The Western Watch newsletter pdf_1
-
Upload
jean-eyase -
Category
Documents
-
view
224 -
download
3
Transcript of The Western Watch newsletter pdf_1
WESTERN WATCH THE Issue 3 Volume 8 December 2012T
Quarterly Journal of Vihiga Community Development Organization
BEE FARMING
VERSUS
MAIZE FARMING
Climate change and malariaClimate change escalating malaria in Vihiga
Preach peace Kenyans urged to embrace peace in elections
The Youth Leadership & GovernanceAre the Youth participating in ensuring good governance
and leadership?
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
2
Editorial Committee
Chief Editor
Edward M. Alitsi
Editor
Jean Eyase
Asst Editor
Kevin Kidiga
Researcher/Contributor
Arthur Asava
Jamilah Khaji
Edom Kassaye
Designer
VCDO Editorial Team
From the Editor’s desk
VIHIGA COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
Chavakali/ Kapsabet Road
P.O.Box 250-50311
Wodanga, Kenya
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.vcdorg.
wordpress.com
Tel: +254-(056)-45407
Mobile: +254 722 244 434
This year’s last edition of the Western Watch o"ers interesting articles
benchmarked on its traditional coverage of issues that a"ect our everyday
life, with emphasis on the need to embrace peace during the coming
general elections, better farming methods and the representation of
women vying for di"erent elective positions.
As we near the general elections, the Western Watch has been keen to
cover the participation of women and youths in leadership since they are
considered in the Kenyan Constitution as part of the marginalized groups.
In our previous edition, we highlighted the provisions of women and
youth in the constitution as key to them to fully participate in leadership.
In this edition, we have pro#led di"erent women vying for elective
positions and whether Kenyans are ready to support female leaders. We
have also shown how far the youth have gone in engaging in leadership
and governance.
Peace and security are essential components to a country’s development.
The 2007 post election violence and the various security threats that
have befallen Kenya have seen the government use a lot of resources in
resettling victims. The theme of peace has therefore been given emphasis
in this edition in a quest to help prevent a recurrence of the 2007 chaos.
Bee farming is an enterprise farmers in Vihiga are adopting and it has so
far proven to be one of the best alternative land use system that favors this
area. In this issue, we have taken farmers to the next level of comparing
modern beekeeping and maize farming. A comparative analysis has
therefore been done between the two types of farming to show how bee
farming is less intensive and highly productive.
We have also highlighted a story on how climate change greatly
contributes to the spread of malaria. Other articles on community capacity
development through mobilization of funds have also been featured.
VCDO highly appreciates and acknowledges various contributors: The
department of gender and social development in Sabatia and Ustadi for
their valuable input towards this successful edition.
We welcome you (our readers) to stay with us and we invite your comments
and views on how we can enrich the quality of this publication.
Jean Eyase
Editor
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
3
page 11
PREACH PEACE,
LEADERS URGED
The post election
violence was a huge
blow to the country’s
overall security, economy
and democratic gains. Kenya
lagged behind economically
since some of the Key sectors
like tourism, was paralyzed.
Many foreigners shunned
visiting our parks and
museums due to the state
the country was in. “Kenyans
should learn a lesson from
that and embrace peace in
the coming elections since
the government had to
divert development funds
to resettle the displaced
people” said Irene Ngochi a
human rights activist from
Emakwenje in Emuhaya
district.
A survey by Peace and
Development Network
(Peace Net Kenya), an NGO
that whose objective is
to initiate peace building,
promotion of justice and
con"ict resolution shows that
Rift Valley Province bore the
largest numbers of displaced
people as 49% of IDPs
(Internally Displaced People)
came from the areas between
Naivasha and Eldoret.
Rift Valley borders Vihiga
County and as a result many
people from Vihiga and
generally Western Kenya
have migrated to Rift Valley
in search of employment
and land. Thus Vihiga was
a#ected by large numbers of
IDP’s who were forced back
to ancestral homes they had
migrated from many years
ago and did not have houses
for shelter.
Irene testi$ed that the
situation in Vihiga was a bit
di#erent as we had people
displaced from towns
like Nakuru and Naivasha
come back to their native
land to start life all over
again “Another ugly scene
experienced in the County
was burning and destruction
of property and closure of
businesses which impacted
negatively on businessmen.”
Irene added.
Jessica Omongo, 58 year old
widow and mother of $ve
says memory of the misery
she and her late husband
went through when their
house was set on $re a day
after President Mwai Kibaki
was declared the winner of
the elections held 1997.
Jessica and her family had
lived in Ronda, Nakuru for 20
years and had never thought
that violence would be the
main cause of "eeing what
had been home for all these
years. “I have never gone
back there, I forgave the
attackers but I do not think
I can go back there and live
with them” said Jessica.
Victims of post election
violence su#ered great
violation of human rights
including being forced to "ee
from their homes, having their
property destroyed, injuries,
loss of family members, and
sexual violence like rape. Just
like the rest of the victims
Jessica
lamented that the education
of her children was disrupted
when they moved back to
their native home.
“We could not even a#ord
buying school uniforms for
the children for enrolment in
a new school. This made two
of my sons quit secondary
school. They gave up when
they saw us struggling to keep
them in school and decided
to start working on people’s
farms,” said Jessica.Asked
whether she will participant
in voting in leaders come
March the 4th, Jessica said;
“voting is a democratic right
to all Kenyans and she urged
leaders vying for di#erent
positions to preach peace
and ensure that Kenyans
do not have a repeat of the
violence.”
In a report by $lled by the
Waki’s committee on sexual
violence, the most hit during
the violence were children
and women. According to the
report, children and women
faced many social injustices.
The Western Watch spoke
to Elizabeth Moche a
daughter to Mr. Daudi and
Sarah from Emuhaya district
who su#ered the violence
while residing in Naivasha.
Elizabeth, who was only nine
in 2008, said all she can recall
is seeing people beat others
and burning down of houses.
“We heard people shouting,
when we got out, there was
$re all over. We ran to the
police station for refuge.
While there, we had no food.
The police would sometime
bring us bread and milk” said
Elizabeth.
By Jean Eyase
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
4
Beekeeping Versus Maize Farming
By Kevin Kidiga
Traveling through Vihiga
County, one would
observe that maize is
the dominant crop cultivated
in this part of the country and
maize meal (Ugali) the staple
food. However, telling from
the size of land and the poor
state of the crop, very little in
terms of yields is expected
from these mini-farms come
harvest time. Miniscule
parcels of land, coupled with
exhausted soils conspire to
deny the inhabitants any
meaningful returns on their
labour.
Due to the rapid population
growth and subsequent land
sub-division, land ownership
is a critical issue. Households
own ¼ an acre on average,
making pro$table and
commercial cultivation of
land impossible. This state of
a#airs has driven the Sabatia
District Agriculture O*ce
in conjunction with other
stakeholders like the Vihiga
Community Development
Organization (VCDO) to
explore alternative types
of farming bene$cial to the
people of Vihiga County.
To achieve this, the Sabatia
District Agriculture O*ce
commissioned a comparative
study to ascertain the most
viable type of farming in the
County based on land size,
climatic conditions, labour
and capital requirements.
Bee keeping emerged the
most suitable agricultural
activity over poultry keeping,
$sh farming and cultivation
of maize in that order.
The $ndings reveal that the
initial investiment in bee
keeping is a bit high but this
can be recouped within a very
short period of time – 8 – 12
months. Labour requirements
are equally modest at
establishment stage. This
plummets signi$cantly soon
after establishment of the
apiary and placement of the
modern bee hives).
According to Henry Okile,
apiarist Vihiga Community
Development Organisation
(VCDO), to start bee farming,
one only needs to set aside
capital for the purchase of
bee hives if a parcel of land
already exists to set up an
apiary.
One modern Langstroth bee-
hive at VCDO (next to Sabatia
District Head-quarters) costs
KShs 3500. Basing on the
number of bee-hives a farmer
requires constitutes the only
major cost the bee farmer
will incur to begin this type of
farming.
After the purchase of the
hives, an apiary (a raised
platform where bee hives
are kept to attract bees) is set
up and due to the suitable
climatic conditions in Vihiga
County, the bee-hives are
colonized within 2 – 8 months
of the apiary being set up in
most instances.
“The worker bees begin
collecting pollen grains and
nectar, once the bee-hives
are colonized, harvesting of
honey can be done 3 months
later,” adds Okile.
One Langstroth hive can
yield up to 10 kgs of honey
and with the prevailing
market price of KShs 400
per kilogram, one bee- hive’s
harvest can fetch in excess
of KShs 4000, enabling the
bee farmer recoup the cost
of the bee-hives within
the $rst or second harvest.
The subsequent honey
harvests will be around 80%
pro$t because bee farming
requires minimal inputs once
an apiary is set up, and the
Langstroth hives are made
sturdy enough to last 15
years before any major repair
work can be done. This keeps
the cost of production to the
bare minimum.
The Sabatia Division livestock
An apiary site on a bee farmer’s in Chepsonoi
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
5
Beekeeping Versus Maize Farming
o cer (DLO), Afanda
Eng’alwa, says that ¼ an
acre of land can hold 250
langstroth hives, therefore
at 10 kgs of honey per hive,
farmers with 250 bee-hives
will produce 2500 kgs of
honey worth KShs 1million.
This sum is way above what a
maize farmer may earn in the
6 months it takes to harvest
maize. In a similar period, a
bee farmer will harvest honey
worth 2 million, provided
that the bee-hives are 100%
colonized.
An apiary of 250 bee-hives
requires 2 farm hands on 1/4
an acre to assist in planting
crops like sun-$ower,
spider weed (tsisaga) sweet
potatoes,bottle, brush and
beans, rich sources of nectar
and pollen, says the DLO,
Sabatia. These farm hands
assist the farmer maintain
the apiary, restore damaged
hives and harvest honey,
thus expending a negligible
amount of the bee farmer’s
earnings.
On the other hand, the
returns on maize farming
compares poorly with
earnings from bee-keeping.
According to the Sabatia
District Agricultural O cer
Mr Enock Tallam, on average
1/4 acre of land yields 2.5
bags of grain fetching a
market price of KShs 7500 at
harvest time when prices are
stable. The average cost of
producing 2.5 bags of maize
is Ksh. 3000 and is riddled
with numerous inputs and
labour costs (tilling, weeding,
application of fertilizer,
harvesting, transport etc) to
earn a net pro&t of between
KShs 4000 and KShs4500 per
1/4 acre per harvest.
The above statistics and the
inability of the native farming
fraternity to feed the people
in the County and ensure
food security illustrate lack
of bene&ts and failure of
maize farming in Vihiga.
Subsequently, the people
of Vihiga look up to the
neighbouring Trans Nzoia
and Nandi Counties to supply
the maize grain.
The small acreage, the cost
of the maize seed, fertilizers,
general labour, the erratic
weather patterns and
the exhausted soils have
conspired and consigned
maize farming into a
wasteful, expensive, and
loss-making enterprise.
Despite provision of seed
and fertilizer subsidies under
the National Agricultural
Accelerate Inputs Access
Programme (NAAIAP), short,
frail and yellowing stalks of
the maize crop stand on the
&elds every new season.
Florence Mugaro, a maize
farmer from Mudungu, in
Sabatia district was voted
the best farmer in 2012 for
harvesting 15 bags of maize
(90kgs per bag) from her 1.25
acres. However, this was on
account of the support she
received from the NAAIAP,
thus 10 kgs of certi&ed seed,
50kgs of DAP fertilizer for
planting and 50kgs CAN
fertilizer for top-dressing.
Though this yield has been
feted, it is di cult to replicate
it in the entire Vihiga County
because farmers either fail or
use inadequate farm inputs,
leading to maize grain de&cit
of 137,317 bags in Sabatia
District in 2011.
According to a report
‘Agri-business and Market
Development’ from the
D.A.O Sabatia, the cost of
cultivating ¼ an acre of land
for the maize crop is KShs
2524. Therefore Florence
Mugaro’s earnings after the
costs of cultivating ¼ an
acre at KShs 2524 was KShs
6476 .The D.A.O. adds that a
harvest of less than 2.5 bags
page 13
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
6
By Jean Eyase
The new constitution givens women
a voice and strength to &ght for
these positions since it addresses
issues of gender balance in political
and public o ces. The constitution
guards women against all sorts of
discrimination and violence that have
been part of the challenges they greatly
faced when vying for political seats.
As women are gearing up to take what
rightfully belongs to them, the Kenya
Supreme Court recently ruled that the
one third gender representation rule
is not achievable in the March 2013
elections, but will be progressively
implemented to be fully realized by
August, 2015. This move saw several
organs and organizations championing
the rights of women voice concerns
that the rule was to be achieved in the
forthcoming elections. Among them
were,Federation of Female Lawyers in
Kenya (FIDA), Maendeleo ya Wanawake
and the National Gender and Equality
Commission.
According to Article 81(b) of the Kenyan
constitution, “not more than two-thirds
of the members of elective public bodies
shall be of the same gender.” The rule was
meant to increase women’s participation
in politics, and based on the rule at least
117 Members of Parliament would have
to be female (or male if women made up
the majority in Parliament).
However, it has been evident that
majority of women have concentrated
on the women representative seat and
very few are willing to run as members
of parliament, senators and governors.
Only one woman has stayed put to run
for the presidential seat. The scenario in
counties is not di*erent.
In Vihiga County, majority of women
vying are for the women representative
seat which is guaranteed female
candidates and the County ward
representative seat. None is willing to
&ght for no senator or governor seat.
The table below shows women aspiring
for di*erent positions in Vihiga.
The question is, do women fear
competing with men or is it Kenyans
who have a negative attitude towards
having female leaders? Speaking to
several people around Vihiga County,
they noted that women are capable
of leading the nation. Doreen Kenda,
a techer at Lusengeli said that the
few women in power have not been
involved in any corruption or violence
thus could make better leaders. She
added that women are better managers
of &nances than men and they will
empower female women who play a
big role in the county’s economy. “Let
us stop being enemies of our own and
support our fellow women clinch this
seats.” Said Doreen Kenda.
Fridah Gibendi Chahale, a teacher
by profession who holds a degree in
education aspiring for the women
representative seat said she settle for
the seat after doing a SWOT analysis of
herself and found out that she is capable
of serving best in this position. “Having
worked in Vihiga County as a teacher and
a church leader, I got a chance to work
closely with women. I therefore would
like to see these women empowered
since they greatly contribute to the
economy of the country.” Said Fridah.
Fridah also noted that it is important
for the public to understand that the
women representative leader will
not just concentrate on empowering
women and providing solutions to
problems faced by women. “This is a
parliamentary seat and one of its core
mandates is to represent the county at
the national level during parliamentary
proceedings. Another responsibility is
to mobilize resources for the county for
the betterment of the county.” Fridah
added.
In her manifesto, she is looking forward
to empowering the people of Vihiga
with skills and knowledge in project
management and entrepreneurship,
develop a work culture among the youth
by maximizing on the use of available
natural resources and civic education.
She also wants to improve education
standards, improve service delivery in
health sector since as reported by her,
at the moment the ratio of doctor to
patient in the county stands at 1: 50000.
“We have high poverty levels in Vihiga
(62 percent). We need to move things
like merry-go-round to a di*erent level
where people will involve themselves in
WOMEN ELECTIONS
&NAME POSITIONAlice Kirambi County Women Representative
Bishop Hellen Alitsi County Women Representative
Isiaho Hellen County Women Representative
Doris Vugutsa County Women Representative
Dorcas Kedogo County Women Representative
Beatrice Achando County Women Representative
Elizabeth Okila County Women Representative
Irene Amisi County Women Representative
Margaret Mbuni M. P Sabatia Constituency
Carolyne Angote Member of Parliament
Angelina Miloyo Onzere Ward Representative
Gladys Analo Ward Representative
Beatrice Chakava Ward Representative
Mary Muliro Ward Representative
Brenda Chacha Ward Representative- Chepkoyai
Iminza Janet Ward Representative
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
7
Fridah ChahaleWomen Representative Aspirant
Beatrice AdagalaWomen Representative Aspirant
Judith Sereta ChogeAspirant Member of Parliament -
Sabatia
buying shares with "nancial
institutions rather than the
usual table baking.” Said
Fridah. She "nalized by
saying that her service to the
people will be incomplete
if she does not stand up
for the rights of women
and help stamp out many
social injustices women go
through.
Her counter part Beatrice
Adagala 43 and a business
woman in Mbale said in
the past women have
been there to support
male candidates. In her
list of changes she wants
for the County, Adagala
said she wants to work
on empowering women,
ensure food security since
the County faces high rates
of population growth and
land has become a scarce
source, improve health
facilities and provide water.
“Majority of the people here
are small scale farmers with
less than an acre of land
each. They should therefore
be exposed to a#ordable
"nancial strategies with low
interest rates for them to
stabilize "nancially.” Beatrice
said.
Mabel Kifworo also vying for
the women representative
seat says she is going to
work on empowering the
community on income
generating activities to
help eradicate poverty,
advocate for improvement
of infrastructure, create
job opportunities by
encouraging the youth to
join the Jua kali enterprise
schemes and also by
teaming up with other
leaders and set up industries
and factories through
government and donor
funding.
Mabel said the County has
no proper sewerage system
and she therefore aims
at improvin this to help
reduce health hazards and
embrace proper sanitation.
Health, education and food
security were also in her list
of priorities for the Vihiga
people.
Judith Sereta, 42, is among
the few women vying for
the member of Parliament
seat in the County. She is
aspiring to represent Sabatia
constituency in the next
parliament. Judith said that
the representation of women
in the next government
will not just happen unless
Kenyans change and
embrace women as leaders.
“We need to have civic
education through barazas
especially to the women
since they are the majority
voters on good governance
for them to know whom to
vote for come March 4th.”
Said Judith.
She cited countries like
Malawi and Rwanda where
female have been elected
leaders and the are working
towards development and
improvement of people’s
living standards. In her
manifesto, Judith is working
at placing people’s needs
in the forefront saying that
it is the best way to have
their mind-set changed for
better education, farming
methods that will ensure
food security.
“If the rood networks all
over are poor, How will
you encourage farmers to
participate in farming yet
they will incur high costs of
transport for their produce
to get to the market?” Judith
lamented. She urged fellow
leaders to embrace high
integrity and be driven by
people’s policies.
Judith also promises to work
on developing projects that
will ensure that Vihiga has
water, electrict and better
education. This she said will
be through participation of
the community members
and good utilization of the
Community Development
Funds (CDF).
The ball is now in the hands
of Kenyans and this time, the
government has made clear
the rules and regulations
of choice of o$ce bearers.
Come March 4th, Kenyans
would like the democratic
rights manifested through a
free and fair election where
politicians will not force their
way n but respect peoples
decisions.
Are
we
read
y to
suppor
t
our
fello
w w
omen
?
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
8
THE YOUTH
LEADERSHIP &
GOVERNANCE
On 4th March 2013
Kenyans will go to
the polls to elect
leaders to manage the
public a#airs of this Country
for the next 5 years. The
election will be the Country’s
"rst since the promulgation
of the new constitution.
Candidates for president,
senator, County, governor,
Member of Parliament,
women representative and
County representative will
be contesting making it
the most crowded election
in the Country’s history in
terms of the high number
of aspirants. The election
will also be di#erent from
the past polls because of
the likelihood of a run-o#
in the absence of a clear
presidential winner in the
"rst round.
Considering the new aspects
of this election and the fact
that the Country will turn 50
years after independence
next year, have the
Kenyan youth actively
participated in the politics
and governance of their
motherland adequately? Are
the youthful contestants a
re%ection of their numbers
given that they form the
biggest segment of the
population.
According to the O$cer
in charge of Governance
issues at the Christian
Partners Development
Agency (CPDA) Mr. Nelson
Omido, the numbers of
youth participating in
governance issues is small
when compared against
their size in the Country’s
population. He cites lack of
information as one of the
reasons why the youths are
not positioning themselves
for leadership nor engaging
their leaders to ensure good
governance of the Country.
“The youth have displayed
lack of interest in information
that would empower them
make informed contribution
to debates on matters of
policy in the Country. “They
consistently shy away from
barazas and other discussion
forums,” says the O$cer
who is participating in the
Independent Electoral and
Boundaries Commission
(IEBC) voter education
campaign in Vihiga County.
He adds that the relics of
bad governance and voter
bribery manifest when the
youth ask for money when
urged to register as voters.
“It is unfortunate that
many youths do not have
identity cards and those
who have demand money
to induce them to register
as voters. This culture of
corruption in the electoral
process has denied
aspiring youthful leaders
positions of leadership
because the youth do not
vote for their peers because
of lack of "nancial muscle
for vote buying amongst
youthful contenders. This
explains why political
power in this Country still
lies and is wielded by the
old guard born in the pre-
independence era, 49 years
after independence.
Mr. Wilberforce Kitiezo 29,
is a sitting councilor for
Wamuluma Ward decries
the voter apathy in the on-
going voter registration.
Mr. Kitiezo is running for
the Wamuluma/ Lugaga
ward representative in
the coming election and
opines that youthful
leadership does not
guarantee corruption
free, accountable and
transparent governance
that this Country deserves.
“It is unfortunate that the
youth have consistently
demanded largesse from
politicians emulating
voter bribery that has
characterized campaigns
and electioneering in
this Country. The youth
should be able to make
good choices based on
integrity, accountability and
By Arthur Asava
Youth in a civic education forum Picture obtained from www.amkeniwakenya.org
Women RightsBy Jean Eyase
“Women rights are now provided in the constitution, so people “Women rights are now provided in the constitution, so people
have to realize themselves to the constitution and respect it.” have to realize themselves to the constitution and respect it.”
Says Joseph Kanyiri, the District Commission Sabatia.
In chapter four, part 2, article 27 sections 3 of the constitution, In chapter four, part 2, article 27 sections 3 of the constitution,
women and men have the right to equal treatment, including
rights to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural the rights to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural
and social spheres.
Kanyiri said, women now have the right to inherit property and Kanyiri said, women now have the right to inherit property and
equal opportunity to employment, health services and political
participation.
Mukhavali from Budaywa sub location says, since her Janet Mukhavali from Budaywa sub location says, since her
’s family took the land from her and husband died the husband’s family took the land from her and
left her and her two children with nothing.
went to the chief of my location and the case was referred “I went to the chief of my location and the case was referred
to the District O"ce where the o"cer in charge, wrote a letter to the District O"ce where the o"cer in charge, wrote a letter
ordering my father in law to give me back the land but he only
gave me a quarter of it and sold the remaining” says Janet gave me a quarter of it and sold the remaining” says Janet
Mukhavali.
She said women rights are written in the constitution but never
implemented on ground. Women do not know their rights, they
are not informed on what to do if they face men’s violations and
so they keep quite.
“I am HIV positive and I get free medicine (ARV) from the
government, with that we are very thankful to our government
but there are other aids like food which we are suppose to be
given but our local leaders do not care about that” she says.
She asks the government to provide information for women
about their rights as Kenyan citizen and not just print it in the
constitution.
“Women rights are violated because women are not “Women rights are violated because women are not
wered, they are not given information about what they empowered, they are not given information about what they
are suppose to do or where to go if they face any challenge, for
example, they are many rape cases but women do not report
fear what the society is going to think of them because they fear what the society is going to think of
them or the victim” Janet mukhavali says.
Patrick Vulimu from Itegero sub location said, women rights are Patrick Vulimu from Itegero sub location said, women rights are
ted because most of the decisions in families are made by violated because most of the decisions in families are made by
men which means they must take their side.
“The main reason for most women rights violation is culture, “The main reason for most women rights violation is culture,
e does not give women the right to do or decide on our culture does not give women the right to do or decide on
anything, also people both men and women are not informed anything, also people both men and women are not informed
about their rights as citizen” Patrick says.
, at this age and time, some women are not allowed He said, at this age and time, some women are not allowed
to inherit or own anything from the parents even if they are
ried, they will always be under their brothers and also not married, they will always be under their brothers and also
ried women in some areas are denied ownership of their married women in some areas are denied ownership of their
husband’s property after the death of their husbands.
“When it comes to rape cases women do not report to the
e because they are being threatened by members of the police because they are being threatened by members of the
community most cases are handled within families in the name
of maintaining relationships, and of course the accused will not
page 17
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
RV)RV)RV)RV)RV)RV)RV)RV)RV) fr fr fr fr fr fr from om om om om om om om om om thethethethethethethethe
ententententententententent r gr gr gr gr gr gr gr goveoveoveoveoveoveoveoveoveoveovernmrnmrnmrnmrnmrnmrnmrnmrnmrnmentententententententententent
e e e e e e supsupsupsupsupsupsupsupsupsuppospospospospospospospospose te te te te te te te te te te to bo bo bo bo bo bo bo bo bo bo be e e e e e e e
at”at”at”at”at”at”at” sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh she se se se se se se se se se saysaysaysaysaysaysaysaysaysays.......
en en en tion fn fn fn fn fn fn fn fn fn fn for or or or or or or or or womwomwomwomwomwomwomwomwomwomen en en en en en en en en
t pt pt pt pt pt pt pt prinrinrinrinrinrinrinrinrint it it it it it it it it it it it it it it it it it it it in tn tn tn tn tn tn tn tn tn the he he he he he he he he
notnotnotnotnot omeomeomeomeomeomeomeomen an an an an an an an an an an are re re re re re re re re notnotnotnotnotnotnot
WATCH WESTERN
9transparency of their leaders
other than the ability to give
out hand-outs”
He adds that good
leadership does not lie
within an age group but with
integrity, accountability and
transparency as opposed to
voter bribery, violence and
intimidation that the youth
of this Country have been
used as cogs to perpetrate
bad governance.
David Kasikwa 32, a scrape
metal dealer in Chavakali
market in Vihiga County
believes otherwise. He
says that the youth are
the best alternative to
the Country’s leadership.
“The young generations
have been constrained by
limited "nancial resources
to sell their visions to the
citizenry.” Mr. Kasikwa
says that the youth have
displayed good governance
at corporate and youth
group levels that has been
free from "nancial scandals,
corruption and nepotism,
typical of leaders born in the
pre-independence era who
perpetrate tribalism and
nepotism to the detriment
of the nations cohesion.
Mr. Kasikwa hails sheng, a
corruption of the Kiswahili
and assorted vernacular
languages as a unifying
factor. “The youth interact
in sheng which does not
de"ne the tribal a#liation
of the speaker hence
enabling them to discuss
governance issues free of
tribal orientation.”
The CPDA o#cer on
governance, Nelson Omido,
believes that the youth hold
the key to good governance
despite the vigorous vetting
process for aspirants to
political o#ce demands. He
cites hefty political party
nomination fees, clearance
with the Higher Education
Loans Board (HELB), the
Kenya National Examination
Council (KNEC), the Kenya
Revenue Authority (KRA)
as conditions for aspirants
seeking political o#ce few
youthful aspirants meet.
“The youth must endeavor
to meet these conditions
because they are provided
for in the guidelines for
the implementation of
the constitution,” explains
Omido, adding that the
Country is ready for youthful
leadership despite the
"nancial challenges they
face in running for political
o#ce.
Cllr. Kitiezo calls upon
youthful aspirants to
embrace issue based
campaigns and the
engagement of political
leaders to ensure good
governance. “The youth
must seek information
that will enable them to
detect extortion, bribery,
tribalism and political
patronage and engage
their leaders as the society’s
watchdogs to propagate
good governance.” says the
councilor.
David Kasikwa believes
that harsh measures
against leaders implicated
in corruption, bribery and
nepotism will send signals
to both the old and youthful
leadership to embrace good
governance.
“Robust voter education
and leveling of the election
landscape in terms of
campaign "nance will
propel the youth to vie for
key political o#ce on the
same footing with their old
and wealthy aspirants” says
Omido.
“The youth must not be
content with being referred
to as the future leaders of the
Country. They must position
themselves to acquire
leadership and power
because political o#ce is not
given but is taken within the
con"nes of the constitution.”
says Cllr. Kitiezo.
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
10
VCDO IN ACTION
1
3
2
5
4
6
1. VCDO staff during
Ustadi exhibition at
Kakamega
2. VCDOs Apiarist
demonstrating mod-
ern
Beekeeping to farm-
ers
3. Editorial crew in
Kakamega forest on a
4. VCDO at Kidundu exhibition
5. Director VCDO donates a computer to the
6. Apiarist inspecting hives
“Ethnicity is like cancer in this
nation, and it is our responsibility
to shut down all leaders who
spread this disease. History
speaks for itself, 2007 election
is an example for everyone to
learn. Let democracy be the key
in choosing all our leaders and
avoid shutting down the voice
of the people.”
Floice Jane Omukhango
Student Moi Girls Vokoli“The electrol board should be well
organized and e#cient in its duties
since this violence greatly a$ects
students. The youths should also
desire to live in a peaceful country
and work hard so as not to involve
themselves in violence.”
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
11
By Jean Eyase
PREACH PEACE, LEADERS URGEDpage 3
John Kidali
Chief- Wodanga
Location“The peace building com-
mittee has done a lot to
educate the public on peace
lets see this re%ect in the
general elections next year.
Let us vote peacefully and al-
low other people to express
their views. Kenya has come
a long way.”
