Day: April 12, 2024

The rise in fatal accidents nationwide, primarily due to motorists’ disregard for traffic rules, particularly during the rainy season, has raised concerns among leaders and civilians in Uasin Gishu county.

Addressing the media, Moi’s Bridge Member of County Assembly (MCA), Patrick Kimeli, decried the increased accidents witnessed in many places across the country during this rainy season, claiming several lives.

He called on road users to be vigilant and extra careful on the road by adhering to traffic regulations in order to avert further accidents, ensuring no more lives are lost due to road carnages.

The MCA challenged drivers to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition and able to maneuver when it’s raining.

‘If you look at statistics a lot of accidents are happening during the rainy season caused by various challenges including mechanical failure. Sometimes you find that cars experience breakdowns on the roads, but due to lack of signs and warnings other vehicles run into them causing massiv
e accidents,’ he said.

He noted that during the rainy season visibility is a challenge to the drivers, calling upon the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Public Works, to mark the roads, so that drivers can clearly see the road paths.

‘Despite the good roads that have been constructed most of them are not well marked, if this is implemented drivers will have an easy time staying on track reducing chances of accidents on our roads,’ affirmed Kimeli.

He alluded that citizens play a big role in ensuring their safety on the roads by boarding vehicles that are in good condition and driven by sober drivers.

‘Citizens should be keen when boarding vehicles by avoiding overloaded vehicles, speaking out when the driver is over-speeding and reporting drunk driving drivers. You should not feel ashamed to speak out because your safety comes first,’ He warned.

The MCA commended the government’s plan to re-introduce alcoblow among drivers a device that detects the alcohol levels in an individual as it will help curtail
drunk driving on the roads.

He mentioned that The National Transport and Safety Board Authority (NTSA) should be well funded to strengthen their coverage in terms of numbers in order to effectively manage all roads across the country.

‘NTSA is doing a good job, however they are few compared to the number of roads in the country. They should be well funded especially in budgeting in order for them to actualize plans like the introduction of smart licenses where drivers are rated according to how effective they are driving the vehicles,’ he noted.

Kimeli suggested the introduction of traffic regulations that prohibit issuance of licenses to drivers found with cases of alcoholism.

‘It is risky to endanger the lives of innocent civilians due to alcoholism, therefore, going forward the government should make it into law, denying licenses to alcoholic drivers,’ he affirmed.

The MCA urged Traffic Police Department, to carry out their duties with due diligence and in accordance with the laws, to ensure vehicles
are roadworthy so as to prevent further accidents.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Murang’a County government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Joy Miller’s Limited, based in Kagio, Kirinyaga County, in which Murang’a maize farmers will be selling their maize to the Millers.

Murang’a Governor Dr. Irungu Kang’ata noted that in the agreement 17,500 farmers from every ward will be recruited, where each ward will have 500 farmers who will be getting certified maize seed and also get subsidies for fertilisers from the county, as a way to boost maize farming in Muranga County.

Dr. Irungu added that the county is targeting 35,000 bags from farmers, buying at Sh 3,500 for a 90-kg bag set at the minimum price.

‘Our farmers have been selling their maize at a very low price, but once this programme starts, farmers will benefit from their labour, which is why we have given a minimum guarantee,’ he said.

The Governor said his administration is going to help farmers form cooperatives per ward, which will help farmers have a central point where their maize will be collected by
targeting each ward’s two aggregation centres.

‘It may call to the county government to help farmers join and form co-operatives and buy this; we will have helped even the local factory we have in the county, this will also help them reduce the taking of raw materials outside the county,’ Governor Kangata said.

Joy Miller’s Director, Maureen Muthoni Chomba, said that Miller is going to partner with the county government of Muran’ga to provide competent staff who will help educate farmers and enable them to give the best quality as required.

She has also added that they have expressed their gratitude to the Muranga County government.

‘We are targeting to promote local farmers as we increase the amount of maize we have been getting locally,’ she said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Heavy rains in North Horr Constituency have left hundreds of families homeless in the past two weeks.

