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Tussle over Homa Bay County as UDA-ODM lock horns in a recruitment drive

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Wanga
By Habil Onyango

A political storm is bubbling in the ODM’s ‘political bedroom’  of Homa Bay County as United Democratic  Alliance (UDA) eyes the region.

For the last two years, UDA has been flexing its muscle in the county and recently conducted peaceful grassroots elections, the first of it’s kind in the region.

After four decades, UDA became the first ruling party to open a branch office in Nyanza and mainly Homa Bay town that was attended by President William Ruto.

With the exit of the immediate former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga from the local political scene, Homa Bay County, the party’s bedroom is now becoming a battleground.

The battle has further been compounded by the current political alliance between Ruto and Raila that has birthed the broad-based government and thawed the once-emerging tension and suspicion by the two blocs.

Homa Bay the heart of the ODM party is currently facing an unprecedented future with the exit of its top leadership namely Raila, deputy party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho, and national chairman John Mbadi to the Kenya Kwanza government where they currently hold cabinet posts.

But the changes in the party’s national leadership structure stirred a political jostling for the Homa Bay branch chair between area senator Moses Kajwang, MPs Ongondo Were (Kasipul), Adipo Okuome (Karachuonyo) and Martin  Owino( Ndhiwa).

However, the party settled on former  Homa Bay Deputy Governor  Hamilton Orata, who was the vice chair to succeed county chair Gladys Wanga.

The exit witnessed the entry of Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o as the interim Party leader, Wanga as the national chairman, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, his Mombasa counterpart Abdulllswamad Sherrif Nassir and  Senator Godfrey Osotsi as the deputy party leaders.

In the last general elections, the County Governor, Senator, Woman Representative, all eight Members of Parliament, and 32 out of the 40 elected Members of the County Assembly seats were elected on the  ODM ticket.

President Ruto has made history as the first head of state to visit Homa Bay nine times in a span of less than two years while in Office.

On his first visit to Nyanza region where he attended a church service in Homa Bay immediately after being sworn almost all the elected leaders on ODM ticket boycotted the event.

However, with his continued frequent tours in the County, Ruto has become the darling of the locals and even the elected leaders.

Ruto in his past visits initiated and commissioned various development projects in the County and even presided over the launching of the UDA County Branch Office.

Wanga now faces the daunting task of keeping ODM visible and vibrant against the onslaught from the UDA fraternity.

UDA had already initiated a membership registration drive in the County and other Counties in the Luo Nyanza region; however, this was stopped by the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations by a section of Kenyans.

However last week, the County UDA Executive Committee members re-launched the exercise vowing to clinch the majority of the elective positions in the County in the 2027 General elections.

Led by the former Nairobi Governor Evance Kidero the team said as the Luo Community, they will support Ruto’s re-election comes 2027 General elections.

“Already we have managed to register a sizeable number in UDA in Homa Bay county and we hope the number will go up,” he said.

But Karachuonyo ODM chairman George Maigo said ODM recruitment has been ongoing and that Homa Bay county remains the ‘bedroom’ of the party

“We are least perturbed by the recent announcement by UDA on their recruitment drive. That is just a cosmetic gesture that has no effect on the resident’s loyalty to the party,” he said.

Maigo welcomed UDA to undertake its recruitment drive saying currently the two national leaders are working together.

“We have been in this political situation and UDA presence in Homa Bay doesn’t bother us. Voters are loyal to the party,” he said.

Adoption of alternative crops to tobacco istransforming fortunes of farmers in Migori

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Adoption of alternative crops to tobacco
By Erick Otieno

The introduction and adoption of alternative crops to tobacco growing in Migori County is transforming the agricultural economy in the region.

The pilot project in four wards in the county has witnessed a total of 406 acres of tobacco farms turned into alternative crops.

Dubbed Tobacco Free Farms Project which began in 2021 with 370 acres has witnessed an increase in beans production in the region from 134 tons to 200 tons. 

The success story of alternative crops namely iron beans and their profitability has precipitated a new shift from tobacco farming to alternative crops.

At the start of 2022, the Tobacco Free Farm project has witnessed 406 acres of tobacco farms being converted to alternative crops.

