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James Maina, Assistant Manager of Soy Club on the border of Uasin Gishu and Kakamega Counties shows a photograph of Queen Elizabeth II on September 9, 2022, inside the room (20), where the Queen put up during a trip to Kenya in 1952.

Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Perched along Eldoret – Kitale Road is the age-old Soy Club that has a similar history to Nyeri’s Treetops Hotel.
  • Both hosted Princess Elizabeth in 1952 when she visited Kenya on a honeymoon trip with her husband Prince Philip before she was declared the queen upon the death of her father King George V1. 
  • She stayed at Soy Club before leaving for Nyeri’s Treetops where she ascended to the throne. 

There is an important connection between Queen Elizabeth, who died on Thursday, and two Kenyan hotels. 

Perched along Eldoret – Kitale Road is the age-old Soy Club that has a similar history to Nyeri’s Treetops Hotel.

Both hosted Princess Elizabeth in 1952 when she visited Kenya on a honeymoon trip with her husband Prince Philip before she was declared the queen upon the death of her father King George VI. 

She stayed at Soy Club before leaving for Nyeri’s Treetops where she ascended to the throne.

Workers at Soy club tell stories of the villa where the royals stayed, which has attracted many foreigners. 

The villa, commonly known as Room 20, still stands in its original form. But like the club’s main buildings, it underwent a facelift.

Mr Henry Mulusa, a manager at the facility, says people, including foreigners, have been trooping to the club to see and take pictures of Room 20. 

“This place is a jewel like no other. It is rich in history that it is unrivalled,” he says. 

Built with VIPs in mind, the veranda at the entrance is big enough to accommodate bodyguards too.

It opens into a large sitting room that has a dual-purpose store – for the VIP’s valuables or personal travel belongings.

This special room holds a reception which has now been converted into a restaurant with a fireplace and a complete bar. 

Away in Nyeri County, the Treetops Hotel is situated inside Aberdare National Park.

Mugumo Tree

Princess Elizabeth was enjoying dinner with her husband Prince Philip at the hotel, which was built on top of a Mugumo tree when she received news that her father, King George VI, had died. It was then that she ascended to the throne. 

 

She climbed the rickety ladder at Treetops as a princess on February 5, 1952, and descended the following day as a queen.

At the facility’s reception, two candles have been lit and placed adjacent to the portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Her room – known as the Princess’ Suite – stands out from the rest of the double suites available.

Inside the polished structures of the hotel, relics of the royal visit remain intact. Letters and prominent images of the then young princess adorn the walls, alongside those of her husband, Prince Philip.

Mr Amos Ndegwa, a ranger at the lodge, said yesterday the Queen had visited the facility again in 1983 and spent the night in her room.

“Most guests who visit are anxious to see the Queen’s room. She is the one who made this lodge to be known all over the world,” he added. The first Treetops hotel was built in 1932 and was on top of a Mugumo tree. It is the facility that the then princess climbed in 1952 before descending as a queen at the age of 25.

To protest colonial rule, the Mau Mau burnt down Treetops hotel. But in 1957, a new lodge was built opposite the spot where the original one stood.

Mr Jim Corbett, a hunter and author, immortalised the princess’ visit and wrote the famous saying in the visitors’ book: “For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a princess, and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience, she climbed down the tree the next day a queen. God bless her.” By Barnabas Bii & James Murimi. Daily Nation

President-elect William Ruto (left) and COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on May 1, 2017. [Beverlyne Musili, Standard]

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has hailed President-elect William Ruto as a tactful politician who plans ahead of time.

Speaking at a burial in Khwisero Constituency, Kakamega County on Friday, September 9, Atwoli said Ruto’s political strategy proved superior to that of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, if the presidential election outcome is anything to go by.

Ruto, 55, will become Kenya’s fifth president. He won the August 9, 2022 presidential election with 7.18 million of the votes (50.49 per cent), compared to Raila Odinga’s 6.94 million (48.85 per cent). 

