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Category: ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENTS

  • AU Celebrates year of Education 2024

    During the AU Year 2024 Celebration

    “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Collective Action for Quality, Inclusive, and Lifelong Learning.” This is the African Union’s call for all governments and other players on the continent.

    Media is a critical partner in the journey of transforming education in Kenya and the larger continent of Africa.
    East African governments, particularly Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, are in a race to embrace competency-based education systems, known as CBC here in Kenya.

    As we help the learner achieve their various competencies, we can not forget the competencies that help mold a whole learner. In the Kenyan context, we refer to these competencies as life skills and values.

    You may be aware that in its first phase, we assessed over 45,000 in-school and out-of-school adolescent boys (48.6%) and girls (51.2%) from 13 to 17 years of age. The assessment covered 35,720 households, across Kenya, Uganda, the Tanzanian mainland, and Zanzibar. The assessment
    focused on three skills (self-awareness, collaboration, and problem-solving) and one value, (respect). The findings indicate that less than 10% have proficiencies in the skills.

    The competency-based curriculum aims to nurture every learner’s potential and mainstream values and life skills; however, the framework of integration and measurement of life skills and values has been lacking, especially across the East African region.

    Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) envisions a world where the schooling generation acquires the needed competencies to navigate the complexities of the 21st century and live meaningful lives. ALiVE is an initiative of the Regional Learning Initiative (RELIAfrica). The goal of the initiative is to support the four national education systems.

    Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zanzibar) in their focus on competencies, inform regional policy throughout the East African Community, and contribute to global knowledge on the measurement of life skills and values in context.

    Currently, ALiVE has developed a contextualized tool via a learning-through-doing approach. So far, we have produced 47 local experts in assessment. We have developed an assessment tool targeting learners aged 6–17 in the areas of life skills and values. We are also influencing approaches in teacher training colleges to ensure that life skills and values are integrated throughout the entire education journey of the African learner.

    We rolled into action fully aware that this is not a time to complain about what is not working at CBC; it is a time to unite and make it work for the better of our learners. We have therefore committed to developing resources that will help produce a whole learner who is not only equipped with technical skills but also armed with values and life skills that can help them lead meaningful lives and fit well in society.

    In November and December of 2023, the Zizi Afrique Foundation convened a group of teachers from 6 countries to learn from Prof. Esther Care, a renowned expert in the measurement of core
    competencies and values.

    In two months, the teachers went through a 7-module practical learning session on the development of tools to assess core competencies and values among 6–12-year-old learners.

    Through this process, the teachers developed tools to assess problem-solving, collaboration, and respect. These tools have been integrated into Environmental Activities in Grade 3, Science and Social Studies in Grade 5, and Integrated Science, Social Studies, and Creative Arts and Sports in Grade 7.  The tools have gone through various stages of revision after think-aloud/cognitive laboratories and are now ready to be tested with the learners.

    On February 27th, 2024, ALiVE conducted the first pilot of the tools in three schools:

    Kamihindu and Ngurubani Westlands primary schools are located in Kiambu, Kirinyaga, and Nairobi counties, respectively. The lessons drawn from the pilot will inform how we shape the national assessment that we shall conduct later in the year.

    This evening between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm EAT, we shall be convening a virtual learning session to appreciate the extent to which East African education systems have embedded life skills and values. Kindly register via the link provided and join us online:

    Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsdOirpj0vHdR4CD1P4ThubO-RZ2qGxVVI

  • Mental health challenges increase HIV mortality rates in the country

    Mental health challenges increase HIV mortality rates in the country

    KNBS Snr Manager,NAS Benjamin Muchiri (right) and KNBS HR Manager and Dir Rose Awino(left) present Statistics learning books to TUK after giving a keynote speeches on career talk ,health and HIV/AIDS Awareness in Nairobi on 1st Dec 2023
    KNBS Snr Manager,NAS Benjamin Muchiri (right) and KNBS HR Manager and Dir Rose Awino(left) present Statistics learning books to TUK after giving a keynote speeches on career talk ,health and HIV/AIDS Awareness in Nairobi on 1st Dec 2023

    By Melisa Mong’ina

    The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, in collaboration with the Technical University of Kenya, has celebrated World AIDS Day with the theme Let Communities Lead. Mental health has been mentioned as one of the major reasons leading to more HIV deaths in the country.

    Speaking to the students in Nairobi during the World AIDS Day celebration, Dr. Josephine Kinya, a clinical neurophysiologist at Equity Afia, noted that in most cases, a lot of people succumb to HIV due to mental health, thus making it very crucial. She urged them to care for themselves by getting tested and to also show love and compassion to their loved ones or friends who are trying to cope with HIV.

    “We should look after ourselves, grasp the situation, and get tested. It’s important to show love and compassion to our loved ones and friends dealing with this condition. We have connected this condition with mental health because often, people facing it also deal with mental health challenges. So, taking care of our mental well-being is just as vital as managing the condition,” said Dr. Josephine.

    According to Dr. Josephine, the most common mental health condition that a lot of people living with HIV experience in their spaces is depression, which is caused by the negative thoughts that they get. Such thoughts kill their hope of living, leading to severe depression.

    “Now we are dealing with severe depression. The most widespread mental health issue among people with HIV in our community is depression. How we think about depression is that we get a negative thought, like I think I’m going to die, and we build it, and we are working on it, and by then or later we are not even living that,” explained Dr. Josephine.

    She also noted that depression is not the only common mental health condition that affects people living with HIV; therefore, they should be able to understand the relationship between mental health and HIV and AIDS so that they may be able to manage it.

    “After the depression, there are other common mental health conditions that we find in people living with HIV. So understanding mental health and the relationship between mental health and how we manage HIV and AIDS is vital,” she added.

    Dr. Josephine emphasized the importance of getting tested, noting that HIV is not only transmitted through sex but also from salons, barbershops, or even through birth; thus, self-care is vital.

    She further urged people to be kind and loving towards people with HIV by not discriminating against them, which will help extend their lives.

    “Let’s stop treating these patients differently. Instead, let’s care for them and show them love. When we do that, we can help them live longer. Remember, mental health is just as important as physical health. We can lead a good life by doing these things,” stated Dr. Josephine.

    According to Benjamin Muchiri, Senior Manager, National Accounts Statistics (KNBS), the 2022 DHS statistics show that 1,294,339 people are living with HIV, of whom 89% have managed to use proper medication. There are 62% of new HIV cases among adolescents. The statistics also show that Kenya is ranked 6th worldwide for recording the highest number of HIV deaths.

    “In Kenya, as of 2022, about 1,294,339 people are living with HIV. Among them, 89% have successfully controlled the virus with ARVs. Something important to note is that there are 62 new infections each week among adolescents,” shared Mr. Benjamin.

    Mr. Benjamin highlighted that the government should provide new friendly sexual and reproductive health programmes, including health reduction programmes for those injecting drugs, and it is supposed to play a big role in the implementation and monitoring of the evolution of HIV prevention.

    “The government should address legal barriers in existing sexual and reproductive health policies. It needs to promote responsible sexual behavior through comprehensive sex education and actively participate in implementing and monitoring HIV prevention strategies. Additionally, the government should introduce new, accessible sexual and reproductive health programmes, including harm reduction initiatives for those using injected drugs,” explained Mr. Benjamin.

    Prof. Dorcas Yole, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology at TUK, encouraged students by stating that individuals with HIV can still achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to the family or community.

    “HIV is with us; HIV is real; HIV is a killer, but you can contribute to the community, you can contribute to your family, and you can also reach your highest goals even if you have HIV,” said Prof. Dorcas.

  • Tap into rich Burundi market, CS Chelugui tells Kenyan traders

    By Maurice Momanyi 

    Kenyan small and medium enterprises have been advised to take advantage of the forthcoming 23rd MSME Exhibition and Trade Fair which will be held in Bujumbura, Burundi next month, to grow their businesses.

    Speaking during the unveiling of the national organizing committee for the said Trade Fair to be held from 5th to 15th December 2023, Co-operatives and Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui said the Expo would help them expand their reach into new markets, share new technologies, and strengthen regional integration.

    Citing the EAC’s expanded market size of 300 million people and an estimated GDP of US$250 billion resulting from the recent entry of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the bloc, CS Chelugui noted that it adds significant impetus to the push to increase Intra-EAC trade.

    Noting that the EAC region now stretches from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, making it competitive and easy to access the larger African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Chelugui said this is a rich market for Kenyan MSMEs products and services, adding that it would enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through the exploitation of opportunities for production at scale, continental market access, and better reallocation of resources.

