Day: September 17, 2024

The Uwezo Fund, in partnership with Githunguri Constituency Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba, yesterday disbursed Sh2.39 million to 18 beneficiary groups in Githunguri.

Uwezo Fund is a flagship programme for Vision 2030 aimed at enabling women, youth and persons with disabilities to access finances to promote businesses and enterprises at the constituency level.

Speaking at Githunguri Stadium, Chairperson of the Uwezo Fund Ann Njuguna, emphasized that the Fund was created to address socio-economic challenges, mostly the growing issue of youth unemployment.

‘The Fund was established as an intervention to provide solutions to challenges faced by mwananchi, particularly unemployment among the youth,’ Njuguna said.

She further encouraged more youth to take full advantage of the fund’s offerings for their socio-economic advancement and embrace teamwork.

Additionally, Njuguna reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to empowering and creating tailor made products to better tackle unemployment.

‘The Fund is in
the process of restructuring its operations and developing unique products, such as individual loans for the youth, to better address unemployment,’ Ms. Njuguna noted.

Wamuchomba noted that the people of Githunguri have consistently led the way in repaying loans from the Uwezo and Youth Funds.

‘In the whole of Kiambu, Githunguri is ranked first in paying back the Uwezo fund and youth fund debts,’ she said.

Of the total Sh2,390,000 disbursed, Sh1,040,000 went to new groups, while refinancing groups received Sh1,350,000 and the highest highest allocation to a single group was Sh300,000.

Established in 2014, Uwezo Fund is a Government Empowerment Fund through expansion of access to finance to facilitate initiation and expansion of women and youth enterprises.

Since inception, the Fund has disbursed more than Sh7.2 billion and directly supported 1,124,221 beneficiaries of which 69 percent are female and 31percent male through provision of affordable and accessible credit, capacity building on entrepreneurshi
p skills, basics on book keeping and market linkages and networking.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has condemned the withdrawal of the security detail of Justice Lawrence Mugambi by the National Police Service (NPS).

The JSC notes that this action is of grave concern and that it not only undermines judicial independence but also threatens the core principles of the rule of law and constitutionalism of the country.

This happened after the Acting Inspector General of police failed to comply with the habeas corpus order issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, a judge of the High Court, directing the immediate and unconditional release of three individuals Bob Micheni Njagi, Jamil Longton, and Salam Longton on the 19th of August 2024, who had allegedly been abducted by police.

‘Justice Mugambi, presiding over the case, issued a habeas corpus order directing the immediate and unconditional release of the three individuals. This order has to date not been complied with,’ said Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome during a press conference at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi.

T
he CJ claimed that the court summoned the acting Inspector General (IG) of Police to explain the failure to comply with the habeas corpus order but the acting IG of Police ignored the summons.

‘Despite an extension granted to accommodate the acting IG’s availability in the court, the summons were ignored,’ stated Koome.

‘In the wake of this ruling, a disturbing action was taken by the NPS over the weekend: the security detail assigned to Justice Mugambi was disarmed and withdrawn. This deliberate and punitive measure represents a direct assault on judicial independence, an affront to the rule of law, and a violation of the principles enshrined in our Constitution,’ she added.

The CJ cited Article 160 of the Constitution which unequivocally protects judicial independence, stating that the Judiciary is subject only to the Constitution and the law, and shall not be subject to the control or direction of any person or authority and therefore, security for Judges is an accrued benefit that cannot be withdrawn w
himsically.

‘The act of withdrawing the security of a sitting Judge, following a judicial decision that displeased certain authorities, is deeply concerning. Such actions erode public trust in the independence of the courts, undermine the very foundation of our constitutional democracy and pose a risk to disregard of our institutions and descent into lawlessness,’ cautioned Koome.

Further, the CJ urged Kenyans that if anyone is dissatisfied with a judicial decision, the appropriate recourse is to appeal to a higher court as she cautioned that retaliatory measures against a Judge or judicial officer have no place in a democratic society.

‘Judges must be free to make decisions based solely on the law, without fear of retribution or interference. Any encroachment on this independence puts our society at risk of descending into lawlessness, where might supersedes rights, and justice is subverted by intimidation’, she reiterated.

