Confirming the incident, Kitui County Chief Officer for Livestock and Apiculture Jonathan Kyambi cautioned residents  not to eat meat from either dead or sick cattle in order to avoid contracting zoonitic diseases. 

Speaking on Tuesday,  the Chief Officer said the cows spotted tick infestations, making the ECF spread fast among communities which share watering points and grazing areas. "Yesterday, I received information about worrying deaths of cattle in Mutitu. We embarked on collecting specimen samples for investigations to establish the cause of deaths. I spearheaded the exercise, "said CO Kyambi.

It is believed that the disease originated from Kangundo constituency in Machakos county, where a buyer did not seek a movement and no objection permit."The animal was infected with East Coast Fever, and when it miggled with other local animals,  it infected them," said Mr Kyambi.

The most affected areas are Kitoo and Musukini villages, according to CO Kyambi. Other symptoms observed from the sick animals were general body weakness and being overwhelmed by the parasites. 

The County Government of Kitui carries out free livestock vaccination two times every year to minimise such heavy losses to farmers.

Education CS Migos Ogamba said it was paramount for the administration of exams to remain fair for all candidates. 

"The government remains committed to zero tolerance to examination irregularities; equal opportunity for every learner regardless of the region and strengthening public trust in national assessment", said the CS in Kitui town this Friday. 

CS Ogamba presided over the opening and distribution of KNEC and KJSEA papers to heads of institutions at the county commissioner's office. 

CS Ogamba pointed out that there were enhanced security features for better supervision of national examination exercise. 

He at the same time put on notice unscrupulous people who take advantage of this season to sell fake exams papers to unsuspecting learners. The CS urged the young people to remain confident in order to excel in their examinations.

For years, residents of Kitui South Constituency, particularly Mutha Ward, have been grappling with persistent attacks from Somali camel herders believed to have crossed over from Tana River County. These clashes have led to losses of lives, displacement of families, and widespread fear among residents.

The latest incident occurred recently when a resident from Mutha Ward sustained a gunshot wound during an attack allegedly perpetrated by camel herders. He is currently recovering at Kenyatta National Hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his rib. The attack, local leaders say, is proof that the long-standing conflict remains unresolved and continues to endanger innocent lives.

As candidates across the country sit for the KPSEA, KJSEA and KCSE examinations, education stakeholders in Kitui have raised alarm over the safety of learners and teachers in affected areas. They fear that students walking to and from examination centres are exposed to possible attacks.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Kitui Branch leaders speaking during meeting held on Monday 27th October, 2025 led by the KNUT Kitui County Secretary, Simon Mutunga Nding’o, voiced deep concern over the security situation, calling on the Interior Ministry to guarantee maximum protection for both learners and teachers throughout the examination period.

“Security remains a serious issue in parts of Kitui South. Learners and teachers should not have to risk their lives to sit national examinations. We urge the government to provide adequate security patrols, especially around Mutha and other border areas,” said Nding’o.

Echoing his sentiments, KNUT Mutomo Branch Secretary Clapperton Kilonzo noted that the presence of armed camel herders has for years disrupted peace in Kitui South, leaving residents living in constant fear.

“I urge the Ministry of Interior to act decisively and restore peace in Mutha Ward. We want our learners to undertake their examinations in a peaceful environment,” Kilonzo stated.

KNUT Mutomo branch in Kitui South constituency  Chairman Paul Mbuvi also appealed to the national government to extend protection to teachers who are tasked with supervising and invigilating the ongoing examinations.“Teachers are performing a critical national duty. It is only fair that the government guarantees their safety so that they can conduct exams without fear,” Mbuvi said.

According to the Kitui County Education Office, 27, 222 students are sitting for the KCSE examinations, 34,950 for KJSEA, and 32,300 for KPSEA across the county. A significant number of these candidates are from Kitui South, where security remains compromised.

Leaders now want the Ministry of Interior to deploy additional security personnel to restore peace and ensure that learners, teachers, and residents in volatile areas can go about their activities without fear.

The training was in line with Governor Dr Julius Malombe's efforts to position Kitui as a premier tourism destination in the country. This will create more jobs for the hospitality industry stakeholders and promote community-based tourism vibrant while fostering better environmental conservation.

