Author: eradmin

Kiambu Governor, Kimani Wamatangi has launched an ambitious Early Childhood Education (ECDE) school feeding programme to keep children in school. Speaking at the county headquarters during the launch on Monday, the Governor said in the programme children will get eggs and porridge on a daily basis. The main aim of the event was to lay the foundation for learners to get adequate meals during the school day in order to retain the children in school. During the Governor’s speech he thanked the ECDE teachers for their effort and urged them to continue to support the children and address their challenges as they go through their early education. ‘ECDE teachers are an important part in our children’s’ daily lives as they shape their future. They teach the learners crucial first information early such as the basics of reading and writing among other activities,’ he said. Wamatangi added that the school feeding Programme fund has been put aside before its commencement on April 1, 2023. He added that 24 classes will be renovated and 40 new classes will be constructed. The ECDE centres will be divided into two sections (PP1andPP2) with the teachers’ office in the middle of the structure and will also include a children’s play section. Jane Wanjiru who is an ECDE teacher from Ndeiya thanked the Kiambu County Government in general for supporting the learners. ‘The School feeding programme initiative will be of great benefit to our learners. Some students come to class without having eaten anything denying them concentration in class, ‘she said. She also urged the government to increase the ECDE teachers’ salary as it is not enough to cater for their needs. ‘I think as teachers we are an important part of a child’s development and we take the responsibility seriously and so I urge the County Government of Kiambu to increase the ECDE’s teacher’s salary as it is little,’ she said. Early Childhood Education in Kenya serves a critical purpose in preparing young children for Primary education.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government of France has today donated 932 new children’s books to Abrehot Library.

Speaking at the event, Head of Cooperation and Culture of the French Embassy, Sophie Makame, said a year ago, the Cooperation Department of the Embassy of France in Ethiopia was approached by the management team of Abrehot library , wishing to develop a foreign languages section in the library.

Hence, the embassy of France acquired a set of 932 beautiful books in French language, dedicate to Ethiopian children, to serve as the foundation of a French language corner in Abrehot library, she stated.

According to her, the newly designed permanent French language corner at Abrehot Library is therefore the place for all French –speaking people in Addis Ababa including Ethiopian children who speak French and children from French speaking countries.

Addis Ababa University managed, Abrehot Library is currently among the biggest libraries in Africa.

Addis Ababa University President, Professor Tassew Woldehanna, said on the occasion that to eradicate poverty education is a key noting that education cannot be expanded without books.

According to him, everyday over 4,000 people from all walks of life, mostly young people, are using the library.

“We have many diplomats from French speaking African countries as Ethiopia is the head of African Union’, he said, adding putting books at Abrehot means that you can access many readers in the country.

Knowledge is the building block of civilization, he said, hence the books donated to the library will be beneficial.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

With onset of long rains in some parts of Murang’a County, tea farmers are anticipating increased production after experiencing drought for several months. The farmers since January this year, have been recording decreased production due prolonged dry weather conditions especially to tea growing zones. The dry weather experienced in the region occasioned meager earnings as green leaf production dropped by more than 40 per cent. A farmer from Kiambuthia area in Mathioya Julius Muraya told KNA that majority of farmers from the sub county were harvesting about 10 to 20 kilos of green leaf, down from over 100 kilos they used to harvest during wet seasons. Muraya observed that low production led to decreased monthly earnings forcing them to source for loans from various financial institutions. ‘The production since January has been affected by drought. Harvesting about 20 kilos of green leaf is not near enough to make any meaningful earnings. This has forced some of us to accrue loans from banks and Saccos.’ Explained Muraya. Each of the 10 KTDA allied tea factories in Murang’a has capacity to process more than 240, 000 kilos of green leaf on daily basis but due to drought the a factory is currently receiving roughly 40, 000 kilos. Some tea factory chairpersons including Chege Kirundi (Kiru), Michael Kamau Ngatia (iria ini), Samson Kaguma (Gatunguru) and Dr Muthoni Waithanji (Gitugi) confirmed that all the factories were operating below capacity due to decreased production of green leaf. They revealed that green leaf plucking days have been reduced to four to allow the factories to operate at the optimum. ‘We have organised the farmers in such a way to ensure we remain operational and sell our teas,’ said Kirundi. On his part, Kaguma observed that Gatunguru tea factory was operating at 40 per cent getting between 20,000 and 30,000 kilos of green leaf daily. ‘Farmers allied to the Gatunguru tea factory used to deliver between 100,000 and 120,000 kilos of green leaf, but now we are at the lowest level, we hope long rains will boost production.’ said Kaguma. A director from Ikumbi Tea factory in Kigumo Jerald Ngumba highlighted that depressed rainfall in tea growing zones has negatively affected functioning of most factories. He said due to decreased production, some factories are forced to halt processing till the needed quantity of green leaf is delivered to the factories. ‘Tea needs high rainfall but since January most parts of the county have not received rain. Some bushes dried up. The county government can consider providing water for irrigation. The cash crop is a source of livelihood to many farmers in this country,’ stated Ngumba.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Foreign Minister of Yemen, Dr. Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak has arrived in Addis Ababa today for an official working visit to Ethiopia.

Upon arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, he was accorded a warm welcome by State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Misganu Arega.

The objective of the visit is to exchange views on ways strengthening the bilateral relations of Ethiopia and Yemen, it was learned.