Hundreds of families have reportedly been rendered homeless in various parts of North Horr Constituency, following heavy rains that have been pounding the area for the past two weeks.

The region has been isolated from the rest of the country due to increased flush floods caused by rains in neighboring Ethiopian highlands, causing the rejuvenation of seasonal rivers. A county steering group meeting, organised by Pastoralist Community Initiative Development Assistance (PACIDA), urged residents in flood-prone lowlands to relocate to higher ground to prevent loss of lives and property.

Chaired by the County Commissioner, Nobert Komora, the meeting resolved that a comprehensive rapid assessment be conducted to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the floods so far so that interventions can be made in a precise manner.

According to preliminary information received from the Constituency, over three hundred
families in about 100 homesteads in Koricha and Dahagabochi areas have been displaced after floods destroyed their dwellings and the property therein.

The Kalacha-North Horr section of the Marsabit-North Horr highway is currently inaccessible after several seasonal rivers served by drift bridges sprung up.

The scenario has left the region without supply of essential commodities, leading to an all-out hike in prices, especially food items.

A kilogramme of sugar is going for Sh 300, up from Sh 100, while a piece of available cabbage is selling at an equal price of Sh 300, up from Sh 60.

Persistent rainstorms have destroyed two ECED centres, downed six power poles in North Horr town, and made roads including Gas and Dukana impassable.

The CSG asked the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to move with speed and have the damaged parts of the road repaired without further delay so that transportation could resume and avert suffering.

‘The damage could be much bigger, as unconfirmed reports indicate that
small stocks such as sheep and goats have been swept away by the deluge,’ said the area Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Tura Elema.

The southern part of the county has also been adversely affected by floods, which have destroyed the road network, cutting off areas such as Sarai, Irrir and Martidorop.

Other areas reported to be out of reach after roads became impassable are Mpagas, Ngurunit and Illaut, with calls for humanitarian assistance from the government and well-wishers.

Consequently, Mr Komora announced an emergency aid dispatch from the National Government to the affected families consisting of 200 bags of rice and 100 bags of beans.

The County Commissioner said the assistance will be delivered by all possible means as the CSG awaits a report on the actual situation on the ground on Tuesday for proper intervention, adding that Kenya Power Company technicians have been deployed to North Horr town to work on the fallen poles and restore electricity supply.

At the same time, the Marsabit County
government also said it was releasing 300 bags of rice and 20 cartons of cooking oil as a mobilisation of resources to help the displaced.

Meanwhile, in Moyale Sub-county, a water pumping machine at Bori borehole in Bori location has been washed away following a heavy downpour that pounded the area overnight.

Source: Kenya News Agency

West Pokot Deputy County Commissioner Wycliffe Munanda has announced that both national and county government institutions currently without internet access will be connected to the digital superhighway through the Last Mile Internet Connectivity programme.

Munanda said the move aims at enhancing communication within public institutions and government offices for an effective and efficient delivery of government services through internet connectivity.

Speaking during the launch of Digital Superhighway Last Mile Connectivity Project at the West Pokot County Kenya Urbans Road Authority offices in Kapenguria town, Munanda stated that several public institutions and government offices in West Pokot County have already been connected, and 24 additional sites which have been identified as not having internet will be connected within the next two weeks.

‘The availability of internet connectivity will enable the youth to take advantage of digital jobs opportunities provided by the government through digital hubs,
‘ DCC Munanda said.

He expressed his gratitude to the officials from the ICT Authority who have played a crucial role in ensuring that West Pokot County is connected to the internet, emphasising that this service will provide the youth with valuable digital knowledge.

The DCC acknowledged that there are still areas within the county where internet connectivity is not yet fully established, such as Alale and Kacheliba areas, as well as Lelan area in Pokot North Sub County.

Munanda believes that with internet connectivity, the youth in these regions will have the opportunity to engage in online businesses and get access to job opportunities that contribute to the economic development of the country.

He reiterated that the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) places great importance on activities at the grassroots level, and internet connectivity serves as a vital communication channel that promotes various sectors including business, healthcare, education, security, and social life.

DCC Munanda
encouraged unemployed youth to utilise their laptops, phones, and tablets to work for multinational companies abroad and earn a living.

He said that the government’s plan includes ensuring internet connectivity reaches every part of the country.

The administrator warned that the government will not accept shoddy work and advised them to ensure quality work.

Barran Telecommunication, West Pokot County field manager Dennis Ochieng emphasized the importance of delivering the internet connectivity project in accordance with the Information Communication and the Digital Economy Ministry standards.

To ensure a smooth implementation, he stressed the need for cooperation from various stakeholders, including the national and county government.

Ochieng also pledged they will hire locals to ensure they benefit from the project.

‘We are going to primarily involve the local community to carry out the work,’ he affirmed.

He urged all stakeholders to help establish the code of work, manage some of the casual laborers
, and maintain the expected standards set by the ICT department.

The Contractor assured that the first phase of the project, which aims to connect six government institutions to the internet, will be completed within the next two weeks, with the remaining 18 institutions ready within a month.

Ms Olive Owiti, the manager of the Youth Centre at Chepareria town under the Ajira program, revealed that the Jitume digital skills initiative has enabled young people visiting the youth empowerment centre to access online work opportunities and develop digital literacy skills.

The youth centres in Makutano, Chepareria, and Sigor offer free training programs for the youth in the region. Furthermore, the introduction of internet connectivity in ICT hubs will greatly enhance their access to the digital world,’ Ms Owiti said.

Youth will be provided with personal modems to facilitate their usage. This improved connectivity will result in an increased number of young people visiting the centres to access the internet and
explore the digital economy.

They will be able to create employment opportunities for themselves and access a wider range of prospects.

In additionally, this initiative will help keep the youth engaged and productive, as they can utilize the internet for content creation and share their creativity with their peers worldwide

Mr Stephen Akuto, the Senior Principal of Chewoyet National School, expressed his gratitude to the government for providing them with internet through the last mile internet connectivity.

He emphasised the importance of digitalization in today’s world and how having internet access in their institution will greatly benefit the students by enabling them to stay updated with global events.

‘The internet connection will facilitate interaction between Chewoyet National School and other schools across the country, such as Kapsabet Boys, St Patrick’s Iten High School, and Alliance High School, through virtual learning, ultimately enhancing overall school performance,’ Akuto stated.

Mr Akut
o divulged that they used to spend approximately Sh7,000 per month on Safaricom internet connectivity, but now, with the government’s free internet service, they can reduce their internet expenses and ensure effective learning delivery.

He also highlighted that the internet speed will be faster, allowing multiple students and staff members to access online lessons unlike before.

Source: Kenya News Agency

133 households in Kanaodon, Katilu Ward, Turkana County have benefited from County county government’s restocking exercise that targeted drought-affected families.

Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai led the restocking exercise yesterday, where each affected household got five goats.

Governor Lomorukai said that pastoralists in Turkana had lost approximately 364,000 livestock during the drought season and the county government had kicked off interventions to rebuild livelihoods of households that had been affected.

‘As the County Government, we have allocated resources to restore livelihoods for the affected households through the restocking programme. We are not only doing it here, but we will also be in Kalemng’orok and Kaputir,’ he said.

Governor Lomorukai acknowledged insecurity challenge, which is associated with livestock theft in Katilu and Lobei Kotaruk and warned leaders fueling the conflict for political mileage that their days are numbered.

‘I want to ask all of you to live peacefully and avoid leade
rs that are fueling conflict in this belt. I want to assure you that the days for such leaders are numbered,’ he cautioned.

The governor enumerated his administration’s track record and assured wananchi that he was steadfast and wouldn’t allow pilferage of county government resources, a factor that he said had led to disagreement with a section of leaders in Turkana.

He promised to repay the residents who had shown confidence in him during the election through development project implementation and outlined his focus on restoring the riverine as a food basket through farm infrastructure development.

Governor Lomorukai urged Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to increase budgetary allocation for similar restocking programmes to ensure that affected households in future get more goats during restocking initiatives.

Area MCA Samal Etubon thanked the county government for the restocking initiative, noting that it will improve livestock productivity and called for arrest of those fueling conflicts in Turkan
a South.

