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Lobby groups fault MCAs for delaying Nakuru Maternal Newborn Adolescent and Child Health Bill 2019

Led by Reproductive Health Youth Friendly and Environmental Conservation (RHYFE) under the umbrella KELIN Kenya, the groups have questioned why the Bill has taken long to materialize since 2014.

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2 years ago

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Lobby groups camp outside Nakuru County assembly.PHOTO/Pristone Mambili.

Reproductive health lobby groups in Nakuru have called on the County Assembly of Nakuru to expedite the Maternal Newborn Adolescent and Child Health Bill 2019.

Led by Reproductive Health Youth Friendly and Environmental Conservation (RHYFE) under the umbrella KELIN Kenya, the groups have questioned why the Bill has taken long to materialize since 2014.

Martin Lunalo from RHYFE reiterates the importance of the Bill towards the realization of access to comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Health and maternal Services.

Speaking after holding a peaceful demonstration in the streets of Nakuru Town to the County assembly of Nakuru where they handed a memorandum of Understanding over the same, Lunalo faulted Nakuru MCAs for rejecting the Bill on claims that it advocates for abortion.

He said the Bill was misunderstood by the MCAs who had very little time to go through and understand the content after the Bill was subjected to Public participation and residents endorsed it.

Lunalo also took issue with the County assembly committee on health that is chaired by MCA Njuguna Mwaura for not coming out clearly with information on why the Bill was rejected at second reading.

He added that the only way to address the rising cases of teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions and maternal mortalities is to ensure that legislation framework to address the same.

“We have seen an increased number of teenage pregnancies in this county, increased maternal mortalities as well as unsafe abortions simply because the MCAs since 2014 have failed to legislate a law that can address the same. I would like to know why the assembly is so reluctant to pass the Maternal Newborn Adolescent and Child Health Bill 2019 and safeguard the rights of the women and girls” said Lunalo.

Sentiments echoed by Caren Achieng who stated that women have been going through a lot of difficulties in accessing comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Health and maternal Services due to lack of legal framework in place in Nakuru County.

She urged female MCAs in the County assembly of Nakuru to take lead in advocating for the rights of women and ensure they drum support for the materialization of the Bill.

“We are here as women to demand that our rights be respected on matters of health. Let the female MCAs come out and rally behind the Bill for it also concerns them” said Ms Achieng.

Vincent Omollo from RHYFE also called on MCAs to expedite the Bill in order to address the challenges women and girls have been facing in Nakuru County.

Omollo said as Pro-Sexual Reproductive Health Services Champions in Nakuru County, they will not relent in pushing for the legislation to safeguard the rights of women in the county.

“This Bill is in favour of women and girls. We shall not relent in pushing for its passage” said Omollo.

But in a quick rejoinder through phone interview, Nakuru County assembly Health Committee chair, Njuguna Mwaura faulted the lobby groups for holding demonstrations over a matter that was already before the committee.

He added that the committee was already on top of the matter but such demos will derail the process.

“Let the lobby groups know that we have procedures and as a committee, we were working on the Bill before we went to recess. But with such demos I am afraid we might not address the Bill anymore” said Njuguna.

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Related Topics:KELIN KenyaMaternal Newborn Adolescent and Child Health Bill 2019reproductive healthRhyfe

A Nakuru-based freelance Journalist with a wealth of experience in Radio and Online Journalism.

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Nakuru

Governor Kihika mourns Lawyer Kiplenge

Governor Kihika said Kiplenge will be remembered as a soft-spoken but sharp lawyer who diligently undertook his assignments.

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Published

4 months ago

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October 8, 2022

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Juma Kiplenge

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has sent a message of condolence to the family, friends and relatives of advocate, Juma Kiplenge.

In her message, Governor Kihika said Kiplenge will be remembered as a soft-spoken but sharp lawyer who diligently undertook his assignments.

“His passing on has robbed Nakuru of a son who purposed to right wrongs and conscientiously represented his clients,” she stated in her message.

She added that the firebrand lawyer will especially be remembered for his role in advocating for the rights of the marginalized Ogiek community.

Juma passed away on Friday, October 7, 2022, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nairobi following a short illness.

The body has since been transferred to Umash Funeral Home in Nakuru awaiting burial on Friday, October 14.

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Nakuru

List of newly elected MCAs in Nakuru County

The following are the Nakuru County elected MCAs following the 9th August General elections. The United Democratic Alliance party (UDA) got the most number of seats at 39

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Published

6 months ago

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August 15, 2022

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The new County Asssembly of Nakuru chambers

The following are the Nakuru County elected MCAs following the 9th August General elections. The United Democratic Alliance party (UDA) got the most number of seats at 39. The Jubilee party managed 6 seats, while the Safina party won 1 seat. Seven of the MCAs were elected as independent candidates. Out of the 55 elected MCAs, 8 are women.

Naivasha Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. Maiella – Gituku Jane Wanjiru (UDA)
  2. 2. Naivasha East – Stanley Karanja (UDA)
  3. 3. Maai Mahiu – Eliud Kamau Chege (UDA)
  4. 4. Biashara – Elijah Mwaura (UDA)
  5. 5. Viwandani – Mwangi Muraya (UDA)
  6. 6. Lakeview – Alex Mbugua (UDA)
  7. 7. Hellsgate – Virginia Gichanga (Jubilee)
  8. 8. Ol’Karia – Peter Wanjala Palang’a (ODM)

Gilgil Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 9. Gilgil – Rose Njoroge (UDA)
  2. 10. Malewa – Francis Mungai Kuria (UDA)
  3. 11. Eburru Baruk – Michael Gathanwa (UDA)
  4. 12. Elementaita – George Nene (Safina)
  5. 13. Morendat – Peter Njoroge (UDA)

Subukia Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 14. Subukia – Isabella Makori (UDA)
  2. 15. Waseges – Elijah Murage (Independent)
  3. 16. Kabazi – George Talam (UDA)

Bahati Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 17. Bahati – Grace Mwathi (UDA)
  2. 18. Kabatini – Leah Ng’ang’a (Independent)
  3. 19. Kiamaina – Paul Waweru Warege (Ka Wambui) (UDA)
  4. 20. Dundori – James Gathuita Mwangi (UDA)
  5. 21. Lanet Umoja -Mwangi Ngarama (UDA)

Nakuru Town East Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 22. Nakuru East – Anthony Kamau (UDA)
  2. 23. Menengai – Wilson Mwangi (Jubilee)
  3. 24. Flamingo – David Kihumba Muraya (Independent)
  4. 25. Biashara – Fadhili Msuri (UDA)
  5. 26. Kivumbini – Neto Sakwa Alukutsa (Independent)

Nakuru Town West Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 27. Rhoda – John Macharia (UDA)
  2. 28. London – Benard Gattuso (Jubilee)
  3. 29. Barut – Ben Kirui (UDA)
  4. 30. Kapkures – Robert Ruto (UDA)
  5. 31. Kaptembwa – Peter Kanjwang’ (ODM)
  6. 32. Shabaab – Macharia Wathiai (UDA)

Rongai Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 33.Solai – Nixon Morogo (Independent)
  2. 34. Soin – Ellibas Naburuki (Degualle) (UDA)
  3. 35. Mosop – Dr. Alex Lang’at (UDA)
  4. 36. Menengai West – Isaac Kiptisya Rottok (UDA)
  5. 37. Visoi – Hellen Chemutai (UDA)

Njoro Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 38. Njoro – Hezy Ndung’u (Independent)
  2. 39. Nessuit – Samuel Tonui (UDA)
  3. 40. Mauche – Moses Koros (UDA)
  4. 41. Mau Narok – Cyrus Dida (UDA)
  5. 42. Kihingo – Simon Kamau Karanja (Jubilee)
  6. 43. Lare – Phillip Wanjohi (Jubilee)

Molo Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 44. Molo – Joseph Ngware (UDA)
  2. 45. Marioshoni – Ben Lang’at (UDA)
  3. 46. Elburgon – David Njuguna (Independent)
  4. 47. Turi – John Mwangi Macharia (Jubilee)

