Day: October 11, 2023

Kisii Central Deputy County Commissioner, Wilberforce Kilonzo has urged residents of Kisii to take personal responsibility in ensuring they prevent disasters that may be brought about by the anticipated El Nino rains. Speaking at a public sensitization exercise on El Nino preparedness at the Kisii Main stage in Kisii town, Kilonzo encouraged the residents to unclog the drainages in their surroundings and cut down trees that are likely to pose danger during the heavy rains. ‘I am requesting the community members to liaise with the Kenya Forest Department to ensure that trees that might be affected by the rains are pruned or cut down,’ he said. The DCC noted the county had experienced cases of landslides and destruction of houses during heavy rainfall seasons some of which resulted to deaths. Kilonzo encouraged residents to support those who will be affected by the El Nino rains and called for collaboration in order to save lives. The Director of Municipality Services, Ronald Samani lauded the Disaster Management Committee in the county for putting structures in place to prevent catastrophes in the region. Samani urged residents to practice safe disposal of waste at the household levels to prevent drainage blockages that can promote negative effects such as the spread of water-borne diseases and felling of trees. ‘I am urging our people to be responsible for their deeds by managing the environment they live in so that we maintain a healthy county,’ he noted. On his part Matatu Workers Association Chairman, Samson Mose lauded the national and county governments for collaborating and sensitizing the matatu sector on ways of preparing for the Elnino rains. He urged the drivers, especially those that ply long distance routes, to be careful on the road when the rains begin, to prevent injuries and loss of lives. Besides the sensitization exercise, the team that included the national and county government officials, matatu workers, non-governmental organizations, and Kisii University and Kisii National Polytechnic students embarked on a cleaning exercise at the bus park. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department’s projection beginning October, most parts of the country are set to experience above-average rainfall in the next three months.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Over 200 residents in Kisumu County have benefited from the ongoing screening and counseling as stakeholders marked the World Mental Health Day fete at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). The County Executive Member for Health (CECM) Dr. Greg Ganda said that they are committed to strengthening and engraving mental health in the primary healthcare systems up to the grassroots level. ‘A study conducted in the region revealed that in one year there are around 40 people in Kisumu County who commit suicide which means that each ward has one person as a victim,’ Dr. Ganda said as he led the participants in marking the celebrations on October 10. He added that there are a lot of studies and work on mental health which are currently going on in Kisumu to augment the concerted efforts by various stakeholders. ‘One of them is the Smart Dapper study, which found out that one in every three people who walk into a facility will require mental health screening after being asked a few questions,’ said Dr Ganda. In this way, he notes, it will be easy to determine whether one needs to see a mental health specialist or practitioner to solve the problems they are facing. Dr. Ganda’s sentiments affirm the mental health screening report which indicates that the number of those positively screened in these health facilities was at over 67. Out of this figure, JOOTRH registered (4), Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH) (3), Lumumba Hospital (43), Migosi Hospital (17), and Railways and Nyalenda nil. Similarly, Ganda confirmed that he had already appointed members to the County Mental Health Council who will kick start their duties in three months’ time as they still await final guidelines on work operations from the Ministry of Health. Under this year’s theme of ‘Mental Health is a Universal Right,’ the CECM further revealed that there will be continued screening in 35 Centres within Kisumu County. The Centres have toll-free 24hrs call services manned by professionals. ‘Each of the wards in two years,’ he projected, ‘is going to have a Health and Wellness Centre, and work has already begun. If you look at the tenders we issued this year, each ward has one facility which is being renovated, painted and spruced up for this kind of work.’ The ongoing screening, a key brainchild of the Health Department, SMART DAPPER, Kenya Counselors and Psychiatrist Association (KCPA) and its partners, has seen the number of those treated within the period to 63 patients. Dr. Ganda clarified that his team has already worked on documents and ways in which junior people can speak about and deal with mental health issues inside the new facilities. In one of their studies, he noted, that the average earnings of the participants was Sh.3,600 when they started. But on a positive note after counseling and being taken care of in terms of their wellness, four months later, their salaries or earnings went up by 25 per cent to almost Sh.5,670. This, he observes, has immensely impacted livelihoods and the economy as mental patients miss work or become less productive because of the illnesses. ‘So, if we want to improve the economy of this region then we should have to deal with issues of mental health through counseling by engaging someone who is well trained in Psychotherapy issues, taken care of and given medicines,’ Dr. Ganda advised. On his part, the County Director of Health, Fredrick Oluoch, said that they already have trained mental health champions who are screening within the communities. This has helped in identifying cases which need treatment and research which helps to improve service delivery. Loice Omondi, Kisumu Mental Health Ambassador pointed out that they face significant barriers in the social care and environmental transition, something that makes them more vulnerable. ‘People who are mentally ill, most of them have poor care and are forced to live in uncertain environments with poor security that often come with no foster care. Some are caged with no meals, clothes and medication,” cautioned Omondi. On survival skills, Omondi who is a mental health, illness and disability survivor implored the locals to improve the situation by identifying qualified personnel who can guide the infected and affected people. In addition, she calls for the improvement of social care to avoid triggers such as missing meals, menstrual period, stress, missing medication, inadequate sleep and direct sunlight. Ms. Omondi called for the establishment of Rehabilitation Centres for the homeless mental illness and mental disability in the country. In the build-up to the day, the department lined up various activities like a walk-in procession from Kondele roundabout to JOORTH venue held radio and TV talk shows, and a public Chief’s Baraza held at Nyalenda B in Kisumu Central Sub County. Significantly, these activities sought to sensitize the public on the differences between mental health, illness and disability. The World Mental Health Day event was also graced by JOOTRH CEO, Dr. George Rae, and Dr. Lynda Nyamuthe a Consultant Physician, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Female Advisory Organization (KEFEADO), TINADA Youth Organization, OGRA Foundation, Nyalenda Young Turks, and Sage International-Kenya among others.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has protested against a decision by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to allegedly have Junior Secondary School registered under Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) rather than under Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). Mercy Ndung’u, the KNUT’s 2nd National Women representative termed the alleged decision by TSC to remove the newly recruited JSS teachers from KNUT membership to KUPPET as ‘a provocation of the highest order’. She said the JSS teachers who were deployed to teach in public primary schools should automatically be under the membership of KNUT, and only leave to join KUPPET on their own volition. ‘We are telling TSC to stop meddling in the affairs of teachers’ trade unions in the country and let the newly recruited JSS tutors join a union of their choice as members,’ said Ndung’u. The alleged move by TSC, Ndung’u lamented, was not only unjust but also aimed at weakening their bargaining power as KNUT when fighting for the rights and welfare of its members. She threatened that KNUT would seek legal redress from the courts unless TSC stopped its intention to remove the more than 30,000 JSS teachers from KNUT membership. The unionist was addressing the press at Bishop Delany Mixed Secondary School in Eldoret town during the Eldoret West Knut branch Annual General Meeting where she was the chief guest. The event was graced by the union branch leaders drawn from the South Rift and North Rift regions led by Sammy Bor, the National Executive Council Rift Valley regional representative. The outcry from KNUT was sparked by claims that hundreds of JSS teachers who had enlisted as KNUT members were allegedly removed from the union’s database. In his remarks, Bor, who is also the union Eldoret East branch Executive Secretary, said TSC was out to deprive the union of resources to run its affairs for the benefit of members across the country. ‘KNUT is going to write to TSC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia demanding an explanation why JSS teachers who had enlisted as members were moved to KUPPET without their consent,’ said Bor. Bor claimed TSC was being cheeky by employing dubious means to defraud their union of its newly recruited members to strengthen other unions, which he stated was unacceptable. ‘TSC should be neutral on matters related to trade unions for the sake of industrial harmony,’ advised Bor.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Peninah Malonza, incoming Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community, Arid and Semi- Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development (seated) signs the visitors’ book on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the Ministry offices, Cooperative Bank building, Nairobi as she was ushered in by the outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Rebecca Miano, who has been taken to the Ministry Investment, Trade and Industry. Malonza was the immediate CS for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage. Right is the current Principal Secretary East African Community

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Community Service Order (CSO) committee members in the Marakwet West sub-county are advocating for a higher allocation of offenders to the CSO program in an effort to enhance rehabilitation and reintegration into society. During a meeting held on Wednesday at the DCC’s boardroom in Kapsowar, the committee members discussed the pressing issue of declining numbers of probationers being assigned to the CSO program. In the past six months, the number of probationers in the program has dropped from 23 to a mere 15, a significant decline that has raised concerns among committee members. They believe that this decrease in numbers may compromise the effectiveness of the program in achieving its goals. Speaking during the meeting, David Barasa, the County probation officer of Elgeyo Marakwet, expressed his commitment to resolving this issue. He pledged to follow up on the previously agreed-upon deal with the magistrates at Iten Law Courts to increase the number of probationers entering the CSO program. Mr. Barasa believes that the court’s cooperation is essential to address this decline effectively. Mr. Barasa also stressed the need for urgent training of CSO supervisors to ensure they are familiar with the program’s requirements and to protect probationers from exploitation. This training will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the CSO program, which aims to reform petty thieves and petty offenders, helping them to reintegrate into society successfully. The underlying spirit of the CSO program is centered on providing offenders with an opportunity to mend their ways and reintegrate into society as productive citizens. This approach focuses on community-based rehabilitation, emphasizing that offenders should serve their sentences closer to their homes. This not only facilitates a smoother reintegration but also helps them avoid the financial burdens associated with traveling to institutions where they would serve their orders. As the committee pushes for an increased allocation of offenders to the CSO program, it remains dedicated to the principles of restorative justice and community-based rehabilitation, with the ultimate aim of ensuring a brighter future for those on the wrong side of the law. It is hoped that these efforts will result in more non-serious offenders benefiting from the program and finding a path toward reformation.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The new Investments, Trade, and Industry CS Rebecca Miano has officially handed over the reins of the East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development Ministry to her successor Peninah Malonza. Speaking at the Ministry offices at Cooperative Bank building, Nairobi Wednesday, during the handover ceremony, Miano expressed confidence in her successor’s ability to continue advancing the ministry’s goals. On her part, Malonza affirmed her commitment to serving in her new role to the best of her abilities. She pledged to carry out her mandate with precision and efficiency, ensuring that the interests of Kenyans are well-served.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Acting Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Moses Gicharu has assured residents that the government is prepared to handle any emergencies that may arise should the country experience El Nino rains as predicted by the weatherman. Gicharu said that they have put in place mitigation measures to avert loss of lives and damage to property with the heavy rains expected to pound the area as of the third week of this month. Speaking on Wednesday during the County Disaster Management Committee meeting in his Wote boardroom, the administrator said that they have mapped out areas prone to flooding and mudslides. ‘We anticipate flooding in Masongaleni, Nthongoni, Barazani, Mutyambua, Kasikeu and Kavuthu. Clogging of sewer systems and drainage is likely to happen in major towns namely Wote, Makindu, Emali, and Kibwezi,’ said Gicharu. Consequently, he urged all administrators who were present in the meeting to reactivate Sub-county committees by Wednesday next week. ‘The Sub-county, divisional, ward, and location disaster committees should be ready by Wednesday next week to handle any emergencies that may arise due to the heavy rains that will pound the area,’ he observed. During the meeting, it was agreed that each Sub-county would identify its needs besides locating evacuation centers where people would be taken if they were displaced from their homes. Further, the deputy county commissioners were told to identify stores where non-food items and foodstuff will be stored to benefit households that will be displaced from their homes. Speaking in the same meeting, Executive Committee Member for Trade Mr. Petr Mumo Nyamai said that the county was in the process of desilting dams to ensure they harvest more water during the impending El Nino rains. Nyamai also disclosed that the county government has trained 15 divers to assist should people drown in local rivers or flooded areas. On his part, Makueni County Director of Meteorological Services Jonathan Ngayai called on wananchi to adhere to government advisories to help them avert damage to property and loss of lives. ‘This information comes from experts from the World Meteorological Organization and is given to countries who disseminate the same to wananchi who should take it seriously to avert loss of lives and mitigate risks. Ignorance leads to destruction of property, those who adhere to advisory, benefit immensely,’ warned Ngayai.

Source: Kenya News Agency