    “Burundi is a virgin market with immense unexploited opportunities and I encourage Kenyan MSMEs to take advantage of the excellent relations between the two countries to establish a foothold and exploit the emerging opportunities in terms of trade and investment. Possible areas of investment and market penetration include agro-processing, education, health, finance and banking, energy, light manufacturing, and construction,” Chelui said adding that Burundi is also a regional hub and entry point to Eastern DRC and the hinterland of the greater Central Africa region, thus an indicator of a potentially vast market that Kenyan exports can fully exploit. 

    This year’s trade fair, Chelugui said, serves to give exceptional commercial prospects for showcasing regional brands of both goods and services, providing further momentum to the EAC integration process.

    The theme of this year’s Expo, “Connecting East Africa MSMEs to enhance Intra-EAC Trade,” resonates well with Kenya’s push for ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya’ while also capturing the developmental aspirations of the EAC region as it adds impetus to member countries’ industrial initiatives and recognizes the important role that the development of domestic capabilities plays in the development of the regional economies.

    “The theme equally resonates with the East African Industrialization Strategy target to increase intra-regional manufacturing of exports relative to total manufactured imports in the region to at least 25 percent by 2032. Indeed, with our economies just emerging from the shocks caused by the recent global outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic; it is therefore imperative that the business recovery trajectory is maintained by way of harnessing local sourcing and deepening the value chain frameworks among other strategies,” Chelugui noted. 

    By deepening the value chain frameworks, he added, Kenyan industries and organizations will definitely identify and group their own business functions into strategic primary and secondary activities; understand linkages and dependencies between different activities and areas in the business, and understand core competencies and areas of improvement.

    The Expo will present an opportunity for over 300 Kenyan MSMEs to further understand the emerging market dynamics and business practices to facilitate business linkages for increased trade. 

    “It will not only avail a forum for showcasing what Kenya has to offer to the regional market but also play a leading role in facilitating trade and business exchanges among participating countries while at the same time offering an exciting platform for launching new and improved technologies targeting both the local and regional markets I would encourage the participating Kenyan entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the platform to share and learn from each other, create new business links, launch new products and services, and undertake test marketing as well as enhance the brand and corporate image of products and enterprises from the EAC region,” he said.

    On his part, chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) James Mureu hailed the Expo as one that plays a pivotal role in not only Kenya’s but also the region’s economic growth.

    Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) Chief Executive Henry Rithaa Mwenda, whose body is mandated to spearhead and co-ordinate Kenya’s participation in this trade fair, reaffirmed that he will ensure participating MSMEs are fairly selected from across the 47 counties to ensure a successful event and fruitful business engagements and outcomes.

    Over 1500 participating MSMEs are expected at the 10-day event, not only to showcase their products and innovative services but also to exhibit and share experiences on some of their life-changing innovations and creativity that helped them to navigate the current economic strains amidst stringent standard operating procedures (SOPs).

  • NHIF CEO Elijah Wachira Promises Transparency and Accountability Amidst Transition Challenges

    In his new role as Chief Executive Officer of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), Mr. Elijah Wachira has been entrusted with a crucial task – overseeing the fund’s transition to the National Social Authority (NSA) and ensuring positive changes in service delivery. During a session at the Parliament buildings, members of the Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture, led by Chairperson Hon. Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), expressed concerns about missing documents necessary for recovering public funds lost due to fraud under Mr. Wachira’s predecessors.

    Responding to these concerns, Mr. Wachira assured the Committee that he has diligently worked to locate the required documents, addressing 99% of the requests, and even retrieving historical records. He emphasized his commitment to collaborating with the Committee to address audit queries and investigate misuse of public money, promising transparency and accountability.

    The Committee raised various issues from the Auditor-General’s report, including double payments and overpayments in special programs like Linda Mama, as highlighted by Hon. Peter Masara (Suna West). Additionally, Hon. Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu) questioned the payment schedule from Amaco insurance firm concerning an NHIF vehicle involved in an accident. He opposed the release of the Ksh 4 million claim in installments, suggesting NHIF engage the Insurance Regulatory Authority for resolution.

    In response, the CEO requested the Committee’s patience to provide factual reports on all the matters raised, including fraudulent hospital claims and payments. He committed to presenting these reports during the next Committee session. This would also encompass responses related to irregular payments of acting allowances, failure to settle legal expenses, delayed surrender of temporary imprest, unsupported expenditures, budgetary control, performance, and long outstanding return-to-drawer cheques.

