunities. They noted that the counties face similar challenges that require unity of purpose to find lasting solutions through harnessing their joint economic power, potentials and resources. By doing so they added, the Governors would open doors for residents including the youth some of whom have been involved in acts of lawlessness, to do business and foster international trade. The communiqué that is a culmination of three day deliberations on finding alternative lasting solutions to armed conflicts in the restive North Rift was read in turns by Messrs Laurence Mutwol, Joseph Riwawale and Joseph Atan and Ms Alice Cherem on behalf of professionals from Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana and Baringo Counties respectively. Also present during the talks that were held at a Nakuru hotel sponsored by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the European Union. Similar talks are lined up for professionals from Samburu, Laikipia and Isiolo counties. The professionals stated that other than security operations, Governors, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies, Councils of elders and religious leaders should work with the national government in addressing the cultural, political, social and economic challenges that have escalated the conflict. These efforts they added should be complemented by heavy investment in the education infrastructure in the region. The incentives, they said, should range from free meals for pupils, availability of learning materials, scholarships for bright students, better remuneration and allowances and security for teachers working in these regions. ‘There is a need for alternative solutions, including infrastructure investment and revamping security, to open up the region for development and investment. Education is one of the best de-radicalization tools that can help reprogramme the cultural connection with banditry. Exposure to modern education will shift the banditry ideology and provide them with alternative knowledge, competence, and skills needed in modern society,’ the communiqué read in part. It went on ‘Leaders must acknowledge that failure to address the cultural connection with banditry will only provide temporary solutions. The government needs to integrate economic empowerment activities with de-radicalization approaches,’ The professionals indicated that forming an economic bloc would be a fundamental step that could open up the region to investments in tourism and other sectors that boost economic development, the cohesion of the people and peace through economic empowerment and initiation of multi-billion-shillings projects, transforming the local economy. While noting that it was encouraging to see the government change its tact by investing in drone surveillance technology, they highlighted a need to invest in community-based intelligence and inter-communal peace initiatives. They observed that constructive community engagements involving warring local communities in the volatile North Rift can play an instrumental role towards curbing banditry. The group maintained that a holistic and collaborative approach, that is community-centric and devoid of blame game and political finger-pointing, portends viable solutions to resolving the conflict. ‘With local communities taking a prominent role in crafting the solution, policymakers will be in a position of strength to make informed decisions on navigating the rough terrain. It is only the people of Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet, who can find solutions to their problems,’ The professionals noted it was time the communities developed mitigation measures before involving the government in the processes rather than the government taking the lead role. They said creating linkages between grassroots communities, the government and non-governmental organizations through collaborations and trust-building will go a long way in fostering peaceful co-existence in the region. According to them an all-inclusive community-led initiative would encourage cooperation and create incentives for collective action and assist parties to the conflicts to end hostilities as it enables addressing the root causes of the problem. ‘These communities have coexisted for decades and had ways of resolving conflicts. Giving them a free hand to develop and structure their solutions to the problem will provide appropriate insight into the issues at hand,’ read the communiqué. They called on politicians, religious leaders, civil society and opinion makers not to tire of sensitizing the community on the importance of education adding that banditry was not a sustainable lifestyle. The professionals regretted that banditry has frustrated some leaders and Kenyans of goodwill, who would like to see a long-lasting resolution that would usher in peace and development. ‘We must appreciate that a comprehensive, inclusive approach led by the community may lead to the recovery, reconstruction and development in these regions that have borne the brunt of resource-based conflicts for a long time,’ they said. Mr Kona observed that as there is limited or no education, there are few professionals in the areas and that they relied on imported services from other counties. While indicating that more than 50 professionals including security personnel have been killed in the four counties with Elgeyo Marakwet alone accounting for over 20 of the cases Mr Kona said that those sent to these areas always ask for transfers due to attacks and horrible work environments. ‘Not all professionals are lucky to survive the attacks. There have been reports of murdered professionals over the years. The police are not exempted from these deaths. The bandits indiscriminately kill the people sent to help, which leads to other professionals refusing to be deployed there,’ the Commissioner pointed out.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County Government of Nakuru has intensified its efforts to tap into sports tourism, through Sh800 million investments in building new sporting facilities and refurbishing existing ones. The devolved unit has also disclosed plans for collaborations with athletics, golfers and rugby players from the region to promote Nakuru as a tourism destination. Governor Susan Kihika said renowned sportsmen from Nakuru travel to many countries and have the potential to market the county’s rich ecosystem. She said that the county had invested Sh124 million in the first phase of the construction of the Keringet sports academy and a training camp in Ndabibit village in Kuresoi South Sub-County. The ultra-modern high altitude training centre, Ms Kihika pointed out, will help nurture talents from Nakuru and other parts of the South Rift region. Keringet has produced athletics champions including former world marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui and the reigning Olympics 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich. Others are national cross country champion Amos Kirui, former world marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui, world 800m bronze medalist Ferguson Rotich, 2006 world under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion Caroline Tuigong, Isaiah Kiplangat, Josphat Bett, Mercy Chebwogen, Roseline Chepngetich, Commonwealth Games 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal, Ronald Kirui and Alfred Ng’eno among others. Speaking when she inspected the ongoing Shs 600 million refurbishment works at the 74 year old Afraha stadium, Ms Kihika said her administration will exploit Kenya’s prowess in Rugby 7s, athletics, golf and other international sports to draw visitors to its national parks, historic and cultural sites. ‘Sports tourism is a low-hanging fruit for Kenya, and it’s inexpensive to promote and develop. Kenya has been offering sports tourism in such events as the Safari Rally, Kenya Open Golf Championships, World Athletics events, road races and at a small scale, athletes coming to train in Kenya particularly in athletics. Tourism has evolved over the years from Safari and the beaches to sports tourism. Sports tourism is becoming an important contributor to local and national social-economic development across the continent,’ noted the Governor. The World Travel Market puts sports tourism returns at $600 billion (Sh71.4 trillion) annually worldwide. In Kenya, the social pillar of Vision 2030 aims to use sports to improve social, economic, and political development. While indicating that Kenya is a global giant in athletics dominating long distance running in the last 70 years, Ms Kihika said beyond reducing unemployment rates drastically, there is national pride and patriotism to be cherished plus amazing talent developed in sports. Sports events are becoming a major driver of economic development worldwide. We estimate that globally, the industry is worth around $620 billion (Sh62 trillion). That figure represents a significant portion of the $4.5 trillion (Sh450 trillion) estimated value of the tourism industry. This was clearly demonstrated by last year’s WRC Safari Rally event in Naivasha which is estimated to have contributed Sh6 billion within three days. In the global arena, the sports tourism market is seen to be a fast-growing sector of the travel industry estimated at Sh60.7 trillion a year. Ms Kihika observed that sports tourism was a viable pathway for generating visitor spending and promoting a destination’s local attractions and outlying districts and added that sports tourism was great for the economy as it generates economic impact through direct spending. She stated that with the agreement of Kenya to hold WRC Safari Rally till 2026, sports tourism is set for a rapid growth. ‘It is worth developing sports tourism as this will significantly contribute to diversification of tourism products post-Covid-19. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the global tourism market is projected to grow between two and three per cent – with the sport tourism sector expected to grow in the region of 14 per cent. Indeed, many observers regard international sports as being one of the primary reasons for this global growth in tourism. Ms Kihika explained that the upgrade of Afraha Stadium to International standards delays was caused by the restructuring of some utilities that had passed through the stadium. Some of them include power lines and water pipes which supply water to the households neighboring the stadium. She added that the cost of materials such as steel had also changed, causing a restructuring of the contract which caused the works to be halted for a short period. ‘I can assure you that by June this year we shall have completed the first phase of this stadium’ she said. It should be noted that the first phase entails a modern football pitch, running track, changing rooms, parking space and a restaurant, among other amenities. The stadium will have a modern swimming pool, a gymnasium, a running turf and an outdoor gaming facility among others, joining the league of big stadiums like Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. The sports fraternity has termed the refurbishment a key move towards enhancing sports tourism in the region. Once completed, World Bank funded project is expected to hold up to 7,000 people. According to Governor Kihika, the ultra-modern Keringet sports complex cum training camp will help in nurturing talent and encourage young athletes in the region while at the same time tapping revenue through sports tourism. ‘The sports complex will be fully equipped to help athletes in training. It will also accommodate other sports in the county as part of efforts to improve sports in the talent-rich region,’ Governor Kihika stated. ‘We will have international athletes camping at the centre as it will be a state-of-the-art high altitude training facility,’ she added. The sports centre is being built in two phases. ‘Phase one of the ultra-modern facility will include construction of running tracks, field events athletics pitch, frontage fence, gatehouse, generator house, chain link fence for the entire academy and toilets,’ revealed Ms Kihika. The sports complex, which is being built on an over 20-acre parcel of land, will serve local and international athletes who have been experiencing lack of training facilities. Previously, athletes from Nakuru have had to travel to Iten and Sirikwa sports academy for training.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A total of 20 million tree seedlings are targeted for planting in the Rift Valley region by the end of June this year, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner (RC) Dr. Abdi Hassan has said. Already nine million tree seedlings have so far been planted in various public forests, public institutions, and private farms, said the RC. Speaking while leading a tree planting exercise where more than 11,100 tree seedlings were planted at Cengalo forest in Kesses constituency, Uasin Gishu County, Dr. Hassan said they are committed to achieving the target if the weather conditions continued to be favourable. ‘To achieve the target, we are set to increase our campaigns to engage all stakeholders to join in the tree planting efforts, particularly in degraded government forests,’ said the RC. He said the region’s target was in line with President William Ruto’s directive of planting trees across the country as a mitigation measure against climate change. Dr. Hassan urged residents to make tree planting a priority so as to increase the region’s forest cover and mitigate the effects of climate change. He said the national and county governments would continue working together to achieve the 30% forest cover as directed by the President during last year’s Mashujaa day celebrations. The country’s forest cover currently stands at 12%. In the past, some people had formed a bad behaviour of encroaching on government forests causing wanton destruction of trees and causing massive degradation of the forest, said the RC. ‘I want to warn people who have the habit of encroaching on the government to engage in illegal logging that no one will be spared when caught. If found felling trees without following due process, you will be arrested and prosecuted as per the law,’ warned Dr. Hassan. He further cautioned contractors that they would not be allowed to needlessly cut down trees in the guise of implementing projects, and advised them to consult with relevant government agencies before cutting down any tree. The RC who was flanked by Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr. Eddyson Nyale said the Uasin Gishu, hitherto identified as one of those counties with very low tree cover, has so far planted 800,000 trees in 700 hectares both in public and private land as part of a target given to the county to enhance forest cover. He stated that there was evidence of human contribution to climate change as they cut down a significant number of trees for charcoal and firewood hence amplifying the fluctuating weather and climate events that caused the recent drought. ‘There are more than 160,000 seedlings that are readily available in Kenya Forest Service stations for planting during the current rain season,’ he noted. He further urged National Government Administrative officers in different sub-counties to ensure trees are planted and taken care of as this move will boost the numbers to make sure there’s enough enforcement to protect the ecosystem. There is a need for all Kenyans to work closely in environmental conservation and protection as there is a close correlation between forest conservation and food security,’ he noted.

Source: Kenya News Agency