With the success of the project, the funding partners include the World Food Program (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) together with both the national and county governments will be scaling the initiative from four to 28 wards to scale up the production.

A survey report by the American Cancer Society titled The Economics of Tobacco in Kenya found that every year, approximately 6,000 Kenyans die of tobacco-related diseases, while more than 220,000 children and more than 2,737,000 adults continue to smoke each day. 

To mitigate this problem, Kenya ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004. 

In Kenya, the legislature passed the Comprehensive Tobacco Control Act (TCA) in 2007 to address the production, sale, labeling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, among other provisions.

In addition to efforts to mitigate the use of tobacco products in the country, the WHO FCTC sought to address the supply side of tobacco control by promoting alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers. Article 17 of the WHO FCTC addresses the promotion of economically viable alternatives to tobacco growing. 

There are probably more than 50,000 Kenyan households that depend on tobacco farming directly. 

Despite tobacco being grown extensively in some regions in Kenya, it is not a significant crop in terms of broader national agricultural production with recent government data indicating that it constitutes a mere 0.6% of total agricultural gross marketed production by the Kenya government of 2015. 

This is equivalent to just 0.03% of GDP, based on total crops grown in Kenya accounting for 19.7% of GDP in 2014 (Republic of Kenya 2015).

This research demonstrated strongly that tobacco farming is not a particularly lucrative enterprise for most smallholder tobacco farmers in Kenya

WHO Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases Program Officer Dr. Joyce Nato said the project was an important aspect in controlling tobacco usage for the social-economic and health benefits of the local residents. 

Dr.Nato who spoke during a stakeholder meeting that brought together food and health representatives said the iron beans which have become a safe saver for tobacco growers were developed by KALRO and were rich in iron, drought resistant, and mature within three months.

“We will assist tobacco farmers to do the right agriculture,  market and offer bean seeds facilitation to ensure enhanced income”, Dr. Nato said.

She said WHO in partnership with FAO and WFP has introduced iron beans that mature within three months, are drought resistant, and are highly nutritious. 

“There was no need to stick with tobacco farming which is unhealthy to the environment, human beings and animals, labor intensive, and takes nine months to mature with no or little profits,” she said.

Similarly, Deputy Head Ministry of Health Tobacco Control Ms. Anne Kendagor said tobacco-related illnesses like asthma and cancer were on the rise in the country and county. 

Kendagor revealed that Migori County alone accounted for almost 70 percent of all the tobacco products in the country and yet only a third of the 36,000 tobacco growers were from the county.

“The Tobacco Free Farm project was an initiative to free the Migori residents from the slavery of tobacco farming,” she said.

WFP Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA) Productivity Lead Officer Mr. Michael Njagi said they will continue to provide the market for the tobacco alternative crop growers.

He said that FtMA will support the small farmers who have abandoned tobacco farming to maximize the market opportunities that have been established in 48  farmer service centers across Migori County.

“Already those that are growing iron beans have a ready market. In the first season, the WFP bought all the beans. In the second and third seasons all the beans were bought by local institutions like hospitals and learning institutions”, said Njagi.

Njagi said  FtMA will continue doing mapping for market development and scale to help open new markets to the residents with the help of the Cereal Grower Association.

Migori County Deputy Governor Dr. Joseph Mahiri said the government will continue to enforce rules and regulations governing tobacco farming.

“Migori has become a bench-marking county for other tobacco growers like Busia, Bungoma Counties, and Zambia,” he said.

Kenya and Austria in bid to have MOU on skilled labour migration

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Musalia
By OPCS Press Service

Kenyan and Austria have committed to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Mobility and Migration to enhance managed legal migration and mutually beneficial exchanges of skilled labour.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in a sideline meeting with the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg, agreed on a decision to establish a formal mechanism for regular and structured political consultations between Kenya and Austria, reflecting the shared foreign policy priorities.

“-We also pledge to strengthen high-level bilateral engagements, including more frequent and substantive exchanges at the highest levels of Government,” Mudavadi said.

Mudavadi said that the two countries committed to amplifying bilateral economic cooperation, leveraging the momentum from the Austrian trade Mission to Kenya in October 2023.

Also in attendance was Maurice Makoloo, Kenya’s Ambassador to Austria, and Ambassador: Robert Zischg, Director of the Department for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Austrian Foreign Ministry, among others.

The move to have Mobility and Migration to enhance managed legal migration and mutually beneficial exchanges of skilled labour with Austria comes days after Kenya and Germany signed a similar agreement.

Mudavadi : Kenya to construct nuclear power plant by 2027

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Mudavadi-Nuclear power plant
By OPCS and Hope Barbra

Construction for Kenya’s first Nuclear Power Plant construction is set to commence in 2027.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the nuclear plant will be connected to the national power grid by 2034.

“We have immense potential for nuclear technology and its application to support sustainable development is critical and will have to be scaled up to realize the goal of a more resilient and prosperous world,” he said.

Mudavadi said through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KeBS), the government aims to establish a Regional Designated Centre for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) to serve the broader African region.

 “The collaboration between the Kenya Government and the Agency over the years has shaped the establishment of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Dosimetry laboratories,” he said.

He said Kenya was looking forward to collaborating with the Agency to establish local schemes for personnel training, qualification, and certification to ensure the presence of a competent human resource base in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

He said the country remains steadfast in supporting the Agency´s statutory objectives of promoting access to peaceful nuclear science and technology applications for sustainable development.

This he said was meant to enhance nuclear safety, security and strengthen nuclear verification and non-proliferation efforts globally.

Mudavadi said, that Kenya has been a Member State of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1965, and the Agency has supported the country in the peaceful use of nuclear applications through Technical Cooperation (TC) in various sectors.

“Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) has been the principal interface between the Government of Kenya and the Agency on Technical Cooperation (TC) and related matters,” he said. 

He said Kenya was pursuing means of establishing a Kenya Nuclear Research Reactor (KNRR) Project

Mudavadi spoke when he addressed the 68th Regular Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria.

“Our country has updated its Nuclear Infrastructure Profile (CNIP) and the Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and has identified the activities to be undertaken in Phase II,” he said.

Mudavadi said Kenya welcomed the Agency´s Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative, and the efforts to support the safe and secure deployment of advanced reactors including Small modular reactors (SMRs).

He said with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the country had been able to train personnel and undertake a feasibility study to evaluate key elements essential for the sustainable implementation of the Kenya Nuclear Research Reactor (KNRR) Project.

Mudavadi said Kenya had developed a comprehensive action plan for timely and adequate resolution of identified gaps.

“In the area of environmental protection and water resource management, the IAEA has provided equipment and training which have enhanced our capabilities in groundwater assessment and management, hence making Kenya’s objective of availing clean and safe water for our population more achievable,” said Mudavadi.

Kenya, he said, had identified the Blue Economy as the next frontier for socioeconomic development, and supported the work undertaken by the Agency in environmental protection, particularly the nuclear solution to plastic pollution commonly known as the NUTEC Plastics initiative.

“We commend the Agency for its continued support to Kenya in setting up a pollution monitoring program covering major contaminants and ocean acidification. In this respect, we reiterate Kenya’s readiness to be designated a Pilot Country under this initiative and it will be better to also engage the Nairobi-based United Nations Environment Program (UNEP),” Mudavadi said.

Mudavadi said Kenya was ready to share its expertise and institutions in furtherance of the continued partnership with the Agency including hosting scholarly fellows from the region.

“We are pleased to inform you that the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority is a Regional Designated Centre for education and training in radiation protection. We have hosted, among others, the Postgraduate Educational Course (PGEC), in Radiation Protection, and the Safety of Radiation Sources.” he said.

Kenya he noted signed the 5th Country Program Framework (CPF) with the Agency for the period 2023-2027, and the collaboration with the Agency has been pivotal in enhancing Kenya’s capabilities to leverage nuclear science and technology for sustainable development including energy security and independence, climate change mitigation, improving access to cancer care, agricultural productivity, water and sanitation, and environment management.

He said was in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda (BETA).

This he said was important in addressing climate change and diversifying access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy.

“We further applaud the Agency’s Rays of Hope initiative, a flagship cancer program meant to increase access to affordable and sustainable radiotherapy services. Here, Kenya has benefited from the technical, financial, and material support of the Agency towards the establishment of two major cancer treatment centers in the country,” said Mudavadi.