    “The payment schedule from this insurance firm should be rejected by NHIF, Chair. Any reputable insurance company should have the capacity to handle liabilities, and the Ksh 4 million claimed by NHIF should have been paid in full, not in installments as it is currently being done. NHIF should have engaged the Insurance Regulatory Authority to address this issue,” Hon. Wandeto emphasized.

    Mr. Wachira acknowledged the challenges faced during the transition, particularly affecting operations like officer promotions in acting positions, emphasizing that these issues might take longer to resolve due to the ongoing changes within the organization. He assured the Committee of his dedication to resolving these matters transparently and efficiently, working collaboratively to uphold the integrity of NHIF during this crucial period of transition.

  • Kirima land ownership challenged in court by Hon Babu Owino and Karauri

    MP for Embakasi East Hon Babu Owino and Kasarani Hon Capt Ronald Karauri have stated their intention to file a stay of execution against a vacation order issued by the Environment and Land Court on 23rd October 2023 in respect of land belonging to the late Nairobi businessman Gershon Kirima. The ruling declared the late businessman the rightful owner of the land and ordered residents to vacate it by 31st Dec 2023, after which their homes would be demolished. The order affects Njiru, Chokaa, and Mihango areas that fall within the two MPs’ constituencies.

    In addition to the stay of execution, the two MPs, through lawyers, are challenging the ownership of the land. Speaking during a press conference held at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi today, Hon Owino said: “We have come here to prove to the court that this said parcel of land does not belong to the Kirima family, but it belongs to one Domenico De Masi. The person who is in charge [of the land] as we speak is called Barnado Demasi. We have come to file an application and to get stay orders so that our constituents can be safe.”

    Advocate Wandaru representing Domenico De Masi said the evidence showed that the disputed land was obtained fraudulently. “It is very clear that the land [title] by the Kirima family was obtained fraudulently. How did they come to own the land when it is owned by Domenico De Masi and the ownership has since devolved to his descendant represented by Barnado? Those are the facts that we have presented in court and we believe we will get justice They [the owners] have an arrangement with the constituents of Hon Owino and Hon Karauri, that [states that] even as they get back their land, they will have a way of making
    sure the residents get their titles.”

    Hon Karauri added: “If they [the residents] are going to negotiate, they must negotiate with the rightful owners of the land. The people of Kasarani and Embakasi East need to feel protected by the same government so they pay taxes too. As members of Parliament, as their representatives, the only reason we are here is to ensure that they get a fair hearing.”

    Administrators of the estate of the late businessman have been in protracted litigation with the residents, seeking the removal of high-rise buildings and residential neighborhoods that were, according to the administrators, constructed there illegally.

  • African governments urged to formulate policies towards tobacco harm reduction

    By Maurice Momanyi.

    African states have been urged to adopt tobacco harm reduction strategies rather than the traditional quitting campaigns, an intervention health experts believe will significantly reduce tobacco related deaths.

    A consortium of anti-smoking lobbyists mooted annual consultative workshops dubbed Harm Reduction Exchange (HRE) which advocate for alternatives to tobacco harm that are less risky and easy to quit.

    Harm reduction refers to interventions aimed at reducing the negative effects of health behaviours without necessarily extinguishing the behaviours entirely or permanently.

    World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 7 million people in Africa die from direct tobacco use, while in Kenya, statistics show there are an estimated 2.8 million adult smokers with advocacy mostly centred on complete abstinence.

    The experts say African governments’ regulation to allow for easy access to non-combustible products such as pouches and e-cigarettes for adult smokers who otherwise have been unable to quit the habit is the way to go if tobacco-related deaths have to be reduced.

    The third edition of the annual Harm Reduction Exchange (HRE) took place in Nairobi this week where experts including the African Medical Association and the Association of Medical Councils of Africa president converged to discuss the subject of tobacco harm reduction.

    From the Nairobi HRE forum, it emerged that there is urgent need for collaboration between Africa and experts in the harmonization of public healthcare regulation of Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) products, as it will enable a positive step towards reducing the harms associated with the use of the substance.

    Speaking at the HRE consultative meeting themed ‘Amplifying the voice of Harm Reduction advocacy across Africa’, African Medical Association president and the Association of Medical Councils of Africa head Doctor Kgosi Letlape challenged African governments to adopt harm reduction approaches when formulating public health regulatory proposals.

