Month: July 2024

Residents, including motorists and pedestrians in Nakuru East constituency, have expressed satisfaction with the enhanced road connectivity, comfortable walkways, and improved security facilitated by projects like Free Area Loop Road and Mashindano Road.

These developments have not only smoothed traffic flow but also boosted access to business premises, thereby contributing

to economic growth.

Led by Nakuru’s City Manager Gitau Thabanja, a technical team today toured the area to gather valuable insights from residents regarding the completion of key infrastructure and road projects in the area.

Thabanja said the engagement highlighted the positive impact of these developments and provided a platform for residents to make recommendations for further improvements.

The residents commended the county officials for an improved quality of life with reduced congestion. However, they also suggested additional enhancements such as more pedestrian crossings, improved drainage systems, and dedicated cycling lanes.
The City Management assured them of their commitment to incorporating the suggestions into future projects.

During the exercise, Thabanja emphasized the crucial role of resident feedback in guiding future developments. By actively considering and implementing feedback, the city aims to sustain its successful development journey to meet the evolving needs of its population.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The MauMau road -Kamahindu- Matimbei section in Lari sub-county, Kiambu County has temporarily been closed to pave the way for the construction of a concrete pavement along this route.

The 500-meter permanent concrete pavement will take a period of two months for the construction works to be completed.

It is designed to withstand road traffic and weathering actions while ensuring comfortable and safe riding conditions as well as low costs and damage to the environment.

Lari MP Joseph Mburu Kahangara advised Vehicles to use the Kagwe girls road to join the Matimbei – Githunguri road near Gituraini junction.

The road construction and several others are taking place concurrently after the recent launch by area MP.

‘Fixing Our Roads Campaign` in Lari constituency aimed at smoothening road transport and also opening up the drainage systems.

He noted that bush clearing, upgrading, gravelling and compaction of the two main roads in Kambaa location is currently ongoing at the Kambaa-Bathi-Nyamweru-Githirioni,
a 10KM road and Kambaa-Kwa Hosana-Makimei-Kimuti-ini-Kamahindu a 7KM road strip.

‘These two main roads will open up the whole of Kambaa location benefiting over 8000 residents and it will ease movements to and from Kambaa as well as connect the area with Kirenga and Nyanduma wards,’ Kahangara said .

The MP added that he is committed to ensuring that all areas in his constituency are well connected to a good transport network and have a good drainage system.

The residents have for a while decried the poor state of the roads, calling upon the leadership of Governor Kimani Wamatangi to upgrade the road networks and infrastructure.

‘Two years ago most of the roads in Lari Constituency were impassable during rainy season but under the administration of our MP Mburu, the road network in Lari Constituency has improved,’ Martha Wanjiru Mbugua, a resident of Lari stated

Source: Kenya News Agency

More than 30 families in Blue Valley estate in Nyeri were on Tuesday night forced to spend the night in the cold after a night fire razed down their wooden houses.

According to the sub-county police commander, Charles Chacha, police have already launched investigations to establish the actual cause of the fire which broke out at around 7 pm in one of the wooden houses before it spread to the neighbouring houses.

‘We received a call from the landlord informing us that his timber houses were on fire. The police, fire department, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company intervened and with the help of members of the public, we were able to contain the situation,’ said Chacha.

Speaking to KNA, Chacha confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident. However, he said property valued at Sh900,000 was destroyed in the fire.

‘The fire department managed to put out the fire but nothing was salvaged. The landlord says that the total value of damage is approximately Sh 900,000,’ said Chacha.

Source: Kenya
News Agency

Kwale county government has launched solar powered water schemes in rural areas to enable residents’ access clean potable water for domestic and agricultural use through irrigation.

Governor Fatuma Achani says the solar powered water projects will increase access to safe drinking water, improve hygiene and basic sanitation across the coastal county.

The Governor said the solar water initiatives are being executed following wide consultations with residents at the grassroots level to unlock economic opportunities.

Achani noted that the solar water projects and pumps will also support improving agriculture and attaining food security in the county, noting that food security is top of her agenda through improvement of agricultural production.

‘This new solar powered water scheme seeks to provide sustainable access to clean and safe drinking water for the community which is a vital resource that has long been scarce in rural and far flung parts of our county,’ she said.

Achani spoke when she led the groundbr
eaking ceremony for the installation of two solar water projects at Mlongotoni and Bodo areas in Ramisi Ward of Msambweni Sub County and handed over Mkonjwe borehole to residents of Mkonjwe Dzombo ward for use.

