Day: April 9, 2023

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Organization Donates Shoes, Toiletries To Students Of Mashimoni School

The Back to Society organization in partnership with the Rotary Club has donated 250 pairs of shoes and toiletries to Mashimoni Squatters School, with an aim of giving back to the society on International Women’s Day.

Speaking at the event, Back to Society Board Director, Abu Bakari, said that the donations will go further in supporting and ensuring smooth learning of the students.

Bakari also stated that the Organization is set to plant two million trees which are still in the nursery in Baringo County, to preserve and conserve the environment.

At the same time, Wambui Nganga of the Rotary Club Nairobi, remarked that they would work hand in hand with other stakeholders to cater for the students’ needs, adding that it’s their first initiative and more is expected.

‘We had these donations from a friend in the Rotary Club and decided to share and celebrate on this essential day,’ stated Nganga.

On the other hand, Mashimoni Squatters Head Teacher, Vincent Wasera, voiced that some of the challenges the school faces are food, water and furniture at its forefront, adding that the school environs and geographical position does not do it any good.

Wasera also lamented that the School is in dire need of renovations as the road construction damaged some of its structures urging stakeholders involved to look into the matter.

In addition, he expressed that the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) is facing a major challenge in terms of textbooks, adding that if the matter is looked upon it would go a long way in helping the student adapt.

Meanwhile, Rotary Club member, John Kamau, hinted that they would send three bags of maize in order to curb food shortage and offer free educational training and forums to students in the School.

Back to Society is a Non-Governmental Organization that deals with health, education and environmental issues, its currently operating in three counties namely of Nairobi, Baringo and Kakamega.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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PSG Prepares A Bill Aimed At Reducing The Cost Of Living

The Public Service Governance (PSG) has established a Taskforce that aims at looking deeply into issues affecting Kenyan households and offer the requisite legal framework for their new legislation ‘Affordable Kitchen for All Bill’.

The Taskforce is already at work, and is in the process of organizing for public participation engagements with Kenyans across the eight regions on the proposed Bill.

Speaking during the Celebrations of the International Women’s Day at the Lutheran Plaza Nairobi, PSG President, Amb. Esther Waringa, said the Taskforce will collect proposals on the Bill from the citizens and discuss how to go about their demands as per their proposals.

‘The high cost of these basic kitchen commodities; Unga, Cooking oil, Sugar, Rice and Cooking gas has made a kitchen which is a woman’s territory to remain a no go zone,’ said Waringa.

She stated that the legislation also focuses on growing Kenya’s economy, to a point that the cost of living is reduced completely, making it easy for anyone to survive in the country.

According to PSG President, leadership and governance, food security, water, education, health, Special Programs and Humanitarian Assistance are the seven Key monumental areas of intervention, which will highly transform the lives of all citizens.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Plans Underway For Judiciary To Open Thika High Court

Plans are underway to open a High Court in Thika, in efforts to speed up the delivery of justice and to decongest the overloaded Kiambu and Nairobi courts.

Thika Chief Magistrate, Stella Atambo, said plans to deploy a High Court Judge to Thika are on course, despite the infrastructural challenges at the Thika Law Courts.

She said the Judiciary under the Chief Justice, Martha Koome, was keen on bringing justice closer to the people, adding that the reactivation of the Thika High Court Sub-registry that was gazetted in 2016, was long overdue.

Atambo said Thika being a populous industrial town with the biggest number of Magistrates deserves to have a High Court.

She said they will no longer be ferrying files to appeal cases in High Courts in Kiambu and Nairobi.

‘The move is a welcome as residents who have appealed their cases will no longer travel to the High court in Kiambu town. It will also ease our work of having to ferry files all the way to the court Kiambu,’ Atambo said.

She was speaking after one of the judges who is reportedly set to be posted in Thika, paid her a visit at the Thika courts.

Karanja Kangiri, a prominent Thika lawyer, welcomed the plans saying it is a great milestone and a reprieve to Thika residents who have suffered for long while seeking justice.

