Angola News Wire

Sonia Zouaoui, vying for a position in the local council elections within the Cité Essalama constituency, under La Goulette delegation (Tunis 2), has formally declared the imminent commencement of her electoral campaign in the approaching days.

The crux of her election campaign will pivot notably towards direct and immersive interaction with the electorate.

A seasoned educator aged 50, Zouaoui conveyed to TAP on Tuesday that the residents’ key demands revolve around the development of popular neighbourhoods, the establishment of a municipal kindergarten, and the creation of a public library.

Eight individuals have thrown their hats into the ring for the electoral constituency of La Goulette, including a candidate with disability.

La Goulette delegation comprises five electoral constituencies: La Goulette, La Goulette Casino, Kheireddine, Taieb Mhiri, and Cité Essalama.

La Goulette Casino constituency remains unadorned by any official candidacy registration, marking a notable void in the electoral landsc
ape.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Kisumu County Commissioner Hussein Allasow has urged residents to take advantage of state-backed development initiatives to uplift their living standards.

Highlighting the remarkable growth of the Hustler Fund, Hussein encouraged the locals to continue borrowing the funds to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

He made the call when he presided over the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kisumu County on Tuesday.

The Commissioner further assured that the County security team has taken significant steps to heighten security measures in the region during the festive period.

‘We have made arrangements through the county security committees to ensure the residents and all our visitors celebrate Christmas and New Year in a secure and peaceful environment,’ Hussein confirmed.

Further, he stated that the government has managed to contain the ethnic clashes that erupted along the Kisumu-Kericho border.

Hussein pleaded for harmonious coexistence among the communities living along the Nandi-Kisumu
and Kericho-Kisumu borders for sustained peace in the region.

He noted Kisumu County, especially Nyando, Kadibo, Muhoroni, and Nyakach areas, were adversely affected by the ongoing El Nino rains.

The government, he added, has supplied relief aid to the affected families in the flood-prone areas and urged the residents to adhere to the precautionary measures requiring them to move to safer grounds to avert loss of lives.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Candidates representing the localities of Essebei in Sakiet Eddaier and North Oudran in Bir Ali Ben Khelifa (the Sfax 1 delegation), Lobna DaSsi and Mabrouk Ben Youssef, Monday, started their campaign for the local elections of December 24 .

Candidate Lobna DaSssi told TAP that her electoral programme focuses on regional development, offering assistance to poor families, youth employment and the promotion of cultural life.

Candidate Mabourk Ben Youssef promised to ensure the supply of drinking water and road rehabilitation in the region, as well as the creation of a high school and improving school transport.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Siaya County Commissioner (CC), Julius Otieno, has warned criminal gangs operating in the region to take the government’s amnesty and surrender or face the law.

Otieno, who was addressing the public at Kenya Medical Training College grounds in Siaya town during this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, said that the county had no space for criminal activities, and those who failed to heed the call must be ready to face the law, and that the government is not relenting on reversing the vice.

The county commissioner said that as part of efforts to beef up security in the Hawinga area of west Alego that recently witnessed insecurity, the county security committee had recommended the construction of a police post in the area.

‘There were some challenges at Hawinga where some terrorists tried to invade our corner,’ said the commissioner, adding that through close collaboration between the public and security agencies, some of the terrorists were neutralised while others were arrested.

Otieno called for continued
support for the security officers through the provision of information that would lead to the arrest of criminals.

The county commissioner assured Siaya residents that the new security team was vigilant and had managed to reduce cases of insecurity in the area.

Earlier, several local leaders called on the security officials to upscale their game and curb the rising insecurity challenges.

Governor James Orengo, in a speech read on his behalf by the county executive committee member for governance, Agunda Ochanda, lamented that there was a spike in cases of theft, muggings, and killings, especially around Siaya town and its environs.

Orengo called on the security team to work around the clock to reverse the trend.

The occasion was also attended by Former Government Spokesman, Colonel (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, Siaya Deputy County Commissioner, Robert Ng’etich and several national and county government officials.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Candidate Khalil Ben Aziza (constituency of Amilcar/local council of Carthage) said social issues, mainly health, education and employment, are at the heart of his electoral platform.

A cultural club is an additional target along with the support of jobless youth to receive training or get hired, the candidate said.

Two candidates are contesting seats in Amilcar, delegation of Carthage (Tunis 2).
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Laikipia residents have been assured of heightened security during this year’s Christmas and New Year festivities.

Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli, speaking in Nanyuki Stadium during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations on Tuesday, said that they had started security patrols to monitor the area and ensure residents had a peaceful holiday.

‘We are prepared to ensure you enjoy your Christmas holiday peacefully without any insecurity incidents.’You will start witnessing security patrols like never before. Security is beefed up,’ said the DCC.

At the same time, the administrator urged parents to be watchful of their children in a bid to ensure they don’t engage in criminal activities while on holiday.

‘Children are on holiday, and I want to encourage parents not to neglect their responsibilities and ensure you know where your child is. In case of any incident, report to the relevant authorities, ‘noted Muli.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kakamega County Security Team has vowed to enhance security surveillance as the country gears towards December festivities.

Acting County Commissioner Ngalia Ndaya, who presided over the 60th Madaraka Day at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega town on Tuesday, said sufficient security arrangements have been put in place to ensure law and order are maintained over the Christmas and New Year festivities.

He called for enhanced collaboration between security agencies and members of the public, saying this was key to ensuring peace was maintained.

Mr. Ngalia also urged drivers to exercise caution on the roads during the festive season, adding that it was the responsibility of all road users to adhere to road safety regulations.

‘Those travelling must adhere to road safety measures to curb accidents that can otherwise be avoided,’ he added.

