His message? ''Those with eyes should see and those with ears should hear'', he told the cheering crowd adding that his agenda for the region's development was being implemented through the Minister for Water and Irrigation Mrs Charity Ngilu. '' We as a government will give her all the financial support that you require to have water for all our needs'', Raila said.
Raila's visit is the first official visit as Prime Minister to Lower Eastern Province. His visit blended a political pursuit of his Orange Democratic Movement and his work as the republic's Prime Minister.
It means that Mr Musyoka must go back to the drawing board quickly and reinvent a trick to glue together was looked like a solid vote block for him only two years ago.
His trip won a quick result as Machakos Town MP Dr Kioko Munyaka came face to face with emerging realities in Kamba politics, with the crowd shouting him into silence.
Most Ukambani MPs kept off the meeting where only Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo and Mrs Ngilu played an open row. Others in this side but did not attend are Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti and Kilome MP John Harun Mwau.
It was clear however that Raila may be engaging his strategy of going directly to the citizens where the MPs prove un-co-operative.
There was no attempt to conceal the political agenda of the trip as the lined-up speakers; mostly former close confidants of the VP did little or nothing to indicate that the community ought to seek alternative leadership to that of Mr Musyoka.
Raila's tour took him through two districts of Kathiiani and Machakos, addressing crowds in Mlolongo, Athi River, Makutano (Kyumbi) and Machakos Town. He officially opened the Machakos-Nairobi Road. He also toured Maruba Dam where the government is spending over Sh 300m to rehabilitate.
Even though it is as good as complete, Raila could not open the facility due to a running row between Water and Irrigation Minister and Mr Musyoka over the latter's proposal that President Mwai Kibaki opens it. So intricate is the row that it was as Dr Munyaka tried to claim credit on the project at the rally, a line of thought that the VP also shares, that the Machakos rally turned rowdy and forced him to sit down.
Sources told the Anchor that Munyaka later explain that the Vice-President had told him to explain the Maruba story in that way.
The PM toured Machakos General Hospital which Medical Services Minister Prof Anyang Nyon'go pledged to upgrade to a Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Raila took time to open two ODM offices in Machakos, one at Kathome where ODM-K operatives have time and again defaced to resist attempts by ODM to make inroads to Ukambani.
While ODM-K has been resisting ODM expansion in Ukambani, a new phenomenon is emerging that Mrs Ngilu, and not ODM may be their real headache.
That fact became clear as Mrs Ngilu stood at the dais at Mulu Mutisya gardens and asserted her position in local politics, not just by words but b the fact that she could help galvanize an assembly that clearly dwarfs ODM-K in its own turf.
Details are emerging that the Criminal Inves_ti_gations Department (CID) may have been used to frame a theft charge and overthrow directors of Malili Ranching Company.
Even then the visit to Machakos by Prime Minister Raila Odinga has triggered new reactions, with Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka identifying kamba professionals in Mutui Museo as being behind Gateway Logistics, a firm paid Sh 40m of the Sh 1b set aside for Malili. In another twist Mr Muthama says he knows a Cabinet Minister with a hand in Gateway Logistics. So who are the thieves in Malili?
Investigations by The Anchor show that the probe against Peter Kanyi and Julius Kilonzo is being suffocated for lack of evidence of theft, a development that has led the prosecution to seek adjournment of the case as CID grope for facts to sustain a prosecution.
Our writers have obtained a letter that has been written to the Director of CID Mr G Gatiba, explaining that the money allegedly stolen by Mr Kanyi and Mr Kilonzo may be far much less that the amount due to the two from Malili Ranch.
Mr Odinga told a huge all in Machakos that the government will catch up with thieves in Malili. He did not hide that local leaders are involved in stealing from peasants. He said those who stole were trying to deflect attention from themselves by pointing accusing fingers at others. But we will catch them anyway'',said Mr Odinga.
Raila was also firm that the ICT city would be built according to the original plan, allaying fears that it would be moved to Thika.
Within days of the PM's remarks, City Lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo announced he was returning to Malili farmers some cash he was holding. He did not disclose the amount but our investigations show that it is over Sh 210m that was wired to him in unclear circumstances.(See letter published on this page)
Waiganjo, a commentator of governance concerns on KTN is also a lawyer to a Member of Parliament from Ukambani. With the return of the cash, farmers may now have hope of getting their full entitlement of Sh 1.4m and not the Sh 1.1 they are being paid now.
The letter to CID says `' The Board of Directors is in the process of verifying allotment letters surrendered by the accused to confirm whether they total the amount received by them from the Company lawyer. Preliminary results show the possibility that they had purchased more plots than the amount they took from our lawyer. Please take another date for hearing since we shall not be ready with the verification∫ It is signed by new chairman Mr David Ndolo Ngilai, with a copy to Mr E.K Mutua, Malili's advocates.
Police allege that the two stole over Sh 143m from View Park Towers, which houses the offices of Mr Mutua. Malili Ranching had no known offices office prior to the case and Mr Ngilai has since opened offices in Machakos town where he has been paying out Sh 1.1 to shareholders instead of Sh 1.4.
The new Malili leaders have been alleging that they can not pay the Sh 1.4 because of the alleged theft of cash by Mr Kanyi and Mr Kilonzo. The two have received millions of cash for carrying out insider trading at Malili. They, along with former chairman, the late Josiah Munuka bought tens of 7.8 acre plots at prices as low as Sh 400,000 from desperate farmers and sold them to the Government at Sh 1.4.
Matters got off hand after Munuka's death when Mr Muthama summoned Mr Kanyi to push for the payment demanded by Gateway Logistics as commission for the sale of the land. Munuka had paid out Sh 40m to the firm and it was as it pushed to get a balance of Sh 60m, that new players got involved and tried to push a new contract down the throat of Kanyi, that would have led to the payment of Sh 210m.
Kanyi said at the time that the cash was required to help fund Vice President's campaign in 2012. Muthama has since distanced himself from the allegations and the VP, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka has warned that his name should not be dragged into the Malili fiasco.
The Anchor has information that an MP, a Personal Assistant of a top politician met directors of Malili and shared not less that Sh 60m that they obtained by the sale of the 300 acres that had been set aside for roads and public amenities that no individual can claim ownership. Raila's pledge for action is premised on his decision to order a probe into the saga by the Kenya National Audit Office (KENAO)
After Kanyi rejected the demands, he was subsequently arrested along with Mr Kilonzo who was the treasurer and charged with stealing from Malili Ranch. Did Mr Kanyi and Kilonzo steal from Malili Ranch? That is the riddle that the Courts must resolve.
Even then, Kanyi insisted then in newspaper notices that all Malili members would be paid Sh 1,4 for their land. Why then did it change to Sh 1.1 after Mr Muthama intervened; Was the intervention for better or for worse? Well, farmers have now been deducted Sh 300 each and there seems to be no justifiable ex_pla_nation. Who is stealing this money?
Even then, Muthama, speaking in the company of Mr Musyoka recently said the ICT city was a great idea in the region but warned that a corruption scandal involving the sale of land to the Government for the creation of the ICT city in the area had left a sour taste among residents.
Mr Muthama said that although the Government agreed to pay sh 1 billion for the 5000 acre land, shareholders in the Malili ranch were swindled a whooping Sh 115 million by a company that allegedly fraudu_lently brokered the deal.
Mr Muthama said he reported the scandal to the CID that resulted to the arrest and prosecution of the Malili ranching company directors. He said that the matter was turned political and his name was dragged in to malign his name for crusading against the fraudulent deal. Mr Muthama said the lawyer who handled the sale of the land had received death threats after he refused to pay the money to the brokerage firm.
He challenged the Government to investigate the Malili scandal along_side other corruption scandals in the country.
Cereals middlemen in Mutitu district are doing a booming business after farmers in the area defied Government advice not to sell their produce at throw away prices.
A survey in the area revealed that farmers were selling a kilo of maize at between Sh15 and Sh 20 while brown sorghum was sold at between Sh8 and Sh10 per kilo.
In January a kilo of maize retailed at Sh35. Before the rains, a kilo of maize sold at Sh 30-35 but now, a kilo was selling between Sh 23-Sh26. It means that farmers bought maize at a high rate and are now selling it at a loss.
Last year at the onset of the rains in October, sorghum seeds retailed at Sh100 per kilo.
The survey that was carried in Zombe, Kyamatu, Endau and Mutitu markets which are the major markets in the area also showed that a kilo of bulrush millet that was retailing at sh100 last year was retailing at between sh18 and 20.
Farmers who have just harvested their produce were also selling cow peas at sh 20 per kilo which last year was sold at sh 150 per kilo.
The farmers say that due to pressure for school fees and medical expenses among other pressing needs had forced them to sell away the food stuff although there was enough to last them a whole year.
''Our livestock that we depend on for our livelihood died last year leaving us impoverished. Who can watch as children drop out of secondary school while keeping foodstuff in the granary'', said Mr John Mutiso.However, livestock prices have soared whereby a young bullock was sold at between Sh13, 000 to 15,000 upward from Sh8,000 in January, 2010.
A fully grown bull was selling at between Sh25, 000 and Sh 50,000 upward from between Sh 15,000 to Sh 30,000 upto January 2010.
A well sized he-goat sold at between Sh5000 to Sh6000 while a fully grown castrate sold at Sh6000.
A fully grown she-goat sold at between Sh3000 and Sh4500 while the price of young she-goats ranged between Sh1, 600 to Sh3000.
The survey also showed a high demand for indigenous chicken with a low supply that was attributed to the drought last year which forced residents to sell all chicken to buy food.
''There are no chicken in the villages any more. It is rare to hear a cockcrow in any boma these days'', said Mr Phillip Ndunda a businessman in Kyamatu location.
A chicken trader in Zombe and Kyamatu markets Mr Mung'ola Syanda said the low supply of chicken had pushed prices from between Sh100 and Sh300 last year to no less that Sh350.
''Chicken farmers are now doing booming business because a tiny chicken that was valueless last year now fetches Sh250'', said Mr Syanda.
Machakos district which in yester years boasted of being an academic power house continued to post dismal performance in national examinations with the best school, Machakos girl's high school attaining a mean score of 7.97 which translates to B- in last years K.C.S.E.
However an upbeat area D.E.O Mr. Abdikadir Ali averred that this was an improvement of 0.0269 compared to the previous year's performance adding that for the first time in as many years no exam irregularities were detected.
A former academic giant Machakos Boys was placed second in the District ranking with a mean score of 7.642 while Pope Paul Seminary, which used to shine nationally managed a mean score of 6.237. The D.E.O said 5,851 candidates comprising 3011 boys and 2840 girls from 54 secondary schools sat for the examination out of which 32 improved in their performance while 17 dropped. Mr. Ali however conceded an alarming deterioration of academic standards in the area noting that there was only one A in the district from Machakos Boys 18 A- 77 B+ 119B an d 228 C+ while the rest of the candidates had less scores. Last Month the D.E.O held an education stakeholders's forum where poor academic performance was top on the agenda and made a raft of proposals that many fear may have been Public Relations gestures to show that something was being done.
Observers believe that a radical surgery is overdue in the education sector in Machakos, right from the appointment of Education Officers to promotion of school heads in Primary and Secondary Schools.
A quick audit of the Education officials, especially at the Divisional and Zonal levels shows that those in office went beyond their sale-by dates close to 10 years ago. One of the officials in for ever in a drunken stupor and demands bribes form teachers in exchange for recommendations for promotion. Most of these officer are serving on unclear arrangements as they can not possibly pass any test, face a confidence crisis as they can hardly face their juniors who are better qualified.
It however transpired that indiscipline in most secondary schools which has seen many of them frequently closed was a major cause of the deteriorating standards of education.
Schools management committees were also blamed for prioritising costly physical facilities including glamorous school buses at the expense of academic performance enhancement projects.
Most district development forums in Machakos have died over the last two years with scores of committees that co-ordinate development going dormant in the past two years.
As a result development agenda in the area has slowed down leaving development agencies with little monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. If anything, this development now means that individual civil servants now operate single handedly and in secrecy, making it possible for them to steal public resources since citizens do not know the amounts available to provide them with services
The committees which include the District Development Committee (DDC), District Investment Committee (DIC), District Environment Committee (DEC) and the District Management Unit (DMU) which evaluates and monitors the implementation of government projects have become moribund and no explanation is forthcoming.
