Thank you for this interview with us. At MWINGI TIMES,  we value local perspectives to give context to stories we cover. News is local. 

Musyoka Ngui: What was your initial reaction when you learned about the attack on your livestock by hyenas?How many goats did you lose on the day of attack?

Paul Peter: I was very shocked and I immediately rushed to the scene. I lost 15 goats.

Who did you report this incident to and what was their takes?

Unfortunately, the area had no network coverage and the neighbors reported that when they report to KWS, no action is taken. The person they report to had traveled to Mombasa.

You have a brilliant idea about ranching and using this land to earn a living. Breathing life to such a hot, dry and arid Kitui land. Yet with all this effort, instead of life, it is death and losses. What is your message to KWS on wildlife compensation? This is not the first time there has been human-wildlife conflicts here.

They should try to mitigate the issue by compensating farmers and having proper channel of reach at Kaningo. They should also educate farmers on immediate action to take when there is a human-wildlife conflict.

I hope you will not abandon this venture going forward.  As a way of picking up pieces,  have you considered relocating from this area or herding differently because predators here are hunting?

Yes, I immediately relocated  my goats and herdsman to a nearby homestead. I am planning to relocate further to areas of Kyuso ward for fear of another attack.

What other challenges do livestock keepers face in Kaningo?

Lack of proper water and people there has poor knowledge of livestock diseases. The outbreak of ‘ivui’ killed so many goats.

Has the government helped you in any way? Do you feel safe here?

No way. The government just kept silence. There is totally no safety.

We run livestock market prices especially on Thursdays.  We get immense feedback at all levels. As an established farmer specialising in this work, what do you recommend as interventions in saving the market?

They should consider following the stock market done in areas like Baringo and Kajiado counties to raise the market price.

By LYDIA NGOOLO 

Head of the National AIDS and STI control programme(NASCOP) Andrew Mulwa has joined the push for the expansion of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

Addressing various rallies in Kilome Constituency, Dr Mulwa said dualing the road is key to taming series of fatal road accidents along the busy highway.

He said pushing for its expansion will be his priority if he is elected as Makueni Senator in next year’s General Election.

By LYDIA NGOOLO 

As election wave gains momentum, youths have been cautioned against allowing themselves to be hired by politicians to insult and attack their opponents.

Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Terry Mbaika, said such youths end up gaining very little while damaging their own reputation. "This is the season when politicians will send you to abuse Mbaika and attack others, but I warn you, you will only earn a few shillings and spoil your name," she said.

Mbaika, who was addressing residents during an empowerment forum at Kyuasini in Kaiti Constituency, urged the community to embrace respect, saying politics comes and goes, but neighbors will remain neighbors long after elections are over.

She added that no politician should be blocked from seeking votes in any area merely because some residents do not back them, adding that every leader deserves a fair chance to campaign.

The PS further asked residents to rally behind government development initiatives in the area, singling out the ongoing tarmacking of the Kyambeke-Ukia and Emali-Ukia roads, which she described as genuine development that directly benefits the people.