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Move to close schools elicits mixed reactions in Makueni

Mary Lole
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Striking teachers demonstrate in the streets of Wote town, Makueni County Photo:Daniel Kituku
Striking teachers demonstrate in the streets of Wote town, Makueni County. Photo: Daniel Kituku

The move by the National Government to close all public and private schools on Monday 21 over the ongoing teachers’ strike has elicited mixed reactions from different education stakeholders in Makueni County.

County Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Justus Kimeu addressing the press in his office in Wote town shortly after the Ministry of Education issued the directive welcomed the move saying that the closure was an indication that the strike had been successful owing to the total paralysis of learning in public schools.

“The strike has borne fruits because no schools can run without teachers,”he said.

Kimeu took a swipe at the government for failing to honour the court order of hiking the teachers pay by a 50-60 percentage and retaliated that teachers will not go back to work unless their demands are met.

“I appeal to President Uhuru Kenyatta to follow the law and heed to the court order because the same laws are the ones that elevated him to presidency,” said the secretary general.

He asked teachers to completely keep off schools and warned them against attending examination briefing meeting or any invigilation or supervision of the forthcoming national exams.

“Teachers will neither invigilate nor mark exams,” said Kimeu.

He urged the teachers unions not to cowed by the government’s threats and intimidation but instead work together and fight for the teachers demands.

“We should all pull towards one direction because our unity is our strength,” said the KUPPET official.

However, his Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) counterpart Onesmus Ndivo has faulted the directive saying that the government should have paid teachers instead of closing schools.

Ndivo added that teachers are willing to go back to class provided that the government pays the 50-60 percent increase as directed by the court.

“If only the government would honour the increase we would be teaching,” said Ndivo.

He however stated that teachers will not teach without the pay rise and urged parents, leaders and all Kenyans to rally behind the teachers’ call for a better pay.

“Children have a right to be taught and we call on parents to demand for their children’s rights,” said the County KNUT Secretary General.

Mr. Nzau the headteacher for Makueni Primary School a private institution said that the school program will continue uninterrupted and asked parents to take their children to school.

“Day scholars shall be picked on Monday as usual and any other development shall be communicated forthwith,” read a message send to parents.

Parents who spoke to Kenya Monitor expressed their disappointment on how the government has handled the strike.

Daniel Masika a parent whose two children learn in Premese Academy in Wote town wondered what will happen to the terms school fees.

“Have already cleared school fees for my children if the school is closed on Monday will I also pay again?” he posed.

Wambua Kyalo also a parent in the same school said the government erred in giving the directive.

“Have struggled as a parent to take my child to a private school which is expensive. Who will refund me that money? It’s not fair,” he ranted in a Facebook post.

The teachers strike which will enter it’s fourth week next Monday has brought learning in public schools to a complete halt. The unprecedented move to close all primary and secondary schools has thrown many parents and learners especially candidates for this year’s national exams into a limbo.

While the government insists that the national exams will continue as planned what is perhaps disturbing is that the candidates have lost valuable time that teachers would have used to prepare them for the exams.

But with the hard line stances taken by both teachers and the government on the pay rise issue, the candidates have no any other option but to brace themselves for tougher times ahead and revise on their own.

Makueni Woman Representative initiates a water tank project

Mary Lole
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Makueni Woman representative Rose Museo(in the middle in Kitenge)when she delivered 20 tanks to women in Kilome subcounty Photo:Daniel Kituku
Makueni Woman representative Rose Museo (in the middle in Kitenge) when she delivered 20 tanks to women in Kilome sub-county
Photo: Daniel Kituku

Makueni County experiences erratic rainfall due to the harsh climatic conditions. As a result perennial droughts and acute water shortages are the norm and many residents walk for long distances in search of water.

Women by the virtue of being home care takers bear the brunt of the biting water shortages and spent valuable hours scouring dry river beds in search of the precious commodity.

It is against this backdrop that the County Women Representative in Parliament, Rose Museo has initiated a project aimed at installing water tanks at household levels through women groups to cushion residents against the water scarcity menace.

Under the project in which the woman representative has partnered with a local organisation called Ukamba Women Needs Organisation (UKAWONE) women in every ward are required to organize themselves in groups to purchase water tanks with a capacity of 2,500 litres directly from the manufacturers at a subsidized price of sh17,000 per tank instead of the usual retail price of sh25,000.

Besides the subsidized prices, the beneficiaries are also allowed to pay the amount owed in six monthly installments of sh2,000 besides a down payment of sh5,000 hence easing the financial burden of acquiring the tanks.

Speaking yesterday in Kilome sub-county when she delivered 20 tanks to Wendo Wa Kyaani and Kayumba women groups in Mukaa and Mavivye locations, Museo said that the tanks would be used to harvest rain water which in most cases go to waste due to lack of water harnessing equipment like tanks.

She expressed confidence that the tanks will go a long way in addressing the water problem in the county saying that the tanks will guarantee beneficiaries a clean supply of water for domestic use.

The women representative encouraged all women in the county to join groups and save money that will enable them to purchase the tanks saying the aim of the project is to ensure that each home stead has at least a water tank.

“Women walk at night or very early in the morning hence risking their lives in search of water but with the water tanks such tales will be a thing of the past,” she said.

Museo noted that although there are water pans and dams the tanks offer easily accessible water and called on other leaders to invest in different water harnessing techniques to make the county water secure.

Felista Thomas a beneficiary thanked the woman representative for the initiative saying the time spend looking for water will be used for other social economic activities.

