Month: May 2024

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) through its KEPSA Foundation has committed to provide assistance to the affected communities during the on-going floods.

The Foundation will aid the victims through the Private Sector flood Response Initiative that is being implemented with KEPSA members, development partners and the government.

KEPSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Carole Kariuki said the Alliance recognises the urgent need for coordinated action to alleviate the suffering of the affected communities and aims to reach at least 10,000 households gravely affected and displaced by the floods.

‘KEPSA Foundation has issued a rallying call to mobilise private sector support for donations towards this cause under the Private Sector Flood Response initiative,’ said the CEO, while singling out government ministries, non-profit organisations and local communities as among its partners.

Under the Initiative, KEPSA foundation on Thursday commenced the distribution of food and non-food items in Kibera communi
ty and today Friday and tomorrow Saturday it will undertake the exercise in other affected areas in Nairobi among them, Githurai, Mukuru and Mathare.

The items being distributed were donated by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and Chandaria Foundation, which has provided 14 trucks of 400 bales each of assorted food. Chandaria has also pledged medical supplies worth Sh300,000 for a free medical camp in Mai Mahiu in partnership with Asian Foundation.

The distribution is being done in partnership with SHOFCO, Mama Doing Good, Global Peace Foundation and Team Pankaj Foundation. Team Pankaj Foundation provided 16,300 mattresses, 4,000 relief food hampers, 16,000 cups and plates, 16,000 blankets and clothing items.

In a press statement sent to newsrooms, KEPSA noted that it remains steadfast in leveraging its resources and expertise to support the government’s relief and recovery efforts in coordination with the National Committee on Disaster Response.

The support effort initiative coincides with
the private sector’s call to develop sustainable and localised solutions, such as implementing comprehensive zoning regulations to prevent construction in flood prone areas, investing in sustainable drainage systems and flood barriers and promoting afforestation, reforestation to enhance natural water retention and reduce soil erosion to enhance resilience to climate change.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kwale Governor Fatuma Mohamed Achani has hailed President William Ruto for appointing Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as the first woman service commander.

President Ruto promoted Major General Fatuma to Kenya Air Force Commander, becoming the first-ever woman service commander to occupy the position in the military top brass.

‘I send my warmest congratulations to Major General Fatuma on her promotion as Kenya Air Force Commander,’ said Achani.

Achani who is the first female Governor from the coastal region noted that the new air force service commander is an inspiration to the girl child and all women in leadership positions.

The coastal county boss said the appointment of Maj- Gen Fatuma marks an important milestone and is seen as a promise fulfilled by President Ruto in ensuring inclusivity and gender equity in public service.

Maj-Gen Fatuma joined the military in 1983 serving under the Women Service Corps a woman-only outfit that operated as a separate entity from the other main arms of the defence forces before
it was disbanded in 1999 and its members allowed to join the main military services – the navy, air force and army.

She termed the military appointment as an opportunity to engage and empower women on transformational leadership and governance.

Governor Achani also noted that the inclusivity of women serving in high-ranking positions will amplify the voice of women on national and gender issues which will create a platform for networking, enhance transformational approach towards leadership and offer mentorship growth for young women and girls.

She said the victory of seven women governors in the August 2022 general election was a testament to the changing narrative of leadership in Kenya where women are seen and recognised as equal stakeholders in building the nation.

Achani says the seven women governors in the country dubbed the G7 have launched a strategy to increase the number of female governors from 7 to at least 16 in the 2027 general elections. ‘We as women leaders should continue to stand by one
another and celebrate the remarkable achievements we have attained since inception of devolution,’ said Achani.

President Ruto as the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces also promoted Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri to the rank of General and appointed him Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

The new CDF now takes over the post left vacant following the death of General Francis Ogolla in a helicopter crash.

At the same time, the current Kenya Army Commander, Major General John Mugaravai Omenda, has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and named Vice Chief of Defence Forces.

Other appointments include that of Major General Thomas Ng’ang’a, currently Kenya Navy commander, to the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration and Finance, at the National Defence University-Kenya.

Ng’ang’a, will now be replaced by Major General Paul Owuor Otieno, who takes over as the new navy chief.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Over 1, 000 ailing Weitethie residents in Juja Subcounty have thronged an eye clinic camp at Zetech University, Mang’u campus to at least access medical care amidst the ongoing strike by medics.

