By Joseph Waliaula

COVID-19 has presented a great challenge to leaders in Kenya and world over. 

Zeroing into Kenya, we see true leadership in moments of crisis. 

Emergencies like this call for leadership to step into the unknown with well informed choices since little is known about the corona virus pandemic. 

Questions to the people put in positions of influence would be what have they done in regard to leadership both theoretically and practically. 

Routine politics of harambees, politicking in matanga’s and the hand out businesses popularly known as “kumina” in the Bukusu nation will seem very irrelevant at this point in time. 

The ability of a leader to conduct societal mobilization, by aggregation of all resources available to fight a common enemy in this case Corona virus, is what will enable such a leader to swim in this murky waters. 

The sense of collective responsiveness and  the ability of a leader to empathize and create a common understanding of the threat we face will define good leadership. 

Leadership infrastructure, that is split into two;

Hardware that involves institutional things we see on a daily basis Policy making, oversight and other administrative duties. 

Software; which is the existing level of trust, whether as a society we feel that our leaders have convinced us that we are in this together. 

Many leaders have been getting away with this and that is what is being tested by the challenge we are facing. 

That whether people perceive what our leaders are saying is true. 

Social and social economical immunization of the society to believe that whatever they are facing is equally the same as what the leaders are facing. 

The fall out of loss of earnings from small business operators to loss of learning in the case of students. 

Willingness to take action collectively will play a key role in shaping leadership. 

A new script of leadership is being written and that is why we see the nurses, reporters and the police service. Men and women on the frontline working for the people receiving accolades from all over. 

For purposes of not sounding biased I will add Governor Ali Hassan Joho on that list on behalf of every politician who has rose up to the occasion to convince the whole country that he has the best interest of his people at heart. His ability to solidify trust between those governing and those being governed is commendable in all fronts. 

Lastly, the greatest undoing of any leader during this time would be the failure in imagination and the inability of the leader to inspire the people that they have mutually held goals. 

Temporal political processes that happen during campaigns will not have any binding mutuality during this time. Fact being, a citizen will say “I don’t feed at your house neither do you dine at mine’s”

This disease is a leveler and the sooner a leader steps up to know that times have changed the better. 

It will be remembered that the usual approach to politics is going to change. 

Elites will be reorganized by the unfolding of events and new leaders will emerge. 

Whoever rises up to the occasion to respond effectively during this time, definitely will be the leaders of the future and the future is here with us. 

Situations make leaders. 

Joseph Waliaula is a Journalist and a graduant in leadership administration planning and management field.

Ends.

Bungoma

By Tony Wafula

Bungoma branch law society of Kenya has urged the National Council on Administration of justice to find an urgent solution to lawyers and courts to resume to usual hearings.

George Murunga Bungoma chapter LSK chair says that lawyers are finding it hard to hear the clients pleas because according to government’s directives all hearing are done online adding that the clients they serve mostly are substantial farmers and cannot access to online services.

‘’Most of our clients are from the interior whereby accessing to online is a problem’’ he said, urging the Ministry of health to do court inspections and allow them continue with court hearings.

He said that since the lockdown of all public gatherings including courts many lawyers are not getting cash to sustain their daily operations and even paying their employees, adding that some law firms has been rented and rent to be paid.

However, he said that the ministry of health should t intervene and do inspections in all courts and even supply some protective equipments so that courts can host proceedings.

‘’Our court rooms are big enough to accommodate five to six people provided the court gives out the correct time when the claimant or the accused to appear before the court.’’ He said.

Murunga said the pleas are being done in an electric manner which seems to be challenging to some clients, calling on National council on administration should do a faster intervention in solving this issue.

He said reaching on clients is very had because sometimes getting what’s up numbers and their emails is challenging.

‘’Many of our clients are not accessed to online services which is bringing difficulties on understanding of information.’’ He said.

He however, said that online hearing is so bad and many law firms fears that their firms will be closed down by the end of this month if the pandemic persists over lack of cash to sustain operations.

‘’We are not receiving many clients as we could have been in court for this time, this pandemic should end, it has really paralyzed our operations.’’ He lamented.

Ends

Bungoma

By Tony Wafula

As the nation continues to register high number of the covid-19 patient’s parents has been accused over negligence of their learners and even not bothering to educate them on how to protect them against the corona virus.