The JSC, Koome continued, calls upon all state actors, particularly the National
Police Service, to immediately restore the security of Justice Lawrence Mugambi and fulfill their constitutional duty to respect and enforce the decisions of the courts.

‘We also urge the public and all stakeholders to remain vigilant in defending the sanctity of our Constitution and the rule of law, including defending the central role played by judicial independence in protecting our democracy,’ encouraged Koome.

She, on behalf of the JSC, strongly condemned this act of intimidation and assured Judges, Judicial Officers and Staff that the independence of the Judiciary is guaranteed under the Constitution and the Commission is resolute in defending it.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Wajir County is gearing up to host the Pastoralist Leadership Summit (PLS), slated for November 28th to 30th 2024.

The summit is expected to attract over 450 delegates, including all 14 governors from the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties and county assembly leaders.

The summit marks a pivotal moment for pastoralist communities, as leaders from across the region will converge to address pressing issues related to pastoralism, development and regional collaboration.

The event is poised to shine a spotlight on Wajir’s economic potential while also discussing challenges faced by ASAL counties, such as climate change, infrastructure development and livestock management.

In preparation for the summit, a delegation led by Major Bashir Abdullahi, Chairman of the Pastoralist Committees, on Monday held a meeting with Wajir’s Deputy Governor and County Commissioner.

Their discussions centered on ensuring comprehensive plans are in place, with security and logistical measures high on the agenda to guarantee
the success of the event.

The summit is expected to provide a significant economic boost to Wajir, creating a unique opportunity for local businesses and showcasing the region’s rich culture and hospitality.

According to local leaders, hotels, restaurants, and traders are gearing up for the influx of visitors, anticipating that the event will invigorate the local economy.

Wajir County’s government, in collaboration with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, is working around the clock to ensure that the town is ready to welcome guests.

Key areas of focus include infrastructure, security and hospitality with local authorities ensuring that the event runs smoothly.

Among the high-profile attendees are Sarah Korere, MP for Laikipia North, Timothy Kipchumba, MP for Marakwet West, and Yussuf Adan Haji, MP for Mandera West.

The PLS aims to foster collaboration and dialogue, paving the way for sustainable solutions that will benefit not just Wajir but the entire ASAL region.

Source: Kenya Ne
ws Agency

The Principal Secretary State in the Department for Immigration and Citizen Services Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok has revealed that going forward, national IDs will be out in 10 days and not 21 days as before.

Bitok was speaking at Katoloni Scouts Centre in Machakos town on Monday during the International Identity Day where he encouraged the youth to register their details and get their 3rd generation identity cards in 10 days.

He added that passports would also be out in 7 days while birth certificates would only take a day and those seeking to replace or renew their IDs would now be getting the 3rd generation ID.

Bitok explained that they chose to celebrate the International Identity Day in Machakos because of the high number of youths, at 32,000, who have cleared their secondary education and were eligible to register and pick their IDs.

‘We have introduced the Maisha number and for those who have IDs already, the number on the ID cards would be the ones on the Maisha number,’ said Bitok.

He highlighted t
hat Maisha number would incorporate modern technology and has supporting features such as Unique Personal Identity (UPI), Maisha Digital Identity and Maisha number database.

Additionally, he said the Maisha card consisted of a chip that would help in minimizing cases of fraud and tampering of one’s details which would enhance security and also help the government in planning.

He promised Machakos residents of opening a passport office for the lower Eastern region that would also serve Makueni and Kitui counties to ease the burden of going to Nairobi

‘I urge Kenyans to pick their passports since there are over 100,000 passports uncollected at the Immigration office in Nairobi,’ added PS Bitok.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation for a Sustainable Africa (ICCASA) and the Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE) will on September 18 and 19 host a workshop in Nairobi to establish an Alliance of Women with Disabilities in Climate Change Action in Africa.

The two-day workshop will bring together women with disabilities, policymakers, climate experts, and advocacy organizations from across Africa to strategize them on ways to amplify the participation of women with disabilities in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The workshop is part of the ‘Strengthening the Voices of Women with Disabilities to Actively Participate in Climate Change Policy and Negotiations’ (STREVOW) project, that aims at empowering women with disabilities in East Africa and small Island developing states to actively participate in climate change policy and negotiations.

STREVOW Project Communications Officer Faith Gikunda said the workshop marks a transformative moment to establish a continental Allian
ce of Women with Disabilities to ensure their voices are included in shaping inclusive climate solutions across Africa.

‘The disproportionate vulnerabilities faced by women with disabilities, exacerbated by the intersections of gender, disability, and socioeconomic inequalities, often go unaddressed in climate action dialogues and policymaking,’ said Gikunda.

She said climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, impacting communities worldwide and that the event would ensure the voices of women with disabilities are included in shaping inclusive climate solutions across Africa.

‘We are committed to amplifying the voices of women with disabilities, ensuring that they have the right tools, knowledge and information to be part of climate change programs designing and implementation,’ she said.

She said some of the key highlights would be discussions on integrating disability inclusion into national and regional climate change frameworks and sharing lived experiences and leadership strategies
from with disabilities across Africa.

The event will also see the launch of the formal Alliance of Women with Disabilities in Climate Change Action in Africa.

Funded by the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) of the African Development Bank (AFDB), the STREVOW project is engaging women with disabilities from several countries, including Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Seychelles, and Uganda.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Four people were seriously injured in the early hours of Tuesday as a result of a car accident that occurred in the municipality of Nzeto, Zaire province.

The accident happened around 2:30 am on national road 100, when a passenger bus from Luanda with 40 passengers crashed into a broken-down truck on the road.

According to the spokesman for the National Police in Zaire, Intendant Luís Bernardo, the accident involving a bus assigned to the company Real Express, occurred on the subsection that connects the villages of Kilombe and Kivungu.

He pointed out speeding, lack of caution and signaling, as well as fatigue as the probable causes of this accident that caused extensive material damage to the environment.

Luís Bernardo asked for more caution from motorists who make the Luanda/Zaire route and vice versa, especially on the Nzeto/Bengo section where accidents often occur at night.

He said that the victims with fractures in the upper and lower limbs were evacuated to the Municipal Hospital of Nzeto.

This
is the fourth road accident due to collision with a fixed obstacle that occurs on national road 100, which connects Nzeto/Bengo in less than two months.

The municipality of Nzeto is 230 km from the city of Mbanza Kongo, capital of Zaire province.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome has called for renewed collective action to achieve a work environment that is free from violence and harassment.

The CJ acknowledged that this responsibility rests not with the courts alone, but also employers, trade unions, policy makers, and civil society, who must work together to forge partnerships, build stronger institutions and create safe and respectful workplaces for all.

‘We must ask ourselves whether we are doing enough to protect employees from violence and harassment; are we fostering work places where everyone can thrive free from intimidation, abuse, or discrimination?’ CJ Koome posed at the start of the 2ndEmployment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) Annual Symposium and Exhibition (ELRASE II) at the University of Nairobi.

She urged the ELRC to assess whether domestic laws aligned with global standards and if the jurisprudence developed by the court meets the high standards set by comparative jurisdictions.

The CJ said this year’s symposium, which is being
held under the theme: ‘The Role of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in fostering the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment; including Gender-Based Violence and harassment’, addresses the critical and urgent issue of violence and harassment in the workplace, including GBV.

She described these as not merely occupational challenges but human rights violations stressing, ‘Both our Constitution and International Conventions mandate us to take bold steps to eliminate these injustices in the workplace.’

Koome noted that the International Labour Organisation Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), along with its accompanying recommendation (No. 206), provided a comprehensive framework for a workplace free from violence and harassment.

These instruments, according to Koome, articulated a clear, inclusive, and gender-responsive approach to prevention and redress.

She pointed out that as guardians of justice, the Judiciary bears the responsibility of ensuring that the Employ
ment and Labour Relations Court upholds these values while shaping a workplace culture grounded in dignity, respect, and mutual regard.

‘Violence and harassment, whether physical, psychological, or gender-based, stand in direct contradiction to these principles,’ she emphasised.

