Kageno Blog

Briquetting on Rusinga...

The use of organic waste as cooking fuel instead of organic manure is now successfully implemented in Kageno. We use fuel briquettes instead of burned charcoal, cutting down trees or purchasing gas.
This idea has helped a great deal in reducing the widespread of deforestation. Fuel briquettes have emerged as a significant business enterprise in the households of some families. Some households can make their own briquettes in Kageno from soaked waste paper and other combustible domestic wastes.
Informal waste collection is done to separate the dried organic waste products to make fuel briquettes for domestic and commercial use.
In the previous days Kageno has been using the gas for cooking for the children in the nursery school, but given the economic and energy conditions in Rusinga Island, wastes remain a viable alternative fuel. The 10 women involved in this project will get a salary proportional to the number of briquettes made at the end of every month. Each day this group can make up to 200 pieces of briquettes.

Briquet making has dramatically changed the economics of using fuel as an alternative energy resource. Secondly, a shortage of fuel wood has become increasingly severe in most of the parts of Rusinga Island leading to deforestation. Finally, there has been a steady increase by environmental concerns to address the problem of domestic and urban waste disposal, a dilemma that briquette has helped remedy.
Briquette involves the collection of combustible materials that are not usable because of their low density, and compressing them into a solid fuel product of any convenient shape that can be burned like wood. Thus, the material is compressed to form a product of higher bulk density, lower moisture content, and uniform size, shape and material properties. Briquettes are easier to package and store, cheaper to transport, more convenient to use, and their burning characteristics are better than those of the original organic waste material.

This project has built upon Kageno Kenya’s Environment Awareness and conservation programs. Through implementing this program, the following results have been achieved:
1. Improving household recycling and drastically lower deforestation within Kageno catchment’s area.
2. Training 50 families on management of fuel briquette.
3. Creating Income generating activity to10 families through selling the briquettes to Kageno.
4. Facilitating the upgrading of the local use of organic wastes.
5. Educating the community to collect wastes to make money.

Recycling of organic materials into fuel briquettes contributes to solving rural needs such as income-generation, insufficient land for waste disposal and maintaining environmental quality. Enhancing the recovery of organic waste can restore various natural cycles, thus preventing the loss of raw materials, energy and nutrients. On the other hand, the demand for energy in Rusinga Island is expected to add through the use of briquette. There is urgent need to replicate this technology in Rusinga Island and other developing villages and fuel briquette appears to be addressing the multiple needs of the environment. The market price of briquettes is less than that of gas and a regular supply of briquettes is assured, then many new market and environmental opportunities are likely to emerge.

Alphonce Okuku,
Kageno Kenya Trust,
Country Director

Ethnic Clashes Over Decades-old Grudges

Despite the mediation by Kofi Annan, the former U.N. secretary-general, illegal militias and violence, including alleged excessive use of force by police still continue to affect the lives of many innocent Kenyans.

Mobs have been setting homes and businesses on fire. More than 1000 people have died in the latest clashes. The recent killing of two ODM elected members of parliament by a police officer and unknown people have ignited the unlawfulness in the country. The government keeps saying that the security situation in the Kenya is under control!

The police are a bit over-stretched with work and already taking sides hence a huge need for a preventative deployment of the military. The shooting of legislator David Kimutai added to the distrust of police. The police are no longer neutral and behind some the killings that have taken place in the country. Police stations were targeted with a mob of 3,000 armed with bows and arrows, spears, clubs and machetes ending up killing some police officers. The mob complains of police officers wounding civilians when police opened fire on protesters demonstrating over the death of a Member of Parliament. It was the first police casualty reported in a month of bloodshed in which police have acknowledged killing scores of people.

In another village, six people were hacked to death and two killed with poisoned arrows. Kalenjin people are killing Kisii, blaming them for the legislator's killing because they are considered government allies. The fighting there continues!!

More than 300,000 people have been forced from their homes in violence that degenerated into ethnic clashes over decades-old grudges about land and other resources. It has pitted other tribes against Kibaki's Kikuyu people, who are resented for their long domination of politics and the economy.

There is no sign of the violence letting up in the western Rift Valley, scene of the worst clashes. About 20 elders of the Kalenjin tribe, angered by police shootings in their town of Eldoret, blamed the government and vowed vengeance. Most people in the opposition strongholds have said that if the government will continue shooting and directing guns at there people, they will rise up in arms.

There is no law and order in Kenya as some people have stolen guns from a police station. Many youths in rural Kenyan opposition areas say they want guns, this is an indicator that things may turn worse and terrible at any time.

On Rusinga Island, there has been peaceful demonstrations. There are school activities in the public primary schools despite the government encouraging parents to take there children to school. The parents fear their children may be burnt alive in schools or the older ones poached for military actions. No guardian or parent is interested in taking their children away from the village. The Kageno nursery school has been affected as children are not coming to school out of fear. There is no circulation of money hence some people are not getting enough food, medication and other basic needs. The prices of industrial products have at least doubled making many people ignoring other basic needs in life leading to poor health. Kageno will be keen on providing free medication to sick people from the services of Plasse Family Dispensary. There is also a huge need to support elderly people and children with relief food to improve on their nutrition. Provision of mosquito nets is very necessary at this time especially for families who miss the nets at home.

Kageno is continuing with her activities on Rusinga and Mfangano Islands and more humanitarian aid is necessary in these specific places and Kenya in general. I am looking forward to keep you posted on any specific area of interest.

Thank you very much for all your help to Kageno and the situation in Kenya.

Alphonce Okuku,
Kageno Kenya Trust,
Country Director

Kenya is Burning

There are more than 40 tribes in Kenya, and these tribes have often lived and worked together for years as brothers and sisters. While Kibaki is viewed as tribal chief, Odinga has the support from across the tribal spectrum.
Kenya’s leaders and people have the responsibility to end post-election violence that has resulted in the deaths of many innocent Kenyans. The killing of many Kenyans especially the ethnic Kikuyus has fueled concerns that ethnic conflicts were deepening in Kenya.
Major towns and cities are quiet and deserted, though clashes still continue in the slums.
The government is trying to down play the incidences, by giving an impression that nothing serious is happening. The security forces have arrested many people since skirmishes began. Kenyans have been denied access to information from the local Medias!
The head of Kenya's electoral commission has been quoted as saying, "I do not know whether Kibaki won the election."
Kenyans are peace loving people but reports of serious irregularities in the counting process of the votes has forced many people to break the law. All Kenyan tribes have gang against the Kikuyus!!
We all have a role to do something to mediate the conflicts in Kenya. The political leaders to engage in a spirit of compromise that puts the democratic interests of Kenya first.
In Rusinga Island, where Kageno is situated, no serious incidences of violence have occurred. Some people organized peaceful demonstrations a few times to the nearby town Mbita. The police used tear gas and bullets to keep them from pouring into the town center, some people were shot with live bullets leaving close to five people drowning in the Lake. The town of Mbita has been dead for days, with residents having money but no food to buy and some staying in their homes helplessly. The banking services are not working, no gas, no industrial products and no transport.
If this mess continues, there will be a huge need for a relief food and medical services for the residence of Rusinga Island community.
The future of this situation is hidden and your intervention is highly needed.
Alphonce Okuku,
Kageno Kenya Trust,
Country Director.

WORLD AIDS DAY 2007

December 1st is internationally recognized as World AIDS Day and Kageno marked the occasion with a community event that drew over 2000 participants and guests."Leadership" was this year's theme.

A group of People Living With AIDS ( PLWAs ) sang songs and gave testimonials on the importance of knowing one's HIV status and living as an open HIV positive person. The PLWAs joined Rusinga Island community officials, local pastors and a nurse from Tom Mboya Health Centre in presenting current statistics and testing information to the community at large.

Kageno provided meals and beverages to attendees while various community groups performed dramas, narratives and skits. The Baptist Church performed a Christian choir and Tuungane Youth Group provided the free voluntary Counseling and Testing services as well as donating the Public address system. The speeches and performances were scheduled around the sports activities, with Rusinga Island youth teams competing in games of volleyball, football (soccer) and netball (a version of basketball for women). Children participated in sack races and the adults played net ball. As the day came to an end, awards were given to the winning teams.

A highlight of the event was when community leaders including the area Assistant Chief, Kageno Kenya Director and leaders of other community based groups took the lead and went for Voluntary Counseling and Testing. Over 200 people showed interest when they saw the community leaders taking the lead and received testing as well.

By Kageno supporting the world Aids day 2007 event, the lives of many people have been directly affected on Rusinga Island, giving them hope and opportunity. They will be working to increase their knowledge on HIV/AIDS, control the spread of infectious diseases, and ultimately live better and healthier lives.

Many thanks to the donors who made today's event possible!

Alphonce Okuku
Kageno Kenya Director