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Is Fabian Ihekweme truly on the run? By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu
Is Fabian Ihekweme truly on the run?
By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, October 24, 2024
The answer is an unequivocal YES.
He is on the run because of alleged looting of Avutu Poultry Equipments that led to his sack as commissioner.
Following my last article that exposed Ihekweme’s use of reverse psychology to cloak his alleged criminal activities under a veil of activism, a reader raised a pertinent question: is this former commissioner actually facing charges?
The simple truth is that Ihekweme, who once held the lofty position of Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, is indeed evading justice.
And, contrary to his newfound claims of innocence and persecution, he is not only a fugitive, but one whose trial was delayed due to the interventions of notable figures like former Speaker Kennedy Ibeh, who stood as his surety when the law caught up with him.
The people of Imo State deserve better than this calculated dishonesty. If Fabian Ihekweme is not on the run as may claim, we challenge him to emerge from his hideout and face the truth like any man who has nothing to fear.
Stand before the people and answer the burning question: what happened to the equipment and machinery worth millions of naira from Avutu Poultry?
Where did they disappear to under your watch as commissioner, in the guise of securing foreign investors for the state?
Fabian’s silence speaks louder than any of his empty proclamations of activism.
If he truly had a defense, would he be hiding? If his conscience was clear, would he not face the people and explain why the equipments meant to revitalize the Avutu Poultry in Obowo mysteriously vanished during his tenure?
For someone who claims to be a champion of good governance and accountability, Ihekweme seems curiously allergic to the idea of answering for his own actions.
But before anyone can take him seriously as an activist or a “seer,” he must first prove that he is capable of being accountable.
In the court of public opinion, his credibility is in tatters, and no amount of loud rhetoric will change that.
Until Ihekweme steps forward and provides clear answers about his involvement in the alleged looting that led to his sacking, his words remain hollow, and his campaign for justice will continue to be seen for what it truly is—a smokescreen to cover his flight from the law.
We, as ndi Imo, are not deceived. A man who cannot account for his past actions, especially when those actions involve the looting of public property, cannot expect to lead any meaningful conversation on governance. If Fabian Ihekweme wants to be taken seriously, he must first submit himself to the authorities and face the criminal investigation that has been hanging over his head like a sword of Damocles.
In leadership, as in life, integrity is everything. It is time for Omu to stop running, face the truth, and be accountable to the very people he claims to represent. Only then can he begin to rebuild the trust he has shattered. Until then, his words—whether cloaked in activism or victimhood—will continue to ring hollow.
-Ambrose Nwaogwugwu,
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor.
(Electronic and Creative Media)
Columns
Do you know that an Att0rney General in Nigeria can walk into any c0urt while a Cri’minal case is going on and put a st0p to that cri’minal case
- Efarmer Goats Initiative, which has transformed goat farming through innovation, was conceived on December 1, 2023
- The website helps people who are looking for goats to buy them at an affordable price and get them in different corners of the country and the world
- When Enock Kimosop explained his idea to President William Ruto in December 2024, he got a KSh 2 million cash gift from him, and he told TUKO.co.ke that it helped expand his business
Baringo: Enock Kimosop, a man thriving in the goat business, has shared how a KSh 2 million gift from President William Ruto helped him increase his number of goats and better utilise his form of transportation.
Enock Kimosop when he was gifted by William Ruto (l), the Efarmer founder (r). Photo: Enock Kimosop. Source: UGC
How was Efarmer Goats idea conceived?
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Kimosop shared that the concept of the Efarmer Goats Initiative, which transforms goat farming through innovation, was conceived on December 1, 2023, during the annual Kimalel Goat Auction.
“I was inspired by speeches from dignitaries at the event, which emphasised the need to make the process of buying and selling goats digital,” he said.
“The idea of selling goats online took root as a way to modernise the traditional goat farming business and address challenges in market access,” he added.
How did Kimosop get Efarmer website started?
Enock started to put his idea in motion; he reached out to his friends from Strathmore and another lady who helped build the website.
The site went live on April 2, 2024, and the group had a vision of transforming the website into an app within a year if it was successful.
Just as with many other businesses, Enock didn’t have all the cash needed to start, so he got together with some friends, and they contributed KSh 150,000 each; in the end, they had a capital of KSh 600,000, and they started their businesses of selling goats online.
How else did the Kimalel meeting help Efarmer?
“Our first sales took place during the Idd Mubarak celebrations in 2024, where we successfully sold 200 goats to individuals and butcheries; some were taking upto 10,” said Enock.
On December 17, 2024, Enock returned to the Kimalel Goat Auction to showcase his firm’s initiative. The president and other stakeholders helped them gain significant visibility, allowing them to penetrate the market at an accelerated pace.
“The KSh 2 million from the president helped boost the businesses with more goats. Initially, we were also transporting a few goats which was costly but now they can get return on investment,” he said.
“Despite our progress, transportation costs remain a significant challenge. Renting trucks for goat transportation is expensive and inefficient. To address this, we are actively exploring options to acquire our own lorry, which would greatly reduce logistics costs and enhance profitability,” he added.
How does Efarmer source goats?
Over time, Efarmer Goats identified reliable sources of the animals, ensuring consistent supply and competitive pricing.
Once Efarmer Goats has found the best breeds needed by the clients, they transport them on a lorry to Nairobi, where they have since found a holding ground in Rongai. At the holding ground, the goats are fed well and rest.
“It is important that they are fed and rest well so that their kgs do not go down after slaughtering,” insisted Enock.
Enock Kimosop at the Kimamel goat auction (r), some of the goats being sold (l). Photos: Enock Kimosop. Source: UGC
How has the evolution of Efarmer happened over time?
Today, Efarmer Goats has established a foothold in international markets as well, and Enock said that they now have a client from Dubai who orders 1000 goats from them on a monthly basis.
“We are managing 300 goats weekly and we sell to him per kilogram. There is also another Saudi Arabia client who is reliable,” he said.
Efarmer Goats prioritises reliability and efficiency. They aim to build client trust while empowering local farmers through sustainable practices and innovative solutions.
One such solution is a mobile app where farmers will be able to upload their goats for sale directly onto the platform, connecting them to buyers within their region.
“This platform will be cost-effective, with farmers only paying a small website application fee,” said Enock.
“We aim to fully exploit global opportunities, increasing our export capacity to handle goat sales in bulk quantities (measured in tons),” he added.
There are also farmer empowerment programs, where Efarmer Goats buys kids from farmers for KSh 6,000, provides guidance on rearing them, and facilitates sales at significantly higher prices (between Ksh 12,000 and Ksh 15,000) after a year.
This initiative ensures farmers achieve higher returns while enhancing their rearing skills.
Efarmer’s goats being held before they are sold. Photos: Enock Kimosop. Source: UGC
What are some of the challenges Kimosop faced?
Efarmer Goats expanded its reach to Nairobi, selling both through the website and offline. However, the initial phase was marked by significant challenges.
Among them was the high cost of transportation; transporting goats using large trucks, despite having only a few goats per trip, inflated operational costs.
“Inconsistent and high purchase prices for goats in some regions negatively impacted profitability. These logistical and supply chain issues led to initial losses, prompting us to refine our operations,” shared Enock.
Apparently, the future of goat farming in Kenya lies in technology, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Efarmer Goats said they embody those values as they continue to grow and transform.
Thika farmer frustrated by gate prices turns to grocery business
Elsewhere, on January 13, 2024, Sebastian Peter became the proud owner of two grocery shops in Thika Ngoingwa Estate, Mangu Road.
According to Peter, a friend lent him money to start leasing land for his vegetables, but later, he was frustrated by people who would buy them at KSh 3 and sell them between KSh 50 and KSh 100.
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Peter shared that he started as a hawker for his produce, such as kales, but over time, gate prices frustrated him, and he opted to start food kiosks.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke
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