Kitui Deputy Governor Wambua Kanani was the chief guest in the graduation ceremony. Notably, Dr Kanani is also the CECM in charge of Tourism, Hospitality and Game Reserve docket.

Separately, another event held at Tseikuru National Polytechnic was graced by members of the Tourism Fund Board led by Sylas Tochim, Patrick Muthengi Ng'ere, Lorna Nyamwea, Joseph Njau, Secretary, State Department of TVETs, among others.

Another event held at a Nairobi hotel saw the launch of star rating of hotels in Kitui County begin. It was held by the County Government of Kitui and the Tourism Regularity Authority.

The ongoing accreditation of hotels in the county saw the following hotels emerge winners:

1Gold-Ngolu Hotel

2Silver-Sunmarino Hotel and Parkside Villa

3Bronze-Premier Hotel, Kitui Villa, Lacienda and OVI Hotel.

Mr Harrison Lendi Nguna and his friend were attacked by the camel herders in Mutha ward, Kitui South. The attacks left Nguna with a bullet lodged in his back. Doctors at Kitui Level IV hospital referred him to Kenya National Hospital for specialized treatment to remove the bullet which may paralyse him if left unattended.

The incident happened at Inyali village on Monday evening. Harrison's friend was thoroughly beaten by the assailants and abandoned in the bushes. 

On reporting the incident to Mutha Police Station, no arrests were made by the police. Area MCA Dominic Mwamisi condemned the harrowing attacks saying that President Dr William Ruto should restore peace in the volatile Kitui South. He took note that the Head of State never commented anything about Mutha attacks in his Mashujaa Day speech.

Terrified locals said the gun-wielding attackers retreated to thickets ostensibly waiting to strike again.

Residents have intercepted the man ferrying the unidentified people. Latest reports from a resident who witnessed the arrest are that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers nabbed the driver and one of the suspects. "DCI washachukua dere na one of the suspects", the source said.

Investigations are underway. Mwingi is a transit town used by travellers from North Eastern region to get to Nairobi and back.

According to officials from Ayurvedic eye hospital, Raila died at around 9am.

"He had been under treatment at the facility for the last five days. He was accompanied by daughter and personal doctor", wrote The Hindu newspaper.

He was 80 years old. The former premier was a partner in Kenya Kwanza government which is currently facing waning popularity two years to 2027 general elections. ODM party faces a unity challenge amid Raila's demise.

Mwingi town residents mourned the deceased who is a well known merchant and a retired civil servant.

The accident took place at around 6PM on Monday evening. Traffic police officers rushed to the scene and collected the body and took it to the morgue.

A source who spoke to MWINGI TIMES said that the trader died on the spot as he was hit by the lorry while crossing the Thika-Garissa road which strandles Mwingi town.

Our source further confided that the accident victim owned both a Probox matatu and a fleet of transport trucks.

The fate of lorry driver was not immediately known since he fled the scene of accident.

‎

‎In a surprise visit to his home in Kathonzweni village, Mui Ward, Kitui County, the alumni showered their former mentor with praises and gratitude for his remarkable role in molding their character and academic success.

‎Led by prominent commercial affairs lawyer Mr. William Maema, the old boys also presented gifts to Mr. Nzila and his wife, Serah, as tokens of appreciation.

‎Maema lauded the retired educator for instilling discipline, hard work, and moral values among the students, noting that most members of the 1983 class had since established themselves in respectable and influential positions across various sectors.

‎He described the now 85-year-old retired teacher as a “God-sent angel” who transformed Kyuso Boys’ Secondary School after taking over as headteacher in late 1980.

‎ “Life was extremely tough and unbearable at Kyuso then. Water was a scarce commodity, and teachers avoided the school due to the harsh conditions,” Maema recalled.

‎“Most subjects had no teachers, and we had to study on our own to avoid failing our examinations.”

‎Maema narrated how Mr. Nzila, upon realizing the difficulty of attracting teachers to the remote school, traveled to Nairobi and personally purchased a large consignment of books to stock the school library. “With our library fully equipped, those of us determined to learn worked hard — and when national examinations came, we performed as well as students from prestigious schools like Alliance High,” Maema said.

‎He added that the headteacher also worked tirelessly to resolve the chronic water shortage, enabling students to focus more on their studies without the burden of fetching water.‎ “Although we are guilty of waiting 42 years to visit the man who made us who we are, we felt compelled to finally come and say thank you,” Maema added.

‎Visibly moved, Mr. Nzila expressed deep gratitude for the gesture from his former students. “This is truly memorable. I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I would host my former students as they came to appreciate my contribution to their education and lives,” said the emotional retired tutor.

‎He added that although he had taught many cohorts during his long teaching career, no other group had ever paid him such a visit. He vowed to treasure the 1983 class’s act of appreciation for the rest of his life.

The retired tutor was all smiles as he received his former "old boys" at his home in Kathonzweni village, Mui Ward, Mwingi Central sub county.

After writing their KCE examinations in 1983, the alumni have since gone on with their lives establishing successful careers courtesy of Mr Nzila and his former colleagues.

This was revealed by Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Muoria, when she led students, teachers, and residents in a tree-planting exercise at her former school, ACK Ciamanda Primary, in Runyenjes Constituency, Embu County.

The exercise was part of activities marking this year’s Mazingira Day, where more than 2,000 fruit trees, including avocado, mangoes, oranges, and pawpaws, were planted within the school compound and neighboring institutions. The event brought together learners, parents, and community members in a show of collective responsibility towards environmental restoration.

Dr. Muoria emphasized that schools offer a ready platform to inculcate a tree-planting culture among the youth, ensuring the country achieves sustainable environmental stewardship. She noted that engaging children early in such activities not only contributes to the national goal but also nurtures future generations of environmentally conscious citizens.

"As government we want to leverage especially on schools because in school we have people. We have parents, teachers and it is easy in meeting oue target," she said.

The PS called on parents and teachers to encourage learners to plant and take care of trees both at home and in school. She stressed that tree planting should go beyond being a one-day event and instead become a continuous practice that supports Kenya’s broader climate action agenda.

Dr. Muoria further stated that the government is keen on achieving a balance between environmental conservation and food security. By promoting the planting of fruit trees, she said, learners and communities will benefit from nutrition and income-generating opportunities while still contributing to forest cover.

She commended the community around Ciamanda for turning up in large numbers to support the exercise and urged other regions to emulate the spirit of partnership between schools and local residents. According to her, such collaboration demonstrates the power of collective effort in addressing environmental challenges.

The PS  reaffirmed the government’s commitment to environmental restoration and called on Kenyans from all walks of life to actively participate in tree-planting drives. She noted that with sustained effort and unity of purpose, Kenya can successfully meet the 15-billion-tree target and secure a greener, more resilient future.

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.” Erma Bombeck. There is no such thing as a great talent without great will power. The real issue is not talent as an independent element, but talent in relationship to will, desire, and persistence.

Talent without these things vanishes and even modest talent with those characteristics grows. “Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards or sideways.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

At first I wasn’t sure that I had the talent but I did know I had a fear of failure, and that fear compelled me to fight off anything that might abet it. Self-doubt kills talent.

Speaking during an official function in Embu County, Ruku revealed that a recent audit into the public service's Human Resource systems uncovered massive irregularities and mismanagement. He expressed concern over the level of collusion between some Human Resource officers and unscrupulous individuals.

He said according to the audit report released recently, some human resource officers have been altering birth dates of public officers in government systems to unlawfully extend their service periods. Ruku termed this as not only illegal but a serious abuse of office that undermines fairness in the civil service.

The CS further noted that certain HR officers have been facilitating tax evasion by exempting specific individuals from paying their dues. He warned that this fraudulent conduct is costing the government significant revenue and will no longer be tolerated.

“We have seen worrying trends where some officials are helping individuals avoid taxes and alter official records to stay in office longer than allowed by law. Those involved will be prosecuted and dismissed,” said Ruku.

He also pointed out that the audit revealed cases of job group manipulation, where civil servants were irregularly promoted or placed in higher salary brackets without following due process. This, he said, not only inflates the wage bill but demoralizes deserving employees.

Ruku reiterated the government's commitment to rooting out such corruption, stating that those who think they are untouchable within the system will soon face justice. “The government is coming for you. If you are engaging in these irregularities, you will lose your job and be prosecuted,” he warned.

The Cabinet Secretary called on all government officials to discharge their duties with integrity, professionalism, and dedication to public service. He stressed that public resources must be protected and managed transparently for the benefit of all Kenyans.

As the head of the public service docket, Ruku affirmed his personal commitment to confronting these issues head-on. He promised to clean up the payroll system, which he claimed has been manipulated to favor select individuals unlawfully.

He further noted that the crackdown would not be limited to national government offices alone. County government HR officers involved in similar malpractice will also face similar consequences, with investigations already underway.

Ruku emphasized that the government, under President William Ruto's leadership, is keen on fighting corruption at all levels. “The president is very passionate about the war on corruption, and as the Cabinet Secretary, I am aligned with that vision,” he stated.

He called on all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity while serving Kenyans. He urged officers to be part of the solution, not the problem, in restoring credibility and efficiency in the public service.

The influence of a good teacher can never be erased. A teacher plants the seeds of knowledge, sprinkles them with love, and patiently nurtures their growth. “Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” Japanese proverb. 

A gifted teacher is not only prepared to meet the needs of today’s child but is also prepared to foresee the hopes and dreams in every child’s future. The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires” William Arthur Ward.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Real teaching is about lighting a fire, not filling a bucket. 

Good teaching is more of giving the right questions than giving of right answers. Great teachers empathize with children, respect them and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon. If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people, instead teach 

them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. “I touch the future. I teach.” Christa McAuliffe.

Great men are not born great, they grow great. It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness. ''Nothing can hold you back from your great desires, dreams and aspirations as fear of failure.'' Donald Allen. ''Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.'' Eleanor Roosevelt.

Nothing liberates our greatness like the desire to help, the desire to serve. ''The price of greatness is responsibility'', Winston Churchill. The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. When you are able to maintain your own highest standards of integrity regardless of what others may do, you are destined for greatness. 

Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve. 

No one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe. Desire, burning desire, is basic to achieving anything beyond the ordinary.

Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown. Greatness begins beyond your comfort zone.

Everyone should build their network before they need it. Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity and time. If people like you they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you they’ll support your burning zeal in life. “To be successful, you have to be able to relate to people; they have to be satisfied with your personality to be able to do business with you and to build a relationship with mutual trust.” George Ross. Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.

Networking is marketing. Marketing yourself, your uniqueness, what you stand for. Everything you want in life is a relationship away.

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t. Most professionals treat networking as a short-term task, rather than a long-term strategy. I’ve learned that a strong network is the ultimate shortcut to everything you want to achieve! 

“If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want hundred years of prosperity, grow people”, Chinese Proverb. We’re talking about tapping into other people’s marketing, mind power and momentum, even other people’s workforce. Cross-promote with others in the industry you operate in. Your network is your net worth.

#BoyChild #SeedBearer #Networking

Governor Julius Malombe commissioned the renovation of the school's dining hall on Friday. This is part of the governor's efforts in empowering the youth to be placed in great stead in utilizing skills learned in technical training colleges for self employment and overall community development .

The project which produces 50 cubic meters (50000 litres) of water per day is benefiting over 300 homes in the area.

The water facility is managed by KIMWASCO. Plans are underway to install elevated tanks at Mwangeni making it possible to serve other neighboring shopping centres such as Kakunguu and Kalwa.

Your attire reflects your sense of value or taste and of course, your speech either makes or mars you. Dress how you want to be addressed. 

In rapid human interactions, fashion is an "instant language" that helps people form immediate impressions about you. Clothes serve as a form of self-expression, providing insights into who you are and how you feel. Dressing in a manner that aligns with your aspirations can boost your confidence and readiness for opportunities.

Dressing well is a form of good manners. Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. Looking good isn't self-importance; it's self-respect. 

Elegance is the only beauty that never fades. Simplicity is the key to true elegance. You can't buy class."The joy of dressing is an art." John Galliano.