Day: April 17, 2024

Chaos rocked the County Assembly of Murang’a on Tuesday afternoon after a section of MCAs stormed the office of the assembly clerk and that of the speaker.

The MCAs resulted in destruction of furniture in the two offices protesting a court injunction on removal of two MCAs from the county assembly public service board.

They objected to the tabling the court order before the house saying their decision to impeach MCA Simon Wamwea and his Kimororo/Wempa counterpart Elizabeth Wambui was final.

The two MCAs who were impeached two weeks ago had obtained the court order stopping the county assembly from effecting their removal from the board.

A number of MCAs were irked by the order prompting them to storm the office of the speaker and that of the assembly clerk destroying furniture and equipment worth thousands of shillings.

Muguru Ward MCA Moses Muchiri alleged that, with the help of the Assembly’s speaker Johnson Mukuha and the clerk Kuria Thuita, the two MCAs have been misappropriating funds meant for the
County Assembly.

‘We had an agenda of impeaching Simon Wamwea and Elizabeth Wambui from the Murang’a County Assembly Public Service Board. The two have been stealing money designated for the County Assembly, with the help of the County Assembly speaker and the clerk,’ alleged Muchiri.

The MCA further said they had elected Kigumo ward representative Caroline Njoroge and her Gaichanjiru counterpart John Munyua to replace the impeached MCAs on the board.

‘We want John Munyua and Caroline Njoroge to be the new members of the County Assembly Public Service Board,’ added Moses.

Nominated MCA Sharleen Wambui Maina on her part asked the office of auditor general and officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to audit and investigate the swindling of funds that has been happening in the Murang’a County Assembly.

‘Members have been taken for a ride. We have not been paid since December and have only been surviving with allowances. We are calling on the Auditor General and EACC to come and investigate
the looting that has been happening here,’ she stated.

Wambui further alleged that the speaker and the clerk have been protected by top leaders of the UDA party accusing them of poor management of the operations of the assembly.

‘I am calling on the President, his deputy and the UDA Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, to stop protecting the MCAs that we removed from the County Assembly Service Board.

‘They have stolen millions, if not billions, of the money of the County Assembly of Murang’a,’ she claimed.

The MCAs have vowed not to continue with another session until the impeachment of Wambui and Wamwea goes through.

In a rejoinder, the assembly clerk, Thuita dismissed the claims of the MCAs saying due process to impeach the two MCAs was not followed.

He said he had no authority to overturn a court order that was obtained by Wamwea and Wambui saying the MCAs could have exercised patience in the impeachment of the two.

Thuita further distanced himself from the delay of the MCAs salaries saying the dela
y was caused by late disbursement of funds by the Treasury.

‘The MCAs could have used alternative ways to air their grievances instead of destroying office equipment,’ said the clerk.

On Wednesday morning, criminal investigation officers combed the assembly to investigate the chaos with the clerk saying those who will be found liable for the damages will face the law and pay for the destruction.

Source: Kenya News Agency

In the vibrant world of Taarab music, Malika is a household name known for her melodious voice and captivating performances. Malika’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a celebrated figure in East African music is second-to-none.

In a tell-it-all phone Interview with KNA Malika born Asha Abdow in 1941 in Somalia, reveals to her fans for the first time why she relocated from Kenya to the United States of America (USA) at the zenith of her music career.

It was in Kenya that her fans gave her the stage name Malika, derived from Arabic, meaning a queen, inspired by her mesmerising golden voice.

Malika’s musical talent blossomed from a young age; she honed her singing skills through passion and determination and was inspired by the melodies of Ali Mkali from Mombasa, whose songs echoed through her home.

It was not until 1961 that she reached a broader audience through an opportunity offered by Radio Mogadishu when they introduced a new programme called ‘Idha ya Kiswahili’.

The station was on the look
out for a singer to enrich its airwaves and recognising Malika’s immense potential, they recruited her.

‘At Radio Mogadishu, my talent found a platform to shine. Many were impressed with what I had to offer, but it was the people of Mombasa who truly embraced me,’ reminisced Malika.

However, the closure of Radio Mogadishu due to civil war marked a turning point in Malika’s music journey. Faced with uncertainty. She made a bold decision to relocate to Mombasa, where her music had already found a cherished place among the people.

When she arrived in the coastal city, she immersed herself in the vibrant musical scenes. She started to perform at weddings, where her soul-stirring performances became a hallmark of celebrations.

‘I felt truly at home in Mombasa, surrounded by people who appreciated and embraced my music. Performing at weddings allowed me to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level, spreading joy and creating memories that would last a lifetime,’ said Malika.

Malika’s journey took a sig
nificant turn when she crossed paths with Omar Shariff, known as ‘Badmash’, who became instrumental in bringing her music to life. Badmash, a gifted songwriter, penned many of Malika’s hit songs, catapulting her into stardom.

‘Badmash compositions of songs breathed life into my music and resonated deeply with audiences,’ she said, adding that her newfound fame and hit song Vidonge opened doors to gigs in Dar es Salaam, Dubai, Kilifi, and Lamu.

‘I never anticipated the immense success of ‘Vidonge’. It became a nationwide sensation, resonating with audiences across Kenya. Even to this day, it continues to be cherished, as evidenced when Raila Odinga sang it in the 2021 campaign,’ stated Malika.

After a decade of residency in Mombasa, Malika’s musical prowess was recognized when she clinched two prestigious trophies at a ceremony held in Nairobi. One trophy honoured her as the Best Musician, while the other celebrated her hit song, ‘Vidonge.’

Expressing her delight with the awards, Malika remarked, ‘Winning
the two trophies brought me joy. The widespread coverage in newspapers showed the love and acceptance of my music by the people.’

However, the achievement was short-lived. Just a month later, the organisers of the ceremony demanded the return of the trophies, citing Malika’s non-Kenyan citizenship.

‘I was deeply hurt by the turn of events. Despite considering Kenya my home, the repossession of the trophies left me disappointed. My children, residing in America, urged me to join them and after this incident, I made the decision to leave,’ Malika revealed.

Through the assistance provided by the United Nations (UN), Malika found refuge in America, where she continues to reside to date.

‘While America has become my new home, I will always cherish the unwavering support of my fans from Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania. Through music, they embraced me as one of their own and that bond will forever remain in my heart,’ said Malika.

Malika’s enduring legacy will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to come, immo
rtalized through timeless classics such as ‘Hakuna la Kuwa,’ ‘Uvumilivu,’ ‘Yalaiti’ and many more, easily accessible on platforms like YouTube.

She advised budding musicians to work hard and be disciplined in their music careers. She dissuades them from composing abusive songs but creates songs with a positive message.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Turkana County Government, in partnership with Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Germany (VSF Germany), has embarked on the training and distribution of seeds to farmers in efforts to boost agriculture and contribute to food security in Turkana East Sub-County.

The farmers, drawn from Kangitit and Lokwii village units, were trained by VSF Germany to become trainers of trainees in respect to the application of innovative climate-smart agricultural technology.

Director for Agriculture, Aaron Nanok, while closing the training, emphasized the need for local farmers to venture into sustainable farming, urging those who had been trained to share skills gained with fellow residents.

‘The core objective of this training is to harness the potential of local farmers to enhance sustainable food production. It is also in line with the Department of Agriculture’s thematic area; hence, it marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Governor’s food security agenda,’ he said.

Director Nanok also said that t
he Department of Agriculture’s aim of stimulating economic growth and strengthening food security through sustainable farming will be realised through collaboration with stakeholders such as VSF and development partners.

He further challenged the farmers to be agents of change, adding that they have a critical role in transforming the agricultural sector in the county.

VSF Germany Programme Officer Lowasa Lolimo appreciated the county government’s support in implementing the ‘Integrated Life Saving and DRR Initiatives in Kenya’ project in the county.

He said that for Turkana to attain food security, there was a need to invest in local farmers through the provision of quality seeds, farm implements, and extension services.

VSF distributed a variety of assorted seeds (400 pieces) and 1000 pieces of various farm tools and will continue to provide extension services to farmers in the sub-county.

Turkana East Sub-County Administrator Lomeyan Ewoi, Lokori/Kochodin Ward Administrator Shaban Lotabo, Sub-County A
gricultural Officer Emuto Francis, Ward Agriculture Officer Lokori/Kochodin Christine Eyanae, and VSF Finance Officer Elvis Onyango were in attendance.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government is working on strategies to institutionalise the Objective Matrix Method (OMAX) of productivity measurement as it seeks to increase productivity and reduce waste of public funds.

Stakeholders in the public service are of the view that to reduce the public wage bill, there needs to be a dynamic labour force that is competent, technology-oriented, and working in a conducive environment.

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS) Florence Bore, speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday during the 3rd wage bill conference, said that the conference’s co-objective is to identify strategies to facilitate the national and county governments to achieve a wage bill revenue ratio of 35 percent.

She acknowledged that the conference is the culmination of resolutions from the 10th ordinary session meeting that took place in December 2023 adding that it is a collective measure that gives the government and private sector a task to bring innovative and practical solutions towards a sustainable public service
wage bill in order to make resources available for development.

The CS said that the government is under pressure to improve public service performance by containing expenditures and factors such as public service wage bills, operational, and pension costs.

‘We must prioritise needs and make tough decisions. We cannot continue to burden our taxpayers and future generations with unsustainable wage bill. We must prioritise and ensure that our public service wage bill is within our means by being responsible and accountable in our budgeting and expenditure,’ said Bore.

She said that it is important to address issues such as low productivity, duplication of duties, wastage of public resources, leveraging on technology, innovation in payroll management and quality and citizen-centred service delivery.

The CS urged public officers to be accountable to the people they serve and serve them with the utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, efficiency and justice.

She highlighted that the public wage bill is not
just about reducing wages but also creating a conducive environment for job creation, which will increase revenue and lead to economic growth.

Bore advised that salaries and allowances should be distributed fairly, adding that performance-based pay and incentives should be used to increase productivity and efficiency in public agencies.

She said that her ministry through the national productivity and competitive center has developed a productivity measurement framework with the public Service while SRC and the State Department of Cabinet Affairs have provided technical support to 507 institutions and trained over 8,189 officers.

The CS called upon the public service institutions to take advantage of the programme and build their internal capacity while urging public service employees to embrace the culture of productivity and efficient service delivery in order to guarantee citizens’ satisfaction.

Source: Kenya News Agency

It is a sigh of relief for residents of Oloyangalani as they wave goodbye to a lengthy frustration of water scarcity in the area after benefiting from a water project by Global Connection community.

Over the years, the residents have had to travel and walk long distances scouring for water for their livestock and domestic use.

According to Peter Namasaka, the many challenges faced by the community and children drove him to start a water project.

Namasaka said the community can now engage in agricultural activities, keep their children in school and carry out businesses.

‘What drove me to start this project is that I saw residents from different areas in Kajiado including students, roaming around, facing different challenges, especially in schools and I was curious to find out what might be the problem. I went to the communities and came up with a project to assist children in acquiring school fees, community empowerment. Most families were poor, but it was not enough until I thought of a water project to
solve most of their problems,’ said Namasaka.

Kajiado being a semi-desert area, drought and water shortage are the root of most challenges; hence accessibility of water is of great impact to the community.

‘Our first project is here at Olayiankalani where I came and saw people drinking water from a river shared by livestock and the same water is being used for cooking and domestic use. That’s why we started this water project and we can see some impact,’ added Namasaka.

Jackson Nkoiliana, a resident from Olayiankalani said that accessing water in the area is a big step for the community since there is no place in their surroundings where one can acquire clean water but from that project they can cook, farm and drink.

‘We have gone through so much sourcing for water in this area. We used to go as far in a certain river to fetch water; the water was contaminated by some pests and dirtied by livestock hence it is not safe for consumption, so whenever we see such a project, we are delighted because it is a bi
g relief to us,’ said Nkoiliana.

Another resident, Beatrice Keroke reiterated Nkoiliana’s statement saying, ‘We used to walk and travel long distances to source water, but now this water will give us a chance to practice farming, give our children an opportunity to sell our farm surplus and even start other businesses, save and engage in self-help groups,’ said Keroke.

Pascal Abuga, a hydrogeologist from Direct Water Spread Limited, believes that the water project is going to be productive and impact the community in a big way in terms of easing the accessibility of water to people, sanitation, and agriculture.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The county government and the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service plan for establishment of second satellite blood transfusion site in Turkana, within Kakuma region.

Currently, Turkana is served by a single blood transfusion satellite centre at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital.

Medical Services Chief Officer Dr. Gilchrist Lokel on Wednesday hosted officials from the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) on their visit to Turkana for talks on establishment of a second blood transfusion site at Kakuma.

The KNBTS team was led by Alice Mbui, the coordinator for the ‘Availability of Safe Blood’ project.

This visit is a follow-up to earlier negotiations with the World Bank under the Building Resilient and Responsive Health Project, aimed at improving the capacity of Turkana to offer blood transfusion services for its residents and the populations along Kenya-Uganda, Kenya-South Sudan and Kenya-Ethiopia borders.

Dr. Lokel highlighted the critical nature of the initiative, stating, ‘Setting u
p this satellite facility will greatly improve our capability to test the safety of blood right here in Kakuma. Previously, the turnaround time for blood tests was long because samples had to be sent to the regional office in Eldoret for feedback, which delayed critical treatments, especially among maternity cases.’

KNBTS’s support includes the provision of medical equipment and consumables, training for local healthcare staff, and two Land Cruiser vehicles, ensuring comprehensive assistance for the project.

Advocacy, communication, and social mobilisation (ACSM) efforts are also integral parts of this initiative.

During the meeting, Alice Mbui elaborated on KNBTS’s role, detailing how their support is structured and the expected impacts.

Mbui added that procurement of supplies for the establishment of the site was already underway to speed up the process.

Dr. Lokel added, ‘This satellite blood transfusion centre is vital for both the growing refugee community and the host community, providing essential
support where it’s most needed.’

Expressing his gratitude for the collaboration, Lokel remarked, ‘The county government is fully committed to this project, overseeing necessary renovations and providing human resources to ensure its success.’

Also present were Thomas Ngetich, Head of Blood Transfusion for the North Rift Region, and Samuel Kapengi, County Blood Transfusion Coordinator.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A sombre mood engulfed the residents of Karirikania village in Kuresoi North during the burial of the seven family members who perished two weeks ago in a grisly road accident at Salama area along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

The seven family members, Francis Macharia 61, Irene Wang’ombe 37, Joyce Wairimu, Lemmy Macharia 12, Esther Nyambura 12, Esther Wanjiru 10, and Joyce Muthoni, aged 8 years, met their untimely deaths while on their way back home from Mombasa after an Easter vacation with other family members.

Local leaders present, including area Governor Susan Kihika, area legislator Alfred Mutai, and a number of Members of County Assembly (MCAs), condoled with the family and urged motorists to strictly adhere to the traffic rules to the latter in a bid to help curb the upsurge in road carnage.

Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Zacharia Njeru, who was also present during the burial, appealed to all road users to be extra cautious when on the road and take it up as a personal respons
ibility to ensure that there is sanity on the roads.

Among the survivors of this horrific accident were the other five family members who were treated and discharged from various hospitals.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Authorities in Turkana County have recovered 65 heads of cattle in Loreng, Letea Ward, alleged to have been stolen from the Jie community of Uganda along the Kenya-Uganda border.

Turkana County Commissioner Julius Kavita announced the animals would be returned to Uganda in the spirit of peacebuilding and to prevent possible retaliatory raids.

At a meeting with the community members in Loreng, Letea Ward, Commissioner Kavita reiterated government’s commitment to enhance cross-border peace through continuous engagement with the communities in the neighbouring countries and the need to stop the cattle rustling tradition that has exposed the areas to never-ending insecurity.

According to the Commissioner, the animals were recovered through an elaborate network of police reservists and Rangeland Management Committee, a community resource structure established by USAID NAWIRI to encourage cross-border peace through shared utilisation of pasture and water resources between Turkana and neighbours.

Kavita warned
bandits of firm and decisive action against anyone engaging in cattle rustling.

‘We have partnered with USAID NAWIRI and the Kenya Red Cross Society in finding a lasting solution to cattle-related conflicts through peace-building initiatives within the county,’ Commissioner Kavita said.

The County Chief Officer for Gender and Youth Affairs, Joseph Epuu, said that plans were underway to connect the USAID NAWIRI-established boy and girl groups with inclusive funds offered by the county under the Biashara Women and Youth Funds.

He insisted that the governor was keen on peaceful coexistence between Turkana and all the neighbours, as evidenced by the county’s success in finding a solution to cattle-related conflicts.

Senior Natural Resource Management and Peace Building Officer at USAID NAWIRI, Sericho Lokolong, emphasised the commitment of the organisation to support peace-building efforts by the county and national governments through rangeland management and ward planning committees.

Residents of Loreng un
animously agreed to let the stolen cattle go, saying it is a good practice to be reciprocated to pacify the area and allow peace and trade to thrive.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has launched the Kuza ICT Awards, which have been expanded to cover the wider ICT sector.

CA Director General (DG) David Mugonyi said that the awards are meant to celebrate the achievements and contributions of individuals and organizations driving excellence and innovation in the broadcasting and ICT sectors.

Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday during the launch, Mugonyi said they believe that their role is bigger than rule-setting and enforcement. ‘We are equally responsible for creating an environment that allows our stakeholders to grow, explore opportunities, and make a difference in our country through the products and services they offer,’ said Mugonyi.

The DG said that the ICT Week and Kuza Awards are platforms designed to maximise the Authority’s engagement with the ICT sector as well as being important channels for powering the Digital and Creative Economy pillars of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

‘Over the last decade,
the platform has evolved into an authoritative forum for the careful dissection of emerging issues, the thoughtful deconstruction of issues, and the clear articulation of the way forward for Kenya’s ICT sector,’ said Mugonyi.

He explained that the ICT week has helped them improve relationships with sector players, increase collaboration, and hasten innovation, all of which helps to move the sector and the country’s economic agenda forward.

‘About seven years ago, CA initiated the Kuza broadcasting awards to recognise excellence in the subsector. After careful reflection and feedback from the industry, we realised we could add more value to the events by merging them and expanding the awards to incorporate the fullness of the ICT sector. The awards shall now be called the Kuza ICT Awards,’ said Mugonyi.

Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Director General (DG) David Mugonyi Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday during the launch of the Kuza ICT awards. Photo by Joseph Ng’ang’a.

He said that this union allows
them to energise the ICT week, create broad-based industry awards, and benefit from the synergies of having an all-inclusive event.

Mugonyi explained that under this new arrangement, ICT Week 2024 will culminate in the first edition of the Kuza ICT Awards, adding that this expansion broadens the scope of awards to recognise excellence across various regulated services in the ICT industry.

CA Corporate Communication Director Christopher Wambua said that the 2024 Kuza ICT Awards will have additional award categories, and they will include Broadcasting, Postal and Courier, Cybersecurity, Telecommunications, Green ICT, Lifetime achievement, Child Online Protection and Women in Tech.

Wambua explained that voting for the various categories will be open to the public from April 22 to May 22, 2024. For the people’s choice category, there are two methods of voting, which include SMS via the number 15601, which is free of charge, and through the website www.kuzaawards.co.ke .

‘The ICT Week 2024 will run from June 5
to June 6, 2024, while the Kuza ICT Awards will be the highlight of the week, which is on June 7, 2024,’ said Wambua.

‘The theme for this year is ‘Innovation for Sustainable Digital Future’ and the reason for this theme is cognizant of the fact that technologies are evolving and, as regulators, we need to move into these new areas,’ said Wambua, adding that as they issue the awards, they want to recognise compliance with the authority’s regulations.

African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Secretary-General John Omo said that the broadening of the Kuza Awards scope from broadcasters to the general ICT sector is a commendable move.

‘As captains of industry, we have a great responsibility to make a positive impact in the various sectors that we are in, so let us do it,’ said Omo.

ICT Authority CEO Stanley Kamanguya said that technological disruptions have gone beyond the ICT sector, and data indicates that the digital economies are outpacing the traditional economies by 2.5 times in terms of growth.

‘In gove
rnment, we have clear plans for our digital economy, and we have been calling on our colleagues in the private sector to work with us so that together we can advance the sector, and we really appreciate the support that is coming from the private sector,’ said Kamanguya.

He called on the private sector to collaborate and work together to share infrastructure in the spirit of Ubuntu, which will reduce duplication and thus reduce the cost of connectivity.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Following continuous training of Community Health Promoters in Nakuru County (CHPs) by the Department of Health on theBaby Friendly Community Initiative, CHPs have put their knowledge into action by introducing vertical gardening in hospital spaces to promote healthy eating habits.

The County Executive for Health, Ms Roselyn Mungai said vertical gardening is a simple concept where instead of plants growing horizontally in a traditional garden, they’re growing vertically, like climbing a ladder.

While speaking at the Dundori Health Centre today she noted that vertical gardening is a space-saving and super-efficient way to grow all sorts of plants, from herbs and veggies to flowers. And it’s the solution for lack of space or a big garden, like in cities or even on small balconies.

Additionally, she said health centres are a perfect place for training expectant mothers when attending antenatal clinics to start preparing earlier for kitchen gardens to enable them to get a steady supply of quality vegetables a
nd herbs such as rosemary that enhance their health and save money for the family.

Further, she said food and nutrition security were at the focal point of achieving the 2030 goals, hence the need for the CHP to make it part of their primary education as they visit homes to enhance universal health care in their areas of influence.

Although undernourishment has declined globally, the 2023 UNICEF report on Kenya estimates that a quarter of Kenyan children under five are stunted. In matters of health, stunting is a major indicator of undernutrition, and it has injurious effects like diminished mental and physical development in children.

A nutritionist based in Nakuru city, Mary Njoki, said a number of families believe that as long as the children’s bellies are full of ugali or uji, they are doing their best to feed them. However, she said feeding babies and children with too much starch without proteins has many consequences, including stunting, frequent illnesses and poor performance at school.

Hence, equ
ipping and prioritising the well-being of communities hinges on nutritious foods that are within reach; therefore, the importance of kitchens or vertical gardens is because the longer the food travels, the greater the chances of contamination and loss of nutritional values.

Apart from the Ndundori CHPs, who are encouraging vertical gardens, the Elburgon CHPs have been provided with a farm near health centres where they grow and demonstrate nutritious vegetables to their communities.

Source: Kenya News Agency