By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Hon Wambua was speaking on Thursday during the opening of a new office of WPF in the fast growing township. 

"It is us the owners of Wipe who will build the party. Let us register more members. Everyone is welcome to join our party", said Sen Wambua.

The Kitui County senator said the party  is working on strengthening strengthening its diaspora membership which will translate to bigger following and better chances of clenching the president seat currently held by President William Ruto who is serving his first term in office.

Dr Musyoka enjoys massive following across the country with  opinion polls placing him ahead of his peers and able to give a serious challenge to Dr Ruto whose UDA party has lost members especially in Central Kenya.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The donations included essential medical equipment,  full kitted doctor's uniforms and three sets of full kited nurse's uniforms.

An earlier edition of this story indicated that  the health facility received a dialysis machine from the philanthropist.  Contacted, he clarified that he did not donate such an equipment but promised to do so later once the dispensary grows. 

Engineer Mutua will donate an X-Ray machine and a dental room full kit set in a future at a later date. 

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Kirimari Ward MCA and Embu County Assembly Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh said practical skills were increasingly becoming important in helping young people become financially independent, start businesses and access opportunities in the digital economy.

Swaleh was speaking during a graduation ceremony for beneficiaries who completed training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), online business and nail technology through an initiative established by his office.

The programme currently produces about 114 graduates every month, equipping young people with skills they can use to secure employment, establish businesses or offer services within their communities.

Swaleh said the initiative was born out of the need to address unemployment among young people who complete colleges and universities but struggle to find formal jobs. He said the focus was to equip the youth with practical skills that can allow them to become job creators rather than relying entirely on the limited formal employment opportunities available.

Swaleh noted that ICT and online business training had opened a new avenue for young people to work with clients from different parts of the world without having to leave Kirimari or Embu. He said the growing global digital economy provides an opportunity for Kenyan youth to earn an income from home if they are equipped with the right skills.

However, Swaleh said inadequate training space remains a major challenge facing the programme, limiting the number of young people who can be trained at a time.

He appealed to well-wishers, businesses and development partners to support the establishment of a larger ICT and Nail Technology Training Centre where more young people can be accommodated.

The MCA also announced plans to establish a business hub where graduates will have an opportunity to put their skills into practice, develop enterprises and generate income.

He further called on local business owners to offer opportunities to the graduates to gain experience while earning a livelihood. Swaleh said empowering young people with practical skills would not only improve their economic wellbeing but also help address social challenges such as drug abuse and crime.

He said the next cohort will have 126 young people undergoing training in ICT and nail technology.

A notable guest at the ceremony, Susan Wangari, described the programme as a transformative initiative, urging well-wishers and other stakeholders to support it so that more young people can benefit. Beneficiaries also shared how the training had changed their lives.

Nail technology graduate Joy Robin said the skills had enabled her to start earning an income after previously depending on farming, while ICT graduate Ian Mutugi said he can now pursue online jobs from international clients while working from home.

Training at the Kirimari Ward ICT Centre is offered free of charge, giving young people an opportunity to acquire practical skills that can help them build sustainable livelihoods.

By JOHN MUSEMBI 

However,  throughout the county, the temperatures are likely to be warmer than average,  Kitui County Director of Meteorological Services Dr Daniel Mbithi notes in the weekly weather forecast sent to newsrooms.  

The maximum temperature readings will oscillate between 24°C and 34°C while the minimum temperatures will vary from 12°C to 22°C.

Expect strong winds to blow from the southern side to south-easterly direction at a speed of 25knots this week.

Ruku said the elders should publicly denounce Gachagua’s remarks if they did not share his position, warning that their silence would only fuel calls to politically and economically delink Mt Kenya East from Mt Kenya West.

The CS said the Kiama Kiama elders should follow the example of the Njuri Ncheke elders, who, he said, had previously taken a stand against statements they considered divisive.

“If the Kiama Kiama Council of Elders is not part of the rebuke orchestrated by Gachagua against the people of Mt Kenya East, let them come out and denounce it,” Ruku said.

He warned that the campaign to delink Mt Kenya East from Mt Kenya West would be difficult to stop if the elders failed to speak out.

Ruku said Mt Kenya East would not retreat from its demand for greater political and economic recognition, arguing that the region also played a significant role in Kenya’s struggle for independence.

He said the Mau Mau struggle was not the preserve of the Kikuyu from Mt Kenya West, insisting that Mt Kenya East also made sacrifices in the fight for independence and therefore deserved to enjoy its benefits.

The CS also urged residents of Mt Kenya West to be cautious about Gachagua’s politics, describing the former Deputy President as a political conman who failed to deliver when he had the opportunity to serve in government.

Ruku further praised his Cabinet colleague Mutahi Kagwe for supporting the Mt Kenya East cause. Speaking to a local radio station, Kagwe backed Ruku’s position, saying Mt Kenya West should support Professor Kithure Kindiki, who comes from Mt Kenya East.

Ruku also called for stronger cooperation between the Government and the Church, urging religious leaders to work with the Government in addressing challenges facing communities.

He challenged parents and adults to be role models to children, saying the values imparted to young people would shape the country’s future.

The CS also urged Kenyans to respect Government and lawful authority, citing the Bible as a basis for obedience to those in authority.

On service delivery, Ruku pledged to fast-track the implementation and operationalisation of Thagichu Sub-County to facilitate the smooth running of Government offices and improve access to public services.

The CS also absolved the National Government of blame over shortages of drugs in public hospitals, putting the responsibility on county governments to ensure health facilities are adequately stocked.

Ruku said governors must ensure hospitals within their counties are properly managed and medicines are available. “SHA could be working, but when you get hospitals without drugs, it is the responsibility of the governors to ensure the hospitals in their counties are managed properly,” he said.

Ruku spoke after attending an interdenominational church service at Ciampiu Market in Thagichu, Mwingi North, Kitui County.