Day: March 30, 2024

The National Research Fund (NRF) in collaboration with the British Council has launched the Kenya National Research Repository (NRR) that will serve as a central open access digital hub for the country’s rich research outputs.

The central platform themed ‘Digital Research Outputs, Empowering Innovations: Accelerating a Sustainable Research Ecosystem’ will enable people to access research information produced in Kenya in the thematic areas of Land, water and energy.

Speaking during the launch, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research Dr. Beatrice Inyangala said the National Research Repository marks a significant step towards a training of what has been set out in the journey towards a knowledge best society in the realization of the national development goal.

She said that NRR embraces the potential of the transparency power of an open space repository and publishing movement that would make research available while engaging in a robust conversation with the development p
artner in a mechanism that enables awareness creation on the National Research Repository.

Inyangala added that NRR will also distract the capacity of such a repository to facilitate new and vast leadership, visibility and impact for the beneficiaries of NRF partners of such a project as well as research sponsored by the agencies.

‘I wish to reiterate that the government is keen in adopting the policy of an open and access policy fund using public funds,’ she said, and added that the commitment is rooted in the belief that public funded research should be accessible to all in order to maximize its impact by fueling innovation.

The PS reiterated the government’s determination to align with international agreement and policies that promote the digitalization of knowledge.

She further noted that the open and access movement is supported by a free international market which include the Berlin declaration on open access to knowledge in the sciences and humanities and UNESCO recommendation on object Science amo
ng others.

The PS while acknowledging all partners who have walked the journey with NRF by turning a dream of a National Database into a tangible reality said the platform will revolutionize the way people discriminate against research findings.

‘An expanded hope of research as a country will provide an opportunity of advancing research to achieve the National development goal as articulated in the Bottom up Economic Transformation Agenda which include healthcare, agricultural transformation, affordable housing and creative economy,’ said the PS.

She noted that the repository will empower stakeholders across all sectors with the knowledge needed to drive the data leaving a sustainable economic development and social transformation besides enhancing the quality for health, education and research.

Inyangala who urged NRF to remain committed to the long-term success and sustainability of the repository, also called on stakeholders to support the repository to realize its noble, since collaboration will help
in ensuring that the repository becomes a cornerstone in a pursuit of a knowledge driven economy.

‘The government will allocate additional funds for its operation as well as other research activities to enable NRF to recruit requisite human personnel to coordinate the processes,’ she assured.

Inyangala reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment in providing support to NRF in the journey, in order to harness the power and access to unlock the potential of the nation’s research and innovation.

In her remark, the Head of Education, British Council Monica Blagescu said British Council is committed to build and improve international partnerships for research collaboration, knowledge exchange and scientific outreach, increasing trust and building long-term relationship between researcher communities, policymakers and public audience since they focus on excellence, inclusivity and trust in research.

‘In a context where much of the research in Kenya remains in analogue form, a digital open access platform can help brea
k barrier to international collaboration by participating in international research projects and initiatives,’ she stated.

She added that Kenyan institutions and researchers can leverage their expertise and resources to contribute to global knowledge and to address shared challenges.

Blagescu said that digitalizing knowledge and making it readily available will make the repository to improve its accessibility and help accelerate progress to the young entrepreneurs who will be inspired by research in accessing evidence to help them identify market opportunity and generate new ideas for new ventures that solve problems.

‘Policy makers who will easily access and use evidence-based research will make informed decision and develop effective policies to address societal challenges,’ she added.

Chairman National Research Fund Prof. Ratemo Michieka said NRF is looking forward to getting information that can be kept private, of which it will choose what must be protected and what will be going out.

‘The resource
for repository will serve as a dynamic platform for designation of knowledge and preservation of output for Kenya that can be shared,’ he stated.

Prof. Michieka urged stakeholders to take note on Sustainable Development Goals Number 17 to enable them be informed of what must be shared and what must be protected, adding that Universities must make a difference by ensuring what they select is important to the Nation.

Source: Kenya News Agency

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin has commended the outgoing region’s County Commissioner for his unwavering dedication and hard work in serving the people of west Pokot

for seven years as county commissioner and two years as Deputy County Commissioner.

During a gathering convened by West Pokot Governor and other government officials to bid farewell to county commissioner Apollo Okello at Mtelo hall in Kapenguria town, the governor praised the outgoing County Commissioner saying that he diligently served the county for seven years before being transferred to another station.