The CJ lauded the court for fostering the spirit of engagement saying that the symposium and exhibition reflect a commendable initiative of engaging stakeholders in continuous dialogue, in line with the principle of ‘cooperative dialogue’ championed in the Judiciary’s ‘Social Transformation through Access to Justice’ (STAJ) blueprint.

‘Our commitment to maintaining ongoing conversations with stakeholders and court users provides vital feedback on our work and helps identify areas for improvement,’ she added.

At the same time, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr Alfred Mutua cited the importance for the country to have a system where everyone feels there is a fair environment, adding that when an employee goes to
court and lost, they should feel they lost fairly.

‘Judgments have a big way of scaring investors if not done fairly. We have to provide an environment for productivity where employees work well and the employers also get the value for their money,’ he reiterated.

The CS noted that there were many conventions that were yet to be ratified and assured participants that Convention 190 of the ILO would be ratified before the end of the year.

In his remarks, ELRC Principal Judge Byram Ongaya said the symposium was one of those initiatives for multi-door access to justice.

He added that law and policy must provide for a work environment that is gender based and free from harassment.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome has called on Judiciaries to engage more actively with communities to identify and address the root causes of conflict before they escalate to full-blown disputes in order to promote social harmony.

Koome insisted that going upstream to promote social harmony in the communities is one of the key roles that African Judiciaries ought to play to fulfil their duty under Aspiration 3 of the AU Agenda 2063 – Good governance, Democracy, Respect for Human Rights, Justice, and the Rule of Law.

Other key roles, according to the CJ, that Judiciaries ought to play to fulfill this aspiration include purposive interpretation of laws, protection of human rights, robust judicial review and enhancement of accountability.

Speaking at the All Africa Judges and Jurists Summit in Nairobi the CJ observed that for far too long, African Judiciaries have positioned themselves primarily as downstream actors, intervening only after grievances have escalated into full-blown disputes.

Justice Koome ad
ded that instead of waiting for conflicts to land in the courtrooms, time has come to shift the downstream paradigm and adopt a more proactive, upstream approach.

‘By actively engaging upstream, African judiciaries can help foster peace, prevent disputes, and ultimately contribute to more cohesive and harmonious communities across the continent,’ she reiterated.

Koome emphasized that this shift will transform the role of African Judiciaries from being mere arbiters of disputes to becoming enablers of lasting social transformation.

In order to achieve this, the CJ implored, there is need to strengthen and expand the role of Court User Committees (CUCs), which serve as vital platforms for courts to interact with the public, understand their justice needs, and collaborate on solutions that are both timely and effective.

‘These Committees can foster ongoing dialogue between the Judiciary and community members, allowing us to be more attuned to local concerns and grievances,’ explained Koome.

Additionally, th
e CJ noted that African judiciaries must also embrace and promote the multi-door approach to justice which means offering a variety of pathways to resolve disputes, including Mediation, Conciliation, and Alternative Justice Systems (AJS).

She argued that traditional justice mechanisms, which have long been embedded in our cultures, offer valuable methods of conflict resolution based on reconciliation, communal dialogue, and restorative justice.

These approaches, she maintained, not only alleviate the burden on formal court systems but also promote deeper, more sustainable social harmony by addressing underlying issues rather than simply adjudicating the symptoms of conflict.

To continue playing these critical roles, Koome believed certain preconditions such as judicial independence, impartiality and objectivity as well as public trust and confidence must be met to ensure that our Judiciaries are well-equipped to deliver on their mandate.

‘Our ability to protect the rule of law and human rights hinges on o
ur independence. Judicial officers must be free from external pressures, political interference, and undue influence. In addition, financial independence is equally vital; without adequate budgetary resources, judiciaries are hamstrung in their ability to deliver justice effectively. Therefore, we must join hands to champion adequate budgetary allocations and autonomy by Judiciaries in managing their budgets,’ urged the CJ.

She voiced that courts must serve all citizens impartially adding that the essence of judicial power is not to serve the interests of any group but to protect constitutionalism and uphold justice, because objectivity in adjudication fosters public confidence in the judiciary.

Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) Secretary General (SG) Martin Okumu-Masiga said the theme challenges participants to reimagine the role of judiciaries in shaping the socio-economic and political landscape of Africa.

