FAHAMU NETWORK

Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has claimed that the ongoing graft case against Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya is politically motivated and intended to silence the vocal county boss due to his fierce criticism of the national government. Speaking during a church service in Tuwan Ward on Sunday, Mr. Amisi alleged that the charges facing Natembeya are part of a larger scheme to weaken his influence and discredit the Tawe movement, which the governor leads. “There are many governors with serious graft allegations in the public domain, but they have not been treated like Natembeya — simply because they are not as vocal,” said the legislator. Mr. Amisi also criticized leaders from the Western Kenya region for failing to support Natembeya during what he described as a politically charged attack. “We have to demonstrate our unity by standing by our colleagues whenever they are in trouble, irrespective of our political affiliations,” he emphasized. The MP’s remarks c...

Trans Nzoia, Kenya — Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned political leaders against issuing inflammatory statements while promoting their political ideologies, saying such actions threaten national cohesion and security. Speaking during a church service at AIC Nuru in Trans Nzoia County on Sunday, Murkomen raised concern over a growing trend where some leaders appear to be capitalizing on ethnic divisions for political mileage. “There are leaders who are banking on ethnicity,” said Mr. Murkomen. “But I want to give you my personal assurance that our security is firmly in place.” He further condemned the practice of politicians mobilizing gangs to intimidate opponents during public events, including funerals. “We have seen worrying trends where leaders are walking with gangs, even at funerals where they are supposed to show empathy,” he said, adding that such behavior undermines public safety and would not be tolerated. Also present at the event, Trans Nz...

Cherang'any parliamentary aspirant John Njuguna has launched an avocado farming initiative targeting smallholder farmers—particularly women—in a bid to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods across the constituency. Mr. Njuguna, accompanied by area Senator Allan Chesang, unveiled the project at Nyakinyua Primary School, where 1,000 Golden Hass avocado seedlings were distributed to women farmers. Njuguna emphasized that the initiative directly addresses the high poverty levels in Cherang’any and forms part of his broader vision to economically empower residents through sustainable agriculture. "The burden of poverty here is real, and women bear the brunt of it. We need solutions, not just promises. This avocado project is a step toward long-term empowerment," he said. The project, which is also being rolled out in other wards, includes training beneficiaries on proper propagation and crop care. "The market for avocado is highly lucrative. Beneficiaries will no...

The government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate Kenya’s coffee industry, aiming to triple production from the current 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes by the 2027/2028 financial year. The Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSME Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, emphasized the government’s determination to restore Kenya’s global stature as a leading coffee producer. "Kenya was once among the world’s top coffee exporters, but we have fallen behind Ethiopia, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania," said Oparanya. He spoke at Kipkeikei. He added: "Revitalizing this sector means strategic planning and improved farm practices, including targeting over 20 kilograms per bush." To spearhead this revival, the government has committed Sh500 million and launched the Cherry Fund, which will offer farmers advance payments while awaiting auction sales. Oparanya also kickstarted the distribution of 250,000 coffee seedlings to farmers in the r...

Kwanza Member of Parliament Ferdinand Wanyonyi has thrown his weight behind the leasing of Nzoia Sugar Company, saying the move will help revive the struggling miller and significantly benefit sugarcane farmers and the broader economy. Speaking at the launch of a tututom block at Liyavo Primary School, Wanyonyi said the leasing plan is a timely intervention that will restore the company’s operational capacity and ensure farmers receive better returns for their produce. “We fully support the leasing of Nzoia Sugar. It is a step in the right direction that will help bring the company back to life and improve the livelihoods of farmers,” he said. The legislator also emphasized the need to ensure that farmers supplying cane to the company are paid promptly, noting that delays in payment have historically discouraged production and deepened poverty in farming communities. “Farmers must be paid on time. That is the only way to restore confidence in the sector and motivate them to...

Kwanza Member of Parliament Ferdinand Wanyonyi has expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of child labour, linking the trend to a sharp rise in school absenteeism among students. This follows a report by Keese Secondary School Principal Henry Bunyasi, who revealed that over 200 students from Form Two to Form Four have failed to report for Term Two. According to Mr. Wanyonyi, many students are now working as casual labourers on maize farms, which is negatively impacting academic performance, particularly at the high school level. "I have received worrying reports from school heads who complain that some students skip classes to work alongside their parents," said the MP during a bursary cheque issuance event at Keese Secondary School. He urged government investigative agencies to crack down on parents who allow or encourage their children to engage in child labour. Mr. Wanyonyi also raised concerns about a growing culture of gambling among students, warni...

Cherangany MP Mr. Patrick Simiyu has opposed plans by the government to implement a revised hardship allowance policy that could see thousands of teachers lose their benefits. Simiyu termed the proposal by the government to cut the hardship allowance for educators in classified regions in the country as misguided and discouraging. Speaking in Kachibora during public participation on NG-CDF and NG-AAF forum, the MP vowed to mobilize his colleagues to reject the proposal. The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) MP termed the process to cut teachers' allowance as lacking transparency and equity. "Government policies should be subjected to public participation to avoid backlash when being implemented. There is no transparency and equity in the process to cut the teacher's hardship allowance," he said. The MP argued that the move to slash the allowance of the teachers working in the region mapped as hardship areas will discourage teachers and have a negati...