Environmental Health day held successfully

By James Mathu

What started as normal training by Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in collaboration with Fadhili trust on environmental issues bore the idea to hold Environmental health and safety day. The training was meant to encourage farmers within Nguruman irrigation scheme to take charge of their environment by cleaning their surrounding. A joint effort by MOA, Ministry of health (MOH), Fadhili Trust,IWUA and ALIN saw the environmental health day held on 25th October, 2013 a success.

 As per the plan, the day begun with destroying charcol kiln that were mounted illegally. Community rangers, MOA and the area chiefs were at the scene to supervise the whole process. every one at the scene wore a 'no nonsense' face sending a clear signal to the audience that, charcoal burning in Nguruman was not a permitted practice.

A commuity member opens up a charcoal kiln in presence
of community wardens and area chiefs. Photo by James Mathu

Charcoal kiln reduced to ashes as a lesson to other offenders

Other activities picked up as agreed with students from three primary schools armed with banners bearing different messages some of which read 'Usihatarishe soko yetu ya matunda kwa kuchafua mazingira' (Don't endanger our horticultural market by polluting the environment) where children chanted many slogans like 'chimba choo na utumie' (dig up a pit latrine and use it).

Students with different information materials photo by James Mathu

The voices of the small angles echoed even inside the woods as they went on to collect and destroy garbage around the shopping centre where shop owners and and the town residents also participated. The climax of the event went down when the area chief invaded the illicit brew dens and poured over 200 liters leaving the lovers of the drink saddened.

Different community groups entertained guests passing different messages to the participants. some of the messages included; logging as illegal act, polluting the rivers by bathing and washing in them and defecating near river courses messages which were echoed by the area chief while addressing the congregation. A stern warning was issued to the offenders and a legal action agreed upon an action that was welcomed by all community members present during the occasion.

The participants  chanted a slogan 'We have done it.. It should be repeated every month' to end the days ceremony.

Passing information through drama

Pepea community initiative group is a registered non profit group located in Nguruman area, Magadi division Kajiado west sub-county. It has set its objectives to salvaging the girl child and educating the whole community on issues of importance to their development. The group has its priorities on education, educating people on effects of early marriages, drug abuse, HIV & Aids and female genital Mutilation and alternative rite of passage. 

Pepea group members at a church function

The group passes its messages through organized drama sessions in churches, schools, public gatherings and private functions. The drama caries a certain theme depending on the occasion and though their intervention, they have reaches quite a large number of community members. After each play, the group engages its audience in an interactive sessions where questions and answers are shared regarding the theme and what the community member would like see next time.

"We have been able to engage the community during our drama shows and some of the issues have been addressed... we have received a lot of positive response from community members who want specific issues featured on the next shows.." Mr. Parantae, Group chairman.

Pepea group acting a play during a public gathering

The group has ability to bring more change, however they lack resources to enable them reach other community members, far and wide within the county who need the information and therefore is seeking support from well wishers to enable them accomplish their goal

Climate Change county level management committee formed

Four months ago, a zebra attacked and ate alive a young boy in Musenke location during the last dry spell in the area. Since then, there has been a number of incidences reported where zebra due to lack of pasture have attacked human beings. In the past when rains could be predicted, pastoralists used to allow their sheep to mate during the dry season between June and July so that the lambs will be born at the beginning of the short rains. Availability of pasture and water ensured survival of lambs; since rains became unpredictable and droughts became more severe, sheep are allowed to mate throughout.    Wild fruits and vegetables used to form part of the daily meals for the residents of Nguruman, nowadays most of these naturally occurring plants no longer exist.

These are some of the stories that came up on the 25^th of July 2013 during a meeting that brought together state actors and CSOs to deliberate on the effects of climate change and come up with mitigation strategies that involved all stakeholders.

Provincial administration, the ministry of Agriculture and non state organizations working in three locations – Olkiramatian West, Olkiramatian East and Musenke - attended the meeting where they all agreed that climate change effects are crosscutting and touch on all the areas of their operation. Non state actors present included the organizers of the meeting Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG), Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) and Oldonyo Laro limited.

State actors and SCOs representatives at the meeting

A committee made up of representatives from state and non state actors and headed by the Divisional officer was formed to deal with environmental degradation issues and create a joint worplan – from August to December – of activities and advocacy campaigns.

Top on the committees agenda is controlling illegal harvesting of trees by educating the public on the laws and policies governing harvesting of trees and ensuring that these laws are followed, banning unlicensed power saws, centralizing the issuance of permits to cut trees, creating a fast reaction mechanism in cases in dealing with offenders and banning charcoal trade.

