Day: June 8, 2024

The Kenya Association of Travel Agents has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kenya Airways to foster collaboration in their operations.

This strategic collaboration, initiated by travel agents, aims to bolster the national carrier’s market presence and strengthen its competitive position within the industry.

This partnership is expected to bring about significant benefits for both parties, leveraging the expertise and networks of travel agents to drive the growth and innovation of Kenya Airways.

Speaking at the 44th Annual Travel Convention and General Meeting under the theme ‘Make the Connection’ held at Sarova Whitesands, Mombasa, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATA, Nicanor Sabula, highlighted the substantial impact of recent government policy changes, technological advancements, and the overall growth of the industry.

He noted that these developments are shaping the future of travel, requiring stakeholders to adapt and innovate in response to the evolving landscape.

The meeting brought together more than 300 delegates representing the travel agency community.

‘We have invited our colleagues from six of our neighbouring African countries, representing Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, so that we can share knowledge to be able to make the connection alongside growing our Intra- Africa Travel,’ Sabula said.

He noted that they had also discussed the contemporary issues emerging in society, including Artificial Intelligence and how it can be used to support businesses.

He highlighted that the industry’s statistics indicate that Kenya has recovered and surpassed the pre-pandemic numbers by approximately 30 per cent. Initially, the recovery was projected to be achieved by 2025; however, by the end of 2023, the sector had already experienced a 30 per cent recovery, demonstrating a faster-than-expected rebound.

Patrick Bucha, Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to broadening the industry’s scope through medical tourism advocacy and exploring unconventional offerings beyond traditional staples.

‘This forward-thinking approach underscores the government’s dedication to catering to the evolving needs and preferences of global travelers,’ he stated.

He highlighted that a key focus area is developing and marketing Kenya as the ‘Home of Human Origins,’ leveraging our rich heritage and cultural tapestry to offer an immersive journey into the cradle of humanity. Through this initiative, the aim is to captivate visitors with an unparalleled exploration of our nation’s historical and anthropological significance.

Moreover, Bucha noted that the Ministry recognises the private sector’s invaluable role in driving this transformative vision. It is eager to foster close collaborations with the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), harnessing their expertise and insights to craft innovative tourism experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.

The Chairman of KATA, who is also the Managing Director of Hemingways Travel, Joseph Kithitu, highlighted on the importance of leading the change in advocating for a shift in mindset to be able to be embraced as travel advisors by travel agents, as that aligns with the changing landscape and reflects the role they play in the travel industry.

Regarding infrastructure, Kithitu said that the infrastructure development to expand the travel and tourism industries has been steadily progressive. However, he called for the acceleration of this to maximise the benefits that come with it, stimulate growth in the tourism sector, and increase economic benefits for the nations.

The Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways (KQ), Allan Kilavuka, addressed the importance of the collaboration with the Kenyan Travel Advisors, noting that KQ recognises the crucial partnership with the advisors in the aviation industry.

Kilavuka expressed that, in line with the convention’s theme ‘make the connection’ he commits to forging deeper synergies between KQ and KATA to unlock new opportunities to elevate the entire travel ecosystem.

‘This recent period has been an eventful chapter for Kenya Airways, marked by significant strides, overcoming challenges, and setting our sights on new horizons. We recorded a full-year operating profit of Sh10.5 billion, a swing of Sh16 billion from a loss of Sh5.6 billion reported in 2022! This remarkable feat speaks volumes about the commitment and diligence of every member of the KQ family,’ Kilavuka said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

After Charles Karanja completed a construction course at a technical college in Kiambu, he experienced difficulties in finding employment, which led him to explore opportunities in other sectors in order to secure himself a job.

Armed with his expertise in construction, Karanja identified a unique niche in the market that needed to be addressed that catered to the deceased.

He discovered a unique way to honour the deceased by painting and beautifying graveyards, providing them with a peaceful resting place, noting that it was a niche market that had not yet been widely explored.

