Day: July 16, 2023

Kenyan President William Ruto is calling for a constitutional discussion to redefine what amounts to peaceful demonstrations.

During the homecoming and thanksgiving ceremony for Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo in Homa Bay County, the President noted the country cannot afford to witness more incidents of mayhem disguised as peaceful demonstrations.

He warned the government will take stern action against those who abuse the constitution to cause anarchy in the country.

Ruto said he would also use the platform to call for a constitutional discussion to clarify the context of peaceful demonstrations.

The Head of State noted that the pockets of violence witnessed in the country in the wake of anti-government protests orchestrated by the opposition cannot continue.

The President further highlighted the government’s development agenda for the Luo Nyanza region.

President Ruto’s visit to the lakeside county of Homa Bay was his third since assuming office.

Interior PS Dr. Omollo in return reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda is a success story.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for civil disobedience and weekly nationwide protests against President William Ruto’s government and recent tax hikes and rising cost of living.

A police official said six people were killed in the protests, and more than 10 others were taken to hospitals. The official said the six who were killed were shot for disrupting businesses, without elaborating

Source: Nam News Network

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes will visit Kenya on official travel from July 17 – 21. Assistant Secretary Noyes will meet with government officials to highlight our commitment to U.S.-Kenya partnership on finding inclusive ways to protect and assist refugees. She will also advance innovative partnerships in the refugee response in Kenya and on climate change and migration.

During her trip, Assistant Secretary Noyes will meet with government officials, international organization and NGO partners, and observe the on-the-ground impact of their work with refugee populations, conflict victims, and vulnerable migrants. Noyes will interact with refugees in urban and rural settings and visit the U.S. Resettlement Support Center.

Source: EMM/ U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, expressed dismay Sunday, in Luanda province, due to the death of Queen Nhacatolo Tchilombo, who died Saturday, victim of illness, in a health unit in Luanda.

ANGOP learnt that in a message of condolence addressed to the family, Carolina Cerqueira said that the sovereign of the Luvale people, throughout her life stood out as a woman of great courage, committed to improving the living conditions of the people of Alto Zambeze and the eastern region of Angola.

According to her, Queen Nhacatolo carried out her activity with a great sense of patriotic duty, wisdom and respect for the noblest desires of the homeland and became the fearless guardian of tradition and the rich culture and habits of her people.

“With her death, Angola loses an outstanding figure of traditional power and an insignificant daughter of the Motherland”, says the message.

Carolina Cerqueira considers the Queen Nhacatolo Tchilombo a figure of an easy-going person, example of perspicacity and great tenacity, adding that she leaves a great legacy of leadership and humility that should serve as an example for future generations and an inspiration for young women.

“We pay her our most respectful tribute and hope that her name will remain everlasting in the history of Angola, which she served in a heroic and patriotic way”, reinforces Carolina Cerqueira.

The 86 year-old ruler, was living in the Cavungo commune of the municipality of Alto Zambeze and became Queen of the Luvale tribe in 2004, replacing the Queen Khakatolo Tchissengo who died in 1992

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The government has been asked to ensure the beneficiaries of Inua Jamii cash transfer programme get their stipend on monthly basis.

Ahadi Trust Kenya Executive Director Stanley Kamau on Saturday observed that disbursing the funds in lumpsum has increased attacks on the aged as some of their family members want to confiscate the money.

Kamau, speaking when his organization donated foodstuff among other personal items to aged persons drawn from Kahumbu ward in Murang’a, said disbursing the Sh. 2, 000 stipend to the aged on monthly basis will reduce cases of attacks on elderly persons.

He divulged that there have been many cases where the aged are denied the money by their caregivers and also exposed to theft by goons.

Kamau’s sentiments comes a week after an aged person from Githembe Sub location in Kigumo sub county was attacked and his Sh. 8, 000 stipend recently paid by the government stolen.

Kamau reiterated that if the money is paid on a monthly basis it will be of greater benefit to the aged considering some are on medication.

‘It’s a shame for one to take advantage of the aged people. Security agents should apprehend those mistreating them and also robbing them of their stipend,’ he added.

Towards the end of last month, the government released Sh. 16.7 billion cash transfer funds for the aged, vulnerable children and persons with disabilities.

