Bomas of Kenya celebrated its 50th anniversary with the launch of a revamped cultural and conference facility christened ‘Baraza Hall’ and a ‘Sample Bar Africa’ that enables digital preservation of traditional instruments.
Commending the Institution’s management for preserving, maintaining, educating and promoting the diverse cultures of about 48 ethnic groups in Kenya, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Najib Balala, said that Bomas of Kenya plays a major role in demonstrating the best of what Kenya has, making the facility a national heritage for prosperity and posterity.
“Authenticity of Kenya has not been lost because Bomas of Kenya takes care of it,” said Balala.
The CS encouraged Kenyan nationals to embrace integrity, honesty and hard work, stating that culture is more than a dress and being outdated.
“Let’s change the narrative of culture being a thing of the past or uncivilized. Culture should be seen as a lifestyle, even of today,” he urged.
Balala stated that the Ministry of Tourism is working with Public Private Partnership (PPP) at The National Treasury to strategist on how best facilities at Bomas of Kenya can be developed further to integrate cultural tourism and business tourism.
He further urged the youths to appreciate culture and contribute towards making it interesting for people to be associated with.
Bomas of Kenya Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Gitaa, said that the newly launched Baraza Hall, has a seating capacity for 950 delegates and has increased the seating capacity of the institution to about 5,500.
“As we celebrate 50 years since inception in October 1971, there is an urgent need to invest in cultural tourism as a country, because culture is a unique selling point in modern global tourism,” said Gitaa.
Explaining that Bomas of Kenya receives about 5,000 international visitors annually, the CEO stated that by modernizing the conferencing and exhibition facilities, it will provide room for an innovative approach to cultural preservation and use of digital technology.
He added that the modernization will also contribute in attracting more local and international tourists, thereby, spurring economic development while preserving cultural resources as well.
Gitaa further called for more strategic partnerships to boost the hospitality and tourism sectors which have been hardly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that Bomas of Kenya’s management is re-positioning itself to take-off after 50 years of existence, by injecting new impetus in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Kenyan youth have been urged to exercise sobriety and restrain and act as promoters of peace and unity as the country approach electioneering period.
Government Spokesperson Col (rtd) Cyrus Oguna noted with dismay that many of the turmoil, displacements or destruction of properties witnessed during campaign seasons, are caused by uncaring politicians who use desperate youth, as pawns to achieve their own selfish gains.
“I urge you, the youth, to shun leaders who misuse you for their own selfish political gains. Please say No to violence. No more exploitation by politicians”, Oguna implored youth.
Speaking during a Youth Empowerment Forum attended by more than hundred participants at the Mogotio Deputy County Commissioner’s Office grounds, Col Oguna advised the youth not to accept small hand- outs from unscrupulous politicians to cause violence or mayhem of whatever nature.
The Spokesperson said that the recent Busia incident where youth stoned the convoy of Deputy President Dr William Ruto, was a shameful act which should be condemned in the strongest terms possible by all peace loving Kenyans.
“Kenya belong to all of us and people have the freedom to visit every corner of the country like Kilifi, Homabay, Baringo, Mandera or Oloitokitok, so long as he or she is a Kenyan. Nobody has a right to claim any part of this country. We are all equal,” he stated.
Accompanied by area Deputy County Commissioner, Albert Mwaringa, the Government Spokesperson challenged the youth not to accept to be given Sh 200 or 500, to disrupt meetings or vote for somebody.
“When he gives you Sh 200 it means he has given you half a kilo of meat. Is that your value for five years? Think critically. You are not worth a kilo of meat. Please don’t sell your constitutional birth right for a mere Sh 200.Your vote is your inheritance. Bad leaders are elected by youth, women and men who fail to vote or fail to make wise decisions at the ballot box,” emphasized spokesperson.
The country, Oguna stated, has achieved a lot of development in various sectors like water, infrastructure, energy, health and education among others because of prevailing peace and it was imperative that the same spirit and tempo is maintained.
