World Environment Day :The importance of tree planting and its protection

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

The salient of trees and forestry cannot be overlooked with the target towards a greener environment and country. In Western province, the move to plant more trees is on starting from Webuye town, Teso, Mumias, Luanda, Busia and Mbale. This is a project prior to the World’s Tree planting day on 5TH June, and it will foresee the greening of and beautification of the towns as trees are the major contributors towards good aeration and clean environment.  Speaking with West Fm the District Environment Officer (D.E.O), Bungoma East, Mr. Duncan Osale stated that the ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources have disbursed Sh1.28 million towards funding the project. “The funds will be used to buy seedlings and fertilizer, wires for fencing round the planted trees, buy park seats in Muliro garden, reinforcing of the fence in the garden and to pay the labourers,” said Mr. Osale. Bungoma East District Environmental officer Mr Dancun Osale The project started on 1st April and its set to be on until 30th June this year and the ministry through the District Environment of Bungoma East targets to plant approximately 5,000 trees by the end of the project. He said that the project is aimed at promoting ‘Kazi kwa vijana’ in the regions and it has so far 65 youths who have embarked on planting the trees around webuye town. “We have started with the town area along the main Webuye-Kitale road and we will go all the way up to Sango. The youths that are helping with the planting are being paid Sh250 per day as a way of earning them a living, “said Mr. Osale. The project aims to make the town green through planting trees in various places like, the DEB primary school, government officers and Muliro Gardens. Apart from planting new trees, they are also bringing up the dead trees that had been planted earlier in the region. He also added that the trees planted on the road side will be fenced round to protect them from damage by animals or pedestrians, “Since the ministry has pumped in so much money we don’t want this project to fail in any way and therefore, we are fencing round the trees to ensure maximum safety from animal and human destruction,” said Mr. Osale With an increase in the number of trees in the regions, then this will foster development in the region. Cutting down of trees is the major threat to lack of well preserved forests in the areas as so far there is only the Malava and Kakamega forests which are already facing depletion through destruction fromcharcoal burning and carpentry. Mr. Osale challenges such destructors to instead focus on planting more trees once they cut down others.

Misikhu primary school roof blown off by rain storm

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

A heavy rain storm blew off the roof of Misikhu Girls primary, in Bungoma East, destroying a dormitory, a class, a teacher’s house and latrines that were fallen on by huge trees that surround the school premises Wednesday.

The pupils were in class when the incident took place but some of the pupils stated that they had a bang from the boarding section of the school and when they retired to their dormitories after their evening classes they found their books and beddings rained on and the whole dormitory roof flown off.

“We were in class when it was raining then we heard a bang but did not know what had caused it,” said Sheila Mung’oma a class seven pupil.

“Our books have been rained on, our bedding, food that we had in our boxes and right now we are left with nothing. It’s so bad that whatever happened yesterday happened,” said Caren Wamachali the school captain.

As much as there were no people harm towards the pupils, the school head teacher, Mrs .Judith Wafula complained of the massive damage the rain had caused the school.

“The damage caused by the storm felling trees on our classroom, a teacher’s house and the blowing off of the roofs form the girl’s dormitory will cost us Sh1.5 Million to reinstate the school back to the way it was,” said Mrs.Wafula.

However , she was quick to add that the learning procedure in the school has not been in any way affected by the occurrence, though some of the affected pupil’s books have been rained on and the pupils that used to sleep in that building to be forced to be relocated to the other dormitories.

“The affected pupils have been well accommodated in the other dormitories and there books have been aired out to dry,” said Mrs.Wafula.

A teacher at the school, Mrs.Bertha Mukusi urged the Ministry for Education to incorporate in their curriculum in teachers training institutions to train the teachers on the relevant skills of damage control and disaster management to equip them to handling any occurrence of the same case.

“Teachers should be taught disaster management in the training institutions to enable them to handle such occurrences as the one for yesterday,” Mrs. Mukusi.

Coffee farmers urged to increase productivity in Western Kenya

Written by Rosemary Wachiye and Trix Luvindi

The Kaptola Coffee Cooperative farm in Kimilili. Photo/ West Fm/ File. BUNGOMA COUNTY: The Coffee Board of Kenya has revealed that coffee production in Western province was low despite the fact that the price has been increase. Mr. Timothy Otachi the Coffee Advisory Officer for Western Province noted that farmers in region need to be educated on better farming and marketing methods. Speaking at a consultative meeting with farmers at the Bungoma County Hall, Otachi urged them to treat coffee farming as a business rather than subsistence farming because coffee is a cash crop meant to generate profit. “Arabica coffee prices have been marked to improve from Sh50 to Sh70 per kilo gram (Kg) over the last year and therefore, there is a need for the farmers to increase their farm produce,” said Otachi. Otachi was categorical in the need for coffee farmers to learn new marketing strategies that will enable them to sell their produce to the highest bidder. Bungoma Coffee farmers who attended the annual general held at the Bungoma county Hall. Photos/ West Fm. This has been made possible with the introduction of free trade. He hoped that in three years time the farmers in different regions will have their own mill for milling their coffee products. The farmers were encouraged to keep holding coffee education days to educate each other on better farming practices. They were urged to hold field days to conduct demonstrations on farm practices where they should invite relevant guests from the Coffee Board of Kenya who can add informational value to their meetings. Coffee farmers were also cautioned to be weary of illegal coffee trade that leads to loss of income, loss of revenue as well as decline in production. The meeting was held a week after Kaptola Coffee Society Factory management and supervisory board elections were held with almost the former officials making a strong come. Three weeks ago, the annual general meeting turned chaotic as members without notice demanded for elections as a result of discontent with the management but on the centrally only one board member was shown the door during the elections. Kimilili District Co-operative Society Officer (DCO) Mr. Lawrence Mitunda challenged the new management team to work together with purpose of empowering farmers economically. He said by re-electing them, it shows farmers had a lot of trust hence urged them to show competence that would see farmers improve on the quality and quantity of coffee production. Similarly, William Kusesi the new chairman for the cooperative society, disclosed that World Bank will offer training to farmers on modern coffee farming and strategic management skills geared towards increasing productivity and income to farmers.