Other speakers, led by Minority Leader Samuel Lomodo, lauded the restocking exercise and pledged to support Governor Lomorukai’s development agenda at the County Assembly.

Senior County Government officials who accompanied the Governor included Deputy County Secretary Joseph Nyang’a, County Executives Antony Apalia (Livestock) and Patrick Losike (Infrastructure), as well as Chief Officers Janerose Tioko (Agriculture) and Evans Lomodei (Fisheries).

Source: Kenya News Agency

Krish Beiju Shah’s consistency over the four rounds paid off as he successfully defended the Kenya Junior Strokeplay championship at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

After a slow start with a score of 78, Kris scored identical 75 and 75 in rounds two and three before improving to a 74 in the final round. The final round was particularly impressive as he picked five birdies and played level par in six holes.

‘Round one was 50-50 for me as I didn’t finish that well. As the tournament moved on, I got more consistent and if you are consistent in this game, I think you will have a good chance of winning. I played seven over day 1, then four over, four over and three over, so consistency is good,’ explained Shah.

Meanwhile, Shashwat Harish was in the top two throughout the four rounds at the Muthaiga Golf Club. His score of 73 in the first round was followed by 78 in the second round and 77 in the third round. At hole 17 in the final round four, he was only one stroke behind Krish Shah. He played level par at hole 18 wh
ile Krish picked a birdie to win the championship by two strokes.

‘The tournament was fun, I really enjoyed it. I started well, kept it consistent because I was at the top throughout the three days. The fourth day I fell just a little short on the back nine,’ said Shashwat who finished with a score of 20 over par 304.

The best girl was Bianca Ngecu at position five with a combined score of 31 over.

‘In round four the first nine was good, I just missed a few putts, it wasn’t that bad (six pars and three bogeys). The second nine I played well and I am happy with the score that I came up with,’ she said.

Juniad Manji finished third with a score of 22 over par 306. His score of 79 in round one was not the best but he caught up with the leaders after scores of 76 and 75 in the second and third rounds. He finished with a score of 76 in the fourth and final round.

‘Round four went well, better than I expected. The start was a bit rusty as I was feeling a little bit of pressure. But after the first three holes,
I got settled in and then I found the rhythm and the flow just happened. I ended up shooting a decent score (of 76),’ he explained.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai today flagged off veterinary supplies and supplementary livestock feeds for distribution, as part of the county government initiative to curb a recent surge in livestock diseases and support drought-affected communities.

Speaking during the launch at Mifugo Complex, Lomorukai acknowledged a rise in respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, trypanosomiasis, tick infestations, sheep and goat pox, and management across the county as well as the borderlands.

‘The high livestock population along our borders creates an increased risk of cross-contamination. This is why, to safeguard the livelihoods of our pastoralist communities, the Directorate of Veterinary Services has procured veterinary vaccines, drugs, and equipment worth Ksh. 30 million,’ he said.

He assured residents that the programme was aimed at protecting pastoralist livelihoods and welcomed continuous mobilisation of resources from animal health partners to combat the spread of diseases.

A total of 1,200 bags of supplementa
ry livestock feed were also dispatched. These feeds will benefit 1200 households in Loima, Turkana Central, Turkana South, Turkana East and Turkana North.

He added, ‘by providing this critical assistance, we hope to improve household nutrition, reduce food insecurity, and increase household income through future livestock sales.’

He commended the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries for the programme and challenged other county departments to expedite the launch of their respective initiatives.

He reiterated his commitment to working with the County Assembly to deliver critical services as mandated and called upon Members of the National Assembly to similarly support the President’s national development agenda.

The governor emphasised professionalism among county staff, warning that he will not allow any distractions from the county’s focus on protecting public resources and service delivery.

Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus urged county staff to support the governor’s vision under t
he Nine-Points Development Agenda and showed appreciation to partners for their support in supporting development programmes.

County executive committee member for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries Dr. Anthony Apalia revealed that the ministry had procured Sh20 million worth of livestock feed and Sh30 million worth of veterinary products for this exercise.

The County Assembly was represented at the launch by James Ikeny (Kanamkemer), Michael Aemun (Kaputir) and Special Elect Muna Abdi.

Senior County Government officials present included Deputy County Secretary Joseph Nyang’a, County Executives Patrick Losike (Roads) and Faith Aletea (Water Services), Chief Officers Lomodei Evans (Fisheries and Aquaculture), Janerose Tioko (Agriculture), and Triza Amoni (Energy and Mining).

Source: Kenya News Agency

The National Government, through the State Department for Industries and Cooperatives, is targeting to cover 700 acres of cotton farming this rainy season in Kilifi County, to revitalise cotton production in the region.

The government distributed 800 kilogrammes of cotton seeds worth Sh2 million in Magarini Sub-county, where farmers registered with Magarini Farmers Cooperative Society received the seeds to enable them start planting.

Deputy Director for Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Fanuel Lubanga, who led the distribution of the seeds at Mambrui village, revealed that they are mobilising more farmers to embrace cotton farming to increase the acreage.

Lubanga explained that Kilifi County has great potential in cotton production, disclosing plans to expand cotton farming to other regions in the county, including Ganze and Kaloleni where climatic conditions are favourable to the nurturing and production of the plant.

‘Here in Kilifi, we intend to plant cotton on 700 acres. We have stakeholders who
have supported us with seeds. The Industry Department has donated 185 kg of seeds, spending nearly Sh800,000, and the Agriculture Department has also provided 700 kg of seeds, which is worth Sh1.2 million. These seeds are distributed in Magarini area, where cotton cultivation is ongoing,’ he said.

He expressed hope for a bountiful harvest at the end of the current planting season, stating that in the previous season, cotton planted on 100 acres in Magarini produced a harvest amounting to 70 tons of cotton worth Sh.4 million, which was above expectations.

With the increased market price for cotton, Lubanga assured farmers of maximum profit and adequate support from relevant authorities and departments in both the national and county governments.

‘The cost of cotton has improved; last year the cost was Sh52 per kilo and this year it is Sh72. The price has gone up by Sh20 and that has been made possible because of the national government, which is greatly supporting cotton farming,’ Lubanga stated.

With the
help of already-set-up contracts with Thika Cloth Mills Industry, Lubanga assured new and old cotton farmers of a ready market for their farm produce, hence encouraging them to come out in large numbers to collect the seedlings.

Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner, Samuel Mutisya, emphasised the need for more farmers to embrace cotton farming, adding that Kilifi is suitable for growing cotton as the plant does not require a lot of rainfall.

‘I urge our farmers to collect the seeds and be keen to follow guidelines for planting and nurturing the plant for maximum profit. I also urge other stakeholders to come on board and support the growth of this industry,’ Mutisya said.

He further stated that local expansion of cotton production would reduce the country’s over-reliance on imported cotton and textile products, hence supporting domestic industries.

Farmers who received the seeds, led by Kadzo Katana, expressed their hopes of improving their livelihoods through cotton farming while requesting the govern
ment assist in reducing farming costs so they could afford the production.

Through collaboration with the Kilifi County government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has expressed hopes of successfully promoting efforts to produce cotton in large quantities in Kilifi.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has earmarked 14 April 2024 as the fifth World Chagas Disease Day, with its theme for 2024 focusing on early diagnosis and lifelong care.

Calls have also been made by the body on the need to increase public awareness of Chagas disease and secure greater support and funding for early diagnosis and comprehensive follow-up care initiatives.

A report by the body has revealed that an estimated 6-7 million people worldwide are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, leading to some 12 000 deaths every year.

At least 75 million people are at risk of infection, with an estimated annual incidence of about 30-40,000 cases. However, in many countries, detection rates are low (less than 10% and often less than 1 percent), and people suffering from the disease often encounter significant barriers to diagnosis and adequate healthcare.

‘Strengthening global surveillance for Chagas disease over the next few years is an essential step towards understan
ding its real burden and taking appropriate measures to tackle its neglect,’ said Dr Jerome Salomon, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases at WHO.

Chagas disease is often called a ‘silent disease’ because most patients have no symptoms either during the acute or chronic phases of infection until damage is too advanced to be reversed. It remains a public health problem, especially in several endemic areas of continental Latin America, where the burden on health systems is the highest. In recent years, however, climate change and global migration have expanded the reach of the disease to several countries beyond the Americas.

Transmission of Chagas disease can occur through six routes: vectorial, oral, congenital, transfusional, organ transplantation and laboratory accidents. Despite cases being documented in 44 countries across the world, only six countries have information systems in place to monitor existing cases and active transmission routes.

Ea
rly detection is key, as Chagas disease is curable when treatment is provided soon after infection. If this does not happen because diagnosis is delayed, the infection can transform into a life-threatening condition. In this case, adequate care throughout life is essential.

Detection, treatment and monitoring of the disease can be carried out at primary health-care level in most cases.

World Chagas Disease Day 2024 emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and lifelong care, advocating comprehensive approaches spanning diagnosis and treatment for any confirmed case.

Also essential are transmission prevention measures, including vector control, blood screening prior to transfusion and transplantation, testing and treating girls, women of reproductive age, newborns and siblings of mothers with infection, and information, education and communication for communities and health professionals.

Decentralising diagnostic and care services within national health systems can significantly enhance case detection,
notification and management.

Speaking ahead of World Chagas Disease Day 2024, the Director of WHO’s Global Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, said: ‘I invite everyone to join WHO in observing World Chagas Disease Day. This is an occasion to reflect on how climate change and migration have changed the epidemiological landscape of Chagas disease and turned it into a global condition in just a few years, underscoring the urgent need for heightened awareness and support for initiatives focused on early diagnosis and comprehensive care.’

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is mainly transmitted to humans by contact with the faeces or urine of infected blood-sucking triatomine bugs; this is called vectorial transmission.

These bugs typically live in the wall or roof cracks of homes and per-domiciliary structures, such as chicken coops, pens and warehouses, in rural and suburban areas alike.

Triatomine bug
s typically hide during the day, becoming active only at night when they feed on animal and human blood. They usually bite an exposed area of skin, such as the face (hence one of its popular names, the ‘kissing bug’) and then defecate or urinate close to the bite. Parasites enter the body when the person instinctively smears the bug’s faeces or urine into the bite, other skin breaks, or into the eyes or mouth.

There is currently no vaccine against Chagas disease. Domiciliary vectorial control, food safety, transfusion and transplantation screening, along with detecting infection in girls and women of childbearing age to prevent congenital transmission, remain the most effective disease public health control tools.

Source: Kenya News Agency

To curb inadequacy of water for livestock in Aroo Sub-County, the Turkana County Government has contracted desilting and expansion project of a water pan located at Lodopuwa village in Lobokat Ward.

The project, costing Sh18 million marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts by the County Government to diversify water access for 500 households and 25,000 livestock.

The site hand over to a contractor was with a specific task to double the current water pan capacity from 20,000 to 40,000 cubic meters, increasing its ability to harness surface runoff from the Kakong’u riverine.

Deputy Director for Water Services, Frederick Rukoo, issued the handover certificate to the contractor, marking the official commencement of the project.

Eng Rukoo underscored the county’s commitment to ensuring successful completion of the project within the approved standards before May 30, 2024.

The Village Administrator, Nadit Echwa, emphasised the urgent need for the expansion project, highlighting its potential to add
ress the longstanding water challenges facing the residents.

Echwa noted that the current water pan infrastructure serves only a fraction of the population and expressed optimism that the expanded facility would extend its benefits to a wider area, including residents of the neighbouring Lomunyenkirion, Nariamao, Kalemung’orok, Kedulach and Kakong’u villages.

Community members represented by the elder Nakure Tioko Itao, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the initiative, emphasising the transformative impact the expanded water pan would have on their livelihoods.

Itao said the additional water would also support agricultural activities, pasture regeneration and small-scale farming.

Once completed, the project promises to ease pressure on the existing two points located at the local dispensary and the Church.

Source: Kenya News Agency