AFRICAN STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO PAPA WEMBA

AFRICAN STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO PAPA WEMBA

BY JEFFERSON KIPKEMOI.

African stars including Cameroonian soccer star Samuel Eto’o have joined the rest of Africa and the World in eulogizing Congolese Musician Papa Wemba who passed on while performing on Saturday (23^rd April 2016) night in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

“I'm all the more affected by this sad event as I'm a big fan of Congolese music. Papa Wemba so loved his music that he left while performing.” Read part of Eto’o’s statement on his facebook tribute to the maverick African musician who liked being called the “singer”.

"I would like people to say just 'singer'. Because that's what I am. A singer. Full stop." A statement on his 1995 album Emotion read.

The musician whose real name is Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba has been described using several adverbs such as rebellious, prolific, a style icon, notorious and innovative.

He is one of the pioneers of modern Congolese soukous music. Born in 1949 and passed on at the age of 66 years began his singing career in religious choirs. In the 1970s and 1980s, he made soukous the most popular sound across Africa, and attracted international music figures like Peter Gabriel.

While working with bands including Zaiko Langa Langa, Isifi and Viva La Musica, he produced several hits like L'Esclave and Le Voyageur.

His artistic prowess did not stop with music but also in acting which saw him appearing in two feature films, Life Is Beautiful (1987) and Wild Games (1997).

He was also a style icon, and became a force in a movement called the Sapeurs, which led to young men copying him and dressing on designer clothes.

Papa Wemba’s desire to help others from humble background got him in trouble when he allegedly came up with ways of taking a number of Congolese nationals to Europe to look for better livelihoods. In 2004, he was convicted of people-smuggling in France and spent three months in prison. It is alleged that he took illegal immigrants who posed as members of his band to Europe.

For his trouble a Belgian court convicted him of the same crime in 2012, handing down a fine of 22,000 euros (£17,143; $24,690; Sh.2, 518, 380) and a suspended prison sentence of 15 months.

Others who paid tribute to Papa Wemba are Angelique Kidjo who said this about him on BBC’s news hour program, “His whole attitude about dressing well was part of the narrative that we Africans have been denied our humanity for so long. People have always had stereotypes about us, and he was saying dressing well is not just a matter of money, not just something for Westerners, but that we Africans also have elegance. It was all about defining ourselves and refusing to be stripped of our humanity.”

“Africa has lost another worthy son in the shape of Papa Wemba. It's a painful beginning to 2016.” Musician Manu Dibango said.

Another musician Koffi Olomide said, “It’s a catastrophe. Congolese music has been decimated, it's been blown apart. I don't know what to say.”

Papa Wemba will be remembered for taking Soukous style of music a blend of Cuban, Latin American and traditional African sounds to the rest of the world as well as making Kinshasa the music capital of Africa.

COURT IN BOMET ALLOWS COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE DUMPING AT SITE

COURT ALLOWS COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE DUMPING AT SITE

BY JEFFERSON KIPKEMOI.

A High court in Bomet has granted an application by the county government of Bomet to continue using the land that had been allocated for the proposed constituent college of Moi University in Bomet town as a waste dumpsite until the matter is heard and settled.

While granting the ruling Justice Martin Muya, said that the matter be heard inter parties on May 23^rd at 11 am.

The application was filed by lawyers Daniel Chege and Cosmas Koech representing the county government Bomet.

Governor Isaac Ruto had moved to court to seek orders stopping Moi University from constructing its constituent college at the land that was allocated to the institution by the national government.

While requesting for the status quo on the land to remain as the matter was being addressed by representatives of Bomet county government and Moi University, lawyer Chege told the court that the site was being used as a dumping site for the town residents waste and that the county had no other alternative land for the purpose.

Advocate Z.Yegon representing Moi University told the court that he could not establish whether the land allocated to the institution became a dumpsite recently or it had been used for the purpose many years ago.

Bomet county leaders including senator Prof. Wilfred Lesan, Sotik MP and deputy speaker of the national Assembly Dr. Joyce Laboso and Bomet Central MP Mr. Ronald Tonui were in court when the ruling was made.

The three leaders appealed to the Governor to withdraw the case and allow the construction of the University to go on and avoid losing Sh. 400 million that had already been set aside for the construction of the institution in the last and the current financial years.

"The money that was allocated for the construction of the University is likely to be returned to the treasury if the matter surrounding the land continue to raise controversy and delays." Mr. Tonui said.

Lawyer Mr. Nelson Mutai who represented the interests of area MPs and other interested parties made an application to have the group enjoined in the case and was granted by Judge Muya.

After the ruling was made, some Bomet county residents opposed to the ruling went to the streets of Bomet to demonstrate against the move and expressed that setting up a University was more beneficial than the parcel of land being utilized for dumping waste.