Siaya on the road to a new agricultural economy to address high poverty level

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siaya-road
By Gift James

Siaya County is on the road to rewriting the story of its agricultural economy through various initiatives aimed at boosting the food and revenue base of the region.

Reports show that Siaya, with a poverty index of 38.2 percent had its economy projected to grow by 4.0 percent in the Financial Year (FY) 2020/21 and 5.9 percent over the medium term. 

The economic backbone of Siaya County is mainly on agriculture and fishing sectors with the local agricultural production consisting of rice, cotton, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, kales, indigenous greens, bananas, sweet potatoes, and cassava.

The county government has rolled out elaborate interventions for the agricultural economy from irrigation to value chain addition to the agricultural products to enhance food security and revenue income to the farmers.

Similarly, the county government is developing a policy framework to guide the agricultural programs in the county.

“Siaya County is in the process of developing a food and feed safety policy to enable structured food and feed safety control systems. This will promote public safety and support socio-economic development,” Mr. Silvestre K’Okoth, the County Executive Committee member (CECM) for Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock & Blue Economy said.

He said after the formalization of the policy, the county government envisages a situation where stakeholders will have specific and targeted guidelines and protocols that will ensure they produce, process, market, store, and eat safely.

He said the County Government targets to collaborate with relevant stakeholders including the Micro Enterprises Support Program Trust (MESPT).

“We will intensify farmer advisory on food safety measures, establish a food safety desk that will help handle matters arising in this field, train all food vendors especially those that sell to a large number of consumers, acquisition of aflatoxin testing equipment, and enhance use of technology on food safety interventions,” he said.

In Nyamila, West Ugenya ward the county government has initiated commercial rice farming with a hope to change the fortune of flood-prone residents.

 The county government intervened through the construction of canals to control frequent spillovers from the nearby Mlambo Dam.

A resident, Mr. Julius Onyango, said the authorities have transformed a once impassable, abandoned, and dangerous field into fertile agricultural land with plenty of flowing water to irrigate any kind of crop throughout the year.

“Nyamila joins Bunyala, Usonga, and Anyiko as a viable upcoming rice-growing zone in the County. I have started writing my story from the four-acre of land and I am optimistic that all my neighbors will make use of the available 600-acre fertile land to produce rice,” he said.

K’Okoth said his department will collaborate with the Departments of Water and Roads to improve the drainage and irrigation systems by strategically installing culverts and opening up access roads to allow for easier passage.

Recently, President William Samoei Ruto commissioned the Siriwo Rice mill in Usonga Ward, constructed by the County Government at a cost of Sh 60 million.

The Mill, one of a kind in the region has a processor capacity of 2.5 metric tons per hour.

“My government has allocated an additional Sh 50 million to ensure that we invest in extra accessories that will ensure the facility runs as a full-fledged factory. I commend Siaya County Under the leadership of Governor James Orengo.

The CEC said the government was on the verge of rolling out a road map for coffee farmers to utilize the 3,000 acres for coffee production.

“About 250 farmers in Ndenga, West Ugenya Ward have formed Ugenya Coffee Growers Cooperative Society. This will hasten provision of agricultural inputs such as seeds, chemicals, fertilizer and aggregation of produce,” Chairperson Cooperative, Mr. Francis Onyango said.

The Department of Agriculture recently gave the farmers 3,000 coffee seedlings to spur the revival of coffee farming in the area.

K’Okoth said the engagement of the county agricultural extension Service to educate and sensitize farmers will go a long way in reviving the sector. 

The government gave 21 Motorcycles to Extension Officers in Nyalgunga, North Alego Ward.  To ease the movement of the extension workers in addressing the needs of various farmers.

A research project by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), enabled the farmers in West Ugenya to acquire an oil processing machine with a capacity of processing three tons of sunflower seeds per day. 

Currently, over 600 members of Wazee Hukumbuka Cooperative Society, Aboke, West Ugenya can now produce cooking oil, and sell the seed cake to fish and livestock feed processors at Sh. 35/= per Kg. 

Chairperson, William Opondo, said they make money from sunflower products and intend to increase acreages under sunflower production, reduce production costs, and enhance their productivity by over 50 percent.

