Day: March 23, 2023

Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) launched a digital platform that aims to link and connect startups, innovators, researchers, tech hubs, partners and investors in the Lake region. The launch of the Kenya Innovation Bridge (KIB) was held at the LakeHub Foundation in Kisumu on Wednesday. The digital marketplace will make it easier for the aforementioned groups from Western Kenya to network and scale up their innovations. The platform further provides startups and businesses with the opportunity to access mentorship, capacity building and training. Strathmore University developed KIB which seeks to enhance the discoverability of young innovators and connect them to a virtual marketplace. The initiative was funded by the UK government through the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO). Mr. George Masila in his remarks on behalf of Dr. Tonny Omwansa, CEO KeNIA during the launch said that the linkages in form of investments, partnerships and capacity-building opportunities would catalyze the process for the youth to commercialize their talents. ‘The KIB Platform aims at bridging the skill gap among innovators through capacity building which will be offered by hubs, universities, and other stakeholders,’ stated Omwansa. At the same time, he stressed that the KIB will work to bridge the inclusivity gap by ensuring innovators in the whole country get access to funds, partnerships, and customers for their innovations. ‘We established this platform to address the needs of people who don’t have access to potential partners, but can access the digital market to link and network with various collaborators like the County Governments,’ stated Omwansa. In addition, he revealed the Agency’s plan to upgrade all 260 Youth Empowerment Centers (YECs) across the country into Innovation Hubs. The Agency in partnership with other stakeholders will set up programs and capacity-building activities in these innovation centers to attract the youth. ‘KeNIA working with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Arts and Sports is keen to ensure innovators from all regions of the country get exposure through this platform,’ he added. The process was initiated in 2020 and in the initial stage, it attracted participants from 20 Counties. The Agency is committed to expanding the uptake of KIB across the country and it is in this regard that the team has held regional launches in Nakuru for the Rift Valley region and Kisumu for the Lake and Western region. They will be heading to Mombasa for the Coastal region and culminate the exercise with Nairobi in the coming weeks. ‘We have had 400 successful connections so far in the platform. Some of these are still in the engagement stages while others have reached the final stage of sealing agreements between the innovator and the investor or a funder,’ Omwansa disclosed while addressing the participants at the launch. Also present at the occasion was Mr. John Awiti, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services joined by a host of Kisumu County leadership who endorsed the KIB platform in the region. In his remarks, Awiti underscored the importance of promoting innovation which is a precursor to job creation among the youth and a key driver to economic growth in the area. ‘As a government, we want to create a cohesive environment for innovators and the establishment of the KIB platform will provide capacity building for startups to scale up their activities,’ stated Awiti. On his part, the British High Commission – FCDO Advisor, Western Kenya Region, Mr. John Manyolo expressed his satisfaction with the Kisumu-based LakeHub organization to ensure a high number of individuals onboard onto the platform. ‘Our goal is to coordinate different players and work with local government to move the ecosystem forward through developing guidelines on commercialization and taking innovative ideas to the markets,’ stated Manyolo.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Iten County Referral Hospital (ICRH) has commissioned an eye theatre, a move set to revolutionize access to eye care in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The facility was established courtesy of ‘Operation Eyesight’ donors in partnership with the county government and the Ophthalmic Services Unit at the Ministry of Health. The newly established operation theatre will provide the much-needed space and equipment required to offer sight-restoration surgery to patients. This development is a welcome relief to the people of Elgeyo Marakwet, who previously had to travel to Kijabe Mission Hospital and Sabatia in Western Kenya, incurring huge expenses. During the commissioning of the Eye Unit operation theatre, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Mr. Wisely Rotich noted that eye patients from humble backgrounds had been suffering due to a lack of treatment. He decried the fact that only retired teachers and some working-class retirees had access to spectacles in the villages. However, the governor declared that going forward, Operation Eye sight was a reality at the Iten Referral Hospital. He assured everyone in Elgeyo Marakwet with eye problems that they would be attended to, diagnosed, and supplied with glasses free of charge. Ms. Magrine Kiplimo, a beneficiary from Kipsoen health centre, gave her testimony following her sight restoration, thanking God that she could now see. This sentiment was echoed by Mr. Kashinath Bhoosnurmath, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, who expressed his satisfaction with the beneficiary testimonies. ‘Healthy eyes and vision care change lives,’ said Operation Eyesight’s Country Director for Kenya, Alice Mwangi, reiterated this fact. She said that the organization was bringing quality eye health care to people’s front doors, and the new operation theatre built on the success of other eye services recently added to the community. Operation Eyesight is a Canadian-based international development organization working to prevent blindness and restore sight in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. With the establishment of the Eye Unit operation theatre at the Iten County Referral Hospital, the organization is set to make a significant impact in the lives of the people of Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The World Health Organization has called on governments to radically accelerate action to make water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) a reality for all. This call comes amidst the historic United Nations Water Conference which commenced today, the first in nearly 50 years in a partnership initiative between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In a statement sent to newsrooms today, numbers are staggering around the world, with two billion people lacking safe drinking water and 3.6 billion people, almost half the world’s population, use sanitation services that leave human waste untreated. Millions of children and families do not have adequate WASH services, including soap to wash their hands. The consequences can often be deadly. Each year at least 1.4 million people – many of them children – die from preventable causes linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation. Right now, for example, cholera is spreading in countries that have not had outbreaks in decades. According to a WHO report, half of all health care facilities, where proper hygiene practices are especially critical, lack water and soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizing solution. The social and economic consequences of inadequate water and sanitation services are also devastating. Without these critical services, people fall ill, children miss out on learning- especially girls -and entire communities can be displaced by water scarcity. At the same time, the benefits of access to safe water and sanitation, for individuals and societies alike, are beyond measure. These services are key to healthy development in children and for sustaining wellbeing as adults. ‘They also offer a pathway to broader social and economic progress by supporting community health and productivity,’ read the statement in part. The statement further noted that everyone has the right to safe water, proper sanitation and hygiene, yet so many go without. Collectively, the world needs to at least quadruple the current rates of progress in order to achieve universal access to safely managed WASH services by 2030. ‘Progress needs to be even faster in fragile contexts and the poorest countries, to protect people’s health and futures,’ it stated in part. The statement further called on governments to develop a plan for increasing political commitment to safely managed drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene, including outreach to leaders at all levels of government and engaging with civil society groups. ‘Develop a strategy for strengthening governance and institutions required to deliver these services, such as by establishing autonomous regulatory agencies that enforce health-based standards and regularly publish findings,’ read the statement in part.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Vihiga County government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Living Goods for the promotion of community health care services. The deal will see the organization train Community Health Workers (CHWs) to enhance their capacity as well as give them smart phones for easy data collection and transmission. Speaking while witnessing the signing ceremony at the County headquarters on Wednesday, Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo pledged to cooperate with the team in order to promote community health so as to reduce child mortality, ensure healthy pregnancy as well as upscale immunization. Ottichilo stated that through collaboration with partners, they have been able to significantly bring down the child and maternal mortality rates in the past four years. The County head added that the involvement of the CHWs has boosted the provision of health services and reduced pressure on the technical staff. The organization’s Country Director Mr. Thomas Onyango said they intend to work with the County health management team to digitize records for faster execution of the services. Onyango stated that adopting technology in the provision of health care services would enhance effectiveness and efficiency in the sector.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The ever-changing climatic conditions have become a worrying challenge for farmers in Kenya, with a number wracking their minds as to what enterprise to venture in for profitability and food security. The planting season ahead looks bleak for farmers in Nakuru and Baringo counties if the recently released meteorological reports forecasting repressed rainfall are anything to go by. Pest and disease control has also sent many panicking as they grapple with high costs of herbicides and pesticides, which have also been cited as the highest contributors of diseases and drug resistance among humans. ‘I have always consumed Togotia (scientifically known as Erucastrum Arabicum) as a vegetable either alone or as an additive to managu (African Nightshade), sageti ( spider plant) or as an ingredient of mukimo (mashed potatoes),’ testifies Agnes Njori, a resident of Kong’asis in Gilgil Sub county. Njori, has never domesticated Togotia, as its invasion of her maize farm has always afforded her the nutrition she needs for a season, before she reverts to pumpkin leaves and other African leafy vegetables, when Togotia is mature and not malleable to her liking. The green small leafy African vegetable could be the solution many farmers are looking for to ride over the woes of the dwindled rainfall and still remain afloat while being food-secure. Egerton University’s Agro-Science Park Director Prof. Paul Kimurto says Togotia has the potential of turning tables in the country, with the University multiplying and genetically modifying its seeds for better yields. ‘We continue to support the development and multiplication of Togotia so that we can come up with the best varieties that can germinate easily and yield higher while being more drought and disease resistant,’ notes Prof Kimurto. Egerton University’s Dr. Mirriam Charimbu (Crops Horticulture and Soils) and Dr. Charles Kihia (Biological Sciences) through their project ‘Exploring the potential of Togotia: A forgotten African leafy vegetable for nutritional security and climate adaptation in Kenya’, hope to develop appropriate cultivation systems for the vegetable. ‘We aim to understand the growth habit of Togotia and determine the nutritional qualities derived from this food product. Togotia is mainly consumed as a vegetable, fodder and herbs across Kenya communities. Two ecotypes of Togotia have been discovered with high nutrition value, capable of slowing down aging and strengthening the immune system,’ said Dr. Charimbu, noting that the research had benefitted from technical advice from experts such as Dr. Maureen Cheserek , a Food Nutritionist at the department of Nutrition and Dietetics. The project that benefitted from a Sh4.9 million funding from Innovate UK KTN 2022 Award, has witnessed farmers in the two counties cultivating the wild crop, which has always been seen as a weedy plant alongside the Black Jack and Wood Sorrel. ‘When I heard that Togotia was drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, I set aside a small portion of my farm to try it. I was surprised that it grew well despite the meager rainfall that we received that year,’ noted Julia Chebotibin, a resident of Ravine, in Baringo County. Ms Chebotibin, who was invited to testify during the research results dissemination workshop held recently at a Nakuru hotel, said she has since ventured into its growth and sale, while its seeds also afforded her income. Areas of Bahati, Mau Narok, Ravine and Baringo central, which formed part of the research received rainfall of an average 1000mm, were said to be capable of affording farmers an average 177 leaves per square meter. Dr. Chirambu notes that the plant has enormous potential for combating ‘hidden hunger’ caused by micronutrients (vitamin and minerals) deficiencies, while it helps minimize the adverse effects of climate change. Other researchers have also pointed at its seeds’capacity to produce oil, as 35 per cent of its seed contains oil that can support combustion.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Companies allied to the Water Services Providers Association (WASPA) have kicked off the exercise of planting over 10 million tree seedlings within a period of six months. WASPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Antony Ambugo said each of the more than 100 Water Companies allied to the association has a target of planting 10, 000 trees beginning this month. On Wednesday during celebrations to mark World’s Water Day in Murang’a, Ambugo observed that WASPA so far has sponsored planting of more than one million trees in various parts of the country. The CEO added that the association is sponsoring the exercise by providing seedlings to the companies targeting conservation of water catchment areas. Degradation of forests and water towers, Ambugo averred it has caused scarcity of water forcing water firms to enforce rationing of the commodity to their customers. ‘Increase in tree and forest cover will help to mitigate climate change. Gas emitted by greenhouses can be neutralized by trees and that is why as WASPA we have embarked to champion planting of trees targeting water catchment areas. It’s unfortunate, sources of water for our firms were greatly affected by the prolonged drought, especially dams,’ he stated. Currently forest cover in the country stands at eight per cent with about 12 per cent tree cover. The CEO underscored the need of conserving the environment saying degradation of forest cover affects sources of water. Ambugo said, ‘Planting of trees will not only be left to water firms but we are also bringing on board other stakeholders to assist in the exercise.’ Kenya, he noted, is known as a water scarce country saying the challenge can be well mitigated by conserving water source areas especially through planting of trees. Meanwhile, Ambugo asked water companies which have been having issues with boundaries of their jurisdiction to bury their differences and embark in providing residents with clean water. ‘Water knows no boundaries and companies should strive to provide water to people instead of engaging in unnecessary boundary issues,’ he added. Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (MUWASCO) Managing Director Eng Daniel Ng’ang’a on his part supported the move to plant trees at water catchment areas. He revealed his firm has prioritized growing of trees to ensure the firm has continuous supply of water from various sources. Ng’ang’a called for an end to vandalism of water infrastructure saying the crime has caused many water firms to incur huge losses and further denied residents steady water supply. ‘As we strive to connect more homesteads with water, vandalism of water pipes among other equipment has frustrated our efforts and we appeal to members of the public to help us fight this crime,’ he added.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The recent visit of the Ethiopian delegation led by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide will further advance bilateral economic and trade relations between China and Ethiopia, China’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Zhao Zhiyuan said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ambassador Zhiyuan said that the 10th Session of Economic, Scientific, Technical Cooperation and Trade Joint Commission was held with the Ministry of Commerce.

This is the first meeting of this kind between China and an African country in 2023, he stated, adding it “fully reflects the good wishes of the two governments to deepen cooperation and common development.”

The visit to China and the convening of the joint commission have injected new impetus to the relationship between the two countries, contributing to the building of China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, the Ambassador explained.

Ambassador Zhiyuan noted “China and Ethiopia had discussions on expanding cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, development assistance, infrastructure construction, and debt treatment, and reached a series of consensus. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of an investment and economic cooperation working group, which is of great significance for strengthening the construction of bilateral economic cooperation mechanisms and increasing policy support for economic and trade cooperation.”

Furthermore, the two sides conducted in-depth discussions on boosting Chinese investment in Ethiopia’s vast market and huge development potential.

Investment in key areas has always been an important part of the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, he pointed out, adding “China will continue to encourage and support domestic enterprises to participate in investment in Ethiopia’s agriculture, tourism, medicine, energy, mining, telecommunications and other fields.”

According to the Ambassador, the trade volume between China and Ethiopia has continued to increase in recent years and the channels for Ethiopia to export coffee and other specialty products to China have been continuously smoothed.

China wants Ethiopian companies to continue to actively participate in exhibition platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the Import and Export Fair, and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, he stated, and underscored “to make full use of the tariff-free treatment for 98 percent of products exported to China.”

Zhiyuan reiterated that China will work with Ethiopia to continuously optimize the trade structure between the two countries, and to develop measures to further facilitate the export of Ethiopian products to China.

The ambassador has appreciated the peace agreement reached by relevant parties under the auspices of the African Union.

“We hope that the peace agreement will be implemented smoothly and Ethiopia will restore prosperity and stability as soon as possible, and at the same time focus on economic and social construction.”

Ethiopia is the “anchor of stability” in the Horn of Africa, the ambassador said pointing out that Chine believes peace and stability in Ethiopia is also of great significance to the long-term stability of the region.

He also expressed China’s willingness to actively participate in Ethiopia’s post-war reconstruction and provide support in the fields of humanitarian aid, health and education.

At the same time, when the time is mature, we will actively promote investment and trade to help Ethiopia realize rapid economic and social development, and improve the living standards of the Ethiopian people.

“At present, I am closely following the situation in the north to make preparations for China’s participation in the reconstruction progress.”

To maintain the peace and security in the Horn of Africa as a whole, China is ready to conduct cooperation to actively implement the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa on the basis of the its Global Security Initiative (GSI).

Source: Ethiopian News Agency