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Homa Bay surpases by Sh0.5m halfway own revenue collection,hits Sh517.7m

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By Habil Onyango

The Homa Bay County Government has surpassed its target of collecting Sh0.5billion halfway which currently stands at Sh.517.7million for the fiscal year 2024/2025.

This follows a record collection of Sh. 136.5 million in the month of December.

In its monthly Revenue Roundtable meeting held on Thursday which was chaired by Governor Gladys, it emerged that the December figure represents a substantial increase of 38.2 per cent compared to November.

According to Wanga, this highlights the County’s ongoing efforts to enhance its revenue collection strategies.

The county’s main target revenue collection stands at Sh1 billion in every financial year.

“We held the 24th Revenue Roundtable, marking our first meeting of the New Year, in December, we collected KES 136.5 million in Own Source Revenue, an increase from KES 98.3 million in the previous month,” noted Wanga.

“This achievement has allowed us to surpass the half-a-billion mark halfway through the fiscal year 2024/2025, with Ksh 517.7 million collected so far,” She said.

“We are committed to leveraging efficient revenue systems and the strength of the people of Homa Bay County as we implement impactful programs for the benefit of everyone,” said the County chief.

According to the Governor, the achievement demonstrates the county’s commitment to maintaining fiscal responsibility and developing sustainable financial practices.

She said that her administration is focused on optimizing its revenue systems further and actively implementing various programs designed to benefit all residents.

“ These initiatives aim to improve public services and infrastructure, ultimately contributing to the overall economic growth and well-being of the Homa Bay County residents,” said Wanga.

In recent years, the County grappled with significant challenges in revenue collection before Wanga implemented strategic measures to revitalize the County’s revenue collection system.

The introduction of a cashless revenue collection system coupled with the establishment of a Revenue Board, and a task force on Revenue Administration, streamlined processes and eliminated inefficiencies.

In the financial year 2023-2024, the County collected an unprecedented Ksh. 1.2 billion in OSR a 235% increase, from Ksh.491.5 million in 2022-2023.
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Man of God arrested over incest with his daughter in Homa Bay

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By Habil Onyango
A Bishop in one of the local churches in Ndiru Kagan, Rangwe Sub County, Homa Bay County is cooling his heels at the Police cell after allegedly being involved in an incest.

The man of clothes is accused of being involved in sexual intercourse with her daughter who is a mother of three.

On Wednesday evening, the man of God was caught red-handed by one of the women from the village while in the act with the daughter before raising an alarm and attracting the attention of the villagers.

According to Rangwe Sub County Police Commandant Magdalene Chebet, it is alleged that the two have been involved in the act for a long period.

She said that after the two were caught in the act, the villagers protested to Ndiru Police station where the matter was reported before they were arrested.

“According to the report we have the woman who is a mother of three who had divorced her husband where before returning to her paternal home together with her children,” said the Commandant.

“The two are said to have been love birds for quite a while a matter which did not go well with the villagers since such heinous acts are not allowed in the community,” she said.

She said that the woman was later taken to the hospital for medical examination so that an actual report to prove the act could be obtained.

The two could face not less than ten years imprisonment each if found guilty of the offence.

According to the Sexual Offence Act No. 3 of 2006, section 20(1) reads “any male person who commits an indecent act or acts which cause penetration with a female person who is to his knowledge his daughter, granddaughter, grandfather, sister, mother, aunt, niece or grandmother is guilty of an offence as termed as incest and is liable to imprisonment for a term not less than ten years,”

Further section 21 where a female is involved in the act reads, “The provision of section 20 shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to any female person who commits an indecent act or act which causes penetration with a male person who is to her knowledge her son, father, grandfather, grandson, brother, nephew or uncle.”
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CS Mbadi leads Nyanza leaders on the progress of upcoming Region’s Investment Conference

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By Habil Onyango
 
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi on Wednesday, Chaired a joint preparatory meeting for the upcoming Nyanza International Investment Conference slated for 6th – 8th February, 2025.
The meeting which was attended by various leaders drawn from the Nyanza region was held at Ciala Resort in Kisumu City.

