International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Rainforest Alliance is set to train 50, 000 farmers in Embu and Kirinyaga counties on conservation agriculture and crop diversification to boost their earnings.

 

The training targeting mainly tea and coffee farmers will among other things according to the organization Senior Director Julius Ng’ang’a train them on how to maximize production while maintaining soil fertility and water conservation through farming that promotes minimum tillage.

He said they will also assist them to plant trees in their farms to reduce water consumption, help retain water for crops and provide protection to watersheds.

Speaking in Embu while launching a governance board for collective planning actions towards the program, Ng’ang’a said they will also train them on diversification by introducing new crops that will help them shore up earnings.

He said the board christened Embu County Landscape Management Board will be charged with the mandate of spearheading environmental conservation to also help address climate change matters in the county.

The Director said that the board will also be in the frontline of offering advisory services on the activities that can be undertaken by the NGO to conserve the environment in Embu.

He said the board will also play a key role in resource mobilization towards the financing of the green enterprises that are supporting youth and women development in the county.

Another official, Susan Kinyua said a similar board had been constituted in Kirinyaga and more are on the way in the rest of the counties in Mt. Kenya Region and called on county governments to support the initiative.

Embu County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Water, Irrigation, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Florence Musyoka said the initiative was a huge boost to farmers in ensuring their venture becomes profitable.

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

MY dad’s name changed from Stephen Muthuuri to Stephen M'Rinyiru wa M'Riria wa M'Thiuru wa M'Mbanaita, wa M'Chinii...... of Imenti South Sub County, Nkuene Ward. Meru County.

I would like you to know how the Miru people named their grownup sons, by the following know true example, particularly so in our family. (My late Dad's family)

When my late dad Stephen was born, he was named Muthuuri. My 1st uncle Joseph(late)was named Kinoti, then Samuel(late) was named Kithinji, Silas (late) was named Kiambi just to name but a few. He had many other sons and daughters. We are a large family. The last born of the entire household uncle Mbae.

When they became of age and the traditional rituals thereon, the name Muthuuri for Stephen was abandoned and given a new name M'Rinyiru wa M'Riria. Same for Joseph who took M'Mugambi wa M'Riria. Samuel becoming M'Ikiara wa M'Riria and Silas taking M' Kurea wa M'Riria which never took root save to few family members.

"Nto" was ment to depict the characteristic and or what his father was well known for. M'Rinyiru was because his father had many cattle's and within the heard, there were very special cattle which could only be found in a rich man heard. He was a man of great wealth. This is the reason why you do not find many Rinyirus here and there. It was reserved and revered in equal measure.

M'Mugambi because my grandfather was a man of great wisdom.  Colonial administration often sought his counsel to settle disputes in the region.

M'Ikiara because of many cattle in the homestead. 

M'Kurea because my grandfather was tall.

And the list went on up to our last-born uncle Mbae wa M'Riria.

Daughters’ names also changed upon circumcision.  The title 'Cio' applied eg 'Cio Mwebia, Cio Kanugu, and so forth.

My grandma

My grandma upon her circumcision assumed the name of Cio Ntaari.  My paternal grandfather was from the kingdom of Mikumbune. He was known as Chief Ntaari My grandma was the first born in the family. So, she could only wed into another kingdom...yawa... and those days only the royals could wed yawa.

There is other instance where a community would give a title or nickname depending on how they perceived you.   For instance my Late grandmother Miriam Muthoni wa M'Riria was often referred to by the community as 'Tirimani' a nickname that to date is alive She earned this nickname for being the most kind, generous..she could feed the entire village to their full and still had enough in her granaries. 

When my grandfather M'Riria was born, he was given the name Kaburia. The name  Kaburia referred to age group. When he became of age, he became M'Riria wa M'Thiuru.  Mzee M'Thiuru had many wives, sons and daughters.

Mzee M'Thiuru was the son of Mzee M'Mbainata.

M'Mbainata was the son of M'Chinii.... On so it went...

Please note that M'Riria means that his farther had very many cattle and great wealth which was true. M'Thiuru was well known because of his very many head of cattle's.

Because of the above reason, that is why many of the boys who are born and named after M'Riria, are named Mugambi because of his wisdom.

In fact, his age mates also nicknamed him "muchiuko" and not "michihiko" which clueless call him.

Therefore, for instance if you refer to my grandfather as M'Mugambi M'Riria, you are making reference to his son Joseph Kinoti my late uncle.

Now you know.

Guti mbiiji itirii.

OPINION BY MARY KANANA NTEERE (WA M'RINYIRU’S DAUGHTER)

The Kenya Meteorological Department said that dry weather conditions are expected over most parts of the country with occasional rainfall during the month of December.

 

Temperatures are expected to be warmer than usual with higher probabilities over the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, Central and south Rift Valley, south-eastern lowlands and extreme northeastern parts bordering Ethiopia. This is according to a press release from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) shared by Daniel Mbithi, the Kitui Director of Meteorology.

For the last month of 2022, KMD forecasts that several parts of the country are likely to experience below average rainfall. “However, near average rainfall is likely over parts of Western and Northeastern Kenya”.

STORY By JOHN MUSEMBI

A class eight pupil from Kandae Primary School which is in Mutomo Sub County, Kitui South is battling a painful journey of recovery from injuries he sustained after he was beaten by his cousin by the name Daniel Nyaga. 

The boy who is sitting for his final exams this year met the cruel treatment where he was restrained into a room and hit with a club on his head, chest and his private parts by his cousin who sources said they live in the same homestead.

After the incident the boy's mother Anna Kakuu took him to the chief's office to report the matter first but the administrator observed the condition of the mother’s son and ordered her to take case to the police. 

Anna took his child to the public hospital where he was examined and later in the day, got referred to Mutomo Mission Hospital for further check-ups. He got the medication and was discharged to go home.

After four days of agony, the boy got back to the hospital but first he went to the police station and got a stamped document which is an OB (Occurrence Book) then proceeded to the hospital.

The boy went through the surgery in his private parts and got admitted in the Mutomo Mission Hospital for a week where he was discharged later issued with other doses to relief the pain.

He went on crying due to the severe pain for some days without going to school. This forced him and his mother to go back to the hospital for further medication and was referred to Kitui General Hospital which is in Kitui town. His mother took him there. The health officers worked out his condition and issued him some medicines and they went back home. 

One week ago, the boy was still in pains but under a better medication where he was able to attend his classes in school since this month started.

The young man was given time to heal so that the case can be taken to court. The case is under police investigation whereby the accused person has not been taken to face the law.

"After they got out of the house his (son)mouth was bleeding but I didn't give it attention. After showering he explained to his aunt that Dan had harmed him and he complained that he was in pain. That is when I took him to the area chief and he told me that is a police case. He called a member of World Vision in the area who helped me to take the matter to the police and they gave us an OB letter. Then we went to the hospital but the police told me to wait until my son is well then, I can go to proceed with the case” the boy's mother explained.

STORY By JOSPHINE MWENDE