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Meet Stephen Kariuki Muigai, 67, who treks yearly to attend Mashujaa Day national celebrations

In 2018, he trekked for 6 days  to Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County where the national Mashujaa Day celebrations were being held.

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1 year ago

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Elderly Stephen Kariuki Muigai just minutes before commencing his journey to Kirinyaga County from Nakuru County.PHOTO/Manoti.

Meet 67 year old Stephen Kariuki Muigai Who has been trekking yearly to attend Mashujaa Day National Celebrations since 2018.

Born and raised in Nakuru’s Kivumbini Ward, his  early job was in the Matatu industry before he was arrested together with political detainee Koigi Wa Wamwere over claims that he had raided a Bahati Police station.

The elderly Kariuki narrates that he was tortured at Lake Nakuru National Park before being taken to remand where he served 15 months before he was released only to find his matatu job taken by someone else.

The then Nakuru Mayo Alicen Chelaite came to his rescue, securing a stall for him in Nakuru town.

Things did not go well with him, as at one particular time the stall was demolished on claims that it was erected on land belonging to Kenya Railways rendering him hopeless.

“When the Railways demolished my stall that is when my problems started with all my properties destroyed” he stated.

Mzee Kariuki’s mission of attending special state functions began in 2013 when he shocked people by trekking to Nairobi to witness the swearing in of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.

It is from this occasion that Mzee Kariuki made a decision to demonstrate heroism; he will be trekking to attend every Mashujaa Day national celebration.

In 2018, he trekked for 6 days  to Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County where the national Mashujaa Day celebrations were being held.

In 2019, he did not trek to Mombasa due to the ferry tragedy that had happened, however in 2020 he trekked to Kisii.

Addressing journalists in Nakuru on Wednesday October 13th as he officially commenced his long journey to Kirinyaga County where this year’s Mashujaa Day Celebrations will be held, said his move is a sign of heroism.

He however appeals to the organizers of the national Mashujaa Day celebrations to be factoring him as on many occasions he has failed to secure space in the stadiums.

“I decided that each Mashujaa Day celebrations I will be trekking to the County where the national celebrations are being held.Today am trekking to Kirinyanga and I just appeal to Governor Anne Waiguru to secure for me a card so that I can access the stadium, ” he said.

The elderly Kariuki who commenced his journey to Kirinyaga via Nakuru-Nyahururu route believes that by October 19th he will have arrived.

Armed with Kenyan Flag, he stated that he will still observe the curfew hours and that wherever the hours will find him is where he will spend the night and proceed with the journey the following day.

As the nation looks forward to celebrating Mashujaa Day on October 20th , Kariuki decries that the  real heroes are yet to be recognized in the country.

His appeal is that the government of the day should come to the grass root and identify the real heroes and reward them.

“We are not Uhuru yet. The government should recognize real heroes” he said.

Well-wishers can reach him on 0711209430.

 

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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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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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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 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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