Anastancia Mukabwa — A musician leaving a mark in the gospel music industry

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

From street begging, the praise and worship Gospel singer Anastancia Mukabwa has grown to a celebrity mainly known for her hit song kiatu kivue that has inspired many.

In an interview at the west fm studio Anastancia describes her life in simple words, as one who did not have a chance to good life as such since her father died while she was still young and left them with their mother alone.

Born in the outskirts of Busia town in Western province she is a luhya from Banyala tribe. She attended both her primary and secondary education in Mombasa.

She is married to her long term husband and has been blessed with two children.

 She explains her marriage life as the reason for her getting saved.

When she got married, her husband was an Islamic believer and she could not stand the Islamic religion’s law of allowing men to marry up to four wives, so she tried to fight her husband’s move to marry another wife.

“I was advised to seek help from many places but after trying hard and none of them seemed to work out and that’s when I resorted to get saved and place all my problems to Jesus,” said Anastancia.

She went on to narrate that her husband changed his mind about marrying another wife and later on he also got saved.

Singing to her is a talent that she describes as a calling from God, as soon as she got saved she decide to dedicate her singing to the Lord.

“Singing to me is a calling from God and the words I sing come from God himself,” said Anastancia

Her first album was umenitoa shimoni, which did not hit the market as the next album, kiatu kivue but she never gave up hope in singing.

She has released songs in different languages like luhya, Zulu and Swahili. Her Zulu song, nzinzilela which she recalls to have got in a dream means that Lord receive praises because there is none like you.

Her hit song, she says is the one she sang in collaboration with the Tanzanian renown artist Rose Muhando , kiatu kivue, she recognizes Rose as her mentor who has helped her nurture her singing talent to what it is right now.

“I met Rose at one of her concerts in Mombasa long time ago, after performing on stage she called me aside and told me that God had commanded her to help me grow in my singing and she has been true to her word,” said Anastancia

The song kiatu kivue, meaning people should ieave behind their sinful lives and follow Christ, the same way Moses from the Bible was told by God to remove his shoes at the mountain after coming from Egypt.

Her other song anayekudharau siku moja atakusalimia kwa heshima she says describes her current life in reference to her past.

After her father past away they had to live hard life and at some point she had to beg for basic necessities but right now she is happy that those who looked down upon her right now respect her for what she has become.

“I am happy for what God has done for me he took me from nothing to what I am today and I just want to tell those who feel discouraged by their current lifestyle not to worry because as an example God can change you from nothing to something,” said Anastancia.

Panpaper Mills to take off under a new name

Written by Amugasha Kalengeka and Rosemary Wachiye 2011-08-01 15:27:00 Read 430 Times

A series of meetings has been held to chat on modalities to resuscitate the ailing Pan African Paper Mills in Webuye according to areaMp Alfred Sambu. Sambu disclosed that, he has been liaising with the Prime Minister and other stakeholders to ensure that Africa’s largest paper mill gets to its feet once again. Speaking at St.Mathews’ ACK Secondary School in Webuye during the school’s annual general meeting, Sambu said that the defunct factory will resume operations under a new banner: The Webuye Paper Mills. Sambu emphasized the need for a three tier approach to education management with teachers, parents and students working hand in hand to ensure the overall success. The MP challenged schools in Bungoma County to bring out the best candidates in the republic while reiterating the importance of youth empowerment through education. On the same note, the MP said that residents should take part in budget creation. He noted that Webuye constituency has pegged most of its CDF money on education with 51per cent of the total allocation channeled towards education bursaries and educational infrastructural development. The legislature said he is to facilitate a water project to serve at least 1.2 million people and push for the revival of the chemical factory in the constituency.  Speaking at the same venue, livestock permanent secretary Ken Lusaka recapped the need for leaders in the region to tackle issues affecting their subjects in stead of traversing the country campaigning for political posts. The permanent secretary asked residents to take advantage of the tannery that is set to be erected in Bungoma on December this year.

