World Bank project steeped in grand scandal

 Pressure mounts as county
 defies orders, grants tender 

By Martin Masai,
Editor and Publisher

MACHAKOS Chief Officer for  Housing and Urban Development Collins Adipo is in a class of his own, given his level of defying lawful orders.

In one sweep, Adipo has defied orders of both a High Court  and Public Procurement Authority and usurped the role of his Municipal Manager to issue a Kes 88 million tender for the stalled World Bank upgrade project in Machakos Town.

The tender was initially won by Seluk Investment Limited in May last year but the Accounting Officer- Mr. Adipo declined to write a Letter of Award to the Winner. Seluk then petitioned the Public Procurements Authority for intervention who ruled in its favour. 

On-going works at Wholesale Market

Seluk then escalated the matter to the High Court via Judicial Review Applications against the actions of Mr Adipo where Justice Kayola Olel , sitting in Machakos, restrained both Mr Adipo and the County Government of Machakos in a 9-point order pending full hearing. Nevertheless, Adipo defied the orders.

The tender in question is GMC/KUSP/MKS MU /01/2023-2024 for upgrading of whole sale and Retail Market loop roads in Machakos Municipality KUSP 2023-2024.

Adipo, conferred the tender in a later drafted a day after the illegal process closed. It closed on February 20. The next day- February 21, he wrote a letter of award of the multi million project that has seen the stalling of a world Bank project under the Kenya Urban Support Program. The WB has been pressing for the use of funds to enable them provide a new grant  of Kes 2 b that is shared between the Machakos, Mavoko and Tala- Kangundo Municipalities.

Letter of Award

By granting the tender to two firms- Hayaty Enterprises Limited and Mashteck Limited, who share the same Nairobi Address and belong to Mr Ali Guliye, Adipo placed the firms where they truly belong- the Tenderers of Choice for Governor Wavinya Ndeti. Either by hook or crook, these firms have been winning tenders like no other- especially in the water sector of the county where a man claimed to be his brother- Yunis Guliye is Chief Officer.

Sources say that the twin firms were awarded the tender and instructed to swing into action at once and ensure the works are completed in record time. And immediately the award was granted, the firms. without erecting billboards on the sites as is required, begun excavating the Retail-Wholesale market section.

This comes as Machakos County continued to  miss out on World Bank funds for two years running- first being 2022, the last year under former Governor Alfred Mutua and second in 2023, being the first year under current Governor Wavinya Ndeti.

At the centre of the funding fiasco is Kes 89m that the Machakos Municipalities Board earmarked for the project. The Board is chaired by Mr Malcom Kateta. It had allocated the initial tender but Mr Adipo has since edged out the Board in the latest tender award.  The board, sources say, is on edge as it fights for autonomy to be able to run its programmes without interference from Central or the County government. 

Tired of this administrative dithering,  the World Bank has given an altimatum to recall the Kes 89m that has remained unused and pull out of funding the needy Municipalities of Machakos County. 

WB donates Kes 1b annually to Machakos County under the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) to be shared between Machakos,Mavoko and Tala / Kangundo urban areas.The programme targets improvement of Urban roads to bitumen standards to make the Municipalities dust free and boost standards of living.

The award comes hot on the heals of a finding by PPARB  that stated “the board finds that the procuring entity’s 2nd tender as published in its website and subsequent procurement processes such as opening of submitted tenders. Evaluation of submitted tenders issuance of the professional opinion in 2nd tender and notification of award dated 7th December 2023 is unlawful thus null and void.”

“The upshot of our findings therefore is that the instant Request for review succeeds in terms of following  FINAL ORDERS

In exercise of the powers conferred upon it by Section 173 of the public procurement and asset Disposal Act No. 33 of 2015, the Board makes the following orders in Request for review dated 10th January 2024 and filed on 11th January 2024:

A. The letter of notification of intention to award dated 7th December 2023 issued by the 1st Respondent with respect to tender No. GMC/KUSP/MKS MU /01/2023-2024 for upgrading of whole sale and Retail Market loop roads in Machakos Municipality KUSP 2023-2024 and hereby nullified and set aside.

B. The decisions by 1st Respondent to advertising and publish tender No. GMC/KUSP/MKS MU /01/2023-2024  for upgrading of wholesale and Retail Market loop Roads , St. Mary’s Girls Primary School to KWFT  link roads, St Municipality KUSP FY 2023-2024 including the subsequent procurement processes undertaken with respect to the said tender such as opening of submitted tenders, evaluation of submitted tenders, issuance of professional Opinion dated 22nd November 2023 and issuance of letters of notification of intention to award dated 7th December 2023 be and is hereby annulled and set aside.

C. The tender validity period tender No. GMC/KUSP/MKS MU /01/2023-2024  negotiations No. 1300044-2022-2023 for upgrading of whole sale and Retail Market loop Roads,  St  Mary’s Girls  Primary School to KWFT  link road in Machakos  Municipality KUSP FY 2022-2023 be and hereby extended for period of 148 days from 9th October 2023 to 4th March 2024.   

D. Further to order No.  C above the 1 Respondent is hereby directed to issue written notification to tenderer in tender No. GMC/KUSP/MKS MUN/01/2022-2023  negotiation No. 1300044-2023 for upgrading of whole sale and retail Market loop Roads, St Mary’s Girls Primary School to KWFT link road in Machakos Municipality KUSP FY 2022-2023 notifying them of extension of the tender validity period from 9th October 2023 to 4th March 2024.

E. The 1st Respondent is hereby ordered to ensure that the procurement proceeding of tender No. GMC/KUSP/MKS  MUN/01/2022-2023 negotiations no. 1300044-2022-2023 for upgrading of wholesale and retail market loop roads St. Mary’s Girl Primary School to KWFT  link road in Machakos Municipality KUSP FY 2022-2023 proceeds to its lawful and logical conclusion taking  into consideration the board’s finding herein, the provisions of the Tender Documents, the Act and constitutions.

F. Further to order E above the 1st Respondent is hereby ordered to submit a report to the public procurement regulatory Authority on compliance of the orders issued herein within twenty one (21) days from the date of this decision.

G. That the acting board secretary do immediately serve this decision upon the Director General, Public procurement Regulatory Authority to exercise its mandate under section 9(1) of the act with respect to procurement proceeding in tender  No. GMC/KUSP/MKS/MKS MUN /01/2022-2023 negotiation Retail Market loop Roads in Machakos Municipality KUSP FY 2022-2023 as ordered herein.

H. In view of the board’s findings and orders above, each party shall bear its own costs in the request for review.

Dated at Nairobi this 2nd Day of February 2024."

             

Machakos Hospital bosses record statements at EACC

By The Anchor Reporter

TOP past and present Medical Superintendents from Machakos County have been making a bee line to the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission offices in Machakos to record statements over a controversial Afia One Billing System deployed by Governor Wavinya Ndeti's administration.

The inquiry has also ropped in Medical Services Chief Officer Dr. Miyienda and procurement officers mentioned by whistle blowers.

Miyienda led the team to trigger the recording of statements on Sunday, a very unusual day for investigators to record statements.

Summons initially went out to Medsups from Kathiani, Athi-River and Mwala. The Anchor was unable to establish the exact number of officials under summons.

The officers- commonly known as Medsups, have been visiting the offices in turns since yesterday morning to record statements over what they know about the procurement procedures of the system. It has been alleged that  officials manipulated procurement procedures and secured a troublesome system that has been a headache to the patient management system.

EACC Boss  in Machakos Mr Japheth Baithalu said the Medsups have been requested to appear before designated commission officers to ' clarify allegations that have been made about the procurement of the billing software. They are not coming as suspects. They are only providing the information that they know so that we make conclusions once we analyze the information we get from them. Mr.Baithalu said the process will end on Wednesday.

Medical Superintendents are normally medical doctors who lead the team of  staff in  Level 4  hospitals. That role is also performed by Senior Clinical Officers in lower level hospitals. There are about 12 Medsups in Machakos County.

Trouble for the Afya One system begun when users discovered that it was not use friendly for the management of patients. " It was not focused on the client's health management. Indeed, it is better focused on raising revenue for the hospital rather than managing the patient. I can say without doubt that the system was not patient oriented. It was money oriented." said a doctor who would not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The doctor said one glaring feature of the system was billing patients for utilities that they had bought with her own money- especially in the maternity unit. " When a mother is asked to buy gloves, she eventually finds it billed. The system caused problems by billing patients for what they buy", the doctor added.

Once it was procured, managers of the health  department did not make follow ups on the support system for Afya One such as number of computers required and requisite training. "They even never responded to issues raised by system users", said the doctor adding that though most nurses were trained on how to use it, most doctors did not undergo the training.

" From the time it was installed, Afya One is always facing one challenge or another- from internet outage, missing firewall and endless hanging- resulting in a pretty bad experience. The system was steeped toward mischief from  inception. It would show that the pharmacy had dispensed medicine worth Kes 30,000 even when it had a stock base of Kes. 2m.", the medic added.

Man,65, charged with infringing on girl's rights

By Robert Muuo 
in Makindu 

 The 65 year old man who allegedly defiled  a minor  from Kambu Sub County was finally  arraigned in a Makindu court, where he was charged with 6 counts under the Children's Act.

Peter Mutuku Alias Ngiti, the well-known Parents Teachers Association chairman from Kyaani Secondary School, was charged with interfering with the right of a 15 year old minor contrary to section 8 of the Children's Act.

Prosecutor Melorene Njoki told the court that the accused on different dates last year and this year had sexual intercourse with the minor , impregnating her ,forcing her to abort, which led to the death of an unborn child. It is also alleged that the accused administered drugs to the minor's body without her consent, which led to serious health injuries to the girl.

Peter Mutuku alias Ngiti

It's said that the old man had offered to sponsor the girl's education because she had no one to pay her fees, whereupon he took advantage of her,  hosted her in his family house, where he started abusing the minor sexually.

Ngiti appeared before Makindu Principal Magistrate Mr. Evans Mbicha and denied the charges, one after another, as they were read out to him. He then requested to be released on bond, which was declined.

The prosecution contended that since the matter was in the public domain, the accuse may be harmed by the public. Moreover, she added that he could interfere with  witnesses.

Ngiti, who has been on the run, might disappear again if given the bond the court was petitioned.

Ngiti was the chairman of PTA of the girls' school and has been hiding since January 19 this year when his criminal exploits exploded in the media.

 He was arrested last Saturday night by DCI officers at Tasia, Embakasi, in Nairobi, where he was preparing for a flight to Mombasa.

His co-accused Benjamin Muthoka-a a senior nurse at Makindu Sub County Hospital who allegedly administered drugs to the girl for the abortion was arreigned in court and is out with bond of Kes. 500,000. 

The case comes up for hearing on April 16, 2024.The case comes up for hearing on April 16, 2024.

No let up as Maeke is axed from assembly committees

A section of Machakos MCAs opposed to Governor Wavinya Ndeti have been removed from County Assembly committees. 

A communique  from the Majority Leader Mr Nicholas Nzioka showed recently assaulted MCA Boniface Maeke was removed from 5 of the 11 committees.

Another casualty of the purge wad Independent MCA for Kyeleni Ward Grace Bahati.

The reconstitution of assembly committees is a routine procedural matter but it also provides the majority side to shove those it deems to be unduly critical to the government. 

Mua Ward MCA Francis Ngunga termed the move by the Majority leader and the deputy speaker as unwise noting that political differences should not be brought into the house and MCAs being moved from committees as a way of punishing MCAs.

Why weak politicians seek endorsements to clinch power

OPINION

By Musili Kauta

Kalonzo Musyoka and his Ukambani foot soldiers  running for gubernatorial seats  in Machakos, Kitui and Makueni  desperately need the Azimio and Wiper endorsements to make any significant show in the election campaigns.

Mr Musyoka 

That is why  the likees of Makali Mulu, Senator Kiio Wambua, and Kitui Women Representative Kasalu- the list is long- cannot make any speech without repeatedly uttering the name of KalonzAwaiting endorsement o Musyoka in every sentence. 

Without such mentions, these leaders fear that they will lose relevance and risk not being listened to by their audience. They have perfected this to psychophantic levels that who fail to do the same become instant enemies.

Truth be told.Great leaders don't rely on other leaders' endorsements. The only endorsement one needs is that of voters. 

