Day: September 12, 2024

The second phase of the national wildlife census has kicked off at the Lake Nakuru National Park and Bird Sanctuary, whose results will inform retooling of conservation programmes for iconic species grappling with climate change and human-induced threats.

According to the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), which is spearheading the exercise, the census, which involves an aerial survey, will enable the government to obtain accurate data on wildlife resources, including giant land mammals, carnivores, and marine life.

Principal Scientist at WRTI, Mr. Stephen Ndambuki, said the exercise at Lake Nakuru National Park and Bird Sanctuary, which is the fourth after similar ones in Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, and Athi Kapiti Wildlife Conservancies, comes in the wake of the recent drought and flooding which killed and displaced hundreds of wild animals in various parts of the country.

The last national census was conducted in 2021, where over 30 species of mammals, birds, and
marine species were counted in various ecosystems across the country.

‘We have been working with other government agencies like Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and we successfully conducted the first phase as we seek to establish the current status of wildlife,’ Mr. Ndambuki said.

The scientist noted that the country’s wildlife landscapes were currently facing multiple challenges, including poaching and increasing human and livestock populations.

‘In the second phase we are covering Nakuru, Naivasha, and other closed ecosystems like Solai, and the data obtained will help in decision-making in wildlife conservation,’ he said.

He noted that the 2022 drought had resulted in serious habitat loss and wildlife mortalities.

The WRTI scientist said the census aim was to provide accurate data on wildlife populations, distribution, and the health of the ecosystem.

‘The Institute is employing a new platform, the Earth-ranger, which seeks to enhance patrols and offer real-time monitoring during the exercise,’ stated
Mr. Ndambuki.

He added, ‘The census is utilising globally recognised methodologies to obtain accurate data on wildlife resources in the country and mitigate future threats to their survival.

The census, which is utilising state-of-the-art technology, has been funded by the government to the tune of Sh302 million.

It is expected that the outcome of the exercise will strengthen evidence-based management of iconic species that are an integral part of Kenyan heritage besides contributing to national coffers through tourism.

‘The country needs precise data on the wildlife population in the country to guide effective conservation of species amid challenges like climate change, changing land use practices, and competition with agriculture,’ stated Mr. Ndambuki.

Data-driven interventions are key to minimising human-wildlife conflicts that have emerged as a grave threat to the survival of iconic species like rhinos, elephants, lions, and leopards.

The scientist termed the exercise as important in biodiversity mo
nitoring, saying that information obtained would be essential in wildlife conservation.

‘The census will offer a comprehensive overview of the biodiversity within the Lake Nakuru ecosystem, and the information is essential for tracking changes in wildlife populations and assessing the health of the ecosystem,’ he said.

The scientist indicated that accurate data on wildlife populations and their habitats would inform conservation strategies and policy decisions.

He explained that this would enable authorities to identify critical areas for protection, design effective wildlife corridors, and allocate resources where they are most needed.

‘In habitat management, understanding the distribution and movement patterns of species aids in managing habitats more effectively,’ he said.

Mr. Ndambuki identified human-wildlife coexistence as an emerging issue which had seen migration corridors across parts of the country closed and pasture land reduced.

He said that as human populations expanded and encroached on wi
ldlife habitats, conflicts between humans and wildlife had intensified across the country.

He emphasised that WRTI had developed rigorous scientific methodologies to conduct the census, and these would ensure that they gather reliable data on wildlife populations.

Geographic Information System (GIS) analyst at WRTI, Ms. Grace Waiguchu, said the census was aimed at providing accurate data on wildlife populations, distribution, and the health of the ecosystem.

‘The Institute is employing a new platform, the Earth-ranger, which seeks to enhance patrols and offer real -time monitoring during the exercise,’ she said.

Ms. Waiguchu emphasised that understanding the distribution and movement patterns of wildlife is key to better habitat management.

‘Advanced technologies such as GPS tracking and drone imaging are also being utilised to enhance data accuracy,’ she said.

The GIS analyst noted that the census was employing a combination of aerial surveys, ground counts, and camera trapping in gathering data.

‘By
employing advanced technologies such as satellite imagery, GPS tracking, and drone surveys, we aim to achieve a level of precision and detail that is unprecedented,’ she added.

She highlighted multiple challenges that the country’s wildlife landscapes were currently facing, such as increasing human and livestock populations.

Other challenges include impacts of global climate change, the spread of invasive and alien species, and a rise of infectious zoonotic (transmittable from animals to humans) diseases.

