By Bran Omino, May 14 2013
Civil society groups today held demonstrations outside parliament building in Nairobi, to protest MP’s plan to increase their current salary.The group under the “occupy-parliament” slogan matched to parliament buildings in a bid to force MPs to sign a petition disowning the pay increment move. Members of the group carried live piglet and a severed pig’s head which were used by protestors to signify the greed of the members of parliament. The activists chanted “ni utumishi si biashara” ;one unidentified protester said the demands from the MPs as being “unrealistic and misplaced.” A placard titled ”I Honourable member of parliament, A servant of the people hereby decline the proposed salary increment” meant to be signed by MPs was mounted on the parliament building fence. Kasarani MP Maina Kamanda was the first MP at the scene and he was forced to sign the petition by the protestors. Other MPs who arrived at the scene drove away after seeing the large crowd at the parliament gates. Police fired tear gas canisters at the agitated crowd after their efforts to force certain MPs of the August house to sign the petition failed. Human rights activist Maina Kiai, Reverend Timothy Njoya and other religious leaders were part of the protest. SRC chairperson Sarah Serem yesterday defended the move by the salaries governing body to cut the salaries of MPs and other public servants stating that they will not be intimidated into reviewing the MPs salaries. Serem said the current salaries of the MP’s, and other elected officials was in order and was scientifically viable.

AFC Leopards launch INGWE TV

Walter Onyino, AFC Leopards vice chairman (right) and Wananchi Programming MD Hannelie Bekker during the signing of the TV deal. Photo: ChrisOmolo

By Gilbert Wandera, May 9 2013
Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side AFC Leopards Wednesday became the first local club to launch its own television station following in the footsteps of some top European clubs. The club in conjunction with Mwananchi Group, who owns pay television channel Zuku, announced the launch of Ingwe TV Wednesday.

The new television station will be aired on Zuku Sports and is set to hit the airwaves next month keeping abreast millions of the club fans across East and Central Africa. Speaking during the launch, Mwananchi Group Managing Director – Programming Hannelie Bekker said the deal will run for three years and is worth Sh23million. The club will be paid Sh8million directly while the rest of the money will go towards production.

At the start there will be 36 episodes to be shown on Zuku Sports and will cover mostly behind the scene events prior to the club’s matches. The initial programming will start with a 30 minute weekly magazine show. Bekker further said they are happy to be associated with Leopards, which she pointed out as being an organised club.

“They have shown good organisation ever since we started this negotiations. Furthermore they also bring something interesting on the table, a dedicated and enthusiastic fan base,” she said.

Bekker said their involvement with Leopards is one way of developing local talent in the country and comes just a few weeks after the company forked out Sh50 million to support the inter-colleges basketball league.

She also clarified that this partnership does not in anyway infringe on the television rights deal currently owned by SuperSport for airing live all KPL matches. Leopards vice-chairman Walter Onyino assured that the club will use the extra money received from Zuku to improve the player’s welfare. More...

Yvonne Wamalwa, the widow of late vice president, Michael Kijana Wamalwa

By Pamela Chepkemei, May 7 2013
The widow of former Vice-President Michael Wamalwa has 45 days to give an account of how she used millions of shillings received on behalf of her husband’s estate, a court has ordered. The judge who issued the orders said Kenyans should be encouraged to write wills in their lifetime to avoid distribution of their property through the courts. The cash to be accounted for by Yvonne Wamalwa includes money in the late Wamalwa’s briefcase at the hospital before he died and Sh10 million paid out through a law firm to clear debts of the former VP’s estate. The trial judge, G B M Kariuki, said Wamalwa seems to have had actual cash amounting to Sh3.4 million while in hospital and criticised the widow for not properly managing the estate of her late husband in the interest of his children. “The manner in which provision has been made to the dependants leaves a lot to be desired.” The children left behind by Wamalwa are still in school and require support from the estate but which must be done in a transparent manner and above board, he added. The amounts The judge allowed an application by the stepchildren of Yvonne to have her produce an account of all the money she received. “Yvonne shall file in this court a statement giving a full account of monies received by her on the account of the estate of her late husband,” he ordered. Yvonne, an envoy in Kenya’s Embassy in Australia, is also required to account for Sh36.7 million received as gratuity for her late husband. The former VP died while undergoing treatment on August 23, 2003. More...

Moses Akaranga, the Vihiga County governor unveiling his cabinent at Mbale yesterday. Photo: Westfm

By Cotron Alumasa, May 6 2013
Vihiga county governor Moses Akaranga has unveiled his county cabinet at the Mbale praise worship center. The members named now await approval by the county assembly. The governor said more than hundreds applicants had sought for the positions in the county service board and the executive committee members.

Ten members were appointed to the executive committee while five were named to the public service board of the county; Caroline Emuhane was named the chairperson of the county public service board and Joseph Mudege as the secretary to the public service board.

He said the appointments had met the constitutional provisions especially in terms of gender, regional balance and people with disabilities. He urged those appointed to ensure that they serve the people diligently and he warned them against engaging in corruption.

The event saw him appoint Gaylord Avedi as his chief of staff, Aggrey Musiega as his legal advisor, Fridah Chahale as his political advisor and Silas Yinda as his economic advisor.

Executive members are as follows:

1.       Kennedy Sande Mukuna- Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock.

2.       Evans Inyangala - County Treasury.

3.       Halima Abdi - Environment and National Resources.

4.       Elmanus A Vodoti - Education Science and Technology.

5.       Silas Kikemboi - Transport and Infrastructure.

6.       Johnson Anyika - Public Service and Administration.

7.       Newton Onguya - Industrialization and Trade.

8.       Clara Josphine Indire - Lands Housing Urban and Physical Planning.

9.       Zilpah Kageha - Health.

10.   Nixon Amendi - Gender Culture Youths and Sports.

Among those present were the deputy governor Caleb Amasweche, Hamisi Member of Parliament Charles Gimose, and Vihiga county commissioner Joseph Kanyiri.

Justus Kizito, the immediate former MP for Shinyalu (centre) being manhandled by plainclothes cops in Kakamega.

By Francis Ontomwa, April 29 2013
Drama erupted at Kakamega High Court premises on Monday when plain cloth police officers pounced on former Shinyalu legislator Justus Kizito executing a warrant of arrest. Moments before the arrest, Mr Kizito was attending a different case in which he has accused sitting Shinyalu legislator Lisamula Anami and others of setting ablaze his vehicle. In an interesting twist of events, the hunter became the hunted and this time it was Mr Kizito on the hook.

The officers waited patiently outside the court and upon stepping out, they grabbed him and demanded that he follows them to Vihiga court where he is said to have snubbed calls to attend a case filed against him by his workers. Workers at his Aquinas Teachers Training College in Vihiga filed a case last year in November accusing the former lawmaker of failing to pay their dues for a period of 8 months.

When acting Principal Magistrate Pamela Achieng’ wrapped up the criminal charges against Mr Anami for a postponed mentioning on May 20, hell broke loose outside the court. The officers who camouflaged themselves in plain clothes shoved supporters aside who had thronged to follow the first case and drove away with him.

His brown suit was tattered as he resisted attempts by the law enforcers to throw him into their car. Heated exchanges ensued as Mr Kizito yelled at the officers saying his quest to seek justice was turning political.“This is political, I know this is a planned scheme to fade the charges I have filed against my competitor, I have never seen a skewed system as this,” fired a charged Kizito.

Irate supporters turned angrily at the police questioning the manner in which he was manhandled despite not indicating signs of refusal to comply with the arrest. “ Why should police pounce on him today? Why today when he is following up his case; this is unacceptable!” shouted a supporter.

Vihiga County Labour Officer Winnie Otieno who was part of the mission said there was nothing unlawful with the arrest insisting that Mr Kizito had failed to undertake his obligations to pay workers and instead the labourers sought help from her office. “He was charged and supposed to attend to court last year in November, he ignored court summons. That is why we decided to come here; the workers are crying,” observed Otieno.

Earlier in court, Magistrate Achieng’ ordered that the case against Mr Anami be consolidated on accused persons and be fully mentioned on 20 May in what she said was a move to ensure time management. Mr Anami is accused jointly with others of setting ablaze Mr Kizito’s Range Rover Vogue on March 4 this year At Lugango village in Kakamega East. A few weeks ago he was released on a Sh100, 000 bond and a warrant of arrest lifted against him after presenting himself before law enforcers.

Taming of the genie: River Nzoia near its mouth in Budalang'i basin, Busia County. The annual visitation of deadly torrent seems to have been curbed thanks to World Bank/Kenya government collaboration. Photo: Nation

By Linet Wafula, April 22 2013
For many years, Budalang’i has been synonymous with floods. Not any more. The deluge that seemed to have defied all interventions has finally been tamed. Farms that would have been swamped are now producing bumper harvests as schools that used to host the refugees displaced by floods have pupils running across their compounds on any given school day.

The water that for years was considered a menace has been tamed, thanks to a partnership between the government and the World Bank both of who pumped in millions of shillings to find a lasting solution to the floods that turned River Nzoia into a raging monster that had no respect for lives and property.

Mr Rajab Owere, 55, whose home is barely 100 metres from River Nzoia, now goes about his daily chores with little worry despite the ongoing long rains in Budalang’i and other parts of the country. The father of 11 says there is unlikely to be flooding this year because the dykes were reinforced. Since he moved to Bukhuba Village in Budalang’i, the rains and the accompanying floods would drive Mr Owere from his home every year as floods submerged parts of Busia and remote areas of Siaya counties. “More often than not, at such a time of the year, we would be camping at a rescue centre somewhere in Nambale,” Mr Owere says.

The last time the area experienced flooding was in August 2011. Mr Owere lost his property and rice harvest to the raging waters. This year, however, he is upbeat after harvesting 50 bags of the cereal. He says the prevailing price of Sh3,000 per bag, though little, guarantees him good returns. As floods cause havoc in other parts of the country, he and other families in Budalang’i are going about their daily tasks even with the meteorological services director Joseph Mukabana warning of prolonged rains. Speaking to the Nation in a telephone interview, Mrs Lucy Mbuthia, an official with the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation (NWCPC) said various strategies were used to win the battle against floods.

Construction of two main dykes on Nzoia River, each measuring five metres high and 3.7 metres wide, and dyke realignment, have played a key role in taming the floods. Another strategy was the use of a seepage control system that ensured no water gushed below the dykes back into the waterways to damage crops and settlement areas. “We have just demonstrated to the whole world that anything is possible. No more cases of homes being marooned or people being evacuated,” said Mrs Mbuthia, the site agent at the River Nzoia dykes rehabilitation project. According to Bunyala DC Khalif Abdi, each dyke has been built at a cost of Sh100 million.

The use of Bulala FM, a community radio station, has also helped win the war on floods by providing vital information as the station has been used to send out alerts. Although farmers like Mr Owere are anxious due to past experiences, authorities are convinced that after surviving last year’s long rains and the short rains in January that caused flooding in other parts of the country, the floods have been tamed. The dykes have been built 50 metres from the banks of River Nzoia, a strategy Ms Mbuthia says is meant prevent them from being weakened by high pressure. “Such distances have enabled us to keep the dykes stronger as they are cushioned from the pressure of flowing water in the river channel,” she said.

The late post independence-era Senator Arthur Aggrey Ochwada of Samia, Busia County

By Oscar Obonyo, April 20, 2013
Former Assistant Minister Arthur Aggrey Ochwada is dead. Ochwada, an in-law to President Uhuru Kenyatta, died at a Kisumu hospital following a long illness. Ochwada served as MP for Busia Central (present day Funyula) constituency between 1969 and 1974, and was husband to Lucy Nyokabi, a daughter of the President’s half-brother, the late Peter Muigai Kenyatta. Ochwada was elected senator of Busia in 1963. Ochwada’s nephew, Patrick Odongo, said the veteran politician died at the Aga Khan Hospital on Thursday night, while undergoing treatment for ailments including diabetes and high blood pressure. He was aged 87. A pioneer trade unionist alongside the late flamboyant Justice minister Tom Mboya, Ochwada joined politics in the early 1960s, and was elected the first deputy national treasurer of independence political party Kanu. He rose to become a confidant of founding President Kenyatta, and in the process married Nyokabi as his second wife. Ochwada was elected to Parliament in 1969 alongside his father in-law, Peter, the first-born son of Mzee Kenyatta. Kenyatta rewarded the two close friends with ministerial positions. Ochwada was appointed assistant minister for Natural Resources and Fisheries. The late politician served for only one term before being dislodged by Julia Ojiambo and later Ochwada’s own first cousin and ninth vice-president, Moody Awori. Speaking to The Standard On Saturday, area MP Paul Otuoma regretted Ochwada’s death. Describing him as an independence hero, Otuoma said: “The late veteran politician dedicated his youthful life to the national good and to the people of Busia County.” Otuoma condoled with members of Ochwada’s family. Ochwada’s nephew, Odongo, said funeral plans are under way. Incidentally, Uhuru was in Nyanza for the funeral of the late Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General, David Okuta, when Ochwada died. His body lies at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.

LAND WANTED - AT LEAST 5 ACRES

By Robert Oyando, April 19 2013
As businessmen from the Luhya community, we would like to give back to our community by setting up a milk dairy plant anywhere in the Western region. We believe this will create at least 1000 direct job opportunities and 5000 indirect job openings for our young people.In return, the level of poverty and insecurity will be reduced to a great extend.
We are looking for land for the same.The criteria:- 1. Must be in a rich milk producing area (At least 15000 liters per day) 2. Must be within a kilometer from the main road.
3.Nearness to a township will be an added advantage.
4.General amenities such as three phase power supply; municipal water supply,good road network,security or nearness to a law enforcement agency 5.Willingness of the local authority to approve and support the project 6. Please contact us on info@ramsis.co.ke as soon as can be practicable. See also classified

Robert Oyando Omenya is the founder and managing director of RAMSIS ENTERPRISES LTD

Prof Chris Wanjala, the interim chairman of Retired Not Tired Group of Professionals (RANTGROPRO)

By our correspondent
Bungoma, April 08 2013 - A group called Retired and Not Tired Group of Professionals (RANTGROPRO) from Bungoma and Trans Nzoia Counties has a project of reaching the young in educational, technical and cultural institutions in the two counties with a view to handing over local knowledge to the young. The following schools were covered during the pilot programme:
• Friends' School, Kamusinga
• Moi Girls High School, Kimilili
• St Luke's Secondary School, Kimilili
• Namawanga Baha'i Secondary School
• Maeni Girls' Secondary School
• St Mary's Girls' School,Sosio
• St Peter's School,Nakalira
• Chesamisi High School
• Chesamisi Mixed Secondary School
• Friends' Girls' School, Kimilili

The lectures involved four academic members of staff, Prof Chris L Wanjala, Dr.Isaiah Ndung'u Mwaniki, Profe Helen O. Mwanzi, and Mr Fred Attoh, and about 100 Fourth Year undergraduate students of Linguistics and Literature of the University of Nairobi. A maximum of 10 students were assigned to each secondary school.

RANTGROPRO is affiliated to the Olesegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Centre for Human Security, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Contacted about it, the chairman of the Bungoma Development Forum, Mr Abiud Simiyu Wasike, hailed the group for the initiative. You may not know; retirees were once something in their heyday. This should not be lost to the young.

The interim Chairman is Professor Chris Lukorito Wanjala, PhD, EBS and the Interim  Secretary is Mr. John Marauni Wafukho, with  Mr Sindani Banzemo, Mr Danstan Mwangale Masafu, Richard Wanyonyi Lukorito, Senior Chief (Retired) Mr.Isaac Wetete, and Mr Cosmas Chaka. They organize public lectures, lectures in schools and other educational institutions on proficiency in Lubukusu as a language. They impart knowledge on national culture and heritage, oral history and oral literature, environment, Maendeleo Ya Wanawake, poverty eradication, schools and colleges’ administration and management, children, the infirm and the ageing.

Contact us if you want to become a member. For lectures in institutions please contact Mr John Marauni Wafukho.

Our contact details are:

P O Box 5644
00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Wahington, March 26 2013
Poverty could be mankind’s biggest modern-day problem. It casts an ugly shadow across races, nations, ages and religions. It begets evils that mutate and deprive us of dignity. I have worked on development in Africa, Asia, Europe and America and I am surprised how complex we believe it is. Yet, to tackle it we must understand its origin, its causes and the critical links which will enable us to cripple it. I endeavor to simplify it. The synopsis of my thesis is that to escape material poverty people need decent incomes. Second, the taxes, leakages and costs of living must be manageable relative to those incomes. Finally, people must have the knowledge to deploy savings productively to sustain their escape from poverty.

Let us be clear. The World Bank defines absolute poverty as living on less than US$ 1.25 per day (say Kshs 3,000/month) but this paper is premised on poverty being the absence of savings or material wealth. Using a simple equation: Wealth = Income – taxes – leakages – costs of living. To understand how important this simple formula is, let us examine the components in more detail.

First, it is clear that the starting point is income and the most common sources of income are employment, business, investment, and welfare, with employment by far the most prominent. The quantity of income dictates if one should barely survive, live a comfortable life or combine a comfortable life with saving. The most effective way therefore to tackle poverty is to create high paying jobs and to equip people with skills to fill them. Creating jobs without developing local skills pulls in expatriates. Conversely, developing local skills but without the jobs could lead to mass emigration as in Zimbabwe or innovation as in China or social unrest like the Arab Spring.

Poverty is often cited in development literature as a function of illiteracy. Not wanting to be left behind, these kids are determined to change their material conditions through books no matter what..

Equally important sources of jobs (and taxation) are businesses, like SMEs in agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. FDI is known to leverage the creation of SMEs. If a government gives people skills, access to finance and a conducive business climate, they tend to help themselves, others and the government out of poverty. A good environment allows those with resources to invest in equity/ shares, savings and deposit accounts or bonds to derive dividend or interest income. Investments earn incomes and give others the capital to produce more. Some people earn income from a combination of sources. However, some will always be left behind be it due to vulnerabilities arising from disability, discrimination, socio-cultural or even economic causes. Responsible societies have an obligation to help those left behind by providing welfare income.

People’s ability to earn an income, therefore, depends much on the efforts of the government. Governments greatly influence the investment climate, access to finance, quality of skills, employment, migration, disposable incomes, and welfare programs. Also important is behavior of individuals themselves and the international community (aid, trade, loans, FDI etc).

Second, tax represents mandatory direct deductions like PAYE or withholding tax, governments imposes on incomes. Being the lifeline of governments, some believe it is the second surest thing to death. Most governments use scaled percentage rates to tax which make tax progressive so that those who earn more pay more in absolute terms. Higher taxes may enrich governments and impoverish citizens (socialism) while lower and more progressive taxes may lift people out of poverty. Smart governments win by widening the tax base e.g. by growing the economy, and enforcing compliance to share the burden thinly across a bigger universe. They also ensure that taxes collected are shielded from leakage and instead directed into very carefully targeted causes of public good. While governments directly control taxes, citizens have a moral obligation to play their civic duty.

Third, leakage presents a unique cost mainly to developing societies mired in insecurity, poor infrastructure and corruption. They are additional costs people incur say to establish and run businesses, secure and maintain jobs, protect themselves and obtain services. It is what corruption and wastage cost us. High leakages lead to higher costs and prices which escalate poverty. For SMEs, bribe have to be paid for permits, goods are stolen, staff are connected but less productive, power and security need back up, transport costs are higher etc. For citizens, bribes have to be paid to procure goods and service. In well managed societies such costs are minimal. Leakages cannot be avoided and thus rank just below taxes in necessity. People would rather sacrifice savings or quality of life to pay for them. They eat into what would have been saved and re-invested. Governments greatly control leakages although the moral compass of society plays a role too.

Fourth, costs of living are what we all easily identify like the cost of food, shelter, security, utilities, health services, education etc. The amount we pay for these is a function of many factors. For a start, public goods the government provides matters. If it provides good infrastructure, security and basic services, what the individuals have to pay on top of taxes reduces. Simply put, eliminate corruption, give my mother good healthcare and my nieces good education and I will save and re-invest more. Of course it costs more to provide more and what smart governments do is to tax progressively and supplement direct taxes with investment income and indirect taxes like VAT, sales tax and tolls. These ‘pay-as-you-consume” taxes are voluntary in a way but their benefits spread to more people. Governments also use grants and cheaper borrowed funds from say the Bretton Woods Institutions and other development banks, friendly nations and organizations and partners up with the private sector to lower costs of basic services and develop infrastructure. The more government does here translate into savings by the citizens who have to pay the residual costs.

The hand of government in these costs is far reaching. If goods and services are imported, it determines the excise and custom duty, other levies and leakages, all of which are passed to consumers. For locally produced goods the incentives governments provide and the taxes they levy determine their final prices. Governments can regulate prices or subsidize some goods and services. If costs of living are high, more people sink into poverty and if they are low, more people are lifted out of poverty. The government can raise a tide that lifts all boats (citizens).

Finally, savings or wealth is what remains from income after paying for all these. It is the future cushion against poverty. Ballpark figures show an average American can save 25% of income, a Briton 15% and a Kenyan 5%. However, I must caution that individual preferences are vital. Some people are extravagant, others measured and yet others frugal. Personal preferences affect what you save and the productivity of your savings. We can squander, protect or invest savings. BRICS nations partly use frugality to overcome poverty, China has invested its savings into a fortune and Eastern Europe is squandering its wealth back into poverty.

It is therefore clear that the best way to eradicate poverty is to develop jobs, skills and the investment climate so as to enhance incomes and at the same time minimize taxes, leakages and costs of living, while providing welfare to the most vulnerable. All these greatly depend on the actions of the government, and right there are the priority entry points for any responsible government to tackle poverty.

Moses Masika Wetang'ula, the Ford Kenya party leader has emerged as the new political kingpin in Western after trouncing his bitter rivals, Musikari Kombo and Dr Mukhisa Kituyi to become the Bungoma Senator. His party also bagged four MPs and outperformed Eugene Wamalwa in Trans Nzoia winning both the Senate and County governor.

By Stephen Makabila, March 9 2013
The outcome of Monday election will reshape Western politics, propelling Trade Minister Moses Wetangula as the region’s political supremo. Prior to the elections, the region had five political heavyweights, nursing presidential ambitions, but none has made it.

They included Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi who contested on Amani coalition and came a distant third, Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa who sacrificed his ambition and never contested any seat, Assistant minister Wakoli Bifwoli who lost his Bumula seat and former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo who failed to capture the Kakamega Senate seat.

The fifth was Wetangula, Ford-Kenya party leader and co-principal in the CORD coalition, who fought against all odds to win the Bungoma County Senate seat.

His win makes him the only one of the five to hold an elective political position. And among elected senators from the region, (George Khaniri (Vihiga), Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega) and Amos Wako (Busia), Wetangula remains the only party leader, with real chances of reviving his presidential ambition in future.

CORD presidential candidate Raila Odinga won the presidential vote in all the constituencies in Western, and the credit goes to Wetangula as a co-principal and having crisscrossed the region campaigning for CORD. Mudavadi performed dismally in the region despite his vigorous campaigns to consolidate the region’s bloc vote, and to some, the failure to command the region has his political future in jeopardy.

“Wetangula, being an experienced politician, is going to build on his performance, and chances are he could be more aggressive. He does not look like a politician who can waste a chance beckoning,” said Moi University lecturer Masibo Lumala.

Political analyst Martin Oloo argues Western was up for grabs and Wetangula was emerging as a key player on the national platform.

“The election results have challenged Mudavadi’s and Wamalwa’s Kingpinship in Western, as Wetangula’s political fortunes change for the better going by the performance of CORD and his own Ford-Kenya party,” added Oloo, who lecturers at the Kenya School of Law. Amani coalition leaders had painted Wetangula as a ‘traitor’ against the Luhya unity at the height of the campaigns, while he insisted they (Amani) had no chance and were playing spoiler for Raila’s CORD. In his Senatorial fight, Wetangula turned tables against Amani’s Musikari Kombo (New Ford-Kenya) and Mukhisa Kituyi (UDF) to win, even after Mudavadi and Wamalwa led their brigade to campaign against him.

More importantly, Wetangula’s Ford-Kenya party won four parliamentary seats in Bungoma County, flooring Wamalwa, whose New Ford-Kenya party only managed two parliamentary seats and the Governor position that went to former PS Ken Lusaka. Mr Oloo, however, points out that Lusaka won the governorship on his personal political strength and not Wamalwa’s influence. Ford-Kenya candidates won in Tongaren (Dr Eseli Simiyu), Kimilili (Suleiman Murunga), Kanduyi (Wafula Wamunyinyi) and Kabuchai (James Lusweti Mugwe).

New Ford-Kenya only managed Bumula (Bonface Otsyula) and Webuye West (Dan Wanyama) while Webuye East went to Alfred Sambu of UDF and Mt Elgon to John Serut, an independent candidate.

In Wamalwa’s Trans-Nzoia county, Wetangula also outdid him, after his Ford-Kenya party won the Kiminini and Kwanza parliamentary seats, on top of the governor and senate seats.

Ford-Kenya’s Chris Wamalwa won the Kiminini parliamentary seat, Ferdinand Wanyonyi the Kwanza seat, Henry Ndiema the Senate seat while former PS Patrick Khaemba won the governor seat.

Music brewed in INGO pot: Local musicians Jackie Kombo (left) and Diana Ateka ready to launch their first album in Kakamega's Bukhungu Stadium.

By Pius Sawa, Kakamega, Jan 22 2013
Just to remind our network that ZETU Media Services is now ready to hold a big launch, the first of its kind in Kakamega. After one year in operation, the studios has recorded 3 albums and more than six singles. N' Harmony a group of two ladies Jackie Kombo and Diana Ateka are launching their first album called "Those tears will dry". It is a song preaching peace in the forthcoming general elections. The song encourages Kenyans to learn how to live together and respect each other. The other four tracks are about other areas of life including a Swahili  song about the common come-we-stay type of marriage. All artists from Western Kenya and Uganda are being invited to grace the event that will start from 8.00 pm till morning. Tickets are selling at 300Ksh and the venue will be Bukhungu stadium, Kakamega.

IVY MUCHUMA HONORED IN USA TRACK & FIELD

TROY, New York, January 16 2013
The Liberty League has announced its weekly award winning in men's and women's indoor track & field and four Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student athletes have been recognized. Stephen Silber and Ivy Muchuma were named men's and women's Field Performer of the Week, respectively, while Dylan Landry and Alexa Sakaforas were selected to the Honor Roll.

Ivy Muchuma doing what she does best. She was among four top athletes to receive major honors in US college sports for 2012.

Silber, a junior captain from Blossvale, N.Y., began the season with a win in the long jump (6.17 meters) and a second place finish in the high jump (1.93 meters) at the Wesleyan Invitational. There were 16 others in the long jump and nine other competitors in the high jump.

Last season, Silber placed second at the Liberty League Championship in the high-jump at a height of 2.0 meters. At the NYSCTC Championships, the Mount Anthony Union High School graduate won the high-jump at 2.03 meters, before placing second in the same event at the ECAC Championships.

A junior from Nashua, N.H., Muchuma was second in both the shot put and the weight throw at the Wesleyan Invite. She threw the shot a distance of 12.60 meters and the weight 14.97 meters. There were 16 others entered into the shot put event and five others in the weight throw.

Muchuma was the Liberty League Champion in the shot put (11.78m) a year ago. The former Nashua North High School standout also placed second in the weight throw (14.85m) and the triple jump (10.85m). At the NYSCTC Championships, she won the weight throw (15.26m) and was second in the shot put (12.10m).

Landry, a sophomore from Pomona, N.Y., helped the Engineers open the season by posting two victories. He finished first of 10 runners in the 600-meter run in a time of 1:26.05. The North Rockland High School graduate also ran on the first place 4x400 relay team, which posted a time of 3:31.00 to defeat six other teams.

A freshman out of Brookfield, Conn., Sakaforas won the mile in a time of 5:35.62. There were nine other runners in the event, which was her only one of the day. She is a graduate of Immaculate High School. Both the men's and women's indoor track & field teams are back in action on Saturday, when they travel to Bowdoin for a meet with Colby (TBA).

By Robert Kisilili, Florida, December 13 2012
A story is told of a man that went fishing in a government regulated fishery.  As he took his position in readiness to fish by the banks of the river, he noticed another man across the river doing the same thing.  Before long however, he realized that the man across the river seemed more fortunate and was frequently reeling in the catch, one after another.  Meanwhile, no fish was biting on his bait on his side of the river.  Not only that, he also noticed that the “lucky” man across the river kept throwing the big fish back into the river but retaining only the smaller catch.

Curious at this discovery, he decided to cross the river and inquire.  It appeared bizarre to him considering the expenses to procure the fishing permit. Why would any sane fisherman do that? To avoid the ultimate trophy?  It did not make sense.  As he approached the man, he noticed the paltry catch he had secured in a bucket next to him. “Pardon me”, he started as he moved closer, “How come you do not want to keep the big fish? You keep throwing them back in the river and yet keeping the small catch?  “That is simple”, the “lucky” man answered, displaying a twelve inch wooden ruler from the ground next to him. The ruler had an indelible mark in the middle.  Pointing at it he quipped, “My frying pan at home is only six inches wide”.

As it turned out, to accommodate the size of the frying pan at home, the “lucky” fisherman always diligently took measurements of each catch to ensure it did not exceed the six inch mark on the ruler.  If the catch exceeded the six inch mark, he’d toss it back to the water and would be contend with his requirements of six inch or less.

This anecdote, amusing as it may sound, is in fact a mirror image of our current political landscape in Western Kenya with painful reference to our current political leadership within Ford Kenya and New Ford Kenya parties.  The failure by both, Moses Wetang’ula and Eugene Wamalwa respectively to forge a common working relationship or attain the community’s  strong desire for a political merger prior to all the recent amorphous coalitions, is costly and they should be held accountable.  As a community we should no longer be contend with or limited to this six-inch-frying-pan mentality leadership.

Let me state it clearly here that most leadership in other regions are aware of the great opportunities as enshrined in the new constitution, and informed on the significance of numeric, have deliberately coalesced effort to consolidate their community’s aspirations and provide strong foundation for growth and prosperity.  Conversely, we in this FORD region seem to be strapped with leadership that continues to apply the same old political tools of divide-and-rule technology of the 70’s in order to perpetuate themselves instead of fostering the community’s interest.

We seem to be the only community that is allergic to the ability to translate our numeric competency into political capital. We should not dampen our aspiration due to leadership that has lamentably failed to unite us. If anything, the community should seek and draw its inspiration from the new constitution, a document hailed by experts as a new dawn for Kenya; a fresh breath of life. It provides fundamental changes with potential to significantly alter our lives. In fact, during its promulgation two years ago, President Kibaki aptly characterized it as “…an embodiment of our best hopes, aspirations, ideal and values for a peaceful and more prosperous nation…”

So, do not allow any six-inch-frying-pan leadership derail your hopes and aspirations. How then can we as a community realize these best hopes, aspirations, ideal and values for a peaceful and more prosperous nation” when our political leaders continue to demonstrate their inability to transcend myopia and pettiness of yesteryears in the current dynamic environment? Have they not remained square pegs in round holes?  As far as I am concerned, there is urgent need now more than ever to shift and seek out transformative leadership that is responsive to our community’s interest. 

As we march toward the elections of March 2013, let us not be timid but resolute in our civic responsibilities and awareness. General Charles De Gaulle of France seems to have had our current circumstance in mind when over 50 years ago he stated “"Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politician".  It is therefore not late to constitute a leadership that is not handicapped by the archaic six-inch-frying-pan mentality in the face of abundance.  We need leadership that is not only bold but equally responsive unlike the one beholden by its “coterie of obsequiousness” often at the detriment of the community.  This has been the overarching single cause and hallmark of impediment towards unity between Ford Kenya and New Ford Kenya.

To its credit, WESTFM has well catalogued the numerous circuses that our leadership has exemplified – numerous meetings they duped as a search of the Luhya unity.  As if finding a common working ground in Kenya was unattainable, they even held similar meetings in Uganda. Did they really have the conviction?  Here is a sample of what they have put us through only to emerge without anything to show for.

Hon. Eugene Wamalwa:  If you want to go far, go alone. If you want to go further, go with others, and I don’t want to walk fast instead I want to walk with my brothers so that we can go far, he said. Wamalwa said they will soon announce to residents of the region the outcome of their talks while being optimistic that united they are strong divided they are weak, he said. Wamalwa disclosed that in order for the region to clinch the leadership of this country there is need for them to let go their past differences and have a unity of purpose.

Hon. Moses Wetangula accused those against the unity between him and the Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa saying they are meant to fail.  He said the Luhya community which constitutes of 18 percent has 6 presidential candidates insisting that without uniting they will not make it in the forth coming general elections.

Wetangula noted that their unity surpasses individual interests while insisting that they are serious to unite so that they are not charged harshly with history.  He said those who are out to benefit from the either presidential candidates will not make this time unless we must talk as a family; we must talk as a group in order to move forward.

Hon. Noah Wekesa:  As leaders we must unite and work together so that the Luhya community is respected in the Kenyan political leadership. We are being engaged in talks and we urge you to be patient. There are some things that we cannot say here but just wait, Wekesa said.

Hon. Bifwoli Wakoli said he is leading talks between the trade Minister Moses Wetang’ula and Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa to make sure they work together while pointing out that they will soon hold a public rally at the famous Masinde Muliro stadium in Kanduyi to announce the final report of their talks.  If they don’t agree, then we will be compelled to put them in a board room so that they can decide who to be the presidential candidate, and anybody who will reject the wish of the people should not be supported, Wakoli challenged the electorate.

Hon. Musikari Kombo said time had come when the Saboti MP, Eugene Wamalwa and Sirisia legislator Moses Wetang’ula must work together.   He was optimistic that the ongoing talks between the two leaders will succeed to end the long divisions in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia Counties.

Now that the rains have stopped beating on us, I am glad to note that Hon Eugene Wamalwa and New Ford Kenya are now poised to support the Deputy Prime Minister – Musalia Mudavadi, now the only regional presidential candidate. Wasn’t it the Luhya unity after all that these series of meetings were seeking?  I know that I speak for many, those able and voiceless in both Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties, who are tired of old politics, and want to ensure that our region stands firmly behind Musalia Mudavadi. He has not oscillated in his quest to lead the country.   Our time has finally arrived.  

Early birds catch the worm in Eco-Forest Resort, Kakamega

By Dickson Mutoka, Kakamega, October 28 2012
An invitation to Abeingo Community Network (ACN), and other Kenyans in diaspora to participate and co-own an exclusive holiday homes  and resort within Kakamega Municipality of Western Kenya. The site of the planned resort and holiday homes is a mini- tropical rain forest, fronting Isiukhu River for a length of more than 600 metres. There are three other streams traversing the land. Photographs of the site are attached. In Western Kenya, not owning a home in the village is considered unacceptable socially. Most of those who own these homes spend large amounts of money for plot acquistion and construction of the properties. They incur further amounts of money, monthly, on caretakers, security, utilities etc., and yet they spend only a few days in a year (may be in several years) enjoying these facilities. Simply put, this is bad socio-economics.

We are pleased to offer a chance for ownership of a house in an exclusive, gated housing development next to an up-market holiday resort, in a rural setting within Kakamega municipality. Those who buy into this scheme will own upmarket holiday homes that are fully secured, with no caretaker expenses, no utilities to pay and literally no worries.
Most important, however, is the fact that for the time the owner is away, the house will be rented out as part of the Resort and Conference Centre. The money paid by guests will be deposited into the home owner's  bank account on a real time basis.

1. Project Promoter
The promoter of this project is Dickson T. Mutoka, who is a member of Abeingo Community Network. Dickson is a native of Kakamega Municipality, and the proprietor of Pure- Po Natural Mineral Water plant  among others. Dickson has an MSc degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A& M University, a Diploma in Business from University of Colorado at Boulder and a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Geography from the University of Nairobi. He has worked as Sales and Marketing Director at Mumias Sugar Company, General Manager Marketing and Circulation at Nation Media Group, Consumer Marketing Manager at BAT Kenya Ltd. and Senior Management Consultant at Price Waterhouse Associates.

2.  The Land
The land for the proposed resort and holiday homes is approximately 20 acres, with good potential to increase this to 30 acres, and more. The parcel of land runs for 600 metres along Isiukhu (known downstream also, as Lusumu) River. The location of the project is approximately one kilometre upstream from the last bridge as one enters Kakamega Municipality from Kisumu/Khayega, at Shirere. The road to the site is one kilometre from Shirere shopping centre. The shopping centre is about four kilometres from Kakamega Town Hall. The land is owned 100% by the promoter of the project.

3. The Forest
The holiday homes and resort idea has been nurtured over a long period of time, the reason the land was left fallow allowing for a natural forest to gradually establish. Besides the river, three other permanent streams traverse this wonderful resort location.

4. The Resort
Plans to develop an upmarket eco-friendly holiday resort are at an  advanced stage.  The heartbeat of the resort will be a conference facility, kitchen and dining facility and a bar and restaurant. The setting of these facilities is on a sloppy ridge with suspended verandahs, opening into the bush.
There will be several luxury cottages, also separated from each other by bushes. The design of the cottages, like that of the other facilities,  will take advantage of the slopping land, allowing suspended balconies on all the cottages. There will be generous use of eucalyptus beams and logs from the promoter’s plantation, located elsewhere. Bamboo and thatch grass, all scientifically treated, will also be used.

5. Other Facilities and Security
There are various low-lying sites on the land that lend themselves well for the establishment of dams, fisheries and water sports. There is also a clean natural water spring on the land with a capacity of 5000 litres per hour, besides the Pure-Po natural water borehole, also situated on the land. The resort will thus be internally water-sufficient. Security for the holiday resort and holiday homes scheme will be centrally controlled and coordinated. A combination of razor wire, electric fence, biological perimeter fence (kie-apple and Mauritius thorn etc.), solar CCTV surveillance, trained guard dogs and security personnel, will be deployed along the perimeter fencing.

6.  Holiday homes:
"Foot-prints" of about 1,000 square meters (about 1/4 acre) each will be allocated for each holiday home. These homes will be separated by bushes and will be constructed based on various house design plans; potential owners will choose their preferred designs.  The cost of each design will be indicated with various options for finishes.
The concept will work this way:

• Potential owners will pay 50% of the value of the house up front, 25% upon completion of the super-structure, and 25% upon total completion of the house. The cost of the plot will be paid in full before engagement in the construction process.
• Construction: The owner may choose to construct their own houses but, that will only be in phase 1 of the scheme where a limited number of plots are up for sale now. Only 16 plots are up for sale in the first phase  to facilitate the developer to finalize plans and meet the minimum owner equity for loan financing for the rest of the project.
• Besides phase 1 where there are 16 plots, or foot-prints on a quick sale offer, the total additional number of holiday homes for sale in the scheme will be about 30 No... in phase 2.

While owners will be encouraged, in  phase 2 and  after, to keep their houses exclusively as holiday homes, those purchasing plots in phase 1 will have the freedom  to actually use them as permanent homes - cum holiday homes. Phase 1 plot buyers will also have a wider latitude in choices of house designs, so long as the plans are reasonably descent houses.

In phase 2 and later phases, one can buy a house individually or several people can jointly buy one house in what is known as  'time share' arrangement. Where, for instance, two people buy one house, each person can occupy or use the house for six months in a year. In case three people buy one holiday home jointly, they can arrange to each, share the house for four months annually while if twelve people co-own the house, each one of them will be entitled to one month's ownership per annum.

When the  owner or owners are not occupying the houses they can surrender the keys of their houses to the resort manager who markets their holiday home, as part of the resort,  on a per night, per week, per month basis, or each room individually. Each time the house/rooms are sold, an entry is logged in the buyers' account. Out of the money paid as daily, weekly, monthly etc. rates, 50% will be retained by the resort for maintenance of the house, security and  standing utility rates. The basic principle is that the resort and holiday home owner will  share the payments from rates paid by those paying rates for holiday homes.

So what should you do ?
We, the developers, need to get an indication from Kenyans (both in Diaspora and within Kenya) who may wish to own a 'rural home' in a “financially common sense” manner. We are selling phase 1 as plots and only 16 plots are up for quick sale. The price of a footprint in phase 1 of this exclusive scheme is only USD 23,000 with 50% paid upon signing of the contract and the balance upon transfer. Buyers have the freedom to use their Kenyan real estate agents and lawyers for this transaction. A list of reputable lawyers in the region is also available.

What the developers are looking for now is sale oflots in phase one and some 'expressions of interest' in the other phases. Once  the 16 plots are sold out, no more plots will be up  for sale in the scheme, but houses whose selling price will start at USD 160,000. We can arrange to build or supervise construction of houses for those buying in phase 1.

This concept will 'swallow' all the neighbouring lands as the area is transformed into Kakamega's most sought after address... the Muthaiga of Kakamega...literally
Welcome on board

Contact address:  Dickson T. Mutoka, Telephone +254722517050
Email address: dmutoka@gmail.com; dmutoka@yahoo.com; dmutoka@purepo.com

An image of the pristine Kakamega Forest, the site of the proposed Eco Forest Holiday Resort

DR MULERI PUBLISHES TWO BOOKS THAT INSPIRE HOPE IN THE YOUTH

Washington DC, September 2 2012
Morrison Muleri, 44 years, was born and raised in a poor rural family in Western Kenya. He holds a B.Com. and MBA degrees from the University of Nairobi in Kenya, a postgraduate certificate from Harvard University in the USA, and a PhD in development effectiveness from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK. He is also a fellow of the ACCA. He has traveled widely and worked for reputable international development organizations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the USA. He currently works for the World Bank in Washington, D.C, as a Board Operations Officer.

Many youngsters often ask him what it took to succeed when it seemed odds were stacked against him. This book is his response. In it, Morrison shares his story alongside those of five others: Maj. Moses Mulehi (rtd), Dr. Angela Lusigi, Mr. Bina Kakusa, Ms. Linda Bonsu-Liwewe, and Ms. Pamela Steele. They all demonstrate resilience and a commitment to “whatever you can conceive and believe in you can achieve” mentality. Morrison narrates and distills valuable lessons from his and these stories in the book.

This is a book of inspiration. It is a valuable present to give to all the under-privileged youngsters you know to help ignite or re-ignite their spark of motivation and self-belief. Do not let a single life go to waste. Act today. Act now. .

HOW TO GET YOUR OWN COPY:

1. Muleri, M A (ed.) (2012). The Stories of Our Lives: The Inspiring Success Stories of Six Men and Women from Africa through Europe and America (ISBN 978-1-47715-553-0). Xlibris, Indiana, USA.
Available here: http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/SKU-0119683049/the-stories-of-our-lives.aspx
Also available here: http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Our-Lives-Inspiring-Success/dp/1477155546/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346423304&sr=1-1&keywords=Success

2. Muleri, M A (2012). How Northern NGOs Measure the Performance of and Impact Southern NGOs (ISBN 978-3-659-22064-7). LAP Lambert Publishing, Saarbrücken, Germany.
Available here: http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Measure-Performance-Impact-Southern/dp/3659220647/ref=sr_1_25?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346423393&sr=1-25&keywords=POLITICAL+SCIENCE+%2F+NGOs

ABEINGO 5TH AGM WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 26 2012. click here for details

VENUE: RIPPLE CENTRE, 121-125 RIPPLE ROAD, BARKING, ESSEX IG11 7FN

TIME: 4-6pm

SUMMER PARTY: 6pm - ONWARDS

COME ONE COME ALL

London, August 6 2012
ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN OPENING AN ONLINE BANK ACCOUNT WITH KCB SHOULD VISIT KENYA HOUSE AT STRATFORD, EAST LONDON OR GET IN TOUCH WITH THE HIGH COMMISSION. A CONTIGENT OF KCB OFFICIALS ARE IN THE UK TO PROMOTE ONLINE BANKING AMONG THE KENYAN DIASPORA.

My husband has a parcel of land in Kakamega which he would like to sell.

Details are as follows:
Milimani Estate
Area: about 1/2 (half) an acre
Asking between 6-7 million.

The property has a clean title. It is in my mother in laws name but we have completed the necessary estate issues and have the letters of administration. A simultaneous transfer can be done.

I would like the details circulated within the Abeingo community for any interest.

There is also the possibility of developing the same to residential flats but I would like to know whether there are any interested buyers in your community.

Regards
Cecilia Rague-Kaisha

By Protus simiyu, June 11 2012
The Kibabii University College has closed its doors indefinitely after students went on the rampage over lack of water and constant supply of power. This occurs hardly three months since the University College opened its doors in March this year. Kibabii University College is a constituent of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) which admitted 333 pioneer students in March this year with a second batch of 450 students expected to join the institution next month. The students said though they have good facilities, they lack water and electricity which they termed as essential in their daily endeavors. The students blamed the school administration for insensitivity arguing that they have been encountering the problems since they reported at the institution and that nothing was being done to save the situation. The students also said they have a good library but it lacks reference books, a situation that has made it difficult for them to conduct course work research. ‘’What is the essence of having a modern computer library when we cannot access internet owing to lack of power supply,’’ said a student. The University administration coordinator Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo did admit that the grievances raised by the students were genuine saying that measures were being undertaken to control the situation. More...

Empty shell: Kibabii University College Library which lacks research material and internet connection

Prof Isaac Ipara Odeo, the Kibabii University college administrator says students demands are genuine. Photos: Protus Simiyu

By Prof Chris Lukorito Wanjala, June 10 2012
It is with a deep sense of loss that  I receive the news of the death of Professor George and his Deputy Minister in a horrific helicopter crash where all the bodies were charred into unrecognizable forms. I remember Professor George Saitoti as a young talkative Mathematics lecturer as we sat sipping tea   at the refectory in the Gandhi Wing, and the social places like Halians Club which we haunted when we were not working at our books. We were all young lecturers including the late Michael Wamalwa Kijana and the late  Hastings Okoth - Ogendo.Taban lo Liyong and William Robert Ochieng would join us and we would make a merry group of intellectuals and socialites.

Prf George Saitoti rose through the ranks of the academic ladder and excelled not only in the academia but also in public life. He and Professor Bethwell Ogot were appointed members of the East African Legislative Assembly before he was made to  presided over the financial affairs of the Kenya Commercial Bank which for many years had been chaired by the late Hon. John Michuki. He was later nominated as a Member of Parliament and honoured with sitting in the saddle of the Minister of Finance until he rose to the rank of the Vice President of the Republic of Kenya.

Professor Saitoti was a cordial and unassuming leader who treated the big and the small with respect. He always referred to me by my first name. In 1992 I was the Chief Guest at the launch of YK 92. He received me and introduced me to the crowd of KANU youth from around the country. Mr Sam Nyamweya was on my left hand side and Professor Saitoti on my right as we officiated YK 92 at Uhuru Park. In our midst were William Ruto and Cyrus Jirongo who were to become ministers of Government in the later days. I later became the Director of Operations and we helped President Daniel Moi to sweep into a victory that gave him the last stint in Government. I was in Kasarani when President Moi manipulated KANU elections and edged Saitoti out of leadership that would have propelled him to the Office of the President.Always a loner, Professor Saitoti took everything at a stride. In the late 1990s, I did not only become the Secretary of the Kimilili  KANU Sub-Branch under the chairmanship of Hon.Elijah Wasike Mwangale,but I vied for the Kimilili Constituency against Hon. Mukhisa Kituyi. What amazed me was the view that I was Hon. George Saitoti's agent in Bungoma politics.

We are mourning a luminary in the field of the physical sciences, a friend of all Kenyans and a leader who has selflessly worked for the welfare and the development of the Maasai Community and all Kenyans. We shall miss his towering figure which cartoons had loved to caricature and his gentlemanly mien that kept him stand above the ridiculous of murky politics that have characterised this nation. Were he to live one day longer, he would have become the President of this country.

By Emmanuel Toili, June 10 2012
Kenya's Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti, his deputy Orwa Ojode and four others were killed when a Police chopper crashed in Kibiku area in Ngong forest reportedly at 9am on Sunday. Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka who arrived at the scene with Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere confirmed that the two ministers died in the crash along with Prof Saitoti's two bodyguards and two pilots. Meanwhile, President Mwai Kibaki has also sent a message of condolences to the families and friends of Prof Saitoti and Orwa Ojode. "It is with great sadness that this morning I learnt of the tragic deaths of the Minister for Internal Security and Provincial Administration Prof George Saitoti and the Assistant Minister in the ministry Hon Orwa Ojode, their body guards and the pilot and co-pilot of the police helicopter that they were travelling in. The deaths of the six Kenyans is a devastating loss to our country," he said. Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday cancelled all his engagements in Nakuru and rushed to the scene of the plane crash. "Investigations will be conducted to establish the cause of the crash and the Cabinet will determine the number of days for mourning," he said at the scene of the accident. "It is a bad coincidence that the deaths of Prof Saitoti and Mr Ojode have occurred on the fourth anniversary of the deaths of the late Minister Kipkalia Kones and the late MP for Sotik Lorna Laboso who also perished in plane crash," he said. The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Lee Funeral Home. Others who perished included Pilots Luke Oyugi and Nancy Gituanja together with two bodyguards Joshua Tonkei and Thomas Murimi. The two Ministers were heading to Orwa Ojode's Ndhiwa Constituency for a church fundraising activity. It is exactly four years when a chopper carrying MPs Kipkalya Kones and Lorna Laboso crashed in Narok. According to an eye witness, the helicopter was seen diving from the sky and full of smoke before crushing and exploding into flames.

Toilets a do or die issue in Nambale

By Gilbert Ochieng, June 10 2012
THE Public Health ministry has embarked on a programme to ensure Nambale district has enough toilets. The programme dubbed ‘Open Defaecation Free’ is aimed at attaining 100 per cent latrine coverage in the district. Addressing stakeholders during a District Development Committee forum at the district headquarter’s boardroom yesterday, the district public health officer, Stephen Anjeche said the programme, which is funded by UNICEF, is being implemented in all the locations five locations and 14 sub-locations covering 153 villages. The public health officer said the strategies employed include the deployment of twelve competent public health officers and technicians who will handle five villages each, the deployment of ten competent natural leaders who handle four villages each, involvement of provincial administration and local authorities at the location level as well as the creation of an award for competition to facilitate results. More...

By Joseph Otieno, June 10 2012
Political differences between the Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo and the Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi continued to be revealed as Jirongo vowed never to quit the presidential race in favour of the DPM. Addressing mourners a Mwamba village in his Lugari constituency during the burial of the late Dr. Livingston Tumbu Kibunguchy who was the father to the former Lugari MP Dr. Enoch Kibunguchy Jirongo defied his earlier promise that he would support the DPM if he declared his interest in the presidency. Jirongo blamed Mudavadi for being used as governments’ project whose intention was to divide voters and ensure that the presidential seat is won by a candidate from the central region. “I was among those who were on frontline to advice my brother Mudavadi to quit ODM, at one time I even promised to support the him just to ensure that we had one of our own in the State House, but with the turn of events I can clearly confess before you that my young brother Eugene Wamalwa and I are not ready to support the DPM in his presidential bid, said Jirongo.” More...

Nairobi, June 10 2012
Maragoli Cultural Resource Center is a community based organization drawing it’s membership from the youth, women, elders, professionals, Diaspora and friends of goodwill whose heritage is of pedigree Maragoli Culture or who adore, emulate, embrace and associate with the culture through language, food, age-old traditions, marriage, and music.

The Maragoli people, one of the two main Luhya sub-tribes mainly live in Vihiga County, Kenya. As well the Maragoli people have a large concentration across most of Western Kenya, Rift Valley, and beyond in the Diaspora.

Their rich culture and way of life has attracted many people including tourists, scientists, researchers and scholars from at home and abroad to visit the region as well as attend the Annual Maragoli Festivals.

Through The Maragoli Hall Of Fame Project, The Maragoli Center will recognize and involve prominent people, senior citizens, successful professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, sportsmen and women, educationists, researchers, traditionalists, and elders from the community for development as well as acting as role models and proving mentorship for the up-coming young generation from the community and beyond.

Therefore, to preserve, protect and develop the people from the region, we have come together as a community together with our development collaborative partners under the auspices of Aid Kenya Foundation, a charitable humanitarian aid and development assistance foundation, to build the Maragoli Cultural Resource Center (The Maragoli Center) as well as to implement the Maragoli Grassroot Community Initiative (MGCI) with the mission of undertaking the following feel-good programs:

1.Promote education, and offer scholarships to orphaned and vulnerable children across Vihiga County;
2.Preserve and Document the culture of the Maragoli people and offer intercultural exchanges through The Maragoli Language & Cultural Educational Trainings (MLCET) as well as set up The Maragoli Cultural Library;
3.Promote girl-child and distribute sanitary pads through schools;
4.Campaign against truancy, violence, alcoholism, and drug abuse;
5.Conduct Civic and Voter Education;
6.Promote sports, and talent development among the youth;
7.Empower elders, the women, and the vulnerable populations by providing social support, shelter and food to the elderly, and proper nutrition for orphans;
8. Mainstream and encourage development partners, professionals, Diaspora and Corporate in Giving Back to the communities through the Giving Back Social Initiative (GBSI) and Corporate Social Responsibility Program (CSRP);
9.Proving better health-care through organizing regular medical camps across the communities and mobilizing medicines, equipments, and volunteers doctors, nursers and other health practitioners to local Hospitals, Health Centres and Mobile Clinics; and
10. Train, mentor, and incubate the youth and the community about leadership, entrepreneurship, ICT, media, music and vocational trainings.

A Call To Action:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Executive Management and the people of Maragoli, I cordially invite you and request for your support towards the Official Launch of the Maragoli Cultural Resource Center on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 1630-2030 Hours at Laico Regency, Nairobi. The launch will act as a Fundraiser to meet the budget of building the Maragoli Center in Mbale Township, Vihiga County on the land that has already been donated by the community as well as to implement the outlined Maragoli Grassroots Community Initiatives (MGCI).

Ticket options for the launch are: Individual: KES. 1,500 (USD. 20); Honorary: KES. 5,000 (USD. 65); Maragoli Professionals:KES. 10,000 (USD.125); Diaspora:USD. 100; Non-resident/Friends of The Maragoli Center(FMC): USD. 50; Corporate: KES. 100,000 (USD. 1250).
For RSVP, Volunteer, Partner or Donate:
Contact Mr. Armstrong Ongera, Jr., on Tel. +254 722 233 234 or E-Mail: <info@ArmstrongStrategicSolutions.co.ke>
Ticket Fees and Voluntary Donations can be sent by WU or wire transfer to the following Bank Account:-

A/C Name: AID KENYA FOUNDATION
A/C No. : 082-1430151
Swift Code: BARCKENX
Bank: BARCLAYS BANK OF KENYA
Branch: Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi,Kenya
Together, let’s preserve and protect our culture, empower communities and promote peace and humanity.
Thank you and welcome!

Sincerely,
Mudanya Kisanya SINPARE
Founder & Executive Director
Maragoli Cultural Resource Center
C/O, Aid Kenya Foundation
P. O. Box 5956-00200
Nairobi-Kenya.
Tel.. +254 710 993 809
The Maragoli Center Official Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maragoli-Cultural-Resource-Center/328504480561012