A great leader will  runs always on his own record of achievements and accomplishments. 

This is what Kalonzo Musyoka and his teaming number of Wiper puppets can't show.

Kalonzo Musyoka has no track record at home or wherever to strengthen his presidential campaign.

Like the prodigal son, he squandered his opportunity to work for Ukambani and Kenyan people when he served in government from 1985 to 2013.

He mistakenly believes that his only obstacle for running for the presidency is the endorsements - setting him running arround in circles waiting to be endorsed.

Rather than mobilize resources and ravage the entire Kenyan territory to build bonds with Kenyan voters, Kalonzo hops from Kitui, Machakos and Makueni, and sometimes Nairobi, then hibernates.

Endorsements are inconsequential especially when voters have information about the candidates. Kenyan voters already see Kalonzo as a weakling, indecisive, and a pushover,  who no amount of endorsement would whitewash him to the presidency. 

That he has ran with Raila Odinga several bids is not reason enough to merit,let alone deserve an endorsement  an it it time that Kalonzo abandoned looking for endorsements.

Those who try find it very difficult explaining to Kalonzo Musyoka's  supporters that he can't make it to the presidency. 

They are more brainwashed than Pastor Mackenzie's followers into believing that Kalonzo Musyoka will be the 6th President of Kenya in 2027.  

Brainwashing happens in all fields of life.Kalonzo wanted to run for the presidency in 2002. He hoped that President Moi would endorse him as the longest high-ranking public servant and loyal KANU supporter but Moi went for the influential and greenhorn Uhuru Kenyatta.

He then angrily joined Kibaki secretly at the 11th hour as Jonny came lately to split the Kamba vote and won the trophy of Vice President, a feat that haunts him todate.

Kalonzo yearned for  Raila, Ruto and Musalia's endorsement in 2007 to run for presidency. When ODM Kenya split, he ran a botched presidential campaign and came a distant third. 

In 2013, Kalonzo falsely, and with a deep sense of entitlement,  hoped to get President Kibaki's endorsement. When things went south, he opted to be Raila's running mate.

Up to date, Kalonzo is desperately looking for endorsement. I really sympathize with his few followers who think he is serious about the 2027 presidential elections. 

The man can't be serious unless he gets some endorsements. His followers will be frustrated. Just give him time to look for someone to endorse him.

Kalonzo has an inferiority complex disposition. He likes working for others. He professed to be President Uhuru's mtu wa Mkono. When Raila was looking for someone to represent him in Bipartisan Talks, he fronted him to negotiate with boys like Kimani Ichungwa. Kalonzo must wake up and surrender the Ukambani kingpin to people like me!

New Kitui agribusiness project

Kitui County, Kenya.

The Kenya Agricultural Business Development Project (KABDP) is set for launch in Kitui.

The project  aims at  enhancing business and link farmers to markets, which has been identified as a gap in agricultural value chains.

Mr. Kimwele(C)in a group picture with other officials after the meeting

The Project is funded by the National Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in partnership with the County Government of Kitui and the Swedish Government and will cover all the fourty wards in Kitui county. 

This revelation was made during the quarterly meeting of the County Agricultural Sector Steering Committee (CASSCOM). Kitui CECM for Agriculture and Livestock Dr. Stephen Kimwele Mbaya  chaired the meeting that was also attended by Chief officers Gladys Kivoto(Agriculture), Jonathan Kyambi(Livestock) David Soi(Environment, Climate change and senior  forestry  and Agriculture officers. 

The Director Caritas Kitui Florence Ndeti and representatives from Anglican Development Services Eastern(ADSE) among other stakeholders were also in attendance.

The meeting, held in Mutomo,also attracted staff from financial institutions, value chain actors, and Non-governmental organizations.

CASSCOM, whose aim is to enhance agricultural productivity also plays a key role in providing a comprehensive framework to consolidate the efforts of numerous agricultural initiatives, programs and projects at county levels.

 

Group targets Climate Action

Chyulu International Development Foundation  has partnered with Makueni University Students' Association (Musa),and Makueni County Government to

impart knowledge and skills against drug abuse and Climate change.

The Foundation  assembled  a congregation of learners from 5 secondary schools' within Mbuvo zone in Kibwezi, who represent the future.

The Foundation strives to inspire the future through moulding the upcoming generation.

Chyulu International Development Foundation  is focused on fostering Education, a guaranteed Food Security and committed to Climate Action.

MPs' dooms day message for democracy

By John Bosco Muia
in Machakos 

Raila Odinga's bid for Africa Union Chairmanship has triggered a plethora of theories and wish lists that are exposing perverted minds of  Kenyan politicians.

To many local politicians affiliated to the Wiper Democratic Movement of Kalonzo Musyoka, Odinga's accession to AU leaves no one else to benefit other than Kalonzo.

Those affiliated to the ruling Kenya Kwanza are equally blinded that Raila's absence from local politics would essentially benefit President William Ruto.

Such theories, misplaced or truthful as they eventually may become, is  tragically,the menu that Kenyans, afflicted by a high cost of living, are being served with.

It was no surprise that six MPs affiliated to Kenya Kwanza unashamedly predicted that the appointment of Raila Odinga to OAU would mark the end of opposition in Kenya, a very sad situation for Kenya's democracy. 

They had attended an event hosted by Machakos town constituency MP Caleb Mule.

Without evidence, the legislators alleged the move would pave the way for the election of President William Ruto without hitch come 2027.

They supported President Ruto's alleged initiative of pushing for Raila's election to OAU. They claimed that the alleged move may somewhat mend Ruto's and Raila's  past political differences. 

The event was the launch of Mutituni Market that was built under the Economic Stimulous Programme. It would have been the ideal place and time to expound on their legislative plans to revive the economy and people's livelihoods, rather than delivering dooms day messages for democracy. 

The host, Caleb Mule, who was elected under Maendeleo Chap Chap that campained under Raila- led Azimio La Umoja coalition, made the most astonishing call- that all leaders in the ukambani region, irrespective of their political affiliations, should to join the Kenya Kwanza band wagon which, he alleged, would rule beyond 2032!

The MPs included Mukunji Gitonga (Manyatta), Johana Ng'eno (Emurrua Dikirr), Jane Kagiri (Woman Rep. Laikipia), Fabian Kyule (Kangundo) and Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga).

