Christians usher in the Lent season

By Soila Munyaka

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the Lenten season, which is the 40-day period of fasting, introspection, confession and penance for many Christians.

It is one of the most popular, important and holy days in the liturgical calendar. It signals the approach of Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ash from palm branches

During this season, Christians are expected to shun from sin, skip meals and also fast from hobbies like social media, football and other forms of entertainment. They are also expected to appreciate people in their lives, help the disadvantaged in the society, and visit the sick among many other good deeds.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, and placing them on foreheads of participants.

During the service

The day is observed by Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Roman

Catholics.

Best wishes to Christians throughout the world during this holy season.

Finally El Nino!

By Felix Ogweny

When the media started reporting about this type of rain being a blessing and a curse, most people thought it was propaganda and for sure we had started blaming the government for misplaced priority as large budgetary allocation was done for the meteorological department.

The long rains are finally here with us and going by the look of things, they could be here for a long time. 

Isinya is characterized by black cotton type of soil. Meaning, it is the worst in terms of drainage because with little down pour, there is complete surface run off and with slight sunrise all the water vaporizes and so it goes back to its ‘dry’ nature. The vegetation around this town is made of short (leaf-less) acacia trees, a typical representation of a dry area. The only river (Isinya River), is seasonal and so residences of this town usually have shortage of water more so during dry spells.

Onset of this rain has seen the river flow and the vegetation get green once again showing signs of rejuvenated life. Soon there will be abundance of green leafy vegetables in the local markets around this town and water shortage will be a thing of the past (temporarily). This will in turn boost agribusiness around this place and it’s environs.

Some of the negative effects that the community will have to put up with are for instance the poorly managed roads that are now impassable; especially in the interior part of the area, as well as poor sewerage systems. Power outages are commonplace in this vicinity, during the rainy season. For electricity-dependent businesses this is the time to count loses as they trickle. All construction works that had not been completed will have to wait a little bit longer because when it rains, it becomes practically impossible for the construction to continue due to poor drainage.

If El Nino is anything to go by, this small town will travel along way in its mixed misery and blessings for as long as the heavy down pour continues.

St. Faith carries the day during diocese of Kajiado choir festival

By Soila Munyaka

A total of 17 choirs within the diocese of Kajiado took to the stage to perform during this year’s Anglican Church choir festival, held at the Emanuel Cathedral in Kajiado; on Saturday 22^nd .

                   

The adjudicators were from the ministry of education. The categories performed included set-piece, band, own-choice (published accredited), own-composition, sacred folk song and own-choice (men).

The set-piece is normally performed by all participating choirs. This year, it was a song; Nina inua macho yangu, composed by Nicholas Omondi. A four-part song, ternary, with Giriama rhythm; sang on key G major.

St. Patrick's ready to perform a folk song, Hamba ku Yesu

Speaking during the event, the bishop, Rt. Rev. Gadiel Lenini, applauded the efforts of everyone, especially the clergy, for supporting their respective choirs therefore making the day a success.

“Music is a good art of worship, and it’s very important in spreading the gospel. This is absolutely wonderful…” said the bishop.

With the festival being more of a fellowship, the best of all had to be crowned. A fierce competition was experienced between the three music giants of the diocese: St. Faith and St. Michaels, both from Ongata Rongai and Christ the King, from Kitengela. Following closely was Holy Trinity, Emanuel Cathedral and St. Patrick’s.

In the overall performance, the top three were: St. Faith, St. Michaels and Christ the King; in that order.

This year’s event was a notch higher with more choirs participating and competition being stiff, compared to previous years. In the coming year, the festival is set to be bigger and better, something to look forward to.

Parents on the spot!

By Soila Munyaka

Schools have closed for the August holiday and news especially about high school students have been in the media for the wrong reasons; leading to many asking how rotten our society has become and who is to blame for that.

Trending at the moment is a story about a group of secondary school students misbehaving in a matatu while traveling home from school. Still on the same, a video clip of a naked 14 year old girl being searched by police, has gone viral, bringing immense shame and regret to her family.

“A lot has changed and parents are failing in their responsibilities. Nowadays there is no collective upbringing of children like in our times where children could be corrected by any adult…” Mr. Timothy Muriuki, a teacher by profession.

In a school closing meeting with parents, a teacher gave an account of how a parent quarreled her in front of a class filled with pupils. Afterwards it became utterly impossible for the teacher to even guide or correct the child while others became rude.

Often when children hurt each other while playing, the issue mostly escalates as their parents clash after taking it personally. As parents tend to protect their children its necessary that they consider the bigger picture especially on how these children carry themselves while away.

Women unleash their anger on alcohol

By Soila Munyaka

All activities came to a standstill in Isinya town, on Thursday 30^th  when a group of angry Maasai women attacked all alcohol joints and pubs, destroying all the drinks that have apparently led to their husbands neglecting their duties back home.

The women destroy alcohol in one of the pubs

They also blamed young women who came to the area seeking jobs, for allegedly snatching their husbands. Things went from bad to worse when the police decided to use teargas to disperse the crowd. They purportedly threatened to burn down the nearby police station, and this led to an apology by police so as to calm down the people whose emotions were raging high.

A section of the local leaders condemned the incidence as there are better ways of addressing the issue.

Broken beer bottles on the Nairobi-Namanga highway

“This is totally unacceptable, destroying people’s property is not right. As you can see, this is not even illicit brew they are destroying and they just don’t care. It’s too bad; we can’t prosecute a mob…” Chief Mpaashe, speaking during the fracas.

Pub operators are counting massive losses and these women say that there is no turning back; this is just the beginning.

Kayanet Women group empowered on production of fireless cookers

By Julyann Mutuku

Kayanet women group from Kitengela Ward in Kajiado County is reaping the benefits of a capacity building training on making fireless cookers. The group of eleven members, 8 women and 3 men were trained by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries under the Home Economics department which works closely with Energia Kenya Network in Kajiado County.

The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is the focal point for Energia Kenya Network activities in Kajiado County through support from Practical Action.

Most of the women had been introduced to fireless cookers and are even using them in their households but now want to be actively involved in its production in order to improve their livelihood. They are enthusiastic about the benefits of the fireless cooker and are seeing a bright future ahead.

Heard of a fireless cooker?

A fireless cooker is a simple basket which uses the vacuum flask technique to cook food. The inside part is insulated with heat retaining materials which are easily available such old clothes or banana leaves.

Home Economics expert holding a fireless cooker basket

The food is first placed on a convectional source of heat such as wood fuel till boiling point then put in the fireless cooker for continued cooking for a given period of time which varies with the type of food. The basket keeps the food warm for a longer time saving on fuel that could have been used to re-warm the food.

Monicah Musila a member of Kayanet Women group noted that some of the women have been making a profit of Kshs 1000 per basket by selling the fireless cookers to their neighbours. With training on market awareness creation and best business practice skills she hopes to be able to make ten or more baskets per month.

Similarly, Linah Maiyo, Secretary Kayanet Women group said that the fireless cookers have been beneficial to her household as she has been able to save wood fuel and charcoal. 

It has also made her work easier as she does not have to worry about fire accidents when her children are alone at home. Her husband is also a beneficiary for ‘when he comes home late at night, he gets the food warm and ready to eat’ remarked Linah.

“It would be my joy if Energia Kenya helped us in reaching more households in the ward to enjoy the use of fireless cookers as we do,” said Maiyo.

Fireless cooker making is mostly done by women who can testify to the many benefits, it is however not common in Kajiado county.

Group challenges

The women group is facing a major challenge in marketing since most people in the area hardly know about fireless cookers. In order to address this, Energia Kenya is organizing a Participatory Market System Development (PMSD) training for the group and other energy entrepreneurs in Kajiado County.

Scarcity of production materials like baskets has been a hindrance to the group. Most of the time they have to travel to Ruiru or Thika to purchase materials. The added transport costs at times makes it hard for the members to realize good returns.

Energia aims to address energy, poverty and gender issues in Kenya, while providing strong linkages with relevant institutions and organisations and generating and sharing knowledge and information on gender based issues.

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.