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Persons with disabilities are among the 3,000 households set to benefit from a three-year project meant for the households at high risk of food insecurity.

The Turkana Inclusive Livelihood and Resilience Project which was launched in Lodwar on Tuesday seeks to support livestock activities, crop farming, poultry keeping, Fisher folks and Village Savings and Loaning Associations (VSLA).

PWDs will be provided with assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches and other mobility devices that they may require.

The project is being implemented by Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and Turkana Pastoralists Development Organization (TUPADO).

CBM is an international Christian development organization, committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world.

The project aims to restore and rebuild the capacity of drought-affected communities, persons with disabilities and households at high risk of food insecurity.

Speaking during the launch, CBM officer Antony
Kimathi said the project is implemented alongside TUPADO and they would work closely with government departments, partners and community structures to support communities in Kalokol and Kangatotha in Turkana Central.

In collaboration with TUPADO and other partners, CBM aims to support communities with income generating activities that will strengthen their capacities in various aspects. Persons with disabilities and those at risk are highly targeted in this programme.

According to Kimathi, the project was born after closely working with the communities that made it possible to identify a number of income-generating activities in their area.

Kangole David, TUPADO Heads of Programme, said PWDs were targeted by the project because they were the most affected during these disasters.

‘Women, youth and the elderly are also set to benefit from this programme so as to recover from effects of the previous disasters,’ said Kangole.

According to Kangole, the project entails the recovery aspect of the community afte
r a devastating drought that adversely affected the livelihoods of people in Turkana.

He said the project would also address the issue of malnutrition among the targeted livelihood options. For this case, TUPADO is going to have a team that will address the issue of food security among the communities. The team will also check on matters of trade and fisheries because these are the pillars of socio-economic livelihood in this community.

Kanole extended his gratitude to the government and vowed to work together with the Turkana County Government to realise the objective of recovery through this project.

County Chief officer for Administration and Disaster-risk Management David Maraka gave an assurance that the County government would come in strongly to support the programme so as to change the livelihoods around Kalokol and Kangatotha.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Communications Authority of Kenya targets a revenue collection of Sh.117.4 billion in the five-year implementation of its 5th Strategic Plan which runs from 2023 to 2027 as it seeks to achieve its core vision of digital access for all.

Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eluid Owalo speaking in Nairobi during the launch said that the strategic plan is coming at a time when ICT is playing a critical role in the Kenya Kwanza plan, where the digital super highway is a thematic area of the country’s development agenda.

Owalo said that CA as a regulator is a key enabler of the government’s ICT agenda and from the policy perspective, the strategic plan is aligned with that of the parent Ministry, the governments Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), EAC Vision 2050, AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

‘In the preparation of the strategic plan, CA has looked back introspectively and taken note of the milestones it has a
chieved while implementing the previous strategic plan, the challenge is to maintain the exemplary performance,’ said Owalo.

The CS called on CA to continue providing an enabling environment for the telecommunications companies and everyone that the authority regulates which will support the delivery of the governments’ development agenda.

‘I am happy to note that this is the first time in my experience of strategic planning spanning over 25 years, that I have seen a strategic plan that is self-financing and has got a surplus which indicates that CA is doing a commendable job in matters financial management,’ said Owalo.

During the 4th strategic plan from July 2018 to June 2023, CA’s key achievements include a 45.9 percent increase in mobile phone subscription from 45.5 million to 66.4 million, 62.4 percent increase in broadband subscription from 20.5 million to 33.3 million among others.

In a bid to close the digital access gap, the Authority has in the past five years finalized the rollout of Internet c
onnectivity in 886 public secondary schools spread across 47 counties. The Authority also finalized Phase I of the cellular mobile infrastructure project, which connected 76 sublocations in unserved and underserved parts of the country with mobile connectivity.

Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary (PS) Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani said that as leverage on emerging technologies, we must accommodate the African values and systems so that we can ask Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accommodate them.