Government committed to the revival of Pan Paper factory says Raila

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Prime Minister addressing mourners at the home of the late Deputy Mayor, Mr.Timothy Karandini Wekesa who was shot by unknown people at his home in Webuye accompaning him are the Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Transport Minister Najib Balala, Roads minister Frankline Bett, Minister For Regional Development Fred Gumo, the assistant Minister of Metropolitan Mrs.Elizabeth Ongoro and Assisant Minister Office of the prime minister Mr. Alfred Khangati the Webuye legislator Alfred Sambu, and Shinyalu Mp Mr. Justus Kizito.  The government is set to announce the revival of the Webuye Pan Paper factory next month, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said.. Raila assured the Webuye residents who are former workers of Pan Paper factory that it will be re-started and the government was to give its feedback on the same by 2nd Sept this year. "I know the factory was a livelihood source for most of you and I give you my word that as a cabinet we will ensure that your source of revenue is brought back," said Raila. The Premier is further noted to have said that the government had released Sh1 billion for the revival of Pan Paper in Webuye but a few issues including the change of name, technology and the supply of wood was still holding back operations. This he had disclosed during the official opening of the Butali Sugar Company early January after the Sabatia legislator Musalia Mudavadi, had implored the PM to disclose to the Western Kenya residents, what happened to the Pan Paper Mills in Webuye shortly after the factory was opened in the run up to the referendum. 2010 July 28, President Kibaki reopened the paper mill after two and a half years of closure. The plant, however, grounded to a halt after two weeks when three of the mills closed down, sending more than 400 employees who had just been recalled, back home. Prime Minister Raila Odinga also challenged the security officers in Western Kenya to be more vigilant in carrying out their duties to combat the escalating incidents of crime in the region. Speaking at the home of the late Deputy Mayor, Mr.Timothy Karandini Wekesa who was shot by unknown people at his home, Raila said, “It’s a pity for such a young leader to die so soon through the hands of unknown criminals, “assuring that it does not matter where the perpetrators originated from but he will ensure justice prevails. The Prime minister was in the company of his wife Ida Odinga, the Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Transport Minister Najib Balala, Roads minister Frankline Bett, Minister For Regional Development Fred Gumo, the assistant Minister of Metropolitan Mrs.Elizabeth Ongoro and Assisant Minister Office of the prime minister Mr. Alfred Khangati the Webuye legislator Alfred Sambu, and Shinyalu Mp Mr. Justus Kizito.

Predicament of a jigger infested family in Kanduyi Constituency

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

They only take a meal a day, sometimes they go without food, they have torn clothes to wear, they walk bare feet and live in a dilapidated house with dusty floor only convenient for the breading of jiggers and flea. This is the life of a family from Sikalame, Kanduyi Constituency who are all infested with jiggers from the mother to the last born of the family. The older child, has known no other better life than that of being gnawed by the jiggers and is used to it, and has no other explanation for the young ones who have also come to be part of the suffering. The setting is of a single mother Ms. Everlyne Nekesa and her three children aged six, five and eight months respectively. They live in abject poverty a situation that has been made worse after the demise of their father a couple of weeks ago. He died after a long illness coupled with blindness and whose body was also a feeding ground for the jiggers.  “The house we live in, is in bad shape it has no floor and we live in it just like that yet the jiggers have spread all over, in our clothes and every where we sit, we beg for people’s assistance,” said Ms. Nekesa. Besides the jigger menace, the family has lost their piece of land after a relative sold it off to a church that has already put up structures to the wall of their tiny house leaving them with no space for farming.  “We have no farm to plough so that we can plant some food for our survival, the only plot we have has been sold by my son in-law and left us a small portion where the house we live in stands,” she lamented. Though there has been a Good Samaritan Mr. Joseph Murunga from the same region who has come forward to assist them and took them for medication at the Webuye District Hospital where they are getting treatment and extraction of the jiggers, they still want more people to come to their rescue. During their father’s burial, well wishers contributed an approximated Sh75, 000, but it is such a pity that the mother and her three children have not tested a single cent from the money. The family wants the intervention of the provincial administration so that the relative can leave them alone. However, Ms. Nekesa could not disclose the name of the relative explaining that if she did, she will be endangering her life as well as her children’s lives. Area Assistant Chief Mr. Godfrey Okumu confirmed the claims by the family and stated hat he had received complains from Mrs. Nekesa and he took to advising the man but still it didn’t work. What is surprising is that even with the confirmed number of times the woman has reported for help to the administration, nothing has been done.

Nzoia Sugar and Red Cross (Bungoma) give back to the Turkana community

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Red Cross regional representative Richard Walukano handing over the donations to Nzoia Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility officer, Mr.Daglas Wekesa.  A community is the backbone to any company it makes up the workers, the neighborhood and therefore, there should be a mutual co-existence between any company and the community around it. Nzoia Sugar Company this week donated foodstuffs to the people facing hunger and drought in Turkana through Red Cross branch in Bungoma. Ms Valentine Mutaki the Bungoma Red Cross branch coordinator revealed that as an organization that is out to help the needy people in different parts of the country, they had sent requests to different business companies in the country in regard to feeding the people of Turkana. “We sent requests for donations from companies all over the country, but so far only Nzoia Sugar Company responded and we appreciate what the company is doing to the community,” said Ms Mutaki Nzoia Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility officer, Mr.Daglas Wekesa stated that the organization’s response to the request from Red Cross was to buy different kinds of foodstuffs and send them over to Turkana to rescue them from the hunger escapade. “We have donated 21 bales of maize flour, 5 cartons of cooking fat, 150 Kg of beans and 250 Kg of sugar towards helping the hunger stricken people in Turkana,” said Wekesa He added that as part of Nzoia Company’s corporate social responsibility it was going outside the sugar belt and sugar zone to give assistance to the needy and not just the communities around it who contribute sugarcane to the company. The Public Relations Officer of Nzoia Sugar Company, Mr. Joseph Kawa revealed to West FM that it was not the first time the company was donating to the needy as in 2009 the company donated food to the people in West Pokot. ” Its not the first time for us to do this as in the year 2009, the President declared hunger to be a public concern and so the company contributed food and took to the people of west Pokot towards saving the needy. It’s always our duty to give back to community and we yield pleasure in doing that,” said Kawa. The Regional Representative of Kenya Red Cross in Bungoma, Mr. Richard Walukano welcomed the gesture and called upon other organization to follow in the sugar company’s footsteps towards serving the community. “we appreciate the efforts of Nzoia company in contributing towards helping the needy in the country and we just want to ask other organizations in the same capacity to contribute and help people in need because in doing so people feel happy associating with them,” said Walukano.

New management takes over the defunct Pan paper Mills in Webuye

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Dr. Joseph Muliaro. Pan African paper mills has been put under new management of Dr. Joseph Muliaro Wafula, a lecturer at Jommo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) who takes over  as the team leader of the task force appointed to revive the factory. This comes just a day after the former pan paper workers complained of poor management by the outgoing team led by Mr.John Munguti and called upon the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Industrialization Mr.Kibichu Karanja to act upon their grievances and help revive the paper mill. Dr.Muliaro has been appointed by the Ministry of Industrialization to spear head the revival process of the factory a task that has been on since its closure 3 years ago. “As much as I accept that the factory is under bad state I am confident with my plans towards reviving the paper mills which the previous reign did not have,” said Dr.Muliaro. He promised to ensure coherent leadership towards resolving the existing problems of division among the technical team that had been caused by a confusing chain of command from two rival principles. He has stated that he will come up with a comprehensive production plan that is cost effective in ensuring that all the procurement problems were catered for. Dr.Muliaro has stated openly that the only solution to all the problems facing pan paper workers and former staff is the revival of the mill which through its working will enable the factory generate cash that will pay off the debts owed to all the short term and long term lenders and unsecured creditors. “Am working towards the ultimate solution to all the problems by ensuring that the factory starts working in the shortest time possible so that we can be able to pay workers and the creditors,” said Dr.Muliaro. “The only way for the company to start is by having a breakthrough with the negotiation with the receivership, once that is finalized then there will be so little left for the factory to start,” said Dr.Muliaro. He promised to work on creating a friendly environment around the paper mill and with the former workers of the factory that will enable them deliver. The lack of communication that was eminent with the previous team, he stated will not be experienced in his reign. He also made it clear that his appointment to office was not based on his tribe as a luhya from western province but his expertise in technology and in as much as the residents around the factory were excited about it he wanted them to note that he has the skills to revive it. “I want to urge the community to extend a good will and support towards reviving this company and when they do that then we will work well together and see that it starts working again,” said Dr.Muliaro.

Bills avoidable by conserving water, says WASREB officials

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-06-12 12:16:00 Read 430 Times

Water Services Regulatory  Board’s Legal Officer, Ms Benadete Njoroge speaking at the West Fm studio on their service. The Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) is determined in providing quality water services to the citizens in the country and that it is reaching out to every citizen in the country through the mass media, West Fm inclusive. In a live interview with West Fm, the Board’s Legal Officer, Ms Benadete Njoroge stated that WASREB’s contributions are ensuring that all citizens get clean water from the water companies I the country, it also deals with asset and community development “I want to tell the public that as WASREB our responsibility is to ensure that the public get provide clean water from the licensed water Boards so incase of any shortcomings by their water companies they can report to their offices for stern action to be taken,” said Ms.Njoroge The water companies registered under WASREB include: Nzoia Water Services Company (NZOWASCO) in Webuye, the Western Water Services in Kakamega, Busia, Kapsabet, Eldoret Water Sanitation Company, Amasi in Maseno, Kaimosi, Mbale and Majengo. Ms.Njoroge stated that WASREB has an agreement with the water service providers on the quality of service to provide to the public. It also regulates the water prices and ensures that the water that runs back into the river is treated and clean. “I urge Kenyans to be cooperative in paying the water bills because there is no way they expect the water to be free of charge and yet it costs the water companies to obtain the water from the rivers, clean it  and make it safe for their use,” said Ms.Njoroge Water leaking from a pipe, an issue that residents have been told to ensure it does not happen as a way of conserving water. Ms.Njoroge also pleaded with the public to avoid wastage of water by leaving it to run while doing other chores, she also cautioned the use of hose pipes outside the house for irrigation since by doing so, they will be denying supply to other people. “If we misuse the water at our disposal then it will not be enough for all the people in demand for water,” said Ms.Njoroge SThe Regional Manager of Nzoia Water Services Company (NZOWASCO) Mr.Joseck Maloba stated that after obtaining it from the river, they clean and treat the water for human use through filtration then distribute it to the users. He added that as a company NZOWASCO also dealt with the sewerage services by cleaning the dirty water and treating it before releasing it back to the source. He informed new customers who wished to register with the company to visit their offices in Webuye and pay subscription fee of Sh.300. He also assured their customers that incase of water supply failure, then they should be assured that in less than 7 days the problem will have been worked on and their water reinstated.

Bungoma County residents demand employment from H-YOUNG Road construction company

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Residents of Bungoma County led by their leaders stormed the busy Kanduyi – Malaba highway road near Siritanyi halting transport for hours expressing their disappointment over empty promises from a road contactor H YOUNG to offer them jobs. Led by the vice chairman of the Bungoma county council, Mr. John Nanyakha Weyusia the councilors from Bungoma County stated that H-young Company had gone against the rule of employing 80% of its workers from the region it was working in and 20% from other region. “its ironical that H-young has done the opposite of that by employing 80 % of its workers from other parts of the country and 20% from the region,” said  Mr.Nanyakha They wanted H-Young Company to open more communication channels with public when carrying out its recruitment of labour through advertising in public notice boards, local radio stations and advertisements. They also wanted the management of the construction company to open more recruitment centers  in webuye to represent Bungoma East, Mabanga to represent Bungoma central and west districts, kanduyi to represent Bungoma South, Kimaeti to represent Bumula district and Amagoro to represent Teso north and south districts. They were keen to note that incase the company fails to find skilled people among the locals then it’s when it can go ahead to recruit skilled people outside the county. They called upon the Personnel Manager, Mr. Frankline Bur to listen to their grievances but to their surprise they were not allowed to enter the gate leading to the company’s offices at Kanduyi. “Its such a bad show that leaders can come all the way to have a dialogue with the management and end up being locked out, if this disrespect is bestowed upon leaders what will be done to a common man?” asked Webuye Mayor, Mr.Ali Machani The Bungoma Municipal Mayor, Mr. Patrick Sulechi together with the other councilors did not give up hope but resorted to addressing the crowd of angry citizens at the gate who demanded the attention of the management. “we are giving H-Young up to Monday next week if they will not have agreed to recruit our people then we are going to block all the roads they are working on to stop their work and demand them to leave our county,” said Mr.Sulechi. They also complained to have invited the management of H-Young to their meeting but they did not turn up, a move that they found disrespectful to them.

The plight of a mother with six sets of twins

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

35 years old Ms. Gladys Bulinya a jobless mother of six sets of twins  35 years old Ms. Gladys Bulinya is a jobless mother of six sets of twins living alone with ten of her twelve children, five sons and seven daughters after being shunned by her community due to belief that giving birth to twins is a curse. She gave birth to her first set of twin boys in 1993 when she was still in school and she had to leave them in hospital although later their paternal grandfather decided to take care of them and they are now under his custody.  She was later abandoned by her first husband after giving birth to her second set of twins something that was brought about by pressure from the in-laws. She tried to get her way back home with the children but her family also refused to let her in and instead her elder brothers chose a husband for her and forced her into second marriage. In her second marriage of nine years with Mr. Robert Namungu, she gave birth to four sets of twins leading to the total 12 children. In hospital after giving birth to her last sets, her husband left claiming to get money for her discharge but that was the last time to ever see him. She explains in pain of how the community since then in 2010 has shunned her completely stating that she was a bad omen and that she was possessed by evil spirits by giving birth to twins all the time. In her native Bukusu community she explains that it was believed that a woman who gave birth to twins was possessed and needed cleansing before being allowed to interact freely with the other members of her community. “I never got a chance to be cleansed as the community required and that is why since then I have been treated like an outcast in my own village in Lugari and no one wanted to be associated with me,” explains Ms. Bulinya in agony. She has now been left with a big burden of taking care of 10 of her children single handedly. She lives in fear of what the future will be like for her children if anything was to happen to her now. “I have a huge task of taking care of my children alone since both my two husbands abandoned me, my own family doesn’t want anything to do with me and they have forgotten all about me,” said Ms. Bulinya. She narrates her plight full of hardship that she has since been coping with, joblessness in this era where the price of every necessity has shot up and she has nothing to provide to ten hungry mouths of innocent children. She once got a well wisher, Mrs. Beatrice Kivitu who offered her a place to stay in Nzoia area but she was still expected to work at people’s homes to get means to feed her family. She later  got help form one of her employers, Mr. Muliro Telewa who  highlighted the story on international news  on BBC which led to a team of old students of Loreto Matunda Girls coming up to assist her. She also got help in March this year from an American national Mr. Donald Shanon after her story was highlighted on a local media house who offered to take her as his child and the children as his grandchildren and help her. Mr. Shanon brought her from Nzoia to Bungoma town at Jewels for Jesus Orphanage in Kanduyi where she is residing. But just when she thought that at last she had found refuge and permanent help, the well wisher disappeared to his home state and until now she has never heard from him. “He promised to buy me land, build a house for me and my children and provide us with food and clothing but he has not lived up to his promise,” says Ms. Bulinya. Ms. Bulinya is calling upon well wishers to assist her get a place and help her put up a house where she can stay with her children. She fears for the future of her ten children incase the people in the orphanage where she is living now get tired of her and decide to throw her out. “if there is anyone out there with a heart to assist me, please I only ask for someone to get me land and help me put up a house where I can stay with my children because they are a big number and its not easy for anyone to accept to accommodate all of us in his or her home,” said Ms. Bulinya. Two of her inseparable twin sons go to school at the St. Idda Boarding Primary School in Nzoia where one of them is being sponsored by an England lady, while the other son has no sponsor but at least has been allowed to learn in the school through the mothers request as she looks for a sponsor. The other six children two aged 7 years, two aged 5 years and two aged 3 years, are learning at Sinoko DEB in Bungoma thanks to the Free Primary Education programme but she still has to pay for examination fees and purchase other requirements. “My children basically exist because of help from well wishers who have got them uniform for school, shoes and some even offer once in a while to pay fees for them but the problem is with the other twin in boarding who has no sponsor am worried he will be thrown out of school if I don’t find a sponsor soon,” says Ms. Bulinya. Any well wishers can contact her on 0716 560 879 or at the Jewels for Jesus Orphanage in Kanduyi next to IGC ministries.

