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.

Parents cautioned against neglecting their responsibilities

By Monica Soila

A stern warning by the Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. David Kipkemei was issued to parents and guardians that do not take their children to school,maintaining that they would be arrested and prosecuted come January next year.

Speaking during the concluded Mashujaa day celebrations in Isinya, he told the crowd to expect a lot of action as many things are about to change.

“Why get married and have children if you are unable to take care of them? Parents be aware, from January next year all children that have attained school going age must be taken to school, otherwise tough measures will be taken against you…” he said

Other issues on DCC’s agenda included the need to advocate for tree planting which is scheduled to commence in January 2015. He also emphasized his plan to ‘clean’ up Isinya town.

“We could start having insecurity issues if something is not done about all the idlers we have in this town. Prostitution, illicit brewing and other illegal activities must stop. It is also easy to note that bars are more than schools and that is not a good picture at all…” he added.

Politicians were also represented, led by area member of the county assembly, Hon. David Nkirrimpai, who among other issues urged the youth to take leadership positions.

“Today as we celebrate heroes in our country and in our lives, i’d like to stress that times have changed and this era calls for the youth to take up leadership positions especially in politics. This position i hold has been reserved for the youth so i urge my friends who had their chance before us to forget about 2017 as far as this seat is concerned...” said Hon.Nkirrimpai. 

Hon.Nkirrimpai

Being new to the sub-county after taking over from Hassan Bule, Mr.Kipkemei hopes that the community will cooperate with the administration and the local leadership so as to have peaceful harmonious coexistence in this region.

Celebrating our heroes

By Monica Soila

Students from Moi Girls,Isinya

A public holiday was observed throughout the country on Monday 20^th of October to mark the fifth Mashujaa day.

In Isinya Sub-county, the celebrations were held at the Isinya primary school grounds and were led by the Deputy county commissioner, Mr.David Kipkemei.

Some of the activities in the event included patriotic songs accompanied by dance. Educative skits were performed by groups from institutions around Isinya.

 

Students from the International Teaching College,Kisaju

The highlight of the event was the presidential speech which was read to the community by the deputy commissioner. Other than just recognizing the heroes of our country who fought for the independence, the president’s speech touched on a number of issues.

“My fellow Kenyans, the threat of terrorists to our democracy is profound. They are part of a networked global movement that, even as I speak, is destroying lives and entire communities in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya…”read part of the speech.

 

Hon.David Nkirrimpai(area MCA),joins in the music

It was a proper- planned occasion; at around 2:00Pm everyone was treated to a delicious lunch at the MRTC dinning hall. Similar event will be held same time next year.

A day of prayer for Isinya Boys’ Secondary School Candidates

By Monica Soila

The candidates

A prayer day for form four students of Isinya Boys’ secondary school was held last Friday, to dedicate the class to God days before sitting for the final examination, which is due on Thursday 16^th of October.

The school which began in 2011 is having its pioneer candidates,26 of them, this year. Parents, teachers, friends, the clergy, area MCA among others were in attendance.

After the entertainment from the students, it was time for speeches to encourage the candidates and the school at large.

Mr. Mokamba,School Principal

“We are facing many challenges as we build this school, but a school is not just buildings; its students with stable and able minds...” Mr. Robert Mokamba, school Principal.

Ms. Nahyan Birik

“Let us work hard because the success will not only be ours as students;our teachers, parents and the entire community will share in our joy…” Nahyan Birik, a form four student.

Hon. David Nkirrimpai, area Member of County Assembly also took to the podium to motivate and support the candidates; and with a success card for the form four, he pledged a gift of ten thousand shillings for the top four students.

“Determination combined with hard work, with absence of laziness and panic equals to success. Form groups for discussions as you do your revision…” Hon. Nkirrimpai.

As the event came to a close, everyone was served with food and refreshments at around 4:00Pm.All eyes are on the school’s pioneers and the community is anxiously waiting to see the fruits of their hard work, early next year.

All the best to the first ever candidates of Isinya Boys’ Secondary School!!