‘In doing so we shall have answers that are of African nature and have technological solutions to our local problems,’ said Prof. Kisiang’ani.

The PS called on CA to continue with financial prudence by reducing cost and increasing revenue.

CA Board of Directors Chairperson Ms. Mary Mungai said that the plan is a reflection of their commitment to ensure that every Kenyan can meaningfully benefit from the digital revolution and contribute to their social economic development.

‘As CA, we further seek
to support delivery of BETA by providing opportunities for ICT readiness for Kenyans through implementation of a flagship project that entails the development of a global innovation hub. This will comprise an ICT convention centre, a Smart Multi-office Storey Block and a Data Centre,’ said Ms. Mungai.

She explained that these initiatives underline their unwavering commitment to nurturing innovation, encouraging collaboration and upholding excellence in the ICT Sector.

CA Director General David Mugonyi said that the authority achieved a score of 72 percent in the implementation of the previous strategic plan.

‘Our target for this strategic plan is 95 percent. The strategic plan we are launching today seeks to build on previous achievements,’ said Mugonyi.

He explained that this plan rests on four cardinal pillars: Promotion of Meaningful Connectivity to ICT Services, Empowerment and Protection of ICT Consumers, Fostering Competitive ICT Markets and Emerging Technologies, and; Enhancement of Organizational
Efficiency and Effectiveness.

Mugonyi highlighted that a key deliverable for them is that they must ensure that the digital environment is safe for all especially children and they are working to ensure that service providers live up to the promises they make to consumers.

Universal Service Advisory Council (USAC) Chairperson James Ongwae said that universal Access to ICT continues to create a positive impact on communities and citizens across the country.

‘We see the next five years as a turning point not only for CA but for Kenya as a country as we go through the digital transformation,’ said Ongwae as he emphasized that every Kenyan deserves the right to accessible and affordable ICT services.

Source: Kenya News Agency

All schools in Narok County have reopened for the second term session, according to the County Director of Education Apollo Apuko.

Apuko pointed out that despite the destruction caused by floods in most schools in the county, pupils have managed to go back to school and renovation work was ongoing.

However, he said some pupils have a challenge in accessing their various schools because of broken bridges and impassable roads that lead to their schools.

He cited an example of a bridge connecting to Enaramatishorek Primary School in Narok East Sub County that was swept by flood waters making it difficult for many pupils to access the school.

Other schools that had challenges included Kikuyian Primary School in Narok East Sub County and Osutua primary school in Narok South Sub County that was submerged in water.

‘The floods at Kikuyian primary school are perennial as the school floods every rainy season. This makes the Board of Management think of an option of relocating the school to higher grounds to give
the learners an ample learning environment,’ he said.

The Director also pointed out that Oltarakwai Primary school where mudslide victims had been accommodated has also reopened.

‘I receive reports from the Sub County Directors every day and I have not heard of any school that has not reopened. This is good progress,’ he said.

However, the Director pointed out a challenge of low pupil turnout in schools but attributed this to the impassable roads as most parts of the county were still experiencing high rainfall.

The Education Director reminded the residents that it was criminal to continue holding children at home while others were in school and called on all parents to make an effort to ensure that their children were in school.

He condemned outdated cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages that compromise girl education and challenged all families to ensure that their children were in school.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Narok County Executive Member in charge of Health, Antony Namunkuk has flagged off drugs worth Ksh.44 million to be distributed to health facilities in Narok County

The CEC said that the County usually supplies medical drugs and non-medical supplies worth Ksh.90 million every quarter.

‘Since Governor Patrick Ntutu took over, flagging off medical and non-medical supplies quarterly has become a rule in our County of which today we are flagging off the supplies to cater for June, July and August 2024,’ said the CEC.

Namunkuk praised the government for dialoguing with the medics to end the strike that had paralyzed health services for almost a month countrywide.

He urged the residents to seek medical services in health facilities now that medics are back to work in all the health facilities.

