Traders buy and sell goats at the Kamuwongo livestock yard on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. |MWINGI TIMES

Interestingly,  the the drop in the price appear to defy the philosophy of the higher the supply the lower the price. Tuesday being a market day for Kamuwongo, the livestock yard also witnessed a drop in the number of goats that are usually brought to the market.

A goat dealer, Mwangangi Mulonzya, said it was a puzzle that despite the goat numbers being low the price had also dipped. He said that a large he goat that used to cost KSh. 15,000 or even KSh17,000 was being bought at KSh. 12,000 or  KSh13,000.

Mr Mwangangi further said a middle-size goat that was costing  about KSh.10,000 to KSh.11,000 was being bought for KSh.7,500 to KSh.8,000.

The small goats that were retailing at KSh7,000 were being bought for as little as KSh. 3,500 to KSh4,000.

It was really a bad day for residents who hoped to make a kill by selling their goats this Christmas season.

Agriculture CECM Dr. Mbaya Kimwele (holding the trophy from Left side) after his Ministry won in this year's performance contracting awards. MWINGI TIMES|Boniface Mwaniki

While addressing the media at the venue, CECM in charge of Agriculture Dr. Mbaya Kimwele attributed the win to team work, promising to digitize all agricultural services to enable quick access to extention services by farmers. 

However, the Ministry of Youth, Gender and Social Services led by Phoebe Mutemi was ranked the worst, emerging position 12 out of 12. 

The County Ministry of Basic Education, Training and Skills Development, led by Ms. Masila, emerged second, while the Office of the Deputy Governor, led by H.E. Augustine Kanani, took third place.

This initiative entrenches a culture of enhanced transparency, accountability, and timely responsiveness in the public service. While announcing the results, Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe challenged the ministries “to own their targets, innovate through collaboration, and serve with integrity.”

According to governor Julius Malombe, the winners will receive one-quarter of their January basic salary, the second position will receive one-eighth of their January basic salary, while the third position will receive one-twelfth of their January basic salary.

Performance Contracting is domiciled in the Office of the Deputy Governor, and for three consecutive years, it has topped the list in ensuring “what gets measured”.

Tseikuru livestock market on December 18, 2025.MWINGI TIMES|Musyoka Ngui

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Kitui governor Dr Julius Malombe (centre) with Speaker Kevin Katisya (left), Kitui County Service Board Chairperson Florence Makindi and Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani during the opening of the new KCPSB office complex (below).|MWINGI TIMES

Speaking during the opening of the new office at Kitui town yesterday, the governor said the new KCPSB office would relief the county public service board from the burden of paying monthly rent, as well as promote transparency and accessibility of the board. 

According to governor Malombe, Currently the KCPSB oversees a total of 5,434 staff, of whom 5,362 are on permanent and pensionable terms of service while 72 are on contractual terms of service. 

"A total of 1,352 staff have been promoted under common establishment cadre, 304 under competitive promotions, and 303 re-designated since August, 2022 to date. The Board has also developed a Temporary Workers Policy Framework that will in future guide the County in the engagement of non-permanent staff for periods of either three months or 12 months," added governor Malombe. 

The Board chair Dr. Florence Makindi lauded governor Malombe for the construction of the new offices. 

Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kevin Katisya promised to work closely with governor's executive, so as to ensure maximum development for the residents.

Ken Java Mwaniki Wakagoto addressing residents at Karigari in Manyatta, Embu county.MWINGI TIMES|Brian Musyoka

More than 100 women groups in Gaturi South Ward, Manyatta Sub-county, are now charting a new economic path after receiving avocado seedlings through the Wakagoto Foundation, a move designed to turn small farms into sustainable sources of income.

For many of the beneficiaries, the seedlings represent more than just a crop; they symbolize long-term wealth creation, offering a high-value agribusiness opportunity in a region where farming is the mainstay of livelihoods.

The women were also issued with tents, enabling them to formalize their group activities, hold organized meetings, and market their produce more effectively, strengthening their collective bargaining power.

By investing in avocado farming, the foundation is tapping into a crop with growing local and international demand, positioning women farmers to earn better returns and stabilize household incomes.

