Migori residents to have clean domestic water soon

Posted by africanpress on May 16, 2008

By Leo Odera Omolo and Eng. Jerry Baraza

Problem statement: Migori is a town in southern Kenya with a population of about 5,000 people. The majority of the town inhabitants are small scale traders with an average income of about 100 dollars per month.

The town has a water borehole with very limited distribution. The water is supplied by the ministry of water development in Migori. It is only serving the government offices and staff quarters, the hospital and the teachers college.

The borehole does not have enough capacity to supply every estate with water. Majority of the town dwellers have no water in the residential houses, schools, church missions, restaurants, hotels etc. The town has no sewerage system.

The people therefore use dirty water collected from Migori River and streams near the town for cooking and drinking. There are very many pit latrines in the town resulting in pollution of shallow wells dug in the residential and business areas.

This results in many diseases occurring in the population such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid among others. There is a big river flowing through the town-Migori river. There is electricity supply in the town center but not in the estates.

Sustainable Solutions: Engineers without Borders Kenya chapter is in the process of conducting a feasibility study for a sustainable Water supply and Sanitation system in Migori town. The objective of the feasibility study is to come up with a water supply and sanitation project that can take care of the Migori town and its environs.

This project will be designed, funded and implemented by engineering students from USA with their counterparts from Public Universities in Kenya as part of their study for an engineering degree..

This project envisages supply of water to collection kiosks in the estates and town from where the citizens can collect clean water into their houses throughout the Migori Municipality.

A sewerage system shall also be constructed at the same time to avoid contamination of ground water system by pit latrines. Each water consumer shall be required to plant one tree seedling every week in their gardens to improve water catchments and the environment.

Science at Work: Engineer Baraza says that the students will design a system that will tap the Migori River and treat the water before storing and supplying the same to commercial shops, hotels, offices, schools, homes and churches in the area. It is also foreseen that a new borehole shall be drilled in the town to supply water during the dry spell as well as rain water harvesting system. The project is expected to start in 2009 and will be finished before 2012.

Multi-stakeholder cooperation: Engineers without Borders shall work in this project with the District water Engineer, Town Planner, Municipal Council and Urban Council as one team.

The citizens of the town will also be required to contribute manual labor for digging trenches for water pipes and to provide some materials for constructing water Kiosks in the Estates. A committee called “Migori Water and Sewerage Development Committee” shall be formed to facilitate the planning and implementation of this project. Its membership shall be constituted democratically from all stake holders.

The man behind this project is none other than Eng. Jerry Baraza who is a Senior lecturer at Kenyatta University and The Executive Director of Engineers without Borders in Kenya. Eng. Baraza is also a friend of the citizens from Migori and is member of Paris Club.

Peace at Last!!

Dear Friends and Family ,

Greetings to you from Kenya.

Today is a great day for Kenya, after two months of killings and lootings, the two political rivals have signed an agreement and they have a greed to share power after the elections which has left us not knowing who won it.

People are celebrating the outcome and the fact that now Kenyans can live in peace, thank you so much for your prayers and help .

With thank all world leaders for standing with Kenya at the most dificult moment in our history.

The fact that we can have peace is the most importang gift we have received from God, Thank you Lord!

With this , now we can plan to do all that He has called us to do.

May I say , Welcome to Kenya!

Thank you,

Bishop John Okinda.

Kenya - Power Sharing Agreement Reached : PoliticalArticles.NET

Kenya - Power Sharing Agreement Reached : PoliticalArticles.NET: "Kenya - Power Sharing Agreement Reached

February 29, 2008

Kenyans cheered and danced as they witnessed the opposition leader Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki signing a power-sharing agreement in Nairobi. The police used tear gas and batons to clear the group from the area shortly after the ceremony ended.

Kenyans Cheered & Danced

Kenyans cheer as Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga reach agreement on power sharing

Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga reach agreement on power sharing

…..while Kibaki(left) & Odinga(right) signed on the dotted line.


But, will Kibaki who has deceived Odinga before be honest this time? Will there be meaningful political reforms?

The power-sharing agreement between President Kibaki, left, and Mr. Odinga involves forming a coalition government and is expected to end a two-month post-election crisis. More than 1,000 people were killed in the fighting that came after the highly disputed elections, in which there were many accusations of vote-rigging.