The residents took advantage of the exercise organised by the university and other stakeholders to at least access medical services for other ailments following weeks of suffering at their homes due to lack of treatment.

Zetech Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Alice Njuguna said they had targeted to have at least 300 people but over 1,000 flocked their institution something she attributes to the effects of the ongoing strike.

While calling for a truce between striking doctors and the government to end the strike, Prof Njuguna said the high turnout at the camp shows that many ailing Kenyans are suffering in their homes for lack of treatment.

She said many area residents live below the poverty line and could not afford treatment in private hospitals thus a dire need for more free medical camps.

The exercise was adminis
tered by the PCEA Kikuyu Hospital, and the Christian Blind Mission, at the institution’s Mang’u Technology Park.

According to statistics by the Christian Blind Mission’s Vision Impact Project, more than 7.5million Kenyans are in need of eye care services.

This is despite only 1.6 million people being able to avail themselves for these crucial services.

Juja Sub County Public Health Officer Anne Mwangi said eye sight challenges need to be addressed through regular screening.

She called on the youth to avoid exposing themselves to intense light especially on their mobile phones and television as a preventive measure.

Ms Mwangi however acknowledged systemic challenges, including workforce shortages, limited infrastructure, and inadequate financing, which have historically marginalised those in need of eye care.

Residents welcomed the initiative saying they at least got to understand their health better.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Presiding Bishop and President of the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church Kenya, Bishop John Okinda, has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant during the current rainy season that has resulted in several deaths due to flooding.

Speaking from his home village at Ragana, Suna West Sub-County in Migori County, Bishop Okinda expressed concern over the devastating impact of the floods and encouraged both the government and the public to take preventive measures.

Okinda who was recently re-elected as Presiding Bishop and President of PEFA Church Kenya, emphasised the need for caution when crossing flooded areas and urged the government to take steps to manage the floodwaters to prevent further tragedies.

The clergy also called on churches to offer support to those affected by the floods, asking Kenyans to stand together to support victims and their families.

Bishop Dan Rangili echoed the sentiments, emphasising the importance of community solidarity in supporting those who have lost loved on
es or sustained injuries due to the flooding.

He encouraged Kenyans to exercise caution and work together to mitigate the risks posed by the heavy rains.

Migori County has also been affected by the raging floods, especially in Nyatike Sub County where various homes, beaches and schools have been partially submerged in the water.

According to the Migori Red Cross Situational Report of April 26, flooding has affected numerous communities, including Nyora, Aneko, Modi, Angugo, Kabuto, Makongeni and Gingo villages forcing residents to evacuate their homes and seek shelter in safer areas within their communities.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kiambu County Assistant Director of Education Roselyne Wambui has acknowledged that the heavy rains experienced in the County have taken a toll on the education sector.

Speaking to KNA, Wambui said they have been doing a ward-roundup to help drain water in flood-infested institutions even as preparations for opening of schools next week gears up.

‘We are visiting these institutions in each of the wards in Kiambu and removing water from the school grounds, clearing them for the safety of our children in schools,’ she said.

Wambui went on to add that some of the water-tight measures that are being put in place to ensure adequate safety for all the affected school communities include setting up a response team that visits these institutions to gather data regarding flooding.

‘The Department of Education has set up a group called the Set Response team that is sent out to gather data and information in the affected areas and work on the findings,’ she said.

She added that the Department of education in partn
ership with the Ministry of Education has come up with a social directorate that is donating amenities for the children to ensure a stable running of the school system.

‘Our department has joined with the Ministry of Education to ensure our children do not miss anything in terms of social amenities that are required in this weather,’ she said.

Some parents and residents of Kiambu however, are against the idea of children resuming schools for second term as the weather is quite unpredictable and poses a great risk to the lives of children.

Mokaya Bwire, a parent at Ndumberi Primary school and a resident of Kiambu county said he is not ready to let his children resume school because the government has not spoken on how to deal with waterborne and airborne diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Schools were supposed to be opened for second term on the 29th of April but due to the heavy rains being experienced across the country, Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced the postponement of school rep
orting dates by one week until the 6th of May 2024.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs yesterday launched an inaugural Diaspora Jobs fair in Meru County that attracted hundreds of youth seeking employment opportunities abroad.

