Saturday, 27 August 2011

Pan Paper workers protest over jobs loses




Written by Rosemary Wachiye
2011-08-27 12:16:00
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Aerial view of Pan paper
Former workers of the stalled Pan Paper Mills in Webuye held protests in the town amid worries over their job lose on what they call conflict of interest among the management.
The government is set to give its decision September over the possible revival of the plant that closed a year ago.
Represented by Mr.Joseck Wafula, the workers disclosed that there is the existence of two centers of power that makes it hard for the workers to know from whom to take orders from.
“There is the Katimbu’s team and Munguti’s team, now we don’t know who is above who and from whom we should take orders,” said Mr.Wafula
The workers demand to be paid their terminal benefits for working for the company that has now accrued to Sh 400 Million.
They complained of lack of communication to them leading to some working under hard conditions with no pay, others have been left out since its closure.
“It’s painful to some of us who left immediately after the company’s closure while there are those who are still working and being paid as usual up to date, it’s so unfair,” said Mr.Wafula
Mr.Wafula also noted that the company was working under bis-mill process that is very uneconomical as it leads to procurement of unnecessary goods for the company that is costly than if the factory was working on full time basis.
They stated all these while addressing the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industrialization Mr. Kibichu Karanja who had toured the company to check on its progress of reviving it.
Attention was directed to embezzlement of funds meant for reviving the factory by the people appointed by the Ministry to facilitate its re-opening. The councilors from Webuye constituency led by the Municipal Mayor Mr.Ali Machani, wanted the outgoing Team Leader of the task force appointed to revive it Mr. John Munguti to account for all the cash bestowed to the company during his reign.
Mr.Machani stated that, “The ones sent here to revive it are taking advantage of factors and instead misappropriating funds meant for procurement,” said Mr.Machani.
“There is also a wrong procedure at the gate of denying entrance to people something that creates a problem giving the locals of the area an idea that that they are there to still,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industrialization Mr. Kibichu Karanja, responded to their complaints by wanting them to realize one fact that the Pan African Paper Mills is a private asset and not governmental. Adding that the governments’ contribution towards it was because it’s for the human interest its revival will offer job opportunities to the people of Kenyan and all the same contribute towards improving economy in Kenya.
“As much as you are complaining and you want the government through our ministry to act there is so little the government of Kenya can do because it only owns 39% of the company shares and the rest, is owned by private sector,” said Mr. Karanja
He stated that Pan African Paper Mills’ shares were owned by Barclays Bank 1.1%, 3.6% by another company, 5.4% by ICDC and 54.8% by the Indian Opin group.
He also surprised the workers in his speech when he mentioned that the closure of the company was a blessing in disguise to the people of Webuye since it gave them an opportunity to live in hardship but there was light at the end of the tunnel of being the owners of the company from the Asians that fled.
He also made it clear to the former workers to note that its revival is the only solutions to all the problems and complains they had risen.
“The monthly turnover of the company before its closure was, Sh.500 Million and there for that means that even in working for only a month the comp-any can be able to pay off the workers and in the next month’s income be able to settle the debts it owes,” said Mr.Karanja
The Pan Paper Mills owed the long term lenders whose loan security was the company’s machinery, Sh.6 Billion, the short term lenders whose security was floating assets, spares, stocks, Sh.1.265 Billion and it owed the non secured creditors who are KPLC, Kenya Forestry and Kenol Kobil, Sh. 1.8 Billion, that totals up to Sh.10 Billion.
With that said the workers have lost hope in its revival, many think it has been a sing song that it will be opened soon but it never comes to pass.
Mr.Karanja stated that the government had released Sh.600 Million, Sh.200 Million meant for operation and Sh.400 Million for paying of the short term lenders.