His initial project was done by drawing inspiration from ideas he found online, as it was the first time he had attempted such a task. The positive feedback he received motivated him to continue exploring and creating more projects.

‘I specialise in constructing and enhancing graves, as people are always finding new ways to pay tribute to the departed. In the past, the deceased were simply buried in the wilderness with a banana tr
ee as a marker, but now we commemorate and celebrate the lives of our loved ones in more meaningful ways.’

‘I assist people in honouring and respecting their loved ones in a unique way by creating beautiful graves. A person’s grave is their forever home, visible for all to see for eternity after they are buried. It is important to show that the deceased was valued and respected by their loved ones.’ He explained.

The grave decorator based in Kiambu town shared that he makes Sh600,000 in a successful month and Sh200,000 during slower months. He charges a standard rate of Sh60,000 for each project, allowing him to provide job opportunities for other young individuals.

‘My business was launched with the help of a client’s down payment. I have a managing director, ten regular employees, and contract temporary employees when things get busy,’ noted Karanja.

Similar to all other businesses, Karanja has faced a variety of challenges, including financial limitations and difficult customers.

‘I do face obstacles,
especially financial ones. There are times when clients underpay or go quiet after the work is done. This makes following up on payments extremely challenging, especially if they are not within Kiambu County. Following up via calls and messages can also prove to be ineffective sometimes, as they may ignore or completely block your calls,’ he added.

Karanja intends to grow his business by expanding into various towns, with the aim of providing employment opportunities for the youth and addressing the widespread issue of unemployment in the country.

Karanja also aims to become the top grave decorator in the country and hopes to inspire and employ youth by opening more workshops in the future.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is set to conduct elections of directors for the 54 small-holder tea factories managed by the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA), slated for June 28, 2024.

This is the first time IEBC is set to oversee KTD directors’ elections, where over 600,000 tea farmers across the country are set to participate in the polls.

Addressing the press at a Kericho hotel following a security briefing of Ministry of Interior and National Administration officers, (IEBC) and the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), TBK Director Kennedy Kaburi, representing western Kenya, said IEBC will supervise the voting process across the seven regions in the country.

He said that the elections will mark a significant milestone in the tea reform transformation journey.

‘We shall use a simple method: ‘one grower, one vote.’ This is as a result of the tea reforms we have done. The IEBC is going to manage and conduct the exercise. The Commission will nominate the returning officers for each o
f the factories as well as appoint the counting clerks in all the poll centers. The Tea Act 2020 provides for the directors of our factories to stay in the factories for three years, so the three years expired in the month of April, so on June 28 this year we shall be going to the elections for our factory directors, ‘he added.

Mr. Kaburi said the Ministry of Interior and National Administration officers were well prepared to ensure law and order were maintained and the elections were conducted without any disruptions.

In conducting the poll, the TBK Director said the IEBC will be guided by a manual of elections released by TBK, who will act as observers during the elections and ensure the exercise works out seamlessly without issues.

Also present at the press briefing, TBK Chief Executive Officer Willy Mutai revealed the voting exercise will be through a secret ballot system based on the ‘one grower, one vote principle’ where a farmer will get an equal voting stake.

The previous voting system was based o
n the number of shares a tea farmer had, an issue which many famers claimed favoured those with big farms and many shares.

Mutai added that the Commission is also expected to publish a list of qualified candidates, including the voter register, in all the tea buying centers ahead of the voting exercise.

‘Elections will be held between 7am to 3pm and we expect to have 328 elected directors for the 54 small holder tea factories who will serve for the next three years. IEBC will be conducting the elections in all 54 factories in the country, and as TBK, we shall just oversee to make sure justice and preparedness for free and fair elections prevail for the farmers,’ revealed Mutai.

He called upon the tea farmers to vote wisely for their best leaders.

‘As TBK, we want to wish the farmers to exercise their right and role to elect their best leaders who will be manning the factories. We are urging them to continue harvesting their tea as they also campaign until they elect their directors,’ said Mutai.

