Day: March 21, 2024

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has mulled the government’s plans to write off debts owed by coffee cooperative societies.

On Wednesday Gachagua addressing coffee farmers while commissioning Murang’a Farmers coffee mill at Maragua stated that he will spearhead discussion with the ministry of cooperatives among other relevant stakeholders and scrutinize debts owed by farmers aligned to various cooperative societies.

He noted within a period of three weeks, the exercise of verifying the debts will be over and farmers should expect goods news as the government have various strategies to revive the coffee sector

‘Our farmers should expect good news from the talks we are going to have. The president has good will towards reviving the coffee sector and one way of doing so is to writing off all the loans owed by farmers.’ He added.

The deputy president expressed his commitment to streamline the coffee sector saying already reforms being implemented have started to bear fruits.

‘For the last one year, a large
amount of coffee has been exported and as a government we are working to eliminate all cartels who for a long time have been exploiting our farmers.’ He asserted.

Gachagua continued ‘availability of cherry advance fund which now stands at Sh. 4 billion is aimed to support farmers to increase production and caution them from financial constraints. The money is available to all coffee farmers but not to only those who supply their coffee through New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU).

He added coffee farmers will be able to access subsidized fertilizer at their cooperative society within a period of less than one month.

Gachagua lauded Murang’a farmers’ cooperative union for establishing the coffee mill saying the facility will assist in processing and selling final product without engaging many players.

‘The coffee will be processed and packaged here and the union has a license to directly export their product without bringing in many players. This will increase earnings to farmers,’ he noted.

The co
ffee commenced its operations after the government assisted the facility to get a transformer last month.

The plant has the capacity to process 1. 2 million tons of coffee per hour with management of the union working to increase the processing capacity to more than 5 million tons per hour.

Cabinet secretary for cooperatives Simon Chelugui praised the installation of the million plant saying farmers from the county will benefit more from their produce.

Chelugui lauded Murang’a farmers for taking advantage of the cherry advance fund saying more than 15, 000 coffee farmers have benefited from the kitty.

‘More than 15, 000 farmers from this county have sourced a total of Sh. 354 million from the cherry fund kitty. The money is available and we want more farmers to access the money for improvement of their production,’ he noted.

On his part, Governor Irungu Kang’ata noted the facility will ensure farmers produce is processed and graded appropriately.

He observed for many years’ unscrupulous ways were employ
ed in private processors where farmers were denied the right to know the correct grade of their coffee.

‘Now farmers from this county will monitor their coffee from farms and through the process of grading. This will ensure they get the right returns from their produce. As the county government we are also investing in the coffee sector by bringing in youths to venture in coffee farming,’ he added.

Kang’ata praised the quality of coffee produced in the county saying his administration will spearhead marketing of the processed coffee from the mill.

Construction of the coffee mill started during the last regime but failed to commence operations due to lack of some equipment including supply of electricity.

Source: Kenya News Agency

More than 1,000 pastoralists in Marsabit County are set to benefit with livestock breed improvement, fodder production and marketing skills training courtesy of Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority.

The training has been necessitated following massive livestock fatalities due to perennial drought in Arid and Semi-Arid areas (ASALs) in the past five years.

The move is aimed to cushion the pastoralists from livestock death due to lack of feed, poor cattle breeds and market which had resulted in huge losses in the livestock sector.

Ewaso Ngiro North Development Authority (ENNDA) Managing Director Eng. Ali Hassan speaking in Marsabit during the signing of the feedlot project Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) revealed that the targeted community members were expected to replicate the skills to rest of the livestock keepers in the county.

‘As they learn and acquire the concept of breed improvement, this will attract other farmers to improve their livestock. This is a dream program and an eye opener in ASAL
areas,’ said Eng. Hassan.

He pointed out that, since ENNDA was implementing Sh.2.7 billion feedlot projects in a 12,000 acres of land in Marsabit, livestock keepers would harvest rain waters to grow fodder within the region for their livestock.

‘We will need to have 5,000 tonnes of fodder harvested within a season to be stored as hay and also to be used as green feed. This will be communally owned and many farmers will have their centres too,’ he revealed.

Additionally, Hassan said that with the feedlot project, they would stock more than 2,000 cattle.

Marsabit governor Ali Mohammed lauded the breed improvement initiative noting that the move would benefit residents by fetching fortunes in the market.

‘Improvement of our breeds is very encouraging, I have seen some breeds weighing as much as 600 kilograms and we need ours to exceed that. This is a great opportunity,’ said the governor.

He added that Marsabit lost more than 70 percent of their livestock during the recurrent drought season and accumulatin
g back their possessions through livestock breed improvement and feedlot project was a game changer for residents.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The signing into law of the Affordable Housing Bill is a game changer for millions of Kenyans living in rural areas who, for years, have been inhabiting derelict structures but now have been handed an opportunity to own decent homes, a lobby group has indicated.

The Kenya Internally Displaced Persons Organization (KIDPO) observed that previously the focus on provision of affordable housing had always been on what happens in urban centers where population densities are high and economic activities are a lot more, while rural areas were largely ignored in the scheme.

KIDPO patron Mr Peter Tena pointed out that inclusion of Kenyans in the informal sector and others not salaried who will pay a 1.5 percent turnover tax from their monthly gross earnings to the fund under the new law widens the bracket of beneficiaries including previously internally displaced persons.

Initially, the Bill only applied to those in formal sectors. However, after a court order, the government included everyone for fairness and a bal
anced contribution.

According to Mr Tena the order by the court was a brilliant idea as initially those in consultancy and other professions were not included, while their earnings are quite high.

Those holding formal jobs will also be deducted 1.5 percent of their gross monthly pay, an amount that will be matched by their employer.

This, according to the KIDPO, will offer rural households Kenyans a chance to own decent homes, boost the economy and offer employment opportunities.

While noting that proper attention has now been given to providing affordable housing for the poor segments of the population, who form the bulk of Kenyan society at about 53 per cent, Mr Tena stated that the new statute will create extensive opportunities for investment in construction, and the manufacture and supply of building materials and components in rural areas.

He said previous studies had established that only two percent of formally constructed houses targeted the lower-income families, with about 65 percent of Kenya’
s urban families having to cope with informal settlements

President William Ruto on Tuesday, March 19 signed into law the Affordable Housing Bill, at a ceremony held at State House Nairobi.

Addressing the media in Nakuru Mr Tena observed that the affordable housing project has the potential to generate thousands of direct job opportunities for artisans in the informal sector. The use of locally available resources, labour and artisans in the housing programme, he added, could lower costs and employ thousands of Kenyans.

The patron indicated that affordable housing is about ensuring everybody can access quality housing without compromising their ability to lead a decent life. He added that housing is a key social determinant of people’s health and overall quality of productivity

Mr Tena observed that Article 47 of the Constitution provides that everyone including rural households is entitled to accessible and adequate housing.

‘International human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights also enshrine housing as a human right. A decent house is probably the most significant investment many families will make. Besides providing shelter, a house can be used as collateral to finance the family’s economic activities and cater for emergencies like medical bills,’ stated the patron.

He stated that availability of affordable housing in rural areas will enhance the capacity of families to meet important needs and save for the future, thus improving the standard of living.

The legislation received approval from both the Senate and the National Assembly including amendments that involve the participation of county governments.

Under the new provisions, proposed by the Senate, governors will establish county liaison committees tasked with overseeing the implementation of the affordable housing programme.

President Ruto has severally indicated that the affordable housing project will not only provide employment opportunities
for young people in the country but also ensure there is sufficient land available for agriculture and food production.

‘Housing is going to give us jobs for our young people, give us decent living conditions for our people, is going to assist us in making sure that we have land for food production and is also going to make sure that we grow our manufacturing sector,’ Dr Ruto said at a function in Bomet County.

Mr Tena petitioned the government to consider a Senate report that questioned the 10 per cent mandatory deposit which many Kenyans complained was high.

He said the 10 per cent deposit was high and that a way should be found around it soon to reduce the amount.

The new law also defines the role of County Governments in affordable housing and provides for the establishment of County Affordable Housing Committees to advise governors on affordable housing programs within their counties.

The Government has announced that currently, over 120,000 young men and women are working on the sites, and it antic
ipates having 300,000 youths working on the sites once they put in place the balance of the 48,000 units.

KIDPO Governing Council member Ms Ruth Wanjiru hailed the government for introducing another category which is rural housing. Kenyans who wish to set up homes in rural areas, she added, can access loans through the housing fund to build these houses.

‘There is also rural housing. So, if you want to go and build your home in rural areas, you can be able to get a loan to go and build it. This is a step in the right direction,’ she said.

Ms Wanjiru advised Kenyans to register themselves at the Boma Yangu platform under the e-Citizen as that will allow the government to properly plan when setting up these homes.

‘When people have access to quality affordable housing options, they are far less likely to face hazards associated with an informal settlement lifestyle. Additionally, the cost incurred in the treatment of recurring health issues due to inadequate housing becomes disposable income and can be used
for further self-economic empowerment,’ She noted.

The KIDPO Governing Council Member indicated that affordable housing investment spurs economic stimulus and job creation and added that investing in affordable housing will create a multiplier effect, where direct and indirect benefits to the country include job creation, improved health and safety and increased household resilience.

Principal Secretary, State Department for Housing and Urban Development Mr Charles Hinga has indicated that those earning Sh20,000 and below will automatically be entitled to a social house, which Hinga says has been divided into three categories depending on the number of rooms in that house.

For one to move into a one-room house, they will be required to pay Sh3200 per month for up to 30 years after which the house will be theirs.

Those who would want to move into a two-roomed house or a three-roomed house will be required to pay Sh4800 or Sh6400 respectively.

These homes are only available to people earning a gross of Sh2
0,000 and below and are all single rooms.

Taxpayers earning between Sh20,000 and Sh150,000 will be allowed to own or rent homes depending on the number of bedrooms in that house.

A one-bedroom, Hinga says, will be available for Sh5,200 while a two-bedroom and three-bedroom will go for Sh10,400 and Sh15,600 respectively.

According to the PS, those under this class can get a mortgage of 6 per cent which is fixed and is paid for a maximum of 30 years after which, they will own the house.

The third category of earners are those who earn over Sh150,000 per month.

Their homes will be mid to high-end market units which will be spacious and master ensuite.

For this category, the homes available will only be two and three bedrooms which will go for Sh31,300 and Sh41,800 respectively.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), Tamarind group and Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement to empower youth with training skills that will make them competitive in the job market.

The MOU whose aim is to transform lives of the students in the community will also ensure the Youth Agenda is realized through partnership and collaborative strategies by presenting good opportunity to pool resources to uplift the lives and dignity of the disadvantaged in the society.

Speaking during the signing ceremony held at Carnivore in Nairobi, the Regional Coordinator-State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy-Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports (MOYACES) Daniel Kirui observed that young people encounter socio-economic hardships due to lack of employable skills, exposure and employment opportunities.

Kirui noted that the government is cognizant that the youth are valuable resources with substantial energy, innovation and digital knowled
ge which can foster national development, and propel Kenya to unprecedented economic growth.

He cited that INUA Jamii program aligns with the government’s commitment to uplift young Kenyans through establishing careers that contribute to the nation’s social-economic development and reduce unemployment and underemployment among the youth.

Kirui lauded the partnership terming it a collaborative effort that address youth’s issues especially those in informal settlements of Mukuru in Nairobi.

‘The parties involved will be able to leverage on resources, build synergies and harness technical expertise as a strategy to address youth unemployment through skills development, internship and mentorship,’ he stated.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports has rolled out projects through State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy to promote skills development that target business development services for startups, growing and expanding enterprises which will contribute to job and wealth
creation.

Other areas of focus are improving youth employability through entrepreneurship trainings, developing labour export and local markets for youth’s products and supporting the youth savings and investments to enable them earn decent incomes.

The Regional Coordinator also acknowledged Tamarind Group of hotels, an international brand in hospitality for providing apprenticeship to the trainees in hospitality industry.

‘With Tamarind on board, the youth will have the opportunity to get quality exposure to the real-world dynamics of the hospitality industry and life-changing job opportunities attained through professional coaching to become efficient and competent personnel in the labour market globally,’ he stated.

Kirui also acknowledged KWAL for directing their corporate social responsibility to skill development for the hospitality sector which creates opportunities for youths, noting that the sector stimulates growth and broadens services in the tourism industry.

‘We laud Mukuru Promotion Centre
for its endurance spirit in humanitarian work, promotion of education and health services, the Centre’s selfless giving has made it a household name in the informal settlements,’ said Kirui.

He at the same time encouraged the 40 beneficiaries to make their benefactors proud through excellent performance and to demonstrate award with impeccable discipline, hard work and self-less service.

