Day: April 4, 2024

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and properties of citizens assuring that road safety agencies will enforce the law to ensure roads are safe and that motorists who flout traffic rules are apprehended and prosecuted.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said that this initiative cannot be undertaken by the government alone and that it needs the collaboration and support of all road users, in changing the grim narratives around the road carnage in Kenya.

‘Accordingly, we urge motorists and other road users to observe traffic rules, all road users to share roads responsibly, drivers, and vehicle owners, sacco/company officials to comply with the laws relating to routes, timing and overloading and call on pedestrians to report all incidences of traffic violations by drivers including in public transport,’ said Dr Mwaura.

Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday during a press briefing, Dr Mwaura said that road crash statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) ind
icate that we have lost 1,189 lives as at April 1, 2024. This is a 5.3 percent increase within the same period last year when we lost a total of 1,129 lives.

‘The report also indicates that the leading causes of road accidents in Kenya include, drivers exceeding speed limits, late night travel, lane indiscipline, driver fatigue, route unfamiliarity, use of un-roadworthy motor vehicles, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol,’ explained Mwaura.

Other reasons include crossing of roads by pedestrians at undesignated places, untrained and inexperienced riders as well as the failure to wear protective and reflective gears like helmets, vests among other factors.

Dr Mwaura highlighted that when analysed by road user categories, statistics indicate that pedestrians continue to lead the number of fatalities at 436 while motorcyclists follow at 276.

‘In particular, passengers’ road user category has presented the highest increase (20.6 percent) while motorcyclists’ category has presented a decrease of 11
.3 percent. Further, pedestrian, passenger, and pedal cyclist categories have shown an increase in fatalities reported during the period under review,’ he said.

‘Sadly, these are not just numbers and statistics. They are our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and children, whose lives have been cut short through road carnage,’ said the Government Spokesperson.

On the ongoing strike by healthcare workers, Dr Mwaura said that the government is in talks with the representatives of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), to address the persistent issues affecting Kenya’s healthcare sector.

‘The Conciliation Committee, also known as the whole-of-nation approach Committee, convened on 21st March 2024 and afterward on 27th March 2024, to fast track the process and to mediate on the matters raised by the Union,’ said Mwaura.

He explained that accordingly, the National government has initiated varied measures to meet its obligations and responsibilities including, providing grants and scholars
hips for eligible postgraduate medical officers, paying basic salary arrears and obtaining budgetary support of Sh2.4 billion for the immediate deployment and posting of the 2023/2024 cohort of medical student interns.

On school holidays, Mwaura said, ‘Our school-going children will be with us for the next few days, requiring our utmost care, support and guidance during this holiday season. This will include counseling them on the dangers of drug and substance abuse and providing those with addiction challenges, the requisite rehabilitation services.’

He explained that as a government, they are keen on the re-integration of addicts and are also committed to suppressing both the supply and demand of illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances within the schools and residential areas.

‘Accordingly, the National Government is putting up several treatment and rehabilitation centres. It will also work with County Governments to ensure that similar centers are established in all the 47 Counties,
to provide accessible, affordable and quality treatment and rehabilitation services to all the public,’ said Mwaura.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu has urged parents to take their children’s education seriously.

Speaking during a visit to St. Paul’s Amukura Secondary School, Machogu said that the government spends almost 30% of its budget on Education.

The government has allocated Sh650 million to support the education sector this year, emphasizing the importance of education for children. Stating that the government has employed 59,750 teachers adding that last week Ksh35 million was disbursed to schools.

The CS further stated that exemplary performance stems from hard work and sacrifice from parents, teachers and students. Fortunately, Machogu said that the government has opened other avenues to ensure that students who fail to proceed to the university can access Technical and Vocational Training Institutions.

The government is set to provide 100 desk top computers and a digital laboratory to Okame Technical Training Institute. Whereas, he further stated that students who have technical skills wi
ll have job opportunities within the housing project that has been created by the government.

