TAITA-TAVETA EXPRESS ISSUE NO 23

“TAKING NEWS CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE” ISSUE NO 23

SPECIAL QWETU SACCO PLAZA OPENING EDITION

Government throws spanners in the works as it emerges that the project cost has to be revised downwards , meaning it’s back to the drawing board for the ambitious mega project Water and Sanitation CS Zachariah Njeru

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Msambweni residents in dilemma as they mull over buying back plots after demolitions -PAGE 8 Hon Simon K.Chelugui, Cabinet Secretary,ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development during the official opening of Qwetu Sacco Plaza in Voi. The CS was accompanied by among others Taita-Taveta governor Andrew Mwadime, senator Jones Mwaruma, MPs John Bwire(Taveta) and Canon Peter Shake(Mwatate) -Pages 4,5,6 and 7

Taita-Taveta Express

NEWS ANALYSIS

Fresh hurdle towards implementation of the Mzima Two water project The much awaited Mzima Two water project faces a new hurdle following the government announcement that it was going back to the drawing board over funding implications.

Despite the fact that successive governments have been hyping on this mega project and using it as a campaign tool every time elections are around the corner, it’s becoming apparently clear that there has been no goodwill towards the full implementation of the project.

This means that the water woes facing Taita -Taveta County and Coast region are far from over as the government sought to scrap the implementation of the Sh35 billion project.

According to Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru, the government was seeking an alternative approach to implement the project.

The CS who was addressing senators recently after the issue was raised by Taita-Taveta senator Jones Mwaruma pointed out that the initiative was terminated after it proved too costly and unattractive to investors.

The move has elicited mixed reactions from Tait-Taveta leaders who feel shortchanged.

“When will Taita-Taveta County and Coast region be taken seriously by the national government? When the government says the project is too costly and has to be halted who is to be believed because projects are undertaken after due diligence and cost implications have been considered” quipped former Voi nominated councilor Zacchaeus Maghanga.

In the recent past government leaders have been issuing contradicting statements concerning the project, which has raised doubts on its viability.

During a tour of Mzima Springs in October 2020, the then Water Cabinet Secretary Cicily Kariuki termed the mega project as key to serving the water needs of millions of people in Coast region.

The CS had noted that the commercial agreement was already in place with the financing to be executed by Exim Bank of China.

Previously, Taita-Taveta leaders have voiced protests over government plans to put up the second Mzima pipeline to serve mainly Mombasa are just indicators of a long running controversy over the water project spanning close to twenty years.

In fact if ever the project takes off, then chances of confrontations over the supply of water are high, if the recent pronouncements by local leaders are anything to go by.

During the leadership of governor John Mruttu, suggestions by Taita-Taveta leaders that the county should start levying charges on Mombasa county for using Mzima water met stiff resistance from the then governor Hassan Joho, forcing the Taita leaders to rescind their decision.

Taita-Taveta leaders, led by governor Andrew Mwadime and the five local MPs alleged that the government had launched the Mzima Two project behind their backs with intentions of supplying Mombasa.

Another bone of contention was that the Kenya Pipeline Corporation(KPC) was planning to recycle a used oil pipeline to supply water, with fears that this could pose a health risk to consumers.

However, KPC says it will undertake proper environmental and health audit before the oil pipes can be used.

Since 2018 the government has been saying the project had been failing to take off due to lack of funds.

The demand for water in Mombasa is about 150,000cubic metres daily against a supply of 67,000cubic metres.

Among the townships served by the Mzima pipeline include Voi, Maungu, Taru, Macknnon Road, Mariakani,Miritini and Mazeras.

The Mzima I pipeline is 220 kilometres long from its source at Mzima Springs in TaitaTaveta County to Mombasa. It was constructed in 1953 and took close to four years to reach Mombasa.

Knowing very well that the population would grow steadily over the years thereby raising the demand for water, the colonial government put up a Mzima II outlet which would run parallel with the existing one.

However 70 years down the line the Mzima II pipeline remains a pipedream despite the rapid growth in population in Mombasa and

other smaller towns along the pipeline.

In 2012 there seemed to be some light at the end of the tunnel when plans were mooted to put up the second pipeline at a cost of Sh 40bn from the World Bank.

