Wangwaci women trained on bead work

By Bob Aston

Ornament making has significantly grown over the last few years.  This has been a source of livelihood for many women in Kenya. The potential that this sub sector provides has led to Laikipia Forest Conservation Area Project through Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) to organize a two (2) days training from 2-3 September, 2014 for two women groups in Wangwaci area, Laikipia West on ornament making using beads.

Members of Makutano B and Smart Lady Women Group are now seeing a bright future as each of them is optimistic that they will be financially empowered through the initiative. The women were divided into groups of seven (7) members where they were trained on making baskets, purses, necklaces, bangles, anklets and earrings.

The women busy at work

Veronica Kemunto, one of the beneficiaries of the initiative said that she will no longer buy a basket or purse as she will now be designing her own. She said that she will now be able to improve her livelihood through making ornaments using beads.

“I will now be spending most of my time in the house making baskets and purses. I will be investing the proceeds from my sales in farming,” said Kemunto.

Her sentiments were echoed by Agnes Wamuyu who said that she expects to be economically empowered as this will be an income generating activity. She is also planning to teach other women who did not have the chance to attend the training.

The women are planning to sell each basket between Ksh 1,500 and Ksh 2,000 depending on the type of basket while women purses will retail at Ksh 500 while prices of bangles will vary between Ksh 200 to Ksh 500 depending on design required by a customer.

Laikipia Forest Conservation Area Project is planning to support the women with beads and threads until they are deemed as stable. They are also planning to link them with a market.

The Kenyan Constitution has opened many opportunities that take cognizance of the role of women and their full participation in economic, political and social sectors. Many Kenyan opinion leaders believe that empowering women to participate fully in economic life is essential in improving the quality of life for women.

Communities trained on wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013

By Bob Aston

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013 became operational in Kenya on 10th January 2014. Despite being in operation for close to eight (8) months, few Kenyans know about the existence of the Act. In a bid to enlighten community members about the Act, Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF) organized a training for community members at Ng’arua Maarifa Centre in Sipili Division on September 2, 2014.

Community members were informed that the law aims at improving the protection, conservation, sustainable use and management of the country’s wildlife resources.

Mr. Stephen Nyaga, a Wildlife Conservation Officer with LWF informed communities that various migratory routes of wild animals have been cut off by human settlement hence the rise of human-wildlife conflict.

Mr. Nyaga addressing participants during the training

“It is important as a community to learn how to coexist with wild animals. Many people have settled on wild animal’s dispersal areas and this has led to increase in conflict,” said Mr. Nyaga.

He said that wildlife Species in respect of which compensation may be paid in case of death or injury include; elephant, leopard, rhino, hyena, crocodile, cheetah, buffalo, poisonous snakes, hippo, shark, stone fish, whale, sting ray, wild dog and wild pig.

He added that wildlife species in respect of which compensation may be paid in case of crop, livestock or property damage include; elephant, lion ,leopard, rhino, hyena, crocodile, cheetah, buffalo, hippo, zebra, eland, wildebeest, snake and wild dog.

Communities were informed that compensation for human death, injury or damage will be dealt with by the soon to be formed County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee (CWCCC).

He said that CWCCC will govern registration of conservancies, wildlife user rights, monitoring and implementation of management plans and review recommendations on compensation claims.

He informed communities that compensation as a result of human death is Ksh 5,000,000, compensation as a result of human injury with permanent disability is Ksh 3,000,000 while compensation as a result of other injuries will be up to Ksh 2,000,000 depending on the injury.

”No one has an authority to kill wild animals apart from Kenya Wildlife Service. They can do this due when it is extremely necessary due to problem animal control,” said Mr. Nyaga.

In case of loss or damage to crops, livestock and other property, compensation will be valued at market rate, but only where owners can show they put reasonable measures to protect their livestock, crops or property. He said that such cases should be reported to the chief, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and agricultural officers within 24 hours of occurrence.

Mr. Joseph Theuri from Vision 2050 addressing participants

He warned the public that it is an offence to make a false claim to the CWCCC with respect to wildlife compensation. He said such an act can lead to a fine of Ksh 100,000 or six (6) months imprisonment.

On his part, Jackson Mbuthia from Vision 2050 informed the community members that poaching has now become a national disaster. He said poaching and wildlife habitat destruction has been addressed in the Wildlife Act as stiffer fines and punishments for offenders have been set up.

He informed them that poaching or dealing in trophies of endangered species can attract a fine of twenty million Kenya Shillings (Ksh 20,000,000) or life imprisonment. Dealing in trophies or keeping trophies of wildlife (Other than endangered species) can attract a fine of one million Kenya shillings (Ksh 1,000,000) or five (5) years imprisonment.

He added that hunting of wildlife for subsistence (other than endangered species) can attract a fine of thirty thousand Kenya shillings (Ksh 30,000) or six (6) months imprisonment. Similarly, hunting for bush-meat trade, being in possession of or dealing in meat of wildlife (other than endangered species) will attract a fine of two hundred thousand Kenya shillings (Ksh 200,000) or one (1) year imprisonment.

He informed the public that it possible to register and get a license for running a conservancy from KWS through CWCCC. He said that by registering as a conservancy one will be able to enjoy various benefits that includes; more effective support from government and KWS, control of mining, quarrying, oil and gas exploration on the land as well as benefits from wildlife user rights.

Kenyan population has been on the rise over the years. As search for land for settlement has been on the rise so has habitat loss and degradation which has increased confrontations between wild animals and humans as they both compete for the scarce resources that are available.

Tea tree stakeholders hold training for farmers

By Teresa W. Ndirangu

The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), and Earth Oil Extract Company organized a training for 98 tea tree farmers. The training on organic Tea Tree was organized for farmers in different regions of Laikipia County from 20^th to 22^nd August 2014.

Farmers training at Earth Oil Hall

The training which was facilitated by six (6) Earth Oil Extract Company and one (1) KOAN staff member, provided the farmers with an opportunity to learn about various issues that included; Improving farmers skills and understanding of organic Tea Tree production, benefits of both organic and fair trade, organic standard, certification process, environmental protection required and sanctions faced by farmers who violate the standards.

The expansion of Tea Tree production in Laikipia County is being supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grant Project (SGP) through a two (2) year grant project.

KOAN and Earth Oil Extract Company intend to mobilize, recruit and train 500 farmers to grow organic Tea Tree by end of 2015. Already 180 farmers have been recruited in the project.

The training was organized in three clusters with Timau region occurring on 20^th August 2014, Marura region training took place on 21^st August 2014 at Irura Primary School while Huku, Mwireri and Gatuanugi region training took place at Earth Oil Hall on 22^nd August 2014. A total of 98 farmers were trained with men being 51 while women were 47.

Farmers following proceedings during Marura training

Earth Oil Extract Company works directly with farmers by providing them with extension services, internal inspections and other advisory services. The company undertook the mobilization and recruitment of the new farmers in the months of June, July and early August of this year.

KOAN on the other hand gave technical support to Earth Oil extension staff especially on organic production, standards and certification among others.

The trained farmers were given small boxes for safe chemical storage and organic sorghum seeds to be planted as buffer to protect chemical drift in the Tea Tree plots.

You can contact Teresia Wairimu for more information about Tea Tree through teresan@koan.co.ke.

Traders incur heavy losses after midnight fire

By Bob Aston

A huge fire erupted on Saturday at 2:00 am at Sipili bus terminal and gutted down a section of shopping stalls. Traders and residents who had gone to sleep when the fire started, had their nights cut short as alarm was raised over the burning shops.

Eye witnesses said that it was not easy to put out the fire because the wooden structures aggravated the situation since fire could easily spread in wood.

Residents looking at the destruction caused by the fire

Several people, who arrived at the scene to assist in the rescue mission, were forced to break into one of the shops and demolished the structures to prevent the fire from spreading to the rest of the shops.

The cause of the fire has not been established yet, it is a mystery that needs to be unruffled to the residents as each one gives out a different story from the other.

More than six (6) shopkeepers in the line among them Michael, commonly referred by the residents as “Mike wa gazeti” were unable to salvage their property. Businesses and livelihoods of the traders and their families have been badly affected. The affected traders have now started the process of rebuilding their shops.

The Saturday night’s case adds to the grim statistics of fire incidences occurring frequently in sipili. Though fire incidents have been on the rise in the area, nothing has been done to avert the same from happening in future.

The question that is now lingering in resident’s mind is what and how will the County government control or prevent any further fire outbreaks in the future. The residents are now calling on the Laikipia County Government to buy fire fighting equipments as well as a fire truck to prevent future occurrence.

Ng’arua Maarifa assists student’s access information

By Bob Aston

The Ng’arua Maarifa Centre has proved to be useful to last year Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates. The candidates have been rushing to the Maarifa Centre to check their university application status as well as to download admission letters.

The internet is becoming an increasingly important medium as people are turning to it to access information. With internet access being a problem in Sipili as there is only one cybercafé in the area that charges Ksh 2 per minute, the Maarifa Centre has enabled students to have free internet access.

Students accessing internet at the Maarifa Centre

Over 72,000 candidates who sat for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2013 have been selected to join various public universities and colleges.

According to the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), 56,937 students have been placed in public universities while the Government will also sponsor 15,393 candidates to pursue various diploma courses in middle level colleges across the country.

Charles Wahome, 18, a resident of Ndaragwiti managed to get an A- grade at Ndururumo High School in KCSE examination. He has been frequenting the Maarifa Centre since KCSE results were announced to use the internet to seek for university placement.

During one of his visits he reviewed one of his courses and decided to apply for Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Machakos University College. He was later on informed that he had been accepted at Machakos University College.

“I always wanted to do civil engineering since I was young. When I was reviewing my course I decided to apply for civil engineering. Later on I was informed that I had been accepted at Machakos University College and that I should go to a cyber to print the form,” said Charles.

On Thursday he was all smiles as a Maarifa staff member assisted him to access his account in KUCCPS portal where he managed to download and print his admission letter. He is now waiting to join the university on 3^rd September 2014.

Community members accessing internet at the Maarifa Centre

Similarly, Nahashon Njuguna, 18, could not hide his joy as he held his admission letter after he had been assisted to download and print the form. He said that accessing internet services in Sipili is a problem but thanks to Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) this is no longer a problem.

He has been travelling from Kio area, a distance of close to five (5) kilometers to access internet at the Maarifa Centre. Nahashon is set to study Bachelor of Education (Arts)-Business studies at Moi University. He got a B plain grade in KCSE examination at Lariak Day Secondary School. He is now set to report at the university on 22^nd September 2014.

“I managed to download and print the admission form at the Maarifa Centre. Today they have assisted me to open a KRA pin and also to apply for HELB. I have not even been charged a shilling at the Maarifa Centre,” said Nahashon.

On his part, Fred Njuguna, 19, was at the Maarifa Centre to confirm his reporting date at the University. He is set to study Bachelor of Agribusiness at Maseno University. Fred who scored a B+ at Mary Mother of Grace Boys Secondary School has always been passionate about agriculture. He expects to teach the community about Kilimo Biashara once he graduates.

He has already started applying for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loan after acquiring KRA pin. Fred has been helping his parents in their farm but he now expects that the knowledge that he is going to gain at the University will be useful as his parents will now start practicing agriculture as a business.

KUCCPS which replaced the Joint Admissions Board (JAB) has lowered the minimum university entry requirement to B- (Minus) of 58 points for female students and grade B of 60 points for male students. Candidates with grade C- (minus) were also eligible for diploma programmes.

The faces of climate disorder

By Murigi Ndung’u

Climate change is increasingly becoming a big challenge in Kenya. It is now a peril of almost eternal effects that is staring on our very face. Kenyans are now faced with the only option of trying to cope with it maybe by holding awareness rendezvous or other kind of informative barazzas, with the intention of bluntening the effects that are literally gnawing at the quality of our lives. This is a very tyrannical era when everything seems to fail.

