MINISTER ON ICC

BY   LUKE  KAPCHANGA  THELINK/BUNGOMA                  25/5/2010

Setting up the local tribunal to investigate and try crimes committed during the post election violence, now lies in the fate of the draft constitution.

Minister for housing, Soita Shitanda has noted that, its only by voting for the draft constitution, which will automatically  make it possible to have the tribunal in place.

Parliament he said had previously rejected bills brought in the house to introduce the local tribunal out of fear by MPs for lack of independence.

“MPs were fearing the thin line between the executive and tribunal, as the perpetrators form the executive”, he stated.

He explained that the executive is heavily overbearing on the legislature, and always influences other  arms of government , and this has made leaders uncomfortable with the tribunal if set up.

Yet , the draft constitution if passed, creates independence for tribunals and completely removes the legislature from control of the executive and their roles executed separately .

“The draft if passed will provide a level of confidence in MPs  and be in a position to have the tribunal put up without being indifferent “, the minister further remarked.

May this explain, the spirited efforts by those opposing the new constitution to have it rejected as it provides provisions, which separates the thin line of the executive and legislature?

Two ministers, Moses Wetangula of foreign affairs , and Mutula Kilonzo of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, have both supported setting up the local tribunal.

 But, both  are not sure about the time frame, in which the process to have the files on the local tribunal will be opened after rejection by Parliament of two successive bills.

The first bill was sponsored by the government , but rejected by MPs and later Mr. Gitobu Imanyara introduced a private members bill which was also rejected.

The International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Morenho- Ocampo, has told Kenyans not to expect much from him other than, involving himself with just two cases of six people.

“Do not expect everything from me. I will only prosecute two to six cases and the rest is up to you.” He was quoted saying in one of the daily papers recently..

  The chief prosecutor who asked civil societies to push Parliament to establish a local tribunal also urged leaders to start a mechanism for resolving the cases.

But he was saddened for realizing that the government had not done much to resolve the problems which erupted during the post poll violence of 2007/2008.

The Kenya stakeholders Coalition for the Universal Periodic Review(UPR), highlighted justice for victims of the post- election violence as a matter of concern.

The Coalition  noted on its Human rights Balance sheet to the  UPR, said” It has been almost two and half years since 2007-2008 post –election violence yet none of the perpetrators have been effectively prosecuted”.

It recommended for the government to set up the special tribunal to investigate and prosecute crimes which occurred before, during and after the 2007 general elections in adherence to the principles of the Rome Statute.

The Special Rapporteur on Extre-judicial, summary or Arbitrary executions, has also urged the state to establish the local tribunal to prosecute perpetrators of post- election violence.

The Human rights reports to UPR,  by the government agreed in principle to cooperate with ICC, as efforts to establish a local mechanism to try perpetrators continue.

 

HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE

BY  LUKE KAPCHANGA         21/8/2010    

 COMMENTARY  ON HUMANRIGHTS VIOLATIONS.(JOURNALIST AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER)

Ms Zainab Hamid, mother of Mohammed  Hamid Suleiman who was arrested in connection with the Kampala bombing was photographed screaming and in tears, when she learned that her son could not be produced in the High court.

Suleiman s wife, Ms Zuhura said in her court papers ”it has been more than 24 hours since he was arrested and nobody knows where he is being held”.

Mr. Suleiman was arrested at his South C house in Nairobi  at 10.30pm on 13/8/2010 , and family members had not seen him by Tuesday the following week.

On August 19, the Uganda government confirmed having in their custody a Kenyan terror suspect, Mr. Suleiman since 14/8/2010.

To prevent persons from being unaccounted for, accurate information about the arrest and place of detention, including transfers need to be available without delay to relatives and legal counsels, this according to international humanitarian law.

The right of relatives to information regarding the suspect is an obligation by the State as is recognized under provisions of International Humanitarian Law, human rights law instruments and other international texts

“Living in the dark about the fate of friends and relatives is the harsh reality facing hundreds of thousands of families affected by armed conflict or internal violence. Throughout the World, parents, brothers and sisters, spouses and children desperately seek loved ones with whom they have lost contact”, Jakob Kellenberger , President of the International Crescent of the Red Cross and Anders B. Johnsson, Secretary General of the Inter- Parliamentary Union, writes in the forward in a book, Missing Persons: Handbook for Parliamentarians.

