MSC Cruises, a global leader in the cruise industry, is taking significant strides toward reshaping the maritime sector. Founded in 1988 in Naples, Italy, as part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the Swiss-Italian cruise line now operates out of Geneva, with additional offices in Naples, Genoa, and Venice. The company, helmed by founder Gianluigi Aponte, is expanding its focus to embrace a more inclusive maritime economy, and one key initiative is the formation of its new Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee.
In a landmark move, MSC Cruises has appointed Kenya’s maritime legal expert and former Permanent Secretary for Maritime and Blue Economy, Ambassador Nancy Karigithu, to the committee. The appointment reflects MSC Cruises’ commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive work environment, aligning with global trends in the maritime industry.
In a LinkedIn post, MSC Cruises ‘’We’re thrilled to introduce our new Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee at MSC Cruises. This dynamic team, consisting of internal leaders and external experts, is dedicated to driving meaningful change across our organization and fleet.’’
The post further emphasized the company’s dedication to building a workplace where everyone feels valued and heard. MSC Cruises has made it clear that this step is integral to enhancing its workplace culture across all levels of its operations.
‘’At MSC Cruises, we are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and heard.’’
Amb. Karigithu, upon accepting the role, expressed her honor and excitement at being part of such a transformative mission.
‘’I am truly honored at the opportunity to serve on this highly esteemed Committee, the opportunity to contribute to such a transformative mission is not only exciting and humbling, but is also incredibly meaningful to me,’’ said Amb. Karigithu.
She added, ‘’Joining forces with such an esteemed group of like-minded individuals who are all committed to the cause, is very empowering, and I cannot fully express how excited I am at the possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you MSC Cruises for lighting and leading this path.’’
MSC Cruises echoed her sentiments, describing the creation of this advisory committee as a key milestone in their ongoing journey to enhance diversity and inclusion.
‘’This is a key step in our ongoing journey to enhance diversity and inclusion throughout our company. We’re excited about the positive impact this committee will have on our workplace culture and look forward to sharing our future progress.’’ The company stated.
In addition to Ambassador Karigithu, the committee includes prominent figures such as Lucy Ellis, Chief Communications Officer at MSC Cruises; Magali Bertolucci, Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing; Captain Giuseppe Cocurullo, Human Resources Manager and Marine Master; Maria Grazia Fancello, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Cruise Division at MSC Group; and several others. Their collective expertise and leadership are set to drive impactful change within MSC Cruises and the broader maritime industry.
The appointment of Ambassador Karigithu to this committee is a significant recognition of Kenya’s growing influence in global maritime affairs, positioning her as a key player in driving positive change within the sector.
Kenya is emerging as one of the leading Global Business Services (GBS) market destinations and attracting more than $500 million USD in revenues annually, Sama AI CEO Wendy Gonzalez has disclosed. Projections show that $254 million USD, over half of these revenues, will come from business process outsourcing (BPO) in 2024.
Kenya has emerged as an attractive investment destination in the highly competitive GBS market, which includes BPO as a submarket. BPO has grown to include AI supply chain providers such as Sama, Gonzalez explained.
Speaking at the University of Nairobi during a public lecture on Generative AI, Gonzalez noted that the GBS market reached $1 trillion USD in revenues last year, with South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco also playing in the maturing league. With its $500 million GBS revenues, Kenya is leading among emerging GBS destinations including Senegal, Nigeria, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Ghana. She projected that at current growth rates, Kenya will emerge as the leading provider of digital work opportunities with a positive local economic ripple effect.
“Studies have shown that digital work increases formal employment opportunities and is the fastest-growing sector. Kenya has made very good headway amidst stiff competition and must avoid complacency by guarding its market positioning and providing an enabling environment to further deepen the GBS market opportunity,” said Gonzalez. She added, “Kenya is a preferred destination due to the quality of human capital that is versatile enough to serve various market segments, including Generative AI, thanks to digital training and academic progress. Several countries are, however, fighting hard to edge Kenya out of its growth track, which necessitates close attention to secure market positioning.”
While commenting on the skills required to secure our national market positioning, Gonzalez noted that by 2030, an estimated 50-55% of jobs in Kenya will require digital skills. “Yet there are significant gaps in basic and advanced digital skills—particularly in rural areas and among women,” she said. To help bridge this skills gap, Sama has collaborated with the University of Nairobi to advance AI skills in one of the first partnerships of this kind in Kenya.
