Day: March 18, 2023

Garissa County government in partnership with the Red Cross Foundation through the E-plus medical services has re-launched an initiative aimed at reducing maternal mortality rate and ease in the referral system across the county. The re-launch included flagging off of five ambulances with state of the art medical equipment and trained personnel that are able to deliver the much needed emergency care to women in the remotest areas of the county during child birth in a bid to reduce maternal mortality rate. Speaking at the Governor’s office after holding a boardroom meeting between the county health officials and E-plus medical representative, Governor Nathif Jamah expressed his optimism and trust on the efficiency of the initiative as he had already launched a similar initiative in his previous tenure as the first Governor of Garissa. ‘We know the efficiency of the Red Cross E- plus ambulance system. We were there and we tried this service before and we know how much qualified personnel and paramedics they have. Their vehicles are the best and we have said that we are returning back there so that these vehicles can serve the remotest part of our county,’ Nathif said. ‘The ambulances are a key aspect of this proposition so from today, we will have at least five ambulances so that it can help to reduce the mortality rate in our county, which at the moment is very high,’ he added. E- plus representative in Garissa Susan Ng’ong’a said that the move by the county government to partner with Red Cross in referral emergency health is a good one as they look forward to reducing the maternal mortality rate by 50 per cent as it had attained in its previous exercise. ‘We were here in 2013-2017 and Garissa was one of the best counties with the best referral system, a robust referral system that was second to none in this country and we are happy to have contributed to that,’ Ng’ong’a said. The flagging off event was also graced by Garissa County Health CEC Ahmednadir Omar, Garissa County Finance Executive Abass Ismail, Garissa level five CEO Dr. Hawa Bakari among other dignitaries from both the county government and the Red Cross Foundation. Maternal mortality rate in Garissa County currently stands at 500 per 100,000 live births according to the available conclusive records of 2018 as countrywide infant mortality rate is 30.63 deaths per 1000 live births from 2022. This initiative by Garissa County government comes in the wake of community awareness against home child deliveries, FGM and early marriages which are the major issues that contribute to the high mortality rate in the region. E-plus medical service is set to work in line with other services like free maternity services provided through the National Hospital Insurance Fund and the Linda Mama programme to reduce the maternal mortality ratio to that of less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo and the Senate ICT Committee led by the Chairperson Sen. Allan Chesang of Trans Nzoia County, yesterday inaugurated the new board of Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) and expressed their commitment to fast track its development for the benefit of Kenya’s budding digital economy. Speaking at the inauguration, CS Owalo apprised the new board members of the project and gave an elaborate outline of how it fits into the government’s digital economy agenda. ‘You are coming at a time when ICT is viewed as an integral facet of our economic agenda. As espoused in our Digital Master Plan, through which we are rolling out 100,000 km of fiber optic cable, 25,000 hotspots and 1,450 digital village hubs while reaching out to global digital companies which we shall work with on digital economy,’ he said. ‘As a government, we are relying on Konza Technopolis to help us position Kenya effectively as the ICT hub of Africa. You have got heavy responsibilities on your shoulders as newly appointed members of the board and we expect you to exercise your proper oversight as required,’ added the CS. CS Owalo noted that the government has developed and signed contracts with other parastatals and government entities and that he expects the new Board to work with them to ensure that the targets of KoTDA and the Ministry are achieved. The CS urged the stakeholders in the Ministry to work together towards delivering the digital economy agenda. The Principal Secretary (PS) State Department of ICT and the Digital Economy Eng. John Tanui appreciated the outgoing board and ushered in the new board, urging them to accelerate the impact of the smart city. ‘Today, we welcome a new board led by Prof. Raphael Munavu who is an academic champion and a great leader. We are looking forward to see the city accelerating its impact. We want to see Konza Technopolis attracting new investments,’ said Eng. Tanui. He lauded the Senate ICT Committee’s commitment to supporting the Authority on matters of policy development, especially the enactment of the Konza Bill. On his part, Senator Chesang lauded the progress of Konza Technopolis and assured stakeholders that they would fast-track the enactment of the Konza Bill and support the new leadership in delivering the project. ‘I am so impressed by what PS Eng. Tanui started 8 years ago. This is a very big project and despite the challenges, they have done a lot. We look forward to supporting the new leadership and we are working hand in hand to make sure that we expedite the process of enacting the Bill. We are having continuous engagements to ensure that the Bill is passed for this project to continue growing and increase investor confidence,’ said Sen. Chesang. Prof. Munavu thanked the stakeholders of the project and noted that his leadership will seek to grow the developments of the city in the coming days. He said, ‘In our inauguration today, we have been able to know each other and we are going to take over from the past team which did a lot. We have seen for example that Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has taken off and we envision that by the end of the year, this will be actualised. Other projects like the National Data centre, the Jitume Programme, the water reclamation facility are a clear demonstration of KOTDA’s success.’ The Chairman was accompanied by Pacifica Chepkosgei, Philip Nyakwaka Olero, Samuel Kariuki Maina, Bertha Denna and Charles Kilonzo who were appointed by CS Owalo in a Gazette Notice of Vol. CXXV-No. 57 as members of the Board. During the event, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo noted that they will support the project in collaboration with Kajiado and Machakos counties to fully realise the benefits of the project to the region. Other senators present from the Senate ICT Committee included Senators Miraj Abdillahi Abdulrahman, Kisang William Kipkemoi, Nyamu Karen Njeri and Abdalla Shakila Mohamed.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has embarked on training farmers in Embu and neighbouring counties on how to increase yields from the ongoing rains. With forecast from the weatherman indicating that the rains would be depressed, KALRO Director in charge of Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties Dr. Alfred Micheni said it was important for farmers to be informed on the right varieties of seeds to plant. ‘In light of the anticipated poor rainfall performance, it is essential for farmers to be trained on how to grow the right crop varieties to realize high crop yields,’ Dr. Micheni said, while urging farmers to go for certified seeds to get value for their investment. Speaking at KALRO offices in Embu town Friday, Dr Micheni said they had organized a two-day farmer exhibition on March 21 and 22 where they would showcase various technologies and trends in farming from various institutions as well as avail varieties of certified seeds to farmers at a discounted rate. He said besides planting the right seed varieties, farmers should also plant early so that the crops will have reached maturity by the time the rains ceased. Researcher Extension Linking Officer Catherine Muriithi said they would also focus on training farmers on new farming technologies and management practices to help farmers achieve more in terms of productivity and incomes. She said it was important for the farmers to adapt to climate change to mitigate crop failure through practices such as early land preparation, technologies of managing land and conservation agriculture. ‘We actually have to change our way of doing things to be food secure now that we no longer get normal rains,’ she said. Researcher Murimi Kagete asked farmers to practice crop diversification as a viable option of building household food and nutrition security as well as boost incomes. He particularly asked famers to incorporate traditional food crops such as sweet potatoes, cassava, yams, millet and sorghum that are drought resistant and have high nutritional value.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Grace Onyango, Kenya’s first female Member of Parliament will be buried on March 31 at her home in Gem, Siaya County, the family has announced. Grace passed on aged 98 while undergoing treatment at a Kisumu hospital on March 8. During a press briefing on Friday, the burial committee chairperson Eng. Israel Agina said that the committee has finalized plans for the burial of the late Mama Grace. Her removal from the Aga Khan Hospital morgue will take place on Wednesday, March 29 at 10.30 am, for a requiem mass at St. Stephen Cathedral Kisumu. After the mass, the body will be taken to Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga sports complex for public viewing. Later in the evening, she will be taken to her home in Tom Mboya Estate, Kisumu for a night vigil. On the morning of March 30, the hearse will leave Kisumu for Nyapiedha village, Gem Sub County for prayers and after the church service, the body will be taken to her home in Sidende Village for a night vigil ahead of the burial the following day. Eng. Agina however stated that there was a proposal for the body to be taken to the National Assembly to be feted by the legislators. Onyango Ralieu, a committee member observed that the burial rites of the nonagenarian would be slightly different from that of the late Willis Otondi, chairperson of the Luo Council of elders who was buried on March 4. In her case, the rites of ‘tero buru’ will be conducted by women on the day of her burial as opposed to men who conducted a similar fete for Otondi. Mama Grace joined politics in 1969 when she was elected the Kisumu Town MP – becoming the first woman to hold that position in the country. The iconic legend was also a trailblazer for the female folk by serving in different capacities including being the mayor of Kisumu town, the first female Deputy Speaker at the National Assembly, the first woman secretary general of the Luo Council and the first woman councilor of Kaloleni ward in Kisumu.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Emgwen Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has disbursed bursary cheques worth Sh 47 million to 6,500 needy secondary, college and university students in the constituency. Speaking during the disbursement of cheques at A.I.C. Kapsabet Bible College, area MP Josses Lelmengit said the funds would go a long way in keeping the students in school and help them achieve their goals. The MP encouraged students to work hard in their studies in order for them to have bright prospects so that they could help other students in future. ‘The only way to change a person is through education. That’s why I am committed to empower all needy students in my constituency to ensure they continue with their studies and fulfill their dreams,’ he said. Lelmengit who was accompanied by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei pointed out that NG-CDF is very critical for the survival of many needy children and parents in the constituency especially now during hard economic times being witnessed in the country. He said most students failed to join form one due to lack of school fees and called on various stakeholders to join hands and help children from vulnerable families accomplish their dreams by keeping them in school. ‘The demand for support by residents is very high and this amount is just a drop in the ocean. Every help is welcomed to ensure our students continue with their studies. Education is the only equalizer between the rich and the poor,’ he said. The legislator noted that they engaged village elders and chiefs to ensure only deserving students benefit from the bursary adding that the process was fair. In a bid to ensure the bursaries get to the beneficiaries on time especially now that students are on midterm break, the MP issued cheques to school principals. Senator Cherargei noted that the government is committed to ensuring 100 per cent transition and retention of students in schools. He applauded the MP for the good work of ensuring no student is left behind in terms of education due to lack of fees. ‘It’s very important to empower our young people to enable them to continue with their studies for a brighter future,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Millions of shillings in form of cash bail, title deeds and log books deposited as surety and yet to be collected from Bondo law courts years after conclusion of cases, could be handed over to Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) by July this year. Bondo Senior Principal Magistrate (SPM) John Nandi said some of the unclaimed documents and money have been lying in the court since 1995. Speaking during Bondo law court open day event, Nandi disclosed that it has been difficult for the court to reach the owners of the unclaimed assets and could be forced to handover the assets to UFAA by the end of the financial year. Nandi urged individuals or relatives of individuals who had concluded cases to turn up and claim their assets saying they would be assisted even if they lost receipts. ‘I know the challenge has been lack of information by members of the public and that is why today we are having open day to educate the masses about what is happening in the courts. Some may have lost receipts or some may have died but if any of their relatives show up, they would be assisted to claim whatever was deposited,’ Nandi explained. The SPM further disclosed that Bondo law courts have adopted the use of technology not only to improve service delivery in courts but also to communicate to their clients which would prevent future incidences of unclaimed assets lying in courts for years after cases are concluded. He said that through the use of technology, the accused does not have to be physically present in court to answer charges unless when required adding that the online platform allows the accused to submit documents without having to travel to the court in Bondo. The Magistrate on the other hand disclosed that the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism has helped reduce backlog of cases in Bondo courts and improved efficiency. He said that up to 30 per cent of cases in Bondo courts have been resolved through ADR over the last two years. Area Assistant Deputy County Commissioner Mr Michael Too asked members of the public to embrace the judicial system and shun the habit of withdrawing cases in court before they are concluded. Too said most Gender Based Violence cases failed because the victims do not want to proceed with the matter and sometimes do not turn up in court to give evidence, an issue he said encourages perpetrators to commit crime. The administrator asked the court and the lawyers offering legal services in Bondo town to take their services to the people in the villages and educate them during chief barazas about the services they offer instead of only focusing on the town centers.

Source: Kenya News Agency