Mutomo Maarifa Centre milestones for 2007 to Feb 2011 outlined

Mutomo Maarifa centre was established in August 2007 to serve the local communities with various services including local content generation and dissemination, free Internet access, computer skills training, access to development publications and other outreach activities to ensure communities get appropriate information resources. During a focal group meeting held on 22nd February 2011, the members noted the following milestones: ...Read more

New Advisory Committee for Mutomo Maarifa Centre

The Mutomo focal group members organized for a meeting that was held on 22nd February 2011 at the Mutomo Mission Hospital. The meeting comprising 22 participants was convened to discuss among other issues; Internet access at the Maarifa centre, Maarifa centre governance structure and reconstitution of the advisory committee, Mutomo Maarifa centre milestones, Mozambique visitors technical study visit to Mutomo and Kyuso and MPESA operations at the Maarifa centre.

The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Noah Lusaka project Manager and Roseline Ngusa Finance and Administration Manager from ALIN Headquarters.

Innovative selection of the committee

During the discussions, the Maarifa centre governance structure was explained in details and the roles of stakeholders outlined. Given that there had been many changes from the original committee constituted in 2007, the members agreed to reconstitute a new Advisory Committee comprising 11 members. To ensure equal participation and democracy, a criterion was set for selecting the committee. In effect, the committee is diverse to ensure different information interest groups are represented. Among the common interest groups identified included: Government representation, Ngos, women, youth, physically challenged, Community based organizations, local leaders and educational institutions...Read more

Melia Volkesii,a survivor in the desert

Mutomo District is an arid and semi arid area in Kitui County, Eastern province that is occasionally faced with dry spells. The main economic activities in the area are small scale farming and keeping of domestic animals.


The area receives minimal amount of rainfall (between 300-700mm per annum) and the residents frequently face starvation.


Very few indigenous tree species survive in such harsh climatic conditions. Of the few indigenous trees, Melia Volkensii, also locally known as Mukau is one of the species that has defied odds and has been known to do well in these unfavorable conditions.


Melia volkensii is a tree species in the family Meliaceae.
There are various steps and procedures followed in seed propagation and planting of the species.
These are:.....Read more