A section of Kibiku residents in Kajiado West are considering a divorce from Ewuaso Kedong Ward and Kajiado West sub county to move to Kajiado North sub county.
Some Kibiku residents feel ignored especially by the Ward county assembly representative Joseph Tores
Other residents however disagree with the proposal of a divorce. “Changing constituency without changing the bad habits of our leaders will not make any difference” Joseph, a resident of Kibiku said
The residents feel the road infrastructure should be commensurate to the raw materials being mined at the vet farm and exported elsewhere.
Kajiado North residents against rates on land with freehold titles are expected to travel to Kajiado Law Courts tomorrow in solidarity with Sheria Mtaani na Shadrack Wambui and Six other petitioners.
The organizers have announced Matasia Total Petrol Station, Kiserian Petrol Station and Rongai Rubis Petrol Station opposite KCB Bank as pick up points for those traveling to attend the court case tomorrow. Departure time has been announced as 6:30am sharp.
Sheria Mtaani na Shadrack Wambui and Six other petitioners have sued Kajiado county government, Kajiado County assembly, Hon. Attorney General and Olkeri MCA Stephen Ngatho.
The two little angles, 4yr old Pauline Wanjiku and 6yr old Bridgit Mukulu were murdered allegedly by their uncle last week on Friday in Lekuruki. The sisters will be laid to rest on Friday 20 September 2024.
Their 17yr old aunt survived the attack, and is currently in a critical condition in hospital. We request anyone reading this to support the family financially, to cater for the burial of the two angles, and the medical expenses of the 17yr old girl who is still in hospital.
Kindly send your contributions to MPESA: 0705995314 (George Mungutu)
May the souls of the two little angles rest in peace and we wish the girl in hospital a full and quick recovery.
A modified Maasai ‘rungu’ and a blood stained axe have been found hidden under a cupboard in the same house where the barbaric murder of two children took place last week on Friday in Bondeni village, Ngong.
According to our source, the main suspect alleged to be a cannabis addict has for quite sometime been threatening members of his family with death every time they had a disagreement.
On the day the horrendous crimes were committed, the suspect who is on the run is said to have walked calmly along the main village road begging for 50 shillings to buy a rope to hang himself. Community members have agreed to arm themselves while walking especially during the night until the main suspect is apprehended.
On Friday, 13 September 2024 at 6am, two students on the way to Olkeri Mixed day secondary school raised alarm after claiming they had spotted a lion in the area between SGR and Gituguta within Oloolua forest.
Olkeri Ass. Chief Stephene Moshi was alerted and immediately contacted police officers attached at the Olkeri local police post and Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS). The police officers demonstrated, a much yearned police service ethos, by escorting a group of students from Gataka to the school.
KWS officers conducted a search within the forest but did not find any lion. Despite assurance by KWS, members of the community have by advised to be extra careful especially especially those passing through the forest.
A 46 yr old man has this morning hanged himself in Matasia. The deceased body was found hanging from a rope around his neck in the bathroom, by his widow after she came home from her night shift job at a local petrol station.
The father of two according to his widow could have been going through a difficult after his business started performing poorly due to harsh economic times being experienced by many small business owners across the country. Unfortunately, the sad event happened during this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day which is observed annually on September 10th.
The new theme for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” with the call to action: “Start the Conversation.” This theme aims to change how we talk about suicide and break down the silence and stigma that surrounds it.
If you are a counselor and wish to volunteer your services to support this family during this difficult moment, kindly get in touch with us via mobile number 0726072581.
A public participation forum on Nuclear Regulatory Bill 2018 was held at Nkoroi Catholic Church on 22 March 2019. The event was hosted by the National Assembly Energy Committee and led by the chairman Nakuru Town East MP, David Gikaria.
The bill went through the first reading on December 4, 2018 and thereafter committed for public participation. Concerns were immediately raised by the members of the public who had not read or even seen the draft bill prior to the forum. The majority felt they needed the draft bill at least 7 days prior to the forum to be able to scrutinize it fully. The Nakuru Town East MP told the members of the public, that the bills are usually in the national assembly website for downloading. MP Gikaria however accepted, there was a failure in providing Kajiado North residents with the draft bill earlier enough. He apologized for the late issuance of the document and informed the members of the public that they have between 14 to 45 days to send their input to the parliamentary energy committee for consideration via the following email address: clerk@parliament.go.ke
Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria
The objective and purpose of the Act as drafted in the bill is
To regulate the safe, secure and peaceful development, production, possession, use storage, transport, transfer, disposal or handling of nuclear and radioactive materials, activities and facilities and other apparatus generating ionizing radiation.
To protect persons, property and the environment in relation to nuclear and radioactive material, activities and facilities and other apparatus generating ionizing radiation.
The bill proposes the establishment of a commission to be known as the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and therefore replacing the Radiation Protection Board. The commission shall be allocated money by parliament for the purpose of the commission. The commission will also raise funds through loans, grants, or from donations.
A system of control over radiation sources shall be established by the commission to ensure they are safely managed and safeguarded during and at the end of their useful lives. The commission shall be mandated to vet and issues licenses to any entity wishing to set up a nuclear facility in the country.
Decommission Fund to Be Established
A Decommissioning Fund administered by the commission shall be established to cater for decommissioning facilities that are either old or no longer functional. The fund will also be used to cater for the management of radioactive waste and spent fuel. The Commission shall issue an authorization to any person wishing to import or export nuclear materials or nuclear-related equipment and technology. All nuclear material shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. Manufacture of nuclear weapons and other nuclear-related explosive devices shall not be allowed in Kenya.
Benefits of a Nuclear Power Plant
Eng. Collins Juma (Standing)
The CEO of Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board Eng. Collins Juma said the idea behind building the nuclear power plant in Kenya is to reduce power cost. The Engineer confirmed uranium will be used to generate fuel to power the proposed nuclear power plant. He further claimed that South Korea is manufacturing goods because of cheap electricity produced through nuclear energy. He concluded by saying that the probability of a nuclear accident is very minimal and can be very dangerous if it happens.
More Civic Education Needed
Mr Macharia
Mr. Macharia who is a resident of Ongata Rongai said, civic education is needed to raise awareness and understanding of such bills. He proposed for such bills committed to public participation, be given to the members of the public early enough and not on the day of the forum.
Former Kajiado Senator Paul Mositet
Former Kajiado Senator Paul Mositet asked how the commission intends to fund the proposed power plant? He claimed Kenya is not capable of managing a nuclear plant considering the high levels of corruption. The former Senator also claimed that South Africa has abandoned plans to increase nuclear plants from 2 to 9. He concluded by challenging local engineers to innovate and develop new cleaner energy sources in order to address our energy needs.
Irene Kamau
Irene Kamau (Director – ACTION NOW KENYA) Said “there is very minimal awareness of the nuclear energy amongst the members of the public. There are safety concerns amongst members of the public in case of nuclear disaster, considering the high cases of negligence in Kenya. The project is a misplaced priority considering the high levels of poverty and even hunger in some parts of the country.”
Gerrson Kiara
Mr. Gerrshon Kiara who is former PS said “Negativity, fear, and politicization of every development agenda is our downside as a country. Kenya should proceed and develop a nuclear power plant. If we borrow the best practices in the world, there is nothing to worry about. Corruption should not deter us from pursuing our development agenda as a country. We must fight corruption and at the same time pursue development.”
Bishop Henry Omae said “Proper civic education needed a way in advance. Documents to be discussed should be shared with the members of the public at least 7 days in advance. The speed at which we are being rushed to pass the bill raises fears of possible brokerage. How will mining or importation of Uranium be handled? Kenyans must be convinced and given assurance for their safety.”
Sophia Katampoi who is a resident of Oloolua ward and environmentalist said “Nuclear Energy is not bad but let us think about the policy before implementing. The energy parliamentary committee is pushing the bill a bit too fast raising concerns of the motive behind it.”
Sophia Katampoi
Environmentalist Chris Muriithi said members of the public require more time to go through the bill. Germany is currently in the process of shutting down its nuclear power plants. Nuclear energy is good, but we should wait until 2050 considering our high levels of corruption.
Shadrack Okenyu
Shadrack Okenyu who is an opinion leader and resident of Ngong said “Nuclear energy is not a priority in Kenya. We should focus on other priorities such as feeding our population. Before proceeding with nuclear energy, we must be convinced that Kenya has exhausted all the energy sources available”
Kaara Waithaka (founder member of Kreative the Hub) said “The government should invest in IT to address some of the challenges we are facing as a country, such as communication with members of the public”
Nyambura Muturi (Leadership & Governance- PHD Student) said: “Singapore did not develop with nuclear energy but gas.” She was countering claims by the nuclear board of Kenya CEO Eng. Collins Juma that nuclear energy was a key factor in the economic development of Singapore.
She further said “US and France are struggling to manage their nuclear waste. The energy parliamentary committee should have gone to Ukraine and Japan to benchmark on the dangers of Nuclear energy.” She was responding to a comment made by Kajiado North Member of Parliament Hon Manje that the energy parliamentary committee had traveled to Russia to benchmark on the nuclear power plant.
Nyambura Muturi
Joseph Maina (CEO, Radiation Protection Board) said “The bill will enhance regulatory systems. We have to put measures to protect radioactive materials against terrorists – KDF & DCI are included in the Act. The board will account for nuclear materials in the country twice a year. The Regional Centre for radiation security will be in Oloolua forest and for training. There are currently 12 nationalities training in the facility. The facility will safeguard nuclear radioactive materials. It is not a nuclear waste disposal facility and it will never be a disposal facility. The bill is a framework to regulate existing radioactive materials and in case we build a nuclear power plant.”
Mr Joseph Maina
Eng. Ezra Odhiambo (Chairperson Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board) said “Building a nuclear power plant is a process which is internationally regulated. To go nuclear we must as a country, increase the energy capacity to 18 Gigawatts (18,000 megawatts)” The current capacity connected to the grind in Kenya is just below 3 Gigawatts (3000 megawatts)
Eng. Ezra Odhiambo
Engineer Odhiambo further said “We must have the capacity to use the nuclear energy capacity. Our economy must also grow by double-digits for the next 10years. If we achieve all the above we will enter PHASE ONE which will involve inspections and assessment of our capacity to build a nuclear power plant. The presidents of Kenya will thereafter make a presidential statement declaring the country’s intention to build a nuclear power plant.”
The plant will cost 500 billion shillings and will produce 1000 megawatts when completed.
The Power plant according to Eng. Collins Juma will be located near an area with large water mass for cooling purposes and therefore eliminating Oloolua Forest as a possible site for a nuclear power plant. The most likely locations would be the coast, Lake region or Turkana County.
A meeting to discuss a proposed private development in Kerarapon, Oloolua Ward was held on 16th March 2019 at Deliverance Church in Embulbul. The proposed project which is facing resistance from some area residents will be developed in a 3 acres piece of land located along Kerarapon Drive.
The project once completed will consist of 10 blocks each made up of thirteen storey (ground + 12 upper floors) residential building blocks and a commercial center. The total number of residential units will be 480. A total of 9 blocks will comprise 2 bedrooms and 1 block will comprise 3 bedrooms.
Mr Njoroge (Kiburu & Associates Ltd) presenting the project environmental impact assessment plan
The commercial block will comprise 4 shop units on the ground floor, 5 shop units plus food court on the first floor, gym and spa on the 2nd floor, and swimming pool, bar, kitchen, storerooms, water tanks on the roof and other auxiliary facilities. There will also be a mini-mall on the commercial building, tennis courts, play area, and a jogging track all around the development. Residents will get permanent membership but outsiders will also be allowed to use the facility. Playfields will be on the 1st floor.
Each block will have 2 lifts to ascend to the 13th floor. The developer is also proposing to build a sewer treatment plant similar to the one which was installed at the 2 rivers mall. The facility will recycle the wastewater with excess water released to the river after being approved by kebs. To sustain the development energy needs, there will be 1000kba electricity power substation and generator in place.
Kandom Property Point Limited which is behind the project is planning to build a massive underground water storage space under the basement. The developer will also drill several boreholes on site but they did not say exactly how many. Rainwater harvesting and tapping into the community water supply services will be considered, to supplement the required water needs once completed.
The project is seeking approval from NEMA and the County Government for Architectural design and change of use from Agricultural to Commercial.
The following Concerns and suggestions were raised by the residents
The meeting was held in Deliverance Church Embulbul
Mr Kenneth Oigo who is a civil engineer said the project once completed and fully occupied may require approximately 40,000 Liters of water daily for domestic use. He said that the volume of water supply is not sustainable.
The current water supply in Kerarapon is not enough even for the current population. The residents receive water once per week.
Drilling of multiple boreholes may affect the water table downstream.
The project is too high and along the flight path bringing safety concerns to airplanes. The residents requested the project developer to share details of approvals from KCAA (Kenya Civil Aviation Authority) the County Government of Kajiado or any other agency. Mr. Njoroge who was leading the presentation on behalf of the developer, confirmed they don’t have approvals from KCAA. The residents also requested the developer to seek approval from KENHA.
A resident claimed the project may add an extra 1000 vehicles on the already congested Ngong Road traffic. In response, the project manager said they are in discussion with Kajiado County Government to find a solution. One of the suggested solutions is to develop the back road bordering vet farm. The residents responded by saying they know very well the road cannot be used and those plans will fail. The project manager suggested the developer may consider building a roundabout if allocated space by the County Government.
Esther Githinji said the residents require a very clear and detailed plan, on how the developer intends to carry out the project in order to deliberate on what to do as a community.
Mr. Mungai said it is clear the meeting was called as a plan B after the developer initial plan failed. He claimed a representative of the developer had visited their home, and attempted to trick a member of the family to sign a document without clear explanation.
The residents present agreed the meeting is not a public participation forum but an awareness meeting to share information with the community.
Mr. Kenneth Oigo claimed the majority of those present during the meeting were connected to the developers. He claimed approximately 90% of the residents were not present during the forum and therefore disqualifying the meeting as a valid public participation forum.
The residents also claimed the area is zoned as a medium density area, which can carry only 3 storey buildings.
Construction vehicles must not use Kerarapon Drive to prevent road damage, and must only use the back road.
One of the residents who showed support for the project was Mr Nangurai . He said the project is a good investment for the community, and there is a probability all the units will not be occupied at once, and therefore the resident’s projections may be inaccurate.
A man who was working in a ‘shamba’ in Kibiku found a bag full of fake currency. The man who is a casual worker alerted the landowner, who in turn reported the findings to a retired area chief. Ngong DCIO office was informed and immediately dispatched a team which collected the fake currency which was in a brown shopping bag. The cash was transported to Ngong Police, where our reporter witnessed the counting. The total amount was Ksh12, 141,000, 6500 Euros, 100 dollars note.
The location where the bag containing fake currency was found.
Residents of Kibiku are calling for the establishment of ‘Nyumba Kumi’ clusters to combat a possible invasion of criminals in the area.
Raw sewage flows openly in all the towns within Kajiado North and parts of Kajiado West. Almost all the rivers within Kajiado North constituency are heavily polluted. Some property owners are pumping raw sewage openly without fear, exhauster trucks are dumping raw sewage daily, directly into rivers everyday in Ngong Town.
Elveza Media will be holding a Town Hall meeting in Sungura Plaza, Ngong Town on Saturday 23rd March 2019 ( 2pm-4pm)