In August 2015 the then water and irrigation CS Eugene Wamalwa announced that Sh150m had been set aside as part of the Sh40bn funding for the project under the aegis of the Exim Bank of China.

He said TaitaTaveta County would be given priority in the water supply.

Since then, the pipeline project has been used as a political campaign tool, with little to show on the ground.

Taita-Taveta leaders have on many occasions raised concern over the poor supply of water to the county from the Mzima pipeline while a larger volume of water goes to Mombasa.

The panacea has been seen in the second Mzima pipeline which Taita-Taveta leaders insist should satisfy the county water demands before supplying Mombasa.

While serving as the chairman of the Coast Water Services Board(CWSB) former governor Granton Samboja picked up the project and later used it as a campaign tool but failed miserably.

Matters reached a head recently when information began circulating to the effect that the proposed pipeline would be put up largely to serve Mombasa town, drawing condemnation from Taita-Taveta leaders.

The project is also being dogged by controversy over allegations that a recycled oil pipeline would be used for the water project…et

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Mzima Springs, key Coastal water source that should be protected and jealously guarded gushes out with thousands ed and jealousy guarded. of litres of crystal clear waHowever, selfish politics ne of the major ter that feeds Coastal coun- has always come in the ties with the precious com- way of proposed developtourist attracments centering around the tions located in modity.

Visitors to the springs are water source.

Tsavo West nausually thrilled by a glass A couple of years ago, tional park is Mzima house constructed smack in tension erupted between springs. the middle of the springs leaders from Taita-Taveta Forever bubbling with lake, where once inside, and Makueni counties, life,Mzima is a wonder to behold as it is like a mystic they can view fish dancing each claiming ownership of as if in an aquarium as well the water source. fountain in an area that is as hippos moving leisurely On the other hand, the perennially hot and dry. or snoozing in the clear waproposed Mzima Two No other place is as pipeline has remained a breathtaking as the springs ter.

There are also hundreds pipe dream for the last two where visitors in need of decades with political asenjoying a picnic can have of mischievous monkeys which can be seen jumping pirants using it as a vote a treat of a lifetime. hunting bait but after takVisitors from tourist facil- from branch to branch of the acacia trees surround- ing office the matter is forities such as Ngulia and gotten.

Kilaguni safari lodges usu- ing the springs.

Virtually all the wild aniHowever, in the recent ally crown their tour of the mals, small and big, troop past, there have been repark by visiting the to the springs to quench newed efforts to actualize springs.

At the springs visitors can their thirst, giving tourists the water pipeline, with the and visitors an opportunity Exim Bank of China exalso behold the aweto view them at close range pressing willingness to inspiring Shetani lava and take pictures. fund the project at a cost of flows.

Being the single most imSh40 billion.

The famous lava gets its portant source of water for Mombasa leaders have name from the traditional the Coast region, Mzima been vocal in petitioning belief that the volcanic acpipeline has been a cause of the government to prioritivity that led to its tize the water project that formation was the work of much tension for coastal counties since the supply of would go a long way in the devil.

Local lore claims that on water has been inadequate alleviating the regions wato meet the needs of the ter woes, especially the certain quiet nights, the screams of those who per- ever growing populations. tourist Coastal city of The Mzima 1 pipeline Mombasa. ished during the volcanic which was constructed in Mombasa requires about activity more than five 1953 has now begun to suc150m litres of water daily, hundred years ago can still cumb to age leading to frewith the demand projected be heard, when the earth heaved with fire and mol- quent bursts and leakages to increase to more than ten rock, burying hundreds which causes water short- 187m litres in the near fuages in Taita-Taveta Coun- ture. of people alive.

The new project will see From Mzima one can also ty and other towns along the pipeline on the way to an additional 105,000 cubic view the bewitching metres of water daily.

Chyullu hills and the Five Mombasa.