The governor lauded the outgoing County Commissioner for his exemplary service during his tenure and wished him success in his future endeavour.

Governor Kachapin also acknowledged the unpredictability of life, mentioning that the outgoing Commissioner might potentially return to the county in different capacities after retiring from service.

He warmly welcomed the new County Commissioner, Abdullai khalif, and pledged his full commi
tment and support to collaborate closely with him in addressing critical issues such as insecurity and promoting overall development in the county.

Deputy County Commissioner Jeremiah Tumo of Pokot Central sub county, in his remarks, praised the outgoing county commissioner as a good listener who provides guidance to all government officials. He said they consider themselves fortunate to have had outgoing CC presence in such a volatile

region.

‘County Commissioner Okello’s efforts have brought about a sense of peace and tranquility in the region.

He said CC Okello dedicated himself tirelessly to the task of recovering forearms, and he recalled that in 2022 with support of security officers, he successfully recovered approximately 140 illegal weapons from bandits.

DCC Tumo expressed surprise that while illegal firearms are currently being disarmed from the wrong hands, the achievements of the outgoing commissioner Okello within six months have not been matched.

The administrator is of the opinion that if
Okello had been allowed to continue serving in the region, many more guns would have been recovered.

He explained that outgoing CC leadership played a crucial role in proposing the establishment of additional security units in the region, resulting in a notable improvement in the security situation.

The commissioner notes that the outgoing CC possessed the ability to guide administrators in their tasks.

”He approaches tasks deliberately, rather than hastily. The chiefs can attest to how he has guided them, even when faced with challenges. Despites some chiefs struggling with alcohol abuse, Okello chose to support and counsel them instead of dismissing them of their duties. It is evident that many have benefitted from the counselling services provided by our county commissioner, leading to positive transformations,” he said.

Head of Kapenguria Law Court station Magistrate, Bernard Ochieng, emphasizes the effective collaboration between the judiciary and the out-going County Commissioner, Okello, particul
arly in supporting the Court Users Committee (CUC).

He commended Okello for being a strong advocate for inter-departmental relationships, which led to the establishment of mobile court services at Sigor location in Pokot Central Sub County.

Former Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang, who is currently serving as the Trans Nzoia County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Natural Resources and Climate Change conveyed his appreciation to the governor for organizing an event to bid farewell to the outgoing county commissioner.

”Occasions like this are quite rare, Your Excellency. Individuals like Okello, who possess true goodness, are the ones who truly deserve such recognition,” he said.

West Pokot current County Commissioner Abdullai Khalif, expressed his satisfaction in assuming the responsibility from his predecessor, noting that he acquired a wealth of skills and knowledge, including managerial expertise, from him during their time together in 2016 when he served as the West Pokot Sub Co
unty Deputy County Commissioner.

Khalif mentioned that he is aware of the trust his former boss has in him to effectively carry out duties.

West Pokot outgoing county commissioner Apollo Okello making his address during his farewell party spearheaded by the governor and other organizers at Mtelo hall in Kapenguria town Photo By Erickson Kiprotich.

He further mentioned that Okello possesses exceptional integrity, displays great courage in decision-making, and shows compassion.

Additionally, he highlighted Okello’s respectfulness and resilience, noting that he has gained valuable lessons from him.

He also expressed gratitude towards Okello for gracefully handing over his duties and responsibilities without any resistance, allowing for a smooth transition in office.

Khalif announced that the honeymoon period was over and he has been tasked by the government to ensure efficient and effective service delivery to the people of West Pokot.

”The Cabinet Secretary (CS) informed me that due to my past experienc
e, I have been assigned to ensure peace and security in West Pokot,” he stated.

He emphasized that the negative perception of West Pokot and Pokot community as bandits involved in cattle rustling and theft of stock must change.

Upon his arrival in West Pokot, Khalif said one of his first tasks was to rescue a kidnapped Pokot girl in Turkana, which was successfully accomplished through collaboration with a security team.

Regarding illegal firearms, Khalif mentioned that the government has initiated a disarmament program in the North Rift region, including areas like Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Samburu, ensuring a fair process that does not harm innocent people.

