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Category: GOVERNANCE AND OPINION

  • CABINET SECRETARY ZACHARIA NJERU EGH ATTENDS FUNERAL FUNCTION OF THE LATE MARY NYAMBURA MUNENE, NAKURU COUNTY

    The Cabinet Secretary Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Hon Zacharia Njeru today joined other mourners for a send off service at Kiamunyi, Nakuru County.

    While eulogizing the late Mary Munene, CS Njeru praised the departed as a staunch PCEA member and prayer warrior. The CS stated that he had lost a close friend and fellow church member. Politicians present were advised to stop politicizing the issue of Doctors strike as the government is in the process of finding a lasting solution.

    Nakuru residents were praised for standing steadfast with the government in propagating good citizenry in matters of security and harmonious co existence with other communities for peace and tranquility.

  • Hon Muteti Murimi Confident of Governor Waigurus leadership

    Kirinyaga Governor Hon. Waiguru and the Team

    Kirinyaga County Assembly Speaker The Hon Speaker Muteti Murimi has expressed optimism and confidence in the leadership of her Excellency the Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru.

    “147.5 Million shillings in bursaries was today issued to 45,000 students in secondary schools, university and colleges from Kirinyaga County.

    Free complete set of uniforms was also issued to all our 15,000 ECDE learners across the county from our Kaitheri Apparel factory. Green uniforms are for Kirinyaga Central and Kirinyaga East and Blue uniforms are for Kirinyaga West and Mwea .

    We distributed teaching and learning materials for our 15,020 children and 399 teachers in all the 200 public ECDEs.”

  • National Assembly defense team vets ambassadorial nominees

    The National Assembly Committee on Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations today commenced approval hearings for persons nominated for appointment as Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Permanent Representatives, and Consuls-General.

    The Committee, chaired by Nelson Koech (Belgut), vetted nominees for High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Uganda, Canada, Islamic Republic of Iran, and Zambia.

    The Committee scrutinized Ms. Catherine Kirumba Karemu, nominee for High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Members highlighted the trade imbalance between Kenya and the UK. “Kenya’s relationship with the UK is long-standing and special but unequal,” stated Abdikadir Mohamed (Lagdera).

    “Getting a visa is challenging. The movement of Kenyans to and fro the UK is now a challenge”, added Moses Kirima (Central Imenti)

    On trade, members noted the ban on miraa (khat) exports to the United Kingdom, which has negatively impacted farmers. Elijah Memusi (Kajiado Central) asked, ” Kenya used to export meat and meat products to the UK. What can you do to bring this back?

    In response, nominee Ms. Karemu pledged to leverage existing trade agreements and marketing efforts to boost Kenyan exports, particularly the currently banned miraa.

    The nominee for High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Arthur Maangi, faced questions regarding the ongoing Migingo Island dispute and the harassment of Kenyan fishermen by Ugandan security forces and pastoralists near Mt. Elgon.

    Mr. Joash Maangi informed the meeting of the Ministerial Commission on International Boundaries, which was formed to tackle cross-border disputes. He also

    Members, however, expressed concern regarding Kenya losing trade opportunities with Uganda, its largest trading partner.

    On his part, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Jonah Mwangi, the nominee for Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, acknowledged the potential for increased trade between Kenya and Iran.

    Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop) questioned the availability of trade opportunities, noting the international sanctions affecting Iran and limiting its financial transactions.

    While responding, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Jonah Mwangi pointed to Iran’s large population and central location as ideal for Kenyan exports, particularly agricultural products not subject to international sanctions.

    The fourth nominee, Ms. Caroline Kamende Daudi, nominated as High Commissioner to Canada, was put to task on the significant trade imbalance between Kenya and Canada.

    Yusuf Hassan (Kamkunji) asked, “We do not do a lot of trade with Canada, yet Canada exports many products to Kenya?”

    Legislators also raised alarm over the challenges faced by Kenyans applying for visas to Canada. Moses Kirima (Central Imenti) pointed to the lengthy wait times for students and skilled laborers for visas.

    Ms. Daudi stressed the need for bilateral talks between Kenya and Canada to find a resolution. She also pledged to work towards actualizing existing bilateral trade agreements and exploring opportunities in the export of textiles, wheat, and mechanical equipment.

    Members of the Committee on Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations also vetted Lilian Tomitom, who was nominated for the position of High Commissioner, Lusaka, Zambia.

    The Committee acknowledged that she had previously served as the West Pokot County MP.

    The Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations will continue to conduct approval hearings for the remaining nominees following Article 124 (1).