Such a key water source The Mzima 2 will run parSisters, small volcanic mountains which are prod- that is both a tourist attrac- allel to the existing Mzima tion and a source of water 1 ,thereby minimizing isucts of the shetani lava for thousands of Coastal sues of compensation. flows. people needs to be protectDaily, the Mzima springs

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Taita-Taveta Express

OPINION AND ANALYSIS

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Why Taita-Taveta leaders betrayed residents of Mswambeni in the recent homes demolitions

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he demolition of houses belonging to more than 3,000 residents at Mswambeni in Voi sub county has once again exposed the highly emotive issues of land ownership as well as the rotten underbelly of land acquisition.

Leaders of no less caliber than that of Azimio coalition leader Raila Odinga have expressed dismay at the inhuman action by the land owners.

During his tour of the area Raila empathized with the victims while saying the Azimio coalition was against such demolitions terming them inhuman Taita-Taveta leaders were also in tow,some shedding crocodile tears and giving promises (which most of them will not honour) to help the victims get justice.

They say justice delayed is justice denied.

However its an open secret that these leaders have been around since the Mswambeni controversy began,some have bought plots in the same area and disposed them, leaving the buyers at the receiving end.

In fact the Mswambeni debacle is a historical injustice that has taken so long to address.

When Bata company was invited by one of the pioneer political leaders in Voi, he was given the goodwill to set up a shoe factory so that local youths could get employment and boost the towns economy.

That was not a bad idea. However for reasons

that have not been clearly explained Bata relocated to Limuru but his signboard reading “Bata coming soon “ remained an eyesore for decades while the land was being subdivided and changing hands.

The so-called indigenous people began selling plots to unsuspecting people who in the absence of a caveat emptor, went ahead to put up permanent and semi permanent structures.

This was despite the fact that another company had been registered and claimed ownership of the land from Bata.

It's sheer callousness for the new landowner to have been playing possum as people continued buying plots and settling, only to wake up and ordering the so called squatters to leave.

Our courts came in tow by issuing eviction notices culminating in the January demolitions.

It's thus foolhardy for the same investor to come out and pretend to be waving an olive branch and asking those whose homes they demolished to sit with them and work out modalities of buying their plots back.

Many Victims are reading bad faith on the part of the investor saying had he meaning well, they should have approached the settlers and negotiated with them before demolishing their houses.

They say once beaten, twice shy.

The leaders in the county owe the Mswambeni residents an unequivocal apology for taking them for a ride for all these years the land controversy has been boiling under the surface.

Take serious and timely measures to curb deaths and injuries in the mines the carpet.

First it’s worthwhile to point out that most miners work in deplorable conditions, withecently three min- out protective gear to guard ers lost their lives them against falling rocks when floodwaters swamped and earth. a mine at Kamtonga in Safety of the miners is the Mwatate sub county. prerogative of the employer Several others were injured. and it begs the question as to Shortly afterwards, another the number of times the conminer died after a pit col- cerned government officials lapsed at Mkuki mines in the inspect the mines. same sub count.

It's not far fetched to believe This is not the first time that there are basic safety miners have been injured or standards laid out by the killed in the line of duty. government and it beats all However, it’s sad to see that reason why deaths in the after every accident, leaders mines cannot be avoided. condole with the bereaved, On the other hand, there some shade crocodile tears have been reports alleging and after a while it’s busi- that some of those who perness as usual, till another ish in these freak accidents disaster occurs. are thieves who stealthily The lives of people are not enter the mines to steal gemmere statistics because we stones. are talking about bread win- This is criminal. Yet it’s the ners who leavee their fami- responsibility of the mine lies languishing in poverty. owners to ensure that there Whether it’s a pit collapsing is enough security, enough on miners or wildlife at- to keep out encroachers and tacks, the losses incurred thieves. cannot just be swept under

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Crackdown on suspicious and unhealthy alcohol timely

Time to get to the bottom of Mzima Two conundrum

tremendously.

It's a matter of concern that while the consumers are suffering from imbibing danases of people be- gerous liquor, the brewers ing blinded or dy- and distributors are smiling ing after consuming poison- all the way to the bank. ous alcohol are not new in As such the recent crackthe country. down on sellers and distribuHomes have lost breadwin- tors of alcohol couldn’t have ners while others have been come at a better time. left tending and nursing oth- It's understandable that bars erwise healthy people who and wines and spirits outlets have been incapacitated by employ thousands of people the injurious brews. countrywide but it’s also The burden of this nature worthwhile to point out that cannot be taken lightly. safety and adherence to law First, alcoholic drinks must must override all other conbe inspected to ensure that cerns. the alcohol content does not At the end of the day what exceed the acceptable levels we want is a healthy and for human consumption. working nation, not a society This has been happening but of sick and wretched people probably due to corruption reduced to zombies by third and laxity among the law generation alcoholic beverenforcement agencies, the ages . amounts of injurious and dangerous chemicals being sold as alcohol has increased

regions benefit more than he recent statement those perceived as peripheral from Water and Sani- or undeserving. tation CS Zachariah This shouldn’t be the case Njeru that the Mzima Two since every Kenyan is a taxwater project payer and deserves to enjoy won’t start soon over costing services without bias. challenges implies that the project has been a myth all aggressive along.

Just like the Voi-Taveta road that was tarmacked long However when all is said before it was actually re- and done, the buck stops with Coast leaders who paired, the Mzima Two water pro- many ject is yet to see the light of perceive as docile and not aggressive enough to stand day.

Many see it as a political up for issues germane to pipe dream that is revived on their paper every time elections region.

The Mzima Two is one proare ject that our leaders must around the corner.

Aspirants, both for national now get to the bottom of. No and county posts, have used pulling punches. the project to convince voters that it was about to become a reality only to vanish after the polls.

It's instructive to note that politics controls virtually every facet of our daily lives, for better for worse.

That a project of such magnitude in Coast region is being treated so casually goes along way to tell how our leaders are being taken for granted by the government.

While ideally development cake is supposed to be shared equitably to all parts of the country, reality on the ground shows a skewed system where the “politically correct”

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Taita-Taveta Express

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Positive growth outlook for Qwetu as Qwetu Sacco Plaza is opened in Voi CBD

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he financial year ending December 31 2023 recorded an upward growth in all key areas for Qwetu

from 53,691 in 2022 to 55,615 in 2023.

“The major business of the sacco is savings and credit for the mutual Sacco. benefit of members. It’s from these According to the Annual report and savings that we build enough Financial statements presented to working capital to fund sacco activthe delegates during this year’s ities like advancing credit to memADM at Vacani Hotel in Voi by the bers and these loans ultimately sacco chairman Alfred Mlolwa, help the sacco to generate income there was remarkable growth in in the form of interest and other membership, asset base, members commissions which form the bulk deposits, loan portfolio and share of the income” said Mlolwa. capital.

On that positive note, the sacco The share capital recorded an immembers would be smiling all the pressive growth of 24 per cent, ris- way to the bank to cash in on diviing from Ksh 127, 529,814 in the dends with the board of directors year 2022 to Ksh 158, 964,828 in ratifying dividends of 13 per cent 2023. on share capital and interest of 9.8 The loan portfolio grew by 14 per per cent on members long term decent, rising from Ksh 2,387, 680,175 posits. in the year 2022 to Ksh 2, 733, Mr Mlolwa at the same time point880,628 in 2023. ed out that the sacco would continThe asset base grew from Ksh ue working with the communities 3,223,610,935 in 2022 to on various socio-economic areas Ksh3,556,846,061, representing an through its corporate social responupward increase of 10 per cent. sibility initiatives.

Members deposits increased from The sacco chairman revealed that Ksh 2,133,418,234 in 2022 to Ksh the strategic plan document was 2,353,596,252 in 2023, an incease of already in place and urged dele10 per cent as well. gates to assist in implementing it.

The sacco membership increased

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Jubilation, song and dance as Qwetu Sacco Plaza is officially opened

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dium, Hon Chelugui said that through Qwetu the residents of Taita-Taveta and t was jubilation, song and dance beyond would get greater access to fiduring the much awaited official nancial services that would enable them opening of the Qwetu Sacco Plaza at the undertake various investments and imVoi CBD . prove their financial wellbeing.

