Marking world AIDS day, 2014

By Monica Soila

The world AIDS day was marked on December 1^st, globally to create more awareness on the killer disease to the public, with this year’s theme being "Focus,Partner,Achieve:An AIDS-Free Generation".

 

H.E Josehpine Nkedianye (center),lighting a candle in the memory of those who died

In Isinya, the event was held at the matatu/bodaboda stage; and being a market day, the crowd was substantial. Present at the event was County’s first lady, H.E Josephine Nkedianye, Deputy Governor Hon. Paul Ntiati, area Member of Parliament, Hon.Peris Tobiko, MCA’s, County Executive Members health officials among others.

Speaking at the event, area MCA Hon. David Nkirrimpai urged the County government to equip the Isinya Health Centre with some fundamental amenities such as beds, enough drugs, generator and an ambulance.

 

Hon.David Nkirrimpai

“Its important we invest in the health sector. I also want to ask the wananchi here to consider taking NHIF cover because life has become very difficult financially…” Hon.Nkirrimpai.

Calls for living a responsible life and establishment of counseling centers in Isinya were widely made. The need for HIV testing was emphasized, with people especially men asked to participate in the process.

 

Hon. Peris Tobiko

“It’s best when you know your status because only then can you plan your life better. AIDS is not necessarily the end of life; Ebola is more deadly. All in all lead a conscientious lifestyle…” Hon. Tobiko, MP for Kajiado East Constituency.

Isinya town is fast growing especially because it is on a highway, and HIV spread is rampant.Residents were asked to support this year’s theme by living morally upright lifestyles.

A blessed close of a great conference

By Monica Soila

During the convention

A five-day convention organized by ACK diocese of Kajiado, hosted by Rt.Rev.Gadiel Lenini at St.Marks Olooltepes came to a close on Sunday 30^th.

The theme was Isaiah 60:1, arise and shine. It was a week filled with spiritual anointing given the many powerful speakers invited to the event. Lucy wangeci, an ex-police officer turned gospel artist, of the hit song Chineke was the guest singer and did not disappoint.

The County’s Governor, H.E Dr.David Nkedianye, Member of Parliament for Kajiado West Constituency, Hon.Moses Sakuda and some of the MCA’s were in attendance.

One of the biggest miracles of the event however happened on the last day of the convention, Sunday 30^th, after a prolonged dry spell in most parts of Kajiado County. Preacher of the day was Bishop Jackson Solonka from Narok County. Before his sermon, he called on the heavens to bring forth rains.

“If you know anyone from this area who has moved their livestock in search of pasture, text to tell them to be on their way back.The rain is surely coming…” Bishop Solonka after praying.
 

To amazement of many in the congregation, some minutes to his preaching; slow but steady drops of rain started pounding on the vast dome housing the large crowd of believers.

In kitengela, heavy downpour was experienced in the better part of that evening while in Isinya it did not stop raining until Monday morning around 9:00Am.

This is when faith moves mountains almost literally; and also when there is faith, miracles happen. Same event is scheduled to be held next year.

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.