Both the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui and University of Nairobi Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Hutchinson also spoke at the lecture.
Principal Secretary Tanui stressed that AI is no longer science fiction, saying: “We are living in an era where AI is not just a possibility—it is our present reality, and the sooner we fully embrace it, the better prepared we will be for the future.” He noted that Generative AI alone could add between $2.6 and $4.4 trillion USD annually to the global economy. To bring some of this growth to Kenya, the government is establishing policies and frameworks that foster innovation and invest in research and development while protecting the rights and interests of all citizens, following the principles of ethical AI development and usage.
“With 65% of organizations already integrating Generative AI into operations, its impact is undeniable, from enhancing customer service to revolutionizing industries. As we embrace this digital future, partnerships and education in STEM are key to preparing our workforce for the opportunities ahead,” he added. “It is our collective responsibility to develop ethical guidelines that govern AI use in a manner that upholds human dignity and values. As a government, we will establish policies and a regulatory framework that fosters innovation while protecting the rights and interests of all citizens. We will continue to invest in research and development and champion the ethical use of AI.”
Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, underscored the institution’s pivotal role in equipping students with the skills to navigate the digital economy, adding: “The University of Nairobi is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that our graduates are not only job-ready but also future-ready.”
Sama and the University of Nairobi’s partnership is poised to advance Generative AI capabilities in Kenya and in Africa as a whole. This collaboration will provide part-time employment opportunities for UoN faculty and students, equipping them with practical experience in GenAI. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of bridging the digital divide and positioning Kenya as a global AI value chain leader.
KEFWA President James Situma Address the press after the AGM in Zetech University.
The Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, held its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), where different stakeholders met and discussed issues affecting the football players and way forward.
The 12th anniversary of Kefwa AGM saw the attendance of Coach Robert Matano, former Harambee stars Coach Ghost Mulei, who graced the occasion and advised young players to be disciplined and determined with Passion too.
Various topics were also highlighted, including smart ways of investing for the football players, enrolling in academic careers once the players were near to retire, or even earlier, players’ rights and remuneration.
“We have had a couple of strides since 2012, I guess, and, you know, it has been a journey of so many challenges that concerns the players. But we are so happy because we were once observers, then we were candidates, and then now we are fully members, full members at FIFPro, who are our donors, who always guide us, give us direction on how we can fight for the rights of the players.
So I can say we have a couple of strides, of course, with so many challenges.
But again, we have so many positives, so many wins, whereby we have seen, we have come up with so many products on board
to see how players can maybe transit from playing football and how we can represent players legally around the country, even the professional players.
So I think in many ways, we have many products that we have really helped the players, even bridge the Gap.” Said James Situma KEFWA President.
Group photo for KEFWA AGM Stakeholders 2024.
KEWA President further observed that, it’s one step at a time and believes, we need to come together as players to make sure that we strengthen the union so that we can have that bigger voice to champion for their rights.Players are so frustrated with the current situation that they are not being paid by their current teams. it’s frustrating at times when you are not. Maybe you don’t have something to put on the table for your family.They should still continue boarding and make sure that we continue having that strong voice so that we can voice out because when we are together, I think moving one direction, it will be okay.
Meantime, as we speak, of course, what we really need is to have one voice because election is coming up, you know, we’ll have people walking left, right and center, maybe, you know, promising events.
So, we’ll be so careful, we will involve them 100 per cent in any decision we make.
“When you look at KEFWA, they have professionalized everything, and there are proper structures with good management that look into issues of Players.
Kenyan Premier league can be classified as semi-professional, and the rights of players need to be looked into.
Our neighbours, Tanzania Yanga and Simba, have moved ahead due to proper infrastructure and sponsorship consistency.
Kenya Federation of Football has moved a step further, but there are more strides needed.” Said Innocent Mutiso Doping Control Officer at (ADAK) Anti Doping Agency of Kenya.
KEFWA, who are in partnership with Zetech University, are encouraging football Players to also double in academic qualification in order to better their lives.
Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya address the press at the Ministry Headquarters Nairobi.
The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Salim Mvurya has today given a current update on the special economic zones in Kenya, which are intended to open up areas for Key investments.
The CS was accompanied by Investments Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan, Board Chairman KPA, ChairLapset , CEO and Chairperson Special Economic Zones (SEZ).