Businesses almost came to a standstill “An investment of the nature and scale as excited residents lined the streets to we are witnessing today is a testament witness the colourful procession weaving to the immense trust, sacrifice and comits way from the magnificent building mitment your members have put in the towards the Moi Stadium. sacco. The grassroot presence of Qwetu The Voi AIC church brass band belted sacco in the four sub-counties of Taitaout heartrending melodies as they led Taveta and the opening of the new plaza the march , to the excitement of all in Voi is an affirmation of the society’s those who had attended the colorful impressive growth trajectory” said CS event.

Chelugui.

The Taita-Taveta County government The CS pointed out that Kenyans were choir was also at hand to play their part leading in terms of savings with more with well orchestrated music while the than Sh 1 trillion savings, with more Mwazindika drummers made the climax than Sh 1.1 trn borrowed annually. of the entertainment at Moi stadium “Wth a sacco membership of more than where the invited leaders joined in to 14 million, Kenya is leading in Africa in dance and partake of the enchanting terms of membership, loan books and dances. assets” said the CS. The chief guest during the event Hon With more than 30 per cent of national Simon Chelugui, the Cabinet secretary savings in saccos, the CS said the governfor MSME Development said he had visit- ment was committed to ensuring that ed different sections of the building and there is proper governance in saccos to was satisfied that it had met all the key safeguard the finances and savings of requirements of a banking facility. the various stakeholders.

“I have been conducted through various Taita-Taveta governor Andrew sections of this building and I must say Mwadime , senator Johnes Mwaruma its design conforms with the requireand MPs Peter Shake(Voi) and John ments of a banking facility,” said Chelu- Bwire(Taveta) urged Taita- Taveta resigui while praising the sacco for choosing dents to join Qwetu in large numbers to an ultramodern designer for this facility. make it the beacon of investment opporAddressing invited leaders, Qwetu busi- tunities not only in Taita-Taveta but ness partners and wananchi at Moi sta- nationally as well.

Taita-Taveta Express

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A word of appreciation to all those who participated to make the Qwetu Sacco Plaza opening event a success

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he Board, management and staff of Qwetu SACCO wish to convey heartfelt gratitude to the Cabinet Secretary , ministry of Co-operatives and MSME Development Hon. Simon K.Chelugui EGH,for successfully officiating the opening of the Qwetu Sacco Plaza in Voi over the weekend.

We are also grateful to Taita-Taveta Governor, Hon. Andrew Mwadime, his CECMs Getrude Shuwe, Danson Katuu and Shadrack Mutungi alongside chief officers Elizabeth Mbinga, Rina Mwanake and Paul Maneno, Taita-Taveta senator Johnes Mwaruma, MPs, Canon Peter Mbogho Shake(Mwatate), John Before(Taveta) and Taita-Taveta county assembly speaker Wisdom Mwamburi and MCAs represented by area MCA Lawrence Mzugha , leaders from the provincial administration led by Voi DCC Daniel Nduti.

The Principal secretary ministry of cooperatives and MSME Development Patrick Kilemi.

All our partners and stakeholders including saccos that supported the event: Kenya police DT sacco, Imarika sacco,Tabasamu sacco,Ports sacco, Bandari DT sacco, Tabasuri sacco, Imarisha sacco, Chai sacco, Solutions sacco,Mafanikio sacco, Univision sacco, We are also greatly indebted to our banking institutions especially, Cooperative And Equity bank for their support as well as . other companies such as Centrino Technologies Ltd and Kusco Mutual Assurance .

Thanks in good measure also go to ACK Bishop Liverson Mng’onda, one of Qwetu sacco’s close partners ,through his representative Rev Norman Satale.

And finally we cannot fail to mention our sacco members and customers who have continued to be the backbone and momentum of our operations and success.

