This year’s County Trade fair ends

By Soila Munyaka

A day before the trade fair

The 2-day County Agricultural, Livestock exhibition and trade fair has come to a fulfilling close today; 12^th of June, at the Maasai Rural Training Centre (MRTC).

The field filled with activities

The event had been organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, livestock and Fisheries in collaboration with AWF. This year’s theme was “Adoption of technology for suitable agricultural transformation and resilience”.

Some briquettes at the show

Many stakeholders from the county participated, to display their contribution towards the growth of the County and especially in the agricultural sector.

Speaking as he officially opened the trade fair, the Governor H.E Dr.David Nkedianye called on the wananchi to learn as much as possible during the two days.

A bull at the show

“This is a good opportunity for the people to learn new things and opportunities there are, in this field of agriculture…” he said.

It was a successful event, which ended with some good news coming from Hon Jonah Orumoi, County Executive Member for Agriculture. The tannery at the MRTC that has been under construction since 2011 will be operational by end of the year. This will create jobs for many people therefore improving their living standards.

Lights, finally!

By Soila Munyaka

The residents of Maasai Rural Training Centre (MRTC) can smile again after almost a week; from Tuesday 2nd to Sunday 7th, in the dark due to power outage caused by a burned transformer after some drizzles.

Lack of electricity led to some financial constraints to the people living in this place because they had to spent money on water and fuel for lighting.

Maasai Rural, as it is commonly known to many, has some residential houses. It is also a host to NGOs like ALIN, MAAP and Compassion. There are also some government offices; the IEBC office for Kajiado East Constituency and Oloosidan Location Chief’s office. A public primary and secondary school also use  water and electricity from MRTC.

“It has been such a long and difficult week without water and electricity, but God is good…” said Ms.Elizabeth Muia, a resident at the MRTC.

Personnel from KPLC at the MRTC

According to the KPLC personnel, it was a challenge to find a small transformer. Another reason for the delay was due to the immense workload in the company as during the rainy season power outages are common and demand for services shoots up.

Water taps in the MRTC have been dry for sometime now and the nearest water point is Isinya town and this makes it a huge expense.  The people here are hoping that this issue on water will be resolved once and for all, as soon as possible to lessen the big burden.

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.