Speaking at the function, Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa hailed the county security team for ensuring peace prevailed, saying the county has not experienced any m
ajor insecurity occurrences.

Mr. Barasa maintained that he will continue working closely with President William Ruto, saying this was vital in ensuring the devolved unit achieves its agenda for the local people.

He announced that his government has doubled the bursary fund from Sh.120 million to Sh.240 million per year to ensure needy but bright students from vulnerable families and the disabled proceed with their secondary education.

He also revealed that the Ministry of Health has so far collected Sh.187 million this financial year under the Health Improvement Fund, to be invested back into the same facilities through the purchase of pharmaceuticals and infrastructure development.

According to the Governor, the County Health Services Fund 2023 has given financial autonomy to health facilities in the county to manage their funds to ensure effective, efficient, and sustainable health systems at all levels.

Barasa said the fund also seeks to address inherent delays in disbursement by the National Treasury
that has always resulted in challenges, including shortages of essential medical commodities that affect health services.

The governor, however, sent out a stern warning to some county staff suspected of being involved in the misuse or theft of pharmaceutical drugs that they will be dealt with firmly.

Speaking at the venue, Deputy Governor Ayub Savula hailed President William Ruto for signing into law the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Amendment Act, which has increased the allocation for bursaries under the NG-CDF from 35 to 40 per cent.

‘These funds, together with the allocation from county governments, will ensure all vulnerable students go to school,’ he added.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Tunisia and Switzerland signed an agreement aiming at creating framework conditions that will allow the Swiss private sector to fund concrete projects likely to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Tunisia.

This agreement, which seeks to protect the climate, was signed on December 9, on the sidelines of the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), whose works resumed on Tuesday in Dubai.

The agreement was signed by Environment Minister Leila Chikhaoui and Federal Councilor Albert Rösti, head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (DETEC), reads a press release issued by the Swiss Embassy in Tunisia.

Swiss Ambassador to Tunisia, Josef Renggli pointed out that «this bilateral agreement concretizes the international commitments of Switzerland and Tunisia in the fight against climate change.»

He added that, this is a «win-win» agreement which would help consolidate bilateral relations.
Source:
Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Nyeri administrator has ordered security agents to deal ruthlessly with anyone found trying to recruit adherents into the dreaded terror groups.

Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu has warned unlawful groups such as Mungiki taking root in Nyeri County and those planning to organise clandestine meetings to recruit members into similar sects that they would be met by the full force of the law.

Addressing celebrations to mark this year’s Jamhuri fete at the Dedan Kimathi Kamukunji stadium, the administrator ordered security agents to deal ruthlessly with anyone found trying to recruit adherents into the dreaded group.

‘We will not allow any prohibited grouping of individuals hell-bent on bringing suffering and torture to our people to take root here. We know what groups like Mungiki did to our women and sons in the early 2000s, and we cannot allow this to happen again. Those who are going around hoodwinking the public to recruit our youth into such sects should, therefore, know we are waiting for them.
Let them not dare us,’ warned the commissioner.

Last week, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ordered security chiefs to crack down on the resurgence of the outlawed Mungiki sect in Central Kenya and parts of Nairobi.

Speaking in Mathira sub-county on Wednesday during the burial of former MP Peter Weru’s mother, Gachagua stated that it is unacceptable to have government security officers on one hand, while on the other hand, a section of youth was claiming to be in a position to provide security at a fee.

‘This is a country of rule of law. We will not allow criminal gangs to cling back and destabilise this region. I have issued the County Commanders with clear instructions to protect people’s businesses and ensure that no business is destabilised by those criminals,’ he said.

Gachagua also lashed at leaders who could be behind the revival of the dreaded militia and urged them to keep off the illegal group.

‘You cannot be associated with a criminal gang with a record of killings, female circumcision, and d
efilement of young children. That cannot be allowed,’ he warned.

Murugu has also lauded the public for supporting the government in its war against the influx of illicit drinks and drugs into the country, saying such efforts have borne fruit.

The CC said since security agents began a crackdown on the trade in June this year, tremendous progress has been achieved, with the majority of those who used to earn a living from its proceeds turning to alternative sources of income.

He similarly said the war will continue until the trade, which has been termed a Central Kenya curse, is eradicated for good and former addicts are rehabilitated and reintegrated back into society where they can earn a decent livelihood.

‘Since we began the war on alcoholism and substance abuse in this area back in June, many people who had been hooked into the practice have managed to sober up and walk out of the vice. We thank our religious leaders who have been supporting us in this war through psychosocial counselling, which has pl
ayed a great role in assisting former addicts to discard drugs and alcohol and find a better way to live,’ he stated.

‘Our resolve is to ensure this practice is weeded out of this country and those who have been profiteering from its proceedings find an alternative source of income that does not impact negatively on the lives of others,’ he added.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Tunisie Télécom on Monday launched the rapido optical fibre with a 1 Giga bandwidth for the residential segment, which allows users a fast and efficient Internet flow.

The telephone operator revealed in a press release on Tuesday, the conclusive results of the first tests conducted in collaboration with Tunisian influencers and content creators across Tunisia, notably Greater Tunis, Sousse and Sfax.

Tunisie Télécom CEO LassaSd Ben Dhiab said at a meeting held on Monday in Tunis, that this technological development is aimed to improve the quality of navigation at work, notably for Tunisian families.

He underlined the company’s commitment to contributing to the State’s efforts to boost digital inclusion by connecting all Tunisians to broadband Internet.

The company has been the first to launch fibre optics since 1994. Public institutions, hospitals and administrations have been using the fibre optic service since the early 2000s, giving them maximum secure access with high throughput capacity.

It currentl
y connects over 3,000 educational establishments via the “Edunet” system.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse