Day: September 18, 2024

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Kapsowar Town to benefit from new sewerage system and water treatment plant


Kapsowar Town and its environs are set to receive a long-awaited sewerage system and a new water treatment plant, marking a significant step towards improving water access and sanitation in the region.

The project, still in its planning stages, is a collaboration between the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency (LVNWWDA), the North Rift Water Works Development Agency [NRWWDA], and the Cherangany Marakwet Water and Sanitation Company (CHEMAWASCO).

According to David Kimutai, Director at CHEMAWASCO, the current water treatment plant has been inadequate in serving the town’s growing population.

‘The current plant is unable to meet the needs of many residents due to water rationing. Once the new plant is constructed, the amount of water available per cubic meter will increase, ensuring that residents have access to water 24 hours a day,’ said Kimutai.

Environmental concerns have also been raised as part of the project planning. Cloud Lumumba, an environmentalist from LVNWWDA, explained the town
‘s need for an additional 2,500 cubic meters of water daily.

‘For this to be possible, we must build a reliable sewerage system to handle the outflow. About 80% of the water intake is returned to the environment, so proper waste management is essential,’ Lumumba said during a public participation forum in Kapsowar yesterday.

Lumumba also addressed the challenge of where to channel the wastewater, given the proposed increase in water supply.

‘When the proposal for a larger treatment plant was put forward, the question arose about managing the waste. A sewerage system became a necessary part of the plan, and we have identified Ng’orng’oroi in Kapsowar as the main waste treatment site,’ he added.

Vincent Otieno, an engineer at LVNWWDA, shed light on the technical aspects of the sewerage system, explaining that sanitation involves two key steps: onsite and offsite treatment.

He said, ‘We carefully considered the terrain and slope of the area, as the town slopes towards two prominent areas. Three locations we
re considered for the sewer system, Kapsowar, Kipsaiya, and Kapsumai. The main sewer line will run along the valley, with Ng’orng’oroi as the central treatment point.’

Otieno highlighted that Kapsowar has been prone to waterborne diseases due to lacking a sewerage system. ‘Without proper sanitation, waterborne diseases have become a concern. The sewer system will be crucial in addressing this issue.’

He also mentioned that while Arror was considered as a potential site for waste management, it was deemed unviable due to security concerns and its steep terrain.

‘Arror’s steepness is ideal for water supply but not for sewage management,’ Otieno noted, adding that plans to improve Arror’s water supply would still go ahead, including the installation of a large septic tank at a later date after they have improved its water supply.

In rural areas where the sewerage system may not reach, such as Lawich and Sisiya, ablution blocks with toilets and bathrooms will be built. ‘These ablution blocks will serve region
s that are not covered by the main sewer lines,’ Otieno explained.

Marakwet West Sub-county Ward Administrator, Patrick Maiyo, urged the residents to fully support the project, emphasizing the benefits it will bring to the town.

‘If we embrace the sewerage system and water treatment plant, Kapsowar will be upgraded. With the town’s upgrade, many good things will follow,’ he said.

Maiyo also addressed any potential conflicts, reassuring the public that any issues would be resolved amicably to avoid disruptions to the project. ‘If there are any squabbles, we will sit down and sort them out so that donors do not withdraw funding,’ he added.

Kapsowar Ward Assistant County Commissioner, Jumbale Chibanza, emphasized the importance of compensating individuals affected by the project to avoid community conflicts.

‘We must take compensation seriously to prevent disputes. As a regional government, we fully support the project,’ Chibanza said.

Johnston Cheptoo, the Chairman of Kapsowar Town, expressed optimism abo
ut the positive changes the new sewerage system will bring.

‘With this new sanitation project, our lives will improve. The town will be able to grow, and we can now build structures like flats and install flushable toilets, which were not possible before due to the lack of a proper sanitation system,’ Cheptoo said.

Once completed, the new sewerage system and water treatment plant will serve the entire town of Kapsowar, with pipelines running through key areas including Kiplabai, Cheles, Gilgal, AIC Shammah, and Rorok Victory. Ng’orng’oroi will be the location but the exact site of the new treatment plant will be confirmed at a later stage, but the community is hopeful for the transformative impact this project will have on their daily lives.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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County implements climate change resilience projects


Vihiga County residents have started reaping from the Climate Change Resilience Investment Projects by accessing clean piped water.

The water projects are being implemented through a programme dubbed Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA), funded by the World Bank (WB).

The area Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo commissioned Mudungu and Igogwa boreholes in Wodanga and Central Maragoli wards respectively, that are going to serve hundreds of households in these areas.

Dr. Ottichilo said the solar-powered bore hole water projects would go a long way in building resilience of the local communities by enabling them to have access to clean and safe water during the prolonged dry seasons.

The Governor stated that they are using solar energy so as to cut down the power cost and urged the people to own and protect the projects.

