Get your own land- Judge Munyao tells children

 BENCH WATCH

Judge scoffs at children who
block land sale by parents

By Agencies

Justice Munyao Sila of the Environment and Land Court has ruled that parents are at liberty to deal with their free land without consulting or seeking consent of their children.

Mr.Justice Munyao- Courtesy    of The Standard Newspaper 

Sitting  in Kisii where two children had faulted their father for selling a piece of land to some two buyers, arguing that their father held the land in trust for the family and could not sell it. 

But the judge saw it differently and arrived at a conclusion that will send shock waves to children who block their parents from selling their land.

The Judge arrived at the conclusion that the property was not ancestral land held in trust for the family and therefore the father was free to deal with it whichever way he wished. 

In a stinging judgment delivered on March 22, 2023 and which is likely to set precedent in many land disputes pitting parents and their children, Justice Munyao Sila stated that it is time that children stopped having a notion, that what belongs to their parents also belongs to them.

To quote His Lordship:

“…it is despicable, if not outrageous, for a child to assert that his father or mother, must subdivide his land in a particular way, and proceed to sue his parent because he/she does not wish to deal with the land in the way proposed by the child…

It is time that children stopped having a notion, that what belongs to their parents also belongs to them in equal measure, and that their parents must subdivide and distribute land to them in a particular manner."

The Judge went on to state that the land in dispute belonged to the father and he could do whatever he wanted with it. That his children had not right to compel him to subdivide the land in a certain way.

“It was his land and he could do whatever he wanted with it… the 2nd and 3rd Defendants (his children) had no right to compel the 1st defendant (their father) to subdivide his land in a certain way. Neither can they purport to attempt to reverse a sale that was freely entered into by their late father. The property was never held in their trust.”

The Judge fell short of telling the children to go to hell when he castigated them and described their action as “shameful” and “abominable.” 

“I regret to tell the defendants that they have to live with the fact that their father decided to sell the land. He was the owner of the land and nothing barred him from selling the land…

The conduct of the 2nd and 3rd defendant was, and remains, shameful. It is abominable. They relentlessly hounded their father; they demanded that he distributes the land in the form that they themselves wanted; even when their father gave them some land, they complained that it was too little; they sued their father before the Chief, the clan, and before the tribunal; they failed to give their father peace. This is despite the fact that it was their father who took them to school and educated them up to University level and made them to be what they are today. They are thankless…They have to live with the fact that they led their father to sell the land so that he can have peace. They cannot be heard to complain.”

Headache over Kiboko B

 Makindu: March,  29, 2023

Minister Cancels 
sticky allotments 

The Makueni Department of Lands and Urban Planning has initiated plans to revoke allotment of 54 acres of land in Kiboko B settlement scheme.

It is claimed that the land in Kimboo village, was allocated in a controversial manner.

400 farmers in livestock booster plan

Goat upgrade chosen
as priority project

By Daniel  Kituku

Over 400 Makueni farmers today received breeding goats in a major livestock improvement programme in the county. 

It marked the beginning of the Department of Agriculture's goat improvement programme geared towards  milk and meat production.

The program was the priority set out by farmers in Kikumbulyu during their Public Participation meetings. 

The programme involves provision of breeding bucks and capacity building to farmers on best goat  farming practices .

Speaking  at Kikumbulyu in Kibwezi  East during the commissioning of the programme, Makueni Deputy Governor Ms. Lucy  Mulili said the Galla goat has a faster growth rate, high weight  and produces high milk yields. 

Ms.Mulili congratulated Kikumbulyu South Residents  for using the Makueni Public Participation model to ask the government  to buy them Galla goat as part  development projects. 

She urged other wards in Makueni  to take up the challenge in the forth coming 2023/ 24  budget preparation process to propose Livestock improvement projects .

Agriculture  Minister Makueni Joyce Mutua who hosted the Deputy Governor  lauded the move  and asked Makueni  Residents to prioritise agriculture,  irrigation  and Livestock projects during in this year's public participation. 