Speaking during the launch, the department’s Principal Secretary (PS) Roseline Njogu said the purpose of the fair was to bring together people with skills and ready for job opportunities abroad and the recruiting agencies who will link them with the available jobs.

She said this was in line with President William Ruto’s manifesto in addressing youth unemployment in the country by collaborating with foreign countries who in turn offer available slots for the country.

‘We have about 520 licensed recruitment agencies and these can be found in the National Employment Authority (NEA) website and 14 crew recruitment agencies who are registered by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA).’

‘We urge Kenyans seeking job opportunities abroad to first check whether the agencies they are dealing with are registered by the two institutions befo
re going forward to give them money,’ Ms Njogu cautioned.

She added that in the last 16 months, her department has been very keen to weed out the unregistered agencies as well as punishing those that are registered but are not acting as per regulations.

‘When we started, we had more than 1,200 recruiting agencies but currently we have only 520 after deregistering the ones that were not toeing the line.

This tells you that we are very firm in ensuring that Kenyans are not conned or mistreated by any recruiting agency whatsoever,’ said Ms Njogu.

On the issue of ensuring that the welfare and rights of Kenyans working abroad are protected, the PS said that they have a board that looks into this and that they have already visited about 35 Kenya Consulates, Missions, and Embassies abroad sensitising Kenyans and issuing them with the right documents so that they can travel comfortably whenever they wish to.

‘If you are keen, you will realise distress calls from Kenyans working in the Middle East have reduced in
the last 16 months courtesy of our department’s efforts to ensure that their welfare is taken care of.’

‘We also recently evacuated Kenyans in Israel when war broke out there and it is on record that Kenya was the first country to evacuate her citizens from South Sudan when war broke out. This is what our department is meant to do and we will not relent in protecting our people working abroad,’ said Ms Njogu.

Her Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) counterpart Dr Esther Muoria said their main mandate is to equip young Kenyans with skills that will enable them to get jobs abroad.

She said they have already changed the curricula, ensured there are enough and qualified trainers as well as good space for trainees to acquire the necessary skills.

‘We are actively listening to the diaspora needs in terms of skills so that we can equip our young people with the right ones and ensure that they fit the job market,’ said Dr Muoria.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Stigma and lack of policy structure have been identified as the greatest impediments to re-entry and retaining of student teenage mothers in schools in Siaya County.

Siaya county Imarisha Msichana project coordinator Everlyne Amunga has observed that despite numerous sensitisation efforts, teenage girls who have opted to go back to school still face a lot of stigma from their fellow students and the community at large.

‘We have done a lot as an organisation in terms of sensitisation in Siaya County but the teenage mothers are still called derogatory names by their classmates or even viewed negativity by the community which has not only discouraged some of them but also contributed to some dropping out of school once again,’ Amunga disclosed.

According to Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2022 report on teenage pregnancy, siaya county ranks 4th nationally at 21% contributing to high number of girls dropping out of school.

Imarisha Msichana project implemented by Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE
) in conjuction with Mastercard Foundation aims at reducing cases of teenage pregnancy as well as ending early child marriages with keen focus of re-entry of teenage mother back to school.

Amunga further observed that lack of policy and support structure has also negated their efforts in retaining the teenage mothers in school since there is no clear strategy of retaining the mothers in schools and assisting them to transit to next career level.

‘We have begun working on a policy which is being developed by education stakeholders in the region that will see to it that the teenage mothers are not only retained in school but also their children supported to ensure they fully focus in school. The policy will also spell out how the teenage mothers back in school will be supported to transit to the next level of their careers,’she said

Amunga disclosed that the programme aimed at promoting re-entry of teenage mothers back to school has yielded fruits with many girls who had initially dropped out of school due t
o unwanted pregnancies opting to go back to school to pursue their dreams.

‘We work with various schools in Siaya County like Rambira girls in Rarieda sub county, Nyaguda and Nyamonye girls in Bondo sub counties to ensure that our girls get second chance in life, the impact has been significant and teenage mothers opt to rejoin various schools across the region,’ she said.

The county project coordinator advised the public and students in Siaya County to shun stigmatisation of teenage mothers who have opted to go back to school and instead give them support as a strategy of alleviating poverty in the region.

