Politics – The Peak

Meru residents slam “unfair” tariffs, threaten mass protests this Friday

TncPress — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:23:25 +0000

A section of residents from Meru town have accused Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia and Meru Water and Sewerage Services (MEWASS) of failing North Imenti residents by approving what they describe as a steep increase in water tariffs.

The residents claim the move has significantly raised the cost of living, leaving many households struggling to cope.

Speaking during a press briefing at Kinoru, the residents, led by Joshua Muriki, alleged that the utility increased water tariffs by up to 300 per cent.

They called on fellow residents to review their recent bills and compare them with previous charges to understand the scale of the increment.

“Our Governor and MEWASS have failed our people because they increased water tariffs for MEWASS by 300 percent. We now ask every resident to compute the water bills they have recently paid and what they used to pay so that they can see the percentage used,” said Muriki.

The residents said attempts to establish responsibility for the tariff increase have resulted in conflicting explanations between MEWASS and the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB).

They claimed MEWASS officials initially attributed the hike to the regulator, but WASREB officials later denied responsibility and instead pointed back to the utility and the County government.

The residents further accused the County government of approving the tariff adjustments without conducting proper public participation.

They alleged that the process was limited to a small group of individuals in a private setting thereby excluding the wider public.

“When they increased those rates, they did not conduct public participation but instead took a few people to the Meru Slopes Hotel, where they discussed and consented to those proposals, which we now say did not follow the law. That is why we say we will have demonstrations this Friday if they do not listen to us,” said Muriki.

Another resident, Peter Kathukumi, questioned the selective nature of the tariff increase, arguing that it appeared to target residents within Meru town while sparing other areas in the county.

He said the move raises concerns about fairness and equal treatment of residents.

“Why is the County government seeing it fit to have the tariffs increased for residents from Meru town only instead of increasing for all other regions?,” questioned Kathukumi.

Mwenda Murerwa described the tariff increase as oppressive, saying it has tripled the cost of water for many households.

He also questioned the lack of transparency in MEWASS’s development plans, arguing that residents have not been given clear justification for the hike.

“An increase of 300 percent is not minimal because it is three times what we have been paying. MEWASS has not been clear on its development budget. We question whether the money is needed for its plans or will be taken elsewhere,” said Murerwa.

Murerwa also raised concerns about the management of sewerage funds collected over the years, noting that residents connected to the system have consistently paid for the service.

He questioned the accountability of those funds and called for clarity on how they have been utilized.

The residents also cited confusion over the progress of an ongoing sewerage project, referencing conflicting updates attributed to Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa.

They said the inconsistencies have further eroded confidence in the management of public projects.

Sky Technology Wonders Transforming Remote Samburu Reserve Where Science Meet Wildlife

TncPress — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:17:27 +0000

n a remote semi – arid village in Samburu County a new safari begin the new technology of Astro-Tourism could have sounded complex and impossible to the native residents of Samburu but globally it a hot spot for touring the African skies after a long game drive at Samburu National Reserve known for its unique wildlife species which attract tourist across the world.

At the heart of Sopa Lodge astro – tourism was launches in september 2025 by Tourism CS Rebecca Miano in Samburu National Reserve a move that Director Tom Lmakinya Lesarge has said has greatly increased the number of intarnational tourist who come to the park.

He said today, they come for something more a rare union of science, culture and nature that is quietly transforming this remote corner of northern Kenya into a global destination.

According to a 60-year-old Munteli Lalparasoroi, a conservationist and resident said the concept of astro-tourism was initially difficult to grasp hearing the idea of studying the sky through advanced technology felt distant from her everyday life environment where technology is far fetched.

She further narrated that what once sounded ‘strange’ to the community ,astro-tourism is now a lived reality for residents of Samburu County in a region long celebrated for its unique wildlife species, often referred to as the home of ‘Samburu Special Five but ‘sky at night’ is now drawing global attention.

Lalparasoroi said in past generations people of Samburu used to read the stars for navigation, storytelling and seasonal pattern saying today, that traditional wisdom is being integrated into modern astro-tourism experiences, creating a narrative that is both scientific and deeply cultural.

‘It is a unique experience yet promoting our culture because you are not just looking at stars but understanding them through both technology and Samburu tradition.”She added.

Today, she watches in quiet amazement as streams of safari vehicles make their way into the reserve not only for many elephants and rare antelopes, but for the stars at night .

Tourists now after a long game drive they gather at the traditional Manyatta culture blended round hut to gaze at the skies guided by digital imaging tools that bring distant galaxies closer than ever before.

Though Lalparasoroi is yet to personally experience the technology, she understands its impact.

