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Tag: Mithika Linturi

  • Gov’t donates coconut seedlings in bid to revamp production in Coast region

    Gov’t donates coconut seedlings in bid to revamp production in Coast region

    In marking the National Coconut Week, the national government through the Agriculture and Food Authority, and Commodities Fund has provided over 43,000 Coconut seedlings to farmers in the region to improve its production in the coastal counties.

    The seedlings provision is a response by the government to the reduced coconut tree population and the existing room for expansion within the Coast region.

    Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi while presiding over the launch of National Coconut Week in Kilifi noted that reduced Coconut tree populations have translated to low production, leading to reduced household incomes.

    “We need to work together to plant more coconut trees and maximize its production to meet this varied product demand which extends from the leaves, the flower, tender nuts through to the mature nuts”, Linturi said.

    He recognized that the coconut value chain is one of the key agricultural subsections in the coastal region and supports an estimated 1 million people due to its effective forward and backward linkages.

    The CS called upon state departments and agencies, county government, research institutions, and coconut farmers to make deliberate efforts to improve the production of coconut for both local consumption and export purposes.

    “I urge the county governments to ensure sustainability in the supply of quality coconut planting materials and the delivery of extension services towards increasing productivity from the annual lows of 30 nuts per tree to highs of 150 nuts per tree”, he added.

    Kilifi North Member of Parliament Owen Baya revealed that in support of coconut farming, the government will allocate enough funds in the next financial year’s budget to make sure that coconut farming is given priority in the country.

    While pointing out the shortcomings of the current Oil and Nuts Authority is supporting coconut farming, the MP stated that he has proposed a new bill in the National Assembly for the formation of a Coconut and Cashewnut Authority.

    “When the Oil and Nuts Authority funds come in, very little is put into the production of coconuts. So I have suggested that we do away with that Directorate and form an Authority that will better look after the interests of coconut and cashew plants”, Baya explained.

    Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) representative Calistus Kundu informed that the authority will hold a conference for the next two days in Kilifi to further discuss how to improve coconut production across all 6 coastal counties.

    “We shall also work together to plant the seedlings that have been provided today from the 20th to the 26th of this month to ensure that none of the seedlings will be left out”, he added.

    Kilifi Agriculture and Crops Chief Officer Teddy Yawa boasted of the county’s leading status in the production of coconuts in the coastal region adding that the county government has been working hard to ensure the plant is given a priority.

    “According to 2019 statistics we are the ones leading in the production of coconut plants. 52 percent of the entire coconut tree population is in Kilifi”, Yawa stated.

    Speaking on behalf of coconut farmers, James Katana highlighted that they face a great challenge of diseases and pests attacking coconut trees in their farms and called on the government’s intervention in providing a lasting solution to the problem.

    “We are also asking the government to provide us with modern, improved hybrid coconut seedlings because the ones that we currently receive have lost value and are currently doing very poorly in this region” Katana added.

  • MPs call for sacking of CS Linturi over fertliser scandal

    MPs call for sacking of CS Linturi over fertliser scandal

    Members of Parliament from Murang’a County are now calling for the sacking of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi over the raging fertiliser scandal.

    The four legislators condemned the manner in which adulterated fertiliser was distributed to farmers across the country, despite the products having gone through the normal process of procurement and to make matters worse, being ferried by government vehicles.

    Speaking at a function in the county, Senator Joe Nyutu read sabotage within the government by people he said want to taint the government’s work.

    According to the senator, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi ought to name those involved in the fake fertiliser distribution.

    Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina said the President should sack the agriculture CS accusing him of being behind the syndicate due to his laxity and failure to act promptly.

    At the event, Maragua MP Mary Waithira Wa Maua said that despite being in the government, she will not shy away from correcting the same government for what has been distributed to the farmers, saying that the only noble thing to be done is to refund farmer’s money or issue the farmers with the correct and quality fertiliser.

    Fertiliser sold by two firms, KEL Chemicals and SBL Innovate have since been suspended from sale with farmers warned against buying or using the products.

    Kangema MP Peter Kihungi said that he will be the first one to support impeachment motion of CS Linturi saying he has not shown any good will or action that has been taken against those distributing adulterated fertiliser to farmers.

    According to Wa Maua cartels in the fertiliser syndicate are well known suppliers and it will only be prudent for the agriculture minister to call them out.

  • CS Linturi assures miraa farmers, traders of brighter future in sub sector

    CS Linturi assures miraa farmers, traders of brighter future in sub sector

    Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has assured Miraa farmers and traders that the government is working diligently to ensure they get full benefits from the crop both locally and internationally.

    Speaking during a church service in Antubetwe Kiongo Full Gospel Church in Igembe North, the CS said the government was aware that miraa is the key source of income for Nyambene residents.

    He added the government was also aware of the challenges currently being experienced in the sub-sector with several approaches being employed to ensure that the subsector thrives.

    “I want to assure farmers that we are not blind to the issues that are facing the crop at the moment and we are busy doing everything possible to ensure we support miraa farming.”

    He urged farmers and traders to trust their government in their efforts to revive the subsector, despite political schemes currently being used to incite miraa farmers.

