Pan Paper to re-open next week

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-10-13 19:24:00 Read 647 Times

Workers walking into Pan Paper mills webuye, below the Pan Paper revival team leader Dr. Muliaro Wafula [Photo/Rosemary Wachiye]   Former Pan Paper Mills workers who lost their jobs after the collapse of the paper factory are now all smiles on learning that the factory is set to re-open from Monday next week.   The former workers are full of hope and optimism of retaining their former jobs after languishing in joblessness for years.   According to the Pan Paper revival team leader Dr. Muliaro Wafula Pan paper is set to re-open and start production on October 17, 2011 after one and half months of revival plans by his team.   Dr. Muliaro said that the management and technical team has been working to ensure that all the procurement processes are cleared and production of paper set to begin.   “We have received all the materials we need for paper production and through the government support we have purchased enough to see us through the production,” said Dr. Muliaro.   While addressing the former workers of the factory, Dr. Muliaro, assured them to resume work on Monday as the first machine will be opened on that day revealing that all the machines would be opened by November 1, 2011.   He also added that they have acquired enough wood from the factory’s forest and for now they have stored about 20,000 m3 of wood in the factory and have a contract of receiving another 300,000 m3 as they continue operations.   “The wood we have is more than sufficient to ensure the factory runs for a whole year, as the factory crushes only 750 m3 a day, Pan Paper has been on contract with Timboroa forest, Kiptagat and Mt.Elgon where it provides seedlings for them and they sell back the mature trees at subsidized price,” said Dr. Muliaro.   The transportation of the wood to the factory he said will start immediately as they have already cleared with the transporters, assuring the workers that soon there will be continuous flow of wood to the factory ensuring that as the factory re-opens it will run without interference.   “Everything is set all we need from you workers is maximum cooperation, respect and discipline, with that the factory will run well without any problems, we also call upon any one with good ideas that will help us improve to feel free to do so,” said Dr. Muliaro.   However he stated that Pan Paper Mills is still under receivership, and the government through the Ministry of Industrialization has been holding talks with the short term and the long term lenders and agreed that the factory begins working through which they will be able to pay back the debt owed to them by the former owners of the factory.   One of the former workers of Pan Paper Mr. Joseck Wafula on behalf of the other workers expressed his gratitude to the efforts put towards the revival of the Paper factory under the new management and the government’s concern and funding towards its revival.   “We are more than glad towards this good news, it is the best news we have heard for a long time now and we hope that this time round it is not just going to be the normal singsongs that we have been hearing from politicians that it will be opened but even before we resume duties, it closes down,” said Mr. Wafula.   “As workers we have suffered enough since its closure and we want to believe that this is now the ultimate answer to our prayers and the end of our pain, stress following the lack of income,” said Mr. Wafula.

New Ford Kenya leaders criticize use of negative politics to woo voters

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-11-20 16:07:00 Read 329 Times

The New Ford Kenya leaders, Malava MP Soita Shitanda and the Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa at the Matulo RC primary in Webuye where they led a campaign rally for their member ahead of the forth coming civic by-election. [PhotoI Rosemary wachiye] The Webuye West residents have been called upon to seize from dirty politics of distributing leaflets with information against candidates vying for the vacant seat of the ward’s councilor and instead to focus on development. Saturday, the New Ford Kenya Party organized the second major Campaign rally in Matulo R.C primary school a week prior to the by-election for the Webuye West Ward on 28th November. Speaking at a political campaign rally in Matulo R.C primary school prior to the by-election for the Webuye West Ward on 28h November, the aspiring presidential candidate who is also the mp for Saboti Eugine Wamalwa, called upon the residents to decease from painting others negatively as a way of making them lose votes from the people.  “Those who are participating in the leaflet distribution and dirty politics as a way of spoiling for others are only showing their fear to lose, they should come out and be ready for a challenge and face it instead of insulting others,” said Mr.Wamalwa. Minister for housing Mr. Soita Shitanda who is also the New Ford Kenya party chairman also criticized the behavior by some of the Matulo ward residents who have been reported to be moving around making phone calls across the ward threatening people against voting for some candidates. Mr. Shitanda stated that bad politics of threatening opponents and their supporters is a thing of the past that should not be condoned; he wanted the people participating in such acts to stop and instead use the energy to prepare for the forthcoming by-elections. “I have heard that there are those who are calling and threatening people on phones and I want them to realize that such a behavior in politics is a thing of the past that they should seize before the law catches up with them,” said Mr. Shitanda.  Former Industrialization Minister Mukhisa Kituyi also called upon the Matulo residents to come out in large numbers during the voting day to be able to vote for their favorite candidate who will represent them. Speaking at the same function at Matulo Ward, former MP for Budalangi Raphael Wanjala called upon the luhya people to vote as a block for their presidential candidate comes next year so that they strengthen his chances of winning the seat. “As the people from Western province we should all support our presidential candidate the same way people from other places support their own and by doing so he will definitely emerge victorious,” said Mr.Wanjala. Politics of development took centre stage at New Ford Kenya rally in Matulo Ward as various candidates for 2012 elections came out expressing their aspiration and their plans if voted in to the different positions.