In a country that holds elections every five years, Mr Gitonga gloated ..." Now that opposition is done, it is high time the akamba led by Kalonzo join the Government for prosperity." What pretence, coming from an MP whose region was in opposition for much of the 24 years the late Daniel Arap Moi was in power!

Another crazy idea came from Johana Ngeno, who mockingly proposed that after Raila joins AU, Kalonzo should seek the non existing East African Regional leadership to 'match' Raila and then Ruto remains the man in charge of Kenya.

Another jibe came from the Laikipia's Woman Representative Jane Gitau, who said "it is high time  Musyoka  joins Ruto's Government since without Raila Odinga  opposition will not be vibrant and kambas will gain nothing out of it"

Observers are questioning what exactly is driving the minds of the representatives of Kenyan people.

None of the six MPs spoke about high taxation, spiralling cost of living, cost of education, or provision of health care.

Updates: Katangi crash toll hits 11

In figures: 11 dead,37 injured, 

30×70Kgs bags of Charcoal

By Martin Masai

Two more have died in the Katangi Matatu tragedy,bring the number to 11.

The aftermath: Scene of accident 

Hospital sources say the two are adult males who were admitted to Ward 5 of Machakos Level five hospital soon after the accident early this week. 

Names of the latest victims could not be made public till next of kin are informed. This comes as most of the victims of the Katangi matatu accident  have been identified.

They include a  54 year old South East Kenya University lecturer Dr Redempta Mukui Kyalo, who boarded the ill fated death trap christed ' By Faith' at Kwa Vonza. Others are Jacinta Kanini Musangi (18), Esther Mwikali Kyalo (50), Dickson Nzuki Kisovi (48), and Richard Kiema Susa (39).

A police signal said yesterday that two male adults still remain unidentified. Their bodies are lying at the Kitui Level 4 hospital mortuary. 

According to police tally, the ill fated matatu, with a passenger capacity of 42, had at least 46 people on board. It originated its trip to Nairobi, plying via Machakos, from Mbitini market in Kitui Central.

The number may well hit 50 given that some may have escaped without injuries and may not have gone to hospital and remain undocumented.

Official police figures provided by Mwala Traffic Sub Base in Machakos County shows 37 passengers are undergoing treatment in Machakos Level five hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital and 9 fatal cases. Mysteriously,  all the dead including the driver Mr Musyoka Mulaki-who was pronounced dead on arrival at Machakos Level five hospital were taken for preservation at the Kitui Level 4 hospital mortuary. 

Though police did not explain their action, it is believed that they took the victims to Kitui due to the controversial dysfunctional status of Machakos mortuary that is mostly unable to accommodate the dead.The  Anchor will establish if the bodies of the latest victims will be taken to Kitui.

By the time of going to press, no one has been prosecuted over the accident, notwithstanding the fact that NTSA officials confirmed that its Speed Governor had been tempered with. Neither had its sacco- Umoa Sacco- been sanctioned. This is even as Machakos County Commander quipped that there were no traffic police officers on the Machakos section of the road when the accident happened. 

The police signal did not mention that the matatu had 30 (70 Kg) bags of charcoal strapped on its roof carrier, undermining the vehicle's stability. 

Police named the following as victims of the accident.

 A 10 month old child Monica Ngeni is among the dead. Those injured are; Jeremiah James ,18, James Kitonga, Daniel Kinyamasio, Kenedy Kase, 24,

Paul Musyoka, 35 Yrs, Jane Mueni Mbuvi, 40, Doreen Mulwa, 31, Patience Ndulu, 3, 

Gift Muinde 9, Abednego Musembi, 52 year old

Mutinda Nthenge, Kula Mulwa, 24, Aron James,10, Isaac Maundu 28,

Tito Katua,50,Mulinge Mulwa 40,

Kitheka Kalungu, 44, James Katuu, 52, Gilbert Kamala,

Winfred Kenyatta, 22,Malonza Peter,32, Titus Mwania 54, Mulyugi Masiwa,28,Joseph Kanya, 32,  and Queen Mutunga, 19.

Nurse charged with abortion

State: 'He inserted needle into the womb of a girl of 15 years'

 By Robert Muuo
 in Makindu

The Makindu nurse who allegedly inserted a niddle into the womb of a girl to abort has been remanded in custody.

 Mr.Muthoka-Senior Nurse

The Senior Nurse, Mr Benjamin Muthoka, who is pictured in this story, is alleged to have forcefully carried out the illegal action to the 15- year old Kyaani Secondary School girl.

The State contends that on January 19, 2024, Mr Muthoka, together with another person who was not in court, performed an abortion exercise to the minor. They are alleged to have injected drugs to her body without her consent and killing the unborn baby of the expectant minor .

He appeared before Makindu Resident Magistrate Mr. Arnold Omurwa. The accused are faced with three charges under Section 8 of the Children's Act that, in their totality,are an infringement of  children's rights.

Muthoka denied the charges, and the magistrate gave directions to the investigation agencies to file a report of the case within seven days.

The accused will  remain in police custody until  March 5, 2024, when the case will come up for mention. 

The Magistrate will also determine whether the  accused will be freed on Bond or to remain in police custody.

Mr. Muthoka is a long-serving and respected nurse at Makindu Sub County Hospital.

The other suspect, who is still at large, is also a well-known member of the Kyaani community. Makindu Court Prosecutor No 4 Derrick Kamau brought the charges under public pressure.The offence took place in January and police have been foot-dragging in investigations, amid widespread fears that powerful people, including politicians,were keen to defeat justice for the minor.

Examining the horror of Katangi

By Vincent Matheka

Even as families of nine people, including those of a Seku University Lecturer mourn their dead, fingures are pointing at corruption and lethergy in the management of Kenya's transport sector.

Horror at Katangi

The nine were confirmed dead in a self involving matatu accident at Katangi in Yatta Subcounty along Kitui- Machakos road as it was hurtling down a steep section at full speed. 

The passenger death trap was overloaded with human cargo, 30 bags of charcoal on its roof, other bags loaded in its under carriage and other goods under the seats.

According to the police,7 adults and a child died on the spot whereas the ninth victim succumbed on arrival at Machakos Level five hospital.