Since the country decided to lock-down all public gatherings including schools, many learners have lost morals and even some engaging in illegal matters which may result to high rate of school drop-outs.

Dr. Isaac Misiko a senior herbalist says the government should assign chiefs and their assistants to ensure that learners follow instructions as per the ministry of health and the ministry of education.

‘’it does not mean that when there is a global pandemic it’s time for learners to roam in town rather than finding ways to succeed in life.’’ He said.

He urged the government of Kenya through the ministry of education to find a way on how our learners especially candidates can get access to revision materials, adding that online learning cannot befit those from vulnerable households.

‘’Many of our learners come from vulnerable households so if the ministry instructs them to revise online I think most of them will be left behind.’’ He said.

He urged the ministry of health to consider traditional herbalists in fighting global corona virus pandemic saying that the government of Kenya has greatly concentrated on artificial medication which at some point does not treat it.

Dr. Misiko has disagreed with what the ministry of health is doing that when found without wearing a face mask you will be forced in quarantine, calling on the ministry of health to have a meeting with herbalists and do testing on their research.

‘’ I plead the government to have a meeting with all herbalists and their research samples taken to Kenya medical research institute (KMRI) in a process medication to this pandemic will be identified very fast.’’ He advised.

He however, said that the fourteen days in quarantine cannot help in combating this pandemic, calling on the CS Mutahi Kagwe to consider traditional herbalists.

Misiko says the Kenya medical research institute a state corporation established through the science and technology (amendment) act of 1979 its work is to do research on find curable medicines.

He also urged the government to give directives on churches, calling on hotel managers to have a better plan on how to protect their employees from contracting the corona virus.

‘’The government to allow churches do their services in shifts saying prayers are one of the ways in the fight against the corona virus.’’ He said.

The indigenous and Scientific Research Collaboration Association (ISCRA) has done much research, which needs testing.

Ends

Bungoma

By Tony Wafula

Bungoma business community has distributed food aids to over 500 vulnerable households during this corona pandemic to help in fighting the covid-19.

They target to distribute the foodstuffs to over 6,000 vulnerable communities to help in reducing theft and other illegal activities during this time as people stay at home and observe social distance.

Addressing the press John Wafula chamber of commerce chairman said that they will be distributing food aids across the county aiming 6,000 households.

However, he applauded the county government of Bungoma for partnering with the business community to make sure that they help in distributing food to vulnerable households, calling on well-wishers to intervene and help the starving families due to government’s restrictions to avoiding crowds and public places.

‘’I want to assure that the food aid we are disbursing today will serve our people, inside that kitty we have 20kilograms of unga for ugali, 2 liters’ cooking oil, 2 kilograms of sugar , sanitizer and soap.’’ He said, calling on other well-wishers to channel their contributions to chamber of commerce Bungoma which will boost our people during this corona pandemic.

He urged politicians to come together and help their residents where necessary saying this is the time leaders to join hands in mitigating this pandemic applauding the Rotary club for chipping in and providing 100 litres jerry cans which will ensure cleanliness in our markets.

His sentiments were echoed by Peter Mudenya President for Rotary Club, Bungoma who said that the club has distributed over 1Million hand washing jerry cans in the world to help in fighting the covid-19 disease.

‘’We have distributed this hand washing jerry cans to make sure that our good people wash their hands every time which is one of the measure in fighting corona virus disease.’’ He said.

However, he added that hand washing, avoid touching of the face, keeping the social distance and sanitizing are the main ways of fighting this corona virus disease, urging the devolved county governments’ train more health workers which will handle our suspected patients.

He said that in the entire western region Busia and Bungoma have been mapped as high risk counties to corona virus because it borders Uganda.

Ends

Bungoma

By County Splash Editorial

The controversy surrounding the procurement of 600 20-litre jerricans in Bungoma County at Sh10, 000 if it is anything to go by, then it may determine the making or the fall of Governor Wycliffe Wangamati.

This is so because the wheelbarrow scandal in 2015 that was purchased at a cost of Sh109, 000 instead of Sh3000, the known market price, ‘ended Ken Lusaka’s political career’. Infact, Wangamati used this scandal to take Lusaka to political oblivion.

Whether the county procured the jerricans at the said price or not, that is a non-issue. Truth be told, Wangamati handlers failed him a big time in the manner in which they handled the scandal. The King has already been exposed and is ‘naked’ and now for his 2022 political survival, depends on how he will handle the matter.

Now let us take stock of Governor Wangamati last state of the county address at the Bungoma County Assembly. Wangamati did not mince his words by faulting the former procurement officers of working to sabotage key county projects. 

Wangamati cracked the whip and his wish of overhauling the entire procurement office was granted. A new director of procurement was installed.

Alex Odanga the new director of procurement first assignment into office was the procurement of the scandalous jerricans. 

As a procurement procedure, Mr. Odanga who is directly answerable to the acting Chief Officer of Finance, Jonathan Namulala must have overseen the procurement of the jerricans and even there are claims that the officers single sourced (direct sourcing), Simpsur Ltd as the suppliers of the jerricans that Wangamati said was a donation from the business community.

Odanga must have verified that the company was prequalified and best suited to do supplies in the water tanks category. 

Assuming this category was nonexistent, then the supply chain manager needed to explicitly state that the purchase of jerricans was to be done by either Women, Youth or Persons Living with Disability (PWDs) because of not being a heavy intensive capital investment business. 

This means that a quotation was to be sent to a number of companies and an evaluation committee formed so as to satisfy that the lowest bidder gets the Local Purchase Order (LPO) of doing the tender. 

Alternatively, if no company was suitable to supply, the director of procurement ought to have bought directly from the manufacturer. 

The Head of Supply Chain Management needs to tell the public whether they paid SIMPSUR LTD a whooping Sh10, 000 per jerrican, if that is not the case, then how much did they procure the jerricans at?

Is SIMPSUR LTD the supplier or Manufacturer? How many companies applied for the tender? Who sat on the evaluation committee and how many were they? Did the Governor remove the former procurement leadership for refusal to play to their corruption/ impunity tune? WHO IS FOOLING WHO?

Ends

Bungoma

By Tony Wafula

Wachiye Khaemba, the Principal of  Siangwe Secondary school in West Sang’alo ward, Kanduyi Constituency is suffering from Kidney failure.

 He hails from Luuya-Bwake ward, Kabuchai Constituency in Bungoma County and is now appealing for help to enable him undergo kidney transplant

Mr Wachiye was diagnosed to have renal failure in November 2016 at Mediheal hospital – Eldoret and undergoes dialysis at the same health facility twice a week.

Addressing the press at Bungoma west hospital, Martin Wanjala, the brother to Wanjala said that he needs to undergo kidney transplant but it is not possible to be airlifted to India to undergo kidney transplant due to the Covid19 pandemic as in Kenya its expensive.

He said Mediheal hospital had planned to do a kidney transplant for him in April this year at a cost of Sh2.5million but due to Covid19, all transplants were suspended. ‘’I plead to the government to consider those patients with kidney failure and other chronic diseases so that they can get help.’’

He added that the government of Kenya has given much attention to the covid-19 pandemic and has given a deaf ear to some emergency issues, calling on Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to lift this ban to help the chronic patients get medication.

Wanjala said the patient is also expected to undergo two CT-Scan the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) – Eldoret, with a minor knee surgery as he a waits for the transplant but they don’t have the money.

For any assistance, you can contact Martin Wanjala the brother on 0721705082.

Ends

Kakamega

By Andrew Ombuni

Little was known about Laban Maloba Atemba until he was appointed as the Clerk of the Kakamega County Assembly in November last year after his predecessor, Patrick Wafula Kamwessar was retired.

His star is rising very first owing to his philanthropic activities he is engaged in across the county and rumour has it that he is destined to vie for the Kakamega Gubernatorial seat after the exit of the current Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

He said to have financial muscles to run a well-oiled governorship campaign and comes from Matungu constituency, which is part of Wanga voting block (Mumias East, Mumias West and Matungu) that has at least 154,600 voters as pre the 2017 General Elections. He also enjoys the support of a section of the current ODM MCAs at the Kakamega County Assembly.

Mr Atemba and Governor Oparanya share some similarities. They are both CPA holders and members of the Institute of Certified Public Accounts of Kenya (ICPAK). He has also served as ICPAK Secretary for Western Branch.

Atemba was born on April 10, 1969 in Khabukoshe village, Matungu Sub-County. He as a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), a Masters of Business Administration (MBA – Finance Option) from Mt. Kenya University and currently pursuing his PhD in Finance.

Mr Atemba and Governor Oparanya share some similarities. They are both CPA holders and members of the Institute of Certified Public Accounts of Kenya (ICPAK). He has also served as ICPAK Secretary for Western Branch.

He has over 18 years of experience in Public Service Administration, having served in Butere/Mumias County Council as Revenue Officer from the year 2001 to 2006.

In the year 2006, he was moved to Kakamega County Council where he ascended to the position of Principal Revenue Officer up to 2008.

He later served as the Treasurer in Mt. Elgon County Council between the year 2008 and 2011 then transferred to Butere/Mumias County Council in the same capacity from 2011 to 2013 when he was absorbed to the County Assembly of Kakamega as the Principal Finance Officer (PFO) up to 2017.

Following his outstanding performance, he was elevated to be the Director of Financial Services in the same year until December 2018.

Atemba is the Chief Administrative Officer of the county assembly; and

responsible for the day-to-day management and functioning of the county assembly as well as providing expert, non-partisan and impartial advice to the members of the county assembly on the legislative process, and parliamentary procedure and practice.

On November 5, 2019, he was appointed the Interim Clerk of the County Assembly of Kakamega and then following the voluntary early retirement of his predecessor; Mr. Patrick Wafula Kamwessar was the pioneer Clerk who steered the Assembly through transition from the defunct Local Authority to the current Devolution governance.

Atemba is the Chief Administrative Officer of the county assembly; and
responsible for the day-to-day management and functioning of the county assembly as well as providing expert, non-partisan and impartial advice to the members of the county assembly on the legislative process, and parliamentary procedure and practice.

He is also the Secretary to the County Assembly Service Board in accordance with the conduct and business affairs of the Board.

As the Secretary to the County Assembly Service Board, the responsibilities of the County Assembly Clerk, he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Board, the Accounting Officer of the Board and the administrative head of the County Assembly Service.

Ends

Kakamega

Collins Chibole na James Boaz Eshitemi

Kifo cha Prof Ken Waliaula walibora huenda ndilo pigo kubwa Zaidi kuwaikutokea kwa ulingo wa Kiswahili na waenzi wa kazi zake.Hadi kifo chake,Ken Walibora amekuwa mlezi wa wengi katika ulimwengu wa kiswahili.

Kando na waandishi, walimu na wahadhiri wengi ambao walikikumbatia Kiswahili katika maandishi, Walibora aliichangamkia lugha ya Kiswahili pia katika baghwabaghwa za kila siku hususan kama mwanahabari na pia kupitia kampeni za kuimarisha lugha ya Kiswahili.

Tuzo tatu mtawalia alizopokea za Jomo Kenyatta literature prize kufuatia vitabu vyake, Ndoto ya Amerika, Kisasi Hapana na Nasikia Sauti ya Mama, zinapeana taswira ya mwandishi aliyeumiliki ulimwengu fulani katika uandishi wa lugha. Marehemu amejipatia sifa kutokana na uandishi wake uliokosha wengi, uchapishaji na uhariri vyote ambavyo alifanya kwingi ikiwa ni pamoja na Kidagaa Kimemwozea

Siku Njema, Ndoto ya Amerika,Kisasi Hapana, Nasikia Sauti ya Mama,Damu Nyeusi, Nizikeni Papa Hapa miongoni mwa nyingine.

JAMES BOAZ ESHITEMI

Japo  kwa  wengi   yaonekana  habari ila   kwangu  itasalia  jinamizi   manake  yanikwepa  maneno  mahususi ya  kumrejelea  shujaa, jagina na  gwiji  ‘mungu’ wa  waswahili  Ken  Waliaula  almaarufu  Walibora .

Mwaka  wa  2005 nikiwa shule  ya  msingi  ya  Eshiakhulo  wilayani  Mumias  kaunti  ya  Kakamega  ndipo ilikuwa  kaski  yangu  ya  kwanza  kusikiza  habari, mawazo  na  ulumbi  wa  mwandishi  huyu  mahiri  kupitia  kwa  vitabu  alivyoandika.

