Fridah Ndinda, a young female athlete currently scaling new heights in her budding running career is the Gold Winner in the ongoing Tujiamini Initiative, powered by SportPesa.
Ndinda, the first female to win the Tujiamini Gold Award was unveiled in Machakos County and walks away with a Ksh 500,000 cash prize alongside other benefits such as training kits and mentorship in recognition and support of her talent towards becoming a top-flight athlete.
Ndinda made headlines in international sports as the first Kenyan female to come second in the 10km Gqeberha marathon in South Africa in 2023. With ambitions to take the podium again in key races later in the year including the 10KM Nairobi City (Xpressway) Marathon, slated for July 7 th 2024, Ndinda already has her eyes set on participation in the Diamond League next year, intent on sealing a slot in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Coming from a humble background, Ndinda was educated through well-wishers, a situation that she says is her biggest motivation. Her aim is to use sports as a stepping stone to uplift her family’s fortunes given the many challenges she has had to overcome in her life and athletics journey.
However since being introduced to her current coach and mentor, William Korir, Ndinda has excelled against odds. Despite struggling with insufficient funding, lack of quality training gear, access to a gym or rubber tracks for speed work, she has triumphed in the races she has participated in, an indication of her determination to grow and rake in the medals.
“Within the first four months of my training in the year 2022, I qualified for the National 5,000M Olympic trials where I finished eighth. A week later, I ran in the 10KM category in the Nairobi City Marathon in 2022 coming in third place. In July, I also took third place in the Durban 10KM road race and emerged ninth in the Single loop half marathon in October”, said Ndinda.
Speaking at the event, SportPesa Representative Deborah Chepkirui, said the Tujiamini Initiative was particularly designed for young sportswomen and men in the grassroots with the intention to support and shine a light on promising but yet unknown careers such as Ndinda’s.
“A lot of people at the grassroots are struggling because they lack the facilities to get to the top tier levels in their speciality areas. Tujiamini aims to change that by according them the necessary support to advance their sporting dreams,”she said.
Ndinda’s coach, William Korir, expressed gratitude for the Tujiamini Initiative’s support saying it will go a long way in preparing Ndinda in her competitive races for the rest of the year where she aims to improve her best time and global ranking.
Storm Trentham, the Director, DBA Africa, a sports management agency that has partnered with SportPesa in the Tujiamini Initiative noted that the programme aims to reach every young talent in the grassroots across the country intent on identifying and empowering the next crop of Kenya’s sporting stars.
“In order to build talents to elite levels, we need to have academies and sporting programmes at the grassroots and that is where Tujiamini comes in. The initiative aims to achieve a big impact whether on an individual basis or within the local community by keeping individuals engaged in self development through their talents.” said
Trentham who encouraged women to apply and nominate each other for the Tujiamini Initiative that now moves to the North Rift region.
Kakamega County First Lady Janet Barasa, President’s Women Rights Advisor Harriette Chiggai, Absa Business Banking Director Elizabeth Wasunna, and Africa Guarantee Fund Head of Risk Joshua Obengele, during the the launch of a Women’s Economic Empowerment and Investment Curriculum.
Absa Bank Kenya, in partnership with the Executive Office of the President, through the offices of the Women’s Rights Advisor and Africa Guarantee Fund (AGF), has today launched a Women’s Economic Empowerment and Investment Curriculum dubbed the Empower Her County Program to empower at least 30,000 women-led micro, small, and medium-sized businesses across Kakamega, Bungoma, and Vihiga counties.
This program seeks to address gender-based disparities and overcome economic challenges women entrepreneurs face to advance entrepreneurship by providing them with the tools and resources needed to upskill their businesses, promote resilience, and thrive in today’s competitive business environment. In addition, the curriculum will offer the ‘Start and Improve Our Business (SIYB) module, one of the largest global business management training programs developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Addressing the business community at the launch event held at Masinde Muliro University, the President’s Women Rights Advisor, Hon. Harriette Chiggai, said, “The launch of the Empower Her County Programme is a demonstration of the need to support women-led MSMEs. This is why my office is partnering with private-sector entities to curate programs that can reach women at the grassroots, and the main reason why His Excellency the President created the office of the Women’s Rights Advisor is to show his commitment to every Kenyan woman and girl.
