America is a threat to our security

An opinion by Eric Sindabi

RECENTLY the National Security Committee that was chaired by President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga held a crucial meeting over the Somalia crisis that threatens to infuriate Kenya . It shows a great national concern over the insecurity that is being caused by the emergency in the neighboring country.

However a critical view is the fact that the root matter of the situation is the United States of America factor in the Somalia crisis. The fact that Kenya is and will ever be linked to the US in many ways is the paradox never the less. For instance, the current President of USA Mr.Barrack Obama has roots in Kenya . It is a matter of unease for example therefore that his government’s commitment to continue fighting terrorism across the world can have a bearing on our heads given to the situation in Somali.

It rekindles sad memories of the terrorism attacks on Kenya some time back by the al-Qaeda terror group that purportedly targets countries allied to the United States of America . The rivalry between the fugitive terrorist Osama Bin Laden the perceived sponsor of al-Qaeda, and America indeed has proved a great threat to our security.
In August 1998 the bombing of the US Embassy in Kenya along side the neighboring Tanzania killed 224 people. In November 2002 a suicide attack on a tourist Hotel owned by an American killed 16 people.

The US has charged that the Al-Shabaab militia group that is responsible for the upsurge in Somalia has links with al-Qaeda. The militia groups on the other hand have repeatedly and openly warned to attack any group or country that supports America and the Somali government. It is to this fact that the National Security Committee should keep vigil and steer Kenya off the feud between USA and terror groups.

The insecurity condition within and around our borders thus has become a matter of great alarm. The government should iron out the real situation and come out openly to assure Kenyans about their security. The head of State in particular should address the nation and assure of his constitutional commitment towards safeguarding Kenya's sovereignty and lives of citizens. Indeed the mention of another terrorist attack in our midst sends cold shivers on the back of every innocent Kenyan. It is unfortunate that innocent Kenyans or rather countries should bear the brand of a perceived war between America and Terror groups.

How a killer brew ravaged a village in Njoro

By Eric Sindabi and Harrisson Muigai
It is a hot afternoon as we arrive at Kihingo village along Nakuru/Mau Narok highway. An elderly woman is seated on a wooden chair outside her home a few meters away from the business centre. She toys with the hair of one of her grandchildren and she seems to readily welcome visitors in her home regardless of their mission. However her composed body posture and nostalgic appearance is makes it difficult for one to judge her but she has a sad story to tell anyway.
"I am Hannah Wanjiru Ndun'gu," She introduces herself then pauses obviously calling upon us to introduce ourselves further.
After serving us a cup of tea, Wanjiru gathers incredible courage to start narrating an inflicting emotional story of how her son Samwel Ng'ang'a, drunk a lethal brew and diedsometime back.She now takes care of his widow and children. Samwel Ng'an'ga then a 36year old father of two and a habitual drunkard had been on a drinking spree with a friend the night before he died. He had ventured into his mother's compound where he lived with his wife crawling and unable to neither walk nor talk. . When he had managed to mutter few words all he had said was that he had consumed the killer brew, then collapsed and died.
Killer brew
Funuki, as the killer brew was popularly known in Kihingo Location of Njoro Division is a corrupted Swahili word for bunduki (Gun).The illicit brew was responsible for deaths of more than twenty people in the area in a span of only six months some five years ago.The highly addictive and mysterious brew caused deaths more indirectly than directly under bizarre circumstances. Those who consumed the deadly brew some times died instantly, committed suicide, murdered others or destroyed property while others ran amok.

"It was a queer brew that brought untold tragedy in this area" says Edward Mwangi a village elder. Mwangi who has been a local opinion elder for a long time says that illicit brews have been consumed in the village since 1974. He says, people who are involved in illicit brews business have ever been apprehended and charged in law courts but could crop up after a while to keep the illicit business alive.
According to the opinion leader, many young people easily get hooked to illicit drinks because of poverty and idleness. In turn the lives and social economic standards of the youths get shattered. Many turn to be hopeless in life while others lose their lives
Mzee mwangi however says that the common Busaa and Chang'aa illicit brews that were originally the common illegal brews in the area were not as lethal as funuki proved to be. “Drinking was rife but the brews did not cause tragedy as was the case with funuk”.He recalls.
Crime
"Crime in the area escalated. Young men spend most of their time roaming around shopping centers and drinking spots. Where do you think they got money to drink funuki?" Mwangi wonders aloud. He says, Villagers complained after losing property to petty thieves while rampant mugging incidences were reported. An accusing hand was directed at the young men who were hooked to funuki .He says through investigations some culprits were arrested and charged in court but that did not however improve the situation. The community was definitely suffering the consequences of the deadly brew.

Notorious
Funuki was in existence since early 2001 after a group of local notorious illicit brews dealers introduced it. The killer brew was allegedly manufactured by dissolving an unknown powder in water. The solution become alcoholic instantly. Though tasteless, colorless and unscented the wonder brew’s effects were strange.
Funuki was sold secretly in the homesteads of selected dealers. Revelers entered the venues that were secured with iron gates, and made an order. A seller could then fetch water from a tap and dissolve an un known powder in cups of water to prepare a drink for consumption by a reveler.

