The Silent Victor

by Reuben Chelimo

You may not have heard of him, or even seen him on your screen during the Olympics or any major sporting event, but Edward Kimosop has been going places in his athletics career. At the age of 18, he narrowly missed to represent Kenya in the Olympics. Today, Kimosop is involved in various road races around the world, and has won various medals and prizes.

Kimosop hails from North Baringo, a second born in a family of 11. Listening to him speak from his Ngong apartment as he recounts his former days in school paints a picture of a man who has overcome various odds. “I used to burn charcoal to raise school fees”, he passionately remembers. In fact when he recently won various road races in Germany, Austria and Turkey, he vividly recalls what his family told him, “You are our breadwinner”.

His is a story too common with many athletes in Kenya, who have risen to become international stars from abject poverty and constant struggle.

He recounts one 7.5km race that he participated in Austria, “It was a difficult one in which we were ascending a steep and rugged terrain. I was gasping for breath, and the call to give up came too often, but I soldiered on. With about three kilometres remaining, I was not in the favourite 10. Then suddenly the terrain changed during the last 4 km and we started descending. I signalled to my fellow Kenyan athlete who was behind me, “it is fair up here, run!” And with that I accelerated and beat all the favourite contenders. It was a major victory, not only for me but for my sponsor, Paul Tergat who had paid for my ticket to Europe that season. I was highly published in Europe. I was also invited to participate again.

Charity Run
Kimosop is also involved in running for charity. He is affiliated to Vapor, an American organization that supports destitute children. Vapor, as from its literal meaning, is about life being as fleeting as vapour. It thus makes a claim to volunteering athletes to utilize their talent in supporting the less-fortunate in the society within the limited time that God has offered all mankind.
It is a noble cause, that of running and not expecting any pay, but deep inside, with a strong conviction that someone is benefiting from the exercise. That is what has made Kimosop who he is.

“Paul Tergat, the veteran athlete and world champion is my role model,” Kimosop asserts. “I do not know where I would be were it not for his overwhelming support.” From this interview, we were able to establish that Tergat supports more than 300 athletes to attain their dreams. He has helped many in securing sponsors, paying their airline tickets to participate in world events, supporting them with supplements and their general upkeep.

Ngong Area
Kimosop actively participates in training on a daily basis in Ngong. This area and its environs is the choice of many athletes for a training ground. The area offers high altitude, approximately 2,300m above sea level. It also offers ample space for running and also doing exercises after the races. The area started becoming popular from the 1990s when Paul Tergat and Ishmael Chelang’a came to settle and even marked various points where they would be using in their training. Other athletes followed suit and today, there are about 1000 of them who have settled here. Indeed even international athletes have showed interest in using the area to train, and which will offer them a chance to practice with the local athletes who are renowned globally.

According to Kimosop, as from October this year, athletes from various countries are expected to pitch camp in Ngong to train with the local athletes.

Kimosop is happily married to Benadine and they have two children.

Prof. Nzomo: Proposed Constitution Good for Kenyan Women

John Cheruiyot

A one day workshop held at a Kericho hotel recently brought together over forty women leaders from the greater Kericho districts. The delegates came from Kericho East, Kericho West, Chepalungu, Sotik, Bureti, Bomet and Kipkelion. The meeting was hosted by Rift Valley Rural Women Network founded by Dr.Esther Keino and was facilitated and sponsored by Centre for Multiparty Democracy. Among the facilitators was Prof.Maria Nzomo, one of the leading gender activists in Kenya on women rights.

The workshop’s theme was ‘Gains for women in the proposed constitution.’
Prof.Nzomo observed that she was not beating about the bush when it comes to women issues and their rights. That the proposed constitution has what we women right fighters fought for for decades. She further observed that women should not be worried about what men think on the constitution but on what the document says about their issues.
“We shall have no excuse at all as women if we let this opportunity of having a new constitution disappear into the thin air ,” she added.

She further noted that culture and traditions have been used to pin women down, that Wambui Otieno lost the case of her husband in the 1980s because culture overruled everything and that the proposed constitution will eradicate outdated and retrogressive traditions which have enslaved women for centuries. She also noted that “history of political parties is such that the youth, women, minorities and the disabled were marginalized. Political parties have been for decades been run on thuggish principles tilted to favour men against women. For instance, look at what happened to Prof. Julia Odhiambo in 2007 and after. It is time we assert ourselves as women. We have what it takes. We can stand as independent candidates during the elections. You can contest for presidency as an independent candidate. The days of the mighty party chairmen are gone. Only in the proposed constitution.” She added that in the proposed constitution women will be recognized and so will the youth, the disabled and the elderly.
She dismissed the issues of land, abortion and Kadhi courts as merely political propaganda.
She observed that the proposed Senate will have 16 women out of the 47. It will also have the youth and the disabled where gender will be considered.
She further observed, “Women should wake up and seize the opportunities before them. In the proposed national commissions women should stop being mere members or vice chairs but be at top positions in institutions such as the Kenya National Human Rights Commission.”

The women who attended the meeting shared very personal testimonies on how the existing constitution has oppressed women. Dr. Keino gave a classic example of her son born in the US 32 years ago who could not be granted Kenyan citizenship, because her Kenyan citizenship as a woman would not conferred to her son automatically. She noted that the proposed constitution will bring at par both men and women. Another participant gave her testimony that “when I was to go abroad for a seminar the law put it that I was to get the permission from my husband!”
Another lady revealed, “I am a single mother. I have children and I stay in my father’s land. My brothers are all entitled to my father’s land but I am excluded. The outdated traditions and culture ignored my existence. The proposed law gives me a voice.”

Another stated, “The reason why women find themselves in Tengecha or Koinage Street of Kericho is simple. They have no land, hence they are forced out into prostitution by retrogressive traditions and cultures.”
She further added that the reason why the political class are rejecting the proposed law is because it will tilt the equation of society towards justice and fair play.

A widow from Belgut narrated, “I have four daughters and no son. The brothers of my late husband have decided that I will not inherit my husband’s share of land because I did not give birth to a male child. It is that bad. We need a law for 21st century Kenya.”

One other participant observed, “We come from a NO zone. Wearing of a green T-Shirt or fronting the proposed constitution is criminal. People are scared . Those who supported a party other than ODM in 2007 had their houses torched. They were frog-matched and displayed in market centres as species of ridicule.”

Prof.Nzomo noted that after the repeal of section 2A in the early 1990s,the atmosphere throughout the country was hostile for all who opted for a party other than KANU. We were harassed, ridiculed and branded radicals. Today we have freedom of association. Those of you facing similar situation should know this-no scenario is permanent. The walls of intimidation and ridicule will fall before our eyes. ”

Prof. Maria Nzomo, Chelagat Mutai, Dr.Esther Keino and Ida Odinga were schoolmates in the late 1960s at Moi Girls Eldoret.Their revolutionary ideas thus have their roots in Rift Valley.

Egerton Graduate crusades for Alternative Farming

John Cheruiyot
Mr. Alex Njenga, 53 may not click or make sense to many Kenyans. He is however a Mahatma Gandhi of agriculture to Kenyans who listen to him on radio Inooro, Coro, Kameme and KBC (Mali Shambani and Sikio ya Mkulima). He is an icon and a guru driven by alternative ideas in modern agriculture. He is a moving encyclopaedia and an advocate of the latest ideas in crop and animal production. He is a speaker, trainer, facilitator, publisher and a writer. He has written over four books on the latest trends in agriculture. Like Mahatma Gandhi, Njenga puts on the attire of common people. You may mistake him for a peasant by his dressing.

He is also a director of Kenya Multipurpose Development Institute a firm committed to empowering Kenyans through training and transfer of alternative technologies.
The eCentury team visited him at his Ngong residence. On the veranda of his house were several bales of wheat straws used for mushroom production. His compound is a showcase of plots of strawberries, pumpkin plants, sweet potatoes-some from overseas, particularly from Asia and other local breeds. His intention is to multiply for distribution to the farmers. In his compound also were rabbits and poultry which were of pedigree quality and of a rare breed. His poultry for example were sourced from Israel and are being multiplied.

Near the veranda were a few jatropha plants (a bio-diesel plant) being propagated for distribution to farmers. Njenga trains particularly in ASAL regions.
In his living room were dried and powder mushrooms and pawns (mushroom seeds) used for teaching, training and demonstrations, others were the different types of sweet potatoes available in the country.

