Kenyaleo.co.ke

Author: David Bogonko Nyokang’i

  • Dedan Kimathi foundation greening Othaya central division in Othaya~Nyeri county

    Dedan Kimathi foundation greening Othaya central division in Othaya~Nyeri county

    Nyeri County boasts of having the highest tree cover above 40% percent in a country that targets a 30% national tree cover by the year 2032. To maintain this high percentage, the Kenya Forest Service continues to encourage sustainable tree growth in the county.

    In partnership with the Service, Dedan Kimathi Foundation has continued to call upon Nyeri County residents to plant and adopt trees for sustainable growth.

    Yesterday, 12th April 2023, Dedan Kimathi Foundation collaborated with the Othaya Sub County education office and Othaya Central Division National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to plant 5250 trees in 7 public spaces namely;

    1. Ihuririo Primary School ………..1000
    2.Kabebero Polytechnic ……2000
    3. Kigumo Primary…… 500
    4. Ihuririo Assistant Chief’s office………. 500
    5. Gathumbi Secondary…. 250
    6. Gathumbi Primary….. 500
    7. Kairuthi Primary…..500

    In all 7 spaces, assorted exotic tree seedlings including cypress, casuarinas, and blue gum were planted. The seedlings were donated by KFS Kabage forest station.

    At the brief opening ceremony held at Ihuririo Primary, Mr. Maina; Othaya Sub-County Director of Education assured the team that the trees would be well taken care of to survive while Othaya Central Division Acting Assistant County Commissioner Madam Joyce Thangari committed to keeping following up with the chiefs to make sure all the trees are protected and watered when the rains subside.

    Dedan Kimathi Foundation promised to keep supporting the tree-growing institutions as long as they take care of the trees planted.

  • Central plea of Saving the Boy Child from alcohol

    Mount Kenya Region has always hit the headlines for the proliferation of illicit alcohol that has rendered mostly the youths desperate.

    Concerted Efforts by various stakeholders are yet to eradicate in total the menace of alcohol addiction which has robbed the region of its most critical resource the youths.

    It’s in this respect that an organization under the auspices of Thamana ya Mwanaume in Kiambu County has come up with an initiative that seeks to address the situation in a more pragmatic approach.
    According to the director of the organization, Rev. Jane Gichuki they have come to the following grassroots in a bid to have a conversation with the affected alcohol addicts and also chart the way forward on how these people can be rehabilitated in order to become useful people in the society.

    “We have had a very candid discussion with them and most of them are willing to transform. It’s sad to note that even very qualified individuals have not escaped the addiction dragnet. We have people who have studied even to a degree level but illicit alcohol has rendered them totally destitute,” said the professional Counsellor.

    The sad state of affairs is that alcohol is easily available for as low as just Kenya Shillings fifteen, a phenomenon that has made it be abused by very many youths most of them who confessed to using it alongside other intoxicating drugs such as bhang.

    Take the case of Mr. Christopher Kinyua. He is a medic by profession. Though at first, he was hesitant to open up to us, h readily and candidly shares his fate with us:

    “I studied medical biotechnology at JKUAT. Due to my lack of a job, I had to survive from hand to mouth through casual jobs, and the stipends I get mostly ended up with the drinking spree. I shelved my papers in the house due to loss of hope after tarmacking for so long looking for a job but to no avail,” the medic opens up.

    But the good news is that Mr. Christopher has decided to change for the better. “I welcome this initiative and I’m ready to comply so as to better my life. I’m bursting with potential which I wouldn’t like to watch going down the drain. In this respect, if I get a job even today, I’m ready to work whilst upholding the highest ethical values,” the medic notes.

    He also painted for us the sad state of affairs in that the same alcohol has Indeed snatched several people.
    “Just a week ago we buried one of my buddies who committed suicide out of desperation. A day before he overdosed himself, he shared with me his story. He brandished his academic papers and he was conspicuously fed up with joblessness and hopelessness all over his face. We lost him just like that and several others had preceded him.”

    Mr. Christopher believes that with political goodwill, and a multisectoral approach, the menace of alcoholism in central Kenya can be eradicated once and for all.

  • Akiba Empowerment Program Encompasses Men as well

    Akiba Empowerment Program Encompasses Men as well

    SASANEWS  is now reporting without any single aorta of doubt in saying that Bahati Member of Parliament The Honorable Irene Njoki is the BEST LEGISLATOR we have.

    The reason is simple; she includes everyone in all her projects and all her initiatives are owned by the people.

