The president strives to steer the nation ahead

By Soila Munyaka

Wanachi during Madaraka day celebrations

The government has taken practical development steps towards eradicating disease, ignorance and poverty, in line with the vision 2030.

In his speech during the 52nd Madaraka day celebrations, the president highlighted some of the progress made on this subject.

He recently commissioned modern medical equipment in Machakos County. It includes a state-of-the-art theatre, kidney, and X-ray and ICU equipment; to enable doctors to treat serious ailments.

The government has raised its capitation to secondary schools from Ksh. 28 billion to Ksh. 32 billion and for primary schools from Ksh.14 billion to Ksh.15 billion. The objective is to make primary and secondary education truly free within the next three years. The government will also cover the examination fees.

Quite entertained

By the year 2017, the president promised that the standard gauge railway will have reached Nairobi. The government is also working hard to attract foreign investors into the country, for job creation. This is however hindered by insecurity especially terrorism threats. No investor would want to invest in a place where security is not guaranteed.

DCC reads the president's speech to the people

To address this issue, the government has heavily invested in strengthening the institutions involved. Equipping the police force, empowering the national intelligence, criminal investigation institutions and the defense forces.

President Uhuru urged those especially in the public sector to be responsible and to shun from graft and to always uphold integrity as this is the only way to achieve the goals and promises made to the wananchi.

The sub-county becomes safer for all

By Soila Munyaka

The crowd jovial during the entertainment

The security situation in the sub-county has improved over the past few months due to the efforts made by the stakeholders concerned; including the nyumba kumi initiative.

Speaking during the 52^nd Madaraka Day celebrations at the Isinya Primary School grounds, Mr. Fred Machoka, a celebrated radio personality who also resides in the area was keen to note the change.

Mr. Machoka

“It is evident that the security of this area has tremendously improved. The DCC and his team are doing a commendable job and I urge them to keep it up…” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by the area MCA, Hon. David Nkirrimpai, who also firmly criticized the investors in the sub-county.

“Some of these investors pretend to be good and genuine, and are not. Some who are working on the Standard Gauge Railway are so mean that they can’t even share water from their boreholes with the community. If they can’t do that, we might as well do without their sodas during these celebrations…” said Hon. Nkirrimpai.

Hon. Nkirrimpai

Still on security matters, it was noted that some investors hire or contract people from outside the county, and at the end of job period, these people do not return to their places of origin and in turn become criminals. In this case, the investors were asked to work with people from this area to avoid such occurrences.

The DCC, Mr. David Kipkemei, vowed to work even harder to ensure that the sub-county is safe for everyone. He also urged the wananchi to be vigil and to provide information to the security officers on any issue that might come up pertaining security.

Organizations take a keen look into Gender and Energy in Kajiado County

By Soila Munyaka

A sensitization workshop organized by ALIN through Energia-Kenya was held on 28^th May at the ACK Tenebo House in Kajiado, to share experiences on gender and energy situation in the County.

Energia is a global network that deals with energy and gender issues. It is hosted by the Eastern Africa regional office of Practical Action, under the Access to Modern Energy Services Programme. ALIN is the Focal point for Energia in Kajiado County.

A group photo of the participants

The aim of the forum was to strengthen awareness on the importance of gender mainstreaming in energy services delivery. It was also a platform for stakeholders to learn and share experiences on gender and energy issues in Kajiado County. A roadmap was to be developed for gender and energy issues to be included in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

The County government was represented by Hon. Gladys S. Marima, former CECM ICT, Gender and Citizen Participation, currently in charge of Health Services Ministry. Also present was Mr. Titus Koote, Chief Officer for Ministry of Roads, Transport and Energy; and Hon. Timothy Sayiore, MCA, Imaroro Ward. Other organizations that participated were: Dupoto-E-Maa, NIA, ASDSP, Practical Action, SACDEP-Kenya, among others.

The use of clean energy was one of the key topics during the forum and there will be a follow-up to see that some of the issues discussed will be included in the CIDP.

Pupils showcase their talents during sports day

By Soila Munyaka

800M(boys)

It was a sporty Tuesday on 26^th of May, at Isinya primary school grounds as schools converged to battle in the sub-zonal athletics competition, to pick a team to represent the area in the zonals.

Javelin(girls)

The schools represented were Isinya and Musa primary schools and the Topride academy. Isinya primary school emerged the best after winning in most disciplines; including javelin, high jump and the short races, just to mention a few.

High Jump(boys)

It was also a time to make some cash as vendors flocked the venue with their products like candy and soda for sale; and were not disappointed.

Some business ladies at the venue

The pupils participating in the games are exceptionally gifted and if these talents are nurtured, this country will have great sports men and women, in the years to come.

