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  • Pastrolists in Ewuaso Kedong adopt farming using solar powered irrigation to mitigate drought

    Pastrolists in Ewuaso Kedong adopt farming using solar powered irrigation to mitigate drought

    By Amy Moyi

    Pastrolists in Ewuaso Kedong area in Kajiado county have began adopting crop farming through the use of a solar powered borehole to cushion them against the effects of the prevailing drought. Through solar powered irrigation, the pastrolist community have converted over two hectares of the arid communal land into a lush green farm.

    Saitoti Ole Kikayo who manages the communal farm has said the solar powered irrigation system has enabled several members of the pastrolist community to venture into crop farming to create a long-term solution to the food shortage crisis as a result of frequent drought in Kajiado county.

    “As a community, we have greatly benefited from this borehole. Previously, there was water scarcity but after this borehole was drilled, there is a reliable water supply throughout the day. I have stopped nomadic pastrolism which involved moving from place to place and began farming so now I am able to stay home and produce food.” said Saitoti.

    A report by the National Drought Management Authority report (NDMA) in 2023 indicates that Kajiado County lost 38.8% of its livestock population between September and November 2022. In addition, the pastures of the predominantly pastoralist community have been decreasing as a result of extended drought and the impacts of climate change which had been a threat to their survival and livelihood.

    To mitigate the adverse effects of drought, Saitoti has reiterated the importance of crop farming citing that the solar powered irrigation system had enabled him to have access to a sustainable source of food as well as earn an income.

    “I grow cabbage, sukuma, maize and managu. On a good day, I earn upwards of a thousand Kenyan shillings and a minimum of seven hundred shillings when sales are low. I also plan to buy two dairy cows for milk production which I can feed with crops from my farm instead of keeping a large herd of livestock.” said Saitoti.

    According to the director of Cara Projects Edwina Kwallah, lack of knowledge of farming techniques has been a barrier towards more members of the community embracing crop farming citing that the organisation is launching a farming project that will utilise more of the vast community land using the water supply from the borehole.

    “We will provide training on crop farming to at least eighty in the community on crop farming. They will use water from the borehole to grow crops to feed themselves as well as sell the surplus to earn an income.” said Edwina.

    The Kajiado county short rains food and nutrition report released in 2023 indicates that over 10 percent of children below 5 years in Kajiado county have been facing malnutrition since July 2022.

    Samuel Saitoti, a resident of Ewuaso Kedong ward has said the dire situation of the community including food scarcity prompted him to reach out to well-wishers who helped in providing the funds to drill the solar powered borehole.

    “Prolonged drought for years in this area resulted in death of many livestock and food scarcity. It has been very tough and many children dropped out of school because they had nothing to eat. We talked to our friends in the United States who donated money to drill the borehole.”

    Saitoti has urged more members of the pastrolist community to take advantage of the availability of the solar irrigation system to adopt a more sustainable way of living though agriculture to improve their standards of living.

    “I encourage everyone I interact with, including my children, to practice farming instead of nomadic pastrolism. It is no longer sustainable to keep large herds of cattle because of the increasingly frequent and prolonged drought in this area.” said Saitoti.

     

  • Illegal toll station closed in Olkeri

    Illegal toll station closed in Olkeri

    A resident of Olkeri last week raised concerns over an illegal toll station after a delivery person found the road blocked with stones at the SGR bridge along Olkeri to Gataka road which passes through Oloolua forest.  According to the complainant, the delivery person had to part with 50 shillings via mpesa before being allowed to pass through.

    Olkeri Assistant Chief Stephen Moshi who followed up on the complaints has assured motorists and other road users free access to the road without any obstructions.

    “I immediately went to the site where the alleged illegal toll station had been set up, and found a group of youth who had come up with a solution to enable motorists navigate a steep bridge ramp.  They were solving a problem and charging a small fee, probably not aware the law does not allow such actions. They immediately stopped all their activities and have been advised not to do it again.” Assistant Chief Moshi said.

    According to the Kenya’s public roads toll act, the cabinet secretary is the one who can declare any public road or a portion thereof, including any bridge or tunnel on a public road, as a toll road for purposes of this Act.   It is illegal for anyone to install a barrier and charge road users a fee to use any public road.

    According to the same act, the cabinet secretary may by Order published in the Gazette amend the First Schedule and shall provide equipment, buildings or structures and installations including permanent or movable weighbridges necessary for the proper functioning of a toll station.  Every toll station shall have a station manager appointed by the Cabinet Secretary.

    In July 2014, Nairobi County Assembly adopted a motion by the then Karura Ward MCA Kamau Thuo to have barriers installed by Runda Residents Association and Runda Water Ltd be removed.

    According to the motion, Runda Residents Association and Runda Water Ltd had been demanding gate passes, and charging for them and for road use, and erecting barriers preventing some vehicles from accessing public roads in Runda Estate.

    The law maker quoted Article 186 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya, and Fourth Schedule which states that the functions and powers of County Government, among others, covers roads, street lighting, electricity, water and sanitation provision; further aware that County Governments can impose taxes and rates under section 109(3) of the constitution, a function which hasn’t been devolved to other entities.  The MCA raised termed the actions of Runda Association and Runda Water Ltd, a clear breach of the Constitution.

    The county assembly resolves that the County Government remove or order the removal of all the barriers erected on public roads by the Runda Residents Association and illegal levy of charges by the said Association and Runda Water Ltd with immediate effect.

    If you come across a road block you suspect it’s illegal, kindly contact the nearest police station or the chiefs office.

     

  • Kiserian woman decries harassment after rescuing sister from domestic violence

    Kiserian woman decries harassment after rescuing sister from domestic violence

    By Amy Moyi

    A woman from Kiserian town in Kajiado West sub-county has alleged facing threats and intimidation from her relatives after she rescued her sister and children from domestic violence.

    According to Felistar Nduku, she decided to intervene and rescue her sister after learning that her sister had been enduring verbal and physical abuse from her husband for several years.

    “I heard from their neighbour that her husband had been beating her up and I knew I had to do something she is our last born and has a mental illness.  She had no one to look after her because our older siblings are married with families. When I left for work in Nairobi, I had no idea she had been married off and concieved two children since we did not have any means of communication.” said Nduku.

    Nduku has said the abuse her sister endured was brutal ranging from being denied basic needs such as food and clothing to extremely painful beatings that contributed to the decline in her physical and mental health.

    “Her husband was extremely violent to her and she lived in fear and at the mercy of neighbors who donated clothes to her.He would beat her up to the point she lost most of her teeth. He also denied her food, chased her and her children out of the house. I panicked when I heard she was threatening to commit suicide.” said Nduku.

    However, after she rescued her sister, she began to receive threatening phone calls from family members including her sisters and in-laws who accused her of breaking up a family. Nduku has said the deplorable and abusive conditions her sister had been living in is what drove her to her rescue.

    “I got numerous harassing and threatening calls from my sisters, in-laws and even the police. I was told if my marriage failed I should leave other people’s marriages and mind my own business. When she came here, she and her children were barefoot, she had no clothes, she was malnourished.” said Nduku.

    Nduku has said the domestic violence her sister endured for more than five years has has left her with permanent injuries citing that she wants to be left in peace to care for her sister. I just want peace as I take care of my sister and her children because she cannot do anything by herself. I do not even understand how she was married off with her mental condition. It is my responsibility since my parents died. Today she can only eat soft good because she lost her teeth because of the violence. I also have to bathe and dress her.” said Nduku.

  • Ngong town climate smart solar lighting project faces threat from vandalism

    Ngong town climate smart solar lighting project faces threat from vandalism

    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.”

    One of the vandalized solar lights in Ngong Town.

    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.

  • Man who want to change the lives of those living with disability

    Man who want to change the lives of those living with disability

    Ken Saota, a resident of Athi River yesterday wowed many in Nairobi CBD with his locally built vehicle named KENYA ONE.
     
    Saota had travelled to Nairobi following an invitation by a man described by many online, as the most hardworking chief officer in Kenya, Geoffrey Mosiria. The no nonsense chief officer for environment, Nairobi county.
     
    From left: Ken Saota with Nairobi county Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria.
     
    Saota who is a married father of two, is a self taught engineer who wants to change the lives of those living with disability.
    “I have an elderly friend who is disabled. He is suffering alot because, he can’t move around and being poor makes things even more harder for him.” Saota said
     
    Saota has ambitions to start manufacturing motorized vehicles in Kenya purposely for those living with disability.
     
    “With funding, I can build small motorized vehicles which can make life a bit easier for those living with disability. They will be able to move easily without depending on others.” Saota said
     
    Apart from Kenya one, Saota has assembled a helicopter prototype which he confirmed did not make it to the airspace because of the stringent regulations and lack of finances.
     
     
    During the meeting, Mosiria expressed his admiration for Saota’s ambitions to power KENYA ONE using solar energy.  Mosiria said a solar powered KENYA ONE can be a part of the solution by Nairobi county in countering air pollution. The vehicle is currently fitted with a motorcycle engine.
     
    According to Saota, KENYA ONE uses approximately 400 shillings worth of fuel from Athi river to Nairobi and back.  The three wheeled vehicle which has so far costed 400,000 shillings weighs 450kgs and has a top speed of 120km per hour.
  • UK Coroner’s court rules suicide was the cause of death of a Kenyan born woman

    UK Coroner’s court rules suicide was the cause of death of a Kenyan born woman

    A Coroner’s Court in Oxford, UK, last month on 26 September 2024, ruled that the cause of death of a research scientist in Offord, Uk as suicide after a full inquest was held over the death.

    The body of 28 yr old Miss Achia who was born in Kenya, was discovered early in the morning by a member of the public at Shotover Country Park in Old Road in Headington, Oxford on 21 March 2024.

    A post-mortem results showed Miss Achia died from hanging.

    The initial statement by the local police had indicated they were investigating an unexplained death, prompting for the park to be closed temporarily.  Specially trained police officers were also dispatched to inform and support the deceased next of kin.

    May her soul rest in peace.

    Photo: Humphris Funerals

  • Rotary Club donates laboratory equipment at Gataka Health Centre

    Rotary Club donates laboratory equipment at Gataka Health Centre

    By Amy Moyi

    The Rotary Club of Ongata Rongai East has donated laboratory equipment at Gataka Health Centre in Nkaimurunya ward as part of the club corporate social responsibility(CSR) initiative. The level three facility has received a microscope, centrifuge, diagnostic sets, consumables and furniture equipment. According to the project champion Rotarian Dismus Wakla, the laboratory equipment was the most urgently needed by the facility to facilitate doctors with accurate diagnosis.

    “Every treatment must be ascertained through screening for the doctors to have proper diagnosis of what the patient is suffering from. It has been a challenge for the doctors here due to lack of the proper equipment resulting in referrals of patients to other hospitals.” said Wakla.

    The Rotary District Governor Joe Kamau has said the organization is committed to development initiatives in the community through member donations grants and donor funding. He has appealed to donors for resources to fund future initiatives.

    “With a presence in more than two hundred countries, and 1.4 voluntary members, health intervention is one of the key priorities of rotary club. I am happy for today’s program and we aspire to do more in the next phase including medical camps as we have been undertaking in other parts of the country.” said Kamau.

    The Rotary club president Ongata Rongai Mr. Marcillus Otieno identified other needs to be addressed at the facility in future including the need for mental health counseling, equipping with advanced medical equipment and community engagement.

    The doctors at the facility cited lack of water as a key challenge in service delivery especially for the childbirth and incubation care because the centre is largely dependent on a the neighbouring school for water supply.

    Other challenges cited by the doctors include lack of sufficient human resources and funding.  The facility lacks a pharmacist, a health records officer and receives funding by the county government twice a year.

    The facility started as a dispensary but has now advanced to a level three hospital which provides antenatal services. Since 2022,there have been 56 successful child deliveries and the workload has increased.

  • The desperate plight of the neglected elderly persons in Mathare

    The desperate plight of the neglected elderly persons in Mathare

    By Amy Moyi

    In Mathare, an informal settlement area of Ngong town, there is an increase in the number of neglected elderly persons. Most of these elderly persons live alone and have little to no contact with their families.

    This neglect by their family members including their children who have migrated to urban areas has a great negative impact on their quality of life. As a result of their advanced age and low economic status, living in isolation exposes these vulnerable elderly persons to risk and at the mercy of well wishers to fend for their basic needs.

    John Thiga ,a resident of Mathare who is over eighty years old has said he barely keeps in touch with his children who migrated to the United States of America. In his old age, he has to endure financial and health challenges.

    “Children sometimes abandon their parents when they go abroad. Sometimes they help and sometimes they do not. Life has been very hard because of financial problems because I cannot work anymore. I depend on help from well wishers and a little help sometimes from the children. As old people we also suffer from diseases because immunity is low. I suffer from high blood pressure.”

    Florence Wangu

    Seventy two year old Florence Wangu lives in Mathare with her forty nine year old son who developed a mental health condition while in third year at university. She is unable to afford proper housing, food as well as medication for her son and herself.

    “I have arthritis and I cannot afford treatment or medication. I am the caregiver of my only child  who depends on me since his father died. When I die he will have no one to care for him. The house is too small for me and my son. Food is too expensive, I rely on the church for food and well wishers to help me fetch water.”

    Seventy eight year old Wambui Kamitha from Mathare has had to raise her two grandchildren after their parents died. She has said that access to food is a challenge because her grandchildren have not been able to get jobs.

    “My grand children who are now grown up rely on casual jobs. When they are able to get work they have to feed their children first. I am their mother, father and grandmother. Sometimes we used to sleep hungry. At times a well wisher will give me a hundred shillings and then I will  buy food. If the elderly persons here told you their stories you would shed tears.”

    Seventy two year old Peter Kareri still has to work as a watchman to fend to himself and his wife. He has said he can only retire after he is able to get enough capital to pay off his debts, start a business for himself and his wife and build a small home.

    “The price of milk, sugar, cooking oil and bread is too high. I have to pay a debt of seventy thousand Kenya shillings so I work twenty four hours. I would like to buy a cart and donkey and start a business so I can provide for my family at home. I would also like to build a four room house.”

    Regina Wambui started Umoja Elderly Emporment Programme with the aim of assisting the vulnerable elderly persons in the community after witnessing their desperate plight. She has said that most of the elderly persons have been abandoned by their children who do not have stable jobs.

    “I would visit an elderly person and find they have no food to it and no one to assist them. I have Seventy four elderly persons under this programme four of whom are bedridden and five who walk with a cane. Their children have left and sometimes leave them with grandchildren to care for so I assist them with help from well wishers.”

    Wambui has emphasized the importance of involvement by family members and the community in taking care of elderly persons at a stage in life when they are most vulnerable.

    “Elderly persons need to be cared for. Their children have forgotten them and will only come back to bury them but right now they have no interest in their parents. We are really burdened but when they come together it help to prevent depression.”

    Thiga has reiterated that elderly persons do not require much to be content but sometimes they lack even enough resources to meet their basic needs which can sometimes result in death.

    “All we need as elderly people is peace. If we have food, shelter, somewhere peaceful to stay and and a little money for medication that is enough. Things are very expensive right now and many old people die because of hunger if they do not have assistance from their families because most elderly people especially men are abandoned by young people.”

    Ageing has fundamental impacts on sustainable development efforts to eradicate poverty, achieve food security. The United Nations  introduced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the year 2016 which outlined seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that aim to eradicate poverty and hunger.

    Kenya’s Vision 2030 envisions that older persons have access to quality health care, social care and support through community- based care and long-term care policies, infrastructure, resources and programs.

  • Bondeni Murder Suspect Was Working As A Construction Worker

    Bondeni Murder Suspect Was Working As A Construction Worker

    The arrest of the main suspect of the brutal murder of two children and attempted murder of their young auntie on 13 September 2024 in Bondeni, Ngong is a wake up call for landlords, employers and parents.

    The 35 yr old suspect who was arrested in a family home next to Olkeri primary school this week was being hosted by a secondary school student.

    The revelation that the secondary school student was hosting the murder suspect has left many people in the village asking what would a 35 yr old murder suspect have in common with a secondary school student.

    It has now been revealed that the suspect was working as a construction worker in Karen and also within Olkeri. To avoid being seen, he would leave for work at 6am and come back after dark according to our source.

    During the day of arrest, the most hated man in Bondeni village right now for committing the the most foul crime of killing innocent children, was found together with his host drinking alcohol and chewing ‘muguka’. He did not resist arrest.

    A community elder who wished to remain anonymous urged Parents to put effort in knowing more about their children friends.

    “If your son or daughter brings a friend to your home, ask questions, especially if they are strangers and your gut feeling tells you to be concerned.” The elder said

    Patrick Gitonga who is a resident of Olkeri has also urged landlords and employers to ask for identity cards from anyone seeking employment.

    “Imagine if the murder suspect had engaged in an argument with another worker! if he can kill children, then killing an adult would be an easy job” Gitonga said

  • Hope For Parents Who Had Given Up After NACADA Opens Branch In Ngong

    Hope For Parents Who Had Given Up After NACADA Opens Branch In Ngong

    There is hope for parents who had given up on their sons and daughters who are addicted to drugs and illegal substances, after The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse NACADA opened an office in Ngong Town.

    NACADA was established through a Gazette Notice dated April 26, 2001, to undertake public education and awareness campaign against drug abuse, especially among youth in schools and other institutions of higher learning.

    Some of the key functions of NACADA include carrying out public education on alcohol and drug abuse, and coordinating and facilitating public participation in the control of alcohol and drug abuse within communities.

    NACADA offices will be located at the Deputy County Commissioner’s complex in Ngong town.

    Click here to know more about NACADA
    https://nacada.go.ke