He restated that voting is every person’s constitutional right, and it is vital to vote in order to choose the government and the leaders that you want to represent you.
Mr Oguna called on Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), to maximize the remaining days of nationwide voter registration exercise, by focusing on targeted groups to capture all eligible citizens in order to enable them choose leaders they want.
Commenting on the current spade of brutal killings and Gender Based Violence, Col (rtd) Oguna challenged families to retrace their African values in order to address surging cases of marital disputes and gender violence in the country.
He observed that members of community no longer undertake their specific roles that is why the nation is experiencing increased suicide attacks and killings of spouses and lovers.
Mr Oguna noted that very few people were willing to speak out about social ills whenever it arises because the African traditions, values and norms are no longer given the seriousness it deserves unlike in the old days.
He stated that before, husbands were tasked with the responsibility of providing protection to their respective families while women were acting as a unifying factor in the family.
The Government Spokesperson said that children too were being taught to be obedient to their parents, a value, which he says instill discipline to the upcoming generation.
Col Oguna pointed out that the current society was disjointed since families would keep their problems until a time when a matter goes out of hand and becomes very difficult to be addressed.
“A family which is faced with domestic disputes needs to open up and communicate to the relevant people because we have uncles, aunties and elders who can listen and resolve their challenges,” he said.
He urged members of the society to try to understand their roles and limitations in order to restore the good image which it used to have in the past.
Mr Oguna added that in the current society it is almost becoming a normal occurrence to hear somebody who is in a relationship has been stabbed or killed in mysterious circumstance yet it was against the African culture.
“Youth, I urge you to stay away from relationship affairs if you haven’t reached the right age bracket, because relationships of either marriages or love affairs comes with its responsibilities. Do not indulge when you are not ready for those responsibilities in order to uphold peace and keep away from daily fights that leads to death like the several brutal murders witnessed in the recent past,” he stated.
Col Oguna said that elders too need to play their role of offering advice, counselling and guidance to the young couples on how to best maintain themselves in a relationship.
At the same time, the government spokesperson encouraged youth to be patient until the time they feel they are ready to begin a relationship that can lead to marriage.
Meru County government is finalizing a plan to establish a Rhino and Bongo sanctuary in the region.
The sanctuary is expected to be established in Mt. Kenya at Mucheene and Marania forests.
Last week, Meru Rhino and Bongo Sanctuary Trust held a meeting chaired by the Trust Chairman Mr. John Kinoti, and CEC member for Tourism Maingi Mugambi, where they received a briefing on the preliminary research findings by the Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service scientists before the issuance of a user license for the project to begin.
KFS scientists led by Head of Forests Health and Biodiversity Mr. James Mwang’ombe, and those from KWS led by Anastasia Mwaura briefed the board on their research findings and requirements that have to be met in the upcoming final phase before the Rhino could be put into the sanctuary and the Bongo repatriated from the State of Florida in the United States, and the eventual operationalization of the sanctuary.
Speaking at the function, CEC member Mugambi said the massive project was expected to boost the tourism sector in Meru by introducing new products which would in turn increase tourists flow, introduce new opportunities and contribute to the growth of the County’s economy.
He said the establishment of the sanctuary would not only address conservation challenges but also promote local and international tourism.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy CEO Mike Watson said the public-private initiative would promote the conservation of the two animals. He said partnering with other wildlife protection agencies was key to the conservation of endangered species.
In May this year, a multi-agency team was set up to help in the conservation of the critically endangered Mountain Bongo and Black Rhino.
Experts say although the Mountain Bongo, a large forest antelope, was native around Mt Kenya, human activity has wiped them out.
Meru County Government, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy have partnered to restore and protect the two animals in the new sanctuary.
The Mountain Bongo is expected to be flown into Kenya from the United States in December this year, according to John Kinoti, Lewa Conservancy’s Community Development Manager.
