The mystic caves of Kisumu rural

By Eric Sindabi

When we arrived at the site members of the Legion Mary religious group commonly distorted as “Regio Maria” were having a prayer camp at the snene.Some locals were also having recreational and adventure moments. This is the famous Abindu site situated on the outskirts of Kisumu City along Busia Highway near Maseno University in Kwamundhia village Kisumu district.

Literary described as the mystic caves of kisumu, the site is a wonder of unique rock formations that is comprised of multiple caves, Underground River, springs and waterfalls and picturesque land escapes of the outer environment.

The Geography of the site is concentrated with huge granite rocks that date back to over 5000 years and form part of the lake region highlands.
Caves have been linked greatly to the modern man’s history into civilization. Caves provided shelter and community base to pre-historic people of the world.

Legend
According to the oldest member of Kwamundhia village Mzee Okul Sem,a certain Man from Gem in Siaya district called Abour Adet discovered Abindu site in the early 1970s after adventuring in caves for several months. After Adet came out of the caves, says Mzee Okul,he talked of the site as being a holly place. He says that the adventurer who later became a religious man had advised the locals to treat the place with holiness and to exploit its uniqueness by allowing people from vast regions to visit and experience its wonders.
According to the legend Adet allegedly discovered footprints and wall paintings in one of the caves. He also informed the locals that the over 500metrtes square radius underground land forms are a home to a huge snake with three heads. It is indeed believed here that anyone who comes in contact with the serpent does not live long. It is also held that anyone who ventures into the inner caves does not come back to the surface but disappears for ever.

The mysteries are further speculated that once a local by the name Ongala tried to venture further into the inner caves where he encountered the snake. On returning home the man died soon after a few days in un clear circumstances. His wife also soon or later died in a mysterious fire that razed down her shed so goes the tales of Bindu.

According to the locals the snake comes out seasonally and inhibits the local river Ulalo and is believed to bring fortune and a sign of seasons. The locals use Abindu as a place of pilgrimage and always elders from vast regions of Luo Nyanza converge at the site to perform various customary rituals. The locals say that even some local influential people including politicians visit Abindu site for various purposes.





Cave men

In one of the caves there is a pot like rock structure filled with water that drops out of the caves walls. It is here that priests of the Legion Mary sect collect ‘holly water’. Yet in another inner cave, there are stones arranged in a manner as in a house. The primitive illustrations on the caves walls the locals say, were only interpreted by Adet .

According to reference sources Cave dwellers are people who adore caves or live in caves. Those who study caves are called speleologists while the study of caves is referred to as speleology. Among the ealiest known caves used by pre-historic people is located in southern France.Archaeological information shows that about 500000 years ago pre-historic people used stone tools in the cave to kill animals for meat. Another famous cave site is in China located near Beijing.

Studies show that pre-historic people used the dark interiors of caves to perform ceremonial events like worship and magic.For example the paintings on cave walls were treated with magic and gods in some primitive societies of Asia and Europe.A few people across the world still live in caves like in Spain where about 3000Gypsies make their homes in caves. However history says that such animals like cave hyenas, cave loins and others discouraged people from living in caves.

The outer region of Abindu site is comprised of a serene rocky landscape kissed by dots of savannah vegetation that shape a beautiful natural environment that is a force to reckon with as nature could have done its best.
Here loners, nature lovers, campers, students and religious groups and local film makers find solace of Mother Nature. Locals say that people from all walks of life come here often to experience the wonders of Abindu .

Victoria

A magnificent view of Lake Victoria beckons in the West as the vast hills of Maseno highlands in the East are a site to take ones gasps from a top the granites.
An adventurer can be able to listen to the flow of Underground River and waterfalls. The dark environments have dry basements filled with small rock particles and little world life saves for the rogue bats that glitter in the natural darkness, but scarcely any trace of other wild life. Man indeed is the owner of planet earth.

The amazing Thomson falls

By Eric Sindabi

IN 1880, Joseph Thomson, a romantic adventurer from Scotland was on an exploratory journey across East Africa.It was at the Nyahururu wonder falls site, he was later to name after himself that fascinated him so much.

A visit to Nyahururu town on your way to the interior of the Mt.Kenya region off the edges of the Great Rift Valley ,one of the is the world’s most famous waterfalls.

The waterfall site rises about 7800feet above sea level and is among the largest in the world.

Adjacent the picturesque waterfalls vicinity is the Thomson falls Lodge where majority of visitors here come to experience the wonders of Thomson falls.

Never the less the Thomson falls mysteries, attracts apart from foreign visitors, also thousands of local tourists and nature lovers annually.

The area around the falls lies at the basement of the renown Aberdare ranges that forms one of the pillars of the Great Rift Valley, other than the Mau Ranges in the west of Nakuru.

The Falls are located southeast of Nyahururu town overlooking the Ole-Ngare Naro River .

The breath taking vaporized waters of the falls enclosed in a riparian vegetation on the slopes of the ranges is a wonder to watch, and a great source of memories.

Stip man made meandering stare cases down to the floor of the jungle where the falls get in full view can fascinate a visitor.

Friendly Baboons that grace the jungle can be a great company to an adventurer.

The fancy Maasai Traditional models and the curious curio sellers who keep vigil at the banks of the falls can also be a good company and a source of information.

According to them, the area receives many classes of visitors ranging from local school children, environmental and history students, local tourists and artistes. Tourists include visitors and residents at the Thomson falls Lodge.

A few years after his first encounter with the mystic falls, Joseph Thomson got sponsorship to come back to East Africa to cover Adventure and Geographical series for the Royal Geographic Society.

It was here, according to historical texts, that the adventurer and his crew put camp.

The source goes ahead to indicate that the white adventurers at some point were forced to apply extra moral and empathic tricks to be- friend the local hostile Samburu tribesmen. Thomson could for example hint that his Cameras were supernatural and that could cause damage to an intruder’s sexual and mental organs.

Never the less Thomson and his crew had successfully accomplished their mission and were ready to continue with the rest of the journey in East Africa .

The adventurer apart from naming the site after his name,

Gave the local ranges the name Aberdare, after the president of the Royal Geographic Society. He also named a popular Gazelle in the region-Thomson Gazelle.

Blazing log fires lit in rooms and lounge of the lodge at night is a memory to behold.

Camping and excursion services are available here and are organized by the resident Thomson falls Lodge staff or other tour Companies. An expert Safari cook over woodfires prepares meals.

To lovers of nature and adventure, those who crave for an un- predictable wilderness, Thomson falls can provide an answer. As one mingles in and wonders in the shady jungle, gazing at the mighty waters and watching over the tricky primates, one indeed gives thanks to the creator for nature is too good to let one go!

Is Noise a neglected? Detrimental environmental pollutant

By Eric Sindabi and Moraa Obiria



Although Noise is a common environmental pollutant which turns hazardous with time and period, little attention has been given to it.

Noise pollutant, also known as ;( environmental noise), is caused by human or machine created sound disruptions that alter activity or balance of human or animal life.

The term ‘noise’ comes from a Latin word- ‘noxia’ that literary means to ‘injure or hurt.’

The major sources of noise pollution include; Transport industry or Motor vehicles, Industry, Aircraft and House-hold. Others include; alarms, sirens, Military, people and public activities like religious gatherings in residential quarters and entertainment spots.

Many people, governments and not withstanding environmental stake holders however have never come to the reality about the negative effects of noise to life and the legacy of this environmental pollutant.

Indeed in many countries of the world, until the mid 70’s, noise was neither recognized by law nor by society as a major environmental issue.

Soon or later some governments and major cities and urban centers started enacting by-laws that aimed at mitigating the effects of noise.

According to recent environmental research reports, it is estimated that in the next couple of years, at least 50% of of urban dwellers will run a risk of contracting health complications as a result of noise pollution.

Research has both shown that noise pollution has both health and behavioral effects to both humans and animals- both physiologically and psychologically.

Noise for example can cause annoyance, aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, Tinnitus, hearing loss, and sleep disruptions.

Such effects like stress, tinnitus, and hyper tension, the source says, can lead to further health complication. For example Tinnitus a condition where there is a continuous noise in ears, can cause severe depression, forgetfulness and panic.

In the Kenyan constitution, noise has been treated as a mere nuisance but no concrete constitutional law clauses has attempted to hint on the negativity of noise or an environmental hazard in a country where lack of sustainable environmental policies laws are non-existent. Pundits believe that, the noise hazard phenomenon will remain illusive for along time.

Luck of proper planning of cities and other urban centers is one great cause of noise pollution, while our local governments have failed to enact ordinances related to noise pollution.

Environmental pundits hint that the government should work towards enacting a noise control act, while individual local governments should enact by- laws that will mitigate noise pollution.

Urban centers should also be planned well in a manner to minimize the effects of noise pollution. These will see towards ensuring that residential areas, commercial, administrative areas industrial areas and heavy traffic roads are properly located and distinguished.

The Law Society of Kenya , Environmental and health stake holders should work towards enlightening the government and Kenyan citizens on vast issues concerning noise pollution.

For example campaigns against noise pollution and activism can come in place. Constitutional amendments to cater for health complications related to noise pollution and strict environmental protection can work towards mitigating the effects of noise pollution.

Studio facility to boost media studies at NTC

By Eric Sindabi

EGERTON UNIVERSITY Nakuru town campus media and communication department is set to diversify its graduates quality with an introduction of a state -of- the- art broadcasting facility.

A broadcasting lecturer Mr. william Manoa told journalistss recently that the multi-million facility will enable mass media students acquire advanced practical experiences in the field. Hence, he added, the facility will ensure practically oriented graduates

The tutor said that many higher and middle level institutes in the country offering mass media courses lack such facilities thus Egerton university will be one among a few institutes that will ensure practically oriented graduates in the mass media and communication field.

The facility he said will comprise of a sound recording and transmission studio and a video recording and editing studio and a media library.

The facility,he added will purely be a mass media and communication academic centre but not for commercial activities and will accommodate at least 30 students at a time.

Courses that will be enabled by the facility include; photography, editing, electronic media and audio and video production.

Manoa says that past students had rough times covering the courses due to lack of practical facilities, hence many were forced to avoid specializing in core mass media courses while opting for such courses like public relations and business communication.

The bachelor of media and communication at the campus is a self sponsored degree programme which attracts form four leavers and Para professionals who wish to explore careers in mass media and communication.

The course structure enables students in their third academic year to specialize either in mass media skills or business communication options.Currently over two hundred students are undertaking the course at the campus situated at Industrial area along George Morara avenue in Nakuru town.

Other public higher learning institutions offering mass communication courses include;The University of Nairobi,Maseno University,and Masinde Muliro University.

Environmentalists decry destruction of Menengai forest

By Eric Sindabi



In a big up to save the local degenerating natural environmental resources, researchers from Finland in conjunction with the Nakuru Municipal Council are carrying out an environmental investigation whose findings are expected to boost local environmental conservation planning and management progammes.

Two final year students from Laura University applied sciences and environmental planning were in the country recently to investigate the causes and sound effects of natural environmental resources degradations.

The researchers Maija Kauppila and Virppi Rasanen caried out a survey on Menengai forest Which is part of the famous Menengai crater in the northern part of Nakuru town.

The environmental research was sponsored by a Finish based Environmental NGO called North – South project that partners with Municipal councils across the world in a bid to restoring environmental planning and management programmes.

A source from the Nakuru municipal council environmental programmes office says that the research was part of an exchange programme between the Finish NGO and the Municipality aimed at enhancing the local environmental conservation programmes “Already environmental experts from the Nakuru municipality have visited Finland on an environmental planning and conservation programme training workshop” said the source.

In an interview with journalists the researchers said that Menengai forest forms one of the local water catchments areas hence needs to be conserved and protected from extinction.

The forest covers about 6000 hectares of land located on the slopes of Menengai crater and is one of the leading local natural resources as a home for wildlife, rocks, and plants like trees, herbs and grass. It also plays the role of a natural environmental and recreation centre for the local people and tourists, and also acts as a wind breaker for the town of Nakuru..



The researchers said, the research findings would recommend ways in which the local communities could effectively benefit from the forest resource without necessarily actively contributing to its degradation through activities like over- grazing, deforestation hunting, crop cultivation and settlements.



They said that buffer zones or rather greenbelts apart from a forestation and educating the locals were some of the steps that could be undertaken by the government to restore the natural resource.



The researchers have also visited lake Nakuru, Hyrax Hill and Njoro river in the event of the coveted environmental study in the region.



Finland is one of the leading countries in the world that is active in Forest and Water resources conservation and management planning programmes.Atleast over three quarters of the country land is covered with forests, lakes and rivers while forest products like timber are the country’s leading export market products..



Local environmental activists who accompanied the researchers said that environmental resources protection policies and Laws need to be en acted by parliament and implemented in order to stem out the increasing degradation of local natural resources .

Mr.Antony Gaicheru a Nakuru based freelance tour guide operator told journalists that poor environmental protection planning was to blame for the rapid degradation of Menengai area. He cited the continued destruction of the forest as to deforestation and land grabbing for settlement as a blunder by the government<

Egerton don gives hope for energy in Njoro: He imports cheap solar energy products and distributes them locally

By Eric Sindabi

Energy is a major problem in Kenya that needs great attention. Energy products find their way in home, industry and general infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. With the souring prices of Energy products like petrol, paraffin and Electricity, poor and ordinary Kenyans are being pushed to the walls of despair.

However Egerton University visiting don from the republic of China Prof .Qinsneng Wu is providing hope for residents of Njoro region. The enterprising don imports and distributes locally affordable and reliable Solar Energy products from China which have taken the region by the storm.

These include Mobile phone chargers and Torch and home lighting gadgets.
The don says that the products apart from being cheap are portable and easy to handle while they pose less health hazards risks reminiscent of oil products like paraffin.
The gadgets components include a solar plate, a battery system and a bulb light head. The products retail at an average of K.sh.1000 per piece and can last as long as time can allow.
Prof.Wu says that the cheap solar products are developed in research institutes in China and manufactured under a process called “Green power production”
The products he adds target poor and rural residents of China. He asserts that, his dream is to improve the lives of local marginalized by providing an alternative and affordable source of energy.

The don imports the products and distributes them locally through local small scale business people who act as his sales agents. He says that the demand for the products is high since those who have consumed them earlier have expressed satisfaction. He says that he has so far distributed over 60000 gadgets since starting the business. The community based venture targets small scale traders and individuals with no access to electricity.

Prof.Wu first came to Kenya in 1985 as a visiting don at Egerton University through an exchange programme with the Nanjing Agricultural University. He does research and lectures at the department of Horticulture faculty of Agriculture.
He believes that Energy is one of the major problems affecting the social and economic standards of Kenyans and need to be addressed keenly.

Mean while the University Self Sponsored Programmes (SSP) activities at Nakuru Town Campus are set to be boosted after a recent commissioning of a state-of -the –art Ksh 3.7m worth 100 K.V.A Power Generator at the Campus.

The gadget was bought through a tendering process from a Nairobi based company called Electro Watts Limited and commissioned by the ministry of public works as required by Government regulations.

Present during the occasion were the District Electrical Engineer Mrs. Grace Onyango, Director of Self Sponsored Programmes and Nakuru Town Campus Prof. Stanley Kagwanja and the University planning officer Mr. John Mbau. Professor Kagwanja held that electric power failures would no longer affect normal operations at the Campus adding that the commissioning of the power Generator was a landmark for the Campus.

Child abduction Un-checked in Kenya

An opinion by Eric Sindabi

ACCORDING to the United Nations child abduction is classified under child abuse chapters.However the laws of our country lack clauses that criminalize this vice. Interestingly also local stakeholders on the advocacy against child abuse have failed to investigate these silent crimes on children.

Parental Child abduction thus is the most prevalent mode of child abuse in our midst. It arises when one parent or other forces adamantly retains a child from the other parent’s care.

Psychotherapy, behavioral and mental health research shows that victims of parental abduction undergo psychological effects. In Kenya mainly fathers and their children suffer from these conditions. Reactive attachment that shapes negative behaviors involves the varied effects that arise upon abrupt detachment of a child from a parent.

In our societies in Kenya most perpetrators of child abduction involves women and their parents and other relatives. Extortion in terms of undue financial gains and blackmails for payment of dowry are some of the root causes of parental child abduction crimes that go un-checked. Indeed the courts are full of cases where women are seeking to benefit from men simply because they are in custody of children.

Kenyan laws that seek to protect children who law deems “innocent” can be cited under the children act (cap 586) and the Matrimonial causes act (cap152).

According to the former, every child has a right to parental care that involves both parents. Every child also has a right to health care and a right for identity, education a right to be protected from harmful cultural rites among others. It is therefore rightly a child abuse crime for a parent or any other person to purposely conspire as of to derive the rights of a child in order to gain personal or group interests.

Children who are victims of child abduction suffer from identity crisis and mostly develop negative attitudes towards life. Some cultural rites like forced dowery through child abduction in some local communities in Kenya contribute to the harmful cultural rites being perpetrated against children.

Constitutional reforms consequently should address on the issue of child abuse and in particular the issue of child abduction. Ruining young lives for material exploitations should be against law in Kenya. Indeed in many states of the world this vice has not really been identified critically as a grave social ill attached to the fundamental human rights.
In particular, parental child abduction is tolerated under the blankets of marital laws. In many parts of the world such laws fail to critically recognize or identify the critical other side of the coin.

It pays little for example for a couple that is not committed to live together forever as of raising up an upright family, to be allowed to give birth to children. It is better for the law to give way to punish spouses who adamantly bring forth off springs that won’t get proper parental care.

It should be criminal for any person and especially mothers to take advantage of children custody provisions to deny them a full parental care as of for self gains.

The laws concerned should also take into account the fundamental human rights of the other victims of child abduction including mostly fathers and their extended families. It should be a crime to adamantly deny one parental love and care to a child. Critics say that law should be a fundamental human right but not a weapon.

This means that it should be a guideline to better lives to all but loopholes should not be left out for exploitation by some people in society.

The law according to the social critics should strive at creating a concrete society where ethics flourish society with crumbling ethical values is a dying society. Unethical practices that nurture up un-checked only but signify doom to human society.