Day: June 14, 2024

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Forestry and Climate Change (CS) Soipan Tuya has said forestry has been listed as one of the value chains.

While speaking at a Narok hotel during the fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP) dissemination forum, Tuya said that the government is revitalising the forestry industry away from what it has traditionally been so that forestry can be seen creating jobs and addressing food security, adding that is the plan behind the 15 billion tree planting programme.

The CS said 20 percent of the trees to be planted under the government’s 15 billion tree planting programme are fruit trees that would speak to food security and nutrition value for the population in the country.

Tuya said the government has a responsibility through her ministry to provide unlimited supply of tree seedlings for fruits, fodder trees, and other various species that need to be planted in specific areas.

On the other hand, the CS said the government embraces participatory forest management so that the commun
ities living near the forest have clear guidelines under the Forestry Management Act in terms of user rights for communities.

However, Tuya has made strong directives to forest officers, starting with the with the chief conservators of forests, regional forest conservators, and county forest conservators, down to the forest station managers, regarding the allowed activities within the forest.

The CS noted that Narok County has been greatly affected by the allowed activities within the forest. Adding to that, there are laws and regulations on the allowed activities within the forest.

She said that the activities that can be carried out within the forest are regulated by law, especially grazing and grass harvesting.

The CS said that they have delegated forest management to the community forest association, whereby the people who take responsibility are the forest officers, to make sure each community forest association understands the rules and regulations on grazing.

‘For example, we have the regulations
to be mapped out; we cannot have free-range kinds of activities within the forest, especially now that we are doing 15 billion trees for the areas under restoration; grazing is not compatible,’ said Tuya.

The CS has directed all the forest officers to sit together with the community forest association to map out and zone the areas that are compatible with control grazing.

She also said there is a limited carrying capacity for livestock that must be enforced to the letter because it is limited; it can only happen within the areas that are not undertaking restoration activities.

Source: Kenya News Agency

In the quiet village of Aroso in Suna East, Migori County, the sound of clucking chickens is a testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of a young man who turned adversity into opportunity.

Tony Kisasati, a 28-year-old man’s tertiary academic journey, began at Kabete National Polytechnic, where he pursued a diploma in quantity surveying.

Graduating in 2019, he had high hopes for a promising career in the construction industry.

He managed to secure his first-ever paying job at the British American Tobacco Company, where he worked in the warehousing management department.

From this job, he was able to cater for his family’s needs. His dreams, however, were shattered when he lost his job at the company in ‘unclear circumstances.’

The unexpected job loss was a heavy blow, leaving him without a source of income to support his family.

Faced with the harsh reality of unemployment and the high cost of living, he decided to think quickly and creatively about alternative means of earning a living t
o shoulder his family’s expenses.

Speaking while feeding his chickens at his home in Aroso, Kisasati revealed the motivation behind his decision to venture into chicken farming.

‘I chose chicken farming because it required little capital,’ Tony explained. ‘With just Sh. 3,000, I could start something that would help me provide for my family.’

After researching various income-generating activities, he decided to venture into chicken farming. The choice was driven by the relatively high demand for chickens in Migori in comparison to other poultry.

With Sh. 3,000 from his little savings, he started his farm with 10 Kencross breed chicks, each purchased for Sh. 100 from a local farmer. He used the remaining Sh. 2000 to build a well-ventilated coop.

He decided to focus mainly on rearing broiler chickens, which mature after three or four months, instead of layers, whose maturity and production take a longer time.

He also chose rearing chicken for meat as he has yet to establish a hatchery for chicks and there
fore found it easier to manage, enabling him to make a faster profit before he brings in another stock of chicks.

To manage his business, he ensures that the chicken house is well-ventilated and meticulously cleaned, changing the sawdust regularly, washing the chicken feeders, and warming the coop during cold seasons as directed by his veterinarian.

‘Keeping the chicken house clean and well-ventilated is crucial,’ said Tony. ‘It helps prevent diseases and keeps the chickens healthy.’

Though he maintained the cleanliness of his coop, his chicks still became victims of diseases such as stress and reduced appetite, which slowed down their growth and resulted in some deaths.

