iMPACT NEWS

There is need for continued enhancement of security surveillance in the country’s key installations to counter rising cases of terrorism and other crimes. According to KPA acting MD John Mwangemi, many countries have been required to make drastic advances in technology through integrated security management systems in order to deal with piracy and other forms of insurgency. In a speech read on his behalf by the KPA head of security operations Tony Kibwana during the passing out parade of 67 port security operatives at the Manyani law enforcement academy, Mwangemi said the authority remained steadfast in prompting a multiagency security approach to deal with traditional and contemporary threats. “Staff in security services department play a major role in ensuring security of cargo, vessels calling at the port, assets and security of the port community” he said. Mwangemi pointed out that so far 250 personnel had been trained on basic paramilitary skills within the last four years, as wel...

 

 While a number of scholars from Taita-Taveta County have made a name in government and private sector, the same cannot be said in politics, at least going by the handful of examples in the recent years. In 2007 Professor Morris Mbondenyi, then 38, made history by being among the few law dons from the Coast region to venture into politics. Mbondenyi was taking a stab at the Mwatate parliamentary seat on a Jubilee ticket to unseat the then ODM MP Andrew Mwadime. Prof Mbondenyi, at one time the deputy director at Kenya school of Law, was banking on his being a distinguished lawyer to articulate legal matters in and out of the National Assembly. However, he lost to Andrew Mwadime. In 2022 Mbondenyi made a second attempt at the Mwatate seat but lost to political greenhorn with little education, Peter Shake. His main rival in 2017 Andrew Mwadime left the parliamentary seat to vie as governor and won with close to 50,000 votes. It remains unclear if the eminent law professor has future ...

  As the dust settles on the just concluded general elections, voters in Taita-Taveta County could be celebrating or being remorseful over the outcome of the polls. While majority are celebrating the ouster of governor Granton Samboja through the ballot by the little known Andrew Mwadime, they should be ruing the reelection of senator Mwaruma. Despite the key role of senator being oversight, Mwaruma turned a blind eye to all the economic mess Samboja inflicted on this county as the governor’s acolytes and bootlickers licked the county coffers dry. The work of a watchman is to guard the property of their employer and if thieves break in and steal when the watchman is sleeping, the only recourse to justice is to have that sentinel sacked. Sadly Taita-Taveta voters have decided to stay put with their sleeping watchman, probably because they do not know how important the role of oversight is in guarding county resources. Though not on any clear records ,talk has been rife that it’s Mw...

   Qwetu Sacco has embarked on an ambitious plan to raise its membership to more than 100,000. Currently the Sacco has a membership of 52,000 members and the number continues to grow steadily, making it the Sacco of choice for investors in Taita-Taveta County and the Coast region as a whole. Dubbed “1+1” the membership drive encourages each member to rope in at least one other member, which would double the current number. Addressing members during this years sacco education day at Dan Mwazo Hall in Voi town, Qwetu vice chairman Simon Mbashu who represented chairman Alfred Mlolwa said the only way the Sacco could have a firm financial base is by getting more members. “The Sacco model is basically a business model and we cannot afford to be selfish. We must recruit more members if our Sacco is to continue growing” said Mbashu. He pointed out that the sacco membership has been growing gradually after it opened its doors to non teaching members including business people, those f...

  Joy for Qwetu members as Sacco declares Sh12m dividends Qwetu members will be smiling all the way to the bank after the Sacco declared dividends of more than Sh12m. This represents 13 per cent, with the board of directors at the same time proposing an interest of 9.8 per cent on members long term deposits. Addressing delegates during this year’s Annual Delegates Meeting at Vacani hotel in the outskirts of Voi township, Sacco chairman Mr Alfred Mlolwa said the Sacco had presented the 2023 budget estimates at this time of the year unlike in the past when the same was done in October. “The money saved on this activity will be used to empower delegates and board of directors in marketing the Sacco to its members”said Mlolwa. The chief guest during the event was Mr Daniel Marube, the CEO Coop Alliance of Kenya. The Sacco chairman pointed out that despite the harsh economic conditions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sacco had continued to record a steady growth , with membersh...

Qwetu sacco has unveiled an ambitious budget for 2022 with projected growth of Sh 410m. This represents a projected growth of 14.6 per cent as total assets reach Sh3.2m. Unveiling the budget estimates at Vacani hotel at the outskirts of Voi town during the Special Delegates Meeting, the Sacco CEO Mr Charles Kaba said despite the economic downturn occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, the sacco was still resilient and would continue serving its members to their satisfaction. “The growth in income we are projecting for the year 2022 is adequate proof that Qwetu is the sacco of choice on a sound financial footing” said Mr Kaba. The CEO pointed out that among the key highlights of the 2022 budget would be deposits of over sh 1.2 billion, with interest on deposits of sh 125m(10 per cent), as well as Sh 111m total interest from short term loans. This is an increase from Sh100m the year 2021. Other highlights include Sh 275 m being total interest from long term loans up from Sh 242m in the yea...