In his part, the outgoing CC Okello urged the incoming county commissioner to continue the work he started, expressing confidence in his ability to handle any challenges that may arise, given his past experience in the region as Deputy County Commissioner.

He expressed his gratitude to the governor and the event organizers f
or the farewell party, mentioning that he had not expected a red-carpet reception with a large turnout of people.

He urged the governor to complete all ongoing projects in the county before leaving office, emphasizing the importance of utilizing public funds effectively for the benefit of the residents of West Pokot.

The outgoing county commissioner had officially handed over office in February of this year after he was reassigned to a new role as the Deputy regional Commissioner for Western Region.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM), heads of various county and national government departments, representatives from faith-based organizations, officials from NGOs, and residents of West Pokot were also in attendance at the farewell ceremony, along with other officials.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Aburi has encouraged parents to engage their children in productive activities during the upcoming April holidays to curb negative vices such as teenage pregnancies and FGM.

Speaking at an event dubbed Donya Charity Mission by the Woman Rep held at Bobaracho primary school’s grounds in Kisii Central Sub-County, Ms. Aburi noted that teenagers were not enlightened on gender-based violence (GBV) issues and could easily be taken advantage of during the school break.

‘Our girls are not getting enough education on GBV and cases of early pregnancies and FGM still remain high in our region. As such, parents must take the responsibility of educating their children on these issues,’ said the Woman Rep.

She challenged the parents to refrain from engaging the girls in outlawed activities such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and instead, support their academic journey to ensure they excel in school.

According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, teenage pregnancy
rate stands at 14 percent in Kisii and the county is among the counties with the highest numbers of pregnancies reported among girls aged between 10 and 19 years.

The report cites some of the causes of teenage pregnancies to include poverty, Sexual Gender-Based Violence, low levels of education, harmful cultural practices, and extended school closures.

The area MCA Ibrahim Ongubo (Bobaracho Ward) and his counterparts Ismael Matundura (Bogiakumu Ward) and Bouse Mairura (Masimba Ward) lauded the Woman Rep for her development initiatives.

‘We are very proud that for the first time, the office of the Woman Rep is working closely with the MCAs and we will continue to support such initiatives,’ said Mairura.

During the event, thousands of residents also received food and clothing donations and benefited from a free medical camp courtesy of the office of the Woman Representative and its partners.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o has urged the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) to rein in unscrupulous insurance companies, brokers and agents.

He observed that many Kenyans pay premiums every month, daily or annually but have very little knowledge of on operations of the insurance industry and end up losing their money to brokers.

‘Several Kenyans have lost their hard-earned cash to fake insurance brokers, unprofessional lawyers and corrupt ambulance chasers just because they lack the prerequisite knowledge on insurance policies,” Nyong’o decried in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Governor Dr.Mathew Owili during the official launch of the Kisumu County Insurance Open Day held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground.

According to the County boss, the State regulator must be vigilant as con men and con women are prowling the sector and are trying to take advantage of lack of knowledge on issues pertaining to insurance to rob innocent members of the public.

To save the insurance
industry, he suggested that the IRA should now sharpen their knives and cut to smithereens the rogue players in it. He added that the authority should seize this moment and demystify the simple terms, and the intricacies of the insurance sector.

The IRA staff, Nyong’o pointed out, must create awareness for those who have limited knowledge of insurance on the difference between life,non-life and Re-Insurance. The people ought to be educated on terms such as Risk Managers, Insurance Brokers and Motor Assessments.

‘How, for example, how should a common mwananchi differentiate between a genuine and a fake motor vehicle insurance sticker?” he wondered.

He urged the people of Kisumu to take up insurance and to stop viewing it as a -nice-to-have-easy-to-discard product, as he further appealed to IRA to organize more outreaches and awareness campaigns.

Official government records indicate a moderate growth trajectory for the insurance industry with general insurance dominating the market at about 60 percent. Des
pite economic hard times ignited by COVID-19, market dynamics show that there is an increase in uptake of insurance in the country.

Prof Nyong’o lauded IRA for creating a rare chance for government agencies to market their vast services to the people of Kisumu and the region. The Open Day, he continued, is of great economic importance to the residents as the lessons learnt especially in insurance relations will result in life-changing financial decisions.