  • Kenyatta Family Irritated by Illegal Take-over of their 49 Plots at EastLeigh

    During the press Briefing at Eastleigh

    The Kin family of the first wife of the nation Jomo Kenyatta, is pleading with Cabinet Secretary for Land and Nairobi county government to step in and support them, claiming that private developers have recently taken possession of 49 plots out of 60 in Eastleigh.

    In defiance of the family’s injunction against the developers, development is allegedly underway in the allegedly appropriated plots. It is claimed that the new construction started following the retirement of Uhuru Kenyatta, the fourth president.

    Now that the developers have threatened the family, telling them not to pursue their legal rights and demanding protection, they are living in fear.

    Part of Plots being Developed at Eastleigh

    The difficulties they have encountered over the past two years as they have moved from office to office seeking an injunction to stop the development of the plots all in vain were described by Kamau Njoroge Muigai, a Kin to Uhuru Kenyatta.

    The developers, who chose not to be on camera, want the plaintiffs to go to court and pursue justice and also add that, they too have legal documents to support the ownership of the plots.

  • KNPSWU Welcomes Move To Dignify Private Security officers

    Isaac GM Andabwa National Secretary General Kenya National Private Security Workers Union

    The Kenya National Private Security workers Union (KNPSWU) under the very and wise leadership of the Secretary General Dr. Isaac GM Andabwa has welcomed the move to dignify and elevate the welfare of private security officers who were earlier on demeaned, looked down upon and just referred colloquially as soldier, Omwami, askari rungu.

    The General Secretary made the remarks Saturday at Uhuru park where hundreds of guards from various private security companies had turned up for the mass registration exercise.

    The government has introduced a Guard Force Number (GFN) in a bid to enhance oversight and coordination within the private security sector.
    The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Chief Executive Officer Fazul Mahamed pointed out some security companies for failing to commit to raising the minimum wages of their employees to Ksh30,000. He gave them a one-week’s ultimatum to comply or else risk having their names published.

    “We will not recognize any CBA below Ksh30,000. Next week, I will be publishing the names of companies that have not committed to implementing the CBA,” stated Fazul.

    The contentious raise of minimum salaries of the guards dominated the agenda at the meeting with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja expressing dissatisfaction with unfulfilled commitments to private security guards.

    “Change is imperative. We cannot continue with business as usual. Commitments must be honored,” declared Governor Sakaja, stressing the mandatory nature of minimum wage laws.
    United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Cleophas Malala, urged security group leaders to advocate for the implementation of agreements reached during the meeting.
    “Our party will ensure the resolutions made here today are put into action,” Malala asserted, stressing the importance of holding companies accountable for failing to adhere to the agreements.

  • Kenyan M. P. silences the floor for 4 minutes with a powerful presentation on the need for Equitable Data Representation in the Artificial Intelligence Race


    Kenyan outspoken Member of Parliament John Kiarie and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on communication, information, and innovation on Monday made Kenya Proud on the Global Scene when making a very candid, informed, and detailed presentation and contribution on the need for equitable data representation in the artificial intelligence race.

    John Kiarie noted: “When we are having a conversation on AI Human Rights and Democracy, you understand why Africa is walking into this very cautiously. We do not want to walk into it blindly. We want to walk into it vigilantly. The lessons from the past have taught us that there are developments that can be exploitative to individuals to communities and even to countries. And now that we know that AI, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution will be fueled by data, the question begs: what does the data representation look like as we go into this fourth industrial revolution? As we look into the data centers and where they are being stationed in the world, we see that the Southern Hemisphere is very disenfranchised. A case in point, we got to look historically, Africa has passed its indigenous knowledge, beliefs, their cultures from one generation to another orally. It has not been recorded, not in numbers not in words, indigenous data that is not in our books, is not in the library, and is not even in the internet from which the AI systems are scraping data out of.

    I was very excited about what Mr. Sebar said, because in the context of AI and democracy and human rights, then Parliaments must advocate for Affirmative Actions that ensure inclusivity and equity in the principle of leaving nobody behind. We’ve got to ask ourselves: if this data that is being scraped off the internet, is what is going to fuel the Artificial Intelligence, what will some of the communities contribute to this data? Does it mean some cultures, some religions, some beliefs or some tribes are going to go extinct in this what we are calling the fourth industrial revolution.

  • Search For Common Ground Aims to Inspire Peace and Security

    Search For Common Ground has today held a Sensitization workshop that highlighted the need to address and end cases of insecurity in Lamu, Garissa and other places.

    The forum also saw the launch of a document addressing on encountering Violence Extremism.

    The auspacious occassion saw the attendance of Civil Society organisations, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and other Government Partners.