“Am very happy to have this tank. I used to spend an average of four hours a day at the river sometimes even a day during drought seasons but with this tank that is now behind me,” said the elated Jennifer.

According to UKAWONE coordinator Mary Syokau a total of 83 tanks have been issued since the inception of the project last week in Makueni sub-county.

She added that next week more than 78 women are expected to receive similar water tanks in Mbooni sub-county.

Kisumu City to celebrate 114th birthday

shitemi khamadi
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A fisherman in Lake Victoria, Kismu, Kenya. Photo courtesy of www.city.1-themes.com
A fisherman in Lake Victoria, Kismu, Kenya. Photo courtesy of www.city.1-themes.com

Kisumu city, arguably one of the most oldest settlement in Kenya is preparing to celebrate its 114th anniversary. Historical records indicate that Kisumu has been dominated by diverse communities at different times long before the white man arrived. The people from Nandi, Kalenjin, Abagusii, Maasai, Luo and Abaluhya community converged at the tip of Lake Victoria and called the place “sumo” which literally means “a place of barter trade”.

Kisumu was identified by the British explorers in 1898 as an alternative railway terminus and port for the Uganda railway to replace Port Victoria which was by then an important centre on the caravan trade route near the River Nzoia delta.

On Friday, 20th December 1901, the railway line reached the Kisumu pier and Mrs. Florence Preston (the wife of the railway engineer) drove the last nail in the last sleeper by the shores of Lake Victoria. The centre adopted a new name called Port Florence. However it was only called Port Florence for a year, and then it reverted back to its earlier name of “Kisumu.”

It was elevated from a Town to a Municipal Board in 1940 and later to a Municipal Council in 1960. It was designated as a “city’ in 1996 but was never awarded a City Charter. In 2006, it became the first to be
designated as an “UN Millennium City” in the entire world. Section 60 of The Urban Areas and Cities Act no. 13 of 2011 which came to effect on immediately after the general elections of 4th March 2013 created the City of Kisumu.

Stakeholders of the City of Kisumu now officially recognize 20th day of December 1901 as the date of founding and origin of the City of Kisumu and wish to celebrate the 20th day of December each year to Observe, Celebrate and Commemorate the origin of the City of Kisumu.

The year 2015 celebrations shall mark the 114th year of existence of the City of Kisumu. It will be celebrated from Sunday the 20th day of December 2015 to Saturday the 26th day of December 2015. The seven days festivities aim to attract over 5 million revelers from the both locally and internationally. The Festival is about fun, fun and fun marked by endless street parties and carnival celebrations thro’ songs, dances, food, entertainment, merrymaking, shopping, Culture in the central Business District.

The theme for this year is: “Exploiting City of Kisumu’s Diversity for Its Sustainable Growth.” This theme acknowledges that the City of Kisumu is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic habitat and that there is need for the communities to celebrate the richness of their diversities to strengthen their cohesion, tolerance and unity especially in view that the City of Kisumu has demonstrated a slow but steady recovery and growth from the turmoil of Post-Election-Violence of 2007/2008.

Kisumu Central Business District Association (KCBDA) which owns the initiative but is working through an independent committee of 15 persons drawn from the County Government of Kisumu, The Security Organs and Private Stakeholders aims to raise sh100 million to successfully host the event. A pre-launch of the Festival is scheduled for October 9th 2015. The committee wishes to raise funds through strategic business partnerships, sponsorships and donations.

According to event committee, this festival aims to promote the City of Kisumu and The Lake Victoria Economic Bloc as a Local, Regional and International Christmas Holiday Destination to compete against the Coastal Kenya, Zanzibar, Seychelles and other Coastal holiday destinations in East Africa. The overall objective of the festival is
to make the City of Kisumu to be a better place to live, work and visit.

The event is organized such that the local business community will be the greatest beneficiaries in terms of providing traditional meals, accommodation, transport, gifts for sale, entertainment among others. Residents are set to benefit from home-stay Tourism. The event committee wishes to partner with the ten members of the Lake Victoria
Economic Bloc that includes Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nyamira, Siaya and Vihiga Councties. The Bloc is home to 10 million people which constitute about 25 percent of the population in Kenya. Kisumu City being the focal point and command post is the best commercial hub in Western Kenya in the Lake Victoria Basin.

Among the key planned festival attractions include performance from local comedians, music from performance of local artists, street parties, cultural foods, Christmas Gifts sales bonanza, boda boda marathon, Kenya Premier League (KPL) friendly derby, Mr. & Miss City of Kisumu Competition & Pageant Show, Boat Sports, and Bull Fight show. The children will have
an amusement park daily for the entire period. Not forgetting charitable activities like free cancer screening, Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC), and entertainment services among others. This festival will see man-made beaches created along Winam Gulf to allow for beach sports, swimming and beach parties.

Water Travel packages shall be developed including cruise boat/ship ride from Kisumu to Ndeere Island, Mbita, Rusinga Island, Mwanza and Entebbe via Lake Victoria. Dryland tours shall include visit to Kit Mikayi, Kakamega Forest, Simbi Nyaima, Ruma National Park.

It promises to be an event worth taking part.

Political aspirants should have a university degree to qualify for election

shitemi khamadi
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Kenya's politicians from Left to Right; James Orengo, Musalia Mudavadi, Raila Odinga, William Ruto, Charity Ngilu and Ababu Namwamba Photo courtesy of www.kenyayote.com
Kenya’s politicians from Left to Right; James Orengo, Musalia Mudavadi, Raila Odinga, William Ruto, Charity Ngilu and Ababu Namwamba Photo courtesy of www.kenyayote.com

By George Githinji

Before the last general elections that took place on 4th March 2013, the 10th parliament decided to lower the academic bar for political aspirants that were nominated to compete for the parliamentary and county assembly seats. These aspirants were the MPs, Senators, Women Representatives and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

Yet, the move to lower the academic qualifications for the legislative seats at both the national and the county government levels has had detrimental consequences, especially at the county level.

