Voice Of Taita Taveta

 Over time, Voice of Taita Taveta has become a platform where we speak truth, no matter how uncomfortable, using humor to soften the blows and pain that remind us of what’s at stake. From corrupt county assemblies to the silent shadows of missing sons, we’ve explored the highs and lows of our beloved Taita Taveta. Yet, one theme that continues to stir emotions is that of the "King with Two Hearts." This metaphorical king, our leader, plays a game of contradictions: on one hand, his heart beats for the people’s promises, but on the other, it quietly pulses for personal gain. We’ve seen this duality in action as leaders champion change, but their actions betray the people they swear to serve. The story of Taita Taveta is one of unresolved promises. Our land, once fertile and abundant, is slowly being taken away, and we face a choice: to reclaim it or let it slip through our fingers, as we have seen happen time and time again. Teita Estate’s sale of 3,000 acres gives us an oppo...

 As I closed the heavy castle gate, I could still hear my head ringing. I turned my back and leaned on the gate; I could feel blood trickling down my left chest. The arrow was still stuck there. I looked at it and saw it moving weakly, just as my heart did. I closed my eyes, then broke the protruding arrow stem with my right hand, leaving the arrowhead buried deep in my left heart. As I walked toward my castle, I could hear the laughter of happy people within. I looked at the wound—it had healed, but the arrowhead still remained. I had to put on a brave face, but the pain was unbearable. Yet, I wanted that pain to stay, for I never wanted to forget what I had felt over the past two days. Two days earlier, I had been standing in one of my towers, gazing down at the forest. My heart was steady, my people contented, and I believed I had all I needed. But as I stood there, a figure moved through the trees, and suddenly, something stirred within me. I felt an unfamiliar pulse in the lef...

 Finally, the rains are here, and with them, the beauty of Taita’s land ripens. The once-dry earth has transformed, and the bright orange of "Mchrismas" tree  signal a new season of hope. The fertile, untilled land stands green, alive with potential. But as we gaze upon the lush scenery, we are reminded that much of our land has been taken away. We could spend time blaming our forefathers for what happened, but what’s past is past. The question now is: What are we going to do about it? Teita Estate is selling off 3,000 acres of land, and we are told we have first priority. This is our chance. Those of us who can, should buy as much land as possible—because it’s in these lands that true wealth resides. This is not just about land; it’s about securing our future. A word of advice from the ancient to the young: if we let this land slip through our fingers again, we won’t blame the past; we will blame ourselves. Tukutane Mruru , it says. But there’s a growing concern: some neigh...

 How many times have we turned a blind eye simply because the hurt hasn’t hit close to home? When it’s someone else’s son who’s missing, someone else’s grief that fills the air, how quickly do we look away? It’s hard times in the mill, my son. Hard times in the mill! Hustling, grinding, struggling just to make ends meet. The mill turns, and each day I’ve ignored so much—ignored the cries of those who lost sons and brothers, thinking, “Not my family.” I thought I understood pain. But when did I begin to forget the pain that belongs to others? When the Gen Z revolution died down, the culprits stood up and said, “We concede.” And the country rejoiced. We cheered as if the mere admission meant an end to our suffering—as if it erased the missing faces. But it’s hard times in the mill, my son. Painful times. Painful times in the mill! And while we celebrated, mothers, fathers, and families waited in a silence heavier than grief. Sons gone, vanished into the darkness, leavin...

 Social media—it began as a simple platform for connection, a place to share photos and catch up with friends. But it has evolved, turning into something far more powerful. Today, it’s a digital battleground where ideas are exchanged, revolutions are sparked, and powerful voices emerge. Kenya is no stranger to this shift, where hashtags and threads are now shaping the country’s political and social discourse, bringing both those in power and those who seek accountability into the same virtual arena. Social media has shown its power to unite voices from all walks of life. Here, we’ve seen giants brought to their knees and underdogs rise, all with the power of a tweet or a shared video. For every victory, there’s a shadow—a reminder of those who dared to speak out, paying dearly for their courage. Some have faced abduction, while others have vanished, their voices silenced. In the midst of this revolution, there stands a man—bold, unwavering, yet quick to deflect any credit....

