RESIDENTS OF MACHAKOS PLANT A HISTORIC OBAMA GARDEN

A historic moment was witnessed in a remote village at Katheka Kai primary school Machakos when residents, teachers, leaders, environmentalists came together under the leadership of Henry Kioko ,Founder Million Trees Million Dreams Campaign and CEO Beryll Foundation to create a Historic Obama Garden to mark the homecoming of the Kenyan American President Barack Obama.

The school Deputy Principal Tabitha Mumo affirmed “we didn’t want to miss out an opportunity to leave behind a mark with President Obama homecoming”. It’s a historic moment she said. ‘We planted 200 tree seedlings”, she said.

The pupils were excited as they sang Barrack Obama songs they had composed. “It was as if Obama was in our midst”, she said.

The campaign Million Trees Million Dreams is an initiative by Beryll Foundation to plant one million trees. Henry noted Machakos county tree cover is less than 3 percent and losing its biodiversity at an alarming rate. For example birds and butterfly species are disappearing due to tree destruction. According to World Wildlife  Foundation (WWF) the current species extinction rate stands at 200 and 2000 species extinction every  year. “At this rate our children in Machakos will never see a bird or butterfly because of low tree cover”, he said. “These animals leave on trees”.

Million Trees Million Dreams Campaign targets to establish a forest of 1000 trees in over 1500 public schools and institutions in Machakos county. The campaign has so far planted 28,000 since its launch of campaign Feburary 2015.

According to Prince Charles we have 18 months to act on Global warming by reforestation or face global warming disaster. “If we can make our government to prioritize on forestation we can immediately give ourselves time in the race against climate change”, says Henry.

According to Henry, The Obama Garden is a new tourist attraction in Machakos. “ We welcome Kenyans and call upon the American ambassador in Kenya Robert Godec to visit the garden named after President Barack Obama.

During his speech to Kenyans, President Obama emphasized on the expression “we plant a tree not because we will enjoy its shade but because our children will”. It’s a call to work “bottom up’ to effect change at the local level”, says Henry. “We have been at the vanguard of reducing the effect of climate change by tree planting and creating a tree planting culture in our youth”, he adds.

Beryll Foundation works with government, multinational companies, environmentalists, education institutions, community groups to implement projects fostering environmentalism and sustainability.

Below are other photos from the event;

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ONE ON ONE WITH PETER KIHIKO "CAPTAIN" YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

Young entrepreneur of the day "captain"

1.      Tell us more about yourself;

Im peter kihiko an entrepreneur 22yrs, living in Thika, born and raised in Nakuru County.

2.         What are you currently upto;

Planning to continue my university studies in September.

SHAYDEE Tours AND TRAVEL-Offering travel solutions such as car hire, taxi services and more related services.

3.      How did you start your business;

Initially started as a taxi driver in Nairobi CBD, Later started leasing vehicles from individuals and paying them monthly.

4.      Did you face any challenges when starting the business;

Having individuals to trust you with their vehicles were a bit of a problem acquiring them plus others giving out many unnecessary orders that pressured me a lot.

5.     What has been your greatest accomplishment so far;

     I have received clients from as far as Asia, Japan to be specific on, offered them with      necessities when it came to traveling and adventure in the country, many loved the company of my marketing  manager Alex and I and we were even forced to be guides for 1 week. We even spent    Valentines Day with them this year. I really enjoyed.

6.      Who are your customers;

Mainly I get clients coming from the companies and factories around Thika, students from Mount Kenya University, extended clients from Nairobi, plus I also get visitors from abroad once in a while.

7.      How do you market your products;

I have my marketing director Alex who is conversant with a wide range of people who eventually become clients, I have the business online especially on Whatsapp groups, Facebook, plus we give out flyers to companies.

8.      What was your source of startup capital;

I had my savings from the taxi business where I took a loan from my bank to propel my business.

9.      What challenges have you faced so far and how have you dealt with them;

Most of the times the car hire business has a lot of problems mainly when a client returns a vehicle in an unpleasant condition such as when the vehicle gets hit or is involved in accidents, either minor or major, some return vehicles late too and default payment. Thus such problems you forcing me to introduce rules like payment of a certain amount of refundable deposit when the car is returned in good condition. I am sometimes forced to intervene the law.

10.  What would be your advice to young startups in your field;

Car hire needs people with the heart to take risks as an entrepreneur, courage and determination is also key and very much important. Ambition and the desire to grow is what makes me rise day by week.

11.  To what or whom do you attribute your success to;

First and foremost I thank GOD and my parents for the support all through, in thin and thick they have always accommodated me. I also thank Mr. Lewis Kiyana, my friends from MKU and Thika who have been so supportive including Alex and Star boy Chrome from Grandpa Records.

12.  What is unique about your business;

The uniqueness in it is that we offer services in a town that is industrious and services are offered by very young people and get to blend with all kind of clients. There is also no much competition thou the current one is very healthy.

13.  Do you have any partnerships?

I get partnerships from other car hire companies around Thika where I offer them vehicles when theirs are out of stock and vice versa. I am also planning to incorporate a well established car hire company from Nairobi CBD to the market here in Thika.

14.  What do you look forward for in the future;

In future am eyeing on been the largest Travel Logistics Company in Thika, and who knows, I might top the list in the Kenyan market.

15.  How do you balance academics with business;

Planning to join virtual learning when I go back to university in September, so that I cannot have a big workload.

16.  Does your business have presence in social media, if yes share the accounts;

A website is currently underway, a face book page  Shaydee Tours and Travel  plus a whatsapp group.

17.  What’s your parting short words for fellow entrepreneurs and fans of Kenya Moja;

We need more entrepreneurs and small companies to become big companies or even outdo the current ones, let’s take risks as young people to be able grow businesses. There are difficulties expanding beyond the shores of our ability, but the other is just basically lack of ambition.

18.  Do you have anything additional to say;

Let me take this opportunity to highly thank Kenya Moja for this opportunity for the interview and also knowing that there are entrepreneurs who are young and energetic ready to move the economy forward. I am really honored. 

Thanks for the interview.

MATUNGULU MCA HOSTS MEDICAL CAMP, DONATES SHOES TO ALL STUDENTS

Matungulu West Ward MCA Hon. Ndawa Magdalene last Saturday hosted a free medical camp for residents of Matungulu at Tala S.A  primary school.More than 3000 residents and non residents attended the event which was a free medical clinic and pediatric check up.As early as 9.00 am the queues were too long and the organizers were forced to get extra seats and tents to shield the  attendees from the scorching sun.


 All students from the ward also benefited from shoes which they had to fit and ensure they were of the right size .The students also had  a choice to choose either shoes or sandals.The students who had issues were also attended to by the close of the day.

The area MCA speaking to our reporter said that she was driven by the need to have a healthy population and to ensure early detection and treatment of diseases.A couple of residents who attended the camp also lauded the effort of the MCA and wished for more medical camps atleast once in two years.By the time our reporter left the ground all the residents had been attended to.

Everyone who attended the event also enjoyed free lunch.

The event was sponsored by Machakos County,Ahadi Kenya Trust,Getrude Children Hospital,Deaf AID, Machakos Referral Hospital,F$J Trust, Mbaitu F.M and The Beryl Foundation.



Below are some of the photos from the event;

Women queue for cervical cancer screening

Students queue for checkup

Residents wait for medication at the pharmacy.

The shoes were just the right size

Students pose for a photo with madam ndawa

Thousands of students who attended getting ready to receive shoes

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