The Members of the County Assemblies have been reproached for being incapable of formulating formidable county legislation, or initiating debates and motions that can transcend legal scrutiny with absolute certainty.

They have also engaged in constant warfare with the County Executive Members. They have constantly held the CECs at ransom and even threatened them with impeachment if they refuse to yield to their (MCAs) demands. The result has been unrestricted and unmerited benefits for the MCAs in form of dubious foreign travel packages and sitting allowances that go beyond the legal limits set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). SRC sets and reviews salaries for public officers.

Parliament has also had a fair share of its own tribulations that are often about supremacy wars between both the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly has constantly tried to edge out the Senate in the legislative process. This is contrary to the law that directs both houses of Parliament to conduct their business in mutual consultation and cooperation.

The National Assembly has also become a den of corruption and political shenanigans. This is depicted by corruption inside its own Public Accounts Committee (PAC) then chaired by Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and also when the ‘honorable’ members exchanged knuckles during the controversial passing of the security bill in December last year.

The Senate, instead of being the protector of counties, has concentrated its efforts on fighting the governors. It has also not effectively legislated to protect the counties or to create capacity for them, well beyond its usual role of allocating money to them.

Academic qualifications for the legislative members weigh heavily on the quality of their output. On oversight, Parliament and County Assemblies have become rubber stamps for the Executive and do not critically scrutinize policy issues generated by the Executive, in an attempt to please their respective governments.

Nonetheless, all this is bound to change if Parliament fully adopts and enacts proposals generated by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The electoral body has formulated proposals for all the prospective candidates for the forthcoming 2017 general elections to have a minimum qualification of a university degree. It also wants all MCAs to have achieved the same by the year 2022.

IEBC wrote to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly to consider those amendments to the electoral law. IEBC’s Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba maintains that the newly proposed amendments will ensure that the country gets “quality leadership” in the forthcoming 2017 general elections.

These proposals, once approved by Parliament, will kick-start the process of improving the quality of debates in parliament and the county assemblies. Professional bodies like Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), which have previously lamented about the quality of legislation or debates conducted by MCAs and Parliament, had also made similar proposals to the government.

Therefore, Parliament, in its wisdom, should put aside its self-interests and approve these recommendations to ensure that all political aspirants have a minimum of a university degree. Having the degree will not determine whether the quality of debates and laws made by parliament and the county assemblies will automatically improve, but it will definitely ensure that these aspirants have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience to grasp and conduct the functions that come with those offices.

Writer comments on political issues in Kenya – blogs at Politics Kenya

Elgeyo Marakwet pupils cry over lost time

Kioko Kivandi
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Teachers Strike
Striking teachers at a past demonstration. Pupils want the strike to end (Photo: kenyanjournalofhumour.wordpress.com).

By Lorna Abuga.

While the President maintains that he will not honor a court order and increase teachers pay, candidates in public schools are fearing they will perform poorly in their final examination this year due to lose of time.

The teachers strike is in its third week after they downed their tools to demand a pay increase of 50-60 percent. The decision on the pay increase was reached at through a court ruling but which was later termed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as an error. While insisting that he will not honor the court decision the President cautioned against taking economic moves that could kill the economy.

But students want the government to pay the teachers.

“We are expected to sit for our national exams in November and as per now we have not completed covering the syllabus and this is frustrating because most of us cannot concentrate on our studies at home,”

said Hector Carson, a class eight pupil at Moi Primary School Tambach in Elgeyo Marakwet county told the Kenya Monitor via phone.

The 14 year old boy appealed to the President to obey the court order saying this was a crucial moment when candidates were supposed to be doing final touches in readiness to the national exams.

“We are feeling so desperate because the government has insisted that the national examinations will go as scheduled despite the current standoff that has seen teachers down their tools,” said the aspiring pilot.

“The government should pay our tutors so that the children of the poor can also enjoy rights to education without interferences and by doing so it will seal the gap between private schools and public schools which has lasted over decades,” he urged.

Dorcas Kabutie, also a class 8 candidate at the same school adds that watching fellow learners in private schools proceed with learning as usual is really heartbreaking because at the end of the day

“we will seat the same examinations in November”.

“Since the strike began many pupils are idling at home and are spending most of their time playing and doing house chores because their parents are not there to monitor their schedule,”

says the 13 year old girl who aspires to be a journalist.

Their teacher, David Koech, has expressed fear over the performance of the learners in the upcoming national exams.

“The fate of the learners lies in the response of the government towards teachers demands and thereby as much as we feel the plight of our pupils there isn’t much we can do as teachers.”

Koech adds that in order for the government to exercise equity between public schools and private schools it will be forced to push the national exams to December so as provide enough time for public schools to recover the lost time.
The country will be waiting to see who among the teachers and the government will blink first. Already the Teachers Service Commission has threatened not to pay teachers on strike their September salaries, a threat that seems to be falling on deaf ears.

Makueni County Government slowly returns to normalcy

Mary Lole
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Mohammed Nyaoga led commission at Wote during public hearings photo:Google
Mohammed Nyaoga led commission at Wote during public hearings
photo:Google

Normalcy is slowly returning to Makueni County after President Uhuru Kenyatta declined to suspend the County Government contrary to the recommendations made by the Mohammed Nyaoga-led commission that was tasked to look into a petition to dissolve the county.