The County head reiterated his commitment to ensure all Vihiga households access clean and safe water by the year 2028 as outlined in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2022
-2027.

On his part, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for environment, water resources and forestry Onzere Mulongo advised residents to grow bamboo trees along river banks so as to protect the water sources in the county.

The CECM lamented that in the past the residents grew eucalyptus on the river banks, leading to drying up of the streams since they are high water intakes.

He asked those still having the eucalyptus in the riparian areas to uproot and replace them with the indigenous species that are environment-friendly.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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County implements climate change resilience projects


Vihiga County residents have started reaping from the Climate Change Resilience Investment Projects by accessing clean piped water.

The water projects are being implemented through a programme dubbed Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA), funded by the World Bank (WB).

The area Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo commissioned Mudungu and Igogwa boreholes in Wodanga and Central Maragoli wards respectively, that are going to serve hundreds of households in these areas.

Dr. Ottichilo said the solar-powered bore hole water projects would go a long way in building resilience of the local communities by enabling them to have access to clean and safe water during the prolonged dry seasons.

The Governor stated that they are using solar energy so as to cut down the power cost and urged the people to own and protect the projects.

The County head reiterated his commitment to ensure all Vihiga households access clean and safe water by the year 2028 as outlined in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2022
-2027.

On his part, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for environment, water resources and forestry Onzere Mulongo advised residents to grow bamboo trees along river banks so as to protect the water sources in the county.

The CECM lamented that in the past the residents grew eucalyptus on the river banks, leading to drying up of the streams since they are high water intakes.

He asked those still having the eucalyptus in the riparian areas to uproot and replace them with the indigenous species that are environment-friendly.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Strathmore University launches the Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Programme during its 12th Annual SME Conference


Strathmore University Business School Kenya has held a Media roundtable meeting ahead of the 12th Annual Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) Conference Expo and the official launch of the (WEIP).

Some of the key aspects that the University focuses on are the entrepreneurship ecosystem which has the enterprise and the things focused on is policy, culture, support center, finance, markets, networking, technology, and human capital.

Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Strathmore University Ruth Kiraka highlighted several programs at the University are there to develop the people running these enterprises such as the honor manager program, enterprise development program, and creative enterprise program.

Kiraka stressed that the WEIP sisters create a value program that focuses on sisters and helps them develop their social enterprises such as friendship management, fleet management, and family business.

‘So when you think about the ecosystem within the university, everything we are doing for SMEs is so
mething that is contributing to the broader enterprise development,’ she observed.

The Professor announced that the Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Programme launched at the SME Conference received funding from USAID for about 1.6 million Dollars and the focus will be on women on small and growing businesses.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Kiraka emphasized that they will ensure at least 30-40 percent of those enterprises will be owned by youths.

‘The program will be carried out in counties such as Kiambu, Nakuru, and Nairobi. The sectors of focus are textile and apparel, agribusiness /agro-processing, health, water, and sanitation and the program will run from August 2024 to June 2026,’ she highlighted.

Kiraka presented the objectives addressed by the projects including increased trade and investments within Africa, improving or enabling the business environment in Africa, and cross-cutting objectives.

She cited the challenges that the program seeks to address including limited access to finance, li
mited market opportunities, limited access to business development services, weak ecosystem for support and lack of self-efficacy.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Excitement as author John Kiriamiti releases a new book


Author John Kiriamiti is set to release a new book ‘The Abduction Squad’ more than 40 years since the release of his award-winning novel ‘My Life in Crime’.

Published by East African Educational Publishers, the book will be unveiled at the Nairobi International Book Fair 2024 happening at the Sarit Centre Expo Hall between September 25 and September 29.

Three of Kiriamiti’s past books – My Life in Crime, My Life with a Criminal and My Life in Prison – are among the most sought after literary works in Kenya.

The reformed author opens up in his new book and paints an ordinary person’s view of abductions, exposing the odds that come with abductions.

As he puts it in the book, ‘The abduction squad comprises of five hardcore criminals who are released from prison and are sent by the police commissioner on an abduction mission to a neighboring country to capture and bring back some government critics who went to exile in an effort to silence them.’

This comes as Kenya witnesses increased allegations of abduct
ions following the Gen Z-led public protests across the country.

His first book was written in 1984 at a time when he was serving an 18-year jail term at Kamiti Maximum Prison.

In retrospect, having managed to evade the police for years, Kiriamiti was finally apprehended and sentenced to jail in 1971 with 44 strokes of the cane.

Meanwhile, East African Educational publishers will also be releasing new books by renowned authors like Dr. Dan Gikonyo, Dr. Chris Okemwa, Ken Kamoche and Waithira Protano at the Nairobi International Book Fair.

According to East Africa Educational Publisher’s CEO Kiarie Kamau, this year’s book fair is exceptionally special because the publisher will not only be unveiling new books but celebrating the publishing works of its Founder, the late Dr. Henry Chakava.

Further, the goal of the book fair for the publisher will also be to renew the interest in developing creative writing and ignite the book reading culture.

The Nairobi International Book Fair is organised annually by the
Kenya Publishers Association and brings together publishers, authors, booksellers, print suppliers, media, and readers from Africa and worldwide since the first edition in 1996.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Governor waives Sh 4million medical bills at Thika Level 5 Hospital


Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi on Tuesday announced a waiver of hospital bills for sixty patients at Thika Level 5 hospital totalling over Sh4 million

The Governor issued an executive order directing the hospital to discharge the patients, some of whom had been admitted for a period of more than six months.

Twenty-four patients were discharged on Tuesday afternoon, while the remaining awaited their release as the hospital management finalized logistics and assessed all eligible cases.

Speaking during the discharge of the first group of beneficiaries, Thika Municipal Board Manager Mr. Gathii Kanyi emphasized that patients who are detained in health facilities significantly contribute to the congestion, particularly at Thika Level 5 Hospital, which serves several counties.

‘While it is widely recognized that government hospitals operate as non-profit entities, these hospitals still face significant expenses in treating patients, and it is anticipated that patients will reimburse these costs after receivi
ng care,’ explained Mr Kanyi

‘I strongly encourage the beneficiaries of the waiver to register with the new Social Health Authority (SHA) and participate in the Kiambu Afya Health Plan, known as Wamatangi Care. This will provide improved medical coverage financed by the county government, helping to ensure that they can avoid unnecessary medical expenses in the future,’ he said.

He highlighted that the new scheme was comprehensive and would alleviate the financial burden of healthcare costs on families as it had been implemented in Level 2, 3, 4, and 5 hospitals, ensuring that patients receive the necessary care without being denied treatment due to financial constraints.

In an interview with KNA, Wanjiru Mwangi, a recipient of the waiver, said that she had been held at the hospital for four months after giving birth due to her inability to pay the medical bills.

‘I found myself in a difficult situation after giving birth. I had planned for a natural delivery, but complications forced me to have a caesare
an section, which I hadn’t prepared for financially. I’m thankful to the governor for his generosity in letting me return home to be with my family,’ she shared.

Governor Wamatangi highlighted his administration’s dedication to enhancing medical services in the county, with a focus on easing the financial strain of medical bills on patients and their families during these challenging economic times.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Concerted efforts among all required to change the suicide narrative


As the world observes suicide prevention month this September, a counselling psychologist has opined that concerted efforts among all the stakeholders including the public is required to change the suicide narrative.

Fransica Wambui notes that with more than 700,000 suicide deaths worldwide each year, suicide is a significant public health concern as its effects and impacts are usually felt by friends, family and communities.

According to World Health Organization 2024, every suicide has significant social, psychological and financial ramifications that have an impact on people throughout the world as well as communities.

‘Through awareness communities need to be trained to be non-judgmental and recognize the signs of suicide and eliminate stigma as a person experiencing stigma may feel ashamed misinterpreted and marginalized thus becoming reluctant to seek help,’ said Wambui.

Ms Wambui cautions that suicide is not a selfish choice but a mental illness that contributes to poor choices and breaking the st
igma even towards the bereaved families should be prioritized so as to break the cycle.

‘Stigma around suicide is present due to lack of knowledge about its complexity and we often interpret it as a selfish move but we need to know that stigma negatively impacts on the victims’ self-esteem worsening their mental health and wellbeing,’ stresses Ms Wambui.

Stigma may arise from unfavorable attitudes or ideas and reduces the likelihood of seeking support or treatment.

The psychologist notes that a past filled with attempted suicides, depression, other mental illnesses, drug abuse disorders, persistent discomfort and being exposed to abuse whether physical or sexual are some of the risk factors that have been recorded to lead to suicide.

Conversely, people ought to look out for warning signs that someone may be at immediate risk for attempting suicide

‘Speaking of wishing to end one’s life, feeling hollow, hopeless or lacking a purpose in life or being in excruciating bodily or emotional anguish are some of
the warning signs’ she notes

She further observes that if one speaks or contemplates death frequently and has extreme mood fluctuations such as abruptly going from being extremely depressed to calm or joyful, the people surrounding such a person need to be alarmed.

‘Others include developing a strategy or researching for means of suicide such gathering poisons, purchasing firearm or looking up deadly techniques online,’.

One should seek assistance as soon as warning signs are observed such as a change in conduct or new troubling behavior.

Additionally, if one is the first to spot suicide warning signals, family and friends can also be the first to assist a loved one get mental health treatment.

September has been set aside as the suicide prevention month worldwide where efforts to raise awareness on this urgently important crisis are made.

Source: Kenya News Agency