It is quite disheartening though, that the human beings are the sole cause of this disorder that now are a real danger to our very well being. The expectations of the 10% tree cover are almost a blur kind of imagination that is only left to the unrealistic world. The way the state of environmental degradation is growing and heightening with every dawn, we could as well count on a worse tomorrow.

People enjoying the natural beauty of the planet

Fine, how to present all this is quite another sort of rocket science. The rise in the levels of methane and carbon dioxide is another disastrous pandemic that albeit not visible to the human eye, it could be the worst kind of occurrence that haunts humanity. Animals are known to use oxygen for their biological normal functioning and the danger now posed is on the very lives of people, the residents of the earth!

To be frank, an idyll commoner has always been kept out of this kind of cognizance, not because they don’t care but they are not aware. At this point you get the reign of personal interest in its worst.

Scientists scramble in vast endeavors’ to create artificial oxygen for sale, another source of income! When the ignorant humanity is busy destroying the very habitation they are in, other great minds are inventing new ways of making money.

When people put their lives on stake and allow callous trading on their lives, that is when they become slaves and victims of their own ignorance. The top class elites now have full grip on them as they become full dependents on them. They have to worship them and do all kind of dictates they burden their shoulders with.

Understanding agricultural value chain finance

By Bob Aston

The term “value chain finance” (VCF) refers to the flow of funds to and among the various links within a value chain. It relates to any or all of the financial services, products and support services flowing to and/or through a value chain to address the needs and constraints of those involved in that chain.

VCF is an approach that recognizes the entirety of the chain and the forces which drive it and responds accordingly to the specific requirements for financing them. It is a tailor made approach which is designed to most efficiently meet needs of the businesses and particular nature of the chain.

Participants following proceedings during the Fin4Ag conference

The role of value chain finance is to address the needs and constraints of those involved in that chain. This is often a need for finance but can also include; financing production or harvest, purchasing farm inputs or products, financing labour, providing overdrafts or lines of credit, funding investments and reducing risks and uncertainty.

The increasing importance of agricultural value chain finance led to various stakeholders meeting in July in Nairobi to attend Fin4Ag Conference: revolutionising finance for agri-value chains. The international conference brought together decision makers from both public and private sectors with an aim of building a modern and high performing agricultural financing system.

Various instruments are currently being used in agricultural value chain finance. They include product financing, receivables financing, physical asset collateralization, risk mitigation products and financial enhancements. Key participants in a VCF include; producers, agri-input dealers, aggregators, wholesalers and retailers.

Value chain finance can help chains become more inclusive, by making resources available for smallholders to integrate into higher value markets. It can help meet the growing need for agricultural finance and investment in response to consumer demand for more processed or value-added products.

Value chain finance offers an opportunity to expand financing for agriculture, improve efficiency and repayments in financing, and strengthen or consolidate linkages among participants in value chains.

Farmers planting

 It can also improve quality and efficiency in financing agricultural chains by: Identifying the financing needed to strengthen the chain, tailoring financial products to suit the needs of the participants in the chain, reducing financial transaction costs through the direct discounting of loan payments at the time of product sale and using value chain linkages and knowledge of the chain to mitigate risks.

In recent years, organizations like the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) have been working at promoting agri-value chain finance in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. CTA is also working with various stakeholders, notably, the African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA), in building capacity and sharing knowledge on agri-value chain finance best practices as well as on the design of policies that will help to scale up success practices.

Value chain finance as an approach takes a systemic viewpoint, looking at the collective set of actors, processes and markets of the chain as opposed to an individual lender-borrower within the system. It can be instrumentalised to promote inclusive economic growth as it allows the identification of specific leverage points along a chain, reducing the average cost per unit by increasing the number of units produced.

ASDSP transforming the agricultural sector

By Joseph King’ang’ai and Martin Mutuga

The Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme(ASDSP) is a sector programme implemented by the Government of Kenya (GoK) and the Government of Sweden (SIDA) in collaboration with interested development partners, with the overall aim to support the implementation of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy 2010–2020 (ASDS).

The programme commenced in Laikipia County from March, 2012 with a scope of the 3 sub- counties. Through collaboration with the stakeholders in agriculture sector it has prioritized for support three value chains namely; Maize, Dairy and Sheep /Goat value chains.

ASDSP Laikipia County Value Chain prioritisation workshop

The programme objective is to increase equitable incomes, employment and food security of both male and female target groups as a result of improved production and productivity in the smallholder farm and off-farm sectors by 2017.

The initial 5 year phase is supported by the Government of Kenya and the Swedish Government. The ASDSP supports programme coordination within its primary outcome areas (environmentally resilient and socially inclusive value chain development and associated sector coordination) at national and county levels.

The programme main goal is to support the transformation of Kenya's agricultural sector into an innovative, commercially oriented, competitive and modern industry that will contribute to equitable productivity, poverty reduction, and improved food security in rural and urban Kenya by 2017.

PAFID hold farmers field day at Nyakinyua

By Bob Aston

Conservation agriculture is fast emerging as an alternative farming method by many smallholder farmers. In a bid to show farmers the difference between conservation and conventional agriculture, Participatory Approaches for Integrated Development (PAFID) organized a farmer’s field day at Nyakinyua area of Kinamba Division in Laikipia County on August 27, 2014.

The field day was held at Anthony Mathenge’s farm. It provided farmers with an opportunity to learn what PAFID has been training farmers about at the demonstration farm. Also in attendance included; Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), Pure Circle Kenya Ltd and Tree is Life Trust (TILT).

Farmers being shown around the demo farm

Speaking during the event, Mr. Juma Oliver from PAFID urged more farmers to adopt conservation agriculture in order to reduce production cost. He said that farmers will be able to learn what their colleagues have been doing in the demo plot. The farmers have planted using three different approaches namely; conventional, basin and reaping.

“Cost of production is on the rise. It is important for farmers to look for ways of reducing mechanical tillage and labour cost. Conservation agriculture not only reduces on cost of production but it also has a lot of benefits to farmers,” said Mr. Juma.

He urged farmers to replicate what they are taught in their farms and also to teach others so that more farmers can also adopt conservation agriculture.

According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, conservation agriculture is an approach to managing agro-ecosystems for improved and sustained productivity, increased profits and food security while preserving and enhancing the resource base and the environment.

It aims to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture and subsequently aims at improved livelihoods of farmers through the application of the three conservation agriculture principles: minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop rotations.

Farmers being shown what has been done in the demo farm

Mr. Juma informed the farmers that conservation agriculture usually reverses the effect of soil degradation caused by mechanical tillage. He urged the farmers not to harm their soil as this will affect production.

He said that burning crop residues usually destroy important sources of plant nutrients and soil improvement potential. He said that soil under conservation agriculture have very high water infiltration capacities thus reducing surface runoff and soil erosion. This improves the quality of surface water reducing pollution from soil erosion, and enhances groundwater resources.

He urged the farmers to keep the soil covered as well as planting through the mulch in order to protect the soil and improve the growing environment for the crop.

Conservation agriculture holds tremendous potential for all sizes of farms and agro-ecological systems, but its adoption is perhaps most urgently required by smallholder farmers, especially those facing acute labour shortages. It is a way to combine profitable agricultural production with environmental concerns and sustainability.

TIST voted the best (Carbon) offsetting program in the world

By Bob Aston

The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST) has been voted the Best (Carbon) Offsetting Project in a global survey conducted by Environmental Finance. This recognition, voted by carbon market industry professionals throughout the world, identified the many benefits that TIST farmers receive from working together to plant and to develop and share local best practices that improve lives.

TIST is the first offsetting project to be recognized by Environmental Finance. TIST carbon offsets from India, Kenya and Uganda are validated and verified by Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCBS).

TIST is among the few organizations which have received certification standards for carbon reduction projects from VCS and CCBS. They have already completed that process a total of 14 times.

A member of TIST-Nyakinyua cluster at her tree nursery

VCS offsets must be real (have happened), additional (beyond business-as-usual activities), measurable, permanent (not temporarily displace emissions), independently verified and unique (not used more than once to offset emissions) and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute.

TIST empowers Small Groups of subsistence farmers in countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and India to reverse the devastating effects of deforestation, drought, and famine. Since 1999, TIST participants have been identifying local sustainable development goals that include tree planting and sustainable agriculture

TIST expects to provide long-term revenue for the Small Group participants through the sale of greenhouse gas credits (GhG). Carbon credit policy works on paying farmers for the seedlings they have planted. The farmers are expected to have formed a group and dully registered with TIST International.

TIST started its operations in Laikipia in 2008. Already various farmers in the region making up cluster groups have been receiving carbon credit payment vouchers. Clusters like Tandare, Nyakinyua and Njorua are targeting to plant 100,000 trees per year. TIST-Njorua cluster alone has several products like honey, Stevia plant, fish pond and tree nurseries.

Disbursement of carbon credit money is normally done on a quarterly basis and is disbursed through Safaricom M-Pesa money transfer. Later members receive their dues as tabulated in the voucher breakdown.

With palm computers and Global Position System (GPS) technology, TIST data on tree growth and carbon storage is collected and transmitted through the internet.

Catholic youths hold retreat at Ol-Moran parish

By James Mwangi

Catholic youths from Sipili, Ng’arua, Muchungui, Muhotetu and Ol-Moran parish held a two day retreat from 15-16, August, 2014at Ol-Moran parish. The retreat which was held outside the parish old hall provided the youths with an opportunity to interact as well as share life experiences.

The meeting was also attended by the Host priest, Father James Giacomo, Host Patron, Peterson Muthua, Youth Chairman of the Denary, Samuel Wambugu, Muchungui parish priest Father Sandro and Sister Monicah as well as various patrons and matrons from the various parishes.

The meeting also provided the youths with an opportunity to be introduced to the various patrons and matrons.

The first day of the retreat was dedicated to interaction. The host Chairman, Muchoki and his fellow youth nicknamed “break first” led in the evening entertainment.

The second day was preceded by morning prayers before various youths started sharing their life experiences.

The new church building in Ol-Moran Parish under construction

James Makala shared a touching life experience which left most of the youths in tears. Makala grew up in a poor family. His parents depended on brewing illegal brew. One day his mother was arrested and imprisoned. Their father then abandoned them. Makala and his younger brother Kagiri who was seven years old at the time had to feed themselves.

They ended up becoming street children. One day Makala attended a meeting where a nun was guiding street children. After listening to the story of Saint Agatha, he received a revelation. He stood and told the nun that he will no longer sniff glue and he will start rehabilitating himself.

One day he was on his way home from church when he was arrested by police in a case of mistaken identity. He was taken to the police station where he was forced to bribe his way out.

“The police officers disagreed on how to share the bribe. During the argumentone of them took out his gun and shot me. This is why I lost my right hand. Right now I even depend on my wife to tie my shoe lace as I cannot manage to do that,” said a sorrowful Makala.         

He urged the youths to ensure that they are not blinded by money as it can lead them astray. Today Makala is working at Saint Martin as an advocate for justice.

Father Sandro narrated how he met Makala during a conference that they had both attended. Makala had then informed him that he preferred to remain with his half hand rather than having a replacement. This he had said would always remind him when washing his face that he should always stand firm and fight for justice.

“I have actually benefitted a lot from this retreat. The story of Makala is really touching. I will always stand and fight for justice. I will never use my financial ability or power to harass my fellow citizens,” said Angeline Wambui, a youth from Sipili Parish.

The retreat concluded with a mass which was conducted by Father James Giacomo. He urged the youths not only to beautify their bodies but also their hearts.