We value you so much Asanteni sana na mungu awabariki

CEO Mr Charles Kaba

#Faida Leo na Kesho

Taita-Taveta Express

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QWETU SACCO CHAIRMAN ALFRED MLOLWA SPEECH DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF QWETU SACCO PLAZA ON APRIL 20 2024

QWETU SACCO CEO CHARLES KABA SPEECH DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF QWETU SACCO PLAZA ON APRIL 20 2024

HON SIMON K. CHELUGUI, EGH, THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR COOPERATIVES AND MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT (MSMEs) MR PATRICK KILEMI, THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY (MSMEs) MR DAVID OBONYO, THE COMMISSIONER FOR COOPERATIVES H.E ANDREW MWADIME, THE TAITA-TAVETA COUNTY GOVERNOR HON. JONES MWASHUSHE MWARUMA, THE TAITA-TAVETA SENATOR HON.LYDIA HAIKA MIZIGI, THE TAITA-TAVETA WOMEN REP HON. WISDOM MWAMBURI , THE TAITATAVETA COUNTY ASSEMBLY SPEAKER MADAM JOSEPHINE ONUNGA, THE TAITATAVETA COUNTY COMMISSIONER, out having to travel physically to our offices MADAM GETRUDE NGINAI SHUWE, COUNTY for the same.

CECM, TRADE, COOPERATIVES, TOURISM AND Secondly I must point out that issues of cyber INDUSTRIALIZATION , crime are still an existential threat to all sacMEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, cos and serious efforts are being geared toQWETU SACCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND wards ensuring that such miscreants do not MANAGEMENT STAFF, access and interfere with members hard earned savings.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning I must also underscore the fact that the sacco Today we are privileged to gather here for movement has continued to be the backbone this important occasion for the official open- of our economy especially in supporting small ing of Qwetu Sacco Plaza as we mark our 56 and micro enterprise ventures. anniversary.

Through the strict enforcement of the legal Through the support of our esteemed memframework, Kenya’s cooperative movement is bers, government and non-state actors, we ranked the first in Africa and the seventh inare today celebrating this remarkable event ternationally. in the history of the sacco.

In 2013, Kenyan saccos were recognized as the The journey has been tough but our resolve fastest growing subsector in the world. has been steadfast, that’s why we can stand So far cooperative enterprises provide direct here today and boast of a membership of employment opportunities to over half a milmore than 55,000. lion people while over 2 million are benefitDue to our dedication to offer quality and effi- ting indirectly. cient services to our members, Qwetu sacco The country’s saccos have so far mobilised has remained the sacco of choice not only in savings to the tune of more than Ksh680 bilTaita-Taveta county but the whole of Coast lion with assets base slightly higher than this. region.

Savings mobilization in the saccos has been For many years we have been offering sergrowing at the average rate of 30 per cent per vices from rented premises but now we are annum with corresponding increase in income proud to offer the same in an ultramodern for cooperators. spacious environment.

On the other hand,there has been tremendous Initially we had been domiciled at Tatecoh growth of cooperatives financial organization building in Wundanyi but after this building into giant financial power houses which surwas completed in 2022,we relocated to Voi. passed the normal commercial banks and othVoi is the fastest growing urban centres in the er financial institutions. county and the business enterprises coming up In fact the sacco sector has grown to a point are a testimony to the centrality of the town where some saccos are bigger than commerfor investment. cial banks, with individual contributions also However our customers continue to get the increasing at a steady rate. relevant services from our sub county branch- Therefore as we gather here today to celees in Voi, Taveta, Wundanyi and Mwatate brate this remarkable milestone in the develwhile plans are underway to set up another opment of Qwetu Sacco. office in Mombasa.

I would therefore wish to appeal to all our Our members include those from the teaching members, business partners and other stakeprofession, county government employees, holders in the cooperative movement to join parastatals and other corporates, ministry of hands with us so that we can propel the sacco health, business community, MPs, Knut, farm- to greater heights of achievement. ers, elected leaders and boda boda operators. Already there are all indicators that a lot can The Sacco rebranded from Taita-Taveta Teach- be achieved with resolve and unity of purpose. ers sacco to Qwetu sacco in 2014.

Thank you all and God bless.

The sacco opened its common bond in 2002.

Governance:There are 9 Board of directors and ALFRED MLOLWA 3 supervisory, all in line with the 1/3 gender requirement.

Alfred Mlolwa The society was officially registered in 1976.

