Ngong Municipality receives 693 million shillings development funds.

adminelveza3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Ngong Municipality is set to receive Ksh693 million for urban development after successfully meeting the performance requirements of the Kenya Urban Support Programme Phase II (KUSP II), according to a statement released by the Governor’s Press Service in Kajiado County. The allocation is the largest among Kajiado County’s municipalities. Kitengela Municipality has been allocated Ksh304 million, while Kajiado Municipality will receive Ksh43 million. The funding follows the municipalities’ successful assessment under KUSP II and the First and Second Annual Performance Assessments (APA I and APA II). According to the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, KUSP II is a national programme aimed at promoting sustainable urban development, strengthening municipal governance, improving infrastructure and enhancing service delivery. The programme also supports the integration of marginalized communities and refugee-host areas while helping municipalities respond to the challenges of rapid urbanization. The World Bank partially finances KUSP II, which has benefited 59 municipalities in 45 counties. More than 300 projects have been implemented across the country, including investments in solid and liquid waste management, stormwater drainage, roads, connectivity, fire and disaster management facilities, markets and other socio-economic infrastructure. Municipalities qualify for grants after annual assessments that evaluate governance, financial management, urban planning and service delivery. Ngong Municipality has already completed several projects under the first phase of KUSP, including:1. Tarmacking the Cleanshelf Supermarket–Saitoti Hospital–Gataka Road (1.5 km) in Nkaimurunya Ward.2. Tarmacking the Kaurai Junction–Kiserian Primary School–Magadi Road Junction (1.4 km) in Olkeri Ward.3. Tarmacking the Juanco–Olepolos Road (1.1 km) in Oloolua Ward.4. Tarmacking the Kenol–Kobil–Wama Dispensary–Mechanic Parking Lane Road (1.1 km) in Ong’ata Rongai Ward.5. Construction of 800 metres of pedestrian-friendly cabro roads in Kiserian Market, Keekonyokie Ward.6. Construction of a stormwater box culvert at Juanco in Oloolua Ward.7. Development of stormwater drainage channels alongside newly tarmacked roads.8. Phase I decommissioning of the Ngong dumpsite.9. Landscaping and establishment of the Ngong Ward Beautification Park and shoe-shiner sheds.10. Construction of modern public toilets in Ngong Town.11. Development of relocation frameworks for roadside traders in Kiserian and Ong’ata Rongai. Under KUSP II, the KSh693 million allocation will finance interconnected, climate-resilient urban infrastructure across Ngong Municipality. Priority projects include upgrading critical feeder roads linking Oltepesi, Rangau and the Kandisi to Ong’ata Rongai bypass to ease traffic congestion in urban centres. The programme will also expand stormwater drainage systems in flood-prone areas, particularly Nkaimurunya, Olkeri and Ong’ata Rongai. Additional investments will include the construction of parking bays, organised parking lanes, non motorised transport paths and passenger drop off zones in Ngong and Ong’ata Rongai central business districts. Community markets will also be upgraded with improved roofing, water supply and sanitation facilities integrated into the municipality’s spatial development plan. The funding will further support digital governance initiatives, including the continued implementation of the Mazingira Unit Service Agreement for municipal solid waste collection, automated utility and advertisement management systems, and digital planning platforms to regulate outdoor advertising and fibre optic cable installations across Kajiado North. Ngong Municipal Manager David Koobai said all proposed projects will undergo public participation before they are approved and implemented by the Municipal Board. “The projects will cover the seven wards in Ngong Municipality as follows; Ngong, Oloolua, Nkaimurunya, Ong’ata Rongai, Keekonyokie, Olkeri and Ewuaso Oonkidong’i.” Koobai said.

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Extravagance or justified chopper rides?

adminelveza12 months ago11 months ago02 mins

Two helicopters bearing a striking resemblance have been observed ferrying prominent Kajiado politicians to the remote area of Olkiramatian in Magadi ward within the past few weeks. The helicopters have been identified to be part of a fleet from a helicopter charter service that provides luxury air services at an average cost of 250 000 Kenya shillings per hour. One helicopter ferried the statehouse controller Katoo Ole Metito, who is also eyeing the coveted Kajiado county gubernatorial seat, and his political allies to a political event. Similarly, the other helicopter ferried Kajiado county governor Joseph Ole Lenku to a house warming party in the same area this week. The images of Lenku cutting a ribbon at the house warming party in Musenke village has caused backlash from a section of netizens who have expressed outrage over the flashy and extravagant lifestyle showcased by politicians at a time when many Kenyans are struggling to meet their basic needs. Musenke village which is located within Olkiramatian area in Kajiado county has 6 primary schools and 2 secondary schools. According to a teacher in the area, Olkiramatian is considered a hard to staff cluster because piped water, electricity and good roads are almost non existent. “Many teachers do not want to work in this area because of the many challenges especially water scarcity,” said the teacher who wished to remain anonymous. Olkiramatian residents depend on Nguruman area for food and other basic necessities or alternatively, Magadi or Kiserian towns which are kilometers away.

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GenZ Elected as School Board of Directors Chairperson

adminelveza1 year ago1 year ago02 mins

A 28 yr old genz, Lesiamon Likimani has been elected as the new board of directors chairperson, Kerarapon primary School. Lesiamon Likimani is the great-grandson of the Muthoni Likimani who was a well known writer.He graduated from JKUAT with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. “I been actively involved in community initiatives, such as serving as a board member of Kerarapon Water, participating in tree planting , and even taking the initiative of fixing drainage covers after an incident where a child fell into one and broke both of her. These experiences deepened my understanding of the needs of the community and the importance of service. I also believe it is time for the youth to step up into leadership. Often, young people are judged harshly, with perceptions that we are careless or disconnected. But we have the energy, creativity, and fresh perspective to drive meaningful change. Taking up this role is my way of showing that youth can lead responsibly and make a lasting impact” He said He further said “I am also proud to be Likimani the 5th—continuing a legacy of service, as the 1st Likimani, Paul Likimani, was actually the first Chairman of Kerarapon School and one of the founders too. For me, carrying this name is both a responsibility and a privilege, and I’m committed to uplifting it further by serving my community with integrity. Being elected as the Chairman of Kerarapon Primary School is more than just a role for me. It is an opportunity to give back, to inspire the youth, and to ensure our children learn in an environment that prepares them for a brighter future.” Should more Genzs take leadership roles in communities?

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Projected increase in Kenya’s million dollar annual losses through trade misinvoicing

adminelveza2 years ago2 years ago06 mins

By Amy Moyi Fraudulent trade misinvoicing in Kenya, East Africa’s biggest economy, increased during the COVID-19 pandemic while customs workers were in lockdown or laid off, a closely-watched report by a research group that exposes financial corruption is likely to reveal, according to its chief executive. Tom Cardamone, who heads the Washington-based Global Financial Integrity (GFI), said the group would release updated research on trade misinvoicing in early 2025, its first comprehensive assessment since the pandemic. Trade misinvoicing is a way to move money across borders by falsifying the value, quantity or quality of goods on invoices. Under-invoicing of exports is the main method of shifting money illicitly out of the country and under-invoicing of imports is used to illegally smuggle money into the country. Exports and imports are booked at different values to avoid taxes or to hide large transfers of money across borders. “Overall, while the amount of misinvoicing can fluctuate from year to year there is little evidence to indicate the amount of misinvoicing is on a downward trend,” Cardamone told Elveza Media. “My guess, and it is just a guess, is that misinvoicing worsened during Covid because of staff shortages, which made it more difficult to identify misinvoicing when it occurs,” he said. Cardamone did not offer statistics to back up his statement but noted: “We will know more as we dig into the data.” Tax Justice Network Executive Director, Alvin Mosioma, said it was likely that a surge in illicit financial flows, including from trade misinvoicing, during the pandemic was due to a lack of oversight and increased corruption at the country’s borders. “Covid-19 disrupted the way of doing things,” said Mosioma. “There are concerns of an increase in the scale and scope of illicit financial flows.” A study by GFI in 2014, which looked at the impact on revenues from trade misinvoicing in five African countries between 2002 and 2011, estimated that Kenya lost roughly $435 million annually in tax revenue during that period from trade misinvoicing, the equivalent of 8.3% of total government revenue. To put it in perspective, the losses are seven times the $60.8 million 2024/25 budget of the Inua Jamii Programme, which benefits over 1.5 million orphans and elderly persons in the country. Tackling the trade misinvoicing problem will be crucial as public pressure grows on the government of President William Ruto to deal with corruption and government waste. Fifty people died in protests by Kenyan youths in June after the government tried to push through tax increases to improve government finances. Ruto fired most of his cabinet and invited the International Monetary Fund to conduct an in-depth assessment of how corruption and mismanagement of state resources is draining public finances. Cardamone said most countries failed to report their trade transactions between 2020 and 2022, the period most impacted by the epidemic when factories were forced to close and global trade was powering down across the globe. In Kenya, trade volumes declined to $16.9 million in 2020 from $18.5 million in 2019 due to a drop in imports, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey report in 2021. COMPLACENCY AND CORRUPTION Charles Njonjo, a trade expert and financial consultant in Kenya, blamed trade loopholes for Kenya’s losses from trade misinvoicing, especially in the agricultural and mining sectors. “The amount of money Kenya loses because of transfer pricing and misinvoicing continues to increase every year because of complacency and corruption by government officials, who have been pocketed by multinational corporations,” said Njonjo. “Some multinational companies produce two separate invoices to evade taxes but this is overlooked by government officials who have been compromised,” he added. There have long been questions around the profits – and losses – in Kenya’s flower industry, one of the world’s largest exporters of cut stems. In 2011, the head of domestic taxes at the Kenya Revenue Authority, John Njiraini, launched an investigation into the flower sector, including into the three largest multinational producers Oserian, Karuturi and Flamingo on suspicions of shifting profits to other jurisdictions. In 2016, Karuturi multinational flower farm was forced to close after being found guilty by a Kenyan court for evading $11 million in taxes. Njonjo, the trade expert, said Karuturi evaded taxes by transfer pricing and misinvoicing the cost of imports of supplies to their flower farms in Kenya. “The company was domiciled in India, the flower farms were in Kenya, and the market is in the Netherlands,” he explained. “Karuturi sold the flowers to the Netherlands and the money was sent to India. Karuturi also supplied fertilisers and pesticides from India to Kenya at exaggerated prices, which made it impossible for their branch in Kenya to make profits,” he added. A 2023 International Narcotics Control Strategy report by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs blamed Kenya’s weak regulatory and supervisory frameworks, poor compliance, weak human capacity, and lack of transparency in the financial system for the country’s trade misinvoicing problem. The National Taxpayers Association lobby group said Kenya’s grey-listing by the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) in February 2024 because it lacked a clear strategy for prosecuting money laundering offences. GOING AFTER THE WRONGDOERS Wambui, a lawyer and founder of Sheria Mtaani na Shadrack Wambui, a law firm providing free legal representation to vulnerable people, said the lack of clear legal guidelines when dealing with fraudulent companies, as well as ability of companies involved in economic crimes, makes it easy for them to avoid prosecution. “It is easier to prosecute individuals than companies,” said Wambui. “There are laws, including the Anti-corruption Act and Proceeds of Crime Act, that are meant to deal with corruption, but people involved in corruption find ways to avoid prosecution by forming other companies,” he added. In the most recent Mutual Evaluation Report of Kenya, published in September 2022, out of a total of 335 tax offences there were only 62 convictions. Kenya has put in place some measures to fight illicit financial flows, however, these mechanisms…

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Lobby group calls for fairness in revenue collection

adminelveza2 years ago03 mins

By Amy Moyi Women in Nairobi county who cannot afford the hefty sum of 1500 Kenya shillings for mammograms and pelvic ultrasounds are being forced to miss out on the life-saving routine check-ups. These critical routine check ups that are used in the early detection of breast, ovarian and cervical cancers, have become inaccessible to low and middle income women after the introduction of new charges across level 5 hospitals through the Nairobi County Finance Bill,2023. In efforts to further increase collected revenue, the Nairobi County Finance Bill 2023, further introduced a new charge of 1000 Kenyan shillings across level 5 hospitals for pap smear tests which is used to detect cervical cancer. In a statement issued by the National Taxpayers Association, the lobby group has called on the government to exercise fairness in revenue collection as well as in the use of collected revenue. The executive director of the National Taxpayers Association Irene Otieno has said that over the years, the government has put in place measures to increase revenue collection but has cited the need to include taxpayers in decision making on revenue collection as well as accountability on the use of collected revenue. The National Taxpayers Association (NTA) has urged the government to adopt a more equitable approach to revenue collection and utilization. NTA National Coordinator Ms Irene Otieno emphasized the importance of involving taxpayers in decision-making processes to ensure transparency and accountability. While acknowledging the government’s efforts to increase revenue, Irene highlighted the need for fairness and efficiency in both taxation and expenditure. “We have been looking at the tax raising measures that the government has been developing. Our concern is where the voice of the citizens is in our tax raising endeavors. As a country we need to raise domestic resources to finance and provide essential services but we need to look into how we are raising this revenue as well as how we can redistribute this revenue.” According to the World Health Organization,30-50% of cancers can be reduced through early detection including screening. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Kenya, accounting for an estimated 3,211 deaths annually. In addition, breast cancer accounts for 23% of all cancer cases among women in Kenya. Article 43 of the constitution guarantees the right to the highest attainable standard of health including reproductive healthcare. However, according to the National Policy on Gender and Development 2019, inequality, inaccessibility, unacceptability, and unaffordability of quality health services are the main barriers to the achievement of the highest attainable standard of health for women in Kenya. Kenya’s healthcare system continues to grapple with the issue of gender inequality, which disproportionately affects low and middle income women who experience financial barriers to cancer screening in a health facility.

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IPF calls on counties to implement gender responsive budgeting to address gender inequalities

adminelveza2 years ago03 mins

By Amy Moyi Institute of Public Finance (IPF) has called on all counties in Kenya to implement gender responsive budgeting to ensure equitable economic, social, political and cultural development for both men and women. Legal officer at IPF Daniel Murakaru has said that out of five counties IPF visited during the implementation of the gender responsive budget programme including Machakos, Kitui, Kwale, Kisumu and Busia it was observed that only Kisumu county had a gender mainstreaming policy which is required in the implementation of a gender responsive budget. Daniel has said counties are mandated by Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya to incorporate gender initiatives in their budgets to ensure gender responsive budgeting as a measure towards promoting equality of men and women and addressing past injustices. “We have found that counties rarely use gender responsive budgeting as a tool in developing their budgets. Some counties even lack gender policies which are the foundation of gender responsive budgeting. The constitution and the principles of public finance states that expenditure is supposed to ensure equitable development including making provisions for marginalised groups.” According to Daniel, gender responsive budgets are aimed at increasing the efficiency of national and county budgets by raising awareness on the different needs of men and women as well as raising government accountability on revenue collection and expenditure. “Gender issues have to be addressed in the policies to address existing gender inequalities between women and girls as well men and boys in recognition that males and females have different needs. The Finance Bill 2024 that was withdrawn introduced the eco- levy on pads and diapers which had a negative impact on menstrual health of women and children using diapers.” Project officer at the National Taxpayers Association(NTA) Boniface Karanja has reiterated the importance of adopting a gender responsive budget at the county and national levels to address gender gaps and it’s subsequent impact on the taxpayers. “All aspects of budgeting should address the needs of each gender to ensure inclusivity and fairness of both men and women in revenue raising measures. We need to take initiatives to ensure that gender inequality gaps are sealed so that no group is more marginalised than the other.” Section 6 of Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees that the government shall take legislative and other measures, including affirmative action programmes and policies designed to redress any disadvantage suffered by individuals or groups because of past discrimination.

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Ngong town climate smart solar lighting project faces threat from vandalism

adminelveza2 years ago2 years ago04 mins

By Amy Moyi Residents of Ngong town in Kajiado North sub-county have decried the vandalism and theft of solar panels that powered street lights within the town. The solar energy street lighting project by the Kajiado county government aimed at utilising sustainable and renewable green energy through the use of solar panels to generate electricity. The solar energy street lighting project was implemented as an alternative to electricity powered streetlights to provide a clean energy and low cost source of electricity in line with sustainable development goal seven of ensuring access to sustainable renewable energy. According to John Mulwa a resident of Ngong town, the solar panels street lights eradicated the frequent blackouts experienced with the electricity powered street lights because of disconnection as a result of defaulting electricity bills by the Kajiado County government. “The solar street lights helped to improve security by providing a constant and reliable source of light. Now insecurity is rampant because they have been stolen to be sold at a throw away price. The streetlights that use electricity do not help because they are disconnected permanently afterwards being in use for only six months because electricity bills are not paid.” Mulwa has lamented that the theft of the solar panels on the streetlights that cost the county government approximately two hundred thousand Kenyan shillings per panel is a huge financial loss to residents. “When the solar panels are stolen it is a big loss to residents because the project is funded by the taxpayer. The county government should look for a better way to install the street lights to prevent theft because they are not properly installed.” Benson Kimani a resident of Umoja area in Ngong town has said that the benefits of the solar street lights as a measure to curb insecurity in the area was short lived because they were vandalised soon after they were installed. “The solar street lights really helped to improve security but after a short period they were vandalised. Now residents are afraid to be out after dark or leave early because of fear for their safety which is an inconvenience because many people go to work early.” Kimani has called on the intervention by the Kajiado county government to replace the vandalised solar street lights citing their significance towards the development of the town and an increase in insecurity in Ngong town since they were vandalised. “We would like to have the solar street lights replaced. We are very saddened because we woke up one day the solar panels on the street lights were gone. They did not last long.From that day, insecurity has increased. I cannot tell who stole them.” According to Kanai a resident of Ngong town,protecting national resources like solar panels is crucial for the development of the country citing that vandalism of development projects should be thwarted. “Residents should protect development resources constructed for them at the grassroot level because they are the ones who benefit from these resources. In areas like Lami Safi there is no solar panel left because all of them have been vandalised. The theft of these solar panels takes us backwards.” Kanai has called or residents to collaborate with national government administrative officers and law enforcement officers to help in protecting national resources for their benefit. Over thirty solar powered street lights that had been erected in Ngong town in the first phase of the solar project in response to the surge in insecurity in the town have been vandalised. Solar street lights have gained significant popularity in recent years as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional street lighting. These lights rely on photovoltaic cells to convert the energy from the sun into electricity, which is then used to power the lights during the night. The Kenyan government through its Vision 2030 development agenda aims to promote development of renewable energy like solar, wind and biogas as an alternative source of energy. Increasing the renewable and clean energy sources is a key building block to reaching the goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and becoming a climate-neutral continent by 2050. However, obstacles like theft and vandalism of national resources like solar panels if not addressed could be a huge barrier towards realising this development agenda in Kenya.

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No hansard reports for Kajiado residents

adminelveza2 years ago1 year ago02 mins

Following community uproar especially in Kajiado North over some clauses in the finance bill 2023, Elveza Media team visited Kajiado county assembly to request for the Hansard reports related to the finance bill 2024 through the office of the clerk. Our formal request was accepted but requested to wait for the approval of the assembly speaker after the house comes back from recess on 17 September 2024. Kajiado county assembly in it’s official online portal states accountability and transparency as some of its core values. The assembly in the same portal acknowledges that official reports should be published within 48 hours after every plenary Assembly sitting. However, a closer look at the assembly online portal shows lack of transparency. Not a single Hansard report has been published in the portal since the year 2021. Hansard reports were however published between the year 2013 – 2020. Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 establishes the citizens right of access to public information. Hansard report is a public document and access to it should not be determined by approval of an individual. Any request to provide Hansard reports by any electorate whether educated, poor, illiterate should be done instantly by the Hansard department unless if hindered by technical challenges which should be explained properly. “The current members of the county assembly have also failed in guaranteeing Kajiado residents access to public information. How come they haven’t noticed publishing of Hansard reports has not been taking place for two years since they were sworn in?” James Kang’ari who is eagerly waiting for the Hansard reports said

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Impeached deputy president Gachagua changes stance and heaps praise on the media

adminelveza2 years ago2 years ago02 mins

By Teresa Magenya Impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has publicly praised the media during his recent impeachment session in the national assembly despite having been a vocal critic of journalists in the past. Gachagua’s admiration for the media comes after a series of controversies that have led to increased scrutiny of his office. Gachagua had previously condemned media outlets on several occasions for perceived bias and misinformation. During the 40 the graduation at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology(JKUAT), Gachagua criticized the media got their portrayal of the political class. “For a long time the media have criticized the political class and it is high time they are also be held accountable for the things they write.” said Gachagua. During his trial at the national assembly, Gachagua used excerpts from the media as part of his defense expressing his appreciation for the role of journalists in shaping public discourse. “The media serves as the backbone of democracy. In these challenging times, it is crucial for us to recognize the media’s role in informing the public and fostering dialogue.” Gachagua said during an adress to the nation through the media. Allegations of tribalism, corruption, misuse of public funds, and unethical conduct have surfaced, prompting a motion for his removal from office to be tabled in parliament and senate. While Gachagua’s praise for the media may be an attempt to mitigate the fallout from the impeachment proceedings, it also reflects a broader challenge faced by many leaders in Kenya. As public scrutiny intensifies, the relationship between politicians and the press remains complex, often marked by tension and distrust. As the political climate continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether Gachagua’s new found appreciation for the media will translate into a more constructive relationship moving forward or if it will be seen as a mere tactical maneuver in the face of impending political consequences.

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Damning Findings of substandard construction of roads across Kajiado North.

adminelveza2 years ago11 months ago01 mins

The Kajiado County Assembly’s Committee on Roads and Transport have raised significant concerns on a number of roads that have not been constructed to the required standards across Kajiado North. The committee chaired by Ngong MCA Mbiriri Mwaura during an inspection tour yesterday, discovered that many have only undergone grading, with no drainage systems installed, leaving them vulnerable to damage and degradation. The preliminary report cited Kaaka-Valley Road, Olkeri Ward which was left impassable after the contractor abandoned it with hardcore materials left strewn across the path. The inspection covered vital roads across Olkeri, Ngong, Nkaimurunya, and Ongata Rongai Wards. Among the roads inspected were Kaaka-Valley Road, Mungai-Partet Road, Kahara-Kisoronye-Ole Sayiore Road, Kapaito-Washaiyo Close, Dam Close, Florida Road, Chief-Absa Road, Salama Road, PCEA-Nataka Road, Sironik Road, Mosque Road, and Kasisi Road.

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Debt crisis undermining climate action as agroecology emerges as alternative for African farmers

KPLC engages Ngong business community on power reliability, safety and customer service

Free sexual and reproductive health consultations to be offered at Kiserian expo.

Cheko properties opens Fadhili Gardens phase 1, offering affordable land ownership along Ngong to Suswa Road

Masai Cafe: Where food, culture, business and community meet in Kiserian

Rising shoplifting concerns in Kajiado North as Kiserian incident adds to reports of suspected organized theft.

Storm in Kangawa over a football viewing hall

Matasia to host free medical camp offering surgeries and health screenings

Anti-Corruption Commission arrests senior county officials over alleged procurement corruption

Immaculate Salaon installed as president of Rotary Club of Ngong Hills

Governance