Girls in action(high jump)

The Mungiki issue infuriates Isinya residents

By Monica Soila

A meeting to address security concern organized by Isinya sub-county’s security team was held on Monday 2^nd in Isinya town, to discus way-forward about the Mungiki menace in Kajiado County.

Being a market day, the crowd was substantially huge although only five ladies attended the meeting while the others participated from a distance. In attendance was the County commissioner, Mr.Harsma Kello, the deputy county commissioner Mr. David Kipkemei, area MCA Hon. David Nkirrimpai, nyumba kumi initiative’s ambassadors among others.

Amid angry and bitter expressions, the community called for an end to all Mungiki activities; an outlawed sect which is allegedly being linked to Maina Njenga, their former leader. They demanded that the government take action as soon as possible, before they (the community) deal with the issue their way.

“The only agenda that we have for this meeting is that Maina Njenga gets out of this county for good and to never set foot here ever again…”Samuel Moinkett,speaking during the meeting.

In his remarks, the county commissioner, Mr. Kello, called for the public to provide information concerning the matter to the security workforce and to let the law take its course to avoid bloodshed.

“Since launching the crackdown on Mungiki from July last year, the information you provided has so far helped us apprehend 1,600 members. So it is very certain that the government can handle this…” said Mr.Kello.

It was very clear during the gathering that the community had taken their firm stand against Maina Njenga being in the county; and all the attention will be on the County commissioner and his team on what he can do to help the situation.

Hon.Peris Tobiko visits Isinya for a noble course

By Monica Soila

Hon. peris Tobiko, MP for Kajiado East constituency was in Isinya on Friday 16^th to issue cheques to Isinya boys’ secondary school and Isinya Township primary school.

Together with the local leadership she toured Isinya boys’ secondary school, to view the progress made in the school construction. She also visited Isinya primary school before proceeding to Isinya Township primary school in Majengo area.

The school in Majengo began in 2010 as a nursery school and was registered in 2014 as a government school. It has four teachers who include the head teacher; Ms.Rose Naetu.It has only class one and class two and has 124 pupils.

Ms.Rose Naetu

Being an upcoming school, it faces numerous challenges including lack of water, toilets, space (land), and office among other fundamental amenities. These many challenges led to need for the area MP to step in and offer some help.

“I had promised to come back to Majengo and here i am. Let’s build this school together because education is important. I will plead with the County government for some land; but at the moment I will build classrooms….” Hon. Tobiko.

Hon.Peris Tobiko

To crown the event, the MP handed some cheques to the two schools. Isinya boys’ secondary school received a cheque worth Kshs 900,000 and Isinya Township primary school received a cheque worth Kshs 800,000.

Some of the issues close to the heart of Hon.Tobiko is education and she promises to support all the projects pertaining to it. As the saying goes; actions will always speak louder than words, and she is really walking her talk.

The country celebrates 51 years of independence

By Monica Soila

It was music and dance at this year’s Jamhuhuri day celebrations, throughout the country to mark 51 years of Kenya’s independence,on 12th December.

In Isinya sub-county, the event was held at the Isinya primary school grounds; and was presided over by the deputy county commissioner, Mr.David Kipkemei.

 

Police march during the celebrations

Present at the event were the Administration and security staff and County officials’ representatives.Ali letura, CECM-Lands, Physical Planning, wildlife, Enviroment and Natural Resources, read the governor’s message to the public.

The governor urged the people of Kajiado County to turn away from corruption and for the public institutions to serve the people equally without expecting bribes. In the message also was an update of some of the activities and projects that the county government has successfully accomplished. They include a hundred and twenty classrooms that have been built throughout the County,among other projects. Dr.Nkedianye’s government also sponsored 100 youths to attend training on insurance.

 

Hon.Ali Letura reading the governor's speech to the people

The height of the ceremony was the president’s speech which was read to the people by the Deputy County commissioner, who was also the chief guest.

The speech touched on the various issues that have affected the country since independence. They include corruption, economic growth, insecurity, development among others.The president  made clear his future plans for the country and also highlighting some of the achievements so far.

The president also highlighted some of the government’s intention of collaborating with various institutions including the private sector to deliver a dignified, clean and safe living environment in Kibera.This is evidently transforming the slum for the better.

In the issue of food security, the government has already commenced the irrigation of 1,000,000 acres of land in Galana-Kulalu; with the main goal of banishing famine from Kenya, feeding the region and the entire continent.

 

The DCC reading the president's speech to the people

In education, by April 2015, all primary schools in the country will be connected to electricity to enable computer-based learning.

On health matters the government plans to equip at least two hospitals in every county with modern diagnostic equipment. Plans are also underway to build a referral hospital in all the counties.

The biggest challenges faced by the government at the moment is corruption and insecurity and with the ICC dropping the case against the president, many hope that the same happens for the deputy president; so that they can both focus all their energies in dealing with some of these issues.