Sandalwood smugglers will be apprehended and prosecuted

Unscrupulous sandalwood smugglers in Baringo County will face serious prosecution and apprehension once they are caught by the rule of the law.

Senior Director Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Esau Omolo has warned the sandalwood marketers who try to extract the endangered tree species to get millions that they are cooperating with county commissioners across the country to tighten all the loopholes.

"Baringo is well covered with forest but sandalwood is the most targeted tree species and that is why we shall be on our toes until the time the illegal trade is stopped," the director added.

Omolo said on Friday during a press briefing after a closing ceremony of a two weeks training of 35 KFS inspectors at Kenya School of Government in Kabarnet where they launched a patrol register that will be centralized in their headquarters to document all its activities.

Director General Kenya School of Government Dr Lodeki Chwea who was the chief guest in the ceremony urged the inspectors to fully accomplish their work as per the set standards by KFS.

Chwea noted that being inspector is the lowest rank in KFS hierarchy and thus should perform well as supervisors and practice professionalism without supervision by commanders.

"You should owe to professionalism standards which include applying exact dimensions while digging a hole to plant a tree seedling even if no one is seeing you," Chwea reiterated.

The director general stated that no reason is accepted for incomplete work adding the officers should protect the profession by upholding dignity, honour and decorum in professionalism.

Chwea said those officers who do unsatisfactory work should never be given promotion unless they perfect their qualities to proof they can make good supervisors.

The director called on forest officers to be keen on the tree population and where possible do a sensor of trees saying each tree we have is a treasure.

“Sufficient human capacity to count each tree and give it a certificate of registration is important and enables one to identify a tree once it is cut down without permission,” the director general added.

He urged National Environmental Management Council (NEMA) to take seriously matters of forest service and detest felling of trees by issuing heavy penalties to those who cut the trees illegally while reducing the number of permit issued.

The ceremony ended with the awarding of certificate of training to all the 35 forest inspectors who participated in the exercise from various parts across the country.

Residents want a maternity wing open

Residents in Kapkelelwa in Baringo Central Sub County call on the county government to open a maternity wing for Kapkelewa health center which has been in operation for 50 years.
The hospital’s committee chairperson Simon Komen said the hospital has been in operation since 1965 but has never had an equipped maternity wing to enable women deliver in the hospital despite having beds in the hospital.
Komen noted that the hospital has one clinical doctor and one health officer but need a gynecologist to operate in maternal section saying the hospital should have reached a level three as it has been operational for a long period of time.
“This is not a community facility but a government hospital that should have been equipped with all the necessary facilities to serve the residents in the area as it is difficult to access other nearby facilities due to poor transport system in the area,” Komen reiterated.
The chairman urged the county government to supply them with an ambulance to aid them in ferrying referred patients to the county referral hospital stating that the ambulance in Mogorwo health center is unable to cross the seasonal rivers which are impassable during rainy seasons due to poor road networks in the area.
Komen noted that the health center has neither been given full laboratory equipments nor a lab technician thus reducing the hospital’s potential in attending patients.
Mogorwo health center committee chairperson Enock Kirui said the maternity wing has been operational in the area but have faced challenges of water shortages as they are forced to higher water from a river nearby during dry season since they are dependent on the rainy water.
The two addressed the residents and guests present yesterday during the reception of four adjustable electrical beds each in their respective hospitals.

Rising Cases of Land Conflicts should be solved Communally.

Communities fighting over land has been flooding in daily news headlines since independence with most of the cases being done upto date without a lasting resort being reached.

Environmental degredation has depleted stingless bees

A study carried out by National Museums of Kenya showed that stingless bees are endangered by continuous environmental pollution.

A man charged of having military and police uniforms

A middle aged man from Kambi Samaki town, Baringo County was today arraigned in Kabarnet law courts for being in possession of military and police uniforms.

Ken Achola was arrested on 14th October this year by police officers for having a military trouser, a belt, a jangle bag and a Kenya Police jangle trouser.

Achola who was brought before Principal Magistrate Samson Temu was unable to explain to the court where he got the clothes which were found inside his friends house where he had been hosted a night before the arrest.

The suspect said he slept in the house where he saw the uniforms and decided to report the matter to Marigat police who accompanied him to the house but found his colleague missing.

“Since my host was not available in the house, the police turned against me and went ahead to arrest me,” he added.

The accused who had been in remand for the last 53 days accepted the charges but pleaded innocent saying he was not in possession of the items in question adding that the owner escaped before the police arrived at the house.

Since the accused pleaded not guilty he was taken back to the remand waiting for a mention of the case on 9th December this year.

It calls for perfect satisfaction

As 2017 general elections approaches, citizens need to see sustainable development brought by the devolution government in their counties.

This has prompted formation of groups by civic educators to sensitise citizens on the need for citizen participation in fostering good governance.

Baringo Elites Movement is a unique virtual group on what's up with a thread of 100 participants and focuses on developments, finance management, transparency and accountability in Baringo county.

The group's president, Reuben Argut said the group oversees project implementation in the county and has a virtual parliament where they invite senior county officials.

"We have invited various county officials including the governor for serious interrogation on what is happening in the county," Argut noted.

Argut said the group is four months old and shall never be stopped nor threatened by anyone as it is difficult to locate the members to whom he specified they are widely dispersed as far as Miami.

The president said the group wants the citizens to be given true information on what the county government is doing to better the lives of county residents who continue to languish in abject poverty.

"We are not focusing on individuals in the county but we are concerned with the management of public affairs," the president added.

Argut stated that the group is a unique one as it discusses serious issues unlike other social media groups saying one of the achievements they made was questioning county security officials to answer sandalwood scandal at Nakuru last month.

"We probed for answers towards the ferrying of the endangered species towards Nakuru by a government track a move led to a directive to burn 13.5 tonnes of sandalwood accumulated since 2010 in Kabarnet police station despite court exhibit having been finished," Argut restated.

Argut noted that they were able to save a 10 year old boy from a deadly skin disease which had persisted for five years without treatment through an initiative called 'save Tiaty child now' where they raised sh 56,000 to aid in salvaging the child.

The president said the group is ready to work with the government in a transparent way like the way they have teamed up in Tembea Baringo Caravan programme to explore the county.

Paradigm shift to Kenyan pastoralists

Dr. James Kandagor, a doctorate medic from the University of Iowa almost lost his life to the hands of armed Pokot men who were ready to trigger a riffle on him.

Kandagor having been born in Bartabwa in Baringo North Sub County with fluency in Tugen and Pokot language saved himself by pleading in Pokot Language that he was a Pokot and need not be killed.

In19th century, his close relatives had been killed by cattle rustlers and bandits which was rampant during the time until they were forced to leave their ancestral land thus being rendered homeless.

After the tragedy, Kandagor did not stop calling for peace in Baringo and its neighboring counties like Samburu, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Pokot and Turkana but initiated the anti cattle rustling and Kaporion peace net programme.

Kandagor said Kaporion peace net is a programme formed to compensate people who lost lives and property due to the massive killing at Chepkesin in Baringo North Sub County in 1907 where over two hundred young men died.