A voter
shall, on the date of the election, present the following documents to the presiding officer for verification: a national ID or passport; pay slips for green leaf delivery for any two months in the twelve-month’ period preceding the date of the election.

Eligible candidates are required to submit a Sh10,000 non-refundable fee, ID card, growers slip for the 12-month’ period preceding the date of election, valid KRA tax-compliant certificate, EACC clearance, a valid certificate of police clearance, academic certificates and professional certificates, a self-written application, credit reference bureau certificate (CRB), among other documents as shown on the manual for the election of directors of small-holder tea factories.

The security briefing brought together security officers from the tea-growing counties of Kericho, Bomet, Nyamira, Kisii, Narok, Kakamega, and Nakuru.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A center for boosting energy adoption in Kenya has been launched at the Paramount Chief Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute in Riruta Satellite Dagoreti constituency.

Addressing the press after the launch of the energy center, Schneider Electric East Africa President Ifeanyi Odoh, said that the center is aimed at providing solutions in renewable energy, driving innovation excellence in the energy field, and creating experiences in real-world scenarios while aiding in research work.

Odor noted that the energy adoption center at PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute is aimed at addressing the skills gap that has existed in energy efficiency for many years, adding that the center is going to train thousands of youth in Kenya so that they can go into various societies in Kenya to start fixing several energy-related challenges being experienced.

He noted that the center will equip the youth with energy efficiency skills so that they can replicate the skills in the various sectors of the economy in Kenya
once they graduate from the institution.

‘Energy efficiency simply means doing a lot more with your energy with less consumption of your energy,’ echoed Schneider Electric East Africa President Ifeanyi Odoh.

Odoh further noted that nowadays many industries are under pressure to optimize everything that they do, and with energy efficiency, industries could benefit because they will be able to optimize their cost of production, which translates to more affordable products.

He further hinted that many industries and firms in Kenya and Africa at large are currently facing energy waste, and this is highly linked to the energy efficiency skills gap.

‘By integrating the full capability of digitalization and energy efficiency, KPLC is able to mitigate losses in their networks, optimise their revenue, and reach many people,’ said Schneider Electric East Africa President Ifeanyi Odoh.

French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet noted that the need to launch renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment for the Center of Ex
cellence at P.C. Kinyanjui TTI is because Kenya is well positioned to explore renewable energy.

The ambassador at the same time urged the P.C. Kinyanjui TTI administration to ensure that they are developing their curricula together with industry partners.

‘Ensure that you are developing the curricula in collaboration with industry partners as well as training the trainees in partnership with industry partners. If we do all these without industry partners, we will go nowhere,’ noted the French ambassador, Arnaud Suquet.

The principal secretary of the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training, Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, whose speech was read by State Department for TVET Director Administration Joyce Mwale, said that the renewable energy and energy efficiency center launched at P.C. Kinyanjui TTI is timely and will help trainees acquire renewable energy and energy efficiency skills that will help them not only acquire jobs in Kenya but also in the global markets.

‘I am reliably informe
d that if the equipment is well utilised, the skills acquired by the trainees will enable them to compete for job vacancies internationally. The equipment has come at a time when the Ministry of Education is promoting the Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum, which advocates for 70% practical and 30% theory,’ said the PS.

The renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment at P.C. Kinyanjui was donated by the Schneider Electric Foundation in France with the assistance from the French Embassy and Schneider Electric Kenya at a cost of 100,974.44 euros.

In order to ensure that the youth in Kenya learn and speak French when they obtain jobs in French-speaking countries worldwide, the French Embassy has already equipped the French language center at P.C. Kinyanjui TTI with adequate learning materials and will soon be deploying an expert to train the youth in this area.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A total of 6,695 students from various learning institutions in Taita Taveta County have received bursary allocations from a community-based organisation, Wildlife Works, aimed at boosting education in the County.

