Day: March 16, 2023

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology and Sudan’s Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Transformation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to cooperate on telecommunication and digital transformation sectors.

Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Mola and Sudanese Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Transformation, Adel Hassan Mohamed Hussein signed the MoU in Addis Ababa.

The implementation of the agreement is expected to improve people to people relations, experience sharing and cooperation on security issues between the two countries.

Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Mola said at the occasion that his ministry is committed to implement the MoU aimed at cooperating on telecommunication and digital transformation.

“I was looking at the MoU,” Belete said, further pointing out, “There is strategy wise, policy wise, there is a lot that we are supposed to work together with our parallel Sudanese ministry and all other institutions around the ministry.”

“We will be very much happy to make sure that the articles put in the MoU will be put into effect so to the benefit of our two sisterly countries and we will remain committed and again we are happy to have this relationship with our sister country Sudan.”

The two big countries with huge potential have been playing star role in socio-political-economic affairs of the region and have to work and achieve more together not only for the benefit of the countries but also for the security and development of the region, he added.

Sudanese Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Transformation, Adel Hassan Mohamed Hussein expressed readiness to start a new era of collaboration with Ethiopia.

“We are so pleased to have this meeting today, to meet you and your team. Ethiopia is a sister country and we are looking forward to start a new era of collaboration. Yes, we are so close in the past, but we will be closer in the future.”

The signing of the MoU by the Sudanese and Ethiopian ministries for cooperation in ICT and digital transformation is to tap into the unlimited opportunities in the field of telecom and digital transformation.

“It gives me great pleasure and honor to meet you today your Excellency and witness a signing of the MoU between the government of Sudan and Ethiopia for cooperation in ICT and digital transformation.”

Noting the unlimited opportunities in this field, the minister stressed the need for real cooperation and coordination.

“We are looking forward to get the most benefit from this collaboration in exchanging knowledge, experience, technology, and even developing co-projects for the people of both countries.”

The Sudanese minister has invited his counterpart to visit Sudan to reflect on the MoU together and incorporate it into a daily work and he accepted the invitation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The University of Nairobi Students Association Mombasa Campus held a conversation on Gender Empowerment and Mainstreaming at Swahilipot Hub in Mombasa County to strengthen the legitimacy of gender equality values by addressing known gender disparities in decision-making. The event was graced by Youth and Climate Change Action Champion Ms. Charlene Ruto who lauded men for joining discussions on gender empowerment and mainstreaming. She stated that discussion around gender empowerment and achieving equality has become divisive such that people fail to look at all issues objectively. ‘It is good to remember gender equality is not only a human fundamental right but also an essential foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world,’ she noted. Empowerment of the youth, Ruto said is the solution to bridge gender inequality. ‘As we seek gender empowerment our actions must continuously aim at building and not destroying, we must encourage more than we discourage,’ she said. Ruto also noted that the youth of Kenya are not less talented than youths of other countries nations, if mentored well they can make Kenya shine globally. ‘We can only create a better world for all of us by harnessing the biggest treasure we have, the youth,’ she said. SwahiliPot Hub Chief Mentor Mahmoud Noor said that the empowerment of the youth and their participation in decisions will enable them to be effective agents of change and innovation. He said that gender mainstreaming and gender equality programmes are not mutually exclusive and to achieve gender equality a twin-track approach is necessary. Noor elucidated that gender empowerment is not only for women but all and sundry have a responsibility to challenge the traditions and customs that support and maintain gender inequalities. During a panel discussion, Gulf African Bank Coast Regional Manager Ms. Shamsa Awadh said it is vital to tap into the youth’s potential by ensuring that their talents don’t go to waste. ‘A world of empowered youth will ensure that young people are not job seekers but entrepreneurs who create employment for themselves and their generation,’ she said adding that youths are the fulcrum of development.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Meru county commissioner, Fred Ndunga has launched a multi-sectoral campaign programme against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the county.

Speaking to the public at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital during the launch, Ndunga said reported GBV cases were on an upward trend in all the sub-counties.

Ndunga said the current status was a wakeup call for all players in the health and public security sector to intensify campaigns against the vice aimed at realising a friendly environment in which people of all ages can live without fear of being victims of GBV.

The administrator said the information was drawn from cases reported in police stations and health facilities across the county, pointing out that the cases could be more since some of them go unreported due to pressure and influence beyond the control of the victims.