Kenya boasts of myriad creatures in unique ecosystems, but whose numbers fluctuate due to climate change, poaching, pests and diseases, human-wildlife conflict, and other factors.

A systematic counting of animals is critical to inform conservation strategies, reduce the effects of climate change, and prevent biodiversity loss.

A reduction in the number of lions, for instance, or their increase in human-inhabited areas, tells more, including about the health of their habitats.

Such information is vital,
especially in a country like Kenya, where tourism contributes more than eight per cent to the GDP and directly employs over one million people.

Senior Assistant Director in charge of Central Rift, Ms. Lucia Makosi, said data from censuses will be key in informing how fast interventions are needed and which areas to prioritise.

Policymakers, she added, can also create effective long-term conservation strategies based on census information.

‘Wildlife censuses are effective in ensuring conservation and providing the data needed to address climate change and biodiversity loss. An integrated approach, therefore, offers an opportunity for conservation and preservation of Kenya’s rich biodiversity for future generations,’ observed Ms. Makosi.

Ms. Makosi explained that experts were using various methods to collect data, including aerial counts, ground counts, and spatially explicit capture recapture methods, or SECR.

The SECR method is used to estimate animal population density by employing tools that gather cue
s, such as cameras, traps, or snags that capture and sample animals’ unique marks or fur.

Key stakeholders like KWS, the National Census Planning Committee, the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, and the and the Conservation Alliance of Kenya, among others, are also involved in the census.

Ms. Makosi stated that the census will help determine the exact population of wildlife species, their distribution, economic value, and emerging threats.

The government is required by law to regularly update wildlife population data as a means to strengthen conservation efforts.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The second phase of the national wildlife census has kicked off at the Lake Nakuru National Park and Bird Sanctuary, whose results will inform retooling of conservation programmes for iconic species grappling with climate change and human-induced threats.

According to the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), which is spearheading the exercise, the census, which involves an aerial survey, will enable the government to obtain accurate data on wildlife resources, including giant land mammals, carnivores, and marine life.

Principal Scientist at WRTI, Mr. Stephen Ndambuki, said the exercise at Lake Nakuru National Park and Bird Sanctuary, which is the fourth after similar ones in Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, and Athi Kapiti Wildlife Conservancies, comes in the wake of the recent drought and flooding which killed and displaced hundreds of wild animals in various parts of the country.

The last national census was conducted in 2021, where over 30 species of mammals, birds, and
marine species were counted in various ecosystems across the country.

‘We have been working with other government agencies like Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and we successfully conducted the first phase as we seek to establish the current status of wildlife,’ Mr. Ndambuki said.

The scientist noted that the country’s wildlife landscapes were currently facing multiple challenges, including poaching and increasing human and livestock populations.

‘In the second phase we are covering Nakuru, Naivasha, and other closed ecosystems like Solai, and the data obtained will help in decision-making in wildlife conservation,’ he said.

He noted that the 2022 drought had resulted in serious habitat loss and wildlife mortalities.

The WRTI scientist said the census aim was to provide accurate data on wildlife populations, distribution, and the health of the ecosystem.

‘The Institute is employing a new platform, the Earth-ranger, which seeks to enhance patrols and offer real-time monitoring during the exercise,’ stated
Mr. Ndambuki.

He added, ‘The census is utilising globally recognised methodologies to obtain accurate data on wildlife resources in the country and mitigate future threats to their survival.

The census, which is utilising state-of-the-art technology, has been funded by the government to the tune of Sh302 million.

It is expected that the outcome of the exercise will strengthen evidence-based management of iconic species that are an integral part of Kenyan heritage besides contributing to national coffers through tourism.

‘The country needs precise data on the wildlife population in the country to guide effective conservation of species amid challenges like climate change, changing land use practices, and competition with agriculture,’ stated Mr. Ndambuki.

Data-driven interventions are key to minimising human-wildlife conflicts that have emerged as a grave threat to the survival of iconic species like rhinos, elephants, lions, and leopards.

The scientist termed the exercise as important in biodiversity mo
nitoring, saying that information obtained would be essential in wildlife conservation.

‘The census will offer a comprehensive overview of the biodiversity within the Lake Nakuru ecosystem, and the information is essential for tracking changes in wildlife populations and assessing the health of the ecosystem,’ he said.

The scientist indicated that accurate data on wildlife populations and their habitats would inform conservation strategies and policy decisions.

