By Habil Onyango

For a long time, elderly widowers in society have been neglected and forgotten, as the main focus has always been on supporting widows and the girl child.

Most of them have been living lonely lives after the demise of their partners, with no companion in their homes.

Some even lead a pathetic life with no one to care for them, leaving them with no choice but to wait for their time to depart from this world.

However, widowers across the country now have a reason to smile after an organisation, supported by the Interior Permanent Secretary, Dr Raymond Omollo, came up with an initiative to assist them.

According to Sam Okombo Nyarombo, the Director of the Widowers’ Empowerment Programme, their main aim is to offer healthcare services, empowerment, and support services for the neglected group.

“For quite some time, we have talked about the girl child and widows but forgotten about the widowers who have been living desperate lives after the death of their spouses, with little support from the community,” said Nyarombo.

“After realising what our elderly single fathers go through after being left alone, together with PS Omollo, we decided to come up with a programme that will see them benefit from mental support, proper healthcare, and other basic needs,” he said.

“We want to bring back hope to those who have lost it and make them feel that they are still important members of society,” he added.

According to the Director, who was speaking at Arujo Location Chief’s Camp when the team met elderly widowers, they plan to travel across the country to offer support to those affected.

He said they have already visited a number of widowers in Rusinga, Mfangano Islands, and Gwassi regions within Homa Bay County.

During the visit, the elderly widowers benefitted from medical check-ups, were gifted grooming kits, and also got an opportunity to register for SHA.

“We want the elderly widowers to age happily with dignity and feel that they are still an important part of society,” said the Director.

“We have had an elaborate discussion where we realised that some have lost their property to unscrupulous individuals and lack knowledge of the legal framework on how to recover it. We have advised them and will follow up and offer legal aid,” he said.

“We all know that there have been a number of programmes running for women, such as farming and table banking, but widowers are just left sitting pensively, waiting for their deaths,” he said.

He, however, appealed to the county government to engage more community health workers who can visit and assist the elderly who are unable to access healthcare at their homes.

According to the Arujo Location Senior Chief, Robert Lang’o, the initiative will prolong the lives of elderly widowers.

“This is the right time to engage the elderly by giving them hope and providing them with proper healthcare, companionship, and even food,” said Lang’o.

Lang’o revealed that there are close to 1,000 widowers in his location who need assistance and care.

According to one of the widowers, Bernard Owino, 78, he has been staying alone in his homestead for eleven years since the death of his wife.

“All my children are grown-ups, and they have their own families. I have been staying alone in my home, washing my clothes alone, and sometimes I lose hope in life,” he said.

“However, with the kind of engagement and support we have received today, I have gained confidence and hope, and I am determined to live longer,” said Owino.

According to Ben Otieno, 67, this was the first time in his entire life that he had witnessed widowers being considered for support.

He said being a widower and elderly comes with a number of challenges, including negative perceptions, where some view them as witches and often try to kill them.

“In some regions, some elderly people have been burnt alive or murdered for being suspected witches. We need a lot of support and care, and I am happy the PS has seen the need,” said the retired teacher.

“We are also happy with the government initiative of directly transferring our monthly stipends to our mobile phones, as before we used to lose a lot of money to young girls whenever we went to withdraw from banks,” he said.

Dr Omollo is also running an empowerment programme for widows by building them modern houses for those in need.

“We want to appeal to Dr Omollo to also consider us widowers for modern houses. Some of us are living in dilapidated structures which, given our ages, are not safe at all,” he said.

By Habil Onyango

The ongoing renovation of Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay is expected to be completed by 20th May 2025, Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Youths Salim Mvurya has said.

The stadium is undergoing a facelift in preparation for the Madaraka Day celebrations on 1st June, which will be presided over by President William Ruto.

Speaking at the stadium during the handover to the contractor, the CS said that the stadium is also being prepared to host other sporting activities.

“We have had a meeting with the contractor and other senior national and county government officials, and we have all agreed that this work has to be of a high standard and should be completed in record time,” said the CS.

“The works we are doing here—part of it is going to be compliant with the Madaraka Day celebrations, and some part of it will meet the standards required for sporting activities,” added Mvurya.

A week ago, a team managing national ceremonies, led by the Principal Secretary for Interior, inspected the stadium among other infrastructure in readiness for the celebrations.

“The team managing national ceremonies visited here and gave their recommendations, which will be implemented to ensure that this stadium is available for the Madaraka celebrations and other sporting events,” he said.

The CS was accompanied by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and other senior officials from the national and county governments.