While the accident happened in Machakos County under the Masii police command, the dead were taken to Kitui Level 4 Hospital mortuary, ostensibly for fear that they may not find the Machakos Level 5 hospital mortuary open.

What is intriguing is how a matatu that left Kitui East at noon passed through traffic police with it's mixed cargo and failed to be impounded.

It transpires that the heavy load strapped on the roof tipped the balance of the 40 passenger vehicle that was nevertheless carrying at least 43 passengers going by the figures tallied by officials after the accident. 

Hospital sources say 34 casualties were brought to hospital, 24 admitted at Machakos Hospital with serious injury and 4 others in critical condition were reffered to Kenyatta National Hospital. Added to the 9 dead indicates  that the matatu was overloaded,  not to mention those who may have escaped with minor or no injuries. 

Relatives of those injured applauded the level of service and support offered at Machakos hospital which was a far cry from the mess reported in the hospital early this month.

The aftermath of the accident showed that the cabin was ripped off due to the impact on the crash and weight,making survival a matter of lack for the travellers.

Our sources say the vehicle encountered a road block manned by Kitui County Staff and Administration Police before leaving Kitui County  side whereupon they exchanged unknown amount of money before being allowed to drive on.

Final term blues for varsity students

A leap into the unknown by a finalist

By Jacinta Museo

People will always say that the four campus years are the best in your life, which is such a fairy tale!

All through, you face so many challenges - financial constraints, missing marks by stubborn professors who can't even reply to an e-mail, 378 heartbreaks by over 400 trial boy/girl friends, five sneaky links, roommates' incompatibility- just to mention a few.

I personally feel like campus is one of the most depressing places you'll ever be. You come here so fresh, but by the time you are getting your degree, it's accompanied by a number of traumas. 

You can't be at peace here, it's either you've been heartbroken, your Nicodemus has left for a fresher, you are hustling for missing marks or maybe your Mpesa got nothing. Something, something must be disturbing.

But regardless, we keep hopes that things will get better once school is over. Something that I've not been believing in lately. I am a final year Journalism and Media student at Moi and let me say that this last semester is depressing. As I hit that "Register courses" button, I sighed and felt so relieved, but then nolstagic. Did I just register for my last semester?

Thoughts of finishing school started sucking. Everybody is asking what are your plans, what's your exit strategy, how many personalities do you know in the media industry. Then there you are, your background? A pain in the xxx. Your mother a peasant farmer, your father a mason, you've nobody in the field to call a relative, and the school is ending. Depressing, right?

Again, this semester feels so emotional. It carries a melancholic melody, echoing the bittersweet symphony of farewells. The once bustling halls now will whisper tales of memories etched in time. It's hard to accept the fact that this is the last dance before the curtain falls on this chapter of our lives. 

Just as these campus trees shed their leaves, that's how we will shed the familiarity. We are leaving behind the cocoon of academia to face the unknown. The excitement of what lies beyond is tinged with the realization that the comforting routine of campus life is coming to an end. 

Each lecture I'm attending and every CAT I'm going to do feels like a farewell to a version of myself that I'll never fully reclaim. How many times will I shout depressing?

Now, the pressure to secure a future competes with the desire to savor the present. I'm personally terrified. Scared of what the next six months of my life after school will look like. Scared that the reality might be sad but I'll have to face it, it's time now I start distributing my 2-page Carricullum Vitae and have it ignored (maybe). This semester? It is a delicate dance between academics and the bittersweet nostalgia of every "last" – the last lecture, the last coffee at the campus cafe, the last sunset over the familiar skyline. I wonder if anyone else is feeling like this.

But, I've written this for you and me. We have to be beginners at times in this life. Hang in there, the universe will align. 

Adieu!

Why WB project remains stalled

 By Martin Masai 

Details have emerged on what led to the stalling of a World Bank funded project in Machakos Central Business District.

The nameless backstreet of Machakos CBD set for paving 

The Anchor has established that the project stalled after the County Government of Machakos awarded a tender for paving a 130 meter stretch to a firm- Turin Contractors at a cost of Kes 88 million, ignoring another bidder- Seluk Investment Limited that was the lowest bidder at Kes 79 million.

Director of Seluk Investment Mr Abdi Seluk confirmed yesterday that he petitioned the National Procurement Authority, which resulted in the cancellation of the tender." They were told to re award the tender but they have not awarded", Seluk added When the Machakos County Government opened its IFMIS system to advertise for re-tendering, Mr Seluk went to court and obtained an injunction to halt the process and compel the county to follow due process from the initial process.

Mr. Seluk said yesterday, " I'm  still waiting. The IFMIS system says we are still waiting, and that is where the matter stands to date.

The stalemate continues as the county stands to miss out on Kes 2b from the World Bank fund for improvement of its municipalities.

 The stalemate continues as the county stands to miss out on Kes 2b from the World Bank fund for improvement of its municipalities.

The county has  missed out funds for two years, running first being 2022, the last year under former Governor Alfred Mutua, and second in 2023, being the first year under current Governor Wavinya Ndeti.

It is likely to miss out again in 2024 if the foot dragging persists.

At the centre of the funding row is Kes 89m lying unused, which the Machakos Municipalities Board earmarked for the that road runs from Kimutwa Workshop and rips behind Lauh Hotel,Women Finance Trust, KFA and links to the road facing Equity Bank.

Our sources say Mutua wanted the funds used for construction of an air strip at the still born New Machakos City, but the Board chaired by Mr Malcom Kateta resisted, and Mutua ran out of time. 

The board, sources say, is fighting for autonomy to be able to run its programmes without interference from central or the county government. 

Matters have not improved after the arrival of Governor Ndeti at the Machakos White House. Since May, when bids were floated for construction of the road by use of cabro, the tender has not been awarded. 

Tired of this administrative dithering,  the World Bank has given an altimatum to recall the Kes 89m and pull out of funding the needy Municipalities of Machakos County. 

WB donates Kes 1b annually to Machakos County under the Kenya Urban Transport Improvement Programme(KUTIP) to be shared between Machakos,Mavoko and TalaKangundo urban areas.

The programme targets the improvement of urban roads to bitumen standards to make the municipalities dust free and boost standards of living.

