Day: February 4, 2024

Narok County, Kenya – the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has issued a warning to local farmers against the use of uncertified seeds during the current planting season. This advisory aims to combat the spread of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND), a significant threat to maize crops in the region.

According to Kenya News Agency, an inspector at KEPHIS, the organization’s officers have been actively engaging with farmers across the county. These efforts include educating them on the importance of selecting certified seeds to maximize yield and profitability. The KEPHIS team has visited various areas known for maize cultivation, including Ntulele, Nkaretta, Sogoo, Nkosuani, Ololulunga, and Suswa. Their mission extends to both farmers and sellers at 67 different selling points, ensuring that all parties involved are dealing with approved seed varieties.

Sitenei emphasized the necessity for farmers to be vigilant in verifying the authenticity of seed packages. Each certified seed package comes with a unique code that can be used to confirm its quality directly with KEPHIS. “Certified seeds have a label. Farmers can scratch the label and get a number that they can confirm whether the seeds are genuine or not. Planting the right seeds will help farmers get the best results,” he stated.

Additionally, the KEPHIS inspector advised on the practice of crop rotation as a strategy to mitigate the impact of MLND. He recommended alternating maize with other crops like beans, sorghum, and potatoes. This approach not only helps in controlling MLND but also promotes healthier farming practices and potentially better harvests.

Sitenei also reported a decline in MLND cases, attributing this trend to the prolonged rainfall in the country. He noted that MLND typically thrives in prolonged dry spells. The disease, first identified in the county in 2011, is known for causing symptoms such as yellowing and drying of maize leaves, dwarfing, premature aging of plants, and eventual plant death.

Murang’a County – Farmers in the lower parts of Murang’a County are gearing up for a potentially lucrative sorghum harvest, following a beneficial agreement with East African Breweries Limited (EABL). This anticipation is buoyed by last season’s high rainfall and an MoU signed last year, promising a ready market for their sorghum crop.

According to Kenya News Agency, led by Governor Irungu Kang’ata, the farmers received over 6,000 kgs of certified sorghum seeds from EABL. This initiative, encompassing around 2,000 farmers from Maragua, Ithanga, and Gatanga Sub-counties, aims to support livelihoods in the region, which typically experiences minimal rainfall.

The County Executive for Trade and Cooperatives, Kimani Mugo, affirmed the farmers’ expectations of a bumper harvest during his recent visit to the sorghum farms. EABL has pledged to purchase the entire harvest at Sh.48 per kilo. Mugo highlighted that one acre of sorghum could yield over seven 90-kilo sacks, potentially earning a farmer over Sh30,000.

This project is set to benefit not only the sorghum growers in the lower region but also dairy farmers in the upper parts of Murang’a, who can use the sorghum stalks as feed for their animals. Eva Muthoni, the aggregator assigned by EABL, confirmed that payments to farmers will be made immediately upon collection of the sorghum.

Local farmer Cherryl Mbatha, representing the lower Murang’a Co-operative, expressed satisfaction with the initiative. She noted the significance of sorghum farming in the semi-arid area, where conventional crops often fail due to unreliable rainfall.

EABL’s Head of Agribusiness, Gerald Gicheru, explained the company’s commitment to local sourcing of raw materials, a practice ongoing for the last 13 years. The program supports drought-resistant sorghum farming and provides a guaranteed market. Gicheru stated that EABL has supplied farmers with free certified seeds and provided extension officers to maximize production. He also mentioned the role of an aggregator in facilitating the transportation of sorghum from farmers to the brewer.

Currently, the contractual farming program involves about 30,000 active farmers across Kenya, with prospects for future expansion due to increasing demand.

NAIROBI – Following a devastating gas explosion in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives, and friends of those impacted by the incident. The explosion, which occurred late Thursday night, resulted in the loss of at least three lives and left more than 280 individuals injured.

According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Ntutu expressed profound sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the tragedy. “On behalf of the Narok County residents, I wish to send my deepest condolences to all those affected in the inferno. Our hearts go out to those who lost their dear ones,” the governor’s message read. In addition to his condolences, Governor Ntutu extended wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured and encouraged them to seek assistance from the Red Cross Society during this challenging period.

Highlighting the importance of community support in the aftermath of such disasters, Governor Ntutu remarked, “In times like these, unity and collective care can make a significant difference.” The explosion, caused by a lorry carrying liquid petroleum gas cylinders, ignited a late-night fire that rapidly spread to nearby homes, exacerbating the scale of the disaster.