With guaranteed access to markets, the women are no longer at the mercy of middlemen, as the initiative focuses on linking farmers directly to buyers and value chains that reward quality and consistency.

The empowerment drive comes at a time when rising living costs continue to strain households, making income diversification through high-value crops both timely and necessary.

Beyond agribusiness, the initiative is part of a wider community intervention that saw over 20,000 families receive Christmas support, offering relief and reaffirming the foundation’s people-centred approach to development.

To further unlock markets and ease trade, the Wakagoto Foundation rolled out the Dubai–Kagumori–Karingari road, a critical infrastructure project expected to improve transportation and open up economic opportunities across Gaturi South Ward.

Improved road access means faster delivery of farm inputs and produce, reduced post-harvest losses, and better connectivity between farmers and markets.

The women empowerment programme is anchored in the Embu Industrial Revolution – Vision 2035, spearheaded by entrepreneur Kenjava Mwaniki Wakagoto, which seeks to transform Embu into a thriving industrial hub.

Under the vision, more than 100 industries are projected to be established, each employing at least 500 young people, ensuring that agricultural productivity feeds directly into industrial growth.

“Our people are industrious farmers and they must get value for their proceeds. I have a ready market for milk and avocado so that our purchasing power can increase,” noted Wakagoto, underscoring a future where women-led farming fuels Embu’s economic transformation.

Lady Justice Rhoda Ruto delivered the landmark ruling in Machakos High Court. The ruling also lifted the reliance of farmers on commercial seed companies as the Seed and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Act,  2016 was cited as unconstitutional. 

15 stallholder farmers from the Seed Savers Network petitioned the court demanding legal recognition and protection of Farmer Managed Seed System, FMSS. They also wanted farmers' fundamental rights to be restored. 

The farmers argued that numerous amendments to the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants were both discriminatory to small holder farmers and sought to commercialise seed business at their expense. 

In their court papers,  farmers argued that between 2012 and 2016, some amendments were done to bring sweeping reinforcements to intellectual protection to new breeders while introducing punitive certification requirements for ordinary farmers. 

"The amendments have infringed several constitutional rights including the right to preservation of culture. Prohibiting the saving, exchange, or sale of unindexed varieties violates the fundamental rights of the Akamba community since it is part and parcel of their culture to do so, "lawyer Muhandick said in suit papers.

Lawyer Emily Muthama, representing Greenpeace Kenya, had submitted that the inclusion of indigenous seeds in the 2016 Act was grossly unconstitutional.  

She told the court that restricting unregistered seeds amounted to criminalising the exchange of seeds. This, said Lawyer Muthama, violates Article 11 of the Constitution.

Further,  she noted that there was no public participation prior to the introduction of the contested amendments. She noted that criminalising the failure to certify seeds was not only punitive but also eroded the petitioners' right to culture.

Advocate Peter Kuria represented the State.  He urged the court to throw out the petition on grounds that the cited international treaties can not be enforced until they were accommodated in local laws via legislation. 

While delivering her judgement,  Lady Justice Ruto noted that the provisions unfairly burdened small-scale farmers and gave disproportionate power to inspectors and commercial breeders.

The proprietor of the Global Energy Petrol filling station at Kabati market, Kauwi ward in Kitui West, Danvin Distributors Kenya Limited, said a contingent of armed police officers drawn from the Kabati Police Station located the Ndollos Corner commandeered by the Nema county director, Catherine Adonga, raided their premises on Tuesday November 25, 2025 at about 11 am and without minding to contact them, bundled their two fuel pump attendants, Jacob Malombe and Nicodemus Muthui  into a police vehicle and locked them in cells without justifiable explanation.

Danvin Distributors Kenya Ltd, the limited liability company, accused the Nema of imputing a sinister motive against it and claimed the arrest of its employees had caused it loss of unexplained amount of money and other items at the petrol station at plot number 22 in Kabati market, along the busy Kitui-Thika-Nairobi highway that connects Nairobi-Thika-Mwingi-Garissa road at Kanyonyoo junction.

The company said it was not notified of the impromptu raid and that it was not briefed whether or not it had committed any offence for non-compliance of the authority’s regulatory policies.