“Their anguish remains acute after the conflict has ended and peace restored. Such unhealed wounds can destroy the fabric of society and undermine the relationships between groups and Nations for decades after the events that caused them”, the forward states further.

Iam not advocating for  the  innocence of, Suleiman and the three others, Hussein Hassan Agade, Idris Magondu and Mohammed Aden Addow the Kenyans who are facing counts of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, in their role played in the twin bomb blasts which killed 76 people in Kampala.

The International humanitarian law- do prohibit terrorism related acts and activities, according to the ABC, of Human rights handbook.

As it notes  that terrorist acts attack  fundamental human rights, urging States not only to have the right but indeed the duty to protect the population from such acts.

The handbook gives the guideline, that Anti-terrorism strategies must comply with provisions of International Humanitarian Law, the International Refuge Convention and Human rights Conventions.

Except when the State is confronted with an exceptional life threatening situation such as direct terrorist threat, then it may suspend certain rights.

And in such situation again, the state authority is reminded to oblige to follow the prescribed procedures , to ensure    that any measures taken respect the principles of proportionality and are of brief duration.

The Kenyan authorities action of giving a helping hand in the fight against terrorism in the region is commendable, but should the government violate International Humanitarian Law to promote peace and law, at the same time?

The basic rights demands that, persons deprived of their liberty, whether interned or detained, shall have the right   to inform any person with legitimate interest, such as close family members or legal counsel.

The suspect at minimum , should inform about the arrest, the location they are being detained, and their state of health.

They are also  authorized to communicate with and be visited by family members, counsel or any other person of their choice, subject only to condition established by law.

Further more, for the suspect to be moved from his location of detention, the spouse, a close relative or any other person with legitimate interest is notified.

Under Humanitarian law and Human rights law, relatives of the suspect have the right to know, the truth regarding the circumstances of the arrest, detention or internment, the progress and results of investigations and fate of victim.

Human rights laws are of perception, that domestic laws and regulations should ensure that persons deprived of their liberty, whatever the reason of their internment or detention, have a right to inform their families, of their arrest, address and state of health and adequate means of communication to be provided.

Am not aware if Kenya is signatory to The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance2006.

The Convention is the first universal treaty to define  and prohibit enforced disappearance, which is being”, the abduction or detention of a person by agents of the State followed by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, outside the protection of the law”.

The Convention has prevention safeguards against disappearance, allowing suspects to communicate with family members.

Kenya is not at war nor experiencing internal conflict,  to have state agents, abducting suspects, keeping families in darkness about the victims, and extraditing them without using the right procedures.

The Geneva Conventions of August  12 1949, article 48 on prisoners of war says, “ in the event of transfer,  prisoners of war  shall be officially advised of their departure and of their new postal address. Such notifications shall be given in time for them to pack their luggage and inform their next of kin”

This is the Convention which came about to address human value in the face of adversity following the mass slaughter of World war two, yet it was able to recognize the right of prisoners of war .

In Kenya as we ready ourselves in welcoming the second republic, the accountability of state agents to the wananchi remains a far cry, and respect for human rights frowned upon.

Having Kenyans extradited to Uganda, is plausible, but only if the rule of law is uphold, and international instruments on human rights are respected.

 

 

 

MAIZE SEED SCARCITY

BY LUKE KAPCHANGA KITALE

MAIZE SEED SCARCITY TO CREATE FOOD INSECURITY :

The disappearance of  maize seed  on the market, spells danger.

There was a general outcry by farmers as planting season arrived, as they could not find farm implements on the market.

More painful to farmers was shortage of maize seed, which does well in their respective regions.

“Lack of required support from the government and unreliable rainfall is the major cause of seed shortage in the country”, remarked Samuel Nyongi Chumo

Chumo who says, has been a contracted maize seed farmer for the past 10 years, adds, “ farmers are on their own, the agriculture people have no idea what farmers want, at what time and in what quantity”.

Inspecting the maize seed crop, he displays dissatisfaction the way it is doing, complaining that he was not able to feed enough.

“When you stand here, the maize speaks do you that we have eaten but not satisfied , which can be translated into less production”, he says.

He explained that it was no longer profitable to be a contracted maize seed farmer , with the state corporation Kenya seed company.

He says lack of farm inputs at the required time, has forced more farmers to move out of framing and nobody seem to be aware.

This sentiments were supported by John Wafula 64, of Mautuma in Lugari district, who says he gave up planting after failing to get farm implements on time.

“The ministry of agriculture is dysfunctional .It has no working plan and most of the extension officers themselves go hungry”, he said.

Wafula , said he abandoned planting his two acre plot, when he could not find fertilizers and seeds, after spending considerable money in land preparation.

Chumo who grows 100 acres of maize seed, mostly on leased plots of land, accuse the government of not having any plans to ensure that the implements are available on time.

Reacting to the seed shortage outcry, Chumo who is one of the prominent farmers in Trans-Nzoia county, supported fears of low yields this year, which will worsen the vicious cycle of food insecurity.

Kenya seed company is mandated to avail certified seed to farmers, and controls almost 80% of the market share in the country.

For the past 10 years, Mr. Chumo has been a farmer, he has never seen an agricultural extension officer on his farm.

“As a matter of fact, I do not know this extension officers, and their work”. He complained.

He dismissed the reports by ministry of agriculture , saying farmers are never consulted nor their views sought, now anything to do with the reports must of 20 years ago.

Because, he maintained , the fertilizer can not be supplied in April when planting was done in late February.

“To prove it, this is May, yet fertilizer for top dressing is not on the market and when you go to this agriculture offices you will be told that we are arranging to bring”.

This can only be jokers not government experts, because they do not understand what is required to improve the food security in the country.

Another issue, is subdivision of land which used to produce maize seed into small plots for settlement.

The government he notes, should get involved to assist families not to subdivide the land, knowing that it becomes uneconomical for seed production.

At Amogoro farm, where use leases out 50 acres to plant maize seed, most of his colleagues have pulled out due to frustrations and lack of support.

Most of the framers lack access to loan facilities, and when available the process is frustrating to endure.

One farmer who declined to be named, claimed that, Kenya seed company, is slow in processing payments to contracted farmers, hence making them unable to pay for the services rendered on the farm.

The seed company is accused of not being open, and staffs giving wrong information at times, and can take upto 6 months to get paid after delivering the products.

Evalyne Nakhungu 48, on her 2 acre piece of land in Webuye, is not bothered by out cry of maize seed shortage.

The mother of 9 and 5 grand children all depending on the farm for food production, says she plants the preserved seeds from the previous harvest.

“After every harvest , I chose the best cobs, which I preserve as seed, and it very simple and I have no time for this hybrid things”, she said.

Adding that , she can not change her favorite variety, locally called NO.8, her problem was geeting fertilizer.

This year , Nakhungu plantedmaize without fertilizer, and standing on the farm, a section of the maize was flowering, and most of the crop, just under the knee.

When asked about the difference in height, she attributed it to the rains.

With the fast planting after the rains, germination was not good, and after some waiting, she decided to replace.

To curb it all, she has never seen an extension officer on her farm nor any assistance from the government .

In April , the Kenya seed company said that it has put in place measures to ensure that seed shortage does not occur again.

The company said mitigation measures included expanding production through irrigation, building of strategic seed reserves and offering incentives to framers and had increased area under seed production to 40,000acres up from 20,000 acres.

It however assured framers of having sufficient maize seed for medium, dry land and coastal zones.

Seed shortages which sparked fears of low yields, was lack of favorite varieties missing on markets, as farmers were waiting to be supplied with the right type.

In places like Central province, farmers were ready to plant yet the available seeds were not appropriate for the region, and there was no professional advice.

Maize is the overwhelming national staple crop in Kenya. It is a predominant crop grown across most livelihoods, even in agro-ecological zones that are not suitable for production.

According to the ministry of agriculture, area put under maize is about 1.8million hectares annually. The long rains season is the most important with respect to maize production, accounting for 85% of the annual maize output.

The forecast on maize production for 2011 by the ministry puts a shortfall in output.

An estimated 2.8mllion metric tones of maize is expected to be harvested during the year 2010/2011 production season.

Making the cumulative output below the short term average of about 3.0million metric tones, against annual consumption estimated to be 3.4million metric tones.

The ministry’s planning is pecked on hope that the shortfall will be covered by carryover stock and cross boarder imports through June.

The government , while addressing underlying factors causing food insecurity in the country, puts emphasis on faring activity in pastoral and marginal agricultural areas.

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS , is also mentioned as an underlying factor among farmers and Lakeshore districts for being subjected to floods, which limits investments in productive activities.

On extension services, the ministry has the directorate of National Agricultural Sector Extension Policy( NASEP), whose role to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

The extension services policy, is said to adopt performance management practices, which are result oriented, participatory and innovative.

The services include collecting, packaging and disseminating agricultural information and technology to farmers .Farmers are required to participate in decision making and provide feedbacks.

This participation is what Chumo , complains is lacking and their concerns are not sought to have farm implements’ supplied before land preparation starts.

In early May, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives pointed an accusing finger at former managers of the seed company for causing the shortage.

The committee chairman John Mututho, said that former management had reduced the production of basic seed maize by 50% resulting in the shortage.

Mututho maintained ,revealed that over 20,000 metric tones of seed maize was sold as commercial maize between 2008/2009.

Another 27million metric tones of strategic seed reserve was sold to Rwanda and Southern Sudan, allegedly without express consultations with ministry officials.

MAIZE SEED SCARCITY

BY LUKE KAPCHANGA KITALE

MAIZE SEED SCARCITY TO CREATE FOOD INSECURITY :

The disappearance of  maize seed  on the market, spells danger.

There was a general outcry by farmers as planting season arrived, as they could not find farm implements on the market.

More painful to farmers was shortage of maize seed, which does well in their respective regions.

“Lack of required support from the government and unreliable rainfall is the major cause of seed shortage in the country”, remarked Samuel Nyongi Chumo

Chumo who says, has been a contracted maize seed farmer for the past 10 years, adds, “ farmers are on their own, the agriculture people have no idea what farmers want, at what time and in what quantity”.

Inspecting the maize seed crop, he displays dissatisfaction the way it is doing, complaining that he was not able to feed enough.

“When you stand here, the maize speaks do you that we have eaten but not satisfied , which can be translated into less production”, he says.

He explained that it was no longer profitable to be a contracted maize seed farmer , with the state corporation Kenya seed company.

He says lack of farm inputs at the required time, has forced more farmers to move out of framing and nobody seem to be aware.

This sentiments were supported by John Wafula 64, of Mautuma in Lugari district, who says he gave up planting after failing to get farm implements on time.

“The ministry of agriculture is dysfunctional .It has no working plan and most of the extension officers themselves go hungry”, he said.

Wafula , said he abandoned planting his two acre plot, when he could not find fertilizers and seeds, after spending considerable money in land preparation.

Chumo who grows 100 acres of maize seed, mostly on leased plots of land, accuse the government of not having any plans to ensure that the implements are available on time.

Reacting to the seed shortage outcry, Chumo who is one of the prominent farmers in Trans-Nzoia county, supported fears of low yields this year, which will worsen the vicious cycle of food insecurity.

Kenya seed company is mandated to avail certified seed to farmers, and controls almost 80% of the market share in the country.

For the past 10 years, Mr. Chumo has been a farmer, he has never seen an agricultural extension officer on his farm.

“As a matter of fact, I do not know this extension officers, and their work”. He complained.

He dismissed the reports by ministry of agriculture , saying farmers are never consulted nor their views sought, now anything to do with the reports must of 20 years ago.

Because, he maintained , the fertilizer can not be supplied in April when planting was done in late February.

“To prove it, this is May, yet fertilizer for top dressing is not on the market and when you go to this agriculture offices you will be told that we are arranging to bring”.

This can only be jokers not government experts, because they do not understand what is required to improve the food security in the country.

Another issue, is subdivision of land which used to produce maize seed into small plots for settlement.

The government he notes, should get involved to assist families not to subdivide the land, knowing that it becomes uneconomical for seed production.

At Amogoro farm, where use leases out 50 acres to plant maize seed, most of his colleagues have pulled out due to frustrations and lack of support.

Most of the framers lack access to loan facilities, and when available the process is frustrating to endure.

One farmer who declined to be named, claimed that, Kenya seed company, is slow in processing payments to contracted farmers, hence making them unable to pay for the services rendered on the farm.

The seed company is accused of not being open, and staffs giving wrong information at times, and can take upto 6 months to get paid after delivering the products.

Evalyne Nakhungu 48, on her 2 acre piece of land in Webuye, is not bothered by out cry of maize seed shortage.

The mother of 9 and 5 grand children all depending on the farm for food production, says she plants the preserved seeds from the previous harvest.

“After every harvest , I chose the best cobs, which I preserve as seed, and it very simple and I have no time for this hybrid things”, she said.

Adding that , she can not change her favorite variety, locally called NO.8, her problem was geeting fertilizer.

This year , Nakhungu plantedmaize without fertilizer, and standing on the farm, a section of the maize was flowering, and most of the crop, just under the knee.

When asked about the difference in height, she attributed it to the rains.

With the fast planting after the rains, germination was not good, and after some waiting, she decided to replace.

To curb it all, she has never seen an extension officer on her farm nor any assistance from the government .

In April , the Kenya seed company said that it has put in place measures to ensure that seed shortage does not occur again.

The company said mitigation measures included expanding production through irrigation, building of strategic seed reserves and offering incentives to framers and had increased area under seed production to 40,000acres up from 20,000 acres.

It however assured framers of having sufficient maize seed for medium, dry land and coastal zones.

Seed shortages which sparked fears of low yields, was lack of favorite varieties missing on markets, as farmers were waiting to be supplied with the right type.

In places like Central province, farmers were ready to plant yet the available seeds were not appropriate for the region, and there was no professional advice.

Maize is the overwhelming national staple crop in Kenya. It is a predominant crop grown across most livelihoods, even in agro-ecological zones that are not suitable for production.

According to the ministry of agriculture, area put under maize is about 1.8million hectares annually. The long rains season is the most important with respect to maize production, accounting for 85% of the annual maize output.

The forecast on maize production for 2011 by the ministry puts a shortfall in output.

An estimated 2.8mllion metric tones of maize is expected to be harvested during the year 2010/2011 production season.

Making the cumulative output below the short term average of about 3.0million metric tones, against annual consumption estimated to be 3.4million metric tones.

The ministry’s planning is pecked on hope that the shortfall will be covered by carryover stock and cross boarder imports through June.

The government , while addressing underlying factors causing food insecurity in the country, puts emphasis on faring activity in pastoral and marginal agricultural areas.

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS , is also mentioned as an underlying factor among farmers and Lakeshore districts for being subjected to floods, which limits investments in productive activities.

On extension services, the ministry has the directorate of National Agricultural Sector Extension Policy( NASEP), whose role to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

The extension services policy, is said to adopt performance management practices, which are result oriented, participatory and innovative.

The services include collecting, packaging and disseminating agricultural information and technology to farmers .Farmers are required to participate in decision making and provide feedbacks.

This participation is what Chumo , complains is lacking and their concerns are not sought to have farm implements’ supplied before land preparation starts.

In early May, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives pointed an accusing finger at former managers of the seed company for causing the shortage.

The committee chairman John Mututho, said that former management had reduced the production of basic seed maize by 50% resulting in the shortage.

Mututho maintained ,revealed that over 20,000 metric tones of seed maize was sold as commercial maize between 2008/2009.

Another 27million metric tones of strategic seed reserve was sold to Rwanda and Southern Sudan, allegedly without express consultations with ministry officials.

MAIZE SEED SCARCITY

BY LUKE KAPCHANGA KITALE

MAIZE SEED SCARCITY TO CREATE FOOD INSECURITY :

The disappearance of  maize seed  on the market, spells danger.

There was a general outcry by farmers as planting season arrived, as they could not find farm implements on the market.

More painful to farmers was shortage of maize seed, which does well in their respective regions.

“Lack of required support from the government and unreliable rainfall is the major cause of seed shortage in the country”, remarked Samuel Nyongi Chumo

Chumo who says, has been a contracted maize seed farmer for the past 10 years, adds, “ farmers are on their own, the agriculture people have no idea what farmers want, at what time and in what quantity”.

Inspecting the maize seed crop, he displays dissatisfaction the way it is doing, complaining that he was not able to feed enough.

“When you stand here, the maize speaks do you that we have eaten but not satisfied , which can be translated into less production”, he says.

He explained that it was no longer profitable to be a contracted maize seed farmer , with the state corporation Kenya seed company.

He says lack of farm inputs at the required time, has forced more farmers to move out of framing and nobody seem to be aware.

This sentiments were supported by John Wafula 64, of Mautuma in Lugari district, who says he gave up planting after failing to get farm implements on time.

“The ministry of agriculture is dysfunctional .It has no working plan and most of the extension officers themselves go hungry”, he said.

Wafula , said he abandoned planting his two acre plot, when he could not find fertilizers and seeds, after spending considerable money in land preparation.

Chumo who grows 100 acres of maize seed, mostly on leased plots of land, accuse the government of not having any plans to ensure that the implements are available on time.

Reacting to the seed shortage outcry, Chumo who is one of the prominent farmers in Trans-Nzoia county, supported fears of low yields this year, which will worsen the vicious cycle of food insecurity.

Kenya seed company is mandated to avail certified seed to farmers, and controls almost 80% of the market share in the country.

For the past 10 years, Mr. Chumo has been a farmer, he has never seen an agricultural extension officer on his farm.

“As a matter of fact, I do not know this extension officers, and their work”. He complained.

He dismissed the reports by ministry of agriculture , saying farmers are never consulted nor their views sought, now anything to do with the reports must of 20 years ago.

Because, he maintained , the fertilizer can not be supplied in April when planting was done in late February.

“To prove it, this is May, yet fertilizer for top dressing is not on the market and when you go to this agriculture offices you will be told that we are arranging to bring”.

This can only be jokers not government experts, because they do not understand what is required to improve the food security in the country.

Another issue, is subdivision of land which used to produce maize seed into small plots for settlement.

The government he notes, should get involved to assist families not to subdivide the land, knowing that it becomes uneconomical for seed production.

At Amogoro farm, where use leases out 50 acres to plant maize seed, most of his colleagues have pulled out due to frustrations and lack of support.

Most of the framers lack access to loan facilities, and when available the process is frustrating to endure.

One farmer who declined to be named, claimed that, Kenya seed company, is slow in processing payments to contracted farmers, hence making them unable to pay for the services rendered on the farm.

The seed company is accused of not being open, and staffs giving wrong information at times, and can take upto 6 months to get paid after delivering the products.

Evalyne Nakhungu 48, on her 2 acre piece of land in Webuye, is not bothered by out cry of maize seed shortage.

The mother of 9 and 5 grand children all depending on the farm for food production, says she plants the preserved seeds from the previous harvest.

“After every harvest , I chose the best cobs, which I preserve as seed, and it very simple and I have no time for this hybrid things”, she said.

Adding that , she can not change her favorite variety, locally called NO.8, her problem was geeting fertilizer.

This year , Nakhungu plantedmaize without fertilizer, and standing on the farm, a section of the maize was flowering, and most of the crop, just under the knee.

When asked about the difference in height, she attributed it to the rains.

With the fast planting after the rains, germination was not good, and after some waiting, she decided to replace.

To curb it all, she has never seen an extension officer on her farm nor any assistance from the government .

In April , the Kenya seed company said that it has put in place measures to ensure that seed shortage does not occur again.

The company said mitigation measures included expanding production through irrigation, building of strategic seed reserves and offering incentives to framers and had increased area under seed production to 40,000acres up from 20,000 acres.

It however assured framers of having sufficient maize seed for medium, dry land and coastal zones.

Seed shortages which sparked fears of low yields, was lack of favorite varieties missing on markets, as farmers were waiting to be supplied with the right type.

In places like Central province, farmers were ready to plant yet the available seeds were not appropriate for the region, and there was no professional advice.

Maize is the overwhelming national staple crop in Kenya. It is a predominant crop grown across most livelihoods, even in agro-ecological zones that are not suitable for production.

According to the ministry of agriculture, area put under maize is about 1.8million hectares annually. The long rains season is the most important with respect to maize production, accounting for 85% of the annual maize output.

The forecast on maize production for 2011 by the ministry puts a shortfall in output.

An estimated 2.8mllion metric tones of maize is expected to be harvested during the year 2010/2011 production season.

Making the cumulative output below the short term average of about 3.0million metric tones, against annual consumption estimated to be 3.4million metric tones.

The ministry’s planning is pecked on hope that the shortfall will be covered by carryover stock and cross boarder imports through June.

The government , while addressing underlying factors causing food insecurity in the country, puts emphasis on faring activity in pastoral and marginal agricultural areas.

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS , is also mentioned as an underlying factor among farmers and Lakeshore districts for being subjected to floods, which limits investments in productive activities.

On extension services, the ministry has the directorate of National Agricultural Sector Extension Policy( NASEP), whose role to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

The extension services policy, is said to adopt performance management practices, which are result oriented, participatory and innovative.

The services include collecting, packaging and disseminating agricultural information and technology to farmers .Farmers are required to participate in decision making and provide feedbacks.

This participation is what Chumo , complains is lacking and their concerns are not sought to have farm implements’ supplied before land preparation starts.

In early May, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives pointed an accusing finger at former managers of the seed company for causing the shortage.

The committee chairman John Mututho, said that former management had reduced the production of basic seed maize by 50% resulting in the shortage.

Mututho maintained ,revealed that over 20,000 metric tones of seed maize was sold as commercial maize between 2008/2009.

Another 27million metric tones of strategic seed reserve was sold to Rwanda and Southern Sudan, allegedly without express consultations with ministry officials.

POLITICAL POSITIONS CAN NOT BE DEVELOPMENT; SAYS OPARANYA

BY LUKE KAPCHANGA

Holding high government position does not make one influence development in his region.

The minister for planning , Wycliffe Oparanya says that government development agendas can not be under the direction of political leaders.

It is upon , development programs from the grassroots, that projects are funded depending on priority and not based on political interests .

Most of the development projects are channeled through line ministries, and depends on priority before being funded, which is in response to the need by the community concerned .

“There is no way a political leader will influence development in his or her area, without going through district development committees, which are tasked with such matters”, he said.

Mr. Oparanya speaking in Webuye , when journalists asked him why Western province lagged behind in development, responded that it is upon the residents themselves to initiate viable projects, without necessarily expecting political involvement.

He gave the example of his ministry, adding that they have information affecting the whole country in terms of need and expectation, but they can not narrow it down to one region.

On investment, he stated that elites from the community can not be blamed for not investing in the region, when it has no returns.

When asked if political elites from western rarely invest in the region , and if he thought this action contributes to under development in the region, his answer was,

“For any meaningful investment, one has to consider better returns before taking the risks, and this may be one reason, why locals fear”, .

He said local leaders may in future look at the possibility of venturing into large scale investments only which can benefit the entire community.

But as he said this, he could not explain why, most of the investments are controlled by what are said to be outsiders who have seen the business potential.

The Equity Bank CEO, James Mwangi late last year challenged the elites from Western province to exploit the business potential in the region as they are being seen as markets only.

Speaking at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Mwangi blamed lack of entrepreneurial skills by the residents yet opportunities are enormous.

He complained that development is low in western because , the profits generated by business is taken elsewhere and not re-invested as the investors are not locals.

Yet, Oparanya blamed divisive politics as part of under development in the region, and as a community they have no clear political direction .

He claimed that the Luyia community will never vote as a block because of narrow and individual interests of leaders.

“These people are scattered everywhere, due to their different ethnic background and will never work as a team”, he emphasized.

food insecurity in Kenya

FOOD INSECURITY ON THE RISE – IN KENYA
BY  LUKE KAPCHANGA.
BUNGOMA -KENYA.
Nyongesa Sitati aged 70, is lame and a widower from Matulo village of Webuye location , who refused to be given farm inputs by the government.
Sitati being in the bracket of food insecurity people, declined taking the offer, for fear that his small plot of land will be auctioned, in case he fails to repay the loan.
“ I can not accept the maize seed and fertilizer, they will take away my land when I fail to pay for them”, he protested in May this year.
His neighbor Joseph Waswa, with five children, took the farm inputs, given by the ministry of agriculture, but sold them immediately.
These are among the 2.5 resource poor farmers, the government , through the ministry of agriculture under the National Agricultural Accelerated Input Access Programme(NAAIAP), targets to assist every year.
NAAIAP  was initiated in 2007 and its said to spend Kshs.18billion every year reaching to 2.5 million farmers.
Matulo area as other areas within Bungoma county is eperiencing a high level of food theft , forcing farmers to harvest premature crop.
Stories now abound where children as young as 5 children are found stealing maize.
Webuye chief Misiko Barasa affirms that the issue of food stealing by residents is very seroius and set to contribute to poor harvest of mostly maize and beans.
“I have received reports of children caught stealing beans and maize at night”, he said.
Adding that by harvesting premature crops, it will affect post harvetsing preservation- which could lead to continued cycle of hunger.
The chief notes that most of the families are large, with no steady income, so for them to survive is to steal from other poeples frams.
Barasa blames the poor implementation of the NAAIAP – project for increased food poverty in his area.
The programme he says is good on paper, while looking at it from above, yet at the bottom it has no effect.
Failure, he says is in implementation where key stakeholders are nor invoved in identifying the beneficiaries.
Extension officers of the ministry, he added “ come with a prepared list of beneficiaries who are not known among the adminsitration and at times not resource poor themselves.
Food insecure families have not benefited from the NAAIAP – as they are not spotted and its usefulness not explained.
“ Farmers are mostly not aware of this programmes aimed at improving their livelihoods, so they opt not to support it implementation” says Barasa.
Evelyne Nakhungu 54,  a widow with with 12 children and grand children is a case in point.
She cliams that she has never received any assistance from the government, and she always plants maize seeds she prepares locally with manure.
“I prepare my own planting seeds and manure from cows, because Ihave no money buy them from the shops”, Nakhungu says.
This year her one acre plot yielded 3 bags of maize, which she admits will not last upto December.
She maintains that no extension officer has ever paid a visit to her home or told about government assistance programmes.
The government has almost a dozen programmes, funded by International Food and Agricultural Development (IFAD).
This follows a reform process set in motion in the 1980s , funded by development partners which led to significant changes in the Kenyan  economy. 
But the pace of progress slowed in the second half of the 1990s. Since then,  population growth, degradation of natural resources, the changing global climate and the  political crisis of early 2008 have all contributed to worsening poverty levels.
Kenya’s long-term development blueprint, Vision 2030, was launched in 2008. It aims to create a “globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by 2030”.
Vision 2030 is designed to guide the country towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and beyond, transforming Kenya into “a newly industrialized, middle-income country”.
Evidence shows that agriculture-led growth in Kenya is more than twice as effective in reducing poverty as growth led by industry. 
Since 1979, IFAD has invested a total of US$214.5 million in 15 loan-financed programmes
Investments include US$18.0 million in grants under the Belgian Survival
Global leaders, under the African Green Revolution Forum( AGRF), will converge in Arusha, Tanzania in September to seek food security solutions.
The AGRF 2012,  sete the stage for  African leaders to drive the initiative by promoting investments  and policy support to increase agricultural productivity and income growth for African farmers.
The forum will focus on unlocking Africas agricultural potential by empowering smallholder farmers across the continent.
Sitati and hundreds or thousands of others like him in Bungoma county in Kenya, are clear targets as house holds which require access to sufficient food and good nutrition.
Yet from what they go through on a daily basis, questions  about how programmes run by the government support people based,  on realistic analysis of their livelihood strategies that provide an understanding of how they live and make a living are asked..
Joram Wekesa a retired civic leader, accuses the extension officers of driving powerful vehicles in villages, without being in touch.
“I always see, this vehicles roaming aound, and if you asked me, what they are doing, I can not tell you”, he complained.
Wekesa noted that implementing persons of government policies lack analytical tools to increase understanding of complex interactions that determine food security status at different levels.
In planting season of the month of April, farmers in Webuye,  most of them , failed to access subsidized fertilizers provided by the government.
The farmers complained of the process they had to go through before getting the inputs, and the behaviour of those in charge.
At one time, they were told on a Friday, to collect the fertilizer on Monday, and when they turned up on Monday, they were told that the fertilizer ahd been exhausted.
Officials at the National cereals and produce board, denied that they had promised the farmers to collect the inputs, because they had not received the supplies.
Eye witnesses claimed that the fertilizer had been loaded to trucks at night during the weekends, something the manager refuted.
Norrine Atieno the depot manager, “ we  have no problem with the distribution as farmers with vouchers are getting ferytilizer,” she said then.
She , however maintined  that they do not operate on weekends, but she could not explain how the 5,000 bags of fertilizer had disappeared to.
Morton Juma a human rights defender in Bungoma county, accused the agricultural officers at the district to collude with traders to divert fertilizer meant to benefit the resource poor for personal gain.
Juma complains that , whereas the agricultural officils divert the fertilizers, they are the same people who compile reports about the food situation in their respective areas.
AS at 31st July the food security situation analysis by the government was positive and staedy.
“The National food security situation is currently staedy as hervesting of most long rains has commenced in many parts of the country”, said a report by the ministry of agriculture.
As the this was being said, a viral mildew disease was reported in some part of the country, which was said to have impact on maize harvest.
The country is likely to lose close to 200,000 bags of maize,out of the expected net surplus of 9,867,760 bags at the end of the year.
What concerns farmers is if the perpetual problems they face year in year out, will ever be presented to international forums the way they see them?
The AGRF forum, will bring together African Heads of State, ministers, private agribusiness firms, financial institutions, farmers, NGOs, civil society organizations and scioentists to discuss and develop concrete investiment plans for scaling up agricultural development.
Notable guests  will include Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Co- Chair Melinda Gates, IFAD President Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, among others.