In his library were the books he authored. The workshops and training programs he is involved in include: bee keeping, mushroom production, fish farming, rabbit rearing, poultry management, herbal farming and green house technology.

Njenga is a graduate of Egerton University; he holds both a diploma and a degree in Agriculture from Egerton. He has over 30 years experience in professional agriculture. His passion and commitment is to train, empower, motivate and to make farmers innovative, prosperous and successful.

He observes, “Kenyans need to move from current farming of growing low value crops to high value crops like mushroom, strawberries, potatoes, pumpkin and vanilla. They also need to venture into fish farming, beekeeping, and dairy goat rearing. If Kenyans begin to use honey instead of sugar, chicken for red meat, mushroom and sweet potato for food they will become the healthiest people on the planet.”

Njenga pulled his calculator from the pocket and took eCentury writer step by step. He began with sweet potatoes.

He observed, “One eight of an acre of sweet potatoes takes 4,000 pieces which produces about 10 tubers each or 40,000 tubers. If a farmer takes six tubers from each piece to the market annually this translates to 24,000 tubers. If he makes heaps of four tubers it will translate to 6,000 heaps, he sells each heap for Ksh.20 this will amount to Ksh.120, 000 for an eight of an acre or Ksh. 960,000 for an acre. Isn’t this a good income for a small scale farmer? ” He asked.

“Sweet potatoes are not only food but medicinal. They control viral diseases. A potato weighing 800g cost less than 400g bread. The day Kenyans shift from bread to sweet potatoes for breakfast, they will not only save their hard earned cash but improve their health. ” He notes. “Sweet potatoes may be dried and made into flour which may be mixed with Amaranth to fight cancer and high blood pressure. The sweet potato flour may be mixed with mushroom flour to improve on quality and palatability.”

The next high value crop was strawberry. He said “An eight of acre of strawberry carries 5,000 pieces .Each piece of strawberry yields 2kg annually. Hence an eight produces 10,000 kilos. If each kilo goes for Ksh.400 this translates to 4million. An acre fetches Ksh.40 million! ”

On the mushroom farming Njenga observed, “This country imports mushrooms from China, India and South Africa. Five star hotels serve mushrooms soups from imported mushrooms. The demand for mushrooms in the country is greater than the supply. Hence mushroom farming is a gold mine. Besides the day Kenyans will themselves eat mushrooms this country will be great health wise. Popular mushroom are oyster and button. They are eaten directly. They are dried, ground for baking, porridge making and even in making of ugali”.

“Mushroom farming is a profitable enterprise” He noted.” It uses farm residues like wheat straws. One kilo of mushroom seeds (spawns) is grown on a bale of wheat straws. It takes one month for oyster to mature. A kilo of mushroom spawn produces 10 kg of mushroom. Each kilo of mushroom fetches Ksh.600 hence 10kg fetches 6000 in one month. To make good return, a minimum of 10 kg spawns are needed to make Ksh.60, 000. Mushroom farming is an indoor enterprise. Mud, grass houses and other simple structures may be used to grow mushrooms. ”

He added “The emerging trend in herbal industry is based on medicinal crops and herbs.” On pumpkin farming he had this to say “Pumpkin has medicinal qualities. Its seeds cure dysentery and supply plenty of zinc vital for sperm development in men. Its pulp is a dewormer, while the juice cures urinary complications.”
Indeed Alex Njenga is an agriculturalist, researcher and practical oriented scholar. He is simply an agricultural scholar for the masses. He is passionate for a people driven agriculture. His outreach programs through the media, workshops and demonstrations have won him both friends and foes.

“I was summoned by my superiors who felt I needed their approval before embarking on any move particularly in the media” He observed. He added “I told them what is wrong when I teach farmers through the media? How come I have not received any complain when I train in workshops and open air Barazas?”
“I told my superiors that my university chancellor gave me ‘the power to read and to do all which pertains to my degree. I teach farmers ideas proven by research. ”
Njenga is a professional needed in the 21st century Kenya. In his Kiambu farm he has fish ponds, rabbits, poultry, geese, ducks, dairy goats, turkeys, parrots and dwarf hens. He a type of expert needed in third world country like Kenya. According to Njenga diseases like diabetes, cancer, hypertension, skin disorders among other diseases would be history if crops with medicinal properties were promoted and Kenyans encouraged to shift to high value crops and animals.

Njenga talks to farmers on radio every Friday from 8:30-9:00 AM and every Tuesday from 8:30-9:00pm in Coro FM and on KBC radio every Monday from 8:30-9:00pm.

Ngong Field Day: Farming is a Business

By eCentury Reporter
It was a farmers’ field day like no other. Farmers from Matasia, Bulbul and Ngong as well as students from Oloolua Primary School and Baptist Calvary Academy and other stakeholders thronged Ngong Agricultural Training Centre for a successful field day. It was organized and sponsored by the Stakeholders Forum and Agricultural Training Centre.

The chief guest was North Kajiado DO1 Mr. Kaume Kashuru who was taken through the stands by Dorothy Mwaniki the principal of Ngong Agricultural Training Centre. The theme of the day was farming is a business.

Among the exhibitors were Kajiado North Ministry of Agriculture, the hosts Ngong Agricultural Training Centre, agro-manufacturers and service providers. They included Arysta Life Science [K] Ltd manufacturers of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides; NAWACOM Investment Cooperative Society Ltd, the manufacturer of Mazingira Organic Fertilizer, Irrico International Ltd, an irrigation and greenhouse ware provider, Farm Feeds manufacturers of livestock feeds. Others were financial institutions namely Equity Bank and Faulu.

The Ministry of Agriculture stand particularly the Home Economics section was a crowd puller. The juice, soap, jik, crisps and jiko-making, technologies appealed to many participants. Rachel Kwoma one of the specialists at the stand explained to the participants how bread and cakes are made using an energy-saving sawdust powered oven. She further revealed they train women groups on entrepreneurship; how to start and manage businesses.

The Ngong Agricultural Training Centre was the main attraction. Her horticultural farm was a master piece. The expansive horticultural farm teeming with healthy and well-tended vegetables, fruits and fodder offered a great opportunity for the farmers. Experts were available to explain to the farmers every aspect of horticulture. The training centre was a complete encyclopedia of practical agriculture. The participants practically were taken through every aspect of farming. From rabbit keeping, beekeeping, silkworm rearing, goat rearing to zero grazing.

The green house was thronged by many who wanted to learn every aspect of green house establishment.

Notable companies included Arysta Life Science the manufacturers of Kalach 480 SL, the latest non-selective systemic herbicide in the market. According to Martin Aubanton the Eastern Africa Technical and Marketing manager, Kalach is an effective herbicide for the control of grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds in tea, coffee, wheat and other crops. The other herbicide Sigma Combi a selective herbicide for maize was another herbicide by Arysta Science .

The other attraction was an organic fertilizer manufactured by Mazingira Cooperative Society of Nakuru. The fertilizer made from compost manure has nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. The fertilizer was developed through technical support from Egerton University with administrative and financial support from Practical East Africa. The fertilizer is said to increase crop production through mineralization of the soil and soil structure.

The field day offered a rare opportunity for farmers and other stakeholders to interact and share notes.

The ministry of agriculture showcased the latest dairy goat zero grazing structure where a small portion of an urban space may be utilized for dairy goat rearing. On appropriate technology was a case of a manual bale-maker within the purchasing power of small scale farmers. Kajiado being a drought prone area the idea of a manual bale maker was good news.

Everyone left the field day energized and booster to make farming a business enterprise like any business. That profit making be the guiding principle.

Ruling Class Taught a Lesson in Mugirango By-Election

John Cheruiyot
The South Mugirango by election result was stunning. It was a devastating defeat to the ruling class; who for a long time has underrated the intelligence of the masses. With the helicopters, their money, their limousines and other fuel guzzlers they did not sway the voters of South Mugirango to vote their way.

A divided PNU, ODM and KANU could not stand the verdict of the people.
Manson Nyamweya of FORD People won with 14,099 followed at a distance by Magara of PDP with 8885, then Ochoi of ODM at 7638 and Rashid Miyoga of PPK with 1,145. KANU did not feature at all.

When Magara defected from ODM to join little known PDP, political bigwigs swung to his side. He became an instant political darling of the connected and the moneyed. Top political gurus suspended their parties to support Magara. Uhuru Kenyatta left KANU to support Magara, likewise William Ruto left ODM to support Magara. The support for Magara was more of a protest against Raila. The YES and the NO contenders left their differences to support Magara. In the process the voice of the people, the voice and the conscience of the masses was ignored.

The political class displayed their glamour and splendour as they climbed the skies of South Mugirango with impunity. Manson Nyamweya kept telling the people: “It is you who will determine who goes to parliament not them.” He was right. It is the people and not the moneyed and the connected.

The win by Nyamweya may be dismissed as a mere by-election. It is a battle between the interests of the elite and those of the people. The real political landscape was crafted during the Mugirango by-election.

That leaders who remain faithful to the interests of the people and who are not stooges and puppets of the outsiders - it is they who prevail. Being associated to party heavyweights is longer an asset.

The party bigwigs focusing on the 2012 were at South Mugirango to show their prowess. The PNU and ODM supremacy was the centrepiece of the Mugirango by-election. Their agenda was defeated.

What this means is - Kenyan voters are independent and intelligent. They can courageously decide who becomes their leader.

Indeed it should be noted that the one party dictatorship was all about leaders who were planted from the apex. It was all about being connected to the power barons of the nation. The people were bought and swayed at will and whim. The top-down political structure was the order of the day. The bottom-up was apparently outlawed.
Indeed the bottom-up won in South Mugirango. In one way or another the ruling elite has run out of ideas. They have no ideas to turn around the economy. They have no vision to prosper the nation. They drive expensive limousines and ride first world copters in the fourth world economy. Their life styles are beyond the economy of the nation.

Being president and being a bigwig and a political heavyweight in a weak nation and a weak economy is what mesmerizes the ruling class.

Kenya needs a third force, a force of the people, a force fuelled by a vision to empower and prosper the people. Being president and being powerful and affluent in a poor economy does not make sense.

What Kenya today needs possibly is a national Manson Nyamweya, a leader who is driven more by the aspirations and the interest of the people. A leader whose vision is to serve and empower the people.

A leader who is ready to outlaw the use of helicopters and fuel guzzlers in a weak economy as ours. A leader who not after power and authority for personal glory. A leader who dares to innovate, invent and create new ideas and new options for the nation. A leader who is not craving for foreign aid and foreign neo-colonial favours. One who believes in the people and in the potential of the nation.
The 2012 is not about a change economically and technologically; it is about leaders queuing for privileges as the people sink into the abyss of poverty and penury.

Eldoret: the Future Los Angeles of Kenya?

eCentury Reporter
Eldoret is indeed the economic, political, social and cultural epicentre of the North Rift. It is the only town in Rift Valley province with an international airport; was the second town after Nairobi to have a state university-Moi University in1984.

It was also the only town after Nairobi to have a national referral hospital. The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital has enhanced the status of Eldoret in every way. It serves Nyanza, Western, Uganda and Sudan. One of the notable surgeries ever performed in Kenya was done at this facility. The surgery involved rare breast growth abnormality and was performed by a team of surgeons from Kenya and Egypt led by Dr Philip Parklea in 2001.

The Eldoret International Airport is yet another facility that has made Eldoret a city in the making. Given proper support Eldoret International Airport may in the long run make the town the Frankfurt of Kenya. The airport was envisioned to spur tourism and horticulture in North Rift and Western Kenya.

A local Kalenjin prophecy attributed to a Nandi prophet known as Mong’o had predicted in pre-colonial era about Ntaboi nemi Kapseret meaning the mystery of Kapseret. The mystery is now believed to be the Eldoret International Airport. The presence of the international airport is a fulfilment of a prophecy by a Nandi seer.
Eldoret is emerging as an intellectual capital development centre. Other universities apart from Moi have pitched tent in Eldoret. The include Mt.Kenya University, Kabarak University, Baraton and Catholic University of East Africa on Eldoret-Kisumu road. Middle colleges too are taking the town by storm. They include International African College, Danian, Elgonview College, and Alphax along Eldoret-Iten road.

The Central Business District of Eldoret is slowly becoming educational centre. The tall buildings are housing colleges and universities. Kiptagich house for example has Moi University and Eldoret Aviation College.

Among the tallest buildings are KVDA Plaza, White Castle, and Kiptagich.
Eldoret emerged naturally as caravan post for explorers in pre-colonial era. Most explorers to Uganda passed through Eldoret. It is thus a town which is a central nervous system for Kenya and neighbouring countries.

Major roads from other parts of the country and other nations converge in Eldoret. Eldoret also forms a natural economic triangle connecting Western and Nyanza provinces. It is brings regions and communities together.

Eldoret is the district headquarters of the greater Uasin Gishu districts; it is a commercial centre for a huge economic block. Other towns which depend on Eldoret are Kitale, Kapenguria, Kapsowar, Kapsabet and Iten.

Eldoret was founded by white settlers particularly the Boers or Afrikaans who first settled in Uasin Gishu district in 1908. Boer families numbering about 58 trekked to Eldoret from Nakuru followed by 60 others in 1911 from South Africa.

Eldoret was established as a colonial administrative centre in 1910.Before then it was called Farm 64. The town then was sixty four miles from Londiani, the nearest railway station. The Nandi community called it Sisibo. Eldoret comes from a Maa word “Endore” meaning a stony river. The white community coined the name Eldoret-a corruption of Endore.

The stony river is Sosiani, a river which dissects the town into two. Eldoret was first occupied by the Sirikwa, then by the Maasai and lastly by the Nandi.
Presently the population of the town is between 200,000 to 300,000. It is 2100m above the sea level.

The history of Eldoret is interesting. The railway line reached the town in 1924, and four years later the town was supplied with piped water from Sosiani river. In 1938 the town was connected to an electric generator by the East African Power Lighting CO.

Entrepreneurs are doing Eldoret proud. Athletes and other investors are investing their fortunes in the town. Ultramodern hotels and restaurants are emerging for example Red Bean, Sirikwa Hotel, Poa place, White Castle, and Wagon Wheel among others.

Eldoret has had her share of challenges, the latest and the most remembered was the post election violence. Eldoret’s suburbs like Langas, Kimumu, Maili Nne and Munyaka were devastated. Mansions and business malls were reduced to rubbles. Eldoret was the epicentre of the political upheaval that the country witnessed.

Eldoreans however have risen again with tools of peace and development. Colleges, schools and businesses are more vibrant than ever before. Eldoret is a town with high return for investment. Small businesses thrive to medium and then large-scale within no time.

Investors today include Kenyans in Diaspora: US, UK and other parts of the world. Eldoret is a hub of a huge market-Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia districts with over 3 million people. There is also a huge potential from neighbouring districts such as Keiyo, Marakwet, Baringo, Pokot and Turkana who have a population of over 2 million, making Eldoret the future San Francisco or Los Angeles of Kenya.

Famous athletes like Dr. Keino, Moses Kiptanui among others have invested massively in real estate. Kiptanui’s Komora House is a land mark demonstrating the power of professional athletics. It is an icon and a symbol for every upcoming athlete. With Kipchoge High School recently launched by International Olympic Committee president, the school will soon churn out top-class sports gurus.

Late James Bett’s First Anniversary

The family of the late James Kiprop Bett and friends held his first anniversary in Nairobi's NPC Church, Valley Road. The late James Bett died last year through a fatal road accident near Mbaruk on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

He was a 41 year old, then, the Executive Chairman of Emo Development Society an organization he built from the scratch. The man was a community organizer, articulate, visionary and a leader par excellence. He was an icon and a symbol of a people driven leadership. He was not a politician but a leader. He redefined and reinvented leadership in a way that thrilled the sophisticated and ordinary alike. Through his leadership he brought together the clergy, professionals and political elite through Emo Community Development Society. He brought together bishops from all the denominations, brought together professionals rallying them to forge a powerful economic and social vehicle designed to empower the community.

He took over as the chair of Emo Foundation in 2005.In 2006 Emo had spread up to the Diaspora-US and EU. His ideas and convictions were unparallel among the Kalenjin leadership.
He was a cousin to the late Jean-Marie Seroney a charismatic Nandi leader who distinguished himself as the MP for Tindiret. Seroney was detained in 1978 by the late Jomo Kenyatta together with Martin Shikuku.

Unlike his cousin Marie-Seroney, James Bett used a social organization to empower the people and rally them to fight against poverty and hopelessness.

His rallying points were four pillars the word of God, unity, knowledge and wealth creation. He taught that God should be made the centre of the community, that unity of the community was crucial and pivotal. He taught that knowledge was the foundation of development. He thus encouraged every effort and strategy for acquisition of knowledge. Many professions enrolled in their thousands to pursue higher education. He further taught that a poor community is a powerless and a hopeless one. Hence he encouraged wealth creation through handwork and the use of technology. He encouraged the establishment of industries to create wealth. His ideas were refreshing, progressive and empowering.

Bett used the multi-media to reach the people. He embraced tools of digital and information age. He used the radio, the internet, the CD and DVD. He used songs, mother tongue, English and Kiswahili to reach the hearts and the minds of the people.

He also had seen the treasure of Kerio Valley as a tourist and horticultural paradise. He had encouraged the Kerio Valley communities to work with Kenya Wildlife Service to tap into the wildlife wealth in the region.

The man was an entrepreneur, an intellectual, a writer and a speaker-he would speak for hours without boring his audience. Indeed the man died at the threshold of his career. His vision had just emerged. His death was a great loss to the ordinary folks.

The man crisscrossed every ridge of Rift Valley making peace between the warring communities. He played a crucial and pivotal role in the reconciliation and peacemaking after the post election violence whose epicentre was in the North Rift. He convened peace meetings between Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities. He used every opportunity to preach peace.

James Bett was in the forefront seeking for viable projects for the youth to make them feel they are part of Kenya. He had rallied local and international donors to help sponsor youth projects in the North Rift. He thus died at a time his leadership was needed most.

He was never radical yet his teachings brought about radical transformation.
Like his cousin Seroney he was a selfless leader. Current Kalenjin leaders were nowhere near this man’s ideals and ideas.

His death was a blow to his community. His leadership was akin to that of the late Bishop Alexander Muge- a leader who was driven by the needs and aspirations of the people. He was a prototype of the Nandi legendary Koitalel Samoei-a leader who was ready to die defending his community’s dignity and integrity. He appeared before the Waki Commission and gave ten reasons why post election violence was not pre-planned. On the other hand he loved the people across the board. He had friends across ethnic divide, just like his cousin Seroney who had friends and comrades across national spectrum.

He told residents of Rift Valley to consolidate land. He taught them that land subdivision was a high way to societal decay and destruction. He encouraged families to stop subdividing their farms into tiny unviable units.

Capital Talk Making an Impact

By John Cheruiyot
Jeff Koinange and his popular program ‘Capital Talk’ aired daily in K24 has transformed the electronic media scene. His incisive questions, spontaneous smiles, and ability to make his interviewees at ease is making an impact throughout the nation. The bench as Jeff puts is not a one sided affair, having both sides of the coin has boosted the credibility of Capital Talk.

Interviewing both the mighty and the small, bureaucrats and technocrats, revolutionaries and reactionaries, the religious and irreligious, the extremists and the loyalists, professionals and armatures, the old and the young, male and female is indeed a new thing in television interviewing. The strategy of getting the best from both sides of the coin is helping Kenyans make informed choices. As a country we have suffered from seeing things from one view point and ignoring the other side. What Jeff is doing is commendable. This is patriotic and nationalistic.
Jeff Koinange in his youthful days in CNN saw him travel widely throughout the world and particularly in the continent of Africa. He met the Niger Delta rebels in their jungle gear and terrain. The world got first hand information from the real players. Jeff Koinange then wore dreadlocks something akin to Dedan Kimathi’s.

Today in his middle age he is full of wisdom, patience, intellect. His ability to open up his guests is a real gift and talent. He does not intimidate nor ridicule. He thus wins the full confidence of his guests who speak their minds to the fullest. They share their very innermost feelings, emotions, aspirations, interests and insights.

Capital talk is a powerful tool of transforming the nation. The guests interviewed are no ordinary mortals; they are the icons and symbols of our society. Their insights are life changing.
The efforts of Jeff Koinange through his Capital Talk is therefore making a tremendous impact that can influence the future of Kenya as he fervently puts it. K24 is championing an emerging media that is not keen to feed Kenyans on politics only, but is concerned about how their content can contribute to Kenyans’ wellbeing now and in the future.

Ngong Vet reinventing Dairy Farming

eCentury Reporter
Dairy farmers face unique challenges. For instance their cows fail to conceive more often, these may be heifers or cows. This translates to massive loses. According Dr. J. Mutea of Katheju Agencies, a Ngong based vet, a normal cow should conceive two months after calving and this means a calf per cow per year. If for one reason or the other conception fails farmers have a reason to worry.

The eCentury team accompanied Dr. Mutea and his partner Dr. Mugo on their routine trips to carry out emergencies in the farms. The farm they visited was in Upper Matasia, Kiserian location of Ngong Division owned by Sharon Looremetta, a dairy and horticultural farmer. She practices semi zero grazing. She rears goats, sheep, rabbits and poultry. She grows all kinds of vegetables, maize and horticultural crops for export.

Dr. Mugo and Mutea’s visit at Looremetta’s farm was for one reason; to inseminate two heifers which had failed to conceive and thus were barren. The vets had began ten days earlier by what they called hormone therapy. The two heifers were treated for cysts in their wombs and induced to ovulate whose climax was ten days after. It was then that they were inseminated.
According to Mutea the case of Looremetta’s heifers was caused by initial malnutrition of heifer as calves. They were not fed and managed well. The heifers were later overfed. They got fat and resulted in the condition Mutea and his colleague were treating.

“This problem affects heifers from high yielding breeds. If these heifers were the ordinary low yielding breeds nothing more much would have happened.” Mutea said.
According to Sharon her cows yield from 30 litres to over 40 litres per cow per a day, on average she gets over 100 litres of milk per day. She converts her milk into yoghurt and mala which is sold at her dairy bar in Ngong town.

The heifers which were inseminated were Sheila and Nashana, Friesian and a Aryshire breeds respectively. According to Looremetta her cows are named after her relatives, a tradition she revealed is practised by the Maasai community. Every cow in her possession has a name of a close family member.

Each heifer inseminated was issued with an AI card which showed the name of the bull, the date of insemination and the expected date of calving. Mutea had a cow calendar; a magic calendar which shows the exact date when the cow calves. The date of conception is fed into it and automatically shows the date of calving.

Sharon Looremetta was until two years ago a professional working with an international NGO whose mandate was to champion and crusade for climate change.
In her work as a climate crusader she brushed shoulders with the mighty the likes of Gordon Brown the British Prime Minister, Prince Charles and Al Gore former US vice president. She was-eCentury learned, a spokesperson for her organization and in particular the fund raising arm. She would deliver powerful speeches in her Maasai gear and flawless English.
She did not renew her contract two years ago to concentrate on her passion-farming. Her heifers did not get the attention they needed because she was always away in her international assignments.

She praised the work of Mutea and Mugo.
“Mutea and his agency have brought us from far. They have raised the standards of our dairy. They have brought us the cutting edge ideas on dairy. My zero grazing structures was their innovation” she says.

Sharon has transformed her farm using ideas from experts in farming. She has dug trenches which act as terraces and at the same time harvest rain water. She also harvests water from every roof in her compound.

Kiserian Picnic Site a new Darling

by eCentury Reporter
A picnic site three kilometres off Magadi-Kiserian-Isinya junction has become a darling of people mainly from Nairobi, Nakuru, Ngong, Thika, Rongai and Kiserian seeking for a nice place to relax as individuals, groups, families or corporate.

It is the Olooltepes Ranch Picnic Site which began hardly two years ago. It began small; a dream by two men, William Mopel, 66 and Ernest Karuga, 57.

Ernest Karuga the founding manager convinced Mopel the owner of the property that it was a viable project. Karuga observes, “I saw the viability of the picnic in this area. I saw the gold in this project. I insisted and convinced Mopel that it was a great place and a grand idea. First, the place is spacious, has huge and numerous Acacia trees. And secondly, it is located on a wind path. The place is ever windy even during those very dry and hot seasons. Third it is located on a panoramic angle with ideal view of Ngong Hills, Kiserian and Rongai town. Picnic makers have the opportunity to enjoy vast sights particularly the pinnacle of Ngong; the hill with its seven peaks.”
He further adds, “I saw the potential of this place. I was right. I am not surprised as the place grows from strength to strength”.