She said the county will support the implementation of renewable sources of energy to power water sources for the vulnerable communities.

‘We are working tirelessly in setting up the best infrastructure in matters of addressing water scarcity to the residents of our county, ‘she said.

The Governor revealed that the two solar water projects consist of solar pumping and distribution systems, motorised boreholes and their accessories and 10,000 litre tanks capacity and security fences.

Achani vowed that her administration will continue to engage residents in the implementation of projects that have positive bearing on their lives and reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the timely completion of projects across Kwale.

The coastal county boss pointed out that the new investment in the water sector wou
ld make potable water available to all residents.

She said provision of safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are fundamental to improving the living standards of the people and expressed her commitment to ensuring that Kwale county residents have access to safe and reliable water supply near them.

‘We will continue to drill boreholes in the lower region of Kwale and construct dams in the drought prone areas of Kinango and LungaLunga Sub-Counties to make Kwale a self-reliant region in food production through irrigation of food crops,’ Achani said.

Christin Mwadele, a resident of Mlongotoni Village commended the county for the solar water project saying that it’s a game changer for the locals who had to walk long distances in search of the precious commodity.

‘I want to thank our Governor for the water project as it will reduce the burden of women who have to walk long distances in search of water putting them at risk of being attacked by wild animals in search of water,’ Mwadele said.

Source: Ken
ya News Agency

Lurambi Member of Parliament Titus Khamala has castigated the youth for engaging in violent protests, looting and destruction of properties in the name of expressing their displeasure with the government and leaders.

The MP said, from the protests, legislators have already learnt, self-reflected and humbled themselves and asked the youth to now retreat and embark on nation building as their concerns are being addressed by government.

‘Our young people, you have spoken loud and clear, and we have heard you. This country is one country, one people under God,’ he said.

Speaking in Kakamega, Khamala told the Gen Z to instead mobilize themselves, register for IDs and register as voters to vote for their preferred leaders come 2027 if they feel let down by the current crop of leaders.

‘So don’t kill me, don’t burn my home, don’t burn buildings, don’t raid people. Even those who voted, Yes, are Kenyans; if you don’t want them to speak in your forums, you can stop them but you don’t have to rough them up or beat
them because they are your brothers and sisters and they are Kenyans too,’ he added.

The MP spoke as a section of youth, people with disabilities and business persons called for an end to protests which they said have turned violent and destructive.

During the protests on Tuesday, some shops in Kakamega were broken into, the protesting youth destroyed property, and stole items. They also attempted to break into a mobile phone store on Dharau Street while the owners were inside.

Traders said they have incurred huge losses as the protesters did not spare even the small traders selling vegetables and other items.

The presence of police officers did not deter them from accessing some business premises, as they engaged in hide and seek and diversion tactics while some positioned themselves to loot.

Some protesters snatched phones from people with a section of journalists reporting that they lost their phones while documenting the protests in Kakamega town.

Barthez Wechuli, the Chairman of Navakholo Disabilit
y Initiative Group, asked the government to find a way to end the protests.

He said people with disabilities are facing challenges especially when caught in the midst of protests as they cannot move fast to seek safety using wheelchairs, white canes or the crutches or even with a guide.

Another youth, James Otieno said despite the protests leaders have not come out to listen and talk to them to understand their concerns and try to give them direction.

‘It is fine, President William Ruto has withdrawn the Finance Bill 2024, but now, he has not given us direction as youth because there are things we still feel have not been addressed and he is the leader whom we expect to bring us together as youth, to understand what we are fighting for,’ he noted.

Meanwhile those injured are asking for contributions to cater for hospital bills and medication at the Kakamega General Hospital.

One of the patients, Joseph Mwalo, who is at the hospital says he was going home when he was accidentally shot on his left leg as h
e was trying to avoid the protesting mob.

He says he needs at least Sh35 000 for medication which he cannot afford with medics asking for cash deposit to commence treatment.

Simon Wandera says he was caught in the midst of the protests and escaped with gunshot wounds on his legs, he appealed to willing Kenyans and the county administration to support his medication.

Nifa Adema from Sichirai says she was washing clothes at home when a stray bullet pierced her palm. She appeals for help to undergo surgery.

She says she is a single mother who is the sole breadwinner for her children noting that she is unable to raise Sh15 000 to start medication yet she relies on washing clothes to make a living.

Source: Kenya News Agency