The CEC also revealed that adequate security measures have been put in place to prevent theft of drugs purchased by the County Government.

‘We have installed CCTV cameras to our health facilities, and also we have a
system whereby we can monitor drugs delivery up to the health facility,’ added the CEC.

The drugs were purchased from the Kenya Medical Supply Agency.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Government is committed to completing some stalled development projects in Murang’a County before the end of this year, Lands, Public Works and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has said.

Speaking, Tuesday, when she toured various projects in Murang’a County, Wahome stated that funds have been factored to ensure the projects which started during the previous regime, were completed for the benefits of Kenyans as a whole.

At Mitubiri area, where the government is implementing a Sh1.2 billion sanitary landfill project, the CS said the project, meant for management of solid waste, would be completed in two months’ time.

She said completion of the project has been delayed due to financial constraints, noting that the only part remaining was to procure the needed equipment, so as to operationalize the landfill facility.

‘The landfill project started back in 2016 and it was financed by the World Bank. The government has procured some equipment, as funds have been set in the next Financial Year
budget, to ensure the facility starts handling solid waste from the County,’ she noted.

Construction works of the sanitary landfill, Wahome averred, were completed some years back and what was remaining, was to install and avail the equipment for operation of the facility.

‘Once completed, the sanitary landfill, will be handed over to Murang’a County government. The facility will have life span of about 20 years and will help in managing solid waste, thus improving sanitation in Murang’a,’ she explained.

Wahome further assured local residents, that assessment of health hazards was done to ensure the safety of the people living around the sanitary landfill.

Meanwhile, the CS said Muthithi and Kangari modern markets being implemented in Kigumo Sub-county, were also lined for completion by December this year.

Construction of a six-storey Kangari market commenced back in 2020 and the project is at about 70 percent complete.

The Sh340 million market, which will have facilities like cold rooms, meeting halls,
offices, restaurant among others is earmarked to house close to 650 traders.

‘Kangari modern market is a major project and it will boost trading activities in this region. The government wants traders to have a clean and conducive environment to do their businesses. We are also targeting to hand over Muthithi market by December this year. Local Member of Parliament (MP) had requested the roof of the market be redesigned and that’s what is being done now,’ said Wahome, adding the market projects were meant for wealth creation, since they would enhance trading activities.

During the tour, the CS also commissioned construction of Ngararia and Gatunyu Market projects in Kandara and Gatanga Sub counties respectively.

The markets, she said, are earmarked to be completed in a year’s time, so as to relieve traders who have been selling their merchandise on dusty grounds.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata lauded the implementation of the markets, saying they would improve economic activities in the County.

Kang’ata said h
is Administration is currently implementing a smart city project, where it aimed at improving infrastructure in all major urban centres within the County.

The project, he noted, will resume since the rains have subsided, listing some towns including Kenol, Kabati and Maragua, where the project was suspended due to heavy rains.

‘The Smart City project is set to resume and work will continue from where it stopped due to heavy rains. The factored towns will get infrastructure upgrades, to boost business activities,’ added the Governor.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Faras Cab has partnered with Apex innovative e-mobility and ABSA Bank, to promote climate sensitive technology and innovation in Africa.

Speaking in Nairobi, Tuesday, National Transport Service Authority (NTSA), Licensing Officer, Franklin Muriithi, said that the Faras Company should have an anti-drunk driving policy, to ensure that drivers should not drink, while working as NTSA issues licensing to Faras and drivers for security purposes.

Muriithi urged the drivers to ensure their safety and that of their clients at all times, adding that riders should remind their clients of unsafe locations and routes, especially at night.

He emphasized that the maximum interest charges per trip should be 18 percent, adding that Faras should have a dispute resolution programme, which would incorporate clients’ point of view and solve the customers’ issues from the management.

Muriithi said that the process of induction of new drivers, should have a policy that educates them on road safety and vehicle maintenance, addin
g that the management should come up with an independent vehicle inspection, apart from the NTSA.