A survey has revealed that the committees have had few or no meetings in the past one year resulting in a devastating effect on Government development agenda in the area.
For example, the DDC last met on April 9, 2009. The next meeting was scheduled for September 3, 2009 but it was never held and there was no reason given. This means that the role that the DDC ought to perform has collapsed.
The DIC met on February 26, 2009 and since then no meetings have been held while the DMU was the first to hibernate as record show that the last meeting was held early 2008. They did not meet last year and there are no indications they are meeting this year.
This trend has been hitherto unknown in Machakos District, arguably one of the busiest districts in Eastern Province. Observers say the situation has developed under the watch of Machakos District Commissioner Bernard Kinyua.
So pathetic is the situation that in one instance, minutes of the District Education Board had apparently been falsified to read as if they had mandated Machakos Girls School to levy extra fees to parents even as the government was funding the school within the Free Secondary Education. The levy was however rejected when the school board chairman Retired Justice Kasanga Mulwa raised issue with the Machakos District Education officer Mr Abdulkadir Ali.
Residents said there was more interest in devolved funds like Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF) leading to little interest in activities of line ministries which get colossal allocations from the government each year.
However, the Acting Machakos District Commissioner Mr. David Wanyonyi conceded that there has been a lapse in the frequency of the committees.
Mr Wanyonyi, seeing that the DC usually chairs these committees explained passionately that the lapse cannot be blamed on the District Commissioner but the entire fraternity mandated to carry out the meetings.
He said steps have been taken to revive the forums and issued a list of scheduled meetings to be held this year.
According to the schedule, the DDC meetings are scheduled for March 8, June 7 and September 6 this year. The March 8 meeting was held under Wanyonyi's chairmanship and it remains to be seen if the next schedules will be real of mere smoke screen. The DDC secretary is usually the District Development Officer (DDO) and most of them now concentrate their efforts on CDF due to the easy money that comes for officers and officials.
The DEC meetings are scheduled for March 18, April 22, May 20, June 17, July 22 and August 19 in a bid to ensure each committee met each month. The Anchor will keep a keen eye on these schedules to ensure that public servants do what they came to do in Machakos and the region in general.
Mr. Wanyonyi claimed that government projects were in progress despite the inactiveness of the committees. He gave an example of projects which included the Administration Police (AP) houses and a water tank.
He also said construction of Jua Kali sheds under the economic stimulus plan was under way despite controversies and urged interested parties to stop politicizing development issues. He said the construction of a Sh30 million model secondary school at Katheka Kai was well in progress.
Mr. Wanyonyi added that the DEC coordinated Kazi kwa Vijana initiative was running well despite poor turn-out by the youths on claims of poor wages.
While majority of the committees are nearly dead, the District Steering Group that co-ordinates famine relief food, the District Education Board and the Area Advisory Council on child rights have remained generally active. Mr Wanyonyi said he was keen to revive the committees adding that meeting schedules have been released. Stay An-chored
Freedom of worship essentially includes the right to determine personal matters between two people of the same faith using their religious teachings. Muslims will therefore continue to apply the Islamic teaching in Marriage, divorce and succession with or without entrenching Kadhi's Court in the new constitution.
The letters signed by Jomo Kenyatta and M. Shamte on 5th October 1963 only refers to the application of the Islamic personal law for Muslims along the 10 miles Coastal strip, not throughout the country and furthermore, the letter never stated that Kadhi's Courts will be entrenched in the constitution.
Their inclusion is historical; otherwise Muslims can live their faith without secular constitution reinforcement.The fact that it was entrenched in the constitution doesn't close the door for its revision.
As a matter of fact Muslims themselves were the first to seek revision of the current status of the Kadhi's Courts in the current constitution when they proposed further enhancement of the same courts. Whatever happened in the past, Kenyans need to expedite the resolution of this potential conflict about the Kadhi's Courts in the new constitution.
Rather than just focus on whether or not to entrench Kadhi's Courts in the new constitution, it's incumbent on Muslims to reach out to the Christian leadership in the spirit of dialogue to resolve whatever issues both parties feel need to be addressed. Certainly Christians have other issues where they feel the Government either ignored or simple overruled them in conceding to Muslims demands without careful consideration of the ramifications of these concessions to national harmony.
Christian leaders in Kenya are today better informed about the many strategies used by Muslim groups to undermine other religions. Given a forum, Christians can demonstrate to both the Government and unsuspecting Muslims the true colors of some Muslim sect members in Kenya who want to use the constitution to advance their sectarian agendas in the name of Islam. To the extent that Kenya political leadership doesn't understand the under currents behind the present Christian opposition to entrenchment of the Kadhi'S Courts in the new constitution, it will be failing to address the really bond of contention.
Christian leadership in Kenya should at the same time talk in one voice over the Kadhi's Court agenda. It's certainly confusing to Muslims when they speak as divided Christians on issues that touch on their shared core values and require national consensus. Christian ecumenical forums should become the supreme channels of engaging the government and people of other religions over issues of common interest to all Christians.
Muslims leaders in Kenya need also to safeguard the true Islamic faith from being hijacked by some Saudi Arabia sponsored puritanical Muslims who appear to be advancing sectarian agendas in the name of Islam in Kenya. Some Mosques in Kenya today like in many parts of the world have become channels for perpetuating hatred against the so called ™enemies of Islam∫, which includes all people outside a specific Islamic sectarian group, Muslims and Christians alike.
Just as the African Traditional married couple feel bound by their African faith in living out their marriage or handling divorce and inheritance, Muslims should equally feel bound by their faith in matters of personal law. Kadhi's Court in the constitutions is dangerous for the nation that is just beginning to heal from wounds which to a large extent resulted from some constitutional oversights.
Muslims have yet to demonstrate to Kenyans how exclusion of the Kadhi's Courts from the new constitution will affect their faith? Their argument is historical and we all can learn from history what best works for Kenyans as we summon our national values to secure our common future.
Fr. Wilybard K. Lagho is Ad-junct Catholic Chaplain, Archdiocese of Seattle, USA-He graduated with MA in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Pontifical Institute of Ara-bic and Islamic Studies, (PISAI), in Rome. He seats in the Pontifical Council for In-terre-li-gious Dialogue as consoltor and in the Kenya Epis-co-pal Con-ference Ecu-menical Commission, Nairobi. Email:wilybard@yahoo.com
The media fraternity in Kenya and Africa has lost one of the finest journalists in the sudden death of Noel Okoth. Noel was friendly and generous. He was always ready and willing to share his great wealth of media experience with younger media people.
On behalf of the Kenya Correspondents Association and its membership, I wish to convey our most heartfelt condolences to the late Noel's family and friends.
During the African Media Barometer (AMB) Panel Discussions on Kenya, Noel gave input with his usual mirth and vigour and I remember asking him to start writing his memoirs to benefit the new crop of journalists.
In his death we in the media industry have lost great knowledge and experience.
Colleagues in the African Media Barometer Panel were shocked to learn of his sudden death when he had just spoken and emailed some of them.
"It saddens me profoundly that we have lost Noel Okoth. I pray that God gives his family the strength to face this sudden end of the life of a man I held in high regard, who was everything to them", said Mr. Martin Masai, Editor and Publisher of The Anchor and member of the panel. Joseph Nyanoti, a media trainer and panelist said "Truly sad, shocked! May his Soul Rest in Eternal Peace"
Hudson Liyai, another member of AMB-Kenya said " It's a sad moment for us all, and especially for his family and loved ones. At ABM-K an issue is never comfortably concluded until the deep voice adds something. Yes, what an erudite mind and invaluable stock of knowldge,...and the friendship. I am touched by your messages."
Christine Nguku, a Media Consultant and Chair of Alternative Media Network (AMNET) said " This is unexpected. I hold on to a lovely memory of a portrait we took at the pool side during the barometer and he kept teasing me about it. How short our lives can be! I thank God that he gave me a chance to share professional discourse with Noel".
Mr. Rolf Paasch of FES, Namibia said " We at fesmedia are also deeply saddened to hear that Noel Okoth has suddenly passed away at the weekend. We would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to his family".Ms Maria Okongo of FES, Kenya said "Am still shell shocked by the news, especially as he and I had agreed to meet in a week. Life is indeed short. I will miss his professional contribution and his wonderful spirit".
Susan Kariuki, another panelist added "This is very sad, unbelievable".
Noel Okoth died at a time when the Media Barometer Report for Kenya was just about to go to print and it was stop press for a dedication sentence to be included in honour of Noel.
™The dedication sentence just went to the printers,∫ announced Rolf Paasch of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in a communication from Namibia to the AMB colleagues. He added in the email communication: ™Let me just say that this is a very sad turn to the AMB but ± not knowing the Kenyan ways ± I am absolutely impressed by your expression of heartfelt condolences and your offers of practical help. Best wishes to all of you.∫
And this was the line of dedication to Noel as will be in the 2009 Africa Media Barometer. It was penned by Grace Githaiga, who led the panel discussions last November, and all panelists agreed it was befitting: ™This report is dedicated Noel Okoth, who has been an important part of the African Media Barometer in Kenya since its inception in 2005. His life was suddenly cut short on February 28, 2010. We will greatly miss his hearty laughter, invaluable stock of knowledge and friendship. We shall endeavour to keep his memory alive.∫
I attended the burial of the late Noel Okoth at Put Village, in Ndere Area of Gem district about 8 km off the Kisumu-Busia Road. I conveyed the condolences of the Africa Media Barometer (AMB) team and the sister Nelly Okendo expressed her appreciation.
The family had a heavy burden to bear. With Noel's parents dead and only a younger brother at home, it has not been and will not be easy for them. Noel is survived by a son-Leon Okendo. There are issues on Noel's domestic front that they have been struggling with. They are the usual challenges we all face within our families, the difference being the degree. Noel's broad smile masked and managed a lot of challenges.
Briefly, Noel fell sick on the morning of February 28, 2010 and according to the eulogy, he ™experienced a swelling on his right cheek and lower lip. Due to this, he decided to see a medical practitioner at a nearby health centre in Ngong where he lived, accompanied by a friend. He developed breathing problems on the way and was pronounced dead on arrival at Ngong Health Centre.∫
A journalist friend, Byrroenne Omondi who was waiting for Noel to join him for a lunch date in the city centre that day waited in vain. He called his number twice as he grew weary of waiting when the friend who had taken Noel to hospital picked the call to announce the sad news to him. Omondi rushed to the Chiromo Mortuary and joined the friends and family members as they took the body there on the back of a pick-up, as rain pounded them.
At his Ndere family home during the burial, Noel lay in the coffin very serene, yet looking very healthy. Looking at his body and face, you could not know Noel was dead, you would think his mouth sketched his usual smile, perhaps a smile to say good bye to friends and relatives.
I saw a tearful Mitch Odero, one of his enduring media friends and contemporaries with whom they moved from the Standard to the All Africa News Agency and later to the Sudan Mirror where he was lately working as chief Sub-Editor, lay a wreath at the grave and I knew we had lost a gem, an invaluable library of information on Kenyan and African media.
The saddest thing is that the Media ignored Noel, not a small mention despite attempts by Mitch Odero and family members to interest his former colleagues and contemporaries. It was only in the paid-up obituary of market leaders- Nation and Standard.
Mitch has carried a special tribute to Noel in the Sudan Mirror.
May God rest Noel’s Soul
in Eternal Peace.
It has always been regarded as the staple food for the poor and the less privileged in the society but it has now gained enormous significance in the country.
Sorghum, ranked the fifth most important grain in the world after wheat, barley, rice and maize has suddenly found its way to prominence with leading brewer East African Breweries Ltd (EABL) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) separately seeking to buy the crop.
And due to a combination of unfavourable circumstances including the global food crisis and the adverse effects of climate change, sorghum has now become one of the most sought after grain in East Africa.
The unprecedented scramble for sorghum, which has seen its prices go up, is expected to substantially improve the economic well being of thousands of poor farmers in dry areas where erratic weather patterns make growing of other crops difficult.