The program includes training on business registration, taxation, marketing, savings and investment, budgeting and financial planning, bookkeeping, digitization of businesses, market linkages beyond counties, and cross-border training.
On her part, Absa Bank Business Banking Director Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa said
“Closing the gender gap through economic empowerment is key to achieving our Sustainable Development Goals as a nation. When more women are empowered to create wealth, economies grow. This program resonates with our corporate purpose to empower Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time, and is in line with our commitment to empowering over one million women entrepreneurs by 2025 by providing them with access to market information, markets for their products and services, coaching and mentorship, and business networks, as well as providing the capital required to scale their businesses to the next level.”
According to a 2018 report by the International Labour Organization, nearly 60 percent of women’s employment globally is in the informal economy. In low-income countries, it is more than 90 percent. Women constitute over 60 percent of the 74 percent of Kenyans living in rural areas, where poverty levels remain high. The Women’s Empowerment Index 2020 by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics implies that the empowerment rate of women in urban areas is 40 percent, nearly double the rate of empowered women in rural areas, at 22 percent over the same year, signifying the need for empowerment of women, especially at the county level.
This financial literacy program, which is set to be rolled out in all 47 counties, aims to increase economic participation and entrepreneurship among 70% of women and improve financial literacy and management skills for 90% of women, including increasing their knowledge and uptake of the available government and private sector funding.
According to Trade, Investment, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, the primary goals of Buy Kenya Build Kenya are to encourage the use of locally produced goods and services, generate jobs, and lessen dependency on imports.
Miano said her ministry has therefore fast-tracked activities to ensure the initiative’s success, with these activities anchored on the already identified areas of the legal and regulatory framework to guide public procurement.
The Cabinet Secretary said her ministry has also created an enabling business environment, market access for locally produced goods and services, advocacy, and the creation of an institutional framework that ensures sustainability.
At least 40% of the Public Procurement Budget should be set aside for locally produced goods and services, according to the BK BK strategy, the Cabinet Secretary stated during her appearance before the Senate Trade Committee in the Parliament building.
“The disciplined forces have been acquiring various leather and textile products from local manufacturers to achieve this goal. For example, during the January–June 2023 period, the disciplined forces acquired leather and textile products valued at roughly Sh. 1.1 billion,” stated Miano.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the Ministry has established a strong quality and regulatory framework through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) that guarantees locally produced goods meet the established standards.
According to Miano, the Industrial Property Act and the Trade Marks Act are being implemented and enforced by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) to protect and promote indigenous innovations, thereby augmenting the production of goods manufactured in Kenya.
According to her, MSMIs can add value to locally made products by using common manufacturing facilities (CMF) provided by the Ministry through Kenya Industrial Research Development. With the help of CMFs, MSMIs can produce goods that are competitive in the local market.
“The Ministry is continuously creating awareness about the BKBK initiative through media campaigns and engagement, e.g., conferences, trade fairs,” Miano stated. “The Ministry is enhancing the skills of local industrial entrepreneurs by implementing a variety of value-added capacity building programs.” The ministry is working with various stakeholders to implement these programs.
The Cabinet Secretary told the committee that the leather sector is a priority value chain under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) with a potential of Sh 130 billion in revenue and 100,000 jobs.
The government has adopted the value-chain approach for the revitalization of the leather sector, which aims to unlock opportunities by creating jobs and generating income. Miano stated that some of the major challenges facing the sector include low hide and skin recovery, low-quality hides & skins, and inadequate skills.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the current strategies being carried out with assistance from development partners and the private sector highlight the sector’s critical role in economic development, especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
Miano said the Ministry is supporting the revitalization of the sector by promoting value-added initiatives in the leather value chain, With the support of the International Labour Organization, the Ministry has developed the Leather Sector Revitalization Concept Note.
“The Concept Note outlines a comprehensive work plan and activities whose implementation is under discussion, this includes the establishment of Regional Common Manufacturing Facilities (CMFs) similar to Kariokor CMF to improve the productivity and competitiveness of MSMIs in the leather and leather products value chain. The Ministry is working with ILO to help map out potential leather clusters,” said Miano,
She said the Ministry, in collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards, has revised some of Kenya’s Leather Testing Standards and adopted the Applicable International Standards These Standards aim at addressing current market, regulatory, and scientific and technological development needs.
The Cabinet Secretary said the Ministry, through the Numerical Machining Complex (NMC), has developed a prototype knife and de-hider to address the high cost of flying knives and de-hiders, which are currently being imported.
Miano said that in the financial year 2023/2024, the ministry, through the EPZA, was allocated Sh 350 million for the development of Leather Industrial Park-Kenanie and Sh 50 million for the Leather Value Chain Promotion Programme for the training of leather value chain stakeholders.
“The proposed establishment of 450 feedlot facilities in ASAL counties will further enhance the recovery and quality of hides and skins. A multi-sectoral technical feedlot committee coordinated by the Head of Public Service (HOPS) has tasked the State Department for Industry with the role of identifying value-added initiatives,” said Miano.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the Ministry is working with Counties and Development Partners to construct County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across the country. The Parks function as centers for the storage and value-adding of agricultural products.
Agro-processing units, value-adding units, and warehouses are some of these facilities. To improve the processing of food and cash crops such as tea, coffee, sugarcane, nuts, cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, honey, and fish, the Ministry will work with TVETs, KIRDI, county governments, and other important stakeholders.
Hon. Dan Wanyama (Webuye West) and Committee Chairperson, National Assembly Sports and Culture
The National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) has petitioned a House Committee to push for increased allowances for Team Kenya ahead of the Olympics to be held in Paris, France.
Team Kenya is scheduled to take part in the Olympics that are slated for July 26th to August 11th this year.
NOCK officials, led by their president, Dr. Paul Tergat, told the Sports and Culture Committee that the current allowances are too little and should be reviewed.
Speaking when they appeared before the committee meeting chaired by Hon. Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), NOCK Secretary General Mr. Francis Mutuku said players were paid Kshs. 26,000 while officials received Kshs. 39,000.
“We urge the Committee to consider pushing for the increment of training allowances for players who are currently paid Kshs. 1,000 per day,” said Mr. Mutuku.
In his response, Hon. Wanyama, who concurred with NOCK, asked the organisation to prepare a proposal of the new allowance rates and submit it to the Committee for action.
Regarding the status of preparedness ahead of the competition, Mr. Tergat said: “Proper systems have been put in place to ensure the successful preparation of Team Kenya that will fly our flag in Paris. This season, the team will prepare better than before,” he added.
Mr. Mutuku said that NOCK had secured a training camp in Miramas, France, where the team will be expected to train before traveling to Paris.
“We have partnered with Miramas City to host the team for free. We will benefit from technical support from French coaches. The camp will provide a good final kick-off for Team Kenya before departing for Paris,” he added.
He noted that the team will arrive at the camp on July 1st and depart five days before the Olympic Games kick-off.
Mr. Mutuku further told the committee that 10,600 athletes will represent the country during the Olympics.
“Athletics is the country’s main menu at the Olympics, but we will have other teams like rugby’s Shujaa and women’s volleyball team Malaika Strikers, boxing, and tennis, among others,” he added.
He added that NOCK has also partnered with Deloitte to provide risk advisory services.
“Kenya’s reputation was dented following the Tokyo Olympics fiasco. We have brought in Deloitte to deal with the reputation risk,” he added.
He added that Team Kenya’s kits were designed by a Kenyan, noting that the kits will be ready in three weeks.
He added, “NOCK has made plans to assist players in securing visas and air tickets on time.”
Tergat said NOCK’s focus was on the preparations of Team Kenya, and they have directed all available resources at their disposal to achieve this goal.
“Performance is a reflection of preparation, and that is why we are doing everything to ensure Team Kenya is in good form and in shape to win more medals,” he added.
The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the level of preparedness by NOCK for Team Kenya.