    “Harm reduction is a practical and transformative approach that incorporates community-driven public health strategies including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion to empower people who use drugs and their families with the choice to live healthy and self-directed,” Doctor Letlape said.

    “We hope that our lobbying efforts will spark renewed conversations on tobacco harm reduction among all stakeholders, including regulators and policymakers, which could lead to effective regulation and access to noncombustible product alternatives for adult smokers who are unable or uninterested in quitting.”

    The anti-smoking advocates observed that there are limited human rights and a bias in the social perception that has been created around smoking which creates the challenge around harm reduction efforts. There is need, they concur, to incorporate community driven public health strategies including prevention, risk reduction and health promotion to empower active and passive tobacco and other drug users with a choice to live healthy and self-directed.

    On her part, Integra Africa principal, Doctor Tendai Mhizha used the occasion to underscore the critical role played by media stakeholders in informing, advocating and sensitizing the public on tobacco harm reduction as they have been doing, for instance, with HIV/AIDS, road safety and environmental conservation and climate change mitigation.

    “With the advent of technology, we find that misinformation and disinformation are becoming increasingly prevalent with the democratization of the information space. Moving forward, there is a need to ensure that stakeholders are well informed with current and relevant information about the science, the changes that occur and how we can advance towards a smoke-free world,” she said.

    Countries like South Africa have already implemented THR policies and programs by legalizing the sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Kenya is also considering legalizing e-cigarettes.

  • New global benchmark encourages tourists to become responsible wildlife watchers

    New global benchmark encourages tourists to become responsible wildlife watchers

    World Animal Protection and World Cetacean Alliance have today launched a new global programme, working with a coalition of responsible travel businesses and wildlife charities, which they hope will change the way people travel to see wildlife forever.

    Called ‘Wildlife Heritage Areas’ the programme will provide outstanding and responsible wildlife tourism experiences. Wildlife Heritage Areas has been developed to meet an expanding need from tourists to see wildlife in the wild, as the ethics of wild animals in zoos and aquariums increasingly comes under scrutiny. Now, travellers will be able to discover destinations where local communities care for and protect the wildlife in their environment and support them through incredible tourism experiences that are sustainable in the long-term.

    Angela Maldonado, founder of Entropika, a conservation NGO and part of the Wildlife Heritage Network, comments: “The Amazon Night Monkey Heritage Area covers 640 km2 in Vista Alegre on the Colombian-Peruvian border. It offers low-impact nature activities, such as jungle hikes, wildlife watching tourism and experiential tourism, which are all guided by knowledgeable locals. These local stewards of the forest are critically important in helping to alleviate outside pressure that the monkeys face from a range of issues including trafficking for biomedical research and deforestation.”

    Another example is The Apennines Marsican Bear Heritage Area in Italy, which covers 1100 km2 and focuses on the critically endangered Marsican brown bear, which is a central part of local history and culture, inspiring wildlife watchers to focus on the vibrant and dynamic landscape elements.

    Dylan Walker, Wildlife Heritage Areas, said: “We believe Wildlife Heritage Areas will benefit both the local community and wildlife in responsible wildlife watching destinations. By working in partnership with locals, charitable and responsible tourism experts, we can showcase how culture, responsible tourism, and ideas for coexistence can create a better future for places, nature, and people.”

     

    The travel industry currently has no means of identifying destinations meeting high standards of responsible wildlife watching. The Wildlife Heritage Area programme changes this.

    Nick Stewart, Wildlife Campaign Director – World Animal Protection, said: “We’re delighted to have co-founded Wildlife Heritage Areas as a solution to exploitative wildlife tourism. We invite travel companies around the world to drop the elephant rides, ditch the dolphin shows and any of the other demeaning wildlife entertainment experiences out there and instead, get behind truly responsible wildlife tourism that meets the needs of local communities, visitors and of course wild animal welfare.”

    In addition, Wildlife Heritage Areas will create new opportunities for visitors to engage with the unique culture, heritage and biodiversity that underpins each local community’s wildlife offering. This will help to generate pride and income for the responsible protection of wildlife and habitats.

    Harry Eckman, CEO, World Cetacean Alliance, said: “Wildlife Heritage Areas are an exciting and perfect evolution of the WCA’s successful Whale Heritage Area program. Wildlife Heritage Areas will provide the communities with a unique opportunity to showcase and celebrate their heritage and connection to amazing species and environments and will provide tourists with an incredible opportunity to experience wildlife in the most inspiring ways.”

    Current Wildlife Heritage Areas

    • Plettenberg Bay Whale Heritage Area (designated), South Africa
    • Algoa Bay Whale Heritage Area (designated), South Africa
    • Amazon Night Monkey Heritage Area (candidate), Peru/Colombia
    • Amazon Uakari Heritage Area (candidate), Brazil
    • Apennines Marsican Bear Heritage Area (candidate), Italy
    • Whitsundays Whale Heritage Area (Candidate) Australia
    • Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area (new designation), USA
    • Madeira Whale Heritage Area (new designation), Portugal

    Candidate means the applicant has reached level 2 of 3 of the designation process.

    Designated means the applicant has reached level 3 of 3 of the designation process.

    New designation means that the application has newly reached level 3 of the application process.

  • Climate Change resilience: Stakeholders to Support Vulnerable Sectors and Communities in the National Adaptation Plans

    National Adaptation Plan(NAP) Global Network Policy Advisor Mauricio Luna Rodriguez ,Ministry of Environment ,Climate change and forestry Deputy Director Climate Change Adaptations Lerenten Lelekoitien and Ministry of Environment ,Climate change and forestry Director Climate Change Pacifica Ogola during the peer learning summit (PLS) on Vertical intergration in the National Adaptation Plan process by NAP Global Network and the Government of Kenya with support from Global affairs Canada on climate change adaptation.
    National Adaptation Plan(NAP) Global Network Policy Advisor Mauricio Luna Rodriguez ,Ministry of Environment ,Climate change and forestry Deputy Director Climate Change Adaptations Lerenten Lelekoitien and Ministry of Environment ,Climate change and forestry Director Climate Change Pacifica Ogola during the peer learning summit (PLS) on Vertical intergration in the National Adaptation Plan process by NAP Global Network and the Government of Kenya with support from Global affairs Canada on climate change adaptation.

    By Melisa Mongina.

    Kenya has hosted delegates from ten developing countries across three continents who gathered to exchange insights on strengthening multilevel governance for enhancing climate change resilience through national adaptation plans (NAPs) in their Peer Learning Summit.

    During this three-day summit, which transpired in Nairobi on Wednesday, participants expressed their intent to execute the plan, emphasizing the inclusion of vulnerable sectors and communities.

    In an interview, Dr. Pacifica Ogola, the Director for Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, noted that in terms of vertical integration, they involve all the ministries at the national level and all the counties they consider as essential in implementing adaptation, primarily because their constitution devolved most of the vulnerable sectors.

    “And currently we are developing our third national climate change action plan, which has a separate adaptation technical analysis report, delving into the details of each plan and how these plans will be unpacked and implemented at all levels across the government and also by civil society organizations and the private sector,” said Dr. Ogola.

    She adds that they are ensuring that the plans will be gender mainstreamed to enable youth and vulnerable communities to contribute to the plan.

    Dr. Ogola highlights that they also have programs around climate-smart agriculture, ensuring that the integration happens, and they have a program on financing locally led adaptation funded by multiple partners.

    “Over and above this, we also have programs around climate-smart agriculture, ensuring that this integration happens. We have the program on financing locally led adaptation, funded by multiple partners,” she notes.

    According to her, they have made sure that the plan takes into account the process from the village level to the governor’s office and the relevant sectors of the national government.

    “And we make sure that this plan takes into account the process from the village level all the way to the governor’s office, to the relevant sectors of the national government. So there are different components of programs across different ministries and governments, which are not coordinating this process at the national level, but we make sure that these programs integrate and report back to us, and this information is stored in our monitoring, reporting, and verification system,” adds Dr. Ogola in an interview.

    She emphasizes that vertical integration is essential in Kenya, and they have involved all the relevant ministries, sectors, departments, including the national treasury and the planning department, to ensure that all adaptations are mainstreamed in the overall plan.

    “We also make sure that all our plans are included in the national climate change action plan. So the national climate change action plan is the tool we use to consolidate both the mitigation plans and the adaptation plans. The adaptation plans are informed by our national adaptation plan. And how do we ensure this integration happens? We work very closely with the county governments. We also work closely with the departments, with the sectors,” said Dr. Ogola.

    Mauricio Luna-Rodríguez, NAP Global Network’s policy advisor and climate change adaptation governance expert, stated that there is a need to take action on the climatic impacts by supporting local community adaptation to climate change.

    “And because climate change is exacerbating all of these climatic impacts, we need to take action on these; we need to support the local communities to face climate change,” said Mauricio Luna-Rodríguez.

    Mr. Luna adds that national governments have been putting policies in place to move forward on climate change adaptation and they want to ensure that the policies being implemented are discussed during the three days on how to better coordinate from the national level to the subnational level and how to incorporate different actors in this process of adaptation around the national adaptation plans.

    “But there is a realization that when those policies are being implemented, you need to coordinate with the subnational governments, the local communities, and different actors, both civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, and this is basically what we want to discuss during these three days on how to better coordinate from the national level to the subnational level and how to incorporate different actors in this process of adaptation around the national adaptation plans,” said Mr. Luna.

    The summit focused on “vertical integration” in adaptation, the process of linking sub-national and national adaptation efforts. Vertical integration in multilevel governance is key for effective, representative, and inclusive NAP processes.

    According to Mauricio Luna-Rodríguez, their fundamental step in moving from planning to implementation of the NAP process is vertical integration, and they will concentrate on the crucial aspects of the process in the summit.

    “Vertical integration is a fundamental step in moving from planning to implementation of the NAP process. In this summit, we will discuss crucial aspects of this process, such as the importance of establishing institutional arrangements for vertical integration across all levels of governance, as well as how to facilitate financing to sub-national levels to enable them to articulate and implement their local priorities,” said Mauricio Luna-Rodríguez, NAP Global Network’s policy advisor and climate change adaptation governance expert.

    The Peer Learning Summit has been co-hosted by the Kenyan government and NAP Global Network and it took place from October 11 to 13. The Summit convened adaptation experts, including national and sub-national government officials from Belize, the Dominican Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tuvalu, and Zimbabwe, as well as representatives from Kenya.

  • Climate Change resilience: Stakeholders to Support Vulnerable Sectors and Communities in the National Adaptation Plans

     

    National Adaptation Plan(NAP) Global Network Policy Advisor Mauricio Luna Rodriguez ,Ministry of Environment ,Climate change and forestry Deputy Director Climate Change Adaptations Lerenten Lelekoitien and Ministry of Environment ,Climate change and forestry Director Climate Change Pacifica Ogola during the peer learning summit (PLS) on Vertical intergration in the National Adaptation Plan process by NAP Global Network and the Government of Kenya with support from Global affairs Canada on climate change adaptation.
    NAP- Global Network Policy Advisor Mauricio Luna Rodriguez ,Ministry of Environment ,Climate change and forestry Deputy Dir Climate Change Adaptations Lerenten Lelekoitien and Ministry of Environment, Director Climate Change Pacifica Ogola during the peer learning summit (PLS) on Vertical intergration in the National Adaptation Plan process by NAP and the Govt of Kenya on climate change adaptation.

    By Lenah Bosibori.

    Kenya has hosted delegates from ten developing countries across three continents who gathered to exchange insights on strengthening multilevel governance for enhancing climate change resilience through national adaptation plans (NAPs) in their Peer Learning Summit.

    During this three-day summit, which transpired in Nairobi on Wednesday, participants expressed their intent to execute the plan, emphasizing the inclusion of vulnerable sectors and communities.

    In an interview, Dr. Pacifica Ogola, the Director for Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, noted that in terms of vertical integration, they involve all the ministries at the national level and all the counties they consider as essential in implementing adaptation, primarily because their constitution devolved most of the vulnerable sectors.

    “And currently we are developing our third national climate change action plan, which has a separate adaptation technical analysis report, delving into the details of each plan and how these plans will be unpacked and implemented at all levels across the government and also by civil society organizations and the private sector,” said Dr. Ogola.

    She adds that they are ensuring that the plans will be gender mainstreamed to enable youth and vulnerable communities to contribute to the plan.

    Dr. Ogola highlights that they also have programs around climate-smart agriculture, ensuring that the integration happens, and they have a program on financing locally led adaptation funded by multiple partners.

    “Over and above this, we also have programs around climate-smart agriculture, ensuring that this integration happens. We have the program on financing locally led adaptation, funded by multiple partners,” she notes.

    According to her, they have made sure that the plan takes into account the process from the village level to the governor’s office and the relevant sectors of the national government.

    “And we make sure that this plan takes into account the process from the village level all the way to the governor’s office, to the relevant sectors of the national government. So there are different components of programs across different ministries and governments, which are not coordinating this process at the national level, but we make sure that these programs integrate and report back to us, and this information is stored in our monitoring, reporting, and verification system,” adds Dr. Ogola in an interview.

    She emphasizes that vertical integration is essential in Kenya, and they have involved all the relevant ministries, sectors, departments, including the national treasury and the planning department, to ensure that all adaptations are mainstreamed in the overall plan.

    “We also make sure that all our plans are included in the national climate change action plan. So the national climate change action plan is the tool we use to consolidate both the mitigation plans and the adaptation plans. The adaptation plans are informed by our national adaptation plan. And how do we ensure this integration happens? We work very closely with the county governments. We also work closely with the departments, with the sectors,” said Dr. Ogola.

    Mauricio Luna-Rodríguez, NAP Global Network’s policy advisor and climate change adaptation governance expert, stated that there is a need to take action on the climatic impacts by supporting local community adaptation to climate change.

    “And because climate change is exacerbating all of these climatic impacts, we need to take action on these; we need to support the local communities to face climate change,” said Mauricio Luna-Rodríguez.

    Mr. Luna says that national governments have been putting policies in place to move forward on climate change adaptation and they want to ensure that the policies being implemented are discussed during the three days on how to better coordinate from the national level to the subnational level and how to incorporate different actors in this process of adaptation around the national adaptation plans.

    “But there is a realization that when those policies are being implemented, you need to coordinate with the subnational governments, the local communities, and different actors, both civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, and this is basically what we want to discuss during these three days on how to better coordinate from the national level to the subnational level and how to incorporate different actors in this process of adaptation around the national adaptation plans,” said Mr. Luna.

    The summit focused on “vertical integration” in adaptation, the process of linking sub-national and national adaptation efforts. Vertical integration in multilevel governance is key for effective, representative, and inclusive NAP processes.

    According to Mauricio Luna-Rodríguez, their fundamental step in moving from planning to implementation of the NAP process is vertical integration, and they will concentrate on the crucial aspects of the process in the summit.

    “Vertical integration is a fundamental step in moving from planning to implementation of the NAP process. In this summit, we will discuss crucial aspects of this process, such as the importance of establishing institutional arrangements for vertical integration across all levels of governance, as well as how to facilitate financing to sub-national levels to enable them to articulate and implement their local priorities,” said Mauricio Luna-Rodríguez, NAP Global Network’s policy advisor and climate change adaptation governance expert.

    The Peer Learning Summit has been co-hosted by the Kenyan government and NAP Global Network and it took place from October 11 to 13. The Summit convened adaptation experts, including national and sub-national government officials from Belize, the Dominican Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tuvalu, and Zimbabwe, as well as representatives from Kenya.

  • Chairman’s absence in important KFS announcement raises eyebrows

    Chairman’s absence in important KFS announcement raises eyebrows

    By Vincent Munga.

    Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya was on Thursday morning at the Kenya Forest Service headquarters to effect the immediate dismissal order of 23 managers and rangers accused of abetting and conniving with criminals in illegal logging.

    The order given by President William Ruto during the pass-out parade of 2,664 forest rangers at the National Youth Service barracks in Gilgil, Nakuru County affects the officers whose cases have been determined.

    “We are here today to ensure the Chief Conservator has effected the immediate dismissal of 23 forest officers. There are other active cases that are ongoing and appropriate action will be taken when the right time comes,” CS Tuya said.

    The CS made the statement while flanked by her two PS’s, Eng. Festus Ng’eno who holds the Environment and Climate Change docket and his counterpart Mugambi Gitonga who oversees the state department of forestry docket.

    Also at the conference was the Chief Conservator Alex Lemarkoko, some board members and senior forest officers.

    The Chairman KFS board, Job Chirchir who attended the CS’s closed door meeting failed to appear at the press briefing and was seen driving out immediately after the meeting, leaving other members to join the CS at the podium.

    CS Tuya who failed to introduce the senior officials at the function, also never explained the Chairman’s absence as she went ahead to read her statement.

    In her remarks, the CS said some of the officers have been harassed by the web of illegal loggers and asked citizens to help the government curb the vice by reporting any suspected illegal activity to a toll free number, 0800724570 being manned 24 hours.

    According to Tuya, the Mau forest conservancy is the hotspot of illegal logging activities in the country.

    The CS also warned saw millers that if found conniving with the KFS officers in illegal activities, their companies shall be blacklisted from doing business with the government.