The decision by President Kenyatta to quash the commission’s decision has left the warring parties with no other option but to bury their hatchets and work together for the sake of development in a county that is yet to fully realize the fruits of devolution thanks to the endless bickering between the Members of the County Assembly (MCA’s) and Governor Kivutha Kibwana.

The assembly that reopened last week after a one month recess seems to have hit the ground running and already has three bills tabled before the house for legislation.

According to the assembly’s Communication Officer Winnie Mumo, Public Participation in Governance bill, Youth and Women Empowerment bill, Vetting and Approval of Public of Officers bill are all in the second reading stage.

The legislative arm which the petitioners had accused of failing to pass key legislations seems keen on reclaiming its lost glory now that the President has saved the county from a snap election much to the delight of the MCAs.

The County Assembly leadership has particularly hailed the president’s decision for rejecting the proposal to suspend the county with Speaker Stephen Ngelu terming the move as wise.

His sentiments were echoed by Nzambani/Ivingoni MCA Cosmas Nzilili who praised the president for declining the recommendation by the commission.

“The move by the President was the best but that does not mean that were afraid of the dissolution, “said Nzilili.

Mbooni MP Kisoi Munyao who had been opposed to the process since the beginning said the president heeded to the true voice of the residents of Makueni saying the dissolution was initiated by people with selfish interests.

Kisoi blamed Governor Kibwana for misleading the people of Makueni in believing that majority of residents wanted dissolution yet he was the master mind of the whole process.

“The president has saved Makueni. I have always said there is nothing like dissolution. If only people listened to me,” said the MP in a Facebook post.

On his part, the Governor said that the President exercised his powers as outlined in the Constitution to terminate the suspension proceedings of the county government.

“The president was not satisfied that there existed justifiable grounds for the dissolution,” he said in his official Facebook page.

Kibwana noted that the President has consistently held his position, perhaps an indication that his decision to quash the commission’s recommendation was not a surprise but disclosed that his government was also aware that many affected leaders lobbied for the county not to be suspended.

He retaliated that majority of the residents wanted the county dissolved adding that he shall meet with other leaders at the grassroot level to make a decision on the way forward.

“My position will be what the majority decide, “said the Governor.

Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr also in a similar post said that he will convene a meeting with the county leaders to chart a way forward for the once troubled county government.

Josephat Kioko a resident said a majority of the people of Makueni wanted dissolution and faulted the president’s move.

“The sovereign power belongs to the people who filed for the petition to have the county disbanded,” he said.

Kioko however noted that with the proceedings terminated the two arms of the government should forge a working relationship and deliver services to the residents.

The decision by the President to decline to suspend the county came as a shocker to many residents who believed there existed sufficient reasons to dissolve the county.

According to the commission’s findings 94 percent of the residents rooted for dissolution but with the President’s decision being final the residents will just have to wait for the next general elections and vote in leaders who they believe will execute their mandate without squabbling as witnessed in the current government.

Technical University Engineering alumni’s impending court case triggers varsity to suspend course

Mkenya Mzalendo
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Former President Mwai Kibaki formally awarding Technical University of Kenya (TUK) its Mace, symbolizing the charter. Photo courtesy of www.tukenya.ac.ke
Former President Mwai Kibaki formally awarding Technical University of Kenya (TUK) its Mace, symbolizing the charter. Photo courtesy of www.tukenya.ac.ke

A decision by Technical University of Kenya (TUK) engineering students alumni to sue the institution for their inability to be registered by the Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK) has triggered the suspension of the engineering courses in the university. Without EBK registration, an engineer will struggle to find good jobs and even start own practice because the license is a core determinant of the ability to delivery.

In an article published in Business Daily TUK, formerly the Kenya Polytechnic, is said to have frozen admission of fresh learners and teaching of continuing students in the faculty of Engineering Sciences and Technology after EBK listed it among institutions that are not certified to offer the courses.

The affected programmes are undergraduate degree courses in four engineering fields namely civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical.

EBK, established by the Engineers Act (2011) – has powers to approve and accredit engineering programmes at tertiary institutions. It also licenses all engineering graduates to practice the trade in Kenya.

In the suit, about to be filed and seen by Kenya Monitor, the 54 students want their case heard soonest because

“The ends of justice demand that the Petition be heard during the current High Court Vacation to enable the Applicants seek appropriate remedies from this court, as the  Petitioners   are in danger of being rendered unemployed for the rest of their lives.”

The respondents to the case are the Attorney General of Kenya, Technical University of Kenya, The University of Nairobi, The Commission for University Education, Engineers Board of Kenya and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 

The students were admitted to pursue the degree of engineering at the University of Nairobi, in the year 2009. They were then were posted to the Kenya Polytechnic as a constituent college of the University of Nairobi, to undertake their classes, and pursue their degree course. In the suit, they argue that

“The Kenya Polytechnic University College was then chartered into a fully-fledged university whereby, without proper transition process, it absorbed the Petitioners into their university.” 

The students thereby graduated with their respective degrees in engineering from TUK. However it is the refusal to be registered by EBK that has forced them to sue the respondents to ensure they are registered at able to make a living from their academic qualifications.

In the suit, they argue that

“On 18th December, 2013 the Petitioners, contrary to their legitimate expectation of being awarded degrees by the University of Nairobi, were awarded degrees in Bachelors of Engineering Electrical and Electronic Engineering by the Technical University of Kenya.

The petitioners approached the Engineers Board of Kenya in order to register with them as a graduate engineers but they were turned away at the reception where they were told that the Engineers Board of Kenya Doesn’t recognize degrees certificates from Technical University of Kenya as the Technical University of Kenya is not recognized neither is it accredited to offer engineering courses in Kenya.”

They further add that during the course of the studies, they fully enjoyed the services of the University of Nairobi including the Lecturers, the Library, the UNES Bookshop and any other service that was deemed appropriate. The syllabus undertaken was approved by the University of Nairobi Sebatem, with all exams taken being approved by the same senate. They note that any graduation ceremony conducted in the years between 2009 and 2013 were official congregations of the University of Nairobi with Prof. Maghoha, the Vice Chancellor of University of Nairobi, presiding over the ceremonies.

This suit is further guided by a similar suit filed by Mombasa Polytechnic engineering alumni students who won their case and were registered by the Board. 

They therefore say that rights for equal protection and equal benefit of the law under Article 27(1) of the Constitution was infringed. In addition, the refusal to be licensed by EBK is contrary to Article 47(1) of the Constitution more specifically, they say that it lacked in fair administrative process that equity, non-discrimination and equality. In addition, having denied them an opportunity to access employment as engineers contrary section to 5(2)(3) of the Employment Act as well as contrary to Article 55 (c) of the Constitution.

Their final plea is that the court orders the University of Nairobi to graduate the students and issue them with fresh degree certificates Bachelors of Science Electrical and electronics Engineers. This is what they will present to EBK to ensure they are registered, licensed and earn a decent living.

Together we can fight corruption

shitemi khamadi
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Photo courtesy of www.zdnet.com
Photo courtesy of www.zdnet.com

By Violet Mbiti

Corruption can be likened to a virus that devours its citizens to the core rendering them helpless with no hope in sight. To combat this virus an antidote is required that will restore human dignity and propel the nation to greater heights. President Obama while making his maiden speech stated that it is rather unfortunate that 250,000 jobs are lost per year due to corruption and this vice has also crept into government operations and consumes 10 per cent of the country’s annual budget.

According to a recent audit report by the Auditor-General office, sh67 billion has been spent on unauthorised commitments by various government ministries in the last financial year. Corruption not only occurs in the national government but also in the devolved government as stated by office of the Auditor-General.

Various initiatives have been rolled out including educating the citizenry about corruption as well as availing data showcasing its growth but this has not stopped this virus from spreading. It is highly unfortunate that Kenyans have adopted corruption as a culture and as a way of life.

The government through President Uhuru Kenyatta has also voiced its concern and shamed publicly government officials mentioned in the graft report by the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission. This war cannot be won if we leave President Uhuru Kenyatta, The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the International Community led by President Barrack Obama to fight the vice.

It is commendable that a taskforce has been formed at the Attorney General’s office with support from the United States Government to review the anti-corruption legislations and policies and also to offer ethics training to all public officials both in national and county governments.

It is also commendable that Kenya is planning to join the Egmont Group to track money laundering. Despite the government’s effort to fight this vice, the war cannot be won if it cannot gain support from the grassroots.

To succeed in this fight every Kenyan needs to campaign against corruption. The voice of Wanjiku is powerful and is a tool that can be used to end corruption. Do you know as a citizen that The Constitution of Kenya 2010 gives you the power to fight against this vice?

According to Article One of the Constitution all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and they may exercise their sovereign power either directly or through their democratically elected representatives. As a citizen, the Constitution also gives you the power to know how public money is accounted for.

Article 35 of the Constitution states that every citizen has the right of access to information held by the state and that the state shall publish and publicise any important information affecting the nation.

This fight can only be won if Kenyans change their mindset about corruption and say NO. The government through the Executive, Parliament and Judiciary can also join in to end this disease.

This is what Singapore as a country did several years ago. The founding Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew fired corrupt officials and ensured there is transparency and accountability in every sphere of government. Singapore now has been transformed from a developing nation to a developed nation and is surpassing other developed nations with regard to providing quality care for its citizens.

The start to ending the culture of corruption in Kenya can only begin when you and I decide to be change makers who are going to voice our concerns about it whenever it occurs and when the arms of government namely executive, judiciary and parliament decide to join us in this fight.

I believe that change only starts with renewal of our attitude and when people join hands together for this noble cause.

The writer is Head of the Program Management Office at World Youth Parliament – [email protected]

Safaricom Mwewe Project hits Mombasa

Nguru
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Safaricom Mwewe Project hits Mombasa
Surveillance Cameras installed by Safaricom (twitter.com/kariukidw)
Surveillance Cameras installed by Safaricom (twitter.com/kariukidw)

When the government partnered with Safaricom to implement Project Mwewe, details were still sketchy on how the pilot, encompassing Nairobi and Mombasa would be done. The project came to the limelight when it was debated in the National Assembly with some members expressing unease at the single sourcing process that awarded the project to Safaricom.

Project Mwewe’s installation is currently ongoing and some Mombasa residents have been curious about the steel towers with cameras that are appearing along the main highways and in residential areas.

Project Mwewe is a security project worth sh14.9 billion shillings that is being piloted in Nairobi and Mombasa. When the Mombasa installation is complete, there will be 300 high definition cameras that will be relaying images to a command center located in Mombasa. In addition, the police will also be equipped with handheld devices and vehicle mounted systems to further enhance surveillance and law enforcement.

Once complete, the police in Mombasa will be able track down criminals, stolen cars and movements from the command center. Mwewe is key to Jubilee government efforts to tackle insecurity, crime and terrorism. Mombasa, previously a peaceful haven is battling insurgent crime with drug dealers, gangs, radicalisation keeping law enforcement agencies busy. In Kisauni and Old Town, gangs of possibly radicalized young men have been killing and maiming residents with abandon.

A village elder, a senior police officer and an intelligence officers have been killed in Mombasa Island by gunmen who have are getting braver by the day.

Maggie, a Bamburi resident is pleased that the tower is near her house, she doesn’t mind the surveillance and feels it will detract criminals especially the young men from the Wakali Wao gang whose notoriety saw them featured in an NTV expose.

At Majaoni, a local boda boda operator was not sure whether he should celebrate the cameras fearing that the government will “see everything” including minor misdemeanors on the roads.

One of the most conspicuous installation is outside Pirates Beach, an important recreation spot for thousands of Mombasa residents that visit over the weekends. In recent months, crime around Pirates Beach has escalated with incidences of young men that snatch and mug people on the increase especially after nightfall.

Shadi, who sells water at Pirates is hopeful that improved security from the surveillance will deter criminals from the beach and give his business a boost.

President Uhuru declines to suspend Makueni County

Mary Lole
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President Uhuru declines to suspend Makueni County

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta receves the findingd of the commission of inquiry inrom to the posssibe dissolution of Makueni County from commission chair Mohammed Nyaoga at Satehouse in Mombasa Photo:
President Uhuru Kenyatta receives the findings of the commission of inquiry into to the possible dissolution of Makueni County from commission chair Mohammed Nyaoga
at Statehouse in Mombasa
Photo:Mediamax

President Uhuru Kenya has declined to suspend Makueni County saying that the county does not meet the constitutional threshold for suspension.

Barely three days after the Mohammed Nyaoga – led commission looking into the possible suspension of the county handed its report at State house in Mombasa recommending for the dissolution of the county, President Uhuru through a press statement said there were not justifiable reasons to dissolve the county government.

Although the president noted a litany of failures like the 2013/2014 budget stalemate, 14 abroad trips by Members of the County Assembly and a gun fight at the County Assembly precincts in which six people were shot and injured, he suggested that alternative mechanisms should be used to deal with such maladministration and ineptitude.

“These litany of failures do not meet the high bar set for the exercise of this special power,” he said.

The president added that under the new devolved units the right precedents needs to be set noting that an ejection of an elected government was extremely grave and should be used sparingly in the most exceptional circumstances.

The president’s move to decline to suspend the county government is definitely a reprieve to the MCAs who seemed to abhor the process.

Majority Leader  Francis Mutuku Munyao speaking after the commission of inquiry recommended for dissolution opposed the verdict and disclosed that the County Assembly would lobby the President and the Senate to have the report quashed.

On the flip side, the move is also a big blow to Governor Kivutha Kibwana who has unequivocally supported the dissolution citing irreconcilable differences between him and the MCAs.

More than 50,000 residents of Makueni last year filed a petition to have the county dissolved over the persistent wrangling between the executive and legislative arms of the government that had adversely affected county operations for two years in row.

Now that the president has declined to suspend the county, the two arms have no other option than to work together and deliver the much-needed services to the Makueni residents, a county that faces a myriad of problems ranging from high levels of poverty, food insecurity and acute water shortages.

Governor Joho Challenges Mombasa Youth to take up opportunities

Nguru
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Governor Joho Challenges Mombasa Youth to take up opportunities
Governor Joho and other Mombasa leaders walk with President Kenyatta through the streets of old town
Governor Joho and other Mombasa leaders walk with President Kenyatta through the streets of old town (facebook.com/myuhurukenyatta)

By Davis Mwandawiro

Youth in Mombasa are being challenged to take up opportunities shun crime, radicalisation and drug abuse. This call was made by Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho during the launch of the National Youth Service programmes in Mombasa by president Uhuru Kenyatta.

During his speech, Mr. Hassan Joho condemned the rise of petty crime in the region

“There are groups of youth roaming around Old Town robbing people of their goods. We know them and they live in our houses.”

He reiterated as he further touched on the sensitive issue about youth radicalization and how young men are being recruited in Majengo and other parts of the county to go join Al-Shaabab. Speaking to the public at Fort Jesus, he also mentioned the drug menace that has plagued the region for a while and was also documented on mainstream media by NTV a weekend ago.

“I want to tell my fellow residents that they need to wake up. This county is yours and you don’t need the president to come tell you to stay away from drugs. Take control of your youth. The people who sell the narcotics are your neighbors and people you know. Help the government nab and arrest them.”

He said as he asked requested the government to organised rehabilitation centres and the judiciary to make proper judgement for those caught peddling drugs.

The empowerment program is a stepping stone for the youth to unlock their potential and stay away from substance abuse.

“A program like this is meant for your good but if you waste it will not be of any help to you. I am saddened that the MP had to go door to door to get your young people to register.”

He said as he warned the youth to stop being picky about work. It is a noble and innovative project that will change lives.

The Governor went on to assure the residents that the county will do all in its power to maintain security in the region. The issue about the decline of tourism in the Coast was also addressed as he said that the not only the government but also the public has a role to play in boosting the sector in the county.

President Uhuru Kenyatta centered his speech on the dangers of tribalism and said

“I believe the Islam religion has no tribalism in it and young people should stay away from ideologies that are not about peace”

He urged the residents to speak out on corrupt police on road blocks. Among the attendees were Member of Parliament for Kisauni, Rashid Bedzimba, who stressed about the need for the youth to join the National Youth Service (NYS). MP for Mvita, Mr. Adbulswammad Nassir also acknowledged the repainting work on-going in the county and Women Rep, Mishi Mboko who appreciated the work done by the government on marine training for the youth.

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka chased away by rowdy youths in Kilome, Makueni County

Mary Lole
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Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka Photo:Google
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka
Photo:Google

A public rally in Kasikeu, Kilome Sub County in which Wiper Democratic Movement leader and former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka was the guest speaker aborted after rowdy youths stormed the venue and chased away members of the public who had turned up for the rally.

Kalonzo who was flanked by Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior and MP Daniel Maanzo was forced to flee the scene after the unruly youths, chanting slogans of Maendeleo Chap Chap being headed by Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua started pelting stones and flogging those who had attended the meeting.

The youth believed to be supporters of the area MP Regina Ndambuki who has been at loggerheads with the Wiper leader for openly supporting Governor Mutua said they were against Kalonzo and Machakos Senator Johnston Muthama.

The two have been opposed to the Machakos Governor whom they have accused of wanting to divide the Kamba community for selfish gains.

Last month the governor took his Maendeleo Chap Chap campaigns to the neighboring Kitui and Makueni counties and today’s rallies by Kalonzo Musyoka in Kasikeu, Emali and Wote towns are meant to counter Governor Mutua earlier visits.

The vice president is expected to address a similar rally in Emali and Wote towns.

Nation Media Group CEO gives a public lecture at Dedan Kimathi University

Denis Mwangi
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IMG_9698
Mr Muganda giving his public lecture

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri was honored to host Group Chief Executive Officer of Nation Media Group for a public lecture on his experience on how to prepare for the business world and the big industry. Mr. Joe Muganda was emphatic in his lecture that students and young people have what it takes to lead the country to the next level.

He stated that you also must be the best you can be and its only possible if you’re authentic. Be real and do you. What works for Jack won’t necessarily work for Fiona so find out what works for you and build on it. You must be diverse and expose your self to environments outside your comfort zone. They say a person who has never left his home believes his mom is the best cook. By being exposed you have different views and perspectives on issues and one is able to make better decisions based on those factors.

Mr. Joe Muganda has a very impressive CV. Before he went to NMG, he was a Managing Director East African Breweries Ltd – Kenya. Prior to joining EABL, he had served in several senior positions at British American Tobacco, Unilever and Barclays Bank.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in economics, accounting and financial management from Buckingham University and an MBA from University of Leicester. He is known for his expertise in marketing, communication management, corporate and regulatory affairs and general management which he has built over a long career at leading multinational corporations across several markets in Africa.

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DeKUT Auditorium filled to capacity

During the public lecture, he gave a lot of insights about the corporate world. He encouraged students to do what they find interesting in life and that life is about making choices and every choice has its consequence. He explained about his theory ,’ The tyranny of the Or versus the tyranny of the And’ . Growing up he believed that he did not have to compromise something in order to get another but instead worked hard to ensure he got most if not everything he wanted.

He gave an analogy about a time NASA crew was stuck in space and there was some sort of on crisis. The guy in charge said that no American had ever died in space and none would die on his watch. He had the right attitude and by that they were able to figure out a way to get the crew back on earth. You must have that type of attitude that believes anything is possible. In the job market most people have certificates and necessary qualifications but at the end of the day, it’s attitude over aptitude.

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Light moments during the lecture

According to Mr. Muganda, Kenya and Africa at large has some of the best policy frameworks in the world but the style of governance practiced inhibits implementation of such projects. The government system is marred by tribalism, corruption and bureaucracy among other bottle necks that make it unnecessarily hard to do business in Kenya.

He said that the youth have what takes to produce a new breed of development conscious leaders if they utilize the opportunities available to them and maximizing on their talents.

He described the expansion of digital media as complimenting the existing traditional media. NMG have been putting a lot of resources on digital storytelling and he believes that there is still time before print media becomes outdated.

The packed auditorium of the Dedan Kimathi University was certainly well informed and challenged at the end of the lecture.

Photos: Jeff Ng’ang’a

Auditor General orders recovery of Sh52M from Kitui County MCAs

Mary Lole
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Kitui County Assembly members. Photo courtesy of www.the-star.co.ke
Kitui County Assembly members. Photo courtesy of www.the-star.co.ke

 

The Auditor General Edward Ouko wants more than Sh52M paid to a section of Members of the Kitui County Assembly and eight assembly staff as allowances for trips abroad recovered saying the expenditure was misuse of public funds.

In an audit report for the financial operations of the County Assembly for the 2013/2014 fiscal year, Ouko said visits abroad by two groups of MCAs to Israel costing Sh34M and another trip to China by 17 MCAs and eight assembly staff at the cost of Sh19.9M did not meet the criteria of a charge on public funds and should be surcharged from the concerned persons.

The report further states that no documentary evidence such as air- tickets or copies of the passports were produced to confirm that all persons who were paid indeed traveled.

For the trip in China the report says,

“There was no specific and structured training program and itinerary for the tour together with appointments for various places that were intended to be visited provided and it is not known what benefits, direct or indirect, the public in Kitui County gained.”

Consequently, the auditor general ordered the County Assembly to recover unsupported allowances of Sh5.2M paid irregularly to MCAs while attending a two day annual Devolution Conference on 3rd April 2014 and 4th April 2014 at Leisure Lodge, Kwale County.

“Travel evidences, attendance, and check in registers to the conference by all MCA’s since they received payments in advance were not provided to confirm that indeed they traveled and therefore the Sh5.2M paid from domestic travel, subsistence and transportation costs vote could not be confirmed,” says the report.

The audit report also raised questions on irregular procurement procedures. For instance Ouko wondered how the assembly tender award committee awarded a contract of group personal insurance to the highest bidder at a sum of Sh16M with no documentary evidence as to why the insurance company was awarded the to the bidder.

The assembly also procured laptops and accessories totaling Sh4.2M using quotations method of procurement instead of using open tender method to attract more competitiveness.

Similarly, the assembly irregularly awarded a tender to install access control systems to a company that had no expertise and irregularly paid Sh1.4M to the company three days after the quotation.

The audit report also queried Sh570,615 paid to Building Contractors for construction of a storage water tank high tower on 26 June 2014 yet no quotations for the works had not been floated by the time the payment was done.

The assembly irregularly acquired and paid for rented ward offices as a fixed rate of Sh5,000 per month without following procurement procedures.

Consequently, the report revealed that fuel worth Sh742, 298 could not be accounted for and recommended that the amount should be surcharged on the responsible officers.

The report also observed that payments amounting to Sh8.5M paid from the operations account of the County Assembly were processed without complete authorizations by the Accounting Officer and the Finance Officer or their alternates as required implying lack of internal control.

“This implies that this internal control is not adhered to and hence expenditure could not be confirmed as a proper charge on public funds,” states the report.

On human resource, the assembly lacked human resource manuals, scheme of service, terms and conditions of service, which the report said would help in personnel management.

The audit report just like in other counties reveals misuse of public funds by county governments and especially assemblies on baseless and expensive abroad trips that are of no benefit to the common man.

With this worrying trend, proper structural and institutional measures should be put in place to avert similar occurrences that pose a great threat to devolution.

Makueni County could be headed for fresh elections

Mary Lole
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President Uhuru Kenyatta receves the findingd of the commission of inquiry inrom to the posssibe dissolution of Makueni County from commission chair Mohammed Nyaoga at Satehouse in Mombasa Photo:
President Uhuru Kenyatta receives the findings of the commission of inquiry into the possible dissolution of Makueni County from commission chair Mohammed Nyaoga
at Statehouse in Mombasa.
Photo:Mediamax

The die seems to be cast for the Makueni County Government after the commission of inquiry appointed to look into a petition to suspend the county recommended for dissolution.

Led by Lawyer Mohammed Nyaoga, the six- member commission in its report that was handed to President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday at State house in Mombasa found justifiable reasons to suspend the county following the persistent wrangling between Governor Kivutha Kibwana and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

Nyaoga in a press interview said the residents of Makueni raised serious complains backed with evidence on the County Government’s dismal performance in development, occasioned by the infighting.

“They were exceptional circumstances to warrant the decision. The assembly took the view that they were neither part of the County Government nor accountable to anyone which is a very peculiar scenario,” said Nyaoga.

He defended the commission’s verdict and allayed fears that the decision could open floodgates for other counties to seek dissolution.

“The decision is not drastic because the process is contemplated in the constitution. We did not open a pandoras box and if it was, the constitution opened it,” said the chair of the commission.

The county could be headed for snap elections if the Senate votes in favor of the report that the President will forward to the upper house within seven days.

On his part, Governor Kivutha has welcomed the verdict of the commission and said that his government will wait for the president and Senate’s decision on the same.

He commended the commission for what he termed as a job well done and expressed his confidence that whatever the outcome the County Government will continue to carry out its mandate.

“When the commission toured Makueni the residents told them they would want the county dissolved due to the wrangling caused by poor leadership and they have upheld that,” he said.

Majority Leader Francis Mutuku however opposed the verdict and disclosed that they would lobby the president and the Senate to have the report shelved.

Mutuku however said that he was not afraid of dissolution and exuded confidence that he would recapture his seat if fresh elections are held.

“I don’t support the decision and as a County Assembly we shall be sending a delegation to the President and Senate,” he said.

Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua in a TV interview supported the decision saying that the verdict was based on what the commission found on the ground.

Governor Mutua noted precious time that could have been used to spur development was lost due to the wrangling but added that with the commission’s verdict the fate of Makueni lies in the hands of the residents.

He blamed the wrangling on outside forces beyond Ukambani noting that there has been a deliberate effort by certain forces to scuttle development in the Lower Eastern counties.

“There has been interference in the three Ukambani counties,” said Governor Mutua.

Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo however said dissolution would be a costly affair and called for reconciliation of the warring parties.

He said that with barely two years to the general elections, dissolving the county would be a waste of time.

“A lot of time has been lost in the wrangling and the 90 day period of suspension should be used for reconciliation,” said the legislator.

The report by the commission is a culmination of a two -year wrangling between the two arms of the government that took a violent turn in September 2014 in which six people were shot after Kivutha and his supporters stormed a meeting at the County Assembly chambers.

The shooting was perhaps an escalation of the wrangling of the two arms of the government that had been embroiled in persistent wrangles mainly centered on allocation of funds.

The infighting drove residents to petition the president for the suspension of the county due to the irreconcilable differences between Kivutha and the MCAs.

Upon receiving the petition, the president appointed a six-member commission led by Lawyer Nyaoga that conducted hearings both in Nairobi and across the county to determine the veracity of the petition.

During the public hearings, the executive and the legislative arms made accusations and counter accusations. The governor accused the MCAs of being greedy and selfish while they in turn accused him of incompetence besides running a corrupt government and impeached him.

Interestingly, the ouster of the Governor by the MCAs on grounds of incompetence and gross violation of the law among other accusations never saw the light of the day after he moved to court to challenge the impeachment.

For now, the fate of the county government lies in the hands of the President and the Senate and it is just a matter of time before the details of what the Commission unearthed would be revealed.

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