Faras General Manager (GM), Allan Maimbu, said that the drivers were the soul and heart of Faras business and their hard work and commitment to provide services to the customers, was commendable.

He said that the stakeholders’ engagement opportunity would equip drivers with knowledge, resources and support needed to drive the business, as he looked forward to a productive relationship.

The GM urges drivers to stand in solidarity, as they continued to ensure their welfare is taken care of, in order to get what they deserve.

Drivers have the opportunity to get the money immediately, as soon as the trip ends, he noted.

‘The customer will pay the parking fees, as he pays for the trip. Local agents and security have come out to ensure that the security of the drivers and client is our priority,’ he said.

Maimbu said Faras was open to feedback from both clients and drivers, that the Company is committed towards t
he drivers’ welfare and that the drivers would not be penalized when the customer cancels rides.

He said the Policy has been designed to ensure that the driver’s account, would not be blocked because of the customer’s cancellation and that the suspension period has been reduced from Six months to 14days.

The GM urged the drivers to take advantage of the opportunity to set, refresh and drive safely, as they take the amnesty period for the success journey.

‘Apex e-mobility will participate in addressing the climate change issues and will make Kenya become a leading country in climate change in innovation and provide multiple services, including providing the two wheel, three wheel and four wheel vehicles, all of them electric mobility,’ he said.

Apex Managing Director (MD), Abdigani Jama, said the Company would provide batteries and charging stations and would make them available in most places that are accessible for vehicles to charge, to ensure there would be no need for swapping in the future.

He said
that Apex has agreed with Faras, to ensure that 25 percent of their vehicles used clean technology such as electricity, thus participating in the government’s agenda of making Kenya green.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County Government, in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee Core Group Partners Project (IRC-CGPP), has concluded assessment of health surveillance and response capabilities in border facilities in Turkana West.

The evaluation aimed at enhancing the preparedness of local health facilities to manage contagious diseases, particularly those that could easily cross the borders as a result of the area’s proximity to neighboring nations of Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

The assessment process involved facility reviews and community interactions to identify improvements under the One Health approach.

The approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health strategies, for addressing the challenges faced by border facilities.

Over the five-day period, teams conducted visits to Oropoi, Nadapal, Nakururum, Nanam, Nalapatui, Loreng, and Lokipoto.

The Deputy Director of Public Health Daniel Esimit reinforced the importance of the findings saying, ‘This assessment has provided critical d
ata, which will steer our decision-making and strategic planning in managing health across the county.’

He further elaborated that going forward, with the information they have, they were better positioned to refine the approaches to disease prevention and outbreak management.

Turkana West Sub-county Medical Officer of Health Joel Lochor noted the value of the assessments saying, ‘The insights from the assessments are critical for fine-tuning our local health strategies’.

In addition to this, the IRC-CGPP Manager Isaac Kiroso underscored the importance of the partnership between IRC and the County Government in conducting the health assessments.

‘This collaboration is essential for addressing the complex health challenges across our 19 cross-border facilities,’ said Kiroso.

He reaffirmed IRC-CGPP’s commitment to continue supporting capacity building and sustainable One Health initiative within the county.

Similarly, the teams evaluated emergency response protocols and the efficiency of resource manageme
nt to rapidly and effectively address outbreaks.

Those present during the assessment were; senior health, veterinary officers and representatives of the Sub-County Management Team.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) Embu Branch has partnered with the visually impaired community in the County to equip them with digitals skills geared towards self-reliance.

The Library has been giving them free basic computer skills and use of smart gadgets such as phones to enable them easily get government services from the comfort of their homes.

According to Principal Librarian Jane Rose Mukami, the digital training is also geared towards exposing them to the world of online jobs where they would be able to earn a living and not rely on others for their upkeep.

‘Our computers are installed with user friendly software such as Jaws and SuperNova to assist them acquire digital skills that they can not only use to get government services but also online jobs,’ she said.

