Day: September 13, 2024

Preparations for the first edition of the inaugural East Africa Ocean festivals slated in October in Mombasa County have started.

The festival is a premium three-day ocean sporting and entertainment event scheduled from October 18 to 20, 2024, set to celebrate not just the allure of the ocean but also the deep rooted maritime history of the captivating city of Mombasa and East Africa as a whole.

A co-founder of the festivals Hamisi Mwaguya who is also the Chairman Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) said that the event is a good platform for both local and foreign tourists to appreciate and celebrate the pivotal role that the ocean has played in the growth and development of major cities on the East African Coast.

Mwaguya said through trade and transport facilitated by the ocean, cities like Mombasa, Lamu and Dar es salaam among others have revitalised.

He noted that the celebrations are meant to celebrate the history and heritage, and also discuss more ways on how the ocean can be tapped and bring more reven
ue.

‘We want to use these celebrations to showcase the potentials the ocean has in turning around the economy and improve the living standards of people living near it,’ he said.

He added that the ocean can be used for business, tourism, transport, leisure among other economic activities urging other East African countries to attend the event and see the display of culture and identify areas they can invest in.

He noted that the hosting of the event in Mombasa county will put the county on the global spot as one of the top tourist destinations across the East Africa region.

According to Mwaguya, the festival will feature a variety of main activities designed to captivate and educate.

These include swimming, kayak competition, canoe racing, traditional dhow race, Jet-Ski competition, mini live concerts, boat show and parade and sailing.

He added that there will be a variety of side activities to enrich the guest’s experience including beach cleanup and mangrove restoration, underwater photography exhibit
ion, fishing tournament charity event, Swahili art, history dance and flavours.

The main events will take place at the Tudor, Junda and Kibarani creeks.

He said that the intent is the ocean festival as an annual event as it will provide a platform to position Mombasa on the world map as a strategic business city.

‘We are working with different partners including Magical Kenya, Kenya Maritimes Authority (KMA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Airways Authority (KAA), Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard, the county government of Mombasa, among others,’ said Mwaguya.

He noted that Tanzania’s Zanzibar city has already been confirmed to be among the countries expected to participate in the competition.

He asked Kenyans to support the move in making the event a success by buying tickets at TEAOF.ORG for Sh500 for a single day to access the view points and seasoned tickets at Sh1000 for the three days.

He said that locals can also contribute in cleaning the water fronts and making sure there is proper use of plast
ic and restoration of the mangroves.

County Executive Committee Member for Trade and Tourism in Mombasa Osman Mohammed said that the county government will fully incorporate the ocean festivals in the tourism calendar of events.

Mohammed added that this step will be important in promoting tourism in the county as they partner with neighbouring countries to revive the sector.

He noted that they have formed the Mombasa Tourism Council and have been working around the clock to push tourism in Mombasa.

‘The council is working with different stakeholders to promote Mombasa as the prime tourism destination across the East Africa Coast,’ he said.

Kenya Coast Guard Services assured members of the public that security and rescue services will be provided in partnership with KMA.

‘We will have many search and rescue boats at strategic places. We have also sourced for hotels for our tourists and security will be well provided,’ said Susan Mtakai from Search and Rescue and Diving Unit.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kiambu residents have voiced their strong opposition to the proposed changes by the government on birth registration and also the introduction of the Maisha card identification ecosystem.

A public meeting was convened on Monday at the Kiambu Community Hall by the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services with the aim of getting feedback from residents on the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Rules 2024 and the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules 2024.

Most residents were concerned over the sh1000 fee that will be charged when replacing the Maisha card, calling for either reduction or removal.

Late last year in November, the government issued a Gazette Notice by the then Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stating that the acquisition of Identity Cards will no longer be offered for free.

‘Why should we pay for this new card when the current ID has always been free?’ asked James Mwaniki, a resident of Thindigua.

Another concerned resident from Kiringiti, Janet Mwihaki, to
ld KNA that the process of getting an ID has become tedious and frustrating over time, and the introduction of another type of ID card will discourage many from registering.

‘Personally, let them come door to door and register us the way they come when carrying out census,’ she quipped, saying the payment being asked for by the government is also too much for a common mama’mboga’ like her who is struggling to put food on the table.

Another concern by the citizens was that the card should not expire as nationality is a permanent status.

Kiambu Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Titus Macharia, who chaired the meeting, said the government was looking into the security matters when it comes to the new card, noting that the fees and expiry date were necessary due to enhanced security features.

‘The new card will be up-to-date and secure identification systems. It will have enhanced security details,’ he added.

County Registrar of Persons Susan Mutembei said, ‘The cost of producing the new Maisha card is high
because of its advanced technology, and we cannot make it free,’ said Mutembei.

Jane Maina, Registrar of Births and Deaths, explained that the amendments would introduce a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI), a single number used across all official documents, including the Maisha card, to streamline records.

‘We are moving towards a digital system for birth registration, which will simplify processes and improve accuracy,’ she said.

Additionally, residents took issue with the increased fees for birth and death certificates, under the proposed rules, the cost of a birth certificate would rise from Sh50 to Sh200, while death certificates would see a similar increase.

Late registration fees would also jump from Sh150 to Sh500, and re-registration of births would cost Sh1,000, a steep rise from the current Sh90.

The Kiambu public participation forum on the IDs is part of the national effort launched by Immigration Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok on August 30, aimed at gathering public input across the c
ountry.

Prof. Bitok assured the public that their contribution and feedback on the process will help shape the final regulations on the Maisha Namba system, terming the public participation exercise critical to dispel misconceptions and ensure that citizens understand the benefits of the system.

Despite government efforts to defend the new fees and regulations, Kiambu residents remained firm and adamant in their demands for more affordable services and clearer explanations of how the new system would work.

The government will now review the feedback from Kiambu and other regions before submitting the final proposals to Parliament.

Maisha Namba is defined as a unique personal identification number assigned to every Kenyan citizen upon registration, typically at birth. This number will be a lifelong personal identity number from birth to death. The card will also serve as the birth certificate number for new-born babies and as the registration number for government services, including but not limited to enr
olment in educational institutions (NEMIS), health insurance (NHIF), and as the National ID number upon attaining 18 years.

The new card will also have enhanced security details, including a microprocessor chip with encrypted data, which will include a photo image of the applicant, a serial number, biometric and geo-residential data, and other data.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A climate change sensitive Non-Governmental Organisation will on-board more than 25,000 farmers on agroforestry, a sustainable farming initiative to transform lives in seven counties by the year 2026.

Solidaridad Network Project Manager Betty Musendi said the project entered Kenya two years ago in of counties of Trans-zoia, Bungoma, Kericho and Nandi.

Musendi revealed that in the first two years they were able to support 582 farmers’ agroforestry practices and have been able to sequester 1,327 carbon credit removals in Nandi County.

‘We are gathered here today to celebrate those pioneer farmers who are benefitting from our agroforestry initiatives,’ Musendi told the press at Allens Hotel in Kapsabet town on Thursday.

She insisted that their initiatives are spreading and targeting to include counties of Bomet, Kisii and Nyamira with aim of on-boarding close to 25,000 farmers by the year 2026.

Dr. Kiplimo Lagat Nandi County Government County Executive Committee Member in charge Agriculture and Cooperative
Development on his part said Nandi is lucky to be one of the pioneer counties where farmers are now benefitting in the carbon credit market.

Lagat was glad that pioneer farmers were able to get payments for their carbon removal compliance in their farms.

‘we had pilot farmer of close to 500 and now have registered 7,000 farmers and we expecting about 150,000 farmers within the next three years in Nandi to participate in this project where their farming practices like agroforestry benefit them in the carbon credit market,’ Lagat promised.