Supporters of Mr. Odinga’s party, the Orange Democratic Movement, celebrated in Kisumu, Kenya, after the signing. The agreement was reached only after Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary general, negotiated directly"

Migori Petro station Vandalism causing fuel shortage

Kenya: Oil Prices Remain High

25 February 2008

Samuel Otieno
Kisumu

Despite relative calm returning in most parts of the troubled hits western Region, fuel consumers in the area are still paying dearly for the products as pumps prices remain all time high.

While a litre of premium petrol costs an average of Ksh88 (US$1.2) in Nairobi, in Kisumu, Kakamega and Kisii, the figure has more than doubled to Ksh160 ($2.2).

The three towns constitute part of Kenya's western region, a hotbed of violence arising from a political dispute over last year's elections.

Kerosene is now costs the same price as petrol at Ksh89 per litre ($1.2) in most outlets, despite normalcy returning in the transport sector.

The problem is attributed to the fact that most upcountry stations were vandalized and others set a ablaze during the month-long violence.

State-owned National Oil says three of its upcountry stations in Migori, sondu and Eldoret were vandalised thereby making it impossible for the company to supply the product to market satisfaction.

"The impact both in terms of damaged facilities and lost business is in the tune of Ksh30 million," said NOCK managing director, Mr. Mwendia Nyaga.

Pump owners in Kisumu say the hike in fuel prices which has now forced passengers to pay more than double fare, is due to scarce petroleum products as supply in the region was very slow.

Most stations in western Kenya had run out of cooking gas and kerosene by early last week, leaving consumers without supplies. Major towns in the region have also reported acute food shortages accompanied by price escalation.

Persistent shortage of petroleum products in the affected districts is said to be the result of reluctance by owners of tankers to get them back on the road fearing the wrath of protesters.

Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) which supplies marketers from its upcountry depots said there was adequate stocks but reduced off take from depots in the three towns as tankers slowly trickled back to the road.

Triton Petroleum company which operates numerous retail stations in Eldoret, Nakuru and Kisumu had all its premises affected by the post election violence and loss estimated at 60%.

Three other petrol stations were also set a blaze in Kisumu making it impossible for the few available to quell the fuel thirsty region.

For the past month, Kenol Kobil, another oil firm, has imported crude oil to be processed at KPRL on behalf of the industry through the monthly Open Tender System (OTS) and through private importation of refine products.

The political crisis has particularly hit hard private operators that have been making inroads into western Kenya after their outlets were set on fire.

Mr. Mwendia Nyaga, the National Oil Corporation of Kenya managing director, told East African Business Week in a phone interview that normalcy had returned and that company's operations in western Kenya except in Migori where its retail outlet was vandalised.

"Two others have remained closed due to security concerns," he explained.

The escalation is looming as global prices of fuel per barrel increased to $100 per barrel by the weekend.

Crude contract rose 4 cents to settle at $95.50 a barrel. Oil prices have risen by more than $8 in little more than a week.

The current pump prices are based on crude supplies purchased in mid-December when prices stood at an average of $87 per barrel, suggesting that the next load will come at a higher price.

Hello everyone!!!
Just wanted to share the wonderful news, we have been able to raise $3200.00 for the food in Migori!! God has been so faithful . I had understood from John that they were getting in refugees and many more orphans as well. I do believe this and the money that has been raised in the States will certainly help in the immediate need for survival!
God is so good and so faithful!!
In His service,
Vinita Baker
Pastor of Covenant Fellowship
Russell, Ont. Canada

Mi

Migori is just North of the Masai Mara Game Reserve on the edge of Nyanza Province. Luo is the predominate native tongue.

An Update From David & Elese Cosgrove and COGO

Cross Over Global Outreach is pleased to announce that we've gathered $10,000 toward the 3-Phase Initiative! We will hold onto these funds until they are needed.

Just as a simple update from our end of the project:

By now, COGO would have been in Migori with the construction team. During our postponement, we're continuing to work out particulars here and wait for the right time to replan our trip in. As he is able, Bishop John Okinda is still moving ahead on the ground with the preliminary project details. Just the thought of all the displaced peoples and newly orphaned children arriving in Migori has confirmed again what a huge need and blessing this power upgrade, well, and sewer system is for the Migori Worship Center campus.

God bless you all for your collaboration, prayers, and efforts toward this project and the people of Migori, Kenya:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded His blessings-life forevermore. Psalm 133

His Servants,
David & Elese Cosgrove

Feb 7/8 Stories from a friend living in Kenya

Posted 7 February, 2008 in Falling Apart

This email came to me from a friend (Leah) in Kenya.

Today,i have been serving evacuated people from Nakuru
and Naivasha,and they had sad stories to tell,and
non-verbal messages to send.These are the comments
that accompany the pictures.

1)I,trying to get the evacuated kids organized to
drink water and food.

2)This boy is all in tears,is traumatised,and has to
take the responsibility of caring for his few weeks
old sister.

3)I,carrying the baby and trying to comfort the boy.He
doesn’t trust anybody!

4)My daughter Leila,helping out with the baby.

5)Some of the children,a number of them were
unacompanied.

6)The people being packed into a lorry to be
transported home.Comfort is not an issue here,life
comes first.

7)I and Leila,contemplating on where to get more water
from.The people are complaining of thirst and the
weather is extremely hot!

8)This woman is pondering her next move.She doesn’t
know what to do.

9)Coffins that the people have contributed to
buy,packed in a lorry to go and get dead bodies.

10)The Migori District Hospital ambulance,giving its
services.

There are many stories to tell,now.

Your comment:

IMKA Outline

Greetings fellow laborers for Christ:

It seems that there may have been a problem opening up the IMKA Outline I attached to yesterday's email. I will post it here, that way you don't have to print it or find it anyway.
To make it bigger, just click on it. Thanks again to Alanna Box for this rendering.
Thanks to you too Stan....page looks great!

-Ron Silver

Greetings from us here in Migori.

I wanted to thank you all for your commitment in praying for us, through your prayers we have seen the hand og God in protecting us, thank you.

I also wanted to give a brief report with the situation here on the ground, this will help you to know how to direct your prayers as of now.

People around migori town which is estimated at 55,000 have been locked in their homes and housed for over a month , these people the majority do not have jobs or gardens, they live on small jobs which pays a daily wage in return they use their wage to buy something to eat or live on of course there are some have small businessess ranging from roasting corn to stores they also eat from that source, now , immargine 6 weeks without them able to any thing, people within the town of migori are starving, this situation we wanted to see if we can do something to help.

Most of the people here depend on Ugali [ corn meal ] as their major food, we wanted to ask all our friends to partner with me in providing several bags of dried corn which we will help to grind and get corn floor, this will help them make Ugali [corn meal] and Uji [ porridge, or light gritt] for breakfast.

We can get maize, some here in Migori and the rest in Kissii and around ISEBANIA, the border town, as I write a bag of 90 kgs of dried maize cost $ 28.70 , this include transportation and grinding the same.

With the maize we will target 2 groups of people, those who dwell in Migori town and also those who are coming from different parts of Kenya who have been displaced.

For example, this morning we received 400 people from NAKURU and NAIVASHA, it was a scene you wish to forget quickly but you cannot, they were narrating how they saw their wives, husbands and children killed, as they were saying it tears were rolling their eyes, I personally was there, as I write am still crying, we saw a woman pulling out the head of his husband which was chopped off, telling us how people came and killed her husband by butchering him in the pressence of their two kids, she is carrying the head home for burrial.
They brought with them 12 orphans who lost both their parents, these people have nor eaten for days, people were wailing in Migori in a way that shocked everyone.
We have formed a committe to plan for other trucks to go back and bring a nother stranded goup which might arrive a day after tommorrow, our church member Charles Ogol who is also our development chairman is in this committe, we have just given them the only 10, 000 Kshs. which we had for fuelling the trucks.
If we had maize we would have given several bags out , but I know shall get some soon, I felt too bad that I could not help.

We are planning to help these 12 orphans by giving them education as soon as we bring other orphans.

The purpose of this email is to ask you to pray for our Country, if led to help then this is the time to help.

Thank you so much,


Yours serving our Master,

Bishop John Okinda.

An E-mail from Vinita

Good evening everyone!!!

As you have all heard about the atrocities taking place in Kenya I am sure we have all been moved to

One bag of 90Kg or maize will feed a family of 6 for a month and costs $28.70.
If you would like to donate to this major need please feel free to do so by sending
a cheque to AMIC and we will make sure it gets to Bishop John Okinda to help with the need. Because of the danger of being
outside their homes, the shops have been closed and therefore no money is made. People are starving and many others from
surrounding areas are coming for refuge to Migori. There is a drastic need for food at the moment.

Thank you to all who are praying, we know that there is power in prayer and so we continue to do so.
We are suggesting that perhaps if you could wherever you are on Thurs. evening at 7pm join us in united prayer for
forgiveness for the awful things that have been happening. We could stand together before the Lord and ask Him to
release His blessing where they are most needed. If you would like to get a group together and pray for a half hour together
or alone, we can stand together as a body of Christ and intercede for the people of Kenya.

Here is a guideline if you would like to follow one. If not pray as you are led. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to pray for what is on
His heart for His people.

BUT: If we could all start with asking for forgiveness for what is on our own hearts in regards to the upheaval and
then move on for what has been done by the powers in authority, tribally, or individually we will all be starting on the
same page and with the same heart.

1. SEEK God's forgiveness for the upheaval started, for those who have caused such hurt and pain.
2. Pray for the politicians, leaders of committees, Bishop John, police etc. that they would have wisdom, strength
and discernment for the right course of actions to be taken.
3. Safety for the people especially the weak, elderly and children, those grieving, newly orphaned etc. Safety for the
churches that as they house the homeless and help others that they are not a target.
4. Pray against racial and religious hatred.
5. Pray for the refugees that have witnessed injustice, rape and mutilizations.
6. Pray for the orphans as they are moved into the new orphanage for safety.

I know our hearts are sorrowful but let us look to the Lord of Life who is still in control and who is worthy to be praised!
"Be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and thanksgiving make your requests known unto God"

We look forward to praying in the unity of the Holy Spirit with you on Thurs. Feb. 7th at 7pm!!!
"Wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in my name there am I in their midst!" God is a God who keeps His promises and even when
we don't understand why certain things happen we know that He does!! He is still GOD!!
I am enclosing the letter from Bishop John in case you have not read it yet.
Blessings,
Vinita Baker
(AMIC) Canada

Please pass this one to anyone else you know who has a heart for Kenya and or is already involved in the ministry there!!

Stan could you send this to the rest of the committee please? Thank you!

Remembering a peaceful Migori

Those who have been there can really appreciate videos like this:

Watch a news feed from downtown Migori

Letter from John Okinda

Dear Friends,

I still feel that we need to hold on from usinng the elecric money, for I have already ask them for a new qoute , once they give it they would want us to act within 90 days, I feel we should not miss this, we would want to see power upgrade here as soon as we can, given the fact thar kids will be coming in as soon as calm returns. Also a well will be drilled, for sure will will need the power upgrade soon, As I write I have received $ 1,700 from Leesville, $ 2,000 from Dellroy.

Please let us trust that the Lord will provide Maize from another source.

Thank you guys for your understanding, please do not mistake me that I would want to see our people die of starvation, am only saying , the monies designated for a project need to ONLY go for that very Project.

Thank you so much for your prayers, yes things are very hard here.

Thanks,
John Okinda.

Goal for first well exceeded!!

Dear Stan, 1/17/2008
I am writing to inform you and the group of some wonderful news. As of today we can say that the Wells Project for which funds having been raised has reached a total of $13.000.00 ! This is over the projected cost by the drilling company in Nairobi of $12.000.00.
Is there a possibility of combining the funds raised here in Canada with those in the States and see if 2 wells couldn't be drilled at the same time saving extra costs of bringing the drilling company in twice?
I realize that even as we make plans, with the state of the country of Kenya, it may not be a good time at the moment or even feasible in the near future. Nevertheless the funds will be kept for such a purpose regardless of the timing. Colabration may be the best way to bring in fresh water in the hopes of
providing two wells for a better price.

I look forward to hearing back from you!
Blessings,
Vinita Baker of Ambassador Minstries in Covenant in Canada
www.amicov.ca

Latest Missionary trip delayed

Dear Stan, 1/17/2008

Yes, our trip is completely off for now. Most missionaries have left Kenya and there is a State Department warning against all non-essential travel into the country. The roads there are shut down and as I'm sure you're reading/hearing in the news, the country's tenuous stability is hanging in the balance from day to day.

Below is the latest communication from John.

God bless,
David & Elese

Update from John

Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:32:35 +0300

This is John, am asking for urgent prayers covering our property here, we understand some bad guys want to use the situation on the ground to cause some destruction, we have have been monitoring this for the last 3 days and therefore need your prayers, we also keep vigil both day and night, please pray and cover these by the blood of the Lamb. The church, the training center, the orphanage/ school and the canning building/ kitchen. And a bove all the lives of the people here.

Thank you.

Update from John

Dear Glenn,

Thank you so much for your prayers and the wonderful support, I do sincerely thank you..

The situation here is still fluid and therefore not good at all, but we want to thank God for his goodness, we have about 5 families loosing their properties and being displaced, it is so sad to see this.

Migori is a ghost town, with no business going on, houses burned down and several looted, the prices of goods gone up with no funds to buy.

We need some food to give out to many suffering people here.

Maybe some bags of maize.

The church compound is safe, no harm to anyone, we are so thankful for the safety. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Please pass my love to all.

Your friend,
John Okinda.

Hello To All,

I will let you know what I know at this point. I have been able to email Bishop John and another Pastor, Boniface, several times the past two weeks.

For the first week or so it was very very bad in Migori. Many of the shops were burned. A lot of them were stores that sold food. Food is in very short supply and what is available is very expensive. There is a lot of hunger right now. One man was shot in the settlement where John and Pam live, Regana. John told me that there are many dead in Migori and many admitted for care. All of the people were staying locked in their homes for several days. I recieved the last email from John on Thursday January 3rd. He said that things were somewhat better, but it was still very serious. Please keep praying!!

I recieved another email from Pastor Boniface on Monday January 7. He told me that it was very bad in Migori and even worse in Kisumma about 40 miles away. His wife, Hilda, lost a cousin and his wife, leaving four little children behind. It was not possible to go to the funeral. All the roads are closed.

I emailed the Cosgroves with my concerns for their safety with the planned trip in February. Dave emailed me back and told me that they have postponed their trip until a time when things are stable again. No date set yet.

The need is great and when things are back to normal the need for help will be even greater then before. It is my prayer that people will help us get the equipment to Migori and start growing some badly needed food.

If I hear anything further I will let you know.

God Bless All,

Glenn/GHAP

Post election violence has broken out in a major way in Kenya. Look at the following article from Fox News and the related articles on the same page.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,320466,00.html?sPage=fnc.world/africa

One church has already been destroyed in the hostility. The following is taken from an email from Bishop John Okinda:

"Thank you so much for your prayers, to be honest things are too bad here in Migori, such has never been seen in Kenya, many have died, and hundreds are in hospitals with gun wounds, shops have looted, burned in a protest a gainst the government of what Kenyans call rigging of elections, it is too bad such that people are crying for food and it is nowhere.

My family and I are safe as of now, but you can here of gushots around here.

In one hospital they have reported 40 dead!

Please pass this to as many as you can for prayers, we need peace.

It is New year Eve and we are closed up in the house not knowing what will happen the next minute.

Many are calling me for help, we have just come back from Migori town to save a stuation, we had to have a heavy security in my car to move.

Thank you so much for your prayers, please note that most towns in Kenya are going through the same thing."


This violence threatens the lives of people in and around Migori and all Kenya, not to mention the work of God which was to get a big boost with the three phase project beginning next month. Please take some time to fast and pray for the Lord to restore peace and stability to Kenya. Pray that He would pour His Spirit out upon the church there that they would know His grace and be strengthened to be used for His purposes. Pray for wisdom for John and other church leaders as well as governmental leaders. Pray for those in law enforcement and rescue workers. Just pray!

We will post updates as we receive them.

-Pastor Ron