According to Mbadi, the upcoming event themed, “Nyanza Rising Towards Economic Transformation for Socio-Economic Growth and Development” seeks to unlock the region’s economic potential through strategic marketing for investments for both local and foreign investors.

Mbadi said that among the thematic areas of interest include for the region include road infrastructure along Lake-Victoria circuit, mining, offshore oil and gas production.


Others include Lake Water and Wind energy production, Lake Transport, Shipbuilding, piers, ports, eco-ships and new maritime transport systems department and Agriculture.

Other focus areas according to the CS are Irrigation, climate change, environment and waste management,Education, tourism, sports and creative economy,technologies and innovation for blue economy among others.

“Earlier today I Chaired a joint preparatory meeting for the upcoming Nyanza International Investment Conference slated for 6th – 8th  February, 2025 at Ciala Resort in Kisumu City,” said Mbadi.

“The meeting brought together both leaders in government and professionals from the Nyanza region,” he added.

According to Mbadi President William Ruto will preside over the opening ceremony of the Lakeside three-day event.
 
The meeting was also attended by CS’s Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), Julius Ogamba (Education), Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management in the office of President Eliud Owalo and the Nyanza Professionals.

The organizing Committee which was led by Chairman Jalph Olende and Vice Chairman Michael Monari updated the team on preparations for the event.

A similar meeting is scheduled between the Organizing Committee and Governors from the Lake Region early next week.
 

Shocker to Students, Parents and Governors as COB declares no more issuance of bursaries by the Counties

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By Anderson Ojwang  

It is a rude shock to Students, Parents and Governors after Control of Budget (COB) declared that there will be no further issuance of bursaries and scholarships by the County Governments.

COG said the provision of issuance of bursaries and scholarships was the mandate of the national government and not the county governments, whose only areas of jurisdiction in education are mainly pre-primary education and village polytechnics.

The Governors had developed bursary kitty to cushion and support needy and bright students in their counties to pursue secondary, university and technical education.

From 2013 Governors came up with bursary kitty for needy and vulnerable students and this program has seen tens of thousands benefit from the program.

The bursary and scholarship schemes are in millions of Kenya shillings and support thousands of students at various educational levels.

In a circular No/1/.2025 dated January 14th 2025 from the Controller of Budget Dr  Margaret  Nyakango to all County Executive Committee  Members (CEC) for Finance said there will be no more bursaries awarded by the county governments this year going forward.

It reads in part “ Clarification on functions of County governments towards provision of Education support.

The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution distributes functions between the National  Government and the County  Governments. Specifically, Part 1 of the Fourth Schedule under Section 16  designates universities, tertiary educational institutions primary schools, Special education, Secondary schools and Special education institutions as functions of the national government.

Conversely,  part 2 of the Fourth Schedule under  Section  9 assigns pre-primary education, village polytechnics, home craft centres and childcare facilities to County Governments.

Consequently, for a county government to offer educational support towards functions classified under part 1 of the Fourth schedule, there is a need to transfer the functions in accordance with Article 187 of the Constitution.

This process, as outlined under Articles 1&7  of the constitution as read together with section 26 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act, cap 265F requires the formulation of an intergovernmental agreement, which must be executed by an authorized person and published in the Kenya Gazette.

Therefore, any requisition for withdrawal of funds to perform functions categorized as national as national functions under part 1  of the Fourth schedule must be accompanied by the requisite intergovernmental agreement as prescribed by the law,”.

The directive comes hot on the heels after various governors in the 47 counties had embarked on bursary distribution to various beneficiaries.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga in December last year had embarked on bursary distribution to the needy children in Homa Bay County more than 32,800 vulnerable students were benefitting from Wanga’s Fin to fly of Sh 215M.

Recently, the Migori County Government rolled out the second edition of Dr. Ochilo Ayacko’s bursaries and scholarships amounting to Sh.120 Million for needy students.

Migori County Chief Officer in Charge of Education Rosline Otieno said that the 2025 bursary application was open and urged needy students to apply.

Otieno said the bursaries would benefit over 16,346 students in secondary and tertiary levels, with the minimum amount curbed at Sh5000 and 10,000 for secondary school and tertiary students respectively.