Kuresoi South Constituency MCAs 2022

  1. 48. Keringet – William Mutai (UDA)
  2. 49. Tinet – Paul Lang’at Alvin (Drilit) (UDA)
  3. 51. Kiptangich – Rose Mutai (UDA)
  4. 52. Amalo – Robert Lang’at (UDA)

Kuresoi North Constituency UDA MCA nominees

  1. 53. Sirikwa – Emmanuel Lang’at (UDA)
  2. 54. Kamara – Joseph Kipng’etich (Chemutwet) (UDA)
  3. 55. Kiptororo – Alex Bor (Kipyek) (UDA)

 

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Nakuru

Nakuru to host World Bee Day celebrations

The Apimondia Regional Commission (ARC) President, Mr David Mukomana, in a statement, said the three-day program will include technical tours to see beekeeping within Nakuru County and any other areas, exhibitions, seminars and the actual celebrations.

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Published

9 months ago

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May 17, 2022

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Bees on a honey comb

Nakuru City will this year host the Regional World Bee Day (WBD) celebrations from the 18th – to the 20th of May 2022.

The yearly event is commemorated to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for humanity in food security, global hunger eradication, and environmental and biodiversity conservation.

Under the theme; “Bee engaged: Celebrating the contribution of bees to the environment, food security and income generation to mankind.”

The forum will share knowledge from across the world, and draw the attention of the public and decision-makers to the importance of protecting bees as well as halting the further loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems following the Paris Agreement.

FAO estimates that bees contribute to the pollination of food worth between $ 235 and $ 580 billion every year and that their decline continues to strain food systems.

Intensive farming practices, excessive use of agrochemicals, habitat loss, and adverse effects of climate among other issues have been identified as key hindrances causing the depopulation of bees and loss of colonies.

With such challenges, there is a need to come up with solutions that are resistive to the increasing bee population globally.

According to FAO, Kenya ranks third in Africa after Tanzania which is the largest producer of honey and produces approximately 31,405 tonnes annually while Angola ranks second producing about 23,500 tonnes annually.

As of 2020, Kenya’s production of honey was at 17,801 tonnes, up from 13,877 tonnes the previous year, this is a change of 28.28%.

Speaking during a past apiculture stakeholders’ workshop, State Department for Livestock Production Principal Secretary, Mr Harry Kimtai, expressed concern that new pests and farm pesticides have hit colonies hard.

“We’re collaborating with devolved units to halt the alarming depletion of bee colonies. Bee colony multiplication initiatives include capacity building, beekeeping equipment distribution, and bee bulking,” revealed PS Kimtai.

Despite the potential of honey production and the benefits of apicultural activity, very little income accrues from the activity.

The government in its progress, in the Big Four Agenda on 100% food and nutrition security, is committed to enhancing honey production from 25,000 tonnes to 38,000 tonnes by the year 2022.

Beekeeping offers an alternative source of livelihood and protects biodiversity and should ideally be established away from human interaction with enough bee forage and all-year-round availability of water to provide favourable conditions for beekeeping.

Nakuru County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Immaculate Maina, says that, ‘’bees have become increasingly endangered with one million species facing extinction. Thus, beekeeping should be embraced as an alternative environmentally friendly income-earning enterprise.”

‘’We hope that by hosting this event, we will be able to proactively assist in the opening up of our county by giving marketing opportunities and investment prospects in the apiculture industry,” Dr Maina noted.

“We also anticipate important topics discussed during the three-day forum, such as the role of women in the sector as those most affected by climate change, solutions to save our bee species from extinction, and how we can continue to rely on pollinators to save us from the current climate crisis,” she concluded.

Acting CEO of the Apiculture Platform of Kenya (APK), Mr Frederick Otieno Odera, says that beekeeping has significant potential in Africa to improve rural incomes and diversify livelihoods.

“We hope the commemoration of the National World Bee Day will showcase new technologies and sustainable measures from across the world in the apiculture industry and provide sustainable solutions to save our bees in the current climate crisis,” said Otieno.

The Apimondia Regional Commission (ARC) President, Mr David Mukomana, in a statement, said the three-day program will include technical tours to see beekeeping within Nakuru County and any other areas, exhibitions, seminars and the actual celebrations.

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