Sources tell The Anchor that the current stalemate is a result of cartels that are opposed to the contractor who won the tender.

" Since May, the winner has not been announced, and we suspect that a tooth and nail fight is being conducted so that those allied to the current administration are awarded the works," the source added.

This development exposes an administration that failed to deploy a single shilling to development in the last quarter as  indicated by a report by the Controller of Budget.

When The Anchor first published the story, Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka wrote a message to the editor that the story of the stalled project was not factual. When challenged to present his set of facts, the MCA for Machakos Central has remained quiet. We publish the relevant messages here.

The stalemate continues as the county stands to miss out on Kes 2b from the World Bank fund for improvement of its municipalities. 

Do you want blood from MCAs?

By Anchor Reporter

Members of County Assemblies allover the country have gained notoriety for all sorts of reasons.

MCAs donating blood

Theirsuccession of their predecessors- civic leaders who bore  the title of councillors has not helped matters at all, let alone sanitizing the role.

Instead, the notoriety has grown in leaps and bounds, making them a competotors with Members of Parliament who have earned themselves their derogatory monicker- Mpigs- underlining their legendary greed, selfishness and penchant for taking bribes and trampling on public good legislation. 

When they are not absent from their respective assemblies at the national or county level, they are hopping from one office to another  hawking their votes to line-up their pockets.

 Others get busy in physical fights in their assemblies. At times, the assemblies are turned into theatres of the absurd where unprintable expletives are uttered in high decibels.

True,these assemblies become auction halls where wads of notes are dished out by the highest bidder in competition with their consciences to influence the fate of bills anf motions.

It is not a surprise that legislators will be sponsored by cartel leaders to ask questions or table motions to advance personal interest or entrench partisanship or even ridicule national interest.

This notoriety has no bounds. So this has put these legislators in permanent ridicule because citizens no longer trust that they are trully representing their interests in the assemblies. If ever one asked whose interests the legislators represent, public interest would never be the answer. 

This is true on anything- whether pay perks, retirement benefits,taxation, health, trade, security, education- name it. The list in endless. 

This is not to say that all legislators are terminally useless. No. But you will struggle if you will build a long list of who truly stand for what they were elected to do within these legislatures

So this week, Machakos MCAs took three days to donate blood, led by the Acting Clerk, Mr. Denis Mutui.

Members of  staff also joined the to annual blood donation drive organized by the Rotary Club of Stoni Athi and Kenya Tissue Transplant Authority (KTTA). 

This campaign continued through to Wednesday, February 21, 2024. 

It is billed as en effort by MCAs to donate blood to save lives. Really? How many lives have legislators failed since the last elections?

And what thoughts will one have when told their blood donor is that greedy, selfish and notorious war- monger legislator? 

Come to think of it...For legislators to donate blood, this could be the only good act the people can bank on.

Kitui Assembly approves Sand management policy

KITUI

Kitui Assembly approves Sand management policy

Kitui County Assembly has approved the Kitui County River Basins Sand Utilization and Conservation Policy, 2023.

Assembly Speaker Mr Kinengo 

The Policy, supported by a majority of MCAs will serve to provide the much needed legislative framework for the County Executive's  Directorate of Natural and Mineral Resources to guide on sand utilization and conservation of rivers in Kitui County. 

The motion was moved by Member for Kivou Ward Mr

 Sammy Munyithya. He underscored the importance of the policy and urged Members to support it as it forms the basis for the Sand Utilization and Conservation Bill, 2023. 

He further lauded Members for supporting and approving the sand policy, which comes a year after the law it seeks to guide, was passed.

While contributing on the motion, the Deputy  Majority Leader Mr. Erastus Musyoka Mbuno who represents Endau/Malalani Ward said that the policy is very crucial in controlling sand harvesting in Kitui County. ‘‘We are not saying that sand will not be harvested but we are saying that it should be harvested in a controlled manner’’,  he added.

Assembly Speaker Mr Kevin Kinengo Katisya lauded the House for passing the policy and urged the Executive to fully implement it. ‘‘This is a big milestone for us as an Assembly. Let us now purpose to enact the law on the same’’, the Speaker added. 

Mbilu freed as State eats humble pie

 By Muuo Mutuku

Acts of State harassment were pulpable yesterday at a brief court session in Makindu township in Makueni County when the County Assembly speaker Douglas Mbilu was discharged from framed charges.

Mr Douglas Mbilu

This unfolded as the office of Office of Director of Public Prosecutions) withdrew the charge of planning Azimio demonstrations along in Emali Township, along Mombasa Road. The demonstrations were aimed at forcing the government to lower the cost of living, among other grievances.

Mbilu was arraigned at Makindu law court on July 25,2023 at the height of the demos on  allegations that he was involved in planning demos, a charge he denied and was released on Kes 70,000 cash bill.

The case came up for hearing at the Makindu Law Courts yesterday when Catherine Ngare, representing the ODPP, rose to say that the State could not proceed with the matter.

She explained to the Makindu Senior Resident Magistrate  Ms. Maurine Kibe that there existed no  evidence to support the charge and was therefore applying  to withdraw the case.

Ms Kibe allowed the application to withdraw the charge under section 82A  of Criminal procedure code .

Addressing Journalist after the judgement Douglas Mbilu  criticized the government for failing to address issues affecting Kenyans indicating that he will not sit and watch the government fail Kenyans.

 martinmasai@gmail.com

Folks, pregnancy audit and accountability idea is here!

By Mercy Musangi

Have you ever contrmplated the idea of pregnancy accountability and audit?

Chief Martin Ngomo

It is what an administrator is mulling over to contain rampant cases of disposal of fetuses in his turf in Athi River township in Machakos County..

Athi River  township Assistant Chief Martin Ngomo  believes, and rightly so, that whosoever becomes pregnant must in the end show the baby as proof of completion of the procreation process.

 That way, there will be pregnancy accountability that may lead to an end to abortions and dumping of fetuses in the area. 

Of course,  the chief is alive to the law that disallows abortion in Kenya but may be oblivious of other circumstances that allow abortions.This is not to mention the global hot debate around the question of abortion that the Government of Kenya gives its back to.

Nevetheless Chief Ngomo has promised a physical audit in search of pregnant women in his locality  and is so overzealous that he is extending a request to the residents to work in hand with the government to help in this search and record.