The official added that the bursaries targeted total orphans, partial orphans and other needy students in the community to help them address school fee challenges.

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku recently issued bursaries and scholarships worth Sh 80M to beneficiaries both in secondary schools and colleges.

He said out of the Sh 80M, Sh 20M had been earmarked as a scholarship for needy and orphaned learners in secondary, university and technical institutions.

County Government of Kwale has disbursed Sh 95M while Kakemega has released Sh 240M and Taita Taveta has given out Sh 200M.

Other counties include Lamu Sh 55.8M, Wajir Sh 130M, Bomet Sh 167M, Machakos Sh  120M, Nakuru Sh 342M, Kitui Sh 72M, Nyandarua Sh 194.9M,  Makueni Sh 114.9M,  Garisa Sh 40M, Mandera Sh 460M, and Muranga Sh 118M.

Others are  Samburu Sh133M, Baringo Sh 30M, Laikipia Sh 50M, Busia Sh 70M,Siaya Sh 110.6M,  Nyamira Sh 66M, Mombasa Sh 200M, Tana River Sh 80M, Kiambu Sh 300M, Kericho Sh 110M, Vihiga Sh 100M, Kisumu Sh 400m, Nandi Sh 120M, Embu Sh 400M, Nairobi Sh 857M, Turkana Sh 534M, Tharaka Nthi Sh 34M, Nyeri Sh 40 M and West Pokot Sh 600M.

Others are  Elgeyo Marakwet Sh 95M, Bungoma Sh 400M,Kisii Sh 245M, Trans Nzoia Sh 150M, Uasin Gishu Sh 165M, Marsabit Sh43M, Meru Sh 136M,Isiolo Sh 70M and Kilifi Sh 67M.

The move is likely to lead to mass dropout in schools and colleges as the needy students rely on bursaries and scholarships to pursue their educations.

Similarly, it is likely to interfere with the operations of secondary schools where most students rely on the bursary and scholarships to support needy learners.

How Homa Bay county government plans to transition her fishermen from “local” fishing to fish farmers

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By Habil Onyango
Anderikus Oluoch,53, a fisherman from Ragwe Beach, Suba South Sub County, Homa Bay County has been in the business since he was 16.

Oluoch, who has been operating in Lake Victoria waters, was introduced to catch fishing by his polygamous father, a full-time fisherman.

The firstborn in a family of 12, Oluoch ventured into the business while still in Primary School because he used to accompany his father on his fishing escapades most of the time.

This led to Oluoch’s poor performance in primary-level final examinations. He could not attend secondary school and decided to fully follow his father’s roots by becoming a full-time fisherman.

“I used to accompany my father in his night fishing escapades especially at night which most of the time made me miss going to School which led to my deplorable performance in Kenya Post Primary Education Examinations and I could not join Secondary level,” he said.

However, according to Oluch, the tides turned when he was 26 when his father died leaving him with the burden of feeding the two families.

The family fully relied on catch fishing for their daily income and other basic needs.

“When my father who was a polygamous died, I was left with the burden of fetching for our families since  I was the only child who had become a master in the game,” he said.

“My father left a young family and I had to go out of my way to ensure that no gap was left vacant, I had to provide for their daily meals and pay for some school fees,” he said.

Oluoch said that by that time, there were plenty of fish in the Lake, which even lured some of his siblings to drop out of school and venture into fishing since, at the end of the day, they could earn some cash.

“Some of my brothers decided to drop out of school and join me in fishing since my father left us with three fishing boats and a number of fishing nets, they never realised the benefits of education,” he said.

However, according to Oluoch, as time went by, the population of fish in Lake Victoria especially the Nile perch and tilapia started diminishing.

He said that this led to insecurity in the lake whereby authorities from one of the neighbouring countries started taking away their catches and even fishing gears and even forcing them to eat raw fish.

Following his frustrations, Oluoch decided to abandon fishing and ventured into small-scale farming on a one-acre piece of land that he inherited from his father.

