Day: March 8, 2024

During their recent International Investment Conference, the Homa Bay County government and investors signed eight Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs).

Governor Gladys Wanga commended all stakeholders, including the executive, partners, and sponsors, for their contributions to the success of the investment conference.

The county government has signed MOUs with various organizations including Afropal International Limited, Ento Tech Africa Limited, Yazmark International, Rift Valley Products Limited, Manda University Trust, Fairdeal Real Estate, Kenya Shipyard Limited, and Redington.

Wanga said that in the agricultural sector, Afropal International Limited in collaboration with the national government will provide a framework for edible oil palm production around the Lake Victoria region including Homa Bay County.

Yazmark International and Homa Bay County government are set to establish a 50-bed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital to tackle regional healthcare challenges.

‘With regards to education, the
county is expected to establish ‘Manda University Kenya’ to specialize in health sciences and agricultural courses through partnership with Manda University Trust,’ she added.

The Governor said Fair Deal Real Estate is set to invest in affordable housing and student’s hostel construction projects to support the growing population in the county.

On the other hand, Redington, through the partnership is also expected to generate solar power that will benefit beaches, schools and hospitals not connected to the national grid in Homa Bay, which will promote employment and technology transfer.

Wanga also reiterated her administration’s commitment to transforming the lives of Homa Bay residents through critical projects.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Government has reiterated its commitment to increase and fast-track broadband connectivity across the country, by constructing at least 100,000 kilometres of National Fiber Optic connectivity.

Government Spokesperson, Dr. Isaac Mwaura, said the Kenya Kwanza government aligned the Last Mile County Connectivity Project to its Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), with the aim of installing reliable, stable, affordable, and high-speed internet connectivity across the country.

‘We have laid a total of 13,712 kilometers of fiber cable and increased the number of Public-Wi-Fi hot spots from 40 in 2022 to 1,222 in 2023. Cumulatively we have established a total of 1,262 Wi-Fi spots,’ he stated.

Mwaura said the BETA Blue Print also seeks to enhance the government service delivery, through digitization and automation of all critical government processes, as well as make 80 percent of government services available online.

He cited the connection of 247 digital hubs with the internet, training of 800
youths under the Presidential Digital Talent Program, the deployment of 12,087 virtual desktop infrastructure devices, and 136 Jitume sites, as some the government’s achievements in the technology sector.

The Kenya Kwanza’s Flagship initiative under the Jitume Programme targets to empower over 1 million youths in the country to access reasonable and sustainable income and to provide infrastructure and over 23,000 digital devices to centres among other activities.

The Government has to date distributed at least 13,488 devices to 176 digital lab institutions.

The Spokesperson who was speaking during a media briefing at the Konza Technocity in Machakos County, added that the government has to date connected at least 119,462 youths to online jobs besides onboarding a total of 74 government services.

Mwaura announced that the government through Konza Technopolis, intends to bring together industry, academic institutions, and other innovators to co-invest in emerging technologies, noting that the Technologies p
latform plays a crucial role in accelerating the country’s development in the digital era.

‘The Technopolis is developing a smart city of international standards. It has attracted over 85 percent of both local and international investors,’ he said.

The investors are focused on academia, technology sectors, research and development in the areas of housing, hospitality, and conventions as well as in light manufacturing and logistics.

He added that the Konza Technopolis cloud is also providing cutting-edge solutions and enabling innovators, start-ups, and enterprises to reap the benefits of technology solutions’ ability to scale the marketplace, improve efficiencies, and deliver services and solutions to people.

On health, Mwaura said, the government regards the sector as one of its priority pillars for national development and to make it provide the highest attainable standards, it has employed information and communication technology to better services delivery to Kenyans.

‘Technology will connect all lev
el 6 to level 2 public health facilities to all National Backbone Fiber Infrastructure (NOFBI) and implement local Area Network (LAN),’ he added.

The government has so far connected a total of 135 public health facilities to NOFBI while LAN has been implemented in 57 public hospitals.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Elgeyo Marakwet welcomed its first shipment of fertilizer, marking a significant stride as the region gears up for the planting season.