With the adoption of modern technology howQWETU SACCO CHAIRMAN ever, our customers continue to enjoy top notch services from their mobile devices with-

HON SIMON K. CHELUGUI, EGH, THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR COOPERATIVES AND MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT (MSMEs) MR PATRICK KILEMI, THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY (MSMEs) MR DAVID OBONYO, THE COMMISSIONER FOR COOPERATIVES H.E ANDREW MWADIME, THE TAITA-TAVETA COUNTY GOVERNOR HON. JONES MWASHUSHE MWARUMA, THE TAITA-TAVETA SENATOR HON.LYDIA HAIKA MIZIGI, THE TAITATAVETA WOMEN REP HON. WISDOM MWAMBURI , THE TAITATAVETA COUNTY ASSEMBLY SPEAKER MADAM JOSEPHINE ONUNGA, THE TAITATAVETA COUNTY COMMISSIONER, Since then the sacco has been growing from MADAM GETRUDE NGINAI SHUWE, COUNTY strength to strength and continues to be the CECM, TRADE, COOPERATIVES, TOURISM sacco of choice not only in Taita-Taveta counAND INDUSTRIALIZATION , ty but the Coast region and the nation as a MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, whole.

QWETU SACCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND In 2001 the Front office Service Activities MANAGEMENT STAFF, (FOSA) was introduced. In 2003 the microcredit section was opened.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning The sacco has been regulated by SASRA since 2012.

It’s with great honour and appreciation that The sacco has 76 members of staff operating I hereby invite all guests, sacco members within our branches in Taveta, Mwatate, Voi and staff to this auspicious occasion on the and Wundanyi. official opening of Qwetu Sacco Plaza within So ladies and gentlemen as we stand here the Voi Central Business District. today I am proud to inform you that our The sacco Plaza strategic location in what sacco now boasts a membership of more we may refer to as our “treasury square” than 55,000 members and the numbers conmakes it possible to be easily accessed by all tinue to grow with the passing of each day. customers within the county and beyond.

I hereby make a passionate appeal to the As Qwetu we have come a long way and local community and Kenyans at large to were it not for the steadfast support we join Qwetu sacco so that they can save and have received from our esteemed members, enjoy our credit facilities and consequently development partners and the business com- improve their economic and social wellbeing. munity, we couldn’t be here today to parSo ladies and gentlemen welcome once again take of the fruits of this great work. as we celebrate this remarkable milestone In fact the milestone we celebrate today in the history of Qwetu Sacco. was not without precedents.

Many will remember the days when we used MR CHARLES MTOTO KABA to undertake our businesses in rented premises, sometimes under crowded conditions Charles Kaba that were not so comfortable.

However that did not discourage our memQWETU SACCO CEO bers from continuing to patronize our products. It’s such support in moments of difficulties that has enabled us to set up this prestigious building that we are officially opening today.

In an effort to diversify our products range last year we launched the Bakisha Account product. This is an account that targets all members who want to make savings and withdrawals at their comfort of working places or even their homes. Another attractive feature of Bakisha is that a member can save as little as 20 shillings and withdraw the same amount anytime they want.

Among the attractive features of Bakisha include nil account opening, deposit or leger fees.

All one is required to have is a Fosa account with Qwetu Sacco.

On the other hand it must be appreciated that our sacco membership has been growing steadily since the sacco opened a common bond in 2002 which opened doors to non teaching members. #Faida Leo na Kesho”

Taita-Taveta Express

COUNTY NEWS

Voi Msambweni residents in dilemma as they mull over buying back plots after demolitions By special correspondent

Former residents of Mswambeni estate in Voi who were recently evicted by a company that claims ownership of the land are in dilemma as it emerged that they will be required to buy back the plots where their houses once stood.

According to one of the affected residents the company requires them to pay Sh450,000 to secure ownership of the plots before reconstructing their houses.

The action which drew condemnation from none other than Azimio coalition leader Raila Odinga who visited the area recently, has left many residents in shock and despondency.

“We are reading bad faith on the part of the company because if they had meant well, they could have approached us for negotiations before pulling down our houses” said the distraught resident who said he had already bought another plot elsewhere.

“I can’t go back to that place to live with the painful memories. In any case there are rumours that part of this land is being earmarked for the affordable housing project. That only goes to show that the company had all along being planning to evict us to pave way for the project” he said ruefully.

Among those who have had to endure the suffering is a 90-year-old granny and her 60year-old disabled daughter have been reduced to paupers after their house was demolished.

Ms Saumu Kajuma and her daughter Hadija Mkamburi are among the thousands of squatters who lost their homes and livelihoods to a private company, Sparkle Properties Limited, that claims ownership of the 134-acre contested land.

Ms Kajuma, who also takes care of Ms Mkamburi whose eyesight is failing due to diabetes, said they cannot afford rent and wellwishers have offered to take them in in Taveta.

The elderly lady said she was traveling to Taveta against her wish as she wanted to go back to her demolished house.

“Since my house was demolished I have never shed a tear. I can’t believe I have become homeless at my age. I wanted to go back to my house even if I die there it is better,” she said.

She said she has lived there since the 1970s and the demolitions have left her devastated.

Ms Kajuma and her daughter have lived in a rental house for the last month but they were unable to raise the rent for this month.

“My friends have offered to give us a room to accommodate us.

That is why we have packed our household stuff to move there,”

said Ms Mkamburi who is disabled and walks on crutches.

Ms Mkamburi said that due to her illness, she cannot do menial jobs to cater for their daily meals and they only depend on wellwishers for support.

“I’m the only daughter of my mother after my sister died. Life has become unbearable for us,” she said.

Her niece Asina Mwanakombo whose house was also demolished said she cannot support her grandmother and her aunt as she is financially unstable.

She called on well-wishers to support the family get back on their feet.

“Whatever little I get I try to share with them but it is not enough. My grandmother is still in denial as she does not believe that she will not get back to her house again,” she said.

The family's predicament comes as some of the Msambweni squatters, whose houses were recently demolished by Sparkle Properties Limited, are exploring an option of returning to court over the contested land.

This comes even after some of the victims rushed to meet the investor to negotiate about buying the land where their houses sit to get resettled back.

The new development has created a division between the squatters with some ruling out the option of making any negotiations with the investor. They say that the land is their ancestral land and they are not ready to give up on it anytime soon.

“We have lived here for generations and we will not accept any offer from the company that destroyed our homes and livelihoods. We want justice and we will go back to court if necessary,” said Mr Johana Ngai one of the squatters.

Mr Betty Tole, another squatter said the investor should meet them in Voi instead of them travelling to Mombasa for the meetings.

“We better seek justice through the courts. The land is ours so we will not bow to what he wants,” said Ms Tole.

Some of the options that are being explored by the families that are seeking a court option include adverse possession and seeking compensation.

They say that the court did not give them a chance to defend themselves and that the case that was concluded last year involved only eight squatters who did not represent the whole community.

Last year, the Court of Appeal upheld a decision of the Mombasa Environment and Land Court that ruled in favour of the company that had sued some of the squatters for settling on the land.

The Court of Appeal's decision followed an appeal by the squat-

ters against the company which had won the case at the Mombasa Environment and Land Court on February 23, 2020.

The Mombasa High Court declared the company the bona fide owner of the property after the investor had moved to court in 2013. The court also issued eviction orders and ordered the squatters to pay trespass damages of Sh1 million and the cost of the suit.

On his part, Governor Andrew Mwadime said he would support the decision that will be taken by the affected residents.

He said his administration is committed to resolving the matter that has affected over 3,500 people in Msambweni village.

“We are aware of the plight of the squatters whose some are still homeless and we are working to find a lasting solution. We will respect the wishes of the people and my administration will help them accordingly,” said the governor.

He said he had advised the investor to meet the squatters to hear their voice on the matter.

“I have not denied the company approvals but I had to first get the views of the affected families before I make any move,” he said.

On the other hand, Sparkle Properties Limited has already sought approvals for fencing and subdivision of the land.

The company is planning to invest in the land and also subdivide a portion to willing buyers. They are also planning to set aside a portion of land to resettle vulnerable families who were affected by the demolition.

The company’s In-charge of property Francis Mulili said they had made progress on resettling the willing buyers of the land.

“Over 200 people have come to us saying they are ready to be resettled. Our doors are open for anyone they can come we listen to them,” he said.

Ms Saumu Kajumwa narrating her tribulations

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