Last season the farmers received 16,350 kgs of sunflower seeds to facilitate the process of realizing over 19,000 acres of land under production. 

Farmers in Yimbo are already reaping big from capsicum farming popularly known as pili pili hoho,

Kanyibok Village Youth Group in West Yimbo Ward, Bondo Sub County has adopted the Use of Six Green houses to grow Capsicum under a solar Irrigation system.

Outbreak of Foot and Mouth diseasesreported in Siaya County

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foot and mouth
By Reporter

An outbreak of foot and Mouth disease (FMD) has been reported in Siaya County with residents asked to report any emerging cases.

In a public notice to the residents, the  Department of Agriculture  read “The County Government of Siaya wishes to inform the public of a confirmed outbreak of Foot and 

Mouth Disease (FMD), as reported from multiple regions within the county,” 

County Diseases Control Coordinator Dr. Mark Otieno in the notice warned that Foot and Mouth Disease was a highly contagious viral infection affecting cattle, goats, and pigs. 

“Symptoms include the appearance of blisters in the mouth, excessive drooling, and limping. The disease spreads through direct contact between infected animals and the importation of contaminated products,” he said

Dr Otieno said the county technical teams were actively addressing the situation and requested public cooperation. 

“ We urge residents to report any suspected cases to the nearest County Veterinary Offices immediately, quarantine their animals to prevent further spread, and appropriately dispose of carcasses by burning or burying them,’ he said.

Dr Otieno said the residents’  cooperation was vital in safeguarding the health of the livestock and preventing the spread of FMD.

Tom Mboya University accredited to offer German language as 1100 youths prepare for German

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Tom Mboya University
By Sandra Blessing

Tom Mboya University has been accredited as an International Training Centre for German Language to B1 level.

For the past eight months, the university management has been planning and setting up the Tom Mboya University German Language Program.

Over 1000 Kenyans have been identified through the Widows Empowerment Program and will begin the exciting journey to prepare for the German Labor Market.

Tom Mboya University German  Language Program Coordinator Mr. Gordon Opiyo said the first cohort of 1100 will leave the country in March next year for Germany where they will enter the job market.

He said through the support of Interior Government Permanent  Secretary Dr Raymond Omolo, the university was able to be accredited and for the program to take off.

“Dr Omolo has invested heavily on the project for the last six months and through his intervention the university was accredited, The PS ensured that the German delegation visited the institution and today we have the program in place,’ he said.

Opiyo said the number of the second cohort will double to 2200 and this will open  Nyanza to the German labor market and a program he termed as a move in the right direction for the youths.

“The young men and women, mostly orphans and the extremely needy drawn from all corners of the country will be fully sponsored by the Widows Empowerment Program through the six month Language Training, basic German Labor Laws, and Basic German Culture and current affairs,” he said.

Opiyo said the mass training was incepted last year by Kenyatta University which has been offering German language studies for the last 30 years and has enabled several Kenyans to transit to the German labor market.

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Opiyo said those targeted for the German labor market will include teachers, nurses, bankers, drivers, and more importantly the blue economy where plumbers will be offered opportunities in German.

President William Ruto recently announced that the recruitment of Kenyans to take up jobs in Germany will soon commence.  This came after the two countries signed a labor mobility agreement.

Ruto said the recruitment exercise for the first batch will be held on September 27, 2024.

“When I announced that we would have a chance for Kenyan youths to work in Germany, others said I was lying but on Friday they knew there is a plan and a possibility and while I was there on Friday, some Kenyans were already there to work.

“Additionally, on September 27, the first recruitment of Kenyan youths who will work in Germany will be held,” Ruto said.

This comes after Kenyan and Germany signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Sharing of Labor, Talent, and Mobility in Berlin on Saturday.

Members adopts amended KBF constitution

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Otula
By Hope Barba

Stakeholders of the Kenya Basketball Federation have unanimously adopted the amended constitution in a peaceful exercise at Upper Hill Secondary School.

In an exercise witnessed by Registrar of Sport Ms. Rose Wasike and representatives of clubs, players, team managers, and the National Executive Council expressed satisfaction with the amendments undertaken by the Taskforce.

The amendments were one of the key roadmaps in line with the Sports Tribunal to align with the Sports Act.

Secretary General of Kenya Basketball Federation Angela Luchivya took the members through the am3ndment with members voting anonymously and adopted the changes

Wasike said the exercise was to make sports transparent and accountable in ensuring prosperity in the sports

Chairman of the Task Force Advocate Alex Mudanya thanked the members for presenting their views during the public participation.

We are happy with your participation during the public [participation and the document is for prosperity. We are happy to have delivered the document to steer the sports to another level

Raila grants Nyong’o final last laugh over Orengo in ODM leadership matrix

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Raila
By Anderson Ojwang

After 32 years, the supremacy battles between late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s   Young Turks from Nyanza have finally been settled.

In what appears as turning tables and a last laugh has left one of the members of young Turks licking his wounds and eating humble pie.

Immediate Former ODM leader Raila Odinga recently handed Kisumu governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o a sweet revenge and last laugh over his Siaya counterpart  James Orengo in Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership matrix.

In a sweet revenge served cold, Raila proposed Nyong’o to be the interim ODM party leader as he exits the local political scene for continental arena where he is contesting for AU chair.

Raila recently announced that he was exiting local politics and opted for Nyong’o who is in the final term as Kisumu Governor to act and assume the community defacto supremo.

Orengo had embarked on aggressive campaign to be the party leader and rolled out an elaborate campaign where he met party chairperson from all the branches.

He also mobilized within the party ranks and files to succeed Raila and to be the eventual the  community kingpin.

But alas, Raila pulled the rags under Orengo feet when he proposed Nyong’o and every member rushed to second his choice with the former left licking his sore wounds.

During the succession battle after Jaramogi’s death for the Ford-K leadership witnessed a fall out between  Raila and Orengo over the seat  for the vice chairman.

A  fierce political battle broke out in Ford-K with Orengo and Nyong’o siding with the late Kijana Wamalwa while Raila remained with majority of MPs from Nyanza.

Raila finally, decamped from Ford-K to little known and now defunct National Development Party (NDP) where he sought re-election in a by election and won.

Orengo and Nyong’o remained in the party and the latter moved to Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he supported former minister Charity Ngilu for presidency

According to Rev John Limo said Nyong’o invited Orengo to SDP but soon power struggle broke out between  two camps in the party.

“We had Secretary General Apollo Njonjo and Orengo in one camp against Nyong’o and Ngilu in another camp. Orengo’s camps had the legal documents for the party and Nyong’o and Ngilu were rendered irrelevant,” he said.

Rev Limo said it took the intervention of the late bishop John Okullu, former minister Raphael Tuju and himself to convince Nyong’o to join Raila’s led LDP in 2002 elections.

“In 2002 Orengo ran for Presidency on SDP ticket and performed dismally.  Nyong’o had hinted of running for presidency on the party ticket,” he said. 

In 2002, Orengo said he vied for the presidency on a Social Democratic Party (SDP) ticket out of sheer frustration and to make a protest statement, after Raila and Wamalwa opted to support “an outsider (a non-liberation crusader)”.

Political Commentator Joshua Nyamori said the appointment of Nyong’o was a sweet revenge served on Orengo for his constant opposition to various political arrangements and formations.

‘Raila settled on Nyong’o because he can trust him and can negotiate on behalf of the community during this time unlike Orengo who was opposed to the Broad based government,” he said.

Nyamori said the supremacy battle has now been settled and laid to rest with the appointment of Nyong’o and Orengo has to now accept and move on.

Over the years, Orengo has politically deserted Raila at three crucial moments – in 1996 when he supported the candidature of Kijana Wamalwa against Raila for the leadership of Ford-Kenya, in 2002 when he decamped from Raila to vie for the presidency and this year in February, when he abandoned Raila during the party’s chaotic national elections at Kasarani Gymnasium

Why Kisumu Revenue Board is faced by integrity queries over procurement

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Finance
By Anderson Ojwang

Questions have emerged over the procurement of the automated and integrated revenue management system, nepotism and allegations of financial pilferage at the Kisumu Revenue Board.

Some of the questions that seek answers from both the board and the county government include

What was in the contract  CGK/FIN/PROC AWD/Vol/1.for automated and integrated  Revenue management system for the financial year.2023/24 and was it honored ?

Why did the  Revenue Board purchase  400 Android phones instead of  400 POS that was contracted and it’s alleged that  at time of inspection only 350 android phones were delivered and 350 sim cards?

Why was due diligence not carried out during  the time of  contract award  after three bidders namely SAFCARICOM PLC,  WEBTRIBE LTD and CRAFT SILICON LTD tendered ?

Did the Safaricom PLC provide  the performance security bond during tender signing on 29/9/2023 ? Ref contact number CGK/FIN/PROC/AwD/Vol 1/1

Did Safaricom PLC  sign the service level agreement (SLA and annual maintenance contract) AMC ? 

Is it true that Citizen access channels via WhatsApp is  not  integrated in the system yet it was provided for in the contract and  why ?

Who did the feasibility study and who approved the design and who oversaw the control of the design?

Where is the report of the study and did the system that was acquired fill the gaps that was in the previous one?

Have the internal auditors been able to log in and monitor transactions ? Do they have  the log in rights and to receive reports and credential ?

Why is the board seeking for independent audit while Kenya National Audit and the county internal audit are the only government institutions mandated to audit government.

Is it true that the seven instructed revenue streams  are not defined and cannot  get accounted for yet contract was for full integration ?

Similarly, why did the board hire new staff to replace old ones who had experienced and had been trained on the job and instead brought in majority of new staff who were related to them and were put in sensitive positions?

If the county government  paid Ksh 60 M for this tender, did it get value for money ?

When the Board Chairman Dr Hezron McOmbewa was contacted on whatsup text for comment he wrote back “Employment is done by Public Service Board not by Revenue Board,”. 

He said Board members are part time and does governance and oversight. The day to day operations are run by secretariat headed by the CEO.

In an expose by Western Insight Newspaper, it was revealed that a section of  the employees at the board who became whistle blowers and brought to the county leadership of what they termed as “ blatant corruption” at the facility.

The employees who spoke on anonymity claimed they had noticed variance with the actual collection and reconciliation.

‘We have been raising transactions and system queries on a daily basis with the board of directors but there was no action to it. We therefore decided to pass the coded message to the Governor and his team to act. We are happy something is being done,” said one of the employees at the board who did not want to be quoted.

They claimed the actual financial reports and reconciliations were not adding up  and that is why each employee declined to sign the reports  because they were not reflective of actual revenue collection position.

Dr McOmbewa denied the allegations saying that was the work of cartels who have been run out of cash milking from the county and were fighting back.

Dr Ombewa claimed that some of the disfranchised staff who were printing fake receipts  and denying the county revenue were the people behind the cheap propaganda and the blackmail.

But in a quick rejoinder Mr. Steve Ogolo, who is a member of the board and chairman of Revenue Enhancement Committee said the board was investigating the allegations and had directed 26 employees to proceed on annual leave to allow audit.

He denied claims that the board was accomplish to the pilferage saying they had boosted revenue collection from Sh 1.1B to sh 1.5B within the last one year.

Ogolo admitted that it was the Governor who raised the issue of alleged financial pilferage with them  and they are addressing the concerns.

“We  board came into office a year ago, at that time,  the county revenue system had been switched off by the service provider. So the country was struggling to collect revenue until we got a new system,” he said

Mr. Ogolo said they onboarded a service provider, the Safaricom that came into place in December 15 2023 and it was a new system with no modules.

He said there were teething challenges at the initial stage ranging from the system to opposition by some employees and cartels from transiting to cashless from manual money collection.

“Some of the employees resisted the change or avoided using the new system and preferred manual cash collection may be due to lack of knowledge. But currently, we have embarked on job training,” he said.

He acknowledged claims of allegation of fraud and that is why the have taken measures to verify the claims and close gaps that may emerge,” he said.

Mr. Ogolo said after consultative meeting with the Governor and CEC Finance, it was agreed that a reputable  External System Auditor  be invited to audit the system .

Similarly, the service provider, The Safaricom was also asked to undertake their own audit and represent a report to the County Government for further action.

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