Taita-Taveta Express Issue No 20

“TAKING NEWS CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE”

MAY 2023

ISSUE NO 20

Governor Andrew Mwadime’s four hours on the cross as he is grilled by EACC over funds misuse in the county

A Governor Andrew Mwadime

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ess than one year into office, the popularity rating of Taita-Taveta governor Andrew Mwadime a.k.a Wakujaa has dropped to an all time low.

The bone of contention has been his inability to come up with serious agenda to convince the residents of this county that he is capable of initiating development projects that will change the lives of his people who, despite hailing from a county rich in resources. majority are still living in abject poverty.

While some people have been of the opinion that it’s too early to judge the governor as a failure, other have already lost hopes on him and disgruntled voters have begun scheming for 2027, top on the list of preferred candidates being political greenhorn and Mwatate MP Peter Shake and his Wundanyi counterpart Danson

Former governor Granton Samboja

Mwashako.

Even a former councilor who had been shouting “Wakujaa” at the top of his lungs in Voi has now grown hoarse, after his shouting yielded no fruits.

Critics are wondering what is holding Mwadime back given that he went into office in what looked like a jujupropelled popularity, with no rivals challenging his victory in court.

Mwadime’s predecessors John Mruttu and Granton Samboja had court cases challenging their victory and academic qualifications respectively.

Probably his major undoing is his seemingly don’t-care attitude and indecisiveness, like the proverbial ostrich which buries its head in the sand hoping the burning issues of the day will just fade away.

In recent months concerns have been mounting on the

Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza

integrity of some of the people working closely with him especially the county first Lady, his economic advisor and a senior officer in the finance department.

Matters reached a head after it merged that his close The two powerful women micro-managing advisors were responsible for Wakujaa: (Left) Wife Sabina Mwadime and misappropriat(right) DG Christine Kilalo ing funds during the WW1 commemoration. and economic advisor as well It’s apparent that had the as the director of communimatter not been exposed by cation were sent on compulthe media, the scandal sory leave. would have been swept unWhether these officers will der the carpet then back to be reinstated or not will have business as usual. a major bearing on However, thanks to the Mwadime’s political image. media exposes, the four officEyebrows have also being ers, including his political raised about the conduct of

ndrew Mwadime has become the first governor to be grilled by the Ethics And Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) over public funds misuse since the last general elections in August last year.

However, Mwadime dismissed these claims when he appeared at the EACC headquarters on Tuesday where he was grilled for four hours.

The governor had been summoned by EACC to shed light on the misappropriation of funds during the World War 1 commemoration event in which more than Sh 8 million was reportedly misused.

The EACC is investigating allegations of corruption, procurement irregularities and embezzlement of public funds by officials of Taita-Taveta Couny government during the WW1 event held between November 23 and26 last year.

A visibly exasperated governor Mwadime who at one time parried questions from journalists outside Integrity Centre said the four county officials sent on compulsory leave would be declared guilty or other wise after investigations had been concluded.

The four are Thomas Nyambu Njumwa (Economic advisor), Philemon Madeda(Head of Protocol),Richard Lukindo( Political Advisor) and Michikirwa Ndelejai(Director of Communication) Mwadime was also grilled over the infamous bonding trip to Zanzibar by senior officials from the Taita-Taveta County Assembly and 21 MCAs in which public funds were allegedly misappropriated. the county first lady Sabina Mwadime who was the officer in charge of the county audit during the government of Granton Samboja.

Allegations of the first lady meddling in county affairs alongside a senior finance officer who served under

both Mruttu and Samboja administration have been made, though the governor has remained tight-lipped on the same.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Fresh standoff between Taita-Taveta county government and iron ore miner over Sh 53m cess The Taita-Taveta County government has impounded six lorries that were transporting iron ore from Kishushe.

The lorries belonging to Samrudha Resources have allegedly being ferrying out the ore at night to avoid paying cess said to be in excess of Sh 53m.

This has escalated the standoff between the county government and the mining company which has been locked in a controversy with the management of Kishushe ranch.

The deputy governor Christine Kilalo, while addressing the press at Ndii where the lorries were being held, claimed the mining company was in cess arrears of over Sh53m accumulated for eight months.

“The investor has resorted to transporting the ore at night to evade enforcement and revenue officers” Kilalo said adding that the investor is yet to pay another Sh30m owed to the community in the spirit of corporate social responsibility(CSR) However a spokesman for the

company denied that they were evading paying cess to the county government.

He pointed out that the Sh53m being demanded by the county government was ridiculous saying that a Mombasa court had restrained the county government from collecting cess from the mining company.

A court order issued by Lady Justice O.A Sewe on March 3 restrained the county government from collecting Sh60m from Samrudha Resources for transport cess.

The mining company had taken the county government to court to dispute the amount demanded as cess.

During a meeting chaired by the CS for Mining, Petroleum and Blue Economy Salim Mvurya at Kishushe recently, the mining company agreed to pay the Sh30m owed to the community in instalments of Sh10m in a fortnight.

The company spokesman said that the company had already paid

Sh10m to the chairman of the Kishushe community, meanwhile committing themselves to settle the remaining amount by June this year.

Taita-Taveta Express

NEWS ANALYSIS, COMICS & CARICATURES

2

BY PASCAL MWANDAMBO FROM PAGE ONE

Why governor Mwadime’s popularity rating is falling In fact the declining popularity of Wakujaa should serve as the writing on the wall that come 2027 voters in the county will be shopping around for a replacement.

The best he can do to retain his dignity is to back down in the next polls after serving his constitutional five years or face the humiliation his two other predecessors have faced at the ballot.

“Personally, I don’t think governor Mwadime has ambitions of running for a second term. But as it usually happens, he may yield to pressure from his handlers and those benefitting from his office , but the outcome may not be pleasant for him,” said a lawyer who had been close to the governor’s campaign machinery.

This notwithstanding, bringing a watertight impeachment case against the governor could be a tall order unless the MCAs do their homework well and perform serious oversight on the executive , something they have not being doing, save useless foreign benchmarking trips.

His Meru counterpart Kawira Mwangaza, also an independent governor, tasted the wrath of her MCAs but the senate saved her neck after the impeachment case was thrown out for not meeting the required threshold.

Mwangaza had been accused of among other things, giving her so-called first husband Murega Baichu two county jobs as the patron of the Meru Youth Service and Meru Hustlers Ambassador.

It’s alleged that the county first lady is the one micromanaging the governor alongside his deputy Christie Kilalo a ruthlessly ambitious politician who has lost the Voi parliamentary seat and Ngolia ward seat twice in a row.

Wrong advice on advisors People critical to the Wakujaa administration have also voiced concern over the large number of “advisors” at the governor’s beck and call. Apart from the economic and political advisors , Mwadime later added five other advisors, who , according to some residents, are just liabilities draining county coffers with nothing tangible to offer.

These are Water, hygiene sanitation and health, Cohesion, peace building and conflict resolution, Lands and governance and Blue economy and investment advisors.

While a peace and reconciliation advisor could be relevant in North Rift counties which are experiencing volatile conflicts and banditry the same is uncalled for in Taita-Taveta county and whoever advised Mwadime to create such a post shot himself in the foot.

Secondly, an advisor on lands is unimportant considering that already there is a CECM and chief officer for lands.

In fact governor Mwadime can as well do away with the economic and political advisors who are now on forced leave after they were implicated in mismanaging funds for the WW1 commemoration event.

These posts were created by the Council of Governors but a governor is under no legal obligation to have them and might as well do away with them if he wants to.

(See related opinion piece on page 3)

Riggy G, the grandmaster of goofs and gaffes

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enyan’s political history is replete with leaders who, more often than not, brightened our days with their acute sense of humour and shenanigans.

By tickling our funny bone, we sometimes overlook some of their serious character flaws.

Many have heard of the ribcracking jokes from the likes of Mulu Mutisya, Odongo Omamo, Shariff Nassir and more recently, Kalembe Ndile.

In the last elections another politician began gaining notoriety for his tongue in cheek jokes and light moments that made easy fodder for cartoonists and meme makers.

That’s none other than deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.

Before being propelled to the national limelight by being chosen as president Ruto’s running mate, Gachagua was a little known politician.

His being connected with multimillion corruption scandals aside, Gachagua began amusing many with his light touch statements, which have sparked far reaching reactions from netizens.

During the deputy presidential debate last year, while appearing side by side with his Azimio counterpart Martha Karua, Gachagua amazed many when he was asked about the price of kerosene.

“I don’t know the price because I usually don’t go to the supermarket” he quipped to the amazement of all.

During the burial of his late brother l last year, Gachagua amazed many when he said lightheartedly, “I think it’s a good concept to have many children. When Europeans came they told us to get two children and we accepted that.

Looking back at my case,I think it was foolish” However, the most hilarious moment was during the swearing in ceremony at Kasarani stadium when Gachagua misread the script, leading to confusion.

As the chief registrar started reading out the oath, she suddenly stopped after Gachagua was captured whispering someone to her ear.

This moment of confusion ignited hilarious reactions online, with memes flooding social media platforms, with some remarking that Gachagua was trying to swear himself into office!

In fact his fast rise to social media fame has been connected with his poor sense of fashion, something he has publicly admitted, saying he did not have time to buy new clothes during the campaign period.

From ill-fitting suits to oversize jackets, floppy trousers and all, these have ignited

trolls on social media and more so from Kenyans on Twitter (KOT).

Following his nomination as the UDA presidential running mate, Gachagua appeared in public wearing oversize suits with many wondering if he shares the same tailor with president Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.

Some went as far as offering to help him fix his wardrobe for the sake of his image as the second most powerful leader in the country.

“I know of a place we can get slim-fit suits that will make you look stylish and people will start seeing you as a deputy president”a Twitter user commented in one of the online trolls.

However, while insisting that his wife Dorcas who is a pastor was happy with the manner in which he dressed, the deputy president admitted that he was in a pretty bad shape and had started hitting the gym.

“Going forward, I will be back in the gym. I know many people have been raising questions about how I dress and I want to tell them I had no luxury to think about dressings. I was caring about my life, I was in danger and I had to look over my shoulders to make sure that I live to take care of my family” Gachagua had once told journalists at his Karen home, adding, “ I am in pretty bad shape. In another three months, I will be in very good shape and people will love it” Talking of his past, Gachagua has never failed to remind all who care to listen that he rose from a humble background where clothing items like underwear were a luxury.

He has publicly revealed that he wore that piece of clothing while in form two.

However, the deputy president has always insisted that he is a committed family man, who cares about family values.

A couple of weeks ago, accompanied by his wife Dorcas, the deputy president walked for more than eight kilometres to visit his aunt.

Along the way he came into contact with some of his village mates who grew up with him.