He urged all deputy county commissioners in the county to commit to mobilizing other national government administrative officers in their areas of jurisdiction to intensify public sensitization and participation in catching up with GBV perpetrators for them to face the full force of the law.

The county administrator said people of all walks of life had a personal responsibility to guard against GBV, saying everybody in the society was a potential victim of the vice, contrary to times when it was thought to only affect the poor and marginalized members of the community.

‘It is possible to have people suffering from GBV within the elite families as well as those perceived to be the richest in the society.’ Ndunga said.

Ndunga said chiefs and their assistant chiefs should be more proactive and remain on high alert as they work in close liaison with the area managers, Nyumba kumi committees and the larger community members to have all GBV perpetrators flashed out and brought to book.

He regretted that incest was a common trend in the county, where such cases tend to go unreported as the victims were more often than not compromised or threatened with dire consequences upon reporting to the authorities.

The administrator further cautioned anybody entrusted with the task of containing the vice in the county against any form of compromise by the perpetrators or their relatives, saying nobody should be left free to continue perpetrating the vice while their victims were suffering from trauma among other GBV effects.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Isiolo Women Representative Ms. Mumina Bonaya has challenged the media workers to remain impartial and objectively inform the public without taking sides. Bonaya lauded the local journalists for being at the frontline to impart accurate information on the public and private sector and especially where there are drought intervention and development affairs. ‘I exceptionally praise journalists from Isiolo for being vibrant in highlighting the drought situations and intervention as well as development agenda by the National and County governments together with the non-government organizations,’ the women MP observed. Speaking to journalists in Isiolo town Wednesday, Bonaya said that her office had allocated Sh. 1.2 million to be shared among 250 students who hail from poor families this financial year. She said that her office would make public the list of all the beneficiaries of the National Government Affirmative Action funds (NGAAF) allocated to the students this year and urged the media to educate wananchi on the role her office is supposed to play in the society within the County. Bonaya said that looming drought had made the local people poorer forcing them to turn to beggars in towns after their animals, which is the main source of income, were wiped by famine. She asked the youth from the area to change their attitude on education, calling upon them to work hard and compete effectively with the others from other parts of the country and get the opportunity to enjoy the national cake alongside others. The legislator advised those who do not succeed and transition to university education to consider joining village polytechnics and other technical colleges so as to acquire skills that could give them an edge over others in job markets across the country. The Women Rep added that most local employers had been acquiring expertise from the neighbouring counties since the youth from the area lacked the required skills that were being offered by the numerous TVET institutions that are near them and far. Bonaya directed the committees responsible for short-listing the beneficiaries of the government bursaries offered through the NG-CDF, NGAAF, County government, Children’s Office and NGOs who support poor children. She said that her office would give priority to orphans, people with disabilities (PWD), and the well constituted women groups and the youth.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Nation Media Group in partnership with Small Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME’s) and other stakeholders Wednesday hosted the 4th Edition SMEs conference and expo 2023 themed ‘Accelerating the SMEs growth through adoption of technology and innovation’. The forum seeks to digitize and sustain the SMEs through empowering young digital entrepreneurs by creating jobs and driving Kenya’s economic growth thus boosting Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product. Speaking at the conference, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Richard Ngatia said that Kenya has had an active promotional growth of both Small and Medium Sized Enterprises through various initiatives including the establishment of digital and innovative groups. ‘Empowering young digital entrepreneurs in Kenya is not just about creating jobs and driving economic growth; it’s about building innovative ecosystems that pave the way for a brighter digital future,’ stated Ngatia. At the same time, Nation Media Group Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gitagama stated that this year, they have introduced new features such as Kenya SME’s Square which will create visibility for businesses and open new markets. The CEO added that they have evolved with platforms like Electronic paper at the Nation Media Group. On the other hand, Kenya National Federation of Juakali Associations Richard Muteti said that the success of MSMEs relies on deliberate efforts to support their growth and development noting that embracing technology and innovation can empower small businesses to reach their full potential. Muteti urged both the government and stakeholders to maintain such forums that will benefit small businesses in the future. The SME’S Conference and Expo is set to run from Wednesday 15th March to Friday 17th March 2023.