    The CS said there are plans to convene a meeting with all stakeholders to inform farmers about the government’s current strategies on Miraa adding that President William Ruto’s government ascended to power through the strong support of farmers, including Miraa farmers, whom he said the government cannot afford to let down.

    “In everything we do as a government, we always have the interest of Kenyans, and miraa farmers to be specific, at our hearts. We would however want to inform you that some of these plans take time to be implemented and this is the reason we call for your patience,” said Mr Linturi.

    He however said he would not be destructed by naysayers including those who were inciting farmers to demonstrate against him and the government as it happened on Saturday at Maili Tatu grounds in Igembe Central.

    “We must all resolve to work together for our prosperity and agree to give the government time to work on these issues including looking for the markets and value addition of miraa as this is the future,” said Linturi.

    He urged the farmers and traders to familiarise themselves with miraa regulations including hygiene in handling the product to make it acceptable even to the outside world.

    “We must accept the fact that miraa is classified as food and we should therefore adhere to the international standards in terms of handling so that we can avoid losing markets just like we did with London and Netherlands,” said Linturi.

  • CS Nakhumicha oversee the distribution of mosquito nets in Meru and Isiolo Counties

    CS Nakhumicha oversee the distribution of mosquito nets in Meru and Isiolo Counties

    In an effort aimed at curbing the effects of floods which have ravaged several parts of the Country, Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha S. Wafula presided over the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Treated Nets (LLINs) to the residents of both Isiolo and Meru Counties on Saturday.

    The exercise whose goal is to distribute 15.3 million nets to approximately 23 million people in 22 high malaria burden Counties also saw the CS deliver food supplements, including porridge flour for kids and the hunger safety net cheque worth Kshs 37,203,300,  to families adversely affected by floods in Isiolo County

    “It gives me great pleasure being in these parts of the Country to perform roles expected of us by you as assigned by President William Ruto.This morning at Ngaremana In Isiolo County we’ve delivered 25,000 mosquito nets besides other goodies which will go along way in cushioning Kenyans adversely affected by the floods. Here in Tigania West,with me is 10,000 nets which will be shared amongst yourselves today. As a government, we’re aware of this disaster and we’re putting in place all stringent measures to curb human losses and further destruction of property” she said

    This is part of the government’s sustained effort to reduce the burden of malaria in the country,where the disease remains a significant health burden  causing an estimated 4.4 million cases and 12,000 deaths in 2019.

    While cautioning area locals over unwanted early pregnancies amongst teens,Nakhumicha rallied behind use of protection as one way of curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS infections.

    “When I visited Nyambene Sub-County Hospital yesterday after commemoration of World AIDS Day, I was surprised to find out that a 10 year and 17 year old had been impregnated and this is retrogressive thus should stop.Preventing pregnancy among adolescents and pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity are foundational to achieving positive health outcomes across the life course and imperative for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to maternal and newborn health” added Nakhumicha

    A National Syndemic Disease Control Council [NSDCC) survey shows that between January and May,out of 15,389 expectant mothers who sought antenatal services in Meru,3999 were adolescents aged between 10 and 19 representing 26 percent;the highest percent of teenage pregnancies in the country.

    Host Member of Parliament who also serves as the chairman of the National Assembly Agriculture Committee John Mutunga while lauding the Government in its concrete plan to restore food security urged the Ministry on Agriculture to educate farmers on modern farming techniques and incentivized to grow alternatives to staple crops.

    “At Parliament and in my capacity as Agriculture Committee Chairman we’re working on possible legislative proposals and mechanisms to adress the problem of food shortage in the country. But I want to call upon the government to capitalise on the heavy rains and help tap water into the
    Nguthiro Laingo dam as this would be significant to local farmers in irrigation. We’ve had a problem of Insecurity around this place and I appeal to CS Kindiki to get us a police station that will help contain this malpractice” noted Dr Mutunga who was assured by CS Nakhumicha over subsequent plans of putting up a health facility at Limoro to adress challenges of women walking for long to seek maternal care

    Others present during a series of functions were Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi,his counterpart from Labour and Social Protection Florence Bore among other local leaders.

    This is part of Kenya Kwanza’s One Government Approach where President Dr. William Ruto is rooting for constructive synergy among state agencies as a viable means of deploying the respective leadership capacities to address the issues that matter to Kenyans.

    “We must be capable of coordinating effectively towards the realisation of our shared aspiration: the well-being of every citizen and their socioeconomic uplift through a radical transformation of governance and the economy”, said President Ruto earlier this year months after taking over reigns of power.

    Isiolo and Meru Counties are among the regions affected by the ongoing floods due to heavy rainfall with respective area bosses partnering with Kenya Defence Forces to distribute food and non-food items to victims of the calamity.

    To counter the tragedy going forward,Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo said the government had launched a Command Centre for Flood Emergency Response and Communication at Nyayo House in Nairobi to document cases to ensure the public is sensitized

    He said the centre would complement multi-agency teams to alert the public and help in mitigating the floods.  

    So far,136 lives have been claimed with a number of households displaced by the raging floods remaining the same at 94,232 while 462,160 persons have been displaced.