The CS met the various stakeholders today to review the progress of Dongo kundu Project, Special economic zones in the country. He observed that Progress was made in Dongo Kundu and investment was done on several sectors including; energy, pharmaceutical, and Glass and Local Investors are 60 percent while International investors make 40 percent .
Speaking during a visit in Naivasha Last week, Mvurya highlighted that investors who had failed to set up operations within one year of receiving their licenses will face revocation of those licenses. He further directed the Special Economic Zones Authority to enforce this mandate, stressing that investors must report to their designated sites within six months or risk losing their licenses. “We are giving every investor six
months to report to the ground, and if they don’t, we will move on to the
next person,” said CS Mvurya.
19 companies have expressed interest in setting up operations at the Naivasha
SEZ, with 11 of them already cleared and awarded licenses. The CS attributed
this progress to the government’s continuous efforts to ease the process of doing business, urging investors to take full advantage of the incentives available.
“KPA has 1.4 billion for compensation of affected persons. The process will begin this week, 400,000 acres marked to begin compensation. 1648 affected persons will be compensated.” Said Salim Mvurya Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Investment,Trade and Industry.
Cabinet Secretary Mvurya also observed that they will have a meeting with the leaders in the region to discuss the Dongo Kundu project.
He further noted that areas for economic zones will be gazetted and also have investors who are already being screened. Correct documentation will be prepared in order to gazette them.
The CS also noted that, there are 19 investors in Naivasha, and 3 more will come later.
Investors have been issued with licence, and SEZ will make a reviewed list of the investors and also want to work with the county Governments to make sure the infrastructure is interlinked. This will make it easy for the infrastructure to meet the standards required.
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui General Secretary NCCK address the press during the 65th General Assembly at Limuru.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) held her 65th General Assembly
at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru, from 20th to 23rd August 2024.
The theme of the General Assembly was Dignified Livelihoods, Resilient Communities.
The General Assembly is highest governance organ in the NCCK, and meets once every
three years, bringing together delegates from the member churches and organisations from across the country. Founded in 1913, the NCCK is the oldest Council of Churches in the world, and has over the last 110 years worked to improve and enhance the well-being of the people of Kenya.
The 65th General Assembly has transacted the statutory business and prayerfully reflected on matters of national concern, and now shares the following message:
1. Build a Better Kenya for All
This General Assembly has taken time to pray for the nation, taking note that we have
gone through difficult and challenging times over the last few years. Despite having had
peace before and during the 2022 General Elections, the period thereafter has been
marked by perpetually rising cost of living, emotive political activity, weakened physical
and mental health, and fatal demonstrations that resulted in deaths of dozens of Kenyans.
The state of justice, inclusivity and democracy has deteriorated, leading to strife and conflicts as citizen groups feel excluded from decision making and national life.
In the Bible, we learn that God intended the world to be an excellent place for all people
to live in, as we read in Genesis 1: 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
It is a responsibility for all of us, therefore, to put effort to make Kenya a nation that works for all.
It is in this context that we recognize and commend the young people of Kenya, who are commonly referred to as Generation Z, for picking up the mantle and organizing
transformative demonstrations that pricked the conscience of our nation and spurred
radical governance changes. We further remind all of us that the Gen Z comprise of 17million Kenyans, who cannot be ignored a they will shape the current and future of our nation. As such, any policies and plans made by the nation and the church must focus on creating a nation where the Gen Z and Gen Alpha will live in and thrive.
2.Comprehensively Address Climate Change
This General Assembly recognizes that Kenyans in all the counties have been heavily impacted by climate change, leading to deterioration in health and increasing food insecurity. More people are sleeping hungry, and livelihood options for many have been wiped out. Despite the impact of climate change, this General Assembly is concerned that the government not done enough with regard to mitigation and adaptation interventions.
We therefore call upon all County Governments to speedily develop, enact and implement climate change mitigation laws and policies for safeguarding of life. The policies should include strategies to comprehensively educate the citizens on mitigation and adaptation
so as to promote household food security.
Towards this, we call upon the National Assembly to speedily repeal the draconian Seed and Plan Varieties Act which prohibits the sharing and exchange of indigenous seeds. NCCK also demand an immediate withdrawal of the other agriculture related Bills that threaten to stifle small-holder farmers in a blatant attempt to benefit foreigners and multi-national
corporations. The Bills we are referring to include the Livestock Bill 2024; the Mung BeanBill 2024; the Nuts and Oil Crops Development Bill 2023, the Price Control (Essential Goods) Amendment Bill 2024; and the Food and Feed Safety Control Bill 2023
We remind all Parliamentarians that passing anti-people laws will come to affect them individually, as we learn from the Bible in Isaiah 10: 1 – 3 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What ill you do on. the day or reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?
On our part, the member churches of the NCCK have committed to use our structures to deliver climate change related messages from the pulpit and other platforms accessible to us. In addition, we have launched a programme in which we will plant 1.5 billion trees in spaces accessible to us over the next ten years. Further, we will initiate and implement programmes to promote good nutrition for all, and will especially advocate against marketing of unhealthy foods on media.
3.Properly Structure Education
This General Assembly has reviewed the state of education in Kenya. It is unfortunate that the education system is marked by confusion, inequality and injustices. We urge the Ministry of Education to speedily address the concerns that have been raised regarding the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC). The transition to Grade 9 next year is still unclear as regards the availability of facilities and teachers in public primary schools. How
many classrooms have been constructed to accommodate the learners? How many
teachers have been employed to ensure all learners are within the standard teacher-pupil ratio, Further, this General Assembly is appalled at the wastage of public funds being witnessed through multiple scholarship programmes. We are convinced that the only reason these
scholarships have been set up is to enable the officials to steal the money. We strongly
recommend that all the bursaries and scholarships, which total close to KShs 100 billion, be collapsed into a tuition fund that will provide capitation so that we can have truly freeeducation for all.
Further, there is need to urgently review the proposed University Education funding model. It is grossly unjust to have a model that makes education a preserve of the rich. The government should engage in comprehensive public participation so as to have a structure that benefits all qualified Kenyans.
4.Safeguard School Re-opening
This General Assembly is cognizant that parents across the country are waiting and
preparing for the reopening of schools next week. However, there is uncertainty following the reports that teachers and lecturers are planning to go on strike. We call upon the
Ministry of Education and the Teachers’ Service Commission to engage in meaningful dialogue with the teachers so as to safeguard the education of our children.
Further, the General Assembly has noted with concern the circular reportedly sent to
Regional and County Directors of Education directing that all school going children must
be registered on the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). We find this to be a backdoor
method of pushing Kenyans into the scheme which is yet to be understood and regarding
which Kenyans have raised concerns. We demand the immediate withdrawal of the
circular and comprehensive public participation so that parents can present their views on the same. Strategies, however good, must not be forced on Kenyans.
5.Reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
This General Assembly is deeply concerned that the country still does not have a
functional Electoral and Boundaries Commission. This is a major betrayal of Kenyans by the leading political formations, who seem to have conspired to delay the process through technicalities in Parliament and in the courts.
This dereliction of duty has put the country in great danger, while denying Kenyans the
capacity to exercise their constitutional rights as relates to elections and review of electoral boundaries. We demand that Speaker of National Assembly nominates the two representatives from the Parliamentary Service Commission to the IEBC appointments panel, and that the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal speedily addresses the dispute regarding the nominees from the Orange Democratic Movement.
6.Independent Investigations of Extra Judicial Killings
The General Assembly has observed that over the last two months, more than 60
Kenyans were killed in the hands of the police. The whereabouts of an unknown number remain unclear after they were abducted by persons believed to be security agents
We share our heartfelt condolences with all the bereaved families, and are praying for
quick recovery for all those affected. We thank all the people who contributed generously for the medical care of the injured, and all who are supporting those who lost businesses and livelihoods.
To address this issue, we demand that an independent commission is set up to investigate these killings and disappearances in a context where the victims and survivors will be free to give evidence. Kenyans are fully aware that the police cannot fully investigate themselves for the same wrongs they are suspected of committing. We must all remember that a government that treats its citizens unjustly loses moral legitimacy to govern.
7.Listen to the People of Kenya
This General Assembly takes cognizance that the main reason behind the Gen Z led
demonstrations was the failure by government officials to listen to the people. Public participation and petitions have been ignored, and Kenyans are opting for demonstrations to capture the attention of responsibility holders. For how long will this disrespect of
citizens continue, We caution the government to remember that the Kenya that works for all is a nation where every voice is listened to, and especially on the following issues:
One, have a clear and workable economic recovery plan that brings to end the
uncontrolled borrowing, brings down inflation and interest rates, and accords all Kenyans equitable opportunities for livelihood options. The economy of Kenya should be for Kenyans, not foreigners.