The men were said to be killed by Pokot men headed by Loiwalan who managed to lure the 200 warriors into the so called peacemaking between the Pokot and Tugen men in order to allow the Pokot to graze their livestock in the area to which they killed all the men on the spot before running away with hundred heads of cattle, Kandagor stated.

Kandagor said he was appointed by interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery as the CEO of anti cattle rustling programme in 18 counties affected by cattle rustling and banditry when he presented his proposal to the national government.

After conducting a peace race from Lake Turkana to Bogoria, cattle rustling menace reduced in Baringo County an action that probed Nkaissery to appoint me as the CEO of the program when President Uhuru Kenyatta accepted my proposal, Kandagor restated.

The CEO without hesitation initialized a 11 years anti cattle rustling programme that deals with all issues related to injustices caused by cattle rustling in Kenya.

Kandagor said that modern ranches shall be constructed in areas affected by cattle rustling and banditry majorly Baringo East sub county and its surroundings and shall benefit Tugen, Ilchamus, Marakwet and Pokot communities.

"I saw it better to start the programme at home to prove that it works because I believe what is practiced in Texas, America is also possible in Kenya and I want my county to benefit fast," Kandagor added.

Kandagor said once the ranches are complete, cattle rustling will be controlled as the ranches shall have two gates, four fences made of chain, electric, planted and cemented fences with Anti Stock Theft Unit police camp (ASTU)outside ranch.

The animals in the ranch will be sold inform of carcass as they shall be slaughtered before being taken out for sale and only herdsmen to be allowed inside the ranch with the animals bearing unique codes for identification, the CEO added.

Kandagor said the ranches shall be equipped with modern facilities such as exhibition yards, slaughter houses, water dams, vaccination centers, animal hospitals, milking yards, CCTV cameras and guest hospitals. Wildlife section and forest yards will be included.

The ranches shall be tourist’s site as visiting days will be selected to showcase the activities in the ranches and for viewing of wild animals tamed inside, the CEO remarked.

Kandagor explained that recycling activities for bones, horns, hoofs, hides, wool and teeth shall be done. Animal exhibition shall be done annually.

The CEO believes that through introduction of ranches, pastoralists are able to improve their living standards, send their children to school and practice modern ways of paying bridal price instead of the traditional way where raiding cattle was seen as a way of acquiring wealth to pay bride price.

Kandagor believe that the multibillion ventures are achievable as all the projects he started during his practice as a doctor such as Ampath programme which was initiated in 2001 were all successful and are applied to date.

Kandagor initiated Ampath programme in 2001 when he wrote a proposal to US aid after observing the stigma that HIV/AIDS patients went through as soon as they were diagnosed with the virus since they felt secluded from the community due to myths and misconception about the pandemic during the time.

The proposal went through and US aid donated three million US dollars that managed to build 104 rooms and later received 25 billion shillings for equipping the facility after writing the second proposal, Kandagor attested.

Kandagor said para lympics and deaf lympics were among the successful endeavors he started to enable people with disabilities participate in sports as part of exercise and a way of accepting them in society.

Baringo County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo supported the idea to compensate the affected communities and end cattle rustling saying everybody is accountable in the area where the cattle are driven to and that these who take the cattle are ordered to return them as soon as possible.

"Cattle rustling results from insufficient pasture which leads to trespass to the neifhbourhood thus encouraging livestock theft and coflict in such areas," Okwanyo added.

Baringo ancestor will be back soon

After six years of anxiety, Baringo county residents have seen the light shine from a narrow view to overcome darkness after a promise by a member of parliament to return their oldest fossil, Orrorin Tugenesis.

Taking the over six million years dated hominid out of the county was like telling Abraham to sacrifice his own son on a raised altar.

The residents have fear of the fossil being sold to another country to benefit the foreigners instead of profiting them after celebrating its invention for believing God gave them the fossil deposits despite living in an arid area where food crops rarely thrive.

According to East African newspaper dated 12 April 2010, the fossil was taken away from its base in Kipsaraman Community Museum in Baringo North Sub County for further examination and safekeeping leading to the closure of the museum which was purposely designed for its exhibition.

Locals blamed the director of the museum Eustace Kitonga who has maintained that the fossils are stored in a secret and safe bank vault in Nairobi contrary to the earlier plans to keep the fossils within the community with a view of attracting tourists, scientists and researchers, the paper stated.

An official government site reported that Kipsaraman sites contained fossils dated to be within 15.8 and 15.5 ma, and is one of only a few from middle miocene within Africa.

A further report by BBC news showed that the fossil was unearthed by French and Kenyan scientists in 2000 at Kapsomin in the Tugen hills and that the remains included pieces of jaw with isolated upper and lower teeth, arm and finger bones.

Kenya Paleontology Expedition (KPE) recovered male and female body parts belonging to atleast five individuals having fossilised left femur showing the hominid had strong back legs which enabled it to work upright proofing its advanced stage of evolution.

After an experiment undertaken on the arm and finger bones by KPE a conclusion was made that Kapsomin fossil was an agile climber of trees and legs showed it was bipedal meaning it walked like a human being.

The structure and arrangement of teeth showed that the manlike creature depended on hard skinned fruits as the canines were reduced than those of apes but are larger when compared to those of modern man.

As per the statement written by KPE, it is evident that the millenium man was attacked by a carnivore before meeting its death as the leg bones had been chewed.

According to nation newspaper Dr. Mzalendo Kibunja the then director of museums, sites and monument at National Museums of Kenya (NMK) suspected that unscrupulous business men could secretly be pocketing millions of shillings from the fossils by hiring it out to learning institutions.

The paper cited that in 2009, the NMK reported that the fossil had gone missing despite the fact that Kitonga had it in his custody and was the only person who had the safe's deposit box number.

Mzalendo noted that it was unwise for Kitonga to keep custody of national heritage which is a public property.

Baringo County Executive for Trade and Tourism Kipchumba Keitany said that the county government has been working towards the departure of the fossil to its base since the inception of devolution and will do anything possible to ensure the fossil is returned.

"We shall bring back the fossils to Kipsaraman to ensure local and foreign tourists are able to view from its area of origin thereby generating revenue that will directly benefit residents of Baringo as it is a strategy to attract investors,” Keitany reiterated.

Keitany noted that the county has lost a lot of revenue which could have sourced from the charges collected from tourists who visit the museum where the fossils used to be exhibited.

The CEC said it is easier to establish other tourist attraction sites within the area such as cultural villages and centers once the fossils are returned to Kipsaraman museum to enable various communities showcase their traditional cultures and talents for job and wealth creation. 

Baringo North sub county Member of Parliament William Cheptumo said the bank demands 100 million for the release of the fossil back to Kipsaraman community museum as a way of improving tourism sector in the county.

Cheptumo affirmed that, he will never give up till the fossil is brought back and is going to file a petition to the government for the fossil to be returned as soon as possible as investors have already signed contracts with the county government.

“We are not going to sit down and watch another county benefit from our own resource while the residents continue to languish in poverty and our youth rendered jobless”, Cheptumo said.