Swini Binzari Solidaridad Regional Manager said farmers can now get additional income from carbon revenue units.

‘we call them carbon revenue units’ ounce the carbon has been isolated. Farmers can now be paid for actually practicing agroforestry on their farmers,’ Binzari said

She said when the project began few years back in Uganda, a farmers was paid 21 euros per carbon revenue units.

‘right now, farmers in Kenya are getting 30 euros per each carbon removal unit,’ she
added.

Shadrack Wasilwa a successful agroforestry farmer, said this project will discourage children from going to towns and cities searching for jobs because income source will shift to sustainable farming initiatives.

Asha Odunga also carbon credit beneficiary said the project enabled her plant trees to fighting climate change through arresting those atmospheric negative impacts.

‘I have also realised improved sustainable production through skills trained by Solidaridad initiatives on agroforestry,’

Christopher Amodo, organisations official detailed on three intervention pathways of the Solidaridad.

‘first one is carbon farming which entail climate smart agricultural practices, we train the farmers on agroforestry, soil fertility management activities to enable them gain resilience.

The second is carbon financing which provides financial support to farmers in terms of input pre-financing so that farmers who intend to practice carbon farming have resources to enable them acquire inputs,’ Amodo explaine
d.

According to him, carbon trade is the third pathway which links small holder farmers to access the carbon markets which has been uncommon to most of the farmers.

Solidaridad operates in East and Central Africa working with farmers, producers, miners on sustainable initiatives.

Source: Kenya News Agency

North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno has announced that Garissa regional immigration office will be ready for launch in the next two weeks.

Initially the office was set to be opened on July 1st last year, but the government had a challenge in getting an office space before settling on the old Garissa High Court offices where the courts had already moved to their new building.

Renovations at the facility are currently at 95 per cent completion, with most of the office arrangements already in place including chairs, computers, CCTV security system and security office.

Speaking after leading his regional team in an inspection tour for several projects under the national government in Garissa County, Otieno said that the office will help the area citizens who want to access passport services by cutting down the costs and time having to travel to Nairobi.

‘The government is keen to reopen the Immigration office in Garissa, which was closed down some time back and in two weeks, the office will be re
ady for use,’ Otieno said.

The Garissa Immigration offices were shut in 2014 following a wave of terror attacks in the region and parts of the country. The state of insecurity tipped Maj-Gen (Rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa, the former immigration boss, to order the closure.

The abrupt closure affected at least 400 pilgrims from the region who were to fly to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and 300 soldiers from Kenya and Sierra Leone who were to be deployed to Somalia then.

At the same time, the Regional commissioner called out a section of government contractors for poor workmanship and others for intentionally delaying completion of government projects to gain variation fees.

He urged government officials supervising government projects to be keen with their work so that contractors can deliver good works by ensuring mistakes are corrected promptly.

‘Some contractors have not done a good job and I want to take this opportunity to caution them to always do a good job so that Kenyans can get value for Money,’ Otieno said.

‘
Situations where projects are delayed intentionally for purposes of variation, hence increasing the costs for the projects does not sit well for the government. The intention of the government is for the projects to be completed in time so that the public can benefit,’ he added.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Government officials attended a community sensitization meeting at Sengera grounds in Kisii County to address residents’ concerns about the Maisha Namba Project.

Led by Gucha Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Esther Kungu and Sub-County Registrar of Persons Caroline Andama, was intended to explain the vast benefits of the project, some residents expressed reservations about the proposed charges for acquiring the new identification system.

Moreover, officials reassured citizens that the Maisha Namba offers unmatched advantages, far outweighing the small costs involved. Additionally, The Maisha Namba Project, a key initiative of Kenya’s government, introduces a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) for every Kenyan at birth.

This number will streamline access to essential services, including education, healthcare, and tax services. It will also replace various existing identification numbers, providing citizens with a secure and lifelong identity that will enhance service delivery and security.

