Farmers suffer great losses as flash floods paralyze transport.

Farmers in Nguruman area are counting losses after their fresh produce failed to reach the targeted markets due to lack of transport. The produce which is picked thrice per week has not been picked up  for the last  four days and the farmers are worried that the situation may get worse after a truck ferrying export vegetables and a number of people from Nguruman sank in the middle of Lake Magadi today in the morning.

A vehicle ferrying fresh produce after it fell off the track.
(Photo by Dan Kivuva) 

The incidence comes two days after Tata Chemicals closed all the roads that cross Lake Magadi following observations that the lake was flooding and increasingly dangerous to travelers and goods on transit.
Drivers and some passengers have been ignoring warnings by the Company and other people on the danger presented by the increasing rain especially on the road from Nguruman to Kiserian
‘That lake has been risky since the flooding started but people still insist on traveling past it. People should take this as a warning and thank God nobody got hurt’, Said Wairimu, a business woman at the Entasopia Market
With lack of preservative measures in Nguruman, the vegetables are either left to overgrow in the farms or picked and thrown away. Perishable farm goods that are being transported from Nguruman to markets in Kiserian and Nairobi and some for export have been spoiling since vehicles spent about two or three days crossing from Magadi to Kiserian.
‘Vehicles were not allowed past Magadi Township for the last three days’. Says Mr John, a farmer in Nguruman. ‘Our farm goods are getting spoiled on the road to the markets since transporters have to wait for the water that is blocking the road to clear or reduce’.

Passengers being rescued on top of a nissan matatu
 after it was submerged at Kamukuru
 (along Magadi - Kiserian road)

On Monday the 7th of May 2012 along Magadi road transport was temporarily paralyzed after raging floods swept off a bridge at Kamukuru.
Travelers were forced to spend the night on the road waiting for the water to subside as Ostrich Services; the only bus service from Nguruman was stuck in the middle of the road/river for two days.
The vehicles have to stop at the various spots where flood water covers the road and test the waters before making a decision to wait or to continue with the journey.
A number of schools in the area have extended their holiday for a week in order to allow students and teachers time to reach their schools. Secondary school students that have to travel past Magadi are not allowed by their parents to report due to the difficulties presented by the floods.

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Nguruman maarifa centre gets a new look

Nguruman maarifa center received a well fabricated container and another separate structure to be use as the library to enable more community members access free library and internet services among other services offered at the maarifa centre. The structures were also equipped with state of art equipments and this has enabled efficient services and usage by the community members.
This came along as free ICDL training was on progress and community members were very impressed by ALIN's initiatives and enabling equitable access to information for all community members.

"I'm impressed by the move to equip the maarifa centre with modern technology equipments. As much as we may be far from the city and other developed areas we feel that ALIN has really connected us with the outside world..." said Mr mathu, an Agricultural extension officer who uses the centre to send his monthly and quarterly reports. " I'm able to send my reports on time and even earlier than people who are in town" he added.

The centre moved to a new location, i.e. Magadi division Ministry of Agriculture grounds at Entasopia market and this will enable us to reach out to more farmers who are our primary target as a way of improving their livelihoods through delivery of timely information.

The ongoing ICDL training has had a positive impact to the youths who are even empowered to volunteer their services to train other youths who have the passion to be techno survy.. "I feel empowered and I am ready to train others. Its my first time and I'm confident I will make it in life..." said Lourine Maingi, a beneficiary of the training.


The maarifa centre is recording the highest number of users daily since it was established way back in 2005.

Agri-sivilculture in Nguruman

Agri-sivilculture is a system of farming whereby one cultivates fruits trees and integrates with crops. This is usually a better way of maintaining and increasing soil fertility especially in these Arid and semi-arid lands(ASALs'). Mr. Lodaro a farmer in Nguruman said he has to put up nurseries under a tree that provides shade seedlings from withering.

Mr. Lodaro emphasized that he has to plant other trees although he has mango, lemon and orange trees and bananas; he has planted Gravellier Robusta for his own use since he needs trees for timber and other purposes in his day to day life.
Mr. Lodaro said that the information he gets from Maarifa Centre; from the internet and other publication e.g. Joto Africa, has enabled him to understand that different species of trees enhances soil fertility. Explaining, he said that the foliage residues from trees form a basement on topsoil making it retain moisture and adds nutrients to soil; this enables him not to use fertilizers when farming.

Mr. Lodaro said that this diversification has reduced resource costs and labor which has made him maximize his farm profits and create time for other activities.
‘Although I had opted on this as a form of farming for commercial purposes, I later learned of its environmental benefits and I had to increase my acreage.’ Said Mr. Lodaro who has increased his acreage from one acre to three acres.

Enhancing computer literacy in Nguruman

Thanks to the free training at Nguruman Maarifa Center, residents are now able to operate computers with very little or no help at all.
Their sheer determination and iron will to overcome Computer illiteracy drives them on. The old generation are very determined not to be left behind by the young generation. Always keeping time, always willing to learn and ready to apply whatever they have learnt.
Asked what they will like to achieve after the training(where they think the training will come in handy in their lives, this is what they had to say:

"I would like to use the internet to access information, gain more knowledge and learn how to improve my farming livelihood. Am really grateful for the training", says Joseph Mwangi.(photo above)
"There were a lot of things i saw on my laptop that I did not understand, but now am able to understand my laptop fully," Chief Sereu
"After the training i will be using ms excel to keep track of my products financially and record wise. I will be using the internet to advertise my farm products", Francis Mburu (Farmer)

Turnout is positive with more enrolling for training. follow the below link for training pictorial.

https://picasaweb.google.com/ngurumanckcentre/ComputerTraining?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKm0n5OU9ZKyKw&feat=directlink

Oldest computer trainee

For a long time Mr. Stephen Kamau has been a regular maarifa centre user. Now 60 years old, Mr. Kamau has always grown interest to be computer literate but his daily chores never allowed him to. "I have been trying hard to gain computer skills, but it has not been easy for me since I have a lot to do in my farm". His farm located a few kilometers from the maarifa centre has various types of crops including; Maize, beans, tomatoes and fruits like papaws and bananas.

Making the right decision
When Mr. kamau got the information about the computer training, he had to make the right choice, either to be left out or register for the training. "When I saw the advert about free computer training, I decided to register for it and gain the skills I have been yearning to have".


When asked how he feels about the training, this is what he had to say...
"I had never touched a computer in my life time... I can now boot a computer and perform some tasks on my own... Thanks to ALIN for this opportunity".

A message to the youth
when asked his advice to young generation, this is what he said...
"I wish the young people could know the opportunity they have... During our times, such opportunities were history".

He always advises young people to take up such opportunities to develop themselves.
"If this training opportunity could come during our times, we could be far much better than we are... Now that the world is advancing in technology, the youth should be in the front line to embrace this change".
Mr. Kamau likes reading magazines and books and his main interest is poultry farming.
“I would like to use the acquired skills to learn more about poultry farming from online materials and the secret behind the success of the enterprise in other regions”. Said Mr kamau when asked how he will apply the acquired skills.

What Biogas technolology users have to say

Nguruman residents had something to smile at as ALIN rolled down Biogas tubular technology as a way of responding to climate change. Due to notable decrease in vegetation regeneration as a result of climate change and deforestation, community members needed an alternative source of energy for cooking other than firewood. Biogas technology was the option they landed at after reading an article in Baobab magazine featuring tubular biogas technology in Uganda and due to availability of raw materials for running the system which are, organic wastes and in this case, animal waste and water, they thought it was good technology to adopt.

They also put in consideration the benefits of using the technology like smoke free environment, reduced or no respiratory tract and chest complications, clean kitchen environment, saving time for other family chores and also that its a cheap technology to adopt.

The following video highlights what the families feels about the technology.