ISSUE 2 DEC 2015- FEB 2016

SYOKIMAU TRADE EXPO

Expo with a difference Businesses focused in prospering within the precincts of Syokimau and its environs have now a reason to smile. This follows the silver lining neatly dotted on their courage and zeal to leap into Syokimau Trade Expo as exhibitors. The eventful exposition, themed: Designed To Get You Noticed was according to exhibitors and visitors exciting, wonderful and worth the investment incurred on every penny. Organized by Investment Committee of the Syokimau Residents Association (SRA), the expo marked the beginning of connectedness between decisive buyers and a range of quality proven service providers and product suppliers. Dr. Manu Chandaria, world renowned business guru and philanthropist was the prolific choice as chief guest during this first ever Syokimau Trade Expo. His inspirational speech spiced with need of upholding togetherness in the residents’ association motivated the attentive audience. While congratulating exhibitors he forecasted a solid return on their investment. On display were services and products in Financial Services,

Insurance, Health and Fitness, Wellness, Fashion, Art and Furnishings. In celebratory mood, John Thiong’o, SRA Chairman asserted that the event was an experience of success with double impact. It was a success story for SRA and the Syokimau Railway Station. The latter he said has for long been a dull ground over the weekends and SRA was delighted to change.

respectively. Fatuma Chelimo, Dr. Peter Ngwatu, Hilda Nyaguthii and Edwina Ngigi played an instrumental role in putting up the event in Syokimau. “I’ve never been this busy as the year ends… Am having almost two clients confirming orders per day,” Wilson Okeiga, Managing Director Oscar Kilo Systems told the expo organizers as he reserved two stalls in advance for next year’s expo.

While accepting SRA’s request; Kenya Railways noted that it has neither ever thought of organizing nor hosting an event of such a stature within Syokimau’s neighbourhood.

Similar sentiments were shared by Brighton School, MultiChoice and Nulands who noted that business galored on the first day of the event. Panari Hotel asserted that they’ve never been happier as they were in an event well organized despite it being the first ever.

Those who championed discussions to host the event at the Railway Grounds were the SRA Chairman flanked by David Wanjohi and Humphrey Odhiambo; team leaders of Investments Committee and Corporate Affairs

Next event is slated for 26th – 27th November, 2016 and it will be interesting to see the administration Machakos County in conjunction with Mavoko Sub County participate as they bring services closer to the people.

P. O. Box 51079 (00100) GPO, NAIROBI. || www.sra.or.ke || facebook: syokimau residents association

Dr. M. Chandaria Opens Syokimau Show “Where is Syokimau?” This was the question Dr. Chandaria posed when formally invited by officials of the Syokimau Residents Association to visit and officiate the opening of the premier Syokimau Trade Expo as chief guest. With humility he accepted to grace the occasion citing that development is for all and more so, for those who want it and go for it.

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Dr. Manu Chandaria sharing contacts as he signs up Syokimau Trade Expo visitor’s book flanked by SRA officials, John Thiong’o SRA Chairman (left), Humphrey Odhiambo, David Wanjohi and Ann Kinya. Having been a champion of development and motivator of public private partnership he didn’t disappoint while delivering his keynote inspirational address to Syokimau Residents and beyond. “Development and progress in places never just comes,” said Dr. Chandaria stressing that it must be pursued and found by focused minds who don’t thrive on negative energy and vibes such as “oh siwezi”, “oh sijui,” or even “oh sitaki,” he empacised causing laughter among bothe ehibotors and visitors at the event.

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He called on Syokimau residents to fight for the right to prosper as a community and followed up his sentiments by writing an open thank you note which in part read, “Thank you so much for inviting me to meet you at the Syokimau Trade Expo. Please accept my congratulations for setting up Syokimau Residents Association. It will take a lot of hard work by few very hard working passionate individuals to convince the rest. As long as you have like minded people making sure that all of you work as team and own Syokimau Residents Association, where you are building your own homes, it will be successful.”

