When Brains and Beauty Meet Wisdom...(PHOTOS & STORY)

...heads of families are gratified, children are satisfied, everyone is mollified and God is glorified! Such was the scenario on Wednesday 25 July, 2018 when Ann Nyaga met leaders of farmers from various cooperative societies in Embu County. Ms. Ann Nyaga (Pictured above, addressing the press)  is the Minister of Agriculture, the executive member in the County Executive Committee (CEC) in charge of the bread-basket department.

Ms. Ann Nyaga, CECM Agriculture, presents the certificate to the Union's leaders PHOTO|James Metumi

The occasion was centered on the presentation of a Certificate of Registration to various milk farmers' cooperative societies within Embu County following the successful registration of Embu County Daily Cooperative Union.

The exercise was carried out after Governor Wambora launched a free school milk program for pupils in Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centers. This effort prompted the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to join hands with farmers with the aim of processing and packaging milk for the prosperity of posterity. 

A section of a milk processing plant in Murang'a where Ms. Nyaga recently led a delegation on a benchmarking tour. PHOTO|Courtesy

The Ministry of Agriculture, under the leadership of Ms. Nyaga is planning to construct a milk processing factory at Ugweri in Runyenjes sub-county of Embu County, where a prime site has been identified. The ministry is currently working on the designs for building the multi-billion factory, already factored in the financial year 2018/19 budget. The flagship project is expected to not only empower farmers economically but also create employment and alleviate poverty.

EMPOWERING THE MASSES: MEDIA GIANT Set To Work with Embu County in Wooing Investors (Story, Photos and Video)

Embu County Deputy Governor
Mr David Kariuki, as he
appeared on NTV Weekend
Edition

Everybody who had the opportunity to watch the NTV Weekend Edition news bulletin on Friday, 20 July, 2018 will bear me witness that Embu County is truly the land of opportunities. While presenting this piece of news for NTV Business, candid Anchor Mark Masai proudly reported how Embu County government, in partnership with Nation Media Group (NMG) aims to boost its communication with various Investors across the world. In the same stance, the highly articulate newscaster pointed out that NMG will avail its media platforms to Embu County's Communications team and use them to publicize available resources and investment opportunities in the county. He added that the media house intends to work with Kenya Methodist University as well, in areas of mutual interest to boost its activities. Below is the coverage, for the benefit of those who did not have the opportunity to watch it on NTV:

(The person appearing on the captured part of the video above is NMG CEO, Mr Stephen Gitagama)

The newscast proceeded to air an excerpt of the meeting between Embu County Deputy Governor Mr David Kariuki and Nation Media Group CEO, Mr Stephen W. Gitagama, who had paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Governor's office in Embu earlier in the day. Speaking in place of the market leader in the media industry, Mr Gitagama appreciated Embu County Government for attracting Ksh 272 billion in pledges by investors willing to put their money into use in the 'land of opportunities'. He said that he, on behalf of Nation Media Group was proud to be associated with this significant level of investment. Noting that Embu County is among the best in terms of strides made so far, and applauding its leaders' friendliness to visitors, he urged investors to rely on NMG's platforms for advertising purposes and assured all stakeholders to expect not only bigger investments but equally high Return on Investment.

Embu Deputy Governor, Mr David Kariuki (far center) accompanied by other county executives in a meeting with Mr Gitagama and other dignitaries with him in the governor's boardroom. PHOTO|James Metumi

The Deputy Governor, on his part appreciated the confidence shown by the fourth estate giant and promised to work closely with Embu County's communication team in ensuring that awareness of investment opportunities in Embu is continually created and availed to the public through NMG platforms.

NMG CEO, Mr. Stephen Gitagama (left) and Embu County Deputy Governor, David Kariuki exchange ideas during their meeting which was covered live by NTV; A major media platform in NMG. PHOTO|James Metumi

The Nation Media Group is the largest independent media house in East and Central Africa with operations in print, broadcast and digital media, which attract and serve unparalleled audiences in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. As a brand, NMG is committed to generating and creating content that will inform, educate and entertain their consumers across the different platforms, keeping in mind the changing needs and trends in the industry (www.nationmedia.com).

Nation Media Group's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. PHOTO|File

This level of confidence, as expressed by not only the media house but also by diverse investors from across the globe points at one thing; that the political stability of Embu County is unshakable under the governance  of the incumbent governor,  H.E. Martin Wambora, in spite of the ongoing legal tussle between him and his political nemesis who happens to be the immediate former senator of Embu.

IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW, This is What Troubles Embu County

Embu governor Martin Wambora addresses the press when he officially received the three Cuban Doctors who have been deployed to assist in the provision of affordable universal healthcare; one of the government's big 4 agenda. While many counties received two doctors, Embu County received three specialists due to the remarkable strides it has made in matters health. PHOTO|COURTESY

Residents of Embu County have a reason to thank goodness that on 8/8/2017 they elected as their governor, a man who tends to thrive even in the midst of crisis. Like other great leaders - once described on this blog as Social Optimists - governor Martin Wambora is a man who has seldom had peace since he became the CEO of this 'Land of Opportunities' in 2013. Social optimists, as earlier mentioned are those people in the happy position of expecting to be accepted. You will find that, generally speaking, they are.

