Kenyan Newspapers Review, December 28: Meet Kisumu Couple Earning From Digging Graves, Pit Latrines

The dailies on Thursday, December 28, covered the happenings in the sunset of the 2023 Christmas festivities, with the Controller of Budget uncovering unpleasant expenditures, this time the county ward representatives being put on the spot.

One of the newspapers highlighted an enterprising couple from Kisumu who earn a living from drilling graves and pit latrines.

1. Taifa Leo

The Swahili newspaper covered a couple from Kisumu who have, for 18 years, been earning their living from the strenuous work of digging.

Wilson Ondiek and Monica Adhiambo cooperate in the village gigs of sinking pit latrines and graves.

Adhimabo told Taifa Leo that her interest in the job came up many years back when she was taking food to her husband, working at a nearby home.

She would find him struggling without a helper; she offered to help and in the process, learned the ins and outs of the work.

"Adhiambo brought me food but discovered that I was doing the work alone, as the helper I had worked with refused to show up for work. She offered to help me and that is how it has been," Ondiek recalled.

They are paid between KSh 400 and KSh 600 for every foot they sink; most of the latrines they dig range between 15 and 20 feet.

On her part, the mother of three says she enjoys the job despite unpleasant comments from those who believe such occupations are for men.

According to her, the job has enabled them to pay school fees for the children and cater for other essential needs.

"I mastered the job in two weeks. I use the money to pay school fees, buy food and even clothes. I no longer go for loans from people," she said.

They divide the earnings equally.

"We divide our pay 50-50 since it is all ours," said Ondiek.

He, however, explained that they had to stop preparing graves due to cultural beliefs.

2. Daily Nation

The daily reported on a report by the Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang'o on the monies gobbled up by ward representatives in the first quarter of the 2023–24 financial year.

According to the CoB, the MCAs from 12 counties cumulatively used over KSh 3 billion in domestic and foreign travel between July and September 2023.

The foreign destinations for the MCAs and other county officers included Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States of America (USA), and Turkey.

In Africa, they preferred Tanzania's Arusha and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

The counties exposed for the inflated travel expenditures are Migori (KSh 184.6 million), Nairobi (KSh 167.8 million), Kajiado (KSh 124.37 million), Kericho (KSh 106.12), Machakos (KSh 104.4 million), Nandi (KSh 132.79 million), Kitui (KSh 129.4 million), Nyeri (KSh 101.32 million), Turkana (KSh 107.83 million), Narok (KSh 120.52 million), Nyamira (KSh 115.14 million) and Nyandarua (KSh 109.55 million).

Nyakang'o, however, noted that the travel expenditures for some counties were incurred during the 2022/23 fiscal year but were settled in the 2023/24 fiscal year.

3. The Standard

The Standard covered the gossip around gospel musician Daddy Owen and President William Ruto's daughter, Charleen.

Charlene had, on December 23, visited Owen's family for what sources suggested was an "introduction ceremony".

The rumour mongers say the meeting was not just a casual encounter; it included a grand ceremony in Eshisiru village within Kakamega County.

Charlene was seen enjoying the occasion, dancing to Luhya songs in her vibrant red dress in the company of her security.

Sources reveal that Charlene and Owen's mother, Margaret Mwatia, exchanged gifts.

It had been mistaken for some romantic affair between Owen and Charlene until the former came out to clear the air.

"Apart from being friends, we have many projects we're working on together. It's not necessary that every time you see me with someone, they have to be more than a friend," Owen said.