Day: April 16, 2023

Leaders in Kitui County has expressed concern over the prevailing drought in the county and called for urgent food aid and supply of water to increasing number of victims affected by the drought.

The leaders, while speaking on Thursday during a County Drought Committee (CDC) meeting held in Mwingi town, lamented that the drought situation is threatening lives and livelihoods and had already slowed down the economic growth, therefore resulting to high poverty levels among residents.

The CDC meeting which was convened by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), and co-chaired by the County Commissioner Erastus Mbui and Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani on behalf of the Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, regretted that reports on effects of the drought at the county were shocking and noted that there was need for urgent intervention to avert possible loss of lives.

Scores of the committee members drawn from different local actors presented their respective reports on the alarming effects of drought and climate change in the county.

In a statement delivered by his deputy, Malombe lamented that the drought has prevailed for a long time across the country and its effects are increasing in intensity and scale.

‘Currently we are experiencing one of the worst drought episodes in the country, which has triggered death of cattle and wildlife. In Kitui County, for instance, we have had drought in every three to four years and an extreme one in every five to six years,’ reads part of the Governor’s statement.

‘Kitui County is characterized by a rapidly growing population, water scarcity, falling food production and low resilience to climate change. The combined effects of climate change and rapid population growth are increasing food insecurity, environmental degradation and poverty levels in the county,’ added the Governor.

‘Access to clean water is very low, as the commodity in almost surface sources does not last for an entire season thus forcing the residents to trek long distances in search of clean water for their daily use. Often, people and livestock share the few available water sources, leading to contamination and high chances and cases of water-borne diseases,’ the Governor pointed out.

The County Chief regretted that climate change had exacerbated effects of drought to the communities, further eroding the gains in development by the government and development partners.

‘Kitui County is known to receive little and unreliable amounts of rainfall and as a result many rivers have dried up, including dams and boreholes leaving the residents suffering. Inadequate food production, sicknesses and dirty environments have resulted due to this plague called drought,’ observed Malombe.

Malombe said there is need for more coordinated mechanisms to address the drought effects at the county, national and global levels. ‘Drought being a slow onset disaster can be mitigated with timely measures, albeit with concerted efforts by all stakeholders in terms of sensitization, investment, monitoring and response whenever necessary,’ he added.

Others present at the function included the County NDMA Coordinator Francis Koma, County Executive Committee Member (CECMS) among them Dr. Stephen Kimwele Mbaya (Agriculture and Livestock), Ruth Koki (Health and sanitation) and Phoebe Ndungu Mutemi (Culture, Gender, Youth, ICT, Sports and Social Services), Education Director Madam Rosaline Njiru and Representatives of NGOs, Civil society groups and the Clergy.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A multi-agency security team on Wednesday raided an illegal alcohol plant operating at a residential house at Korosit village in the outskirts of Kericho town, recovering fake Kenya Revenue Stamps (KRA), ethanol and counterfeit alcohol totaling to over Sh 22 million.

The 3pm incident was carried out by a team of security officers from agencies including Directorate of Criminal Investigations Nairobi (DCI), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kericho Security team where three rolls of fake KRA stamps were recovered with a value of Sh 12 million in lost revenue, 763 cartons of assorted counterfeit alcoholic brands with a street value of Sh 3, 552,000 and three drums containing suspected Ethanol with an estimated value of Sh 7,230, 000.

The brands of alcoholic drinks that were found packaged in the house include Best Vodka, Space Vodka, Smart Vodka, Venice Vodka, Tycoon Vodka, Cane Extra and Chrome Vodka and shockingly they bore stickers that indicated the brands were products of existing reputable and certified distillers and had valid Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) marks.

Police are hot in pursuit of the plant owner who is said to have fled the police dragnet.

Addressing the press, Kericho County Police Commander Rico Ngare said the plant might have been in operation illegally for a long time while describing the conditions in the premises as dirty and unhygienic, terming the syndicate a public health risk as it was not approved.

‘We have been trailing the suspect from March 3 following a tip off and today this is our breakthrough. The environment under which the illegal liquor is conducting operations is dirty and here we observe that the suspected liquid said to be Ethanol is mixed with water and the mixing is done without certified approximations,’ Ngare said.

‘Those behind this are using their own approximations and this is very dangerous and are using recycled bottles collected from bars after revelers empty the contents which are not adequately cleaned posing a health risk to consumers,’ he added.

The Police Commander said three stamp rolls each having 24,000 KRA fake stamps were recovered, new assorted bottle tops and 763 cartons of assorted counterfeit alcohol valued at Sh 3, 552,000 had fake KRA stamps affixed on the bottles.

They included 199 cartons of Best Vodka, 221 cartons of Space Vodka, 218 cartons of Smart Vodka, 65 cartons of Venice Vodka, 58 cartons of Tycoon vodka, one carton of Cane Extra vodka and one carton of Chrome vodka and thirteen drums each containing 250 litres of a liquid suspected to contain Ethanol worth Sh 7,230,000.

The police boss confirmed the illegal alcohol plant had evaded taxes amounting to over Sh 12 million, revealing that KRA have taken up the case to establish the correct market value of the illegal liquors.

He appealed to members of the public to give information on anyone brewing and selling the counterfeit liquor for the County to be free of these illegal substances which were destroying families and the young generations.

When KNA visited the area, the team from KRA was busy documenting evidence from the residential premise which has been operating as an illegal alcohol plant disguised as a livestock farm where pigs, chicken, cows, rabbits were seen feeding in their respective wooden houses within the compound.

On March 5, police in Soin/Sigowet sub-county within Kericho County arrested four suspects after they were found in possession of chang’aa and 5,000 litres of Kangara was destroyed in Chemogoch village.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Preparation to receive President William Ruto for interdenominational and thanks giving service in Nandi County is complete, according to the statement released by the umbrella of church leaders North Rift Region.

During their press briefing at County Headquarters Office Ground on Wednesday, the leaders asked everyone from the region to join the President on Sunday during thanks giving prayers at Kapsabet Showground.

The church leaders emphasised that there was need for Kenyans to insist on unity through prayer at a time when there were serious economic challenges aggravated by persistent drought in various parts of the country and global economic and political challenges which have had direct impact to the country’s stability.

Led by the Right Rev Dr Paul Korir, Anglican Church of Kenya, Diocese of Kapsabet, the leaders assured neighbouring counties that they were welcome to receive President on Sunday after several days of preparation.

Korir revealed that the church leaders especially from Nandi and Uasin Gishu Counties have jointly worked together through meetings, phone and social media engagements to ensure their unity stands as they jointly wait the President.

According to the church leaders present during the press briefing, despite existence of different churches in the region, the level of unity when it comes to common communal engagement has been truly remarkable.

The ACK minister however asked Kenyans to continue praying at the time some regions witness rain after several months of drought. He asked residents from areas receiving rains to utilise it and increase food production in the country.

Meanwhile, Nandi County Outgoing County Commissioner Herman Shambi has confirmed that all are set to receive the President on Sunday during the interdenominational and thanksgiving service at Kapsabet Showground.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Nation Media Group in partnership with Small Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME’s) and other stakeholders Wednesday hosted the 4th Edition SMEs conference and expo 2023 themed ‘Accelerating the SMEs growth through adoption of technology and innovation’.

The forum seeks to digitize and sustain the SMEs through empowering young digital entrepreneurs by creating jobs and driving Kenya’s economic growth thus boosting Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product.

Speaking at the conference, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Richard Ngatia said that Kenya has had an active promotional growth of both Small and Medium Sized Enterprises through various initiatives including the establishment of digital and innovative groups.

‘Empowering young digital entrepreneurs in Kenya is not just about creating jobs and driving economic growth; it’s about building innovative ecosystems that pave the way for a brighter digital future,’ stated Ngatia.

At the same time, Nation Media Group Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gitagama stated that this year, they have introduced new features such as Kenya SME’s Square which will create visibility for businesses and open new markets.

The CEO added that they have evolved with platforms like Electronic paper at the Nation Media Group.

On the other hand, Kenya National Federation of Juakali Associations Richard Muteti said that the success of MSMEs relies on deliberate efforts to support their growth and development noting that embracing technology and innovation can empower small businesses to reach their full potential.

Muteti urged both the government and stakeholders to maintain such forums that will benefit small businesses in the future.

The SME’S Conference and Expo is set to run from Wednesday 15th March to Friday 17th March 2023.

Source: Kenya News Agency