“I want to thank Governor Wanga for the partnership, since we can only succeed if we work together as a team. I am happy that this has been demonstrated by the ongoing activities,” said the CS.

Mvurya also directed the contractor to ensure that he engages Homa Bay youths in jobs during the facelift.

“One important thing we have told the contractor is that the people of Homa Bay should feel that this project belongs to their county by being given priority in the jobs available here,” he said.

“I am sure the people of Homa Bay have all the skills needed for this work, and I want to encourage the contractor to utilise the youths from this area so that when the stadium is completed, they will also have money in their pockets,” said the CS.

Governor Wanga thanked the President for the promise he made when he attended the Genowa Governors’ Cup, accompanied by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, that his government would elevate the stadium to international standards.

The Governor said this commitment is evident through the recent visit by the national government delegation, the CS’s visit, and the ongoing construction work.

“There are people who like spreading propaganda that our President only makes promises without action. The ongoing construction work clearly shows that the Head of State has kept his promise, and we are very grateful to him,” said Wanga.

According to the Governor, the stadium will now boast a 12,000-seating capacity, terraces, canopies, new gates, and a changing room once completed.

By Anderson Ojwang

Kisumu City is the cleanest city in Kenya, second in East Africa, and is rapidly developing as a result of various development projects supported by the World Bank and the County Government of Kisumu.

The administration led by Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has benefitted from multibillion-shilling projects that have had a positive impact on the general infrastructural development of the lake city.

The multibillion-shilling projects, through the World Bank’s Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP1), have radically changed the city’s infrastructure and positioned it as one of the fastest-growing in the region.

City Manager, Mr Abala Wanga, said KUSP1 has improved the infrastructure and image of the city, making it one of the best-planned, cleanest, and most orderly cities in the country.

He said that through KUSP1, the World Bank has built a modern fire station, which is fully equipped and capable of responding to any emergency in the region.

Wanga added that the Bank is also modernising and reorganising Kibuye Market, with 50 per cent of the work already completed and still ongoing.

He said that through KUSP1, the Bank has made significant investments in non-motorised transport infrastructure in the Central Business District (CBD) and other areas, greatly improving mobility.

“The construction of non-motorised lanes has helped reduce the high incidence of accidents and ensured free movement within and beyond the city. This has changed the face of Kisumu, making it one of the cleanest and most orderly cities,” he said.

Abala noted that Kisumu’s three main parks—Oile Park, Sports Ground, and Victoria Park—have all undergone significant infrastructural improvements and have become focal meeting points for residents.

He said KUSP1 has also contributed to the infrastructural improvement of Kisumu’s Rotary Centre, which now hosts over 2,000 students undertaking semi-skilled training.

“We have Kaloleni Social Hall and Nyamasaria Bus Park, both under construction using World Bank funding. These projects are milestones in the city’s growth and development, both now and in the future,” he said.

Under KUSP2, Abala said that a new proposal has been drafted and submitted to the Kisumu City Board. Once approved, it will be forwarded to the Cabinet for final approval. The new phase will focus on legacy projects for the city.

“We propose to introduce non-motorised transport corridors from State House to Dunga Beach, ending at Hippo Point.

We will convert Dunga into a Marina Park with a jetty capable of accommodating 100 boats, which will improve the waterfront.

This development will also spur economic activities in the area and create employment opportunities across various sectors,” he said.

Wanga added that the non-motorised transport network will also extend to Nyerere Road, Ngumbi Street, Patel Flats, Lumumba Estate, Anderson Estate, Makasembo Estate, Kachok, and Kisumu Polytechnic.

He said these non-motorised transport corridors will be enhanced with street lighting and CCTV cameras to improve security within the city.

Wanga also stated that, under the programme, the city will construct terraces and walkways.

He added that in the Mamba area, they plan to reorganise the space and turn it into a focal entertainment hub for the city, equipped with various recreational facilities.

“We will undertake beautification projects across Kisumu, improving its image and making it one of the most attractive cities in the region and in Africa,” he said.

Wanga further mentioned that the plan includes the construction of a convention centre near the lake and the reorganisation of the CBD.

“We have our Industrial Park in Kibos and Nyamasaria, where we intend to relocate manufacturers and traders to create a one-stop industrial hub.

This will help decongest the CBD while providing a dedicated space for investors to set up businesses,” he said.

Wanga also revealed that, through the Department of Health, they plan to construct a public health laboratory to respond effectively to disease outbreaks in the county.

By Habil Onyango

Homa Bay County is on high alert following a cholera outbreak in the neighbouring Migori County after several cases and one casualty were reported.

Five cases of cholera and one casualty were reported in Kuria East Sub-County, Migori, since the outbreak of the disease.

According to Homa Bay Chief Officer for Health, Dr Kevi Osuri, no case of infection has, however, been reported in any part of the county.

“Following the outbreak of cholera in our neighbouring county, Migori, we have put in place adequate measures to ensure that our people remain safe,” said Osuri.

“We have initiated a major clean-up exercise in our towns, especially by clearing the sewerage system as one of the factors to avoid any infection,” said Osuri.

Osuri also revealed that the county government has ensured that locals get an adequate supply of clean water as one of the ways to combat infection.

“We have so far not recorded any case in our county, and I want to tell our people, especially those from the areas bordering Migori County, to remain vigilant and alert to prevent the infection from spreading into our county,” said Osuri.

Dr Osuri warned that cholera can quickly become fatal, and in the most severe cases, the rapid loss of large amounts of fluids and electrolytes can lead to death within hours.

“In less extreme situations, people who do not receive treatment can die of dehydration and shock within hours to days after cholera symptoms first appear,” he added.

The officer, however, advised county residents to report to the nearest health facility if they experience the sudden onset of diarrhoea and vomiting.

He urged the people of Homa Bay to maintain high standards of hygiene by washing their hands with soap before handling any food and after visiting toilets.

“Cholera is a bacterial disease that usually spreads through contaminated water. It causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration, and if left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people. Our people must be very cautious to avoid infection,” said the medic.

“I want to encourage our people to continue practising good hygiene to prevent communicable diseases and to report any suspected case of cholera to the nearest health facility as soon as possible for immediate examination,” said Dr Osuri.

Dr Osuri also advised locals to ensure that drinking water is safe by boiling or chlorinating it.

He emphasised that families, as well as those operating food kiosks and hotels, must ensure that the food they prepare and serve customers is cooked thoroughly and served while still hot to avoid infection.

“We must also ensure that food is well covered to keep away cockroaches, flies, and dust and that human waste is disposed of in latrines,” said Dr Osuri.

“We must also maintain the habit of eating in a clean environment and using clean containers. Additionally, people should avoid illicit drinks that might be brewed with contaminated water,” added the Chief Officer.

All three sub-counties in Migori (Kuria East, Kuria West, and Suna West), which have reported suspected cases of cholera, border the eastern part of Tanzania, which has been reporting cholera cases in 23 regions since 1st January 2024.

By Habil Onyango

According to the provisions of Section 7(1) and (2) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act 2008, all establishments are required to seek to represent the diversity of the people of Kenya in the employment of staff.

It further stipulates that no public establishment shall have more than one-third of its staff from the same ethnic community.

Furthermore, Section 13 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2003 states that the Council shall endeavour to secure the reservation of 5 per cent of all casual, emergency, and contractual positions in employment in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities.

However, this might not be the case in 42 County Assemblies, where the majority of employees come from dominant communities, and some have even failed to include persons with disabilities (PLWD) in their management.

According to the Audit Report 2023/2024, only six County Assemblies met the constitutional threshold regarding the employment of staff.

The report states that a review of human resource records revealed that the County Assembly of Mombasa had a staff establishment of 137, out of which 66 staff members, representing 48 per cent, were from the dominant community in the county.

Furthermore, 76 staff members, representing 62 per cent of the total casual employees at the County Assembly, were from the dominant community.

In Kwale, out of the 72 County Assembly employees, 65—translating to 90.3 per cent—were from the dominant community.

“Under contractual temporary employees, the dominant community constituted 83 per cent,” reads the report.

In Kilifi County, the staff establishment shows that the County Assembly had 125 staff, including three PLWD, while 114, representing 91 per cent of the total employees, came from the dominant community.

The report further revealed that Lamu County Assembly had a workforce of 105 staff, of whom 82 individuals—representing 78 per cent of the total employees—hailed from one ethnic community.

Garissa County Assembly had 111 employees, exceeding the approved limit of 100 allowed by the Revenue Allocation Commission, resulting in excess employment of 11 staff members.

In Wajir County Assembly, the examination of the Assembly payroll for June 2024 indicates that it had a total of 169 employees. However, an analysis of employee data revealed that 99 per cent of them were from the dominant ethnic community, with only 1 per cent drawn from other ethnic communities.

Mandera County had 53 per cent of its 97 staff members drawn from one ethnic community, while Isiolo had 124, representing 62 per cent of its 200 staff, from one ethnic community.

Embu County recorded 150 employees—approximately 96 per cent of the total workforce—being from one dominant tribe, while in Tharaka Nithi, 23 staff members, translating to 79 per cent of the total 29 management-level staff (Job Group N-T), were from a dominant ethnic group.

