Day: March 9, 2024

A multi-agency team has been formed to reinforce the fight against illicit brewing in Narok County in a bid to wipe out the illegal drinks in the county.

Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia said he will lead the joint team consisting of police officers, village elders, and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), who will be carrying out impromptu visits in different points notorious for selling the drinks.

Commissioner Lotiatia said no one will be spared in the fight, noting that most of the illegal dens are owned by police officers and other senior government officials.

‘Some of the people who have been operating without license are police officers, I want to remind them that no police officer will be allowed to operate any alcoholic business as they are the ones who are supposed to enforce the law against illegal drinks,’ said the commissioner.

He reminded stakeholders that only those with legal licenses will be allowed to operate drinking joints as their premises have been certified
to be suitable to sell alcohol.

‘No bar should be near a school or worship center. They must follow laid down regulations and ensure their drinks are certified by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA),’ he continued.

He spoke after meeting senior police officers who included Sub County Police Commanders, Officers Commanding Station (OCS), Deputy County Commissioners and Assistant County Commissioners at Maasai Mara University Hall.

Also present in the meeting was officer in charge of prosecution counsel Gitonga Murang’a, who called on the police to investigate the cases properly so that no loophole will be left during prosecution.

‘We are going to pursue an aspect of cancellation of licenses where persons are acting in breach of those licenses and acting in a manner that is not as per the license they were given’, said the prosecutor.

‘Many families are suffering from this menace hence we will play an active role as the prosecutors in pursuing these drugs and illicit alcohol’, he added.

‘We have given the admin
istrators advice on how to have solid evidence that is needed to have a case that can stand the test of time. This is because most of the cases brought in court have no evidence,’ he said.

This comes at a time when six women were fined Sh30,000 or serve a six months of imprisonment each for operating liquor premises without a valid license today.

Senior Resident Magistrate Sagero Rachemi of Narok law courts convicted the six of their own guilty pleas warning them of dire consequences if they repeated the crime.

The six were: Joyce Akinyi 30, Mary Wangari 27 Valery Nasieku, Joan Chelangat, Daisy Kemunto and Caroline Kwamboka who were arrested in different parts of the county operating liquor premises without a valid license.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A lobby group which draws its membership from various religious organisations want the Murang’a county government to endeavour in ensuring efficient service delivery.

Members of the group dubbed Mulika Initiative have pointed out that delivery of some major services in the county have been hindered by challenges which need to be ironed out.

Lauding automation of operations in the health facilities, leaders of the initiative noted some technical issues need to be looked into so as to ensure patients get better services.

The coordinator of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) Simon Muiruri observed that the local hospitals need to be equipped with drugs and medical machines to spare locals from seeking services in facilities outside the county.

Speaking during a forum held at St Mary’s catholic cathedral on Friday Muiruri said the county administration led by governor Irungu Kang’ata should commit to deliver all the promises they made to mwananchi.

‘As Mulika initiative our aim is to evaluate w
hat the county government is doing in terms of service delivery. We will offer counsel where needed so that there is seamless service delivery.’ He added.

The faith organizations that make up Mulika Initiative include Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).

Chairman of SUPKEM central region Gakere Bakari told county leaders to focus on service delivery and shun continuous politicking.

He pointed out that this is the time for elected leaders to serve their electorate and not to campaign for next elections.

‘Frequent politics will affect service delivery and we urge all leaders to commit to working for mwananchi. Resources should be used prudently for socio economic growth,’ said Bakari.

In a rejoinder, Murang’a deputy governor Stephen Munania who graced the forum said the county administration is working to improve provision of services in all sectors.

He highlighted that various reforms are being implemented
in the health sector to ensure patients don’t suffer to access drugs among other services.

‘We have listened to views from various stakeholders and people of Murang’a. Currently the county government has procured drugs which are being distributed to local hospitals and soon the challenges which have been experienced in the health sector will be things of the past,’ he noted.

He lauded the church for supporting the county administration promising they will be engaging them in formulation of policies aimed to improve livelihoods of Murang’a people.

‘Kang’ata’s administration is open to get views from all stakeholders including the church. We will partner with the catholic, Muslim community and churches allied to NCCK to ensure all what we do is guided by the majority views,’ added Munania.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally is considering upgrading one Technical and Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) centre to train top notch rally mechanics, in Nakuru County.

Safari Rally Kenya CEO, Charles Gacheru, has said that a Centre of Excellence to train top-notch rally mechanics was a possibility that would leave a mark in the Kenyan Motorsport industry.

Speaking when the team made a courtesy call to Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Gacheru noted that WRC was the biggest sports event in Kenya that comes to the region, with Nakuru being privileged to host.

‘When the cars arrive in Kenya, they are brought straight to Nakuru at the Service Park. The top mechanics in the world get here early to receive and service the vehicles and we can plan to have them come two weeks in advance and engage them on mentorship programmes,’ added Gacheru, noting that some vehicles are assembled, oiled and fueled here by the international engineers.

He added that this year, the team was considering to h
ave the Rally Mechanics have a Children Motorsports event at Kasarani after the rally.

Governor Susan Kihika had requested the WRC to create a minisports complex in the county, to nature talents and empower locals in motorsporting.

‘As the host County, we need to be fully involved in the preparations for the event and to ensure that our people fully benefit from the event in terms of roads, casual employees, food vending, entertainment and waste management. For such a high-profile event,

Hosting this event is a big deal and we want our people do feel a difference that the county hosted the rally. Nakuru County will give its best hospitality to the rally enthusiasts,’ noted Kihika calling on rehabilitation of feeder roads, that were susceptible to traffic snarl-up.

Governor Kihika further appreciated the team for its intend to contribute some equipment to Naivasha Sub County Hospital, to equip it to handle emergencies during the event which will begin on March 27, 2024 and end on March 31.

Ministry of Spo
rts Team Leader, Evans Achoki noted that the ministry had partnered with the county government to ensure safety of spectators and motorists, as well as management of the traffic during the events.

‘We are hiring about 500 casual workers for the Hustler Bursar to serve during the rally and hope to have the county help us in licensing food vendors during the rally for safety,’ added Achoki.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government has extended humanitarian aid to families that were rendered homeless at Dabala-Fachana trading centre in Sololo sub-county of Marsabit County by a rain storm.

The state department for arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) and regional development donated 500 iron sheets valued at Sh 1.5 million and an assortment of non-food items including blankets.

ASALs and regional development principal secretary Kello Harsama delivered the assistance on Friday which also includes food stuffs comprising 5,000 kilograms of rice, 100 bags of 50-kilogram bags of beans and 54 liters of edible oil.

Mr Harsama said the aid was meant to enable the affected families to resettle and pick up their lives again.

The PS said that President Ruto’s administration was concerned with the plight of all Kenyans adding that a number of social development projects like water pans and smart agriculture were being implemented in Sololo to enable them navigate the effects of climate change.

Dabala-Fachana, Rawana and Funyanata are
as which are lowlands of the Ethiopian highlands are prone to flash floods and wind storms.

Mr Harsama disclosed that plans were underway to mitigate the situation through construction of dams and planting of trees.

The families were left without shelter while their household goods and other properties were destroyed after a downpour accompanied by strong winds hit the area a week ago.

Ms Halima Galgalo, a beneficiary thanked the government for the gesture saying the support would enable them to settle and avert starvation.

Also present was the area DCC Robert Nzuki who assured the residents of continued support.

Source: Kenya News Agency