He decided to seek the guidance of Robert Bramwel, a local veterinarian in Migori town, who recommended he buy medicines from the agro vet to boost their immunity, increase appetite, and aid in digestion.

‘Chicken formula and liquid paraffin are two of the solutions for chicks to grow healthy, therefore reducing their mortality rates,’ B
ramwell explained.

Another challenge Kisasati faced in the earlier stages of his business was the cold weather conditions at night, especially during the rainy seasons. This resulted in the loss of four of his chicks, which was a heavy blow to his business.

However, he did not give up on his business. He decided to, once again, seek professional assistance from the veterinarian. With his help, he was able to manage the situation after he was advised to install a bulb in the coop to help in the regulation of temperature by a dimmer switch, which ensured the survival of the remaining chicks during the cold seasons.

His persistence, however, paid off when he sold the six remaining chickens after four months for Sh. 1,100 each to a customer in Aroso. This amounted to his first-ever profit of Sh. 3,600 after deducting the capital. He reinvested the profits and some of his savings to purchase a stock of 50 more chicks.

Two years into the business, one of his first significant successes came when he sold 50 chic
kens for Sh. 54,600 to a local customer in Migori, with a cock selling for Sh. 800 and a hen for Sh. 1200.

This success allowed him to supplement his chicken farming with crop farming. Through the profit incurred from chicken farming, he rented out three acres of land.

He thus decided to innovate his feeds using a mix of sunflower seeds, sardines, and maize from his rented three-acre farm. He also supplements the chickens’ feed with greens from his farm, hence a homemade solution that has proven to be both economical and effective, contributing to the healthy growth of his chickens.

The maize crops provided an extra food source for his chickens, further reducing his feed costs. Furthermore, he could cut back on the capital required for buying feed, thereby enhancing his overall profitability.

Kisati has ambitious plans for his chicken business. He aims to scale up his operations, reinvesting the profits to increase the size of his flock and enhance his farming infrastructure. His goal is to become a leadi
ng chicken farmer in the region, providing high-quality chickens to a broader market.

‘I want to expand and become one of the leading poultry farmers in Migori,’ Kisati said confidently. ‘The profits from my business will help me achieve that goal.’

Source: Kenya News Agency

A day after the tabling of the Sh3.9 trillion budget for the financial year 2024-2025 by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning, political leaders and the residents of Murang’a County have expressed their concerns, arguing that if the budget is adopted by legislators in the National Assembly in its entirety, it will continue to hurt Kenyans, who are already overburdened by the high costs of living.

Led by Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina, who spoke in Gatunyu, Gatanga sub-county, during a NGAAF economic empowerment forum, they noted that some clauses in the Finance Bill that were offloaded in the budgetary estimates will make the lives of most Kenyans unbearable, considering that most of them cannot afford to buy some essential commodities that were hiked in the budget.

‘I urge the Parliamentary Committee on Finance led by Molo MP Kuria Kimani to relook at the grievances raised by Kenyans for consideration with the aim of expunging them before adoption by legislators in the Nation
al Assembly,’ she said, adding that,

‘Bread was previously VAT-exempt, and now a 16% tax on the commodity has been imposed, and that will make it hard for Kenyans as bread is the most readily available food that finds its way to the table of most Kenyans.’

We support the government’s efforts, and while the country can only grow through taxes, the bill must be amended before being passed to expunge the punitive clauses,’ she added.

While expressing similar concerns, Senator Joe Nyutu said the proposed increase in tax on fuel, taxes levied on motor vehicles, and their spare parts will drive many Matatu operators out of business.

‘If this happens, it will have a ripple effect on many Kenyans who use matatus as their mode of transport as the operators will hike fares. Let the finance bill be amended,’ he observed.

On their part, the residents say they are reeling from heavy taxation from the government, and if more taxes are levied on them, they will be heavily burdened.

One of the residents, Mary Muthoni K
ariuki, who is a farmer from the constituency, disclosed that she is particularly concerned with the proposed levy on bread.