‘Possession of skills alone is not adequate for success in any career and indeed in life, however, excellent you may be, one needs communication, interpersonal skills, passion and positive attitude to captive and maintain loyalty among clients,’ he said.

KWAL Managing Director Lina Githuka said that INUA program provides technical holistic nature to the youths, helps them to find voice and have confidence and esteemed to what the students have within them to power and shape their future.

Githuka added that the goal is to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for the youths by reaching more people and offer commi
tment to make it have a greater impact.

She noted that the government through its commitment, has expanded and enhanced advancement to honor the youth Agenda and promote youth activities.

In his remarks, the Tamarind Group Operations Director Joseph Gacheru said that greater emphasizes needs to be placed in mentoring and training of the young generation of hoteliers in order to secure the future of culinary industry which will make students stronger before securing their livelihoods and be able to compete in the global arena.

Gacheru revealed that Tamarind has open up apprenticeship program to exceptional students from MPC which empowers over 200 young people who are now professional chefs in and out of the country, standing out as key players of the industry.

‘Apprenticeship program will not only give practical experience but also give a front foot in the door of the hospitality industry to train and strengthen career,’ he stated.

The Director of Mukuru Promotional Centre (MPC) Sister Mary said that the
mission offers a life line by providing education and environmental change through a brighter path to the future of the young people.

Sr. Mary said that the partnership aims to bridge the wide gap between the available jobs and skill to professional workers especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

‘Partnership will provide a comprehensive fraternity training to the selected youths from Mukuru slums, through the vocational training schools run by MPC, dreams are achieved, skills are sharpened and futures are built,’ she disclosed while citing that the training will cover culinary arts, customer service and management among others.

She declared that the MPC vision is to see graduates excels and become glitters in the hospitality industry within the community.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Ministry of East Africa Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, has embarked on a review of functions of six Regional Development Authorities, to align them with the 2010 Constitution.

This follows a Cabinet decision to assess and review the roles, impact and effectiveness of the agencies in light of devolution.

EAC Cabinet Secretary (CS), Penina Malonza, said the review targets to relook at the services being offered with a view of identifying those that can be transferred to the counties.

Malonza said the RDA’s were not being moved to county governments, adding that the Cabinet decision was meant to avoid duplication of functions.

‘Since devolution started, in 2013, there are still functions we are looking at to see whether they fit in the National government or in the county governments,’ she said.

Speaking during the commissioning of water projects at Oriwo Primary School in Homa Bay County and St. Peter’s Kogola Primary School in Nyakach, Kisumu County, Malonza said t
he move targets to strengthen operations of the six RDA’s to foster development in the regions.

The RDA’s which include Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA), Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENNDA) and Coast Development Authority, she said play a critical role in national development and would be supported to fulfill their mandate.

The two water projects done by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), she said, will collectively support over 11, 000 households, including learning institutions in the two counties.

‘The communities here used to trek for long distances to search for water. These projects are indeed a great relief,’ she said.

Her Ministry, she added, was working with the Ministry of Interior, to gazette more Arid and Semi – Arid areas, which have been on the waiting list for long to ensure they benefit from ongoing government programs.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Any beer manufacturer found distributing adulterated alcoholic drinks risks paying a fine of up to Sh 10 million or serve an imprisonment term not exceeding ten years or both.

This is according to the revised Nyeri Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023.

The new act which was assented to by Governor Mutahi Kahiga into law last week is an amended version of the Nyeri Alcoholic Drinks Control and Management Act,2014 which stands repealed.

Article 7(b) of the act also spells out that any person who knowingly distributes an alcoholic drink that is adulterated shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh 2 million or an imprisonment term not exceeding two years or both.

The law also prohibits the undertaking of any form of promotions or advertisements for alcoholic drinks and spells out a fine of up to Sh 500,000 for an offender or an imprison term not exceeding three years or both.

Notable in the new act is a provision limiting the time of operation for those running wines and spirits shops.

The 11th schedule st
ates that ‘a licensee shall not sell any alcoholic drink for consumption in the premises any time not earlier than 2 pm and not later than 8.30 pm’

Local Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KNCCI) chair Mr. Ibrahim Maina says they are still analysing the new act and could not therefore comment on its contents.

Maina however says as an entity that advocates for the welfare of traders, they will not hesitate to support the government in weeding out unscrupulous persons who have infiltrated in the alcohol sector.

‘I would not wish to comment anything about the new legislation but I am still studying the provisions therein. The issue of alcoholism is a real problem in this country and therefore one needs caution before commenting on the subject to avoid being labelled as an impediment to the war against its consumption,’ he told KNA.

But Patricia Njeri who operates a wine and spirit retail outlet within Nyeri town says while the act is entirely not bad, a directive by the County government not
to license new licenses could be counterproductive.

She has admitted that proceeds from the wine and spirit business are quite good nowadays and therefore limiting the number of outlets in operation may not be to the interests of those intending to venture into the business.

‘This new order by the County government to limit the number of wine and spirit outlets may not be in good faith as far as we are concerned. When the government freezes the licensing of new alcoholic outlets what happens to those who wish to expand their business?’ she poses.

‘If no new outlets will be allowed to come on board, we shall have shut out very many people who wish to venture into this trade and earn their living,’ pointed out Njeri.

On his part Harrison Kingori a matatu driver who plies the Nyeri-Ihururu route has welcomed the new law which he says will boost the war against uncontrolled drinking in the county.

He has however disagreed with a provision that limits the transfer of an alcoholic business outlet from one loca
tion to another terming the order discriminatory.

‘What we are all fighting against is consumption of illicit alcohol in this country. But when doing this we need to be careful not to kill the legit businesses that have met the required standards. We cannot restrict the transfer of existing businesses to other areas if that is to the advantage of the trader and as long as he has followed the due process of the law. The government should in the meantime close down all liquor outlets being operated by their employees to avoid a conflict of interest,’ he said.

Simon Maina Mwangi, a bodaboda rider in Nyeri town has welcomed the new measures to curb the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol in the county saying the vice had threatened the very fabric of the society to the core.

He has also supported the regulation on the number of new liquor outlets which he said would help control the uncontrolled mushrooming of unlicensed drinking dens.

Mwangi also claims that some of the backstreet drinking joints ar
e safe hiding dens for drug addicts since they are shielded from law enforcers and said he was in full support of a plan by the county government to take an audit of all bars and restaurants operating in the county.

‘Let the County Government go ahead with its plan of undertaking an a census on all licensed and operational bars with a view of rationalizing their growth. By doing this, it will be possible to weed out rogue traders who have turned the liquor business into a conduit to traffic drugs and other illicit substances,’ states Mwangi.

Both the national and county governments have launched a sustained war against rampant consumption of illicit alcohol in the country which has been termed as a security concern for the nation.

Last month Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced the government’s commitment in the war to curb illicit brews in the country.

Gachagua revealed government plans to roll out multi-agency and multistakeholder measures to decisively deal with illicit brew, drugs and substance
abuse in the country days after more than 20 people died after consuming illicit liquor in Kirinyaga.

‘The government will not allow merchants of death to continue with the illegal business of illicit brew, drugs and other substances,’ Gachagua stated.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Pastor Dorcas Ntinyari of the Gospel Outreach Church, Mitunguu, noted that many parents have neglected their children’s education, transferring the responsibility to house help and teachers. She emphasized that children are gifts from God, hence should be properly nurtured.

The cleric warns parents to take their role seriously as children are now begging around Mitunguu market, a trend that was rare years ago. She noted that due to hard economic times contemporary parents hardly have adequate time to spend with their families, as they are busy looking for money.

Parents need to be more vigilant to prevent their children from falling into drug abuse traps due to lack of time for guidance. Hence, as schools close for Easter, parents are advised to be more vigilant to prevent drug abuse and other vices.

Ntinyari further urged parents to always monitor their children’s movements, to ensure that they keep good company and protect them from predators, this is because, Many school-going children, are falling prey
to drugs such as Bang alcohol, which have significantly impacted their dreams.

She noted that cases of child abuse, abductions and even killings have been on the rise in the recent past thus parents must be extra vigilant. ‘Let’s set extra time for our families to nurture them and show lots of love and discipline as they are key in fostering development projects in our community’ she noted.

The Church and other religious organizations play a crucial role in mentoring and guiding young people through spiritual nourishment, and lastly, Pastor Ntinyari, urged parents to ensure their children always go to church so as to receive guidance and spiritual nourishment which will help mold them into responsible adults.

Source: Kenya News Agency

State and non-state entities have been urged to embrace joint planning and execution of peace building interventions.

Speaking during a forum to evaluate past interventions and chart a path toward enhancing peace and security in the county, Director for Peace and Reconciliation Titus Lokorikeju said pooling resources would enhance emergency response and improve reactions to early warnings of conflict escalation.

The forum was supported by the International Organization for Peace Building (INTERPEACE), whose objective is to coordinate all actors working to promote peace building in the county.

He highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving peace. His call for coordinated efforts, inclusion of all stakeholders, and effective use of resources were echoed by others working towards peace in the region.

Turkana central Deputy County Commissioner Thomas Siele expressed the National Government’s commitment to combating insecurity issues in Turkana South and Loima Sub-counties.

He stressed
on the importance of involving local Administrators, elders, and communities to create effective homegrown peace solutions.

He added that the National Government had beefed up security capacities in the most disturbed and dangerous crime zones along the Riverine.

The forum brought together participants from various sectors, including the national government’s administrative wing, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) have been sensitized on the implementation and status report of the government development projects like Affordable Housing, national tree growing campaign and others.

Additionally, they were taken through the implementation of the presidential directive to combat illicit alcohol and drug abuse to ensure the nation is free from the menace which poses serious threats to health and security.

The Deputy County Commissioners (DCCs) presented status reports on the government projects and implementation of the presidential directive across the 6 sub counties where they reported remarkable achievements and progress in the implementation of the government projects.

Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr. Eddyson Nyale lauded the exercise courtesy of Reinvent Kenya as said the government is keen to know the status of the ongoing projects.

He noted that the government is currently embracing a societal approach, to how the projects are impacting the lives of the lo
cal communities, in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) pillars.

He further indicated that NGAOs should have elaborate information and understanding of the government projects, to be able to communicate the agenda of the government to the members of the public, to help counter misinformation and propaganda that misleads the people, regarding the projects.

Dr. Nyale said the county has done well in projects and more particularly in fighting illicit brew as per the president’s directive.

‘Following the Presidential directive on the fight against illicit brew and other narcotics, a number of initiatives were put in place including a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), and with collaborated efforts from the County Multi-agency Committee that has led to the netting of 26,437 litres of Changaa, 185,148 litres of Kangara, 39,232 litres of Busaa, and 7, 245 Rolls and 2,200 Stems of Bhang,’ he noted.

The administrative officers were also educated on administrative justice and alternative disp
ute resolution (ADR) through court-annexed mediation to enable residents to get access to justice on time.

In his remarks the presiding judge Eldoret High Court Justice Reuben Nyakundi who graced the event, reiterated the crucial role played by the administrative officers of government in terms of mediation noting that that will help in supporting Alternative Justice System (AJS) through ADR in order to reduce backlog of cases in courts particularly on succession matters.

He hinted on training of the NGAOs on mediation matters to enable them settle disputes on succession, land and others since they are ones with closeness to the members of the community.

The Exercise which is sponsored by REINVENT Kenya in partnership with the national government intends to ensure and promote high level of diligence and accountable service delivery closer to the community.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Principal Secretary for University Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala on Wednesday visited students from Kenyatta University at Avenue Hospital, Parklands in Nairobi who sustained various injuries in an accident that occurred at Maungu in Voi Sub-county.

In a press statement sent to newsrooms, Dr. Inyangala who comforted each students in their respective wards, wished them a quick recovery and urged them to take courage.

The students who were headed for a trip to Mombasa were involved in a grisly road accident involving a Kenyatta University bus and a trailer on Monday night.

Eleven students lost their lives to the tragedy while 21 others sustained serious injuries.

The Hospital Manager, Dr. Said Mohammed said the hospital received 18 accident victims, whom health personnel at the facility worked without sleep to stabilize them.

‘We are happy that 17 of the patients admitted here are in stable condition,’ Dr. Mohammed said, moments after taking the Principal Secretary around all the wards
where the students are been admitted.

He said only one accident victim is still in critical condition, adding, that the staff was doing all it can to stabilize the situation.

Of the 18 accident victims at the hospital, 12 are female and six are male students.

The Principal Secretary was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer and Board Secretary at Higher Education Loans Board, Mr. Charles Ringera, the Chief Executive Officer, Commission for University Education, Prof Mike Kuria, Chief Executive, Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service, Ms Agnes Wahome, Chief Executive, University Funding Board, Geoffrey Monari, and the Chief Executive Officer, National Research Fund, Prof Dickson Andala.

Source: Kenya News Agency