“As I walked to her home,

which is 8 kilometres away, it brought back memories of similar journeys I made to her home in the seventies to get yellow passion fruits” Gachagua reminisced.

The deputy president has now gladly accepted the moniker Riggy-G and rewarded the content creator Ivy Chelimo who came up with it.

He described it as being melodious to the ear”, adding that it had made it easier for people who would experience difficulties pronouncing his full names.

“The young lady decided that Rigathi Gachagua is a little bit difficult and not melodious, we need to give him the name Riggy G” he was

quoted saying.

He said the Kenya Kwanza administration would continue rewarding talents as part of a grand plan to create more employment opportunities for the jobless youths.

On her part, Chelimo said on Twitter that she was overwhelmed by Gachagua’s gesture.

“I have shed tears, but never like tonight. God saw me and chose to reward me” she said.

As time progresses I am sure Kenyan’s will be regaled with more humorous gems from this grand master of political anecdotes, his powerful calling as second in command notwithstanding. …et

Taita-Taveta Express

OPINION

3

Governor Andrew Mwadime, rise up and work because you promised to

BY MARY MKANJALA

nate salary delays, resulting in rental evictions, school dropouts among their progeny, and s the Governor of untold agony stemming from Taita Taveta counbelated loan deductions. These ty, you were belaborers form the backbone of stowed with the the local economy, and their profound responsibility of cata- industrious contributions unlyzing positive change and faderpin the small-scale vendors, cilitating sustainable developboda-boda riders, and sundry ment in the region. The elecenterprises. They voted overtorate resonated with the hopes whelmingly for you, trusting and aspirations you articulated that you would prioritize their during your campaign, and it welfare. Hence, it is imperative was on this basis that you were to ask: what has occasioned the elected to your present posishift from your initial committion. ment to engender alternate Regrettably, we have noticed a revenue streams to tackle some palpable deviation from the of the most exigent issues? ideals and commitments you Governor, it is a shame that the passionately enunciated during county staff is enduring such your electoral campaign. Your unwarranted hardships even as decisions and actions since they endeavor to deliver essenyour inauguration as governor tial services to the community. have not conformed to the The gravity of the situation is promises that were made, leav- exacerbated by the fact that ing many of us disillusioned their distress radiates to their and disenchanted. We implore dependents and the wider sociyou to revisit the commitments ety. As a leader elected on a you articulated and take unemandate of prioritizing the quivocal measures to fulfill people’s welfare, it is incumthem for the betterment of Taita bent upon you to act resolutely Taveta county and its residents. and expeditiously. It is vital to Recall, Governor, the pledges uphold your vow to institute you made during your camalternate revenue streams to paign period. You explicitly defray emergency needs and assured us that all county preclude salary delays. This health facilities would be suffi- approach will alleviate the ciently furnished with medical county staff of their present supplies and personnel. Howpredicament and restore their ever, there is an ostensible disconfidence in your leadership. crepancy between your rhetoric As a leader, it is essential to and reality. Immediately after prioritize the welfare of those assumption of office, you made who elected you and ensure an unpremeditated visit to Moi that their aspirations are realCounty Referral Hospital Voi ized. Thus, it is incumbent upand reiterated your commiton you to take concrete ment to enhancing health facili- measures to address the current ties for the betterment of the crisis and forestall its recurresidents. You failed to actualrence in the future. ize these promises in this deI comprehend that you are conpartment! versant with the pressing issue As residents, we hold you and of pending bills that has beleayour office accountable for the guered our county since the pledges made during your advent of devolution. Regrettacampaigns. Your vow to probly, your predecessor failed to vide superior healthcare faciliameliorate this quagmire. Howties to the residents was a criti- ever, during your countywide cal factor in your election. It is campaign, you pledged to liqlamentable that the elderly uidate all outstanding dues populace, who formerly enowed to contractors and supplijoyed free medical services, are ers expeditiously once you asnow without access to quality sumed office. Nonetheless, healthcare. The provision of these contractors and suppliers quality healthcare is a fundahave lately aired their grievancmental right of every citizen, es before the County Assembly and we entreat you to uphold budget committee, protesting this right and restore dignity to your unfulfilled promise. I imour vulnerable population who plore you to prioritize the resocannot afford private lution of these outstanding healthcare. debts, as it is not only your As a candidate seeking public responsibility but also a moral office, you proffered a solemn obligation that you owe to your commitment to county workers county residents. that if elected, their remuneraIt is critical to understand that tions would be paid expediliquidating these unpaid bills is tiously every month. Moreover, not a mere discharge of debt. you pledged to establish local Instead, it is an investment in mechanisms to address exigent the local economy that will needs such as medical supplies enable contractors and suppliand their salaries in the event of ers to resume their businesses, delayed disbursement of funds create employment opportunifrom the National Treasury. ties for our youth, and enhance However, the current scenario our citizens’ livelihoods. As paints a diametrically different you are cognizant, the informal portrait and betrays your sector is a pivotal cog in our promises. County personnel are economy, and any menace to its presently weathering inordiexistence owing to non-

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payment will adversely impact the common mwananchi, your devoted voters. They entrusted you with their future and cast their ballots for you in the hope that you would live up to your promises. The time has now come to uphold those commitments and demonstrate your mettle as a leader.

On a matter that has been whispered about in clandestine tone; Our revenue collection has been diminishing at an alarming rate, raising questions about whether tax evasion has proliferated or if there is an undisclosed route through which our taxes are being surreptitiously funneled. If this ominous trend persists, it will undoubtedly impede service delivery, as the revenue stream was budgeted for in the annual budget. During your election campaign, you made a solemn promise to plug all the loopholes that are siphoning our taxes and streamline revenue collections. However, our own revenue collection has plunged to a paltry less than 30%.

Therefore, it is imperative that you take prompt and resolute action to investigate and address the issue of revenue collection. This will not only invigorate transparency and accountability in the government but also restore public confidence in the governance system. Moreover, it will facilitate adequate financing of crucial development initiatives and public services. Therefore, I implore you to take the necessary measures to revive revenue collection to acceptable standards. Failure to do so will have far-reaching implications and erode the trust that citizens have reposed in your government.

I would like to laud you for your meritorious efforts to support the education of vulnerable children through the allocation of 100 million shillings for the kit. Nonetheless, I have an earnest concern regarding your participation in the Wards bursary awards exercise. This is an exercise that could be competently handled by a Member of County Assembly in the respective Ward, accompanied by a representative from your office.

By attending this event, along with half of your government, you incur superfluous expenses such as allowances, travel, and much more, which could have been allocated to the bursary allocation basket, thereby benefitting more children. During your campaign, you vowed to establish a government that would prioritize serving the people and eschew squandering financial resources at the expense of ordinary folks. I implore you to allocate the such funds to educate more vulnerable children, rather than dissipating them on avoidable expenditures. Only then can you fulfill your commitment to a government that is genuinely

committed to serving the people and putting their needs first.

Your campaign platform's unequivocal stance on addressing the pressing water crisis in our county was a decisive factor in garnering our enthusiastic support for you. However, we must convey our collective disappointment at the seeming abandonment of majority residents plight, as they continue to languish in their pursuit of potable water. Despite the National Government through Ministry of Water assurances regarding the refurbishment of the Kighombo and Mwatate dams, we remain unsure of the county government’s meaningful contributions to these endeavors. Past experiences have shown us that the county government has taken undue credit for national government projects, only to be challenged by well-informed residents.

While your government officials visit to Kishenyi dam to expedite the desilting process before the rainy season was a commendable display of attention, it appears to have been nothing more than a superficial show of commitment. Unfortunately, we will find ourselves grappling with the same water shortage predicament a mere few months in future. We implore you to revisit your campaign manifesto and rekindle your unwavering commitment to addressing the water crisis in Taita Taveta County. Your election was based on the promise of progress and efficient leadership, yet you seem to be reneging on your responsibilities in these trying times, less than a year into your tenure. The people of Taita Taveta County reposed their trust in you with their votes, and they are looking to you for solutions. The time has come for you to display decisive leadership and implement tangible measures to deliver on your commitments. It is of utmost importance that you prioritize the welfare of our majority residents and ensure that they no longer endure the hardship of seeking out clean water.

As a concerned and dedicated voter who fervently espoused your campaign, I find myself thoroughly disenchanted by your outright disdain for the very manifesto that you championed with such unbridled passion during your candidacy.

It is with a heavy heart that I bear witness to your trajectory down the same deleterious path as your predecessors, culminating in their ignominious demise, abbreviated term in office, and an avalanche of animus from disenchanted voters who were hoodwinked by their Insubstantial promises.

Governor, while I am cognizant of the arduous challenges that you confront, it is imperative that you distinguish yourself

Kishenyi Dam in Wundanyi sub-county: Concerned residents are accusing the county government of failing to address the water issue effectively/PHOTO/COURTESY

The Voi Moi Referral hospital (above) and (below) a worker at the medical institution: The county government has so far not addressed the welfare of medical staff effectively

from the pack by delivering tangible, unequivocal outcomes. I implore you to retrace your steps before you forfeit the confidence and loyalty of a multitude of others who believed in your leadership.

While it may be premature to render an irreversible judgment on your tenure, the writing on the wall is glaringly evident.

The future appears bleak for the county, and it is your responsibility, Governor Andrew

Mwadime Wakujaa, to reverse this course.

Empty rhetoric is grossly insufficient; actions must be congruent with the proclamations made, and the vows taken during the campaign must be realized. Only then can you garner the unfaltering allegiance and assurance of the people whom you represent.

-Truly Patriotic, -Mary Mkanjala – Voice of Voiceless

Taita-Taveta Express

SOCIETY

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The rising mental illness c many are overlooking des To a casual observer, Willy Mumo Kasuki is just an ordinary businessman at the Voi lower market.

The smart, soft-spoken and unassuming father of five goes about his regular business errands, raising resources to support his family like anybody else does.

However, Willy has been living with mental illness for more than twenty years.

In fact he doesn’t hesitate to recount the tribulations he has undergone as a mentally ill person.

He says some of his close relatives used to treat him with disdain while others chose to ignore him as a lost cause.

At the worst they kept away from him fearing that the condition may strike at any moment.

He says his first wife was taken away by his parents- in-law after he began developing mental problems.

He says were it not for his second wife who has been taking care of him, including helping him take the prescribed drugs regularly, probably he could be among the many mentally ill patients roaming Voi town and its environs.

In fact Mumo’s case is a clear pointer that mental illness, once detected early, can be put in check.

“The government needs to think about putting up a rehabilitation center in Taita-Taveta county to help these mentally ill patients” says Mumo.

However, the story of Lilian Mkita from Mwakingali village in the outskirts of Voi town is a depressing one.

Mkita has been having a hectic time with her mentally ill son who dropped out of school in form three.