“We hold Nema responsible for harassing our workers, masterminding their arrests, detaining them in custody and causing financial loss to our business. We will be asking our legal team to move with speed and prepare charges against the Government entity. Nema misused the police to intimidate our workers,”  

Kabati Officer Commanding Police Station (OCS) Julius Kurgat confirmed the raid, arrests of Malombe and Muthui and their detention at the police station. However, the two detainees were released on police bail at 7pm after depositing a Sh10,000 cash each.

Today, Wednesday November 26, 2025, Malombe and Muthui went to Kitui Law Courts for plea to the charges but police did not present their files to the court.

Neither Ms Adonga nor the OCS responded to our inquiries about the matter involving the suspects.

On Tuesday at Kabati Police station, Adonga declined to talk to this writer and dodged the writer.

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Issuing a communique after a week long working retreat for the Kitui County Budget and Economic Forum at a Mombasa hotel on Friday, Dr Malombe said the forum recommended the strengthening of MSMEs  as engines of local wealth creation and jobs generation. "This will be achieved through the promotion of cooperative and SACCO based financing, development of markets and industrial infrastructure as well as targeted capacity building in business management, digital literacy, and value additiion," said the County Chief.

The Kitui county governor added that  the forum also recommended that his administration should facilitate market access through e-commerce platforms and preferential local procurement, thus positioning Kitui as a hub for enterprise growth and innovation.

Malombe further said it was decided at the Mombasa CBEF meeting that youth empowerment and employment creation would be prioritized as a key pillar of the Kitui county development agenda. He announced that serious efforts would be made towards expanding youth access to training, mentorship and innovation opportunities.

The governor said establishment and operationalization of ICT innovation hubs, agribusiness incubation centres, and creative industry programs across all sub counties will serve to empower the youth of Kitui. "Partnership with private sector actors, learning institutions, and development agencies will be strengthened to enhance skills development, access to finance and job creation in agriculture, ICT, tourism and manufacturing pivotal sectors," he added.

He pointed out the CBEFs  acts as think tank for county governments  across the country on matters budgeting, economy, and financial management. 

Malombe said the deliberations of the Mombasa forum were focused on building consensus on key policy priorities to guide the FY 2025/2026 planning and budgeting cycle and the county's long-term development outlook.

The operation, which is part of a nationwide effort to eliminate illegal pest control products, targeted both farm and household pesticides suspected to contain harmful chemicals that threaten human health, livestock, and agricultural productivity.

Speaking in Embu town after the exercise, PCPB General Manager for Compliance and Enforcement, Lawrence Kalawa, expressed concern over the growing number of illegal and smuggled pesticides in the market.

Kalawa warned that the cheap and unregistered products pose serious health and environmental risks, as many contain banned or toxic substances that can harm users and degrade the soil.

“We are stepping up enforcement this planting season to protect farmers from counterfeit products that end up destroying crops instead of protecting them. Such products are a threat to food security,” he said.

He urged farmers to be extra cautious during the short rains, noting that it is during this period of high demand that dishonest traders flood the market with fake products to make quick profits.

Kalawa encouraged farmers to buy pesticides only from PCPB-registered agro-vet outlets, where certified products bear official safety stickers to show they have been tested and approved.

He also warned traders dealing in unregistered or fake products to stop immediately, saying that the board will continue to intensify its surveillance and prosecute offenders.

“We will not relent in protecting farmers and consumers from harmful chemicals. Anyone found selling unauthorized pesticides will face the full force of the law,” he said.

The crackdown is part of PCPB’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that only safe and genuine pest control products are available in the Kenyan market, while safeguarding the health of citizens and the integrity of the country’s agriculture.

Goats

Mature buck 9000-20000

Medium 5500-9000

Mature female 6000-13500

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Sheep 5000-115000

Donkeys 

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Female 8000-11500

Chicken 

Mature cock 700-1200

Medium  450-650

Mature hen 450-700

Medium 350-500

-MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT

Dated:October 27, 2025

Speaking at Rukuriri Tea Factory in Embu county when he met farmers , the factory chairman Joseph Rwanjau dismissed the move, insisting that only human taste can accurately determine a tea’s true flavor. He said international buyers prefer the traditional biological testing method and warned that adopting machine-based testing would negatively affect Kenya’s exports.

“We prefer biological testing. The taste of a human being cannot be the taste of a machine. We tried machine testing before, but the buyers refused,” said Rwanjau.

He said it would be disastrous to dictate new testing methods to the market, noting that the tea industry thrives on consumer trust built over decades through biological tasting.

Rwanjau also dismissed allegations that tea farmers from the Eastern region receive higher bonuses than those in the Western, terming the claims as unfounded. He said tea quality is the only factor that determines pricing and bonus payments.

“Tea prices are determined purely by quality, not region. Rukuriri’s competitive edge and high bonus payments are due to the quality of leaf we produce and our commitment to value addition,” he stated.

To sustain higher earnings, Rwanjau announced that the factory has invested KSh 10 million in a new tea-packing machine, which has already been imported and will begin operations in December. He said the new equipment will increase the share of locally sold, value-added products from 2 percent to 10 percent, ensuring higher returns for farmers in the next payment cycle.

He attributed the factory’s strong financial performance to its focus on value addition, including production of branded tea bags and premium tea leaves.

Rwanjau further revealed that Rukuriri Tea Factory is focusing on expanding raw tea production. This year, he said, the factory has collected 1.7 million kilograms of green leaf, up from 1.6 million kilograms during the same period last year.

However, he raised concern over the delayed completion of the factory’s orthodox tea processing line, saying the setback has limited the factory’s ability to diversify and improve bonus payments.

The chairman also said fertilizer for farmers has already arrived at the Port of Mombasa and will be distributed soon to boost productivity.

He emphasized that increasing production volumes would reduce the average cost of production and, in turn, raise overall earnings for both the factory and its farmers.

The push for machine-based tea testing stems from growing discontent among tea farmers, particularly in the Rift Valley, who claim that the traditional biological grading system has been unfair and inconsistent, leading to lower bonuses for their produce. Many of these farmers argue that human-led tasting is prone to bias and subjective judgment, and they believe that introducing technology could bring transparency and uniformity to the grading process,  a proposal that has now sparked sharp debate across Kenya’s tea-growing regions.

Ruku warned that deviations from approved systems undermine professionalism in the public sector and create opportunities for corruption and nepotism.

He called on Human Resources (HR) officers to serve as “custodians of integrity and accountability” within the public service, stressing that counties must align their recruitment practices with National standards to promote transparency and merit-based employment.

“The government of President William Ruto is committed to ensuring we have a very effective and efficient administration on behalf of the people of Kenya. This can only be achieved if Human Resources managers and directors synchronise their efforts to run day-to-day public affairs effectively,” Ruku said.

The CS cautioned against irregular salary payments and unauthorised appointments that inflate National and County wage bills, saying such practices derail development projects. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening HR management systems to promote efficiency, fairness, and productivity across all levels of public administration.

Speaking in Naivasha during the opening of the 29th Annual National Human Resource Management (HRM) Conference, Ruku revealed that a recent audit across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Counties had exposed widespread malpractices in HR departments.

He said some officers had turned job recruitment into a commercial enterprise by selling employment opportunities, falsifying credentials, and manipulating merit-based selection systems.

“The audit uncovered systemic collusion between some HR officers and job seekers involving the sale of employment opportunities and falsification of academic credentials. This behaviour undermines service delivery, erodes public trust, and costs our economy billions,” he stated.

Ruku declared that any HR practitioner found guilty of corruption would face deregistration, prosecution, and a permanent ban from the profession.

“Let me be clear, the era of impunity is over. We are working with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) to ensure those who have commercialised recruitment are punished,” he warned.

The conference, attended by over 1,000 HR professionals from across the country, was held under the theme “Human Capital: Africa’s Growth Currency in a 4D World; Digital, Diverse, Decentralised, and Dynamic.”

Ruku praised the IHRM for promoting professionalism, ethics, and innovation in workplace management, noting that the organisation continues to play a key role in aligning Kenya’s workforce with the country’s development agenda.

