Two people die after accidentally drowning in a dam

By Daniel Mwendo

Two people died after accidentally drowning in Yambuu dam in Mutomo Sub-County early this morning. Mr. Ndiisya, a seasoned water peddler in Mutomo Township perished while trying to rescue Tonny Peter Moki, a form four student at Mutomo mixed secondary who had slipped into the dam. The dam is located about 1 KM away from Mutomo township.

Residents during the rescue operation 
(Photo:Daniel Mwendo /MCV) 

The day was a beehive of activity as residents converged at the dam to witness the sad incidence while  rescue efforts by fellow residents got underway. Mutomo police personnel arrived at the scene at around 9.15 a.m but with no rescue gear to retrieve the bodies, they concentrated on pushing away the curious crowd from the dam.

Kitui County Deputy Governor, Ms. Pennina Malonza arrived at the scene at around 11.00 a.m in company of CDF officials and galvanized the rescue operations which involved pumping out the water and using local divers for the rescue mission.

By around 4.30 p.m., Tonny Peter’s body was retrieved. However, by the time this reporter left the scene, water was still being pumped out with Mr. Ndiisya’s body still lodged in the dam.

Members of the public who were present expressed their shock at how the county has not factored in disaster preparedness in their development agenda.

Mutunga Musyoki, a resident said that he expected the county team to come with rescue gear. Another resident, Muthoki Ntheesya told this reporter that so far seven people have perished the same way in the dam.

“It is time that a piping system was connected to the dam and people barred from drawing water directly from the dam,’’ said Mr. Ntheesya.

Mutomo township enjoys improved education standards

By Daniel Mwendo

The standards of  education provision has gone a notch higher in Mutomo township as private academies have sprouted all over, all on a mission to providing quality education to the residents. The latest entrant into the field is St Christopher Rockview academy which opened its doors on 7^th January this year.

Located approximately fifty metres off Kitui-Kibwezi road near Mbeke towers, the day primary school, boasts of an enrolment of forty seven pupils with classes ranging from pre-school to standard four. According to Crispus Mutia Kimutu, the proprietor, plans have been finalized to have standard five and six next term.

St. Christopher Rockview academy primary school
staff and pupils pose for a photo outside the school
(Photo/Daniel Mwendo :MCV)

“The school has very qualified teachers-two ECDE and four P1 trained teachers- who are able to give the children the tender lovely care they need for their mental development,” says Mr. Kimutu.

For Mutomo residents, the school is one of its kind for it is the only school with school van services in town. The proprietor says this measure is geared towards ensuring the pupils’ safety.

Bretta Malombe, a parent applauds the school van services stating that it avoids the parents unnecessary worrying about their children’s safety.

Pocket friendliness is a factor which gives the academy a competitive edge over its other private counterparts in the township. Additionally, to prepare the children to be digital compliant, plans have been finalized to have computer classes at the commencement of next term.

The school provides a balanced diet fruits inclusive and as we visited the school, the children were happily taking a half loaf of bread with soda, a fatherly gesture which Mr. Kimutu extends from time to time.

Kitui South Residents enjoy a free medical camp

By Daniel Mwendo

Over 2,000 people of all ages and sexes availed themselves from different sides of Kitui south constituency to benefit from a free medical clinic held today at Mutomo primary school grounds. The medical clinic, sponsored by the Khaki Foundation in conjunction with the Safaricom Foundation, KEMSA, Pharmacy and Poisons Board and Diabetics Management Institute (DMI) saw people with different ailments receive tests and drugs. The event was one of its kind and magnitude since independence.

Medical personnel from Mutomo sub-county converged at the primary school grounds to ensure the success of the event as residents started streaming as early as 6.00 a.m. There were heart wrenching cases like Mr. Maleve Kitema’s two girl twins from Mutha division, Voo location who were born without mouth openings and doctors had to improvise a small mouth opening which only allows them to feed on liquid foods.

Medical experts present educated those present about the various diseases and were quick to point out that diseases like diabetics were life style diseases which can be prevented by doing exercises and going back to traditional foods like millet and sorghum, a sentiment echoed by Professor Muasya, the chairman of Khaki Foundation and the deputy vice chancellor, administration and planning SEKU University.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Irungu of DMI hinted that a project targeting 12 year olds will be launched  with an objective of sensitizing these children on good eating habits as they can easily influence the type of food taken at the family level.

The local MP,Dr.Rachael Kaki Nyamai addresses the crowd
during the free medical camp (Photo:Daniel Mwendo/MCV)

“Kitui County will benefit from the second phase of the project,” she said

The Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Cherop appreciated the event organizers’ efforts stating that it was the first of its kind for the seven years he had been in the sub-county. Mr. Cherop cited poverty and illiteracy as twin challenges which were preventing the locals from accessing health facilities.

“I am therefore urging other elected leaders to consider emulating the local MP and initiate such free medical clinics” said the administrator.

In her brief speech, the local Member of Parliament, Dr. Rachael Kaki Nyamai thanked the sponsors of the event and all the other parties for making the event a success. Using the twin analogy, the MP said that Ikutha district will be the venue for the next event .To boost education, hence reduce poverty, the politician said that her CDF office had given bursary worth over 12 million.

Dr.Kaki additionally promised that she will ensure that Mutomo and Ikutha health centers are alleviated to district hospitals.