Each beneficiary was to get a total of Sh. 16, 000 to cover for eight months from November last year to June this year.

‘Chiefs and their assistants can know the aged people who have been mistreated by their people due to the Inua Jamii money, I appeal to the security apparatus to take legal actions of those robbing our aged parents of their money,’ he further said.

The anti-jigger campaigner further asked the aged who are robbed their money to report to chiefs’ offices saying there are cases where the affected are scared to make reports.

Kamau also appealed to the government to register more beneficiaries in the fund observing some aged people are neglected by their families and thus depend on well-wishers to get food among other basic necessities.

‘In this region, we have cases where the aged are left on their own, without food among other basic needs. Let the government enroll these aged people to the cash transfer programme so they can get the monthly stipend.

He further regretted that some young people leave their children under care of their aged grandparents.

‘If you have children make sure you provide for them instead of adding a burden to aged grandparents of taking care of children,’ remarked Kamau.

Area assistant Chief Lewis Kimani on his part confirmed that one of the local residents was attacked by some young people and stole the stipend he had received.

Kimani noted they are pursuing the matter and those behind the attack will face the law calling upon the locals to take care of their aged parents.

‘The aged people need to be taken care of not only by their people but by the entire community. It’s wrong to attack and steal from an aged person. The security team is investigating the incident and soon those behind the attack will be apprehended,’ vowed the chief.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A number of major towns within Murang’a county are set to get a facelift under a programme dubbed smart cities being implemented by the county administration.

The county government since February this year, commenced tarmacking roads and streets within the towns with the aim of boosting trading activities.

Roads in major towns including Maragua, Kangari, Murang’a, Kangema, Gatura and Kiriaini have already been tarmacked with traders lauding the move since it has relieved them from walking and doing their businesses along muddy and dusty roads.

On Saturday while launching the programme at Maragua town, governor Irungu Kang’ata said the upgraded roads and streets will ensure ease of access in every part of the town thus allowing customers to reach business premises even those away from main roads.

He noted that traders have been forced to sell their merchandise along tarmacked roads since customers avoid getting to interior parts of the towns due to muddy streets.

Kang’ata underscored tarmacking and improving the streets saying it spurs the growth and development of businesses in the majority of local major trading centres.

‘The smart cities programme is aimed at ensuring the traders do their businesses without many challenges. Those who are far from main roads will be able to make sales since customers can now easily access their premises,’ he stated.

In the 2023/2024 financial year budget, the devolved administration allocated Sh. 175 million to actualize the smart cities programme.

Already tarmacking of sections of roads within Murang’a, Maragua, Kiriaini and Kangema towns have been done.

Kang’ata further said the programme will also include installing street lights to enable traders to extend operating hours and boost security.

‘All the trading centres will also get street lights which will boost security and enable business people to operate even at night,’ he added saying tarmacking of the roads will also make it easy for physically challenged people to operate businesses.

He said ‘Drainage systems in the towns will be rehabilitated. Its unfortunate drainage lines within most trading centres are in a pathetic situation.’

A section of traders in Maragua town lauded the programme saying it will awaken the sleepy town which has witnessed increased security cases.

One of the traders Mwangi Wacogi observed Maragua have lagged behind due to poor infrastructure and insecurity incidents.

He lauded tarmacking of roads within the town saying motorists have avoided accessing the town since roads connecting the trading centre were in pathetic situations.

Another trader Nancy Mwangi requested the county government to hasten installing street lights so as to curb insecurity cases.

‘We usually close our businesses before 6 pm due to fear of being attacked and robbed of our merchandise. In the past cases of theft have been rampant in this town and we hope the programme by the county government will improve the environment of conducting business in Maragua town,’ she asserted.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The North Eastern regional commissioner has assured residents in the region that security will be beefed up in the area to counter rampant criminal activities that have been witnessed in the past weeks.

RC John Otieno asked the locals to volunteer information to security agents to help in the fight against terrorist attacks adding that whereas the security agents were tasked with the protection of life and property they cannot achieve that if the locals did not offer support.

‘Security personnel are monitoring and patrolling the area to keep it safe but we call for collaborative efforts from you all especially the elders and youth in this region to curb insecurity. Security agents cannot work in isolation we need your support through volunteering information that will lead to apprehending the culprit,’ he said

While touring the proposed Kunaso police station site Saturday he said more police stations will be built to tighten security of the residents and their properties.

Last week police in Garissa Iftin police station arrested two gunmen armed with two AK 47 rifles military jacket, porches 150 rounds of ammunition, and Sh 396,000 that were driving in a white Probox vehicle believed to have been planning an attack at kunaso. The suspects were ambushed by law enforcement officers and arrested.

Otieno said Police are carrying out investigations to establish the gangster sponsors and their interests.

A group of elders led by Mzee Burale hire,muktar Mohamed, Abdi Ahmed, and Mama Suthay Ali Yussuf asked security agents to be ruthless with those terrorizing the area and flush out those in hideouts saying some criminal elements want to thwart government efforts to construct a police station at Kunaso so that they can continue with their criminal activities.

The elders promised to work with the government for the sake of peace in the area

There are only three police stations in Garissa township, mainly Garissa police station, iftin police station, chief camp police station, and several police camps barriers.

More security is required as Garissa township is the fastest-growing town after Eldoret.

Garissa has over eight sub-counties.

Source: Kenya News Agency

National Government Administration in Kisii County has moved to preach peaceful coexistence among various communities in a bid to create cohesion in the wake of chaotic demonstrations which have rocked various parts of the country in the recent past.

The Administration held a public Baraza with the Luo Community members at Daraja Mbili market in the outskirts of Kisii town Saturday where they announced a raft of measures and consecutive meetings with other communities as need arises.

Addressing the press after the meeting, Assistant County Commissioner for Township Division, Ms. Ann Anyango Ojwando said the move was instigated by the need to remind residents of the importance of peaceful coexistence and unity to posture development.

‘We urge residents from various communities to coexist peacefully as they always have for their own benefit,’ said Anyango.

According to Anyango, there will be consecutive meetings with other communities and all-inclusive barazas with their leaders geared towards addressing various agendas as the need arises.

Anyango urged the residents to desist from causing mayhem during any demonstrations, noting that they stood to lose from destruction of lives and property, and economic shutdown during the events.

‘However, we assure the residents of ample security which has been beefed up to combat unlawful behavior during the maandamano which have not been authorized anyway,’ she said.

Anyango also appealed to residents to avoid lighting bonfires to barricade roads saying it was destroying infrastructure that might take a long to repair.

The Chairman of the Kisii Branch Luo Council of Elders, Ramathan Abdulahi appealed to all tribes living in the county to coexist peacefully and not to cause chaos during the demonstrations.

Assuring that the Luo Community had pledged to live harmoniously with their counterparts, Abdulahi appealed to other communities including Kisii, Kamba, and Kikuyu to endeavor for the same.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Plans are underway to roll out mass administration of drugs to control schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) and soil-transmitted Helminthiasis (Intestinal worms) in Busia County.

Addressing stakeholders during a preparation meeting at Busia County Referral Hospital on Friday, the Medical parasitologist from the Ministry of Health, Florence Wakesho stated that the exercise will be carried out from 17th August.Wakesho disclosed that eight wards will be prioritized for mass administration of drugs while 33 others will have elimination of intestinal drugs.

‘Wards targeted for bilharzia control include Bunyala South, Bunyala North, Bunyala West, Marachi East, Bwiri, Bukhayo East, Angurai, and Amukura West,’ she said.

She further stated that Community Health Promoters will issue Mebendazole and Praziquantel drugs for intestinal worms and bilharzia respectively.

Wakesho assured local residents that the drugs are safe and effective adding that they should cooperate with those who will be conducting the exercise.

Busia Assistant County Commissioner Stephen Kibandi said that the Interior Ministry will coordinate the exercise to ensure that it is successful.

Busia County Health Promotion Officer Nelson Andanje said that the Department is committed to ensuring that the exercise achieves its intended purpose of fighting the two diseases.

The move follows a survey conducted by the Division of Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases in collaboration with Busia County Health Department in November 2022 which established the County’s burden of Bilharzia and Intestinal worms’ prevalence stands at 7.1and 6.9 percent respectively.

Other counties targeted for the exercise include Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, and Migori

Source: Kenya News Agency