Syokimau 2016 Calendar of Events EVENT

MONTH

DATE

DRIVER

SRA Month

January

18-31stJan 2016

SRA Secretariat

SRA AGM / 1stPublicBaraza

February

28thFeb 2016

SRA Secretariat

March

4thMarch 2016

Publicity

TreePlantingDay

April

23rdApril 2016

Environment

2ndPublicBaraza

May

8thMay 2016

SRA Secretariat

SRA Clean upDay

June

18thJune 2016

Environment

August

27thAug 2016

Sports &Youth

3rdPublicBaraza

Sept

11thSept 2016

SRA secretariat

2ndTree Planting Day

Oct

29thOct 2016

Environment

SRA TradeExpo

Nov

26-27 Nov 2016

Investments

Family fun & sportsday

Dec

10thDec 2016

Sports &Youth

SRA Dinner

SRARoad Race

NOTES

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EL NINO PREPAREDNESS Hot on our communal list of activities was our preparedness of the predicted El Nino Rains. Since commissioned by the chair to oversee ground works on the lead-up to the anticipated El Nino Rains, both Major Muange and John Mutinda have continued to supervise the process of actualizing the riverbed. However as neighbours numerous challenges are still with us. The court order to dig a 10 meter wide gulley by 360 Apartment is yet to be adhered to. We have a reason to get concerned over what will happen in this location once the heavy rains start pounding.

It is encouraging some neighbours, from different zones in Syokimau identified by our popular roads found it necessary to race against the pregnant El Nino. What was their practical solution? Talk less but through Tujuane Tushirikiane spirit fix the worst stretches of link/feeder roads to avoid cries of “Woi sirkal saidai” when the worst hits the surface. Among the most organized in the past week were the Parliament Road residents who fundraised over Ksh 170,000 to fix Kalembe/Settlers Road. The generosity hasn’t ceased and works are lined to proceed this week. We laud Hon Kalembe who donated a back haul tractor. Machakos County on the other hand delivered two back hoe tractors to facilitate digging of trenches along the waterways though for a very short time. However, graders were never availed to pave the roads to owing to the worrisome murram roads a challenge that John Thiong’o, SRA chairman followed with the Machakos administration to despite numerous frustrations.

ZONING SYOKIMAU Residents are indeed indebted to the works undertaken by the SRA’s Physical Planning Committee. While the immediate next meeting is schedule for 26th October, 2015 at a time to be confirmed, everyone is encouraged to at zonal level – Airport Road, Mwanachi Road, Kiungani Road, Community Road, Katani Road and Parliament Road to lodge their desires for residential dwelling with a common good for Syokimau which is indeed steadily growing.

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Winners of annual road race crowned By Eric Ombok

All roads led to Mt. Sinai CMI School in Syokimau on August 29, 2015 for the first-ever road race by the Syokimau Residents Association, SRA. About 1,000 participants took part in the event which had three categories; 2.5km, 5km and 10 km. The road race was approved by Athletics Kenya Vice President David Okeyo and Chief Executive Officer David Dorothy Musya, Team Mwangi.

Leader Youth & Sports

“The purpose of the road race is to raise funds to rehabilitate one of the idle public lands into a public sports field for the Syokimau community,’’ said Dorothy Musya, Chairperson of SRA Youth and Sports Committee. Governor Alfred Mutua and Machakos County Minister for Tourism, Sports and Culture, Faith Kithu, were represented by acting Director of Sports, Frank Kiala. Mavoko Member of Parliament, Patrick Makau gave a donation of 100,000 shillings and sent two representatives from his office while Member of Country Assembly Rachael Nduku graced the event. “Going forward the Syokimau Road Race will be an annual event to be held every August,’’ SRA Chairman John Thiong’o said. The road race attracted several sponsors, both in cash and kind. The main sponsors were Kenya Power, National Construction

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Authority, Kenya Railways Corporation and Rift Valley Railways. Support sponsors included, Development Bank of Kenya, Kenya Commercial Bank, Unaitas, Gateway Mall Syokimau, Solid Speck Holdings, House of Grace Syokimau, Breakthrough International Church, Syokimau Teens & Kids Club, Digitek Printers, Teluna Photography & Design Studio, Grande Ideas, Paradise Creators, Flappy Car Wash, Kwa Oloo Swimming Pool, Switch Fitness Center,

Thabiti Gym, The Nairobi Women’s Hospital Kitengela branch, Klassik Water, Delta Ice Water, LanVault Systems, Oscar Kilo Systems and La Fonteni School Outfitters. Mlolongo Police Station headed by OCS Wambugu and Jeff Hamilton, a support sponsor, provided security for all participants. Syokimau Health Centre and Kenya Red Cross, who were also support sponsors, provided ambulances.

