H.E Dr.Nkedianye visits Isinya Boys Secondary school

By Monica Soila

The governor of Kajiado County H.E Dr.David Nkedianye visited Isinya Boys Secondary school on 20^th November to commission and hand over classrooms and staff houses that his government built.

  

He however urged all the stakeholders including the students to work hard so as to attain good results which would in turn popularize the school.

“Nice classrooms do not necessarily mean good performance; the quality of education is what matters, and with that, this county will go far…” Dr.Nkedianye speaking during the event.

The school which started in 2011 faces many challenges, the biggest essentially being lack of infrastructure.

It was an opportunity for the school to place some requests to the governor. Top on the list was the fact that the school is inaccessible during the rainy season due to lack of a good road .With regard to this the governor promised to have it worked on in the coming week. Dr. Nkedianye said he would give support in addressing other infrastructural challenges facing the school in whatever possible way his government can.

The wondrous bamboo

By Monica Soila

Bamboo is regarded as the strongest and fastest growing wood plant in the world. It matures in 3-4 years unlike other hard wood trees which takes up to 40 years or more; it also has 1,500 record uses. There are about 1,250 or more species globally and 18 in Kenya.

 

some bamboo products

Bamboo which is a renewable resource has huge potentiality. The important usages are mainly in paper industry, building material, cottage industries, handicrafts, medicinal products, edible shoots and new generation products such as wood substitutes, truck bodies, railway carriages, bamboo boards, tiles etc. 

Bamboo tea and bamboo extracted silica are becoming increasingly popular. Silica is an essential substance for maintaining the integrity and health of the skin, ligaments, tendons and bones. Bamboo contains 70% organic silica.

 

Seedlings in the nursery at Kitil farm

Kitil Farm is a licensed open quarantine which operates in Isinya; where high quality bamboo seedlings are grown and sold. The farm is five kilometers from Isinya town, driving past the Isinya Health Centre, it is found on the right.

The following species of bamboo  are found at Kitil Farm: O. Abyssinica (giant and solid stemmed bamboo, Bambusa textilis or longinternode, Phyllostachys pubescens(moso), Dendrocalamus membranaceus cv grandis (a giant clumping bamboo), Dendrocalamus maximuslamina (a giant clumping bamboo and giant leaf), Dendrocalamus giganteus (a giant clumping bamboo), 

Dendrocalamus asper (a giant clumping bamboo), Dendrocalamus barbartus (a giant clumping bamboo), Dendrocalamus giganteus (a giant clumping bamboo).

 

Bamboo trees at Kitil farm

Other important activities such as training for individual investors and/or groups on all aspects of bamboo care, bamboo management, harvesting and associated technologies; are also conducted at Kitil farm. This is a sound business venture; you might want to try it!

Chief Tipanko convenes a youth meeting on natural resources and environment

By Monica Soila

Mr.Stephen Tipanko,Chief,Oloosidan Location

 A youth consultative forum was held on Friday 7^th at the MRTC Dinning Hall, to discuss issues touching on natural resources and environment. It was initiated by Oloosidan location leadership, headed by Chief  Stephen Tipanko.

Sand harvesting activities were discussed in length.Regulation, sustainability and way forward were on the agenda.

Mrs.Agnes Sayai,Assistant Chief

It was noted that sand harvesters faced a number of challenges.Harassment by the police due to lack of proper systems to regulate the activities was a big setback. Poor infrastructure in terms of roads leading to rivers was also a big challenge.

Mrs.Rose Shaasha,Assistant Chief

With natural resources being a major source of conflicts in some parts of Kenya, the youth were urged to share the resources peacefully.

“Let’s not fight over resources because we can always share them equitably…” Moses leir, a youth leader.

Those involved in the business (sand harvesting) were advised against ‘over’ harvesting, because it contributes to environmental degradation. The need to sensitize people on tree planting exercise was also emphasized.

A group photo after the meeting

“We are doing our best at the school level. Pupils are agents of change, which is why we are training them now on the issues of climate change..." Eunice sitelu, a teacher at Isinya primary school.

It was agreed that a committee be formed to regulate the activities and those present were given the mandate to spearhead its formation.