Longisa ward representative Stephen Chang’morik asked Members of the National Assembly from Bomet to respect the rule of law and let the court decide on the verdict of the parcel of land.

GOVERNOR ACCUSED OF IMPUNITY

GOVERNOR ACCUSED OF IMPUNITY

BY JEFFERSON KIPKEMOI.

Bomet county governor Isaac Ruto has been accused by the area county commissioner Mr. Bernard Leparmarai of impunity and failure to observe the rule of law in his actions.

Mr. Leparmarai was responding to Thursday’s move by the governor to storm the County police headquarters accompanied by over 200 supporters who demanded the release of a county government lorry and its driver who had been held by police for dumping garbage at the grounds of the Proposed Bomet University.

“Police stations are restricted areas and no one is allowed by the law to storm such offices because no one is above the law and we are pursuing the matter lawfully.” He declared.

While talking to the press on Friday morning at his office accompanied by Ms. Leah Kithei the county police coordinator and top security officials, the county commissioner said the police were protecting the rights of the university grounds which the county government had turned to a garbage dumping grounds immediately it was given a title deed showing that it belonged to Moi university for the construction of its Bomet constituent college.

“The governor acted with impunity and disrespect but we are not going to give up in our endevour to protect the land because it is a public utility land meant for the construction of the university which will be of benefit to all the residents of Bomet county.” He said.

He added that the government will use all its resources to secure the land if need be because having been allocated a title deed it was a private property and not the county’s.

“If the governor will not desist from dumping garbage on the property then we will have to use the GSU or even the Kenya army forces to secure it and ensure that it is fenced for the purpose it was intended for.” He warned. 

On the notice that the governor gave that the commissioner should vacate Bomet county within the next seven days from Thursday, Mr. Leparmarai said that he was in Bomet rightfully as a government official who can be relocated anywhere by the national government but will not go anywhere until then because he was there to serve the people of Bomet and had no personal interest in the county.

During a public rally in Merigi in Bomet East Sub County last month the governor had issued warnings that the county commissioner will face the full wrath of the people of Bomet if he continued to use force in implementing government directives a claim the commissioner disputed saying he has never used force to implement government agenda.

Another point of contention between the county governor and the national government is on the use of government administration land that he wants to build county administrators offices.

“Land housing Chiefs, DO’s and DC’s offices belong to the national government and if the county government wants assistance they should approach the Minister of Interior and National Security for the shared use of such facilities.” Mr. Leparmarai said.

GOVERNMENT URGED TO INTEGRATE NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES HEALTHCARE

GOVERNMENT URGED TO INTEGRATE NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES HEALTHCARE
BY JEFFERSON KIPKEMOI.

Kenya’s older activists have urged the government to integrate care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes at all healthcare centres.

On Thursday the world marked the World Health Day whose focus this year is extensive campaign calling for action against the increasing prevalence of diabetes through screening, testing, treatment and education, older activists said screening for chronic illness like would be an effective way to also identify and treat.
The participation by the older activists to raise awareness of the challenges facing the older community are part of HelpAge International’s Age Demands Action campaign (ADA) which is a grassroots campaign challenging age discrimination in over 60 countries.

“This year’s ADA has mobilised older campaigners in more than 50 countries to draw attention to the challenges they face. Without treatment, older people with diabetes are more at risk of developing complications and other non-communicable diseases than younger people.” Read part of a statement released on Wednesday 6^th April this year by HelpAge International’s Regional Communications Coordinator Henry Neondo.

Non- communicable diseases are a major challenge for the older people in various countries. Closer home Mrs. Christine Wanjiru a resident of Nairobi recounts her encounter with diabetes.

“Diabetes has turned my life upside,” Mrs. Wanjiru, 65 said.

 In the last two years since she was diagnosed with the disease, and cannot afford to leave behind her insulin medication. However, due to her advanced age she a times forgets the medication which has come with adverse effects.

 “Due to old age, I often forgot to carry my bottle but with devastating consequences; it begins with loss of sense of where I am, the body becomes weak and I pass out. It takes those who know of my condition to revive me,” she said.

Though she said the condition was manageable she lamented the high cost of insulin and requests the government to assist in making them more affordable.

Mrs. May Wanjiru, 80, has the advantage of regular checkup at private health facilities which she says offer fast and quality health services. She has her daughters to thank for the support.

 “I detested the delay and long queues I used to find at the public health facilities and I wish there was a separate room for the older persons with this kind of disease,” she lamented.

Diabetes is one of the four major non-communicable diseases (NCDs), along with cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic respiratory disease. Prevalence of diabetes increases with age in many countries.

The Kenya government has a five year national strategy to tackle NCDs from 2014-19, but this is still in draft form. The strategy aims to raise the priority accorded to NCDs, promote healthy lifestyles and strengthen health systems among others.

According to HelpAge International, people who age in better health can remain productive for longer, continuing to make significant contributions to their families and communities. There will be reduced need for family support and particularly for the emergency care which often causes financial as well as health crises in poor households.

“The number of people living with diabetes has almost quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults, with most living in developing countries. Factors driving this dramatic rise include overweight and obesity,” read part of a report by the World Health Organisation released ahead of the World Health Day.

Around 9 per cent of the world’s adults are thought to have diabetes and, according to the World Health Organisation, it will be the seventh leading cause of death globally by 2030.

“An early diagnosis is crucial for preventing chronic health problems”, said Clare Woodford, Health Policy Advisor at HelpAge International. “It can take a while for symptoms to show themselves and when they do, people are often unaware of the implications or have difficulties accessing healthcare”.

Ms. Woodford advised that regular exercise and a healthier diet, low in sugar and salt, can not only reduce the risk of someone developing diabetes, but also help manage and reduce the symptoms among those who have it.

According to WHO estimates statistics shows that 1.5 million people died as a direct result of Type 2 diabetes in 2012 and more than 80 per cent of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

The Sustainable Development Goals, adopted at the UN September 2015, commit member states to ‘ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages’ and include a target on reducing mortality from NCDs. However, the extent to which older people are affected is still unclear.

“Much of the data on diabetes either ignores older people or doesn’t dis-aggregate by age”, Toby Porter, Chief Executive Officer at HelpAge International said. 

PRESIDENT TO VISIT KERICHO AND BOMET TO SALVAGE 2017 VOTES

PRESIDENT TO VISIT KERICHO AND BOMET TO SALVAGE 2017 VOTES

BY JEFFERSON KIPKEMOI.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are due to visit Kericho and Bomet counties this April the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Joyce Laboso has revealed.

Dr. Laboso while speaking on Easter Sunday at Umoja Childrens Home in Singorwet Ward of Bomet Central Sub County in Bomet County said the Kipsigis community in the South rift region was still in full support of the Jubilee coalition.

“It is not true that development in the region has been skewed in favour of the North Rift region as claimed by a section of the Jubilee leaders are no longer in sync with the coalition leadership.” she said.

Dr. Laboso dismissed claims by the critics of the Jubilee government who pointed an accusing finger at the president and his deputy that they had marginalized the region. KANU leaders and a number of Jubilee rebels made the claims during the recent by elections in Bomet and Kericho.

The impending visit by the president is meant to appease Jubilee supporters who in the recent few months have been bombarded by anti coalition ideologies that were triggered by the February and March mini polls in various parts of the country including Kericho, Malindi and Bomet.

During the tour of duty in the two counties, the president is expected to commission several development projects as promised during the run off to 2013 general.

Dr. Laboso said the visit by the president and his deputy was a sure indicator that the Jubilee government was ready to deliver its pre-election promises to all Kenyans.

“It is not true that the government has sidelined the South Rift region as alleged by Bomet governor Isaac Ruto and KANU chairman Gideon Moi during their campaign trails in support of the KANU candidate Mr. Paul Sang’ during the recent Kericho County Senatorial by- election.” She said.

She said the “wild” claims by a section of Kalenjin leaders about the Jubilee government was efforts meant to split the community but noted that such moves were futile.

She noted that during the visit, the president was expected to lay a foundation stone of the construction of the Sh. 500 million constituent college of Moi University in Bomet town.

The president will also commission tarmacking of various roads among them Daraja Sita-Chebole-Dikirr Road and Silibwet- Olenguruone Road which connect Nakuru to Bomet and Narok counties.

As much as the visit is touted to be an official state visit by the president to the region, political observers are in agreement that the president is desperate to consolidate votes from the South Rift region and especially Bomet and Kericho counties that were affected widely through the recent by-elections and the ever increasing rebellion by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto who has been fighting Jubilee coalition from within having won the 2013 gubernatorial seat for Bomet through United Republican Party(URP) a Jubilee coalition partner party led by the deputy president.

Altercations between the fiery governor and the deputy president have not made access to projects by the region any better with residents having mixed feelings about him.

Recently, a social media post showed the governor opening a cattle dip in the region while Machakos governor Alfred Mutua was commissioning a vehicle assembly plant a stark difference of priorities by the two leaders based on the fact that majority of people are used to spraying the cattle at home rather than taking their cattle to dips as a way of pest control.

The Machakos event is seen as a landmark activity both as a status icon and economically in that it will lead to creation of jobs both to locals and foreigners of the county.

The month of march also witnessed another attempt by Bomet County Assembly to Impeach the governor for what Kembu MCA ward Mr. Julius Korir who sponsored the latest motion said was financial impropriety, skewed employment and incompetence has not made the governor’s position any better.

However, national government critics in the region have said the national government was no better in implementing projects under its dockets meant for the region but if the president’s visit will achieve that then jubilee could emerge a winner in the region come 2017 general elections.