Embu had 108 (49 per cent) out of 221, Kitui 133 (96 per cent) out of 138, and Machakos had 183 (93 per cent) out of 183 employees from one ethnic group.

According to Anne Gathungu, the County Assembly of Makueni had nine vacant positions at the entry-level during the year under review. However, all the posts were filled by candidates from the dominant ethnic community.

“This was contrary to Section 65 (1)(e) of the County Government Act 2012, which states that in selecting candidates for appointment, the County Public Service Board shall consider the need to ensure that at least 30 per cent of the vacant positions at entry level are filled by candidates who are not from the dominant ethnic community in the county,” said Gathungu.

In Nyeri County, 57 staff members (92 per cent) out of 62, 80 (95 per cent) out of 84 employees in Kirinyaga, and 88 (91 per cent) out of 97 County employees in Murang’a County Assemblies were found to be from one dominant ethnic group.

According to the report, only Nairobi, Tana River, Marsabit, Nyandarua, Laikipia, and Kiambu met the recommended threshold of the NCIC Act 2008.

In Kiambu County Assembly, the statement and receipt of payments, as well as Note 4 of the financial statement, reflect compensation of employees’ expenditure amounting to Sh. 571,271,477.00.

A review of human resource records revealed that the Assembly had 99 employees, out of which 83—representing 84 per cent—were from the majority ethnic group.

Furthermore, three employees recruited during the year belonged to the same dominant ethnic community.

All 204 out of 205 newly recruited employees at the Turkana County Assembly were from one ethnic community.

“This did not consider the diversity of the people of Kenya,” said Gathungu.

“Furthermore, it was noted that the appointment did not include any staff from PLWD or any other person who, for any reason, has been disadvantaged, as required by Section 13 of the PWD Act 2003, which states that the Council shall endeavour to secure the reservation of 5 per cent of all casual, emergency, and contractual positions in employment in the public and private sectors for persons with disabilities,” noted the AG.

In West Pokot, it was revealed that out of 87 ward staff members, 94 per cent, 32 senior management staff, 81 per cent, 59 middle management staff (94 per cent), and 79 support staff (95 per cent) were from the dominant ethnic community.

Samburu had 77 (84 per cent) out of 91 staff, while 91 (55 per cent) out of 165 in Trans Nzoia and 122 (92 per cent) out of 132 members of the staff in Uasin Gishu were found to be from one ethnic tribe.

Elgeyo Marakwet had 243 permanent employees, of whom 99 per cent (240) were found to be drawn from one ethnic community.

The Assembly had also recruited 134 employees in the previous year, all from the dominant community.

In Nandi County, 103 (94 per cent) out of 126 staff, while 93 (95 per cent) out of 98 employees in Kericho, were from one ethnic group.

“Furthermore, eight new employees in Kericho were recruited in the year under review, all from one ethnic group,” reads the report.

In Baringo County Assembly, 103 (82 per cent) out of 126 employees were from one ethnic tribe.

The total number of staff (126) exceeded the approved staff establishment ceiling of 100 employees by 26 staff members.

“The overstaffing not only contravenes regulatory requirements but also indicates a lack of adherence to proper personnel management set by the Commissioner of Revenue Allocation.”

Nakuru had 67 (53 per cent) out of 126, while out of 11 key management positions, nine staff members were from one dominant tribe.

During the year under review, the Assembly recruited six employees for the positions of waiters, clerical officers, supply chain management, and chefs; however, five of them were from one dominant ethnic community.

The report further revealed that the Narok Assembly had 49 Members of the County Assembly, comprising 30 elected and 19 nominated ones, against the set limit of 47 MCAs.

By Anderson Ojwang

The increasing demand for fodder in Western Kenya, following the adoption of dairy farming by most farmers in the region, has led to a shortage of animal feed.

Additionally, the emerging challenges of climate change globally have prompted investment in fodder production to address potential shortages caused by the climatic changes currently being experienced.

To that end, the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) is investing in the livestock sector through the production of hay to meet the growing demand for fodder.

LBDA Managing Director Wycliffe Ochiaga said that in Migori County, the Authority has cultivated over 200 acres of land for hay production to meet the demand for livestock feed in the region.

“We hope that from the over 200 acres of land under hay cultivation, we will be able to produce over 4,200 bales of fodder, which will go a long way in improving livestock production,“ he said.

He added that by supporting the livestock sector, LBDA will help create employment opportunities, improve farmers’ incomes, and drive economic growth through a bottom-up approach.

In Alupe, Busia County, the Authority is targeting 1,000 acres, with each acre expected to yield 200 bales, potentially translating to 200,000 bales.

“The livestock sector plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy, providing food, jobs, and raw materials for agro-industries. In alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the Authority is enhancing the livestock value chain by investing in fodder production to support sustainable livestock farming,“ he said.

Recently, development partners, county governments, and various groups have promoted dairy farming activities in the Nyanza region—a non-traditional dairy area—as a strategy to increase production, improve access to milk, and boost incomes for rural small-scale farming families.

The region has historically relied on tethering and has made minimal investments in commercial fodder growing, despite its high returns.

By Anderson Ojwang

The dreams and donations of Kenya’s acclaimed authors for a public university in the heart of the village of the academicians are finally on course to fruition.

After decades of unfulfilled promises by the government to contribute land to Odera Akango University in Gem Sub-County, President Dr William Ruto has finally committed to the agreement.

In their dreams, the family of the late Prof Bethwell Ogot and the late Mama Grace Ogot, both acclaimed and respected authors, donated land where the university currently stands.

In the memorandum of understanding (MoU), the government was also required to contribute and donate parcels of land for the institution. However, this has dragged on for over 18 years, denying the donors an opportunity to witness their dream materialise.

Recently, when academicians, leaders, and locals gathered in Gem for the send-off of Prof Ogot, the family warned that the university risked being reverted to a private institution should the government fail to meet its obligations.

Now, faced with this emerging reality, the government has moved to forestall the change by fulfilling its mandate.

President Ruto, through the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Mr Felix Koskei, wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, Alice Wahome, and the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, Mr John Mbadi, in a letter captioned ‘Presidential Directive: Allocation of 50 Acres to Odera Akango University, Siaya County’.

The circular, dated 7th October 2024, read in part:

*“While addressing members of the public at Mutumbu in Siaya County during the thanksgiving service of Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo on 6th October 2023, His Excellency the President directed the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development to allocate 50 acres of land in Siaya to Odera Akango University for expansion.

This is to bring this directive to your attention and request that you take the necessary steps to effect implementation.”*

David Ogot, speaking at the burial of his father, said:

*”The donation of this land was on condition that the government would add additional land because, for a university to be established, there is a minimum parcel of land required.

In that agreement—and that is what I want to remind you all—there was a clause stating that if this does not happen, the land we are standing on and all the buildings therein will revert to the Ogot family.

Mama passed away in tears, never witnessing it happen. Mzee used to tell me every time that Mama died without seeing the government fulfil its part of the agreement. Will I also die without witnessing the promise fulfilled? Now he has gone.

There are many private universities in Kenya. We are not going to go through the same route, talking about the same issue repeatedly.

President Uhuru Kenyatta told my parents, ‘People steal from the government. You are the first people I have seen donate to the government.’

I heard Maseno University management saying that perhaps my parents did not consult us when they were donating the land. This is an inheritance. But my parents decided—being the kind of people they were—that it should be for the good of our people and the community.

A private university means private. Our parents donated for the public good. But if you do not want to meet your part of the agreement, kindly return the land. However, the clause is clear—it reverts to the Ogot family. I rest my case.“*

The university was launched in 2008 as a satellite campus of Moi University. The campus did not receive government-sponsored students from Moi University after 2016, as had been the norm, although it admitted privately sponsored students before shutting down in 2020. Maseno University took over the management on 20th April 2021.

Before its closure, the college campus had received warnings from the Commission for University Education (CUE) that it risked closure if it could not secure 50 hectares of land for expansion and improve physical structures to meet university standards. An inspection was carried out in 2016.

The CUE had given the campus two years to ensure all requirements were met by February 2018, when another inspection would be conducted for a final decision.

In a bid to prevent closure, the college campus acquired 90 hectares of land in Nyamninia, near Yala Town. The county government committed Sh41 million two years ago to help refurbish campus structures, with the institution expected to provide tuition scholarships to county staff in return.

However, Moi University administration pulled out, letting go of all the workers who had remained at the campus despite the absence of students.

Maseno University Vice-Chancellor Prof Julius Nyabundi said during the takeover that the university council had initially been sceptical but later found justification for the move.

“We have made plans to see how we can use this campus. We now want to take a leading role in ensuring that Yala Town and the county’s economy are rejuvenated. We ask the county government to continue supporting the institution,” said Prof Nyabundi.

He stated that they had serious plans for the college and would put it to good use.

Then Moi University Vice-Chancellor Isaac Kosgey said they had established Odera Akango Campus to ensure the aspirations of the Ogot family, who donated the land, were achieved.