Reporting on Rural Issues
Polluted Paradise: Garbage Dumping Endangers Lake Nkunga and Residents
By Brian Gitonga, DevReporter, Meru County
In Summary
Lake Nkunga supports households, livestock, and tourism in Meru County.
A poorly managed dumpsite nearby is contaminating air and water.
Residents report respiratory illness, insect infestation, and fears of water pollution.
When smoke from burning garbage drifts across her home, Florence Kairuthi knows an asthma attack could follow....
From Streets to the Ring: How Boxing is Giving Meru’s Youth a Second Chance
By Brian Gitonga, DevReporter, Meru County
In Summary
The Meru Boxing Club mentors over 400 youth from slums in Meru County.
The club has helped youth escape drugs, crime, and depression while developing discipline and life skills.
Trainees have competed nationally and internationally, and some have secured employment through boxing.
When 20-year-old Erick Kinyua Gitonga...
Teenage Pregnancies in Busia: When Childhood Ends Too Soon
By Philip Barasa, DevReporter, Busia County
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Over 65,000 teenage pregnancies have been recorded in Busia County in the past eight years.
Girls as young as 10 years old are becoming mothers, often dropping out of school permanently.
Poverty, stigma, and lack of reproductive health information continue to fuel the crisis.
Community programs...
Giants Fall: Why the Fall of Mogumo Trees in Endebess; Toroso, Matters to the Sabaot Community
By Emanuel Kipkorir Tarus, DevReporter, Trans Nzoia County
Key Highlights
The Mugumo tree is regarded sacred
Two Mugumo trees fell down in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma
Elders unsettled by the incidents, plan rituals
49 bulls set to be slaughtered to cleanse the community
For the Sabaot community living in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties, the Mugumo...
Dusty, no toilets: Kitengela stadium limits youth potential and inclusion
By Christine Wangoi, DevReporter, Kajiado County
Highlights
Kitengela Stadium sits on approximately five acres.
It is the only public playing field serving the rapidly growing town.
The stadium has no toilets, changing rooms or spectator facilities.
It also hosts community events such as medical camps and children’s immunisation outreaches.
In August 2025, Kenya co-hosted the...
Farmers Count Losses as Failed Rains Devastate Crops in Siaya
By Jack Ohito, DeveReporter, Siaya County
Highlights
“Even if it rains now, there will be no change in the harvest.”
“Had we known the situation earlier, we would have planted drought resistant crops like cassava and sweet potatoes,” says Mrs. Awuor
Victor Radido, a farmer, gazes at his farming and noting how the maize cobs have...
SHA in Busia: Promise, Pain, and a System Under Test
By Philip Barasa, DevReporter, Busia County
Key Highlights
Residents report long queues and system downtimes at public hospitals
Patients say SHA access often fails despite early arrival and active accounts
Civil society questions government commitment to universal health care financing
Private hospitals claim SHA claims are delayed or rejected.
County officials cite eligibility and...
Trans Nzoia Women Ditch Maize for Poultry, Profits: From 20 chicks to 2,000: How small-scale farmers are rewriting their economic future
By Kipkorir Tarus, DevReporter, Trans Nzoia County
Key Highlights
Trans Nzoia women ditch maize farming, embrace poultry
Poultry farming more profitable than maize farming
Mortality, animal feed and lack of markets termed major challenges to poultry farming
County Government of Trans Nzoia supports poultry farming, builds value addition factory
Every dawn in Mitoto village, Trans...