Day: June 3, 2023

Members of the public have been cautioned against providing their personal information to unregistered individuals who ask for it.

Deputy Data Commissioner in the office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Rose Mosero has said people should enquire more before giving their personal data to any individual or groups.

Speaking on Friday during a sensitisation forum on data privacy and protection Act 2019 at a Murang’a hotel, Mosero observed that those handling personal data must be registered with the office of data protection commissioner.

She noted that some people may collect data and eventually misuse the information without owners’ consent.

‘We have embarked to enlighten people on their responsibility for their personal information. We caution members of the public from giving their information to anyone without getting clear information where the data will be used,’ she stated.

Any group or entity that handles personal data, Mosero said must be registered adding that this will ensure people’s private information is safeguarded from any abuse.

‘Banks, hospitals, government agencies, supermarkets among other organisations and individuals, handling people’s personal information, must be registered with us,’ she stated.

Mosero explained that there are two categories that handle personal data namely data controllers and data processors.

‘Data controllers determine how the collected data is used and data processors handle the information on behalf of data controllers. Both data controllers and data processors must be registered with the commission,’ she added.

The deputy data commissioner divulged that since the commission was established in November 2020, they have received more than 2, 800 claims from people who feel their data was infringed.

‘Some of the claims have been arbitrated and fines and penalties imposed to those found guilty. People have the right to make claims and report on cases where their personal information has been mishandled,’ added Mosero.

The deputy data commissioner further went ahead to caution the public to be aware of what they post on social media platforms. She noted some information may be sensitive, thus exposing them to ridicule adding that people with bad intentions may retrieve the information and misuse it.

Currently, the officers from the data commission are doing sensitisation forums in different parts of the country to keep Kenyans abreast of what the data commissioner is doing as enshrined by the law in data protection and to so get the buy-in of all stakeholders.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Some 27 farmers groups from Endo ward, Marakwet East sub-county received a total of 136 Toggenberg dairy goats a significant boost in agricultural development in the area.

The county government supplied these goats as part of the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP), a commendable initiative aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices.

The distribution of these goats has not only benefited the farmers but has also had a positive impact on the entire community.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM), for Agriculture Mr. Edwin Seroney expressed his satisfaction with the project’s outcomes. Seroney highlighted that the distribution of dairy goats has brought substantial improvements to the region.

The CEC said that one notable advantage of these dairy goats is that they are zero-grazed, meaning they are not left to roam freely. This approach effectively curbs the problem of animal theft, reducing incidents of banditry and cattle rustling in the area.

Seroney emphasised the importance of maintaining this practice, which has proven successful in preventing the goats from straying.

As the KCSAP project concludes, Seroney urged the farmers to continue embracing the value chains it has helped establish. He particularly highlighted the potential of the tomato, chicken, and dairy goat value chains in the Kerio Valley region.

Additionally, Seroney encouraged farmers to plant mango seedlings, as the Kerio Valley possesses the necessary conditions for their growth. Furthermore, with a factory situated in the region, there is a ready market for their produce, providing a valuable opportunity for economic growth.

Jeremiah Biwott, Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Endo ward and Elgeyo Marakwet Agricultural Chairman praised the KCSAP project for its significant contribution to the community.

Biwott expressed his desire for the project to continue, emphasising the tremendous benefits it brings to farmers and the wider society. He also suggested expanding the initiative to include cows and sheep, diversifying the opportunities available to farmers.

The impact of the KCSAP project was also evident through the testimonial of Hilary Kiptoo, a tomato farmer from Koror location in Endo. Kiptoo expressed his gratitude for the project, highlighting the positive changes it has brought to farmers’ lives.

He urged the Governor to continue funding such initiatives, as they not only educate farmers but also provide them with a reliable market, ultimately improving their livelihoods.

The farmers in Endo ward echoed Kiptoo’s sentiments, calling on the county government to sustain its support for the KCSAP project. They recognised the immense potential of the initiative to transform the lives of other farmers in the region, emphasising the need for continued funding to ensure its success.

The distribution of 136 dairy goats to 27 farmers groups in Marakwet East sub-county has proven to be a game-changer for the agricultural sector in the area. As the project nears its conclusion, the encouragement from key stakeholders to continue funding similar initiatives highlights the undeniable impact they have on the community. The success of the KCSAP project serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the potential for growth and prosperity within the agricultural sector.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Tharaka Nithi county Woman Representative Ms. Susan Ngugi has given a total of Sh 238,000 from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) to Self-Help groups to help them foster self- empowering projects.

The Woman Rep released the cheques to two self- help groups from Karingani ward in the county while disclosing that a third group will receive their cheque once they meet the 15-membership threshold.

Speaking while releasing the cheques at Chuka Picnic grounds, the Woman Rep revealed that the cheques are for funding projects whose proposals were presented in her office by the Self-Help groups.

The two groups were Bidii Yetu self-help group which was founded in 2013 and received Sh 120,000 and Bidii Women self-help group that received Sh 118,000.

Divers self-help group cheque was not presented to them because the attendants were only three members. However, the women rep said the group will receive their cheque on Friday June 9, 2023 after the group has registered a minimum of 15 members.

The representatives of the groups hailed the women rep for the great support and the uwezo funds she has been giving them that have helped them to grow economically.

