COUNTY GOVERNMENTS URGED TO WORK WITH JOURNALISTS TO UPHOLD MEDIA FREEDOM

Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) has called on the County Governments to work closely with journalists based in their areas and to uphold media freedom to facilitate free flow of information to the public in line with the provisions of the constitution.

KCA, which has launched a project to train journalists on effective reporting on the implementation of Devolution and the operations of the County Governments, has noted with concern that some of County Governments have already began to deny journalists access to information and in some cases, have shown hostility towards the media.

“KCA has launched a project on media and devolution, which aims at building the capacity of journalists in reporting devolution.  We call on the County Governments to uphold media freedom and create an enabling environment for journalists to do their work, including putting up press galleries in the County Assemblies,” said William Oloo Janak, the KCA Chairman.

Janak urged journalists across the country generate accurate and well researched stories on the devolution implementation process and the role of the county governments to enable citizens participate effectively and from an informed position.

The association formally launched the Media and Devolution Project for Nairobi County on Tuesday August 20, 2013 at forum in Nairobi attended by officials of the Nairobi County Government, journalists and stakeholders including key institutions involved in the implementation of Devolution.

KCA members during a workshop at a Mombasa hotel recently

Key institutions including the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), Transition Authority (TA) and Nairobi County Government pledged to work closely with KCA and other media organizations to enhance access to information and effective public participation.

The project, which has kicked off in both the Coast Region and Nairobi County aims at building the capacity of 60 journalists on County Budget Literacy, Governance and Planning and reporting County Assemblies. It will be rolled out to other counties and is expected to benefit more than 500 journalists, mostly correspondents spread in the 47 Counties.

Speakers at the forum urged the National and the County Governments to encourage greater consultation in the implementation of the devolution process to reduce the ongoing acrimony as this could lead to the collapse of devolution as happened in the country’s first experiment with the process between 1963 and 1966.

KENYANS URGED TO EMBRACE ICT

Kenyans have been challenged to embrace technology as an enabler to foster development in the new dispensation of county government.

The chairperson of Kenya ICT consumers association Alex Gakuru, noted that access to Ict facility seems to increase particularly to the middle income people.

“Over the less that 10 years ago, research indicate that many people used internet in their offices but now it can be accessed through mobile phone.” He noted.

According to an ict research 2010 report, ICT facilities increase with age and peaks at the age between 20 to 39 years and decline as the age advances.

Speaking during a workshop on ICT, Gakuru noted that men had a bigger proportion in ICT equipment use than female adding that persons with higher education have more access to internet that those in primary.

“About 60 percent of persons with higher education have access to computers and internet, with 4.9 to2.8 percent of persons with pre-primary and primary education has access to computers.” Noted the ICT consumer chair.

However Gakuru, warned Kenyans against use of internet and other ICT gadgets to spread heat messages saying there cannot escape.

According to him, all internet users is known by what he said was a mark address that can be used to indicate the location, time connected and even the data downloaded.

Alex Gakuru during an ICT Media training workshop

Speaking separately, Jimmy Gitonga, IHub, manager stressed on the need to use technology in finding for solutions of problems affecting the nation.

“It’s high time we focus what we are going to come up with innovative ways of finding solution rather than pleading to the government on what to for us. Let’s incorporate our ideas and develop them”  advised Gitonga

According to the national  ICT plan, the ICT Industry should be contributing an estimated USD 2 billion (25% of GDP), created 500 ICT companies, and brought in 50,000 jobs by 2017 with  impact expected to be felt by SME’s.

According to the projection priorities identified include Health and Education for their chance in reducing costs, increasing value to society and enhancing citizen experience. They were followed closely by Agriculture and Retail/Wholesale trade.

LOCALS WARNED AGAINST SELL OF LAND

Kaloleni Mp Gunga Mwinga has cautioned area residents against sell off land warning that they risk being the looser as the process of getting a title deed is under way.

According to him there coastal communities have been waiting for long since independence to have title deeds to develop.

 “Now that we are on the devolved system of government I believe if we have these precious documents we will run away from poverty and all that has been a challenge to our communities at coast region. My office will be ready to provide all the necessary support to make this process a success.” Said |Gunga.

A process of land demarcation at Mbala Mwene area at Kaya Fungo, was temporarily suspended for allegations of corruption and lack of transparency in the process.

Speaking during a meeting to iron out the differences emerged from the process, kaya elders in the area called on the need to have two of their representative join the committee as demand for land has proved to be a treat to the sacred forests.

Led by Dadu Kituku, the warned that the process might have negative impact to the sacred forest a Kaya Fungo if the elders are not preserved in the committee.

“The need to quench the thirst on title deeds is a well coming event which we have been crying as coastal residents for over 50 years, but now that we see the process we should not forget that the Mijikenda have their sacred forest which need to be respected.” Noted Kituku.

According to him, only the elders are able to identify the boundaries of the forests to avoid encroaching kaya land as has been the trend over the last few years.

The demarcation process was forced to temporarily suspended two weeks ago after tension over claims of irregularity in the exercise and lack of transparency.

In a meeting at Kibao Kiche, organized by the deputy county commissioner and lands office Kilifi County, the locals blamed the committee and the demarcation officers for allegations of being involved in corruption and lack of transparency.

According to, Joseph Kitsao, the officer in charge was generating more land conflicts rather than solving the problems as no consultation and communication to some of the plots owners.

“There is no consistency and order on how the process is being carries and you cannot tell where the officer will be next day and what time. We have cases where the officer was seen at a firm at about 6am on a land which had a case yet to be solved which the plot was allocated number 370.” He said

Similar sentiment were echoed by George Kalume, who said the process was sidelining the poor as and warned that the process might not yield the required yields.