Laikipia – In a significant move to promote clean energy, over 2,000 households in Laikipia have received energy-saving stoves from the government. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum’s Accelerating Clean Cooking Access (ACCA) project. The project aims to reduce harmful gas emissions by encouraging the use of clean cooking fuels.

According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke at the distribution event in Nanyuki, the government plans to distribute a total of 4.5 million stoves to vulnerable communities across the country. Wachira emphasized the global and national significance of clean cooking, highlighting its health and environmental implications. He noted that traditional cooking methods, involving firewood and charcoal in poorly ventilated spaces, have contributed to high rates of respiratory diseases, heart problems, deaths, and adverse climate effects due to greenhouse gas emissions.

Wachira stated that annually in Kenya, 23,000 lives are lost due to exposure to emissions from cooking with firewood and charcoal. The new stoves are expected to reduce exposure to smoke, thereby prolonging life and decreasing the risk of respiratory diseases. The PS also mentioned that this program would support the presidential directive of planting 10 billion trees by 2032, by reducing the need to cut down trees for firewood.

During the event, the Japanese government reiterated its support for Kenya in combating climate change. Nishimura Masaya, Second Secretary at the Japanese Embassy, announced that Japan had allocated Sh208.6 million to fund clean cooking actions in Kenya. Masaya explained that the primary goal of the project is to improve living conditions and enhance health outcomes by distributing clean cooking stoves nationwide. He linked this initiative to Kenya’s broader environmental sustainability goals, including the ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

Masaya further detailed that the project aims to distribute stoves to 10,000 households, support livelihoods, and create employment opportunities. This includes training women and youth in briquette making. He also highlighted Kenya’s commitment to reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 32 percent compared to business-as-usual levels, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). In support of these efforts, Japan is contributing through a JICA Technical Cooperation project focused on emission reduction.

Narok South – In response to severe flooding, 114 households in Narok South Sub-county have received essential aid, including tents and kitchenware, to mitigate the impact of their homes being submerged. This aid comes after prolonged rainfall led to significant flooding in Esupetai, Oldoinyo-orasha, and Olmodiei villages, causing residents to seek refuge on higher grounds. The Red Cross Society has stepped in to provide temporary accommodation to these affected families.

According to Kenya News Agency, the residents of these villages had no alternative housing options after their homes were inundated by floodwaters. The heavy downpour caused nearby streams, including Ngaruani, Oloolkerin, and Enoonkojiok, to overflow, resulting in flash floods. Keshe highlighted the extensive damage to household items and farms, resulting in substantial losses. He expressed gratitude to the County government and the Red Cross for their support in this crisis.

Nancy Laboso, the County Director of Disaster Management, stated that an assessment conducted by the County Department of Disaster, in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society, revealed the extent of the damage. This assessment led to the decision to provide the affected households with tents for temporary residences and kitchen ware packages.

Laboso also emphasized the health risks posed by the continuing rains, particularly the heightened risk of malaria. As a preventive measure, mosquito nets were included in the aid packages. She urged residents to leave flood-prone areas and relocate to safer, higher ground. Additionally, Laboso called on those in safer areas to offer accommodation to those affected by the floods.

Teso North – Residents of Teso North Constituency have welcomed the government’s decision to begin rehabilitation of roads in the region. The initiative, costing Sh60 million, aims to improve the movement of people and goods by upgrading ten key roads. The announcement was made at Kocholia market by the area Member of Parliament, Oku Kaunya.

According to Kenya News Agency, MP Kaunya emphasized the importance of quality workmanship and warned contractors against substandard practices. The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) is funding the project and has assigned local contractors to execute the roadworks. Kaunya highlighted the government’s commitment to infrastructure, noting the increase in allocation from Sh31 million to Sh60 million for the constituency.

Kaunya also addressed the significance of public vigilance in ensuring the roads meet necessary standards. Among the roads slated for rehabilitation are the Kocholia to Kotur road, which will receive a modern drainage system costing Sh5.4 million. Other roads set for improvement include Kocholia to Bitobo, Awata- Kakapel, Changara- Katome, Akichelesit- Angurai, and several others.

The Teso North Assistant County Commissioner 1 (ACC 1), Benson Kemboi, encouraged public support for these government projects. Kemboi also warned against any obstruction to the opening of drainage systems during the rehabilitation process.

In addition to road improvements, MP Kaunya revealed a substantial allocation for education. A total of Sh78 million has been earmarked for bursaries to support the government’s 100 percent Transition Policy, ensuring no child in the constituency is left out of school due to financial constraints.

The event was attended by local dignitaries, including the member of County Assembly, Bonface Mamai, and Deputy Speaker, County Assembly of Busia, Ronald Ochalu.