Enhancing Residents Security Demand for heightened security in the steadily developing Syokimau recently prompted the Syokimau Residents Association to re-constitute the Security Committee.

closing “panya” shortcuts used by trucks to evade weighbridge in the neighbouring Mlolongo Estate, Stipulating times for lorries to be seen to be plying within the estate roads.

Volunteer representatives from each of the six Syokimau trunk roads comprising; Airport Road, Mwananchi Road, Kiungani Road, Community Road, Katani Road and Parliament Road have arranged to periodically meet to map out strategies that would enhance the estates efforts on community policing. Noting that crime is of concern to residents, John Thiong’o observes that re-constitution of the Security Committee will help the Syokimau Residents Association to work together with the police more effectively. Increasingly, residents and Police Services realize that neither one can eradicate crime working separately. Syokimau neighbours have therefore a chance to through the security committee to set the agenda that will seek to work cooperatively with Police Services for purposes of attaining positive effect.

The committee will be at the forefront of ensuring availability of street lights popularized as Mulika Mwizi Mast Light fittings, identification of persons in site-houses posing threat to the community, ridding-off the community of stray/un-owned dogs,

Since the Security Committee will thus serve as theNeighbourhood Watch it will not only generate a sense of security for individuals or families within Syokimau but will openly become a strong community pillar team involved in enhancing neighbourhood unity in an effort to deter crime that threatens residents’ peace and safety.

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By establishing an all-round representative committee involving representatives from Syokimau’s six zones we stand a chance to offer quality advisory and gain a sense of security, said Mr. Simon Rugutt, a resident from Mwananchi Road.

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Syokimau Rotary begins Community Projects

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By Eric Ombok The Rotary Club of Syokimau ([email protected]) has begun undertaking projects which include providing desks, washroom blocks and water harvesting at Mlolongo Primary School. The club also plans to provide washroom facilities and rehabilitate the public waiting area at Mlolongo Police Station.

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“The words we heard from the students, teachers and parents of Mlolongo Primary School is that the need is still great,’’ Club President Felistas Musyoki said. “More desks are still required and we urge everyone to please join us as we continue fund raising to make the learning experience for the students better.’’

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Syokimau hosts SGR for Nairobi By Eric Ombok

The Kenyan government has signed a contract that will pave the way for construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Nairobi to Naivasha. The commercial contract for the construction of phase 2A of the Nairobi–Naivasha SGR was signed by China Road and Bridge Corporation Chairman Wen Gang and Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina during a cabinet steering committee meeting on SGR chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta at Syokimau Railway Station in September. President Kenyatta had earlier presided over the ground breaking ceremony of the SGR Nairobi terminus. Construction of the SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi is scheduled to be completed by June 2017. ``It is necessary that the project uses local content as much as possible and only imports when what is required cannot be obtained in

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta unveils the Standard Gauge Railway contruction line in Syokimau. the country,” President Kenyatta said. “We must prepare now to ensure that after completion, we have the requisite skilled manpower to run and maintain the project,” President Kenyatta said. Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is

committed to investing Ksh 1 billion for establishment of a state-of-the-art centre that will equip youth with technical skills to take up jobs during construction of the SGR and other major infrastructure projects that are in the pipeline, Acting Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said.

Mission to sustain power Kenya Power which is keen to provide street lighting in the entire Syokimau early next year has embarked on a grand power supply intervention lined to benefit the entire neighbourhood of Syokimau on or before July 2016. Arrangemet to sort power outages described by most residents as perennial was hatched when Syokimau Resident Association (SRA) member lodged a complaint on blackouts within the estate. According to Lucy Masika, the customer relations team leader, Kenya Power intends to install a second 23 MVA to boost capacity and improve flexibity in Syokimau by mid 2016. The company further commits to upgrade the Juja Station by installing two 90 MVA TXs and an underground sub-station by June 2017. While proceeding to press, it emerged that Kenya Power had already embarked on an ambitious upgrade exercise of power lines from Syokimau to Katani at the marketplace.

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In the grand plan Kenya Power has planned to introduce 10 transformers to boost capacity at Katani market, Parliament Road, Community Road and Jambush areas along Katani Road. Kenya Power further intends to pilot its products with Syokimau residents. The company is running a pilot on SMS complaint reporting to help reduce the long queue on telephone number 95551.

Dr. Manu Chandaria is warmly received at the Kenya Power stand by Ms Beauttah during the Syokimau Trade Expo . The user instructions for SMS is as follows:Stima#Account or Stima meter Number# then highlight the complaint by sending the message to 95551. It is important to note that one only uses the Account number for postpaid and meter number for prepaid customers.

Taming Disaster It’s all squarely emerging that the journey to orderliness in Syokimau and Katani (read SyoKitani) rests with the residents on crucial areas touching maintenance of the public utilities, more so the roads, lighting and water. The fast developing SyoKitani that’s fair to quantify as home to about 80,000 people in the circuit that includes the Greater SyokimauKatani-Mlolongo and the quarry grounds is in distress.

immediately to permeate orderliness in guarding and priding investments that within recent times have shaped Syokimau, this magnificent place would easily cascade to a hotbed of upgraded chaos.

Syokimau, which serves as main entry to the circuit is accessed via Airport Road, Kiungani Road, Mwananchi Road, Community Road, Parliament Road, the main Katani Road and Quarry Road.

Where is the problem? With approximately 5,000 heavy duty trucks that ply along Quarry Road and occasionally deviating into varied SyoKitani estate feeder roads, the neighbourhood’s corrugated road network is exposed to disastrous damage. One would wonder to whose benefit?

Well, being the most vulnerable entry point into Nairobi from Mavoko Sub County quarries and sand harvesting in Machakos County, Syokimau and indeed the greater SyoKitani neighbourhood has been under intense focus following heavy human influx and vehicular traffic, worse of it all, the trucks. Situation on the ground, paints a grim picture that unless tougher measures are executed

The effort to tame carefree truck drivers by Mavoko Sub County was hailed in June this year. The Sub County authorities issued the Syokimau Residents Association the authority to mount barriers along the main roads. The SyoKitani residents raised funds, erected barriers but to their amazement wayward truck drivers all out to evade weighbridge in

Mlolongo went to a spree to damaging the barriers. Recently, the state of affairs on the fast dilapidating road network has been worsened by the El Nino rains as it digs deeper into gulleys initially created by trucks that subject the roads to rapid ware and tare.

We were alerted

By James Njoroge & Ann Kinya What did we do with El Nino alerts? Experts of El Nino called for early disaster mitigation measures to cushion the country against massive losses. With such information, it was expected that the national and county governments would take pre-emptive actions to ensure that nothing untoward happens. Syokimau Residents Association approached the County government through the sub-county administrator to immediately take remedial emergency measures within Syokimau Estate. Syokimau has poor drainage arising from clogged trenches and unplanned buildings on river banks or lets’ say the roads are all marram with no

drainage and no sewer lines. Feeble attempts were made to grade the roads, but only for three days. The problem persists. To mitigate and get prepared for the expected torrential rains the roads need to be graded well, drainage clearly cut and marked on all of the roads, unblocking of the trenches, garbage collected, expansion of the river channel along Sabaki river and all residents need to take precautionary measures to secure their families. SRA will keep the regular reminders to all

senior officers in the Sub-County with the hope that this will be taken seriously and the county will do what they should do. Scientifically El Nino is caused when the waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru warm, leading to changes in weather patterns around the world. In East Africa it causes heavy rains during the short rains from October to December,

with little influence on the long rains that occur from March to May. 2015 is an El Nino Year, however El Nino’s effect doesn’t necessarily mean more rain because not every town would necessarily receive high rainfall. Each El Nino event is unique, however, so it’s not possible to say exactly what the consequences will be for any given year. 9

Rising against high-rises Multi dwelling high-rise buildings which some developers are salivating to construct in the midst of already established townhouse designed homes in Syokimau have emerged as unpopular projects within the 3,500 acre estate. Through the Syokimau Residents Association (SRA) serving a steadily increasing number of tenacious families - currently standing at an average of 12,000 households recently petitioned Dr. Alfred Mutua, Governor of Machakos County to intervene into the issue of undesired approval of high-rise multi dwelling units by the Mavoko Sub County.

in our respected County, and that we do not have to relocate to get the Runda or Muthaiga experience.”

In a petition the residents point out that their decision to invest into homes in the estate was influenced with the plan of maintaining the location as single dwelling residential units – standards of which the association has hastened to uphold.

Petitioning for Dr. Mutua’s intervention follows the Governor’s insights inclined on developing Machakos County as the place to be. Detailing their dissatisfaction the residents through SRA were specific on the following areas:-

The petition states that the dream is now under serious threat following haphazard approvals of high-rise multi-dwelling unit by some sub county officials in Mavoko.

• Most of the residents, noted parts of the petition have since put up beautiful expensive homes, mainly maisonnettes on ¼ or 1/8 acres pieces of land. “Investors have also joined in putting up several gated estates in blocks of 5 acres or more. Together with efforts from your good government, we always believed that we can create a Runda or Muthaiga right here

SYOKIMAU ESTATE ROAD CHAMPIONS

Mohamed Ismail KIUNGANI ROAD

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•

Approvals of multiple dwelling developments (flats) and commercial buildings within the residential estate in areas not designated for such developments. Approvals of multiple dwelling developments (flats) and commercial buildings within what is publicly known as public land.

Carol Maina

COMMUNITY ROAD

Eva Achando

MWANANCHI ROAD

Dr. Alfred Mutua, Governor - Machakos County •

Blatantly allowing mabati or sub-standard structures to mushroom within the estate with the full knowledge of the sub county team. The residents noted that actions or deliberate lack of action of officers in charge of planning, approvals and supervision of building code in Syokimau have continued to devalue the stature of Syokimau, a situation that’s bringing reputation damage to the otherwise Governor’s wise and servant leadership that seeks to give Maendeleo Chap Chap and sustainable development to residents.

EUNICE MUSYOKA PARLIAMENT ROAD

Imma Wanyaga KATANI ROAD

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Why a BIG NO to HIGHRISE APARTMENTS The Syokimau residents’ recent petition to Dr. Alfred Mutua, Governor – Machakos County calling for orderliness in developing the estate celebrated as a bedroom next one of Africa’s largest airport aims to stem approval of flats in Syokimau until an ongoing physical planning blue print is completed and public views of Syokimau residents heard. In an effort to pursue fairness, the residents are prevailing upon Dr. Mutua to institute mechanisms for addressing issues surrounding of approval of flats in Syokimau be done in consultation with the Syokimau Residents Association (SRA) – the solid organ that continues to bring the neighbours together and address both nagging and developmental agenda within the estate. The residents are urging the Machakos County Government to audit how approvals for ongoing and others yet to start multi-dwelling high-rise structure were provided.

Granted that one of the pillars of Machakos County Government is establishment of good order, the residents strongly believe that in the spirit of ensuring due processes, transparency and accountability, the county administration will involve the residents in sustaining the progressive development within the estate. According to a cross-section on the residents interviewed, the Governor will squarely be within the agenda of Machakos County to suspend any ongoing irregularly approved development until order is established. The residents are however assertive that they will not hesitate to go to court to restrain the developments if no action is taken from by the county government.

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SYOKIMAU IN PICTURES

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Intern experiences

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Mavoko Sub County officials hosting SRA, SGS officials and truck drivers association in a tripartite meeting. Family Bank, welcomes the chief guest at the expo. Danson of Nulands receives guests at his signature stand at the Syokimau Trade Expo . John Thiong’o flags off the Safari rally at Gateway Mall. . Papa Aggrey Ndombi registering as Syokimau Residents Association member . Residents along Mwananchi Road sign up for SRA Membership during their zone Tujuane End year Party.

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CHARLES MUTINDA

STELLA MOKAYA

Being an intern at SRA is definitely not what I thought it would be when I first applied to work here. It is much more than an internship. It is a place to gain experience, a structured workplace, a unified voice, and a team of friends working together. I can confidently say that I have learnt a lot and I love the assignments am accorded.

SRA is a community initiative by the residents of Syokimau. My experience has been amazing for the past one month. I have gone to places I never imagined I would go. I have met people on appointments and am enjoying the everyday learning particularly from my immediate supervisor Ann Kinya.

SALOME NALIAKA

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SRA is an association focused to bettering Syokimau. It’s an honor to through internship to learn, serve as I contribute in a little way to shape the destiny of Syokimau. Through your community spirit and support, I hope to pool together with you attain the neighbourhood goals yearned in Syokimau.

P. O. Box 51079 (00100) GPO, NAIROBI. || www.sra.or.ke || facebook: syokimau residents association