WASREB notes improved water services despite setback from govt institutions

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

WASREB officials from L: Isaac Ruto, Patrick Munialo and CEO Robert Gakubia. [Photos/Rosemary Wachiye-WestFm] The Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has acknowledged improved services in the past three years due to good management and funding. WASREB’s CEO Eng. Robert Gakubia while he spoke exclusively on West Fm said much ground had been covered in the provision of water services and was looking forward to more improvement and satisfaction to their customers. At the same time, the Nzoia Water Services Company (NZOWASCO) Managing Director Eng Patrick Munialo stated that water reforms had led to an increase in investment in the water sector that is worth 2.6 billion consisting of 10km3 in Kitale, 7800 m3 of water in Bungoma same to Webuye and Kimilili that will last up to the year 2025. He also said that the company had developed extensions to ensure every region gets water. “This has led to massive improvement in coverage from 15percent to 70percent hoping to get to 100percent soon,” he said. Eng Gakubia explained that WASREB is all about regulating how the companies perform ensuring that the citizen's interest is given first consideration. He said: "We are the ones who make all this happen, it’s everyone’s right to get water services keeping in mind that the water companies must make a profit out of it."  WASREB CEO Eng. Robert Gakubia. Monopoly of companies like NZOWASCO and Lake Victoria North Water Services Board (LVNWSB) in their regions ensures good service to citizens. The government has strategies put in place and set standards that work towards supporting the company and their customers' interests. And according to Mr. Isaac Ruto the Provisional Manager, Nzoia cluster 1 is in Webuye and Bungoma to be completed next year is expected to cost 2.1 billion. The second phase in Mumias cost 3.7 billion adding that Japan has contributed 1.2 billion to fund the Kapsabet water project, the Water Services Trust Fund has contributed Sh4000 and UNICEF has given Sh44 million to fund the Busia project. The Government has disbursed Sh288, 000 billion to every district in the ongoing projects. Eng Munialo stated that the challenges NZOWASCO faces are not being able to supply water to everyone having around 33% of the kenyan population without water. In the 15 years of service ensuring customers’ needs are taken care of; NZOWASCO collaborates with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation to ensure the water is well treated for use.  Mr. Ruto assured the water users to gain trust in the water they provide as it’s well treated and doesn’t require to be retreated before use. Reacting to the water problem Maeni area of Bungoma County, Mr.Ruto said that it was due to shortage from the source that has been caused by dry season in Mt.Elgon. He urged Kapenguria residents to join so that the government can be able to fund and develop sustainable water projects following complains that they do not get water supply even when they construct dams. Eng Gakubia pointed out on government institutions such as hospitals, schools and parastatals as being among the main contributors of water shortages because they do not pay their bills in time. He urged those institutions to pay their bills so as water providers can sustain water services to them and other users.

Bukusu elders seek peace with Sabaots

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Bukusu elders at the peace meeting. Bukusu elders from Trans Nzoia and Bungoma Counties are holding a three day peace forum organized by the FPFK organization to reach a consensus on matters affecting the relationship between the Bukusu and the Sabaot communities that live in Mt.Elgon. The FPFK organisation that deals with peace and rights between communities is  advocating for social peace and justice for both the tribes. “To achieve social peace and justice in these two counties then its elders’ role to lead the community through guidance,” said the FPFK Programs Coordinator Mr. Festus Mukoya. The elders have been picked out from the two counties as peace makers from the communities they come from so as to spread the message of peace to their community. They elders are being trained towards preventing emerging conflicts, resolving conflicts and containing escalating power struggles at the community level. Political leaders have been blamed for being the main cause of conflict in the warring communities because of the inequitable distribution of resources in the area making some members feel left out and marginalized. “Poor resource distribution among members of a community is the root cause to most conflicts that emerge in a constituency in the unequal distribution of resources by members of parliament in their area,” said Mr.Mukoya He called upon elders to come up and deal with the fight s and wars in the community by preaching peace among the members since they are the respectable people in the society. By the end of the three day forum the Bukusu elders will then organize to meet the Sabaot elders on October 17, 2011 to discuss the way forward and reach a consensus towards peaceful co-existence between the two communities that have been at loggerheads for long.

School management boards told to create proper mechanisms to carter for students with special needs

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Primary School Heads and school management board members listen to an Education officer Mr. Elija Owiti during a training workshop in Bungoma. [Photo/Rosemary Wachiye/WestFm] Head teachers, chairmen and treasurers of primary school management committees in the Larger Bungoma District are have been enlightened on the importance of good management and administration in schools towards improving school and student performance. Officers from the Ministry of Education who are the facilitators of the event and are keen on ensuring that the school management boards  are well versed with good management skills to improve performance in schools. An officer from the District Education Office in Bungoma District, Mr. Elija Owiti urged the members to ensure that the physically challenged pupils are accorded necessary attention and create a way to make them feel as equally as important as any other normal children.  “Ensure your teachers are all round to be able to handle both the normal children and the physically challenged pupils and offer their services,” said Mr. Owiti Primary schools are divided into Early Child Development (ECD), Lower primary from 1, 2, 3, middle primary class 4, 5, 6 and upper primary class 7 and 8. Mr. Owiti told the ECD teachers to nurture the children by teaching them in mother tongue language before teaching them English and Swahili. He added that computer teaching should begin at an early age for easy grasping. He said that intelligent quotient depends on the development of a child since childhood. “If you delay a child to learn he becomes an idiot and if you teach him fast he becomes a genius, parents should take their children to school early for better growth,” said Mr. Owiti Continuous assessment tests, he said, were very important and that pupils should regularly take the examination to monitor their performance and judge how the child has learnt. The schools were urged to always have a benchmark of comparing themselves with the other good performing schools so as to be able to judge their performance in regard to the other schools.

Passengers in Bungoma stranded as police intensify crackdown on faulty vehicles

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Passengers in Bungoma town scramble for a Matatu van. A police crackdown in the towm led to withdrwal of vehicles on the road by owners to avoid being arrested for failing to comply with traffic rules. [Photo/Rosemary Wachiye/WestFm] Passengers travelling to various destinations from Bungoma town were left stranded on stages over the weekend following a traffic crackdown by traffic police. The crackdown led to many vehicles being withdrawn from the road for failing to meet the required standards as the officers swung into action and arrested those found not to be in compliance. The few Matatu operates who satisfied the officers made a kill as they hiked bus fare as the many passengers scrambled for the few vehicles. Students and even the sick were not spared as they all had to wait for the few vehicles and when they were on stage, it was everybody for their selves as they struggled to get a seat. “We have no means of travelling and yet most of us are parents who are taking our children back to school, it’s very bad for us to be treated like this yet we are not to blame for the bad conditions in some of the vehicles,” said one of the passengers. Speaking with west fm, most public vehicle operators that ply the route described the crack down on vehicles as abrupt and unexpected something that has caught them unawares leading to a missive loss on their part as they now have to evade using that road. “We didn’t expect such a thing to occur in a way its punishing us but more so punishing our passengers who are now stranded,” said one of the touts at the bus station. Some of the passengers were forced to use motor bicycles while others squeezed themselves in the available public service vehicles. Motorcycle operators ferry stranded passengers to teir destinations at a hiked price.  Most matatu touts and motor bicycle operators took advantage of the situation created by the crackdown by hiking the travelling bus fare to almost double the normal price. People with luggage were seen standing at the bus station undecided on what to do with the rise in travelling bus fare and the lack of vehicles to transport them to their destination. The matatu touts however complained of the action taken by the police officers to be of malice because they revealed that most of the vehicles caught during the police inspection had no offences and there were no explanation as to why they were caught. “The police seem to be only after getting cash from us because even brand new vehicles that are without an offence have been caught and we don’t understand why,” stated one of the matatu touts.

Over 2,500 Webuye locals suffer from Malaria weekly

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-07-14 16:22:00 Read 475 Times

A Webuye resident receives a mosquito net during the governments nationawide net distribution exercise. [Phot/Rosemary Wachiye/WestFm] Malaria is among the leading killer diseases in Bungoma East district, a senior health officer in the district has revealed. This revelation comes in the wake of distribution of Mosquito treated nets across the country in a bid to curb the deaths associated with the disease. A routine survey carried out in the area by the District Surveillance Officer from the Webuye District Hospital Mr. Samuel Malenya; found out 1,118 adults and 1,076 children under the age of five years had been reported to have suffered from the disease for the week ending July 9, 2011. According to Mr. Malenya, the government had tried to implement the domestic spraying in homes but it was not as effective as had been expected thus the decision to issue treated nets to Kenyans. He also added that children under five years and expectant mothers are more prone to contacting the disease and that is why previously the government used to give priority to them in issuing of treated mosquito nets. The statistics within the same week show that 4 children under five years died of malaria while adults infected with the infection got well after treatment. Mr. Malenya refuted the fact that issuing of nets to the residents is the ultimate solution to preventing malaria infections and instead suggested that apart from issuing nets the government should organize for health education to the people so that they can be taught on how to make proper use of the nets. He said that it had come to their notice that people never use the nets for the rightful purpose but instead use it for other purposes like fencing of nursery beds, flower beds among other activities not intended for. Mr. Malenya warned the citizens from just speculating of suffering from a certain disease before going to the hospital to be tested and confirm what they are suffering from. “Citizens should always go to the hospital lab to be tested so that they can know what they are suffering from before taking medicine because in most cases they just speculate but they may not be having the disease,” said Mr.Malenya. “The symptoms may be like that of malaria but it may not necessarily be malaria they are suffering from, people should come to hospital and be tested first before taking any medicine,” said Mr.Malenya. Mr. Malenya quoted that in the recent research, children under five years who were taken to the hospital claiming to be suffering from malaria were 888 but after testing only 589 were diagnosed to be having the disease. He has set two weeks period after the issuing of nets in the region and a survey will be done to check if there will be any changes in the malaria infection rates in the region. He hopes that the malaria infections will reduce but if it doesn’t health education will be applied. “If the malaria cases will still be on the lead after the two weeks we will have health education on public barazas to train people on how to protect themselves from malaria infecting mosquito,” said Mr. Malenya.

