Day: July 23, 2023

Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Saturday night left the country for Italy, for a three-day high-level United Nations Food Systems Summit Stock-Taking that kicks off Monday in Rome.

Gachagua will address the high level four day meeting on behalf of President William Ruto under the invitation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

On Monday morning, he will deliver the key note address on Financing Food Systems with a special focus on Kenya’s Food Systems Transformation Initiative, as part of the stocktaking of the commitment of States, governments and other Stakeholders in allocating resources to end hunger and malnutrition.

The DP’s address will set the stage for the Heads of State session, to be attended by Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Guterres, to discuss the critical issue of food security.

The Summit will also discuss, at length, the school meals programme in which States also work with other partners in ensuring pupils in public primary schools receive food and in balanced rations, to promote health and education.

At the plenary, which will be attended by several Heads of State and Government, as well as UN agencies including the World Food Programme, and the Food Agriculture Organisation, among others, Gachagua will highlight the progress made in Kenya since 1980, when the school meals was rolled out.

Currently, the programme benefits over 1.6 million pupils across the country, especially in arid and semi arid lands. It has been shown to increase enrollment and retention of pupils, as well as meeting nutritional needs, moreso through milk. In this year’s budget, the Government has doubled funds for school meals programme to USD30 million.

Kenya’s ambassador to Italy Jackline Nyong’a says participation at the Summit is key as the country takes a raft of measures on enhancing food security in the context of vagaries of Climate Change.

“This is a high-level meeting. It is significant to Kenya to shine and also seek partnership on fostering food security,” she said.

Among other initiatives, Gachagua will also speak to measures of sustainably lowering the cost of living especially subsidising production, as opposed to consumption; the case of the subsidised fertiliser.

On Monday evening, the Deputy President, will engage with Kenyans living in Italy, at a dinner at the Westin Hotel in Rome. He is expected to hold talks with the Prime Minister of Italy Georgia Meloni with the aim of strengthening the bilateral relations of the two nations.

At the meeting with Kenyans living in Italy, the DP intends to understand their needs and the kind of support they may require from the Government.

The Kenya Kwanza Administration is keen on supporting Diaspora investment back home through structured frameworks.

Diaspora remittances into the country last year almost hit a half a trillion Kenya Shillings, with the country receiving Ksh185.9 billion in the first four months of 2023. This source of money is key to the economy, as the Government strives to increase foreign exchange reserves and stabilise the local currency against other major global denominations.

On Tuesday morning, the Deputy President will speak at a breakfast side meeting on homegrown sources of food school meals programme. Gachagua will share Kenya’s experience on the impact of the school meals programme, which is supported by the World Food Programme- and how it can contribute to combating climate change through structured contracting of farmers to produce food schools.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the convener of the COP28 in December, will host the breakfast meeting where Kenya’s participation will be prominent.

The host will seek to understand opportunities in homegrown sources for school meals programme to countering climate change.

This is in addition to Kenya’s role in leading Africa on climate action, as the country prepares for the Africa Climate Summit in September in Nairobi

Source: Nam News Network

Naivas supermarket has opened its 96th branch store in Kisii town to serve the increasing customer base in the region and edge closer to its journey of becoming the leading retailer to open 100 stores.

The supermarket is located at the newly built Kisii Naivas Mall opposite St. Vincent Pastoral Center, a space that was previously occupied by The Kisii Hotel.

Speaking to the press, Naivas Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Willy Kimani expressed his joy at the opening of the new store saying the move was necessitated by customers who have been requesting for something bigger that can accommodate them.

Mr. Kimani said the step was a big milestone for Kenyan retailers and the goal is to ensure that Kenya takes the lead in the retail front and prove that local-bred supermarket chains can make it.

‘It has not been easy, and especially with the current macro-economic environment where inflation has seen the prices of commodities going up. However, we have been coming up with clear initiatives like Naivas Kikapu Kibonge to cushion our shoppers,’ he noted.

The Chief Commercial Officer pointed out that they have been working with suppliers as gatekeepers to ensure they don’t just change prices, but work towards protecting the customers even if it means making less money.

Kimani said they will be opening four more stores in the next two months, with two of them being in Malindi and Kakamega towns as they get closer to unveiling the 100th store in the country.

‘We are looking forward to growing our partnership and footprint while working closely with our landlord, retail space partners, customers, suppliers, and everybody else and making sure that our staff are at the centre of it all,’ he added.

Naivas’ first store in Kisii was opened 14 years ago next to Kisii Main Stage, but the shoppers struggled with parking space due to the increasing development of the town forcing some of them to opt for supermarkets with adequate parking space.

The second new store has been embraced openly by the locals who thronged the facility for the better part of the day after it was opened.

The store is strategically placed near Daraja Mbili Market which witnesses a beehive of activities, especially during the market days on Monday and Thursday.

According to the Kenya Retail Report (2022) by Cytonn, the sector witnessed an increase in market activities as evidenced by the aggressive expansion of local and international retailers including Naivas, QuickMart, and Chandarana Food Plus supermarkets.

The report cited that Naivas supermarket had opened 5 new stores spread across Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu, and, Nakuru counties, QuickMart supermarket opened 3 new stores in Nairobi and Kajiado counties, and Chandarana Food Plus opened a new outlet in Nairobi’s Westlands.

Despite the expansion being witnessed by some retailers, supermarkets such as Tuskys, Nakumatt, Uchumi, Shoprite, Game, and Choppies have been shut down in the recent past due to competition from other stores or bankruptcy.

In fact, the QuickMart store in Kisii is now occupying the space that was previously owned by Tuskys, who took over from Nakumatt after the giant retail store shut down in 2017.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Nandi County have been urged to plant 18 million trees this year to help the government achieve its target of 15 billion trees by 2032.

Principal Secretaries Eng. Peter Tum (State Department of Sports), Eng. Festus Ngeno (State Department of Environment and Climate Change) and Mr. Gitonga Mugambi (State Department of Forestry) said the exercise is part of the joint campaign to fight climate change and its effects.

Speaking after presiding over a tree planting exercise at Kimondi forest where 10,000 trees were planted, the leaders stated that climate change was a serious issue and all hands were needed on deck to solve the crisis.

‘Let us preserve and protect the environment by planting trees as mother nature is unforgiving and if we destroy it, it will punish us greatly,’ said Eng. Ngeno

The PS also pleaded with the residents to protect the wetlands as part of the ecosystem restoration program and pledged to work with local leaders to restore King’wal wetlands in Nandi County.

‘Our mission is to promote and facilitate good governance in the protection, restoration, conservation, development and management of environment and forestry resources for equitable and sustainable developments,’ he said

Mugambi reminded Nandi residents that their target was 18 million trees every year, stating that the county had only planted 1.6 million trees since the start of the initiative.

‘Every resident of this county including children should plant at least 30 trees every year in order to help the county achieve its target,’ he stated.

He urged residents to protect the forests even as they plant trees. He noted that the lifting of the ban on logging did not apply to indigenous trees.

Eng. Tum reiterated on the importance of individual responsibility in the protection of the environment adding that his department will also support the initiative to ensure the County gets good forest cover.

‘Climate change is the most serious danger the world faces today. Let us all unite and restore Kenya’s degraded ecosystems through tree growing,’ he said

Speaking at the same event, Nandi County Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Mitei urged women across the county to support First Lady Rachel Ruto initiative dubbed ‘Mama Doing Good’ campaign for the mama fruit garden programme targeting all primary schools countrywide.

The campaign aims to boost nutrition among pupils and generate income for schools.

‘As women of this county, let’s embrace this program fully and plant fruit trees to conserve the environment and in the long run, we will benefit financially by selling the fruits,’ stated Dr. Yulita adding that Kimondi primary school became the first school in the county to benefit from the initiative where hundreds of Macadamia trees were planted

She added that everyone had a role to play in the attainment of the 15 billion target adding that the involvement of the school children in the program was a good move.

In attendance was Mr. Alex Lermarkoko the acting Chief Conservator of forests who urged the residents to report all individuals who cut down indigenous trees and reminded them to plant more instead.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Ministry of water has finalized drilling a borehole and installing supportive infrastructure that will enable more than 4,000 residents of Kangari ward in Murang’a access clean water for domestic use.

The Shs.9.5 million borehole which was done within a period of one month was launched by President William Ruto on Friday during his visit to commission various projects in Murang’a county.

The borehole with a capacity of producing 9,500 litres of water per hour is expected to mitigate water shortage challenges at Kangari town and its surrounding environs.

The existing Kigumo water project, which currently supplies the commodity to the region, had surpassed its design capacity, leading to an unreliable water supply to Kangari town and surrounding villages.

Water Cabinet secretary Alice Wahome said the borehole will be of great relief by ensuring locals easily access water as the government continues to implement other major projects to increase water coverage in the county.

Apart from drilling the borehole, the government also installed a 24 cubic metric sturdy steel tank, a solar pumping system, a five-kilometre distribution pipeline and water kiosks among other infrastructure.

Implementation of the project which commenced June was completed mid this month giving residents opportunity to access clean water for domestic use.

In the past the community has been forced to source unsafe water from rivers, springs, and hand-dug wells thus jeopardizing public health.

In addition, lack of a sewerage system in Kangari town has exacerbated contamination issues, posing additional threats to water sources and the well-being of the local population.

Wahome expressed commitment by her ministry in addressing these challenges highlighting the project’s paramount importance in providing clean water to Kangari town and its periphery.

‘The impact of this endeavor will be felt by over 4,000 residents, transforming their daily lives with a steady supply of safe and clean drinking water.’ She added.

The CS continued, ‘To ensure the project’s long-term sustainability and to tackle the challenges of inadequate sewerage systems, the Ministry of Water seeks additional funding for the development of a comprehensive water and sewerage distribution network in the region.’

Meanwhile, Wahome noted the government is working to complete some of ongoing water projects in Murang’a County.

‘Projects which are about to be completed include Sh. 1.2 billion Ithanga water, Sh. 320 million water project at Gatanga and Sh. 900 million Kenol-Makutano water and sewerage project.

‘Some projects like Sh. 270 million Mathioya-Kiharu water have been completed and residents are benefiting with water,’ added the CS.

She further reiterated that water from the proposed Sh. 45 billion Maragua 4 dam to be constructed at borders of Kiharu and Kigumo will equally be shared between Murang’a and Nairobi counties.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has reiterated her administration’s commitment to end water scarcity in the coastal county.

Governor Achani says acute water scarcity in Kwale has been a recurring problem that her administration seeks to end for decades.

Achani says the county is involved in the rehabilitation, expansion, and upgrading of water projects aimed at addressing water and sanitation challenges in the region.

‘We are cognizant of the significance of sustainable water supply provisions to the livelihood and well-being of the people,’ she said.

She called on the residents to own the county projects by ensuring its protection against vandalism and any form of misuse so that the expected benefits would reach the people.

She says the devolved unit is committed to providing easy access to safe water and hygiene, underscoring that they were fundamental for human survival and the rights of the residents.

The county’s main sources of water are boreholes, underground, springs, dams, water pans and rock catchments.

‘Easy access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are fundamental to improving the standards of living in the communities,’ she said.

Achani spoke during the groundbreaking ceremonies of water pipeline projects in Ndavaya and Samburu/Chengoni electoral wards in Kinango sub-county.

The Governor later opened the Mwamivi Dispensary borehole project in Tiwi ward, Matuga Sub-County.

She said the Tiwi borehole project will supply water to the health facility and also the neighbouring communities.

Achani urged the residents to take good care of the water and sanitation projects and safeguard them from vandalism as the county builds a resilient system to supply water.

She says vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure hinders the county government from fulfilling its service delivery obligations towards communities.

‘As a devolved government we are trying to get safe drinking water to residents in rural and urban areas across the county,’ she said, adding that there is no reason why residents should not turn on taps and get clean water.

She went further ‘Kwale should not be one of the counties having water challenges in the country because we have plenty of water sources such as the Marere springs’.

Achani said her administration is committed to protecting its natural water resources in order to make potable clean water available and accessible for the residents and businesses.

She noted that the availability of water would end the construction of water storage towers in urban dwellings.

She also expressed confidence that providing water for residents as well as schools, hospitals, and marketplaces would go a long way in tackling open defecation in the county.

Achani says attaining open defecation free is essential explaining that open defecation pollutes the environment and contaminates water sources thereby resulting in water-borne diseases.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has today unveiled a memorial plaque in the street of Rome in honor of the heroic Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila.

The premier is in Italy attending the International Conference on Development and Migration being underway in Rome.

On the side line of the conference, the premier unveiled a memorial plaque in the street of Rome in honor of the late athlete Abebe Bikila.

Abebe was a marathon runner who won a gold medal while running barefoot at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Abebe was also the first Olympic gold medalist both for Ethiopia and Africa.

PM Abiy stated that Abebe Bikila is a source of national pride and a national gem. He is a unique athlete that raised the profile of Ethiopia to prominence on the world stage and opened the door for many African athletes.

“He remains a unique symbol of endurance and invincibility. The Italian city of Rome has a street named after him. Early this morning, we unveiled a memorial plaque in his honor,” the premier said in a message he posted on face-book page.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen said the implementation of the peace agreement is making steady progress.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs recalling the recognition given to the African Union as a whole in a recent closure event; bestowed a certificate of recognition to the Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), leadership and the team for critical contributions for the success of the AU-led and Ethiopian-owned peace process and the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

Speaking on the occasion Demeke said, the implementation of the agreement is making steady progress and the Government is committed for its full and timely implementation.

With the support and contribution of the AU the remaining tasks will also be realized, he added.

Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, on his part, expressed his gratitude on the recognition for the success of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

The conflicts in some other African countries can also be resolved taking a leaf from Ethiopian experience, he said.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency