Kitui East: 76-year-old retired Assistant chief making a kill in tortoise export

76-year-old Peter Matulu Maundu a farmer from Voo, Kitui East has found success in a tortoise farming venture after crop cultivation yielded minimal returns following numerous unsuccessful attempts.

To make use of his 10 acres of land, Maundu began tortoise rearing after retiring from his Assistant chief position in 2005 with just 25 tortoises, a venture that has since flourished, boasting over 2,000 more tortoises.

Maundu initially offered competitive prices for tortoises, purchasing mature specimens for Sh500 and juveniles for Sh200. Despite initial success, he encountered a challenge in obtaining a license from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which delayed his operations for three years.

“It was not easy to acquire the Papers, I had to travel to and fro Nairobi on many occasions. I spent much of my money and time before KWS finally gave in and gave me the license three years after application,” Maundu revealed.

Maundu’s perseverance paid off despite facing the challenges as he tapped into international markets, exporting his tortoises to countries like the United States, China, and Germany. With a single tortoise fetching at least Sh2,000 in the global market, his enterprise has become a lucrative source of income amidst Kitui County’s harsh agricultural landscape.

Maundu’s success serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of farmers in the face of environmental challenges, offering a beacon of hope amid the drought-stricken region.

Focus on marketing yourself – Karua tells off Kalonzo

NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua has asked Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka to focus on campaigning for himself.

Karua’s statement comes after a local publication by Taifa Leo, quoting Kalonzo saying he was the best man to take over Azimio la Umoja coalition leadership if Raila becomes African Union Commission chairman.

Through her X official account, Karua stated only voters will make the final decision on who is best.

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“My unsolicited advice to my brother Kalonzo Musyoka is to focus on marketing himself and leave the decision of who is best to the voters,” Karua wrote.

The Wiper party leader has since the beginning of 2024 stepped up his campaign to become the Azimio flag bearer in 2027

This week, Kalonzo took his campaigns to Migori, Nyamira, and Kisii counties where he opened party offices and member recruitment drives in a bid to strengthen the party.

Riverine communities flagged off to visit Thwake dam

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The Nairobi Rivers Commission Chair Dr. Pamela Olet led the flagging off of riverine communities for a visit to Thwake dam Makueni county.

Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony held in Nairobi the chair noted that riverine communities are working tirelessly upstream to restore the health and vitality of precious waterways.

“As we gather here to flag off our riverine communities to visit Thwake Dam, it is a profound sense of admiration for the resilience and determination demonstrated by every one of you. Your tireless efforts and unwavering dedication serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for us all. Together, we are embarking on a journey towards a brighter and more sustainable future for our rivers and our communities.” Said Olet

“On this World Water Day, we must commit ourselves to the preservation and restoration of our rivers, not just for our sake but for the sake of our future generations.” She added

She urged people to recognize the pivotal role that riparian zone restoration, waste management practices, sustainable agriculture, community education, and collaborative monitoring play in safeguarding the integrity of Twake Dam and its surrounding watershed.

Pamela further encouraged Kenyans to engage in activities such as tree planting, erosion control, and habitat restoration to riverine communities

“As we work hand in hand, we can ensure that Thwake dam remains a beacon of sustainability and resilience, providing clean water and ecological benefits for all of the people of Makueni County.” Pamela went on.

Kibwezi: 7-year-old boy drowns while watering goats

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7-year-old Mwendwa Muendo drowned in Ovo Dam Ngwata, Kibwezi East Makueni county.

Mwendwa who is a grade one pupil, went to water his father’s goats around 1 pm after school.

While he was watering the goats, he accidentally drowned in the water.

His body was spotted floating by passers-by who informed the police of the incident. His body was moved to a morgue in Kambu.

Makueni: 4 Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Possession of Elephant Tusks

Four men, Joshua Mwengea Mwanzia, Mashuba Ivuti, Tito Munguti, and Muema Kamuti who were arrested in June 17, 2018 have been sentenced to five years in prison for possession of two elephant tusks valued at Sh1.6 million in Makueni County.

Senior Principal Magistrate Benson Ireri delivered the verdict, which also included a fine of Sh1 million each.

The four were arrested following a tip from a local to the Kenya Wildlife Service officers about a group of individuals in Kibwezi township seeking potential buyers for elephant tusks. Throughout the trial, the prosecution, led by Catherine Ngari, presented compelling evidence, securing a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.

The defendants were charged under Section 92(2) as read with Section 105(1) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, for dealing in wildlife trophies of an endangered species without proper authorization.

Demand for ivory remains high, particularly in the East, driving poaching activities across Africa. Despite the international ban on the ivory trade, African elephants are still facing significant threats from poachers.

Kenya has adopted advanced surveillance measures, including the deployment of drones, to monitor and protect elephants and rhinos. Moreover, collaborative efforts involving Kenya Wildlife Service and various stakeholders aim to eradicate wildlife crimes, with a focus on intensified community education, interagency cooperation, and intelligence-driven operations.

Archbishop Ndambuki decries threats by Machakos county officials

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Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC) Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki has decried receiving threats from some Machakos County officials.

Archbishop Ndambuki said that after he made sentiments concerning Kalama MCA Boniface Maeke’s assault by Machakos county inspectorate he started receiving threats.

He revealed that some officers from the county government made some sentiments that sounded like threats to him.

“When I condemned the incident concerning Kalama MCA Boniface Maeke seems it did not lie well with some people as I received some threats,” said the Archbishop.

“I heard some say and am not saying anybody, Bishop can talk like that and he has lorries all over the county, these people who do they think they are,” he added.

He noted that some of the officers in the county government were the ones tainting the image of the governor.

“These people are the ones tainting the work of the governor,who do they think they are? Let them come for me if they are men enough,” He went on.

Kalonzo castigates Kenya Kwanza over housing levy

Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka has castigated the Kenya Kwanza regime stating the housing levy is being implemented without consulting taxpayers.

Speaking in Migori County, after opening the Wiper party office, Kalonzo said President William Ruto’s leadership has shown the highest level of dictatorship in implementing the program.

“The affordable housing project is forced on Kenyans without conducting public participation for them to express their ideas about the affordable housing project,” stated Kalonzo.

Tutawapinga, kwa mfano hii kuleta ushuru ya lazima vile mama amesema kiwanja ni ya serikali ata huulizi Wakenya tuweke wapi na kulamizisha Wakenya kutoa ushuru kwa lazima.Ameweka sahihi na kusema lazima utoe hii, upende usipende…na Wakenya wakipiga kelele kama huko Kericho na huko Bomet wanasema watawashika,” He added

Kalonzo’s remarks come after President William Ruto signed into law the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023, paving the way for the reinstatement of housing levy deductions from this month.

The signing ceremony was conducted in State House Nairobi and attended by key government officials.

Wrong Body Exhumed in Nkondi and transported to Kitui for Burial

A grave error in body identification led to the exhumation of a wrongly buried body in Nkondi, Matakiri-Nkondi Ward after a mix-up in the mortuary in Mombasa when a family from Kiorimba buried a body, mistakenly assuming it belonged to their kin due to similarities in names with another family from Ikanga in Kitui County.

The Kitui family promptly arranged for the exhumation of the body and its transportation to Kitui for the correct burial upon discovery.

The exhumed body was temporarily preserved at Marimanti Level 4 Hospital mortuary before being transported to its rightful destination for burial proceedings scheduled for today.

The Nkondi family, whose loved one was mistakenly buried by the Kitui family, has since buried their rightful family member after the correct body was identified and brought alongside the exhumed one from Kitui, allowing both families to conduct the appropriate burial ceremonies for their respective loved ones.