While recalling that a similar exercise was organized by the State Authority in 2021, Nyong’o stressed that he regards such occasions as very educative, and important social and economic gatherings which should be held for longer periods (3-4 days). The large turn-out by the residents is a clear testimony that through education they will make informed decisions on insurance.

Geoffrey Kiptum, IRA CEO and the Board thanked the county for accepting to partner with it in organizing and gracing the occasion.

‘IRA was established in 2007 and its mandate is to
regulate, supervise and internalize the insurance industry. Currently, we have 56 licensed insurance companies operating as a group or single representation,” said Kiptum in a speech read on his behalf by Abel Matoke, Senior Manager for Consumer Education (IRA).

In Kisumu County, he said, 25 licensed insurance companies have employed the local people to empower the region’s economy and the country at large. In addition, IRA has brokers as part of the team and has so far licensed five Reinsurance companies across the country.

He further divulged that in the insurance industry, the IRA is ranked fifth in Africa and continues to play a critical role in the region.

Some of the challenges facing IRA is the low uptake of insurance and penetration which is attributed to negative perceptions and publicity. To allay these fears, the State agency has been at the forefront of creating awareness among the people.

‘Our agencies are offering various insurance products such as health, education, and motor in the market
. Kisumu County is number five on the roll in terms of insurance business in the country after Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Kiambu,” Kiptum explained.

IRA have rolled out similar events to educate the citizenry in Mombasa, and their next pitch will be Nakuru. Prof. Nyong’o encouraged them to open their offices in all of the 47 counties.

Over 33 stakeholders from the insurance and public sector were present to showcase their services. IRA is using the Open Day as a strategic approach to enhance consumer education, awareness and understanding of insurance by the citizens

Source: Kenya News Agency

Regional Centre on Groundwater (RCGW) Resources Education, Training and Research plans to inculcate young learners on tree planting culture in schools in order to conserve the environment and protect the groundwater resources.

While speaking during the tree planting exercise at Limanet Comprehensive School and Kimelok Secondary school, Samwel Kamau, the Assistant director training and capacity building in the RCGW resources said the focus of the agency is to engage the public on the importance of environment conservation and the protection of ground water resources.

Kamau added that the agency also focuses on the young learners in schools to conserve the environment through a culture of tree planting to be able to have sustainable environment resources underground.

Kamau said the agency undertakes research and mapping, engage capacity building and creates awareness on groundwater resources in the country.

The Assistant County Commissioner from the office of the county commissioner, Carol Odhiambo said the
RCGW have come to sensitize the community on the importance of conserving the environment and groundwater resources

Adhiambo said engaging young learners in the culture of tree planting and on the need of conserving the environment will help the government to achieve the forest cover of 15 Billion trees by 2032.

She also urged the school teachers and learners to take care of the trees and nature to survive for future generations.

The head teacher, Limanet comprehensive school, Joseph Ikayo, said they have planted over 600 tree seedlings within the school.

Ikayo said educating young learners at an early age on the importance of conserving the environment is important even in the education sector.

David Naeni, the school chairman, Limanet comprehensive school said they have witnessed the changes brought in by climate variability within the area.

Naeni said the school management will continue managing tree seedlings planted by the young learners, adding trees play a vital role in preventing classes from be
ing blown off by strong winds.

RCGW Resources Education, Training and Research also donates water tanks to school, and offer young going school girls with sanitary towels for the clean hygiene.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Pastoralists farmers in Samburu County have benefited from a Sh. 75 million project grant from the Japanese government that seeks to cushion them from the impact of drought experienced in the area.

The project being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the Kenyan government is meant to mitigate the impact of drought for the vulnerable pastoral communities in the area.

Thousands of livestock farmers recently gathered at Ng’ambo village in Oldokejek ward where their animals were dewormed and vaccinated against diseases by the county government veterinary officers.

The exercise led by the Samburu County Director of veterinary services Dr. Boree Lekenit saw over 20, 000 sheep and goats get the medication.

Dr. Lekenit said that the most common livestock diseases in the area were foot and mouth, lumpy skin disease, sheep and goat pox, pneumonia and pest of small rumens.

Farmers whose livestock got the medication lauded the project saying that it had cushioned them from
buying medication and pesticides for their animals.

Anna Lenairushi said that her goat herd had increased since the project was introduced in the area as more of her animals survived diseases due to the help they got from local vets.

‘Previously my goats were infested with worms and suffered many diseases and many died in the process, but today I am happy since I have a healthier flock,’ Lenairushi said.

Edward Lenarushi, another farmer who rears sheep and goats said that livestock death rate had drastically reduced since the introduction of the project.

The one-year project that started in 2023 has so far seen the provision of range cubes to livestock where a total of 5,000 bags equivalent to 250 tonnes were distributed to 1000 households.

Additionally, livestock health support was provided through deworming and vaccination of livestock, where a total of 100,000 doses of CCPP vaccines, 75,000 doses of sheep and goat pox vaccines, 50,000 doses of LSD vaccines, 2200 litres of 10 percent Albendazole and ot
her assorted drugs and equipment were received and administered from FAO.

In addition, a total of 1000 most vulnerable households were supplied with animal feed, in addition to receiving Ksh.12000 each in unconditional cash transfers.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Murang’a County creameries (MCC) factory has resumed processing of milk after the facility halted its operations in early 2022.

This comes after the county government handed over the management of the factory to the county cooperative creameries union.

The union is made of 34 cooperative societies and with more than 10,000 members currently supplies 40, 000 litres to the factory on a daily basis.

Cooperatives Cabinet secretary Simon Chelugui who graced the handing over ceremony on Friday lauded the move saying the national government among other partners are now in position to assist the MCC.

Chelugui said the government has plans to help dairy cooperatives by availing incentives targeting increased milk production.

‘With the factory now being managed by the farmers, the national government will come in and support Murang’a county creameries to increase milk production. We also want to urge the local county government to assist the factory to add more lines of production.’ Said the CS.

The factory w
as established by the former county government led by Mwangi wa Iria but its operations were rocked by debts owed to farmers, transporters among other service providers.

When governor Irungu Kang’ata’s administration took over the county governance in August 2022, farmers and suppliers were owing the factory in excess of more than Sh. 100 million.

Chelugui underscored the move to revive the plant saying the country’s milk production is quite low as compared to high demand of dairy products in the country and international markets.

‘Currently milk production in the country stands at 5.2 billion litres per year and the government targets to double the production to more than 10 billion litres annually. This will be achieved by supporting all dairy cooperatives by providing subsidies, extension services and availing quality animal feeds.

From the survey my ministry has done, there are huge markets for dairy products in neighbouring countries including Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt among other
nations,’ added Chelugui.

The CS further said they are finalizing a policy paper which aims to set a specific date when farmers will be paid for the milk they have supplied to their respective processors. This he said, will increase liquidity and help farmers from accruing debts which in long run affect cost of production.

Chelugui appealed to farmers to join cooperatives so as to help in marketing their milk collectively.

‘Dairy cooperatives play an important role in the production, processing and marketing of dairy products. They have been instrumental in collection, bulking and sale of farmers’ milk to either processors or local consumers.

Through bulking, cooperatives have been able to reduce the cost of milk marketing and gain access to markets and this has benefitted farmers with higher and stable returns,’ he explained.

He underscored the need for dairy cooperatives to venture in value addition saying by doing this, farmers’ return will go up as well as creation of employment, technology adoption
and growth of service establishments.

He urged the county government of Murang’a to partner with other state agencies with idle land and make an agreement to utilize the lands in growing fodder.

‘To mitigate shortage of animal feeds, the government suggests utilization of idle public lands to grow fodder, this will be achieved by having a partnership and signing agreements with the agencies owning the lands,’ he added.

On his part, Governor Kang’ata asked the suppliers and farmers owed by the factory to give the facility a period of one year to stabilize its operations.

The facility, Kang’ata said currently it is doing value addition of 10, 000 litres of milk on daily basis saying in a few months, they are targeting to do value addition to more than 40, 000 litres supplied to the facility on daily basis.

‘My administration will give the factory Sh. 40 million as seed capital to help in stabilizing its operations. Already sh. 15 million has been channeled to creameries and before mid this year, the remain
ing amount will be given to the factory,’ he said.

Meanwhile Kang’ata said the subsidy which was being given to dairy farmers in terms of cash, will now be issued through e-voucher.

The e-voucher, he explained, will enable the beneficiaries to access agrovet items, animal feeds, food stuff and also help farmers to pay for school fees or medical care.

‘In every three months, every inua mkulima card will be loaded with sh. 2, 400. The farmers will use the money to access items from selected local agrovet stores, general shops and also pay for school fees for their children,’ he remarked.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The church has vowed to complement government efforts in the all-out war against drug abuse and illicit liquor to save young people from annihilation.

Speaking during the commemoration of Good Friday in Kisauni Sub-County, which foryears has been synonymous with drug abuse and crimes involving the youths, Fr. Vincent Alicho the Priest of the Sacred Heart Catholic Shanzu rooted for concerted efforts to tackle the challenges facing the youth.

‘The youth are a vital part of society in fact without the youth there will be problems in society. As it is always said they are the leaders of tomorrow,’ said Fr. Alicho.

‘When they grow and they are well groomed then the society will be bright for all of us. We will get Presidents, Cabinet Secretaries, and Leaders of the Church from the youth,’ he added.

Fr. Alicho noted that drug abuse and crime among the youth is a concern to all and sundry as the society may lack leaders in the future. He challenged the government to partner with the church to support education a
nd tackle unemployment among the youth, through scholarships as most of the youth engaging in crime are from poor backgrounds.

Christian faithfuls led by Fr. Vincent Alicho in a procession that snaked through several villages in Shanzu ward, Kisauni Sub-County to mark Good Friday. Photos by Haniel Mengistu/KNA

Fr. Alicho underscored the value of education as a powerful tool to take the youth from crimes through skill enhancement.

‘I want to tell the government that the more they pull people out of poverty the more they are pulling them away from criminality, out of reckless situation and take them to prosperity,’ said Fr. Alicho

‘The issue of loans to students should be taken seriously. The Ministry of Education should look at what concerns children. If they are in schools they will not use drugs, they will not be in courts, and will move away from the vices,’ added Fr. Alicho.

The Shanzu-based Catholic Church has youth-tailored programs and they organize leadership seminars to bring the youth closer to
God by shunning indecorous behavior.

‘We believe the more we bring them closer to God the more they will see the need to move away from vices, alcoholism, drug and substance abuse, and all the things bedeviling them,’ said Fr. Alicho.

He termed drugs and illicit liquors as inimical to the youths and the church has been at the forefront of sensitizing the community even before the government launched a crackdown on bootleg liquors and drugs.

‘We have been preaching to the youths about the negative effects of using drugs. In our church, we tell the youths to move away from them because they affect their brains and once the brain is tempered the youth will not be productive they can easily commit crimes because they don’t know what is good and what is bad,’ said Fr. Alicho

Perpetrators of Gender Based Violence were urged to stop the vice as it is against the teachings of the bible that says men and women were created to complement each other and build a family. Couples were encouraged to solve their marital
issues amicably without violence.

Muslims and Christians were advised to live in harmony and deepen brotherhood as they observe the fasting seasons that are coinciding.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kisii County, through the Department of Agriculture, is set to distribute about 190,000 Hass avocado fruit seedlings to farmers across the county in a bid to improve their livelihoods.

Speaking at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) on the outskirts of Kisii town, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Elijah Obwori said the market for Hass avocado was readily available locally and internationally and encouraged the farmers to collect the seedlings at the centre.

‘We project that if all our farmers in the county purchase the seedlings, we would have planted the Hass avocado in 80 acres of land and enabled our farmers to have money in their pockets to carry out other economic activities,’ Obwori noted.

The CEC pointed out the seedlings will be sold to the local farmers at a subsidized price of Sh.100 as opposed to the normal market price of Sh. 250.

He added that farmers outside the county will be allowed to buy the seedlings at Sh. 150.

Mr. Obwori said that every ward had been all
ocated 4000 seedlings and the county had assigned officers to collect data of farmers interested in purchasing the Hass avocado fruit seedlings.

The CEC affirmed that several farmers had expressed interest in growing Hass avocado for its financial benefits and the county was conducting training on how to plant the seedlings in order to get productive yields.

According to Obwori, the Hass avocado fruit seedlings are mature and ready for transplanting and had been certified by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and other Agriculture and Food Authorization (AFA) organizations.

The distribution of the Hass avocado seedlings is in line with Kisii Governor Simba Arati’s promise to invest in the agriculture sector with the aim of supporting the livelihoods of the residents.