“We never embraced the culture of saving during the prime time of our fishing activities since we were sure that at the end of the day, we would have something in our pocket, most of the fishermen spent most of their earned cash on drinking and other activities at the expense of saving,” said Oluoch.

However, many fishermen at Ngeri beach such as Oluoch who had lost hope in the fishing industry have a ray of hope as the County Government of Homa Bay introduces cage fishing to the local fishermen.

The Sh.30 million initiative under the Aquaculture Business Development Program is set to create direct impact on the economic status of 180 households within Ngeri Bay.

According to Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, her administration has provided 12 cages with each costing Sh1.2M with a capacity of stocking 35,000 fingerings.

Wanga said that the plans are in progress to add another 10 fish cages to the Community.

She said that her administrative chose on the project following the ongoing challenges of climate change and other issues such as dwindling fish population and the insecurity in the lake to assist the fishermen.

“We have realised that the fish population in our lake is gradually diminishing and we thought it wise to assist our fishermen with fish cages to help them continue with their businesses as usual,” said Wanga.

“As a County Government we want our fishermen in various parts of Lake Victoria to graduate from just being “fishermen” to fish farmers, we do not want the fish farming sector to be exclusively left for the private sectors but our people must also venture into it,” said Wanga.

According to Wanga, the cages will be operated by the Community rationally so that every household along the Bay can benefit.

The cages are expected to benefit fishing communities in Nyagwethe, Ngeri, Litare and Kisegi beaches which are all under Ngeri Bay.

According to the Governor, the project was initially designed to support fish pond farmers, however she felt it wise to be implemented in the lake she Homa Bay own a larger chunk of Lake Victoria to benefit the larger number of those fishing in the lake.

The Governor assured the locals that they will partner with Victory Farms one of the largest privately owned fish farming companies in the Country which is based in Roo within Suba South to offer to help the farmers in managing the cages due to the vast experience they have in the sector.

“We are looking forward to partnering with private sectors such as Victory Farms Company to help the fish farmers so that they can carry out their activities in ways that can conserve the environment within the lake,” she said.

Wanga said that apart from providing farmers with cages, the farmers will also receive fingerings and fish feeds to ensure that the program becomes a success.

However, the county CEO assured the locals that the same initiative would be expanded to other fishing regions across the County.

“We have plans to replicate the same initiative in our islands such as Mfangano remba, parts of Rangwe and Karachuonyo Constituency and any other fishing areas across our County,” she said.

According to the Kenya Maritime and Fisheries Research Institute, there are currently approximately 6000 installed on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria, and each cage can produce one ton of fish per year.

Farmed fish products in the Country would need to reach 150000 Metric tonnes in 2030 in order to generate enough fish to maintain its low per capita fish consumption for the growing population.

However, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Report 2020, fish production in the Country reduced from 163,824 Metric tonnes in the year 2015 to 146,543 Metric tonnes in the year 2019.

John Agili, the County Executive Committee Member in charge of fisheries and the blue economy, the program will boost fish output, act as a source of food security, and poverty reduction and create job opportunities to the people of Homa Bay.

He said that the growing population along Lake Victoria has increased pressure on the lake’s capture fisheries resulting in a decline in the resource.

“As a result of the reduction in fish population in Lake Victoria, many fishermen and investors have turned to cage fish farming for alternative livelihoods and trade and as a County, we can not be left behind,” he said.

“Fisheries and Aquaculture are important change agents because they lower livelihood risks while also contributing to income generation and poverty reduction,” said the CECM.

Agili revealed that currently the Aquaculture industry is evolving from a traditional to a modern system but the sector has been unable to realize its full potential.

He said this has been caused by inadequate readily available and affordable quality fingerings, infrastructure such as fish propagation hatcheries, fish feed industries, and fish marketing systems, especially for local producers. Reprieve to Fish farmers.

Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) has taken a bold step to revolutionize fish farming in the Lake Victoria region by building a modern hatchery plant in Kisumu.

The Managing Director, Mr. Wycliff Ochiaga, said the modern hatchery plant at Kibos ITTC produces 12 million fingerlings annually, which will boost fish farming in the lake region.

“The completion of the modern hatchery plant at Kibos ITTC, with a production capacity of 12 million fingerlings annually effective March 2025, will revolutionize fish farming in our region,” he said.

Ochiaga said LBDA’s strategic partnerships with educational institutions have further enhanced innovation and knowledge dissemination in aquaculture.

Fingerling farming is a key part of fish cage farming in Lake Victoria, where fish farmers demand more fingerlings to stock their cages: 

“The year 2024 has been a testament to our collective resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the transformative agenda of the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA),” he said.
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The Class Eight graduate, a prolific public litigant who is a thorn in the flesh of the government institutions

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By Anderson Ojwang

Despite the stumbling block that impeded his early life, one Evans Oloo Gor has defied the odds to rewrite his story. The never-die attitude and spirit of Oloo could be attributed to his current societal standing.

He can be summed as a true testimony of what resilience, self- belief and commitment can birth in an individual journey to self- actualization.

That is why Oloo has written his story as an orphan at a tender age from a humble background to one of the successful prolific public litigants in the country.

His desire for education did not die and recently, he was one of the adult candidates who sat for last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) where he obtained a grade D constant while his son got a grade B.

And in his quest to become a lawyer, he is looking at various options to bridge the essential subjects so that he can study law from the basic level up to degree.

“I registered for KCSE and I only attended class for two months that is from September to during the exams period. After class eight, I never went back to school,” he says.

From a humble family background, Oloo’s first obstacle in life happened in 1997, when a double tragedy struck his family. In 1997, Oloo was in class five in his village school, when both his mother and father died on the same day.

“I lost my mother in the morning and in the evening, my father who was ailing at Homa Bay district hospital also died. I am the firstborn boy in a polygamous home. It was the most difficult moment in my life. The death of my parents was so devastating but I decided to journey on. In 2000. I sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examinations (KCPE) and scored 25o marks. The results for two papers were cancelled in our school over alleged cheating,” he says.

With no school fees, Oloo opted to join training in Welding in Homa Bay which he successfully completed and became one of the upcoming and successful welders in Homa Bay town and its environs.

But the bug of social accountability caught up with Oloo when Plan International invited them for training on the constitution and social audit that would lead to certification.

The two-year training program was being undertaken by an organization based in the region but soon ran into trouble with the participants.

“The organization trained us on the new constitution and social audit. The training on social auditing was an eye-opener. The participants wondered and asked the organizers why they were paying so much to the hotel but were only giving the participants only Sh 500 after every week of training. The trainers decided to reduce training days to two days. The participants decided to investigate how much the organization was paying the hotel for the two days.

We realized the organization was still paying the same amount for the six days and we decided to write to Plan International, who acted divisively by cancelling the project and firing the officers alleged to be engaged in the financial misappropriation.

We did not get certificates but it became my turning point in public litigation and social auditing of public institutions,” he says.

But all was not lost as the Judges and magistrates vetting board trained them on constitution and social audit and awarded certificate in 2014.

Oloo has prosecuted 64 cases successfully in which he has won and lost in both incidents and he is proud of his contributions to the social welfare of Kenyans.

“ During Covid 19, when the government announced the reopening of the schools, We moved to Kisii High Court in 2020 to challenge the decision that the schools should not reopen until the government put safety measures in place to make sure that children were not exposed to danger.

The court referred us for mediation which was later adopted as the judgement of the High Court. At the mediation, it was agreed that schools should have additional classrooms to keep social distance and that re-opening was to be in phases with the candidate classes mainly class four, class eight and form 4.

The remaining classes were to re-open after the government had put in place safety measures in place,” he says.

In 2019, Oloo and his team also moved to Kisumu Employment and Labor Court where they challenged the government over Census recruitment following vacancies advertisement.

“Most of the vacancies had been secured by the teachers and this was against the grain and the spirit of the law according to Article 71 of the constitution, that a public servant should not earn two salaries.The judge gave a ruling in our favour but a Mombasa Employment and Labor court overturned the ruling later,” he says.

Back in Homa Bay county, Oloo was a thorn in the flesh of then Governor Cyprian Awiti who he took to court on several accounts.

“I challenged the appointment of Homa Bay municipal board that was wrongly constituted. Awiti constituted the Board using Urban areas and City Act 2011 instead of the Amended 2019 Act.Awiti appointed nine members instead of seven according to the amended Act and did not meet the constitutional provision of gender, youths, marginalized and persons with disability. The court quashed the appointments,” he says.


In 2019, he challenged the appointment of County Executive Committee member (CEC) on the grain that there was no youth in it. This made Awiti appoint one Mr. Odero Matata to the cabinet.

“ I lost a case on the budget issue by the county Government of Homa Bay that 2017-2018 there was no development done and wanted to know where the funds that were budgeted for in that year went. We lost the case and did not appeal,” he says.

With the exit of Awiti and entry of Governor Gladys Wanga, Oloo has continued with his crusade on social audit.

“I challenged in Court the appointment Governor Wanga’s delivery unit and advisors in which Kisumu Court quashed the appointments but eight months later they appealed and the court overturned the ruling,” he says.

Currently, Oloo has prepared 10 cases against the County Government of Homa Bay and the Assembly that he will present in Court when judges resume work from vacation.

Modern Kibos rice mill to produce feeds to spur farming in poultry,fishing and livestock in Western Kenya

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By Anderson Ojwang

The modern rice milling machine at the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) at Kibos is capable of revolutionizing the region’s economy if farmers take advantage of the facility.

Apart from emerging opportunities for rice farmers, the mill also provides products that could spur fish, livestock and poultry farming to enhance the local economy.

Currently, Western Kenya and other parts of the country rely heavily on poultry products mainly eggs imported from Uganda and Tanzania.

Farmers in western Kenya face challenges such as high feed prices and fuel costs, which make egg production expensive. As a result, Kenya imports eggs from neighbouring countries

Currently, most poultry farmers have been forced to import chicken feeds from Uganda and Tanzania that are making the cost of production to be high.

LBDA Managing Director Mr. Wycliff Ochiaga said the Authority was moving into value addition for the byproducts to produce fish feeds, chicken feeds, dog food and other livestock feeds to spur the region’s economy.

“Through this initiative of value addition farmers can commercially engage in poultry, fish and livestock farming. This is an area we exploring to create economic opportunities in the Western Kenya region,” he said.

The new machine that was bought at Sh 75 million will enable 6000 rice farmers to have their rice milled and packaged at the facility.

During the launch of the Mill by President William Ruto in September 2024, he challenged farmers from the region to take advantage of the facility and engage in commercial farming.

“This new machine will rejuvenate the sector in the region and open up other farming sectors in the region such as poultry and fish farming. Let farmers explore the available opportunities to enhance their economic well-being,” he said.

The President said there will now be no need for farmers to take their paddy rice to Uganda for milling.

“The new machine will help our farmers to maximize their rice, no need to hustle to have paddy taken across the border,” he said.

In the recent past, farmers were selling their un-milled rice to brokers, who exploited them despite putting much effort into framing.

He noted that through the machine, they will produce chicken and fish feeds from the rice husk. The new mill has a capacity of 4 tons per hour, fully pneumatic compared to the old mill which was fully mechanical, with an installation capacity of 3.5 tons per hour that had reduced to an average of 0.87 tons per hour at the time of replacement.

The first machine at the mill was installed in the year 1196 with an installation capacity of 3.5 tons per hour which translates to 24,000 metric tons per month.

The milling capacity had significantly reduced over the year to an average of 0.87 tons per hour due to continuous wear and tear, depreciation, lack of spares and outdated technology which rendered the machine very inefficient.

Ochiaga said last year the government released Sh 100M for mop up of paddy rice in the region which enabled them to secure 2,500 tons of paddy rice.

He said LBDA has taken a bold step to revolutionize fish farming in the Lake Victoria region through the construction of a modern hatchery plant in Kisumu.

The MD said the modern hatcher plant at Kibos ITTC has an annual production of 12 million fingerlings that will go a long way in boosting fish farming in the lake region.

“The completion of the modern hatchery plant at Kibos ITTC, with a production capacity of 12 million fingerlings annually effective March 2025, will revolutionize fish farming in our region,” he said.

In his New Year speech, Ochiaga said LBDA’s strategic partnerships with educational institutions have further enhanced innovation and knowledge dissemination in aquaculture.

Fingerling farming is a key part of fish cage farming in Lake Victoria, where fish farmers demand more fingerlings to stock their cages: 

The demand for fingerlings has increased as cage fish farming has become more popular in the region. 
The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) estimates that there are over 6,000 fish cages on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria, and each cage can produce one ton of fish per year.

“The year 2024 has been a testament to our collective resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the transformative agenda of the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA),” he said.

In the spirit of our national ethos, we have made significant strides in various sectors:

“We have strengthened collaborations with various stakeholders and this has enhanced our capacity to deliver on our mandate. We have showcased our achievements through various platforms, reaching a huge audience, highlighting the impact of our work in sectors such as Rice farming, Fish farming and beekeeping,” he said.

KSB invites farmers for public participation on draft Election Regulations

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By Anderson Ojwang

Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) has directed both the Private and Public millers to nominate 50 farmers to engage in public participation on the draft procedures for electing growers and millers representatives to the Board.

The farmers are also expected to engage in the imposition of the sugar development levy In a memo by the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jude Chesire to the 16 sugar millers in the country read in parts

“The Sugar Act no 11 of 2024 established the Kenya Sugar Board. Under section 6(1) of the Act, the composition of the board includes, among others, five representatives each elected by growers from each sugar catchment area and two representatives each elected by private and public-owned sugar mills.

Section 40 of the Act imposes the sugar development levy as gazetted by the cabinet secretary.

In view of the above, draft procedures for the election of grower and miller representatives to the board and an order for the imposition of the sugar development levy have been formulated. The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the board will undertake public participation in the draft procedures and engage stakeholders on the imposition of the sugar development levy.

You are hereby requested to inform 50 farmers to attend the forums. The activity is scheduled to take place from 13th January to 16th 2025 as per the itinerary.”

There are five sugarcane zones in the country namely the Central zone which is made up of Kisumu, South Nandi and Kericho while the Western zone is made up of Kakemega, Siaya and Busia.

The upper Western zone is made up of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia while the Southern zone is made up of Homa Bay, Migori and Narok and finally the Coast zone which comprises of Kwale and Tana River.

But Kenya sugarcane Growers Association (KSCGA)and farmers have read mischief by the Board saying the move was aimed at manipulating the elections in favor of the millers to have their stooges elected.

KSCGA secretary General Mr. Richard Ogendo threatened to move to court to stop the exercise claiming the millers have no authority to nominate farmers representative for the public participation forums.

“It is unfortunate that the Board is acting in total disregard of the farmers rights and in total violation of the constitution. We will go to court to challenge the decision. The law is clear and the board must respect each jurisdiction,” he said.

Ogendo said it was wrong to call the meeting at the premises of the millers instead of a neutral ground and that it was unfortunate that the provincial administration had not been involved in the public participation.

He claimed the move was aimed at giving the millers undue advantage to manipulate the elections in favour of their ‘crony’ candidate so that they can control the sector.

A farmer Mr. Philip Ochieng based in Muhoroni said the move was unfair to farmers and would undermine their constitutional right.

“The directive is unfair to farmers, how can sugar millers be authorized to select farmers to represent farmers interest in such a sensitive function as approving draft regulations for the electoral process of electing the new Kenya sugar board directorate?

Where is the role of the farmers out growers, saccos and farmers associations? This is akin to giving the millers the bank cheque to policy formulation and sugar pricing. This will definitely kill us sugarcane farmers for millers will simply invite their cronies,” he said.

Deputy Governor, Dr Owili urges residents of Nyanza to embrace agriculture

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By Anderson Ojwang

Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili has appealed to the Luo community to embrace commercial agriculture to boost food security and enhance the economy, Owili who is the Kisumu Deputy Governor said it was important for the community to adopt a new policy that would enable the strengthening of the household economies to avoid high poverty level in the region.

He said it was important to the people of Nyanza to participate in agricultural field days to learn of the new and emerging trends in the field.

“Some of the basic needs like vegetables, fruits, poultry and livestock should be made a priority by the community to avoid high capital flight by importing those foodstuff to Nyanza.

We can grow these crops and through this, we will be able to reduce expenditures and the saved money can be invested in other development projects,” he said.

He said it was unfortunate that in some households they purchase everything including vegetables and eggs which impacts negatively on the household economy.

Speaking in Kasipul sub-county in Homa Bay county during Rachuonyo South Farmers Field Day where he appealed to the residents to invest in agriculture.

He said Homa Bay county is Nyanza’s bread basket because 90 percent of its land is arable and suitable for Agriculture and investment in agriculture would spur the region’s economy and reduce high dependence on food from other regions.

He challenged farmers in the area to form cooperatives to help boost their savings and provide a market for their products.

Owili said Kisumu county government has a program of giving graded livestock to farmers to boost agriculture but it has faced some teething problems.

“It is important to inform you that in Kisumu County, some of the farmers we gave livestock either sold them or used to pay bride price for their wives.

Some have also declined to share with other group members the calf from the cow as was agreed and this is a serious problem.

This has negated the program from achieving its intended objectives. We want a wealthy and rich community,” he said.

The exercise was in collaboration between the County Government of Homa Bay and the Uzima C.B.O Diary Project where the Kongete farmers group received a cow. The host Newton Ogada said the project was aimed at creating a farming culture in farmers in the region.

SUNA WEST AND EAST SCHOOLS RECORD IMPROVED KCSE PRELIMINARY RESULTS

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By Erick Otieno

Secondary schools in Suna West and East constituencies have recorded significant improvements in their 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, based on preliminary outcomes. Principals from St. Celestino Nyangubo Girls, Masara Boys, and Korwa Mixed Secondary Schools expressed optimism despite challenges in downloading full results from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) portal.

Nyangubo Girls: A Promising Year
St. Celestino Nyangubo Girls Secondary School recorded commendable preliminary results. The school, which enrolled 246 candidates in 2024, posted 3 A-minus grades, 19 B+, 19 B plain, 7 B-, and 2 C+ as of the initial downloads. The school’s principal, Madam Hellen Ndere, noted an improvement compared to the 2023 results, attributing the success to the dedication of parents, students, and teachers.

“We appreciate the cooperation from the community and the support of our area MP, Hon. Peter Francis Masara,” said Madam Ndere. She added that the school, founded in 2015, continues to grow in performance and enrollment, making it a beacon of academic excellence in the region.

Masara Boys: Historic Achievements
At Masara Boys Secondary School, Principal Mr. Dan Aloka celebrated the school’s first-ever A-minus grades, with 3 students achieving this feat among the 24 results downloaded so far. The school also recorded 21 B+ grades.

“This is a historic moment for us. Last year, we enrolled 315 candidates, up from 235 in 2023, and the results reflect the hard work of our students and staff,” said Mr. Aloka. He called on stakeholders to support infrastructure development as the school’s population grows due to its improving performance.

Mr. Aloka thanked parents, teachers, students, and Hon. Peter Francis Masara for their unwavering support and collaboration.

Korwa Mixed: A Record Year for University Admissions
Korwa Mixed Secondary School in Suna East Constituency celebrated its best performance yet, with 36 students qualifying for direct university admission compared to just 6 last year. The school recorded 4 B plain, 14 B-, 18 C+, 20 C plain, 18 C-, and 8 D+ grades.

Principal Mark Obia attributed the improvement to the dedication of all stakeholders and the hard work of students who joined the school with average KCPE scores ranging between 260 and 330 marks. “This progress is a clear indication of the potential of our students and the impact of collective effort,” said Mr. Obia.

Flanked by teachers and Kakrao Ward MCA, Hon. Tobias Martin, Mr. Obia thanked the community for its support and called for continued investment in the school’s development.

Stakeholder Collaboration Driving Success
All three schools acknowledged the critical role played by local leaders and stakeholders in enhancing education standards. With their combined efforts, the future of education in Suna West and East looks bright, offering students a chance to achieve their dreams and contribute to society.

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