“We are satisfied with the plans put in place to ensure the team prepares adequately. The Committee will provide the necessary support you need,” said Hon. Wanyama.
The Committee also met sports, arts, and social development officials led by their CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Nuh, to assess their success stories and challenges.
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and Kenya’s largest retailer Naivas Supermarket have joined forces to unveil a strategic partnership aimed at developing a co-branded loyalty card.
The groundbreaking collaboration is set to revolutionize the shopping experience for Naivas customers by offering enhanced benefits and rewards.
The forthcoming co-branded loyalty card, a pioneering initiative in Kenya’s retail sector, will amalgamate the convenience and security of Visa’s digital payment solutions with the perks of Naivas’ esteemed customer loyalty program.
Cardholders will accrue loyalty points for every purchase made at Naivas and other participating partners, which can subsequently be redeemed for future discounts and exclusive offers.
Andreas Von Paleske, Naivas Chief of Strategy, expressed his enthusiasm for the new initiative.
“The loyalty program is our expression of gratitude to our valued customers. Our objective is to deliver an affordable, world-class shopping experience, and we continuously seek avenues to enhance our customer offerings.”
He added, “This partnership presents an exciting opportunity to achieve that goal, allowing customers to utilize the card not only locally but also internationally. It doesn’t get more global than this.”
To earning and redeeming points, cardholders will benefit from several advantages, including installment payments, enabling them to buy now and pay later. The card will also facilitate contactless payments, providing a safer, faster, and more convenient payment method, in line with current global trends.
As a Visa card, it will enjoy global acceptance at millions of locations worldwide, both online and offline, ensuring seamless transactions for cardholders. Furthermore, Visa’s state-of-the-art security technologies will guarantee secure transactions, offering customers peace of mind during their shopping experiences.
Chad Pollock, Vice President and General Manager of Visa East Africa, expressed his excitement about the collaboration.
“Our partnership with Naivas marks a significant milestone in our mission to enable seamless, secure digital payments for everyone, everywhere. We are delighted to introduce this unique offering to Kenyan consumers, providing all Naivas customers with access to a global, reliable, and secure digital payment option in the form of a Visa card.”
Chad added that, “By enhancing access to digital payments, we are bridging the financial gap and paving the way for a more inclusive society. We look forward to the positive impact we can achieve together.”
The eagerly anticipated co-branded loyalty card will be available at all Naivas Supermarkets nationwide in the coming weeks, promising to elevate the shopping experience for Naivas customers and set new standards of convenience and rewards in Kenya’s retail landscape.
There has been a recent heated debate on the Muguuka and Miraa plant by leaders from the coast and Mt Kenya region after Mombasa County hiked the tax of Muguuka and Miraa.
Mombasa County MP Zamzam Mohammed has called out on Mombasa leadership and the whole County security team to do a massive crackdown on the region to apprehend users and sellers of drugs.
Mombasa County Woman Representative, Hon. Zamzam Mohamed Chimba, has firmly reiterated her unwavering stance against the use of Muguuka and the unregulated consumption of Miraa in Mombasa County. She has pledged to tirelessly advocate for the residents of Mombasa, aiming to combat the proliferation of Muguuka and enforce stringent regulations on Miraa.
While addressing members of the press in Parliament, Zamzam raised concern about the rising numbers of rehabilitation centers in Mombasa County and the large amounts of money being set aside to establish more rehabs.
“Muguka chewing has become a serious issue in our community, contributing to increased rates of addiction, domestic violence, and poor health,” Hon. Zamzam asserted.
She added, “We need to take decisive action as leaders and the county security team to protect our people, particularly the youth, from the devastating effects of this substance and let it be on record that Mombasa is not a rehabilitation center where the only booming business or investment one can think of is a rehab center.”
According to the County MP, Muguuka, a leafy green plant commonly chewed for its stimulant effects, is widely used in Mombasa regions of Kenya. While it is legal and a source of income for many farmers, its consumption has been linked to various health and social problems, with the plant being grown widely in Embu, where the species is known as ‘Catha edulis’
She has, however, urged the governor to stand firm and end the usage of muguuka completely in Mombasa, but she has also urged for regulations on Miraa usage in the county, as she recommends that regulations be put in place to help those affected by muguuka addiction.
“We cannot simply ban Muguuka without offering alternatives, and we don’t have rehabilitation programs in Mombasa since the more we have rehab centers in Mombasa, the more we are advocating for the usage and abuse of drugs in educational campaigns and economic support for farmers who depend on Khat cultivation for their livelihoods,” Zamzam notes.
The proposed ban has sparked a heated debate within the county, with some residents and local leaders supporting the County MP stance. In contrast, others argue that banning Muguuka would harm the local economy and infringe on cultural practices.
“I understand the concerns of those who rely on Muguuka for their income. I’ll advise them to use that land for the growth of cash crops however, we must prioritize the health and well-being of our community. I am committed to working with all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.” A section of leaders from the Embu and Meru regions say that the region fully depends on Muguuka and therefore calls for Mombasa County to reduce the amount being paid as tax to the county.
In the meantime, the County MP has urged residents to engage in an open dialogue and consider the long-term benefits of a Khat-free county. The Mombasa County government is expected to hold public consultations on the proposed ban in the coming weeks.
She has also called upon the governor to take a strong stand and work towards completely eradicating Muguuka usage in the county.
“I am urging my governor, and this is not a fight of supremacy but changing the lives of our people for the future generation, and we shall at all times implement regulations and controls on Miraa consumption, right from the county to the national platform. This is my dire commitment to this cause, and I remain steadfast as I continue to champion the health and well-being of the community.”
Ministry of Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omollo hands over seedlings to Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan during the National Climate Change Security Response Programme County Commissioners’ training. The training empowered the county commissioners to monitor and report mechanisms for climate change interventions within their respective counties. With them is Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko.
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has strengthened the capacity of the 47 county commissioners to spearhead tree-planting activities through training, an exercise jointly supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
The training curriculum, co-created with the Kenya School of Government, will empower the county commissioners to monitor and report mechanisms for climate change interventions within their respective counties.
“The impacts of climate change are unprecedented, with climate-induced extreme weather displacing over a quarter of a million people and affecting close to half a million people in the country. As such, providing strategic preparedness and a coordination mechanism to support the efforts of the Ministry of Environment in the nationwide implementation of climate change interventions is key,” said Principal Secretary, of the State Department of Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo.
“As a Ministry, through the National Climate Change Security Readiness Programme, we are committed to training county commissioners and over 15,000 National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) on climate change to empower them in mobilizing and supporting climate change interventions, including the 15 billion tree campaign,” he said.
The training is in line with the objective of the National Climate Change Security Readiness Programme, which is to build the capacity of all National Government Administrative Officers for effective participation, stakeholder engagement, and coordination in the government’s climate change programs.
“It is important to foster an understanding of different ecosystems and actions to support climate-resilient development and cooperation over shared resources. H.E. President William Ruto has emphasized the vital role leadership and commitment play in the success and advancement of environmental conservation and climate action in Kenya,” said the Principal Secretary for Climate Change and Forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Hon. Gitonga Mugambi.
Ministry of Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omollo and Ministry of Forestry representative Rose Akombo hand over seedlings to Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan during the National Climate Change Security Response Programme training that empowered the county commissioners in monitoring and reporting mechanisms for climate change interventions within their respective counties. Joining them is Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko
“It is against this backdrop that we are collaborating with other ministries to ensure seamless coordination and oversight of the tree-planting campaign at the grassroots level, and we are confident that this collaboration with the Ministry of Interior will effectively advance these interventions,” he said.
The renewed tree planting efforts reflect Kenya’s commitment to achieving the United Nations-recommended minimum of 10 percent forest cover per country, a target enshrined in national law.
During the Handling over of consent to lease land by Homabay County.
The National Land Commission (NLC)has approved the land lease request by the County Government of Homabay for the development of the new Homabay County Headquarters.
This critical step paves the way for the construction of a modern and efficient facility that will serve the people of Homabay for the years to come.The county has leased the land to the CPF Group which will develop the project through a financing model, the tenant purchase scheme that allows for flexible and long-term financial support. This project has been made possible by the Homa Bay County Infrastructure Act that was passed at the County Assembly to provide a framework for partnerships with private and public entities to finance County priority infrastructure.
“We are delighted to present the lease approval to the County Government of Homabay,” Said the National Land Commission Chair, Mr. Gershom Otachi.
“Homa Bay has set the way for ensuring compliance with the law on strategic utilization of land to attract long-term investment. NLC stands ready to facilitate similar transactions for other County Governments.”
“We thank the National Land Commission and Homabay County for facilitating this transaction and making the project attractive for potential investors. We are excited to be pioneers of a transaction engagement of this kind that leverages innovative financing models like the tenant purchase scheme for public infrastructure projects,” said CPF Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Hosea Kili.
“This achievement represents a significant landmark for us as a county, we are grateful to the National Land Commission for expediting this process. We are also proud to partner with CPF Group, which has demonstrated its confidence in our county’s financial standing. The new headquarters will serve as a cornerstone for enhanced innovation, productivity, and service delivery for all residents of Homabay.” said the Homabay County Governor, H. E Gladys Wanga.
The construction of the Homabay County Headquarters is a significant step towards a brighter future for the county. This project will not only provide a modern and efficient workspace for county government officials, but it will also serve as a symbol of progress and development for the entire region.
Established under Article 67 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the National Land Commission (NLC) is pivotal in the transformation of land administration and management in Kenya. As an independent public body, NLC’s overarching mandate includes securing and managing public land and exercising oversight over all land use across the nation for the benefit of all Kenyans.
The NLC was operationalized through significant legislative frameworks including the National Land Commission Act, 2012; the Land Act, 2012; and the Land Registration Act, 2012. These acts collectively empower the Commission, placing it strategically at the apex of land and environmental management as stipulated in Chapter Five of the Constitution. The Supreme Court’s Advisory No 2 of 2014 further reinforces NLC’s role, emphasizing its consultative, advisory, and safeguard-oriented functions, particularly in addressing land grievances.
New-Kenyatta-Science-Complex of Sironga High School Close Up View
It’s alleged with the information held by Kenyaleo.co.ke that female teachers in sironga, A madam of history and a madam of English , are insulting students by use of mean and unpalatable statements as they are using students’ weaknesses to demoralize and ashame, which has lead to mental torture.
The insider has however hinted to Ienyaleo.co.ke that they’ve normalized it without shame to the extent that some male teachers are wondering why female adults would turn insulting and mentally torturing female students.
The insider quotes “Infact the male teachers have taken the responsibility of boasting the students self esteem by encouraging them over their lessons time I’m assuring you that even the School administration is all aware about this and even the school chaplains knows this but it’s like this two mentioned are untouchable., maybe we train our kids to stand strong and fight for there rights , something they couldn’t do for we gave them a responsibility to respect the seniors.” Insider said.
The insider added that “Our daughters in Sironga all fear victimization. Like in an example where one of my daughters was insulted and slapped over her severe eye medical problem, She only came to tell me a while after a while of holding the pain.”
The insider writes “I almost travelled to Sironga but my husband decided to play it down for fear of her welfare at school.
I got a clearer picture of the allegation over this holiday when my daughter and her colleagues had a sleep over ,When we were doing laundry, we had a chat, A motherly chat, since this girls in my compound belongs to me,that was all healthy convo and they opened up.” Insider reveals.
The notes however states that “Lastly, Sironga recently added construction fee to that we currently pay, but I’ll love to say all is good till you hear girl state that they’re only allowed to take a shower once a day, there is also need to work on their sewage system.Their toilets haven’t been worked on for so long. A good number of students are suffering infections that aren’t probably treated and in some cases go untreated .”
On the same information shared by the sought anonymity said “Bathrooms also don’t flow well, they’re clogged , a lot of stagnant water around it, our girls do step on them when taking a bath, kindly re – look that, we know you have a population but something must be done for safety of that population. Amongst the leaders of this post, there could be parents, who have ever visited the dormitories, toilets, bathrooms or any other sanitation facilities,? If any please! Only class representatives that have been pocketed by the school hierarchy have visited yes but they only report positives to parents and the wrongs are smoothed. I’m hereby requesting Nyamira Healthy and sanitation department to do an impromptu visit and give it a clear finding.I’ll also request the Education ministry to send someone down there and get facts before we send our daughters to another agonizing environment.”
The quote ends, “Lastly, Sironga security, you doing good work, You do a clean search that’s okay, however not all you find in ladies is edible, Be careful on that, I was once told to eat tampon I feel sensitisation is required.”
Tasha, who is 14, hails from Kibra. When our team met the young, bubbly teen, she walked with her mother in Kibra’s Soweto area.
Tasha, who is 14, hails from Kibra. When our team met the young, bubbly teen, she walked with her mother in Kibra’s Soweto area.
At a height slightly below 150cm, Tasha weighs 63 kg, which works out to a body mass index (BMI) of 28.05 kilograms per square meter, a score considered overweight.
She explains how she’s grown up in the bustling informal settlement, home to about 186,000 people.
“Going to school is always fun because my parents would give me lunch money. I would use this money to buy the tasty snacks I wanted,” she says.
For Tasha, the favorite snacks on her street food list included French fries, popularly known as chips in Kenya, smokies, sausages, and small-sized juices with different flavors such as passion, strawberry, samosas, and ice cream.
“During short and long lunch breaks, I would happily stuff myself with whatever treat I could afford with the lunch money,” she said.
Things began to get tricky when she began to experience tiredness whenever she had to play games with schoolmates, which included running, skipping rope,, or taking part in soccer matches.
“I would huff and puff, and be forced to take breaks in between the activities,” she said.
Her worried mother took her for tests during a free clinic hosted by a non-governmental organization in Kibra during the 2023 World Heart Day.
“I was told that my daughter is obese, and also advised to take tests, which resulted in a diabetes diagnosis,” says her mother, Selina.
The diagnosis came as a shock, but it forced the teenager’s family to make hard choices.
“We had to switch from a diet of sugary, salty, and fatty snacks to more wholesome foods, and also embrace an exercise regimen,” she explains.
According to Ms. Jane Mangwana, who works with the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), cases like Tasha’s are not unique.
“Gone are the days when NCDS like hypertension, cancer, and diabetes were seen as diseases of the rich. We are at that point where they are increasingly showing up in economically challenged families and resource-scarce settings,” she says.
The latest Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) data has shown an upward trend in overweight and obesity prevalence, rising from 25% in 2002 to 33% in 2014, and 49% in 2022. This increased prevalence is the proportion of a population with a disease or particular condition at a specific point in time.
By 2022, a World Health Organization report indicated that an estimated 37 million children under the age of 5 were overweight globally. Once considered a high-income country problem, overweight is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries. In Africa, WHO reports that the number of overweight children under 5 years has increased by nearly 23% since 2000.
According to Dr. Catherine Karekezi of the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance of Kenya (NCD Alliance), unhealthy diets are the biggest contributor to NCD prevalence in the country. She also names sedentary lifestyles that prevent people from regularly exercising as another major factor in the development of NCDs.
“Obesity and overweight due to unhealthy diets with high levels of refined sugar, salt, and fat, as well as sitting down for long hours without physical activity, can drive the onset of NCDs,” the pharmacist, medic, researcher, and healthy lifestyle advocate says.
Speaking at a recent media roundtable hosted in Nairobi by the NCD Alliance to focus on the APHRC study findings, she noted that an NCD diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence for Kenyans.
The NCD Alliance is actively involved in creating awareness about the threat posed by lifestyle diseases and recently completed a workshop for 250 women from Kiambu County. It is expected that they will use the knowledge gained from the event to empower their communities.
Dr. Karekezi is advising diabetics and high blood pressure patients to adopt healthy diets to supplement their medication regimen. She is also cautioning that climate change can lead to more people falling ill.
Dr. Catherine Karekezi of the NCDAK made her presentation at the April 19, 2024, media roundtable held to discuss the findings of the APHRC report on Kenyan consumers’ awareness of the sugar, salt, and nutrient levels in refined food products. She is asking Kenyans with NCDs to embrace healthy diets and adhere to prescribed medication.
“NCDs like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can also be triggered by changes in air quality due to pollution,” she adds.
In an increasingly consumerist society where Kenyans are often bombarded with enticing images and sounds of refined foods, what options do consumers have in their quest to ensure that they purchase healthy and wholesome foods?
Front-of-pack food labels (FoPLs) are simplified symbols placed on packaged food products to offer consumers clear and quick information about nutritional content.
Dr. Shukri Mohamed of the APHRC says that the FOPL symbols are the most effective system to improve Kenyan consumers’ knowledge of sugar, salt, fats, and saturated fat levels in packaged foods.
“There is research evidence showing that FoPLs improve product selection and purchases, and improve knowledge and the ability to identify healthier food products. FoPL on pre-packaged foods and beverages can provide quick and easy-to-understand information for consumers at the point of purchase, allowing them to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy food and drink options,” Dr. Mohamed says.
These labels facilitate informed product choices, improve knowledge about healthier food options, and aid in distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy choices. This is crucial in Kenya, where diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are prevalent, especially among women.
In Kenya, NCDs cause a significant economic impact on households by decreasing 28.6% of household income on average and subjecting families to catastrophic expenditures that force them into the downward spiral of a vicious cycle of poverty.
Between October and December 2023, APHRC undertook interviews and a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to gauge consumers’ ability to assess the healthiness of food using three symbols: the red and Green Octagon (RG), Red and Green with icons Octagons (RGI), and Warning Label (WL) Octagon.
These symbols were suggested by a Ministry of Health-led technical committee responsible for crafting the Front-of-Pack Labeling (FoPL) standard for Kenya. Additionally, 12 focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted in four focus counties (Kisumu, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Garissa) to delve into consumer perceptions and comprehension of the proposed FoPLs.
APHRC’s study encompassed 2,198 consumers drawn from supermarkets and minimarts in the focus counties, selected to represent both rural and urban demographics. The study aimed to ascertain consumers’ ability to accurately identify foods with high nutrient content and to recognize unhealthy foods based on the provided symbols.
Research scientist Dr. Shukri Mohammed of the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) speaks to the press during the April 19, 2024, media roundtable hosted by the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance of Kenya (NCDAK). APHRC is calling on the government to implement a front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) policy to help Kenyans make healthier food purchases.
Research findings revealed that approximately two-thirds (64.3%) of the study participants were aware of back-of-pack food labels, with 55% indicating that they perused nutrition information before making purchases.
Reasons cited for not reading nutritional information included lack of time (24.0%), difficulty comprehending label information (8.4%), and ignorance (52.0%).
The primary source of information was reading product labels (42%), with 19.34% obtaining updates from the media. Respondents who correctly interpreted the labels were less likely to buy products with high levels of sugar, salt, and other nutrients of concern.
However, Dr. Mohamed emphasized that the ability of some consumers to read product labels does not guarantee informed purchasing decisions.
“It’s commendable that people read food product labels, but whether or not they comprehend what they read is a separate matter. Some of the information on the labels may only be understandable to individuals with a background in nutrition and therefore possess knowledge on the subject,” she says. She recommends more investment in public awareness creation to empower consumers with the correct product information for refined foods.
According to the Kenya Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries Poverty Commission Report, interventions to mitigate the impact of NCDs would require 17% of total health expenditure, or $11.97 per capita annually. This represents an almost three-fold increase in current NCD expenditure. FoPLs can be a solution to improve consumer understanding of the foods they eat and guide them towards healthier choices.
She further points out that the country’s public health policy could benefit from FOPL by restricting the marketing of food products to children, implementing regulatory fiscal policy measures like an increased tax on sweeteners, sugary beverages, and food products containing certain preservatives, and providing subsidies for public institutions like hospitals, schools that serve natural foods to the public.
“Enforcement of FOPL could also compel industries to reformulate their products and comply with public health and food industry regulations. This will result in a healthier array of product purchase options for Kenyans,” she concludes.
