Day: January 25, 2024

Migori Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko has encouraged investors to take advantage of the huge potential in palm farming that the county has to offer due to its favorable climatic conditions.

Ayacko said feasibility studies have shown that the county has the potential to grow and sustain palm trees, especially in Nyatike and Suna Sub counties.

The Governor, who spoke on Wednesday during a courtesy call by prospective palm investors at his County official residence, welcomed the move saying that the production of edible oil in the county will reduce the over-dependency on imports.

He noted that his administration will bring on board county, national, and international partners in palm farming thus creating opportunities for the county residents to improve their living standards through palm farming and job creation.

Migori and Homabay counties in South Nyanza have been identified as suitable for growing and processing of palm oil through feasibility studies previously carried out.

The Governor also acknowledge
d that his administration has consulted through a wide range of discussions to help both the county and the country to be self-reliant in palm oil production.

During the launch of the Sh500,000 Migori Aggregation and Industrial Park in September 2023, Ayacko affirmed that the county aimed to ensure Migori ventures into palm oil on at least 35 thousand acres to utilize the untapped edible oil markets in the country with 5,000 acres ready for immediate cultivation.

‘According to data by the national government, palm oil is one of the items that the nation spends on hugely, almost 1.4 billion US dollars in importations’, affirmed Ochilo.

He said that once the county commences palm farming, the county government will consider the possibility of establishing a processing plant for value addition which will also create job opportunities for the county residents.

Johnstone Mwangi, one of the investors interested in investing in palm farming in Migori and Homabay Counties said that the project proposal has been i
n place for a while, adding that it will be an important project in terms of provision of edible oil and economic development.

‘We are still carrying out feasibility studies in Migori and Homabay Counties to establish potential areas that can grow and sustain palm farming’, said Mwangi.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Peoples Church in Kerugoya town has initiated guidance, counselling, and mentorship program for over 200 youth, in its Weekly Wednesday service.

Youth who work in Jua Kali industry and street children gather for the spiritual nourishment and have lunch together with the Apostle Francis Wanderi.

The lunch service started by Bishop Mary Wanderi, has been of help to youth as it teaches them how to live with each other thus minimizing conflict.

‘Mentorship is a powerful tool for empowerment for the boy child. As a Church, we are the role models for them, so we guide and inspire them. Men don’t speak about their problems, and we cannot allow them to die silent,’ Bishop said.

She called for more programmes from Non- governmental organisations in support of boy-child empowerment and commended the good work done by Her Excellency Pastor Dorcus Gachangua, who has been advocating for boy-child empowerment all over the country.

She said that as a church, they have been having different programmes every year, but t
he Wednesday lunch service is running weekly.

‘We have been having different programmes like eye checkups, People with Disabilities Day, and the elderly. The reason we have all this is to empower those who are less fortunate in society, and we have seen positive feedback from society,’ he said.

He called on youth not to associate themselves with drug abuse and advised those who may be having challenges quitting drug use to take advantage of such services.

Justin Murimi, a mechanic, has said he was among the very first people to attend the Wednesday lunch service, and since then he has seen a lot of change in his life.

‘I have been taught how to handle my life, and I can confidently say I have been saving that little I have made in a day, and I can see a bright future ahead. I don’t have family, but with the kind of teaching I get here, when I become a family man, I will be a responsible father,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Mombasa County Health Department has issued a public health alert over the spread of conjunctivitis, commonly known as red eye disease.

Speaking to the media at the Health Department Headquarters, Mombasa County Director of Public Health and Disease Prevention Dr Salma Swaleh said the County has recorded over 150 incidences of the highly contagious and infectious disease in various public and private health facilities in the last two weeks.

Dr. Swaleh urged residents to report any cases of the disease with symptoms such as eye pain, swelling, redness, itchiness, and eye discharge to the nearest health facility in the County.

She also called on parents to keep an eye on school-going children noting that if any of the symptoms occurred, they should restrain them from going to school.

‘A lot of reports have been coming from schools and madrassas where ideally children have been the most affected. We urge parents not to take their children to school in the event they notice symptoms of this contagious diseas
e,’ said Dr. Swaleh.

She further urged residents to prioritize hygiene measures as the ideal way to curb the fast-spreading disease.

She said such measures included proper sanitation in living quarters, hand washing, use of sanitizers, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding crowded areas for people already infected.

County Ophthalmologist Consultant Dr. Nadya Mustafa said the health department was at hand to assist and recommend remedies which would include acceptable home remedies coupled with prescriptions and medical advice from certified health practitioners.

‘We have acceptable home remedies which include warm and cold compresses with towels over the red and swollen eyes and in the event symptoms persist, one should immediately visit a health facility for treatment,’ said Dr. Mustafa.

On Monday, neighbouring Tanzania health authorities issued a health alert over the outbreak.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD will in the next one week host the ‘Horn of Africa Pastoralist Expo’ that kicks off from the 26th January to 2nd February 2024 in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia

The expo will not only celebrate the rich cultural heritage, resilience, and sustainable development of pastoral communities but showcase new heights of collaboration representing a crucial step towards greater regional integration.

Dr. Dereje Wakjira, Director IGAD and leader of Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development said the expo is meant to recognize the effect of pastoralists in the horn of Africa in terms of production and sustainable management of ecosystems and vast dry land.

‘This expo will also build momentum towards policy and practice support to transform the sustainable management of livestock in the dry land areas. It will provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and policy advocacy to enhance the well-being of pastoralists in the region’, he said in an interview prior t
o the conference.

He noted that there is growing demand for livestock in Africa continent and thus the need for the region to benefit from this opportunities but also sustainably manage the ecosystem,

‘ We will be exploring the opportunities and challenges including charting the way forward considering we host the biggest population of livestock In this region and also trade with others ‘, he said .

Dr. Dereje noted that during the Expo, IGAD will have panel sessions where community representatives, experts, and other stakeholders will discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by pastoral communities and how to transform pastoralism in the IGAD region

The Expo expects more than 200 people presenting the member states of IGAD and the symposium will host over 1500 participants that will reflect on development issues ,challenges and opportunities in pastoralism , what to do considering the dynamic changes happening in horn of Africa such as the climate and also social political changes and how the trans
formation and adaptation of pastoral system can be done in the coming years .

Dr. Dereje acknowledged that the symposium and pastoral day could not have happened if it wasn’t for development of other partners such as FAO, UNDP Swedish and German , and EU among others noting that the expo is being co organized with the Ethiopian Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs).

The IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD), has the mandate to facilitate gender, conflict and environment responsive sustainable and equitable livestock and complementary livelihoods development in arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) of the IGAD Member States.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is a body of eight member states namely Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda (Eritrea is currently inactive).

Source: Kenya News Agency

Fifteen people have drowned in different parts of Narok County during this rainy season, according to the Narok County Director of Disaster Management Ms. Nancy Laboso.

Ms. Laboso said the trend was worrying as hardly a day ends without an incident of drowning being reported.

She observed that several drowning cases have been reported from River Ewaso Nyiro, River Narok, and River Siyiapei, where people drown as they try to cross the flooded river.

She added that her department, in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society, has put up a lot of effort to try and recover the bodies from the water.

‘Sometimes it takes more than a day to recover the body. However, we have experienced divers who help in recovering the bodies from the deep waters,’ she said.

The latest incident of drowning was reported yesterday (Wednesday) where a 21-year-old man slid into the river while bathing along the flooded river Narok.

‘The body of the man who drowned yesterday is yet to be retrieved. The divers and the Red Cro
ss team are on the ground to help recover the body,’ she said.

Ms. Laboso urged the area residents to keep off the river banks and avoid crossing when it is flooded to avoid falling victim to the floods.

She called on the parents to be cautious of their children and ensure they do not play along the river or try to cross the rivers during this rainy season.

Laboso urged the area people to try and use the foot bridge that has been constructed by the national and county government for their safety.

The warning comes at a time when the county continues to receive heavy downpour, with the County Meteorological Department predicting medium rainfall in many parts of the county this week.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Bungoma and Busia counties can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the multi-million shilling Malaba-Bungoma water project begins delivering fresh water to their parched communities.

According to Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka, the project, co-funded by the Kenyan government and the African Development Bank to the tune of Sh690 million, commenced in 2020 and reached completion in January 2024.

‘This vital infrastructure is poised to quench the thirst of over 180,000 residents across Teso North, Bungoma West, and Bumula constituencies,’ said Lusaka.

Lusaka noted that the project encompasses the construction of a water intake point at Ndakaru along the Malakisi River, complete with a conventional water treatment plant.

He said to further enhance accessibility, the government has pledged and prepared a detailed design for a Last Mile Connectivity (Water Supply) project, estimated to cost an additional Sh300 million.

‘This timely completion and planned expansion mark a significant turni
ng point in the lives of residents who have long grappled with water scarcity,’ the governor said.

He noted that the Malaba-Bungoma water project promises to not only alleviate immediate water woes but also unlock broader socio-economic development potential for the region.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Correctional Services, Dr Salome Beacco, has acknowledge that mental health has been a thorn in the flesh to several prison officers, assuring that the government is working closely with Non-state agencies and other players, to address the issue.

The PS regretted that many of security officers have resorted to committing suicide often, due to cases related to mental ill-health and called on all stakeholders to join hands to address the challenge.

‘Mental health is a challenge across the board and while the government is doing its part to address the menace, other stakeholders should also chip in to find a lasting solution,’ said the PS.

Stakeholders led by Fr Peter Kimani, the Chaplain at the Kenya Prisons Service said religious leaders can come in handy, to guide officers undergoing mental illnesses.

‘Victims should open-up to the ones close to them about their mental condition, as a way of minimizing suicidal incidents. Also, the Judiciary should not rush
to hand custodial sentences, as it has emerged that a big number of people serving jail terms are innocent but are suffering from various mental disorders,’ he observed.

Dr. Beacco admitted that there is need to improve service delivery by the Department and provide a better working environment for prison officers.

He said the Department plays a critical role in the Criminal Justice System, and there is need for additional funding to be able to carry out its role effectively.

Speaking during a workshop on the wellness of senior prison staff at the Kenya Prison Staff Training College in Ruiru, Dr Beacco said there is a need to prioritize operations of Correctional Services, which are highly sensitive and hinge on societal wellbeing.

‘As a critical Department, we acknowledge the support we receive from the Government and it has helped a lot in streamlining our operations. However, more needs to be done to effectively be able to perform our mandate, given the sensitivity of the Department,’ the PS stressed.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government intends to introduce a program called the ‘Uzalendo Initiative’ which will be used as a tool to promote nationhood and patriotism in the country.

Touching on various issues that affect Kenya as a nation, the Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura expressed concern that there have been deteriorating levels of patriotism in the country.

‘One of the key issues we are going to do is to help promote patriotism and nationhood as a key program for our office in order to ensure that Kenyans can love and be proud of their country so that they can give their best,’ stated Mwaura.

He added that the Uzalendo Initiative will encourage young people and everyone to love their motherland, Kenya.

Addressing the media in Nairobi, Mwaura stressed that the Government’s commitment to efficiency and excellence remains unwavering as its performance and service delivery roadshow continues to get crucial scrutiny and feedback across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Further, he revealed that this strategic
exercise aims to assess the performance of government programs and prospects in all ministries, Departments, and Agencies whereby about 14 ministries have so far been assessed.

‘We have about 8 more to go. The roadshow captures the pulse of the government’s initiatives, tracking the progress of its commitments to Kenyans and establishing a way forward on yet-to-be-fulfilled promises,’ he said.

Highlighting some of the achievements in the Ministries covered by the roadshow specifically under the Ministry of Health, Mwaura said that the Government is going to have another evaluation of the Ministry of Health at Cambridge.

At one point, according to the Government Spokesperson, the Social Health Insurance Fund is a stride towards achieving a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system in Kenya.

Mwaura cited the plight of the public who were unable to access medical care due to the fact that they did not have any form of insurance in the swing and much worse The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Act h
ad already been repealed creating a lacuna because there was no law in operation.

On new charges, Mwaura emphasized that 54 percent of Kenyan hustlers will benefit from reduced NHIF contributions resulting in enhanced affordability for essential healthcare services.

‘This is because the contribution per month is being reduced from 500 to 300. That is a clear reduction of 40 percent of the cost,’ he said.

Similarly, Mwaura reiterated that the Act ensures fairness by introducing a modest 2.2 upward adjustment for 46 percent of the contributors, and since the Act is in place, the medical cover is going to have more hustlers.

Source: Kenya News Agency