Nominated Kisii Senator Essy Okenyuri has raised concern over glaring disparities in tea bonus payments this year. She said most disadvantaged are farmers from Kisii and Nyamira counties who she said were constantly “being unfairly disadvantaged” compared to their counterparts in other regions. Kenya Tea Development Authority has since attributed the decline to a slump in the global economy. While farmers in Mt. Kenya region receive bonuses averaging Sh50 per kilo, those in Kisii and Nyamira are earning as little as Sh12 per kilo, observed Okenyuri. “This glaring disparity continues to cause deep frustration and triggered anger, the farmers feel…
Author: Magati Obebo
Kitutu Chache South parliamentary hopeful Dr Felix Atisa, Thursday, strongly condemned the “culture of violent skirmishes” in various burials in Gusii region. The aspirant making inroads into the constituency asked political leaders to exercise restraint and show respect for the bereaved families. “Funerals and burials are sacred and should never be used as platforms for political showdowns. We are witnessing a shameful wave where the perpetrators are our elected leaders themselves. This is not only disrespectful to the grieving family but also a stain on the values we hold as a community,” said Atisa during an interview with journalists at…
Leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties raised concern over ‘unfairly low’ tea bonuses paid to farmers in the region. They accused Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) of being insensitive to the farmers who entirely depend on the crop for their livelihoods. This year’s bonuses for most factories range between Sh10 and Sh20 sparking fury. Already, in some areas, some tea armers had since uprooted the crop citing the low returns in the bonus payments this year. The payouts in Central Kenyans was reportedly higher as Sh60 per kilo while most factories in the larger Gusii region managed less than Sh20.…
ODM party leader Raila Odinga was a no show in Kisii Friday at an event meant to mark the party’s 20 years since its launch. No single ODM MP from Kisii and Nyamira counties also showed up save for nominated senator Irene Mayaka. But officials said it was not a must to them to attend. Raila posted a message on his facebook to thank the locals for the event. “The People’s Party ODM has celebrated 20years of resilience in Kisii. Massive reception. Mbuya mno Kisii!!!” a post said. By Friday dawn, some hundreds had turned at the 30,000 sitter stadium…
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula warned the Abagusii community against clinging to “outdated tribal politics,” cautioning that such divisions could isolate them from the rest of the country. Speaking on Thursday during an empowerment programme in Kitutu Chache South Constituency, Wetang’ula appealed to residents to embrace inclusivity and national cohesion. “I want to beseech the Abagusii community not to fall into the trap of segregating yourselves from the rest of Kenyan communities. That kind of politics has no place in modern Kenya,” said the Speaker. He emphasized that Kenya’s identity transcends ethnic boundaries, noting: “From the coastal towns to the…
Street cleaners in Suneka, Bonchari in Kisii on Thursday protested months of delayed payments by the County government. They accused Governor Simba Arati of neglecting their welfare despite their critical role in maintaining public hygiene. The workers, who are part of the county’s casual labour force, claim they have gone for over two years without receiving their wages. Many now say they are now struggling to meet basic needs like food, rent, and school fees for their children. “We report to work every night at to clean the streets, sometimes amid the unrelenting elements, to collect garbage, and keep the…
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced that it will hold its 20th anniversary celebrations in Kisii County, a region considered one of the party’s strongholds in the Nyanza region. Party officials among them Kisii Governor Simba Arati, revealed on Tuesday that preparations are underway for a grand fete scheduled for September 27, 2025 marking two decades since the party’s formation in 2005. Party leader Raila Odinga is among guests expected to grace the function, said Minority leader Junet Mohammed. Arati, in a press conference outside his office, said he does not anticipate any chaos . “We are looking forward…
Kisii Governor Simba Arati was Saturday asked to choose if he was genuinely supporting Dr Fred Matiangi or President William Ruto’s two term push. Governor Aspirant Dr. Enock Ondari said the governor was a stumbling block in the community unit bid to rally support for Dr Matiangi’s cause. “There is no middle ground, it is with us or our political enemies, no lukewarmness should be entertained,” Ondari told congregants in Nyamache Saturday during a church service. Ondari especially said he was perturbed by the constant use is of slurs against the former CS terming by Arati terming it unhelpful. “Today…
Presidential Aspirant Fred Matiang’i Saturday said the dismissal of contempt of court charges against him by the Court of Appeal now makes him a free person to challenge William Ruto in 2027. The former education CS was with two others were slapped with Sh200,000 as fine for failing to set free controversial Canada based lawyer Miguna Miguna. The lawyer had illegally sworn in ODM boss Raila Odinga as the People’s President sparking a string of arrests and forced expulsion for others like Miguna. Also indicted alongside Matiangi was former Immigration Permanent Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa and former Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.…
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen Thursday pledged increased police deployments to Borabu, Nyamira County to combat the rising incidents of cattle theft that have plagued the region in recent months. The CS acknowledged the residents’ concerns and emphasized the government’s commitment to providing security. “We are aware of the challenges residents here have faced, especially due to rampant cattle rustling,” he stated. He said he will ask the Inspector General of Police to send more Anti-Stock Theft Unit to forestall further cross border raids. “Even as we wait for additional recruitment, I am going to instruct the IG to expedite…
A Kisii legislator called on voters in the Gusii region to reject political leaders who are turning their backs on former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i’s bid for the presidency in the upcoming general elections. Among those leaders who had since backed off the former education CS is Kisii Governor Simba Arati and a section of the Ward Reps. The Governor has since defended his move describing Matiangi as a “heifer already on heat” who was unhelpful to the country at the moment. Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi strongly lashed out at the Governor and his other anti-Matiangi…
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on Friday, ruled out pardon for suspects arrested during recent anti-government protests, saying that due process must take its course and that accountability cannot be sacrificed for political appeasement. The CS said while the right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution, those who engage in violence, looting, and destruction of property must face the law. “We must differentiate between peaceful demonstrators and those who used the protests as a cover for criminal activity. The government cannot condone lawlessness under the guise of freedom of expression,” Murkomen said. The remarks by Murkomen come amid growing…
President William Ruto handed over to the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) Sh2.65 billion recovered from collapsed banks. The money, recovered from Chase Bank and Imperial Bank that collapsed with farmers’ funds five years ago, is now being returned to tea growers across the country. Through the Kenya Deposits Insurance Corporation, tea farmers are being compensated for the loss occasioned by the collapse of the two banks. Addressing representatives of more than 600,000 tea farmers at State House, Nairobi on Thursday, President Ruto told the managers of KTDA to ensure the money reached farmers. “Please, this money must get to…
President William Ruto Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to work with all leaders for national transformation and prosperity. The President said investments in agriculture, health, education, health and job-creating policies and programmes will benefit all Kenyans and called for leaders to focus on national development at this time rather than unhelpful politics. Speaking at State House Nairobi when he hosted grassroots leaders from Kisii and Nyamira at State House Nairobi on Thursday, the President said the transformation of Kenya will only be achieved if leaders take a common stand on development. “We have a rare and historic opportunity to make every…
At least 30 Kisii Ward representatives Thursday defied Governor Simba Arati and overwhelmingly boycotted a scheduled visit to the State House with him. Many of those who remained described the tour a “sheer waste of time and resources.” They all termed it a calculated scheme by the State to “bring down Dr Fred Matiangi” who has shown interest to succeed William Ruto. During a press conference at a Kisii hotel Thursday morning they said any discourses about development can still be done away from State House. “When you look at the itinerary, this tour is more about photo ops than…