“My son was doing well in school until second term in form three when he refused to go back to school. His excuse was that he was being bullied by other students. This did not sound normal for me since it’s usually form ones who get bullied by older students. I went to school to enquire from the principle about my son’s problem.

But to my utter dismay, the principle told me that my son had been complaining of being attacked by strange people in the dormitory. Eventually he disappeared from school”.

The distraught mother says that his son has now turned the house into a military garrison of sorts, setting up armories of all kinds. He moves around the compound with a wooded plank, taking aim as though he was a commando knocking down enemies in a high noon desert duel.

On some occasions, Mkita’s son disappears only to resurface after several days, looking hungry and haggard. She says the illness comes in spells, especially during the cold season.

“I think my son is bewitched because he was doing very well in school,” the woman says ruefully.

This is just one of many cases that

have come to characterize the rise and rise of mentally ill people in Voi town.

Even though they say that every market has at least a mad person, Voi town has more that its fair share of metal sick persons.

The bus park is now resembling a lunatic asylum and unless spiritual leaders take action this tourism resort town may soon have its image totally dented by these homeless and sorry souls.

While it may be a trifle unkind to describe these mentally ill people as an eyesore, it would be imperative if action was taken to put up a home for the mentally ill, where they can undergo rehabilitation and keep them away from the main town.

A survey by Taita-Taveta Express has revealed that within the Voi Central Business District, there are about thirty mentally ill persons, mostly male, lost in their own world, while other people go about their chores, unconcerned.

Chances are that you are likely to encounter a mentally sick person within a radius of between 20 to 50 metres.

In the dead of the night, once you alight at Voi the bus park, you will not fail to catch sight of one of these sorry souls, sleeping on the verandahs, curved up like a carpenter’s ruler.

Their favorite haunt is the Coast Bus booking office.

They troop to this popular rendezvous like moths to a lantern.

Some come with all their earthily belongings in sacks and old bags.

These mentally sick people come from different parts of the county and according to some observers most of them have been neglected by their families or have run away to forage for foodstuffs and other items in town, which they cannot get in the village.

Frank Joseph, a witch-buster from Tanzania, says the problem is partly due to rampant witchcraft in Voi and Taita-Taveta as a whole.

“Local people only claim to be deeply religious but their actions are not.

Most of those who claim to be religious adherents are themselves witches when darkness falls and are using demonic forces to settle scores with their foes,” says Frank, who also goes under the trade mark Maji Marefu.

He says sometimes the problem arises in some families of superstitious people who believe in keeping demonic powers for protection and to get riches, only for these powers to turn against them with disastrous consequences.

A doctor in the town who sought anonymity however said stress of modern living can lead to mental illnesses which can go out of hand if not detected early and treated.

He says some of the cases referred to him are mainly of middle-aged workers who were retrenched early from some parastatals in town.

“I give such people counseling on how to handle obligations such as

catering for their families in the face of the new challenges,” says the doctor.

He points out that in situations where such people do not get proper counseling, they may eventually turn to drugs such as alcohol to look for solace and comfort, only for the problem to spiral out of control.

Taita-Taveta Express

SOCIETY

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cases in Voi is a crisis spite its impact on society

V

oi town has also begun gaining the dubious reputation of cultism and devil worship, though emerging issues like Freemasonry and illuminati are hardly being discussed openly, even though it’s widely known that most prominent businesses are thriving on powers of darkness to make riches where some fall victims as sacrifices for these dark forces.

While cults like Freemasonry are associated with celebs such as actors and musicians who are out to get money and fame in some western countries, in Voi it’s about making riches.

Jobless youths tend to be the victims as most are lured into these secret and dark societies by being promised quick money and prosperous life only to be sacrificed.

Most of these youths are now being introduced into anti-social habits such as gayism and lesbianism by Freemasons who now have a hall in Voi. Those in the know claim changing one’s sexual orientation is among the “sacrifices” one must give to be a successful member among the Freemasons.

Many international stars have openly confessed to being gay and illuminati, and in the recent past, this form of cultism has begun rearing its ugly face in Voi. A woman from Kariokor narrated how she found an abandoned baby under a power line near Fine Breeze who was crying loudly. When she approached to pick it up , she was struck by a strange force. When she regained her senses, the “baby” had vanished!

The malady has also infected most churches, with religious leaders using demonic powers to exorcise evil spirits and make money from followers.

Most juju in these churches are said to come from the neighboring country Tanzania, ,Mombasa and Ukambani, while there is also talk of Nigerian jujus in some churches.

Taita-Taveta Express

HUMOUR

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Makaveli’s woes as greedy wife feeds on chicken and its products in their business still give some good advice to the like of Makaveli knowing pretty well that the major source of his misery is his meanness and self-centeredness.

However this time round I vowed inwardly that I wouldn’t give my advice and counselling for free.

He either waives one month rent or pays my water and electricity bills at the very least.

MWALIMU KIBAO’S DIARY Mark you when he comes to my house, he is under my territory, within his plot anyway.

In the last couple of weeks, my landAs I poured tea for him, he kept lord Makaveli has been a close friend craning his eyes around the house of mine owing to several issues that probably checking for any damages I have been occurring in his life. could have done to his property or I call him friend with some hesitaany illegal connections and gadgets tion, since he is neither my enemy that drain a lot of power. because as the owner of the structure I have told him several times that he that I live in, I have to try my best to cope with his shenanigans or else ship connects us with token meters so that we can pay for power and use it as we out. want but he has flatly refused.