She said some of the lessons they have offered them include typing, sending mails and internet browsing skills.

The Librarian said the world was going digital and there was a need to equip the visually impaired persons with requis
ite skills that would impact their lives both socially and economically.

‘We have also been doing Ajira Trainings in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and we also intend to assist them secure the available online jobs,’ she said.

She added that the group has been able to register a self-help group with the Department of Social Services that will also go a long way in promoting inclusive development and champion for their rights.

The group, Embu Library Union for Visually Impaired Persons, coordinator Martin Nyaga said embracing technology would equip them with the tools they needed in the changing world of digital.

‘We want our members to be empowered so that they can stand on their own without having to beg for handouts,’ he said.

The members were also assisted with white canes by Charity organization, Visual Pigmentosa Aids Initiative Kenya, to help them safely navigate their surroundings.

Organization founder Raphael Mworia said his mission was to eradicate poverty in the society caused by sight l
oss by tailor-making startups that could enable the visually impaired to earn their day to day living.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has faulted legislators for rejecting a bid to increase Equitable Revenue to counties for the financial year 2024/2025.

Barasa, who chairs the Finance and Economic Planning Committee at the Council of Governors, noted that devolved units required more funds to implement projects.

‘I am disappointed with the National Assembly Budget Committee for rejecting Senators’ proposal to increase counties’ allocation to Sh415 billion. Counties have medical equipment to be serviced and various other functions which have been devolved but not funded,’ Barasa said.

Barasa was speaking during an inspection tour of maize farms in various wards in Mumias East, Matungu and Khwisero sub-counties to assess the impact of subsidized fertiliser.

He questioned the rationale behind the bill’s rejection noting that for devolution to be successful, counties should be well funded.

‘It will be strenuous to successfully run critical functions like health and agriculture with little funding,’ he said
.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The National Council Churches of Kenya (NCCK), has urged the government to intensify the war on corruption, to curb theft and wastage of public funds.

NCCK Nyanza Region Chairman, Rev. John Mark Godia, said corruption was rampant in the two levels of government, with public resources meant for development being used to nourish individuals’ pockets.

Corruption, he said, was so rampant in government offices, affecting service delivery and leading to the impoverishment of Kenyans, who are struggling with the high cost of living.

‘It is very sad that some government officials in both the County and National levels, have adopted the horrendous trend of competing with each other, as to who is more corrupt than the other,’ he said.

He pointed out corruption in land registries, where innocent Kenyans have been conned and lost land to a cabal of corrupt government officials.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), he said, must intensify the war by going for all corrupt government officials, to tame the
voice and ensure Kenyans live dignified lives.

Rev. Godia who was elected to head NCCK in Nyanza, during the 14th Regional Conference held in Kisumu, called for a shift in government budgets, to focus on production and value addition, to seal loopholes presented by purchase of goods and services budgets.

He further called on the EACC, National Police Service, the Judiciary, National Assembly and the Executive, to end meaningless bickering and play their roles, to ensure that any person found engaging in corruption is brought to book.

EACC, he added, must change tact and focus on instilling ethics and values through capacity building forums, and in the education curriculum at all levels, adding that the Church was ready to partner with them, through offering spaces within the Church for the forums.

‘On our part, we commit to take the period between now and the next elections, to educate our people on integrity and values. We will integrate the same in our churches,’ he said.

He called on all Kenyans to ri
se-up and demand for the full implementation of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya, to root out corruption and bad governance.

Rev. Godia further called for a review of the Finance Bill 2024, which was tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday, saying some of the proposals in the document, were set to dent the pockets of Kenyans further given the tough economic times.

He urged the National Assembly to put into consideration the views of Kenyans on the document during the public participation, to ensure that the proposed taxation is favourable.

‘It is shocking to us that government officials can be so insensitive, as to propose new taxes in the Finance Bill 2024. This is increasing depression among the people and we don’t know whether the government has considered the implications of a depressed and angry populace,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency