Kenyaleo.co.ke

Author: David Bogonko Nyokang’i

  • Bamburi Cement Appoints New boss, and Non-Executive Directors Effective April 1, 2023

    Bamburi Cement Appoints New boss, and Non-Executive Directors Effective April 1, 2023

    Bamburi Cement PLC today announced the appointment of Mr. Mohit Kapoor as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2023, subject to regulatory approvals.

    Mr. Kapoor succeeds Mr. Seddiq Hassani, who has served as the company’s CEO since his appointment on February 9, 2018, and ends his five-year tenure on March 31, 2023.

    An electrical engineer, marketer, and supply chain expert by profession, Mr. Kapoor was the Country CEO for Holcim Qatar prior to this appointment. He has also served as the Head of Growth and Innovation at Holcim India, the Managing Director of Readymix Projects, the Vice President of Logistics & Supply Chain at Lafarge India, and the Senior Project Manager for Lafarge Group Audit. He joins the company at the heart of its repositioning Strategy 2025: “Accelerating Green Growth” –
    that seeks to deliver market leadership growth, innovation and sustainable building solutions, solutions and product expansion, and superior performance.

    “We are happy to announce Mr. Kapoor as the new CEO of Bamburi Cement Plc. In an era of socioeconomic, environmental, and innovation disruptions, Mr. Kapoor’s extensive experience with Lafarge and Holcim, as well as his track record of brand building, innovation, and operational efficiency, have uniquely primed him to lead Bamburi Cement and the team into its next phase of growth,” stated the Chair of the Board Dr. John Simba, announcing the transition.

    During his tenure, Mr. Hassani has been responsible for solid operational and financial performances, a company-wide people and digital transformation, and cement infrastructure and operations that are future-fit, efficient, and sustainable.

    “Bamburi Cement saw consistent brand value in the region under Mr. Hassani’s leadership. He successfully guided the brand through the most unprecedented challenges confronting the cement manufacturing industries, resulting in strong performance following the pandemic crisis. We commend Mr. Hassani for his consistent leadership, experience, and valuable counsel to the Board of Directors, and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said the Chair.

    In addition, the firm’s Board of Directors has appointed two new Non-Executive Directors following the resignation of Mr. John Stull and Mr. Guillaume Dubreuil, effective March 31, 2023. Mr. Rajesh Surana and Ms. Sonal Shrivastava will take over as Non-Executive Directors on April 1, 2023 (subject to regulatory approvals) and as Holcim Area Manager for East & South Africa and Chief Finance Officer for Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, respectively.

    “The Board congratulates Mr. Surana and Ms. Shrivastava, who together bring a wealth of experience from leading various multinationals across different countries and roles. We thank Mr.Stull and Mr. Dubreuil for their service and wish them the very best in their future endeavors,” signed off Dr.Simba.

  • Safaricom foundation finally Launches 2023-2026 Strategy

    Safaricom foundation finally Launches 2023-2026 Strategy

    Safaricom Foundation has launched its 2023-2026 strategy, titled ‘Partnering to Enhance Equity’, which will focus on community investments in Education, Health, and Economic Empowerment.

    This follows the successful implementation of its 2018 to 2021 strategy that saw over 4 million people positively impacted through more than 2,000 community projects.

    In the new 2023 to 2026 strategy, the Foundation will integrate ICT, Sustainable Philanthropy, and Humanitarian Response as major execution components to ensure the delivery of long-lasting impactful projects and philanthropic investments to address communities’ urgent needs and immediate concerns.

    The new strategy will see the Foundation deepen its community engagement through partnerships that are aligned with Safaricom’s purpose of transforming lives, as for the first time, the Foundation will also leverage funding from partners to create shared value for longer-term projects.

    “Our new strategy will rely a lot on partnerships, technology, and community engagement by bringing on-board all stakeholders in our programs. That is why we have incorporated sustainable philanthropy as a key delivery component so that through such gainful partnerships, communities can continue thriving long after we have implemented our initiatives,” said Joseph Ogutu, chairman, of the Safaricom foundation.”

    Under its Education pillar, the Foundation seeks to integrate digital skills to strengthen teacher and learner competencies and improve education outcomes. The Foundation will also increase access to TVET training for young people through establishing TVET centers of excellence and provision of scholarships, apprenticeships, and tooling of graduates in readiness for the job market.

    Under Health, the foundation has incorporated adolescent health due to an increase in demand for quality reproductive services. This pillar will also improve its Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health initiative (RMNCAH) to strengthen the capacity of National, County, and Community Health Systems. It will also integrate screening for non-communicable diseases to enable early detection, treatment, and management. Technology will play a role in mapping the number of pregnant women in high-burden counties and also be used in awareness creation in health interventions.

    To harness the potential of the youth, the Economic empowerment pillar will have entrepreneurship programs, job creation, and innovative affordable financing. This will be achieved through Agribusiness, Ecoprenuership, and Enterprise Development. Using technology, the Foundation will boost learning in good agricultural practices and agribusiness management as well as support innovations geared towards providing ICT solutions to agri-business management for startups.

    “in this 2023 to 2026 Safaricom foundation strategy, we will heavily leverage technology across the three pillars to improve efficiency and scale impact. By 2026, we hope that Safaricom foundation will have proven that it is possible to impact the community through technological interventions,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, of Safaricom.”

  • First lady flags off 300 Tons of relief food

    First lady flags off 300 Tons of relief food

    The First Lady of Kenya, Mama Rachel Ruto has today flagged off 300 tons of relief food to support families affected by the prolonged drought in Garissa, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu Counties.

    The First Lady commended the Rotary Club of Parklands and the Sunrise Walkers Club, led by Dr. Rasik Kantaria, for the exemplary commitment to help Kenyans faced by famine.

    The first leg of the food distribution which will be done by the Kenya Red Cross has 9 trucks, each loaded with 10 tons of food.

    Kenya has experienced the worst drought in 40 years, with some areas missing rain for 5 consecutive seasons. The prolonged drought has greatly affected the arid and semi-arid counties.

    Mama Rachel Ruto further urged the partners present to support the President Dr. William Ruto’s target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.

    Climate change is now a climate crisis, and we must respond by planting more trees.

  • Naivas Supermarket launches annual Seasonal campaigns

    Naivas Supermarket launches annual Seasonal campaigns

    Naivas Supermarket today launched their annual Seasonal Campaign. The campaign promises to be authentically Kenyan while delivering memorable experiences through thematic campaigns all the while exceeding customer expectations.

    This inaugural campaign comes barely a week after Kenyans took to the street to protest over the high cost of living. Kenyans are already feeling the heat and inflation is only get worse due to high import cost and supply chain disruptions.

    “It is moments like this that define our character and with the odds stuck against the Kenyan people, as a homegrown retailer and supermarket of choice for the Kenyan people we have had to step up and truly live up to our promise, saves you money. We understand that the baskets are shrinking every single day, but this should not be the case at our stores and for

    this this reason we are launching our Seasonal campaign dubbed “ Naivas Kikapu Kibonge ” with the tagline being “kiextra offers, kibiggie discounts and kibunda choices,” said Willy Kimani, Naivas Chief Commercial Officer.

    “As a brand that understands customer needs, this is our small biding in making the long holiday a little more bearable, affordable, and memorable, the campaign promises 9 weeks of the very best everyday price and exceptional sales promotions covering Ramadhan, Easter, Eid ul Fitr, Labour Day, Back to School and Mother’s Day. What we are saying is this

    holiday period does not have to be grim, we have got you covered no need to downsize or downtrade your shopping because at Naivas Kikapu ni Kibonge. This has been made possible through support from our partners, who have seen to it that our customers enjoy great value across all categories ranging from fresh produce, daily groceries, household,” concluded Mr. Kimani.

  • Nyakera’s Farmers party makes a rowback, rejects UDA merger proposal

    Nyakera’s Farmers party makes a rowback, rejects UDA merger proposal

    The Farmers’ party of Kenya has dismissed media reports that they have merged with the UDA party led by President William Ruto.

    About six parties among them the Umoja na Maendeleo Party the Farmers Party, Economic Freedom Party, Chama cha Mashinani, the National Agenda Party, and Chama Cha Kazi were earlier said to have folded and joined UDA Party.

    Speaking to Star, Farmer’s party leader Irungu Nyakera said the Farmers Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) met in Nairobi on Tuesday and reiterated that the party is intact and independent as a legal body.

    Irungu Nyakera, expressed regret that, after meeting the new UDA Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, on February 17, 2023, a misleading media communiqué was sent out saying that the Farmers Party was one of six Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties that had dissolved to join UDA.

    “During the meeting with UDA, our discussions centered on areas of partnerships among Kenya Kwanza parties and not on mergers or dissolution of the partners, indeed, whatever the media reported or was informed of is untrue given that Farmers Party has not deliberated or considered its dissolution and supposed absorption by UDA,” he said.

    Malala has been calling for the folding of parties affiliated with UDA in Kenya Kwanza so that they can join the ruling outfit.

    During a church service on Sunday, March 5, Malala reiterated his call for senior government officials clinging to their parties to dissolve their political outfits and embrace a united front in government.

    “You cannot be in Cabinet and still belong to another political party. That is contempt to our President. All parties in Kenya Kwanza must dissolve, join UDA, and have just one strong party,” Malala pointed out.

    Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula had earlier dismissed calls by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala to dissolve affiliate parties and merge with UDA.

    Wetangula argued that Kenyans are democratic and that voters should be left to make political choices to ensure the country runs well.

    Earlier, officials from the Amani National Congress (ANC) party also dismissed calls to merge with UDA.

    “We are not going to fold our party. If anything, we are planning to rejuvenate and strengthen our party from the grassroots level. ANC will remain vibrant,” its party leader Issa Timamy said.

    Media reports indicate that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party is set to merge with all the parties within the Kenya Kwanza fold to form a big political machine in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

    Moses Kuria’s led Chama cha Kazi was the first to announce they will dissolve and joins the ruling party UDA.

  • National Assembly’s Agriculture Committee tasks Cabinet Secretary Over Subsidized Maize Program

    National Assembly’s Agriculture Committee tasks Cabinet Secretary Over Subsidized Maize Program

    The National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, headed by Hon. Dr. John Mutunga, met with the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Mithika Linturi, to discuss the subsidized maize flour program and the Strategic Food Reserve.

    The inquiry comes after the Committee’s scrutiny of Supplementary Estimates 1, revealing that Kshs 7.267B had been spent on the Maize flour subsidy program, with Kshs 4B paid and Kshs 3.267B outstanding.

    The Committee expressed concerns about the lack of adequate information and reservations about allocating more funds to the program. Members requested information on the amount of maize flour supplied by millers, the scope of distribution, and how millers were identified. Lawmakers also inquired about discrepancies in contracts signed by the Cereal Millers Association and Grain Mill Owner Association, as well as payments related to the subsidized maize flour program.

    The Agriculture Ministry reported that 119 millers supplied 121,714,844kgs of subsidized maize during the period and that the Ministry owes millers over Kshs 3.023B. However, legislators observed further discrepancies between the figures submitted by the Ministry and those earlier submitted by the Cereal Millers Association and Grain Mill Owners Association.

    The Committee also raised concerns over the amount of flour supplied under the program, with a total of 119 millers supplying 121,714,844kgs of subsidized flour across the country. Members noted that the maize subsidy program ran for four weeks from July 20th to August 20th, 2022, with millers responsible for milling and distribution. The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government, along with officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority, were responsible for ensuring the delivery of maize flour to the last mile. However, Members asserted the maize was not readily available to consumers at the retail level.