‘We cannot currently afford to buy bread, and we term it a luxury; how about when it increases? She posed.

‘We urge the government to consider lowering the cost of basic commodities instead,’ she added.

Muthoni also noted that the proposed levies on motor vehicles, which also include fuel, will have a resultant effect on their farming activities, and it will be hard for them to take their farm produce to the markets.

Another resident who is a content creator, George Nguku, noted that the industry has attracted and employed many young people, and thus imposing a levy on the proceeds they earn from content creation will sound like a death knell to the industry.

‘I have employed four youths to help in the production and dissemination of my work, and I am afraid that if a 20 percent levy is imposed on proceeds from content creation, I will do away with two of them, rendering them joble
ss, as it will be difficult for me to maintain them,’ he said.

He also termed the proposed increase in the charges on money transfers as punitive, as it will push the costs of transacting businesses by most Kenyans who are at the bottom of the pyramid.

They urged the Members of Parliament to consider expanding the tax net by reaching non-compliers instead of overtaxing the already overburdened tax payers.

During the NGAAF event, all 15 primary schools from Mugumoini ward received a 5000-litre water tank each, while seven self-help groups that applied and qualified for NGAAF grants received their cheques worth Sh100,000 each.

Further, all 1263 girls in 15 primary schools in grades 5, 6, and JSS were supported with 8 packets of sanitary towels, totaling 10104 packets.

The 750 elders present also received blankets and food essentials for all the attendees.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Government officers from Nyamira County have been sensitised on the importance of proper e-waste management because it has become an environmental hazard that accelerates the effects of climate change, courtesy of the ICT Authority Department.

Mr. Kepha Githinji, an officer from ICTA, revealed that Kenya accumulates an approximate 51,300 metric tonnes of e-waste annually, with just 5% reported to be formally recycled and the rest being disposed- of unsafely, endangering human life due to polluted environments, soil degradation, and resource wastage because it has not been utilised for profitable reuse.

‘E-waste growth has been necessitated by various factors, some of which include population growth that highly depends on electronic gadgets in their day-to-day lives, changes in lifestyle and status of people, rapid urbanisation and technological advancement, a short life span of electronic gadgets, and few repair options for electronic products, accelerating their end of usefulness.’ Enumerated Githinji.

H
e added that electronic devices or gadgets destined for the end of their useful lives, reuse, recycling, and disposal are all considered e-waste that is unsafely disposed of in homes, offices, stores, dumping sites, or buried.

‘Unsafe disposal of e-waste is a serious threat to our environment and has been identified as accelerating climate change. Decomposing e-waste contains lead and mercury metals that leach into the soil, endangering the natural minerals in it. Burning it emits toxic smoke, which is hazardous to human beings when they inhale it and causes acidic rain, whose runoff water drains to water sources, consequently endangering aquatic life.’ The ICTA officer explained.

The Environment and Land Judge at Nyamira High Court, Justice Kamau Mugo, warned against conspiracy by unscrupulous ICTA officers or government officers to damage or resell electronic gadgets that are still of good use and instead suggested to the ICTA to establish e-waste collection centres in counties to curb the looming menace
that is detrimental to the entire environment and its inhabitants.

Nyanza regional director for National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA), Stella Kamwasir said the sensitization by ICTA on e-waste management and disposal was very educative and timely because e-waste is a real threat to the environment and junks of electronics whose life span has expired have allowed emergence of the informal e-waste sector like the scrape industry which is endangering other infrastructure in the country which is not necessary electronic.

Orpher Nyaigoti from ICTA observed that though Kenya is still facing challenges in management of e-waste like ignorance on safe disposal mechanisms, inadequate infrastructure, and emergence of the informal e-waste sector, their department has come up with strategies to ensure Kenyans are adequately sensitized on proper e-waste management and disposal and are working in collaboration with partners of good will to assist in establishment of standard infrastructure to manage e-waste
in our country.

‘Now that you are informed and aware of the importance of proper e-waste management, you therefore need to be purposeful in adhering to policy and recommendations on proper e-waste management and disposal to secure and sustain a green and safe environment for all and cushion against the brunt of harmful pollutants and climate change.’ Nyaigoti appealed.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Policymakers are being encouraged to include young people in key decision-making processes to help them exploit available opportunities for economic empowerment.

Speaking at a youth forum in Kisumu City, Joseph Ojuki, Executive Director of the Health and Economic Development Strategy Organisation (HEDSO), emphasised that youth inclusion in decision-making ensures they have full access to their social, economic, and political rights, enabling them to reach their full potential.

‘It is through full participation in decision-making processes that governments can create enabling environments for women, girls, and youths to gain the knowledge and expertise needed to engage lawmakers and effect changes on issues like climate change, sexual reproductive health, mental health, drug abuse, and the Finance Bill 2024,’ Ojuki stressed.

Ojuki pointed out that although the majority of Kenya’s population is young, they are underrepresented in decision-making processes across various economic sectors, which affects their
well-being. He noted that involving youth in formulating the contentious Finance Bill 2024 can facilitate smoother implementation by making them feel ownership of the process.

Youths face many pressing issues that they understand best. When given a platform to articulate their agendas and ideas, they can leverage their expertise to disseminate information among their peers, ensuring effective implementation of policies,’ Ojuki said.

Hillary Kitel from the Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative challenged the notion that youth are future leaders, asserting that they are the change-makers of today who influence policy implementation. He emphasised that young people must lead campaigns addressing joblessness, drug abuse, finances, gender-based violence, and other issues contributing to rising mental health cases among youth.

The convention, themed ‘Nafasi Yetu Ni Sauti Yangu,’ brought together various organisations working with young people to provide a platform for youth voices to be heard, delib
erate on issues, and advocate for change.

The youth summit, supported by the Voice Youth Community of Practice project, was attended by young professionals and policymakers from Kisumu, Nairobi, Mombasa, Homa Bay, Kakamega, and Siaya counties on June 13-14.

Ojuki noted that policymakers from the six counties were invited to respond to issues raised by young participants and commit to action. ‘After identifying tangible issues affecting young people and hindering their potential, we will have leaders who sit at decision-making tables commit to addressing these issues,’ Ojuki said.

He added, ‘We will use this agreement to follow up with these leaders, advocate for, and push to ensure these issues are addressed, enhancing the well-being of young people and ensuring their voices are heard in various forums.’

Source: Kenya News Agency

A 35-year-old man who pleaded not guilty to defiling a minor whom he lured to climb a window to his house in search of his missing door key has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Kericho court.

Kericho resident magistrate Clare Odunga found Emmanuel Kibet Rono guilty of defiling an eleven-year-old girl in his house on diverse dates between August 2 and August 8, 2022, at Kapseger village in Londiani Sub-County of Kericho County.

Rono was also charged with an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with the girl, to which he also pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution produced five witnesses, all of whom gave corroborating evidence against the accused.

The court heard that on August 2, at around 2 p.m., the minor was at her home when the accused, their neighbour, called her to his house to get his key, to which she responded by following him as he held her by the shoulders.

On arrival at his house, the accused informed the minor that his keys were inside his house and requested that she get i
nside using the window, to which she obliged.

When the minor was inside the house, she asked him where the key was, but instead of replying, he followed her inside through the window.

The accused, while inside his house, pushed the girl to a corner, removing her inner garments. Any attempts from the minor to scream were thwarted by the accused, who held her mouth and threatened to kill her if she reported the matter to anyone as he went ahead to have unprotected sex with the minor.

After the heinous ordeal, the accused opened the door and told her to run back home, warning the minor again not to report the incident to anyone.

The minor confessed on December 1, 2022, to her mother, revealing the accused’s threat to kill her if she revealed the incident to anyone.

The mother reported the incident to the area chief and his assistant. The complainant was taken to Londiani sub-county hospital for medical examination, where she was treated, and the matter was reported to the police. The accused was later arres
ted.

A clinical officer who examined the minor told the court that indeed she had been defiled and tabled a P3 form and laboratory reports before the court, further confirming the defilement charge.

In his defence, the accused gave a sworn statement and called two witnesses.

Rono denied committing the offence, claiming that he was in Kuresoi in the month of August 2022 and that he travelled to Kapseger village on August 9, 2022, and back to Kuresoi on August 10, 2022.

Upon cross-examination by the prosecution, the accused testified to the court that he lived in Kapseger village but travelled to Kuresoi in July 2022 to assist his brother in farming.

The accused’s witness further testified to the Court that the accused was not home in the month of July 2022 as he went to Kuresoi on August 9, 2022, from Kapseger village to vote and stayed in Kuresoi after casting his vote.

The accused’s second witness further told the court that the accused was in Kuresoi on July 10, 2022, and that he travelled to Kapseger
village on August 9, 2022, for voting and left for Kuresoi the same day.

In mitigation, the accused pleaded for leniency, but the magistrate found him guilty and ordered that he serve life imprisonment.

‘It is my finding that the defence was an afterthought and accordingly dismissed.’ Odunga ruled.

‘The accused is hereby found guilty of the charge of defilement contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(2) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006 and hereby convicted under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code.’ Ruled the magistrate.

The convict was given the right to appeal the sentence within 14 days.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The albino community has acknowledged that they are increasingly being recognised in the country, by notable businesspeople, government officials, and experts in various fields as they commemorated International Albinism Awareness Day at the Mama Ngina Water Front, Mombasa.

Alex Munyere, the Collaborative Manager of the Government Programme for People with Albinism, commonly known as Albinism, Sunscreen, and Support Programme, said that the Albinism community is celebrating the benefits they have gained in the country, citing the great example of the Government’s Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who is currently in New York representing the Government on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Munyere said the National Council for Persons with Disabilities is committed to promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, including those with albinism.

‘Today marks the 10th anniversary of our decade-long effort to raise awareness worldwide, following the designation of this day
by the United Nations,’ Munyere said.

‘We have had two weeks dedicated to screening people for skin cancer, which is the leading cause of death among individuals with albinism. In response, the government initiated this project to purchase sunscreen, distributing it to all national hospitals through KEMSA to protect our people from harmful sun rays,’ he added.

However, Munyere pointed out that individuals living with albinism face daily challenges, including significant societal stigmatisation. This stigma often manifests in various forms of discrimination and prejudice, affecting their mental and emotional well-being.

People with albinism may be subject to unfounded myths and misconceptions about their condition, leading to social exclusion and a lack of understanding from the broader community. This pervasive stigma not only isolates them but also hinders their access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

He added that people with albinism still face difficulties in earning a livelihoo
d due to the severe challenges posed by sun exposure.

‘Additionally, we have encountered cases of employers who still do not accept that individuals with albinism can be employed, especially in front-office positions. Many are hired for back-office roles to avoid presenting an image of disability in their institutions,’ Munyere noted.

Munyere acknowledged that they have not yet achieved their goals of mainstreaming individuals with albinism fully into society, but the government’s support is helping them make steady progress. He highlighted that initial steps have been taken to increase awareness about albinism and dispel misconceptions that have led to stigma and discrimination.

Halima Nyamawi, a mother of three children living with albinism, highlights the significant challenges faced by individuals with this condition within society. One of the primary issues is the lack of a reliable source of income. This difficulty arises because, due to their heightened sensitivity to sunlight, it is often unsafe to
bring children with albinism outside during the day, limiting their opportunities for employment and participation in daily activities.

Additionally, she noted that people with albinism frequently experience social isolation, further exacerbating their hardships. This marginalisation is compounded by insufficient financial support from relevant organisations, which leaves families like Halima’s struggling to provide adequate care and resources for their children.

These interconnected issues underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive support systems and greater societal inclusion for individuals with albinism, as well as the urgent need for public education and advocacy to promote acceptance and inclusion for individuals with albinism in all aspects of society.

‘As parents of kids living with albinism, most of us suffer abandonment from our partners upon delivering an albino child. The albino kids also suffer from isolation from society, as well as a lack of funds to cater for their basic needs since
the funds allocated for albinism sometimes don’t end up in our hands as per the law,’ Halima said.

Source: Kenya News Agency