The President has partnered with Germany, a country that has allocated 250,000 job opportunities for Kenyans. Furthermore, the official also disclosed that President William Ruto has sent Sh10 million for the renovation of the school’s infrastructure adding that another Ksh10 million will soon be added to support the institution.

Teso South MP Mary Emase expressed determination to reclaim the lost glory of the schools in the constituency like St. Paul’s Amukura, St Monica Chakol Girls, Kolanya Girls and Kolanya boys. Thus, ‘Very soon we are going to meet with the school principals and work on performance,” she said.

Lastly, Emaase promised to work closely with the relevant stakeholders and the Ministry of Education to ensure that all schools within the constituency record improved academic performance.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura said that the farmers have collected the fertilizer from the NCPB stores and the 158 selling centres operationalized under the devolved governments’ Last Mile program through the e-voucher system.

Addressing the Media in Nairobi on Thursday, Mwaura explained that the government fertilizer subsidy program aims to cushion smallholder farmers from fertilizer price fluctuations, ensuring that they produce competitively and contribute to the alleviation of the high cost of living.

According to Mwaura, fertilizer has been disbursed to 45 Counties and farmers have received vouchers in Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homabay, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Muranga, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and West Pokot.

He added that th
e farmers database in the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS) stands at 5,533,898.

‘In the past few weeks, complaints of fake fertilizer being in circulation in some parts of the country have dominated our conversations around the economy. May I explain that investigations are ongoing with the aim of nailing down those behind the scam,’ said Mwaura.

He explained that the initial tests by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on the samples from the fake supplies have proved that the supplies were not among those supplied under the subsidy program through the NCPB.

‘No one has come out to justify that the supplies by NCPB were counterfeited,’ said Mwaura.

The government spokesperson said that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has taken up the matter and those found culpable of supplying not only the fertilizer but also any other form of fake farm inputs shall be apprehended and prosecuted.

‘I also wish to clarify that the other type of fertilizer that has been
flagged out as fake is a GPC product sold commercially under agency arrangement outside the NCPB system as a soil conditioner and not fertilizer,’ explained Mwaura.

He continued… ‘The product is only being distributed through the Board’s depots by the 51 Capital (K) Limited and is not part of the GoK Subsidized Fertilizers availed to registered farmers.’

Mwaura said that the NCPB being a State Corporation that generates its own revenue for its own operations and self-sustainability, as part of its commercial mandate, engages in business partnerships with interested parties that provide farm inputs and other supplies on agency basis.

‘In this regard, the Board entered into a commercial agency agreement with 51 Capital (K) in April 2022 to distribute a product called GPC. In the agreement, 51 Capital as the Principal was to sell a variety of products among them GPC Soil Conditioner (the subject matter of ‘the fakes expose’) and the NCPB was to provide an outlet through its designated depots for the sale of t
he products on an agency basis,’ explained Mwaura.

He clarified that besides the NCPB, GPC products are usually distributed through Agrovets and other outlets which might have served as conduits for counterfeits and that all fertilizers distributed under the Government Subsidized Program are sold in bags clearly labeled as ‘Government Subsidized Fertilizer’ and marked ‘Not for Resale.’

‘Farmers are assured of the Government’s commitment to quality service delivery to all farmers in a transparent, ethical and professional manner through its respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), in an effort to guarantee food security in the country,’ said Mwaura.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A section of stakeholders have praised impressive returns fetched through coffee auctioning at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) this week.

In this week, 33, 479 bags of coffee were sold in the NCE realizing Sh. 1.3 billion, a highest figure which has been earned in the recent past.

During the auctioning Guama factory of Kirinyaga County earned Sh. 4.6 million after selling 71 bags of grade AA coffee.

In an interview via a phone, NCE acting Chief Executive Officer Ms Lisper Ndung’u told KNA that Alliance Berries Limited sold 8,562 at Sh. 383.4 million followed by Kirinyaga Slopes with 8,379 bags at Sh. 327.1 and the New KPCU earning Sh. 280.4 million after selling 6,692 bags of coffee.

Ms Ndungu said out of the 33, 470 bags that were auctioned, 68 percent (22,841) of the bags were premier grades of AA and AB.

‘Nine marketing agents this week presented more coffee as compared to the previous weeks, an indication that farmers in cooperatives and estates have trust in the auction system,’ said the CEO.

Ms
Ndungu divulged that at the dealers’ category, six leading buyers led by C- Dormans bought 84 percent of the coffee at the auction.

‘C-Dorman bought 7,754 bags for Sh. 335.8 million, followed by Kenya of which bought 7,213 bags at Sh. 307.2 million, and Ibero Kenya purchased 6,872 bags at Sh. 256.7 million.’ She added.

On his part, Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro termed the high returns as good news to farmers who for a long time have been getting meager returns from their produce.

He noted with increased returns, farmers will work to increase production as well as improve their livelihoods.

‘Being a member of the Coffee Tea Parliamentary Association (COTEPA) I express my satisfaction over participation of the farmers in the auction market. I urge them to concentrate on increased production especially during this rainy season,’ he added.

Kenya Coffee Producers Association Chairman Peter Gikonyo called on their growers to nurture their coffee bushes for more production and help them access better markets.

‘The
buyers are interested in a specific taste and quality and it’s upon farmers to strive to produce the needed quality which can fetch a high amount of money,’ he stated.

A Coffee Marketing expert Henry Kinyua noted high quality coffee has continued to attract international buyers to the Kenyan coffee as the average sale of a 50 kilo bag was at Sh32, 226 compared to Sh.31, 047 achieved last week.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has officially opened the Manufacturers Priority Agenda (MAP) and Agriculture for Industry (A4I) report of the year 2024 with the aim of steering economic growth of Kenya’s manufacturing industry.

The 2024 Manufacturing Priority Agenda and Agriculture for Industry Report serve as a roadmap to success, outlining comprehensive strategies to scale up Kenya’s manufacturing sector and enhance the linkages between manufacturing and agriculture.

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry Rebecca Miano in a speech read on her behalf by the Principal Secretary for Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana said the manufacturing sector emerges as a promising solution, capable of absorbing the growing workforce and providing a sustainable livelihood.

Miano said industrialization has served as an economic growth while noting that the challenge facing Africa is its high population of about Sh1.3billion which accounts to 17 percent of the world’s population.

‘Indust
rialization has lifted people out of poverty in Europe whereas in Africa it only benefits a few people,’ she said.

The CS who singled out agriculture as a supplier of raw material for industries noted that KAM has been lowering the price of the buyer hence making the producer to stop producing goods.

She said the industry has a responsibility to create the value chain and warehouse to stabilize suppliers, Small, Medium Enterprises and farmers to enable all involved in the partnership benefit.

Miano said the taxation issue is a must because KAM will require road, electricity and water.

‘Taxation must be part of the process by implementing the 10 percent intermediate, 25 percent global capacity and 35 percent local capacity.

She urged KAM to only import what Kenya cannot manufacture while citing that every time it imports goods, it exports jobs for young people.

‘Reengineer some of the internal process by working with farmers in order to make the process successful and competitive,’ said the CS.

Speaking
during the event, Principal Secretary, State Department of Energy Alex Wachira said that to increase food security and reduce the import for use, manufacturers need to consider the cost of power.

Under the issue of redundancy, the PS said that investing in infrastructure needs a lot of funding saying that the Ministry of Energy is investing 3.5billlion in improving substantial spaces.

‘The government is fully committed in providing affordable and reliable energy to manufacturers and citizens aligned to Bottom-up Agenda and ensures it is accessible to the private sector,’ he said.

The PS added that the government has implemented measures and additional power capacity including framework to attract and facilitate various sectors.

He added that the government will continue to invest in renewable sources including wind solar, geothermal to increase the production while that the ministry of energy and petroleum will provide resources to the energy sector as well as to the management.

In his remarks, the Kenya
Association of Manufacturers Chairperson Rajan Shah said that the potential of manufacturing and agriculture in driving economic growth cannot be overstated.

Shah said that by producing crops and livestock, and manufactured goods, the two sectors create opportunity, empower community and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that lies dormant within the nation.

He announced that with over 800,000 young people entering the workforce each year, industrialization and agriculture advancement offer lifelines and pathways to a better future for the generations to come.

‘KAM ambition of increasing Kenya’s manufacturing Gross Domestic Product to 20 percent by 2030 is a bold declaration of intent,’ he stated.

The Chair said by harnessing the transformative power of manufacturing, KAM can unlock new avenues of growth, create sustainable livelihoods and build a future that is prosperous.

He cited regulatory burden, high cost and instability of electricity and taxation as the major challenges of concern for the private
sector.

Shah said that KAM aims to propel Kenya’s manufacturing sector through the four pillars which include export-led growth, SME development, agricultural for industry program and global competitiveness.

He said KAM working in collaboration with the government will unlock new opportunities, address bottlenecks and ensure that policies serve the best interest of all Kenyans.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok is launching a war against cartels encroaching on public land, intensifying his efforts to combat land grabbing in the county.

Speaking enthusiastically following the swearing-in ceremony of Sotik Municipal members and other town officials, Governor Barchok asserted that 2024 will mark a decisive year in the battle against land grabbers across trading centers in Bomet County.

Governor Barchok emphasized his commitment to reclaiming land stolen from the people. ‘This year, I will be at a crossroads with many people who have encroached on public lands in all trading centers across the county,’ Barchok stated.

He further revealed that his administration, in collaboration with the county assembly and his cabinet, is actively pursuing strategies to recover unlawfully acquired land.

Highlighting the progress made in the fight against land grabbing, Governor Barchok disclosed that three title deeds have already been surrendered, thanks to the efforts of the Ethics and Anti-Co
rruption Commission (EACC). He assured the public that more land repossessions were forthcoming.

Governor Barchok expressed concern over unscrupulous individuals encroaching on industrial parks and markets, warning them that they will face the full force of the law. ‘The enemies of public land will be my enemies as well as those of the residents of Bomet Town,’ said Barchok.

In addition to addressing land grabbing in Bomet Town, Governor Barchok announced plans to reclaim stolen land in other trading centers such as Mulot, Mogogosiek, and Ndanai. According to the governor, this comprehensive approach underscores his determination to safeguard public resources and ensure equitable access to land for all residents of Bomet County.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government is committed to ensure teacher student ratio is realistic and attainable by employing 20,000 more teachers who will address the acute shortage being witnessed in the country.

Speaking at Kolanya girl’s national school, education CS Ezekiel Machogu noted that already the Kenya Kwanza administration has employed over 50,000 teachers within its first year in office.

‘Since independence, the government made a record recruitment of 56,750 teachers to help manage the acute shortage of teachers being witnessed in the country,’ CS Machogu noted.

The CS took the opportunity to urge students across the country to embrace TVET institutions to equip themselves with relevant skills for the job market within and outside the country.

‘The government has made sure all constituencies have a TVET institution to ensure that we have a young generation with skills for the market both locally and overseas,’ CS Machogu said.

‘Already the government has released Sh23 billion for capitation to public secondary sch
ools ending the prolonged financial crisis, which threatened to disrupt operations at the institutions,’ he added.

The CS who also affirmed the government’s commitment on improving school infrastructures gifted Kolanya Girls and St Pauls Amukura Sh10 million cheque each to improve their infrastructure to meet the standards to accommodate the population in the two schools.

Machogu also called on parents to take advantage of various TVET institutions to equip their children with relevant skills for the job market.

‘The whole world is now rerouting to technical courses and that is why we have laid emphasis on TVET training to accommodate the dream of CBC as well as attaining the vision 2030,’ CS noted.

His sentiment comes amidst an outcry by Member of Parliament of Teso south Mary Emase, urging the government to promote teachers as a motivating factor to boost overall performance in schools.

‘We have teachers with doctorate but yet they are still in primary school, it’s time the ministry relooks into the ma
tter and implement the recommendation by the task force on teacher’s promotion,’ said Emase.

The legislator urged the Iteso community to work with the government to avoid being sidelined in allocation of government projects.

The school principal Dr Tabitha Okama noted that as a national school already they were worst hit by the shortage with only 40 TSC employed teachers against a target of over 65 teachers in line with ministry of Education guidelines.

‘As a school we are already overstretched with merger resources that we have owing to the fact that the school is a national school with only 40 TSC teachers forcing us to employ over 20 other teachers under BOM agreement to be in tandem with teacher student ratio,’ Dr Okama said.

Teso north sub county was recognised as the most improved sub county in the country with Kolanya girls emerging as the best school in the sub county.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Donkey farmers in Narok North Sub County have partnered with Farming System Kenya to create a water pan to reduce the distance animals travel for water.

The farmers led by the Association of Donkey Owners of Kenya (ADOK), Narok Branch Chairperson Margaret Mpatiany said the collaboration between the members of the community and farming system Kenya has borne fruit as the residents have got a water pan closer to their homesteads.

She recalled how they would trek for tens of kilometers to look for the precious commodity during dry spells, where they wasted a lot of their productive hours. ‘The community donated the land, posts and helped in fencing the water pan while Farming System Kenya gave the wire mesh, barbed wire and nails. This collaboration has made our work very easy,’ she said.

Donkeys drinking water from a water pan at Nkarretta area, Narok North Sub County. Photo by Ann Salaton.

The move is expected to enhance the living standards of residents who rely on donkeys for their survival. Mzee Francis
Kool, a Village elder, praised the project for its potential to address numerous issues faced by residents during prolonged dry spells.

‘No only the donkeys will benefit from this program but also other livestock that trek for long distances in search of water and grass during dry seasons. We are grateful for such a good idea,’ he said.

Mzee Kool encouraged the residents to plant vegetables besides the water pan that they can enjoy during dry seasons, when the supply of vegetables is very low. Thus, ‘I am told that the water pan can run for eight consecutive months during dry seasons. This is a big relief for the residents who depended on the Nkaretta River that is five kilometers away,’ he said.

The residents planted 100 tree seedlings around the water pan, which they promised to nurture until maturity. Hence, Farming System Kenya has been supporting donkey farmers in the County where they teach them sustainable farming methods, environmental conservation issues among others.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. Geoffrey Omoding has directed elders to closely work with police officers to apprehend bandits who shot and killed a form three girl on way home aboard Isiolo town bound bus Monday.

Mr. Omoding said that bandits believed to be 10 from a neighbouring County are well known by the local people and the elders must assist the police officers to track them down so as to curb the menace in the area.

He said the local herders said they had seen the armed bandits who fetched water from an earth-dam before ambushing and attacking the bus near Gotu area.

‘The herders in the area had spotted the bandits taking water from a well before they proceeded to attack the oncoming bus,’ he added.

Mr. Omoding condemned the incident and also called upon the members of the public to take it as a responsibility to tip the authorities about the crime trends in the area so as to enhance security there.

However the County Commissioner said that security in Gotu area has been beefed up and assured the
residents that the government would ensure there was adequate security along Isiolo-Merti road.

He said that a security operation was underway and urged Nyumba Kumi elders to avail information of where the criminals could be hiding so they could be arrested and prosecuted.

The administrator added that patrol would continue to all roads leading to Merti, Garbatula and Marsabit routes and warned those behind crime that their days are now numbered.

Mr. Omoding also said that 70 camels stolen a week ago have been recovered and the security men were still pursuing the remaining 35 adding the government would now use drones and new armoured vehicles to deal with criminals.

He said that the government spent a lot of funds on security at the expense of other development plans which could have benefited the local residents.

He advised parents to be on the lookout for their children during the Easter holiday saying some young boys are recruited into moranism and other crimes if they are allowed to be idle.

Sourc
e: Kenya News Agency

West Pokot County Director of Education (CDE) Simon Wamae has challenged parents in the region to give their children maximum support for enhanced quality education in schools in the region.

Speaking during Nasokol Girls’ High School Annual General Meeting (AGM) and closing day on Wednesday, Wamae said what makes a parent proud is through ensuring their children acquire education uninterruptedly through fulfilling their obligations as financiers.

‘What makes a parent proud is by paying school fees on time so that their children can enjoy their stay in school. School programmes are always packed hence any moment missed means a lot to the life of a student,’ noted the CDE regretting that the school fees payment was still low at between 30 to 40 percent which cripples school smooth operations.

Wamae argued that for any success in life it always comes at a cost hence parents should never slug in helping finance school programmes for quality learning.

He regretted that some parents have very knowledge about th
eir children’s needs due to their inconsistent contacts with them because of desires to seek for wealth.

‘As parents we might be so busy always seeking for material gains but without investing in your children’s wellbeing, the wealth so much sought after may be squandered by the same children whom we failed to provide mentorship. Failure to play our roles as parents is even against God’s will,’ he advised.

The CDE urged parents to invest in molding values and morals amongst their children for a sustainable future generation reiterating that the society is currently in need of upright and holistic individuals.

Wamae underscored the value of both academic and co-curricular activities in schools noting that the current shift to Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) is geared to address the gaps that have been existing in the education training.

‘I am delighted that this school has been identified as a powerhouse for sports and talents. This coupled with academic excellence, we shall be proud of bringing forth re
markable girls that will stand out boldly even globally,’ said the education boss.

Nasokol Girls’ High School is scheduled to represent the Rift Valley Region in the Basketball national championship to be held in Machakos County starting next week after emerging champions in the competition held in Kapsabet last week.

Meanwhile the school principal Mrs Susan Obiri called on the parents to expedite their roles even after the various education stakeholders giving out bursaries from different kitties to the learners from the region.

Acknowledging the West Pokot County government for supporting 532 students with bursaries of Sh20,000 each, Mrs Obiri regretted that some parents once they get the support they never pay the remaining fee balances.

‘The county government has been our great partners for it has cushioned many of our students from vulnerable backgrounds within the region. The over Sh 10million in bursaries has enabled the school run its education programmes well although the amount paid for each stu
dent leaves some fee balances that our parents can meet with little effort,’ she observed mentioning that the parents currently owe the school over Sh12,941,953, an amount if paid promptly will improve service delivery.

She recalled that 2023 was a difficult year for the school owing to the hiked food prices calling on parents to honour their fee payment pledges this year.

The principal further lauded the Sh 624,000 from the Kapenguria National Government – Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) as support for the children from the constituency together with other private partners such as Equity Bank Wings to Fly, Elimu Scholarships among others.

At the same time Mrs Obiri decried over what she said was the congestion occasioned by the high enrolment this year where 707 form one students were admitted putting strain on the existing resources in the school.

‘We currently have a total population of 1833 girls with 30 streams and only 75 teachers. Adding this figure together with the support staff we can tal
k of having a fraternity of over 2,000 people within the school. This has strained our water resources which calls for an uplift,’ stated the principal appealing to willing partners to come on board to help in construction of a mega borehole for uninterrupted water supply within the institution.

Board of Management (BOM) Chair Amb. Steven Loyatum hailed parents for having trust in the school that started as early as 1936 as boarding primary school before creation of the girls’ secondary school over five decades now.

‘I stand tall as one of the first alumnus of the school when it started as a primary school. We have had notable individuals passing through this school such as a renowned World Marathon gold medalist Peace Amb. Tegla Loroupe. We need to produce more ambassadors and women leaders from this school, which many consider to be a national school,’ posed Amb. Loyatum.

In last year’s KCSE, one student missed an A Plain by one point with a total of 116 students attaining direct university entry points.

Source: Kenya News Agency