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: 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. |
Monday, 23 January 2012
Marell Academy announced top nationally in KCPE after error discovered
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. 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 “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: “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. |
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