During his stay in Ethiopia, the Foreign Minister of Yemen is expected to discuss with senior officials of the government of Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

A total of 435 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners have graduated from all vocational Technical Centers VTCs across Mandera County. The 435 learners pursued courses in welding and fabrication, motor vehicle mechanics, dressmaking, electrical wiring and carpentry. Yussuf Mohamed, Regional Director for TVETs challenged the graduates to use their skills in creating job opportunities instead of becoming job seekers. He added that the government shall establish Vocational Training centres in all sub counties in Mandera. ‘We are planning to set up in every Sub county one vocational TVET to equip all of our youth,’ said Yussuf. Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif said that his government would allocate Sh30 million to finance both the recurrent and development expenses of the VTCs in the area for the 2022/2023 financial year. ‘These centres have played a crucial role in providing quality education and skills training to our youth, who have become successful entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders in their own right,’ he added. Mandera county government in partnership with the national government, has employed a co-financial approach to improve the infrastructure and cover the operational costs for all the vocational training centers. A graduate from Elwak Vocational Training Centre Mohamed Amin urged the other youth outside to join the VTCs as it would help gain skills and have a starting point to self-employment. Those who graduated from all the 7 VTCs will be given start-up kits to aid them in their entrepreneurial journey. Currently, Mandera has 7 Vocational Training Centres with a total enrollment of 597 students.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Leaders in Nyandarua County have raised concern over the high number of youths indulging in alcoholism and drug abuse in the county. The leaders who spoke at different meetings vowed not to relent on the war against the vice saying the youth have turned to drugs hence the rise in crime. Led by Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha, the leaders said this has resulted in breakdown in social order noting that his administration will relook at the law governing the issuance of licenses to reduce the number of alcohol outlets. ‘I will not relent in fighting against alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse within Nyandarua County and I’m deploying all laws and policies which address the menace. It is no longer tenable to address the liquor licensing as merely a social and revenue issue, but one that’s now touching on the very survival of our youth and potential of our county to develop and sustain a functional population,’ said Badilisha The county boss warned illegal brewers and those selling bhang that his administration will not rest until they wipe out the culprits. Nyandarua County Woman Representative Faith Gitau said the trade in the alcohol has resulted in the creation of major loopholes in production where people have resorted to manufacturing their own counterfeit brands. ‘We should stop focusing on the seller of the illicit brew but also on their source in order to deal with the problem once and for all,’ she said. Statistics from Nyandarua County conducted late last year indicate, there are 2,600 existing bars and alcohol-selling outlets spread across the county with only 600 being licensed to operate. ‘The county administration should also wake up and relook on the issue of licensing to reduce the numbers outlets and control the alcohol being sold,’ she added. Alcoholism and drug abuse have been a menace in the Mt. Kenya region with a government survey showing that 12 out of 40 people consuming alcohol came from the central region while the remaining came from other parts of the country. Recently, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked county governments in Mt. Kenya region to license only one bar and one restaurant per town in a move aimed at curbing the runaway alcohol consumption in the region. He blamed the provincial administration for the increase in the illicit brew business in the region. ‘Bar and restaurants should be given one per town. The rest should be closed and operate in the evening from 5 pm to 11 pm. We cannot watch our children being killed by illicit brews when there are administrators. We want the chiefs to help us make sure we bring this to an end,’ said the Deputy President.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Murang’a County Assembly has adopted a report recommending upgrading of two local stadia to higher levels that will enable them to host national and regional sporting activities. In a report tabled before the House by Chairperson for the Assembly’s Committee for Youth, Culture and Social Services Sharleen Wambui, the MCAs expressed concern that the county currently has no stadium which could host national sports’ tournaments. Majority of the MCAs passed the motion of adopting the report which recommended upgrade of Gakoigo and Mumbi grounds to sport complex facilities. Gakoigo stadium which is located a few metres from Maragua town is said to be the largest facility in the county with the MCAs saying the ground should be allocated funds for upgrade in the next financial year. The report further recommended construction of one stadium in every sub county within the period of next five years. ‘Upgrading of our stadium will give Murang’a an opportunity to host national and international sports. Currently, it is unfortunate our county cannot be considered to host games for national soccer tournaments,’ stated Wambui. She stated the report recommends that in the next financial year, funds should be factored to upgrade Mumbi grounds in Murang’a town and Gakoigo in Maragua before other stadiums are built in the other remaining seven sub-counties. Kahumbu MCA Isaac Njoroge Chefman who supported the motion asked the county administration to first establish ownership of the playgrounds to be upgraded. He revealed that some of the grounds earmarked for upgrade at the sub county levels were owned by schools and there was need to clarify on ownership details so as to avoid conflicts after the facilities are upgraded. Chefman further underscored the upgrading of Gakoigo saying the stadium is centrally located and could easily be accessed by teams from outside the county. Ithanga MCA Ndunda Alex Ndunda claimed people from his ward were not factored while the report was being drawn. Ndunda noted that the stadiums should not only be upgraded to support soccer saying the facilities should be made to attract various sports including athletics and swimming among others. ‘The upgrade programme should not only capture football but other sports activities. Murang’a youth are talented differently and need to be given conducive environment to nature their talents,’ added Ithanga MCA. Responding to concerns raised by some of MCAs, the chairperson of the committee said that various sport activities would be introduced in the county progressively. Wambui said that the committee would use the county sport policy to introduce the new sports and provide needed infrastructure. She also said that the county will have a Memorandum of Understanding with the heads of primary and secondary so as to share the sports’ grounds owned by the institutions.

Source: Kenya News Agency