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

It runs in our blood, our singing talent says, Gloria Muliro the gospel Diva from Bunyore



Written by Rosemary Wachiye
2011-08-09 12:14:00
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Mrs. Gloria Omba commonly known as Gloria Muliro has been a gospel artist since 2005 when she released her first song Omwami alesta which a popular song not just in Western Province despite being sang in luhya language.
Born in the year 1980 in Bunyore at Emanyinya Village, a daughter to Mr. David Muliro and the late Mrs. Esther Muliro and got her primary education in the same village before going to St.Terezas secondary school in Nairobi.
In an interview at the West Fm studio during the interactive gospel Barikiwa show, she disclosed that her music is both in praise form and worship which she was happy to note that it has blessed many.
Her first album, Omwami alesta, is intended to give people hope in life that despite the challenges and hurdles of life, people should never lose up hope because there is a reward a head to all those who believe in God.
The song goes further to explain that there is a God who listens and answers prayers and any time as a believer you call upon him he will be there to assist.
She also stated that she sang the song in luhya so as to identify herself with her origin and her people, but it ended up proving to be a very popular song even among the people outside the province who don’t understand the language but still feel touched by it.
She said that singing has been her talent since she was a child something that she inherited from her parents both her father and her late mother were singers, also her brothers and sisters.
“I started singing even as a young girl something that I emulated from my late mother, I used to like her singing and it made me discover the talent I had. I have nurtured it till now that I can sing before multitudes of people,” said Gloria.
“My dad too was a musician in a way there is a song he loved so much and he will play the litungu to go along with it, it made me realize that music is an art that comes from within,” said Gloria
The challenges she has faced as a gospel artist have been  piracy which she proudly stated that she conquered by finding a cheap way of packaging her recorded CD so as to reduce the cost of production and sell the original CD at the same price as the pirated CDs.
“Right now what I do is to package the records with cheap but presentable material to enable me to sell it cheaply without going at a loss,” she said.
Her voice when she started singing, she says was not good enough and any time she would sing her friends would laugh at her but she never got discouraged she continued trying because she knew what was in her until now she is amazing.
Lack of funding to produce her first album was also a challenge which forced her to seek refuge in River Road but all the same the major issue comes in distribution of the produced music.
“I want the music to reach everyone in the outcasts of towns but it’s a big challenge to me because I can’t mange to get them to every town and suburb.”
Gloria is married to Pastor Ken Omba who has supported her in her musical career and they have been married for a year now and have not had kids yet.
Upcoming artists are always neglected she said but in her opinion since she has been in the same situation before she wants to help those who want to nurture their singing talent in to renown artists.
Apart from singing Mrs. Gloria Muliro is a qualified primary school teacher and also loves performing live at weddings.

Western Province leaders task government on insecurity




Written by Rosemary Wachiye
2011-08-14 11:11:00
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Bumula mp Wakoli Bifwoli, Kwanza Mp Dr. Noah Wekesa  and the Siria Mp Moses Wetangula consoling the wife of the late Deputy Mayor for Webuye Timothy Karandin Wekesa, Mrs.Chistabel Karandini who was killed by unknown people.
Worried by the spate of constant insecurity in Bungoma County and parts of the country, political leaders from Western province  have called has called on concerted efforts of all leaders and security officials to focus more attention and energy on resolving the crises and restoring lasting peace in the nation.
Addressing mourners Saturday at the burial of the late Webuye Deputy Mayor Mr Timothy Karandini Wekesa, in Webuye, they raised their concern over the untimely death of the deceased and firmly profound their feelings towards the killings and the perpetrators.
Former Member of Parliament for Webuye Mr. Musikari Kombo, complained over the laxity on the part of the police in responding to crimes.
 “You wonder wants the work of the policemen if all they do is seat back until when the perpetrators are out of reach is when they want to behave as if they are concerned,” said Mr. Kombo
The MP for Eldoret North William Ruto also raised his concern on the same stating that insecurity was a big problem in the country because it was robbing off talented people like the deceased
“Insecurity is robbing away geniuses, tough leaders and making it hard for us to live safely knowing that anyone can be killed anytime,” said Mr. Ruto
He added that as a nation we should focus our energy on ensuring that there is total security in every part of the country.
The MP for Sabaot Mr. Eugene Wamalwa called upon the government to work on ensuring that justice prevails in the matter of the killing and stated that next week in parliament they will demand to know from the Minister for security to tell the members who did the killing and what action has been done
He also told the press and other stakeholders who might have mentioned something to do with his death to come forward and register statements explaining from whom they got the information to help in the investigation
The Member of Parliament for Bumula Mr. Bufwoli Wakoli also mentioned that Webuye was not as safe as it used to be before where they could come and find safety
“Webuye is not safe nowadays we can’t come to seek solace there anymore,” said Mr.Wakoli
The Malava legislator Mr.Soita Shitanda reiterated that insecurity was not just in Webuye but in most parts of the Western province and paused a challenge to the provincial administration to check on it and improve in their services to Kenyans
“The police department should find mechanism to fight insecurity otherwise it’s too rampant,” said Mr.Shitanda.

Bungoma leaders demand proper economic investment strategy from Govt




Written by Rosemary Wachiye
2011-08-13 14:37:00
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Leaders from western region have attended in full swing the burial of the late Deputy Mayor Mr Timothy Karandini Wekesa who was a civic leader in the Webuye zone.
Many of them joined the mourners to remember the life of the late.
 As usual they could not miss to use the burial as an arena to express their political affiliations and way forward.
The Kanduyi legislator, Alfred Khangati assured residents to look into the issue of the H-Young company that is constructing the Eldoret – Malaba Highway to employ residents of Webuye and its outskirts.
Khang’ati complained of the high prices of sugar being experienced in the country, adding that it’s time for the price of cane to also go up so that the cane farmers can benefit with high profits from the sale of cane to the sugar factory. He disclosed that a meeting is going to be convened with the cane farmers and other stakeholders in the sugar industry to discuss on the sugar price issue.
Wakoli Bufwoli the Bumula legislator, warned the citizens that death should be taken as a lesson that everyone will die, he added to say that the issue of insecurity in Webuye are mainly being brought about by the closure of the Pan Paper mills which was the main source of livelihood for the people of Webuye.
He cautioned the integrity of the people being given the mandate to re-open the Pan Paper mills and said that the government should investigate on them because the money set aside for its revival is being spent but nothing is seen of it.
Wakoli challenged the citizens to work together because those as leaders who have different political opinions and in different parties are in unity.
"It’s a challenge to you people to work together because as the leaders still work together despite our political differences." 
The Member of Parliament of Sirisia Moses Wetangula, called upon the police force to weed out crime in the region,
"We want every resident in Webuye to live in peace and not in worry."
He also urged the residents that during this harvesting season, they should not sell their maize at a cheaper price because they will urge the government to open up the cereals board and give them a chance to sell at a price they will profit.
Subsequently, Mukhisa Kituyi former Kimilili legislator reiterated Noah Wekesa’s sentiments on the re-opening of the Paper Mills and the cost to be incurred.
Present at the funeral were the Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti), Soita Shitanda (Malava) , Alfred Sambu (Webuye), Khanga’ti  ( Kanduyi), Moses Wetangula (Sirisia), Noah Wekesa (Kwanza) ,Wakoli Bifwoli (Bumula) , William Ruto (Eldoret North and former Kimilili legislator Dr. Mukhisa Kitui and they all had a chance to express their political affiliations.


Unite us, Bungoma politicians tell church leaders



Written by Rosemary Wachiye and Nandemu Barasa
2011-07-31 13:23:00
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Dr. Noah Wekesa (L) and Moses Wetangula (2nd R) at a past event.
The call for Luhya unity has gone a notch higher as political leaders from the region now want the church to intervene.
Speaking at the funeral of Mr. Joseck Wasike, the father to Mr. Abiud Wasike a Commissioner with the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC), Dr. Eseli Simiyu decried the lack of unity among leaders in Bungoma County adding that it was the reason for the infamous post election violence in 2007.
The Kimilili MP said that leaders are divided hence there has never been a president from this area. He also blamed President Kibaki’s kitchen cabinet fro disunity in parliament caused by their poor advice to the president leading to people taking different sides.
He challenges elders and religious leaders to help bring about unity in politics despite the different parties and affiliations.
He challenged them to rise to the occasion and summon all the leaders and make sure unity is achieved for the good of the region in economic development.
Speaking at the same function, Bumula Member of Parliament Wakoli Bifwoli (L), echoed Dr.Eseli’s sentiments on disunity among political leaders blaming citizens for not being straight forward with the leaders they elect in telling them their mistakes whenever they go wrong.
“Whenever as a politician I go wrong no one is brave enough to tell me because I have money and even when am wrong, once I give out cash am always praised,” he said.
Wakoli challenged the locals to always challenge their leaders whenever they are wrong arguing that was the only way they can get justice and good service from their leaders and not just to focus on handouts from politicians.
On his part, Sirisia Member of Parliament Moses Wetangula told citizens and his fellow political leaders to support the leaders so that they could register positive results saying that the continued negative pressure and abuses directed upon leaders makes them perform dismally.
“I want to urge you citizens to offer support to their leaders to enable them perform because with negative pressure you are pulling us down,” said Wetangula.
The Minister of Wildlife and Forestry Dr.Noah Wekesa who also attended the funeral, stated that all political parties should come together before the forthcoming election in 2012 to elect one candidate that will go for the presidency.
“As usual the different parties will come together and select one candidate that will take up the fight for presidency in the forthcoming elections,” said Wekesa.
The Bishop of Anglican Church of Kenya Mr. Eliud Wabukala who was officiating at the funeral at the Kamusinga village in Kimilili Division, said that there must be unity amongst all political leader s vying for different seats in the 2012 elections.
He urged leaders to stop fighting among themselves and have respect for each other adding that leadership was from God and need to be respected.
Other dignitaries who attended to pass their condolences were West Fm Chairman Dr. George Masafu, IIEC Coordinator Western Province Patrick Odame, Ministry of Livestock Permanent Secretary Mr. Ken Lusaka among others. 

Sambu encounters a heckling fan fair in his Webuye backyard




Written by Rosemary Wachiye
2011-08-13 18:27:00
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From (L) Alfred Sambu the Webuye MP who received an uncomfortable welcome from mourners for calling upon other political leaders to join the ODM party, besides him is then Saboti mp Eugene Wamalwa, William Ruto (Eldoret North), and Dr. Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani.[Photo RoseMary Wachiye]
Webuye legislator Alfred Sambu received a rather aggressive home ground welcome Saturday during the burial of the late Webuye Deputy mayor Timothy Karandini  at Nangoto area in Webuye for persuading politicians affiliated to other parties to decamp and join the Orange Democratic movement –ODM.
The highly charged political burial ceremony began peacefully; with the Saboti legislator Eugene Wamalwa calling called upon Sambu to defect from ODM to the New Ford Kenya party amidst cheers from the mourners.
 “It’s high time that my friend Sambu joined us on the other side of New Ford Kenya,” said Mr. Wamalwa
Eugene told Prime Minister Raila Odinga to wait in the field since he has a bigger match up front to deal with him.
“I want to tell my brother Raila that it’s not going to work for him this side because we are beyond the cat and mouse game kind of politics and right now we want real politics and not just football games he is used to,” said Mr. Wamalwa.
Consequently, reacting to Wamalwa’s comment, amid to save his political party’s reign and strength as well as save the face of his party leader, Hon.Sambu stood on the platform and responded back saying the only party to be was ODM.
He was forced to seat down by the mocking crowd and as the crowd went bazaar at his speech and refused to calm insisting for him to leave the podium.
That was mainly for lack of tolerance of different views among the luhya community leading to them taking one side and not shifting.
Sambu in his attempt to roar and woe the crowd, his persistence to speak on the platform was shunned off by the angry crowd that gave him no attention.
The situation was later on saved by the Ikolomani Member of Parliament, Dr. Bonny Khalwale who calmed the crowd and cautioned Sambu fro refuting other parties in such a forum knowing well that it consisted of people with different political opinions.
 “That was a wrong move Sambu of trying to dismiss other parties in such a place,” said Khalwale.
 Mr.Sambu was not given another opportunity by the audience to speak as any time he stood to address them they could heckle him down.
However, politicalopponent Mr. Musikari Kombo seemed to be moving the crowd with his insecurity speech wanting action to be taken against the laxity on the part of the police force.
“It’s reported that the police took so long to arrive at the crime scene and yet they are the ones employed to protect us. It has been a trend now in the region as people are killed aimlessly and no action is being taken against the perpetrators, where are we headed, “asked Mr. Kombo

Thursday, 4 August 2011

Que Energy to create a 10.1 Megawatt Nabuyole Power Plant in Webuye




Written by Rosemary Wachiye



Que Energy Eng.Daniel Theuri showing the Area MP Alfred Sambu the plan of the power plant which is meant to begin september and take 18 months to end in raising additional 10.1MW to the National Grid. [Photo/ Rosemary Wachiye]
Bungoma County is set to have its first power plant at a cost of over Sh 2.2billion at the Nabuyole falls in Webuye.
The project funded by Que Energy a private company aims at generating power through the rural electrification programme and to help in stabilizing the fluctuation of electricity.

Speaking at the launch of the project, a consultant from the Que Energy Eng.Daniel Theuri stated that the project will be due in 18 months time commencing September and the funds will go towards putting up four turbines of 8m wide and 4m deep.
He added that before the project begins there was need for officials from the National Environmental Authority- NEMA to carry out a feasibility study on environmental and social impact to the people in that region.
“We cannot start the project immediately since we need to first of all carry out a research on environmental and social impact to the residents of Nabuyole area and consider the set backs and challenges they may face with the project in site,” said Eng.Theuri
Theuri was quick to mention that their paramount attention at most will be ensuring that the water pressure from the hydro-electric machines is releases at the same speed back into the river to avoid erosion of land and environmental degradation.
“Before starting the project we will also consider the effects it will have to the environment, mostly on the issue of water pressure from the power machines back to the river which should be at the same pressure to avoid soil erosion that is a form of pollution,” said Eng.Theuri
An aerial view of the Nabuyole water falls and below one of the falls.
He also called upon leaders including the area Member of Parliament, District Officers, chiefs and assistant chiefs to help in sensitizing the public on the benefit they will have from the project.
Mr.Alfred Sambu the area mp,  who was there to officially launch the hydro-electric power station, stated that the power station will produce 10.1 Mega Watts of Power which he said was equivalent to approximately Sh100, 000 per hour totaling up to Sh2.4 Million per day.
Mr.Sambu urged residents of Nabuyole region to own the project and take it as an opportunity to invest in business ventures since the finished power plant was bound to attract investors from outside and he wanted them to be the first ones to benefit from the project.
“I want to urge nabuyole area residents to take this project as an opportunity fro them to benefit economically, socially and financially,” said Mr.Sambu
He also challenged the unemployed people to take up the upcoming jobs from the power plant and in that way it will enable them earn a living
“Residents can also see this as an employment opportunity and maximize it through helping in construction of the power plant,” said Mr.Sambu
 He added that the station will be selling its power energy to a National Grid in companies like Kenya Power and lightning Company and that 10per cent of the money generated from the station will go towards development of the constituency and part of the profit will go towards social responsibility
Mr.Sambu added that as the Vice Chairman of Budgetary Committee in Parliament he aimed at subsidizing production and not consumption

Webuye and Matulo residents still puzzled over Deputy Mayor Karandin killing




Written by Rosemary Wachiye





Residents of Matulo in maraca Village of Bungoma County many questions still surround them over the killing of their Deputy Mayor Timothy Karandin who was brutally shot by unknown gunmen.
Many say they have lost a leader, not just any leader but one of his own kind who would stand independent as long as he knew he was right no matter the consequences and where the crowd was moving.
Further, they say, “The deputy mayor always passed unopposed in the polls for the whole five years he has been in office.
Karandini Wekesa, a father of two with one wife was killed on 2ndAugust 2011 at around 8.45 pm in his home when he had just arrived and was parking his car before two armed gangsters approached his car and shot the side of his car door and the bullet passed through and caught him on the leg just above the pelvic bone.
The postmortem results show that he suffered from severe internal bleeding which led to his death, the investigators at scene also noted that there was no external bleeding at all, basing on the lack of blood spots at the scene.
A dog was found dead at the banana plantation evidence that the dog was killed earlier before Mr. Karandini went back home to avoid the dog from barking to create suspicion at the compound.
The armed gunmen are alleged to have also arrived earlier at the home of the deceased and set a strategy of killing him.
The housemaid to the deceased disclosed that she had opened the gate for him then went back to the house leaving the door open as usual waiting fro the boss to enter but after a long wait and she didn’t see him she then heard a shot outside, that frightened her and the children of the deceased she then ran and closed the door and went with the children to the bed room in fear.
The wife of the deceased Mrs.Chistabel Karandini (centre). [Photos /Rosemary Wachiye /West Fm]
Then came another shooting which they suppose was the one that was targeted towards the deceased before the  voice of the deceased crying calling for help, the housemaid was still in fear so she went to the main door and shouted to the neighbors for help.
The neighbors then came though also in fear but since they didn’t have the means to take him to hospital. They resorted to call the police and the area chief.
The police took long to turn up at the scene and it forced them to go to the home of a bishop who owned a car who came to transport him to hospital.
After they were long gone in like an hour’s time is when the police men arrived in the home.
The deceased was first taken to Webuye District Hospital then to Lugulu Mission Hospital but he died before reaching the hospital.
Different reactions have been raised about his shooting and death, many blaming the police men for their slow response to crime and something that many a times leave the perpetrators to go scot free
Many say that if the police would have turned up on time they might have saved his life.
The car door where the bullet passed.
Wednesday, parliament discussused over the matter and the Assistant Minister for Internal Security Mr. Orwa Ojode, stated the occurrence at the scene and paused a challenge to the police to do their work.
“If I find any laxity on their part in doing their security work then I want to promise Kenyans that I will definitely transfer all of them,” said Mr.Orwa Ojode
He sited the example of Eldoret town where  there was high rate of insecurity and the policemen were relaxed in carrying out their work and he transferred them to other places and vowed to do exactly the same in areas like Webuye, Bungoma and Kakamega.
The area Member of Parliament for Webuye Mr. Alfred Sambu said he was waiting for the results of investigation before making any comments.
The area Member of Parliament for Kimilili Dr. Simiyu Eseli raised concern over grassroots leaders dying over insecurity and being killed unceremoniously by unknown thugs. He cited examples of the former mayor of Kitale, former KNUT secretary who was buried over the weekend and the previous Bungoma Mayor who was brutally murdered in his home at Mandizini Estate in Bungoma.
“In all of those cases, no person was caught, no witnesses and no case was filed since the investigation could not link anyone with the murder” said Dr. Simiyu Eseli
He stated that many political and charismatic leaders in Bungoma county were at risk if the security in those areas were not looked into, adding that it was a big failure on the parts of the police force if leaders keep on being killed and there perpetrators go scot free
“I want to pause the challenge to the assistant minister for internal security, to ensure that this time round fro this case the perpetrators are caught and justice be taken upon them,” said Dr. Simiyu Eseli
“It’s a pity that we have police officers and yet thugs and gangsters are at liberty to do unlawful acts and are never caught,” said Dr. Simiyu Eseli