A Social Pessimist is the direct opposite of a Social Optimist. Social pessimists face the dark side of what sociologist Robert K. Merton calls a ‘reign of error’. They expect to be rejected. Their expectation of rejection leads to the projection of colder, more defensive behaviour towards others, and this leads to actual rejection. They are the kind of people who will dish out very large amounts of money, not out of clean hearted generosity, but as a bait to woo people to like them. They will also do anything, including selling their own souls, to make lots of money sorely for this purpose. It is in this spirit that such persons sometimes attempt to pay off all and sundry, hoping to manipulate them.

The looks of the people around this man tell that they
 don't like him as such

All of governor Wambora's troubles emanate from the machinations of his political nemesis, the main opposition leader in Embu, who unfortunately fits the description of a Social Pessimist. In spite of all the antagonism, Embu County under Wambora's leadership has achieved quite some. Some  time back, his government did sign deals worth Ksh 300 billion in its second investment conference. According to the Daily Nation dated 16 April 2018, the deals inked between Embu County and various investors target investments in green energy, value addition industries, financial services, mining and manufacturing. Note that Manufacturing is one of the national government's Big 4 agenda. The investments will not only bring economic growth to Embu, but also create employment for the youth. Sadly, through the efforts of the social pessimist revealed above, Embu has seen a lot of political disturbance since 2014. What with the attempts to impeach Governor Wambora and his administration? The uncertainty caused by the failed exercise cost the county 700 billion shillings, because would-be investors went back on their pledges in fear of political instability. Just imagine where the county and the country at large would be were it not for this one man's selfishness.

As if that was not bad enough, after losing to Wambora in the August 2017 election, 'Mr. Moneybags' rushed to file a petition at the high court, where he is alleged to have scratched some backs so as to secure a skewed ruling. For the sake of Embu people's welfare, however, the incumbent governor challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal, whereby judgement is expected in August 2018. The prayer of every person of good will is that the final ruling will bring an end to all the hullabaloo so that investors don't run away a second time. In the sequel to this article, we will bring you the list of achievements under Wambora's governorship albeit all the detraction. It may surprise you to know that it is the social pessimist who is under investigation by Interpol in conjunction with the EACC, and not governor Wambora as erroneously reported by some gutter press.

The writer holds a Degree in Bachelor of Business Administration with I.T., Finance option - A budding Financial Consultant

Justice Served, Victory Imminent for Embu People

Embu Governor, Martin Wambora seemingly reassures the county first lady during an Appeal Court hearing at the Supreme Court in Nairobi on 3 July, 2018. PHOTO|COURTESY

The morning of Tuesday 3 July 2018 was not only chilly whether-wise but emotionally too, mostly for the few fellows who accompanied former Embu senator to the Court of Appeals hearing at the Supreme Court in Nairobi. As for the multitude that was present to offer moral support to Governor Wambora, the attitude was different. The latter team was full of gusto, having confidence in the the competence of the incumbent's counsel to not only get Justice but also to deliver victory for Embu people.

Well, tension was rampant at the Supreme court as the bench of Court of Appeal judges listened to submissions pertaining to Governor Wambora's appeal on a fallacious ruling earlier delivered by the High Court in Embu several months ago.

Some of the moral supporters who accompanied Governor Wambora to the Supreme Court in Nairobi

It was satirical for every enlightened person present to hear the petitioner's lead counsel, prof. Ojieda attempt to introduce new evidence on election malpractice. It was indeed an awkward moment as the battery of lawyers went on a course to justify against themselves that the High court judge sitting in Embu had acted on 'lack of proper judicial knowledge' to nullify the 2017 Embu gubernatorial election results.

Judge Musinga put an uphill task on Prof. Ojienda's shoulders, asking him to name the 121 polling stations that his client, Mr. Lenny Kivuti claimed to have had irregularities.

In a show of proper understanding of law, Wambora's legal team led by the Grand Mullah, put it out that Judge Musyoka, sitting at the High Court in Embu had made his ruling without considering or bothering to know the names of the alleged stations. It was noted that the stations were neither known nor had they been presented before Court before​.

Renowned lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi communicated to Prof. Ojieda, to his face, that the latter had no knowhow of the exact location of the said polling stations. 

Accordingly, the conclusion was that:

1. There was no evidential basis for scrutiny of votes cast

2. There were no specific disputes 

3. All of it was a fishy expedition of bloated ego

4. The High Court judge over emphasized on the margin, and that

5. When the judge found the appellate to still be the winner, he came with plan B, culminating to point 3 above.

At the end of it all, the court set the date of the ruling for 17 August 2018.