Speaking during a multi-stakeholder meeting in Siaya, the county director of youth and social services Maida Nyawade said the county government is ready to support initiatives geared towards reducing teenage pregnancies and fostering re-entry of teenage mother to school.

‘We are in support of any engagement that will reduce teenage pregnancy and re-entry of teenage mothers into school because if we do
not do it, we shall be perpetuating poverty circle in the region,’ Nyawade said.

Nyawade reiterated that due to high rate of teenage pregnancy in the region, the government of Siaya is working round the clock to develop Children policy to enable it come up with sustainable interventions.

‘We are currently in the process of developing both the child and youth policies which we believe will help us intervene more decisively,’ Nyawade added.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government, in collaboration with the African Union, is set to host the Second Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health (AFSH) Summit from May 7th to 9th this year at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.

The AFSH Summit, which will be the continent’s largest soil health forum, will be held under the leadership of President William Ruto and directed by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The summit is expected to bring together over 2000 stakeholders from across the continent to evaluate the state of Africa’s soil health, network on how the best issues affecting agriculture could be addressed, and engage in business at the event themed ‘Listen to the Land’ that will culminate into a high-level Presidential Summit.

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Mithika Linturi, in a speech read on his behalf by the Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, at a Media Breakfast meeting held on Thursday at a Nair
obi hotel, said the country is proud to be the second AU Member State to host the summit in 17 years.

‘One of the key outcomes will be a Nairobi Declaration that will be a catalyst to achieve the goals set 17 years ago in Abuja, where the first Summit was held in June 2006,’ said Linturi.

He said the 10-year Action Plan that will be endorsed in the Nairobi Declaration will deliver concrete recommendations that would be undertaken by African leaders and stakeholders over the next 10 years.

‘The Action Plan will provide a focus for new policies and investments that will enable farmers to work towards re-building soil health and ultimately increase yield responses and profitability of fertilisers,’ said the CS.

During the first Summit, Heads of State and Governments of the AU endorsed the Abuja Declaration on Fertiliser for the Africa Green Revolution, a continental strategy aimed at reversing the worrying trend of poor productivity in African soils.

The CS mentioned that the declaration focused on key targ
ets required for agricultural growth, food security, and rural development on the continent, with a focus on the role of fertilisers, while recommending a rise in the use of fertilisers from 8-kg nutrients per hectare to 50 kg of nutrients per hectare in 10 years.

‘It also recommended the establishment of an African fertiliser financing mechanism to improve agricultural productivity by providing the finances required to boost fertiliser use on the continent,’ he stated.

Linturi added that the aim of the financing mechanism was to achieve the target of 50kg of nutrients per hectare, noting that, however, Africa still falls short of the Abuja Declaration targets, a need he said required the continent to explore its current soil condition and use of fertiliser and implement solutions fast to avert the worsening situations.

He said, according to statistics, Africa still needs to improve on fertiliser use, noting that research indicated that the average amount of fertiliser applied to crops grown on the contine
nt continued to degrade due to unsustainable soil management practices.

‘This is causing nutrient mining, increased soil degradation, reduced carbon stocks, resilience to climate change, and shocks,’ he stated, noting that the effects have led to low agricultural productivity, poor soils, as well as affected food and nutrition security on the continent.

Making her remarks virtually, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission, Josefa Sacko, said the summit is important as it will come up with a 10-year plan that will help the continent nourish its soils and become food secure by raising its productivity to feed its population by 2050.

‘Many African countries rely on imports of fertiliser, making them vulnerable. Time for action is now to stop the worsening of the soil for rapid transformation and to end malnutrition,’ she said.

Sacko said there was a need for regional partnerships for investment, production capacity collabo
rative research, sharing of best practices and capacity building, and inclusion of women in agricultural issues as contributors in the agricultural sector, noting that the Summit Action Plan will help Africa’s economy to thrive.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Elgeyo Marakwet County commissioner John Korir has called on 1,500 people living in Kessup village in Keiyo North Sub County to move to safer ground because of the risk of Yokot dam breaking its banks following heavy rains currently pounding the country.

Korir who led a team of security personnel who were on a tour of dams in the county said another dam which was almost spilling over was Kapkesem dam in Keiyo South Sub County.

The CC said he was happy that four families living next to Kapkesem dam had agreed to move to safer grounds and called on residents to take individual responsibility for their lives even as the government does its best in ensuring their safety.

Korir called on hundreds of residents living along the hanging valley, an area which has been experiencing landslides in each rainy season, to take precautions and move to avert any disaster.

He appealed to residents to avoid crossing submerged roads and collapsed bridges and instead wait until the waters subside saying they would rather get
late to where they were going instead of risking their lives.

He attributed the continued landslides affecting the area to planting of crops along the steep slopes and called on residents to take advantage of the current rains to plant indigenous trees as well as fruit trees and coffee which will help in holding the soils.

He said the county had fully activated the disaster response team which involves both the national and county governments, the Kenya Red Cross and other agencies to deal with any eventuality.

Meanwhile in a statement signed by both the County Commissioner and the governor as co-chairs of the county disaster committee, the duo called on residents who have built near waterways to clear any structure that may obstruct water channels to prevent further damage.

The two advised residents to use the toll free number 1199, 0720903030 (Kenya Red Cross) or 0728602502 to report any cases of emergency.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kisumu city is set for a major facelift following the release of Sh300 million Urban Development Grant (UDG) by the World Bank to improve infrastructure and strengthen service delivery.

The grant through the Kenya Urban Support Project II (KUSP II) will also see the recently launched Ahero Municipality receive Sh16.8 million to roll out similar projects.

This comes after a successful implementation of KUSP I where the city received Sh1.7 billion which was used to construct a modern fire station, Rotary Youth Innovation Center, Non-motorised transport facility, Upgrading of Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds, Upgrading of Jamhuri Gardens and botanical garden, Construction of Nyamasaria bus park, Construction of Kibuye Market and Kaloleni Community Centre.

State Department for Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary (PS) Charles Hinga said the program has transformed Kisumu greatly by putting in place infrastructure and structures that have created a modern and resilient city.

In a speech read on his b
ehalf by the Administration Secretary in the department, Hiram Kahiro in Kisumu during the launch of the Kisumu Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan and Sustainable Mobility Plan, the PS said KUSP II which targets a number of counties will build up on the foundation laid during the first phase of the project.

‘The second phase of KUSP is now on course following its execution on the 14th March 2024 and Kisumu County stands poised to reap further benefits,’ he said.

He asked the implementing agencies in the county to build on the successes achieved while proactively addressing any shortcomings highlighted during the first phase.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o lauded the World Bank-funded program, saying it was behind the transformative urban development being experienced in Kisumu city.

In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Governor Dr. Mathews Owili, Nyong’o said the plan to restore the lakeside city was marked with ups and downs.

‘When I came into office in 2017, part of my work was to r
estore order in Kisumu. I found a city in a mess, with traders and hawkers selling their wares all over the streets. The pedestrians had nowhere to walk. Even the traders themselves worked in distress,’ he said.

‘Today the traders are happy in the new markets we built. Now they have shelter over their heads and a cleaner work environment,’ he added.

The county government, he said, was in the final stages of implementing the Geospatial Information System (GIS) to aid in planning the city.

The Kisumu Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan and Sustainable Mobility Plan which is a four zoned plan to guide the growth of the city for the period between 2020-2040, he said was a comprehensive document that would assist in the mitigation of disasters such as floods, reduce pollution, promote safe routes for transportation, promote ecologically balanced environment, minimize hazards, preserve open space and maintain physical health of the community.

The plan, he said, covers the entire city comprising the urb
an core including the lakefront, urban renewal and regeneration areas which include the slum belt, Eastern extension and the Northern extension.

He added that the plan further provides a roadmap for long-term infrastructural development and comes with zoning regulations, development control mechanisms and a clear environmental management plan.

This, he said, will transform Kisumu city into a vibrant, resilient and smart lake metropolis through polycentric spatial development.

The Sustainable Mobility Plan, he said, seeks to recalibrate transport investments in the area so as to benefit all road users.

‘This will avert mobility challenges characterized by increasing vehicular traffic, inefficient public transport, inadequate walking and cycling facilities and poor parking management,’ he said.

Bondo Member of Parliament (MP) Gideon Ochanda who represented the National Assembly Committee on Housing, Lands and Urban Development lauded the move by Kisumu saying the two plans were set to spur urban renewal an
d development in the city.

‘It may sound ambitious but this is the way to go. The western countries took the same route and are ahead of us. It must be done,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency