Sunday, October 25, 2015

Alcohol cartels attempting to sink Governor Mwangi Wa Iria’s ship



A few days ago, some MCAs in Murang’a County voted to impeach the Governor – a move that has created turbulence which threatens the county economic take off. The County government of Murang’a has attracted commendations within the county and beyond owing to vibrant programs in the agribusiness sector. The dairy industry has received many accolades since the inception of milk cooling facilities-a move that is making dairy farmers less exploited by milk merchants who take advantage of the commodity’s perishable state.
As people wonder what may be rocking the Mwangi wa Iria’s ship from the smooth sail, sources have pointed blame to some MCAs who are behaving like jilted lovers. It is no longer secret that Wa Iria’s recent efforts to successfully combat alcoholism have not gone down well with the alcohol barons. Alcohol merchants are fighting back!
As women celebrate the re-birth of their sons and daughters who had got sucked up in the alcohol typhoon, some forces have been working tirelessly to discredit Wa Iria and they seem to have identified disgruntled MCAs as a base to launch “Makueni-calibre” missiles.
However, the political indicators within the county show that the anti-Wa Iria MCAs are out of sync with the people of Murang’a.  Coming so soon after the “One Youth-One cow” launch, Wa Iria’s keen hand on matters development has endeared his government to the people who have vowed to teach errant MCAs a lesson. It will be foolhardy to think that some MCAs will see the light of re-election in the 2017 elections.
“We know them, we know their motives, and some are party to the crushed illicit alcohol cartels as well as allies to bar operators whose licenses have since been revoked” a woman angrily remarked in a local meeting.
Additionally, some elements in the Jubilee government with an eye for the Muranga seat have been said to be firing secret arrows to derail Wa Iria’s efforts. A case in point is when the Governor was whisked away from his Murang’a office by agents from the EACC- evoking queries as to how the operation seemed so unique and carefully executed in a bid to embarrass the Governor. This is blamed on a Murang’a legislator who is known to be a noisy horn bill and has whose development record isn’t anywhere near success- something which makes the electorate wonder what empty rhetoric and political bickering wound bequeath the impoverished County where Wa Iria’s Government has made remarkable foundational efforts to improve livelihoods.
Murang’a is not the first county to experience selfishness induced driven storms and power struggles. Makueni and Embu survived massive storms but the effects on their economies will be haunted by the lost time, stagnation and lateness in waking up to growth even as the 2017 campaigns beckon. Majority of Murang’a residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the selfish MCAs and asserting that they can’t afford to have their hopes dashed by few individuals.  Wa Iria has asked the people of Murang’a County to remain focused and disperse the enemies of development. Murang’a has curved her niche as one of the leading counties in empowerment projects alongside the people’s government of Machakos. In Machakos, Governor Alfred Mutua experienced opposing forces but managed to steer his ship back on course from the political distraction.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

vacancy at Kenya Veterinary Association Office

The Kenya Veterinary Association

Head Office

   28th January 2011 
VACANCY                        

JOB TITLE:  OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR.

Kenya Veterinary Association is a professional Association of Veterinary Surgeons with the following aims and objectives;

·                    To safeguard the interest and welfare of its members.
·                    To maintain the honour and dignity of the Veterinary Profession in Kenya.
·                    To promote the welfare and health of all animals
·                    To further the advancement of veterinary science and practice.
·                    To seek and retain veterinary information and exchange relevant information with other international veterinary bodies.

The Association intends to recruit a competent office administrator.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.

Reporting to the Honorary Secretary, the office administrator shall perform the following duties:

·        Planning, organizing and calling for various meetings in consultation with the Hon. Secretary. e.g council and executive meetings
·        Booking meeting venues for meetings held outside the KVA Boardroom and ensuring that everything required for facilitating the meeting is in place.
·        Representing the executive committee in meeting called by stakeholders from time to time when the Hon. Secretary is committed.
·        Taking note and action on official incoming mails.
·        Ensuring the office secretary files official mails appropriately.
·        Working closely with the executive committee on the implementation of policies and procedures as well as setting up of workable personnel administrative systems.
·        Carrying out monthly bank reconciliation and preparing weekly cash flow statement in consultation with the office secretary and treasurer.
·        Overseeing efficient running of the office. Supervise all the staff of KVA.
·        Preparation and collection of all reports of the association’s activities
·        Coordination of Head Office and Branch activities
·        Handling complaints arising from unsatisfied members in consultation with the Hon. Secretary.
·        Promoting a professional working culture and a positive image of the association.
·        Resource mobilization and fostering customer satisfaction
·        Updating the inventory of all the Association’s assets and ensuring their safe custody.
·        Following up on the publications of the Association’s journal and newsletters.
·        Any other assignments related to the Association activities as may be assigned by the Hon. Secretary, Chairman or the Executive committee.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
·        Bachelors Degree from an accredited university.
·        Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
·        Knowledge and understanding of Proposal writing, Project planning, budgeting and Financial Management.
·        Knowledge of computer applications and webpage management.
·        Good intercultural orientation (ability to relate and work with people of diverse backgrounds).
·        A self motivated individual with ability to liaise with local, regional and international organizations.
·        Knowledge of Government of Kenya and Development agencies budgeting and disbursement procedures.
·        A team player with high integrity, excellent conceptual, interpersonal and advisory skills.
·        Skills in minutes taking and speech writing will be an added advantage.
·        Ability to keep to deadlines.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The contract shall be for a period of two (2) years. An attractive package will be offered to the successful candidate.

HOW TO APPLY:

Qualified and interested applicants should submit a detailed CV indicating current position and remunerations as well as addresses and telephone contacts of three referees. Applications in sealed envelopes with the Title “KVA OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR” should be send to

THE HONORARY SECRETARY
KENYA VETERINARY ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 29089 – 00625 NAIROBI

So as to reach him on or before 18th February 2011.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Pilkapilka jirundike

Jua lachomoza miale,
Nami sitaki nilale,
Toka voi hadi Kitale,
watu mbioni kama mshale,
kutafuta yao Riziki.

Pilkapilka za Maisha,
burura yako rukwama
soma chako Kitabu,
fanikisha lako wazo,
kuelekeza wako ujira,

Pigia dua Rahimu,
hili jambo muhimu,
zaonyesha takwimu,
sitie ulegevu aushini,
ju'mosi siku muhimu.
Makinikeni!

Friday, December 17, 2010

The Central Kenya alcohol menace- Poor economy or reckless leadership?

Central Kenya Leaders, save the youth –not via football but enterprise development


Recently, a Member of Parliament from Western Kenya toured central Kenya and exclaimed,” men are drinking themselves silly in this region, some, after coming home drunk, they go under the bed instead of joining their wives on their beds, consequently, the number of kids attending nursery schools have alarmingly diminished”

What other truth do we require? We are headed to a bottomless abyss-and we are cruising there at a worrisome speed.

On the Morning of December 12 2010, I left Church after the first service and headed for Kiriaini town, Murang’a county. Scarcely had I emptied a cup of tea at a local café before a former classmate showed up. Happily we shook hands and as I invited him for a cup, he had already fired the usual ammunition- “Man, just strike my expectation with a ‘pound’-KSH 20”

The alcohol smell from his previous night’s drinking spree forcibly hugged my nose.. what followed you can guess, but you can be sure I don’t provide charities for ‘alcoholism ‘ in Africa!

This is just but an isolated case, representative of the mess that our country is plunging into. When the hope in the youth is crushed, the future is at stake.

This is the high time we embarked in development of cottage industries, revive Agro-enterprise -even if it will call for uprooting the messed up coffee industry!

Something has to be done!!! And fast. The cause is not lack of football and volleyball-as the CDF committee seems to have erroneously conceived!! Youths dive into alcoholism to evade frustration, thereby receiving more of it-sadly!!

Whenever there is a distress call in any village, the youths no longer respond…thieves enjoy their loot fearlessly.!!

I stand for enterprise development amongst the rural population. When economy was a “selfdriving” one, I did not see such, now it is a ‘surviving’ one-and hope is utterly crushed! LEADERS, OPEN your EYES!!! Now.

Dr. Kenneth Kirenge Muchiri