MP Basil dismisses teacher enlisting

Yatta MP demands 
fresh TSC recruitment 

By The Anchor Reporter

Yatta Member of Parliament Mr Robert Basil is demanding the immediate revocation of the recent teachers recruitment in Machakos County that he terms as fraudulent.

The MP called for fresh recruitment exercise to accord justice for those who were left out unfairly.

Investors troop to Machakos

Govenor Wavinya hosts 
Investment Conference 

By Regina Mueni

Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti  today hosted a galaxy of potential strategic international development partners.

The prospective investors are drawn from various countries across the world who have declared intent to launch mega investment projects in the country and Machakos County in particular.

During the event, held at her White House Offices, the partners made the investment declaration, which Governor Wavinya termed "...as a culmination of my strategic engagement with them in line with my government's development agenda".

The areas of partnership as agreed with the investors will include, establishment of various industries  in Agriculture,Health,Water a Sector, Sanitation,Education and Infrastructure, among others, within the existing Industrial Parks.

"I am excited that these initiatives, which will be rolled out in coming months will open a new chapter in turning around our local economy and open up thousands of job opportunities for our people", the governor added.

Isuzu aids Makueni Schools

Firm donates water tanks

By Daniel Kituku 

Isuzu East Africa today partnered with the County Government of Makueni  to enhance access to clean and safe drinking water to school going children to improve their health. 

Speaking during the handing over of 4 water tanks at  Unoa  Primary School, Isuzu East Africa Drector Manufacturing Operations and Facilities Division Eng. Daniel Kilenge said the initiative is part of improving communities' livelihoods which is a Key objective of the automobile assembler. 

Kilenge said through the company's CSR initiatives, many facilities have been launched to benefit hundreds of school children in Kenya. 

" Isuzu East Africa strongly believes that education is essential to economic development and that investing in hygiene and sanitation impacts the overall wellbeing of our communities ", said Eng. Kilenge.

Eng. Kilenge promised more collaboration with  the county government, adding that Isuzu had the over years aligned its  focus on areas of Sustainable Development Goals-a set of universal goals , targets and indicators - aimed at ending poverty and protecting the planet. 

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr  who accompanied  the Isuzu team said this partnership shall go along way in supporting the efforts already laid down by his government to positively impact lives of recipient communities, besides  addressing acute  water shortage.

Mutula reiterated his willingness to work with Isuzu East Africa in other  areas like  Environmental conservation,  Road Safety  and Education .

Unoa Primary school Head Teacher Ms.Winfred Sila expressed gratitude to Makueni government and Isuzu East Africa for their generous support  improve life at their institution. 

" Our pupils  now  are assured of clean and safe drinking water,    We will now re - focus our efforts on academic excellence,  " said Winfred Sila, the school head .

The schools that benefited today include Unoa Primary School,  Uvuu Secondary,  Mukuyuni Primary and Kivani Primary School 

Emali- Sultan Hamud now a municipality

Mutula Jnr. witnesses 
as board takes office

By Daniel  Kituku 

MAKUENI County today established the  Emali- Sultan Hamud Municipality, becoming the second municipality in the county. 

A wild visitor calls on Governor

 

The Vervet chewed
my sweets- Mutula

By Daniel Kituku

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, busy in his office discharging his duties was today caught by surprise when he noticed a young monkey comfortably seated in his office.

Group restores smile to women

Fistula:20 Makueni mothers to undergo restorative surgery 

By Daniel kituku 

The Department of Health in Makueni in conjuction with JPHIEGO -a non governmental organisation- have today put a smile on Mothers who suffer Fistula .

Speaking during the launch of Obsteric Fistula Services in Makueni Mother and Child Hospital programmes officer JPHIEGO Daisy Ruto lauded Makueni for looking out for that forgotten Mother .

Daisy says women undergo lots of stigma when they are trapped inside their homes as they do not want to interact with the community because of the injuries sustained when giving birth. 

She said this is the time to restore their dignity by making obstetric surgeries as part of other surgeries in our hospitals .

Daisy said mothers shall no longer wait for obstetric services as Makueni now has a competent team led by Dr. Dorris Mbithi .

