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.