President Uhuru Kenyatta has presented his annual State of the Nation Address painting a picture of hope, resilience and progress in the face of adversity.
Basing the speech on the economy, social structure and democracy, the president said interventions set in place to beat the Covid-19 pandemic helped to reinforce the resilience of the economy while cushioning millions of households against the harsh effects.
From the National Assembly, the president said while most economies in the world shrunk, Kenya’s grew at 0.3 per cent during the 2020 period despite the Covid challenge.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta prepares to inspect the guard of honor by members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) before the annual State of the Nation address at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, Kenya November 30, 2021
President Uhuru Kenyatta complained of his State of the Nation speech being long and tiring.
“Najaribu kukatakata jamani hata mimi nimechoka (I’m trying to keep it short; even I am tired),” he said as the MPs giggled.
Uhuru, who read his speech for more than two hours while standing at the Parliament precincts, said this as he sipped water.
As the MPs kept on giggling, Uhuru went ahead with his speech as he took breaks to quench his dry throat.
Before complaining, Uhuru had read the first part of his speech and informed the MPs that it was just the beginning.
“This is just the first part,” he said as he smiled at the MPs who were also giggling.
During his speech, Uhuru rallied all Kenyans to secure their vaccination against Covid-19 in the wake of the Omicron variant.
“I invite the media to use their platforms to promote the vaccination campaign,” he said during his State of the Nation address on Tuesday.
Uhuru said Kenyans need to be cautious and responsible against the variant.
“Let us tear down this disease, ladies and gentlemen,” he said.
He also relived his time as a parliamentarian, saying it taught him to serve Kenyans without looking at what side of the divide they are in.
The President reminisced how he was introduced to the House by ODM leader Raila Odinga and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi.
“It is always a privilege to be here. I was here as nominated MP and later as Cabinet Minister. In 2002 I came back as Leader of Official Opposition, and Gatundu South MP,” he said.
The President said returning to the House equally reminds him of when he served as Trade and Finance minister.
Hon John Yahya Nene addressing the press at the Crown Plaza Hotel during the presidential bid launch
Kenya Presidential Elections hopeful John Yahya Nene on 27 Nov,2021 at a Nairobi Hotel declared his interest to run for the 2022 Kenya presidential elections.
Mr Yahya Nene is not new to politics having worked as a strategist for various Political outfits and individuals in Kenya to include former UNACTAD -United Nations Agency For Trade and Development boss Ekuru Aukot and the Orange Democratic Movement ODM.
2022 Presidential hopeful John Yahya Nene addressing members of the fourth estate at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Upper Hill,he dismissed the Deputy Presidents William Ruto’s “bottom up” economic tagline terming it a fallacy.
He however added that; ” there is only Micro and Macro economics, the bottom up model is only used to confuse the youth and take advantage of their poverty situation.
Mr Yahya has not declared the party he will ride on to seek election bid ruling out possibilities of working with other presidential hopefuls arguing that he is oil and the other hopefuls are water and as such rebels must fail.
Global Philanthropic Investment Firm and Its Kenyan Partners Will Focus on Holistic Learning Models and Community Building Initiatives for Young People
November 24, 2021 (NAIROBI, KENYA): Global Philanthropic Investment Firm and Its Kenyan Partners partners plan to invest 7 million dollars inSub-Saharan Africa to support holistic learning models and community initiatives. The support will also provide youth to pursuediverse learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom.
Imaginable Futures will collaborate with stakeholders in Kenya’s education ecosystem to co-create innovative solutions that will support all Kenyan learners’especially adolescent girls and young mothers who are most at risk.
Imaginable Futures will support initiatives that offer youth flexible learning pathways, support their communities, democratize access to networks that build their social capital, and increase access and affordability to quality child care for mothers. Speaking during the launch of the 2022 Strategy for Sub Saharan Africa Imaginable Futures Principal Investment Officer Sam Mugacha says, “Breaking down barriers that perpetuate inequitable access to learning for youth, including girls and young women, as well as providing access to strong community support and relatable role models is critical for Kenya’s future”. Sam Mugacha further affirmed Imaginable Futures is a commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to support learning models and initiatives that provide young people with skills, awaken their agency and provide them with the support they need to thrive.
According to the 2019 Kenya population census by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Young people make up 65% of the populationin Kenya while close to one million Kenyans enter the job market annually. However, less than 400 thousand are absorbed into jobswith the rest joining the job-hunting market.
This has been blamed on skills mismatch and poor choice of courses.The COVID-19 pandemic has had a seismic impact on youth in Sub-Saharan Africa, from disrupting their learning to eroding their financial securityandtheir physical and mental health.
Datafrom the United Nations Children Fund estimates that1.8 millionKenyan childrenwho should be in school have either dropped out or have never been in school at all while more than 13,000 teenage girls are forced to stop their education annuallydue toteen pregnancies. Imaginable Futures other partners in Kenya include: African Leadership Group, ALiVE, Andela, Educate!, Dignitas, NewGlobe, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), Shujaaz Inc., Ubongo,and Usawa Agenda.“Kenyan parents and communities have been worst hit economically, challenging their ability to invest more in education.
However, we should forge forward unbowed, confident that the existing networks can converge to facilitate an environment where all children and youth are endowed to learn and thrive,” saysDr. Purity Ngina, Senior Researcher at AliVe Imaginable Futures is a global philanthropic investment firm that works with partners across Kenya, South Africa, Brazil,and the United States.In the last 12 years close to 20 African organizations have been supported by Imaginable Futures through equity investments, grants,or project financing.
The broadening of its strategy is part of its efforts to address systemic barriers that impact learners and their families and perpetuate generational inequities. Globally, Imaginable Futures has invested more than USD240 Million and collaborated with more than 175 partners around the world as part of Omidyar Network and now as an independent entity.
While having a peaceful demonstration outside the school compound,a number of parents Said tea break for their children was a good initiative since most of them can’t provide breakfast or lunch for their children.
Tea break for these children was initiated by a resident who provides them with porridge and bread to keep them in school. Mary Nyanchama expressed her discomfort saying she was only able to provide one meal a day and provision of tea break was a big boost for her.
“Since the initiative at the start of this year,my child has no excuse of boycotting classes,I can go on my day to day Jobs without worrying about their meals,”Said Nyanchama. She asked the management should not to turn down this breakfast initiative since it has contributed a number of children to stay at home.
Gloria Orwoba an initiator and also an aspirant for Bobasi parliamentary seat in this program Said she started this initiative early this year by Providing one cup of Uji and two slices of bread weekly.
“Am running this initiative in 12 schools within Bobasi constituency for over one year year,”Said Gloria.
She noted she is currently feeding a population of over 9,000 pupils.The program has increased pupils population in the schools that have it more children have enrolled.
Since then the program has reduced absenteeism and improved Nutrition of the children.
KenGen is optimistic that the unfolding situation will be resolved speedily through peaceful means. Image: KenGen
KenGen has completed drilling the deepest geothermal well in Ethiopia, reaching a depth of 3,000 meters, surpassing a target of 2,750 meters.
This marks the second of eight geothermal wells KenGen has been contracted to drill for the state-owned electricity producer, Ethiopia Electric Power Company which was delivered successfully amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are happy to see our teams deliver the same level of success in the Horn of Africa as we do back home in Olkaria where we have also drilled several geothermal wells to depths of 3,000 meters,” acting Geothermal Development Director, Peketsa Mangi, said.
KenGen team is optimistic that the project which is part of the company’s diversification strategy once completed will help catalyze economic development in the horn of Africa through the provision of renewable energy while at the same time increasing access to electricity.
According to KenGen’s Finance and ICT Director, John Mudany, the NSE-listed firm has seen significant growth in its revenues attributed to income from the projects in Ethiopia.
“Our revenue increased by 4 per cent from Sh44 billion to about Sh46 billion in 2021 partly attributed to revenues from our diversification venture at Tulu Moye in Ethiopia,” Mudany said.
“The ongoing geothermal drilling services in Tulu Moye contributed about Sh1.7 billion compared to only Sh440 million in the last financial year.”
In February 2019, KenGen won a contract to offer geothermal drilling services for EEP in the Aluto-Langano geothermal fields in Ethiopia.
At the same time, in the Horn of Africa, under a contract signed in October 2019, KenGen has completed drilling two geothermal wells for Tulu Moye Geothermal Operations PLC (TMGO) in Ethiopia and is currently drilling the third well.
These two projects are hinged on the Company’s diversification strategy which has led to the organization’s expansion in the Horn of Africa. Besides Ethiopia, KenGen has also secured a Sh709 million project to offer commercial drilling services in Djibouti.
In February this year, the company signed a contract with Office Djiboutien De Development De lenergie Geothermique (Djiboutian Office of Geothermal Energy Development) (ODDEG).
KenGen is also prospecting for similar partnerships locally and in other countries in the region.
Ethiopia has declared a six-month state of emergency in the Horn of African country but the situation on the ground is calm and KenGen hopes normalcy will resume soon.
“We are assessing the full extent of this latest security situation and working with both the Kenyan and Ethiopian Foreign Affairs and Security authorities for purposes of monitoring the situation to ensure the continual safety of our people,” Mudany said.
KenGen is optimistic that the unfolding situation will be resolved speedily through peaceful means.
IEBC Vice-Chairperson Juliana Cherera (pictured) confirmed that the agency had moved to court to challenge the order issued on Monday by an Eldoret based Court.
NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 2 – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says it is unable to comply with a court order ordering an extension of the continuous voter listing because it lacks funds to do so.
Speaking to one of the News channel on Tuesday, IEBC Vice-Chairperson Juliana Cherera confirmed that the agency had moved to court to challenge the order issued on Monday by an Eldoret based Court.
“We are currently in court so we are waiting for the ruling, because how do we say yes when we do not have the funds, that is the bone of contention,” she said.
The IEBC Vice-Chair added: “We have contracted these people and we have to pay them everyday. You cannot engage people when you don’t know whether you have money for them. You will be infringing on their rights and we have engaged them until today.”
A voter named Patrick Cherono filed an application arguing that IEBC had not met its target of registering about six million new voters. Justice Eric Ogolla issued the orders which will remain in place until November 9, when the case will be heard.
While explaining the electoral agency’s position, Cherera explained that the commission had been allocated Sh1.2 billion out of the Sh4 billion it had requested for the exercise that was due to come to an end on Tuesday. “The contracts for the temporary registration clerks end today (Tuesday), so if the Courts say we extend, we are left with the unanswered question: who is to pay them? where is the money? That is the quagmire we are in,” she said.
The Commission recently told Parliament’s Budget and Appropriations Committee that it will need an extra Sh1.3 billion to audit the voter register, and for other expenses.
According to figures released by the IEBC by the end of the third week, only 800,462 new voters had been listed against the target of 6 million for the 4-week exercise. Apathy, lack of identity cards and apparent lack of motivation, especially among the youth, have been blamed for the low turnout.
Bomas of Kenya celebrated its 50th anniversary with the launch of a revamped cultural and conference facility christened ‘Baraza Hall’ and a ‘Sample Bar Africa’ that enables digital preservation of traditional instruments.
Commending the Institution’s management for preserving, maintaining, educating and promoting the diverse cultures of about 48 ethnic groups in Kenya, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Najib Balala, said that Bomas of Kenya plays a major role in demonstrating the best of what Kenya has, making the facility a national heritage for prosperity and posterity.
“Authenticity of Kenya has not been lost because Bomas of Kenya takes care of it,” said Balala.
The CS encouraged Kenyan nationals to embrace integrity, honesty and hard work, stating that culture is more than a dress and being outdated.
“Let’s change the narrative of culture being a thing of the past or uncivilized. Culture should be seen as a lifestyle, even of today,” he urged.
Balala stated that the Ministry of Tourism is working with Public Private Partnership (PPP) at The National Treasury to strategist on how best facilities at Bomas of Kenya can be developed further to integrate cultural tourism and business tourism.
He further urged the youths to appreciate culture and contribute towards making it interesting for people to be associated with.
Bomas of Kenya Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Gitaa, said that the newly launched Baraza Hall, has a seating capacity for 950 delegates and has increased the seating capacity of the institution to about 5,500.
“As we celebrate 50 years since inception in October 1971, there is an urgent need to invest in cultural tourism as a country, because culture is a unique selling point in modern global tourism,” said Gitaa.
Explaining that Bomas of Kenya receives about 5,000 international visitors annually, the CEO stated that by modernizing the conferencing and exhibition facilities, it will provide room for an innovative approach to cultural preservation and use of digital technology.
He added that the modernization will also contribute in attracting more local and international tourists, thereby, spurring economic development while preserving cultural resources as well.
Gitaa further called for more strategic partnerships to boost the hospitality and tourism sectors which have been hardly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that Bomas of Kenya’s management is re-positioning itself to take-off after 50 years of existence, by injecting new impetus in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Africa has just months to react to an invasive malaria mosquito that thrives in cities, before the situation escalates beyond control, experts warn.
Scientists predict that more than 125 million city dwellers across Africa will face a higher malaria risk from a type of Asian mosquito that is quickly moving across the continent.
The mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, is one of the few malaria mosquitoes that thrives in urban areas because of its ability to find clean water to lay its eggs.
Malaria is traditionally considered to be a rural disease. In Africa, city centers can be completely free of malaria transmission, according to experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
But, the invading mosquito could drastically alter the location and movement of malaria in Africa, which records 94 per cent of global malaria deaths, mostly in children under five.
“I think it’s really quite scary,” says Jo Lines, professor of malaria control and vector biology at LSHTM. “It’s part of our duty as [scientists] to be saying: ‘Look here, something’s happening here.’ If we don’t shout now it will be too late.”
New research led by Marianne Sinka, a senior postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, says that An. stephensi may already be adapting to its new environment and becoming active year-round.
“The more you look, the more you find. We don’t really understand the magnitude of the threat yet, but from the last few years it’s not looking good.”
Louisa Messenger, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
“If it continues its incursion into the African continent unchecked, there is a very real possibility of mass outbreaks of malaria,” Sinka’s team says. “In a continent striving to improve and strengthen its health systems, such a huge burden could be catastrophic. Targeted vector surveillance is therefore urgently needed.”
New threat
Sinka’s research is a warning bell, says Louisa Messenger, an assistant professor at LSHTM. “The key conclusions and observations are very striking. The numbers, if they turn into reality, are very dramatic,” Messenger tells SciDev.Net.
In 2012, an unusual outbreak of urban malaria was reported in the Horn of Africa’s Djibouti City, with Ethiopia and Sudan also reporting cases. This was the first recorded appearance of An. Stephensi in Africa.
By last year, the World Health Organization had issued a vector alert, warning that the mosquito seemed to be spreading from Djibouti to neighboring countries.
Messenger says the mosquito likely arrived via ships entering ports in eastern Africa. Transmission mapping shows the mosquito’s spread follows the major transportation routes used by heavy vehicles to move freight.
“The incursion of An. stephensi into Africa is particularly worrying; over 40 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africans live in urban environments,” Sinka and co-authors write in their paper, published in PNAS (14 September).
“Within urban environments, mosquitoes can be much more difficult to control yet people may have better access to healthcare and treatment, so it is difficult to estimate what the consequences of this invading mosquito could be,” Sinka tells SciDev.Net.
Researchers are working fast to understand the scale of the spread of An. stephensi.
“The more you look, the more you find,” Messenger says. “We don’t really understand the magnitude of the threat yet, but from the last few years it’s not looking good.”
Entomologist Fredros Okumu, the director of science at Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, agrees the study’s findings are significant. “For now, the best [strategy] is to assess the extent of its spread and its role in malaria transmission,” says Okumu.
Call to action
Governments must move to control An. stephensi within “a few months or a year, but not longer, after that it will be too late, it will have spread too far”, says Lines.
In 1930, the world failed to react quickly to the invasion of the African mosquito Anopheles gambiae in Brazil, resulting in a major malaria epidemic in 1938. Lines says that the Brazil crisis should act as a warning, as well as an example of success — when a comprehensive management plan was enacted, An. Gambiae was eradicated in Brazil.
“The quicker you make this decision, the cheaper it is,” says Lines. “This is an emerging infectious disease disaster that we can still prevent — but only if we act decisively now.”
Messenger says bed nets and insecticide spraying are holding measures, but they will not push back against the mosquito’s spread. “In order to push back you have to think of more source reduction,” she says.
Integrated strategies that include household behaviour modification and surveillance programmes, as well as conventional control measures, can be successful, Messenger and colleague Lines say.
“We have options, [we need] the coordination, the money and the political will do to it,” Messenger says.
The vehicles were flagged off by Chris Ndala (right), the Managing Director of DT Dobie and Mr. Patrick Ndunda (second right), Director Planning and Logistics Inspector General’s office at the DT Dobie Body Shop.
To meet the ever growing work load of the National Police Service their vehicle fleet has been bolstered with an additional 40 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs acquired through a leasing deal with RentCo Africa Limited.
The vehicles were flagged off by Mr. Patrick Ndunda, Director Planning and Logistics Inspector General’s office, Chris Ndala, the Managing Director of DT Dobie and Bosire Bogonko, the County Head, RentCo Africa Limited.
Mr. Patrick Ndunda said, “To be able to uphold the rule of law for a safe and secure society, the police force need vehicles that are fuel efficient, reliable and with adequate safety features. We are proud to add these locally assembled vehicles to our fleet as we are also helping build our economy.”
The vehicles were handed over to Mr. Patrick Ndunda (left), Director Planning and Logistics Inspector General’s office by Mr. Chris Ndala (right), the Managing Director of DT Dobie.
Chris Ndala, the Managing Director of DT Dobie explained, “The Volkswagen Tiguan has many safety features including the Anti-locking Brake System (ABS) and stability control. The hill descent assist which helps drivers to tackle off road terrain and day time running lights (LED) which give a clear indication to the drivers of oncoming vehicles will come handy for police work.” “For over eight years DT Dobie has been assembling vehicles at KVM in Thika. We are working with the Government to expand the local assembly of passenger cars, buses, light commercial vehicles and big trucks to reduce the importation of used vehicles and instead to provide jobs for Kenyans.”
“We place great emphasis on top class servicing, maintenance and repairs. Our factory trained workshop staff have the use of substantial stocks of genuine spares which carry warranties. In addition these are available from our spare parts counters for customers who can also buy service kits at favourable prices.” Chris Ndala concluded.
Orange Democratic Movement, ODM party is one of the most famous and powerful political parties in the republic of Kenya. This is the current official opposition party in Kenya and it is under the leadership of the former prime minister, hon Raila Odinga who is eyeing to use this party as his vehicle come 2022 where he will be vying for presidency. This party has a good number of members comprising of the common mwananchi and prominent Politicians in the country.
Now, today, Raila Odinga who is the leader of this party has suffered a huge Blow inside his party. This came in after Dp Ruto leaked the total number of ODM Mps who are secretly working with him. Talking during his political rally in Ukambani, Dr Ruto said that a total of 20 Mps from ODM are part of his UDA team. Ruto then disclosed that UDA Party has a total of 150 members of parliament where he went ahead to challenge Raila Odinga that even his deep state team will not assist him to clinch to power.
“UDA is growing each and Everyday in this Country. Currently it is the only Political Party with over 150 MPs in Kenya. Now, I want to urge my good friend Raila Odinga early in advance concerning the next Coming Presidential Elections. Because there are atleast 20 MPs from ODM who are part and parcel of UDA Team. Let him come with the Deep State, but I will Prove him wrong. I think he should even be preparing to go Bondo, Kisumu.” Said Dr William Ruto. Click on this link to watch the video.