He explained that this would enable authorities to identify critical areas for protection, design effective wildlife corridors, and allocate resources where they are most needed.

‘In habitat management, understanding the distribution and movement patterns of species aids in managing habitats more effectively,’ he said.

Mr. Ndambuki identified human-wildlife coexistence as an emerging issue which had seen migration corridors across parts of the country closed and pasture land reduced.

He said that as human populations expanded and encroached on wi
ldlife habitats, conflicts between humans and wildlife had intensified across the country.

He emphasised that WRTI had developed rigorous scientific methodologies to conduct the census, and these would ensure that they gather reliable data on wildlife populations.

Geographic Information System (GIS) analyst at WRTI, Ms. Grace Waiguchu, said the census was aimed at providing accurate data on wildlife populations, distribution, and the health of the ecosystem.

‘The Institute is employing a new platform, the Earth-ranger, which seeks to enhance patrols and offer real -time monitoring during the exercise,’ she said.

Ms. Waiguchu emphasised that understanding the distribution and movement patterns of wildlife is key to better habitat management.

‘Advanced technologies such as GPS tracking and drone imaging are also being utilised to enhance data accuracy,’ she said.

The GIS analyst noted that the census was employing a combination of aerial surveys, ground counts, and camera trapping in gathering data.

‘By
employing advanced technologies such as satellite imagery, GPS tracking, and drone surveys, we aim to achieve a level of precision and detail that is unprecedented,’ she added.

She highlighted multiple challenges that the country’s wildlife landscapes were currently facing, such as increasing human and livestock populations.

Other challenges include impacts of global climate change, the spread of invasive and alien species, and a rise of infectious zoonotic (transmittable from animals to humans) diseases.

Kenya boasts of myriad creatures in unique ecosystems, but whose numbers fluctuate due to climate change, poaching, pests and diseases, human-wildlife conflict, and other factors.

A systematic counting of animals is critical to inform conservation strategies, reduce the effects of climate change, and prevent biodiversity loss.

A reduction in the number of lions, for instance, or their increase in human-inhabited areas, tells more, including about the health of their habitats.

Such information is vital,
especially in a country like Kenya, where tourism contributes more than eight per cent to the GDP and directly employs over one million people.

Senior Assistant Director in charge of Central Rift, Ms. Lucia Makosi, said data from censuses will be key in informing how fast interventions are needed and which areas to prioritise.

Policymakers, she added, can also create effective long-term conservation strategies based on census information.

‘Wildlife censuses are effective in ensuring conservation and providing the data needed to address climate change and biodiversity loss. An integrated approach, therefore, offers an opportunity for conservation and preservation of Kenya’s rich biodiversity for future generations,’ observed Ms. Makosi.

Ms. Makosi explained that experts were using various methods to collect data, including aerial counts, ground counts, and spatially explicit capture recapture methods, or SECR.

The SECR method is used to estimate animal population density by employing tools that gather cue
s, such as cameras, traps, or snags that capture and sample animals’ unique marks or fur.

Key stakeholders like KWS, the National Census Planning Committee, the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, and the and the Conservation Alliance of Kenya, among others, are also involved in the census.

Ms. Makosi stated that the census will help determine the exact population of wildlife species, their distribution, economic value, and emerging threats.

The government is required by law to regularly update wildlife population data as a means to strengthen conservation efforts.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Magdaline Gateri, the Director of Meteorological Services in Kiambu County, has forecasted sunny and dry conditions for the next week.

The weather forecast for the week predicts a mix of sunshine and clouds in the morning, with clearer skies emerging later in the day.

However, she mentioned that light rainfall is expected in certain high-altitude areas during the afternoon hours. Meanwhile, she advised farmers to prepare their land for seasonal rains, as some regions may experience partly cloudy conditions during the night.

‘Proactive measures are crucial for a smooth transition into the planting season upon the arrival of rains,’ Gateri added.

She highlighted the significant role weather patterns play in the community’s agricultural output and preparedness for the upcoming months, emphasising the importance of being well-prepared for changing weather conditions.

She further emphasised the importance of preparing for the upcoming October to December season, citing forecasts suggesting rainfall may begin
in the third to fourth week of October 2024.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Magdaline Gateri, the Director of Meteorological Services in Kiambu County, has forecasted sunny and dry conditions for the next week.

The weather forecast for the week predicts a mix of sunshine and clouds in the morning, with clearer skies emerging later in the day.

