Speaking today during elders' Baraza at  Siakago attended by over 5,600 elders, Prof  Kindiki declared that Mbeere North must remain aligned with the government following the recent appointment of former MP Geoffrey Ruku as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programs.

“I will personally lead the charge in Mbeere North. I am not leaving until we win this seat for UDA,” the Deputy President said, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd. His remarks set the tone for a fierce battle for the seat vacated by Mr. Ruku, now elevated to the Cabinet by President William Ruto.

Kindiki, who was flanked by Mr. Ruku, passionately urged  locals to vote for a government-backed candidate, saying it was time for the community to reciprocate the trust and honour shown by the President. “Don’t let me and President William Ruto down.Support the candidate who will help our government fulfill its promises to the people of Mbeere,” he urged.

With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) expected to announce the by-election date soon, Kindiki assured residents he would return in full force to rally support once the official campaign period kicks off. “I’m just waiting for IEBC’s green light. Then I will be here, every day, until we clinch this seat,” he declared.

Eight aspirants have already expressed interest in flying the UDA flag in the by-election. Prof. Kindiki confirmed that the party will conduct transparent nominations to pick the strongest candidate. He reassured those who won’t clinch the ticket that the government will find alternative roles for them in the Public Service.

“Let’s not fight each other. The winner gets the ticket, and those who don’t should support them. You are all valued. We will ensure you are accommodated in government positions because the government is for everybody,” he said.

Mr. Ruku echoed Kindiki’s sentiments, revealing that elders from various clans across Mbeere North had met and agreed to back the UDA candidate. “We are united. The elders have spoken with one voice and agreed that whoever will secure UDA ticket we shall all support him to win Mbeere North MP seat” he said.

Ruku added that the community had every reason to remain loyal to the government, citing various development projects already underway in the region. “This government has walked the talk. We have seen roads, water projects, and schools being revived. We are in government to stay,” he stated.

Before the rally, the elders held a press briefing where they lauded President Ruto for appointing one of their own to the Cabinet, saying it was a powerful gesture of inclusion and respect to the Mbeere people. “We are grateful. This is the highest honor ever bestowed on us. We won’t forget,” said Benson Kanyenji, who read the joint statement.

In the statement, the elders pledged full support for the President, the Deputy President, and the UDA party, promising to rally the community to vote in unity during the by-election. “We affirm our unwavering support for the government and its development agenda,” they said.

Prof. Kindiki wrapped up his visit by assuring residents that all stalled projects across the constituency will be revived and completed by 2027. “The money is there. The will is there. Now, we just need the right leaders on the ground,"he stated.

Earlier this week, a faction led by Joshua Kanake, who claimed to be the county coordinator, announced their defection from UDA, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of betrayal and neglect. Kanake’s group cited unfulfilled promises made to Embu residents during the 2022 campaigns, lamenting the government’s failure to reward loyalty and deliver development.

But in a swift and scathing rebuttal, another faction dismissed Kanake and his allies as imposters with no official ties to the party.

Speaking in Embu town, Mt. Kenya East UDA Regional Manager Albert Njeru rubbished the defection, branding Kanake a political pretender with no place in UDA's official structures.

“Joshua Kanake is a stranger to UDA. He does not feature anywhere in our records and has no authority to speak or act on behalf of the party,” Njeru declared, warning party members against being misled by what he termed as political theatrics.

Njeru further revealed that the party is mulling legal action against Kanake over claims of impersonating the county coordinator, a position officially held by Lawrence Kamugane.

Kamugane, the man recognized by the party’s top brass, dismissed claims that UDA had collapsed in Embu. “The party is not only intact. It is thriving. Our support is growing stronger each day, and we remain committed to delivering on our promises,” he said.

Defending Governor Cecily Mbarire, who also serves as the UDA National Chairperson, grassroots leader Monica Wambui dismissed allegations that she was running the party like a private entity.

“The Governor is focused on implementing the Embu Economic Charter and driving the county's development agenda. She remains a key pillar of our party,” Wambui stated.

As the political dust settles, all eyes are now on UDA’s national leadership to bring order to the escalating wrangles threatening the party’s unity in Embu ahead of the 2027 General election.

UV radiation can be primarily classified into three types based on their wavelengths.This includes ultraviolet A[UVA],ultraviolet B, UVB], and ultraviolet C [UVC].Both UVA and UVB reach the earth and can affect humans but UVA

penetrates deeper into the skin and is more constant throughout the year.

UV radiation has some benefits such as production of vitamin D which is essential for human health because it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorous from food and also assists in development of bones and teeth. It also helps the body to resist diseases such as rickets where legs of children become soft and bend osteomalacia characterized by bones softening and pain and osteoporos where bones become weak and brittle increasing the risk of fractures. 

The World Health Organization [WHO] recommends 5-15 minutes of sun exposure two to three times a week.

Though UV radiation has some health benefits, prolonged exposure to UV radiation poses significant dangers to the health of humans. With the depletion of ozone layer, ultraviolet rays reach the earth posing danger to both the skin and the eyes.

Short-term exposure to UV radiation

causes sunburns while excessive exposure to UV radiation causes premature aging and skin cancer. Skin cancer which is the most common cancer

caused by UV radiation appears as cell cancer and squamous cell cancer which form on head, face, neck and arms because these are the body parts that are mostly exposed to UV radiation. 

According to Skin Cancer Foundation Organization, cell cancers often occur when DNA in the top layer of the skin due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or indoor tannings that trigger changes in basal cells in the outermost

layer of the skin[epidermis] resulting in uncontrolled growth. 

Though anybody can have harmful health effects resulting from UV radiation, the risks are more common to people who have prolonged exposure to the sun, those with light-skin colour, people over the age of 50 years, those whose family members have skin cancer and people who take some types of oral and typical medicine such as antibiotics as well as cosmetics that may increase skin and eye sensitivity to UV radiation in all skin types.

Beyond individual health, UV radiation also has implications on the environment and ecosystem. It affects crops productivity by inhibiting photosynthesis due to high UV radiation which cause oxidative stress that damage cellular components.

Additionally, UV radiation also disrupts aquatic ecosystem by harming phytoplankton which are critical to marine food chain. According to United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP] ,UV radiation disrupts ecosystems by impairing growth and development of phytoplankton and also damages plant tissues reducing agricultural productivity.

To mitigate the dangers posed by UV exposure, protective measures have to be observed. According to National Eye Institute[NEI], we can protect our eyes from UV rays by wearing wraparound sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Other protective measures may include staying in shade during midday hours, and wearing clothes that cover your hands and legs or wider hats on sunny seasons, and avoiding indoor tanning.

Public education campaigns and government like restricting tanning bed usage among miners can also help in reducing UV-related health issues. Through awareness, prevention and protective measures, the harmful effects of UV radiation can be significantly reduced and therefore promoting a healthier future for all.

For decades, goats in Tharaka Nithi were kept primarily for meat and cultural purposes. But now, the narrative is changing. A visit to Marimanti Ward reveals dozens of women milking their Toggenburg goats every morning, extracting up to 2.5 litres per domestic animal, a significant shift from the 0.5 litres traditional breeds offered.

“I used to rely on miraa sales, which were unreliable. Now, my goat milk earns me up to KSh 600 daily,” says Naomi Kaaria, a member of the Gatarakwa Women's Group in Chiakariga.

According to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), goat milk is richer in calcium and iron than cow milk, and more digestible for children and the elderly. In an area where malnutrition cases were once high, the switch to goat milk is not just economic. It is life-saving.

According to the health department in Tharaka Nithi County, they have recorded a 30% improvement in nutritional indicators among children in dairy goat-farming households.

Yet, the journey hasn't been smooth. Inadequate veterinary services and limited access to markets once threatened the budding industry. That’s until the Tharaka Nithi Dairy Goat Cooperative Society, formed in 2022, began training farmers on breeding, milk hygiene, and cooperative marketing.

“We sell collectively, package well, and now supply supermarkets in Chuka and even Meru,” says James Kaaria, the Cooperative chairperson.

Traditionally, livestock belonged to men, but women in Tharaka Nithi have taken charge. Supported by NGOs like Heifer International Kenya, over 1,200 women have been trained and empowered to own and manage dairy goats.

“There was resistance, but when men saw the money, they began buying goats for their wives,” jokes Mary Karimi, a community mobilizer in Mariani in Tharaka Nithi county.

As the sun sets behind the green hills of Tharaka Nithi, the bleating of goats echoes a story of hope. What began as a simple agricultural shift is now a symbol of resilience, gender equity, and grassroots development.

Tharaka Nithi may not be famous for large-scale agriculture or tourism, but it’s now gaining a name for pioneering community-led change one drop of goat milk at a time.

In a fiery press briefing that had all the ingredients of political rebellion, UDA National Executive Council (NEC) member Joshua Kanake led a host of disillusioned grassroots leaders in declaring their divorce from the party they once passionately marketed in Embu County.

“These are the very people who recruited supporters to UDA and campaigned vigorously for the Kenya Kwanza government in the last general election, but what do we have to show for it? Isolation, silence, and broken promises.”Kanake said.

The disgruntled leaders painted a picture of a party that has turned its back on its foot soldiers. They specifically took aim at UDA Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, accusing her of locking out grassroots voices and running the party like a personal errand.

“We have made frantic efforts to meet her and engage on service delivery, but she has ignored us. From today henceforth, we have no ties with the UDA party. Let us leave the party to Mbarire ,we are out!”Kanake lamented.

The group accused the Kenya Kwanza government of failing to deliver tangible development in Embu, branding the administration as “a government of empty promises.”

Danson Muriuki, the UDA Coordinator for Manyatta Constituency said the ruling party has failed people and they cannot continue associating with a regime that "abducts young people and ignores its grassroots soldiers".

Joyce Murekio, another vocal coordinator, termed the party’s treatment of loyalists as disgraceful. “We carried this party from grass to grace, only to be cast aside. It’s not just unfair.  It is betrayal”she stated.

Gerald Ireri, Coordinator for Mbeere South stated that the marriage with UDA is no longer tenable. “Our political marriage with UDA is toxic. There are no children, and the spouse has already married other wives. The way we came is the way we go”she lamented.

The leaders now say they are political free agents, consulting with like-minded Kenyans on their next course a move likely to send shockwaves through the UDA grassroots network.

Political governance expert Bosco Kiura has dismissed the move terming it as political clout saying they were in UDA coordinators meeting and nothing has been resolved ditching the party .

John Mate, a Kenya Kwanza politician in Manyatta constituency, said purporting to have ditched the party, they did so as individuals but the members are still intact urging Embu locals to continue supporting UDA party and government for development agenda.