Governor Arati pledged to set up a bulk nursery for avocado and banana seedlings at the ATC to ensure the availability of quality planting materials to farmers at subsidized rates.

According to a market survey by the Agricultur
e Sector Development Support Programme (2014), there are 809,049 avocado trees in Kisii, where 641,746 are of Jumbo variety and 161,936 are of Hass variety.

The survey also revealed that the current production per avocado tree is 1,000 fruits and the tree produces at least 300 kilograms of avocados per year, with each avocado weighing 300 grams.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Hundreds of families who occupy trust land in Mombasa say they face an uncertain future and called on the National Land Commission (NLC) to resolve the issue.

Residents have for decades been complaining that outsiders seized their land making many of them squatters.

More than 10,000 residents have built houses on land belonging to the descendants of former Coast rulers who live abroad, especially Oman on what is referred to as tenants-at-will.

The families’ inhabiting the land along the contentious ten-mile coastal strip have held a press conference to express fears that they face an unfair eviction order from the absentee landlords.

The squatters said they should be allocated the contentious parcels of land in the coastal city and be issued with title deeds so that they can develop them.

The squatters’ spokesman Abdullahi Farah says the tenants pay rent for the land to absentee landlords in Oman who have been collecting land rates through the Sir Ali Bin Salim Trust.

Farah called on the Gershom Otachi
led NLC to classify their case as one of the many historical land injustices at the Coast to enable them to benefit from the government’s resettlement plan.

He says the long-standing dispute between the tenants-at-will and the descendants of pre-independence coastal rulers (Liwali) who represented the sultan of Zanzibar is far from over.

The absentee landlords have in possession land titles under the Land Titles Ordinance of 1908 when Kenya was an East Africa Protectorate.

‘The parcels of land in dispute are registered in the name of former coast ruler Sheikh Salim Bin Khalfan and the titles date back to 1908 but residents are now having problems with the Liwali heirs,’ he said.

Farah suggests that the families who have been occupying the land belonging to the absentee landlords for decades be granted ownership documents.

He said the affected areas in Mombasa Island are Bondeni, Mwembe Kuku, Mji wa Kale, Kaloleni, Sparki, Majengo, Sidiria, Sargoi, Guraya, Kiziwi and Ziwani areas.

‘We have presented our
case before the NLC and expect a favorable outcome by June this year to end this problem we have been facing since pre-independence,’ said Farah.

He said the squatters have appeared before the NLC several times submitting their claims of historical injustices for investigation and redress.

Former Mombasa mayor Rajab Sumba said the long running land dispute was complicated and called on President William Ruto to intervene.

Sumba says the tenants at will who live on land belonging to absentee Arab landlords should be allocated the land and issued with title deeds as security of tenure.

The former mayor says the NLC should investigate land allocations at the coast with a view to redistribute public land to the landless.

Sumba says most victims are from the Miji Kenda, Swahili and Bajuni communities who despite being the indigenous have lived on such land for centuries but are considered squatters by foreigners.

The two squatter’s representatives also dismissed a recent report by a local daily that the NLC
rejected their claim of being victims of historical land injustice.

Former Mombasa mayor Rajab Sumba (center) when he addressed the press

conference and called on the NLC to resolve historical land injustices in Mombasa. Photos by Andrew Hinga

They said in a recent town hall meeting with senior officials of the NLC the commission agreed to classify their case as one of the many historical land injustices at the coast.

They said their complaint was unique and was only found in Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu counties where absentee landlords rent land to willing tenants who pay ground rent after building a house.

Yesterday, the tenants wanted the NLC to classify their case as one of the many historical land injustices at the Coast to enable them to benefit from the government’s resettlement plan.

Zuhura Adam says theirs has been a desperate long struggle to reclaim pieces of land ‘our heritage’ that we called home for decades.

‘We want perennial threats of evictions of tenants at will to end once and fo
r all and that we should be given legal protection and security of tenure,’ she said, adding that most of them are living in fear of their houses being auctioned by the landlords.

She says the NLC needs to move with speed to address the emotive land issue at the coast before things go out of hand.

Zuhura claims that most of the victims are living in fear of their houses being auctioned by the absentee landlords who hike land rates arbitrarily.

She lamented that they are now being forced to part with a lot of money after landlords hiked rent.

Source: Kenya News Agency