Two suspects arrested with AK47 riffle in Webuye to appear in court on Monday

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-09-25 10:27:00 Read 736 Times

Suspects Peter Gitahi (left) Anthony John (right) in court after they were arrested with an Ak47 riffle and 22 rounds of ammunition illegally in Webuye. They appear befor a Webuye court on Monday for a second hearing. [Photo/Rosemary Wachiye/WestFm] Two men found in possession of AK47 riffle illegally and 22 rounds of ammunition will appear before a court of law on Monday, police have said. The two, identified as Peter Gitahi Nginjari and Anthony John Mataro were caught in possession of the lethal weapons after a chase between them and police officers in Webuye town, on September 21. The patrol police suspected the car the two were travelling in registration number KAQ 244 and decided to follow it. However, after noticing they were being pursued, the occupants of the car who were four refused to stop but instead fled in high speed from Kwa Dina junction in Webuye and escaped through a bar along Nyanga Street. Two of them managed to escape but the police are still following crucial leads to nail them while the two who were arrested and being held at the Webuye Police Station, help in investigation. They will be taken to the Webuye law courts for the second hearing of their case. They were charged of being in possession of fire arm and 22 rounds of ammunition of 7.62 mm caliber without a certificate which they both denied.   The mention against them was done at the Webuye law courts on Sept 22, at 2.30.pm where the Principal Magistrate Mr. Enock Cherono ruled that they were to be released on a bond of 500,000 but after a little persuasion from the accused he reduced the bond to 300,000 for each of them. Mr. Cherono however stated that they will not be granted the bond until after the second hearing of their case on Monday. This comes just a month after the brutal murder of the Webuye Deputy Mayor Mr. Timothy Karandini with a similar riffle brand AK 47. The authorities are carrying out investigations to ascertain if the bullet recovered at the scene of the shooting was fired from the riffle to also ascertain if they are linked to the murder of the slain politician. Police also are following leads whether the suspects are involved in a series of crimes reported in the town and the region at large.

Bungoma County leaders support Pan Paper re-opening, says Wetangula

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-11-06 17:46:00 Read 538 Times

Sirisia Mp Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula and Webuye MP Alfred Sambu address workers at the recently re-opened Webuye Pan Paper factory. [Photo|Rosemary Wachiye|West Fm] The revival of the Pan Paper Mills in Webuye has catapulted political activity in Bungoma County with leaders jostling to be identified with the revival. A host of legislators have been seen making visits to the factory since its re-opening with the area MP Alfred Sambu being the first one to tour the paper factory and Sirisia MP Moses Wetangula being the latest after he paid a courtesy call to the factory on Saturday. While addressing the workers, Wetangula stated that the leaders from Bungoma County will cooperate with the management and give it support both financially and politically to ensure that the mill is sustained. “All the leaders from Bungoma County are supportive of this revival and on their behalf I would like to promise our maximum support towards the sustainability of the mill even if it means soliciting for more funds towards its maintenance we will do so,” said Wetangula. The Foreign Affairs Minister pledged that political leaders from the region will not interfere with the revival process of the factory but will be on the look out to ensure it runs successfully. “As Bungoma leaders we will not politicize the revival of the factory but we will not sit back and watch it fall apart as we did the last time. We are going to be on the look out to see it working continuously,” pledged Wetangula. He also stated that the government was on the forefront in the revival process and it had so far released Sh1.6 Billion to fund its initial re-opening. “The government has shown interest in Pan paper since it was the backbone of Webuye town and a source of employment for most of Webuye residents who during its closure suffered a lot, that is why the government is doing all it can to ensure the mill does not close down again,” he said. He also urged the leadership of the factory to work together and to share information with the government whenever need be so as to prevent the closure of the factory. He called upon management to recall back all the former workers of the factory without being biased except for the senior management posts that may need expertise skills. “The management should ensure all the previous workers of Pan Paper are recalled back unless if some got jobs elsewhere or died otherwise for those still around and in need of a job should be given first priority in the employment exercise,” Wetangula urged. He added that the revival of Pan Paper is good news to Bungoma County as a whole since it will bring back the peace and security in the region that had been lost since its closure.