He said lawyers will now have ample time for filing appeal cases which they used to file in Nairobi and Kiambu.

‘This will not only help speed delivery of justice in appeal cases but also cut costs and time wastage for lawyers who used to travel to High courts in Kiambu and Nairobi, to file appeal cases,’ Kangiri said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Mekelle, Aksum, Adigrate, & Raya Universities Making Preparations to Resume Classes

The presidents of Mekele, Aksum, Adigrate, and Raya Universities disclosed that they are making the necessary preparations to restart education.

The conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia has incurred devastating damages in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions. Universities are among the facilities affected due to the conflict.

Following the peace agreement made between the federal government and TPLF, several social services have been restored.

Thanks to the efforts made by the government and other stakeholders, Universities of Wollo, Woldia, and Mekdela Amba have now been rehabilitated and resumed classes.

Similarly, Mekele, Aksum, Adigrate, and Raya Universities have been carrying out the necessary preparations to restart education.

Adigrat University president, Dr. Zaid Negash appreciated the efforts being made by federal government to resume education following the peace agreement.

He stressed the need to accelerating the teaching and learning process and sustaining the peace.

Mekelle University Research and Community Services Vice President Dr. Birhanu Hadush on his part said that in spite of the damages, there are chances that would enable the University to resume education stressing the need to get authorization and required budget from the ministry of education to provide the necessary inputs.

Samara University President, Dr. Mehamed Usman said the damage incurred on the Universities is a big loss for the whole country emphasizing that rehabilitating the institutions and making them ready for service is the responsibility of all Ethiopians.

Addis Ababa University and Government Universities Consultation Forum President, Professor Tassew Woldehanna said a scientific solution supported by knowledge and research is essential ensure sustainable peace and development in the country.

Therefore, it is essential to let students restart their education and strengthen the peaceful teaching and learning process of higher education institutions to produce qualified and competitive graduates, Professor Tassew underscored.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Migori County To Host The 11th Summit Of Lake Region Economic Bloc

Preparations are in top gear in Migori as the County prepares to host the 11th Summit of the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB).

The LREB Summit which brings together 14 counties from Western, Nyanza and South Rift regions, will be hosted in the County for the first time from March 14th to 16th.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LREB, Victor Nyangae, said that they expected the summit to bring together LREB governors and other dignitaries across the country.

LREB was established in 2015 as an Economic Bloc, to enable the counties to leverage economies of scale, and facilitate the development, management and utilisation of cross boundary economic resources and infrastructure.

Nyangae said that this year’s Summit will focus on issues of climate change, the blue economy and trade.

He added that tourism and agriculture will also be discussed to boost the agricultural sector in the region.

The LREB has rich agricultural sectors that include aquaculture majorly from Nyanza counties, maize production from Trans Nzoia and sugarcane from Western and Nyanza regions.

The LREB also boosts of Tea production in Nandi and Kericho and banana and sweet potatoes from Kisii and Kuria regions.

Migori County Governor, Dr. Ochilo Ayacko, noted that the Summit will aim to improve the economic development of all the LREB counties.

Ochilo said that they are expecting various investors who will support the LREB, to ensure that there is growth in the region.

‘We will have both National and International investors who will support our region in ensuring that the projects they launch will run smoothly without delays or interference,’ remarked Ochilo.

Ochillo also added that they are looking forward to establishing a strong market with the neighbouring countries to provide a market for their residents as well as neighbouring countries of Uganda and Tanzania.

‘We will discuss how we can establish trade with our neighbours in Uganda and Tanzania, to ensure that our people export their goods freely,’ said Dr Ochillo.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Over 17,000 Livestock Migrate Into Nyeri In Search Of Pastures

Livestock farmers in Kieni Sub-County could soon be facing a pasture and water crisis, following the migration of over 17,000 livestock from the neighbouring Isiolo and Laikipia counties.

A drought survey released by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), shows that about 12,000 heads of cattle and 5,000 goats and sheep, have been driven into the County and are currently stationed in Kieni East and Kieni West Sub-counties.

The Authority now warns that due to the influx, the available pasture will only last a month.

‘The County has continued to play host to several herds of cattle and flocks of sheep and goats, which migrated into the County. Some of the areas where these livestock are located include Naro Moru, Mount Kenya Forest, Karichen, Gatuanyaga in Gakawa and Lusoi in Thegu Ward, with the highest numbers being reported in Gakawa Ward,’ says the Report.

According to the NDMA, an estimated 2.6 million livestock deaths have been reported in the Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) counties.

The most affected counties with above- normal livestock mortality rates include; Marsabit, Kajiado, Isiolo, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir and Mandera. Nyeri has recorded 500 livestock deaths so far.

Aside from the depleting livestock feed, the Authority has also warned of dwindling water supply.

The Authority say that most of the open water sources will be depleted in the coming weeks, which could see water suppliers resort to rationing the commodity.

‘Water rationing by the various water projects will intensify and households relying on piped water, will experience water shortage and increased cost of water,’ says the Report.

The Central Region National Drought Management Coordinator, Lordman Lekalkul, said that at least 200,000 persons in Nyeri County, are still in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

According to Lekalkul, areas worst hit by the drought include; Kieni East, Kieni West, Mathira East and Mathira West.

Nationally, NDMA estimates that 4.35 million people spread across 23 arid and semi-arid areas, require humanitarian assistance.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Frontline separatist commander, Capo Daniel, resigns from AGOVC

Hong Kong, based Capo Daniel, said he tendered his resignation letter to the leader of one, of the frontline groups fighting for the independence of the former Southern Cameroons, now North West and South West regions.

In a video shared on Easter Sunday, the now-former Spokesperson and Deputy Defense Chief of the armed wing said he resigned due to divergence with the organization.

“I think makes it impossible for me to continue serving our Liberation Movement in those capacities. I thank Dr. Cho Ayaba for his trust during my time in the organization and will continue working for our liberation movement selflessly.”

Mr. Ngong Daniel had been a frequent user of the group’s Facebook page, with his podcasts on the state of their struggle.

He told CNA newsroom on Sunday that the divergence concerns, “differences regarding the internal functioning of the organization. It’s confidential but those are differences that have made it difficult for me to carry out my functions”

Asked if he is tired of the war and wants some time to rest, he said,

“I did not resign from the war. I resigned from the positions I hold in the Ambazonian Governing Council. I still believe in the movement and will continue my advocacy for the rights of self-determination for the territory and support the arm resistance. I will transform my media platform into a non-communal organisation for the advocacy of Ambazonian independence

In a Youtube video, he said, ” The subjects of these issues do not serve any public interest. But all the cycles of AGOVC are very much aware of these issues…I want to thank Dr. Cho Ayaba for the trust he had in me, for allowing me to serve”

On Saturday, April 8, 2023, the leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council, Dr. Choo Ayaba, acknowledged the resignation of Capoi Daniel, wishing him well in his future endeavours, “Myself, the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), Ambazonia Defence Forces, and the Ambazonian people wish to thank comrade Capo Daniel for his great services and contribution to the organization, our people and our liberation. He stood up for Ambazonia, defended Ambazonia, and took a firm stance against blackmailers, scavengers, disrupters, and Cameroun the butchers of our people. We received and accepted his letter of resignation. He served the organization and our people well when very few could speak for Ambazonia. We wish him luck in his new activism endeavours. We have reached a critical point of divergence and l am obliged to accept his resignation”

Capo Daniel said he will go solo by creating a pressure group to keep his activism alive.

Since 2016, the North West and South West regions, have been hit by a conflict between government forces and separatists. After a ferocious government crackdown, the teachers’ and lawyers’ strike action was transformed into a civil society protest, leading to a failed dialogue on January 13, 2017. This led to the arrest of frontline leaders on January 17, 2017, leading to handing over of power to the diaspora.

The Diasporans demanded outright independence of the regions, creating armed groups that have been fighting for the past seven years.

Source: Cameroon News Agency