    During the session, lawmakers questioned why the Ministry did not have substitutes for maize, which is the country’s staple food. The Agriculture Minister informed the Committee that the government had ordered a consignment of over 1 million tonnes of maize in addition to 1.1 million tonnes of rice, scheduled to arrive in the country in two weeks. He also announced plans to publish another Gazette notice to top up the maize import by 500,000 tonnes from the initial 900,000 tonnes to ensure food security for the population.

    The Committee called for further details and documentation into the maize subsidy program and for the Ministry to provide more clarity on the contracts and payments made. With maize being a staple food consumed by the majority of Kenyans, the Committee stressed the importance of proper management and safeguards to ensure food security for the population.

    Members of the Committee present during the meeting were Hon. Dr. John Mutunga, Hon. Odaga, Hon. Sabina Chege, Hon. Jared Okello, Hon. Yusuf Farah, Hon. Gabriel Kagombe, Hon. David Kiplagat  Hon. Patrick Osero, and Hon. Mpuru Aburi.

  • Women Parliamentary Association elects Kajiado County Woman Representative to spearhead the group

    Women Parliamentary Association elects Kajiado County Woman Representative to spearhead the group

    Kajiado Woman Representative Hon. Leah Sankaire Sopiato has been elected as the 5th Chairperson of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA). KEWOPA is a caucus that brings together all women Members of  Parliament in Kenya.

    Ms. Sankaire replaces Githunguri Member of Parliament Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba, who served as the 4th Chair,  in the 12th Parliament.

    In the polls, Hon.  Beatrice Elachi (Dagorreti) was elected the Vice Chairperson representing the National Assembly and Senator Dr. Catherine Mumma (Nominated) was elected Vice Chairperson representing the Senate.

    Hon. Elachi replaces Hon. Rosa Buyu (Kisumu West) while Senator Mumma replaces former nominated Senator Hon. Milicent Omanga.

    Hon.  Caroline Ngelechei (Elgeyo Marakwet) was voted as Treasurer to succeed former Nandi Women representative Dr. Tecla Tum.

    While congratulating the incoming Executive Committee, Hon.  Buyu urged Members to be cohesive and advocate for gender equality in the 13th Parliament.

    The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) is a cross-party caucus bringing on board all women Members of Parliament drawn from both Houses.

    The caucus works to promote and protect democracy and advocate for women’s rights.

  • Kimathi foundation joins Efforts to afforest Kenya

    Kimathi foundation joins Efforts to afforest Kenya

    Dedan Kimathi Foundation has continued to be a champion in matters of Afforestation. This was evident during the celebration to mark. The International Day of Forests. The main celebration was held in Kereita Forest Station in Kiambu county.

    In addition to the 15,000 seedlings planted in Kiambu county, 73,010 seedlings were also planted in Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Laikipia, and Nyandarua counties.

    In Eastern Conservancy, 3,320 seedlings were planted with the Governor of Makueni County His Excellency Mutula Kilonzo Jr taking part in the activities.

    In contrast, a total of 6,110 were planted in Western Conservancy.

    The KFS coordinated activities attracted dignitaries and leaders of different stature and partners from different organizations.

  • “Maandamano: “This is socio economic terrorism” Trade CAS Nominee Kidero Attacks Raila

    “Maandamano: “This is socio economic terrorism” Trade CAS Nominee Kidero Attacks Raila

    By Steve El Sabai

    “This is socio economic terrorism” ~ Trade and Industrialization Cabinet Administrative Secretary (CAS) Nominee Dr Evans Kidero Speaks out against Azimio la Umoja maandamano.

    Kidero said the Azimio mass protests should be castigated in the strongest possible terms as they crippled the country’s economy.

    Kidero has spoken a day after the Deputy President Righati Gachagua revealed that Kenya lost Ksh2 Billion due to the mass protests that took place on Monday, 20th, 2023.

    Kidero who is a former Nairobi Governor said Kenyans were against the protests as they only took place in two out Kenya’s 47 counties where it only happened in Nairobi and Kisumu.

    “Mass action being organized the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been used to benefit Kenyans but to serve the opposition leader’s selfish interests,” he said.

    He said this is something that the Azimio leader Raila Odinga is used to where first started by terrorizing the late President Daniel Arap Moi in 1999-2000 until the then president accommodated him in the ruling party Kanu.

    “They did the same in 2008 and got a share of the “Nusu Mkate” Grand National coalition government under the then president Mwai Kibaki, they did it in 2018 that led to the handshake between Raila and the then president Uhuru Kenyatta.

    Kidero said all these has never been done to benefit Kenyans but individuals saying such actyions should be condemned in the strongest terms and resisted.

    Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has made a comeback in the political scene following his appointment as the Chief Administrative Secretary in Trade and Industrialization.

    Kidero lost in his political ambition to become the next Homabay Governor to Gladys Wanga has now found a new lease of life to be in the political scene following his appointment.

    The relationship between Kidero and ODM Leader Raila Odinga has been frosty ever since the party chose to give Wanga a direct party ticket to vie in Homabay pushing him to vie as an independent candidate.

    The Former Nairobi Governor has been in the political cold for five years after losing the city county leadership to Mike Sonko.

    Kidero said the people of Nyanza have resolved to work with the government and won’t allow themselves to be isolated from the rest of Kenyans.

    They also pledged to join President Ruto’s political party United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

    “We have chosen UDA because it’s a party that cares for the people unlike ODM which focuses on demonstrations daily,”Kidero said while officially joining the President William Ruto led party.

  • Community engagement toolkit for women’s equal participation in wash launched

    Community engagement toolkit for women’s equal participation in wash launched

    East African Breweries Plc (EABL) has partnered with CARE International in Kenya (CIK) to launch a Community Engagement toolkit for women’s equal participation in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).

    Women and children are disproportionately impacted by poor management of water systems, which in turn influences women’s and girls’ opportunities to develop, as they often miss out on education, income generating activities, and are further limited in participating in political activities.

    Women have consequently accumulated considerable knowledge about water resources, ranging from quality and reliability to acceptable storage methods. Unfortunately, women are rarely involved in water user associations, public water management bodies, and water committees, thus hindering the success of water management efforts.

    The toolkit will be used by EABL employees as well as their WASH delivery partners working on designing and implementing community WASH programs. It will allow them to integrate this approach to surfacing and addressing social norms as part of future projects and programs.

    It introduces two new measures that include, gender-equal representation on community water committees and holding community dialogues that tackle barriers to women’s equal access to and agency over WASH.

    “At EABL, our target is to reach 50% female beneficiaries in community programs by 2030. We, however, recognize that our commitment to gender-equal representation on committees might confront prevailing social norms and deeply held beliefs around gender roles. It is on this basis that we partnered with CARE to develop this community engagement toolkit to facilitate meaningful conversations around these potential tensions responsibly and without harm,” Jane Karuku, EABL CEO and MD.

    “Water is our most important ingredient. Preserving Water for Life’ is part of our sustainability strategy and outlines how we manage water in our supply chain, operations, and communities, as well as advocate collective action to improve water outcomes. The launch of this toolkit reaffirms our commitment to shift our programs towards gender transformative approaches,” added Ms. Karuku.

    “Gender equality approaches and risk mitigation must become embedded within standardized program design practices for all our community projects. The Community Engagement toolkit has put in place systems and structures that enable gender equity within the communities where EABL operates,” Maureen Miruka, Country Director, Care International Kenya.

    Diageo and CARE share the mutual goal to provide equal access to, and control over, skills and productive resources, by tackling the root causes of gender inequality within communities and building inclusive communities that work for all.