The event, graced by Dr. Paul Rono, the Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department of Agriculture, saw the official flagging off of the fertilizer distribution at Kapcherop, Chebaror, and Chepkorio cereal stores.

Fertilizer loaded in 12 lorries was distributed to various locations, with an additional 40 lorries slated for imminent delivery. The distribution breakdown allocated one truck to each of the following areas: Chesoi, Labot, Kapcherop, Kapsowar, Chebaror, Kibendo, Chepkorio, Kamwosor, and Kapkitony, ensuring equitable access across Elgeyo Marakwet.

Expressing his sentiments during the event, Dr. Rono emphasized the importance of prompt registration and redemption of vouchers by farmers, ensuring a seamless supply chain.

He highlighted value addition for its positive impact allowing farmers to maximize profit.

‘Value addition plays a pivotal role in transfo
rming agricultural practices, allowing farmers not only to increase their harvest but also to enhance its value,’ remarked Dr. Rono, underlining the significance of maximizing agricultural output.

Assuring continued support, Dr. Rono announced the imminent delivery of the next 40 lorries of fertilizer, reaffirming the government’s commitment to bolstering agricultural activities in Elgeyo Marakwet.

Following Dr. Rono’s remarks, Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor Wisley Rotich expressed his gratitude for the allocation of additional fertilizer of lorries.

‘I am glad that the PS has announced another 40 lorries will be delivering fertilizer to all our stores starting today,’ Governor Rotich remarked, highlighting the importance of timely deliveries for farmers’ preparations.

Governor Rotich also urged farmers who have yet to register to take action promptly. ‘I urge all those who are yet to register to dial *616*3#,’ he emphasized, encouraging full participation in the fertilizer distribution program.

Source
: Kenya News Agency

Agriculture Cabinet Mithika Linturi, has urged farmers to embrace the innovative seed technologies proposed by the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) to enhance productivity, ultimately bolstering food and nutrition security.

Mr Linturi noted that the Ministry is working towards the realisation of the government’s Bottom Up Economic Agenda (BETA) goals and in particular the agenda on food and nutrition security.

‘We encourage our farms to plant new, clean, and certified seeds, studies have shown that in cases where certified seeds are adopted and planted, yield increases by one and half times. This leads to poverty reduction, improved livelihoods in many cases as a farmer is able to have enough produce to meet domestic consumption and surplus to sell,’ he said.

Speaking at the AFSTA annual congress held at Pride Inn Paradise Resort, Mombasa, the CS acknowledged the hard work the association has put in place to drive harmonized seed regulations in Africa with various measures including, facilitating th
e safe movement of seed within Member States, in a transparent manner and without dissemination of any pest of quarantine importance.

Stimulating the breeding and availability of improved seed varieties resulting in increased variety choices for all farmers and encouraging investment in seed business in Member states were also noted to be effective measures.

The CS said that seed certification, variety testing and release regulations have tended to restrict seed trade within African Countries.

The 3-day conference attended by more than 60 nationalities aims at increasing food security by advising farmers to buy from established agro-vet seed companies instead of ‘fake seeds’ to avoid disappointments.

However, he noted that coordination of the regional trade blocks seed regulations was completed through a consultative process with stakeholders in the seed industry in Kenya.

‘The process is ongoing and it is important that all stakeholders in the seed industry are conversant with the harmonized seed regula
tions to enhance seed trade with the COMESA, EAC and regional trade blocks,’ Linturi said.

He urged seed companies to take advantage of the synchronized seed regulations to widen and promote a competitive and sustainable market for crop seed within their regions.

‘Challenges of cross border trade by seed companies have been an ongoing concern for a long time. This inhibits both creation of employment opportunities and also trade within the region,’ he noted.

He added that there have been numerous efforts to address this, including having a one-stop border post infrastructure but a lot needs to be done to build the capacity of the border personnel through training.

‘To mitigate the challenge of climate change we encourage farmers to use drought tolerant crops, other early maturing crops and construction of water dams. My Ministry also proposes that farmers should undertake to diversify into other crops that will combat the realities of climate change such as drought, pests, floods, and heat,’ Linturi said.

The Chairman of the Seed Trade Association, Seed Co, Wellington Wasike said, ‘Any fake seed dealers is our number one enemy and hence we encourage the government to continue the fight against the menace.’

Wellington added that Seed Co is working with the government in a bid to lower seed costs through the fertilizer subsidy that was implemented by the President for the past one and a half years now.

On the issue of climate change, the chairman noted that seed stakeholders in Kenya are working in employing new technology that will bring about the production of climate-smart varieties of seeds that will work with or without enough rain.

On the other hand, Managing Director, Kenya Seed Company, Samuel Chepsiror said, ‘The meeting aims at reaching a better understanding between the challenges in the seed sector as well as the importance of good farming in the country.’

The next congress is to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from the 3rd-6th March, 2025.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County Government of Trans Nzoia has teamed up with the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program (KISIP) to provide floodlights in informal settlements in the region.

Besides ensuring that light is taken to the doorsteps of most households in informal settlements once implemented, the partnership is also expected to help enhance security and uplift livelihoods.

The first phase of the program will see the installation of high-mast floodlights at Matisi, Tuwan, Mitume, Shanty and Kipsongo informal settlements as the second phase addresses street lighting, road construction, construction of sanitation blocks and water kiosks in the informal settlements.

Speaking after overseeing the handing over of the sites for the installation of the high-mast floodlights, KISIP Trans Nzoia County Program Coordinator Edith Wanyama said the floodlight project endeavors to improve infrastructure and give those living in informal settlements a new lease of life.

‘The high-mast floodlight installation program we have
kicked off has come at the right time and will be of great importance to those living in the slums of Kitale.

The lights will boost security and allow business owners to continue with their business activities well into the night, unlike currently where businesses are closed as early as 7 pm due to darkness and fear of insecurity,’ she said.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development Janerose Nasimiyu Mutama present during the exercise welcomed the initiative emphasizing the government’s commitment to cooperate with more partners to better the living standards of the people.

She echoed Governor George Natembeya’s call for residents to acquire legal land documents to avoid being found on the wrong side of the law.

She revealed that the county is working on collaboration with the National Land Commission and other relevant stakeholders on land titling program in areas of Khalaba, Shimo la Tewa, and Maridadi with consultants already deployed.

Source
: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya Medical, Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC) has shut down 80 health facilities in Kajiado County over noncompliance to licensing regulations.

An additional 3 facilities have also been partially closed for not maintaining stipulated standards.

A total of 27 health practitioners operating at the facilities without proper licenses were also arrested in a crackdown conducted by both council officials and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Speaking in Kajiado town Friday, KMPDC Chief Executive Officer David Kariuki revealed that a total of 368 out of the 428 registered health facilities had already been inspected and the exercise was still on going to ensure that all facilities have complied with the set standards.

‘Some of the facilities closed were operating below the stipulated standards, others were either unregistered or unlicensed, while others had employed persons that were unregistered or unlicensed, ‘he said.

Dr Kariuki emphasised that KMPDC stands fir
m in its mission to regulate medical practitioners and facilities to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all Kenyans.

He warned that legal action will be taken against health practitioners operating without valid licenses issued by the council.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Alex Kilowua, reiterated the county government’s commitment towards providing quality and accessible health care.

Kilowua applauded KMPDC for conducting the inspection exercise adding that private health facilities operating without the required licenses and set standards were putting the lives of Kenyans at risk.

‘We have seen many people masquerading as licensed health practitioners and putting the lives of Kenyans at risk. We are happy with the ongoing inspection and will be keen to ensure that legal action is taken against them to deter others,’ he added.

Kilowua further called for the inspection of public hospitals to ensure that they are compliant with health standards set by the council.

Source: Ken
ya News Agency

Wildlife conservation holds great promise in slowing down desertification and other effects of climate change in arid and semi-arid regions of the country.

At the same time, charcoal burning activities and careless dumping of business and domestic waste have been cited as a threat to the environment in Marsabit County.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) assistant director in charge of the Northern conservation area Gideon Kebati said during a ceremony held at the Marsabit National Park headquarters to mark this year’s World Wildlife Day that conservancies established in Marsabit County have greatly enhanced the conservation of the local ecosystem.

Mr Kebati observed that the entities have helped cultivate good relations between communities and KWS hence minimising human-wildlife conflict.

The assistant director said employment has been created for local youths as game scouts who have assisted in protecting the wildlife hence contributing in the maintenance of security and containment of the poaching problem.

He observed that the service was extending its digitized services to cover the management and protection of wild animals to enhance timely response in times of emergency.

Stakeholders who included conservationists like the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) and opinion leaders expressed their worry over rampant charcoal burning which they said needed to be controlled in order to conserve the environment.

NRT county director Daniel Basele pointed out that negative effects of climate like drought affect the conservation of wildlife through the depletion of pasture and water sources.

Mr Basele said concerted efforts were required to reverse the trend which threatens to advance the spread of desert.

He said that through the conservation of wildlife and the environment, the local communities are benefitting from the carbon credit and employment.

‘NRT has employed 80 game scouts in the three conservancies at Milako, Shurr and Jaldesa-Songa,’ he said adding that 246 students within Milako conservancy in Laisamis c
onstituency have benefitted from a Sh 20 million bursary derived from carbon credit proceeds.

He added that plans to have communities for the other two conservancies benefit from carbon credit were at an advanced stage and urged residents to continue conserving trees and the environment.

Mr Basele advocated for joint patrols to contain charcoal burning which has taken a commercial angle saying it was turning out to be a danger to the fragile environment in the arid and semi-arid region.

Community Forest Association (CFA) chairman John Bule said the charcoal burning which was purely to provide fuel for domestic use at the household level had now taken a different dimension with the youth making it a full-time commercial venture.

Mr Bule also decried the careless dumping of garbage and refuse from medical outlets in Marsabit town and called for action to address the problem.

Marsabit Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) David Saruni directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the
Marsabit municipality to move with speed and contain the dumping menace.

The DCC urged residents to protect the environment by actively engaging in tree growing and preserving the existing forest cover.

The county conservator of forests Mark Lenguro told KNA that measures were being taken to contain the charcoal burning menace as the government explores ways of availing green affordable energy sources to the residents.

The concern was raised at a time when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum announced plans to provide Kenyans with quality and affordable liquefied cooking gas and distribution of 4.4 million gas cylinders.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kiambu National Polytechnic (KINAP) has today held its annual open day, providing a platform for students from various institutions to display their skills and projects creativity and innovation.

The two-day open day brought together public and private sector players who will benchmark on how to remodel technical training to meet the labour demands of technological innovation and flexibility.

It showcased a diverse range of talents, spanning art mechatronic department, the Mechanical automotive department, ICT and computer studies, the Hospitality department and the building civil engineering department.

Gracing the occasion today, State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Principal Secretary Dr Esther Thaara said that in the recent past there has been a skills gap of youth leading to shortage of human resource to service and produce in local industries.

‘This event comes at a time when the State Department for TVET has been at the front run to address issues of youth unemp
loyment and need to have the right skills for the industry and labour market locally, regionally and internationally,’ she said.

Dr Thaara explained that the Ministry of Education has revamped the education system in the direction that all levels focus on a competency-based curriculum which seeks to address the skills gap of this country.

More concern, she noted has been laid to the TVET institutions on having a training in skills that will address the socio-economic empowerment of this country.

Competency-based education and training, she emphasised is the best approach in TVETS in ensuring trainees are equipped with proper skills for the labour market.

The PS confirmed that the State Department has created a good collaboration in linking with industries and partnering with other countries that have empowered the TVET sector and this has created strong partnerships with industries therefore ensuring that the skills trainees in TVET acquire are precisely what employers are seeking.

‘It has been proven th
at by collaborating closely with industries, has bridged the gap between training and employment, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.

She reiterated that rapid change in technology and the industrial revolution require us to retool, rescale, and re-modify our training to be able to meet the demand of the required skills in the industry.

Dr Thaara noted that there’s need for government to have policies on importation of goods and services that can be made and offered by the youth in an effort to empower the skilled manpower being produced in the TVET sector.

‘These regulations will encourage manufacturers to produce for the country’s economy using our very own TVET graduates. That Kenyans will buy products made in Kenya by Kenya increasing productivity in our industries,’ she added.

The PS appealed to industry partners to open their doors to collaboration with TVET institutions saying that their active involvement in shaping the training programmes, offering internships, appren
ticeships, and mentorship opportunities can make a profound impact on the future of the country’s industrialization agenda.

Edward Mwangi, a Lecturer in the hospitality sector from KINAP said the exhibition ensures that the community see the different skills that the students have acquired from their courses while high school students who also participate learn a lot on the different paths they can pick as they choose their future careers.

In attendance were different polytechnics and TVET institutions such as the Nyandarua National Polytechnic, Buru Buru Institute of Fine Arts, Mitungu Technical Training Institute, Rift Valley National Polytechnic and Moraga Technical Training Institute as well as students from Githunguri High School.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Mining experts from Indonesia and Kenya met in Nairobi to draft a joint work plan that will see the establishment of the first International Standard Mineral Testing and Certification Laboratory in Kenya.

A joint committee has been formed to work on the technical details of the collaboration that will also include capacity building of laboratory technicians, skills transfer, and strengthening of laws and policies that guide the mining sector in Kenya.

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya termed the meeting as a new dawn for the mining sector that heralds growth and profitability for mineral investors in Kenya.

The CS added that the bilateral collaboration between the two counties is anticipated to elevate Kenya’s mining sector, investments, and other mining operations to unprecedented heights.

Speaking at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) during the official opening of the Kenya-Indonesia Joint Technical Committee three-day forum, Mvurya stated that
the MoU signed between President William Ruto and his Indonesian Counterpart Joko Widodo in August 2023 would act as a platform for attracting Indonesian investors to set up industries and mineral-processing facilities in Kenya.

‘This collaboration further cements the cordial bilateral relations between Kenya and Indonesia. We are confident that the mining sector will gain immensely from this partnership and become a key economic pillar for Kenya,’ he said.

Head of the Indonesian delegation Ms Rita Susilawati, Secretary Directorate of Mineral and Coal, said Kenya’s mining sector had the potential to grow tremendously through strategic collaborations with a focus on promoting technical skills to advance best mining practices.

Noting that Kenya is endowed with vast mineral resources, Ms. Rita stated that the partnership between the two nations would transform the mining sector and position it as a top investment field for local and international investors.

‘We remain appreciative of this partnership that wi
ll see both countries benefit from knowledge and experience sharing as we drive the growth in the mineral sector,’ she said.

The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary for Mining Elijah Mwangi, officials from the Embassy of Indonesia and the Department of Mining, mining investors, and legal officers.

A key outcome of this inter-state engagement would be the establishment of a world-class mineral laboratory in Kenya to meet the growing demand for mineral testing from Kenya and other regional mining countries. Kenya’s mineral laboratory is not accredited. As a result, certification of minerals to internationally accepted standards is often done in international laboratories in South Africa and Canada.

Kenya’s push to establish an internationally certified laboratory is intended to generate millions in revenue from offering testing services for minerals designed for the international market.

The laboratory will also be critical in attracting mineral investors from other countries in East and Centra
l Africa.

Other areas of collaboration by the two countries extend to interlaboratory comparison tests, internship programs, Critical Raw Material (CRM) joint study, joint studies on geo exploration and coal processing, and geo-scientific research to enhance technical capacity for remote sensing in CRM exploration and geothermal resource mapping.

Source: Kenya News Agency