    “Men groups are always excluded in many Government opportunities across the country. Under AKIBA NA MREMBO EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM. No one will be left behind.

    Yesterday AKIBA NA MREMBO EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM conducted training for several men groups officials mainly from Lanet, Dundori, and Kabatini wards.

    The training is on savings, investment, innovation networking, legal aid, and Mental health. We call upon more groups to enroll in the program so that we can move together.

    To enroll, you need to visit the nearest Hon Irene Njoki’s office and register. The training and registration are free.”

  • Lobby Raises Red Flag Over Donkeys Threat of Extermination

    Lobby Raises Red Flag Over Donkeys Threat of Extermination

    Details are emerging that the beast of burden the donkey is still very much under threat in the country. The numbers of this critical resource have plummeted to just slightly over a million countrywide.

    According to Brooke East Africa, the beast greatest threat is the unscrupulous people who eye it’s meat albeit in the cover of darkness.

    Since 2020, it’s illegal to slaughter and deal with donkey meat trade in the country.

    Brooke East Africa country director Raphael Kinoti noted that communities are very critical in matters donkey conservation.

    “We reiterate that the communities should own up the initiative and we as Brooke East Africa intervene to assist them in restocking. But the key thing is that the communities should work with the authorities to report cases of donkey theft and also weed out the crooks.”

    Mr Kinoti also cautioned against abuse of the beast of burden after media reports emerged that some communities are intoxicating the animals with drugs to enhance performance.

    “this is cruelty of the highest order to hear that some people feed the donkeys marijuana to stimulate productivity. This has no any scientific basis and it works to the detriment and danger of the humble beast of burden,” Mr Kinoti concluded.

  • Boost for Pastoralists in Kenya as the Government is set to launch a $140M project to curb drought

    Boost for Pastoralists in Kenya as the Government is set to launch a $140M project to curb drought

    Boost for Pastoralists in Kenya as the Government is set to launch a $140M project to protect them against severe drought and enhance their inclusion in the broader economy.

    The Government, through the State Department for Livestock Development (SDLD), in partnership with ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) and the World Bank Group (WBG), are set to formally launch the De-Risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of pastoral economies (DRIVE) project.

    The DRIVE project aims to de-risk pastoral systems at the primary level through an integrated package of financial services that includes drought index insurance, savings, digital accounts and financial education, and at the value chain level through de-risking private sector investments that provide reliable markets to pastoralists.

    Speaking ahead of the launch, the Principal Secretary for Livestock Development, Harry Kimtai, said the project is expected to have a positive impact on enhancing the climate resilience of pastoral communities, addressing climate change, strengthening commercialization of livestock production, and ensuring the inclusion of the marginalized and vulnerable groups such as women and youth.

    “The DRIVE project is a critical step towards the sustainable development of pastoralist communities in Kenya. By providing them with the necessary support and resources, the project will help increase their resilience and enhance their economic participation while promoting a more sustainable and inclusive economic development model in the country,” Mr. Kimtai said.

    As part of the Horn of Africa Initiative, the DRIVE project will build the resilience of pastoral communities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti. Over 250,000 households are expected to benefit from the project representing 1.6 million pastoralists and their dependents across the four countries over a five-year period.

    In Kenya, over 150,000 pastoralists are expected to benefit from the project across the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). The project is also expected to create markets around the livestock value chain, enhance regional cooperation and peacebuilding, climate mitigation (improvement, fodder conservation and increased productivity), and closing the gender gap in access to financial services.

    “Today marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s development journey as we launch the DRIVE project. Our joint commitment to unlocking the full potential of pastoral economies is unwavering, and DRIVE is a big step towards achieving sustainable and inclusive development. We are confident that the project will drive positive change, creating new opportunities, empowering communities, and fostering resilient, thriving economies of the ASAL regions,” KDC Acting Director General Norah Ratemo said.

    In Kenya, the project has two components. Component 1 involves de-risking pastoral production through a package of financial services. This component aims to protect pastoralists against recurring drought shocks with a package of financial services, including drought index insurance, savings for resilience, digital accounts and financial education and awareness creation. ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), the regional implementing agent, is delivering through collaboration with the government, development partners and private sector companies. The regional management of this component helps mobilize the private sector and create the scale necessary to transfer the risk of drought to the international insurance market.

    “ZEP-RE is committed to supporting the regional financial inclusion agenda. We are honoured to be the regional implementation partner for the DRIVE project, in partnership with the Government of Kenya and collaborating with the private sector players. ZEP-RE is particularly keen to ensure equity empowerment of pastoral communities by focusing on innovating how women, youth, and people with disability would also access financial services and linkages to markets and trade-related opportunities under component two. We look forward to scaling financial packages that support the resilience of the communities against various shocks,” Hope Murera, Managing Director and CEO, ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company) said.

    Component 2, with a budget of USD 65 Million, aims to ensure that pastoralists get better value for their livestock. It will do so by upgrading standards and equipment to check the conformity of livestock and livestock products to international standards so that Kenya can strive to export meat products with more value rather than live animals, facilitate the regional livestock trade, and de-risk private investment in the livestock value chain that benefit pastoralists with reliable contracts. The implementing agent for Component 2 is through (KDC and SDLD.

    The current drought crisis shows that a new approach to responding to drought is needed, one that relies on pre-arranged financing instruments to put money into pastoralists’ pockets at the onset of the drought rather than on assistance after the drought has been declared, which may arrive after the animals have perished.

    “The project expands access of pastoralists to a package of financial services, so that they may receive insurance payouts in their accounts in case of severe drought and use their savings in case of moderate shocks,” said Keith Hansen, World Bank Country Director.

    “It aims to provide pastoralists with reliable livestock markets where they get better value for their livestock by selling more regularly and directly to the livestock processors and exporters. This financial protection against drought frees pastoralists from keeping many animals to protect themselves against drought shocks.

    DRIVE will be implemented in 21 ASAL counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Isiolo, Samburu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, West Pokot, Narok, Laikipia, Kajiado, Makueni, Kitui, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Kilifi and Kwale and the beneficiaries are Pastoral groups that are sufficiently structured around productive activities.

  • Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF23) kicks off in Nairobi, Kenya

    Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF23) kicks off in Nairobi, Kenya

    The 10th Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF23) kicked off in Nairobi today, setting the ball rolling for the three-day conference bringing together 600 delegates from across the world.

    The event started with a high-level panel discussion comprising Ms. Emma Inamutila Theofelus, Namibia Deputy Minister for Information Communication & Technology (ICT); Ms. Grace Githaiga Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Convenor, KICTANet; Mr. ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative and Mr. Vladimir Garay, Advocacy Director, Derechos Digitales.

    The panel was unanimous on the need for sustainable internet and balanced regulation across the continent.

    Ms. Theofelus, who spoke about the level of Internet penetration in Namibia, pointed out the huge cost involved in developing infrastructure and the need for government and political will.

    “Rolling out infrastructure is difficult and very expensive. We have put in place the conditions for licensing and investment from the government. There has been some political will. This includes the Universal Service Fund. We also have one of the most liberated media on the continent,” she said.

    Ms. Githaiga emphasised the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration and joint convenings in delivering Internet access. “As KICTANet, we have held joint convenings focusing on cybersecurity, data protection and the broadband report. The Kenya Internet Governance Forum is our flagship program. Through the forum we discuss and see how to fit issues into our local context.”

    On his part, Vladimir stressed the importance of Internet access saying connectivity supports human rights. “People want high quality, affordable and secure internet connectivity. The Internet is expensive and limited. We need to acknowledge and address internet connectivity gaps.”

    ‘Gbenga also urged stakeholders to contribute towards efforts aimed at ensuring Internet accessibility. “If all stakeholders don’t get their hands dirty, we will come back here 10 years later to discuss the same issues,” he added.

    Paradigm Initiative is hosting the Pan-African bilingual event in collaboration with Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) and Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT) established under Strathmore University. KICTANet is a multi-stakeholder think tank in Kenya for ICT policy and regulation. CIPIT is an evidence-based research and training Centre based at Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.

    At the forum, Paradigm Initiative is hosting key partners from Internews, the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership, Derechos Digitales, the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI), Inclusive Tech Group, Access Now, Data Privacy Brazil, Defend Defenders, Youth and Society, Tech Societal, the Global Network Initiative, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, MTN and the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, to mention a few.

    The event sponsors are the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ford Foundation, Wikimedia Foundation, Google, Open Technology Fund and the Global Network Initiative (GNI).

    PIN, which is a leading Pan-African Digital Rights and Inclusion organization, has convened DRIF since 2013. The forum, whose theme is Building A Sustainable Internet For All, will bring together representatives from government, non-governmental organizations, academia, media, funding partners, the United Nations, the technical community, and the private sector within the digital ecosystem.

    The forum is hosting 70 sessions with partners from 48 countries across the world. Sessions are focusing on among other themes, Internet shutdowns, Universal Service Fund utilization, data protection, content moderation, and censorship. Also lined up at the event are key launches of research, platforms, and networks.

    Last year’s DRIF under the theme, Towards a Digitally Inclusive Africa was a hybrid event that was able to reach over 1,300 individuals. Physical sessions were hosted in 17 African countries.

  • Reinstate Sakwa as NYS director general immediately, Western legislators breaths fire

    Reinstate Sakwa as NYS director general immediately, Western legislators breaths fire

    A section of legislators from Western has demanded the reinstatement of Matilda Pamela Sakwa as the Director General, of the National Youth Service (NYS).

    Led by Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, the lawmakers claimed the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, and Affirmative Action had unceremoniously redeployed Sakwa.

    “This to us has gender discrimination connotation and ethnic profiling. Since her appointment, the service has enjoyed tremendous transformation,” Amisi said.

    Addressing a press conference at Parliament Buildings, the lawmakers called for reforms in the public service to guarantee and safeguard the careers of all civil servants.

    “We also demand an immediate probe by NCIC on the ethnic profiling in the public service,” Osotsi said.

    The lawmakers did not state the office where Sakwa had been redeployed.

    Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka said Sakwa should have been given bigger responsibilities in the government.

    “Matilda deserves to be promoted and not what she has been subjected to,” he said.

    Amisi said Western leaders led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula should demand the reinstatement of Sakwa.

    Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on September 17, 2019, confirmed the appointment of Sakwa as the director general of the NYS.

    Sakwa had been running the service in an acting capacity, and after her appointment, she was tasked with ensuring that NYS reclaims its position in national development by equipping the youth with adequate skills and expertise so they can contribute to nation-building.

  • Demand an occupation certificate before you rent a building, EBK says

    Demand an occupation certificate before you rent a building, EBK says


    EBK Chairman Eng. Erastus Mwongera (centre) address a press conference at the body headquarters in Nairobi. On the right is the body CEO Eng. Margaret Ogai and on the left is body member Eng. Johnson Matu.

    By Vincent Munga

    The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) now want members of the public to demand an occupation certificate before committing to rent or occupy any building in the country.

     

    This comes after at least 200 tenants were evacuated from a building that developed cracks in Thindigua, Kiambu County.

    Speaking during a press conference, EBK Chairman, Eng. Erastus Mwongera said the body has established an independent team of three engineers to carry out geotechnical and structural investigations on the cause of the settlement and advise relevant stakeholders on remedial actions.

    Mwongera has also urged developers in counties to engage professional registered engineers in the professional or consulting category.

    “In a March 2022 report on Structural Assessment of building under construction, investigations revealed most developers do not involve engineers in the Professional (P.E) and Consulting Engineers (C.E) categories for supervision,” EBK Chairman Eng. Erastus Mwongera said.

    He added that the Board is working to complete an EBK engineers portal to ensure engineers report on their projects for follow-up.

    Currently, the Board is undertaking 20 disciplinary hearings on complaints received against registered engineers.

    “The process is aimed at ensuring that registered engineers adhere to the engineers code of conduct in the exercise of their duties. The relevant sanctions will be effected against the engineers found to be non-compliant as provided under the Engineers Act 2011 and the Engineers Rules 2019,” he said.

    The body names weak structural foundations, choice of wrong sites, lack of technical capacity and compromise of materials as main reasons for rampant collapsing of buildings.

  • How to file for claims after a car accident in Kenya

    How to file for claims after a car accident in Kenya

    Kenya has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world, with an average of 3,000 deaths per year. Accidents not only cause physical harm but also a financial strain on those involved. Therefore, having an insurance policy that covers accidents is vital.

    In this article, we will look at how to file for claims in case of an accident in Kenya, using Xplico Insurance Company Limited as an example. Xplico Insurance is one of the leading insurance companies in Kenya, providing various types of insurance policies, including motor insurance. The company offers comprehensive motor insurance, which covers both third-party liability and damage to the insured vehicle.

    Let us now dive into the nitty-gritty of the motor vehicle insurance claim. If you are involved in an accident and you have valid motor vehicle insurance such as an Xplico Insurance policy here are the steps you need to take to file for a claim:

    1. Report the accident to the police.

    The first step after an accident is to report it to the police. This is a legal requirement in Kenya, and failure to do so can result in penalties. When reporting the accident, provide accurate details such as the location, time, and any injuries or damages.

    1. Contact your insurance provider.

    After reporting the accident to the police, contact Xplico Insurance as soon as possible to report the claim. You can do this through their customer care number or by visiting their offices. Provide the details of the accident and any relevant information, including your policy number.

    1. Submit the required documents.

    Once you have reported the claim, Xplico Insurance will require you to submit some documents to facilitate the processing of the claim. These documents include:

    1. A filled claim form.
    2. A copy of your driving license and logbook.
    • A police abstract.
    1. A repair estimate from a reputable garage. (If you choose to repair the car yourself and claim reimbursement from the insurance.
    2. Pictures of the accident scene and damages.
    3. Any other relevant documents.

    Ensure that you submit all the required documents to avoid delays in processing your claim.

    1. Wait for the assessment.

    After submitting the claim, Xplico Insurance will assess the damages and determine the amount of compensation you are eligible for. This process may take some time; you will be notified of the outcome once it is complete.

    1. Receive compensation.

    If your claim is successful, Xplico Insurance will compensate you for the damages or losses incurred. The compensation may be in the form of repairs, replacement, or cash payment, depending on the nature of the damages.

    In summary, accidents are common in Kenya, especially in the rainy season, and having a reliable insurance policy can help ease the financial burden that comes with them.

    Remember to always drive safely and observe traffic rules to avoid accidents in the first place.

  • The Samsung Galaxy A54 And Galaxy A34 5G: Awesome Experiences For All

    The Samsung Galaxy A54 And Galaxy A34 5G: Awesome Experiences For All

    With Samsung’s brighter display, more advanced cameras and longer battery life than previous models, the new Galaxy A series delivers outstanding mobile technology for all

    Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G, two innovative smartphones that advance Samsung Galaxy’s commitment to designing awesome mobile experiences. These new additions to the popular Galaxy A series will help users shoot steady and crisp videos, see clearly even in bright conditions, and do more of the things they love with a battery life that lasts more than two days.

    “Cutting-edge mobile experiences are increasingly essential to everyday life,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “With continuous enhancements to the Galaxy A series, we’re ensuring that more people around the world can access our transformative innovations.”

    Take Awesome Day and Night Photographs, Enhanced with Creative Editing Tools

    The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G deliver stunning images with clear quality even in bright conditions, making use of Samsung Galaxy’s leading Nightography and AI capabilities. Whether users want to capture the perfect selfie or connect through super-smooth video calls, the Galaxy A54 offers astonishing detail thanks to its 32MP front camera.

    The new smartphones produce video with amazing clarity, combatting shakiness and blur with improved optical image stabilization (OIS) and video digital image stabilization (VDIS). Users can be confident about capturing awesome content, even with unsteady hands or when filming on the go. For adventures after dark and in low light conditions, Night mode helps users to capture more detail by broadening the camera’s pixel size.

    Thanks to the enhanced editing tools, users can also now remove unwanted shadows and reflections for the first time in the Galaxy A series,

    Experience Awesome Performance with Vivid Display and Long-Lasting Battery

    Both devices feature immersive Super AMOLED displays, measuring 6.4-inch  on the Galaxy A54 5G and 6.6-inch  on the Galaxy A34 5G. Both displays have been upgraded for astounding outdoor visibility, even under bright sunlight. With the enhanced Vision Booster and a 120Hz refresh rate, the displays will keep up with users as they move between different lighting conditions.

    Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G also guarantee up to four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. These features allow users to access the latest software and security to maximize the smartphone lifecycle.

    Stay Connected Without Compromising Security

    Enhanced mobile experiences rely on advanced security. With Samsung Knox, data is kept under lock and key with defense-grade mobile security. The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G give users access to the Security and Privacy Dashboard, which makes it easy to see how apps are tracking data and enables simple ways to stop unwanted data collection. When users want to share important files that contain sensitive or personal information with the ultimate level of privacy and control, there’s Private Share. This enables users to share files only to designated recipients within time limits and with screenshots disabled.

    The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G are also compatible with the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem to provide seamless connectivity between devices. Users can get 100GB of cloud storage and easily back up photos to OneDrive with a six-month trial of Microsoft 365 Basic, accessible on the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G.

    Availability

    The Galaxy A54 5G will be available in Three color options, including Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite and Awesome White. The Galaxy A34 5G will be available in Three color options, including Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite and Awesome Silver. Both Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G will be available starting 1st April at authorized dealer stores nationwide.