Will Kenya Lift the Ban on DDT?

The Kenya Government is under pressure to lift the ban as one of the effective ways of controlling the spread of malaria after almost two decades on DDT. On the other hand, there is pressure on it from eco-imperialists not to lift the ban on the insecticide, which comes in the wake of the heads of state conference in Abuja that passed a resolution to put emphasis on and promote the use of indoor residual spraying to help fight the malaria vector. DDT, an effective indoor residual spraying pesticide in many countries, is known to have a residual effect of up to one year. Health assistant minister Dr Enock Kibunguchy recently announced that a brainstorming meeting that will inform the Government's position on the DDT issue would be held before the end of the year. He said he would support the introduction of DDT since "it is the best alternative Africa has to control Malaria." South Africa, Uganda, Mauritius, Tanzania and Mozambique are among the African countries that still use the chemical to control the spread of malaria with Tanzania being the latest country to lift the DDT ban.

Tension Mounts as Returnees Claim Land

Liberia-Tension is mounting over the ownership of land and homes in northern Nimba county as thousands of Liberians from camps across West Africa return. Sekou Donzo, a local Mandingo leader in Ganta, told IRIN that patience is running out among his kinsmen after several failed mediations by local government leaders to re-possess their properties. "We do not want war, no more war in Liberia, but our rights to live freely on our lands and houses that we built before the war are being trampled upon by our fellow Liberians here in Nimba. Our people are returning and they cannot be squatters in towns where they built their houses," he said. On the other hand some Gios and Manos argue that they are just taking back what was theirs before Mandingos moved into the area in the 1960s. "The situation in Nimba County is tense, and there too the state must impose itself to ensure equitable settlements of disputes, many of which trace to the ambiguous relationship between land ownership and use rights," said the ICG report. "The government must seriously address the inter-ethnic tensions that have been fuelled by land ownership and tenure issues."

IREN Kenya Director in Oman

James Shikwati (Director Inter Region Economic Network) is in Oman to celebrate the African Unity Day where he is scheduled to address the American British Academy student body on Wednesday. On Thursday, he will address business people, diplomats and open the ball dance.

Oman is celebrating the African Unity Day (May 24-26, 2006) with an objective of recognizing and promoting the spirit of resilience exhibited by the African community. Shikwati’s speech will be featured in our next issue.

Syngenta East Africa Ltd in Western Kenya

IREN Kenya in conjunction with the Free Africa Foundation embarked on an ambitious project to fight Malaria at the beginning of this year. The initiative involves a joint operation between local medical experts and village committees to use mosquito nets and spray, set up community owned pharmacies and use the youth in draining stagnant water that is breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The Kenyan pilot model is targeting a village of 900 people that include children mostly of children under 5, and adults above 60 years. IREN is keen on integrating an economic model to enhance the income of villagers to ensure sustainability of the project.

From June 2^nd, Syngenta East Africa Ltd. will offer training and demonstration on safe residual spraying in this village and subsequently have it sprayed. The Company will also teach on the importance of using appropriate hybrid seed varieties to boost production and incomes.