Stroke a longtime disability with no class

A 31 old mother of four is now forced to sit down in her compound and wait for her seventeen year old daughter to serve her.

Joyce Jerono who resides in Kapkut area of Baringo county sub county said got paralysed due to meningitis since 2013 to which she was in a comma for six months.

Jerono laments that the disease has paralysed her left arm and two legs rendering her unable to do daily duties to a point of  being carried on a homemade stretcher.

Her husband Joseph Komen said he takes her on a daily basis for a therapy at Kabarnet refferal hospital at a cost of sh 100 per day.

Komen said is forced to work as a casual labourer at the same time look after her hailing wife especially when children go to school.

"All family projects are stand still from the time my wife got sick even firm work is a challenge despite selling all that we had," Komen mourned.

Komen stated that he has to look for a taxi to take her to the hospital close to 3km from home which charges sh 800 per day.

The husband said friends and relatives have done all they can to assist the family and has hope that her wife shall be well soon irrespective of what they have gone through.

HIV infection is rampant among couples in Baringo

Adults between the age of 25 to 45 have recorded the highest number estimated over 1500 out of the total number of 11,000 infected with HIV/AIDS in Baringo county.

The County AIDS and STI control coordinator Abraham Sumukwo said the county records about 500 new infections annually from patients in stable relationships since the couples don't see the need to observe sex protection measures.

Sumukwo said couples feel that their partners might suspect them of unfaithfulness if they insist of using condoms to prevent HIV infections.

"Couples should learn to practice safe sex despite confidence they have developed over a long period of time and build trust towards each other," Sumukwo noted.

The coordinator noted that there is low prevalence in children who are born with HIV and have identified 386 children under care and treatment out of 1,100 children infected with the virus.

Sumukwo admitted that there is a challenge in reaching the unidentified children as their parents do not see the need to put them under treatment since they observe no symptoms at early stages.

In some instances mothers don't disclose to their spouses about their status for fear of being disowned thus leaving the baby to live with the infection even after advise from the doctors, Sumukwo added.

The coordinator said 276 mothers tested positive but 230 mothers use antiretriviral drugs since most of them come from nearby counties who inturn deliver in other clinics.

"Mothers who come from nearby counties for testing chose to deliver in other clinics thus widening the gap of unidentified," Sumukwo stated.

Sumukwo said increased rate of HIV infections have been recorded in major towns such as Kabarnet, Marigat, Mogotio and Eldama Ravine with their neighbourhoods.

He said Marigat and Eldama Ravine resulted from Kambi Turkana and Nubian slums respectively while Mogotio situation is encouraged by the sisal plantations.

However, Sumukwo noted that the infectection rate of the HIV scourge is at 3% which he termed as a plateau level in the county and that 3,230 adults are on ARVs while 3,300 are on septrin.

Sumukwo stated that the county healty education department have plans to educate youths in schools on the need to delay sexual activity among the youths and initiate a program to train couples on the importance of applying preventive maesures during sexual activity.

Oral polio vaccination to be done in Baringo County

Baringo County Health Director Dr. Gershom Abakalwa has said the county targets to vaccinate 120, 000 children  against Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) this weekend.

Abakalwa stated that the vaccine shall be administered to all children under the age of five years on 5th to 9th this month to prevent infection of polio virus.

"Children who will receive the vaccine shall be immunised against the polio virus which affects children under five years by priming it," Abakalwa noted.

The county director said the vaccination targets 120, 000 children in the all county where one health officer with the help of a villager shall carry out the excercise.

"Polio cases in the county have been minimised but there is need to eradicate the chances of contracting the polio virus for the county to be declared safe from the virus," Abakalwa restated.

Abakalwa stated that the county shall introduce injectable polio vaccine to replace the oral drops which has been used severally.

Injectable polio vaccine is scientifically preffered than the oral one as due to its effectiveness and less side effects unlike the OPV associated with low incidence of paralytic polio.

The doctor explained that oral polio vaccine administred on patients who have an immune system that has been impaired by a disease face the risk of poliomyelities which might occur after the first oral drops.

The four day exercise shall be done in all the six sub-counties which are Baringo East, Baringo North,Koibatek, Baringo Central, Mogotio and Baringo South sub-counties, Abakalwa added.

Baringo bee farmers to produce the best honey brand in Kenya

Baringo Advocacy and Development Organization (BADO) chairperson John Sergon has today during the closure of Baringo Honey Conference pledged to collaborate with bee farmers to maintain Baringo honey in the market.
Sergon said that Baringo honey association which was formed during last year’s honey conference is set to produce to the best pure honey in the market that is going to last for decades.
“BADO is in total collaboration with farmers and seeks to ensure that the honey produced meets the market standards and being certified as organic honey unlike the famous Kitui honey which is now losing market due to production of bogus brand,” Sergon stated.
Sergon said in the past Kitui’s honey was a hot cake in the Kenyan market but has lost its fame recently due to decreased effectiveness in curing common diseases such as cold and stomach aches something he discourages in Baringo’s brand.
The chairman said Baringo County is widely known at the moment for the production of sweet medicinal honey but it is ironical that the honey cannot meet the current market demand.
“We already have the brand but the product itself is not enough to supply the market which is increasing at a high rate as the population rise,” Sergon noted.
Baringo honey association is working towards achieving quality products that meet international standards although a local policy to deal with security, environmental and quality concerns has not yet been passed by the members, Sergon added.

Family cries over flash floods due to surface run off

A family in Kabarnet, Bondeni area now lives in fear after their houses were almost swept away by the raging water as a result of heavy downpour in the area that lasted for three hours due to the ongoing El Niño rains.
Lesile Lengeiya who has lived in the place since 1996 said he has never experienced massive flowing water sweep his farm to a point of sinking his pit latrine.
"When I saw the amount and speed at which the water was flowing towards my estate, I realized our lives were in danger," Lengeiya said.
Residents in the area claim that the water sweeping their homes since the commencement of the rains flowing from all town sewages were directed to the area making a stream of dirty water hence bursting the dug pathways to people's households.
Confirming the incident yesterday, Baringo County Executive Committee Edwin Riamangura said the effects of elnino are now real and are being experienced in the whole county and that the county government will take the necessary measures to minimize the damages.
"We have witnessed the way people have lost their property and the erosion caused by the rushing water which have swept people's homes making them flee houses at night," Riamangura added
Meanwhile, as we seek solution to this menace, people should relocate to safer places lest we lose lives in the process as some of the measures such as construction of permanent bridges and drainage systems are improper at the moment, Riamangura noted.
Lengeiya said since they live adjacent to Bondeni Stadium, the water which used to flow through the stadium to its lower side have now been diverted towards his farm after sweeping its walls an act that has cost his property.
“Rental charges have been my major source of income and now have been cut off as tenants are leaving the rented rooms for their safety,” said Lengeiya.
Lengeiya told KNA that the sank toilet which was the second to be constructed eight years ago since his settlement in the area was filled by water till it overflowed despite having a depth of 20 feet.
"The toilet was not yet filled up but we were forced to seek help from a neighbour before we constructed a make shift," Lengeiya reiterated.
Lengeiya now calls for any assistance from the government saying the torrent is not only a threat to his family but to the entire surrounding environs as the water end up flowing into a stream nearby increasing the risk of water borne diseases.
Elizabeth Lengeiya, Lesiles' wife said she was alerted by the smell of sewage water and children calling for help saying the floods had flashed into the house nearly sweeping it, she immediately informed the husband of the impending disaster who in turn acted quickly to stop the water.
"I told the children to stay calm inside the house as everything was in control, suddenly a terrifying sound was heard like that of a train, I thought my husband was hit by a car only to realize that our toilet had submerged something that worried me before confirming that nobody was trapped inside,” she explained.
Nevertheless, the residents took the blame to the county government for negligence to the area as preparation on water drainage in the area were not carried out on time despite the early warnings of the impending elnino rains.
However, chairman Kenya Red Cross Baringo branch said the latrine had no proper strength to sustain it from the floods and urged the family to move to raised places if possible and promised to donate a mobile toilet and plastic shoes to them.
"People should get prepared for elnino and take it seriously as it will take long and is unpredictable but need alertness and early precautions," Kemboi added.