Kinoti said the project would see the Bongos flown in to be protected at the sanctuary and a breeding programme established to increase their numbers.
Africa has just months to react to an invasive malaria mosquito that thrives in cities, before the situation escalates beyond control, experts warn.
Scientists predict that more than 125 million city dwellers across Africa will face a higher malaria risk from a type of Asian mosquito that is quickly moving across the continent.
The mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, is one of the few malaria mosquitoes that thrives in urban areas because of its ability to find clean water to lay its eggs.
Malaria is traditionally considered to be a rural disease. In Africa, city centers can be completely free of malaria transmission, according to experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
But, the invading mosquito could drastically alter the location and movement of malaria in Africa, which records 94 per cent of global malaria deaths, mostly in children under five.
“I think it’s really quite scary,” says Jo Lines, professor of malaria control and vector biology at LSHTM. “It’s part of our duty as [scientists] to be saying: ‘Look here, something’s happening here.’ If we don’t shout now it will be too late.”
New research led by Marianne Sinka, a senior postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, says that An. stephensi may already be adapting to its new environment and becoming active year-round.
“The more you look, the more you find. We don’t really understand the magnitude of the threat yet, but from the last few years it’s not looking good.”
Louisa Messenger, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
“If it continues its incursion into the African continent unchecked, there is a very real possibility of mass outbreaks of malaria,” Sinka’s team says. “In a continent striving to improve and strengthen its health systems, such a huge burden could be catastrophic. Targeted vector surveillance is therefore urgently needed.”
New threat
Sinka’s research is a warning bell, says Louisa Messenger, an assistant professor at LSHTM. “The key conclusions and observations are very striking. The numbers, if they turn into reality, are very dramatic,” Messenger tells SciDev.Net.
In 2012, an unusual outbreak of urban malaria was reported in the Horn of Africa’s Djibouti City, with Ethiopia and Sudan also reporting cases. This was the first recorded appearance of An. Stephensi in Africa.
By last year, the World Health Organization had issued a vector alert, warning that the mosquito seemed to be spreading from Djibouti to neighboring countries.
Messenger says the mosquito likely arrived via ships entering ports in eastern Africa. Transmission mapping shows the mosquito’s spread follows the major transportation routes used by heavy vehicles to move freight.
“The incursion of An. stephensi into Africa is particularly worrying; over 40 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africans live in urban environments,” Sinka and co-authors write in their paper, published in PNAS (14 September).
“Within urban environments, mosquitoes can be much more difficult to control yet people may have better access to healthcare and treatment, so it is difficult to estimate what the consequences of this invading mosquito could be,” Sinka tells SciDev.Net.
Researchers are working fast to understand the scale of the spread of An. stephensi.
“The more you look, the more you find,” Messenger says. “We don’t really understand the magnitude of the threat yet, but from the last few years it’s not looking good.”
Entomologist Fredros Okumu, the director of science at Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, agrees the study’s findings are significant. “For now, the best [strategy] is to assess the extent of its spread and its role in malaria transmission,” says Okumu.
Call to action
Governments must move to control An. stephensi within “a few months or a year, but not longer, after that it will be too late, it will have spread too far”, says Lines.
In 1930, the world failed to react quickly to the invasion of the African mosquito Anopheles gambiae in Brazil, resulting in a major malaria epidemic in 1938. Lines says that the Brazil crisis should act as a warning, as well as an example of success — when a comprehensive management plan was enacted, An. Gambiae was eradicated in Brazil.
“The quicker you make this decision, the cheaper it is,” says Lines. “This is an emerging infectious disease disaster that we can still prevent — but only if we act decisively now.”
Messenger says bed nets and insecticide spraying are holding measures, but they will not push back against the mosquito’s spread. “In order to push back you have to think of more source reduction,” she says.
Integrated strategies that include household behaviour modification and surveillance programmes, as well as conventional control measures, can be successful, Messenger and colleague Lines say.
“We have options, [we need] the coordination, the money and the political will do to it,” Messenger says.
It is now official that Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi will be contesting the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2022 general election.
Tim Wanyonyi is one of the highly rated legislators in Nairobi County and is about to complete his second term in office.The official declaration has ended the speculations that have been going on for the last one year about the MPs next move.
He becomes the third person to show interest in the seat with Nairobi senator Johnson Sakaja and former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru having indicated their interest.Having served at City Hall as a councilor, Wanyonyi has exuded confidence that he has what it takes to turn Nairobi around.
He has asked Nairobi residents not to lose hope in the governance of the capital city, noting that the mistakes done by ex governor Mike Sonko should not be the basis of denying them the chance to have their own country boss of choice. “ It is possible to turn around everything because Nairobi is governable as long as we get everything right and that is why I am coming in,” said Mr Wanyonyi.
He has called on ODM delegates to have faith in him and nominate him for the seat which is going o be hotly contested,“I want to urge all delegates to nominate me to go for the position as I believe I will be the party’s winning candidate in 2022,” he said.The capital City is currently under the management of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services( NMS) whose tenure ends in April next year.
However, there is a possibility that current Deputy Governor Ann Kananu could become the third governor of Nairobi if the Supreme Court withholds the decision made by the appellate court to have her sworn in as Governor.
Political observers have opined that his candidature puts automatic weight to the gubernatorial contest which has otherwise been a dull affair.The Times understands that most poetential candidates have been timid about it because of the fate surrounding the NMS tenure and the future of Nairobi County.
There are fears that President Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga could trigger the extension of the NMS contract. Potential candidates have further expressed fears that if the NMS contract is extended, the position of Nairobi governor could remain ceremonial.
According to Wanyonyi, Nairobi residents deserve the opportunity to determine their own leadership and has asked that the NMS should exit once its tenure ends.“ Nairobi is listed as one of the counties and we all know that our constitution gives power to the people and so it is important they decide their own leaders via the ballot,”
He becomes the first ODM leader to show interest in the seat despite rumors that Makadara MP Geroge Aladwa is also interested.
Who is Tim Wanyonyi?
He has profiled himself as a man who believes in education and this has been his yardstick ever since he got into politics as a young enthusiastic leader.To him, every hurdle in life comes with new possibilities and his attributes have been the benchmark for many leaders and institutions. Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi may not be so vocal politically but you are never going to miss him on your menu if you are focusing on matters development.
He leads a constituency of five wards;Kangemi, Deep Sea, Kibarage, Mji wa Huruma, Ndumboini and Githogoro.Majority of the constituency is covered with informal settlement with many people depending on daily casual jobs to survive.
Here are some of the key attributes and values the Times has been able to deduct from the life activities of the soft spoken legislator.
Patient and honest believer
His success journey is an interesting story that captures the essence of patience and trust which many young people must seek to adopt. This is a man who has revealed quite occasionally how he had to repeat several classes to pave the way for his older siblings to complete school.
And even after joining Form One in 1979, he had to wait until 1983 to sit for his ‘o’ level exams instead of 1982.Despite having exelled,another rude shock came his way when he was told to go back to form three in 1984, so that his two sisters could also attend school.
The drama would not end there for him. After his ‘A’-levels, he was admitted to the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Arts programme but he declined and travelled to India, where he studied Law.
Such is the life of the MP to the extent that when majority of city residents have opined that he is the best man to take over the running of the capital city as the governor, he has been quoted severally in media outlets saying that 2022 is not yet the right time for him. He could be right.
Empowerment programs
Those who follow keenly events in Westlands must be aware of the famous Mradi Mitaani, an empowerment programme targeting the youths.They have to make proposals on development projects they would want support before the MP steps in with partners and the NG-CDF to boost them as Some youth groups have benefited from public address systems, tents, sewing machines, salon equipment and many others.
