The pain of a broken marriage breaks the heart.

The pain of a broken marriage breaks the heart.

By: Timothy Makokha                                                           

31 year old man from Misanga village Bungoma County shocks residents by rejecting the mother of his child in an awful way. Barasa Okumu had become a public nuisance, after rejecting the woman with whom he has a child.

Where diplomacy fails, force must be applied. Talking to him did not make an impact, until his father resorted to beating him in an attempt to put sense into his head. Last week on Monday,  his father with a walking stick beat him seriously as he was in the bathroom, taking advantage of the event as he knew his son could run away naked.

Maria his wife tried all means to please him in vain as this man could not see sense in whatever advice people were giving him. His in-laws tried their level best to make this marriage work without any success.

He could masturbate in the presence of the wife. ‘When I sleep on his bed he moves to sleep on the cold floor in the sitting room and masturbate from there’ Maria said while tears were rolling down her cheeks.

The clan officials together with elders of the village held several meetings in attempts to advise him but the advice fell on deaf ears.

On Tuesday this week he was taken to the chief’s Barasa but the 31 year old man remained adamant. ‘Young man, all women are just the same, accept the wife and marry another one of your choice in future to add on this one’, said one of the elders. The woman agreed to this proposal but Okumu still refused.

‘Before sleeping, he normally takes a photo of a girl he claims to love, sleep on it and make movements dramatizing a sexual act with the photo’, Maria explained to the elders. He continued with this act until he made a hole in the photo. This made it easy for him as he could now insert his reproductive organ through the hole in the photo and sleep with the photo on the organ as he masturbate throughout the night.

All this did not scare Maria as she was determined to stay, to linger and love.  Sometimes last month, he moved from his house and rented a room a few meters away from his home. Maria was not moved by this act as she decided to stay in the house alone with the baby.

Later, wanyonyi his eldest brother coaxed him to return home. He then returned but became so cruel and unapproachable to his wife. Two days ago, Maria decided to pack and leave with her baby after realizing Okumu is not ready to have her for a wife.

John Michuki send to rest with due respect he deserves

John Michuki send to rest with due respect he deserves

By: Timothy Makokha

 Funeral service for the late Kangema MP, john Michuki takes place at the General Kago Stadium. Funeral service was  attended by former president  Moi, president Kibaki, VP Kalonzo , PM Raila Odinga, deputy PMs , speaker of national assembly, cabinet ministers, most of the MP’s, other senior government officials and the general public.

 The funeral Service was led by Bishop Peter Kairu of Murang’a Diocese, the host diocese of the Catholic Church assisted by other senior priests. The presence of other senior church leaders from other denominations was recognized.

The eulogy was read both in vernacular (Gikuyu) and in English. The Gikuyu version was read by Mr. E.K Gathuri and the English version of the same eulogy was read by prof. Paul Kanyari.

The late was born on 31^st Dec 1932 from the 41^st wife of a father who had 43 wives.  Michuki died rich after starting as a tailor and dropping out of school at one point in life.

Bishop peter kairu gave a touching sermon. ‘If you are strong you live for 70 years but we thank god Michuki had bonus of 10 years’ he said. His central theme of the sermon was that we should love our God, neighbors and our country. He also urged politicians to unite Kenyans and avoid hate speech.

Security measures were put in place as more security officers were present. Police officers were in large numbers at his Kangema home and in the stadium.

Rev. Wabukala says the late was a friend of Christians, and added that death brings about change. He therefore likened the late Michuki to a catalyst for positive change to the remaining generation. 

The host Bishop Peter Kairu was given chance to introduce present priests and other members of the clergy present at the funeral.  The bishop quoted one of the saints who said that ‘I do very small things in a very big way’ and brought the quote to context. He first appreciated the presence of all present members of the clergy.  The Eldoret diocese Bishop Cornelius Korir expressed his solidarity to the bereaved family of Michuki.

Deputy pm Uhuru Kenyatta, enjoyed the privilege of welcoming senior government officials. When deputy pm Musalia Mudavadi was given chance to speak, he only made a few remarks and then proceeded to introduce ministers present.

Speaker for our national assembly, Kenneth Marende says Michuki is worth to be emulated, since he was such a loyalist to the government. Former president Moi takes the late minister for a perfectionist, who was dedicated to serve the country at various levels. He said he had worked closer with the late who was more of a personal friend.  ‘Nothing passes without somebody endorsing’, says moi. The retired president added that real solace comes from God.

Prime Minister Hon Raila Odinga, remembers the late Michuki as a governor KCB, where he served the public so well and assisted him personally. The PM added that they have been together in various political parties for example Ford Kenya in the year 1992. His reforms in the matatu sector are to be remembered for a lifetime. The deceased as well performed exemplary in the environment ministry. 

President Kibaki says each family member to work for his family, and his nation. He also appreciated the widow, Josephine Michuki for her support to her late husband.  ‘Each person to have a purpose in life’, says president. We need to learn from the late Michuki, let us love each other as Kenyans and share in sorrow and happiness. This brings me to what one of the speakers said; the height of a tree is measured when it has fallen.

EDUCATION MINISTER HON SAM ONGERI RELEASES LAST YEAR’S KCSE RESULTS.

EDUCATION MINISTER HON SAM ONGERI RELEASES LAST YEAR’S KCSE RESULTS.

By: Timothy Makokha

The occasion was graced by the education minister, assistant ministers in education ministry, and KNEC officials.  In attendance were senior TSC officials, KLB officials among other civil servants.

KNEC secretary Paul Wasanga said so far 3.7 million candidates have been examined since the beginning of KCSE , this year’s number being 413, 177 candidates.  He also said that last year was the first time KNEC partnered with Kenya anticorruption in supervising of exams to ensure transparency.

The KNEC secretary warned Kenyans from using revision past papers and marking schemes from unauthorized dealers and added that for this reason KNEC has published pamphlets on past exams for revision purposes to ensure integrity of exams is upheld. He further expressed his disappointment with the fact that mobile phones were still witnessed in exam rooms

The minister of education hon. Sam ongeri mentioned that the 2011 candidates are the first group of candidates since the launching of free secondary education was started in Kenya in the year 2008. This free day school education has enabled many to be re-admitted in schools after a massive drop out. The program was geared towards achieving educational millennium development goals.

Hon ongeri urged Kenyans to say positive things about our nation. ‘Say positive things about our nation’, he continued ‘we are being recognized elsewhere rather than our home’.

The minister urged school managers to consider available facilities before registering candidates for exams. ‘Sitting for computer exams in cyber cafes is not a good show’, he said.

He also encouraged KCPE candidates to choose national schools since better performing school were upgraded to be national. The promoting of such schools to national status has enabled counties to enjoy benefits of national schools unlike in the past when schools of such magnitude were scarce.

The minister noted that both boys and girls candidature increased drastically last year although the number of boys is greater than the number of girls. All counties recorded a higher number of boys except for Kerinyaga County where the number of girls was greater than that of boys. He then called upon stakeholders to address gender issues especially where the disparity is too high.

General trend reveals that this year’s results are much better than last year’s. Improved subjects include mathematics, physics, biology, Kiswahili and other 11 optional subjects. English was poorly performed. The minister blamed sheng’/slang usage among students that has caused poor performance in English. The minister associated the improvement in mathematics with the research about poor performance of the subject that was done in 2009 and results tabled by the education PS  prof. Ole Kyiapi.

The minister as well urged the director quality assurance to look in the matter of laboratory equipment in high schools to avoid cases of candidates using korobois for chemistry practical.  The need for quality early childhood education was highlighted by the minister who also urged teacher training colleges and universities to put more emphasis on humanities. Teacher training colleges were also urged to equip teachers with quality language (English/Swahili) in order for the teachers to deliver the same in class to learners.

Setting the university entry at C+ and above has increased university enrolment. The minister urged the government and stake holders to invest more in middle level colleges to cater for those candidates who miss university entry.

Concerning exam irregularity, the education minister condemned, parents, teachers, university students who had colluded with candidates to cheat in exams. ‘Chewing and swallowing prepared notes is even harmful to candidates’, he said. No exam irregularities were reported in Nyeri, Turkana, Taita Taveta, Nyandarua, Nyamira, West Pokot, and Machakos counties.  In overall 154 exam centers were noted with cheating. Lastly, the education minister condemned cheating in exams and requested KNEC officials to liaise with the education PS and investigate all cheating cases.

ROAD ACCIDENT VICTIMS

ROAD ACCIDENT VICTIMS

By: Timothy Makokha and Mishi Ziro

17 pupils are undergoing treatment at the Elgon view hospital in Bungoma town following the accident that occurred yesterday evening along the chwele-Bungoma road. Due to a shortage of medical facilities some 9 victims were taken to saint Mary’s hospital Mumias and 4 were taken to Lugulu mission hospital. 

2 of the accident victims who were badly injured were rushed to Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu for special attention.

Some of the victims at the Elgon view hospital were diagnosed with serious injuries where e a boy pelvic injuries and unable to pass urine who was being assisted mechanically with tubes to urinate. Others suffered head injuries.

Rita Mukhongo, a hospital attendant at Elgon view said that only 2 pupils died on sport on reaching the hospital while one died on their way to Bungoma district hospital. 

Christine kundu, a class six pupil at Mungeti primary is one of the victims at the Elgon view hospital whose right leg was cut off because it was badly injured.

It was learned later that the accident was caused by a lorry driver who was overspeeding, escaping danger after causing around chwele and was escaping towards Bungoma town when he ran into a group of pupils who were celebrating their victory after emerging winners during ball games that were held yesterday at kimukungi primary.

According to the games teacher of Mungeti primary, Mr. Nicholas Simiyu wekesa, pupils were celebrating on their way home in the evening after winning the game when they were ran over by the canter from behind. Six pupils died on spot.

Daniel Wangila is a life member of Red Cross Bungoma branch, who participated actively in assisting the accident victims. ‘I didn’t sleep the whole night as I was doing my best in rescuing the injured’ said Wangila.

Dr. Amin, the Elgon view hospital director called upon the affected parents, teachers, and the community at large to calm down and accept the tragedy. ‘Pupils in the affected schools, teachers, parents and the whole community need to be counseled for them to calm down and accept this bitter tragedy’, said Dr. Amin.

Red Cross coordinator Bungoma branch Ms. Valentine Mutaki, said that there is no need for panic as arrangements are being made by Red Cross in liaison with AMREF pay hospital bills for the accident victims.

DEO Bungoma south, Mr. Japheth shitubi called for an emergency meeting with Red Cross officials, head teachers for mungeti , marakaru ACK, and kakichuma primary schools in his office in Bungoma town.  In the meeting there were councilor Majimbo, Nalianya Francis the divisional education officer and Dr. Wekesa. They deliberated on the matter concerning the accident and advised the head teachers to hold parents meetings in their schools today at 2pm.

The meetings were meant to console the parents and counsel affected pupils who lost their dear friends. They were to use the meeting for counting pupils to tell how many are missing and request parents to assist in identifying bodies of victims who were destroyed beyond recognition.  A team of psychologists from Red Cross Eldoret branch will also address the meeting.

Area mp for Sirisia constituency, hon. Wetangula is to visit the scene of accident and proceed to address meetings in the affected schools today in the afternoon.

A total of 35 pupils were injured with four that were badly injured being taken to Nairobi hospital for special spinal code treatment. Dorcas nalianya and Maxwell waswa were to be transferred from elgon view  while Elizabeth kunania and purity makokha are to be moved from st mary’s mumias hospital all of them to Nairobi hospital.

Only one pupil from kakichuma primary was injured in the accident. Pupils who perished from mungeti primary were 9 including the following; Tyson Wanjala std 8,Michael Simiyu std 8,Sharon Wamalwa std 5, Brian Wamalwa std 6, Cidy Mukasiali std 6, Patrick Wafula, Centrine Nalianya, and Anne wekesa.

  

35 year old Edwin Namusasi Wafula appears before the Bungoma law courts to answer charges concerning the marakaru accident

35 year old Edwin Namusasi Wafula appears before the Bungoma law courts to answer charges concerning the marakaru accident

By: Timothy Makokha and Mishi Ziro

Court one of the Bungoma law courts full to capacity as people come to witness the case involving Edwin Namusasi Wafula who is the lorry driver of registration number KAW286P that caused an accident at Marakaru on 2/3/2012. Six pupils died on spot, three died on reaching hospital, another one died yesterday while the injured are still receiving treatment in various hospitals.

Anxiety mounts as complainants, and concerned community members wait for judgement of the accused driver today at the Bungoma law courts. Edwin Namusasi Wafula, who is the accused, appeared before court for the crimes he committed.

Chief magistrate hon. Nyarima, momentarily suspended Wafula’s case for 15 minutes as he sought for a full report about the names of those involved in the accident. The magistrate wanted the court prosecutor to name all victims of the accident as required by the law before making the ruling.

At this point only 10 charges had been mentioned against him while other charges were still under investigation by the Bungoma police OCPD. The first nine were charges of murder while the tenth is about breaking of traffic rules.

Silence that gnaws prevailed as each present person in the court was expecting the court to proceed after an extended break that stretched beyond the expected time framework. Parents of the accused were in such a melancholic mood as people within the crowd were pointing accusing fingers in their direction while whispering in low tones.

Wafula was recalled a few minutes later but the files concerning his case were not yet ready leading to another 20 minutes break as files were being sought and consultations made.

As Wafula appeared for the third time before the magistrate hon. Nyarima Walter , he accepted all the charges that so far were labeled against him. Just before a ruling was made, the Bungoma court prosecutor Mr. Oyoo requested the chief magistrate to defer the case for two weeks as per the request by the police OCPD.  This was meant to give the police enough time to look into the matter.

According to the police report, facts of the case are not ready as deaths are many and several victims are still in the ICU. The number of the dead had also changed increasing from 9 to 10.

The accused leaded guilty of the charges that had been mentioned already but the chief magistrate said the case is to be heard on 19/3/2012 in the same court.