Though the two markets are not competing, the record demand for sorghum ignited a quite price which took the intervention of Ministry of Agriculture to harmonize and set a Sh 17 per kilo for all varieties.
For instance, the beer industry is turning to sorghum as a key substitute in making malt beers, in an effort to reduce its longstanding reliance on the more expensive barley.
EABL is buying gaddam sorghum - the white sorghum variety ideal for brewing and logistics have been put in place to ensure that farmers are paid instantly for their deliveries.
On the other hand, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding WFP to buy sorghum from local farmers for redistribution in drought hit areas, both within the country and in Southern Sudan.
According to Mr Lee Anthony Brudvig, the deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Nairobi, the USAID/WFP initiative dubbed `buying for progress' would see the sourced grains donated to the World Food Programme supported school feeding programme and the Food for Work projects.
Mr Brudvig said besides promoting sorghum as a cash crop, buying locally produced crops by WFP is intended to give farmers access to a guaranteed market and therefore enhance food security.
™Instead of importing white maize and split peas being currently supplied for school feeding programme, WFP will now supply locally grown sorghum and other crops through the buying for progress∫ he said.
A high powered delegation of US Embassy and WFP officials led by US Envoy to the Rome based agency Mike Michener recently toured sorghum farms in the lower Eastern districts to assess the viability of the project.
WFP Spokesperson Ms Gabrielle Menezes told The Anchor that the UN relief agency had set aside funds to buy 700 metric tons of sorghum from farmers in Eastern Province.
™The initiative to buy drought resistance crops in Kenya seeks to promote market oriented farming and help farmers move away from the non-focused subsistence farming∫ said Ms Gabrielle.
Ms Gabrielle said that the UN body which fights hunger worldwide has been importing food for relief purposes for the last 30 years but this was the first time it was buying grain from local farmers for redistribution.
She adds: ™WFP is buying locally to cut down on transport costs but more importantly offer small scale farmers a market for their produce hence boost their economic well being∫.
WFP is negotiating with selected agro dealers in the region and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to contract them to ensure farmers are not exploited by unscrupulous middlemen.
On the brewing scene, a consortium of several organizations have joined hands to promote sorghum growing for beer making and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in a value chain where farmers reap benefits of commercializing the crop.
East African Malting Ltd (EAML), a wholly owned subsidiary of East African Breweries Ltd (EABL) has partnered with Africa Harvest, a non Governmental Organization, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and Equity Bank to promote the growing of sorghum grain and enhance its value chain in the country.
Under the arrangement, Equity Bank is offering low interest loans to farmers to buy seeds and farm inputs while Africa Harvest and KARI are providing the technical support to ensure the best quality grains are produced for consumption by EAML.
Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi last year announced the establishment of a Sh10 million revolving fund for local farmers to facilitate the enterprise.
Gadam Sorghum is a research product from KARI who have the technical mandate to breed, test and reproduce seeds to ensure quality standards for the crop.
Mr David Miano, the Director of Kenya Arid and Semi Arid lands Research Program (KASAL), a unit under KARI confirmed to The An-chor that the government had set aside Sh 20 million for bulking gaddam sorghum seeds for distribution to farmers before the next planting season.
Mr Miano, a senior researcher with KARI says gaddam propagation is a major breakthrough and a research output that addresses poverty directly in farmers' pockets propagation.
™Due to climate change, it is becoming more difficult to grow maize in arid areas hence the need to adopt drought resistant crops like sorghum∫ Mr Miano said.
For many years, brewing firms have been reluctant to use sorghum ± the hardy grain that yields considerably well in minimal rainfall and poor soils because they were not sure whether farmers could guarantee consistent supply.
Barley, the grain used to brew most beer grows best in countries with cooler climates but its rocketing price due to a strong global demand and the high shipping costs have made beer making more expensive than ever.
Due to worldwide increases in the cost of sourcing barley, EAML is now investing in sorghum as a malting substitute.
The project has been implemented in the lower zones of Eastern Province; Kitui, Mutomo, Mbeere, Masinga, Tharaka, Embu, Maara, Meru South , Imenti North and Imenti South.
These areas are characterized by high levels of poverty due to the dry climate, frequent crop failure occasioned by long periods of drought.
EABL requires more than 60,000 tons of barley every year for making different beer brands, out of this the firm intends to substitute in excess of three quarters with local sorghum.
According to Ms Rose Mutuku of Smart Logistics, the firm hired to source the grain from local farmers by EAML, there is a production deficit of more than 25,000 tons.
Ms Mutuku says EAML will still be forced to import gaddam sorghum this year from Tanzania because farmers will not be able to satisfy demand but reckons that the situation will improve in the next seasons.
Dr Rose Njeru, Technology Deployment Director at Africa Harvest says: ™We anticipate that the 13 tons of sorghum seeds planted by November last year will be harvested and bulked by our farmers bringing much needed income into their pockets∫.
Africa Harvest CEO Dr Florence Wambugu expects better performance in the next growing season as the project picks up momentum.
She says: ™It is anticipated that with the good spirit of cooperation and teamwork between the various stakeholders, the region can satisfy the growing demand for sorghum grain∫
Local leaders have welcomed the initiative saying there was an urgent need to revise the country's agricultural policies to tackle the present challenges in line with the prevailing economic realities.
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka says farmers would effectively cultivate enough sorghum as long as the market for their produce was guaranteed and that this will translate to enormous benefits to them and the country's economy.
However, they have voiced concern over the initial prices of Sh 17 per kilo offered by the brewing firm saying it should be revised upwards to cushion farmers against high cost of production.
Local residents are very enthusiastic with the new developments as they are being sought by multinationals and international aid agencies.
Mrs Mary Mutemi from Kang'utheni village in Mwingi district gambled with the EAML idea and dedicated eight acres of her farm to the new crop. Without applying any fertilizer, she now expects to harvest at least 50 bags of sorghum.
™This is unbelievable and we are very happy. At last we've got our own cash crop with a guaranteed market like coffee and tea∫ Mrs Mutemi said adding farmers will redouble their efforts in the next season.
MPs Isaac Muoki (Kitui south) and Kiema Kilonzo (Mutito) whose areas are among the leading sorghum producers suggested that the Government impose heavy taxes on barley importation in order to encourage the grain production in the country.
™This country is living a big irony. We import barley from Canada at very exorbitant prices to make beer yet cheap sorghum can be grown locally for the same purpose at obvious great economic benefits to poor farmers∫ he said.
Key events, players and
evolution of the Malili Fiasco
How did the Malili Ranch issue become a fiasco?
The Government entered an agreement with Malili Ranch to buy 5,000 acres of land for build what will be known as Milili Technolpolis. The land comprised of 609 parcels of land measuring 7.8 acres.
Each acre would be bought at Sh 200,000. The State paid Sh 1.560 for each parcel. Malili Directors would pay Sh 1.4 to each farmer, leaving Sh 160,000 from each parcel (Sh97m in all) to cater for the administrative costs and compensation for developments of the land.
Leaders of the ranch- the late Mr Josiah Munuka, Mr Kanyi and Mr Kilonzo, with assistance of some Machakos lawyers begun buying plots from farmers at throw away prices- as low as Sh 400,000 per parcel and selling the same land to the government at Sh 1.4m. By November 2009, 112 parcels had been paid for. Sh 40m had been paid to Gateway Logistics as commission and another Sh28m to Eric Mutua as legal fees. Between Munuka, Kanyi and Mr Kilonzo, they had been paid nearly Sh 150m from the land transactions.
The dispute came to the fore late last year after the death of Mr Munuka when two Malili Ranch directors, Mr Peter Kanyi and Mr Julius Kilonzo, were charged with stealing Sh143 million from EK Mutua Advocates in Nairobi.
When the dispute first arose, Mr Kanyi and Mr Kilonzo alleged that they were taken to court after they rejected a plea by Kangundo MP Johnson Muthama that they sign an agreement for Gateway Logistics to be paid a fee for alleged commission for sale of them land. They sought refuge in the hands of Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Ngilu, who helped them meet Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying that they would never allow gateway to rip off peasants of Malili Ranch. Mr Kanyi says Mr Muthama told him the proceeds of the commissions would go towards the Presidential campaigns of ODM-K leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Mr Muthama reported the matter to the police after Kanyi refused to sign, leading to the arrest of Mr Kanyi and Mr Kilonzo. He has since told The Anchor that it is true that he reported the matter to the police leading to the arrests and prosecution but he has, nevertheless denied allegations that he was fronting for the payment of the illegal commission to Gateway. Now he is alleging that a Cabinet Minister approached him in his private office pleading for the payments to Gateway. Muthama has threatened to name him publicly and the sooner he does it the better. Knowing that Muthama is an ordinary member of Malili, the fact that a minister would approach him for help tells the story that the Kangundo MP has a crippling influence on Malili Directors. So how much does Muthama know about the Malili debacle?
™ My motive was not to push for any commissions for anyone. I have no other interest in Malili other than to ensure that the right thing is done,∫ Muthama told The An-chor. But Mr Muthama, much as he insists that he was seeking justice for Malili farmers has flatly rejected efforts by The Anchor to have him respond to specific issues relating to the fiasco. We have information about a meeting between Mr Muthama and Gateway Directors to discuss how they would paid their alleged balance of Sh 60m.
But since the two were charged and subsequently removed from office, The Anchor has seen new signatures on an agreement backdated to February 24,2009, indicating that Gateway would be paid Sh 21,000 commission for the sale of the 5,000 acres, meaning that they would receive a total of Sh 105m from the deal, even when Gateway did nothing to enable the sale of the land to Malili. It is believed that one of the objectives of removing Mr Kanyi from office was to facilitate the new regime of theft of Malili Millions.
Nevertheless, Mr Muthama has remained mum even as it emerged that Malili leaders will pay Sh 300,000 less than the agreed rate with the Government. It is claimed that farmers were being paid less because of the Sh 143 million allegedly `stolen' by Kanyi and Kilonzo. So what has happened with his drive to have the right thing done at Malili? Why will he not report the current directors to the police now that they are paying less to farmers than what the government paid for? That is the question, besides many others.
Now we have a document that showing how the Sh 300,000 would be shared to the disadvantage of Members.
The two are out on bond and their case has been postponed in the typical way the State handles cases that they are not ready or willing to prosecute due to reasons usually not disclosed to the trial court. The case was to be heard on January 29 but the State sought an adjournment to March 23. It is unlikely that it will take off.
When farmers discovered that no one would come to their rescue, they rushed to court to stop payment of Sh 1.1m Lawyer Alponce Mutinda, for the seven shareholders, successfully urged Lady Justice Nambuye to block officials of Malili Ranch, Lawyer Mutua and government agents from releasing the money or trespassing, disposing, transferring or interfering with the disputed land, pending the determination of the case.
The judge ordered that the suit documents be served on the respondents. The shareholders fear losing out on both the money and their parcels of land. New leaders of Malili are Mr David Ndolo Ngilai (Chairman), James Munguti (Secretary) Julius Mbau Nzyuko (Vice Chairman) and Leonard Kitua( Treasurer). Kanyi and Kilonzo are now ordinary directors.
Nevertheless, the order was still born and Malili directors went on to pay members as if nothing had taken place, evidence that some powerful figures are indeed behind the fiasco.
Other key players in the Malili saga are Minister for Information and Communication and ODM-K Chairman Mr Samuel Poghisio, his PS Mr Bitange Ndemo, Treasury PS Joseph Kinyua. We have accounts of how the Minister once sat with a senior citizen of Kenya as the ministry sought to buy land for ICT. Ndemo has rightly placed the fiasco at the doorsteps of the Kamba leadership because he knows that local politicians have soiled their fingers in Malili. His assertion that the ICT City may be moved to Thika underlines the fact that since some MPs are implicated, they may lack the energy required to face him over the matter. The truth of the matter is that Kamba peasants were fleeced by the politicians they elected in 2007. Period.
On his part, the VP in response to Ndemo accused the architects of Mutui Museo ,local professional who went around seeking food for hungry villagers when the VP was mum, and accused them of being the forces behind Gateway. His remarks that action would be taken are welcome, although those who know the events and actors know nothing will come from his assurances, however nice they sound. Citizens want action on the thieves.
By John Musembi
GANGSTERS in Mwingi now have greater fire power thanks to the carelessness of Administration Police Officers.
As a consequence, police in Mwingi are in a dilemma after three Revolvers disappeared without trace..
They are apprehensive that the three lethal Ceska pistols that were stolen alongside nearly 45 rounds of ammunitions are in the hands of local criminals and who were likely to cause havoc should they use the firearms within Mwingi.
Mwingi Officer Commanding Police Division Mr. Kenneth Kimani sent an appeal to local residents to come forward and volunteer any information that can lead to the recovery of the guns before the worse happens.
The OCPD said so far all efforts to get any useful information that could lead to the recovery of the pistols had hit a dead end and throwing investigations into disarray.
™Members of the public here in Mwingi have become very cagey with information and dealing with them is tantamount to trying to use a bull dozer to move a stubborn huge rock,∫ lamented the OCPD.
He said that the problem with the residents of Mwingi was that they had an unexplained phobia to testify in a court of law as prosecution witness while other were known to believe that the culprits would cast a bad spell on them should they incriminate them.
™The common but unfounded believe is that prosecution witnesses are normally committed to jail and the believe that criminals and other wayward characters have powers to bewitch
People who give evidence against them frustrate police investigations,∫ said the OCPD.
Two of the pistols were stolen from two prisons warders attached to the Mwingi GK Prison who were guarding a sick prisoner at the Mwingi district hospital when robbers struck at the facility in mid January. They were loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.
The other pistol was stolen in early February when an administration police officer who was on night duty went drinking and ended losing the firearm that was loaded with 15 round of ammunition.
The AP constable Hezron Otieno has already been charged before the Mwingi senior resident magistrate Mr. Hezron Nyaberi with the loss of the gun. He is out on a Sh. 50,000 bond.
Machakos Water Company
fights to end theft
The Machakos Water and Sewerage Company loses sh4.2 million every month through illegal water connections that are masterminded by unscrupulous water users in conjunction with corrupt company staff.The illegal connections have left thousands of residents without water for domestic use after triggering a man made water shortage in the town.
Led by the company chairman Mr. Leonard Kamba and the Managing Director Mr Stephen Kiteme, the company has launched a crackdown on illegal connections where four large scale illegal connections including a Government institution were confronted.Mr Kamba disclosed that while the company could collect over sh6 million monthly from sale of water, only Sh1.6 was collected.He said the company was in a financial crisis because it could not pay its operational costs including staff salaries and electricity costs.Mr Kamba said 70 per cent of the water generated by the company was lost through illegal connections leaving residents at the mercy of the cartels that run water vending outfits in the town.
He said while the company kiosks sold fifty 20-litre jerry cans at only Sh33.30, the water vendors were raking in sh20 per single 20-litre jerry can.
∫We want to put an end to this theft of water in the town and to start we have sacked several officers who are linked to these cartels. We will also prosecute all the people involved in the rip off', said an angry Mr Kamba.
He warned that there might be a complete overhaul of the staff in the company in a bid to end corruption in the water trade.The campaign is part of the company's Rapid Results Initiative that will come to a close later in March.Among the key benchmarks of the RRI was the employment of a Managing Director, Zoning of Distribution Areas, Mass Disconnections of water and establishment of Performance Contracts for Staff.The Company had to undertake the RRI push to prepare itself for the management of emerging water sources in the town that have been rehabilitated by Water and Irrigation Minister Mrs Charity Ngilu, in conjunction with Tanathi Water Services Board.
A raw is raging over the leadership of the Sengani District Church Council (DCC) in Kangundo over the integrity of the leadership of a Reverend whose name we withhold.
He is facing accusations from members of A.I. C Sengani, with one accusing him of leading an adulterous life. They are demanding that he quits leadership of the DCC for failing to offer good leadership and involving himself in activities that are opposed to Christian virtues.
In a meeting that was held on June 13 2009 at A.I.C Sengani the District Church Council barred him from pre_siding over any function concerning the council until a letter send to the AIC Bishop of Machakos Region- Rev Benard Nguyo is answered.
The letter highlighted some of the alleged acts of misconduct that saw the DCC lose confidence in him.
Among the allegations is the embezzlement church Funds, involving himself in immoral behavior, and failure to host the annual DCC congregation.
He is facing a specific accusation that one of the members of his flock bumped in to him together with a young lady in Nairobi where he was allegedly seen boarding a lodging in what is said to be a form of prostitution, a sin that is highly fought by Christian doctrines.
Letters availed to The Anchor, that have been circulated widely within the Church cite the alleged the eye witness a Mr. Maingi Ndolo who claims to have seen the two board a room to_gether, adding that he accosted the church elder after the incident. The documents show that there have been hearings by the Regional leadership during which a verdict of not guilty was returned against the pastor.
But his accusers have insisted that the hearings have favoured the pastor be_cause those in the panel are known friends and benefactors of the pastor.
The accusers, who include Paramount Chief Savano Maveke and Football Kenya Limited leader Mr Bernard Musyoka Mwanza among others have vowed to mobilize church members in the DCC to eject the pastor from congregations to underline their determination to deal with the matter. `'I want to use the energy remaining in me to ensure that our church leaders do the things they preach to their congregations, said the 90-year plus Paramount Chief.
Inquiries by The Anchor show that the residents believe the matter would have been resolved with the intervention of Kangundo MP Johnson Muthama.
Muthama summoned the accuser and urged him to drop the charges and help foster peace. Mr Maveke also told The Anchor that Mr Muthama summoned him, together with another elder- Fred Nduti Muthiani and urged them not to push forward with the fight to deal with the pastor.
`' Much as we respect our MP, we will not renege. We want him out of the DCC leadership. We have not held our usual meetings because of his way of life,'', said the Paramount Chief, the only one of his kind in Ukambani.
The whole matter is underlined by attempts to bribe the accusers into silence. One of the letters The Anchor has seen speaks of a bribe that was handed to the AIC Bishop as evidence.
Turmoil hits Machakos Municipality
amid graft, intrigue and politics
By Anchor Reporter
IN a daring vote, the Municipal Council of Machakos has resolved to invite the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC)carry out thorough investigations into the alleged graft at the local authority.
The council resolution is a response to widespread allegations of graft that target top council leadership.
The vote came after an anonymous people wrote to KACC, accusing the council top brass of engaging in corrupt deals. The letter prompted KACC to forward the matter to the Ministry of Local Government for action.
Such action from the ministry would be an Inspection of Accounts and it appears that the feeling that a probe is overdue at the council was also shared by the top decision making organ of the local authority- the Full Council.
By inviting KACC, council leaders intend to have all doors flung open so that all aspects of governance at the council are subjected to due diligence audit.
With the resolution, KACC will come to the municipality and sift through many issues. In brief, it will rope in quite a basket full of the accused and the accusers.
At hand will be a tanker that is in dispute between the local CDF office that was allegedly constructed for the council at a cost of Sh 1.6m and was later rejected for failing to follow stipulated requirements. It is alleged that money changed hands at the Council and CDF offices, leading to the construction of an unacceptable, sub-standard tank that is mounted on wheels.
Also at hand will be an emerging fraud that may have led to the loss over Sh 8m as a result of under stating revenue collected. The scandal has already claimed Mrs J Muasa. Allegations have been made that she may have been working with other senior officials to defraud the council and it is hoped that KACC will unearth the players and have them face justice. What matters in the coming days is facts, facts and facts.
The row at the council came to the open after The Anchor exposed the tanker fiasco where Machakos Town MP and the man who built the tanker have been arm twisting the council to accept the tanker even when it did not meet the specifications required for it to be towed by the new fire engine.
The MP and the contractor have been openly pushing for the removal of Town Clerk Mr Stephen Mbondo after he rejected the tanker. Efforts to have the tanker adjusted to specifications have been hampered by CDF's unwillingness to write a letter requesting that it be released to them for repair.
There has been pressure for the council officials on a number of issues ever since.
Mr Munyaka purported to re-open public toilets closed by Public Health officials at the Bus Park, an act that the council is opposed to, citing the fact that a new pay toilet has been erected on the park for residents to use. Besides, Munyaka operates with full hands- ranging from personal financial woes to dwindling political fortunes, underperforming CDF and general absenteeism from the constituency, making him a laughable first time MP trying to bite more than he can chew.
Munyaka claims that the toilets were closed after civic leaders allegedly voted to transform them to kiosks and allocate the kiosks to themselves, a claim denied by Mayor Fidelis Kimuyu.
Accusations and counter accusations are many and petty, underlining that local political leadership is pathetically wanting.
Featuring in the rows are claims of assault, leading to the arrest of Nominated Councillor James Keli for allegedly assaulting the council's Environment Officer Nicholas Nzioka.
Keli is accused also of interfering with running of the council, an accusation that is emerging time and again against him since he was nominated.
Keli was a year ago in trouble over criticizing the awarding to Kitanga Contractors a tender to re-carpet town streets, accusing the Town Fathers of awarding the tender to an undeserving contractor. Kitanga Contractors also built the rejected Tanker.What has exactly changed remains unknown.
Nevertheless, envy, greed, pettiness and misplaced jealousies are the rule, rather than the exception at the municipality, with an impression emerging that the fight is all about whose turn it is to eat?
Governance activists are campaigning that Tenders in the municipality and other public institutions be awarded right across the board to avoid a situation where particular contractors raise hell whenever they miss out on tenders because they are used to getting them at will.
Machakos Residents Association, which has been sucked up by CDF and hardly scrutinizes the use of the kitty has hailed the decision to invite the Kenya Anti-corruption Commission (KACC) to carry out investigations at the council.
The mayor who was flanked by Mr Mbondo, Deputy Mayor Timothy Wambua, Town Treasurer Mr Wachiuri and Town Engineer Mr Morris Aluanga and several councillors said the council was keen to rout out all corrupt officials in the council.
He said the two cashiers defrauded the council by under-receipting the money they received from members of the public. Councillor Kimuyu asked all the council employees to shun corruption and other from malpractices that have spoiled the council's image.
So who is corrupt at Town Hall? Only time will tell.
Mwala MP Mr. Daniel Muoki has distributed CDF cheques worth Sh 1.7 million to 5 learning institutions in the constituency.
The proposed Embui Secondary school in Masii division received Sh 500,000 for laying the foundation while Makutano DEB Primary School in the same division was given Sh 300,000 for improvement of the physical facilities. Kwa Kisau Primary whose two classrooms were recently blown off by heavy wind was awarded Sh 400,000 for reconstruction.
Another Sh 250,000 was given to Kivulusa Early Childhood Development Center [ECD] in Mango location for completion of a classroom while Kavunya Primary School in Mwala division got Sh 300,000 for expansion of the administration block.
The MP, who attended a zonal education day at Kavunya Primary after presentation of the cheques, showered local teachers with praise, saying their commitment to hard work had seen the school rise from the last position during the 2009 KCPE results in the zone to position one this year. He said the school would receive an additional funding from the CDF kitty for construction of an Early Childhood Development Centre and additional toilet facilities.
Mr. Muoki said he was generally impressed by the improved performance of Mwala district in last year's KCPE examination which saw the district emerge tops in the larger Machakos region beating 7 other districts and fourth overall in Eastern province with a mean score of 258.5 He challenged educational stakeholders in the district to play their respective roles effectively to enhance the standards of education in the region. He told parents to focus on day schools since they were cheaper than boarding ones in view of the hard economic times
He further urged the parents to regard education of their children as a viable investment that would assist to address poverty in their families.
Mr. Muoki announced availability of government bursary for bright and needy students through the CDF kitty and the ministry of education. He said the government had in the past 5 years spent over SH 54 billion on free primary education.
Muoki's donations came as questions arise about the contractors that carry out work on CDF projects in Mwala.
Informed sources say a clique of wheeler dealers and a CDF official have ensured that tenders to construct CDF projects could not be won by any other person other than themselves.
™It is possible that the money that the MP has dished out today will land in their very hands∫, said a teacher in Mango Location who is privy to the goings on at the CDF office.