The seller knew his customers well and could only serve a new reveler if accompanied by a regular one. After taking their respective shares, revelers could be seen past the gates by the seller immediately they finished drinking “This ensured that the alcohol effects on revelers did not occur while they were in the compound.
The liquor, which cost Ksh.30, a cup was anonymous in origin and only the dealers held the secret of its ingredients. This according to villagers was to keep at bay potential competitors into the illicit business.
Far reaching
The effects of funuki were incredible and far reaching. A person under the influence of it could suffer from acute diarrhea and vomiting or he become very violent.
Many cases of violence were common with revelers. According to villagers, in one of the incidences, a middle aged man had lured his girlfriend to drinking spree of funuki and afterwards killed her in cold blood. In yet another incidence two brothers fought at their father's home resulting to the death of one of them. They had been drinking funuki together.
"My son Douglas Muiruri aged 34 was found dead in September 2001 in a disused quarry," says Anne Waithaka a retired teacher. Muiruri who left behind a widow and one child had been drinking funuki when he met his death.
A local business man Ndung’u Karanja has also had a share of the agony. His son Josephat Kagombe who was aged 28, under the influence of funuki committed suicide. Kagombe had taken to drinking and quarreled with his wife on daily basis. He could extend his fury to members of his extended family even after his father having warned him several times not to venture into his house while drunk.One day, Kagombe had entered his father's house in a drunken state before picking up a quarrel with his parents. Then he had dashed out of the house. His father thinking that he had gone for a weapon to use to attack him, had too looked for a crude weapon and stood alert, waiting for the would be assailant. However that was not the case. Kagombe had gone for a poison but not a weapon. He had died soon after consuming rat rat.
Orphans and School dropouts
Tens of old people in Kihingo are taking care of their grandchildren and their mothers after their sons allegedly died after consuming the deadly funuki . May be this is the worst effect the mysterious drink ever had on this Njoro community. David Wamathingira, a teacher at the local Larmudiac Primary School and the Kenya National Union of Teachers Nakuru district deputy treasurer says that funuki likewise affected the area seriously on the education side.
"Most parents who consumed the brew neglected their families which meant they could not provide fees and other basic needs to their school going children.He says that as a result many children dropped out of school. On the other hand some teachers were interdicted for desertion of their duties. “These teachers were addicts of funuki. Says Mr. Wamathingira.
War against the killer brew
In fighting the sale and drinking of the brew, the church, the government and residents put up a spirited war against the killer brew. The local church leaders decried the brew business during funerals of victims and in church sermons.The men of cloth made humble appeals to residents especially the youth to dissist from the temptations of the deadly brew. The campaign by the church was followed by demonstrations by residents urging the government to arrest and prosecute funuki dealers.This seemed to have worked as the local provincial administration officials soon organized a man hunt to arrest the illegal lethal brew dealers. However villagers say that it was not easy as such. The dealers proved very slippery and went underground. The villagers say that a continued manhunt for the brewers by police however frustrated their business and that is what contributed to the diminishing of the killer brew. Meanwhile church leaders were intensifying their efforts to win more people to church. Many crusades were organized where preachers discouraged locals’ against the brew. All these efforts saw to the end of the reign of the killer brew. Nevertheless memories of the tragedies that funuki caused to this community will never cease.
Sociologists have warned that alcohol consumption in Kenya is a major social economic problem. According to NACADA the national agency against drug abuse, at least 70% of Kenyans consume alcohol.

A drinking nation-Yes we are!

An anecdote by Philip Kagia

The global economic crisis is affecting not only poor nations but even heavy weights such as the United States of America, Japan, Britain, China, Canada among others, have not been left out. Our own Kenyan economy is not an exception.
The government has confessed it and every citizen in our country is feeling it hard.

Everyday many starve and die out of hunger and the general social life is a mere hopelessness. Never the less, a critical survey at our social behaviors and indeed characters sounds ironical, absurd and un realistic as to match the perceived economic situation.

Many case studies on our general social culture have taken me a back to brand Kenyans as “drinking nation” This notion is heart renting and a matter of great concern as I take more time to watch over the struggling poor Kenyans in a gesture to put food on their tables at the end of the day.

At the crack of dawn every Kenyan is ever on the move, up and down, tirelessly hoping to salvage an opportunity for survival. As busy as a bee and as radical in mind like a holocaust survivor, an ordinary Kenyan and indeed even the noble, struggle to make ends meet. Just like president Kibaki encouraged us- to strive to be a working Nation!

Never the less as the day opens up and the afternoons begin to grow old towards dusk, I move around my home town of Nakuru with a mission to observe the drinking habits of my fellow Kenyans. I have picked Nakuru as a case study to represent the whole country because I have knowledge that what happens here is most likely to be happening there.

It is Kenya here and there whether it is Kisumu,Nairobi, Mombasa, Busia or where ,just name it but anywhere in Kenya, it is Kenya. We share so much in common and so much in the market. What we talk about the economy and what we buy from the market are very similar. In other words we are a nation. In my study however I want to brand Kenya –a drinking nation. So read on to prove me right or wrong but I will speak my mind out!

My humble but dedicated survey begins from the CBD of this Rift Valley province headquarters in an afternoon. Off Kenyatta avenue I start meandering from street to one street to another, spotting and counting and of cause piping in any drinking spot that I recognize. I move on from street to street and within two hours I have combed the whole CBD counted and encountered a great deal of alcohol drinking venues and its revelers.

What I saw, where, and more about it will remain confidential in this narration but I guess any Kenyan can have a rough idea of what I experienced. The only important issue to be noted here is that some hard earned cash was being spent somewhere some place! Lest you forget that Nakuru is in Kenya and so I conclude that at this particular time and moment, some where some place in another or other in Kenya,the same is happening.

As dusk appeals it is time to venture the other side of the town. I hire a motorbike taxi and more from one residential area to another with the same mission and objective. The observation is similar and the conclusion remains the same - some hard earned cash is being spent on alcohol and other drugs in filthy venues! We Kenyans are so adamant to change our social outfits that do not go well with the current economic situation but still cry wolf over the biting economy.

We are not being sincere to decry the bitter economy while we work so hard to spend unnecessarily. From my layman’s understanding the term economy means the ability to plan resources well so as to satisfy needs. Do we as a nation believe that alcohol and other drugs are basic needs to our lives? If yes why? And if not, then why spend our hard earned cash on alcohol and other filthy stuff?

The government indeed has admitted that Kenya seats on a time bomb unless the escalating drinking habits of its citizens is plaid. Government statistics indicate that the Western part of the country followed by Nairobi and Central lead in alcohol consumption.

The reports further reveal that the careless consumption of alcohol derails not only the social standards of Kenyans but also economic endeavors. The point is finally at home-why should we continue to endeavor to be “a drinking nation” while we need the little cash we have to improve our lives?

Educate Kenyans about Law

An opinion By Eric Sindabi
Many Kenyans suffer in justice of many kinds simply because they are ignorant of the provisions of the laws of their country. As a result injustices abound in plenty in our midst where citizens of this country continue to be exploited while they ought to exploit the law in order to improve their lives.

From government services like Police and law enforcement, Courts of law, labor and basic human rights, many Kenyans do not know nor understand their rights thus have remained in the dark.

The police for example exploit innocent and ignorant Kenyans who merely live in fear of jail or being locked up in cells. Many Kenyans suffer police harassment and brutality and extortion simply because the forces take advantage of ignorance of law.

Likewise many Kenyans have continued to be exploited socially or in employment simply because they do not understand or know particular legal provisions in given situations. Thus most have undergone great sufferings while more have failed to achieve their basic rights as citizens of this country.

For example many innocent citizens languish in police cells, jails and others even lose their lives. Those who innocently or by ignorance find themselves on the wrong side of the law lose jobs, careers and even families and their own lives.

It should be a government’s prerogative to ensure that citizens have learnt basic knowledge of the laws that govern their country. The notion that ignorance to law is no defense is a weapon of exploitation but not development nor protection.

In countries especially outside Africa and indeed in a few in our continent where citizens are well abreast with law, law and order abide. In such countries interestingly if not ironically, the governments spend less in the process of maintaining law and order. The citizens are also less taxed in terms of Court fines. Many citizens likewise never spend parts of their lives in jails.

I tend to feel that by keeping Kenyans in the dark about law provisions is a biggest injustice. Why should the government continue using law to exploit its citizens instead of developing the economy and improving lives? Good laws can indeed develop a nation but manipulating negatively is injustice.

The civil society, Parliament and other stakeholders should champion for a civil education to enlighten Kenyans about laws on a wide scope. This will ensure that Kenyans will be fully aware of their rights and reduce the un due exploitation being subjected upon them in the name of law.

For example Kenyans should be well versed with law provisions on issues like; Crime, Child abuse, Human rights, marital status, employment, environment, commercial and government responsibilities. The on-going law reforms, the current parliament and police reforms agenda, hence should look into this matter.

It should for example be the responsibility of the police to carry out civil education on law as they are the law enforcers. Other stake holders like the media, civil society and the Law Society of Kenya apart from the Courts, should take an active role in educating Kenyans about laws of their country on grassroots levels. In any society, law should aim at nurturing good lives while a better nation is where all and sundry perceive fairness but never where many are exploited in the name of law.

Kenya needs competent leaders Not must youthful ones

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An opinion By Eric Sindabi
I refer to recent provocations and ineptitude plans by a section of leaders in the country of trying to groom a young leader to take over leadership. It should be clear that Kenya lacks visionary leaders and that it is not a young leader who necessarily can close that gap. Corruption and selflessness that sum up to incompetence have no boundaries in leadership.

Any person old or young can lead this country so long as she or he qualifies. The fact that youth are the majority in our country does not mean that they ought to have one of their own in top leadership of the country.

Every Kenyan-from those aging grannies in the village, to the retiring civil servant, the under age, the youth and all other categories of citizens in our country need services from a government. It is therefore irrational and a mere political ploy to try to classify citizens on age brackets. In our country, in fact all classes of people are un- privileged apart from the corrupt politicians and their associates.

The youth and indeed all Kenyans should be wary of these old political tricks that have all along been used to woo them into making election decisions. We will remember for example the infamous Youth for Kanu agenda of 1992 and of late the Vijana Tugutuke of the last general elections. To a highly thinking Kenyan like me I pose to ask; why can’t our leaders seek agendas that aim at uniting all citizens? Why apply divide and rule tactics? Politicians anyway are people who employ dubious means on their way to power and youth of this country have ever been the worst targets and above all the losers. It is high time politicians stopped playing games with the youth and other citizens.

Let us have national leaders (Young or old) but working towards uniting all Kenyans and preaching development agenda for all classes of Kenyans. Anyone can lead so long as she or he serves all Kenyans with dedication.

Those going around advocating for a youthful leader and trying to divide Kenyans on age groups and other social status are simply applying out dated political tactics that will never succeed. They should wake up and learn that majority of Kenyans know what they want- National leaders to serve them in building the economy in a corruption free and un-tribal environment.

To me these people have a hidden agenda and are simply talking about the term “youth” to hoodwink un suspecting Kenyans. There are so many youth development agendas that have been started but have never benefited them. Let these people know that one can only unite sheep that are grazing in a plentiful field but not the hungry scattered all over in the jungle in search of pasture.

Heart breaking tales of IDPs in Nakuru

BY PHILIP KAGIA
The post poll violence tragedy that unfolded in front of us over the past two years tells of painful accounts of irreparable loss. Carving to new street families that depend on well wishers for money, food, clothing and shelter- a personal encounter with one of the street families was heart breaking. As I walk home am approached by two young girls who to my reasoning should be in school.

At first I did not invite them for a show because I thought they were just part of another street gang out there to manipulate me but their case turned out to be different when one of them mentioned that she was an IDP from Nyama Choma camp along Nakuru /Nairobi highway. The solemn mood she posses tells it all so I finally give in to their plea.

The lady introduces her self as Njoki and narrates her story as I quote “sisi tume toka pande ya molo na kwa sasa sisi tu ko hapa nyama choma na hapo kuna shinda ya mavazi, chakula na tunaomba usaidizi wa kila aina …..(We are originally from Molo but for now we are Internally Displaced Persons at Nyama Choma camp.There are untold suffering at the camp and we need clothing, food and other assistance.)

Out of curiosity I ask;kwani Red Cross na Serikali hawa leti chakula na nguo … ? (Aren’t you being supported by the Red Cross and the Government?). She posed with surprise and remarked; … Pole lakini unajua huwa wana leta kidogo nahaitoshi (Sorry but the support is very minimal and we are so many in the camp.)

As I look at her more closely I realize that she is pregnant! Oh God! The emptiness and sympathy I feel is incomparable to no virtue in this world .At the first point I figure out that she is definitely selling out her body to get the money she needs for food and other basic necessities. God forbid!

The tidbit of this story shows how we Kenyans are so short in memory of the events that pre disposed the IDPs scenario. Much goes to the political elite who instead of holding the matter at their shoulders, are busy enjoying the fruits of the post poll violence-the struggle for power, as the ordinary Kenyan desperately cry for justice, while suffering.

The politicians keep on running away from the truth of the matter that the Internally Displaced People are suffering because of their (politicians) selfish gains. Their greed for power aimed at corrupt missions tells of the story of the greedy Hyena or wild dog that favors no situation but the ends to meet by all means the flesh, whether alive or dead,the target.The public coffer is the flesh.

Let the government implement Uhuru Kenyatta ‘s Finance Ministry plan of letting out money from the kind of luxurious and dubious spending by politicians and at least give the Nyama Choma Internaly Displaced Persons and many others who are suffering just because politicians wanted power. Will they have to wait until the undated day to go back home but at the moment we still have to cope with the street beggars who once had a home and worked hard to make ends meet?

