The Mountain Journal
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has come
to the aid of a self-help group whose cow they had bought to feast on during
Christmas was stolen and slaughtered by thieves.
In a heartwarming act of generosity, Waiguru
has offered the 43-member group from Ngiriambu village, Gichugu sub-county, Ksh
50,000 to buy another bull so as to continue with their planned celebrations.
at Ksh 50,000 and had planned to share the meat amongst themselves only for
thieves to steal it at night. Each of the group members had been contributing
Ksh 200 every month to buy the cow.
There has been a surge in livestock
theft in Kirinyaga with Governor Waiguru asking police to intensify security to
stop the incidences and bring the culprits to book.
governor during handing over of the money to the group, the County Director for
Gender and Youth, Doreen Nyaguthii, said Waiguru was touched by the story of
the group especially the saving culture that had helped families maintain a decade-long
Christmas tradition of sharing together.
members and others to embrace unity so as to benefit from government’s social economic
empowerment programmes.
version of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the county has
supported more than 50,000 households who are members of various agriculture
value chain groups.
“The Wezesha program is a testament
of the County Government’s commitment to empower our youth and ensure gender
parity. Through this initiative, we aim to create opportunities and foster
inclusive growth for all,” Nyaguthii added.
She asked residents to form or join
groups so as to benefit from government’s social-economic empowerment
programmes.
Chairman of the Ngiriambu Self Help
Group, Michael Mwaniki, said that the cow was stolen four days after he bought
it. He expressed profound gratitude for Governor Waiguru’s gesture, emphasizing
the immense relief it has brought to their families.
“We had lost hope of celebrating new
year as a group after the cow was stolen, however we are excited Governor
Waiguru has brought back joy in our families. For over 10 years we have been
having this Christmas tradition of slaughtering cow and sharing among
families,” Chomba said.
Echoing the chairman’s sentiments, group
Secretary, Julius Chomba, said the group was disheartened when their Christmas bull
was stolen, but Governor Waiguru’s support had reignited their unity and saving
spirit.
“We now feel rejuvenated after getting
this gracious gesture. Our members and their families are now looking forward
to celebrate together,” he said.
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