‘It is clear to me that the theme views ‘judiciaries as catalysts for change’. This is so, be
cause by focusing on the judiciary, the theme emphasizes its role not just as a protector of rights but as a stimulus for broader societal transformation,’ opined the SG.

The All Africa Judges and Jurists Summit, organized by Kenya Judiciary Academy, has brought together current and former Chief Justices, Jurists, Academia, Civil Society and stakeholders in the legal sector.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Busia County have been urged to embrace the government initiative of a new identification cards, maisha card.

Speaking during a public engagement forum at Nang’oma location in Busia Sub County, Busia County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga said the government will ensure the safety of its citizen’s data.

‘Maisha number will be issued during birth and this will be used by one in their entire life. For those with identification cards, the id number will be your Maisha number. The expiry date in the maisha card will enable the government to clear and update its database. It will also help to replace the chip in the card that helps to read data stored in your maisha card. When the card expires, you will not lose your citizenship, you remain a Kenyan,’ he explained.

Mwachaunga disclosed that the government will be providing more vehicles to police officers for ease of patrols as they maintain security in the country asking the national administration officers to work closely with police to ensure t
here is security and order.

‘Recently the president assured us that every year the government will be buying 1000 vehicles for the police and this will ease our officers patrol to ensure there is security. I know that the number of police is small but this cannot be the reason for insecurity in the area,’ he said, adding that National administration officers must work together with police because our main aim is to ensure there is peace.

He further asked the local residents to shun some of the retrogressive cultures that are harmful to the communities.

‘We cannot continue to stay in cultures that are destroying our children. Many children have been raped, impregnated; a lot of insecurity cases and even family break-ups have happened during this ‘disco matanga”, he said adding that this should stop immediately.

Busia Sub County ACC Eunice Ochieng called upon parents to be responsible and work with the administration to ensure that they protect the children and deal with the illicit.

‘The percentage of sc
hool drop-outs is high and this is because parents have neglected their duties. Our children have now abandoned their education and are now taking drugs. Let’s work together and help our children’.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Persons with disability (PWDs) in Kilifi County have decried lack of representation at the County Assembly of Kilifi.

Speaking to journalists in Malindi town, representatives of the PWDs allied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party said issues affecting persons with disabilities were not properly being articulated in the county since the PWDs lack a voice at the local legislative assembly.

The Coordinator of the ODM Disability League in the County, Ms. Victorine Nyamolo, said the lack of representation contravened provisions of the constitution, which gives women, the youth, persons with disabilities and minority groups special consideration in nomination slots at the county assemblies.

She complained that despite fronting the name of Ms. Leila Tinga for nomination as a representative of those living with disabilities, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ignored her name.

Appeals to the ODM leadership at the county and national level had fallen on deaf ears, while a case th
e PWDs filed against the decision to deny them representation had been dismissed on technical grounds, she said.

‘We feel as members of the ODM Disability League that we have been left behind in many things because of the lack of representation at the County Assembly,’ Ms Nyamwalo, who represented PWDs in the second Kilifi County Assembly, said.

She said that efforts to get assistance from the Speaker of the Kilifi County Assembly, Mr. Teddy Mwambire, who is also the ODM chairman in the county, had been futile.

‘When we seek help from the Speaker, he says that the issue should be handled by the chairman, yet he is the one occupying the two positions. We are left confused as we do not know who to go to,’ she said.

John Benjamin Mbuzi, the interim chairman of the Malindi Sub County Organization of Persons with Disabilities said persons with disabilities in the sub county had formed a savings and credit cooperative (SACCO) society but their issues cannot be articulated well since they had nobody to push them
at the legislature.

‘We feel that we have been left as orphans since we are not represented at the assembly,’ he said adding that they were not receiving county government tenders as required by law as they used to when one of their own was representing them.

Their sentiments were echoed by Pastor Dominic Kamau and Mr. Haroun Changawa, who added that should the party fail to address the matter, they would be forced to go back to the courts for redress.

Contacted for comment, Speaker Teddy Mwambire dismissed claims that he had failed to assist the PWDs, saying the party played its role in forwarding the proposed names and that the IEBC was the one mandated to gazette nominated MCAs.

Source: Kenya News Agency