Day: April 7, 2024

The State Department for Housing and Urban Development under the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) is set to construct a modern market at Mukarara trading centre after Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru handed over land for the project.

Once completed, the market will benefit about 1,000 people from within and outside the county who have been trading in open air and makeshift sheds.

During the handing over event at Mukarara center in Kirinyaga East subcounty, Governor Waiguru noted that the project aligns with the county administration’s manifesto of providing a conducive environment for traders and farmers to sell their wares and produce.

She said that the two-storey market, with a capacity to host 200 traders on the ground floor, will also host an ICT hub connected with internet and a social hall for the community.

It will also host a crèche where babies who accompany their mothers to the market are cared for. The market will also accommodate a restaurant.

‘In no time, this site will not only be a place for
people to come and buy and sell goods but a catalyst for economic vitality and a platform for local entrepreneurs to thrive. The market will transform Mukarara town into a vibrant epicenter of commerce,’ Waiguru said.

She acknowledged the national government efforts for the project which will ensure people conduct businesses in a conducive environment.

‘We are grateful for the National Government’s complementary efforts in ensuring that we have modern markets in as many of our trading centers as possible,’ said the governor.

She revealed that the County government has constructed a total of 17 modern markets, and identified suitable sites for construction of additional modern markets in Kagio, Kutus, Wang’uru and Kimbimbi for which her administration is seeking similar collaboration with the National Government.

Waiguru noted that the modern markets are responsive to the contemporary needs of growing towns and trading centers since they incorporate the requisite amenities such as solid waste disposal bins
, parking lots, reliable water and electricity supply and efficient drainage systems.

Source: Kenya News Agency

There is need for the youth to be disciplined and play by the rules in order to excel in sports, Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has said.

Mutula said that besides having an opportunity to show their talents, the games will give them a platform to be scouted for national or international teams in the future.

The governor said this on Friday outside his office when he received teams that are scheduled to play in MKJ Super Cup scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

‘Scouts are coming to Makueni having seen what we produced in the past, they are coming to check whether they can find talented youths to sign up for either national or international level teams,’ said Mutula while addressing the media.

‘It is not about us, but it is about them showing their talent besides being disciplined and ready to observe rules in the field which will enhance their chances of being taken up,’ added the governor.

After this super cup that finals will be held on Sunday, the winning teams in soccer, basketball and voll
eyball will be selected to represent the county in the Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) games that will be held in Kilifi County from 14th-21st April 2024.

Makueni is the defending champions when the games were held in Meru last year. Usually youths aged between 18-23 years take part in the games.

On KYISA, the governor called upon the organizers to adhere to the rules of the game in order to ensure fairness in the sporting event that brings together sports men and women from the 47 counties.

He revealed that his government intends to construct stadiums in the county so that the youth can play from fields that are of international standards.

Department of Gender and Sports Executive Committee Member (ECM) Eng. Peter Mumo said they were prepared to host the two-day event saying security and resources required are available.

Present at the event included Sports Director Ambrose Kisoi among other officials from the county Government.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Embu branch of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) is dismayed that the Government and striking medical workers have failed to reach an agreement to end the ongoing strike leading to the endless suffering of the poor.

They said the more than three weeks the strike had taken was too long and that it was high time the parties ended the standoff.

The clerics in a Statement read by Branch Chairman Bishop Stephen Njogu also said there was anxiety about the proposed transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) with some private health providers refusing to treat people with the NHIF card.

Several church leaders under the umbrella of NCCK had met at the Mwamba Imara NICA church at Gakwegori in Embu where they also elected new office bearers.

They noted that there was need for extensive civic education on the transition to enable people know what they were getting into in the new scheme before it is implemented.

Clergy also expressed co
ncern that the government was not taking any steps to reduce the cost of living that had left most households unable to afford essential commodities.

They said they were dismayed that of the nine bills before Parliament as a result of the NADCO talks, none addressed the issue of cost of living, yet it was the one that made Kenyans demonstrate on the streets.

Expressing grave concern about reports of adulterated or fake fertilizers, the clergy said the occurrence had tarnished the good work the government had done in addressing food insecurity and said all those involved in the scandal should be made to face the full force of the law.

They urged members of the public to support the scaled up NCCK Scholarship program by contributing Sh1.50 of their airtime daily.

During the elections, Bishop Stephen Njogu was elected chairman, Salvation Army Major Paul Kyalo vice chairman and Rev Captain Tabitha Kariuki secretary.

Others office bearers are Bishop Patrick Mureithi elected honorary Treasurer, Phyllis Wandiri
, the women representative while Claire Njageh and Nancy Gatumu will represent youth and persons with disabilities.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kisii County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Elijah Obwori has commended the Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme Phase Two (ASDSP II) for enhancing the capacity of farmers in different value chains within the county.

Speaking during a visit by the programme’s National Secretariat Monitoring and Evaluation team, Mr. Obwori said that ASDSP II had supported farmers in banana, dairy and local chicken value chains with the aim of increasing their productivity, enhancing entrepreneurship skills and enabling them access markets.

Obwori noted that through the collaboration with the development partners, most farmers had realized increased profits from their produce.

The National Secretariat team led by Marren Amoko, also visited some of the beneficiaries and lauded the farmers for the efforts they put in to ensure the success of the programme.

The team also assessed resource utilization, procurement and assets in place and visited farmers undertaking banana aggregation and marketing at Ko
niga farm in Kitutu Chache North Constituency.

Richard Otara, a banana farmer and beneficiary of the programme, thanked ASDSP II for facilitating the training they received and providing access to the market.

‘I have been able to sell my bananas at Sh18 per kilogram and make better profits unlike when I used to sell them in bunches. Last month, I sold 360 kilograms and earned more than Sh6000,’ Otara said.

The banana farmer who operates under the Kisii County Banana Production and Marketing Society noted that the group sells their bananas to Boka Eats factory in Kisii town and other traders outside the county.

Currently, the Kisii County Banana Production and Marketing Society has a total of 70 groups engaging in banana farming and the groups are growing different varieties across the county.

The Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme Phase Two (ASDSP II) is a key programme designed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives and 47 county governments to address food a
nd nutrition security and promote manufacturing through value addition.

It was financed by the Government of Kenya, Sida and the European Union for a period of five years (2017-2022) and primarily designed to enhance the capacity of different priority value chain actors at different levels to tackle the problems that hinder commercialization of agriculture.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi has pleaded with striking doctors to resume work and save the lives of suffering patients, as the government listens to their grievances.

The Governor urged the clergy to intercede and pray to God to touch the hearts of striking doctors to realize that human life was more important than money or differences with authorities.

Speaking during a funeral service of a lecturer at Naivasha Dairy Training Institute, Peter Kale, who was interred at Kapkechir village in Ainabkoi Constituency, Cheboi pleaded with the medics not to let patients lose lives because the doctors are on strike demanding for money.

‘Money is not going to take you to heaven, neither will everything in this world, however much salary we pay you, it will not take you to heaven, it is only the fear of God that will take you to heaven,’ advised the governor reminding the doctors that God will judge them why they did not assist his people when they were suffering.

The deceased, a father of four, succumbed to pan
creatic cancer.

Cheboi, who was accompanied by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, reminded the doctors that they swore to uphold the Hypocratic oath prior to starting practice, and that they should live by the same.

‘Live by your hypocratic oath that you may go to heaven when your time comes.’

In his remarks, Chepkonga expressed similar sentiments urging the doctors to go back to treating the suffering patients, even as they pursue their demands.

The doctors, through the Secretary-general of KMPDU Dr. Davji Atellah, have vowed not to succumb to threats or intimidation, saying they will press on with the strike until their grievances are addressed by the government. The strike has been going on for three weeks so far.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Communities living along the Migori-Narok County border at Kairarong farm in Transmara South have been urged to exercise restraint after two men were shot dead by unknown criminals two weeks ago.

Speaking at AGC Ang’ata Barikoi Church Narok County Commissioner Lotiatia Kipkech who held a day-long peace baraza with his team and locals, urged affected sides to exercise restraint to give the Government time to investigate and bring perpetrators and instigators of the crime to book in accordance with the law.

Lotiatia later passed through affected areas with his team to Ang’ata Police Station near the Kenya Tanzania border where he held discussions with Transmara South sub county security and administration officers over the matter.

The County Commissioner assured residents of enhanced security patrols to restore normalcy and vowed to take action against anyone going against the law.

Joseph Koech, area Member of County Assembly, who assured the residents of restoration of law urged area youth to engage in agr
iculture this rainy season and to shun alcoholism, sentiments shared by Johanna Kamilan an area leader.

The resolution of the conflict along the border has seen 21 stolen head of cattle from one community at the ‘contentious’ 10 km border between Kuria and Kipsigis communities surrendered to the Angata Barikoi police station awaiting further security directions.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The port of Mombasa has defied a global economic crunch to post improved performance over the last twelve months.

Cargo throughput at the port grew by an impressive 6.2 percent reaching 35.98 metric tonnes.

The growth is attributed to a substantial increase in containerised cargo which registered a remarkable 14.8 percent rise accounting for over half of the cargo handled at the port.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director (MD) Captain William Ruto said the port also registered a double digit growth of 11.9 percent in container traffic reaching a total of 1.62 million twenty-foot units.

This, he said, reflected the port’s efficiency and economic resilience in the region driving demand for imports and exports.

He attributed the growth to improved vessel turnaround times, container vessel productivity and truck turnaround times which have shown marked improvement.

KPA, he said, will continue to improve operational efficiency through capacity expansion and modernisation efforts to meet the growing d
emand for trade.

This, he said, will ensure the Port of Mombasa is well positioned to maintain its status as a key player in the global trade landscape.

‘As we move forward, we remain committed to enhancing trade facilitation and economic development in Kenya and the broader East Africa region,’ he said.

In a speech read on his behalf by KPA General Manager for Corporate Services Edward Kamau during a golf tournament in Kisumu, Ruto said the transit market segment has also grown by 11.5 percent.

While Uganda remained the primary transit country, KPA, he said, has recorded significant growth in volumes for South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Kisumu Port which has been revived, he said, has also improved significantly posting a 119 percent growth.

He said the facility handled 127,745 metric tonnes in 2023 up from 58, 290 metric tonnes in 2022.

To maximise operations at the facility, the KPA Boss said they were revitalizing piers and other small ports in the lake region.

Construct
ion of the Homa Bay pier, he said was ongoing with others slated to begin later in the year.

David Odhiambo of the Nyanza Golf Club was crowned the winner of the tournament after garnering 41 points playing off a handicap of 25.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Parents and guardians in Mombasa have been challenged to keep a keen eye on their children in the wake of escalating juvenile crimes in the County.

Speaking during the annual prayers and thanksgiving ceremony for the disciplined forces at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Regional Senior Assistant Director Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) John Wambua said that parents play a key role in shaping the behaviour and morals of children and hence should take up responsibility.

He added that the community plays a complementary role in shaping the lives of children and bears the obligation of guiding them towards an upright upbringing.

Wambua urged parents to involve and associate their children in religious and spiritual activities, especially during long school holidays to avert the possibility of them engaging in deviant conduct.

‘We advocate for a whole-of-society approach in looking after the best interests of our children. As parents we should be at the forefront to guide and teach them religious ways to keep them fro
m criminal behaviour that can land them in trouble,’ said Wambua.

This year’s ceremony drew all units in the disciplined forces from Mombasa and Kwale County to mark the occasion.

The Coordinator of the Disciplined Forces Chaplaincy Fr. Peter Kimani said the physical, spiritual and mental well-being of the disciplined forces needed to be catered to.

As such, the annual prayers and thanksgiving ceremony was an opportune moment to reflect and recollect their selves given the unique duty they have of securing the nation.

‘Our officers deserve to be spiritually and mentally fulfilled to execute their roles and duties effectively. Such interactions go a long way in motivating them and giving them the zeal to serve their country with dedication,’ said Fr. Kimani.

The annual prayers and thanksgiving ceremony for the Kenyan disciplined forces is held annually and is dedicated to honouring and recognizing the divine role of God in ensuring the safety and security of service members and the nation.

Source: Kenya
News Agency

Tunis: The steering committee of the Aswan International Women’s Film Festival (AIWFF) announced that Tunisia has been named guest of honor of the Festival. The event is scheduled from April 20 to 25, in coordination with the National Center for Cinema and Image (CNCI) and the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

This is the first time that a country is designated as guest of honor at the Aswan Festival, the steering committee said, adding that Tunisia was selected because of the recent remarkable success achieved in the Tunisian cinema, especially after the emergence of a large number of Tunisian filmmakers who have successfully imposed their works during several festivals and have won several prestigious awards.

The steering committee of the Aswan Festival pointed out that a tribute will be paid to the famous editor Kahena Attia who was also chosen to chair the jury of the feature film competition for this eighth edition.

Furthermore, the choice of the opening film of the Festival was the Tunisian film
with great international success “Les Filles d’Olfa” by Kaouther Ben Hania, which was selected for the feature film competition in which the Tunisian film “Les Filles d’Olfa” also appears. Backstage» (2023) by Atef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane, screened during the last edition of the Venice Film Festival.

A conference will be devoted to women’s cinema in Tunisia, with the participation of Tunisian critics, academics and filmmakers. The programme reserved for the celebration of Tunisia, guest of honor, also includes a selection of recent Tunisian short films, with the participation of filmmaker Mirvet Médini Kamoun, member of the short competition jury.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse