By NELSON KILONZI 

The longer we remain out of government, the poorer we become.This is the current state of the Ukambani region. The time has come for Ukambani region to demand transparency and accountability from our elected leaders. 

For too long, these  leaders have  played Kamba people. It is time we think big and outside the box. We must be brave and ask hard questions pertaining to Ukambani region development agenda.

For a very long time ,elected leaders have been misleading, misinforming, and inciting the Ukambani region against the national government projects and programmes.Some  even told people to reject and sabotage programmes meant to improve their lives. 

Yet, same leaders continue to accept salaries, local and foreign allowance, security, protection, insurance cover, house mortgages, scolarships and car grants from  the national government.

Their families enjoy national government security and their children get scolarship locally and abroad.They are living well, yet they don't want odinary Kamba to enjoy the same.

When you are poor, you are poor; no matter the defence you put. The Kamba nation is poor in many areas because of self-centred leadership. The 'vomwe na vakwetwa' slogan can only benefit a few elected leaders and politicaly correct friends.

The Kamba nation will continue being poor unless we reject the slogan and strategicaly  plan for our future.We cannot work in isolation and expect progress. Never. We must work with national government for development purpose. 

The political leadership in Ukambani need to swallow its pride and collaborate with national government. We have the president in power and cannot continue living in denial.

Our leaders and community at large must wake up from sleep,open up eyes widely, and strategicaly plan and position the Kamba nation in 2027. Other regions who worked with the late Raila apart from Ukambani region are in Broad-based Government for their regions' sake and developement and are reaping big.

Let us stop "wait and see" game and endorsement by others.This is political cowardice. The Kamba nation need to be well represented at the  national cake sharing table in Nairobi or else we socially, economicaly and politically perish. 

Kamba saying: "Syosya ndongosya ikomaa ngaliko wa musyi".

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Speaking in Embu County during the commissioning of Coffee Revitalization Committees for Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Kirinyaga counties, Oparanya said the proposed laws are aimed at addressing long-standing challenges that have left coffee farmers with low returns despite their hard work.

The Cabinet Secretary said many coffee farmers have suffered for years due to poor leadership and mismanagement within cooperative societies, accusing rogue officials of exploiting farmers and weakening the cooperative movement.

He said the proposed Cooperatives Bill will seal leadership loopholes that have allowed some officials to misuse cooperative societies for personal gain, insisting that stronger governance structures are key to reviving the sector.

According to Oparanya, poor governance has significantly contributed to the decline in coffee production in Kenya, adding that restoring transparency and accountability in cooperatives will rebuild farmers' confidence and boost productivity.

He noted that the bill clearly defines the roles of both the national and county governments in managing the cooperative sector, creating well-structured institutions that will better protect coffee farmers and strengthen the cooperative movement.

Oparanya also highlighted the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2008, saying it seeks to improve financing within the cooperative movement and provide stronger financial support to various cooperative sectors across the country.

On coffee earnings, the Cabinet Secretary said the government is reviewing the Minimum Guaranteed Return to ensure farmers receive better advance payments while waiting for their coffee to be marketed.

He revealed that the government currently pays farmers an advance of Sh40 per kilogramme of cherry through the Cherry Advance Revolving Fund but is considering increasing the amount to Sh60 to improve farmers' cash flow.

Coffee Revitalization Committee Chairman Njeru Ndwiga said Kenya's coffee industry once flourished before liberalization weakened cooperative leadership and created loopholes that were exploited by a few individuals.

Ndwiga said the collapse of coffee unions and weak oversight turned many cooperative societies into businesses serving individual interests instead of farmers, with some leaders remaining in office for years without accountability.

He called for comprehensive reforms to restore integrity within coffee cooperatives, saying stronger institutions and transparent leadership are essential to returning the sector to its former glory.

Meanwhile, Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma issued a stern warning against rising cases of coffee theft at factories, saying security agencies will firmly deal with those involved. He said the government will not tolerate criminal activities that deny farmers the full value of their produce and vowed to protect the country's coffee value chain.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Mr. Alex Musili pleaded not guilty to two counts of illegal connection of water to his business as well as illegal sale of the essential commodity. He was released on KSh 50,000 cash bail. The Kiambere-Mwingi Water And Sanitation Company, Kimwasco is the legally recognized company that reticulates water in pipes in Mwingi township.

Musili will return to Mwingi Law Courts on August 3, 2026 for the mention of the case and further direction by the court.

Kimwasco has been in the media in recent past over complaints touching on loss of millions of shillings due to illegal water connections. Kimwasco boss Mr Mutunga Mwangangi, has claimed that the company loses up to KSh 8 million in a month to illicit water connections. This makes the water company struggle in meeting water services delivery to the people.

"We have consequently embarked on a crackdown on all people who have illegally connected water from our lines to make sure they face the full force of the law", the said the MD for Kimwasco last week.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The President's adviser on financial inclusion, Moses Banda told journalists on Monday during the sensitisation for chiefs and their assistants from Mwingi Central that they were key in implementing BETA programs since they were the first and last contacts between citizens and the State. "Being the last mile of government at the grassroots,  chiefs are the link between government policy and the people.  Without them, BETA cannot succeed ", observed Banda.

Banda said that all the Kitui County’s 638 chiefs were grouped into 12 clusters for five days in order to be sensitised on crucial BETA programs. Some of President’s pet projects comprising of BETA are about heathcare, digital and creative economy, affordable housing,  healthcare and SMEs.

Chiefs will be expected to report about which BETA programs work and which don't in order for the Kenya Kwanza administration to devise interventions that improve service delivery to wananchi.

By JOHN MUSEMBI 

The week is set to have  relatively high daytime temperatures given the maximum readings on thermometers will vary between  23°C and 34°C. There is also forecast episodes of cold spells since the minimum temperatures are likely to oscillate between 13°C and 22°C.

Very strong winds will blow across most parts of Kitui county at a speed of up to 25 knots.