The seasonal weather report released on Tuesday by Kitui County director of meteorology, Daniel Mbithi advises farmers who have not planted to start planting forthwith. Mbithi advises that wet planting should largely be dictated by the weekly weather update which is more accurate. 

“Wet plant when the weekly forecast indicates at least three days with rain of a total amount greater than 20mm,” said Mbithi in the forecast report seen by MWINGI TIMES.

The report further indicates that the rains that set in this week, had the onset projected for the fourth week of March to first week of April with the cessation expected by the first and the second week of May. “The rainfall distribution in time and space is expected to be fair to bad in Lower Zone and fair to good in both Middle Zone and Upper Zone. The length of the rain period will be 30-45 days,” said Mbithi.

The Kitui County Met director said that there will be intermittent long dry spells within the rainy period. He said it was impossible to reasonably predict the actual length of the dry spells and the impact on crops.

The rain forecast report shows that although Kitui County had three ecological zones namely Upper Zone, Middle Zone and Lower Zones, growing of maize and beans should only take place in Upper Zone but a not in the rest of the zones.

The areas of Upper ecological zones are those projected to receive between 300 mm to 500 mm of rainfall thus provided adequate moisture for maize and beans. They include ward like Kyangwithya East, Township and Upper Nzambani.

The other wards fingered as ideal for the two crops are Miambani, Matinyani, Upper Mutonguni, Migwani, Mumoni and Tharaka, according to the report.

The report calls on farmers in the other two zones to avoid maize and beans and plant drought tolerant crops like Dolichos, millet, sorghum, cowpeas and greengrams. “To minimize risks, choose the crops whose seasonal crop water requirement is within the lower limit value of the predicted range,” the report advises farmers. 

The middle and lower zones are respectively projected to cumulatively receive 200mm to 300mm and 100mm to 200 mm during the MAM rain season.

The endeavor aims to breathe new life into the school's infrastructure which is in a dilapidated state.

However, the parents and other stakeholders within the area who attended a public participation called by the businessman, accused the area Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji for his alleged attempt to block the facelift.

With fervor ignited during the public participation session, parents voiced resounding approval for Wakagoto's plan to rejuvenate the aging school premises.

The proposal, which promises improved facilities and enhanced learning environment struck a chord with attendees who saw it as a beacon of hope for their children's education.

However, amidst the wave of enthusiasm, a shadow loomed in the form of the area MP, whose alleged attempts to obstruct the initiative have sparked outrage.The angry-looking parents were disillusioned by what they perceived as self-serving obstructionism by the area MP.

"It's a travesty," remarked one concerned parent, echoing the sentiments of many. "Instead of supporting progress and investing in our children's future, the MP seems intent on maintaining the status quo for his own gain.We will not entertain these kind of tactics.The power belongs to the people and we have said we need a facelift for this school which is in pathetic condition," affirmed Gitonga Maina, a resident of the area who schooled there in his primary school days.

His sentiments were echoed by Faith Gakii who said the status of the infrastructure in the school has seen many learners transferred to other schools and time to rekindle and bring back the school was ripe. She said those who were opposed the renovations have are not fair to the community and the learners calling on such individuals to withdraw the blocks over the school so that the plan can be realized.

Leftie Mutembei said as former alumni of the school, they will not relent their effort until the school gets a new face.

Wakagoto while speaking during the public participation said he was undeterred by the opposition, noting his plan  to uplift the community through education is unopposed. 

"Every child deserves a chance to thrive. Together, we can overcome any obstacle and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow because the power belongs to us as people," he asserted.

The parents and the stakeholders agreed to petition the area Member of Parliament to accept the school to have a face lift.

Our efforts to reach the MP for comment were futile as he did not pick our calls or answer our messages by press time.

Kitui County Director of Meteorological Services Daniel Mbithi advised farmers to do dry planting this (onset) week or wet plant when the weekly forecast indicates at least three days with rain of a total amount greater than 20mm.

The weatherman noted that this March-April-May [MAM] rains season commenced/will start between  March 23 and April 7. It is expected to cease between May 1 and May 21.

Farmers from across the Governor Dr Julius Malombe-led county were urged to consult with their respective local agricultural extension officers for more advice on the best farm practices.

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” -Mahatma Gandhi. The world belongs to humanity, not this leader, that leader or that king or prince or religious leader. The world belongs to humanity. “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” -Albert Schweitzer. 

During bad circumstances, which is the human inheritance, you must decide not to be reduced. You have your humanity, and you must not allow anything to reduce that. We are obliged to know we are global citizens. Disasters remind us we are world citizens, whether we like it or not. When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society.

First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; goal, an objective. 

Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials and methods.

Third, adjust all your means to that end. If you don't know where you are going. How can you expect to get there? A good plan can help with risk analyses but it will never guarantee the smooth running of the project. A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.

Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things. One of the true tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency. The key to successful leadership today is influence not authority.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.

If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action. Do not let arrogance go to your head and despair to your heart. Do not let compliments go to your head and criticisms to your heart. Do not let success go to your head and failure to your heart.