Chebini parents lock school head in office, accuse teachers for poor performance

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2012-01-05 16:58:00 Read 279 Times

As parents across the country continue to react sharply to poor performance by schools, Chebini Primary school parents in Webuye Thursday morning matched to the school and locked the head teacher in his office over poor performance. The parents of the poorly structured school in in Miendo area, Bungoma East District, accused the school head Mr. Vincent Kituyi and his teachers of being the main cause to the poor performance by last year’s KCPE candidates. The school managed a mean score of 182 marks with the first pupil scoring 312 out of the possible 500 causing outcry from the parents who also want Kituyi to be transferred. They blamed him for having poor managerial skills and lack of proper working mechanisms that has failed the school. At the same time, they blamed the teachers for being lazy and non-committed to their work and called for their immediate transfer. There was tension and confusion at the school as it started its first day of the year until officials of the Kenya National Union for Teachers (KNUT) Bungoma East branch came in time to salvage the situation that was almost going out of hand. The officials led by the Secretary General Mr.  Aggrey Namisi (pictured below) calmed down the situation through dialogue with both sides. They gave a chance to the parents to express their views and after which the teachers responded and they finally arrived at an amicable solution. “As KNUT we would like the parents to understand that as much as the role of teachers is to teach and the parents also have a role to play in ensuring better performance of their children,” said Mr. Namisi. Namisi expressed his concern over some of the parents’ of sitting back throughout the academic year to wait for the results to be announced for them to come forth and complain blaming the teachers who have played their role. “Most parents never cooperate in issues for development in the schools when called upon, they never attend harambees, or annual meetings which have important agenda towards improving performance yet they are the first ones to complain whenever an issue arises,” he charged.. However, he challenged the teachers together with the parents to discuss and find out where the problem could be and come up with a way forward to better the academic performance and discipline in the school so that come the end of the year when the results come out, there would be no blames.

Receivership hurting Webuye Paper Mills operations, says Muliaro

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2012-01-17 19:42:00 Read 448 Times

Barely four months after its revival, Webuye Paper Mills is making huge losses as it faces a daunting challenge of getting ready market for its paper.  The paper sales are slow and this has been blamed on its receivership by the government.  According to Dr. Wafula Muliaro who is spearheading its revival, the factory has produced enough paper for sale but it cannot sale off the paper easily since it does not have its own account for the income to go through and all its finances goes back to the government.  He has stated that being under receivership keeps the factory under revival and testing mode instead of being in full operational mode thus making it hard to make profits from the sales made.  Dr. Muliaro (pictured) has dismissed the claim that paper made from pulp no longer has market as perceived by a section of critics, stating that only reading and writing paper has been digitalized but industrial paper has not and it is still being made from pulp.  “Pan Paper will never lack market for its paper, since 90 per cent of its produced paper is for industrial use and production of cartons and heavy density paper for packaging purposes,” said Muliaro.  He revealed to West fm that there is 3,500 metric tonnes of paper in the factory’s warehouse waiting to be sold while there is a pending order of 9,000 Metric tones from factories in Kenya that is yet to be cleared.  “Most of Pan Paper factory’s previous major customers are back as they find importation of paper to be very costly and time consuming and will rather get easily and fast from here,” he said.  This January the Pan Paper factory has officially received ETR and pin certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the management hopes that that will be a get through to it being able to carry out paper business easily with no hindrance.  According to him, once Pan Paper has been turned into official operation then they will be able to sell out paper and the money generated will be ploughed back to the inputs of the factory, they will also be able to run, plan and execute the processes in the factory effectively.  At the moment the workers’ pay is being settled by the government through the Ministerial revival grant.  He at the same time acknowledged the recent case of power being cut on 16th January 2012 following the delay to clear electricity bill for the month of December 2011 but affirmed that the issue was under control and that soon it will be settled and the factory would be back into operation as before.  The once busy factory, was deserted and in total silence following the power discharge as workers were forced to go back home as they could do nothing.  “We believe the payment will be done in the course of the week and  the factory will start operation soon, let it not be any cause for alarm to any of the stakeholders because it’s a small hitch that is under control,” said Dr. Muliaro.

Is the idea of new national schools a mirage in Bungoma County?

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2012-01-16 19:15:00 Read 475 Times

As most schools upgrade to National schools in the country, Lugulu Girls High School in Bungoma County has reported a disappointment in the criteria used in selecting students for the form one intake by the board concerned early this year. According to the Dean of studies in the school Mr. George Ochago, before its upgrading the government had promised to select students to join the new national schools according to the schools of origin putting into consideration that 20 per cent was to come from the School’s district area, 40pc from the county the school resides and the remaining 4pc from other parts of the country. However, after the board selection, only one student has been selected from Bungoma East District, 30 students from the whole of Western province, 50 students from Rift Valley Province, 30 students from Central Province, 30 students from Eastern Province and 30 from Nyanza Province. Earlier, at PCEA Kimuka Girls Secondary School in Kajiado North, the Permanent secretary in the ministry of education Prof James ole Kiyapi defended the Secondary School Form one selection criteria. He said that the 48 National Schools allocation was fair and based on strength of student’s performance in all the counties. He cited that private schools had 17 percent of total candidates who sat for the last year’s KCPE compared to 83 percent to that of public schools. The ratio of private to public schools allocation to national schools was 1:2 meaning 35 percent of national school places were allocated to private schools and 65 percent went to public schools. “I am happy that the minister launched the form 1 selection which is unique as it was done in the spirit of the new constitution to promote equity, access and geographical diversity”, the PS had said. Dean of studies in the school Mr. George Ochago However,Mr. Ochago has expressed his concern over the issue stating that when the school was a provincial school, most of its students used to come from Bungoma County and the change that in its intake system is a sign that Bungoma County has lost one of its treasured schools. “If the government in its first intake has not lived up to the promise it made earlier, there is no guarantee that it will ever follow that criteria which is as good as saying that Bungoma County has lost its school,” said Mr. Ochago. A school that used to take in students from Western Province will now have most of its occupants from other parts of the country and hence lose its western touch. Just like the other upgraded schools in the country Lugulu Girls High School in Bungoma County is preparing itself to receive its first form one students on 6th February 2012 since being officially pronounced a national school last year. It has received Sh.12.5 Million out of the expected 25 Million to carry out renovations in the school and construction and upgrading of the school facilities to meet the national school standards. Some of the new building that have been under construction in Lugulu. “So far we have renovated 10 dormitories, 24 classrooms,2 laboratories and 2 Home Science rooms and we aim to change the school’s outlook to fit a national school level,” said Mrs. Helen Anyanga,Lugulu Girls Deputy Head teacher. Mrs. Anyanga has disclosed to West FM that the biggest challenge faced in its upgrading is changing the school’s diet which will lead to a rise in the school fees which the continuing students that joined the school before its upgrading may not easily adapt to. The teachers looked psyched up for the big challenge ahead of beating the national academic standards, stating that they have been close to a national school all along and it will not be hard. With its first selected student attaining 433 marks, and the last one with 293, 122 among the selected 217 from Private sponsored schools and the remaining 95 from Public sponsored schools in the country.

KCSE candidates warned against engaging in exam malpractices

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-10-19 10:35:00 Read 476 Times

Friends School Matulo Girls form four candidates sit for their 2011 KCSE exams. [Photo|Rosemary Wachiye|West Fm] The long awaited national examination of Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE) has  entered its second day today with candidates still exuding confidence of performing well. The candidates in schools from Bungoma East have shown their confidence tackle the exams and come out successful. The form four students for Friends School Matulo Girls school showed their focus to be basically on the examination that they have been preparing to sit for, for four years now. The schools Deputy Headmistress Pamela Wachiye has called upon the candidates to consider their behavior during the exam period since their behavior dictates a lot on how they will perform in the examinations. Mrs. Wachiye has also called upon the students to adhere to the set Kenya National Examination Council regulations so that they will not be caught going contrary to the rules and risk being disqualified. “There are set regulations that the students are expected to follow so as to be able to perform well and not to risk being disqualified leading them to miss chances in colleges,” said Mrs. Wachiye. She mentioned rules like arriving at least 30 minutes early at the exam rooms for the exams, picking only one paper for the exam, no movement in and out of the exam room when the exam is in session. The Headmistress of the school Mrs. Dorice Nyongesa on the other hand stated her confidence in the candidates’ preparation and that they are ready to sit for the exam and she knows they will perform well. “The students have been well prepared to sit for the examinations and I believe they will perform extremely well, we finished the syllabus on time to give the teachers enough time to revise with them and they are set,” said Mrs.Nyongesa. Mrs. Nyongesa also added that the candidates have been exempted from carrying out chores in the school compound so as to give them enough time to revise for the exams during this examination period. The Supervisor of the national exams in the school, Mr. Simon Wekesa states that his team is well prepared to supervise the exams well up to the end of the exams. He added that they have put measures to stop any irregularities in the exams from taking place like well scrutiny of the students before they sit for the exams. “We have put measures to ensure that all the exams run smoothly since that is our main objective, security is in place and we believe that all will e well until the candidates finish exams,” said Wekesa. The students on the other hand appeared ready to take the  exams through their calmness as the few we interviewed spoke of the good preparation they have put like revision of the previous exams and reading extra time to achieve their target.

Marell Academy announced top nationally in KCPE after error discovered

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-12-29 16:47:00 Read 946 Times

Marell Academy stakeholders, teachers, parents and pupils in jubuklation after the KNEC announced them the best nationally after corecting an error made in the release of the examination results.  [Photo/ Wachiye RoseMary] Marell Academy holds the all-time private primary school record for brilliant performance nationally and in Bungoma County, with a mean score of 411.81 that is 1.3 points above the top school nationally, that had a mean score of 410.52.  The difference popped up yesterday during the official release of last months’ Kenya certificate of Primary Examination (KCPE) where it had not featured came as a big surprise to teachers and parents of the school. [Read: Busia, Uasin Gishu and Nandi Counties shine in 2011 KCPE results http://westfm.co.ke/index-page-news-bid-4239.htm] However, complaints from the school’s stakeholders, teachers, parents, and the director Marell Academy in Bungoma town, the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) corrected the error made in the raking of schools making it the top performing nationally. The school that enrolled 31 candidates had 27 pupils scoring above 400 marks and only 4 with less than 400. The top student Lawrence Peter got 431 marks followed closely by Adalla Andrew with 430 marks, Monica Waswa with 429 marks, while the lowest pupil scored 391 marks. Kanduyi MP Alfred Khang'ati and the Director of Marell Academy Mr. Elis Ominde besides on of the candidates who emerged top in the school Sikuku Benedict. The Director of Marell Academy, Mr. Elis Ominde expressed his disappointment over the issue of the school not being listed among the top schools in the country at a press conference held in the school compound a day after the Minister for Education had released the official results. Mr.Ominde stated that while other schools were celebrating their success, Marell Academy staff, parents and pupils who sat the exam were mourning the fact that even after performing better than the top school, their school was not recognized at all. He called upon the Kenya National Examination Council to correct the error made in the ranking of the schools and announce it officially as the top performed school. “This is a form of injustice to our school after the endless efforts by the pupils and the staff, it’s so painful to learn that you have succeeded but no one has recognized your success,” Mr.Ominde complained. KNEC officially announced the correct results, apologizing for the error made, something that called for celebrations in the school with the whole group of teachers, parents and pupils singing and dancing in jubilation. One of the Pupils who sat for the exam, Sikuku Benedict, called upon his fellow students to keep working hard and keep the candle of hard work of Marell Academy burning in the schools they will join next. A parent in the school, Mr. James Kihali stated that Marell has always been at the top and they were shocked in this year’ results to find it left out from the list of the top schools.

Matulo FYM school loses class roof during storm

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-10-27 10:42:00 Read 551 Times

Part of the roof that was blown off during the Wednesday afternoon heavy down pour in Matulo primary school in Webuye. [Photos/ RoseMary Wachiye]   Staff and members of Matulo FYM school in webuye were left in shock Wednesday afternoon after the  roof of four classes were blown off.   The roof of a block of four classes that include classes 5, 6 and 8, was easily blown off by the storm since it’s an old building in the school that had not been renovated for some time now.   The head master of the school, Mr. Fredrick Masinde Simiyu said that it was by chance that none of the pupils who were in the classes got hurt but there was still damage of property.    “None of the pupils was injured in the incidence, though they were rained on and their books destroyed by the rain water, “said Simiyu.   Explaining how  it occurred he says, it was unexpected.    “It has caught us by surprise since w did not expect this, though the building is among the oldest buildings in the school,” said Simiyu.  Pupils going home  after the rains, below, the Head master of the school  Mr. Fredrick Masinde Simiyu. The chairman of the Board governing the school Mr. Alfred Masinde, expressed his griefstating that it’s a big blow since the pupils will lack where to learn from, and called upon all well wishers to assist put up other class rooms and renovate the already existing classes to prevent such occurrence in the near future.   “We call upon all governmental and nongovernmental organizations to come in and assist the school to put up other classes and also help repair the already existing classes that are old so that we don’t experience the same,” said Mr.Masinde.   The pupils were forced to go back home early after the occurrence since they had no place to carry out the learning.   Less than two months ago, the Member of Parliament for Webuye, Mr. Alfred Sambu donated Sh. 600, 000 to the building of a classroom block at the Mihu Primary school in Webuye and another Sh.400, 000 to completion of a classroom at Muji Primary in the same region, yet there is a school like Matulo FYM in his region that is all surrounded by old classes that were inherited from the Matulo Girls High school after it constructed other classrooms and shifted.   The Constituency Development fund is also funding the construction of storey buildings at the Lugulu Boarding Primary schools to serve as classrooms and dormitory, the same effort should be shift5ed to such local schools like the one in question to enable the pupils to have a better chance to compete with those in developed schools.   The pupils in this school will be faced with a hard time in all weather conditions be it rainy or sunny since their classrooms will lack the cover.   There should also be a set standard as to which kind of projects the CDF fund should facilitate and the conditions of the school to evenly distribute the fund in schools.   Matulo area at the moment lacks a councilor following the death of the area councilor Mr. Timothy Karandini, hence a big challenge to the one who will take office after the forthcoming bi-elections on October 28th to look into such matters.

Nzoia’s Sifuna urges Govt to rehabilitate roads

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-12-22 11:20:00 Read 313 Times

Hon.Lawrence Sifuna(left) ,Mayor Bungoma Municipal Council Mr. Patrick Sulechi, Dr.Muhammud Said First Deputy Governor Kenya Red Cross[Photos/ Rosemary Wachiye] Nzoia's board of directors Chairman Lawrence Sifuna has appealed to government to draw up a programme of constructing and rehabilitating roads in all parts of the Bungoma County. Sifuna said road infrastructure was the driving force toward economic development because they connect productive areas to markets. Speaking at the Bungoma municipal Council grounds as they celebrated its Mayor’s Christmas tree event as a way of giving back to the he complained of the reckless drivers who cause accidents and wanted the residents to be on the look for such people to assist in curbing accidents. “This season has been noted to be full of road accidents that could have been otherwise avoided, but due to careless and reckless driving many have lost their lives,” Mr.Sifuna explains. He also called upon the leaders and managers in various positions of governance to treat everyone equally while at service.  “I would like the business associates that are present in this meeting and all the other heads of different department to be fair in their service to the disabled members of the community and also offer them employment opportunities that they qualify for without biasness,” said Mr.Sifuna. At the same event, the disabled people, the elderly and all those who are under privileged in Bungoma society received a Christmas token pack of foodstuffs and other necessities. Other stakeholders and business community that have played a role in the Bungoma Municipal Council’s progress and success from the year 2008 up to date were rewarded with certificates of appreciation from the Municipal Council. Chairman Nzoia Sugar Company Mr.Lawrence Sifuna(left) Dr.Amin Sheikh chairman Business community giving out a christmas token to an elderly woman The Mayor of Municipal Council Mr. Patrick Sulechi thanked the business fraternity of Bungoma town at large for their support that has seen the council’s success throughout the financial year. Mr.Sulechi closed the event stating that the council was on recess for the Christmas celebrations and New year till 3rd January next year and wished all a Merry Christmas and prosperous 2012.

Children from Bungoma South district set to receive polio vaccine

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-10-31 17:11:00 Read 560 Times

Florence Matanda the supervisor of the immunization, vaccinating one of the many children in Bungoma Township during the phase three poli vaccination exercise. [Photo/ West Fm/ File] The ministry of public health and sanitation has announced plans to roll out polio vaccination exercise for children under five years in Bungoma south district in Western, following a recent outbreak in Rongo District. The Director of Medical Officer of Health (DMOH) at the Bungoma District Hospital, Dr. Amos Oyoko stated that the repeat of polio immunization after the recent one in June has led the ministry to launch another polio immunization campaign in the 129 districts in the country.   “This campaign is a response to a recent case of polio outbreak in Rongo District and the Ministry in response to that has decided to carry out another polio immunization campaign in a period of less than four months to prevent any spread of the disease to other parts of the country,” said Dr.Oyoko.   The door to door 4th round of Polio immunization exercise for children under five years is set to begin on November 12th and will run for one week through to November 19th.    Oyoko said that the exercise will involve immunizing all the children less than five years of age regardless of whether they were immunized against the disease before as this will assist in boosting their immunity against the disease. The Director of Medical Officer of Health (DMOH) at the Bungoma District Hospital, Dr. Amos Oyoko. [Photo/ RoseMary Wachiye]   “I want to call upon all the parents with children below five years to cooperate with our health Officers and ensure that all the children in that age get immunized again even if they were immunized earlier to prevent the spread of polio,” said Dr.Oyoko.   Dr. Oyoko stated that the parents need to understand that the exercise does not eliminate the need for routine checkup for children in clinics.   “The immunization exercise doesn’t rule out the routine checkups and therefore I want to call upon all the parents to continue taking their children to clinic for the routine check up in as much as they get immunized,” urged Oyoko.   He stated that after immunizing the health officers will be marking the houses so as not to repeat and urged the people not to rub off the marks as it might bring confusion.   He also explained the importance of taking children less than one year for routine checkup saying that they will get immunization against diseases, it helps in monitoring the child’s growth, the children can also get dewarmed and the children can also get vitamin A supplements.    “It is important for parents to continue taking their children to hospital or nearest health centre to their homes for routine immunization,” said Dr.Oyoko.   He advised parents to be monitoring the growth of their children and to be keen on the symptoms of any illness that may arise and take their children immediately to a health officer, as it’s the only the ministry can assist to curb early mortality in children.   Dr.Oyoko has also issued a 7 days warning to all pharmacies and clinics within the Bungoma Municipality which have not adhered to the set standards of running such facilities to follow suit if not those facilities will be closed down.   The clinics and pharmacies should; Register premises and possess registration documents, Only employ qualified personnel, Have sanitary facilities in the premises for both gender, Have standard dustbins and safety boxes, Safe running water, The building should be in good state of repair and Storage of proper storage of drugs. [Read: Pharmacists who sell ACTM higher than recommended in Bungoma warned  http://westfm.co.ke/index.php?page=news&bid=3551]

Confusion as NOCO is split into two

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-11-24 10:27:00 Read 333 Times

Mr. Kingsley Mutali (R) receiving the New NOCO certificate from the company's new secretary  Julius Khakula. [Photo|Rosemary Wachiye|West Fm] Wrangles in the Nzoia Outgrowers company (NOCO) has resulted into formation of splinter groups one headed by Kingsley Mutali while the other headed by Humphrey Mukania.  The split has thrown sugar cane farmers from the region into confusion as they do not know which group to subscribe to. The confusion deepened after embattled Mutali emerged with certificates of the newly registered New NOCO on Wednesday November 23 at Pan Paper grounds in Webuye at a meeting with farmers where it was also used to launch and introduce its structures and policies. Notable during the meeting was former KSB chairman Saulo Busolo who is currently the director of the KSB Nzoia zone. Mutali now recognizes himself with New NOCO after Mr. Mukania was elected to head the NOCO but controversy arose as to the manner in which it was done with Kingsley going to the courts to seek for a solution. The New NOCO General Manger, Mr. Kingsley Mutali stated in the meeting that the company act states that for any company to exist legally there it has to have a company secretary which he said the group headed by Mukanai lacks. Mr. Mutali introduced Mr. Julius Khakula as the current Company Secretary and called upon the farmers to ignore the other NOCO stating that the one recognized by the government under the Kenya Sugar Board is now the New NOCO. “This is the only company that is recognized under Kenya Sugar Board which registered officially last month, farmers should ignore the other NOCO as it is not recognized anywhere, it doesn’t follow the company’s act and hence it’s not legal,” said Mr. Mutali. However, the offices remain unchanged. Mr. Mutali also added that in the previous Annual General meeting with the cane farmers at the Mabanga Farmers training Centre on June 25th 2011, the farmers agreed to change, NOCO from NOCO owned by guarantors to being owned by shares. He stated that the KSB also supported the transformation of all farmer companies to be changed to be of shares dominated by farmers and therefore that the New NOCO was following suit. “The New NOCO is the handing over of the company to the farmers as the main share holder just the way farmers had suggested earlier in the previous AGM and it is also in line with the KSB proposal of companies being owned by shares of farmers,” said Mutali. He added that all the NOCO company assets including the tractors, activities and all business are to be changed to be under the New NOCO management. Mr. Mutali has complained of Nzoia Sugar not remitting funds to NOCO and yet it has continued to deduct the funds from the farmers. He adds the last time they received the funds was around 1.2 Million in October. The Director of Kenya Sugar Board in Nzoia zone, Mr. Saul Busolo, called upon the workers to look at sugarcane farming as a trade and commercial business and therefore sell their cane to the best bidders. Busolo also called upon the Sugar factories to be ready for completion in the free market since those who offer the best prices per tone will get sugarcane. “I want the farmers to look at sugarcane farming as a commercial trade and by doing so they will make profits from the sale of their cane as compared to the way they are currently doing things as if they owe a certain firm and yet it doesn’t offer the best deal,” said Mr.Busolo. Busolo also stated that through the New NOCO they will negotiate a new contract whereby the farmers and the cane crushers meet at the weighbridges to avoid complains from the farmers about their cane being reduced in weight in their absence. He demanded that Nzoia Sugar Company increases the sugarcane prices per tone to be Sh.7, 000 for the farmers to benefit from their cane farming. “The cane prices should be increased following the increase in the sugar prices that have gone high and therefore the producers of the product should benefit also from their hard work,” said Busolo. He also suggested that the millers are the ones supposed to meet the transport costs of the cane from the farmer’s farm to the mill and the farmer is not to be deducted transport costs. On the issue of privatization of Nzoia Sugar Company Busolo stated that at the moment there is no privatization commission set in the country and therefore for the company to be privatized it will have to wait for such a commission to be formed first.

Webuye municipal council’s financial crisis worsening

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2011-11-09 19:14:00 Read 471 Times

Webuye Municipal Council Mayor Mr. Ali Machani. [Photo|Rosemary Wachiye|West Fm] The Webuye Municipal council is still in a financial crisis as it has not received allocation of the Local Authority Trust Fund (LATF) three times that is meant to fund the council’s projects. According to the Webuye municipal council mayor Ali Machani, more than 36 projects have stalled following the councils’ failure to qualify to get the LATF fund as it owed the government approximately Sh.50 Million that was statutory deductions for the workers’ welfare. “In each financial year, each of the twelve wards in the council has funds set aside to fund three projects in its region which accumulates to 36 projects that have been pending since we missed to get the LATF fund,” said Machani. Machani has stated that for a long time the council among other councils failed to remit the funds to the government even after deducting from the worker’s pay for that purpose, something that led to the Ministry of Local Authority passing a law that every Council was to clear the debt arrears before receiving the LATF funds. “The council owes the government Sh.50Million and that is why since the year 2009, the Municipal Council of Webuye has not received LATF funds in three disbursements and this has led to the standstill of some of the council’s set projects,” noted Machani. The mayor has also stated that at the moment the situation has led to the workers and councilors of the Municipal council working without pay for 6 Months and 4 Months respectively as the revenue collected from the council assets is not enough to settle all their dues. [Read: Webuye municipal council workers strike over 5 months salary http://westfm.co.ke/index-page-news-bid-2706.htm] “The council workers have not been paid arrears of their wages for the last 6 months similar to the councilors who have not been paid their allowance for the last 4 months as we don’t have enough revenue collection to facilitate their payment,” he said. He blamed the previous management for negligence which has contributed a lot to the financial problems facing the council leading to the council to miss out on Sh.29 Million of LATF in 2010 and another Sh.41 Million this year.  He also stated that Webuye Municipal council is among seven other councils in the country that had not qualified for the funding due to debts although it is the only council in Western province. He revealed that the other councils in the country had assets and managed to sell to pay off their debts something which could not be done in Webuye as the leaders in office then, did not do so on time. Machani also noted that the Webuye Municipal Council came in to being because of the existence of Pan Paper factory which he said after its collapse, the council plunged into financial challenges.  He also argued that the closure Pan Paper factory as being a major contributing factor to the low revenue collection in the council as Pan Paper used to annually contribute more than Sh. 2 Million to the council in form of revenue. “Since the closure of Pan Paper we have missed to receive revenue from the factory for close to three years now, the business in Webuye also went down hence a negative effect on the council’s revenue collections,” noted Machani. Machani has however, stated that as much as the Pan Paper factory has recently been reopened its not automatically that the financial problem  in the council will be resolved as the factory might take sometime before it gets back to its feet. He called upon the government through the Ministry of Local Authorities and the Ministry of Finance to come in handy and assist the Webuye Municipal Council to get the LATF funds and prevent it from collapsing. “I would like to call upon the Ministry of Local Authority to re-consider Webuye Municipal since we can not do without the LATF funds and still cannot be able to raise enough revenue to pay off our debts and pay the workers’ wages and the councilors’ allowances,” he appealed. Machani also called upon all well wishers and other developmental partners and companies to come in and help the council to settle the debts owed to the government in terms of statutory deductions and salvage the council from collapsing. “The council is in a mess, the workers who are innocent citizens are really suffering and paying for some other people’s mistake who were unproductive in office leading to the situation at hand, please assist us pay this debt facing us so that we can get the funding that will sustain the council and assist it carry out the set plans,” he appealed.

Webuye flood victims receive food relief

Written by Rosemary Wachiye 2012-01-09 20:52:00 Read 208 Times

Webuye MP Alfred Sambu (left) and District Commisioner Adan Gedow  shaking hands after handing over the donations. [Photo|Rosemary Wachiye|West Fm] 24 families, 18 from Khalala village in Sitikho ward and 6 from Mufunje village in Milo ward all found in Webuye Constituency who were affected from floods with the bursting of river Nzoia banks in October last year, Monday received foodstuffs from the government through the Ministry of special programs. It’s reported that the affected families had not received any help from the government since most funding and help was sent to the most affected area in Budalangi in Busia. The Webuye Member of Parliament Mr. Alfred Sambu and District Commissioner for Bungoma East District Mr. Adan Gedow together with other leaders represented the Ministry for Special programs in distributing the food to the affected families. Sambu called upon the government to find a permanent solution to the flooding crisis that continually affect people in the mentioned regions every year. “The permanent solution for the flooding crisis is the construction of a dam at Tongaren in Bungoma North district as it was proposed earlier,” said Sambu. According to Sambu, the dam will control the flow of water in the rivers and prevent the flooding from occurring, at the same time it would improve agriculture and horticulture in the region where it would be set up. He dismissed the leaders who had earlier on come out strongly against the project stating that they are misinformed since the most important issue is finding an amicable and long-term solution that will help save a larger population. [Read: Proposed Nzoia Dam opposed in Bungoma westfm.co.ke/mobile/index.php]  “Those against the dam construction in Bungoma North have not considered the plight of the residents in the affected regions that face the destruction of property and household every year,” said Sambu. He disclosed that those behind the argument that the displacement of the people next to the region where the dam is to be constructed away from their ancestral land and trying to find excuses with no foundation. He advised the government to purchase land for those affected, equivalent to the original size and also construct houses for them instead of giving them the money for the sake of fairness and for justice to prevail. The District Commissioner Mr.Gedow called upon the people who had received the donation to use sparingly to avoid wastage. According to Mr.Gedow, the flooding had occurred from the people living close to the river instead of following the requirement of living 30 metres away from any water body. Among those who attended the event, was the Webuye Municipal Mayor Mr. Ali Machani, Milo councilor Erick Soita and Sitikho ward councilor, Mr. Martin Wafula among other administrators.