Month: August 2023

Nakuru County Government has identified public land in Naivasha, Bahati, and Molo sub-counties for an ambitious project to construct 50,000 affordable housing units. The County Executive for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, Mr. John Kihagi, today led a team from the State Department of Housing on a site visit to assess the readiness of proposed lands in the three sub-counties. He said, ‘The purpose of today’s visit is to prepare for the upcoming groundbreaking event by President Dr. William Ruto and Governor Ms. Susan Kihika in the coming months.” Kihagi said the Affordable Housing Project is a collaboration between the National Government and Nakuru County with the goal of promoting urban economic growth, improving livelihoods, and creating job opportunities. He noted that affordable housing was in high demand in the county and gave an example of the first project at Bondeni with 600 houses, which have all been sold out, and how it has changed the insecurity image of the area. The county executive stated that affordable housing projects have the capacity to alleviate the prevalent shortage in the country and provide decent accommodation for middle- and low-income families, who have often borne the brunt of staying in slums. He appealed to Wananchi to be at the forefront of supporting the government’s Bottoms Up Agenda, since they are the major target for better living conditions than informal settlements, which lack proper infrastructure, sanitation, and safety measures. Additionally, Kihagi said affordable housing projects would spur economic growth and job creation in various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and services. Apart from that, the officer emphasised that properly designed affordable housing projects contribute to well-planned urban development since they are easily integrated into existing urban areas, reducing urban sprawl. And they ensure access to essential services and public infrastructure. Overall, Kihagi noted, adequate housing can enhance social stability by providing individuals and families with a sense of security and belonging. And that would reduce instances of displacement and arbitrary migration from town to town. He said affordable housing projects come with financing options that make it easier for people to purchase or rent properties, and that enables the government to pull a significant number of people out of poverty.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Hundreds of Nandi residents from Chesumei Sub County have benefited from free medical services offered by the County Department of Health and Sanitation in partnership with Total Care Rapha and the local Deliverance Church. The one-day event held at Kapsisiywa Health Centre saw over 500 people of varied demographics benefit from free consultations, diagnosis, medication, and referrals for further specialised care at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital. The medical camp focused on screening for non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, Blood pressure, and Diabetes, Dental Services, Mother and Child Care, Immunisation, Family Planning, Eye checkups, nutrition, and counselling, among others. Speaking during the event, Nandi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation, Ms. Ruth Koech, said the county government will continue to partner with various organisations aimed at transforming the lives of citizens across the county. ‘This initiative is part of the efforts of the governor’s healthcare agenda to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable to all locals,’ she said. Some of the locals who benefited from the free medical camp lauded the county government for their noble gesture, saying they have been able to get proper medication attention without giving out a single cent. ‘We are happy to have received better medication free of charge, and we hope the organisers will be carrying out such exercises on a regular basis,’ said Peter Koech. World Marathon Champion Mr. Eliud Kipchoge, who graced the event, noted that most of the diseases treated were common ailments, but locals have been unable to seek medical attention due to high poverty levels and covering long distances before accessing medical facilities.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The recent spike in vandalism of water infrastructure in parts of Murang’a East Sub County has frustrated efforts by a local water firm to increase water connections. For a period of one year, vandalism has left Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) counting losses amounting to more than Sh1.4 million. The company’s managing Director, Engineer Daniel Nganga, has said Muwasco plans to connect water to more than 6, 000 households before the end of this year, but the plans are rocked by vandalism challenges. He noted vandals are targeting metallic water metres, air valves, and pipes, thus subjecting the company to huge losses. Areas mostly affected by the vandalism of water infrastructure include Muchungucha, Kabuta, Ndikwe, and Mwirwa. The director, who spoke during the launch of a water project in parts of Muragua, said they have engaged a multi-agency team to help check the vandalism. ‘As the company aims to reach and serve more people in this county, there is a need to come up with measures for dealing with vandalism. We have engaged officers from the Interior Ministry, members of the community, and police, among other stakeholders, to help in sensitising on the protection of water infrastructure,’ he said. Ngang’a said vandalism has led some areas to go without water for days, saying members of the community should own the water infrastructure by protecting it from vandals. ‘The water serves the community, and we are sensitising members of the public so that they perceive that water infrastructure, including pipes and metres, among other equipment, are meant to serve them, and once there is vandalism, this cuts water supply,’ he remarked. Already, the company, together with other stakeholders, have held public barazas in various areas to sensitise the locals on the importance of protecting water infrastructure. During the barazas, increased cases of abuse of alcohol and drugs can be cited as one of the factors causing a spike in vandalism. A section of local residents argue that those perpetuating the crime are trying to sell metallic water metres to scrap metal dealers to get money for alcohol. Ng’ang’a said the company has come up with a programme to reward people who will volunteer valuable information of those behind the vandalism. He asked the locals to report to local police stations, saying the move will help curb criminal activity and ensure residents could access water without interruptions. Meanwhile, Ng’ang’a said by the end of this year, they are targeting to have more than 6, 000 new water connections, which will serve a population of close to 20, 000 people. Currently, Muwasco has water connections exceeding 17, 000, with the firm aiming to increase water coverage after the majority of its shares were transferred to county administration, thus giving the county government a legal framework to channel resources to the water company.

Source: Kenya News Agency

As the government gears towards digitising all its services, members of the public have been encouraged to take advantage of the Electronic Power of Mercy Petitions Management Information System, Epompmis, aimed at enhancing transparency for the petition process of convicted offenders. The Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC) under Secretary Macharia Njinu, speaking in Nanyuki town Monday, during a stakeholders’ sensitization forum about the Epompmis, said the government seeks to ensure that those seeking presidential pardon are given a second chance in life after they have reformed without bias. ‘People are not using this online system that automates the end-to-end user petition process because they are not aware of it. I want you to be good ambassadors in your areas by ensuring this information gets to the people. We are going paperless, and everyone can apply,’ said Njinu. The Under Secretary revealed that with the power of mercy online system, going forward, it would be easy for convicted offenders to apply their petition, and through their pardon offers, members of the public or their representatives can track the petition process and update information from various stakeholders. Njinu said that the system, which was launched in April 2022, has since been integrated into the e-Citizen portal and can be accessed through epmis.powerofmercy.go.ke. Laikipia County Commissioner, Joseph Kanyiri, urged residents not to victimise convicted offenders after they have been granted power of mercy by the President since they are deemed to have reformed. The government only releases prisoners who would not cause any harm to the community, he added. ‘When convicted offenders have been released, people tend to look at the negative side of the crimes they committed; they are our brothers and sisters, and they should not be stigmatised since they have served their jail term and reformed,’ urged Kanyiri. The county commissioner further pointed out that those released always undergo scrutiny from the POMAC before they are presented to the President to be pardoned for their crimes. Kanyiri, however, noted that the power of mercy was not a must for prisoners to be granted freedom but encouraged people to apply on behalf of their relatives who had been convicted for being on the wrong side of the law. Other stakeholders linked with the ePOMPMIS system to dispense justice to convicted offenders include the Kenya Prison Service, Probation, aftercare services, and the judiciary.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The promotion of Nakuru Town to city status has elevated artwork, and finally, the long-persevering, determined, and resolute artists, such as the renowned Mr. Joseph Maina alias Babushe, are finally reaping the rewards of their tenacity. Speaking today at the Nakuru Player’s Theater, which was constructed by the colonial administration in 1949, Maina said his story and that of a few other artists who stood with him is a legend of how diligence, determination, and grit never fail. However, he attributed the change in attitude towards art and drama to the younger executives who have joined the newest city and have come with better tastes and values for life. He said, ‘The older folks of this town, despite having money, never valued artwork, and during those days when we staged dramas, it was only students who had selected school playbooks who used to attend and a few street children who had nothing to do. Of course, they never paid.” But finally, the play which will be staged next week, ‘AIKIN MATA’ has already sold out, and it wasn’t cheap, but the tickets were quickly snapped up, and he can’t help but celebrate the Providence that has brought his poverty to an end. ‘Babushe’ who has acted in a number of television and radio plays in the country, including the famous ‘Plot 10’ said all his life since he left campus has been about acting, yet he has nothing to show for it except personal fulfilment. He noted that, much as he would have easily gotten a job or joined the business community, none of those things brought him joy like acting on stage or directing plays. The thespian appreciated that UNESCO recognised his talent and enabled him to train actors across Africa. But, as many opportunities as there were out there, he always felt compelled to come back home to Nakuru to promote drama. The ‘AIKIN MATA’ play that will be staged from August 10th to August 12th charges individuals Sh1000 and groups of six people Sh4000.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A Marsabit court has allowed the police to continue holding three suspects accused of wildlife trophy trafficking in order to complete investigations. Senior Resident Magistrate Mr. Simon Arome granted the application and gave the prosecution two days to finalise the investigations against Abudho Ali Katello, 33, Diya Sosa, 39, and Abdullahi Mohamed, 45. The trio, who were produced in court under tight security, were reportedly arrested on the night of July 28, this year, at the Karantina police barrier on the Isiolo-Moyale highway near Marsabit town in a lorry while transporting two game trophies suspected to be rhino horns. The accused did not take a plea, as the prosecution said that the investigating officers were still building up on the case. Granting the anticipatory bail application, the court ordered that the case against the three suspects be mentioned on August 2nd of this year. The prosecution told the court that Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) needed more time to also carry out analysis on the exhibits to ascertain whether they were genuine rhino horns or not, and also establish their value. The lorry, a Fuso Mitsubishi registration number KCZ 047W, in which the wildlife trophies were being transported, has since been seized and is being detained at the Marsabit police station.

Source: Kenya News Agency