KENYAN WOMEN STILL FACE VARIOUS GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND FGM EVEN AS THE WORLD CELEBRATE WOMEN INTERNATIONAL DAY.

Last week, 8th march is the day that the world celebrated women for their social, economic, political contributions to the world, but as we celebrate this wonderful day most of kenyan  women have totally nothing to celebrate.
In most Kenyan communities FGM still remains every woman's fear. In these communities uncut woman is seen as lesser human, she is being denied various rights and being discriminated, for example in Kuria East where women who fail to go through fgm are not even allowed to fetch water in public water points.
In Narok female genital mutilation is conducted every year during the festive seasons when schools are closed.  We should all come out and end this cultural slavery, FGM doesn't make a woman, it dehumanises her. Women deserve to be treated as holy vessels that they are. Ending FGM would open up a world of opportunities for our women.
The government of Kenya and our local leaders need to up their game and invest more on campaigns against these harmful cultural practices, I think the antiFGM campaigns should target men and the affected community elders as they have more influence on women on fgm issues.
If men from these regions still value the defaced women then the war on FGM is still far from over.
Humanity would remain in shackles until our  societies will accommodate change, one of the reasons why gender inequalities still persists is the degrading treatment of the African girl by the society, this must end.
Various cases of women being beaten by their husbands have always been reported in the country. Why do our  women still go through all these even when we are now in the 21st century?
Mackiche Mackiche

IN HOMA BAY IT COSTS KSH. 300,000 TO TALK TO "RAILA ODINGA" ON PHONE. How?

Ok here is the story; There is a businessman in Homabay town aspiring to be an MCA for Homa bay central ward, I will call him Mr. John.
Mr John is one of the few millionaires we have in town, But he is so mean to himself that If you meet him for first time you would think he is not even a 'thousandnaire'. He is always in some cheap mutumba clothes and 'floaters' unajua floaters? Those slippers made of 'mondo' unizijua sasa? Okay. So why would a luo millionaire walk in town putting on floaters despite owning almost half of flats and good buildings in Homa bay town? That's a story for another day.
When the rumour came out that Mr John 'Olap thoge chwer ne kom mar MCA' some known youths from Homa bay went to  a drawing table to draft how they could milk some cash from Mr. John.
So they went Mr John and told him that they would make him talk to Raila Odinga 'on phone' , see in Nyanza talking to Baba is a big plus for any politician.
So everything was well planned and Mr John was given a phone number ya Jakom. He was told  everything was okay and Baba was expecting his call.
So he called, luckily namba ya Baba haikuwa mteja or busy as you would expect. Sema Mr. John kuongea na fake Baba, fake baba gave the phone to Mama Ida (obviously fake one too) pia to say hi to Mr. John.
So the fake mama Ida akaomba 'chai' na akamuambia Mr. John atume na ya Baba pia. The chai was to be given to the 'boys' who arranged the talk. According to 'Mama Ida' the boys knew how the tea would reach them.
So Mr. John called the boys to come to take chai ya Mama Ida wampelekee. 200k for mama Ida and Jakom and 100k for the boys for making him talk to Jakom.
Problem came when Mr. John called Baba to ask Kama amepata chai, Matusi nayo.
As you all know 'Jaluo Oksechi' and gima masengwenya ochamo gi nying Baba ok olal. Mr John is now completing one of his flats in Homa bay town to show jopiny that 'Pesa pod nitie'.
- Mackiche Mackiche

EMPOWERING YOUTHS FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN HOMA BAY COUNTY.

Definitions of youth have changed continuously in response to fluctuating political, economic and socio cultural circumstances. Young people comprise a social group that faces particular problems and uncertainties regarding its future, problems that relate in part to limited opportunities for appropriate employment. The difficult circumstances that people experience in h-bay County are often even more difficult for young people because of limited opportunities for education and training, viable employment and health and social services, and because of a growing incidence of substance abuse and juvenile delinquency. Their imagination, ideals, considerable energies and vision are essential for the continuing development of the societies in which they live. Thus, there is special need for new impetus to be given to the design and implementation of youth policies and programmes at all levels. The ways in which the challenges and potentials of young people are addressed by policy will influence current social and economic conditions and the well-being and livelihood of future generations.

In today’s world the youth is facing the most of hardships and lack of belongingness within the society. Youth in Homa-bay County and Kenya as a whole constitute a big chunk of the population, yet it remains the most subjugated and marginalized. The difficult circumstances that young people face because of limited opportunities for education and training, viable employment and health and social services, and because of a growing incidence of substance abuse and juvenile delinquency is deteriorating the chance of Kenya’s quest for achieving the status of a developed Nation.. Their imagination, ideals, considerable energies and vision are essential for the continuing development of the societies in which they live.

Young people in all parts of the world, living in countries at different stages of development and in different socio-economic settings, aspire to full participation in the life of society. Young people represent agents, beneficiaries and victims of major societal changes and are generally confronted by a paradox: to seek to be integrated into an existing order or to serve as a force to transform that order.

HOMA BAY COUNTY SENATE ASPIRANT SILAS JAKAKIMBA SHARES HIS MANIFESTO

John Silas Ouko Jakakimba

Great People of Homa-BayCounty;
We started this journey on 10th December, 2014.
My conviction to serve the People of Homa-Bay County has always been premised on the urge to focus on protection of Devolution and powering on the County Development agenda. In this front, I seek to spare no effort in ensuring there is utmost accountability by the County Government on use of devolved resources.
Our folks want to see that public resources are used for the intended purposes and further that employment and business opportunities obtaining within the County Government portray both county- regional and demographic balance.
It is not lost on us that we must closely partner with The County Government to see that its deliverables are achieved for the betterment of the lives of our people. The need for affordable, accessible and quality heath-care has never been more urgent. We will ensure the County Gov. focuses on improving education standards and expanding roads and electricity/ infrastructure coverage.
Most importantly, it is my hope that Homa-Bay County Government will prioritize Food Security and ensure Fishing sector gets the much-deserved attention. We must move from rain-fed to irrigation-based agriculture. All these are possible when we initiate viable Public-Private Partnerships with both CREDIBLE Local and International investors besides budgetary allocations from the County kitty.
Join me on Friday 16th January, 2015, as I present my Nomination Papers to IEBC in Homa-Bay town. From 18th January, to 10th February, 2015, we will roll out across the county to break-down our Manifesto and explain in fair detail, the policy platforms that premise my bid to succeed Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang' (RIP). 

 (c) Jakakimba 2015

GOVERNOR CYPRIAN AWITI EXPLAINS HIS DEVELOPMENT ROAD MAP

The County Government of Homa Bay has promised to scale up supply of clean water, faster delivery of health services, an improved infrastructure and improved electricity supply.
Governor Cyprian Awiti said Water, Health and good road network were his major priorities as he marked 20 months in office.
Speaking at this year’s Jamhuri day at the Homa Bay Stadium, Mr Awiti said work was already going on various water projects within the county.
He said the construction of the 12km road network within all the 40 wards were going on, adding that the national government had finally agreed to tarmac the Kendu Bay –Oyugis and Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori road from next year.
“We are only 20 months old in the office but we are trying our best. Our work has been slowed down by dismal allocation of funds from the national government. Sh 2.2 billion of the Sh 4.9 we get goes to wages of staff we inherited from the defunct Local authorities,” said Mr Awiti.
He added: “The remainder is what we have to share with the County Assembly and recurrent expenditure, living very little for development,” he said.
The governor also announced that the County will soon have a fully-fledged University to be named Tom Mboya Memorial University.
“We are currently discussing the issue of the 80 acre land where the university will be built. Two distinguished scholars from this County are helping in this matter,” said Mr Awiti.
The governor who was accompanied by his Deputy, Hamilton Orata, County Commissioner Naftali Mungathia and County Assembly Speaker Samuel Ochilo asked for patience as he pushes members of his executive committee to speed up the implementation of projects.

“I am promising the people of Homa bay today that we will deliver on all promises we made. I know our people want us to eradicate this poverty. Our people have been suffering for the past 51 years but no one can improve the situation in just 20 months. We need a little more time. We have made the road map. We have laid the infrastructure. I promise that we will do it.”
On politics, Mr Awiti said his government will not take sides in the on-going by-election campaigns to replace the fallen Homa Bay Senator- Otieno Kajwang’. “We will work with whoever will win the by-election. I am appealing to those campaigning to maintain peace.

Homa bay county Jamhuri day in pictures

After the Viral Pastor Kanyari’s Scandal, Robert Alai Reveals Rev. Cathy Kiuna’s Furnished Home Which he Says Is Built on People’s Sweat (Photos)

KTN opened Pandora’s Box when they exposed pastor Kanyari conning his faithful and now it seems the clergy are on the receiving end attracting wrath from various quarters.

 

If things keep on going this way, Kenyan clergy will certainly be forced to account for their wealth as now most Kenyans are probably thinking they are only reaping big from their congregations’ sweat. The internet guru himself Robert Alai is the first to jump on this bandwagon. Alai being a social media screamer, he poked fun on reverend Allan and Cathy Kiuna house which he says is a manifestation of people's proceeds.

“What Allan and Cathy Kiuna have built from your sweat while you are still waiting for some white God to come rescue you” Alai wrote on his social media handle referring to Kiuna’s house. So is it true some well known clergy are stealing in the name of the lord?

Robert Alai: I Am Not Promising To Buy You Drinks But Please Come And Enjoy The Kuku Till You Drop Dead.

Social media screamer Robert Alai has offered to treat his fans with a one in a lifetime party at Carnivore.

Are you somewhere within Nairobi and its environs? Well if you have no plans for supper better start preparing your stomach for some really tasty chicken at Carnivore Restaurant as from 6 pm today. Yes you have heard it, all Luhyas better make it quick as Alai's chicken is waiting for you free of charge. But why is Alai offering a free meal to his fans?
Alai will be celebrating his birthday tonight and has ultimately offered to treat his fans or anyone who can make it to Carnivore Restaurant by 6:30 pm. You better make it quick lest he changes his mind; you all know Alai, you can never predict his moves

Forget The Kiunas, Muirus and Kanyaris. This ‘Prophet’ and His Wife Own An 89M Kshs Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley And A Private Jet! (Photo)

People got so worked up over the 12 Million Shillings Wedding Muiru allegedly threw for his daughter, the opulent mansion the Kiunas own and Kanyari’s Range Rover. 

But when compared to Zimbabwean, Prophet Uebert Angel’s insane wealth, these three are paupers.
Prophet Uebert Angel Mudzanhiri, founder of Spirit Embassy this year bought a spanking new Ferrari for his wife Beverly much to the vexation of skeptical Zimbabweans.

Uebert and Beverly
And if that is not enough, he also owns a Lamborghini Aventador,Bentley and apparently a private jet in a country that is distressed by poverty.
“Have I imported a Lamborghini? I have a Lamborghini. I am not a hypocrite, I tell you what I have,” Prophet Uebert Angel once told the Daily News

He does not even hide it, he flaunts it in the faces of his wide-eyed followers most of whom suffer from extreme poverty, surviving on below a dollar a day.Uebert is not the only big spender in his family,his wife Beverly once forked out 1000 dollars for a book. A Book!

But he doesn't keep the wealth to himself as witnessed when he donated a Range Rover to one of his followers

 - Ghafla

BREAKING: ODM appoints Long time Raila ALLY Wafula Buke acting party Executive Director

Comrade Wafula Buke has been appointed the acting Executive Director of the Orange Democratic Movement. Buke will steer the party ahead of disciplinary hearings against former executive Director Magerer Langat.
Buke is the Director of Strategy of ODM and a long time Raila ally.
A decision to subject Mr Magerer to disciplinary hearings was reached when the party’s NEC met to discuss the conduct of Nairobi MCAs who ejected him out of the CORD coalition meeting at Orange House.
Buke said he has the blessing of party leader Raila Odinga.
“Call him right now, you will be surprised by what he will tell you. He is fully aware,” he said.
Buke said all four directors have endorsed him, but during the meeting, only two, Rosemary Kariuki and Phil Etale, were present.
Buke and Kariuki are Raila’s close allies.
Etale, the Communications director, avoided the briefing saying he was not part of it.
A NEC meeting on Tuesday formed a disciplinary committee, chaired by lawyer Fred Athok, and gave it 10 days to complete the inquiry and report back to the NEC. The supreme organ will then make a ruling on Magerer’s status.
Other members of the committee are former Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim Mohammed, Harold Kipchumba, Mombasa county women’s rep Mishi Mboko Juma and Halima Daro.
Magerer snubbed the meeting convened to deliberate on the circumstances under which rowdy Nairobi MCAs frog-marched him from a Cord meeting at Orange House last week and dumped him outside the main gate.
“Magerer did not attend, although he was invited. The NEC has resolved to institute a team that will look into serious disciplinary issues that have been raised against the executive director,” secretary general Anyang’ Nyong’o told the press after the meeting.
Raila, who chaired the crisis talks, drove out of Orange House immediately after the meeting and did not attend the press briefing.
The party Tuesday imposed a collective fine of Sh100,000 on the 10 MCAs who attacked Magerer but said the allegations levelled against him are serious.
Magerer’s future in ODM now hangs in the balance after the NEC hinted that its five-member team will look at the “serious” allegations against him in making a decision.