 As Kenya navigates one of the most choreographed political moves by Zakayo—Abraham, as he calls himself, the "father of the nation"—it seems this Abraham has yet to hear the Lord's voice. He hasn’t seen the sheep, but he’s already made the sacrifice. Kenya Kwanza stands at the edge of a precipice, teetering towards chaos. Deputy Gachagua claims to be a truth-sayer, but his politics have only fueled division. His angry rhetoric, tinged with revenge, seems to forget that he no longer represents just one region but all of Kenya. Leadership demands more than divisive speeches—it calls for unity and vision, something he has sorely lacked. In our motherland, Taita Taveta, a different revolution is stirring—not in the political arenas but among us, the people. Taitas on X, the revolutionaries ready to risk their lives for change, are stepping forward. We might not all agree on the leaders we’ve chosen, but leadership should never be about bias. It should be about lifting t...

  Greetings, Bwana Gavana Wakujaa We have watched silently as you lied to us, much like your counterpart in the National Government. Promises that have not been kept, as you danced on car hoods singing, "tararaa eee ni Mwadime, tararaa eee ni Mwadime" . We saw a future full of promises. We hoped and dreamt that money lost would be recovered, and looters would be prosecuted! But as of today, nothing has happened, and people are asking— in whose hands are we safe? The state of the county is dire. If we don’t ask questions, the future generation will blame us. And if you don’t answer questions asked by the public, what are you portraying? We have sent emails to your office requesting information—public information—but nothing so far, not even an acknowledgment of receipt. Eishh ! That’s rude, Abooh! How do you keep your employers waiting for answers? Let’s talk about the state of our health facilities. Taveta Hospital is in total darkness, Moi Hospital we don’t eve...

 As the country sits in anticipation, eyes are set on the impending impeachment proceedings of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The looming question on everyone’s mind is: What happens next? If he is impeached, what are the consequences? Will the Senate unanimously vote to remove him from office? While there are many questions, the answers are still unclear. For now, we can only sit back and watch as the drama unfolds. But let’s focus on the possibility of Gachagua being impeached. What happens after he’s out of office? Corruption Allegations At the heart of this political storm are the corruption charges leveled against Deputy President Gachagua. The allegations paint a picture of wealth accumulation far beyond his official salary. Here are the key corruption accusations related to his rise in wealth: Amassing Wealth : Gachagua allegedly accumulated wealth worth approximately KSh 5.2 billion since 2022, a figure inconsistent with his official salary. Use of...

 We live in a new age, a new time. When we were young, we always looked ahead to the future, with dreamy eyes, high expectations, and a zeal to live. But now we just there. How old am I, you ask? I say too old for my age. I carry the wisdom of the ancients. I was there when the snake Ngulu held the sun. When the great Mwangeka shot arrows from Vuria to Iyale , and when you were a nuisance Kwa Sholwa lwau na nibas ghako gha sia uwo! Those were the days. Yet, while this may seem to amaze you, you haven't been amazed yet. Now we live in times where old men send goons to violate young men for speaking the truth. The hashtag #JusticeForBruce leaves a sour taste in my mouth. How could they? Humanity is lost. Young men abducted for exposing looters—men who amass wealth for greed. Do they not know? When it's all done, they’ll leave it here. While their bodies rot, eaten by worms. Let me speak of great young leaders who make the old angry— Morara Kabaso . You expose as mu...

 In our last issue, we promised an in-depth analysis of the Taita Taveta County Assembly, but before diving into that, we must pause to acknowledge the tragic death of Sylvance Mwanjala. He was a young man, full of promise, taken too soon by a vicious act of violence over something as trivial as a bike. His death highlights the pressing need for better security in Taita Taveta. During the funeral, many politicians attended, and while their presence was noted, the finger-pointing and laying of blame will not bring Sylvance back. We must show anger before lives are lost, not after. Madam Lydia Haika, you spoke out with passion, especially towards the head of criminal intelligence. But now we await action. As a close ally to the President, we expect to see real changes in our security apparatus. The time for words is over. We need to hear that same anger until genuine change is enacted. We are watching. Moving to national matters, it's impossible not to mention the Adani Deal...

 As I sit here, thinking of all the promises made and the high hopes that people had for our county, I can’t help but reflect on the missed opportunities and wasted potential. For years now, Taita Taveta has stagnated, with little to no development. The sad reality is, while we continue to struggle and wait for progress, others are getting rich quickly in our county offices. I’ve spent my lunch breaks at the Voi stadium, watching the sun beat down on an abandoned project, a space that has worsened over the years instead of improving. Miaka yote ya ugatuzi (all these years of devolution), and this is where we are—moving backward. Our leaders, time and again, have failed to deliver the promises that got them elected. In this post, we’ll dive into the financials of Taita Taveta County, comparing the budget performance and revenue collection between the fiscal years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 . We need to shed light on how a county with increasing revenues can still face declinin...

 In my last piece, I brought to light the struggles facing our healthcare providers in Taita Taveta, highlighting the catastrophic failure of leadership that has led to a healthcare crisis. Now, as I sift through the September 6th notice from the Taita Taveta County Assembly, I can't help but think of a scenario where a fire engine arrives at a house long after it's been burned to the ground, only to spray water on the embers. This is exactly what the county assembly's belated response feels like—too little, too late. The notice alleges that the union refused to engage in dialogue with them to resolve the ongoing healthcare strike. But here’s the pressing question: Why didn’t the MCAs request this dialogue before the doctors and nurses downed their tools? This feels like a classic case of reactionary leadership, addressing a crisis only after it has spiraled out of control. A System on the Brink: Personal Encounters Amidst the Crisis Just recently, I visited Ts...

 As I sit here in the waiting room of St. Joseph's Hospital in Ikanga, my heart is heavy with frustration and disappointment. The tweets from Noel Mwanyika about the state of Voi Stadium—a project that has stalled and drained nearly 100 million from the people of Taita Taveta—echo in my mind. It's hard not to feel a sense of betrayal. We've been throwing our votes away, wasting our time on empty promises from leaders who seem more concerned with their own gain than with the well-being of the people they were elected to serve. Governor Wakujaa, you have failed this county. You have failed the people who placed their trust in you, who had great expectations for the future under your leadership. The Voi Stadium is just one glaring example of the broken promises that have left this county languishing in neglect. A Personal Struggle Amidst a Healthcare Crisis But let me shift from the stadium to something even more pressing—the state of healthcare in our county. I a...

 As Kenya embarks on a new path of reformation, we must acknowledge the strides made by President Ruto in recognizing that the sovereign power rests with the people of Kenya, not a select few. The President's willingness to listen to the concerns of Kenyans and adjust accordingly is commendable. However, today's focus isn't solely on the President but on some critical issues closer to home—issues that should concern every resident of Taita Taveta. The Controversial Inner Circle Before we delve into the local matters, it’s important to touch on the growing concerns surrounding the President’s inner circle. Media reports and statements from former Cabinet Secretaries, even the Deputy President, have hinted at the influence of certain key individuals who control access to the President. This is a delicate issue, and the President must tread carefully. His re-election hinges not only on his ability to transform ideas into actions that benefit all Kenyans but also on en...

 In our last article, we discussed the growing influence of the Somali community in Kenyan politics, and recent developments have indeed validated this perspective. The President's decision to move Aden Duale from the Defence docket to the Ministry of Environment has raised eyebrows and stirred debates across the nation. The Cabinet Shuffle: What’s Behind the Move? Why would President Ruto reassign Duale from Defence to Environment? This unexpected move has left many questioning the underlying motives. Soipan Tuya now takes on the role of Defence, while Duale transitions to a completely different ministry. This shift prompts us to delve into the rationale behind such decisions. The Recycling of the Political Class The persistent recycling of the same political figures in Kenyan politics is both frustrating and unacceptable. This pattern has repeated far too often, stifling fresh talent and innovative ideas that could propel the nation forward. The latest reshuffle ...

 Kenya's political future is poised for significant changes, and a crucial part of this transformation is the increasing influence of the Somali community. The recent decision by President Ruto to reinstate Aden Duale in his cabinet, specifically as the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, has sparked considerable debate about his competence and the broader implications for Kenya's political dynamics. Duale's Competence and Controversy Aden Duale's return to the cabinet, particularly in the Defence docket, raises several questions. His previous controversial suggestion to declare a state of emergency casts doubts on his credibility and suitability for this critical position. Defense is a complex and sensitive ministry requiring astute judgment and strategic foresight. Duale's track record does not inspire unanimous confidence, leading many to question President Ruto's decision. President Ruto's Calculated Move Why did President Ruto choose Duale f...