Source:Kenya News Agency

The government has embarked on the distribution of 15.8 tonnes of BT cotton seeds to farmers in Nyanza and Western regions to boost production. State Department for Industry Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukwana said through partnership with the private sector, the Sh 51 million initiative targets to woo more farmers as the government moves to revive the sub-sector. Mukwana said the programme will benefit farmers in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Bungoma and Busia counties. ‘The farmers will also receive free chemicals and training to ensure that the crop is effectively managed for maximum yields to be realised,’ he said. ‘This targets to scale up cotton production in the country to provide enough raw materials for both state and private cotton industries which have been revived,’ he added. Speaking during the launch of the exercise at Ahero in Kisumu County, Mukwana said the government has revived Rivatex and several ginneries in cotton growing areas but due to poor production the facilities were operating below capacity. ‘The State Department for Industry has embarked on establishment of industrial parks in the 47 counties where cotton and textiles will be a flagship. To meet the demand, the industries, are forced to source for cotton outside the country,’ he said. .’These industrial parks will be actively engaged in ginning, clothes and textiles to create employment opportunities for the youth,’ he said, and challenged the youth and women to take advantage of the renewed effort to revive the crop and join the bandwagon to reap economic benefits. Speaking during the same occasion, State Department for Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi said the seeds being distributed through Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) will go a long way in strengthening the cotton value chain in the country. This, he added, will have a ripple effect on the dairy sub-sector with the cotton seed cake made readily available for production of dairy meal. ‘A vibrant cotton sector will reduce the cost of production per litre of milk and help us address the shortage of the commodity in the country,’ he said. The government, he said was determined to establish a strong cooperative movement not only for the cotton sub-sector but for all the sectors of the economy. ‘This was being done through a review of the Cooperatives Act to strengthen governance and safeguard members’ funds,’ he added. Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Acting Director General Beatrice Nyamwanu said the renewed focus to rejuvenate the sector was set to scale up production which currently stands at 3, 000 metric tonnes. She said AFA was committed to ensuring that farmers across the country have access to the right seeds to boost yields and income. ‘If we don’t have the right seeds, the industry will continue to suffer from lack of raw materials,’ she said. Nyamwanu said BT Cotton, which takes six months to mature, was capable of yielding up to 1, 500 kilograms per acre, offering the best solution to the country’s gap in production. ‘So far, 20, 000 farmers have been registered through the various SACCOs, and positive outcomes through the free seeds programme are likely to woo more farmers to the sub-sector,’ she said. Nyamwanu noted that AFA has partnered with county governments in cotton growing areas to scale up extension services to boost yields. ‘For this variety to thrive, there are agronomic factors which must be employed. AFA has packaged this information and will work together with county governments to build capacity for farmers,’ she said. She said the outcome of the programme will be reviewed after a year to assess the impact and strengthen gaps. ‘We will monitor how this seed performs in the various counties and make recommendations on where to keep it or use our hybrid seeds. This will then help us to know where we are as a country in terms of production,’ she said. The government approved commercial planting of BT cotton in 2019 following a successful five-year trial which showed positive results.

Source:Kenya News Agency

Preparation to receive President William Ruto for interdenominational and thanks giving service in Nandi County is complete, according to the statement released by the umbrella of church leaders North Rift Region. During their press briefing at County Headquarters Office Ground on Wednesday, the leaders asked everyone from the region to join the President on Sunday during thanks giving prayers at Kapsabet Showground. The church leaders emphasised that there was need for Kenyans to insist on unity through prayer at a time when there were serious economic challenges aggravated by persistent drought in various parts of the country and global economic and political challenges which have had direct impact to the country’s stability. Led by the Right Rev Dr Paul Korir, Anglican Church of Kenya, Diocese of Kapsabet, the leaders assured neighbouring counties that they were welcome to receive President on Sunday after several days of preparation. Korir revealed that the church leaders especially from Nandi and Uasin Gishu Counties have jointly worked together through meetings, phone and social media engagements to ensure their unity stands as they jointly wait the President. According to the church leaders present during the press briefing, despite existence of different churches in the region, the level of unity when it comes to common communal engagement has been truly remarkable. The ACK minister however asked Kenyans to continue praying at the time some regions witness rain after several months of drought. He asked residents from areas receiving rains to utilise it and increase food production in the country. Meanwhile, Nandi County Outgoing County Commissioner Herman Shambi has confirmed that all are set to receive the President on Sunday during the interdenominational and thanksgiving service at Kapsabet Showground.

Source:Kenya News Agency