While,
addressing the residents, Andama emphasized that the Maisha Namba is not just an ordinary identification number but a critical step towards modernizing Kenya’s identity management system.

‘Our current system is outdated and struggles to meet international standards. The Maisha Namba will allow Kenya to transition into the digital era, ensuring our citizens enjoy faster, more efficient, and secure services,’ she said.

Government officials emphasized long-term benefits of the project, urging residents to view it as an investment in Kenya’s future.

‘The small cost incurred to acquire the Maisha Namba is minimal compared to the convenience and security it will bring. This system will eliminate the need for multiple registrations and ensure that accessing government services is more seamless than ever before,’ Kungu explained.

The Maisha Namba project will integrate advanced technologies, including biometric data, to secure citizens’ online and offline services, replacing second-generation IDs with secure thir
d-generation cards, aligning Kenya with global standards.

In addition to convenience, the Maisha Namba will help eliminate duplication in government records, improve the management of social programs, and strengthen national security by offering a foolproof identification system. These long-term benefits, officials said, would more than justify the modest fee associated with the rollout of the new system.

‘We understand the concerns raised by some citizens, but it’s important to recognize that the value of Maisha Namba goes far beyond its initial cost. This is a system that will serve you throughout your life, enhancing your access to services and ensuring your identity is protected,’ Andama emphasized.

Lastly, Residents were also encouraged to consider the broader impact of this project, including its role in supporting Kenya’s compliance with international standards and positioning the country as a leader in digital identity management in East Africa.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has asked development partners working in the county to cooperate to ensure proper utilisation of resources in their areas of jurisdiction.

Mutula emphasised the need for different partners involved in development activities to utilise the monies to implement proposed projects and ensure residents benefit from the aid.

The Governor took issue with some organisations that adopt a silo mentality in implementing their activities and warned that this approach will not be entertained in the county.

‘It is important you know one another and the areas of operation to avoid duplication. Working together will bring about synergy and ensure money is spent on intended projects for the benefit of residents,’ said Mutula.

Mutula was speaking in his Wote office on Thursday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the county government and Makueni Development Trust (MADET) and Kitise Rural Development (KRD), a community based organization (CBO).

‘Also it is g
ood to do whatever you have committed to achieve to do it perfectly. This is the foundation of good governance, accountability and transparency,’ added the governor.

He pointed out that his government is not afraid to engage with citizens saying it was imperative for the people to question how their resources have been spent by his administration.

Mutula reiterated that when citizens engage the government, they make them more responsive and open and transparent in utilisation of resources in implementing projects across the county.

‘I appreciate the public participation in the county since the citizens know their rights. Civic education has earned us a place in Kenya and the world. Some counties and even the World Bank have come to benchmark with us,’ he posed.

Mutula lauded the two organisations for initiating development projects in the county and urged them to serve the people with dedication to impact them positively.

He proposed that the county governments should be allowed to sign contracts directl
y with development partners and ensure they are in control of funds injected into the devolved units instead of the same being underwritten by the national government.

Speaking at the same event, the Board chairperson for MADET Simon Nzioka said the MoU ensures the empowerment of local populations, strengthens governance and promotes community-driven development across the county.

Nzioka also disclosed that they will be involved in issues of environment and climate change, issues to do with the youth and gender and social economic transformation in the county through various groups.

The KRD Coordinator Joseph Mwanthi, said that his organisations will be involved in agriculture especially on the value chain addition in their area of jurisdiction.

Further Mwanthi said that they will also be involved in health matters, water and sanitation and housing, strengthen community governance, climate change and adaptation and youth empowerment.

Present at the function included the Executive Committee Member for Pub
lic Participation and Devolution, Japheth Mang’oka and his counterpart for Gender Eng. Peter Mumo among other senior county government officials.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The thirteenth Mara day celebrations have commenced in Narok County with delegates from neighboring country Tanzania, Bomet, Nakuru and Narok counties flocking the county to mark the event.