However, she mentioned that light rainfall is expected in certain high-altitude areas during the afternoon hours. Meanwhile, she advised farmers to prepare their land for seasonal rains, as some regions may experience partly cloudy conditions during the night.

‘Proactive measures are crucial for a smooth transition into the planting season upon the arrival of rains,’ Gateri added.

She highlighted the significant role weather patterns play in the community’s agricultural output and preparedness for the upcoming months, emphasising the importance of being well-prepared for changing weather conditions.

She further emphasised the importance of preparing for the upcoming October to December season, citing forecasts suggesting rainfall may begin
in the third to fourth week of October 2024.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Dementia is becoming a growing public health challenge around the world, with an estimated 150 million people expected to be living with the disease by 2050.

Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Founding Chairman George Vradenburg said that in sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 2.13 million people were living with dementia by 2015, and this number is expected to increase to 3.48 million by 2030 and 7.62 million by 2050.

Vradenburg explained that dementia is a term for various diseases that affect a person’s mentality, thinking, and normal ability to perform tasks. This condition, mainly Alzheimer’s, is the seventh leading cause of death and a major cause of disability, dependency, and death among the elderly population globally.

Vradenburg spoke on Wednesday in Nairobi during a conference on brain health and dementia in Africa organized by the Davos Alzheimer’s collaborative and the Aga Khan University.

The conference aims to address key issues and share the latest research on the determinacies, occurrence, and
distribution of dementia, including contributing risk factors, genetic advances, clinical trials, early detection, and diagnosis.

Vradenburg explained that each insight brings them closer to revolutionising Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment globally, and this conference marks a pivotal step towards inclusive, effective solutions for brain health across all populations.

The Director of the University of Witwatersrand, Stephen Tollman, stated that dementia is co-related with other health factors such as obesity and HIV infections, among others.

He said that he based his research on South Africa and Nigeria, where the findings showed that dementia constitutes several diseases that affect memory, thinking, and the ability to perform tasks.

‘We must be alive to the important aspect that capacity building is needed in the global south in order to enable early detection of the disease. We must also understand that lifestyle changes are important in changing the course of dementia,’ said Director of the Brain
and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University, Prof. Zul Merali.

Mary Amaokah, Senior Research Fellow, University of Ghana, emphasised the fact that dementia is not a mental illness but a health condition.

She also stated that it is not witchcraft, nor is it only affecting the elderly but the community in general.

Amaokah said that there is inadequate or nonexistent help on social policies to support people living with dementia and other cognitive impairments.

‘Care-giving largely is accepted as the duty of the family to take care of the ageing, and this usually becomes a responsibility of the children, and usually female children,’ she said.

She added that despite aid, professional care-givers sometimes go above and beyond to the point of sacrificing their personal lives for their patients.

The conference will also foster new collaborations between African researchers and global partners as experts discuss how Africa’s evolving healthcare landscape presents an opportunity for advancing brain health solutio
ns.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Dementia is becoming a growing public health challenge around the world, with an estimated 150 million people expected to be living with the disease by 2050.

Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Founding Chairman George Vradenburg said that in sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 2.13 million people were living with dementia by 2015, and this number is expected to increase to 3.48 million by 2030 and 7.62 million by 2050.

Vradenburg explained that dementia is a term for various diseases that affect a person’s mentality, thinking, and normal ability to perform tasks. This condition, mainly Alzheimer’s, is the seventh leading cause of death and a major cause of disability, dependency, and death among the elderly population globally.

Vradenburg spoke on Wednesday in Nairobi during a conference on brain health and dementia in Africa organized by the Davos Alzheimer’s collaborative and the Aga Khan University.

The conference aims to address key issues and share the latest research on the determinacies, occurrence, and
distribution of dementia, including contributing risk factors, genetic advances, clinical trials, early detection, and diagnosis.

Vradenburg explained that each insight brings them closer to revolutionising Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment globally, and this conference marks a pivotal step towards inclusive, effective solutions for brain health across all populations.

The Director of the University of Witwatersrand, Stephen Tollman, stated that dementia is co-related with other health factors such as obesity and HIV infections, among others.

He said that he based his research on South Africa and Nigeria, where the findings showed that dementia constitutes several diseases that affect memory, thinking, and the ability to perform tasks.

‘We must be alive to the important aspect that capacity building is needed in the global south in order to enable early detection of the disease. We must also understand that lifestyle changes are important in changing the course of dementia,’ said Director of the Brain
and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University, Prof. Zul Merali.