Young Eliza, as she is fondly
referred to by her grandmother
who took them back in after
the chaos says she would like
the president to urge people
not to cause violence again
during the coming elections
since many people su$ered.
Eliza also added that she misses
many of her friends back in
Naivasha.
It has been evident that most
of the people involved in the
violence were youths. Elam
Malenge an elder in Vihiga
and the Chairman for the
Peace forum, said, one of the
major reasons why the youth
participated in the violence is
unemployment. “This was an
ideal time for the youth to loot
and commit other crimes that
were witnessed all over.” He
said.
So far, very little concerning
civic education has been
done in the County due to
lack of funds, according to Mr
Malenge. “Lack of funds to
organize civic education within
the community made us to
think of alternative ways. We
therefore use public forums
like weddings, funerals and
chief’s barazas to create peace
awareness,’’ Said Malenge.
He added that the Provincial
administration has been at
the fore front in educating
the community on embracing
peace on 4th of March 2013,
the date of the next elections.
Mr. Malenge advised the
youths not to get involved
in violence and to vote in
leaders with a development
agenda because the future of
this Country depended on the
decisions they make today.
Stanley Khamasi Ganira
Aspirant County Rep
Banja Ward
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
12
By Edom Kassaye
According to Mr Andrew Githeko,
the Chief Research O#cer,
Climate and Human Research
unit of the Kenya Medical Research
Institute (KEMRI), malaria poses the
biggest health risk to the communities
living in Vihiga County.
Malaria is rated among the top 5 killer
diseases in the County alongside
respiratory infections, pneumonia,
Aids and waterborne diseases, says Mr
Andrew Githeko.
He attributes this trend to various
factors. Chief among them is the climatic
conditions prevailing in the County that
promote rapid breeding of mosquitoes.
In a study conducted by Susan
Imbahale for the University Of
Wagenigen, Netherlands in 2006,
around Lunyerere village in Vihiga
County, local environmental conditions
such as climate, altitude and land use
were found to signi&cantly impact on
population dynamics of mosquito larvae
and indirectly a$ecting the dynamics of
mosquito-borne diseases.
‘The humid condition, basin-shaped
valleys and an altitude of 1520-
1560M o$ers ideal breeding habitat
for mosquitoes, says the report.
Underground water that seeps to the
surface in reclaimed swampy areas
provide mosquitoes with good breeding
grounds all year round.
Agricultural activities that are tied to
weather patterns were also found to
promote malaria prevalence during the
long rains (April-June) and short rains
(November-December). Tea bushes
and maize present moist conditions
that sustain immature larva and adult
mosquitoes, according to the study.
Though environmental factors are
hugely responsible for escalating
malaria in the County, other factors play
supporting roles in the spread of the
disease.
The Vihiga District Public Health
O#cer Patrick Lutta blames the local
communities in the County for the
misuse of treated mosquito nets as
fencing material for their vegetable
gardens instead of sleeping under the
nets for protection against mosquito
bites. Mr Lutta emphasizes the need
for preventive measures in the &ght
against malaria to realize reduced costs
in treating the disease.
Another challenge that has slowed
down the &ght against malaria is
inadequate funding characterized by
shortage of anti-malaria drugs and
lack of diagnostic kits in public health
facilities. This compels doctors to rely
more on signs and symptoms thereby
compromising diagnostic accuracy.
“According to World Health Organisation,
to provide quality healthcare, every 600
people must haveone doctor at their
disposal. The ratio in Vihiga County is
one doctor to a population of 50000
people. This makes the &ght against
malaria to be very complicated and
ine$ective.,
The malaria parasite’s ability to develop
resistance to drugs o$ers yet another
challenge. Drug manufacturing
companies invest huge amounts in their
Research and Development (R&D) units
to come up with new anti-malarial drugs
when resistance is observed against the
existing drugs. The cost of such research
is consequently passed to the patient in
terms of high price of drugs.
“The price of doctors’ preferred drugs in
treatment of malaria is so
prohibitive that the poor who are a
majority in Vihiga County can hardly
a$ord”, he explains.
“To win the &ght against malaria,
sustained e$orts by line ministries of
government, civil societies and the
general public must be involved.” says
Mr Githeko. He proposes mapping the
entire country in respect to weather
patterns and malaria prevalence all year
round.
“Once the mappings are done, the
government and other stakeholders
must put in place an alert system where
members of the public may be informed
Climate Change
Escalating
Malaria
in Vihiga
A mosquito net used for fencing vegetable a garden
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
13of impending critical outbreaks and
campaigns rolled out through mass
media detailing preventive measures.”
Mr Githeko emphasizes the importance
of deployment to the ground of Public
Health o"cers and O"cers of the
provincial administration to sensitize
members of the public about preventive
measure to be taken through public
gatherings (barazas)
In her study, “A Longitudinal Study
On Anopheles Mosquito Larva
Abundance In Distinct Geographical
And Environmental Settings In Western
Kenya,”Susan Imbahale, views creation
of awareness on how to control/stop
mosquito breeding as a panacea to the
malaria menace. “Information should
be disseminated to people residing in
Lunyerere village and Vihiga County to
help them identify mosquito breeding
grounds” She lists river fringes, damaged
pipes, leaking pipes, animals hoof- prints
and erosion pits as breeding places that
have been given scant attention in past
anti-malaria drives.
To combat malaria, the Vihiga District
Public Health O"cer Mr Patrick Lutta
advocates increased funding to push
the #ght against malaria to a new level.
“The budget vote for the ministries
of Public Health and Medical Services
should be increased to address
understa"ng, shortage of drugs and
lack of equipment”, he is however quick
to add that stricter spending controls
would #rst be put in place.
Though climatic factors take the lion’s
share of blame over escalation of malaria
in Vihiga County, meaningful action to
reverse the trend is long overdue. The
time is now and all must be involved.
per ¼ acre is a sure loss and lends his
voice to calls for a change in the farming
activities of the people of Vihiga.
Conversely, bee farmers require more
technical support as opposed to #nance
oriented assistance. A bee farmer
requires #nancial support in the event
he envisages major expansion of his
operations, thus cash injection for the
purchase of more bee-hives.
Despite bee keeping being a fairly new
type of farming in Vihiga County some
farmers have adopted it and realized
the bene#ts. The most notable of this
cadre of farmers is the Sabatia HIV/AIDS
Support Group which made a debut in
bee keeping in 1998 with 5 bee-hives.
By 2006, the group had increased the
number of bee-hives to 25 and more
than quadrupled their earnings from
honey.
The Sabatia D.L.O, Mr Afanda Eng’alwa
adds his voice to farmers to make the
big switch from maize farming to bee-
keeping saying that the latter is more
pro#table, sustainable and supply is yet
to meet demand further challenging
them to make a choice between earning
KShs 2 million from bee-keeping and
KShs 3000 cultivating maize on ¼ acre
of land in 6 months.
The joint e%orts by the Ministries of
agriculture, Livestock Development and
Organisations like VCDO in providing
technical support, awareness and other
extension services through seminars
and workshops has won over farmers
like Alfred Lulu, Joseph Nabella and
Sabatia HIV/AIDS Support Group who
have become models and poster people
for bee farming in Sabatia District.
Though the bee farming future looks
bright, challenges lurk out there for
newcomers. First is the aspect of bee
farmers dabbling in horticulture as well
as rearing livestock. To rid their animals
and crops of pests, highly potent
pesticides and fungicides are used with
the negative e%ects of killing bees in
the surrounding environment hence a
decline in bee populations and a dip in
honey production.
Secondly, new entrants into bee farming
is the ignorance in safety measures
associated with bee-keeping. When
not handled with caution, bees pose
risks of injuries to the bee-keepers,
their families, livestock and the general
neighborhood.
Third is the logistical challenge of night
mobility for the extension o"cers who
assist farmers harvest honey. This pose
transport and security concerns for
extension o"cers from organizations
like VCDO.
However, the VCDO Director Mr. Edward
Alitsi in conjunction with the Sabatia
District Agriculture O"ce and other
stakeholders plan to roll out various
activities including workshops, seminars
and inspection tours of bee farms
to create awareness on the inherent
challenges and provoke debate on
possible solutions.
The Director is determined to shift
Vihiga farmers’ focus from the less
pro#table maize farming to the lucrative
bee farming. He is con#dent that with
increased awareness and sustained
farmer education, the uptake of bee
farming will soar translating into better
returns on agricultural activities in
Vihiga County.
Beekeeping Versus Maize Farmingpage 5
A bee hive on a trapping site
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
14
By Jean Eyase
In our previous issue, we
highlighted #sh farming
as a rapidly becoming
an important income
generating activity for many
households in Vihiga County
and indeed, the rest of the
country. In Vihiga, over 800
farmers were initiated into
#sh farming through the
ongoing Economic Stimulus
Program (ESP) that was
&agged o% by the Ministry of
Fisheries in 2009.
The program aims at
enhancing food security,
organizing farmers in
clusters and advocating for
commercial aqua culture in
the County. The project has so
far contributed to improving
the living standards of people
in Vihiga through creation
of employment. However,
these farmers face several
challenges which hinder
them from fully exploiting
the potentials that this
enterprise holds.
Natural disasters
The changes in climatic
conditions have made it
di"cult for farmers to predict
when to expect heavy or
short rains. This has caused
some farmers to experience
great losses when &oods
come knocking in months
where they have not been
having heavy rains in the
past.
Solomon Alitsii, a farmer in
Sabatia District su%ered great
loss in #ve of his ponds just
before the #sh were ready
for the market. “The #sh
were big enough to go for at
least Ksh. 300 per piece. The
same price as in Kisumu. It is
very sad we have lost all that
plus everything we put into
it. We had hopes of being
exemplary #sh farmers in our
community. Unfortunately,
such setbacks are a major
hindrance”, mzee Solomon
lamented. He added that if
they had money, they would
have installed much bigger
wire mesh at the outlets
to prevent #sh from being
swept away during heavy
rains.
Another natural disaster
in #sh farming as told by
Charles Kalerwa, Fisheries
O"cer Vihiga County, is
drought, although this has
never been experienced
among farmers in Vihiga.
Charles said, to avoid such
disasters, a farmer should
involve #sheries o"cers who
carry out site selection and
advice accordingly before
setting up #sh ponds. “This is
done to ensure that the area
has continuous &ow of water
to prevent drying up of the
ponds.
“Another reason why site
selection should be done
carefully is so that we can
establish whether the site/
location has a history of
&ooding” added Charles.
For areas that are prone to
&ooding, farmers are advised
to construct core trenches on
the sides of the ponds that
can take in the water when it
&oods. However, if the rains
are too much this method
may not help.
Theft and Vandalism
Erick Majanga, a farmer
in Itegero sub-location,,,
explained that majority of the
Not yet Sunset for
Fish Farmers
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
15farmers have been brought
down by envious community
members who come stealing
and poisoning "sh. “In most
cases, the thieves come
and "sh all night once they
realize your pond is ready for
harvesting. Some who are
envious, poison the "sh using
used engine oil, para#n or
pepper. We have also heard
of incidences where ponds
have been $ushed out and all
the "sh taken,” says Erick.
To cub this challenge,
technical education is given
to community members on
how "sh farming can be an
enterprise for all and how
it can greatly contribute to
food security in the County
as noted by Charles Kalerwa,
the Fisheries O#cer. Farmers
are also advised on the
need for good relations with
neighbors who can help in
sounding alarms whenever
they see such ill intentioned
people loitering around their
"sh ponds.
“We also encourage farmers
to report theft cases to the
Provincial Administration
so that action can be taken
on the suspects to serve as
a warning to others. Some
farmers have fenced their
ponds using wire mesh to
prevent the above cases but
majority of our farmers "nd it
expensive,” Charles added.
Predators
“Birds, snakes, monitor lizards
and frogs are common
predators around. If given
a chance, they can make
a farmer loose up to Ksh.
100,000 by each feasting
on a "sh daily. Immediate
measures that can be put in
place are clearing of areas
surrounding the pond,
ensuring that the pond has
animal wastes like cow dung
or chicken droppings.” Says
Charles Kalerwa.
This contributes to
fertilization of the pond
which enables water plants to
grow at the base thus acting
as a source of nutrients to the
"sh. The waste also darken
the water making it hard for
birds to spot "sh. In some
cases farmers tie a square of
strings as a remedy to scare
o% birds.
Charles added that screening
of ponds by putting sieves at
inlets and outlets is vital in
preventing frogs. “Another
method that can keep o%
frogs is by "lling the pond
with agricultural lime
calcite (calcium carbonate)
or dolomite (calcium
magnesium carbonate) that
kills micro organisms and
eggs of snakes and frogs.
The lime also neutralizes the
water by reducing acidity.”
Said Charles.
Preservation and Marketing
For many farmers, one thing
that has made them not to
increase productivity is lack
of preservation equipment.
This makes them not access
bigger markets where
they can sell the "sh at
better prices. The available
preservation methods are
still expensive to farmers
since they have to go for deep
frying which consumes a lot
of oil. Consumers are said to
use this set back in exploiting
farmers by buying the "sh
at very low prices since the
farmer has no alternative.
Farmers have therefore been
advised to form groups and
work in clusters so as to
realize maximum bene"ts.
“Through the clusters,
farmers can organize
marketing strategies by
calling in their customers to
buy the "sh whenever one of
them harvests.” Said Charles
Kalerwa. Some of the groups
that have been successful
working in clusters are;
Munoywa, Busali East, Izava
South and Chavakali "sh
farmers in Sabatia district,
Lugaga and Wamuluma "sh
farmers in Vihiga district
and Bidii "sh farmers from
Emuhaya district.
“It is also easier for farmers
to access loans from "nancial
institutions and funds from
donors when working
in groups rather than as
individuals. These funds
can help them to establish
preservation units or buy
feeds thus cutting down
on the cost of production”,
Charles added.
Ministry of Fisheries
In Vihiga County, this
department works with "sh
farmers in o%ering them
training on aqua business
and "nancial management
to help improve their living
standards. The department
also writes recommendations
for groups whenever they
want to access aid from
"nancial institutions.
The ministry is also
governments watchdog;
overseeing the progress of
farmers in the County. Charles
Kalerwa, the Fisheries O#cer
in the County, however, said
that one area where farmers
should greatly improve on is
record keeping. He cited that
record keeping is important
for evaluation of progress in
any business. He therefore
urged farmers to ensure
systematic record keeping
whenever a project has been
funded by the government or
other donor organizations.
For the government through
the Ministry of Fisheries to
initiate more programmes,
the Fisheries o#cers should
present data that reveals
the real situation in Vihiga
County. “Farmers should be
in a position to give records
of feeding, fertilization and
harvesting for us to be able
to calculate pro"ts and write
evaluation reports and if
the project proves to be
bene"cial to the community
then more of such projects
can be initiated,” Said Charles.
“One thing that
has made farmers
not to increase
productivity is the
lack of preservation
equipment. This
makes them not to
access bigger markets
where they can sell
"sh at better prices. ”
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
16
By; Joel Asiago, Tollander Wabwire
and Halima Keah
The basis for consideration, initiative
and establishment of local capacity
development market places is
a culmination of lengthy dialogue
between and among key stakeholders
in Kenya particularly those collaborating
in the sectors of Water, Agriculture and
Civil Society Strengthening. Through
a facilitation of SNV Netherlands
Regional O#ce in Kenya, several
months of discussions and re$ections
on the challenges facing local service
providers on the one hand and the
service demand side on the other led to
the realization of weaknesses in quality,
standard, supply levels and consistency
(all of which constitute capacity). There
is a strong belief that a mechanism that
strengthens the interaction between
demand and supply sides while
leveraging knowledge, technologies
and skills transfer has a great potential
in improving the local activities of
users and providers in a market based
approach. Some common elements
and learning emerge from the capacity
de"nitions;
Capacity development is a process
of change, and hence is about
managing transformations. People’s
capacities and institutional capacity
and a society’s capacity change over
time. A focus on what development
policies and investments work best
to strengthen the abilities, networks,
skills and knowledge base cannot be
a one-o% intervention.
There can be short term results.
And often in crises and post con$ict
situations there is a need for such. But
even short term capacity gains, such
as increase in monetary incentives
or introducing a new information
system, must be supported by a
sustained resource and political
commitment to yield longer term
results that truly impact on existing
capacities.
Capacity development takes place at
three di%erent levels: the individual
level, the organizational level and the
societal level. These three levels are
interlinked and interdependent. An
investment in capacity development
must design and account for impact
at these multiple levels.
Capacity development is also about
who and how and where the decisions
are made, management takes place,
services are delivered and results
are monitored and evaluated. It is
primarily an endogenous process,
and whilst supported and facilitated
by the international development
community, it cannot be owned
or driven from the outside. At the
end of the day, it is about capable
and transformational states, which
enable capable and resilient societies
to achieve their own development
objectives over time.
Key Levels of Capacity – Who’s
Capacity?
All the de"nitions of capacity
development provided in this
manual suggest that capacity
development is a process that takes
place at three di%erent levels: the
individual level, the organizational
level and the systemic/societal level.
The individual level - Individuals,
as the tissues of organizations
and societies, represent the "rst
layer of capacity. For societies and
organizations to transform and
grow, they need individuals with
skills, knowledge and experience.
At the individual level capacity
development takes place through
demand-driven processes of learning
and knowledge acquisition and
sharing, experiencing, participation
in communities of practice, south-
south learning initiatives, on-the-job
training, mentoring and coaching
and other learning techniques that
empower and place the individual in
a central and active position.
The organizational/institutional level
- The second layer of capacity is the
organizational or institutional level.
As individuals make up the tissues
of organizations and institutions,
the sharing of skills, knowledge,
experience and values amongst
individuals belonging to a group or
organization translates, over time,
into the very organization’s capacity,
consisting of procedures, systems,
policies and culture. Developing
organizations or institutions’ capacity
means fostering change within
their complex system of policies,
systems, procedures, regulations
and organizational culture.
The societal level - The third layer at
which capacity development takes
place is the societal level. In turn,
the values system of a society, its
customs, body of laws and policies,
the system of governance are all
elements that impinge on the ability
of individuals and organizations to
develop further their capacity and
transform. Change in capacity at
the societal level is a long process,
which is di#cult to control and steer;
however, it is not to be considered an
externality or a variable that cannot
be controlled for.
These three di%erent levels
of capacity development are
indeed equally important and
strictly interdependent: capacity
USTADI: A new model in
Local Capacity Development
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
17
development interventions at one
level are likely to have an impact
on other levels as well. Likewise,
if investments in capacity are
made only at one of these three
levels, neglecting the others, the
results might not be long-lasting
and sustainable as they might
be con"ned to a small group of
individuals or organizations.
Case study
VIMPRO (Vihiga Mushroom Project
(VIMPRO); Contact persons – Mr.
Silingi (Chairman of Service User
group) and Mr. Muyanji (Service
Provider)
VIMPRO is working with farmers
around Vihiga with a strong emphasis
on mushroom production. Their
model revolves around out growers’
support, where farmers buy planting
materials from them and retain the
option of selling back mushrooms
to VIMPRO or to alternative markets
that o#er more competitive prices to
them. Through Ustadi market place
capacity development grant scheme,
Mr. Muyanji was seconded to
support the group in value addition
and product development. His "rst
assignment was to address issues
around phyto-contamination of the
spawns; this was achieved through
partnership with KARI. With the
help of SP, the group had diversi"ed
products under processing based on
complementarily with mushrooms
including forti"ed pumpkin puree
and pawpaw products. Samples
of these products had been taken
to KEBS for testing and awarding
of quality certi"cation (mushroom
$our, pawpaw jam and "nger-
millet porridge). The group has now
embraced some of the hygienic
food processing practices such as
Barcodes (for improved marketing),
quality assurance procedures – HACCP,
use of pectin as a product stabilizer and
documentation of processes.
Since training began in June, 2012,
VIMPRO has distributed 350 tubes (@
KES 1,500) translating to a total of KES.
525,000 with the potential of producing
up to 30kgs of dry mushroom @ KES
200/kg. The group formed a cooperative
society to facilitate farmer payments. The
group now looks forward to establishing
a fully functional food factory. The group
has a cooperative society that serves a
dual purpose for the farmers; facilitating
payments for produce supplied and
enhancing savings and loan facilities.
has ati iety that
Capacity development is a
process that takes place at
three different levels: the
individual level, the organiza-
tional level and the systemic/
societal level.
These three different levels
of capacity development are
indeed equally important and
strictly interdependent: capac-
ity development interventions
at one level are likely to have
an impact on other levels as
well.
of quality certi"cation (mushroom
be punished as they are suppose to be”
he added.
Patrick said that, there are even some
small cultural practices which makes a
woman feel she cannot do anything. For example, they are not
allowed to eat some foods or parts of the chicken, also in some
families a woman is not even allowed to plant a tree or banana
because it is tabooed that it can course disaster in the family.
“It has reach a time for we men to see women as part of us,
they have the same rights as we do ,we should respect and
understand them because they are our mothers, sisters,
daughters and wives” Patrick advised.
“When we get cases of domestic violence or any other
violation, we call all the family members and elders, we discuss
the matters, if we reach an agreement the case end here but if
we don’t reach an agreement we refer it to the District O%cer
or to the court” says John Kidali Kisaka, chief of wodanga
location.
western watch newsletter reporter in Speaking with the western watch newsletter reporter in
his o%ce, John said there are still women’s rights violations
comes to inheritance and rape cases though especially when it comes to inheritance and rape cases though
now the rate has gone down.
“We still have domestic violence, men do not provide for the
family, they spend their money outside and they go home and
demand food which results to "ghting, in a month I receive
two or three cases, rape cases are going down because people
are informed” he says.
John advised courts to speed up cases concerning women
rights and decide on time so as to encourage them to report
their cases.
page 9
By Jean Eyase
Tumaini Support Women Group showcases their
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
18
Social Development
Role of The Department of Gender &
The department of Gender and Social
Development is a department
within the Ministry of Gender,
Children and Social Development. The
mission of this department is to mobilize
and build capacities of communities in
a Gender responsive manner through
participatory approaches for gender
equality and sustainable socioeconomic
development.
The word gender in this perspective
means, men, women, boys and girls all
put together. In the department, we do
not segregate but work with all sexes in
order to achieve social development.
The core mandate of the department
is to mobilize communities so as to
harness their potential to achieve social
and economic development by drawing
strength from each member’s unique
capabilities. This is done through group
dynamics by making the communities
understand that their dynamism
should be used to enhance their living
standards.
Thus the department is charged with
the responsibility of mobilizing people
to form groups and register so as to be
able to mobilize their resources and also
manage them in a fruitful manner.
The word resources in this instance
refers to both material and human
resources that can be used to improve
the lives of the local communities.. Thus
the department in conjunction with
local authorities employees referred
to as Social Development Assistants
(SDAs), mobilize groups, train them and
helps them to register so that they can
be able to pull together their resources
and do projects that enhance their living
standards.
The department works hand in glove
with other government ministries,
departments and non –governmental
organizations in making sure that the
projects that the community establishes
are viable and sustainable. Through
trainings, we help communities to own
projects for purposes of sustainability.
There are also government agencies that
we work with to ensure that communities
are empowered. A good example is the
Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) which
is a Semi Autonomous Government
Agency (SAGA). This agency gives loans
to women led groups so as to make
sure that women are introduced to
credit facilities that are friendly and do
not require a lot of security. So far the
following groups have bene"ted from
the WEF:-The Women Enterprise loans
advanced to groups are interest free with
a grace period of three months from the
date of the cheque disbursement. The
initial loan is Ksh. 50,000 payable within
one year or less as per what the group
decides.
The only charge on this loan is 5%
administrative fee charged on the fund.
This fee is charged at disbursement
so the amount of money received is
normally Ksh. 47,500 but when paying
back, the groups have to give Ksh.
50,000.
After the group has repaid the "rst loan
fully, they are eligible for a second loan
of Ksh. 100,000 with the same terms.
Before a group is funded, it has to meet
various conditions. Mainly, the group
must have a bank account with proof of
the account being active by producing
an up to date bank statement, minutes of
the group having discussed and agreed
to borrow money from WEF, photocopies
of identity cards of the group members.
The group must have also gone through
training on credit management which is
administered by a volunteer employed
by WEF and the certi"cates of the
groups o%cials must be attached to the
application foams.
The department also works with the
National Council for persons with
disabilities (NCPWD). We work with the
By Mumalasi Kanuli; District Social Development O"cer Sabatia
Community Initiative for Millennium Development Goals
WATCH WESTERN
19
provincial administration to identify persons with disabilities
who we send to assessment centers to be able to ascertain the
levels of disability, and then assist them to register with the
council (NCPWD).
Also, the NCPWD works closely with the National Fund for
persons with disabilities by assisting them to get assistive
devices, tools for income generating activities and also assist
to pay fees for genuine needy cases that are either in schools,
collages or even in rehabilitation facilities.
Another component of the Department of Gender is Social
Protection. There are two aspects of social protection:
The cash transfer program for older persons.
The cash transfer program for persons with severe disabilities.
The cash transfer program for older persons targets the elderly
and vulnerable people in the society. Currently, the program is
bene"ting twenty three people in Sabatia constituency who
are above 65 years, very poor and vulnerable. Through the
Postal Corporation, this people get a stipend of Ksh. 2,000 per
month which is paid bi- monthly.
The other cash transfer program for persons with severe
disabilities also targets the persons living with severe
disabilities that need a caregiver throughout. They also get
a stipend of Ksh. 2,000 per month which is paid bi- monthly
through the postal corporation of Kenya. The money is paid
to the caregivers whose details the department headquarters
has.
Thus generally the department of Gender looks at the welfare
of the whole society i.e Men, women, boys and girls and even
the elderly and persons with disabilities in the society.
WARD WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 TOTAL
LYADUYWA/ IZAVA 3,132 1,820 1,661 2,065 8,678
WEST SABATIA 2,851 1,570 1,262 1,502 7,185
CHAVAKALI 2,199 1,521 1,255 1,227 6,202
BUSALI 2,782 1,718 1,545 1,733 7,778
NORTH MARAGOLI 2,314 1,251 1,183 1,517 6,265
WODANGA 2,655 1,582 1,294 1,615 7,146
CONSTITUENCY SUM 15,933 9,462 8,200 9,659 43,254
Voter Registration: Sabatia District
Photo: Courtesy of IEBC
After four weeks of the
voter registration exercise,
Sabatia constituency had
registered a total of 43,254
voters which translates to
72% of the expected liable
voters.
If we want a better Kenya, we
must then fully participate
in choosing leaders who will
foster peace and sustainable
development in our county.
It begins with registering as
a voter.
By Arthur Asava
The date is 30th October, 2012,
the place, Muliro Gardens in
Kakamega town. The mood is
up-beat, background music plays with
periodic interludes of commentaries on
what is on o�er in the brightly coloured,
well-decked tents as buzzes of chit-chat
emerge from the throngs of visitors
surging forward for a better view of the
stands.
Products and services on display
are as diverse as the social status of
the visitors vying to have a look. A
modern Langstroth bee-hive here, a
honey extraction centrifuge there, an
array of dairy products, a goat for milk
production, �lters for water puri�cation,
soya bean yoghurt etc.
Welcome to the ‘Market Place’ a gathering
of buyers and sellers of products and
services brought together by Ustadi,
a consortium of Non-governmental
Organisations (NGO’s) like the Kenya
Local Capacity Development Facility
(KLCDF) SNV (Netherlands Development
Organisation), ACT (formerly Pact Kenya)
various Civil society organizations and
the private sector.
The Ustadi Market Place is unique;
other than goods and services, it is a
market place of ideas, a forum linking
producers of goods and
services to buyers, attracting
new players while providing
technical assistance to local
communities engaged in
agriculture, delivery of water
and sanitation.
“The Market place serves as
a platform to educate local
communities to change the
way they have always done
what they do. It emphasizes
the need for Organizations
and communities to build
business relationships,
network and in�uence new
rules around local capacity
development”, says Alice
Kirambi, Director, Christian Partners
Development Agency, (CPDA).
This concept is demonstrated by the
Vihiga community Development
Organisation’s (VCDO) Apiarist, Henry
Okile who ably explains the advantages
of the modern Langstroth bee-hive over
the traditional hives.
“The Langstroth bee-hive is designed
light, painted in colours attractive to
bees and has a scented wax foundation
embedded in it to limit the period it take
bees to establish a colony,” he says.
“Harvesting honey is easy and
sustainable- the bees are not driven
away nor the wax structure destroyed,
ensuring that the bees begin collecting
nectar immediately afterwards,” he adds.
This second edition of the ‘Market Place’
in Kakamega town (the �rst event was
held there on 27th of June 2012) has been
facilitated CPDA, a provider of capacity
building support to communities within
Western Kenya.
The event coincides with a visit by Ustadi
commissioned consultants, Cobtrad on
a mid-term review to assess structures
of disbursement of the Ustadi grants.
Working towards Development
through community initiative!
Vihiga Community Development Organization (VCDO)
Chavakali/ Kapsabet Road
P.O.Box 250-50311, Wodanga, Kenya
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.vcdorg.wordprss.com
Tel: +254-(056)-45407
Mobile: +254 722 244 434
VCDO IN ACTIONUstadis Market Place Event Returns Ustadis Market Place Event Returns
to Kakamega Townto Kakamega Town
VCDO’s Apiarist explaining how
Harvesting is done to farmers