By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The support package comprises a wide range of income-generating tools, including agricultural equipment, carpentry and welding kits, sewing and knitting machines, as well as barber and salon equipment. The initiative is intended to help beneficiaries establish sustainable livelihoods and improve their economic independence.

Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony held at the Eastern Regional Headquarters in Embu Town, NFDK Trustee David Musila said the programme is aimed at empowering persons living with disabilities and enabling them to participate actively in economic activities.

Musila noted that apart from the tools of trade, the fund also allocated Sh4 million to special schools catering for learners with disabilities. A total of 20 schools received Sh200,000 each to support infrastructure development and improve learning conditions.

He emphasized that the assistance was designed to transform the lives of beneficiaries and urged recipients to use the resources responsibly to maximize their impact.

According to Musila, the donated equipment should serve as a foundation for self-employment and income generation, helping beneficiaries improve their standards of living and reduce dependency.

He further cautioned beneficiaries against selling or misusing the equipment, saying such actions would defeat the purpose of the programme, which seeks to uplift the welfare of persons living with disabilities.

Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma praised the initiative, describing it as a major step toward promoting self-reliance among persons living with disabilities, many of whom often depend on relatives and caregivers for support.

Ouma also appealed to parents and guardians of children living with disabilities to enroll them in appropriate learning institutions instead of hiding them at home, arguing that education and social inclusion are essential in restoring dignity and hope.

At the same event, the Regional Commissioner urged Kenyans exercising their right to demonstrate to do so peacefully and avoid acts that may result in destruction of property or disruption of businesses.

He observed that when protests become violent, persons living with disabilities are among the most affected due to existing physical, structural and economic challenges that make them more vulnerable.

Beneficiaries welcomed the support, saying it would significantly improve their livelihoods. Among them was visually impaired beneficiary Ephantus Munene, who received a welding kit and described it as a life-changing opportunity. He said the equipment would help him earn a living, provide for his family and challenge the misconception that persons living with disabilities are a burden to society.

Male Goats

Large-11000-14000

Medium-8000-10000

Small-5000

By NELSON KILONZI 

When hooliganism occurs, the biggest victims are women and young people from poor familes. Many get injured or are even killed.

Mwingi Central and Ukambani region at large need peace and political stability, not hooliganism, or goonism, before, during and after 2027 general elections.

While politicians have constitutional rights and freedoms to do politics, those rights must be exercised responsibly.

Our Constitution, 2010,guarantees this;

1.Article 38:political rights-every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections

2.Article 39:Freedom of movement and residence

3.Artice 20:Application of the Bill of Rights.It binds all state organs and all persons.Every person shall enjoy the rights and fundemental freedoms in the bill of rights to the greatest extent consistent with the nature of the right or freedom.

Non-politicians like traders and workers also need peace and a conducive enviroment to do business.Lives and property must be protected by all, and the government must ensure their protection.

All all aspiring political leaders, regardless of party affiliation must have equal opportunity to campaign without intimidation or threats from opponents.Only then, will Mwingi Central and Ukambani region have peaceful campaigns and safe voters who can make informed decision in 2027.

We urge, Leaders and Aspirants to:

1.Ensure peace and respect will of the people. 

2 Focus on peace and development and putting people's interests above party politics

3.Set good example for  young upcoming leaders.As we say mtoto umleavyo ndivyo akuavyo-how you raise a child is the way he/she will grow'.

All politicians seeking elective posts must avoid associating with leaders who promote hatred, disrepect, hooliganism and goonism.This is the only way to guarantee peaceful, free, fair and verifiable elections.

While politicians rightly demand the IEBC to deliver free, fair and credible elections, that will be easy to happen if politicians and their followers first obey the constitution and election laws.

By NELSON KILONZI

From AMISOM to PEPFAR, malaria programmes, and laboratry upgrades, this cooperation has saved millions of lives. Strengthening these partnerships is good for national interests. Health and security are not partisan issues.

Why an Ebola preparedness centre makes sense

There is nothing wrong with Kenya  hosting an Ebola isolation facility. During COVID pandemic, isolation centres were established in all Level IV hospitals and were well managed. Health workers and members of public were well taken care of. Ebola is no difference.It gives our doctors at KEMRI ,KNH, and County hospitals hands-on training and capacity to handle highly infectious diseases if they ever reach our borders.

Remember in January 2015, Kenya sent 170 health workers to Liberia to fight Ebola. That was Kenya helping others and we also should do the same to our American brothers and sisters.

Kenya borders Uganda, and our truck drivers, traders, bodaboda riders and families in Uganda and DRC are exposed daily through cross-border movements. Our leaders must mind about welfare of these Kenyans in case they are infected by Ebola.Will it be okay for the Government of Kenya and citizens at large to deny them entry to Kenya because they are sick with Ebola? 

Preparedness is not panic. It is responsibility 

On the Political Debate

The opposition leaders who  were issuing statements to Kenyans against this centre appear to have gone silent after more details emerge about the Ebola preparedness.

While questioning the goverment is a constitutional right, leaders must not put party politics above public interests. Kenyans have a right of correction information.Healthcare is a fundamental right under Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. President William  Ruto is therefore duty-bound to protect Kenyans by estabilishing health facilities; whether funded by Kenya or development partners.

My Appeal to Kenyans 

Let Kenyans scrutinize what leaders say and do publicly and privately.Do not follow views blindly. Most importantly, let us say NO to incitement, destruction of property and violence.Our lives and health must come first before politics. 

Having Ebola isolation facility here in Kenya is good idea and citizens need to support it.

We have brothers and sisters in Uganda and DRC. Will our goverment let them die there once affected by Ebola or bring them back for treatment here at home? Should such happen where will they get treated if we have no adequate isolation facilities? The facility is not for Americans alone, but for Kenyans too.

By PAUL MUTUA

  Kanani, who doubles as the County Minister for Performance Contracting, Disaster Management, Tourism and Hospitality has been involved in high-level county activities, including presiding over performance contract signings for Chief Officers and engaging with other County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) to facilitate the "Kitui Promise" development agenda.

  In a country where deputy governors often clash with their bosses, Kanani has had zero public fallout with Dr Malombe since 2022. 

He is described as maintaining a “strong and cooperative working relationship” with his boss.

  Speaking during the burial of the late Michael Kyambati in Kiluilu village, Kyanika in Nzambani location, Kitui East mid last month, the deputy governor stood in public to affirm stability is what matters in letting the county executive focus on service delivery instead of infighting.

  He said the Governor had entrusted him with performance contracting, tourism, hospitality, and disaster management not as ceremonial dockets, a move he does not take for granted.

  Analysts call him a “wild card” with a “low-key personality”- a man with no corruption allegations, no flamboyant lifestyle and no side-shows.

Kanani, son of a former commissioner with the Teachers Service Commission, the late John Musili, is a career banker with experience in finances and accounting. He hails from Katse, Mumoni in Mwingi North subcounty. 

  

In Kitui politics where “government of goons” is a common complaint, Kanani has kept his head down and his work earned him respect. 

 Kanani has stayed in his lane, but has stepped up when needed.

  The deputy governor said he has not built a parallel political camp or used his position to undermine Malombe, even as other Kitui leaders dally with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

  He said he will remain loyal and delivery-focused and will not play politics with his boss while in office.

 He has built a reputation as Malombe’s most trusted lieutenant.

  As the 2027 succession politics nears, questions being asked are what next for Kanani after Dr. Malombe exits office after the end of his two-term. Could it be his loyalty is a foundation for his next move, whether vying for governor, deputising another or exiting politics altogether?