Dr. Mbithi confirmed 40 women have been screened during a six day Fistula Screening Campaign throughout Makueni where 20 of them have been admitted while 13 shall undergo obstetric surgery from today. 

Speaking at Mother and Child Hospital, the Director of Gynocare Eldoret,   Dr. Hillary Mabea helped to  train a team of competent health practitioners who will be working in Makueni promised to support the Fistula treatment programme to succeed. 

 Dr. Mabea noted that from his wide experience, majority of womeb who get treated become useful persons in the society. 

He urged more doctors to join the call and help Women Restore their dignity. 

danielsmth732@gmail.com

Land dealer killed

By Susan Kioko

Pius Musembi Kivindu, a prominent landpreneur and Chairman of Syokimau Welfare Association died on Sunday   morning an accident said to be self involved along Mombasa road.

According to a report by the Police,  Musembi was alone in his double-cabin pickup vehicle at the time of the incident  Police claim he lost control and hit a concrete electric post resulting to his death.

His body was moved to Shalom Hospital , Athiriver and later taken to Lee Funeral Home. His vehicle was towed to Athiriver Police Station .

There is speculation that the crash was not accidental but this will be put to rest once a postmortem is conducted on his remains.

Besides bieng a businessman, Musembi was also known for his exploits in land matters, positioning himself as  fighter for squatter rights, especially those living in the Controversial East African Portland. It is in land matters where his prowess was unmatched, building networks into the security, political, business and administration hubs of Kenya.

Eulogising the deceased, the Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka termed him as a Leader who was dedicated  to serve the community, urging the DCI to move swiftly and investigate on the matter to avoid speculations.

Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti also eulogised Musembi as a  frontline fighter for the rights of the vulnerable in the society adding that Machakos  had lost a very Promising Man.

The riddle of fake papers for Wavinya Ndeti's Chief Officer

Chief officer on the spot 

By The Anchor Reporter. 

Since the establishment of the Government of Wavinya Ndeti, widespread speculation has persisted in regard to qualifications of some senior officers in Machakos County Government.

It is claimed that  some officers-ranging from Directors,Chief Officers and advisors were hired illegally, if not corruption while others have doubtful credentials. 

The Anchor will continually verify these claims and shall only publish verifiable information.

In the case at hand, matters have come to a head with the emergence of communication that one Chief Officer used fake University of Nairobi papers to get a job.

A letter dated March 3, 2023,  from the Office of the Vice Chancellor University of Nairobi and written to lawyer BM Mung'ata  ascertains that  one Joseph M Munyao did not graduate at the university at any known time.

The letter is signed by Mr P.M Mbuthia, s Senior Academic Registrar (Academic) for the university's Academic Registrar.

It says; " This is to state that the copy of degree certificate forwarded to us for Joseph M Munyao for Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) of Second Class Honours ( Lower Division), for November 9, 2005 is NOT genuine and was NOT issued  by the University of Nairobi. The name is not in any of our graduation convocation. This is therefore a clear case of fogery."

Apparently, Mung'ata's inquisitiveness saw him attach s copy of the bogus degree. 

The university's letter was triggered by an inquiry by Mr Mung'ata  earlier seeking clarification on the authenticy of Joseph Mutwiwa Munyao's 'degree' credentials. Mung'ata's letter was referenced: No.BMM/PET/NMM/1/2023. 

Munyao is currently the Industry and Innovation Chief Officer  for Governor Ndeti. 

Reached for a comment, the officer neither responded to texts send to him over the letter and neither  did he respond to our calls.

The development casts doubts over the process nominees went through- interviews by the Machakod County Public Service Board, vetting by the relevant County Assembly Committee.

Questions linger on whether testimonials presented by mominees were subjected to any interrogation. For instance: was the university asked to confirm the veracity of Munyao's degree and what was the response.?

The Anchor is privy to regrettable information that an effort was made to ensure media did not publish this story by bribing three reporters- one for radio and the other from print media.

 Stay Anchored!

How the Lukenya 1m trees challenge will be achieved

By Muuo Mutuku

Lukenya University- located along the banks of the Athi River  near Mtito Andei in Makueni County- has  unveiled the country's biggest charge at Climate Change

Dr Mwania

The university's program targets to plant 1m trees within the next 5 years within Kibwezi Sub county, a known Arid and Semi-Arid enclave. 

According to Dr Paul Mwania a Senior Lecturer at the university, the program will be fully supported in ensuring climate adaptation in all its aspects.

Dr Mwania is calling upon residents within kibwezi sub county to be part of the initiative that will reverse desertification  and effects of climate change, when sucessfuly implemented.   

The scholar said the project is informed by research undertaken to inform choice on the right tree species that can survive and thrive within the Kibwezi  ecosystem.

" We target plants that can attract rain and provide food for the  residents", Dr. Mwania said.

Tree planting will be carried on within  local institutions, schools, churches, farms and and also on households, he added.

Local residents have been lobbied and sensitised, complete with identification of Community Champions to lead the charge.

In the last 5 years Lukenya University has been in  the forefront of advocacy for Climate Change Mitigations and conservation of the environment through research activities.

Today, a 1m Trees Marathon took place at Lukenya University and its neighbourhood, ropping in thousands of young people who are seen as key drivers of environmental conservation efforts.

Lukenya University kicks off 1 million trees challenge

LUKENYA'S 1M TREES PUSH 

By Daniel  kituku 

Lukenya  University today begun a one Million trees campaign.

The university's ambitious
initiative marks the region's boldest stab at the global concern of climate change currently facing Kenya the Horn of Africa and the world as a whole.

Today, the University, located in the Arid and Semi Arid Zone of  Eastern  Kenya, marked the launch with a 1 Million Tree Marathon to sensitise residents on the need to plant more trees to avert climatic catastrophe.

Speaking during the 1  Million tree  launch , Executive Member for Lands, Environment and Climate Change in Makueni  Dr. Sonia Nzilani auded the University for this initiative. 

Dr. Sonia challenged other institutions to embrace the Lukenya Initiative to green The  County and the country.

She singled out banks and other corporate institutions sponsoring Environmental programmes to partner with learning institutions , churches , hospitals  and others to champion for Climate Change .

Leaders keep off Mutua meeting

By The Anchor Reporter 

KEY Ukambani leaders kept off an Inaugural meeting of Ukambani professionals on Thursday evening this week.

Dr Mutua during the  meeting 

The meeting was called by Foregn and Diaspora Affairs CS Dr Alfred Mutua.

Mutua used a proxy to sent invitations through sms and letters to governors, former governors , current and former MPs to a meeting at KICC whose undisclosed agenda was to be tabled during the meeting. 

The leaders who honoured the inviteme included Kenya’s National Security Advisor Dr Monica Juma, MPs Mwengi Mutuse,Caleb Mule, Nimrod Mbai , Rachael Kaki Nyamai, Joshua Mwalyo, Fabian Mule, and Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Chairperson Rahab Muiu. CS Tourism & Wildlife Peninah Malonza joined the meeting  online and spoke to the gathering. 

In attendance too were senior and prominent political leaders and professionals.

It transpires, according to Dr. Mutua, that on Monday, March 20, 2023, six  unnamed MPs  from Makueni, Kitui and Machakos called on him in his office.

They discused many global, regional, national and community issues that are contributors to our overall socio-economic outlook. 

It was as they tackled community issues that the legislators allegedly requested him to convene a meeting of professionals and leaders from Ukambani to deliberate on the communities interests and alignment in the new political and government dispensation.

Though no explanation was forthcoming, the absence of key kamba leaders such as Governors Mutula Kilonzo,Wavinya Ndeti and Dr. Julius Malombe, coupled with UDA founding Chairman Johnson Muthama stood out like a war cry.

Needless to say, Kamba Kingpin Kalonzo Musyoka was certainly not expected as was Charity Ngilu.

The overriding unasked question was who is Dr Alfred Mutua to summon an assembly of the Akamba people?

Be that as it may, the meeting exposed growing fissures in the Kamba body politic, displaying the widening gap among the leaders to a level that puts great doubt that Kamba unity would ever be realised.