According to Karuga, the project started simple. First, they made a sign post which simply read ‘OLOOLTEPES RANCH PICNIC SITE, OPEN WEEKENDS /PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM 9:30 -6PM. ALL ARE WELCOME. This was fixed on the Junction where Isinya road meets the Magadi-Kiserian highway. Before long, people began to throng the place. At first, he notes, “we served pioneers free of charge. Many came to find out about us and what we offered. We didn’t have toilets. We didn‘t have a single structure. We started under a tree. It was an open air affair. Even then our patrons came in their numbers. It is our policy to let the place remain as natural as can be. Here there is plenty of oxygen, plenty of room.”

“We didn’t advertise. When we began to operate, we looked forward to October 20th which is a public holiday since we started the business around that time, but not many people came. Initially we operated on weekends from 8am to 6pm”, Karuga said.

Locals are given priority in recruitment. Many of them have trained on the job. We are learning every day. We believe in quality service. We give our customers the best we can. That is why they have solely been our own ambassadors. They have recommended us to their friends.
Professionals frequent the place. We receive pilots, engineers and all.”

He further reveals that by last year the business was booming. Construction of buildings started in February 2008 and by July the same year the structures were complete. Initially they began with two wokers which is in complete contrast to today’s 20.
He concludes, “Last Christmas was our greatest time. We received over 2000 guests; families, individuals and groups. We slaughtered over 50 goats.”

The two men William and Kuraga have since been joined by two youthful graduates from Nazarene and Kenyatta universities. They are 25-year old Ruth Mopel, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate of Nazarene and Sammy Leyan, 24 a B. Sc graduate of Kenyatta University.
Ruth who manages the kitchen had these to say, “I have always wanted the real feel of business. I love entrepreneurship. This place has given me the freedom to innovate and create. I enjoy my work. It is wonderful to grow with the business. This was my first job and I enjoy every bit of it. We now have two professional chefs. It is my job to make sure that everything is in place. I make sure we have all the requirements and supplies to the kitchen. I make sure everything runs smoothly. ”

On the long term objectives of the picnic Ruth revealed, “We intend to link up with tour firms particularly those visiting Amboseli Game Reserve. We want the tourists to spend their nights here. We intend to organize Ngong Hill climbing camps. We also intend to introduce fishing, we have huge dams around. ”

Ruth and Sammy are sister and brother - William Mopel’s children. They are visionary, energetic and passionate in their work.
The business receives high profile guests. According to Sammy, they even receive guests who come in helicopters. In April last year during a tree planting exercise, they were honoured to receive both the President, Mwai Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
As one enters the Olootepes Picnic grounds he or she notices individuals, and groups scattered in the vast compound. Some drive almost 500 metres away from the centre. Some leave their cars at the site and walk a short distance to secure favourable locations. Others settle in a quiet place where they enjoy their privacy over a delicious Nyama Choma meal and drinks.

Kass FM: Globalizing Vernacular Journalism

By eCentury Team
The advent of FM radio in Kenya has revolutionized Kenya’s electronic media, with vernacular radio having particularly benefited. The emergence of Kameme FM, broadcasting in Kikuyu, in the late 1990s was an idea whose time was long overdue.

The political class then was not amused. Many politicians called for the banning of the station. Kameme strove and prospered. Kameme pioneered a new trend in journalism -- community media which hitherto shunned local languages being the main medium of delivery.

More than a decade later, vernacular FM stations are a legion. The Royal Media group has since established stations that broadcast in major local languages including Luhya (Murembe FM), Dholuo (Ramogi FM), Kalenjin (Chamgei FM), Kikuyu (Inooro FM) Gusii (Egesa FM) and others.
The emergence of Kass FM, which broadcasts in Kalenjin, was a turning point for the 6 million Kalenjin speakers, some of whom had been locked out of mainstream media by the language barrier. When Kass FM was established in April 2005, the power of vernacular journalism had been unleashed.

Currently, Kass FM is not only taking the lion’s share of listenership in Rift Valley Province, it has gone international, boasting two sister stations in Washington DC and London. Kenyans in the Diaspora, particularly those in US and UK, are able to follow local affairs and news from its Nairobi station. Likewise Kenyans are able to follow developments abroad where the Diaspora communities are located.

The Washington DC Kass station under Egyptologist Dr Kipkoeech Araap Sambu has enabled Kalenjin speakers in Kenya to follow the trends in the US. The professionals scattered throughout all the 50 states of US are able to make their contributions on radio. A weekly teleconference program, Kwanet Kotisaap (a team of seven) that gives a well-researched discussion on current issues and trends in Kenya and the US is one program that has had great impact. While the show is done in faraway US, it has had the effect of opening up the horizons for people living in remote villages in Kenya.

The programme is proof of globalization at work. Kenyans living in the developed world and who are privileged to be close to the heartbeat of new technological innovations and other novel ideas are passing the same to their compatriots back home via vernacular radio.
Technology, particularly the FM radio and the Internet, has had the other effect of turning

Kenyan native languages -- some of which are facing the danger of extinction -- global. Kass FM thus has innovatively made Kalenjin language both national and international. The language, which at the turn of the millennium appeared to be suffering the fatigue of western education, industrialization, and the challenge nationalism, with Kiswahili being the language of choice, seems to have had a new lease of life.

The impact of Kass among her listeners is immense. Musicians like Emmy Kosgei and Lillian Rotich have become international celebrities. Many a Kalenjin musicians have travelled throughout US and UK singing their hearts out.

Vernacular broadcasters have become icons and shapers of public opinion. For instance, Joshua Arap Sang, the presenter of a popular morning talk show, is to Kass FM what Larry King is to CNN. Sang is currently one of the most influential personalities in Kalenjin community. He has managed to secure interviews with the Kenya’s Prime Minister, US and UK ambassadors, Cabinet ministers from both the ODM and PNU sides of the coalition, sports superstars, chief executives of leading organizations among others.

Arguably, Sang is the single most important radio personality whose work has had great impact on the Kalenjin community, a majority of whom are the listeners of Kass FM. Today Kass’ influence has permeated the entire country particularly the South-Central-North Rift. There is a massive movement from rural to urban areas. The Kalenjin community, which for decades has been predominantly rural, is shifting to urban areas. They are now taking real estate in Eldoret, Kericho, Nakuru and Kitale with zeal.

This kind of renaissance was hugely contributed by Kass FM. Its founder Joshua Chepkwony an IT professional is an economic visionary, a well travelled and experienced individual. He has managed to inspire creativity and innovation never seen in the region for a long time.
Kass FM has also contributed immensely to the economic development of the nation. Agricultural field days are carried live by the radio station so that those who are home are able to follow every development. Indeed if for the last 46 years the national broadcaster had been doing what Kass FM is doing now, Kenya would be a first world country.

Kass has become a powerful tool of change for its listeners. It has brought professionals: the doctors, university professors, lawyers, theologians and anthropologists to share their expertise with the people. Kass has become a virtual classroom and a lecture hall for peasants and the youth. Before long an army of informed and empowered people will emerge to fight poverty, ignorance and underdevelopment.

The Diaspora has made significant contribution to socioeconomic development, for instance the Kwanet Kotisaap based in the US have constructed a dam at Kiboino in Baringo district. Dr Korich of Soy Ministries based in US has drilled boreholes in Kerio Valley.
Peter Rono a 1988 Seoul Olympic gold medalist has enabled over 200 Nandi athletes access university education in the US. Many of these athletes have graduated with first degrees to doctoral levels. Many students with plain As have been admitted to top US university by the efforts of professionals and academics in Diaspora. Indeed the information age is revolutionalizing rural communities.

Local professional who have made significant contribution include lawyer Grace Kiptui whose weekly program Kass Ogiliot has empowered the listeners with fundamental legal knowledge. She is today a household name among Kass listeners. Dr Kipkoeech Sambu (the KASS Washington CEO) with his weekly program Kapgiptai has helped the listeners know the contribution of the Kalenjin community in ancient Egypt. Being a leading Egyptologist his listeners have benefited greatly from his 15 years research work on Egyptology.

Gotabgaa a US based and Kokwet a UK based are two emerging Diaspora institutions making an impact among Kass listeners. The station is thus is pioneering an innovative global vernacular broadcasting network which is people driven and people focused.
There is need to replicate the Kass concept by other electronic media stations in Kenya and Africa.

The Kenya National Archives: Historical Landmine

By eCentury Team
The Kenya National Archives is a historical goldmine in the heart of Nairobi yet it is one of the least visited places in the city centre. The eCentury team visited the National Archive recently and discovered rich historical facts which the average Kenyan has no idea of. The map of Kenya as an East African Protectorate in 1918 is one such interesting discovery. Did you know, for instance, that Kenya was then a mere province with only four districts under it? Or that three quarters of L.Turkana was part of Uganda in Rudolf Province? Kenya had also extended to Somalia in a province then known as Jubaland. The province had four districts.Kenya then was larger than what it is today. It extended from Kisumu to the West to Kismayu to the East. At that time Kenya’s neighbours were Italian Somaliland to the East, to the North were Abyssinia and Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, to the West was Uganda and Tanganyika to the South.

The East African Protectorate had eight provinces namely: Nyanza, Naivasha, Ukamba, Kenya, Tanaland, Jubaland, North Frontier, and Seyidie. Nyanza then had five districts -- Kisumu, North Kavirondo (now Western Province) Nandi, Lumbwa (Kericho and Sotik) and South Kavirondo (Kisii,Kuria). In other words, present day Nyanza and Western provinces constituted one province. Nandi and Kericho, currently in Rift Valley, were also part of Nyanza. In 1918, the present-day Rift Valley was known as Naivasha Province. Naivasha province had six districts: Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Ravine, Laikipia, Naivasha and Masai Reserve. The Masai Reserve is the present-day Kajiado and Narok districts. Naivasha district included current day Nakuru and Naivasha districts. Ravine district covered Keiyo, Baringo, Koibatek and Pokot.

Interestingly, the name Kenya only stood for a province with four districts: Nyeri, Meru, Fort Hall, and Embu. Ukamba Province had four districts namely Kitui, Machakos, Nairobi and Kikuyu (Kiambu). The Tanaland Province had three districts: Tana River, Lamu and Witu Sultanate while Jubaland Province had four districts: Afmadu, Serenu, Kismayu and Alexandria.
Seyidie Province had five districts namely: Teita, Vanga, Niyika, Mombasa and Malindi. The Kenyan map we know today began to take shape in 1902 when Nyanza and Naivasha provinces were transferred to Kenya from Uganda. In 1925, Jubaland Province was transferred to Somalia and in 1926 Rudolf Province of Uganda became part of Kenya. The new territory eventually assumed the name ‘Kenya‘, which was then name of a province that several years later was to
be known as the ‘Gema region’.

The Coastal strip - now Kenya’s Coast Province - was leased from the Sultanate of Zanzibar in 1895. Idi Amin Dada, the Uganda dictator who overthrew Milton Obote in 1971, may have been a raving lunatic. But he had point when in the early 1970s, he declared that he wanted back part of Kenya which was Ugandan territory up to 1901. While Amin had gotten his historical facts right, he forgot that East African protectorate, just like the rest of colonised Africa, was like the estate of the British empire that could be moved, named and renamed whatever way that served the empire’s interests best. Thus the British moved part of Kenya to Somalia or part of Uganda to Kenya just the way a farmer might rearrange the paddocking of his land.

The partitioning of Africa did not involve the Africans thus Kenya’s geogenetic make up was designed by the British possibly as dictated by the hand of God. The tribal and Ethnographic map of colonial Kenya classified ethnic communities as follows; Nilo-Hamatic, Cushitic Hamatic and Bantu. The Cushitic Hamatic included: Orma, Boran, Gabbra, Somali, Sanya (Ariangulo), Gelubba (Merille) and Boni. They grouped the Nilo-Hamatic into Nandi, Suk (Pokot), Koni (Elgonyi), Pok, Merkweta (Marakwet) Endo, Geyo, Tugen (Kamasia), Nandi, Terik (Nyang‘ori) Kipsigis, Teso Group as Itesyo (Elgumi, Wamia) Karasuk, Turkana, and Karamojong, Maasai Group listed as Naasai,Sampur (Samburu) Loikop, Njems (Njamusi) .

They further classified the Kikuyu Group as Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Kamba. Gisu Group as Bukusu (Kitosh) and Luyia group as Samia, Gwe, Khanyo (Tindi), Hanga (Wanga) Fafoyo (Warach), Tsotso, Kakaletwa-Lewi Lunyala, Kisa,Tiriki,Marima, Kakamega-Isukha,Idaho,Nyole (Nyore), Tachoni (Tatsoni), Logoli (Maragoli-Lurogoli) and Gusii group as Kisii (Kosova), Suba , Kuria (Tende). It is interesting how the colonialists treated the Africans and their history. These records exist as a point of reference and much as relics of the past. It is part of history.

Eldoret Centre Transforming Lives

By John Cheruiyot
It was song and dance at Eldoret Haven Recovery Centre recently when 53 former alcoholics and drug addicts graduated. It was an emotionally charged atmosphere when relatives, parents and friends assembled to receive former societal misfits. The graduands were hugged, embraced, and decorated with flowers. Tears of joy freely flowed as the graduands were received and congratulated. Every graduand took to the podium to give his or her testimony on how alcohol had wrecked his or her life.

Phillip from Tindiret confessed , “I stole beans and maize to buy beer. I wronged, cheated and stole from relatives and neighbours,” he added.
Anna Jemaiyo from Keiyo district revealed “I was cruel, abusive, hostile and destructive. My children deserted me and so were my daughters in law. In fact I burnt a house when my evil moods took control of me”
Mr. Joseph Lagat from Nandi North confessed, “I have been an alcoholic for 15 years. I was once employed at Kenyatta University where I got sacked for my drinking. Stopping smoking and drinking is the toughest thing to do. However no smoker or alcoholic is beyond repair. I am now a free man. Free from the bondage of alcohol. God has changed me”.
Kenneth Kosgei from Iten confessed “Beer has been my number one problem. I used every trick in the book to access beer. I would even use insects and reptiles to scare away those who sold or possessed beer. I was a threat and a nuisance to my people. Am now a new man and anew creature”.
“Satan stole my name Daniel and gave me Taliban.”Daniel Tirop revealed.
Samuel Sitet from Kitale confessed.“When I began drinking I thought it was easy. Beer has not helped me. Instead it has rendered me untrustworthy and inflicted shame on me and my family.”

Alfred Kiprotich from Cherangani confessed “Beer made me a thief. I stole everything and anything. I thus beg my brothers, sisters and parents to forgive me”.
Justus Kirui from Sotik confessed “The craving for alcohol made me steal things”.
The rehabilitation session took two months of very hard and difficult detoxification period for every addict of beer or cigar. They underwent tough training and rehabilitation period.
The centre was founded by Rev. Rono a man who was set apart and commissioned by God to help deliver alcoholics and drug addicts. When he disclosed his mission to the church leadership he was outrightly rejected. That church had nothing to do with alcoholics and drugs addicts the very scum of the society. Rono obeyed his God and his move to live for the rejects of the society has paid dividends. He established Haven Rehabilitation centre about 10km East of Eldoret town along Elgeiyo Border road. The centre offers a two month rehabilitation program for desperate addicts and alcoholics. Indeed it is a human reconditioning centre; a human resurrection centre. Men and women who have given up in life are restored.

Attending a graduation ceremony for former addicts and alcoholic is like no other event. It is a funeral in reverse; both sad and a happy moment. It is the end of sadness and evil side of life and the beginning of good times.

The mighty and the powerless, the rich and the poor are brought together as they embrace their delivered loved ones. Whether it is their uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, mothers or fathers, sons or daughters the centre has witnessed transformed lives of men and women whom the society had written off.

Indeed the graduation from addiction to freedom is a powerful experience. It is like a man or a woman coming from the grave. In most cases spouses who were separated by brutality and irresponsibility of drug and beer addiction are invited to the graduation, hence the event is dramatic, drastic and transforming. Homes and marriages are healed, relationships mended and made whole.

Alumni of the centre graced the occasion. One of them was Brian Kones the elder son of the Late MP, Kipkalya Kones. He was given chance to speak. He spoke eloquently and powerfully. His transformation from beer addiction to new freedom is profound. Relatives of ex-addicts keep coming to witness others come out from the chains and oppression of alcohol.
Parents whose children have graduated from the centre and have now become responsible citizens have great attachment to the centre.

Cherambos a former presidential security chief during Moi era attended the occasion. One of his daughters who graduated from the centre is now pursuing a master degree abroad.
Rev. Rono confesses that only God delivers the desperate men and women admitted at the centre. That the word of God and His power deliver and give a new lease of life to everyone who comes to the centre.

Every graduand after making powerful confessions openly asks for forgiveness from every one he or she had wronged.
Timothy Sawe from Ndalat Nandi North confessed, “I am a resurrected man from the grave of alcohol. I have been a problem to everyone particularly my family; my parents and neighbours, please forgive me.”

A teenager from Coast, Mr. Machiwe was among those who graduated from the centre. He confessed “I started smoking in primary. I smoked bhang in high school. Though I was brought in a Christian family I hated Christianity and thus rebelled against my parents. I was rude to them. I deviated from the norms. I spent my life in night clubs. My parents suffered psychological anguish caused by my anti social lifestyle. I now know God in a personal way”.
His parents and siblings burst in tears of joy as they saw their son and brother come to his senses again. His father said “I have forgiven my son. I want this program to reach the Coast. As a parent I had reached the end of my wits and power. I told God that I was handing over this son to Him. With God the impossible is possible”.

Such powerful emotional scenes are witnessed every two months during graduation ceremony at Haven Recovery Centre.

Each graduand is awarded a certificate bearing his/her name with the message: In recognition of commitment, courage and completion of a 60 days Rehabilitation program.

Birds of the Rift Valley

by Elijah Tanui
Kenya is a country blessed with a diversity of birdlife some of which are unique to its tropical climate. In this issue of eCentury we will highlight on birdlife species in the Rift Valley. The region has the highest number of bird species in the whole world which has attracted the biggest number of bird watchers. This region also serves as the best spot for migrant birds that come to Africa due to harsh winters especially from the months of November to March.

Lake Nakuru with its large number of flamingoes and other water birds, which sometimes goes up to three million, is one of the most ideal havens for bird watchers. Lake Baringo is another tourist attraction because of its high bird species population-more than 500, some of which are exclusive to the region. During winter in the temperate regions some birds migrate and find a home in this area, to Bogoria and the wider Kerio Valley. Examples of birds which migrate during this season include steppe Eagle, white stork, black stork, martins, swallows and swifts.

Rift valley also offers the best spot for researchers in birdlife who come mostly from Europe. Ringing is done on the birds so as to monitor their movement from Africa to Europe. The ringing is connected to satellites which relay information on how the birds travel, and thus can be monitored.

Traditionally, some birds are considered bad omen by some communities. A deeper understanding of this connotation has to do with conservation. Our great grandparents were conservation-oriented; most of the birds which were classified under this category were threatened ones because of their small numbers, and their chances of survival were minimal.
Birds were also useful in predicting seasons; our forefathers used to observe bird behavior which used tell true facts about the seasons. Famers would know when to prepare their land, when to plant and how the seasons would go. Today, this is no more. The only viable option is meteorological data, which has in most instances proved quite unreliable.

There are many other places which has rare birds but many people are not keen to realize and appreciate the importance and the value which these birds can bring to them. Some of the areas considered as important bird areas (IBA) in the Rift Valley are: Kerio Valley, Cherang'any Hills, Mount Elgon, Tugen Hills, and many other places that have not been identified.

Communities living in or around any wetlands and forests should be vigilant and take responsibility putting in mind the benefits of conserving birdlife, and consider the future generations. People living in such regions should be conservation-oriented because any destruction to the ecosystem destroys our heritage. When we begin to realize our role in taking responsibility, then we can be assured of a better future.

Reinventing Co-education in Cherang’any

By eCentury Reporter
Indeed it’s a school without huge magnificent and imposing buildings. A school without power connection to KPLC but depends on a generator to light her classes at night. Yet with such setbacks she was ranked number one in Eldoret West district, no.2 in the greater Uasin Gishu district, no.7 in Rift Valley province and 25 nationally in the 2008 KCSE performance.

The school is Segero Adventist National School, a mixed boarding school whose motto: IN GOD WE EXCEL has literally transformed the slopes of Cherangani Hills from hyena-infested, stiff hill and stony landscape into an icon and epicentre of academic excellence. The school was established in 1976 as a private mission school. It is located 50 km North of Eldoret town on Chepkoilel-Ziwa road. It is currently the best Adventist School in Kenya with a population of 550 students.

All the 91 students who were enrolled for 2008 KCSE passed with C plus and above. They were 52 boys and 39 girls. No candidate had a C grade and below. The school’s ‘Operation C out’ achieved the feat. The school has been systematically getting rid of the undesirable grade according to the deputy principal. Thus they eradicated the C plain and the minus.
The school is turning both girls and boys into great performers demystifying the notion that mixed schools are academic disasters. Nakuru High School formerly a mixed national school was split into two: Nakuru Girls and Nakuru Boys basically to separate boys from girls with a hope to create an enabling academic environment. In Trans-Nzoia district St.Joseph’s High School was equally split into St.Joseph’s Boys and St.Joseph’s Girls with the hope that the move would make a single sex school a better performer.

Segero Adventist National School is a proof that both boys and girls can perform superbly in a co-educational institution. For instance in the 2008 KCSE results two students scored plain As. They were a boy and a girl. A minus were 21:12 boys and 9 girls. B plus were 22:13 boys and 9 girls. The B plain were 20: 12 boys and 8 girls. B minus were 16:8 boys and 8 girls. C plus were 10:6 boys and 4 girls.

According to Boniface Siyoi a language teacher, the school has been registering an upward trend in languages. That in the 2008 KCSE performance English was 9.3 points or B plain. He further revealed that literature set books are introduced and cleared in form two and that from form two onwards students are subjected to a standard language exam which involves three papers. He further noted that 8 lessons per week are taught from form one to four.

Students of Segero according to the Head of Science Mr. Calisto Asembo are performing well in science. In 2008, Chemistry registered a mean of 9.8 or B plus followed by Physics at 8.6 or a B and Biology at 8 or B. He further disclosed that 32 students scored plain As in Chemistry in 2008.

He further observes “Science subjects in Segero are practical. In form 4 for instance they do a practical exam every weekend. Our students must perform experiments practically.”
On the secret of their success he revealed that “teamwork is our benchmark. Marking of papers is done as a group. No lesson is missed or skipped. Whenever a teacher is sick or absent for circumstances beyond his or her control we make sure another teacher is available.”
Asembo is ever in the laboratory with Abraham Rotich the lab technician.
He concluded, “Our students are wonderful; they co-operate with us”.

Victor Kimutai a Form 3 student at Segero joined form one with 380 marks. He came from a public primary school. He had this to say, “I plan be a pilot. An A plain in KCSE is my target”. Winnie Chepkorir another form 3 student came to Segero with 359 marks. She came from a public primary school. “I will become an accountant in future” she notes. Daisy Boroon another form 3 observes that she hopes to become a neurosurgeon. “I will become a lawyer” Betty Maswai added. She had joint Segero with 360 marks from a public primary school. Brian Bichang’a, a form 3 boy who intends to pursue electrical engineering observed, “In Segero we boys treat the girls as our sisters; they in turn treat us as brothers.”

Namibian idea inspires Ngong Educationist

by eCentury Team
It is unique, innovative and empowering. It is giving hope to adults who dropped out of school in their teens. It gives a new lease of life to all who dropped out of school for reasons beyond their control. The institution is Ngong Centre for Open Learning located in Ngong Town.

The centre has two sets of students: the old and the young pursuing either KCPE or KCSE studies. The adults ranging from 20 years and above in form one to four do not wear uniform. These adults are either married, employed or single. Lawrence Oketch, a 24-year-old is a form one student and so is Lawrence Muchai 28. These adult students have gone through the toughest moments of their lives. For instance for Muchai, his parents divorced when he was twelve in 1994, and his mother died shortly thereafter. Muchai and his siblings were brought up by relatives. He stayed with his grandmother and sat for his KCPE exam in 1997 at the age of 16.
“My grandmother mistreated me. She did not care about my education. I had to be on my own five years ago. Am a painter, a mason and a Kikoi weaver with 10 years’ experience in Kikoi weaving. I currently stay at Deliverance Church Ngong where I get free shelter, so I am a full time student at this centre,” Muchai told eCentury.

Oketch on the other hand did his KCPE in 2000.His mother died almost in the same year. He is a part time student at Ngong Centre and teaches a nearby nursery school. He supports his sister from the meagre salary he earns as a teacher. Ngong Centre for Open Learning has given Oketch a golden opportunity to pursue his secondary education at his pace.
Alex and his twin brother John are staying with their mother in Ngong Town in a rented house. His elder brother is paying their fees. They are currently full time students. The both did their KCPE in 2003 and there after worked as casual labourers washing cars in Ngong town.
They both plan to go to college after form four. Their dreams are to be better citizens and to bring up successful families.

Alex one of the twins had these to say “This centre offers me a real opportunity. Am not like the teenagers. Am mature, I know why I am here.I am focussed, and determined to excel. I do not have to be in uniform. This centre gives me that freedom.”
The Ngong Centre for Open Learning is unique. The adult class is like that of a university where students are in civilian attire.

According to the Centre’s director, Charles King’ori Murigu, the idea of establishing Ngong Centre of Open Learning was inspired by two reasons. One, a report released by Adult Education Department in 2007 which put illiteracy rate of Kenya at 38.5% inspired and challenged him to create a centre which will fight illiteracy head-on and offer another opportunity to school drop outs.

The second reason was his experience in Namibia as a college lecturer for 12 years.
“I was impressed by Namibian approach to education. For instance I taught full time. This is why adult education has failed throughout the country. Adults are now seeing a new hope through our centre. We have created enabling environment for adult learners. They do not need to be in uniform, yet they study with dignity and respect and are highly motivated ”.

On the challenges of facing the centre he had these, “Most of the adult learners have unresolved issues. Issues of self esteem, turbulent childhood and teenage times. Hence we offer a lot of counselling. The Ngong Catholic Church has seconded a qualified counsellor to us. We also receive support from CMM Brothers of Westlands who also send us counselling psychologists. The Centre networks with other relevant local and international organizations, companies, individuals, notable NGOs, voluntary groups and donor agencies. AEC also collaborates with the Government of Kenya through the Department of Adult Education in order to promote and encourage non-formal education amongst adult and out-of-school youth population.”
The vision of the centre is “To become a leading centre of excellence for Adult and Out-of-School Youth Education and Vocational Training in Kenya”

Its mission is “To eradicate illiteracy and promote life long learning among adults and out-of-school youth to enable them make informed decisions and become self-reliant and improve their livelihoods”.

Kenya can become a First World

eCentury Editorial
Welcome to the maiden edition of The eCentury . We are a trendsetter, a paper anchored on a vision to promote new ideas and better options. We envision to transform print media into a people driven process. Our focus is to be unique, innovative and empowering. Our calling is to shift attention to institutions, individuals and ideas which seek to energize every Kenyan to create wealth and unleash their creative brainpower. Kenya is said to be the third most unequal nation in the world. The traditional media has for decades focused on conflicts which spur their circulation. It has widened ethnic divide and political differences. We shall strive to change all that. It is an awesome task.

The 21st Century is a paradigm-shifting epoch in human history. Globalization is the trend; the internet is the heart beat. This is a century of great and fundamental changes. The world is shifting from industrial age to information. There is a shift to knowledge economy where ideas will be what the land and rain is to the farmer. Hence brainpower is the centrepiece of this century. We shall therefore become a springboard of new ideas and new trends in Kenya, Africa and the World.

We shall thus call on Kenyans and Africans in general to arise. We must get rid of petty differences for the common good of the nation. All the 42 communities should embrace each other. Every Kenyan should dream dreams of prosperity and move away from hopelessness and dependency syndrome. It is time we redefine our world. It is time we innovate, invent and recreate our nation afresh.

The days of IDPs, tribal wars, grand corruption, mediocrity and politics of bribery and deception should come to an abrupt end. It is time we become builders of business empires, great institutions and great organizations. It is time we believe in our God-given talents, resources and creativity.

The fact that Barack Obama, a first generation American-Kenyan is the president of a super
power is a proof that we as a people and as a race have what it takes to transform our nation, our economy and our history.

We should focus our attention on excellence of global and international standards. We should stop comparing ourselves to failed states. We should dare compare ourselves to European and American standards and beyond. That is what Singaporeans under Lee Kuan did. They rejected mediocrity and corruption which characterized the nations of Asia. Lee Kuan became the PM of Singapore in 1965, then with a per-capita of $400. He retired in 1990 when per-capita income was $12,000. Nine years into retirement Singapore clocked over $20,000 to be exact $24,500 in 2004.

Was this a miracle from heaven? No they set themselves to achieve it. Today Singapore Port is the leading and the best run port in the world. Singapore is the financial centre of Asia and the world. This did not come from the blues. They outlawed corruption and embraced intellectual capital. The youth of Singapore are the best in Maths and the Sciences in the world. They lead the whole globe in academic scores. Are they more endowed than us? No. They as a nation decided and made their minds to be the best they can be. We too can attain that. Singapore aspires to be an intelligent nation by 2015 and India an industrial nation by 2020. Singapore became a first world by 1998. Within 30 years they achieved what no other third country has achieved.

If we follow the footsteps of Singapore by 2050 we shall become a first world.
Is this possible?

Yes! We have more potential brains than Singapore. We have over 40million people while Singapore mere 4 million. We have nearly 600,000 sq.km area of land as Singapore is mere 640 sq.km.

The eCENTURY we believe, is a paper whose time is now. We strive to become a paper of the 21st Century.

Land Issue and Federalism in Kenya

eCentury News Analyst
The issue of federal system agitated by leaders mostly from Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, North Eastern and Coast is a thorn and a sensitive topic in Kenya. In the past, smaller communities agitated for a federal system or Majimbo. In Uganda the federal system is agitated for by the populous Baganda community. The Baganda community was however appeased by Museveni with an autonomous kingdom without political power and so were other communities which traditionally had kings. Most Ugandan communities have traditional systems which deal with cultural and ceremonial issues. A federal political system as agitated by Baganda has not been given a green light by the past and current governments. The smaller tribes are against the federal system unlike in Kenya; the reason being in Uganda no native land was grabbed or alienated by any power. The colonial administration did not settle Whites in Uganda hence no community was displaced thus no land was lost.

The same is true for Tanzania. The defeat of the German colonial power in the World War II ended German occupation. Tanzania was thus put under control of United Nations. Land was never an issue in Tanzania before and after independence. Hence Kenya is a unique case; it was occupied by the white settlers as the natives were displaced and jammed in what was then known as native reserves. The Africans were crowded in tiny corners of the nation’s native districts.

After independence the Kenyatta administration and subsequent administrations ignored the plight of the indigenous people whose land had been stolen by colonialists. From independence the communities where the presidents hailed were favoured in land allocation. It was during Kenyatta administration that land was grabbed by the rich and the powerful and the same took place during Moi era. Land became a preserve for the politcal elite. The native communities who occupied the land in pre-colonial era were ignored in land distribution, hence land remains a real emotive issue in Kenya.

The agitation for a federal system of government by communities whose land was grabbed is seen by the powerful groups as a threat to their grip on power. On the other hand, the desire for devolution is an attempt to give power to the locals to chart their destinies.
Kenya unlike other East African nations is driven by phobia among the communities, big or small; locals or immigrant communities, and the fear of the empowerment of the poor by the political elite.

Kenya thus is at crossroads; it is a nation faced with tough options.
The communities in Rift Valley and Coast who feel marginalized in land allocation and who perceive immigrants with suspicion have concerns that must be addressed. Communities who have settled in these regions and who see themselves as victims of hate and tribal wars too have genuine fears.

The way forward for Kenya is to take the diverse interests head-on. She must listen to herself. The fears of the big and the small tribes should be addressed. The gap between the rich and the poor should be equally be addressed. Ignoring them will only exacerbate the issue now which may erupt tomorrow.

eCentury Monthly

Welcome to eCentury Monthly blog.

eCentury is a newspaper that promises to give you information that you will not find anywhere else. Information about Kenyan issues repackaged in the best way you will like.

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eCentury: Unique, Innovative, Empowering.


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