Riwaya ya  Siku Njema ,Ndoto ya Almasi na  Kufa  Kuzikana  ni  miongoni  tu mwa  gange  zake  zilizonivutia  katika shule  ya msingi  kutokana  na  jinsi  alivyozichambua  mwalimu  Lina  Akacha, kabla  ya  kujiunga  na  shule  ya  upili ya Lubinu  nilikokutana  na  bwana  Odali  Victor  aliyenipa motisha  ya  kuendeleza  kukisoma  kiswahili  na  hata  kukizungumza.

Japo  kwa  mukhtasari kutokana   na  kazi  yake Ken  Walibora  nimeweza  kufunza lugha  pana ya  kiswahili,  kufanya  katika  vituo  kadha vya  utangazaji,kando  na  kuwa mhutubu   katika   makongamano  anuwai hapa  nchini kenya.

Baadaye  nilijiunga  na  chuo kikuu  cha  Masinde  Muliro kama  mwalimu  wa  lugha  ya  kiswahili tokea  mwaka  wa  2013 nilikoichangamkia  lugha  hii aula  ya  Kiswahili. Japo  kwa  athari  za  lugha  mame  mara  nyingi  tulijifunga   kibwebwe  na  kusaliti  mila  zetu  kwa  kuiasi  lugha  mame.  Kiswahili  kiliniezesha  kuisatili  jamaa yangu  kwa  kuienzi  kazi yake.  

Japo  kwa  mukhtasari kutokana   na  kazi  yake Ken  Walibora  nimeweza  kufunza lugha  pana ya  kiswahili,  kufanya  katika  vituo  kadha vya  utangazaji,kando  na  kuwa mhutubu   katika   makongamano  anuwai hapa  nchini kenya. Japo  kwa  kumbukizi zake  Ken  Walibora  ni  kwamba  mti  mkuu umeanguka  ila  viziki vingali na rotuba linapochomoza shamzi kwa wengi huwafikia mwangaza ila kwa wachache huwafaidi. Kwa wengi hunyaa mvua ila kwa wachache huipata mbegu ya kutia arthini.

Amewalea  wanahabari  chipukizi  kando  na kuvipalilia vipaji chipukizi  katika  Nyanja  za  Kiswahili. Itakumbukwa  kuwa Prof  Ken  Walibora  amekuwa  kielelezo  kwa  waandishi  wenzake, wanahabari, Na hata  walimu kwa  ujumla  bila  kuwasaza waenzi  asharafu  wa  lugha  pana  ya  Kiswahili  na  tanzu  zake.

Prof  Ken  Walibora  amekuwa  nguzo muhimu katika  tasnia  nzima  ya Kiswahili  na wapenzi  wake. Ina  maana Walibora  amekuwa  ‘mungu’  wa  waswahili.

Amewalea  wanahabari  chipukizi  kando  na kuvipalilia vipaji chipukizi  katika  Nyanja  za  Kiswahili. Itakumbukwa  kuwa Prof  Ken  Walibora  amekuwa  kielelezo  kwa  waandishi  wenzake, wanahabari, Na hata  walimu kwa  ujumla  bila  kuwasaza waenzi  asharafu  wa  lugha  pana  ya  Kiswahili  na  tanzu  zake.

Tangia  lugha  ya  Kiswahili  kufanywa  linkua franka nchini  kenya  Prof  Ken  Walibora  amekuwa  mstari  wa  mbele  katika  kukilonga  Kiswahili   haswa katika  miktadha   tofauti tofauti ikiwemo  makongamano,  katika  vyuo  vikuu,taasisi mbalimbali  ikiwemo  shule  za  upili  na  zile  za  msingi.

Lugha  aliyoitumia  mwandishi  Ken  Walibora  katika  kazi  zake  ilikuwa lugha  ya  kipekee  iliyosheheni  ufundi  wa  kipekee. Ken  Walibora  pia  ameichora  taswira  ya  matabaka mawili; tabaka la wakwasi na  lile  la  walalahoi.