Gazette more protected areas

An opinion by Eric Sindabi
Environmentalists have put forward that the continued destruction of the natural resources will not only affect the human life but also the economy. For example global warming is one of the worst effects of environmental degradation that is caused directly by human activities on the natural environment. The results are diverse long term disasters like droughts, floods, and desertification, Tsunami, and disease outbreaks. On the other hand degradation of the natural environment also causes economic downfall.
For example according to a recent report by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Kenya may lose about 300 million natural environment asset if efforts to conserve the Mau are not up held.
The government should provide long term environmental protection plans by gaze ting more protected areas in the country. Some of the areas to be targeted as protected areas should include river basins and other wetland areas apart from forest resources. Parliament and the concerned ministries and government stakeholders in environmental protection should provide guidelines in enacting laws that will ensure that more natural environment areas are gazeted as government protected areas. The laws and policies should criminalize any interference with the areas in any negative ways.
Such laws or policies will ensure that an encroachment in natural areas is diminished. Pollution of rivers and lakes will also be diminished as of deforestation among other environmental destruction activities.
Protecting more natural environment areas can boost eco- tourism and increase natural products like water, fish, fruits, Minerals, and timber products. This can improve the country’s economy and develop the lives of Kenyans.

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Water Project in Njoro to boost local resources

By Eric Sindabi
The high amount of pressure on land in Mau region encompassing of Njoro division in the west of Nakuru has resulted to the degradation of the local watershed resources.
Research shows that this is caused by insufficient ground water levels which result as for excess harvesting in the region, and which is due to the high populations in the area, as also industry and other water users.

For example, the huge settlement pattern around Egerton university and local communities comprising of over a hundred thousand plus people and livestock all manipulate the local water body.
For example Massive settlements and economic activities along the river around the university and in Njoro town where the river meanders through,are attracted by the expansion of the institute among others, which indeed add to the pressure on Njoro River.
Here, all human, animal, agricutre, business and industrial water needs are all depend ant on Njoro River.

The department of Environment and Natural Resources of Egerton University has nevertheless overtime initiated co-operative initiatives by liaising with other stakeholders locally and internationally in a gesture to providing a sustainable management for the water body.

A recent initiative by the academic centre in collaboration with the Rift Valley Water Services Board (R.V.W.S.B) is set to solve water crisis in Njoro by constructing a dam to boost water harvesting. The project is dabbed; “Njoro-Egerton Water Supply, Sanitation and Conservation Centre".

According to sources, the project is aiming at supplying about 16,000m3 of water a day, to Njoro residents. The project is partly being sponsored by the European Union (E U) and likewise aims at reducing the high poverty level of majority of the locals. The source says, this will be by enabling reliable, affordable and safe water resources to the community.

"The project aims at implementing specific millennium development goals (M.D.G.S) and World Bank summit for sustainable development (W.S.S.D) target on water and sanitation in developing countries"Says a media report at Egerton University.

The dam’s site will be located at a rural setting in the region that is inhabited by low-income earners, with very limited access to safe and reliable water resources. The project, the source added, will mitigate the number of water bone related ailments among residents. Other benefits of the dam will include an increase in water supply for domestic use, Agriculture, livestock, development, industry and institutions.

Thus, the project will foresee to the reduction of the amount of water harvest from Njoro River, cease pressure on the river and the rejuvenation of underground water tables and rivers in Mau, hence conserving the water shed.

Egerton University alone has over twenty boreholes which however are drying up. The varsity is also strategically located along the river, which boost its serene out view and environmental programmes like research and academic activities in Geography, natural resources, zoology and botany. Likewise,the University's fast growing famous Botanic Garden is located on the banks of Njoro river dis tributary.

The continued expansion of the university attracts more students, staff, visitors and investors in the area. This, research reports say, has greatly contributed to the amount of pressure exerted on Njoro River.

An environmental stakeholders research programme called -Sustainable Management of Water Resources (SUMAWA)based at the University reports indicate that the chemical state of the river's water caused by pollution, is a threat to human,livestock and wild life health in the region.

The reports indicate further that the continued human pressure being exerted on local rivers that drain in Lake Nakuru will lower the water level of the Lake thus provide a threat for its extinction.SUMAWA advocates for the conservation of local watershed through educating the locals environmental ethics and protection.The research programme also initiates tapped water projects in local communities to discourage consumption of poluted river water by the locals.

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The wonders of magic theater

BY ERIC SINDABI
In performing arts like music, ballet, dance, circus, opera, drama, mimes, concert, cabaret among others, only magic theater, according to critics, comes out extra ordinary because of its mystic nature.

According to literary critics, magic theater touches every corner of the world and is interesting, eye catching and to all-young and old and other cadres of humanity. In magic theater, the language of tricks, human dexterity and illusion is universal.

Magic as an art seems to have evolved independently in many cultures of the world. Rarely has it been studied that magic art as being borrowed from one either race to another nor society to another.

Deities

As early as the 14th century magic as an art in theater industry was already developed in areas like China, United Kingdom, Japan, India, America and in some parts of Europe. Interestingly, according to studies, links between magic and religion are very strong. In many cultures of the world, only people linked to deities or superstition were engaged to magic. The word magic itself is defined as the secret power of appearing to perform or do impossible things.

or example in African cultures witchdoctors and Devine rulers were believed to perform magic. In the Biblical Jewish society Prophets and patriarchs were believed to perform magic and were directly connected with God.

The original Jewish traditional beliefs of creation of mankind, according to the holy Bible, God created the universe from formlessness through magic.

In the modern and even ancient Christian world, prayers are believed to infuse miracles that are closely linked to the phenomenon of magic. Jesus Christ performed numerous miracles during his mission and even his dispels are believed to have performed miracles. To date modern Christians and preachers believe in miracles that is a direct communication between a worshiper and God.

Book

The first published book on magic theater called; Hocus pocus (The anatomy of Legerdemain) was published in 1630.Hocus was a Court magician during the reign of King James 1 of England. One of the greatest magic Theater heroes of the world was Giovanni Giuseppe Pinetti who conjured in leading European theaters between 1750-1800.The first theater dedicated to magic was set up in England at the old Egyptian Hall in London in the 18th century.

Illusion
An illusion that was called “The living half of a woman” was performed to show a beautiful woman appearing to have no legs resting on a raised flat surface. Another popular illusion in magic arts was running a sword through a person’s body.

Modern street magic theater artists are able to lie down and let a heavy vehicle pass on them. Others can act like eating fire, others walk on ropes, make people “give birth to eggs” and can “bisect a womb of a woman and expose internal organs. Others can “manufacture foodstuffs” while others can fancy piercing a sharp object through parts of a human body.

Society
The first society in the world devoted to magicians was born in 1905 in England. Under the British Magical Society magicians from all walks of England came together to market themselves and to uphold their rights and welfare. In America the Magic Guild caters for the welfare and rights of magic theater players.

In Kenya the Association of Magicians is responsible for the activities of magicians and traditional med icemen. Under the Ministry of Culture and social services, the Association issues Certificates to practicing magicians and bush doctors and monitors their activities. The association also champions for the rights of local magicians and prohibits exploitation and negative publicity of its members.

As much said and speculated about magic, it remains an art that is mysterious, catchy and universal. It has no boundaries or cultures of difference but is both wonderful and un exploited. To many, magic theater is non existent yet is all and about.

Elevate Nakuru to a city status

By Eric Sindabi

NAKURU TOWN is the fourth largest urban centre in the country. It is the headquarters of the largest province in Kenya-READ Rift valley.

Nakuru is also one of the oldest urban centers in the county having developed as a Trade, Agriculturural and Transportation centre.

To late Nakuru still marshals in these fields and has proved to be one of the most key urban centers in the country. It lies between the western and central parts of the country and plays a big role as a link centre.

The Town’s human geographical attributes including ultra modern buildings and a green landscape is a force to reckon with while it gives way for expansion. In fact the town was once reputed as among the most cleanest in the continent of Africa.

As a centre of tourism attraction Nakuru boasts of some of the most famous sites in the world. The re-known Flamingos of Lake Nakuru National Park,The Menengai Crater and the Hyrax pre-historic hill are all situated in the heart of Nakuru Town.

Nakuru is also an attribute to such local higher and middle level academic centers like Egerton and Kabarak Universitys.

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The tantalizing tales of tress

By Eric Sindabi

1. Environmental lovers and other stakeholders have always applied trees in their gestures to conserve the environment and other related programmes .For example we at Egerton engage in an annual tree planting environmental activity like the one that took place recently in all the campuses. However a lot about trees is left undesired. According to reference sources trees are man’s best environmental friend. People think of trees as if they will live always. Year after year, generation after generation, for trees beautify man’s environment. Old trees shade houses and city streets from the sun. Their buds and flowers are signs of seasons. World medicinmen extract specimens from tree, leaves, bucks and roots. Their flowers turn to fruits for animal and human food. Mills and factories reap millions from tree trunks, bucks and other parts. Trees continue to grow as long as they live.


2. The term tree means larger plant according to botanic science. Trees live longer than any other plant species. While scientific research indicates that trees are the oldest non-living things , first from man and animals. For example the world’s largest living thing is the Sherman tree found in the sequoia National Park in California. It measures 272 feet in length and 36 feet width .The travelers tree which grows in Malagasy can store up to pints of water in its long leaf stalks. On the other hand the tallest tree of the world are the Californian red woods ranching between 300-400 feet long .


3. The ombu tree of Argentina has been termed the world’s hardest tree species. It survives without water while it cannot be cut down nor burnt out. It survives violent storms, intense heat and insect attacks. Addingly the African famous baobab is one of the most useful tree of the world. It has a huge trunk, which can store water or form tree houses after hollowing .T he trees leaves are used as vegetables and medical herbs .The fruits, seeds and roots are all used in various domestic needs.


4. About 30 million years ago, Botanist say there were many more trees species than the ones growing today. For example scientist believe that some deserts, oasis, swamps, mountains and forest growing tree species have died out. Trees fossils research has shown that some minerals and forest resources contains tree fossils of many tree fossils of many tree species that died over more than hundred million years ago. For example coal deposit and petrified forests have been found to contain tree fossils. Some of these tree species have been identified as club moss tree and horsetail trees that grew in coal forming swamps while modern ones are herbs. Man has helped tree life Continuation by conserving the environment and replacing trees for many purposes and from one climatic condition to another .In Kenya , for example we have both indigenous and exotic trees. Some hundred years ago, eulycaptus trees grew only in Australia but today, many eucalyptuses beautify cities, hills, parks and forests all over the world. Home owners all over the world plant various tree species for shade, decorations commercial windbreakers or for fruit harvest. End

Of writers and Politics in Africa

BY ERIC SINDABI
According to literary critics, literature is all about Man and his environment. It is to this note therefore that one could easily come across political and related themes in most African creative works or normally referred to as African Literature.
The critics say that to write in Africa, one has to tackle three aspects of the continent including history, identity, and destiny. Since the political independence the African social –economic environment has been pre-occupied with power struggle and its distribution. Here, capitalism, socialism, imperialism and neo-colonialism have taken a centre stage in many forms.
Hence to write in Africa, one cannot side step these issues. Politics is all about life on a day to day scope in society. Politics indeed shape the destiny and nature of livelihoods of a people as it involves power and society.
Seasoned African creative writers like Prof.Chinua Achebe,Prof.Ngugi wa Nthiongo’,Christopher Okigbo,Dennis Brutus,Peter Abrahams,Alex Laguma,Ken Sarowiwa among others,have all tackled political themes in their creative works.
The writers have transcended the level of politics per se and even getting deeper into the minds of the culprit of post –colonial Africa; the illiterate, the un-employed, the urchin, the marginalized, the destitute and the peasant.
Chinua Achebe for example in A man of the people is disillusioned with how African independence took a degenerative process. Freedom became corruption while Democracy became Autocracy and dictatorship because of political immaturity.
In A walk in the night, Alex Laguma reflects the ills of the political apartheid system as it were in South Africa, while in the Trial of Dedan Kimathi Ngugi wa Ntiongo’ clearly puts across that to be a scribe means being with the people, being their voice, speaking out the silent cry of the masses and talking on behalf of the voice less.
Critics thus hint that it is to this basis that most post independence governments have always been so openly uncomfortable with seasoned writers. Their works inflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. These works dramatically depict the day to day experiences of the post colonial African masses in the hands of their governments or those in power.
Corruption, injustice, insecurity, poverty and hunger, bad laws and marginalization.....name it, all characterize the citizen of Africa.
African government leaders who hold on to power feel threatened by the activities of seasoned writers because they expose their ills and enlighten the society.
These writers have undergone un told sufferings in the hands of those in power for their noble creativity.
Many have tasted jail and lived in exile and some lost their lives for their works that depict the plight of the common man in the African society. Kenya has not been left behind in this. For example the presumed father of serious literature in Kenya Prof.Ngugi wa Nthiongo’ has had difficult times trying to soldier on with his creative works during the Kenyatta and Moi regimes. Indeed the author still lives in exile to date. Recently the writer and his family during a visit in the country were brutally assaulted by people who were believed to be politically linked out to intimidate the literature icon and force him out of the country.
Critics however categorically hint that literature transcends Geographical boundaries…that from our rural Kenyan villages, we can be able to access information about Kenya by someone in New York. Intimidating writers is not really killing their intelligentsia.

Nakuru Town Campus gets new Director

By Eric Sindabi

Egerton University Nakuru Town Campus,the home of Self Sponsored Programmes now has a new Director Professor Lenah Nakhone Wati. The immediate former director Prof.S.Kagwanja has been appointed deputy Principle in-charge of Administration and Finance at Chuka University College. Before her new assignment Prof.Nakhone was the Director of Crop Management and Research Centre (CMRT).
Talking to NewsLink recently, the new director said that her immediate goal was to stir SSP at Nakuru Town Campus to greater levels by first expanding facilities and creating centralized services. She said that there was a need to de-link most University Academic and Administrative services from the Main Campus in Njoro to provide efficiency at Nakuru Town Campus into meeting the University’s Vision and Mission.
The director hinted that the University Management was in a process of acquiring more space for Lecturer rooms and offices at Loncom House to reduce congestion at the Campus. She added that the Faculty of Commerce would soon be based at NTC.

Nakuru Town Campus located within Nakuru Municipality along George Morara Avenue is the foundation of the most competitive Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Self Sponsored degree programmes. Other major courses based at the Campus include; Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication (BACOM), Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences (BLINS), Bachelor of Industrial Technology (BIT) and Masters in Industrial Technology (MIT).Nakuru Town Campus is also the centre of the Twining degree programmes between Egerton and Michigan Universities.
Prof. Nakhone joined Egerton University in 1984 as a lecturer in the department of Chemistry Faculty of Science. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Chemistry and a Masters degree in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Nairobi. In 1986, she graduated with a PhD degree in Soil Sciences from the University of Nottingham (USA).In 2004 while on a sabbatical leave Prof.Nakhone won a Fullbright Senior Scholarship and taught and did research as a visiting scholar at Iowa State University-USA.
On the social scene, she is the President of the Nakuru region SOROPTIMIST International Club. The organization is an NGO which through charity and philanthropy aims at elevating the lives of marginalized women and girl child in the across the world. The NGO that is recognized by the United Nations comprises of educated and professional women who dedicate their energies and financial resources towards Community based Women related projects in over one hundred countries. It is headquartered in Philadelphia in the United States of America. Currently SOROPMIST is playing an active role in assisting women and girls in IDP camps in the country.

The un-told story of Hyrax Hill Museum

By Eric Sindabi
In the early 20s British settlers at a hill farm in Nakuru had discovered human fossils that later were to attract leading archaeologists in the world like Mr and Mrs Mary Leaky, and turn the site to be one of the most famed pre-historic archaeological sites in the world.
Hyrax hill is a small rocky lava ridge situated on the edges of Nakuru Town off the Nakuru Nairobi highway in the great rift valley of Kenya. The area measures about 500m in length and rises to about 50m above sea level.
The pre-historic site derives its name to hyrax animal species that predominantly inhabited the hill. According to biological definition an Hyrax is a small mammal of the rabbit family that live among rocks in Africa and Syria.
The animals are among the endangered species of the world.
Archaeological materials that date over 5000 years ago have been found at the site. Information ascertained from pre-historic sites can enable modern man understand the nature and way of life of pre-historic societies.

Hyrax site is one of the most crucial pre-historic sites not only in Kenya but in the whole world. It has been central to the discovery of the closest human revolution fossils for the last 100 years.
The archaeological information gathered here have helped in ascertaining knowledge of the transition from hunter/gather way of life as a survival means for the pre-historic occupants in some parts of the rift valley during the Neolithic and iron ages.

This information indicates that the people who occupied the site as a settlement area were pastoralists, hunters and gatherers who can be traced to the modern Maasai and Kalenjin ethnic groups normally described by historians as Sirikwa people
Archaeological materials like grinding stones, skeletons, skulls, iron bungles, pottery, among others have been used to draw archaeological decisions.
The hill occupants probably settled here as an ideal site to watch over advancing enemies and a strategic grazing, hunting ground and water source at the Lake Nakuru.
The National Museums of Kenya took over the site after the white settlers surrendered it to the government in 1927.
The Hyrax pre-historic site comprises of a natural environment of indigenous trees, grass, rocks, shrub and herbs. The habitat attracts a variety of bird species and other wild life species like Hyena, Snake, Hyrax, and Tortoise. Visitors at the museum can be fascinated by a tortoise pit and nature trails up the hill.
The museum gallery contains cast fossil collections art artifact collections. A magnificent view of the Lake Nakuru, Town and the Great Rift Valley is clear at the hill top.
According to the deputy curator of the Museum Mr. Peter Talam, plans are at an advanced stage to introduce a snake park and Tourist class resort centre at the site.

Is injustice a human nature?