Community and Church activities
He is a man who has shown great and unending passion in working with the church and other faith based organizations. He has joined friends and congregants for church services that culminate in fund raising to boost community work or even build more churches.
Some of the churches he has partnered with include Kabete Friends and ADC Matendo Church in Kangemi.Education has been his main focus and it is not even easy to document the right number of schools he has refurbished or even built from scratch since 2013.
In May this year,unveiled a new Sh 29 million dormitory that can accommodate 120 pupils at Westlands Primary .The project was co-funded by Westlands CDF and Parents contributions. The two-floor building offers a lot of amenities, including study rooms, television room and a matron room.
Roads and infrastructure
He has consistently talked about the need to open up more access roads and why we must improve the infrastructure within our estates.
Mr Wanyonyi has recently facilitated the construction of lower kabete box culvert, recarpeting of 1st to 5th Parklands roads as well as Pramukh Sikh road through KURA.
Similarly, he has expedited the periodic maintenance of Westlands road, Muthithi road, Chiromo lane, Unga Lane, Woodvale Groove, Motio, Tausi, School lane, Karuna road, Muguga Green, Brookside drive, Gama Pinto and Brookside Garden roads.
In addition, under KURA’s Performance Based Road Maintainance Contracts, Mr Wanyonyi has furthered the speedy maintenance of Ojijo road, Parklands road, Lower Kabete road, Kirawa road, Peponi road, Limuru road, Muthaiga road, Getathuru road, Ngecha road, Redhill road part (Limuru road , Muthaiga road, Getathuru road, Ngecha road, Redhill road part (Limuru road-Ngecha road), UN avenue, Runda road, Kapenguria road, Kaptagat road, Loresho Ridge road, Kyuna road.
Other roads Hon Wanyonyi has accelerated their recarpeting include David Osieli road, Church road, Mvuli road, Woodvale Close, Rapta Road, Lantana road, Westlands Avenue, Sports road (Prof. Saitoti), Masari road, iregi road, Mtama road, Mwambao road, 6th Parklands avenue, Jalaram road, Shivachi road, Bhanderi road, Wambugu road, Wambugu groove, Wanglapala road, Muthithi road and Wambugu lane.
He ropened Githogoro Muringa road and Parklands Access Sports club road which were financed by KeRRA through the constituency roads committee.Speaking during the launch at Githogoro, Westlands MP called on the locals to make good use of the road for their economic gain.
“This road will open up this area for development. I urge Githogoro residents to take good care of this road. We have tarmacked this road in addition to the Githogoro Runda link road and Mji Wa Huruma access roads,” said the MP.
Thursday, 28th October 2021 Nairobi, Kenya: Dr. Kevit Desai, Principal Secretary, Ministry of East African Community and Regional Development of the Republic of Kenya, Mrs. Maureen Mba, Head Mansa Business, Afreximbank, Ms. Emily Waita, EABC Board Director joined by Mrs. Mary Ngechu, EABC Board Director, Mr. John Bosco Kalisa, EABC CEO, Dr. Habil Olaka, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), Mr. Victor Ogalo, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Mr. Samuel Matonda, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KNCCI), Mr. Job Wanjohi, Head of Policy Research & Advocacy, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and Mr. Anders Lindgren Chief Executive Officer, Safal Group officially launched the African Due Diligence Platform in Nairobi, Kenya.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Guest, Dr. Kevit Desai said “There can be no AfCFTA without the full participation of African economic operators – private-sector players who have to operationalize the agreement.He said the Government of Kenya is keen on supporting businesses to access markets on the African continent and beyond through easing the regulatory framework and promoting exports for industrial, agricultural and services products. On her part, Ms. Emily Waita representing EABC Chairman Mr. Nick Nesbitt said “The Mansa Digital platform is one of the digital tools EABC is rolling out to enable SMEs and Corporates to find new partners to scale up their industries across the continent and support business recovery”. “We salute EAC Heads of State for ratifying the AfCFTA as implementing the agreed commitments is vital to realize the benefits of the 1.2 billion continental market,” said Ms. Waita. She urged the Republic of South Sudan to also ratify the AfCFTA. She said “In 2020 Kenya’s intra-Africa exports stood at US$2.28 billion – a 4.5% increase compared to 2019” On her part, Mrs. Maureen Mba, “Afreximbank is committed to working with public and private sector to transform Africa’s trade and industrialization.”