Wildlife Works issued bursaries totaling Sh70 million to support economically disadvantaged and academically gifted students who are unable to pay their school fees to enable them to continue with their education.

The beneficiaries were selected from six locations: Mwatate, Mwachabo, Marungu, Kasigau, Mackinnon, and Sagalla.

They were chosen through a community-elected locational bursary sub-committee, and they comprise students from secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

The programme extends to students with disabilities in primary schools within the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project.

Speaking while presiding over the bursary disbursement ceremony in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County Governor Andrew Mwadime expressed gratitude for the support from Wildlife Works and highlighted the transforma
tive impact of the bursaries.

Mwadime emphasised the importance of parental and guardian sacrifices in providing educational opportunities for students to exploit their full potential.

‘Education is crucial in shaping the future of our students, particularly in our county where industries are scarce. It empowers them to explore economic opportunities beyond our local community,’ he stated.

The governor assured Wildlife Works of the county government’s support in their conservation activities, urging the institution to consider issuing bursaries to students from across the county.

‘Let’s work in collaboration with the County government. There are students who perform excellently and get good results in Form 4. Some want to do good courses, but they are not able to because of financial constraints. If possible, we can work together and come up with a way to support these students to further their studies,’ the governor said.

Wildlife Works Community Relations Officer, Joseph Mwakima, emphasised the collabo
rative efforts of various stakeholders, especially the local community, in preserving the local forest ecosystem.

He added that, following the conservation initiatives championed by the local community, all students in the area have access to bursaries that aim to support their pursuit of quality education.

‘This support not only benefits the students but also emphasizes the positive outcomes of conservation efforts on the entire community,’ he added.

Since 2012, the educational investment programme has awarded bursaries to 43,837 students, with total disbursements exceeding Sh273 million.

The programme funds bursaries through income generated from selling carbon credits, allocated in consultation with the local community.

The innovative model of community governance ensures sustained investments in education, health, and infrastructure to enhance the community’s overall well-being.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Homa Bay town are delighted after their water supply was restored after weeks of dry taps.

Homa Bay Water Supply Company (Homawasco) Director Thomas Nyonje said the supply was disrupted after the Kenya Power Company disconnected electricity to the water pumps over an accumulated bill of Sh19 million.

However, the power supply has been restored after the water company negotiated with Kenya Power on a payment plan.

Nyonje said they were reconnected to power after paying Kenya Power a down payment of Sh11 million, while the balance will be paid gradually.

‘The Kenya Power disconnected electricity because we owed them a power bill of Sh19 million, which had accumulated since 2019, but we have paid them Sh11 million. They have now restored the electricity supply as we continue to settle the debt,’ Nyonje said, adding that they began pumping water to the residents as soon as the power supply was restored.

The Director said they were putting in place long-term measures by introducing solar energy t
o supply power instead of relying on electricity, noting that this will prevent interruptions in water supply.

‘I assure residents that they will get water regularly because we want to shift to solar as the primary source of power and electricity as the secondary source,’ Nyonje said.

The resumption of water supply is expected to curb the risk of contracting water-borne diseases.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Mary Waithira Njoroge, a veteran trader at the Kiambu market, has been running a food stall for more than a decade.

Maize, which is a staple food for most households, is one of the many agricultural products that she sells.

Speaking to KNA Friday as the world commemorates World Food Safety Day, Waithira says she personally goes to the shamba herself and picks the maize for sale.

‘Food safety should be given first priority when dealing with food and products to avoid foodborne diseases through contamination. It is very important,’ Waithira said.

‘When I pick the maize myself, I make sure to only pick the mature ones. When I purchase from another farmer, I go on and question the farming chemicals that the farmer has used and whether they are approved.

She explains to the writer that her mantra has always been that cleanliness is next to godliness and that you should also do what you would want others to do to you. I am a clean person. I love health, so I always make sure my customers get the best, ‘she say
s with a smile.

Waithira said she has always been keen on the critical importance of proper food handling, preparation, and storage to minimise the risk of food-related illness.

She, however, noted that, as a trader, there are things that the county government needs to look at, such as the status of the markets in terms of infrastructure and cleanliness.

Michael Mathu, a hotel owner in Kiambu Market, emphasises the importance of food safety, saying that for someone who handles flour, storing and handling dry food is very delicate and one needs to be careful, especially when purchasing.

‘Before purchasing a bundle of flour, I check the expiration date to ensure it is not expired. I also check the storage, especially if it is in a well-preserved condition fit for human consumption.

He emphasized on the need to serve fresh food to his customers, a practice he says not only boosts business but also earns loyalty from patrons, but it also involves ensuring personal hygiene and maintaining cleanliness in cooki
ng areas to prevent contamination.

‘Food safety should be a top priority in every hotel business to instill confidence in customers. The cleanliness of business premises selling food and products is crucial, as unclean environments can lead to diseases. Additionally, storage areas for human food must be free from contamination to maintain high standards of hygiene and safety,’ Mathu said.

Most traders spoke about heavy rains that have recently affected most of the traders due to sewerage pipes bursting and also the lower part of the market heavily flooding due to poor drainage.

‘Some of the drainage furrows are too shallow and partly blocked and this poses a health threat and we are calling on the county council to open up the drainages in order for us to sell food in a good environment, ‘said Waithira.

One of the leaders in the market who opted to remain synonymous said that as traders, they run the market in an orderly manner and hold elections for the board every three years.

‘Each trader possesses a
voting card with a unique number used during elections. Recently, there have been accusations from traders claiming that some board members are bringing non-traders to vote, compromising the fairness of the elections,’ he said.

The alleged misconduct has sparked discontent among traders, who feel their democratic right to fair elections is being violated, thereby disrupting business operations within the market.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Food Safety Day draws attention to food safety incidents.

This year’s theme is ‘Food safety: prepare for the unexpected,’ and it underlines the importance of being prepared for food safety incidents, no matter how mild or severe they can be.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The National Government will soon kick-start the construction of 30 sports academies across the country to nurture talents among youths.

Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum divulged that since money is available, the government is going to advertise for tenders in the next one week.

Tum stated that out of the three budget proposals that the ministry received for the project, they settled on the cheapest one of about Sh50 million per academy.

‘Since Nandi is known as a source of champions, we will construct two academies in the region. One is in Tinderet, and the other is in Nandi Hills subcounty. We want our young people to develop their talents and monetise them,’ he said.

Speaking during the dissemination of the Fourth Medium-Term Plan 2023-2027 at a Kapsabet hotel, Tum revealed that they are working on the technical drawing after carrying out feasibility studies and developing a concept design.

Each academy will have a fence, field, murram track, terrace, washrooms, packing area, and water storage ta
nks, among other specifications.

He said the government is investing in sports infrastructure and talents that can bring about economic sustainability and enhance athletes lives.

‘Our goal as a government is to promote and develop talents; that’s why we have doubled allowances for athletes to encourage more people to join the profession,’ he said.

The Sports PS also noted that the government will construct a multimillion modern stadium at Kapsabet Showground.

The 20,000-seater sports facility, which will be built on a 25-acre parcel of land, aims to identify and nurture diverse sporting talents and provide a training platform for indoor games such as basketball, volleyball, among others.

The sports fraternity has welcomed the move, saying the community harbors diverse talents beyond just athletics, and the stadium will offer an ideal training environment for indoor games, enabling youths to develop their talents and participate in international tournaments.

At present, the North Rift region has no prope
r public stadium, yet Kenyan athletes, who are the country’s best ambassador abroad because of their prowess, lack a decent place to train.

The renovation of Kipchoge Keino Stadium by the Nandi County government stalled in its initial stages five years ago after the national government failed to disburse funds.

Source: Kenya News Agency