A brief posted by Dr Mutua on his Facebook page says the meeting did not discuss political parties, affiliations, leanings, individuals, groupings or such divisive issues.

Dr Mutua sees such discussions as "mostly “useless” topics.

Rather, the meeting attempted to concentrate on asking the major question: how is the region and where is it going in terms of development programs, economic empowerment, lobbying for jobs, business opportunities and overall future outlook?

But in the resolutions passed, it was clear that Dr Mutua was positioning himself as a viable Kamba kingpin and trashed the Azimio leadership where Kalonzo plays big.

The following were the resolutions from the meeting;

1. We either unite and forge forward as a 

 people or we will never rise from poverty and suffering.

2. The Professionals will join elected and other national leaders in forging a movement that is politics free but one that will galvanize our people towards achieving rapid development in the region.

3. Ukambani has to position itself to benefit from the goodwill by President William Ruto’s government. The region is grateful for the appointment of its children to various government positions and will lobby for more.

4. All leaders will be judged by their attitude towards unity and also what they achieve for our people. Decisive and greedy leaders will be shunned and announced as such.

5. The people of Ukambani do not agree with demonstrations at a time when we have many challenges (Ndutheela Ng’ombe uukama).

6. The need to support Ukambani business people through investment programs, tenders and empowerment.

7. Ukambani challenges of lack of sufficient water, agriculture, unemployment, roads, healthcare etc are known and well documented,  therefore this is the time to discuss and implement solutions.

8. The  need to levarage and activate Ukambani Profesionals networks to open doors to business opportunities and jobs  for the  youth in  both public and private sectors.

9. The need to actively revive the cotton and coffee industries in Ukambani with leaders championing the building and growing of 'our' own economy.

10. We need to focus on the growth of our education institutions right from the basic level to tertiary levels. All professionals agreed that they would actively be  involved.

11. The leadership would champion for the interests of its people in areas where minerals are known to exist and in areas with new discoveries.

12. The leadership of Ukambani to lobby for additional  constituencies and counties in the upcoming Boundaries review.  

13. That Kamba professionals in Nairobi city should seek elective seats in Nairobi given the number of our region’s people working in the county.

14. The leaders and professionals to educate the people and ensure that they benefit from green energy and carbon credits.

15. Lastly, map out Ukambani for the welfare of our people.

  No one will be left out and no leader present and former will be attacked or vilified. All our leaders have banded together are playing a role in our region. The culture of pulling each other down and divisive and personalized attacks have no place in the present reality and future of our people.

In the end, a subcommittee with representatives from all over the region and fields was set up to discuss modalities, concretize the issues and plan the next meeting.

MCAs make discoveries in Kitui Health installations

Members of the Kitui County Assembly today completed an inspection tour of the 8 Kitui subcouties health facilities. 

 The exercise kicked off on Monday this week, saw the county reps tour the 8 sub counties to inspect various projects. 

Group one led by Waita MCA Kasungi Kavula begun by visiting the office of MCA Mwingi Central  for a courtesy call, before heading to Mwingi level 4 hospital. Members established that the facility’s mortuary freezers are not functional.

They also discovered that the Mother-Child Unit which was dysfunctional and that the Surgical Amenity Ward which was done by the county government is not equipped. The facility, they also discovered, lacked a blood transfusion unit.

 The team then headed to Enziu dispensary in Waita ward and established that the facility has only one nurse, lacks water, that some maternity beds were transferred to another facility and that part of the roof has been blown off. The facility also lacked latrines for both staff and patients.

Group two led by Sammy Musili Munyithya (MCA Kivou Ward) visited Ithumbi dispensary and found out that the dispensary is not operational. They also discovered that equipment delivered to the facility were later moved to Mwingi Level 4 hospital. 

The team also visited Ikuuni Vocational Training Centre and observed that the centre has limited space for expansion and that it had inadequate workshops.

Ms.Judith Wanza, the MCA Nuu Ward led Group Three to Nuu Ward where they inspected Nuu Level 4 hospital and Mortuary and later toured Mwola water project.

The MCAs will now collate their findings and prepare a report for tabling and deliberation at the County Assembly.

Revenue Collection in Makueni goes digital

WOTE

March 24, 2023

Makueni County today went Cashless in its revenues collection. 

Consequently, officials from the Department of Finance, Planning, Budget & Revenue under the stewardship of County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Finance, Damaris Kavoi spent the day sensitizing Wote business community on the move to digitize the Revenue Collection exercise across the county.

The exercise aims at minimizing the time taken to process business permits, and cashless parking fee payment methods, among others.

She also pointed out that the government is committed to ensuring the smooth running of activities through modern digitization.

Towards a secure Kitui

Four police stations
to be built in Kitui

SECURITY in three Kitui Sub-counties is headed for a huge boost with a deal signed today to construct first of four police Stations and create a buffer zone with the insecure Northern Kenya Territory.

Chief Officer Mr. Stephen Saleh and
Kitui Police Commander Ms. Leah Kithei
 during the signing ceremony

Guards deployed on sticky Kyumbi land

By The Anchor Reporter 

PRIVATE guards have now been deployed to secure a piece of land targeted by grabbers in Kyumbi area.

 The guards were posted yesterday on the day Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti  revealed she send r esidents to pull down fencing on the property. 

The  7 guards are posted about 40 meters apart from each other on the Machakos- Nairobi Road,   only few meters from the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. 

During the incident revealed by the governor, a fence was pulled down allowing fuel wood merchants to invade the property to moore down the trees.  

A stone wall that had fenced the triangle section was knocked down by a hired private bulldozer that also tried to level the land. Residents carried away the stones.

One of the guards told The Anchor that they had been instructed to ward off people entering the 260 acres property previously owned by a white settler. He did not know who hired them.

Part of the land lies across the road and forms a triangle at the junction and runs for over 200 meters along the Highway. 

It is believed that its lease may have expired, hence the competing interests of conflicted grabbers and greedy government officials. 

What to expect in Konza Technopolis buffer zone

Dr. Sonia Leads Konza Planning

Makueni’s Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Planning Dr. Sonia Nzilani today chaired a multi-agency technical team of the Konza Technopolis.

They are developing an Inter –County Buffer Zone Physical and Land Use Development Plan within  a 10 km radius  of the Technopolis.

 The buffer area spreads across Makueni, Kajiado and Machakos.

The team comprises of surveyors, physical planners and environmentalists from Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, Konza Technopolis Development Authority and Ministry of Lands and Urban Planning. 

The new 10-year plan is intended to align the Technopolis Development Plan with that of the buffer zone so as to create a symbiotic growth. 

The plan will also enhance investments attraction as the buffer area complements development at the Technopolis. 

Some of the key strategic installations suggested for the buffer area include an Airport, health facilities, light industries, green spaces, water dams, University College (completion of Scott University) among others.

When completed, validated and approved by the three county assemblies, the plan will be implemented by the national government, the three county governments and other development stakeholders as envisioned in the plan. 

Makueni’s Devolution CECM Japheth Mang’oka, Lands and Urban Planning CECM Machakos Phillip Kilonzo as well as CEC’s from Kajiado also participated in the event.

DG Surrenders duties

 Back to work

MACHAKOS Agriculture Minister Bishop Dr. Joel Nzomo, has resumed his duties. The Bishop has been on compassionate leave in India where accompanied his wife as she was undergoing treatment in New Delhi.

While in India, his duties were being discharged by the Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi on acting capacity. Today, Mr. Mwangangi officially handed over the County Ministry of Agriculture ministerial duties to the agriculture County Executive Committee Member.

" I register my deep personal appreciation and gratitude to our Governor Hon Wavinya Ndeti, the Chief Officers, directors, all staff and stakeholders in agriculture ministry for the support they accorded me throughout the period I served on acting capacity as agriculture CECM, ", Mr. Mwangangi said.

The Agriculture ministry is vital to the achievement of Governor Ndeti's 'Chakulamezani PesaMfukoni' mantra. Mwangangi said the ministry has enough capacity and infrastructure to steer agricultural production within the county and increase our food supply chains.