According to meeting proceedings, Most of the charcoal produced in Nguruman is transported to other areas – residents of the three sub-locations use firewood which is easily available. Traders have started cunningly concealing charcoal in crates and bags made for agricultural products to evade impound at the Kenya Wildlife Service Nguruman station.

The new committee shall organize 2 open days where farmers and organizations will discuss and share information on climate change and participate in tree planting exercises.  In addition to this, the committee will hold 5 monthly barazzas, one in each sub-location to create awareness on the issue of climate change in order to involve the public in mitigation efforts.

Mr. Bainito Atonya, Division Agricultural Extension Officer

- Magadi Division - addresses an advocacy meeting.

 One such meeting was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture on 27^th July 2013 at Entasopia market where farmers were briefed on the formation of the committee and its mandate.

Nguruman bus crash

By Emmanuel Kimeu

The only bus plying Nguruman-Magadi-Kiserian route was this morning involved in  an accident in corner Maziwa along Magadi Kiserian road just past Kisames shopping centre. The bus was heading to Kiserian, a town in the outskirts of  Kenyas capital Nairobi. Sources close to NCV informed that, no casualties were reported although sores of people were injured including the driver and his assistants.

Ostrich bus after the accident
Photo by Harun Wanyondu

The murram road from Magadi  to Nguruman was adversely affected by the flash floods during the April-may rains which left most parts of the roads partially passable. The state of the road has discouraged many Matatu owners  and other investors who fear to incur high cost of maintaining their vehicles and therefore opt to keep off the route leaving the only bus 'Ostrich' to enjoy monopoly in the route.

Despite Nguruman being very productive, its roads are in a sorry state and this has been a loop hole for the exporters to buy produce from farmers at low prices. NCV urges the concerned leaders to take action and ensure that the roads are repaired so as to attract more investors and ease transport challenges for residents living in Nguruman, Olkiramatian and its environs.

Plane crash leaves four injured at Ewaso airstrip, Nguruman.

By Kelvin Koinet

A 5y-BPL six passenger plane crashed today at Ewaso airstrip at 13:37 hrs and left all the three passengers and the pilot seriously injured. The plane just arrived to Ewaso airstrip at Oltaraja-Olkiramatian, from Wilson airport and was leaving for Oldonyo Olaro limited a few kilometres eastern of the camp.

Oldonyo Olaro limited is a private company that runs Oldonyo Olaro ranch bordering Olkiramatian, Shompole and Loita group ranches. The company has a tourist camp at Oltaraja within Olkiramatian group ranch along Ewaso ngiro south river.

Some of the staff that came to Ewaso camp yesterday were to be airlifted to Oldonyo Olaro. The plane arrived at the airstrip at around one O’clock to pick the staff members.

When Nguruman community voices (NCV) arrived at Entasopia Health centre where the casualties were rushed some eleven kilometres from the scene, two of them were on drip. The pilot was not able to talk to us due to serious injuries and pain.

One of the injured passengers awaiting to be transferred to Nairobi.
Photo-Kelvin Koinet

‘We started taking off. ….and within a minute…….when we had gone up about five meters, I heard a big thud of the plane hitting the ground’ John,  a consultant manager explained in deep pain of his injured arm.

‘When I looked out I saw the left wing of the plane had broken off….after a short while, I found myself struggling to get out of the completely damaged plane.’

A police officer from Oldonyo Olaro who sought anonymity said, the cause of the crash was not clear but... 'We presume that it might have been caused by bad weather'. he said. 

  

A rescue plane send to take the casualties to Nairobi for treatment through Entasopia airstrip was unable to land due to the state of airstrip. The airstrip has overgrown  prosopis julifora a shrub with sharp and hard thorns commonly known as ‘Mathenge.’

A section of the airstrip showing 'Mathenge' shrubs
Photo-Kelvin Koinet

It is long time now since the community engaged in a community work. Most of the infrastructure including roads, water channels and the airstrip are in bad conditions. The community is laying the blame on the chiefs and the group ranch leaders for failing to organize the community for community work.

NCV is calling the community and the relevant authorizes to act to bring back the spirit of communal work and maintain the airstrip and the other infrastructure in good condition.        

Business and other major activities at minimal in Nguruman as floods persist

By Francis Maina and Kelvin Koinet.

Following the recent rains in most parts of the country, Nguruman community including businessmen, farmers, pastoralist have suffered losses and their activities interrupted by the resulting floods.