Walibora  alitoa  mtafaruku uliopo  katika  uongozi  kando  na  kuichora  picha  kamili  inayojitokeza  wazi  kati  ya  walio  na  kisomo  bila  ajira  na wenye ajira bila kisomo katika ukinzani.  Kwa  kauli  yangu, mwandishi  Ken  Walibora   licha  ya  kututangulia  mbele  ya  haki  atasalia  katika  nyoyo  zetu  kama  waenzi  wa  lugha  ya Kiswahili kutokana na vile alivyokua na  ufundi  wa  namna  yake  katika  tasnia  nzima  ya  Kiswahili. 

Mchango  wako  utatulazimu  tukuite  hayati. Nani  anakujua  ni  msamiati  ambao   umekula  wengi  na  hata  kuwaelekeza  wengi  wa  adinasi  ahera. Siku  zote  umesema  chema  hakidumu … uru Ken Walibora safiri salama mfahamishe JALALI KUWA  CHINI WINGU NI SAMAWATI  KWA  KULITAZAMA.

COLLINS CHIBOLE

Nakumbuka nikiwa darasa la nne, babangu aliponitunuku kitabu cha siku njema baada ya kuongoza somo la Kiswahili shule ya msingi ya Eshisenye, ikawa riwaya yangu ya kwanza kuisoma maishani na ukawa mwanzo wa ndoto yangu katika uandishi.

Namtambua Walibora kama aliyechangia pakubwa kufanikiwa kwangu katika lugha ya Kiswahili katika mitihani ya Kitaifa ya KCPE na ya KCSE. Kando na taaluma yangu ya ujasiriamali na fedha, kazi ya walibora ndiyo iliyonisukuma kuandika riwaya yangu ya kwanza ya ‘Nyota ya Mama’ kando na tamthilia ya ‘Fumbo la Imani’.

Walibora ni mwanahabari aliyeumiliki ufundi wa kutamaniwa, mkufunzi na mwandishi aliyeukumbatia ucheshi na ulumbi wa kupigiwa mfano. Si ajabu kwamba , marehemu katika uandishi wake alisisitiza kuwa kila nafsi ni sharti itayaonja mauti, kuna visa si haba vya ubashiri ambavyo vinarejelea kifo chake.

Nilipojiunga na radio MMUST FM mwaka 2013, nilianzisha Makala ya ‘Kisiwa cha Lugha’ na moja kwa moja Walibora akawa mlezi wa Makala hayo licha ya shughuli nyingi zilizomsetiri.

Walibora ni mwanahabari aliyeumiliki ufundi wa kutamaniwa, mkufunzi na mwandishi aliyeukumbatia ucheshi na ulumbi wa kupigiwa mfano. Si ajabu kwamba , marehemu katika uandishi wake alisisitiza kuwa kila nafsi ni sharti itayaonja mauti, kuna visa si haba vya ubashiri ambavyo vinarejelea kifo chake.

Kutoka kwa ufukara, kongowea mswahili mhusika mkuu katika riwaya ya siku njema mwishoni analitazama wingu la magharibi na tabasamu la ufanisi, milki ya babake ikiwa chini yake pamoja na binti  Vumilia tamanio la moyo wake.

Kwa mfano katika riwaya ya siku njema, ‘mwili wa Mzee Kazikwisha ulipatikana na mwanawe Msanifu Kombo siku kadhaa baada ya kifo chake. Hakujulikana na wengi kuwa alikuwa Juma Mukosi,msomi wa kutajika, maziko ya juma mukosi yalihudhuriwa na idadi ndogo ya watu’. Mtemi Nasaba Bora katika riwaya ya Kidagaa Kimemwozea alipatikana akiwa ameipa dunia kisogo na mazishi yake kuhudhuriwa na idadi ndogo ya watu. Uandishi wa walibora unasetiri ujumbe wa Tumaini.

Kutoka kwa ufukara, kongowea mswahili mhusika mkuu katika riwaya ya siku njema mwishoni analitazama wingu la magharibi na tabasamu la ufanisi, milki ya babake ikiwa chini yake pamoja na binti  Vumilia tamanio la moyo wake.

Mto kiberenge katika riwaya ya Kidagaa kimemwozea, licha ya kuwa ulisetiri laana na kutafsiriwa kuwa hatari kwa yeyote ambaye angeyanywa maji yake, Imani na Amani wahusika wakuu baada ya kuyanywa maji yake walitulizwa kiu na hatimae haki yao kupatikana na mmoja wao kupendekezwa hata kuwa mfalme katika jamii hiyo. Mti mkuu ushavunjika ila kupitia kazi zake, atazaa, atalea, atakuza, ataelimisha na kuhamasisha. Rabi ailaze roho yake mahala pema.

Mwisho.

Bungoma

By Tony Wafula

Pastors and Bishops have condemned the government for closing the churches in the wake of Covid19 pandemic.

Led by Rev. Nashon Otwane of the Full Gospel Church of Kenya, he regretted that the government has subjected Christians to worship in empty churches during this pandemic time instead of praying to God to end the pandemic.

Addressing the press his office at Bungoma Church headquarters, Rev. Otwane said that the government of Kenya should allow churches to continue with its services in an organized way.

‘’We know that the government banned all public gatherings but I urge them if it could be better to allow as conduct church services with at least fifteen church members,” said Otwane.

The clergy added that this is the time Kenyan leaders should come together to find a long lasting solution to this pandemic dismissing those bringing propaganda politics as the country continues to morn.

He called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to organize a meeting with top cream leaders from all churches so that they have national prayers which will help bringing back lost Christians back to life and give them hope.

He said that after the country has battled the corona virus many people will have lost the way forward and will need serious guiding and counseling, advising church leaders to be very careful with their members.

He urged the government to allow churches to have a certain program whereby only fifteen members to be allowed in worshiping in shifts. ‘I plead to the government to train health workers and assign them in our churches every Sunday so that they can measure somebody’s temperature before entering the church only for fifteen people,’’

He called upon Bungoma governor Wycliffe Wangamati to organize a meeting with all clergies and see how the church services can be conducted.

‘’Ministering the word of God it is a calling which you cannot avoid,’’ he said, adding that since the president banned all public gatherings many Bishops and Pastors have perished.

He called on the government of Kenya to set aside money and rescue Kenyans who were locked down in other countries like Chine who are going through torture.

‘’Our fellow Kenyans went there for different purposes but we cannot ignore them the government should organize and bring them back home.’’ He said.

He said that many Kenyans are having psychological challenges thinking about their dear ones in other states.

‘’Its better our friends come back in Kenya and be quarantined somewhere as the ministry of health does its best to help them.’’ He said.

He applauded the efforts the government is doing to make sure that they combat this pandemic, calling on Kenyans to follow the government’s directives.

Ends

By Godfrey Wamalwa

A Nairobi-based businessman, Martin Namasaka on donated more than 2000 face masks to Boda Boda operators and residents, Mihuu ward,Webuye east constituency.

Speaking during the exercise, his representative Charles Sibweche said that Mr.Namasaka took upon this task of supplying masks to help in the fight against corona virus.

“Mr.Namasaka is supplying face masks as a sign of helping the locals in the fight against this pandemic because a majority of them can’t afford them during this period” he said.

He went ahead and appealed for serious sensitization of residents in rural areas about the safety precautions that need to be observed to stop the spread of the Covid-19.

“Most of the people in rural areas have heard there is a disease killing people but not all of them know what to do to curb it’s spread” he added.

Boda boda riders thanked the businessman for the donation which they said will go along way in assisting them in combating the spread of the vice.

The businessman who has also declared his interest to run for Mihuu ward seat come 2022 urged parents to take care of their children during this time the schools are closed and make sure they teach their kids the steps to be followed to fight the coronavirus.

While Mr.Namasaka has been a political actor in Mihuu ward for years, this is the first time he is venturing into elective politics himself.

“Having listened to the voice of my elders, family members and friends, I feel that it is time for me to contest the seat and, when we emerge victorious, implement the development initiatives that our people have been hungering for for years,” he said.

“The era of electing people on the basis of clan or party politics is gone. Leadership is all about bringing services closer to the people,” he said.

 Among his key priorities will be promoting peace-building, healthcare development, water drilling, education, and empowerment of the youth, women and persons with disability.

 He pledged that if accorded the chance to serve as Mihuu ward Mca, he would invest heavily in youth programmes to create jobs and other social advancement opportunities such as sports.

Ends