She elaborated that AfCFTA breaks the barriers to trading across Africa corridors and called upon Africa to transform its trade and industrialization in order to boost intra-Africa trade from the current 16%. She said, “ the Mansa platform will facilitate SMEs to get an African Entity Identifier (AEI) supporting financial transactions and Know Your Customer service in Africa.” She stated that said 70%-80% of raw materials used across the globe are from Africa hence the need for more value addition to converting African resources into finished goods ready for export to the continent and beyond.
On his part Mr. Kalisa said, “trade information is important for b2b engagement – the Mansa digital platform builds confidence and trust among businesses in East Africa and Africa.” He elaborated trade information, improving productive infrastructure & capacity, access to finance, market factor integration, vaccination and fiscal incentives to businesses form the backbone for the economic recovery of the EAC bloc and will reposition the region to tap into the AfCFTA market.
On his part, Mr. Wanjohi said “Infrastructure development and connectivity, custom documentation & procedures, Rules of Origin under the AfCFTA is important to facilitate movement of goods across Africa borders” He said women are set to benefit from the AfCFTA market and the EAC bloc should reduce the cost of doing business and enhance competitiveness.
Mr. Victor Ogalo said “EAC bloc should boost the productive capacity of exports to the continent and ride on the huge infrastructure development” He stated AfCFTA is set to boost manufacturing output to USD930billion by 2025 from 500bilion in 2015 and called for deliberate policy commitments to integrate East African SMEs in the manufacturing value chains.
Dr. Habil Olaka, said “COVID-19 disruption has reemphasized on importance of data management and data-driven insights and solutions for resilience of financial services sector” He said the Mansa platform supplement and optimize the established frameworks on credit access& appraisal and bridge information asymmetry between banks and MSMEs. He elaborated the Mansa platform supports Kenyan banks to undertake due diligence on customers and as they spread their wings into the EAC and Continent.
Mr. Samuel Matonda, Mansa platform is an African solution promoting the trust needed to seamlessly trade under the AfCFTA. The launch was attended by over 100 business captains, leading women in business, industry champions based in Kenya.The MANSA digital platform provides a single primary source of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) data required to conduct customer diligence checks on counter-parties in Africa with a special focus on African Corporate, SMEs and financial institutions. The MANSA digital platform reduces risks to intra-African trade such as increased financial crime and reduces the high-cost acquisition of Customer Due Diligence.
Oscar Sudi addressing supporters. His academic qualification is in doubt. Photo: Oscar Kipchumba Sudi.
A former head of examinations at the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) has told a Nairobi court that Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi was not their student.
John Matsheshe revealed that the college admission number on a diploma certificate presented to the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission belongs to a woman, Scholastica Achieng Odhiambo. “The admission number NRB/20879 belongs to Scholastica Achieng Odhiambo of diploma in management of NGOs.The student was registered in 2005,” Matsheshe submitted.
Fake diploma certificate
He further said that records from the institute disclosed that the diploma certificate in question was not Sudi’s, adding it belongs to one Elkanah K. Kimutai who graduated on September 24, 2009, with a Diploma in Purchasing and Supplies Management.
“The copy of the presented certificate is not a copy of a genuine document issued by the institute. The number 36262 on the certificate presented to me belongs to a document issued to Elkanah K. Kimutai of admission number NRB/20870. As per our records, the said Oscar Kipchumba Sudi never registered as a student of the institute,” he submitted.
KCSE certificate On Tuesday, October 26, Kenya National Examinations Council principal examinations secretary Nabiki Kashu told the same court that Sudi did not register nor sit KCSE in 2006 as he claimed. The court heard that the politician allegedly presented a KCSE certificate from Highway Secondary School for the purpose of election.
However, it was discovered that the KCSE certificate belongs to another student who sat for his exams at Parklands Secondary school in 2006.
The code on Sudi’s certificate, 401006, belongs to Parklands Secondary School while the index number 401006/081 belonged to Obaje Bob Onyango who was registered and sat for the national examinations at Parklands.
Sudi’s academic qualification doubted She was testifying in a case in which Sudi has been charged with forging a diploma certificate in business management purporting it to be a genuine document issued by KIM. He is also accused of forging his KCSE certificate purporting it to be a genuine document issued by the Kenya National Examination council. Kashu, the eighth prosecution witness, said they received a letter from the EACC on September 17, 2015.
The commission was requesting confirmation of candidacy on academic results of Sudi for the year 2006. The hearing will continue on November 17. The matter was adjourned after Sudi said he needed time to attend to his sick child.
Nairobi, Kenya – Wednesday, 27th October 2021. The fight against corruption in the country got a shot in the arm with the official launch of The Blue Company Project. A first of its kind in the country, the initiative seeks to bring together conscientious private sector players to collaborate by creating awareness on the adverse effects of the social vice to the Kenyan society.
Mooted in 2018, the ambitious project is the brainchild of entrepreneur Mr. Nizar Juma and currently comprises of hundreds of certified members drawn from a wide spectrum of private sector players including Manufacturing, Education, Agriculture, Hospitality, Insurance, Sports, Entertainment, Banking and Financial Services. The initiative is premised on the fact that in Kenya today, corruption is the single biggest threat to national development that shakes the backbone of any society. Left untreated for so long, it has grown like a tumor spreading, tearing, and eating away the fiber of society in our country.
Speaking during the official unveiling ceremony of the initiative, Mr. Juma noted that more than a matter of need, corruption has become a subculture, a common practice, an accepted evil. Faced with this quandary people have grown used to it, making it part of their everyday life. “Our children are growing up, accepting corruption to be a normal and acceptable phenomenon. The fight needs to start at the family level, where parents become role models for their children and by helping to make the term “Corruption Free” fashionable through their action and behavior,” Mr. Juma noted.
Mr. Jacque De Navacelle, a member of the Advisory Board gave an example of Singapore and its anti-corruption efforts noted that the society becomes corruption free where people with high quality of mind and thoughts become the majority. If those people come forward to build a strong nation, the dream of a corruption free society is never far away.
Senior Counsel George Oraro, an Advisory Board Member noted that left unattended, corruption has spread to the far echelons of our country, directly and indirectly affecting many facets of life, regardless of age, religion, social status or gender. “Whether one is directly participating in it and involved in its machinations or one is merely victimized by its effects, it has become a blight on us all,” Mr. Oraro noted.
Speaking during the function Dr. Julius insisted that the a conversation must be made to tame away corrupt. “We are starting a conversation that sits at the heart of our existence as a nation. It needs no magic to realize that corruption takes away equal opportunity and hurts growth by consuming funds which could otherwise have gone into impactful projects within the society. Let us therefore stand to be counted as pioneers in laying the ground for the fight against corruption,” Dr. Julius noted.
27th October 2021, Kenya Meaningful Business, a global platform for leaders combining profit and purpose, has announced the 3rd edition of the Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) recognising outstanding contributions of individuals in support of the UN Global Goals, sponsored by EY.
The award received over 500 nominations from 70 countries, following a global nomination process. Curated by an expert panel of 21 judges, including Nikhil Seth, Assistant Secretary-General, UN; Stasia Mitchell, Global Entrepreneurship Leader, EY; Paul Lindley, Founder, Ella’s Kitchen; Moky Makura, Executive Director, Africa No Filter and Sancia Dalley, SVP, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, each nominee was scored across five key areas: Durability, Impact, Innovation, Leadership and Scope.
The 100 business leaders include corporate CEOs, entrepreneurs, micro- entrepreneurs, sustainability leaders, functional heads and impact investors from 33 countries. 26 of these leaders are based in Africa, from Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia. Commenting on the MB100, Tom Lytton-Dickie, Founder & CEO, Meaningful Business said, “Congratulations to the African cohort within this year’s MB100, who represent the best of what business, entrepreneurship and social innovation can be. These individuals are dedicating their work to tackling a range of pressing social and environmental issues across Africa, focusing on topics to include; access to healthcare, clean energy, financial inclusion, quality education and urban mobility, providing hope and inspiration to us all.”
“These business leaders have demonstrated that running a truly sustainable and innovative institution requires one to pursue financial returns and at the same time respond to socioeconomic and environmental concerns. They are seizing the ‘COVID Kairos’ and giving us a blueprint of what successful businesses will look like for the next decade and years to come,” said Nuru Mugambi, sustainable finance policy expert and 2021 MB100 Judge.
Meaningful Business is devoted to creating a unified platform for these leaders to collaborate and share knowledge in order to amplify their positive impact in support of the UN 2030 agenda.
The 2021 MB100 winners from Africa are: ● Abdulrhman Elhalafawy, Chief Business Officer, Cupmena (Egypt) ● Adebowale Onafowora, MD & CEO, Bic Farms Concepts (Nigeria) ● Adeshina Adewumi, CEO, One Kiosk (Nigeria) ● Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, Founder & Managing Partner, Aruwa Capital Management (Nigeria) ● Arnolda Shiundu, Head of Sustainability and Community engagement, Kenya Breweries (Kenya) ● Ashok Shah, Group CEO, APA Apollo Group (Kenya) and many more as attached below link of Meaningful Business
About Meaningful Business:
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The vehicles were flagged off by Chris Ndala (right), the Managing Director of DT Dobie and Mr. Patrick Ndunda (second right), Director Planning and Logistics Inspector General’s office at the DT Dobie Body Shop.
To meet the ever growing work load of the National Police Service their vehicle fleet has been bolstered with an additional 40 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs acquired through a leasing deal with RentCo Africa Limited.
The vehicles were flagged off by Mr. Patrick Ndunda, Director Planning and Logistics Inspector General’s office, Chris Ndala, the Managing Director of DT Dobie and Bosire Bogonko, the County Head, RentCo Africa Limited.
Mr. Patrick Ndunda said, “To be able to uphold the rule of law for a safe and secure society, the police force need vehicles that are fuel efficient, reliable and with adequate safety features. We are proud to add these locally assembled vehicles to our fleet as we are also helping build our economy.”
The vehicles were handed over to Mr. Patrick Ndunda (left), Director Planning and Logistics Inspector General’s office by Mr. Chris Ndala (right), the Managing Director of DT Dobie.
Chris Ndala, the Managing Director of DT Dobie explained, “The Volkswagen Tiguan has many safety features including the Anti-locking Brake System (ABS) and stability control. The hill descent assist which helps drivers to tackle off road terrain and day time running lights (LED) which give a clear indication to the drivers of oncoming vehicles will come handy for police work.” “For over eight years DT Dobie has been assembling vehicles at KVM in Thika. We are working with the Government to expand the local assembly of passenger cars, buses, light commercial vehicles and big trucks to reduce the importation of used vehicles and instead to provide jobs for Kenyans.”
“We place great emphasis on top class servicing, maintenance and repairs. Our factory trained workshop staff have the use of substantial stocks of genuine spares which carry warranties. In addition these are available from our spare parts counters for customers who can also buy service kits at favourable prices.” Chris Ndala concluded.