Many of the farmers and agents involved in export of the Asian vegetables and other Agriculture produced in the area say there is an increased cost of transportation from Nguruman to the markets in Kiserian, Rongai and the airport in Nairobi. “Time taken is much longer and sometimes we are not guaranteed that, the produce will reach targeted market on time…” an exporter’s agent said. There is hardship in accessing market and as the Asian vegetables need to be harvested while still young and tender, most of them deteriorated in quality forcing farmers to feed them on livestock . 

Sections of the road across river channels have been cut by the floods. The village of Ndarkalali has been disconnected from the only shopping centre i.e. Entasopia quite often making it hard for people to go to the shopping centre to access food stuffs. People from the other village of Oloibortoto at times could not cross River Oloibortoto to the main shopping centre of Entasopia and health centre, forcing them to halt their business no matter how argent until the floods subside.  

A community member crossing a flooded river via a fallen tree.
photo by James Mathu

As farmers struggle to get their produce to the markets, business men who make to the area are buying the produce at a lower price citing the difficulties to access the area. Most produce has gone to waste in the farms as farmers have given up harvesting and end up succumbing to the difficulties of market access.

The new irrigation system Installation process has been hit many times by the wild river floods. The pipes have been damaged and destroyed at sections. The intake has also been damaged. When NCV interviewed an engineer who sought anonymity, he said these are mare damages that will be rectified when the rains recede.   

It has been a nightmare travelling along Nguruman-Magadi-Kiserian route. This has been contributed by the rising water levels at Lake Magadi covering the road that cut across the Lake. Road at Kamkuru along Magadi-Kiserian route has been impassable due to flash floods that has occurring often persisting for over a month and covering about two kilometers. The only bus playing Nguruman-Kiserian is not reliable and oftenly gets spoiled due to bad terrain.

Section of the road damaged by ranging rains.
Photo by Samuel Nzioka

The floods have been a problem for years every rainy season as in many other pats in the country but no permanent solution has been put in place. The community is hoping that relevant authorities will step up to action as the new Government comes to power. 

Olkiramatian Women up in arms against local brew, spirits and Khat

By Samuel Nzioka

  

More than 200 Olkiramatian women ganged up and with one voice and raised their cries against selling of all local brews, spirits and Khat within Olkiramatian group ranch. Their anger heightened when news broke out that, Secondary school students are the major customers at one of the joint close to their institution. Intervention by the local administration was futile since the mothers blamed them of laxity and negligence of their duties.

The women decided to take the bull by its horns and withstanding the scorching heat, they matched to all local brew joints and ordered the owners to pour the entire brew. They also matched to the shops selling spirits and brewing ingredients and ordered the shop owners to pour them.

Women leaders inspect wines and spirits shop for the illegal spirits.
photo by Kelvin Koinet

“We can’t sit back and watch our children get spoiled and forgetting their families… We will do it ourselves since we are the ones affected most…” said one of the women leaders who sought anonymity.

A source close to Nguruman Community Voices (NCV) revealed that, women leaders had reported the matter to the local authority severally but no action was taken to address the issue prompting them to take action by their own.

‘We are tired of reporting the same matters to the administration with less effort… we have decided to do it ourselves…’ said one of the women.

The big percentage of people mostly affected are the youth aged between 18 – 35 years which is the productive generation. It is said that, majority of the group spend better part of the night chewing Khat and taking the local brew thus forgetting their family responsibilities.

Majority of community members welcomed the move by women citing that, it will be a wake-up call to the local administration on matters affecting development in this region.

‘I support the move by the women since they are the ones affected most and this will help stirrup development and remind men of their family roles...’ said one male community member.

Women witnessing local brew ingredients being destroyed. photo by Kelvin Koinet

An interview with one of the local administrators confirmed that, it is traditionally acceptable for women to take action if something isn't going right.

 ‘It is normal for women to take action on whatever activity they feel is affecting the society and is allowed traditionally within the Maasai community… when they begin the business, you can’t stop them unless they achieve their goal… Men even run away from them since they chant traditional songs and if you go against them, they can curse you to doom…’ he said.

The local administration and elders had to intervene to prevent a curse by the women leaders when one of the shop keepers failed to produce an ingredient used in the manufacture of local brew. At last, he was ordered to produce and destroy it by himself.

Local leaders and elders intervene at one of the shops to prevent curse by furious women leaders.
Photo by Kelvin Koinet

 ‘We had to intervene and prevent the curse… if the women curse you, nobody will greet you or even buy from your shop… their curse is irreversible making it different from the men’s…’ Said one elders

NCV team congratulates women for the action taken and will be keen to follow up on any action taken to curb the vice.

Olkiramatian goup ranch women eager to understand land tenure

By Kelvin Koinet

Over a hundred and fifty women of Olkiramatian location gathered in St. Mary’s ACK church Entasopia on Thursday the 21^st March 2013 to discuss land issues mainly impacts of land sub-division.

Though it was a community forum where all group ranch members were invited there were only ten men present among whom eight were community leaders. 

When Nguruman community voices(NCV) inquired why men were few, we were told women in the group ranch have recently been gathering for some communal activities such as demonstration against alcohol and other drugs, therefore message reached them easily. other reason given was, since the Organisation that organised the forum has been conduction women forums, many people thought it was the same.   

 Olkiramatian Group ranch women at the community forum. 
(photo- Kelvin Koinet)

The forum was organized by Centre for Indigenous Women and Children (CIWOCH) under its Land Rights and Natural Resource Management program.  Key objectives of the program as explained by its project officer are; promoting gender main-streaming in community owned lands-group ranches, improved engagement of community members in national land reforms processes and sensitize communities on impacts of land sub-division.

The forum’s facilitator led the discussion through advantages and disadvantages of communally owned lands and individually owned lands. Advantages given to communal lands stood imminent which were;

It is not possible for an individual to sell without consent of the other members,

It makes it easy to sub- divide land into blocks of different uses as it is in Olkiramatian group ranch where it is divided into three areas; the grazing area, the conservation area and the agriculture area. 

Members use the grazing area collectively while the agriculture area is sub-divided into cultivation plots among members but still under one group ranch title deed. The conservation area is an independent project run by a conservation committee that is a sub-committee of the main group ranch management committee. The revenue collected from the conservation project is supposed to be ploughed back into the group ranch development projects.

It makes it possible to share a wide ranch of resources within the ranch

For a pastoral community, pasture use and management can be planned for different seasons collectively.

Among disadvantages noted with the communal lands which were the opposed to individual lands are; lack of an individual title deed which can be used as guarantee to secure loans and members of group ranches remain subject to the decisions of the general meetings while individual can be guarantee to loans and one decide on his own without consulting anyone.

It was evident that many have already decided communal land is the best when time to discuss disadvantages with individual lands came. Among issues discussed were;

Sell of land, influx of population and corrosion of culture.  Looking at some examples of sub-divided lands like Kitengela, Isinya and Illodoarriak it was clear that the pastoral community feels like they cannot survive if the land is sub-divided.

The facilitator also gave examples of areas that were once communally owned, later sub-divided but in the long run, they came to a conclusion that their livelihood can only be sustained when they enjoined their individual lands and manage it together, Case example of Maasai Mara.

Mama Sointa, one of the women’s opinion leaders likened land sub-division in pastoral lands with ‘if we had water in one container then we decided each one to hold his/her in the hands.  Within no time, all the water will have slipped through between the fingers. So my advice is, let’s use our water in the container,’ she concluded.

one of the women's leader making announcement after the forum. They will be

 demonstrating following Monday against local brew, spirit alcohols, miraa and bhang. 

photo-Kelvin Koinet

Other concerns aired by Mama Koleti, was women are not included in the group ranch membership arguing that only few of the members are women.

Answering the question, Kipaseyia Orumoi the secretary to the group ranch committee said, it is possible to add the women into the register but protocol is specified. He said that could only be agreed upon in a group ranch member’s general meeting.

People in the forum said the forum was indeed successful whereby the community members’ knowledge on impacts of land sub-division was increased. The men present were also in a position to understand the rights of women in regard to property ownership as per the new constitution and they agreed that these will be tabled in the group ranch general meeting. The issue of group ranch constitution formulation was also raised where CIWOCH promised to assist in the same as a means to ensure sustainability.

Maarifa Centre empowering Nguruman communities with Information

By Francis Maina

Information is vital in that it creates knowledge that is fundamental in decision making. Sound judgements are always based on information. Though important it must be from a reliable source, free from bias, up-to date, delivered at the right time (when it’s needed) and specific to the problem it’s going to solve or in line with the objectives set.

ALIN, abbreviation for Arid Lands Information Network, isan International NGO whose mission is to improve the livelihoods of arid lands communities in East Africa through delivery of practical information using modern technologies . It mainly ensures that information is flowing or being exchanged among the communities through Maarifa(Knowledge) centers that have been put in place . They also ensure that the community is updated on matters concerning their livelihoods and those pertaining to their development.

Containerized Maarifa Center located at the M.O.A grounds in Magadi Division

A good example of where this type of information is offered is at Nguruman Maarifa centre, one of the two centers in Kajiado County,. It has a well stocked library with  books, journals, periodicals and magazines issuing information on topics that are of concern to this county…this includes information on climate change, sustainable agriculture, marketing information and so forth.

Information on the advantages of forming farmer groups  is always available, efficiency in production…achieving maximum production by using least/minimum inputs, marketing information…how the market is performing based on individual products, good agriculture practices…and so on.

Children looking at pamphlets during an outreach visit at Olkiramatian Market

Luckily enough they have been boosted by the availability of internet offered in a separate fabricated container hence making it is easier to update  information.

It’s get much better by the availability of consultants. We have ICT trainers to assist and enhance  computer skills  and communication skills. The centre is strategically located  within the ministry of agriculture offices hence making it easy to collaborate and refer when technical issues relating to agriculture are brought forth.

 th Community in this area can therefore improve their livelihoods by incorporating the knowledge obtained in the centre  to indigenous knowledge  and sharing it. Most of the residents here are farmers with some investors practicing the same….keeping limited livestock numbers and practicing crop production. They have been improving ever since this centre was established and are still growing, moving forward towards greater heights of life.

Nguruman has been listed among the most remote areas in the world. It is now a place that’s getting light to what the outside world is doing or performing. Very soon it will lighten up and agriculture investors, sportsmen in hiking, or adventurers will increase interest in this area and developments especially those on transport and connectivity will be enhanced.

Farmers Affected by changing weather patterns

By Joshua Kisemei

Winds stronger than never felt before, sun burning than never before and unexpected rains have become part of the strange weather conditions that residents of Nguruman have had to bear from January to date.

‘We have never experienced these temperatures before, sometimes I think they rise up to 43 degrees or even more’ Estimated Mr. Mathu the environment officer at the ministry of Agriculture, Magadi Division.

The heat has made it impossible for people to work in the farms into the mid mornings. This has forced farmers to wake up earlier than usual to avoid working in the sun. ‘This time round, the sun is punishing the people not even the vegetation’ says a Herder, ‘if you graze your cattle in the field until evening, you return home with a very bad headache'.

herders walking goats and sheep through the dry Olkiramatian Plains

With the rising temperatures other effect like the reducing levels of water in both the Oloibortoto and Entasopia rivers make it impossible for farmers living further from Nguruman escarpments to cultivate their land.

Farmer irrigating his crops

‘Some of us have had to rent farms that are closer to the water source in order to sustain ourselves since agriculture is our only livelihood.’ said a farmer. ‘Even in the farms that are closer to the escarpment, the water is not adequate for all the farmers and disputes are a common occurrence’.

Parts of lake Magadi that always maintained some water even in the dry season have dried up this time round.

Blowing away iron sheet and grass roofing and breaking down trees, the winds that have become a common phenomenon every evening have caused damage to houses and farms in various parts of Nguruman.‘The wind blows sand into your mouth and eyes making it a hustle to walk or even stand outside in the evenings’ Says Mr. Kimani, a Nguruman resident.

In the past five days, unpredictable rains accompanied by thunder and lightning have been experienced in the area raising worries from the residents that the long rains could be coming sooner than expected finding them unprepared to utilize the wet season. The long rains have over the years presented an opportunity for the residents to cultivate larger tracks of land that could not be sustained by rain fed agriculture. 

Nguruman farmers engage in Contract farming at last

By Samuel Nzioka

Nguruman area has for a long time been known for its high production due to availability of water for irrigation throughout the year. Farmers have been cultivating their crops and selling them without proper channels in place and have sometimes fallen into wrong hands thus suffering losses. This trend didn’t take long before the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Horticultural Development Authority (HCDA) took action and made it a requirement for every agent to sign a contract with farmers who will be supplying them with farm produce.

The agreement stipulates the produce in terms of type, quantity and quality for a specific period of time and price. To facilitate this process, farmers formed marketing groups under which they signed contracts with the agents on behalf of the exporters. 

Asian vegetable at a collection point in Nguruman

This came at a time when farmers were facing high production costs due to high prices for farm inputs. It was a sign of relief to farmers as strict measures were to be taken to any party breaching the contract terms and conditions. This is an important measure to cushion the farmer from buyers who offers low prices since a standard price for each farm produce was set and any breach will attract a fine or even ban from buying.

Farmers were taken through gross margin analysis to help them figure out how much they spend to produce a carton or kilogram of horticultural crops they have in season. Every buyer or agent is required to have registered with MOA and HCDA before he can be allowed to buy any farm produce under existing conditions. They should also have a list of farmers they are buying from, and how much each farmer is producing together with a signed agreement between the agent and the farmers group.

Farmers were assured that HCDA is mandated to protect them and to ensure fairness they should ensure that they stick to the agreement.

ENTASOPIA MINI DEBATES

By Joshua Kisemei

Voters in Entasopia town gathered at the only two available video showrooms to witness the proceedings of the second presidential debate.

Entasopia town is located around 140 kilometers south west of Nairobi deep inside Kajiado County. Lack of electricity in this area forces voters to pay video show operators in order to watch news and any other main events in the country.

This Monday however, the video shows that are normally filled with movie fans was crowded with voters who were keen to follow and comment on the responses of the aspirants they support and the other contestants.

The video room was full of life with people starting mini debates that extended into the night long after the official debate has ended. The administration police had to make rounds in the town instructing small and large debate groups to break up and go to sleep late in the night.

The mini debates mostly featured exchanges between supporters of Jubilee alliance and CORD alliance surrounding the topics covered in the debate with each side arguing that their contestant has won the debate and quoting instances that the other contestant refused or was unable to answer questions.

Presidential candidates at the first debate. Photo: Nairobi Wire

It was clear that voters saw Peter Kenneth as the most suitable for the presidency. However they still maintained their hard lined positions with the common reason being that Kenneth should contest in the next general elections.

The video rooms were filled with laughter every time Mohammed Abdul  Dida was called to answer or ask a question. There tremendous roars sparked by the question ‘do you expect a thief to tell you he has stolen?’

Mwalimu Mohammed Dida. Photo: Daily Post

Some of the comments that were exchanged included:
‘There is no guarantee that the next president will not manipulate the land commission if we are having this discussion now’

‘The ministry of lands and the ministry of special programs all had hidden agendas in the deal to purchase land’

‘9 billion error’

KAJIADO COUNTY POLITICS ONLINE

By Joshua Kisemei

Kajiado county politics has heated on internet social sites like facebook. Facebook users from the county have created pages for contestants in the main political positions like governor, senator and MP.

One of the most notable group online is the 2012 kajiado county politics which has transformed within the last three months into a debate centre for the major political developments both in the county and nationally

The recent court order nullifying the degree presented by the county’s gubernatorial candidate Mr. Kores is one of the heated topics currently with members suggesting where to vote if IEBC decides to remove their candidate from the race.

Ole Kores, the Gubernatorial candidate for Kajiado County.

Most of the members are from the dominant tribe in the county, the Maasai, and it’s common practice to see members write their comments and updates in the local language. Some comments in the page are development oriented while some are downright inflammatory. Here are a sample of the comments:

 ‘synovate Kajiado 
GOVERNOR:parantai 5% nkedianye 60% livondo 25% obadiah 10%
WOMEN REP:mary senator 45% emily kiparki 48% others 7%
SENATE:mositet 46% nkeri 51% kinyanjui 7% 
KAJIADO CENTRAL MP:memusi 25% nkaissery 65% nkabashi 5% tutui 5%
.....dont be mad comment with love’

Even with all the politics in the page, this is the winner comment; surprisingly it has the least comments:

‘As Kenyans continue chest-thumping and foot-stamping in praise of their political leaders who are seeking office to get wealthier, the real issues that matter to us are left unchecked. It is such ignorance that the leaders seeking office are so desperately hoping to win and ride on.
-Fuel Prices were hiked 7 days ago.
-Kenya Power has sent an application to Energy Regulatory Commission to raise our power bills.
-People in Migori have left their homes due to increased cattle rustling.
-In Liboi today, gunmen opened fire killing 7 people in a Mosque. But no, that is not our priority.
Once the elections are done, the tribesmen that we have christened "mtu wetu" will laugh all the way to the bank while we try to "survive" in the next 5 years wondering when the rain started pounding. We will whine about fuel prices, impunity be the executive, power bills, insecurity and much more yet we let our ignorance divide us and misplace our priorities. I will not ask you who to vote for. In fact, if your ignorance makes you sleep, then be it. Like Abraham Lincoln once said; “Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”’