An opinion by Eric Sindabi
I tend to believe that injustice, the contradictory of Justice is a natural phenomenon that is connected to the human society. Ever since or time immemorial, down the history of Man kind and even centuries before and after the death of Christ injustice has existed.
History shows that People have ever been unjust to others while people have always cried and yearned for justice.
Reference books define the term Justice as the practice of fairness, un biased and impartiality.
Being just is like adherence to the right thing or conforming to good and expected standards in society.
Injustice thus is a vice while justice is a virtue and an expected social standard ethically, culturally and even spiritually.
In Kenya today for example majority of citizens cry foul and are up in arms with the Government for not up holding justice in the country. Ranging from the last general elections flawed results and the continued miss-management of public resources, to the crumbling economy, corruption in public and private sectors, insecurity, poverty and un equal distribution of resources are some of the issues that Kenyans cite for injustice by their political leaders.
As Kenyans soldier on to demand justice from politicians it should be reflected that justice is directly proportional to in justice. That justice cannot exist without in justice and the other way round. It is a human nature that exists in any society of the world and only God, according to Christian teachings, can be trusted for justice.
Indeed many nations of the world have ever experienced the In justice phenomenon that has contributed to the suffering of many now and in the past and where social and political tribulations are believed to be caused by a few unjust leaders.
Never the less victims of in justice have ever been tempted to apply all possible ways to decry in justice while oppressors too use all possible ways to en rich in justice.
This can explain the events that were witnessed in the country following the disputed presidential election results early this year. Many voters urged that by being denied, through rigging, and the practice of tribal politics, a chance to elect leaders of their choice was injustice of the highest order. Many voters believed that by electing leaders of their choice would be as well as making better choices for their lives as these leaders would have brought about the changes the country ache for to improve livelihoods.
In protests that followed many innocent Kenyans suffered a great deal with thousands being killed and displaced in the skirmishes that ruled the day. Likewise it is a great injustice according to social analysts for the government to put the citizens of this country in such an ugly situation. Neigh ours and associates in the country drawn from all walks of life that hitherto lived and co-existed peacefully soon turned against each other in support of particular politicians.
As Kenyans try to re -construct from the effects of the post poll violence, injustice still beckon and Justice seems to be far from site. It is as ever as normal as politicians continue squabbling than serving Kenyans on the most contentious issues. Indeed Philosophers have put forward that Justice can never be fully achieved in any human society. It is like heaven. We desire for it but we can never achieve it here on earth.

Incinerating services at Egerton to boost environmental conservation

By Eric Sindabi
The department of Animal Sciences at Egerton University in Njoro has acquired an incinerating machine that is intended to boost the local environmental conservation and protection. Incinerators are machines that are used to dispose off solid waste that can be hazardous once exposed to the environment.
In many developed countries incinerating machines are used by Municipal councils and in factories to destroy solid waste by burning.
This machine can be able to burn and destroy carcasses, vet nary and biological waste and other related materials to sterilize ashes that are non-hazardous when discharged to the physical environment.
This comes however when the government is fast implementing the use of such machines in all urban centers in the country. Recently the minister for public health professor Anyang nyong directed that all municipal councils should acquire incinerating machines to curb environmental degradation that is caused by solid waste dumping in urban centers in the country.
The heavy duty machine at Egerton that is now in full operation has a capacity of high temperatures of over 1000 degrees centigrade. Sources at the Animal Science department hint that the machine will be used for academic applications at the varsity and will also extend its services to the local community by targeting carcasses from local farmers apart from the University’s farm department.

The source said that the incinerating machine will mitigate on the hazardous means of disposing carcasses by local farmers.
Large incinerators are mainly applied in reducing the volume of wastes in disposal fields while there are also smaller household refuse incinerators. These machines come in handy most communities where land fill space is scarce and where environmental protection measures ought to be upheld.
The Government of Kenya for example has directed the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to ensure that tough measures are undertaken to implement the use of Incinerating machines.
The media had hitherto highlighted hazardous disposal of wastes and expired drugs by most Hospitals and equally harmful solid wastes by Municipal councils in the country.
While giving out the directive on use of incinerators professor Anyang nyong said that burning or disposing waste in the open was dangerous as these wastes go along way in polluting the environment and pose danger to people where water, soil and air get polluted.
The minister said that NEMA and Municipal councils waste management personnel should under take a thorough understanding of the ecology, water circle and the products of decomposing waste material and their impacts on the environment.
The Vice-chancellor of Egerton University Professor James Tuitoek during a recent environmental conservation day celebrations at the University said that the higher learning institution had made big prospects in sustainable environmental management. He urged other local stake holders to come up with similar projects that will enhance environmental protection.


Incinerating machines come in four major categories depending on the type of waste material targeted for destruction. These include machines that burn harmful chemicals produced as by-products of industrial processes, community waste incinerators, medical incinerators, and sewerage incinerators.
Large incinerators can heart waste to up to 2000 degrees centigrade that is hot enough to break down toxic organic chemicals into less harmful gases and water. The heart that is generated can be used as a by-product to heart buildings or generate power.
To control pollution caused by exhaust from incinerators, modern equipments contain scrubbers, devices that contain chemicals that remove acidic gases from the by-products.

Why African women are vulnurable to deadly diseases

By Eric Sindabi

Recent statistics indicate that at least over 65% of people infected with the deadly HIV and Aids in the sub Sahara Africa are women. A further survey on the infection among women in Africa shows that many married women who though may remain faithful to their husbands are likely to be infected with the pandemic due to their pre-marital sexual experiences.
The Author of a Book; the Aids Pandemic, Richard Willis believes that many young women in Africa are frequently engaged in sex early in life with multiple partners. Once they get married, they shift to a faithful life but live with STDs among other sexually transmitted ailments.
Another close source of sexually transmitted diseases among women in Africa according to the Book is the one dreaded Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) culture that is prevalent in many African tribes.Here, transmission of ailments is increased by the sharing of ritual tools like blades, knives, traditional medicines and costumes during FGM.
Diseases like HIV and Aids and others greatly flourish in conditions or permanent effects on genitals of FGM victims. Such effects include conditions like; Anatomical distortions, Partial closures of virgina, Urinary tract infections and chronic Urinary retention.
Research interestingly has revealed other health hazards performed on young females in Africa that lead to the vulnerability of disease infections.
For example apart from FGM,such other factors are like;Rape,rough sex, traumatic injuries, genital cures after injury and fertility enhancement on genitals by Bush doctors. To please their men some African women apply or treat their Vaginas with substances to to enhance virginity. However this affects the womens’apart from men’s genitals. Medical reports indicate that such practices cause injuries to the Virginal system and thus increase the risk of disease infection.
In most African settings it was the duty of the man to go out in the field in search of means to make ends meet. Most modern rural women whose husbands have abandoned them in search of jobs in urban centers risk most are infected with STDs as most indulge in extra marital sexual life due to poverty or in protest over abandonment by their husbands.
With the increased campaigns in the prevention of HIV and Aids disease in Africa, Women and gender stakeholders should keep in mind that they the women are the most vulnerable. Sociologists though have put forward that women are the mothers of nature. Without women there would be no continuation of human generations. The African society thus should treat women and girls with great care.Governments and stakeholders should strive to put in place Laws and policies that protect the female sex under all costs.