“Your efforts have contributed to the progressive labour practices and good governance we enjoy today,” he said.

The CS underscored the importance of human capital as Africa’s most valuable resource, noting that nations investing in their people will lead the future in innovation, productivity, and prosperity.

 “The future of Africa will not be determined by natural resources, but by our people. Human capital is indeed the real currency of growth for Africa,” he said.

Ruku highlighted that President Ruto’s administration has placed people at the centre of national transformation through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on empowering communities and creating opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, MSMEs, housing, healthcare, and the digital economy.

He cited the Affordable Housing Programme as a prime example of human capital-driven transformation, noting that it not only develops infrastructure but also creates jobs, dignity, and opportunities for youth and local enterprises.

“The success of BETA depends on a qualified, ethical, and motivated workforce,” he added.

Ruku challenged HR professionals to lead efforts in rebuilding trust and integrity in both the public and private sectors.

HR professionals are the bridge between policy and performance. You must champion meritocracy, fairness, and accountability,” he told the delegates.

He further highlighted the government’s collaboration with the IHRM and the Public Service Commission to strengthen systems promoting meritocracy, efficiency, and continuous professional development.

Turning to the youth, Ruku emphasised the importance of equipping them with digital and entrepreneurial skills through initiatives such as the Ajira Digital Programme, which trains young people in coding, digital marketing, and online content creation.

 “Our youth represent the digital dimension of this 4D world. We must create workplaces that are inclusive, dynamic, and youth-friendly,” he said.

Ruku reaffirmed the government’s support for IHRM’s efforts to eliminate impostors and unethical individuals from the profession.

 “Kenya needs ethical, competent, and responsible HR professionals we can trust to steward our greatest national asset,  our people,” he concluded, as he officially declared the 29th Annual HRM Conference open.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ndambuki said that to avert the massive loss of livestock experienced during prolonged dry spells in the Lower Eastern region, TWWDA has developed a comprehensive plan to guarantee sufficient water supply for livestock throughout the year. “Livestock keeping is the main economic activity for the people of Kajiado and parts of Lower Eastern. When animals die due to lack of water, families lose their primary source of income. As Tanathi, we are determined to address this challenge,” she said.

Ndambuki made the remarks while leading the TWWDA board on an inspection tour of the Sh17 million Kaya Earth Dam project in Kyuso Ward, Kitui County. Once completed, the dam will serve at least 150 households. She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting President William Ruto’s goal of providing adequate water to underserved communities in the Lower Eastern region and across the country.

 “We are implementing water projects in remote areas like Kaya in line with President Ruto’s Bottom-Up Transformational Agenda. Our mission is to make clean and reliable water accessible to people at the grassroots,” Ndambuki added.

The chairperson noted that the board was impressed by the contractor’s performance, observing that the project was already 60 percent complete. Local residents expressed optimism about the project’s impact. Rebecca Kyambi, a villager whose late husband donated the land for the dam, said the new water source would help address numerous social challenges faced by the community. “We have suffered severe water shortages for years. The nearest source is several kilometers away, and when young women take long to fetch water, they are often reprimanded by their husbands out of suspicion,” said Kyambi.

She added that once the project is complete, such issues will be a thing of the past as locals will have easy access to water, significantly reducing the time spent fetching it.

Community leader Daniel Katee lauded the project, describing it as a posthumous honor to Musili Mwangangi, who donated his land to make the project a reality. “The Kaya Dam is a dream come true for our community. It will forever honor the late Mwangangi’s selfless contribution to ensuring we have a reliable water source,” said Katee.

The disgruntled staff, who gathered outside the Embu branch premises, accused their employer of neglect and injustice, saying the prolonged delay had pushed them and their families into untold suffering. Many carried placards decrying the “five months of silence and suffering,” as they chanted slogans demanding fairness and dignity.

Embu Post Office Branch Communication Workers Union chairman, Joseph Rwanjau, led the protest, condemning the government for failing to address the plight of its employees. “These workers you are seeing here have gone for five months without pay. The last time they received a salary was in April. Since then, they have been struggling to survive,” he lamented.

Rwanjau said the situation had become unbearable, with some workers unable to afford basic necessities. He urged the government to release the pending Huduma funds so that salaries could be processed immediately. “This is a dire situation. We are public servants, yet we cannot feed our families or pay our bills,” he said.

The union leader painted a grim picture of the workers’ daily struggles, saying their children are suffering alongside them. “Imagine going to work every day, knowing you will not be paid. Our children ask us for food and school fees, and we have nothing to give them,” he said.

Another worker, Aaron Kamau, echoed Rwanjau’s sentiments, declaring that intimidation and threats will not silence their call for justice. “We will not be cowed. No salary means no work. It’s that simple,” he stated.

Kamau criticized the authorities for failing to communicate clearly about when the pending salaries would be settled. “We serve the nation diligently, yet the government seems to have forgotten us. All we want is what we have worked for,” he insisted.

Nyawira Mutugi, another employee, described the financial hardship as “inhuman and unacceptable.” She said most of them have been forced to borrow money just to survive, and even local shop owners have grown weary of lending them goods. “We owe everyone around us. Some of our shopkeepers now hide when they see us coming,” she said bitterly.

Mutugi further appealed to the government to show compassion to its workers. “We have rent, school fees, and medical bills to pay. How does the government expect us to survive with nothing?” she questioned.

The workers have vowed to maintain their protest until their pay is released.

In a press statement, Cabinet Secretary Dr Wycliffe Oparanya said "the physical validation exercise for the business support component will take place on Friday 24th October 2025, across all the 290 constituencies in the country".

The World Bank-sponsored NYOTA programme will provide young people with Sh50000 capital to start and maintain their businesses.

To qualify for the NYOTA project, you must be aged between 18 and 29 years old and up to 35 years if you're a Person with Disabilities.

The Federation of Kenya Employers estimates that the overall unemployment in Kenya is at 12.7%. Among these, the youth form the bulk of the unemployed at 67%.

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Speaking during the Kenya Civil Servants National Delegates Conference held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, announced the formation of a task force to spearhead the salary harmonisation agenda.

He said the task force comprises key institutions, including the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Public Service Commission (PSC), and the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development.

“To achieve equity and fairness in the public service, I have set up a task force. The President is working day and night to ensure the welfare of all public servants is well taken care of in terms of salaries, allowances, and working conditions,” said CS Ruku.

Ruku emphasised that fairness in remuneration is not just a moral obligation but a constitutional one. He pointed out the current discrepancies where public servants with similar qualifications and responsibilities earn vastly different salaries depending on their department or agency.

“There is no reason as to why, for instance, an officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and another in a state agency such as KenGen should be paid differently if they hold similar qualifications and responsibilities. The principle of equity must be upheld,” Ruku stated.

Ruku described the Kenya Civil Service as the best on the continent and expressed confidence that, despite existing challenges, ongoing reforms would transform it into an efficient and fully empowered workforce.

“We want to employ the civil service to its capacity and ensure it works optimally,” he said, urging all civil servants to uphold diligence, integrity, and decorum in the execution of their duties.

In addition to salary reforms, the Cabinet Secretary addressed other key welfare issues, notably medical insurance. He confirmed that the government had remitted KSh 4.1 billion to the Social Health Authority two months ago to support the civil servants’ health insurance scheme.

“We want every civil servant to walk into any health facility and receive medical care without frustration. That’s our commitment,” said Ruku, adding that his ministry remains in continuous engagement with the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority to ensure seamless access to healthcare.

Ruku also highlighted the government's commitment to reviewing all existing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) to identify gaps and fast-track their implementation in a bid to enhance the welfare of civil servants.

He stressed the importance of personal responsibility and accountability in the public service, noting that improved working conditions must be matched with ethical conduct.

“We must be responsible for our actions and ensure integrity in everything we do. As the government works to improve your welfare, you must also uphold ethical standards,” he said.

The conference brought together delegates from across the country to discuss public service reforms, workers’ welfare, and the future of Kenya’s civil service. The salary harmonisation initiative is expected to be a landmark step in motivating the workforce and ensuring justice in public remuneration.