Being a friend to a miser is in fact a He says token meters charge more very tricky affair. than ordinary monthly bills, you may Makaveli will always come to me for think he is the one who will pay our advice when the chips are down, but bills. will never give me any favour in reAnyway, he sipped the tea and after turn. deep reflection opened up.

Take the other day for instance. I The whole problem centered around have been hearing altercations from his house in the dead of the night and a chicken business he was convinced to start by his wife.

I can bet my miserable wages that he You see the wife loves eating chicken has been fighting with his morose and chicken products so much that wife. she convinced Makaveli to start a simSo when he called me out the other ilar business. day, he was looking downcast, deI have been passing close to the busipressed, with a big scar on his foreness in Mavumbi town but had no head. idea it was his wife’s brainchild.

The latest fight must have been seriApparently the business had picked ous as the wife appears to have beaten up well, mainly dealing with eggs, the living hell out of him. dressed chicken and chicken parts I could tell from his mood that he was ashamed to talk about his predic- especially the heads and feet.

However ,the major problem was ament but he still wanted my advice.

You see it’s hard to advise someone on the rate at which his wife was feeding on the stock, which was counterproissues he has not disclosed. ductive.

I am neither a marriage counselor If she was not eating chicken she was nor a motivational speaker but I can

busy consuming eggs with reckless abandon.

That kind of appetite can kill the business and if truth be told ,the business was almost on its knees.

I told you before that Makaveli is a retired accountant.

So instead of stocking chicken products that his greedy wife would consume, he decided to venture into day old chicks.

The kienyeji and broiler chicks would be ordered from Nairobi straight to Mavumbi town to Makaveli Kuku Empire.

Sadly the empire is collapsing faster than it came up, reason being the wife has refused to sell day old chicks while on the other hand there are no ready buyers.

In brief that’s what is causing endless fights between my landlord and his morose wife.

I told Makaveli that selling day old chicks is a tricky business.

“You can’t stock day old chicks the way you stock eggs in a shop as these creatures are very delicate. Chances are they may die if not well taken care of, or alternatively, rare them yourself to adult chicken”.

“The problem is that woman in my house. She only knows how to eat, but hardly brings anything on the table” he said almost angrily.

There are limits to which one can intervene when it comes to domestic relationships so I threw in the towel.

“Maybe you should shut down the chicken business altogether and open a hardware store. Start selling roofing nails and barbed wire” I opined lightheartedly.

Makaveli looked at me in the eye and said nothing.

That piece of advice had not gone down well with him.

Of aflatoxin scare and a crafty scheme to make a quick buck from condemned food impending crisis.

We held an impromptu meeting which was also attended by our prinLast term before breaking for the cipal Obote .

May holidays, we had an incident that Among the resolutions that were threw the school fraternity into panic reached was carrying a thorough testafter a form two student was taken ill ing of all the foodstuff in the store after consuming a meal of ugali. especially maize and rice which are Following the incident in another more prone to aflatoxin infection. part of the country where students This was to be conducted during the perished and several were hospitalholidays before schools reopened. ized after eating food suspected of Our deputy headmaster(sorry, princibeing poisoned, the school administra- pal) Mr Napoleon Bonaparte would tion felt obliged to carry out thorough lead the exercise assisted by yours investigation into the matter. truly.

Luckily the student was treated at However, I led the teachers in shootMavumbi referral hospital and dising down a suggestion by the princicharged but the panic continued to pal that the teachers on duty should spread within the student community. be obliged to test all the food before There were rumours that students students take it. were planning to boycott meals with I told the meeting that while it’s imsome complaining that the grains perative for students safety to be asfrom which githeri was being made sured it was morally wrong to use were infested with weevils. teachers as guinea pigs.

Weevils or no weevils, as the teacher “Bwana principal, suggesting that on duty and the discipline master, I teachers taste the food before students felt obliged to ensure that the matter is consume it is like insinuating that we immediately addressed to forestall an are immune to food poisoning and

therefore working like shields for student safety. Truth is, if food is contaminated it will affect everyone of us” Every teacher concurred with me including Marashi my literature colleague who was nodding like a monitor lizard.

To be sincere I am a chemistry teacher but detecting aflatoxin in grains is a different thing altogether.

However, I sold the idea to Napoleon that the two of us can make a quick buck by declaring the whole food consignment unfit for human consumption.

After that we shall stage manage a destruction exercise , then later sell the foodstuff and pocket the loot.

So throughout the holiday period, Napoleon and yours truly have been working around the clock to ensure the exercise of destroying the contaminated food is a success.

The food will be destroyed at the school compound at night during the first week of opening, but only Napoleon, yours truly and three prefects will witness the exercise , to minimise

exposure to harmful smoke from the burning food.

Behind the scenes I have already hatched plans for the supply of sawdust and some waste papers.

Sonambao, a timber merchant in Mavumbi town will discreetly supply the sawdust and other waste to the school, at a fee of course.

After burning the “contaminated foodstuff” Napoleon and I shall spirit out the real foodstuff and store it safely till we get a willing buyer.

That’s how our plans to make a quick buck stand at the moment, and damn the consequences. …Et

Taita-Taveta Express To a casual observer, Voi town in Taita- Taveta County is among the fastest growing urban centres in Coast region and a business hub gearing towards a twenty four hour economy.

In fact for visitors, the rapid growth of the town is an indicator of the huge economic potential that Voi holds , being located next to the busy Nairobi -Mombasa highway, the Nairobi Kisumu Railway line and the expansive Tsavo National Park.

Voi missed becoming one of the tourism resort cities in Coast region in line with vision 2030 , the main problem being lack of enough land for expansion and lack of a watertight master plan that could guide this rapid expansion.

However, beyond this seemingly rapid expansion and development lies a challenge that might soon become a nightmare to town planners given that initial blueprints that had been designed to guide the planning of the town have largely been ignored and corruption, political patronage and mediocrity have seen the emergence of runaway infrastructure, buildings and numerous informal settlements whose structures do not conform to any architectural standards.

It’s not uncommon to find triangular plots in the town, not by design but by default, while some structures are built on plots whose shapes are not defined in geometry.

In another case that illustrates the haphazard plans being used to allocate plots in Voi township, one of the private developers was allocated a plot with a power transmission pole complete with a transformer inside it.

According to an former MD of the Taita-Taveta Water and Sewerage Company (Tavevo) the poor planning of the town has been a big challenge to the water company when it came to the issue of laying pipelines and connecting water to new buildings.

“Some of the town planners who came to Voi in recent years totally ignored the way leaves that had been demarcated for water pipelines and future expansions and allocated plots which ended up over lapping the way leaves. Some of the Part Development plans(PDPs) designed by the then Voi municipal council planners also added to the confusion as they disregarded the sections set aside for water pipes” he says.

He cited an example of the problems they encountered while laying the Sh 137 million Msinga 2 Pipeline funded by the World Bank which was meant to double the water supply to Voi town and its environs.

“The Msinga 1 pipeline was put up in the 1960s and a way leave of 9 meters on both sides of the pipeline clearly demarcated for future expansion.

However, when the Msinga 2 pipeline was being put up in 2013 we encountered a lot of problems because people had constructed houses right on top of the new pipeline way leave,” he said.

However, he pointed out that eventually the World Bank compensated those who were affected before they moved out to pave way for the ambitious water project which will be commissioned later this year.

He pointed out that even at the moment, the company was getting problems connecting new building to the water mains because of lack of a through way for the pipes.

“Sometimes we are forced to incur extra expenses putting up water pipes along longer routes to new buildings because the shorter and more economical routes have already been blocked by other buildings,” said the former Tavevo official.

In fact the Voi bus Park is one major indicator of how haphazard planning of Voi has lead to congestion and confusion.

NEWS FEATURE

7

Why poor planning is the bane of Voi town in spite of its rapid expansion

The area had initially been earmarked to be a matatu park but is now being used by buses, lorries, bodabodas, taxis and pushcarts. The lower part of the bus park is taken up by kiosks which are constructed right under power lines.

What was to be a bus park was later on taken over by a private developer before it changed hands to become the site of the ACK Cathedral.

The lorry park was later moved to Maungu township after the area earmarked for the same was grabbed while the slaughter house at Kariokor was deemed a health hazard as it was located in a residential area and was subsequently moved to Ndara area where it still faces challenges especially availability of water.

The plot that was Initially allocated for a Social Hall has now been turned into an open air market. An alternative site for this social amenity has so far not been identified.

After the plot meant for a public toilet in the Voi CBD was reportedly grabbed by a private developer, the confusion heightened.

As such in 2007 the public health department sued the then Voi Municipal Council to compel the local authority to put up a public toilet at the CBD and also relocate the abattoir at Kariokor to a safer location as it was deemed a public health hazard.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that initial blueprints that were designed to guide the planning and expansion of Voi town have largely been ignored or overtaken by time and it’s high time the county designs new master plans to put a check on the runaway expansion.

The case of solid and liquid waste management is another thorn in the flesh. The Voi CBD does not have a proper sewerage plan and it’s not uncommon to find the filth flowing freely in the town.

This is despite the fact that in 2005 the World Bank had undertaken a Sh500 million feasibility study on sewage management in Voi town and its environs through the then Ministry of Local Government(MOLG).

The feasibility study has never been actualized and planners estimate that the cost could have risen threefold.

Voi town owes its history to the construction of the Kenya-Uganda railway line at the turn of the twentieth century, when small businesses mainly owned by Indian railway builders, began to come up.

The name derives from chief Kivoi Mwendwa, a long distance trader and slave dealer who introduced early missionaries to the Kenyan hinterland.

Two buildings(top) and (bottom) whose plots do not have a firebreak and conjoined wall to wall, clear indication of poor planning

Chief Kivoi’s caravan used to make a stopover in Voi where they exchanged dry bush meat (midanda) and honey with grains from the locals..

Eventually the locals began referring to the town as “Kwa Kiwoi” …et

Chief Kivoi Mwendwa from whom the town derives its name

A man walks past flowing sewage at the Kamkunji stalls in Voi town: Poor sewerage system is one of the challenges facing this fast growing town

Taita-Taveta Express

COUNTY NEWS

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Concerns raised as strange Miss Taita-Taveta emerges in Mwadime’s government despite no contest held When the photo of one Elizabeth Wakesho appeared in social media groups of TaitaTaveta County, the internet was abuzz with reactions.

Comments came in fast and furious, with some complimenting her for her beauty while others were curious on how she had come to bag coveted prize.

The photo of a smiling Wakesho strolling with the deputy governor Christine Kilalo got tongues wagging, with many asking for details on where the beauty contest was held and where.

In the past county governments the Miss Taita-Taveta contest has been a controversial issue which began during Mruttu’s time when the then CECM Alexander Mwangeka(now serving a jail term at Shimo La Tewa) found himself at the receiving end after the crowned Miss TTC turned out to be not only a resident of Kwale county but also above the stipulated age.

However, Wakesho’s case is a different kettle of fish not only because the contest was not held in the county but also because it was hardly publicised until she burst into the limelight, smiling gloriously with county leaders.

To begin with, the Miss Taita-Taveta title comes with several obligations and not just beauty per se.

The title holder is required to be the county ambassador on various issues germane to the county such as tourism.

“We are missing the point by being critical of the lady instead of addressing the opaque manner in which this contest was held” ranted one social media user.

Following these concerns raised by netizens, Wakesho sought to clear the air as follows: In her own words: Following the recent concerns on whether the title of Miss County Taita Taveta is rightfully mine, I Wakesho Mwashori, Miss Fashion Couture KCA University, and Miss County Taita- Taveta ,I’m addressing the matter as follows: It should be noted that Miss County Beauty Contest is a registered brand on its own that is self sponsored ,where I competed with my fellow Taita models for the crown. It Is not a pageant held by the county government, and that being said, I believe we have so many pageants around,

and it depends on what you stand for with your crown. For me regardless of my brand I aim to be a voice for my people and with a title that is rightfully mine use it to curb issues I may face ahead and what should be focused on is how I represent my county and not the pageant I am under .

ing, I have a coach who has been training me for years.

8.I thank the Taita Taveta leadership for the overwhelming support they have offered so far and the pieces of advice they would bring fourth during our interactions. Therefore, it should be noted that I am open to anyone else who would be interested in helping me become a better version of myself as I carry the brand.

The Miss County competitions were held for the whole coastal region on 28th January 9.With regards to that, I do believe that a 2023, the third edition. I was honoured to leader builds and does not tear down have won the title after successfully compeople, especially the youth. If there peting with other models at the Mombasa is a concern, I do believe there is a Beach Hotel. proper channel to address it without creating doubts on people’s minds I won the title and got my certificate and questioning someone’s title puband contract with the company licly. This can really affect someone’s as annexed. Thereafter, I attendmental health and competitions in the ed a boot camp, which was held future. in Maseno Trinity, to further be brought to speed with how best 10.All I’m saying is we should be mindful to use my position to empower of our words especially as leader’s because its expected of you to bring a the community with a special community together rather than creinterest in the youth. ate a rift.It is wisdom to learn to lift each other up and not bring your own I am set to compete for the Miss people down.

County Kenya title on November 3rd this year in Mombasa Pride Inn Hotel .

I, as Miss County Taita- Taveta, promised to use my title for the benefit of our people and do my very best to bring the crown home.

Let me take this chance to introduce what I stand for. My project is on mental health, especially for the youth that is boy and girl child.

Mental health is something that the community doesn’t talk about a lot, yet it is a factor that has led to depression and, in worst-case scenario suicide. In relation to that, I’d like to state that as a model and a student, I aim every day to learn because you only become better after engaging with positive minds.

I aim to be the best I can be for our people, especially the youth, in the right way without bringing anyone down. I hereby extend an olive branch and ask for your support in the activities that we the youth are doing and I hope to have a tet-a-tete with you because all I see is a great mind and opportunity to reap big from it. 9et

7.With regards to that, I appreciate your willingness to train me, Madam Righa,Miss President,in line with my train-

To fix the economy, Ruto government should subsidize fuel, develop zero tolerance to corruption

A

former Mwatate MP and education assistant minister has faulted Ruto’s economic policies, saying they do not favor the real hustlers in the country.

Calist Mwatela, at one time the national treasurer of the Democratic Party(DP) from which the late Mwai Kibaki won the presidency, said there is no way the people’s living standards can improve when the prices of basic commodities continued to rise.

“I heard president Ruto saying the other day that he is a student of Mwai Kibaki but his economic policies do not seem to reflect what Kibakinomics stood for” said Mwatela.

The former EALA legislator said Ruto’s half-hearted measures like subsidizing the price of fertilizer ring hollow in the face of rising fuel prices.

“Subsidizing the price of fertilizer

Fixing economy in an environment fraught with graft is like filling water in a bucket with a hole beneath, says former minister is only a very small component for boosting food production, but it must be borne in mind that as long as fuel prices remain high, the effects will not be felt by the common mwananchi “ he said.

Mwatela said that the government should zero rate VAT on fuel for the cost of other basic commodities to be affordable.

“This might sound like a risky gamble at the moment but the ripple effect in the long run will be a welcome reprieve” he said.

He also asked the Ruto government to develop zero tolerance to corruption if the economy was to be revived.

“The fight against corruption should be non-partisan, with no sacred cows to be spared. All those involved in corruption with public

funds must be taken to account and if found culpable, punished accordingly” said Mwatela.

He pointed out that it was mainly due to corruption that both the national and county governments were accumulating pending bills running into billions of shillings.

“It’s common practice both in the national and county governments that development projects be allocated funds before they are launched so it doesn’t make sense for completed projects to accumulate pending bills unless the funds budgeted for them have been embezzled” he said.

Speaking when he met grassroot leaders from Murang’a county at his Karen residence on October 11 2021, then DP William Ruto called for the “crushing” of corruption

cartels responsible high fuel costs in the country.

cartels “By protection the cartels and aiding a few companies to make super -profits, the state department for petroleum is hurting Kenyans” Ruto was quoted by Capital News.

He wondered why the cost of petrol in Kenya was higher than in Uganda, a landlocked country that relies on Kenya for its petroleum imports. …Et