    “We are not trying to make people sign a piece of paper to stop fighting. Our goal is much broader. We want to transform conflict from violent to cooperative, to change the everyday interactions between people in conflict from destructive to constructive.
    Transforming conflict can be as simple as “reframing” a situation creating a new context in which people attack common problems, rather than each other. A win-lose, you-or-me mindset just perpetuates violence because it disregards the fact that the people involved still have to co-exist after someone wins.” Said Judy Kimamo Country Director Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.

    Various issues like extremism were also mentioned during the discussions where this normally means holding of extreme political or religious views or fanaticism. The issue of radicalization of Youth was also in debate.

    The Country Director further observed that, there is need to engage with the Counties and the police to end extremism and radicalization cases, With a slogan Kwa Pamoja Tuzuie Balaa.
    Empowering Community leaders and Government counterparts in inspiring peace and security in Lamu and Garissa.

    There is also need to sign peace deals, to make sure that we are stable, to make sure all parties are involved. Ending conflict in Lamu Garissa. Ending also acts of extremism.

    Social media has also been of help by using it to advocate for issues from various groups.
    Gender based violence is also tackled here.
    Issues of Personification, docking are tackled to ensure the space for women and children is safe . We have also done training with Meta and part of funding we receive from various donors like USA.

    Barriers towards information from affected areas have been successfully removed and
    Access to justice is all that is needed.

    Hon. Pascal Nabwana observed that, Alternative dispute solving mechanism do work well and where cases are prolonged in court in Lamu they have alternative dispute resolution where elders of Community solve minor cases in a Cultural way.
    One is able to have people resolve cases peacefully, the succes rate on this is very high. Examples of Peace making Initiatives were also showcased.

    Search For Common Ground are purposeful in creating a more diverse and inclusive culture at Search and knows that no one succeeds alone, so they embrace courageous engagement and collaboration and listen deeply to new ideas, welcoming multiple and fresh perspectives
    Our differences beliefs, values, and backgrounds lead to conflict. These disagreements are natural. It’s when we respond with anger, fear, or even hatred that we’ve started down a destructive path. But violence is not inevitable. Disagreements are opportunities to learn new perspectives. Conflict is a chance to work together and find a solution that addresses everyone’s needs.

  • Anti-Counterfeit Authority Hosts Fair Competition Commission of Tanzania to combat cross-border counterfeit goods

    Anti-Counterfeit Authority Hosts Fair Competition Commission of Tanzania to combat cross-border counterfeit goods

    The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) of Tanzania have announced a renewed partnership aimed at intensifying its efforts to disrupt and combat the trade in counterfeit goods across the region.

    The collaboration was formalized during a benchmarking and collaboration session, where a delegation from the Fair Competition Commission of Tanzania visited Kenya.

    Both institutions, mandated to combat counterfeiting and illicit trade while promoting fair trade practices, underscored the importance of concerted regional action in addressing this growing challenge.

    Against the backdrop of enhanced bilateral talks between Kenya and Tanzania, the two East African economic powerhouses are focusing on strengthening trade relations and overcoming barriers that impede their commercial ties.

    Counterfeit and illicit products pose significant threats to economic stability, public health, and safety, not only within the region but also globally. The current trade between Kenya and Tanzania stands at Ksh. 90 billion annually.

    According to the 2018 report, counterfeiting represents one of the largest criminal enterprises globally, with estimated domestic and international sales ranging from $1.7 trillion to $4.5 trillion annually, surpassing even drug trafficking and human trafficking in scale.

    Regional assessments by the International Peace Institute indicate an annual market share of Ksh. 180 billion for counterfeit trading within the East African Community as of 2017.

    In Kenya alone, counterfeit trading was valued at Ksh 70 billion in 2017, reaching Ksh 90 billion in 2029, rivaling key sectors like tourism, tea, and coffee traditionally top earners for the country.

    During the event, Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, Executive Director of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, stressed the urgent need to address the counterfeit menace, highlighting the detrimental impacts on the economy, investor confidence, and innovation.

    Echoing the sentiment, Mr. William Eroi, Director General of the Fair Competition Commission, emphasized the patriotic duty shared by both agencies to stand for fair and open trade, ensuring economic growth and prosperity across their nations.

  • Anti-Counterfeit Authority Hosts Fair Competition Commission (FCC) of Tanzania in renewed regional efforts to combat cross-border trade in counterfeit goods

    During the meeting Between the ACA and FCC of Tanzania at Nairobi ACA headquarters

    The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) of Tanzania have announced a renewed partnership aimed at intensifying their efforts to disrupt and combat the trade in counterfeit goods across the region.

    The collaboration was formalized during a benchmarking and collaboration session, where a delegation from the Fair Competition Commission of Tanzania visited Kenya. Both institutions, mandated to combat counterfeiting and illicit trade while promoting fair trade practices, underscored the importance of concerted regional action in addressing this growing challenge.
    Against the backdrop of enhanced bilateral talks between Kenya and Tanzania, the two East African economic powerhouses are focusing on strengthening trade relations and overcoming barriers that impede
    their commercial ties.

    Counterfeit and illicit products pose significant threats to economic stability, public health, and safety, not
    only within the region but also globally. Current trade between Kenya and Tanzania stands at Ksh 90 billion annually. According to the OECD’s 2018 report, counterfeiting represents one of the largest criminal enterprises globally, with estimated domestic and international sales ranging from $1.7 trillion to $4.5 trillion annually, surpassing even drug trafficking and human trafficking in scale.

    Regional assessments by the International Peace Institute indicate an annual market share of Ksh 180 billion for counterfeit trading within the East African Community as of 2017. In Kenya alone, counterfeit
    trading was valued at Ksh 70 billion in 2017, reaching Ksh 90 billion in 2029, rivaling key sectors like tourism, tea, and coffee – traditionally top earners for the country.
    During the event, Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, Executive Director of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, stressed the urgent need to address the counterfeit menace, highlighting the detrimental impacts on the
    economy, investor confidence, and innovation. Echoing the sentiment, Mr. William Eroi, Director General of the Fair Competition Commission, emphasized the patriotic duty shared by both agencies to stand for fair and open trade, ensuring economicgrowth and prosperity across their nations.

    The renewed partnership opens avenues for law enforcement agencies to develop innovative approaches and strategies in combating counterfeit trade. Areas of collaboration will include information sharing for enforcement actions, public outreach, research, and expertise exchange, with the overarching goal of
    enhancing investigative capabilities and intelligence networks to successfully tackle counterfeit and illicit trade activities.

    The Anti-Counterfeit Authority was established under the Anti-Counterfeit Act 2008 as a State Corporation with the mandates to enlighten and inform the public on matters relating to counterfeiting,
    combat counterfeiting, trade and other dealings in counterfeit goods, devise and promote training programs to combat counterfeiting and co-ordinate with national, regional or international organizations involved in combating counterfeiting.

    It is a state corporation currently within the Ministry of Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry. The Act was passed by Kenya’s Parliament in 2008, it came into force on 1st July 2009 with the principal aim
    of prohibiting trade in counterfeit goods. The Authority came into operation in June 2010.

  • KEMSA Chairman Irungu Nyakera Lauds Kakuzi PLC’s Community Engagement and Tea Reforms in Murang’a

    KEMSA Chairman Irungu Nyakera Lauds Kakuzi PLC’s Community Engagement and Tea Reforms in Murang’a

    Irungu Nyakera paid a courtesy call to the CEO of Kakuzi PLC in Murang’a.
    Irungu Nyakera paid a courtesy call to the CEO of Kakuzi PLC in Murang’a.

    The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Chairman, Irungu Nyakera, recently paid a courtesy call to the Kakuzi PLC leadership in Murang’a. During the visit, Nyakera praised the company for its positive impact on the community.

    “I was impressed by the role Kakuzi is playing in value addition, aggregation, and community engagement. They have fully integrated smallholder farmers into their ecosystem,” noted Nyakera.

    Nyakera was particularly impressed with Kakuzi’s commitment to human rights. “What impressed me most is that Kakuzi has a Human Rights Awareness Manager dedicated to engaging all employees and stakeholders to ensure their rights are guaranteed and protected.”

    Nyakera also highlighted the need for Kakuzi to expand its operations beyond Murang’a County. “I discussed the importance of Kakuzi focusing on becoming a national company rather than just a company based in Murang’a. Let’s grow together.”

    Chairman KEMSA, Irungu Nyakera worshipping in Kariara Ward in Murang’a as he later addressed the tea farmers
    Chairman KEMSA, Irungu Nyakera, was worshipping in Kariara Ward in Murang’a as he later addressed the tea farmers

    In addition to his visit to Kakuzi, Nyakera also engaged with tea farmers in Kariara Ward, Murang’a, where he discussed the impact of recent tea reforms. He noted significant improvements in the payments to tea farmers.

    “I championed reforms that have borne fruit: monthly payments increased from 16 to 25, the mini bonus from 3 to 12, and the yearly bonus more than doubled in 2021. We implemented a ‘one man, one vote’ system in factory elections, and cartels have been removed. Since farmers are the foundation of our economy, let us now take care of them,” Nyakera continued.