The three groups with the help of the county MP have started poultry projects, pig rearing projects, yogurt production, and cow keeping which are now a source of great income to their members.

NGAAF coordinator Chuka Igambang’ombe constituency Aaron Njue, congratulated the women for creating those self-help groups and urged them to add more members in the groups so that they may get more funds to foster their projects.

The Sh 118,000 to the Bidii women self-help group is for the purchase of a milk ATM which will enable them to create yogurt and distribute milk, while Bidii yetu, on the other hand are expected to use their Sh 120,000 for purchasing maize meal or a porridge flour mill.

Speaking to the media after the event, Ngugi who was the MCA for Marimanti ward until the last general elections said she was very delighted to serve and that she will serve all the wards across the county without discrimination.

‘I will serve all wards without leaving any group out and will ensure that the registered groups do not have ghost members because I will be sending my team to verify,’ she said.

She further emphasised that those who receive the NGAAF funds must utilise them for the projects they have indicated in their proposal to avoid incompetency, and in case of change there should be a formal meeting with minutes indicating changes.

‘The government gives very little for the NGAAF fund which I cannot sit back and watch while it is misappropriated,’ the Woman Rep said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Some 300 families in Turkana Central have received assorted supplies from the County Government and its partners as part of disaster response following recent floods that disrupted their lives.

The supplies which were issued at Napetet in Township ward, Jack City and Nawoitorong in Kanamkemer ward included maize meal, cooking oil, household items and non-food items courtesy of the County Government, UNICEF and World Vision.

Speaking during the event on Friday, Acting Director for Disaster Risk management Natapar Philip said that the beneficiaries of the supplies had been identified through a county-led assessment jointly undertaken with Kenya Red Cross Society in early May.

Natapar said the supplies will go a long way in supporting the recovery of the victims following the huge losses suffered during the recent floods. He said the supplies were part of Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai’s nine-point agenda in respect to speedy disaster response.

Natapar emphasised that plans were underway to escalate the programme throughout the county to reach all the victims in their respective areas. The beneficiaries of the supplies appreciated the County led efforts and said that the help was long overdue as their lives had been badly disrupted.

The exercise was facilitated by respective ward administrators with the help of village administrators and staff of the County Government.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kisii County Government is set to grade around 68 roads even as it seeks to open up and improve more roads to all-weather standards.

Speaking at Gusii stadium, Kisii Governor Mr. Simba Arati said his administration will make use of the available funds and partner with national government agencies to deliver a good road network across the county.

‘We are already working closely with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) to forge a collaborative approach in the area of roads infrastructure development,’ Arati said.

The Governor noted that due to the continuous rains, most of the county roads are in poor condition and in need of continuous grading.

He added the county will consider services of the Mechanical Transport Fund (MTF), NYS, and other agencies to access machinery and equipment for road works in order to minimise costs in the road construction and achieve quality work.

In terms of urban development, Arati said waste management has been a challenge and instructed that a concerted inter-departmental approach to help address the solid waste menace in our towns be put in place.

‘We are poised to alter our waste management programme to incorporate separation of waste at source to facilitate recycling of waste,’ the County Boss said.

In order to strengthen the county government’s disaster preparedness and emergency response, Arati said they are working with donors in the United Kingdom and soon, they will be shipping in four fire engines and accompanying gear to further boost our county fire brigade and fully equip the Kisii Fire Station.

In addition, the county is setting up a new fire station complete with three fire engines at Ogembo Municipality to help respond to fire challenges in the Gucha region, even as they seek to have satellite stations in other towns.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat, defended Saturday (03) the joint efforts for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan.

Delivering his speech, at opening of the Extraordinary Summit of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (CIRGL), Moussa Faki called for the need to find lasting solutions to African crises through dialogue and strong commitments.

At the time, he described the security situation in the region as catastrophic and with major human consequences.

Moussa Mahamat called for the coordination of efforts to correspond to the summit’s motto “For a stable Great Lakes region, towards sustainable development”.

He noted that, despite some progress, there are challenges in terms of security that hinder development, such as the resurgence of the emergence of armed groups like the M23 and the illicit exploitation of natural resources.

He said that the situation calls for the need to revive the deployment of the African force to assist in the rapid implementation of the Rwanda and Nairobi processes.

The continental leader appealed to the UN and other partners to support the pacification efforts underway in the DRC and Sudan in the technical and logistical fields.

However, he announced that the African Union Commission is preparing to hold a Summit with the participation of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Southern African Development Community (SADC), International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Community of East African States (EAC) to coordinate efforts and share responsibilities, taking into account the potential of each State.

To AUC, it is crucial to act effectively and increase trust among the leaders of organisations.

On the other hand, he spoke of the coup d’état in Sudan, at a time when the country was getting ready for holding its elections, which led to the deterioration of the internal situation, with consequences for other countries.

He added that in addition to the exodus to other countries, the dead are yet to be buried and the wounded without assistance, which could lead to yet another chaos on the continent.

The AU is making efforts to reach a ceasefire, while urging the contenders to avoid actions that would further damage the country and create long-term disturbances.

He argued that the AU engaged with specialised agencies to help the affected populations.

Moussa Faki believes in a negotiated solution to the Sudanese conflict, to save the country from civil war and the region from widespread chaos.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)