He urges well wishers to sensitize and enlighten expectant mothers on the need to attend clinics and give birth in hospitals and also join the campaign against abortion. "If you get expectant,you must give birth. Abortion is unlawful," he says

His appeal is uderlined by a stern warning to Athi River  residents who conduct abortion leaving the the aborted babies on the open streets of Athiriver and sometimes tossing them into the river.

This warning came after a baby was found dumped in Njuguini village in the township sub location, next to the railway line 

This is coming on the heels of several  other cases reported in the previous days.

Though the chief  refrained from sharing the actual numbers, his demeanour bespoke of huge figures that may ashame,  if not betray, local and national officialdom that behave as if everything is normal. 

"It's either you change or move out of from my jurisdiction," said Ngomo  in reference to deadbeat dads who he feels are part of the reasons why these cases are highly increasing because they impregnate women and abandon them at the hour of need.

FIFA, FKF and Corruption

FIFA, FKF and Corruption

 

By Steffany Ndei

There are a few interesting facts about Kenya that are recognized globally. For instance, if you are a keen follower of American politics, you might know of the false claims that former US president Obama was born in Kenya. While I as a Kenyan would love for that to be true, we still take pride in being somewhat related to influential people such as Obama and Sunak whose fathers were born in Kenya. 

Steffany making her presentation

Apart from this connection to people who run big democracies, Kenya is also home to some of the best runners in long distance races. With the number of world records currently held by Kenyans such as Faith Kipyegon’s 1500m and Kelvin Kiptum’s record in the marathon , it’s understandable when everyone assumes that Kenyans are naturally good at running or that athletics is our national sport.

However in Kenya, much as there is no declaration for what the national sport is, football, and not athletics, is at the core of the national fabric. Football is the most watched sport in the country, such that in 2013, the local television networks broadcasting football premier leagues such as the EPL experienced an 82% spike in viewership.  Football is also the most played sport in the country and its significance extends beyond recreation; it serves as a campaign tool for politicians and plays a crucial role in the government's agenda, as evidenced by past unsuccessful bids to host international tournaments like African Nation Championships in 2018 and AFCON in 1996. It’s only recently that Kenya alongside Uganda and Tanzania won the bid to host AFCON 2027. 

Despite this interest in football from the Kenyan state and the people it governs, the standards of Kenyan football are not on par with global or even continental levels.The leagues, the football clubs and the national teams are financially deprived and performances of the national teams are dismal. And at the core of all these problems in Kenyan football, is poor governance by the people running the federation.  

For about nine months in 2022, FIFA had imposed a ban on the Football Kenya Federation, citing "third-party interference." The instigator or the third party in this case was the government of Kenya which had arrested the federation's president, Nick Mwendwa, on charges of embezzling public funds.The funds, earmarked for Kenya's preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, amounted to 340 million ksh, equivalent to 1.9m EUROS. 

This is not an isolated event. Just a year after Nick Mwendwa took office in 2016, the same administration could not account for 1.3 million USD provided by FIFA for the acquisition of a broadcasting van - an asset that was never procured. What’s more, the tenure of this administration has been marred by unstable partnerships, particularly in the area of broadcasting and league sponsorships. One broadcasting partner decided to terminate their deal, saying  "the persistent acrimony between the governing body and its key stakeholders among them media and top tier clubs has negatively affected the league’s brand affinity.”  The said acrimony towards the media was a ban on specific sports journalists who were barred from accessing stadiums during premier league matches and barred from press conferences involving the federation. 

As recently as October last year,  the coach for the men’s national team publicly lamented the non-payment of his salary while accusing the state for the arrears. This accusation was an attempt to deflect responsibility away from the Football Kenya Federation, which, in reality, holds the mandate for hiring and paying the coaching staff. And if the national team coach is not being paid, imagine what the football players are going through. A number of players from the women’s national team were dropped from the squad after disclosing that they too, were owed by the federation. 

It's crucial to recognize that these challenges of government intervention, and mismanagement within Kenyan football are not novel, nor are they exclusive to the current federation. In 2011 FIFA instituted a normalization committee in response to a deadlock caused by two factions, each claiming to be the rightful governing body of Kenyan football. 

However this non-interference policy and installation of a normalization committee where FIFA keeps the state of Kenya at bay from holding the federation accountable is hardly done to promote good governance principles because as we speak, the current federation is back in power because FIFA demanded so. Instead, this non-interference policy has not only enabled and normalized corruption, it’s also been insolent to the state of Kenya and the institution with the jurisdiction to handle disputes and wrangles such as anti-doping and governance wrangles in sports federations. This is the Sports Disputes Tribunal.  In 2016, despite requests from the SDT to FIFA to establish a normalization committee due to electoral disputes and the corruption cases within the football federation, FIFA in a letter disregarded them by saying  “we note that the SDT is not a national arbitration tribunal in the sense of FIFA circular 1010 dated 20 December 2005.” For context, Kenya passed a new constitution in 2010 and the SDT came into being in 2013. 

As far as the SDT is concerned in Kenya, the current office holders in the football kenya federation are not legitimately in office because their election process does not comply with the Sports Act in Kenya. 

There is a  Swahili proverb that says "Ndovu wawili wakipigana, nyasi huumia" which translates to – "when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers." In this case, the 'grass' represents the players who almost always bear the brunt of the impasse between FIFA, its member association and the government. In 2022, during the ban the women’s national team missed out on the AFCON qualification and Women's World Cup qualifiers due to these disputes. Due to the acrimony between the sponsors and broadcasting partners, the men’s leagues are financially deprived, which has fattened the ground for match manipulation involving both foreign and local interests. 

In Europe, we have seen rulings from the ECJ that have overridden this autonomy of sport that enables FIFA and its member associations to operate as they wish. We have seen it in the Bosman ruling and recently in the case of the super league. As much as the rulings have been on cases pertaining economic interests, the solution I propose is inspired by these events. Professor Miguel Maduro who was the chairman of the governance committee in FIFA believes that the EU is the rightful body to regulate the governance issues in FIFA and UEFA.

Inspired by this school of thought, I believe a similar path can be taken within Africa, especially through the African Union. The African Union has a sports council which means they have sports within their interests. Among the issues they are keen on is safeguarding and I believe you cannot safeguard athletes without working with the confederations in the continent. The states in Africa that disproportionately suffer the consequence of FIFA bans, can leverage their power, set up a framework within the African Union that ensures the confederations work within the rule of law. Indeed, there are shortcomings to this proposal such as the already murky political climate in some African countries. But it can and should start with the countries that have the appropriate governance framework. This proposal is also a summoning to the people from Africa and the ones working in the continent under any capacity, to lobby through the existing institutions for better governance, for only then do we contribute to the sustainable goal of just and peaceful institutions. It also lays the groundwork for potential transnational cooperation on the continental level. If the AU-EU partnership works towards goals such as climate change and global security, it can work towards sports governance as well. 

Editorial Note: The insights and observations shared in this article are from the presentation "How FIFA's Non-Interference Policy Enables Autocratic Rule: A Case Study of the Kenyan Football Federation," delivered by Steffany Ndei at the Play The Game Conference in Trondheim,Norway.

Kitui Teachers Sacco rebrands,amid huge growth

The giant Kitui Teachers Sacco has rebranded to Univision DT Sacco Society after a steady ten year growth, in a strategic move that elevates it to a national outfit. 

Sacco Chairman Rev Munuve

The Sacco joins a growing list of teacher owned Cooperative societies countrywide that have adopted new names as competition for growth beyond the non-teacher membership hits new levels. 

CEO Florence Mutua 

Despite having a dominant presence in the Lower  Eastern region with an impressive asset base of Sh10.1 billion and more than 51,000 members, the Sacco was facing competition from other financial institutions, where its original name was a hindrance to attracting membership from business people, civil servants and other salaried professionals. 

The name change to Univision Sacco was unanimously approved during the society's 47th Annual General Meeting held at Ithookwe Primary School in Kitui last weekend. 

The rebranding has been on the cards for the last 15 years, ever since the Society changed its by-laws and opened a common bond in 2008 to absorb employees from other government ministries and organisations. 

However, it became more urgent after two of the society's main competitors in the larger Eastern region – Meru Teachers Sacco which rebranded to Solutions Sacco and Machakos Teachers Sacco which rebranded to Kwetu Sacco, opened branches in Kitui. 

The Sacco chairman Rev Augustus Munuve acknowledged this saying the former identity expounded their business vulnerability and exposed the Sacco to stiff competition. 

"Over the years our Sacco has remained resilient until recently when our market niche was encroached by many financial institutions including banks, micro finance and other rebranded deposit taking Saccos" Rev Munuve told during the AGM.

He noted that some competitors had branded their business model as uncompetitive and only meant for teachers in Kitui County.

"The name has been our major setback and to make our business growth trajectory sustainable and compete on a fairground, we have to change it" he explained. 

The chairman told members that the Sacco needs enough liquidity through deposit mobilisation from both salaried members and business community in order to grow its profitability. 

Members applauded the move saying the rebranding was long overdue and will help the Sacco to strongly defend its territory.

Simon Nding'o, a member said the Sacco will now increase its visibility and accessibility across the country and have the latitude to unveil new products.

Mr Nding'o urged members to be the ambassadors of the Society and endeavour to recruit more members from their families and social networks. 

"With adequate liquidity, the Sacco will be able to give out cheaper loans, bail out members from the yoke of expensive loans from other financial institutions, leading to increased loan uptake which will generate more income for the Sacco" he said.

In the last ten years, the society has attracted huge numbers of non-teacher members, especially civil servants and other professionals, from a paltry 11,556 members in 2014 to 51,000 members in 2024, which translates to 500 percent growth. 

This has seen the Sacco rapidly expand to eight full pledged branches in Kitui, Machakos, Wote, Mutomo, Mwingi, Makindu, Mutito and Kyuso towns. It has satellite offices in Kabati, Masii, Matuu and and Tseikuru markets.

A section of teachers were in the past opposed to name change for fear that their fraternity which has built the society over the years will lose identity, but were encouraged to think outside the box for the society to remain competitive and stable.

The Sacco which declared a dividend of 14.5 percent on share capital and 12 percent on deposits, registered an impressive overall growth of 14.6 percent, with the asset base hitting the Sh10.1 billion mark and member deposits rising to Sh5.5 billion.

However, there was a slower uptake of loans by members where the loan book grew by 7.7 percent to close the year at Sh8.3 billion. 

This was attributed to shrinking pay slip abilities brought about by new statutory deductions .

Inside Kangundo Hospital today...

By Daniel Mbaluka 

in Kangundo

Patients at Kangundo Level 4 hospital today endured a full hour in darkness as woes facing the county's health sector mount relentlessly. 

Images of Kangundo L4 hospital

during a total power outage today

The hospital was plunged into darkness when its generator ran out of fuel, after running for hours due to a scheduled power outage.

The power outage had been posted publicly and it seems hospital authorities took no action to have sufficient diesel to ignite the generator through out the scheduled hours of the power-off. 

The maintenance was to take place between 9am to 5pm in many parts of Kangundo.

Panic reigned supreme among patients on life support machines- that must be powered to work- as medical workers ran helter-skelter seeking the refuelling of the generator.

A tour of the hospital by our reporter witnessed complaining patients whose immediate concern was skipping of meals.

" We are not sure if the next meal will be served today. Skipping meals is normal, so we send our relatives to buy food", said a woman who pleaded not to be identified.

Our reporter visited the hospital following complaints of insufficient food, the requirement for patients to purchase consumables like medicine.

No basic lab tests, for liver and kidney are undertaken. The patients need to buy the tube needed to carry the blood sample to the lab, we were told.

"The hospital is having challenges with drugs, shortages of

sterile gloves needed for surgical cases, laboratory test kits and other critical items needed for diagnostic purposes" said a senior nurse.

Residents say that it is not unusual to grease the hands of staff so that a service is provided. It is also claimed that patients' relatives usually fuel ambulances to facilitate their transfer to the facility to other hospitals. 

Kangundo Medical Superintendent Dr. Daniel Katua said he was in a meeting well into the night and therefore unable to comment.

These shortages appear consistent with those reported in Machakos Level 5 hospital whose Medical Superintendent was removed and demoted when he wrote an unflattering letter to highlight the problems facing the facility.

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