Additional reporting by the Star.

Gen Karangi’s ‘Kitambi’ is Under Attack

 
When you’re in the army, it is expected
that fitness should be the norm. Due to
the constant drills, a 6 pack should not be
hard to come by. However, as you climb up the ranks, you
do less drills and exercises, and the result
is not very desirable. Chief of the Kenya
Defence Forces Gen. Julius Karangi is clear
evidence of what money and high office
can bring. By virtue of his office, he is getting lots of
photo ops these days. What has been
bothering many Kenyans however, is his
clearly visible ‘one pack’. On Monday, President Uhuru held talks
with the Commander of U.S. Africa
Command, General David Rodriguez at
State House. He briefed him on the
partnership between Kenya and the U.S.
in the ongoing peace efforts in Somalia. Present was Gen. Karangi. In the photos that Uhuru posted on
Facebook, Kenyans were quick to point
out the discrepancy between Gen.
Karangi and Gen. Rodriguez. Karangi
needs to start working out.

After Dead Beat Kenya GOT BANNED,Jackson Njeru now has Homewreckers-MWK Facebook group

The controversial Dead Beat Kenya Facebook group had been removed from Facebook by Facebook due to the public outcry.
Now if you are a home-wrecker,aka mpango wa kando you have every reason to be on your toes because the Dead beat Kenya founder,Jackson Njeru is out to get you and expose you with his new group called Home-wreckers – MWK!
This will surely be another controversial Facebook group,the drama of the Home-wreckers being exposed,Home-wreckers denying,the founder getting sued and all that, I suggest we grab pop corns and watch.

See what Verah Sidika said about kenyan BBA representatives

Vera Sidika has described Kenyan Big Brother Africa representatives as boring and ugly. Through social media, the video vixen disclosed that Kenyans will never win the reality TV show as they lack a comprehensive strategy

GOVERNOR AWITI WANTS FAIRNESS IN BURSARY ALLOCATIONS

Governor Cyprian Awiti says he expects fair-play and due diligence in the distribution of the County Bursaries he launched yesterday.
Mr Awiti said only extremely needy students will be awarded the school fees.
He said committees have been formed in all the 40 wards to foresee the allocation of the Sh 40 m kitty.
"History will judge you harshly if you divert the money meant for the needy students to other personal projects. We will closely monitor the situation," Mr Awiti told committee members.
He was speaking at the County headquarters when he gave out the first batch of the cheques to various schools

SH 250 M FIBRRE OPTIC PROJECT STARTS IN HOMA BAY

A Sh 250m project to improve internet connectivity in Homa Bay County, officially kicked off on Tuesday.
Social media users and the Business community now have a reason to smile because they will not only have a faster browsing speed but cheaper internet charges.
Governor Cyprian Awiti broke the ground for the project at Kabunde in Homa Bay Sub County and promised a complete internet connectivity in major offices and town centers in two months’ time.

The project is a joint venture between the County Government of Homa Bay and the national Government through the ICT Authority.
Homa Bay is among the first counties to benefit from the project expected to interconnect all the 47 Counties.
The governor said the project will help the County achieve the following:
- Faster and cheaper Internet Connectivity.
- Teleconferencing.
- Stronger and cheaper WI-FI connection.
- Job creation It will be done in THREE phases.
“The First phase, known as the BACK BONE will involve a 34 km cable link from Homa Bay to Rongo where it will join the Kisii-Migori line,” said the Governor.
Phase TWO of the project, he explained will involve connectivity of all offices at the County headquarters, and the County Assembly, the police, Post office and other offices.

He said the third Phase will include the Local Area Network (LAN) that will see the connectivity to all offices at the County headquarters.
“As a County Government, we value this project, because once completed, will help fast track the development agenda of this County,” said the governor.

Waiguru and Itumbi in a tweef. Who is the boss

OWALO To President Uhuru Kenyatta : WHY are you PROTECTING CORRUPTION instead of FIGHTING IT ?

IS JUBILEE A. “KUSEMA NA KU-TENDER” GOVERNMENT OVERWHELMED BY CORRUPTION?

Prior to ascending to power, the Jubilee Coalition promised Kenyans that it would ensure zero tolerance to corruption especially in the management of public resources including land, funds, facilities etc. This had to be ensured under the principle of transparency and accountability on the use of public resources.
However, within less than two years in power, now, the Jubilee government is openly characterized, almost on daily basis, by grave cases of corruption involving misappropriation of public funds through unprocedural tendering contracts, questionable use of funds to procure public services, grabbing of public land by senior government officials, inflation of costs of public sector contracts as well as theft, imprudent and unlawful use of public funds as revealed by the Auditor General Reports and investigations by the Ethics and Anti- corruption Commission (EACC). Scandals such as hiring vehicles for police use have also been reported,amongst others.

The public has long waited, to no avail, for meaningful action to be taken against corrupt officials as prescribed by law. Instead, corrupt practices continue with impunity as the public gets entertained by endless investigations and mock trials which actually end nowhere. Rather it appears that the law penalizes petty thefts committed by ordinary people but not mega thefts committed by the big fish. This has become the order of the day in Kenya under the Jubilee Government where even Court orders and summons are openly defied by high ranking government officials.
It is instructive to recall that the Jubilee Coalition promised a lot of development related programs in its 2013 campaign manifesto. Such programs included, standard gauge railway (SGR), Laptops for pupils, irrigation projects, etc. but none of these pledges has taken off amicably. Most of them are facing legal challenges in law Courts due to internal competing interests and corruption which has underlined their procurement.
Interestingly, in an effort to divert public attention, the Jubilee Government has now embarked on diversionary tactics aimed at hiding the corrupt face of the national government. There is much talk against the management of resources by county government under the leadership of governors and less talk of misuse of public resources by the national government headed by the President and his Deputy. This is the case despite the fact that much of the financial scams as revealed by oversight institutions lies with the national government which still retains 85% of the revenue relative to 47 county governments which share a meager 15% of the government revenue between them. Instead of directing the Anti Corruption and Law Enforcement Agencies to focus on misuse of funds and other resources at both the National and County Governments, the ruling executive has tended to focus more on financial abuses by the latter governments

Tellingly, the public watchdogs outside government control such as NGOs and the media have either been manipulated or threatened into silence. The public hardly hears any reports on plunder of public resources from NGOs or the Mainstream National Media, both of which have been silenced by restrictive legislative enactments. In particular, the NGOs are still struggling to oppose the government’s attempts to restrict to a maximum of 15% the amount of funding they can get from the donors. As regards official oversight bodies such as Parliament, the duty has shifted to the unconstitutional one of praising the ruling executive instead of exercising its watchdog roles over the excesses of the executive.

Despite the ban on public fund raising by state officers including elected officials, the Jubilee Government has created further confusion to the public by behaving contrary to the law which is aimed at curtailing participation of such officials in fundraising for purposes of preventing corruption. Under the Jubilee Administration, it seems now that the Deputy President Mr. William Ruto is leading the way in championing the Harambee spirit contrary to the law. This has left the public wondering whether the government has resorted to Harambee as the means to development instead of the official development plans which should be anchored on an appropriate legislative framework and funded by the National Government.

In conclusion, the country seems to be having no effective institutional watchdogs in place, both in the private and public sectors. Indeed, this is really disturbing for it appears that the Jubilee Government has become over whelmed by corruption, which now writs large in our society. This is why I insist that this Government is pre-occupied with pursuit of Economic Rent,thus a “Kusema na Ku-Tender Government”.

Eliud Owalo  is a Management Consultant based in Nairobi.