Kibao kiche have been the centre of attraction to investors due to the construction of the Mariakani to Malindi bypass through Mavueni Kilifi.

Kibao Kiche residents during a meeting to solve land problem in the area

According to Klilfi county land adjudication officer, Felix Kiteto, about 407 plots have been subdivided with 54 cases having risen from the same of which 34 have been concluded and ruling made.

The officer urged the local to be patient as they deal with their recommendation to make the exercise a success.

Kiteto, called on the local residents to iron out their differences with their neighbors to avoid conflicts in identifying boundaries of their plots adding that women also had their equal rights in land rights.

“if you do not agree at local level i might force you to go to court and table the ruling before our office to guide us on the way forward. There is need to consult the original owner of a particular plot is a plot has two or more claiming the ownership.” Adviced the officer, who promised the Mbala Mweni residents that the process which is scheduled to start from Monday 19^th after it was halted for two weeks with clear guideline and frame work on where the work will start and the official time with members informed a week before the officers visit their premises to have all players involved.

This comes as the government promise to settle squatter problem in the coast region with about 60,000 titles expected to be dispatched this month.

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TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGING COMPANIES FLOATING LAWS

Kilifi residents might have to shoulder the problems they face in their working place as the county government expect to come up with a task force to investigate companies in the county that float labor and environment laws.

The county governor, Amason Kingi, revealed that many despite the need to have investors to deal with the number of unemployed people in the county there was need to them to ensure good working environment to workers.

Speaking at M’bungoni at Kambe in Rabai, Kingi, noted there has been claims from the locals living next to mining company at Bondora and stressed on the need to have investigation done to get to the real bottom of the matter.

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the Kilifi county government will constitute a task force to investigate the claims by Athi river mining, Mombasa cement, all the salt firms in Magarini, the Epz and all investors in the area. It’s a must they all need to comply with the law and in a span of two month a report will be produced for further action.” Revealed the governor

Kambe Ribe County Rep, Valentine  Matsaki during the signing ceremony

According to Kingi, locals should raise the alarm in case they are oppressed in their working environment at all the time and warned investors that they might be forced to close if they will not comply with the recommendation to be made by the task force

Joseph Masudi, a resident at Kwa Randu village claimed those who are working in the company are struggling to survive with poor pay and efforts to fight for better pay made him and four other people lose their employment in the year 2000 having worked for five years without a union.

 “We were in talks to have the employees join a union, but when the management realized, they chased us and to date we are yet to get our dues,” he revealed, adding, “we almost got a reprieve when we went to court and got a ruling to allow us join a union, but again the management came in with another order to reverse what we had.”

Masudi said that their dismissal made other employees to shy away from raising their voice over poor working conditions, including good pay before the management forced its employees to join the Kenya Quarry Workers’ Union, which agreed with the company’s terms.

Sources in the mining factory who sought anonymity noted that the management has been against the wish by employee to join Kenya chemicals and workers union.

Similar sentiment were echoed by Kilifi county senator, Stewart Madzayo, who stressed that all workers have their right to join the union of their choice

Kilifi county governor Kingi (centre) shares a point senator Madzayo and ARM director Pradeep

During the function Athi river mining company entered into agreement with M’bungoni Primary to spend over 2M annually in improving school infrastructure.

According to the memorandum sighed between Athi River mining cement company and parents, PTA and the M’bungoni management committee, the partnership will last from August 2013 to December 2020.

Addressing the gathering the company’s managing director, Pradeep Paunrana, insisted that the company through its Rhino foundation wing was dedicated towards improving education in the area

However Mbungoni resident and other living around the factory took issues with the amount of dust that is emanating from the factory affecting them in all aspects of live both in health and economically.

Madzayo added calling on the need to address the dust issue as has direct negative impact to the communities.

“As we you fight to improve the education sector, there is need to settle the dust problem as affects our people. Despite the good thing you might be doing there need to ensure you have good relationship with the locals as we all need each other.” Said the senator.

Rabai Member of Parliament, William Kamoti, assured the locals that gone are the days when few individuals benefited from investors through illegal manner at the expenses of the locals.

He urged all investors to comply with the available laws to avoid conflict in their operation as the problems are emerging as locals feel sidelined in the benefits from them.

“You should now be aware that we are in a new era where local problems are set to be solved at local level where we have our county government. If you thought you had god fathers who used to protect you to abuse our people’s rights, this time round it will not happen but only comply and enjoy an ample working environment.” Warned Kamoti

However the legislature was quick to point on the need for locals to weigh between the negative and positive contribution by investors before thinking of closure of the factories.

According to Kamoti, there is more danger in forcing an investor to pull away as the local will risk losing economically.

He gave the example of Kwale County still feeling the impact of the closure of Ramisi sugar factory the same as Kilifi struggling to the closure of Cashunut factory and Mariakani milk scheme.

Kamoti retaliated that leader in the county level were united to push for improvement of good pay for workers and good environment to all workers around Athi River and all companies floating the labor and environment laws.

However local leaders at M’bungoni criticized move by the cement factory management to fail recognize them in their locality.

Kambe/Ribe county representative, Valentine Matsaki, took issues with the manner in which the management fail to involve him in the process of engaging in partnership for fear of critics accusing the factory of running away from allegation raised by the locals.

According to him, he was forced to attend the function due to the respect to Kilifi county governor who grassed the occasion as chief guest and warned ARM management to involve all stakeholders and follow the protocol in implementing programme.

“ i know there are people who are not from this area who are visiting this factory with their mission best known to them, we will not accept to have our people get affected by dust from the company and other evils while few are riding on our back this should stop.” Said Matsaki

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