Two, decisively deal with corruption. It is a major concern for Kenyans that in the last two years, corruption cases involving government officials were withdrawn, and stealing of public funds is increasing with uncontrolled impunity.
Three, bring down the level of taxation in the country. The recent threats by the new
Cabinet Secretary for Treasury to re-introduce the taxes that were in the rejected Finance Bill 2024 are unsettling, and are likely to push the country back into demonstrations. Four, develop a marshal plan for the youth, recognizing that the country has had a youth bulge and if we don’t plan for this population, the country will disintegrate into chaos Five, we demand that the National Assembly immediately withdraws the Ethics and Anti Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2024. The legislature must not be used to fight the
Commission for standing against and exposing corruption.
8.New Council Officials
The General Assembly, having executed its statutory mandate, is pleased to announce
the election of the following to hold office for the next three years:
Chairperson – Reverend Dr Elias Agola (Presbyterian Church of East Africa)
Vice Chairperson – Bishop Dr John Okinda (Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of
Africa)
In conclusion, NCCK calls upon all Kenyans to endeavour to work to build a better nation. Let each of us play our part, just as we pray in the National Anthem.
Kenya was formally admitted to WorldSkills International as the 84th member. The announcement was made during a virtual WSI General Assembly after members unanimously voted for Kenya’s admission to the prestigious global technical and vocational competition.
WorldSkills International WSI, is a non profit membership association open to agencies or bodies which have a responsibility for promoting vocational education and training in their respective countries or regions. Over the years it has continued to provide both a benchmark for high performance and an objective way to assess vocational excellence since it was founded in 1950 in Spain.
Following the ratification, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) was designated by the government of Kenya through the ministry of Education to take responsibility for the leadership, management and daily operation of WorldSkills Kenya. TVETA is therefore the official organizational agency representing Kenya at WSI.
In August 2021, WorldSkills Kenya organized a one-week pilot Mechatronics Competition at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT). The competition, which attracted 13 TVET colleges was aimed at offering the students a learning experience ahead of the National Skills Competition. The following year, Kenya assembled a team of four students who participated in three skills areas at the WorldSkills Africa Competition held at Swakopmund in Namibia. More than 100 competitors from ten African countries competed at the event. Kenya won a gold medal in Restaurant Services and Bronze in Cooking.
This success gave WorldSkills Kenya and partners from the private sector and development partners the confidence to stage a national competition and innovation week last year. Over 100 students from our TVET institutions and universities competed in 18 skill areas that were hosted at the Kenya School of TVET (12 skill areas), Boma International Hospitality College (2), Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology (2) while the Technical University of Kenya two skill areas.
s
A team of 8 winners from seven skill areas (2 competitors in the Mechatronic skill area) was selected to represent the country at the WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon, France in September 2024.
This year WorldSkills Kenya in partnership with Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutes (KATTI), the industry and development partners has organized the second national skills competition, which will run from 19th Monday -23rd August 2024 at the Kenya School of TVET, Boma International College of Hospitality and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.
The official opening ceremony of the Competition and Innovation Week will be held today 19th August 2024 at 2.00 p.m. at the Kenya School of TVET, Gigiri, Nairobi. The Chief guest of this event will be Hon. Julius Migosi Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education.
This event is expected to attract about 5,000 people. The main activities will include Skills Competition, Innovation, Exhibitions/Pitching (commercialization), Keynote addresses and panel discussions.
Around 130 competitors from 48 TVET institutions will compete in 21 skill areas at the national competition. 17 skills will be held at The Kenya School of TVET, 2 at Boma International College of Hospitality and 2 at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.
The skills areas at the Kenya School of TVET include Information Network Cabling, CNC Turning, Mobile Applications Development, IT Software Solutions for Business, Welding, Wall and Floor Tiling, Autobody Repair, Plumbing and Heating, Electronics, Electrical Installations, Bricklaying, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Fashion Technology, IT Network Systems Administration, Cyber Security and Water Technology.
Boma International Hospitality College will host Cooking and Restaurant Services while Dedan Kimathi University of Technology will host Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering CAD. However, the competition at DeKUT will be held a week later.
WorldSkills Kenya has trained 50 Experts and Judges who will adjudicate during competition on how to develop marking schemes and test projects.
The competitions in the National Skills Competition 2024 will be enriched with industry-based developed test projects. These test projects have been meticulously crafted in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that they reflect real-world challenges and requirements. By incorporating industry-based test projects, we aim to elevate the competition to new heights of authenticity and relevance.
The National Skills competition will bring together young people, industry, government and education institutions to create linkages for collaboration in skills development. The event is a national platform for promotion and recognition of skilled people through TVET and their importance in achieving economic growth. The National Skills Competition will encompass practical skill challenges, industry- standard assessments, and showcasing of interactive Innovations. Competitors will be evaluated based on their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, time management, and teamwork.
Each participant will have the opportunity to learn from international best practices and gain valuable insights to enrich their skills. Participants will engage in practical simulations, problem-solving exercises, and collaborative projects that highlight the transformative capabilities of their skills. Adhering to international best practices, the competition will be conducted with utmost fairness and transparency, ensuring a level playing field for all.
Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has launched the Kenya Quality Policy draft at the National Validation
Workshop in Nairobi today.
The proposed policy is aimed at addressing the quality and accreditation gaps
of products by providing a framework to coordinate the accreditation of quality of goods and services manufactured locally before export.
“We have a number of organizations in government who are looking at the issues of
quality and accreditation, however, we have not had a well-coordinated mechanism and therefore this policy is a framework of proper coordination.”
he said.
The policy comes at an ideal time where Kenya has effectively positioned itself globally following several partnership agreements such as the European
Union & the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“All these markets, including our national market, require quality products and services and therefore this policy will graduate Kenya acceptance of products in the global market” he added.
The policy will complement the existing standards authorities to ensure that
they operate within a framework that is well coordinated. “The policy will prepare the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which form the biggest population of investors in our country, to have a framework of accreditation” he concluded.
Salim Mvurya Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry.
The Appointed Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has committed to resolving challenges that have contributed towards the turndown of manufacturing over the last decade.
The promises were made during the handing over ceremony which was witnessed by three Principal Secretaries in the Ministry: Dr Juma Mukhwana (Industry); Abubakar Hassan (Investment), and Dr Alfred K’Ombudo (Trade).
The Cabinet Minister, who officially took over from the outgoing CS Rebecca Miano, promised to provide stewardship and guaranteed acceleration in the manufacturing sector besides bringing new investors.
“In April, President William Ruto said the government is rolling out incentives to attract investors to the manufacturing sector.
The President said the goal is to grow the country’s manufacturing sector to an ambitious 20 percent of our GDP by 2030.
Kenya will continue to open new markets for local products abroad and at the same time facilitate the private sector to take advantage of these markets to increase exports,” Said Salim Mvurya Cabinet Secretary Investments, Trade and Industry.
CS Mvurya further observed that strategic investment in manufacturing will increase exports, create employment opportunities, boost economic activity using local resources, and generate attractive returns for investors.
Kenya must take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which has created a vast market for the country’s exports.
Kenya has a large manufacturing sector serving both the local market and exports to the East African region.
The sector is dominated by subsidiaries of multinational corporations. There is also a need to encourage the local investors and business people to join the trade Sector.
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) has held an International conference that began from 13th and ends 15th today August 2024, Nairobi, Kenya.
The theme of this year’s Conference is “EARTH: Our only Home”, added Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza, RCMRD’s Director General. He went further and delivered a keynote address at the 2024 RCMRD International Conference by also welcoming all the Guests and stakeholders to the Conference.
The conference saw discussions intensified on leveraging Earth Observation (EO) data and solutions to drive sustainable development across various stakeholders.
The plenary session featured contributions from key experts in the field including:
Ms Marie Makuate from GEOSPATIAL GIRLS AND KIDS, Cameroon, presented the importance of geospatial education and empowerment among young girls and children, particularly in leveraging EO technologies for societal benefit.
Priscilla Niyokwirindwa from the University of Rwanda-CGIS discussed integrating EO data in academic research and its impact on policy formulation and implementation.
Dr Judith Atukunda from the International Land Coalition explored the intersection of land rights, EO data, and sustainable land management practices in Africa.
Dr Paula Kahumbu from Wildlife Direct, Kenya, provided insights into the role of EO in wildlife conservation and the protection of biodiversity in the region.
These presentations were followed by parallel thematic sessions focusing on “Land Administration and Management“, where experts discussed the application of EO in addressing land administration challenges and improving land management practices. This session was moderated by Joseph Murage, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at RCMRD, and featured the following presentations:
Chinenye Mezie Nwafor from Orizu College of Education Nsugbe, Nigeria, presented on “Assessment of the Effects of Climate Change on Agricultural Lands using Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in Nigeria,” exploring how EO tools can be used to monitor and mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture.
Kananelo Bookholane discussed the development of water resources management plans in Lesotho, focusing on enhanced management, protection, and sustainable utilisation of water resources through EO-based strategies.
Iradukunda Valentine from the Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management, Addis Ababa University, presented the “Impacts of Land Use Land Cover Change on Water Balance Components,” using the Gobele watershed in the Wabe Shebelle Basin, Ethiopia, as a case study to illustrate the effects of land cover changes on water resources.
Kelvin Muli from the Conservation Alliance of Kenya Land Management presented a case study on the “Preservation of Knowledge Systems through Integration of Indigenous Knowledge System,” focusing on the Ogiek community in Mau Forest, Kenya, and how indigenous knowledge can complement EO data for sustainable land management.
Dimitrios and Douglas Rono from the World Resources Institute (WRI) discussed “Land Cover for Africa, Land Administration, Sustainable Urban Development, and Energy Access Explorer,” highlighting using EO data to support urban development and improve access to energy in Africa.
RIC2024 offers a unique opportunity to showcase organization’s work, areas to learn, and networking avenues.
The third day of the AfriGEO Symposium and the second day of the RCMRD International Conference 2024 concluded with comprehensive discussions on the importance of EO data, in-situ data, policy linkages, and decision-makers adopting EO-based solutions. Furthermore, these discussions underscored the need to effectively implement EO strategies to accelerate social and economic growth across Africa, emphasising the continent’s commitment to leveraging technological advancements for sustainable development.
RIC2024 offers a unique opportunity to showcase organization’s work, learn, and network with other professionals. With more than 4,000 attendees over the past six years, including ministers, government officials, scientists, development partners, researchers, academics, and media groups. We anticipate to host over 1,500 delegates
The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), previously known as Regional Centre for Services in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing (RCSSMRS) was established in Nairobi, Kenya in 1975 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda has expressed his excitement ahead of the club’s first ever Player Awards Gala set for Wednesday, August 21 2024 in Nairobi.
The event, organized by the U45 Unit Branch, will recognize the outstanding contributions of players, fans, and branches that defined a rollercoaster 2023/24 season for Kenya’s second most successful club.
Leopards started their campaign with much optimism but struggled for momentum during the first half of the season. However, a strong second-half comeback saw the team finish fourth in the league and reach the semifinals of the cup competition.
“If there’s one word that continues to define this club, it’s resilience,” Shikanda noted during a press briefing a week before the awards.
“We all know the challenges we faced during the early stages of the season, but the fans never gave up and the players responded. It’s only fair that we organize this event to celebrate everyone who makes this club unique,’’ he added.
The gala represents a milestone moment in the club’s history, providing a platform to honor the hard work and dedication of players and the passion of fans who together work to steer the club forward.
The awards ceremony will feature five distinct categories, each designed to acknowledge the diverse contributions within the club. They include Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Fans’ Player of the Season, Fan of the Year and Branch of the Year, the latter recognizing the branch that has shown exceptional commitment to supporting the club.
Alex Muteshi, the club’s Patron, emphasized the event’s broader significance, stating: “This gala is more than a celebration of our club’s rich legacy and the incredible efforts of those who make AFC Leopards what it is.
“I am especially pleased to see a category for rewarding our fans. Every club can play football, but not every fan can play Isikuti the Leopards way.” Said Olympia Musonye, Chairperson of the U45 Branch, the key organizers
He further noted that, Organizing this gala is our way of giving back to the club and celebrating the hard work of our players, fans, and branches. We hugely welcome support from corporates and individuals from across the divide and hope this is the beginning of bigger things for the club and Kenyan football as a whole.”
Among the players who will be contesting for the top honours include the talented Kayci Odhiambo, Vincent Mahiga, evergreen winger Clifton Miheso and forward Victor Omune.
The Branch of the Year category has attracted dozens of entries representing the national face of the club. They include Baba Dogo, Bungoma, Githurai, Kajaido, Kawangware, Toronto-Canada, Facebook Branch, Kitengela, Kayole among others.
The awards gala night will be held just two days before Ingwe kick off their 2024-25 Kenyan Premier League season away to promoted side Mathare United on August 25.
s