Atwoli was an ardent supporter of Odinga’s presidential candidature, which also enjoyed the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“I was confident that Odinga would defeat William Ruto in the presidential election. On election day night, I slept knowing Odinga was ahead of Ruto. I never imagined I’d return to Kakamega to tell you to get used to William Ruto’s voice as Kenya’s fifth president,” Atwoli told the mourners. 

According to the COTU boss, God’s plans are mysterious and cannot be challenged by humans.

“Ruto is a political schemer whose gamble paid off. It appears in Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, we were politically naïve,” he said.

Atwoli said the big crowds that attended Raila Odinga’s political rallies suggested that a majority of Kenyans were supporting the former prime minister’s presidential bid. 

“It turns out that we were wrong to think so. The assurances some of the voters gave us did not materialise at the ballot box,” he said.

The veteran trade unionist said Ruto defeated Odinga in strategy, especially in mobilising his supporters to vote, consolidating his strongholds and adopting a campaign message that resonated with many Kenyans.

Ruto, in the run-up to the August 9, 2022 presidential election, crafted his political campaign around hustlers.

Hustler is a term used in Kenya to refer to someone striving to make ends meet on a meagre payment or income. The hustler is a person who is hopeful of admirable economic success someday.

According to Atwoli, Ruto was spot on in his campaigns, messaging, charisma and energy. 

“He had the right [mobilisation] skills. He was politically smart and alert. Honestly speaking, he outwitted us at the ballot box.”

The trade unionist said he’s left with no other choice but to work with Ruto, pledging to support him as he steers the country.

Atwoli has said he will rally members of COTU to attend Ruto’s swearing-in at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 13.

Atwoli, who repeatedly in the past said he was certain Ruto won’t become Kenya’s president, recently backtracked on his words, stating that he knew Ruto had the qualities to occupy the top seat someday.

In a September 5 interview on NTV, Atwoli adopted a conciliatory tone, saying he was ready to work with Ruto’s administration for the benefit of Kenyan workers.

“Whatever happened (a candidate not backed by the incumbent administration winning an election) could happen in any democracy. What I said about Ruto was in the context of competition, and [it] was within my constitutional rights [to say so]. This is the freedom our people died for,” he said in the TV interview.

He expressed optimism that Ruto understood his remarks in the political context, saying it was unlikely that the incoming president would seek vengeance.

“Ruto has said before that he will not reflect back on who said what about him. We must accept that the fifth President of Kenya is Ruto, as he has gone through all the stages [to win an election],” he said.

“William Ruto is an articulate politician. I had foreseen him becoming the President of Kenya; I did not say he can’t be a president. I am urging all Kenyans to rally behind him, give him an opportunity to form his government and support him,” said Atwoli. 

Ruto has pledged to steer Kenya to economic growth, debt reduction, social prosperity and transparent governance.

Atwoli urged Ruto be a unifying president who minds the welfare of all Kenyans, regardless of who voted for him.

“Ruto, in his campaigns, promised to improve the welfare of Luhya people. I’m glad that in his camp, he has leaders from the Luhya community. For instance, he has Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangula and Ababu Namwamba. I’m optimistic that he’ll fulfill his promises,” he said.

At the same time, he said he was hopeful that a Ruto presidency “could be of great benefit to the Kenyan workers”.

“His leadership could even be much better for the Kenyan workers than the previous administrations,” said Atwoli.

Ruto will be deputised by former Mathira Member of Parliament (MP) Rigathi Gachagua.

The two ran on a joint United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party ticket.By Fred Kagonye & Allan Ochanda, The Standard

  • Esther Kimani CEO FarmerLifeLine Technologies (left) and others at the African Green Revolution Forum Summit in Kigali, Rwanda Thursday, September 8, 2022
    TWITTER

    One device's power can last for up to 48 hours and the solar-powered cameras can operate even in rainy seasons. 

    She noted her device was rooted in the need to find a solution to the unending destruction of crops by delayed treatment or attack by pests.

    “The camera system is programmed to capture images of the crops in the field periodically and process the images using advanced computer vision algorithms to determine the nature of the infection or infestation, any pests or pathogens,” Kimani explained.

    In September 2021, her innovation was also featured among three other technologies at the Comesa Innovation Awards during the 8th Comesa Annual Research Forum.

    Kimani acquired patents for the technology and plans are underway to collaborate with other nations.

    Fernanda Lopes, Yara International's executive vice president for Asia and Africa, who awarded the two innovators, lauded them for aiding the food revolution and making a positive impact on their communities, environment, and the local economy. 

    Lopes awarded the winners on behalf of the Generation Africa co-founder, Svein Tore Holsether.  

    Holsether thanked the finalists for their visionary work, saying “Once again, I am so impressed with the finalists. They are all truly inspiring and I see them as leaders and role models in a world that so desperately needs that kind of drive and dedication to solve the staggering global challenges we are faced with.”

    The fourth annual GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize reached nearly six million people during the entry window from April 19 to June 6, 2022. Organizers received applications from 45 African countries but only 10 countries were represented among the top 12 finalists. 

    A farmer spraying pesticide on crops.
    A farmer spraying pesticide on crops. FILE
     
 

 

Kenyan grain traders seeking to import maize from Tanzania will now be required to register their companies in Dar es Salaam as the country imposes stricter rules to protect its commodities and jobs from shifting abroad.

The new measure by Tanzania will have an impact on Kenya’s food security as the country relies heavily on cross-border stocks from this East African nation to bridge the annual deficit.

A notice issued by Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture wants foreign traders to register their companies in Tanzania to enjoy better terms and ensure a smoother flow of their commodities across the border.

Tanzania’s Agriculture minister Hussein Bashe said in an interview with The Citizen that the country has not stopped the issuance of permits but has put in place processes to control the arbitrary export of grains.

The measures include the mandatory requirement to secure export permits and the need for foreign exporters to register their entities domestically.

“The ministry urges those who are not Tanzanians to register their companies and to follow the law of the land, so that they can benefit from doing grain business in the country,” said the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture in a notice.

Measures

Data from the Eastern Africa Grain Council shows imports from Tanzania nearly grew five-fold last year to 469,474 tonnes from 98,000 tonnes in 2020, making it the largest exporter of grain to the country.

The raft of measures issued by Tanzania a fortnight ago also makes it mandatory for importers and exporters of grain to register with the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and obtain a trading permit.

Traders will also be required to present tax clearance certificate and show business permit issued by BRELA, allowing them to trade on grain before they are allowed to export the commodities.

Before this, Kenyan traders bringing in maize from Tanzania were only required to have export permits, according to United Grain Millers Association chairperson Ken Nyaga.

These strict conditions have seen traders cut on imports from Tanzania, worsening the situation locally, given limited supply of maize locally.

Some millers and animal feed manufacturers raised concerns early in the week that Tanzania had stopped issuing permits last week, cutting the supply of the grain locally.

However, Dar es Salaam has dismissed the claims surrounding the export permits, urging traders from Kenya to follow the right procedures. - Gerald Andae, Business Daily

 

The new Burundian prime-minister was sworn in on Wednesday.

Gervais Ndirakobuca replaces Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, sacked by President Evariste Ndayishimiye along with a top aid.

Last week, the president warned of a "coup" plot against him.

"I, Lieutenant-General of Police Gervais Ndirakobuca, Prime Minister, swear to respect the Burundi Unity Charter, the Constitution of Burundi and other laws, and I swear to commit myself to fight for the good of Burundi and Burundians", said Gervais Ndirakobuca , the new Prime Minister of Burundi unanimously approved by both houses of parliament.

The sackings represent the first major government reshuffle since the president took office just over two years ago.

The new prime-minister, a 52-year-old father of eight, is among a number of Burundian officials accused of stoking violence against government opponents in a wave of deadly unrest in 2015 and remains under EU sanctions. - Africanews

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