Mary Amaokah, Senior Research Fellow, University of Ghana, emphasised the fact that dementia is not a mental illness but a health condition.

She also stated that it is not witchcraft, nor is it only affecting the elderly but the community in general.

Amaokah said that there is inadequate or nonexistent help on social policies to support people living with dementia and other cognitive impairments.

‘Care-giving largely is accepted as the duty of the family to take care of the ageing, and this usually becomes a responsibility of the children, and usually female children,’ she said.

She added that despite aid, professional care-givers sometimes go above and beyond to the point of sacrificing their personal lives for their patients.

The conference will also foster new collaborations between African researchers and global partners as experts discuss how Africa’s evolving healthcare landscape presents an opportunity for advancing brain health solutio
ns.

Source: Kenya News Agency

East Africa Community, The Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul Moe, along with Principal Secretary Kello Harsama, have commended the successful implementation of the Kenya Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (KDRDIP) phase 1 project in Turkana County.

During a two-day visit aimed at evaluating the progress of the project’s first phase, the officials expressed their appreciation for the transformative impact of the initiative on local livelihoods.

Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development, the Sh10 billion, five-year project aims to address the unique challenges faced by communities in ASALs regions, particularly those affected by the influx of refugees. The KDRDIP project is a critical element of the government’s efforts to bolster the livelihoods of these communities.

The project’s interventions in Turkana County have resulted in significant improvements in infrastructure, ed
ucation, healthcare, and water access. With 841 projects completed and a total investment of Sh3.2 billion in the region, the initiative has directly benefitted both host communities and refugees. Key services such as schools and healthcare have been expanded, contributing to the region’s overall stability and resilience.

‘KDRDIP’s success in Turkana is a testament to the government’s commitment to supporting marginalised communities and refugees,’ said CS Moe.

‘The project has played a pivotal role in improving livelihoods and strengthening the region’s ability to withstand socio-economic challenges,’ she added.

Principal Secretary Kello Harsama echoed the sentiment, highlighting the project’s role in creating long-term sustainability and resilience.

‘This initiative has not only improved infrastructure but also empowered communities to adapt to their challenging environment. The government’s commitment to such projects is unwavering, and we will continue to support such efforts to ensure the resilience
and sustainability of ASAL communities,’ he said.

The regional focus of KDRDIP has been instrumental in promoting sustainable development in ASAL counties such as Turkana, Wajir, and Garissa. These areas, often grappling with harsh climatic conditions and the pressures of nearby refugee settlements, have seen substantial improvements in infrastructure and services.

The project’s emphasis on sustainability aligns with Kenya’s broader regional development strategy, which seeks to enhance resilience and self-sufficiency across the regions.

Looking ahead, CS Moe and PS Harsama promised to advocate for a second phase of the KDRDIP project, which is expected to further expand interventions and build on the successes in these counties.

‘The continuation of this initiative will be crucial in extending the benefits to more communities in Kenya’s arid regions, reinforcing the ministry’s mission of fostering regional development and addressing the unique needs of ASAL areas,’ noted Harsame.

‘The positive outcomes w
e’ve seen in Turkana show that with the right investment and commitment, we can empower these communities to thrive,’ CS Moe added.

During their visit, the leaders also distributed government relief food to vulnerable households.

Source: Kenya News Agency

East Africa Community, The Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul Moe, along with Principal Secretary Kello Harsama, have commended the successful implementation of the Kenya Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (KDRDIP) phase 1 project in Turkana County.

During a two-day visit aimed at evaluating the progress of the project’s first phase, the officials expressed their appreciation for the transformative impact of the initiative on local livelihoods.

Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development, the Sh10 billion, five-year project aims to address the unique challenges faced by communities in ASALs regions, particularly those affected by the influx of refugees. The KDRDIP project is a critical element of the government’s efforts to bolster the livelihoods of these communities.

The project’s interventions in Turkana County have resulted in significant improvements in infrastructure, ed
ucation, healthcare, and water access. With 841 projects completed and a total investment of Sh3.2 billion in the region, the initiative has directly benefitted both host communities and refugees. Key services such as schools and healthcare have been expanded, contributing to the region’s overall stability and resilience.

‘KDRDIP’s success in Turkana is a testament to the government’s commitment to supporting marginalised communities and refugees,’ said CS Moe.

‘The project has played a pivotal role in improving livelihoods and strengthening the region’s ability to withstand socio-economic challenges,’ she added.

Principal Secretary Kello Harsama echoed the sentiment, highlighting the project’s role in creating long-term sustainability and resilience.

‘This initiative has not only improved infrastructure but also empowered communities to adapt to their challenging environment. The government’s commitment to such projects is unwavering, and we will continue to support such efforts to ensure the resilience
and sustainability of ASAL communities,’ he said.

The regional focus of KDRDIP has been instrumental in promoting sustainable development in ASAL counties such as Turkana, Wajir, and Garissa. These areas, often grappling with harsh climatic conditions and the pressures of nearby refugee settlements, have seen substantial improvements in infrastructure and services.

The project’s emphasis on sustainability aligns with Kenya’s broader regional development strategy, which seeks to enhance resilience and self-sufficiency across the regions.

Looking ahead, CS Moe and PS Harsama promised to advocate for a second phase of the KDRDIP project, which is expected to further expand interventions and build on the successes in these counties.

‘The continuation of this initiative will be crucial in extending the benefits to more communities in Kenya’s arid regions, reinforcing the ministry’s mission of fostering regional development and addressing the unique needs of ASAL areas,’ noted Harsame.

‘The positive outcomes w
e’ve seen in Turkana show that with the right investment and commitment, we can empower these communities to thrive,’ CS Moe added.

During their visit, the leaders also distributed government relief food to vulnerable households.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The state has embarked on an aggressive campaign to sensitise members of the public on the Maisha number that is expected to replace the second-generation identification card.

Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia led various heads of department in parts of the Suswa area, where they sensitised the residents on the new initiative that the government intends to undertake.

Lotiatia demystified that the Maisha number was intended to ease the process of service delivery to wananchi, since it will be issued when a baby is born and reflected in all the documentation of that person, even in the death certificate of the particular individual.

The County Commissioner clarified that the number is different from the failed huduma number, saying before the implementation of the huduma number, there were no aggressive public participation forums to take the views of the members of the public.

‘We will be moving from village to village sensitising people on this initiative that the government intends to implement
. This will give us a forum to inform the people as we take their views,’ he said.

The Narok County birth and death registrar said with the new law, registration will be digital, meaning people will not have to travel all the way to government offices to get a birth certificate.

‘All our records will be stored electronically. Your Maisha numba will reflect in all your documents, meaning you do not have to carry all your documents like driving licenses, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) pins, and banking cards, among others,’ he said.

He asked the people to give their views that will be considered before the draft is passed into law.

Isaac Partoip, a resident of the Suswa area, commended the ongoing public participation, saying the whole concept is new and needed to be understood well by the residents before its implementation.

‘We do not want this to fail again like the Huduma Numba. Let the people be given the right details so that they can understand the whole conception,’ he said.

Another resident, Jane
‘mama Makena’ lauded the new initiative, saying it was meant to reduce the burden of residents carrying too many documents in their bags.

He called on Kenyans to embrace and support the idea since the world is moving from analogue to digital processes.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The state has embarked on an aggressive campaign to sensitise members of the public on the Maisha number that is expected to replace the second-generation identification card.

Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia led various heads of department in parts of the Suswa area, where they sensitised the residents on the new initiative that the government intends to undertake.

Lotiatia demystified that the Maisha number was intended to ease the process of service delivery to wananchi, since it will be issued when a baby is born and reflected in all the documentation of that person, even in the death certificate of the particular individual.

The County Commissioner clarified that the number is different from the failed huduma number, saying before the implementation of the huduma number, there were no aggressive public participation forums to take the views of the members of the public.

‘We will be moving from village to village sensitising people on this initiative that the government intends to implement
. This will give us a forum to inform the people as we take their views,’ he said.

The Narok County birth and death registrar said with the new law, registration will be digital, meaning people will not have to travel all the way to government offices to get a birth certificate.

‘All our records will be stored electronically. Your Maisha numba will reflect in all your documents, meaning you do not have to carry all your documents like driving licenses, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) pins, and banking cards, among others,’ he said.

He asked the people to give their views that will be considered before the draft is passed into law.

Isaac Partoip, a resident of the Suswa area, commended the ongoing public participation, saying the whole concept is new and needed to be understood well by the residents before its implementation.

‘We do not want this to fail again like the Huduma Numba. Let the people be given the right details so that they can understand the whole conception,’ he said.

Another resident, Jane
‘mama Makena’ lauded the new initiative, saying it was meant to reduce the burden of residents carrying too many documents in their bags.

He called on Kenyans to embrace and support the idea since the world is moving from analogue to digital processes.

Source: Kenya News Agency