“This Astro tourism has put Samburu on the global recognition and it has improved the economy of our region.” said Lalparasoroi.

Her observation is echoed across the community Njumaa Learpoora, a skilled beadwork artist known for her intricate “shanga” creations, says her business has flourished since the introduction of astro-tourism with more visitors arriving and staying longer, demand for local crafts has surged, creating new economic opportunities for residents.

She said her first view of the skies during the launch she could not believe her eyes saying that was behold her imagination.

” I saw wonders because I could see the stars at close range I even got scared what looked like a Manyatta with a white umbrella shaped traditional hut had so much magic I could not believe my eyes that day,” noted Learpoora.

At the heart of this transformation is an ambitious initiative launched in September 2025 at Sopa Lodge within Samburu National Reserve. Spearheaded by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, the project marked the introduction of Kenya’s first astro-tourism hub and only the second of its kind in Africa.

According to Director Tom Lmakinya Lesarge, the impact was immediate.

“Astro-tourism is a whole game changer the diversification alongside the Samburu Special Five and the many elephants in the reserve, it has given the park a new identity globally .”he Lesarge.

He noted astro-tourism, a rapidly growing niche globally, centers on sky-related activities such as stargazing, astrophotography and the observation of celestial events.

Speaking the director noted visitors are drawn not only by the science but by a deep, almost primal curiosity about the universe.

“This is more than sightseeing it is about connecting with the cosmos witnessing the universe in its purest form.”he noted .

Speaking Walter Murithi the Sopa Lodge Manager said they have continued to receive international tourists from Spain,Canada ,United Kingdom ,USA,India and Germany among others who he said are excited by studying the African skies after the launch of astro-tourism a move he added has improved the economy of the region.

Kenya’s geographical position near the equator gives it a unique advantage from Samburu, visitors can view constellations from both the northern and southern hemispheres throughout the year.

“Combined with minimal light pollution and vast open landscapes, the region offers some of the clearest night skies in the world but what sets Samburu apart is not just its skies,it is the blending of science with indigenous knowledge and conservation,” he said

However beyond the skies, Samburu National Reserve remains a vital sanctuary for wildlife. Situated along the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River, the reserve spans 165 square kilometers and is home to some of Africa’s rarest species.

Among them is the Grevy’s zebra, an endangered species with fewer than 3,000 individuals remaining in the wild.

Native to northern Kenya and parts of southern Ethiopia, the species faces threats from drought and disease, including anthrax.

Other distinctive animals include the Reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk species uniquely adapted to the region’s harsh conditions.

Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards roam the landscape, while the river sustains Nile crocodiles and a rich diversity of birdlife, with over 350 species recorded.

This biodiversity, combined with the reserve’s growing reputation as an astro-tourism hub, has significantly increased visitor numbers both local and international tourists are contributing to rising revenues for Samburu County.

However beneath this success story lie complex challenges
climate change has intensified drought cycles, reducing forage and threatening wildlife survival.

According to Reserve senior officer , habitat loss, driven by invasive plant species and land degradation, is further shrinking available ecosystems with growing human and livestock populations also placing additional pressure on the already fragile environment.

“The reserve is small and brittle if not managed carefully, these pressures could become an ecological crisis.” noted Lesarge.

To address these challenges,he noted conservation efforts are increasingly turning to technology.

One such innovation Earth Ranger, a real-time technology monitoring platform that integrates data from GPS collars, camera traps, ranger patrols and remote sensors allow the rangers to track wildlife movements, detect threats and respond quickly to incidents such as poaching.

Equally important is the role of local communities.
Samburu National Reserve accounts for just 0.8 percent of the county’s landmass, making community involvement essential for sustainable conservation.

Through initiatives supported by the Samburu County Government, local residents are actively engaged in wildlife protection and tourism development.

The director emphasized that the Community Conservancies Fund Act of 2019 established a framework for supporting these efforts, with the county allocating approximately Ksh. 150 million annually to community-based conservation projects.

“The local Samburu people are highly engaged they run tourism facilities, protect wildlife and preserve their culture this is their land and they are the stewards.”he said.

Human-wildlife conflict, however, remains a persistent issue as animals venture beyond protected areas, they sometimes come into contact with livestock and settlements, leading to losses for communities.

To mitigate this, Lesarge said the Kenya Wildlife Service provides compensation schemes, while some conservancies, such as Namunyak, have developed internal support systems to assist affected families.

He pointed out that policy frameworks like the Community Land Act of 2016 further aim to strengthen land management at the grassroots level, requiring communities to develop and implement sustainable land-use plans.

Despite these challenges, the officer affirmed that the future of Samburu National Reserve appears promising with the integration of astro-tourism has not only diversified the region’s tourism offerings but has also redefined its identity.

” No longer is Samburu known solely for its wildlife but also it is now a place where the earth meets the sky or wildlife by day ,sky by night,” he said

Kindiki Urges Africa to Embrace Kenya’s Affordable Housing Model

TncPress — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:04:18 +0000

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on African nations to draw lessons from Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, describing it as a transformative initiative aimed at delivering dignified and affordable living spaces for millions of urban residents.

Speaking on Friday during the closing ceremony of the 2nd Africa Urban Forum held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Prof. Kindiki said Kenya had made significant progress in addressing housing challenges through deliberate policy action and political will.

“We are inviting you to see what you can learn from our affordable housing model as you seek to implement your own models,” he said.

Speaking the DP at the same time urged leaders across the continent to adopt practical and scalable housing solutions aimed at delivering dignified and affordable living spaces for millions of urban residents.

He emphasized that Kenya had moved beyond rhetoric to action, noting that the government had prioritized implementation despite facing political resistance and structural challenges that had stalled similar efforts in the past.

“Kenya has made its choice. We have chosen action and we invite the continent to move with the same urgency, the same clarity and the same commitment,” he added.

Prof. Kindiki observed that although affordable housing had featured prominently in political manifestos since 2002, successive administrations had failed to actualize the agenda due to the complexities involved.

However, he credited the current administration under President William Ruto for taking bold steps to implement the long-awaited programme.

“For five election cycles, both winning parties and runners-up promised affordable housing, but none implemented it because of the challenges that came with it. In 2022, President William Ruto decided the time had come to face those challenges head-on,” he noted.

The Deputy President highlighted key milestones achieved so far, revealing that approximately 270,000 housing units are currently nearing completion under the programme.

He expressed confidence that the government is on track to meet its ambitious target of delivering one million homes.

“The next milestone which we will achieve shortly is reaching one million homes under this project,” he stated.

In addition to providing housing, Kindiki noted the programme has also created significant employment opportunities.

According to him , about 600,000 Kenyans who were previously unemployed have secured jobs through the initiative with projections to reach one million beneficiaries in the near future.

He further said the government has also entered into contracts worth over five billion dollars with 800 contractors tasked with implementing the housing projects.

The second in command at the same time clarified that 799 of these contractors are Kenyan-owned firms, underscoring the programme’s role in promoting local enterprise and economic growth.

“Kenya’s affordable housing project will continue and we hope that under President Ruto, we will be able to cushion the programme from policy disruption, which is common in developing countries,” he said.

Prof. Kindiki further challenged African countries to ensure that commitments made during the forum, particularly those captured in the Nairobi Declaration, are translated into tangible outcomes.

“The commitments made must translate into projects delivered, units constructed and lives improved. This will require the governments to act, strengthen enabling environments, streamline approvals and ensure that policy supports delivery at scale,” he noted.

DP Kindiki Dismisses Gachagua’s Claims of SHA Collapse, Assures Kenyans of Stability

TncPress — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:46:07 +0000

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has dismissed recent remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua suggesting that the Social Health Authority (SHA) is on the verge of collapse.

Speaking while inspecting market development, road infrastructure, and electricity connectivity in Karurumo, Runyenjes, Embu County, DP Kindiki reassured Kenyans that the SHA remains stable and urged continued registration and contributions to the scheme.

“Only 7 million Kenyans had registered under the defunct NHIF medical cover out of a population of 55 million. As we speak, 30.2 million Kenyans are now under SHA medical cover. We will continue to strengthen and expand SHA, enhancing payable limits so it can cover all types of illnesses. This is the only way to relieve Kenyans from the burden of fundraising for medical expenses or relying on well-wishers,” Prof. Kindiki stated.

The DP described Gachagua as a “prophet of doom” for his claims, emphasizing that SHA will not collapse.

He projected that by December, 45 million Kenyans would be covered, with the number expected to reach 55 million by next June.

Earlier this week, Gachagua raised concerns over the SHA’s financial health, claiming the scheme could face severe operational challenges within six months.

Addressing congregants at ACK Diocese of Kirinyaga in Ndia Constituency on Sunday, March 29, he warned that failure to intervene could trigger a nationwide crisis in healthcare service delivery.

“I have information that SHA will collapse in six months, and we will have a crisis in the health sector,” Gachagua said.

The former DP cited unpaid bills owed by SHA to hospitals, particularly faith‑based and private facilities, as a factor undermining the health system.

Kindiki urged the opposition to be patient and see the transformation this Country is going through.