Narok Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech said the theme of this year’s celebrations is ‘flowing forward together, conserving Mara basin for bio diversity and climate resilience’.

He said a chain of activities on conservation on nature and the Mara basin are ongoing ahead of the main celebrations that will be held on Sunday at Sekenani gate of Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The deputy governor said other activities like exhibitions and tree planting are ongoing at Maasai Mara University, all aimed at conserving the Mara basin.

Narok Chief Officer in charge of Environment and Natural resources Willy Loigero said the activities began with cleaning and planting trees in major trading centers that border the Maasai Mara National reserve.

‘We began the celebrations with town cleaning in Sekenani, Talek and Nkoirare and Ngoswan
i centers. We are doing this so that we can bring all the members of the public on board as we commemorate this important day,’ he said.

At the same time, the chief officer said they were trying to reflect the efforts they have made in the conservation of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

Dr. Naano Anei, from Tanzania reiterated that the survival of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem largely depends on River Mara as the great wildebeest migration occurs across the river.

‘In Tanzania we have a saying ‘Serengeti will never die’, but if River Mara dries up, then the great Serengeti will die,’ he underscored, adding that this is the great reason they are collaborating with the Kenyan side to conserve the environment.

Dr. Anei revealed that they had a plan to expand the Serengeti ecosystem to connect with Lake Victoria basin, so as to provide a wider range of conservation owing to the effect of climate change.

Mara day is celebrated from 12th to 15th September every year. The climax of the celebration will be on 15th
(Sunday) at Sekenani area where Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is expected to lead.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Africa’s youth have been encouraged to embrace engineering as a crucial driver of development and innovation across the continent.

Speaking at the 10th annual UNESCO Africa Engineering Week – High-Level Workshop held in Nairobi, Eng. Maureen Mwaniki, Director of Public Affairs and Policy at Huawei Kenya, said the shortage of engineers in Africa, and the rest of the world was a cause for concern.

‘There has been declining interest in the profession from the youth, with the enrolment of young people, especially women in the profession dwindling. The continent is facing a situation where there are a lot of older more experienced engineers, but not enough young candidate engineers entering the profession. Our ability to sustain the profession lies in the number of young people choosing engineering as a career,’ Eng. Mwaniki said.

She noted that Africa’s future depends on its youth embracing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly engineering, which lies at the core of s
olving the continent’s most pressing challenges.

‘The growing need for infrastructure, clean energy, and climate resilience offers a unique opportunity for engineers to shape Africa’s path toward sustainable growth. But more efforts need to be put in attracting younger people, especially women, to the profession,’ Eng. Mwaniki said.

Additionally, Huawei’s programs, including Seeds for the Future and ICT Competition, are designed to expose women engineers to advanced technologies, enabling them to create solutions for their countries.

The Africa Engineering Week provides a platform for government representatives, industry leaders, and academia to discuss policy frameworks and partnerships that can accelerate engineering education and innovation on the continent.

Celebrated across the region every year, UNESCO Africa Engineering Week promotes engineering solutions and awareness among students, society and policy-makers. It aims to inspire and educate youth and the public on the vital role of engineers in so
cieties.

This year’s edition is hosted by the Ordem dos Engenheiros de Angola in Luanda, Angola, and organised jointly by UNESCO, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO).

It will include the 8th Africa Engineering Conference, the 7th Africa Women Engineers Forum, the Young Engineers Forum and a Business-to-Business (B2B) session. These events will focus on sustainability and innovative infrastructures; engineering and acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation; and engineering education and capacity building.

‘This year’s theme, ‘Engineering and for Sustainable Development’, highlights the urgent need for technical solutions to address challenges such as climate change, infrastructure development, and digital transformation,’ Eng. Mwaniki said.

Source: Kenya News Agency