Webuye District Hospital decry shortage of staff

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-08-19 17:12:00 Read 273 Times

Webuye District Hospital is appealing to the government to increase the number of medical personnel and stock enough drugs in public health centers in the area. According to the hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr. Bitta Ceaser, the quality of care is affected by a work force shortage that is overwhelmed in handling the huge capacity of patients.  “Most of the doctors have to work extra hours to at least reach out to most of the patient on time,” said Dr. Bitta. Adding that they are doing their best but the hospital has about 140per cent to 150per cent of patients requiring medical attention which is 50per cent higher above what they can manage. “We would like to call upon the government to employ more nurses and medical officers to enable us serve the people well,” said Dr. Bitta Amid complaints from the area residents that the patient wards are always congested, Dr.Bitta stated that they have a plan to construct a bigger ward that will be able to carry the large capacity of patients hence help to solve the problem. He also said that he envisaged a better environment for patients and better facilities if only the government would come forth through the ministry of Health and Sanitation to fund the expansion of the hospital wards and purchase of more equipments. “We are limited on the services we offer because of the lack of enough facilities in the hospital hence we can’t help in all medical emergencies and can only offer basic x-rays and basic ultrasound,” said He said he would like the government to intervene because the funding from the Community Development Fund of Sh 200,000 is not enough to cater for the construction of the new ward and above all as a district hospital it deserves to get more than the other sub-district hospital because of the many patients they serve. Dr.Bitta highlighted on the new method of preserving dead bodies that they will adapt soon which is known as embalmment that is affordable and preserves for a longer period and above all leaves the bodies with no bad stench. “We will start up the embalmment process of preserving bodies and I believe its time we moved away from freezers that preserve for a short time and produces bad stench ,” said Dr.Bitta The embalmment cost only Sh1000 which is quite affordable to most citizens and the body can stay as long as two years without decay. Webuye District Hospital is the only hospital in the region that produces its own oxygen inside the hospital parameters to be used on patients, it also offers bio-chemist tests and soon will be among the first to offer the embalmment services. He dismissed the claims that Webuye Medical Training Institute students are the ones who attend to patients in the hospitals and vowed that at no particular incidence are the students left alone to attend to patient without supervision by a medical officer. “We may be lacking enough staff but the MTC students are strictly here for learning purposes and they are always under supervision in order to be allowed to attend to a patient,” said Dr.Bitta.

Bungoma KNUT officials challenge KUPPET to call off their strike

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

The KNUT Lugari branch chairman Kepher Kisali addressing teachers outside the branch office during last weeks' national teachers' strike. [Photo/ Joseph Amunya]

Kenya National Union of Teachers officials Bungoma East Branch are calling upon the KUPPET officials to end their strike like they did stating that it was KNUT’s idea to start the strike but right now the KUPPET officials are capitalizing on it to begin their own.

Speaking to the KNUT executive secretary in Bungoma East District Mr.Aggrey Namisi, he challenged the KUPPET officials to be brave enough as an independent union body to call off their own strike and not to sit around and wait for KNUT officials to begin a strike for them to join in.

This comes two days after KNUT called off their strike and called upon the primary school teachers to embark on teaching.

Learning in primary schools has resumed as per Monday morning as most teachers reported to their duty and pupils settled in for learning.

“We are happy to note that most schools have resumed learning after we called off the strike yesterday,” Mr.Namisi

Though the government did not give in fully to the teachers demands led by KNUT, it at least gave into 90% of what they demanded  and  agreed to employ 18,000 who are right now on contract basis on permanent and pensionable terms by next month and another 5,000 teachers by January next year.

Mr.Namisi stated that he hopes that the government will live up to their promise and also pay the arrears it owes teachers who were promoted to job groups L, M, N and P within the next one month.

He expressed his disappointment on the way KUPPET officials were behaving because according to him it is rather obvious that the government would not loosen its belt so much and gave in to the little they could and so it defeats purpose when KUPPET officials still insist that their strike is still on.

However, the KUPPET chairman Bungoma District, Mr. Masai arap Bokose, still insist that despite KNUT calling off their strike, the government has not fulfilled all its promises. First he expressed his disappointment on the government failing to raise teachers medical and transport allowances to be similar to those of civil servants as it had promised.

“The strike is on in secondary schools until when the government will act upon what we want,” said Mr.Bokose.

Despite that learning in most secondary schools was on as usual and speaking to the Deputy Head Teacher at St.Marys Girls secondary School in webuye, Mr. Joseph Lusweti, stated that as teachers they considered the students welfare to be priority more than their own benefits.

“Teaching is going on as usual because at the end of the year, when the results come out, teachers will be answerable for the students performance and there will be no excuse about the strike,” said Mr.Lusweti

Mr.Lusweti also called upon the KUPPET officials to rethink their more and allow the teachers to teach as their continue with their negotiations with the government so that at the end of the course everybody benefits.

Mr.Namisi also wished the KUPPET officials all the best in their endeavor and hoped that the government will give in to their demands while also replying to the Prime Ministers sentiments last evening that the teachers should not just focus on strikes but children’s performance.

“I want to tell the Prime minister that by us striking we show concern about the students welfare and we were addressing the falling standards in performance in schools that is brought about by lack of enough teachers to teach,” said Mr.Namisi.