14 new operational irrigation schemes set in Baringo County

Baringo County executive committee (CEC) for livestock and fisheries Caroline Tenges said that 14 new operational irrigation schemes have been set across the county to increase food productivity.
Tenges attested during the Baringo Entrepreneurship Expo Summit that the county government worked with the ministry of water and irrigation to set up the schemes so as to secure sufficient food supply in the county.
“Among the 14 irrigation schemes are already contracted by companies such as Olerai, Elgon seed and Kenya Seed Company who collude with farmers to produce quality maize seeds,” Tenges added.
Tenges said that the county is investing a lot in agribusiness as it is the backbone of the county and a way to reduce food insecurity that has been frequently threatening the county with a population of over 2 million.
The CEC admitting that the county has 5 afro climate regions said it has a potential to produce mass food and cash crop varieties in highlands and animal production majorly in the semi arid areas in the county.
Tenges noted that women have been involved in agribusiness through irrigation by use of new technologies such as use of green houses to plant giant tomatoes.
"We have mobilised women into groups and supplied them with 10 green houses to enable them practice food farming and empower women in agriculture," Caroline explained.
She said the beekeepers have joined associations and cooperatives and have come with 300 honey processing plans which enable them package honey.
"The honey is a mixture of medicinal plants such as acacia and thus able to cure several deseas despite its sweetness," Tenges advised.
Honey from Baringo has gained both local and international market and we are already negotiating witg an investor fro South Korea who has seen the need to source honey from here, Tenges added.
Kerio Valley Developmet Authority managing director David Kimosop said the company produces 3,000 beehives annualy and targets to produce 1,000 tonnes of honey per year.
Kimosop acknowledged that the county can do well in terms of mango fruit production but more nees to be done in growing the trees to ensure that it produces fruits that attract international markets.
"KVDA is planning to install a mango processing plan able to enable the county package various types of turned mango fruit products, " Kimosop concluded.

The stolen Orrorin Tugenesis to be brought back to Baringo

Baringo County Chief Executive Officer in charge of trade and investment Hon. Kipchumba Keitany has said that plans are underway to bring back Arrorin Tugenesis fossil from Nairobi to Baringo County.

Hon. Keitany in his remarks as a panelist during the ongoing Baringo Entrepreneurial Expo Summit (BEES) yesterday at Kabarnet show grounds said Orrorin Tugenesis shall be returned to Kipsaraman where huge deposits of the fossil are found.

"We shall bring back the fossils to Kipsaraman so that tourists are able to follow the fossil all the way from Nairobi and it will be a big investment for Baringo,” Keitany reiterated.

Keitany added that the fossils are believed to be the remains of the first man and play a big role in attracting tourists to come to the county hence encouraging investors to devote in the county.

Keitany further invited investors to focus in developing cultural villages and centers due to cultural diversity in the county which attracts more tourists.

Keitany added that sports tourism along Tugen hills is an exciting opportunity as caves and waterfalls are found along the hills together with gorges and over 450 bird species which converge at Tugumoi.

"We normally have a bird skipping festival at Tugumoi during the September-November period when varieties of bird species converge," Keitany stated.

Keitany said that the county has an added advantage as it sits along the equator something that attracts tourists and two national reserves with over 500 elephants without forgetting beaches at lake Bogoria and Baringo where geysers are found.

Baringo county governor Hon. Benjamin Cheboi urged the local investors to invest their funds in the county instead of investing them elsewhere for fear of being questioned where they got the funding as borrowing is one of the ways to raise funds.

"Local investors should avoid investing in places outside the county such as Nairobi for fear of being asked where they got the money even when you can borrow," Cheboi added.

14 new operational irrigation schemes set in Baringo County

Baringo County executive committee (CEC) for livestock and fisheries Caroline Tenges said that 14 new operational irrigation schemes have been set across the county to increase food productivity.
Tenges attested during the Baringo Entrepreneurship Expo Summit that the county government worked with the ministry of water and irrigation to set up the schemes so as to secure sufficient food supply in the county.
“Among the 14 irrigation schemes are already contracted by companies such as Olerai, Elgon seed and Kenya Seed Company who collude with farmers to produce quality maize seeds,” Tenges added.
Tenges said that the county is investing a lot in agribusiness as it is the backbone of the county and a way to reduce food insecurity that has been frequently threatening the county with a population of over 2 million.
The CEC admitting that the county has 5 afro climate regions said it has a potential to produce mass food and cash crop varieties in highlands and animal production majorly in the semi arid areas in the county.
Tenges noted that women have been involved in agribusiness through irrigation by use of new technologies such as use of green houses to plant giant tomatoes.
"We have mobilised women into groups and supplied them with 10 green houses to enable them practice food farming and empower women in agriculture," Caroline explained.
She said the beekeepers have joined associations and cooperatives and have come with 300 honey processing plans which enable them package honey.
"The honey is a mixture of medicinal plants such as acacia and thus able to cure several deseas despite its sweetness," Tenges advised.
Honey from Baringo has gained both local and international market and we are already negotiating witg an investor fro South Korea who has seen the need to source honey from here, Tenges added.
Kerio Valley Developmet Authority managing director David Kimosop said the company produces 3,000 beehives annualy and targets to produce 1,000 tonnes of honey per year.
Kimosop acknowledged that the county can do well in terms of mango fruit production but more nees to be done in growing the trees to ensure that it produces fruits that attract international markets.
"KVDA is planning to install a mango processing plan able to enable the county package various types of turned mango fruit products, " Kimosop concluded.

Plans have been laid to compensate those who lost life through cattle rustling.

The CEO anti cattle rustling programme in Baringo county yesterday told the members of the county assembly that he is working with the national government to compensate IDPs in cattle rustling.

Dr James Kandagor who initiated the programme in 2008 said that the internally displaced persons who were displaced due to cattle rustling shall be resettled in there counties.

Kandagor added that the initiative has a mandate to ensure that the IDPs get homesteads where they are going to construct 40,000 house units for the three affected communities.

The three bedroom houses shall be equipped with three beds with 6 inch mattresses, 5 blankets, 3 mosquito nets, a television and a computer, Kandagor added.

In addition, they shall receive two cows, two goats and Ksh 200,000 for maintenance and food provision for the first two years while being taught to practice modern farming, Kandagor attested.

“The Illchamus, Tugen and Pokot got affected by cattle rustling and are ready to support the initiative in order to maintain peace in the county”, Kandagor remarked.

Resettlement shall be done in the five counties that are Baringo, Turkana, Pokot, Samburu and West Pokot counties with the aid of land commission who will conduct land survey, Kandagor added.

Kandagor urged the members of county assembly to support adoption of group ranches in order to eliminate nomads by planting grass inside the ranch and irrigate them at the same time chose right community for settlement.

Maritim CEO for national land commission said that Kokwon highland is the only active in the county among others such as Barkipi, Kimalel, Sabor, Marigat, Ngambo, Salabani, Eldume, Bakidi A and B and Bartam ranches.

She added that, group ranches fall under the community land bill and community have a say over a community land hosting the mineral under the bill.

Establishment of Group Ranches in Baringo to Stamp Out Cattle Rustling

Managing pasture through group ranches is a key solution to addressing cattle rustling and banditry menace which has breached peace in parts of Baringo County, County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo has said.

Mr Okwanyo said establishment of the group ranches will go a long way in minimizing the persistent conflicts among warring communities in the county occasioned by shrinking water and pasture resources.

“Adopting modern ways of developing pasture and managing it will tackle the recurrent disputes among the three warring Pokot, Tugen and Ilchamus communities in Baringo and its neighbouring counties, “he reiterated.

Okwanyo noted that it was easier to control people within the ranches once pasture is managed as security personnel will be assigned duties to man each of the ranches.

Addressing MCAs during a peace meeting at Kenya School of Government organized by Baringo Anti- Cattle Rustling Programme the commissioner observed that clashes arise when herds’ men trespass to other areas due to inadequate pasture in their regions thus encouraging theft of cattle.

The Anti-Cattle Rustling Programme Dr James Kandagor said that his organization plans to resettle people displaced by banditry activities in counties of Baringo, Turkana, Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu and West Pokot with help from National Land Commission which will establish boundaries and conduct land survey.

Dr Kandagor urged the 30 members of county assembly drawn from the six local sub counties to support the ambitious initiative of coming up with group ranches in order to reduce disagreements and fights as sections of the ranches will be planted with adequate grass.


"It is no longer cattle issue alone but more of space", Rebecca Maritim Secretary County Land Management Board reiterated.

Ms Maritim called on livestock herders in the county to reduce the number of animals they keep minimizing conflicts over scarce resources like pasture and watering points adding that the large cattle in most cases do not meet market health standards due to poor management.

“I have been in Baringo for a year but I have never been to Loruk simply because whenever I plan to go to the region we receive messages from county and national level that the place is unsafe”, Maritim said.

Maritim also challenged the MCAs to support peace building initiatives mooted by office of the county commissioner and Anti Cattle Rustling Programme for lasting peace and stability to be realized in the county.

Teachers still demand pay over with held September salary

Baringo branch Kenya Union of Teachers (KNUT) Executive Secretary Charles Kamuren today at Kabarnet pushed for the Jubilee Government over its failure to pay teachers their September salaries.
Kamuren while addressing the press blamed the Jubilee Government for not putting into consideration the welfare of teachers in the country terming it as a way to cut off teachers’ cooperation with the current government.
"Our September pay slips read zero, we received no money at all but as teachers of this country, we know what to do with this Jubilee Government," Kamuren stressed.
The government has heard the hardships teachers are going through from the beginning of this term and now the term is ending but the government has done nothing to forestall the cry and wipe their tears, Kamuren indicated.
Kamuren added that teachers still demand their withheld pay saying they are influential enough to determine where the 2017 vote will go.
"Scratch my back I scratch yours is our message to the Government if they want teachers to support them during their election then they should remember the s care for teachers’ welfare," Kamuren added.
The Secretary said that teachers need to be paid their September salaries despite the command by Teachers Service Commission not to pay teachers who were on strike during the five week strike at the beginning of the term as it is their right to receive payment as per the court statement.
  KNUT Chairman Baringo branch Rev. Joshua Cheptarus advised the teachers not to lose hope but instead continue working in unity since the government work according to the tyranny of numbers.
Cheptarus added that teachers missing their salaries should not be taken as a way of losing the battle of having their salary increased but instead urged them to be strong until they receive their fate.

Micro insurance is a better way to go governor has said

Baringo County Governor Hon. Benjamin Cheboi has today encouraged insurance companies to focus on micro-insurance during a graduation ceremony held at Kanu grounds, Kabarnet.
Hon. Cheboi while addressing Graduates of Insurance Champions and Executive Certificate of Proficiency holders in insurance (ECOP) in Baringo county said that micro insurance is a wise way to serve small businesses who have low income.
“People who operate small business such as mechanic and those in ‘jua kali’ sector can manage to buy food than insurance which is cheaper compared to food,” Hon. Cheboi reiterated.
Hon. Cheboi further advised the insurance companies to lower the minimum payment as low as 150 shillings to encourage small business operators.
The governor added that through insurance unemployment can be solved as it is an area which has not been exploited fully in the County and is still new to most residence.
“Unemployment is there for those who are not aggressive to seize the available opportunities as insurance is still a virgin area,” Hon. Cheboi added.
Hon. Cheboi urged the residence in Baringo County to join insurance companies in order to venture in large scale businesses without fear of encountering loss in the process due to risks associated with the business.
The governor is grateful for the insurance cover initiated by the government in the County to cover cattle against the risk of drought as a way of enabling pastoralists to keep more livestock without fear of losing them on the event of risk occurrence.
“More businesses to insure mean, more businesses to people and when there is more to insure then there is more to earn,” Hon. Cheboi noted.
Hon. Cheboi advised insurance companies to train public servants such as chiefs and administrators as a way of reaching out to local citizens as they are the ones who interact one on one with them most.

Governor Cheboi lauded Insurance Regulation Authority (IRA) who sponsored the programme saying that the initiative will change the perception on insurance in the County as people will be educated and be able to participate in building the industry.

3 Suspects arraigned in court over KCPE leakage

Three suspects were today arraigned in Kabarnet resident magistrate court in Baringo County over alleged possession of an authorized examination paper contrary to Kenya National Examination Council.
The suspects were arrested yesterday at Barwesa in Baringo North sub-county having examination papers suspected to be the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) contrary to section 27(1) of KNEC act number 29 of 2012.
Geoffrey Koech, Kiplagat Keitany and Poul Chesomat were brought before the resident magistrates court before twenty four hours elapse after the arrest as per the laws.
Meanwhile the affidavit   in court reads that the suspects were of sound mind and thus in a position to answer the case alleged to them according to the laws of Kenya and if found guilty will be detained or released under article 49 of the constitution
To prove the allegations, the police officer investigating the case requested the court to be given 14 days for further investigations regarding the allegations before hearing on 24th November 2015.
The suspects were arrested on the first day the pupils all over the country began their KCPE examinations just after the completion of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education last week where exam leakage was rampant.
The three suspects will be held in police custody to allow for investigations in order to reveal whether the suspects were teachers or residents in the area.

Government to review teachers’ salary

Kenya Union of Teachers Executive Secretary Baringo County, Charles Kamuren has today while addressing the press at Kabarnet warned the government from refraining to pay teacher's salary.

Kamuren wants the government to revisit payment of teachers since September this year as failure to pay the salary will probe them not to support the Jubilee government come 2017 elections.

"If the government wants teachers to support them during their election then they should care for teachers’ welfare," Kamuren added.

The government has hard the hardships teachers are going through from the beginning of this done and now the term is ending but the government has done nothing to assist them live a normal life like any other civil servants, Kamuren indicated.

On the other hand, Kamuren complained has kept quiet on exam leakage menace instead of disciplining those who deal with exam cheating claiming that the government has systems to check the source of exam leakage.

Kamuren added that teachers will continue to uphold their honest as far as exam is concerned and that they are innocent thus should not be blamed for the ongoing exam irregularities witnessed during the KCSC exam papers.

KNUT Chairman Baringo branch Rev. Joshua Cheptarus advised the teachers not to lose hope but instead continue working in unity since the government work according to the tyranny of numbers.

Cheptarus added that teachers missing their salaries should not be taken as a way of losing the battle of having their salary increased but instead should continue being strong until they receive their fate.

Mechanic facing a double edged sword at 35

A 35 year old Francis Kemboi who has been working as a mechanic at Kabarnet town for the past fifteen years is now facing a double edged sword; he has to choose between his life and his family of six.
Kemboi who is the bread winner to a wife and five children has been cut short from his daily operations to provide for the family after being diagnosed with kidney failure at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.
“This condition has paralyzed all my plans to support my family as I am unable to work anymore and have been forced to sell all I had invested including a motor vehicle,” Kemboi bewailed.
It all started with persistent headache, vomiting and diarrhea on February this year but Kemboi ignored the symptoms thinking it was malaria to which he sought medical consultancy from a local hospital before being diagnosed a month later with the disease.
The family members and relatives found it hard to believe what had befallen their loved one as such cases are infrequent and alarming in the area.
Nevertheless, with the help of his relatives and friends Kemboi is now being forced to undergo kidney dialysis two times per week without missing as failing to do so make him cough out blood rendering him anaemic. 
His wife Alphatine Keitany is now loaded with heavy duty to take care of the ailing husband at the same time raise their children who are still at a tender age with the first born being in standard four and the younger having two years.
“My husband has been feeding us without fail since we got married, he managed to send some of our children to a private school and ensured we live contented but since he got sick I have been struggling to make ends meet at times sleeping without food,” Alpthatine mourned.
To Alphatine life has reached a death end as her future is now doomed since she cannot predict the outcome of her husband's sickness but all the same she has chosen to abide in him.
Daniel Cheboi a relative to the family chipped in to support  Kemboi's family to a point of selling his belongings though he has been financially unstable at the moment since the teachers strike on September cut off his source of income.
Kemboi's younger brother, Emanuel Kimutai is ready to donate his kidney for transplant but the family who has now indebted the referral hospital cash amounting to ksh 45,000 as the dialysis cost ksh 7,500 per session is unable to raise the amount required.
Cheboi revealed that they have spent extra costs on transport and booking arrangements as many patients use the available facility for dialysis in MTRH as most county referral hospitals lack them.
Kemboi's family wish the County referral hospital in Baringo could buy the facility in order to salvage  patients who undergo dialysis from incurring extra expenses.
William Rerimoi senior assistant chief in Kapcherebet sub-location where Kemboi lives confirmed that three other patients are suffering from the same disease.
The family who live in Kabarnet's Kapkut area now lays their hope on the hands of well wishers to raise the money needed for kidney transplant in India after hosting five fundraisings for dialysis.

1.2 billion shillings budget in preparation for El-nino.

National Drought Response Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with Baringo County government has identified the most prone areas to destraction in Baringo sub-counties amidst 1.2 billion shillings budget in preparation for El-nino.

Addressing a meeting today to create awareness to the media personnel on impending el-nino preparation in the county, Baringo County Drought Response Officer Amos Nyakeyo said that the budgeted amount need to be raised through resource mobilization.

“We do not have the money at hand but we shall try to mobilize resources from stakeholders in order to minimize damages and loss of lives in the county during el-nino season,” Nyakeyo added.

Nyakeyo said that the authority has visited all the areas prone to landslides, cholera and floodings to give out early warnings on the effects of el-nino and gave out measures to avoid damages due to occur.

In addition Nyakeyo said the authority has come up with data capturing sheet where information is recorded on the amount of rains measured and the extent of damages in the areas identified.

"Last month, we established the situation room in the County premises where we get information from the field through contact numbers and a whats up platform we have," Nyakeyo revealed.

Nyakeyo warned the doubting Thomas that el-nino is taking place as predicted since the rising and falling of temperature in Pacific and Indian oceans have occurred and el-nino not only arise as rains but also heavy winds.

Cholera prone areas are Mogotio and Marigat sub-counties, flood prone areas include Kures, Emining and Ilchamus ward while landslide prone areas cover the Tugen hills where areas such as Sacho, Timboiwo, Kabasis and Kapkiamo are situated, Nyakeyo indicated.

Cholera outbreak in two sub counties in Baringo county

Cholera outbreak has been witnessed in Marigat and Mogotio sub counties of Baringo county for the past four months.

Speaking to KNA yesterday at their office, health promotion officer in Baringo county Leah Cherutich confimed that it has been a great challenge to eradicate the outbreak in the two sub counties.

"The last patient in Marigat was discharged last Sunday while nine cases have been reported in Mogotio since then", Cherutich testified.

Cherutich added that 142 cases have been reported in the county since May this year and that all the ages from 0-99 have been affected.

However, most patients who recorded the highest percentage of 30-31% were ranging from 20 to 39 years, Cherutich said.

Cherutich cautioned that the discharged patients in Marigat is not a guarantee that the outbreak is over until fourteen days elapse.

"We have noted that most residents in the affected areas don't use pit latrines thus polluting the nearby rivers", Cherutich said.

Cherutich explained that residents in Mogotio depend on water from polluted river Molo for there consumption and has contributed to the spread of the disease.

Health officers are already in the affected areas to sensitise residents on the need to boil drinking water and practice hygiene to avert the epidemic, Cherutich attested.

Furthermore, Cherutich confirmed that the officers undertake contact tracing where they give out prophylaxis a preventive antibiotic to minimize the bacterial infection.

"We advice people to visit the hospital immediately once they notice any signs of cholera infections as loss of body fluids might lead to immature deaths", Cherutich cautioned.

Cherutich is now calling for a collective responsibility from all the citizens in the county in order to avert the outbreak which has hitted the county for the second round this year.

IDPs need safety from expected el nino rains

The county government of Baringo has been probed to salvage IDPs from the expected elnino rains during Mashujaa day celebration at Museum grounds in Kabarnet.

Hon. Richard Kampala prompted the government to complete the houses meant for the migrants in order to save them from elnino hiccups.

"The houses meant for the is still incomplete up to date", Kampala added.

Five hundred immigrants need to be given their rights like any other Kenyan in order to feel secured.

Hon. Jeniffer Kiptoo on the other hand urged the residents in Baringo county to harvest water during the expected elnino rains in order to solve the water scarcity problem in the region.

Why Baringo county executive members should be impeached

A letter was issued on 7th, Oct, to the office of Baringo county governor, Benjamin Cheboi prompting him to initiate removal proceedings against the county executive members.

Chairperson-Liaison committee, Baringo county assembly, Hon Douglas Tanui, in the letter notified the office to bring forth a show cause letter elucidating why removal proceedings may not be initiated against the county executive committee members.

Tanui highlighted that CEC's were contravening the provisions of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 in Articles, 174, 183, 185 and 232 (1) and (2) by failure to implement the house resolutions which includes: Bills, motions, regulations, committee reports, subsidiary legislations and delay in the operationalization of enacted legislations upon gazettement.

There has been failure in initiating county legislations and policies and providing the county assembly with full and regular reports on matters relating to the county contrary to Article 183, Tanui noted.

Tanui added that accomplishment of county projects within the specified time frames in line with the provisions of the public finance management act leading to lapse of funds as enshrined in section 136(1) of the aforementioned Act thus resulting in Roll over Funding.

Family loses a mother and a boy child

A family in Baringo central is crying for justice following the lose of a baby and mother at Kabarnet district hospital due to negligence by the hospital resulting to excessive bleeding.

The 28 year old woman died while on transit to Moi teaching and referral, Jonathan Kamket, husband to the deceased said while in his residence in Buruburu estate in Kabarnet, today and admitted that the death of his wife is still raw and seeks to know why the hospital couldn't handle the situation.

Jonathan said they, arrived at the hospital with her wife on Friday, 9,Oct where his wife was told to wait in the waiting room. He left the hospital at 7am to prepare their first born daughter for school before going to workplace to request for a leave break.

Ivy Jebet having received a text from the deceased at  5 O' clock rushed to the hospital at 7 am where the doctors requested her to buy drugs for the patient. Jebet called the husband who brought the medicine.

To his disappointment, Jonathan said on his arrival, he found the doctors forcing his wife to climb on a raised surgical bed, he wanted to assist her but the nurses refused. His wife was taken to the caesarian unit.

Kamket and Jebet said that after an hour of waiting, a nurse told them that delivery was successful and a baby boy was born. No sooner were they relieved than a report came that the baby could not breath and had died, the remaining option was to save the mother from excessive bleeding.

Kamket received a report that the blood bank was dry thus there was emergency to seek for blood transfusion at Moi teaching and referral hospital in Eldoret. The engine was started at 11 O'clock but went off twice at Chepsigot and Chembulet before arriving at Eldoret, Kamket said.

Jebet said that the late Doris Keitany, younger sister to her mother breath her last at Kimumu before arriving at the hospital. Jebet added that the husband to the late couldn't bear with the situation an act that forced the doctor to silence him.

Responding to the incident, the health chief executive committee Baringo county, Moses Atuko, said that the deceased had low red blood cells thus couldn't allow a caeserin to be done. At the same time there were no blood for transfusion.

Atuko added that there were no cases of doctors' negligence as three doctors and one intern were there at the moment when the deceased arrived at the hospital. Atuko confrmed that there were no major issues in the hospital at the moment.

However, Atuko said that blood shortage is a national crisis due to systematic and donor issues. He said that recently secondary schools which proves to be the major blood donors were closed due to teachers' strike.

Blood is a being ingredient and thus there is need to expound on screening centres by opening up satellite units at county levels, Atuko said.

Kipngorom girls expected to hit in this year's KCSE examinations.

The principal Kipngorom girls secondary school, in Baringo county, Mrs. Pauline Kurere has higher expectation on this year's candidates despite the five week long strike.

Kurere said this yesterday during a brief visit to the school by the deputy county commissioner Baringo county, Mr. Okwanyo.

The school which is the center of excellence had its first time candidates top last year despite the fact that the school has no enough classrooms for learning.

Kurere added that they are forced to use the unfinished dining holes where two classes are combine and thought facing different direction thus encouraging disturbances in class.

Okwanyo while addressing the girls advised them to embrace team building in order to excel in exam. He gave an example of studying SMART in school as working hard is not a guarantee road to success.

Residents at Kipgorom plead for maternity room

Kipngorom residents yesterday requested the government to build a maternity room in there location in order to encourage hospital delivery in the area.

Elizabeth Sokome, a resident in the area said at a baraza attended by the deputy county commissioner in Baringo county, Mr Okwanyo, that most women  prefer traditional delivery done by the midwives as the neighbouring maternity wards are at a distant.

Sokome added that sick patients are carried on shoulders and through local arrangements due to poor transport system in the interior parts of the area where there are no vehicles which can access the area.

Kipngorom location in Mogotio division, is an extension of Mogotio sub-county at the border between Eldama Ravine and Tenges sub-counties. It is a semi-arid hilly area situated near the famous Perkerra river.

Due to its terrain, the area is prone to landslides thus people in Kapterit  sub location and Tiani village should vacate the Land to a safer place to avoid the menace during the expected elnino rains,Okwanyo advised. However, he said that elnino rains have also positive impacts such as increased harvest.

Among the present guests in the baraza were  Asst. County Commissioner Andrew Gavuredi Baringo, OCBD Mogotio sub-county Patrick Nyangaruso and Laban Shirandula DCIO, Mogotio sub- county

Relief teachers begin work immediately

Five hundred and thirty relief teachers got employed last week in various primary and secondary schools in Baringo county.

According to Teachers Service Commission chairman in Baringo county Mr. Alex Cheruiyot, 450 candidates were posted to primary schools while 80 were posted to secondary schools.

The director said that, eight hundred and ninety applications were received within a short time frame. He also noted that, there were over two hundred late applications were also rejected.

Marginalized areas were not left behind as six applicants were received from Tiaty sub-county though some of them didn't meet the requirements such as TSC numbers.

The lucky teachers were supposed to report immediately on Monday without induction. Mr. Cheruiyot said that the turn up was alarming as most people had termed the process as propaganda.

It calls for perfect satisfaction

As 2017 general elections approaches, citizens need to see sustainable development brought by the devolution government in their counties.

Community service at Kapbolburat

Today a fundraising activity was undertaken in aid of building the church at Sitoi AIC former Kabolburat church. The guest of honour Dr Gideon Toromo conducted the function immediately after the service.

Over a hundred thousand shillings was raised during the function through raffles, selling flowers and individual contribution towards the same.

Dr Toromo who stood in place of Mr Cheboi who is Baringo county governor played a major role in the contribution amidst other invited guests. Dr. Toromo encouraged the intellectuals to work in unity and wisdom towards the development of the country. He surprised many when he quoted memorized bible verses without referring to the bible.

Mr. Kiptis being one of the invited guests talked of the on going teachers  strike which has led to primary and secondary school learners to boycott classes for more than two weeks. He said it is a high time the government should pay teachers there percentage increment as per the rule by the supreme Court.

Member of county assembly Mr. Kibiwott and other guests talked of community development and sustainability. The event was concluded at 4 O'clock.

Citizens under pressure due to rising economy

Unemployment is one of the major disasters affecting Kenyan citizens, it has led to increased poverty levels and criminal activities.

Gone are the days when criminals used to be uneducated, in this century professionals who graduate with degrees remain without jobs thus prompting them to use their knowledge in undertaking criminal activities. It's so much disappointing to find experts in criminal fields.

Major factories and manufacturing companies that have been established for long are now closing down leading to low exports and increased imports. This has led to rising economy which affects the living standards of citizens as they spend a lot of money to acquire basic needs.

Should we digitize everything?

The world is undergoing transformation at a very high rate. Digitization is the key to major changes, but what surprise me the most is the way marriage and dating is perceived in this generation.

To understand what am trying to put across, it is better we look back into history and what shapes us. According to the African tradition and customs a girl used to stay in her father's home until she reaches an acceptable age capable of having a husband and handling marriage issues.

The girl was taught and counselled on how to maintain the marriage, relate with her husband, in laws and care for her family. The girl was not allowed to step her husband's to be home until official confirmation of the marriage by the community elders and the father is made.

Once the elders from both sides have talked and understood each other, a date for the wedding was to be set and bridal prize was to be negotiated and terms of payment. Marriage was disqualified if any of the partners had committed sexual sin or the girl found pregnant.

Nowadays, that's not the case, its like the whole process is being digitized as technological changes remain rapid and permanent. Girls get pregnant at early stages of dating simply because of the believe that sex is part of practices to perform while dating and is a sign of bold relationships.

The sparkling red

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine.

Recently, a Reverend was given a divorce by his 15 year old wife whom had lived together in US for 10 years before he came back to Kenya.

The Reverend by the name Simon Kuto received a photo from his wife showing his wife with another man whom she intended to marry. Simon had left his wife in US and came back to Kenya with their children, the Reverend got a position as the principal at Eldama Ravine bible college after his departure.

While he was away, the Reverend endalge himself in alcohol drinking an act that made his wife decide otherwise, as he misbehaved and never respected the wife and the children. Simon came back to Kenya fooling people that his wife was doing her further studies and will come immediately she completes her course.

Four years down the line, the wife is no where to be seen, he got frustrated leading to depression after receiving the photo. He drove to Chambai pub where he drunk to a point of staggering and squatting anyhow. He went back to his range rover and drove at a neck breaking speed before heating a shop. He survived losing his life.

Without further hesitation, the Reverend drove towards Nakuru way and disappeared. This incident has made me understand what the wisest King in the bible meant when he warned, do not join those who drink too much wine, or gorge themselves in meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly, in the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

FACING THE MAN IN GREEN

Finding yourself in a case that sounds like in disciplinary case is not good for the stomach neither does it sound pleasing to the hear. All along I have heard of people sleeping in prisons cells, writing statements or being summoned by the security officer.

I had not thought of this myself not even in my day dreams until that Wednesday evening when my friend's laptop was stolen in my room. I had rushed from the library where I was revising for my quantitative techniques paper to my room after receiving the sad news. On arriving to my room, I found the door wide open and what greeted my eyes made a cold chill down my spine. My mind stopped thinking for a while as I remained damn founded ot knowing where to star.

"Who are the real occupants of this room?", the man at last roared, I knew I was in trouble and had to cook what to say quickly, but my mind was in dilemma, I was not sure of the information they had received earlier concerning the same from my friend. The men had clad in green, having a strong masculinity and a medium height. I sensed that they were ready to drag me to their office if I refuse to cooperate. They didn't give me time to ripen the story, they kept insisting that I give the answer immediately.

to be continued...

WANAUME KUKOSA WAKE

Visa vya wanaume kulalama kukosa jiko katika kisasi cha sasa vinaongezeka kurokana picha wanawake wanaleta katika maisha ya kila kuchao.

Nazungumza haya nikikumbuka kisa cha ntanashati mmoja aliyefungua roho na kutaja wazi kwamba imekuwa vyema kwake kuamua atakayekuwa mke wa kudumu naye kati ya mabinti wengi anaowapata. Anaeleza kuwa hofu yake inatokana na jinsi mabinti wengi huvalia nusu uchi, hawakingi miili yao vizuri kwa kukinga sehemu nyeti. Mtanashati huyo aitwae Robert anasema kwamba ni rahisi kupata kipusa wa kuwapeleka deti, kula hepi na kustarehe kitandani bali si wa kuoa na kuishi naye daima dawamu.

Inabainika wazi kuwa wanaume wengi wanaafadhalisha wanawake wenye taadhima na moyo mkunjufu wa kunyenyekea kando na wenye sura jamala au mavazi za ulimbwende. Hali kadhalika, wanaume hawapendi mabinti walevi wenye lugha chafu ya kukera. Kupata binti wa kuaminika na mwenye mienendo yanayompendeza mwanamume ni vigumu na hadimu kama maziwa ya kuku.

Wanaume wengu huchagua mbinu ya kuwabusa mabinti wengi kabla wengi kabla ya kupata anayefaa kama sulugu ya tatizo hili. Mbinu hii si dhabiti kwa kuwa inawalazimu kukosana na mabinti wengi kiasi cha kutotaka kuendelea na safari ya mapenzi. Inawapa wengi wazo la  kutompata anayempenda atawale roho kabla ya ndoa kwa kizinfizio kwamba sio yeye anayetawala moyo wake. Wengi wana taya spea zinazotoa ushindani mkali kwa hizo zilizo kazini, basi hazina budi kuebdelea.

Matikeo ya mbinu hii ni kwamba vipusa wengi wanabaki kutumiwa kama chombo cha majaribio kabla ya kutemwa ikiwa hawataafikia majaribio ya wanaume hao. Hili linasababisha kuvunjuka moyo kwa mabinti wengi na kusabambaratisha uhusiano wao na wanaume, hivyo basi kuwa chanzo cha kutoaminiana katika ndoa kutokana na wanaume kushindwa kudhibiti mchi baada ya kuchovyachovya bila tahadhari.

Wanahitaji wa kutendeana mema wala si wa kutendeana mabaya wa kupendana wala si kupendezana. Wa kukuza adabu pasipo kuadhibiana. Wa heri sio shari.

Hata hivyo wanaume pia wana kasoro katika mienendo yao haswa katika zile patashika za kutafuta mchumba ambavyo wanakisa uaminifu. Mara kwa mara hawajielezi kwa kina na kutangaza msimamo wao. Wanajipa sifa zisizo wafaa na kujitia hamnazo. Wanakiri bayana kuwa hawajawahi kosea binti yeyote maishani ilhali wao ndio wenye makosa.