Publishing Industry in Africa needs to be re-addressed

By Eric Sindabi
In 1973 a Conference on Publishing in Africa was held in Nigeria to address on the way forward in developing the industry. The conference resulted in the formation of a wide range of recommendations that were geared towards developing the low ranked industry in the world, according to UNESCO statistics.
The recommendations reflected on key issues that were to be addressed. These included developing Paper manufacturing industry, Training printing experts and setting up standards on printing. The conference also recommended that up coming Authors in Africa were to be motivated by publishing their works while being trained through creative workshops and award schemes. The conference also addressed the issue of developing sound publishing policies in Africa and heightening the book distribution market. Nevertheless the conference stressed that African governments had the responsibility of developing reading cultures on grassroots levels.
Over the years there has been little however that has been achieved. UNESCO statistics still rank Africa low in the world publishing industry. With the influx of the information Technology dabbed; information explosion, the print media is headed for doom unless re- addressed. The electronic media of the Internet is a threat to the print media even though the ideal source of information for the electronic media is the book form. Much needs to be done to revive the Print media as a sole source of knowledge and a cultural heritage of generations.
Up coming Authors ought to be motivated and trained while publishers and distributors need to be objective and diverse. Governments in Africa must address the issue of illiteracy and develop grassroots reading culture initiatives. It is true indeed that an informed society is a developed society. Africa shall never develop as long as its people continue living in darkness-read IGNORANCE.

An escape to Egerton botanic garden

By Eric Sindabi

Botanical Gardens are sanctuaries of plants of all kinds including Trees, Flowers, Shrubs, Vines, and Herbs among others. The term Botany means study of plants while Botanical Gardens are used as parks or arboretums in urban and research centers. Such act as nature trails and recreational resorts and for providing natural environment conservation centers.

Historically Botanical Gardens evolved in ancient and modern China where naturalists and botanists owned them for raising medicinal herbs, vegetables and fruits. Indeed modern botanical gardens are common in University’s and other research centres .They provide facilities for teaching, research and environmental conservation and incorporate both plants and animals.

In 2003, Egerton University established a Botanical Garden that was meant to be a centre for teaching, research, environmental conservation and recreational facility.
A ride from the main gate towards Ngongongeri Farm within the main Campus in Njoro leads to a 300-acre beautiful landscape that is a modern Botanical Garden.
The natural environment was a brain child of a former Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Ezra Maritim who during his tenure turned the university into a greenbelt through various environmental activities. This included among others the establishment of the Egerton Botanical Garden.

The serene landscape is dotted with breath taking riparian vegetation and forest resources. Propagation of rare and threatened plant species collected from all over the country is dominant. Likewise in the line of conservation are a wide range of medicinal plants that are common in various parts of the country.
A visitor can be fascinated by camp and picnic sites of wooden seats, African thatched huts, footbridges, nature trails, ponds, dry river valleys and a watch tower.

Nature lovers can also be fascinated by exploring the forest watching guinea fowls and picking their feathers, Wild flowers and fruits and bird watching.
The sanctuary is home for animals like Snake, Tortoise, Antelope, Leopard and rare birds like Owl.

To add value to the animal collection the University recently introduced rare animals at the sanctuary .Llamas are exotic animals of the Camel family that originated in South America. The animal can be used as a beast of burden and for meat and wool production. According to the University Public Relations officer Ken Ramani, the Llama, three in number have boosted the local tourism sector as many visitors steam in at the Botanical Garden to see the rare beasts. He says the University intends to breed Llamas and introduce them to local farmers in Njoro.

Visitors at the nature reserve include the University’s Students and Staff from all the campuses that come for recreation and academic missions. Others include both local and foreign researchers and Tourists and Journalists.

The wonder reptiles of Hyrax Hill

By Eric Sindabi and Melissa Cheruiyot

The hyrax hill prehistoric museum is by far one of the most attractive natural environments in the country. The site, located in the heart of Nakuru town is also a globally reputed archeological centre. It was here where in the 18th century British settlers discovered Iron Age fossils that prompted to acclaimed archeological works.
At least fossils dating back to 5000 years ago have given information about original communities in Rift Valley of Kenya. The natural habitat that is managed by the The National Museums of Kenya is rich in both animal and plant species.
The land Tortoise
Tortoises the mystic land reptiles are part of the animal collection at hyrax hill pre historic museum .Some three years ago the museum established a Tortoise pit which is currently one of the major attractions at the museum. According to the deputy museum curator Mr. Peter Talam the tortoise breeding project is intended to conserve the wildlife and to provide opportunity to local tourism and research industries.
He says that the animals are collected from the natural environment of the museum and others others donated by locals who collect them from the jungles around the site.
According to reference sources, Tortioses are land dwelling reptiles of family Testudidae and order Testudines.Like sea turtles tortoises are shielded from predators by a shell.
The land Tortoise can be of several varieties including the leopard Tortoise at the hyrax hill.Tortoises mostly lay eggs at night and reproduce by incubation that takes between 60 – 120 days. The female Tortoise digs burrows underground of up to 30 feet before burying about 30 eggs to hatch. The egg is oval and clear in cast measuring about 3cm in size, a fact that has puzzled animal scientists. However recent research hints that the size could depend on a reptiles age or species.
The plastron of a female Tortoise has a noticeable V-shaped notch below the tail to facilitate mating. Another wonder about the reptiles is that during mating males become asthmatic. The notch also facilitates the laying of eggs. Yet some how it puzzles to note that a male Tortoise is smaller in size than a female of same age group.
According to the curator hyrax hill museum is believed to be home of one of the oldest leopard Tortoises in the country. It is estimated that a Tortoise can live to about 150 years. They are rarely prone to predators save for the mighty shell and also these reptiles are vegetarians and feed on a variety of herbs and other vegetation.
Upon incubation lapse, a young Tortoise digs out of underground to start its life on land. During the early days of their lives the young ones feed mainly on soil before later switching to vegetation. However Talam says that young Tortoises are prone to disease and predators and only a handful survive. He says that wild dogs that find their way in the museum compound at night have contributed to the scarcity of animal population at the site including the young Tortoises.
The centre he says plans to expand the Tortoise breeding project to the increasing number of tourists and researchers at the museum. He says the centre in future wills lipase with veterinary officers from the ministry of wildlife to treat young Tortoises and to provide more health information about the reptiles. He however hints that Tortoise farming is not so demanding. He says that the museum spends less than 5000 a months on purchasing green vegetables to feed the reptiles while the natural vegetation subsidizes on food requirements.
Nevertheless, all said and done the hyrax hill pre- historic museum Tortoise pit can provide a visitor with an un-predictable experience of natural environment resources of the animal kingdom.