KBC Channel 1

Author: Beth Nyaga

  • Prisoners, border residents to benefit from ID registration drive, Bitok

    Prisoners, border residents to benefit from ID registration drive, Bitok

    The government has launched a new national identity card registration drive targeting marginalized groups, including communities living along national borders, prisoners and high school students.

    Immigration and Citizens Services Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok announced the initiative on Thursday in Kajiado, emphasizing its role in improving access to essential services such as medical insurance under the Social Health Authority.

    Speaking at the Kajiado Prison during the launch, PS Bitok highlighted that the exercise would benefit from the recent abolition of ID vetting, ensuring faster and more inclusive registration.

    “Vetting and other historical disadvantages discouraged many eligible Kenyans from acquiring IDs. We now want them to take advantage of the President’s directive and obtain their IDs without unnecessary barriers,” he said.

    Last month, President William Ruto signed a proclamation disbanding ID vetting committees in 22 counties along national boundaries. The move was aimed at eliminating years of discrimination, corruption, and delays associated with the vetting process.

    On Thursday, President Ruto reinforced the directive by waiving the Ksh300 registration fee for first-time ID applicants.

    “Discrimination in accessing IDs must stop, and I have directed that all qualified Kenyans should receive IDs free of charge,” he stated in Lang’ata, Nairobi.

    During a community baraza at the Kajiado KCB grounds, PS Bitok urged residents to take advantage of the waiver and apply for IDs, which are crucial for accessing government services through eCitizen and other platforms.

    He also clarified that individuals previously subjected to vetting no longer need to travel to their counties of origin to apply for an ID.

    Instead, all eligible applicants can now register for a Maisha Card at any National Registration Bureau office or Huduma Center across the country.

    The registration of prisoners is a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Interior and Health to ensure inmates can access affordable healthcare.

    The drive will facilitate both first-time ID applicants and those seeking replacements within correctional facilities.

    For high school students, the initiative builds on an earlier collaboration with the Ministry of Education aimed at ensuring all eligible Form Four students leave school with national IDs.

    The government’s renewed focus on streamlining ID registration is expected to enhance access to key services, promote inclusivity and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that have long hindered many Kenyans from obtaining identification documents.

  • Geoffrey Monari appointed new HELB CEO

    Geoffrey Monari appointed new HELB CEO

    The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has appointed Geoffrey Monari as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective March 13, 2025.

    Monari brings over 15 years of experience in senior management within the higher education financing sector.

    Prior to this appointment, he served as the founding CEO of the Universities Fund since 2020, where he played a key role in shaping university financing policies and frameworks.

    His leadership journey at HELB is not new; between 2016 and 2020, Monari served as the Chief Operations Officer (COO), spearheading transformative initiatives in student lending, debt management, resource mobilization and stakeholder engagement.

    His efforts contributed significantly to strengthening HELB’s financial sustainability and enhancing partnerships.

    He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce degree, alongside a Senior Management Leadership Programme certificate.

    Currently, he is pursuing the Global CEO Africa Programme at Strathmore Business School.

    The HELB Board expressed confidence in Monari’s leadership, citing his expertise and strategic vision as instrumental in advancing the institution’s mandate.

    “Monari’s vast experience, leadership acumen, and deep understanding of higher education financing will provide the vision necessary to propel HELB to new heights, ensuring that we continue serving our stakeholders with excellence and integrity,” the Board stated.

    Monari’s appointment comes at a crucial time as HELB seeks to enhance access to education financing, streamline loan disbursement and reinforce repayment structures to support sustainable funding for students across the country.

  • Two suspects arrested for Ksh 22.4M fake WFP tender scam

    Two suspects arrested for Ksh 22.4M fake WFP tender scam

    Two suspects have been arrested as detectives from Nairobi Regional Headquarters presented them for prosecution over a Ksh 22.4 million fraud scheme targeting five Kenyan businessmen.

    The suspects, Teresia Wanjiku Boru and Hosea Munge Mbugu, are accused of orchestrating an elaborate con in January 2024, duping traders at City Market into investing in a fictitious World Food Program (WFP) tender.

    Munge allegedly convinced the businessmen that Wanjiku had secured a lucrative deal to supply edible oil to Kakuma Refugee Camp.

    The promise of high returns lured the victims into handing over their money.

    To make the scam more convincing, the fraudsters arranged a trip to Eldoret, where the businessmen met individuals posing as WFP officials.

    A fake contract was signed, funds exchanged, and soon after, the fraudsters disappeared without a trace.

    Following forensic-led intelligence, detectives tracked down and arrested Wanjiku in Narumoru and Munge in Nairobi.

    The duo was arraigned earlier today. Wanjiku was denied bond due to an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in a previous court case.

    Munge, however, was granted a bond of Ksh 900,000 with a similar surety or a cash bail option of Ksh 400,000.

    The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is urging other possible victims of the fraudsters to come forward and report at the DCI Nairobi Region Headquarters or via the FichuaKwaDCI toll-free number 0800 722 203.

  • Sankalp Summit – Pioneering Sustainable Energy Solutions in Africa

    Sankalp Summit – Pioneering Sustainable Energy Solutions in Africa

    The 12th Sankalp Africa Summit, held on Feb 26-27 in Nairobi, brought together a pivotal cohort of start-up innovators, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers to accelerate the innovation needed to enhance Africa’s energy transition.  The summit ignited lively discussions on harnessing entrepreneurial talent to address Africa’s most pressing challenges, including food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and gaps in healthcare and education provision.

    Sankalp Africa partners closely with Energy Catalyst, an Innovate UK programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology under the Ayrton Fund, supporting the innovation needed to realise a just energy transition across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The Energy Catalyst Accelerator Programme, managed by the Carbon Trust, helps funded companies attend events like the Summit as it recognises their importance for building strategic partnerships, fostering ideation and encouraging cross-sector collaboration.

    A notable highlight was the Energy Catalyst-hosted session on adapting climate innovations to Africa’s unique needs. The session offered dialogue between clean energy innovators and a panel of experts and investors providing localised support and funding. Participants agreed that developing tailored solutions depends on understanding local practices and market conditions, as well as leveraging local partnerships, context-specific technical support and innovative funding mechanisms.

    Innovation from Uganda, Nigeria and beyond

    This year, nine Energy Catalyst companies attended the event, showcasing sustainable energy innovations with significant potential to improve livelihoods, incomes and climate resilience across sub-Saharan Africa:

    Mandulis Energy, a Ugandan enterprise whose circular economy model uses waste and by-products to create clean energy for processing crops, cooking and fertiliser production.

    NjordFrey, a Rwandan-based aquaponic farming company enabling millions of rural smallholder farmers to achieve income and food security using AI-driven monitoring to provide real-time data and insights on farmers’ aquaponic systems, boosting productivity and climate resilience.

    GreenPower Overseas is helping to revolutionise Nigeria’s energy sector, providing solar home systems, generators, and freezers, delivering affordable energy and cooling solutions for underserved communities.

    Hubl Logistics is transforming food logistics in Malawi with CoolRun, an innovative cold chain storage and transport solution. Using passive cooling technology, CoolRun enables instant cold chain capability on any vehicle, eliminating the need for costly and polluting refrigerated trucks.

    Open Energy Labs’ Smart Solar Ready Board is a game-changing solution to Zambia’s deepening energy crisis. By integrating solar capabilities, energy storage, and smart management, it hybridises various energy sources, enhancing system flexibility and energy independence.

    Direct Impact Partners builds solar-powered cold and dry storage capacity for farmer’s cooperatives and agribusinesses to reduce food spoilage and increase farmer prosperity.

    SHIELD is solarising hospitals in Kenya using Energy Attribution Certificates to finance installation.

    Africa Power has developed Mossie-GO – a Solar-powered active vector-control dispenser to repel mosquitoes – protecting off-grid rural households from malaria.

    Agsol showcased solar-powered milling technology. The company is pioneering efficient and affordable staple food processing in Africa.

    Lilo Jose, Director at Hubl Logistics said, “This has been the single most useful show we have ever done. We made excellent connections across potential customers, investors and business partners.”

    While Granville Wood, Director at Open Energy Labs, said, “It is important for us to connect with our local partners on the ground and the university we are partnering with. We also managed to connect with important prospective investors at the event and discuss strategic collaborations on our gender equality and impact agenda.”

    With over 600 million people in Africa seeking electricity access, the need for scalable, localised, clean energy solutions has never been greater. Energy Catalyst is supporting and accelerating climate solutions tailored to Africa’s unique energy landscape, while the Sankalp Africa Summit continues to develop the ecosystem that will power Africa’s sustainable energy future.

     

    Tsvetina Chankova is the Innovation Manager at the Carbon Trust, a global climate organisation driven by the mission to accelerate the move to a decarbonised future. Email: Tsvetina.Chankova@carbontrust.com

  • Mudavadi seeks more scholarships for Kenyan students in Agriculture

    Mudavadi seeks more scholarships for Kenyan students in Agriculture

    Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has called for increased scholarship opportunities for Kenyan students in agriculture and climate resilience to boost the country’s food security.

    Speaking at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő Campus, Mudavadi urged the institution to collaborate with Kenyan universities and agricultural institutions, particularly in seed research and production.

    He emphasized that a partnership with Kenya Seed Company could enhance seed quality and support the development of drought-resistant crops to address food shortages in the region.

    During a tour of the university’s Institute of Technology, Mudavadi witnessed advanced demonstrations in remote sensing, drone applications for crop protection, air pollution monitoring and plant stress detection, technologies he said could revolutionize Kenya’s agricultural sector.

    Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, revealed that 58 Kenyan students are currently enrolled, with 330 applicants competing for 200 scholarships offered by the Hungarian government.

    He urged Kenya to establish its own scholarship program with the institution to accommodate more students.

    In a bid to strengthen educational ties, the Vice-Chancellor also announced full scholarships for three Kenyan athletes interested in studying at the university, which has five campuses in Hungary and five more across Eastern Europe.

    Mudavadi was accompanied by the Hungarian Ambassador to Kenya, Zsolt Mészáros, as part of efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation in education and agricultural innovation.

  • Gov’t backs Shirika Plan to shift refugees from aid to development

    Gov’t backs Shirika Plan to shift refugees from aid to development

    The Cabinet has endorsed the Shirika Plan, a transformative framework aimed at shifting Kenya’s refugee management approach from humanitarian aid to a development-focused model.

    The plan seeks to integrate refugees into host communities by transforming camps into sustainable settlements equipped with essential infrastructure, resources and economic opportunities.

    Implementation will be led by a multi-stakeholder coalition, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), development partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and faith-based organizations.

    The approval comes days after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of refugees in Dadaab, Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps, despite growing concerns over aid cuts.

    Speaking after a consultative meeting with ambassadors, high commissioners and heads of financial institutions in Nairobi, Murkomen assured that humanitarian support would continue to prevent further distress in the camps.

    The meeting also addressed security concerns following recent protests in Kakuma over dwindling resources.

    Murkomen stated that the situation had been stabilized and reiterated that the Shirika Plan would provide a long-term solution by integrating refugees into Kenya’s socio-economic framework.

    He emphasized that Kenya remains committed to supporting the more than 800,000 refugees it hosts while seeking sustainable solutions.

    “Public participation and legal and regulatory fine-tuning, which are crucial for the success of the Shirika Plan, are already underway. Collaboration with host counties and support from development partners will be key to the initiative’s success,” Murkomen said.

    He also commended the U.S. government for lifting its ban on humanitarian funding, a move expected to ease financial constraints on refugee support programs.

    Diplomatic representatives and development partners welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to benefit both refugees and host communities.

    Among those present were U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires and Refugee Donor Group Chair Marc D. Dillard, UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Stephen Jackson and UNHCR Country Representative Caroline Van Buren.

    Also in attendance were Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok and other senior government officials.

  • Cabinet approves asbestos removal, owners to bear costs

    Cabinet approves asbestos removal, owners to bear costs

    The government has approved a nationwide asbestos removal initiative requiring property owners to bear the cost of eliminating the hazardous material from public and private facilities.

    The move, sanctioned by the Cabinet, aims to mitigate serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure and enhance public safety.

    A Cabinet memo dispatched on Tuesday emphasized that the initiative will be implemented under the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle, holding property owners responsible for covering removal expenses.

    The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) will oversee the process to ensure safe handling, disposal, and compliance with environmental regulations.

    Asbestos, widely used in Kenya’s construction industry in the 1960s and 1970s, remains prevalent in government buildings, hospitals, schools and even water supply systems.

    Despite its ban in 2006, the material continues to pose a significant health threat, particularly in older infrastructure.

    Classified as a human carcinogen, asbestos exposure has been directly linked to severe illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen and heart.

    According to Legal Notice No.121 of the Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006, waste containing asbestos is classified as hazardous and must be disposed of in a manner approved by NEMA.

    Individuals involved in asbestos removal, transportation, storage, or disposal without written approval from the authority will face prosecution.

    “Asbestos is a hazardous material with extremely fine fibers that can remain suspended in the air for hours. If handled improperly, it poses a significant health risk, leading to chronic illnesses with severe social, economic and emotional consequences,” said Prof. Geoffrey Wahungu, NEMA Director General.

    Health experts warn that asbestos becomes particularly dangerous when it deteriorates, is disturbed, or sustains damage, releasing toxic fibers into the air.

    Inhalation of these microscopic fibers increases the risk of developing life-threatening respiratory diseases.

    However, when left intact and undisturbed, asbestos does not pose an immediate risk.

    To ensure the safe removal, handling and transportation of asbestos, the government has issued strict guidelines, which include:

    • Environmentally sound disposal of asbestos
    • Compliance with Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006
    • Raising public awareness on asbestos hazards
    • Undertaking environmental impact assessments (EIA) before removal

    County governments have been directed to establish designated asbestos disposal sites to facilitate safe waste management.

    The government anticipates that this initiative will significantly reduce future disease burdens, lower healthcare costs and enhance environmental safety.

    The approval follows an earlier directive by Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who, in August last year, issued a three-month deadline for the removal of asbestos roofs from all buildings across the country.

    He warned that non-compliance would result in legal action.

    Globally, 55 countries, including the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Egypt, have banned the use of asbestos as a roofing material due to its severe health risks.

    Kenya followed suit in 2006, yet asbestos remains in widespread use, particularly in water piping systems and roofing structures.

    With the government’s latest directive, property owners must now act swiftly to remove and dispose of asbestos safely, ensuring compliance with regulations to protect public health and the environment.

  • DCI nabs 18 in Eastleigh over multi-million tax evasion scam

    DCI nabs 18 in Eastleigh over multi-million tax evasion scam

    Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested 18 suspects at a godown in Eastleigh, Nairobi, after ambushing them while offloading a consignment of fabrics allegedly in transit from the Port of Mombasa to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    The operation, conducted Monday evening, followed days of surveillance by officers from the elite Operation Support Unit (OSU), who had been tracking an organized criminal syndicate involved in tax fraud.

    The suspects are accused of falsely declaring goods as exports before diverting them into local markets to evade taxation.

    In a brazen display of impunity and collusion with rogue government officials, the trailer carrying the consignment (Reg. No. KBT 641G/ZD3436) was spotted changing its original registration plates to KBY 548K at Machakos Junction.

    At the same time, the suspects tampered with the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) before proceeding toward Nairobi.

    The vehicle made several stops around the capital, seemingly to check if the tampering had been detected before continuing to Mai Mahiu.

    There, the driver and an accomplice applied stickers to further conceal the trailer’s identity. It later diverted to the KBS parking yard in Eastleigh, where it was opened for offloading.

    Right on cue, DCI detectives moved in, arresting 18 suspects, including the driver Meshack Leo and two store owners, Yusuf Mohammed Noor and Abdi Nasir Dur.

    Preliminary investigations have revealed that the same syndicate has been under probe by the DCI and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Investigations Department for previously diverting five trucks carrying similar consignments.

    The goods were registered under the same consignee/importer, Kasdama Kasongo Francois of DRC.

    Authorities believe the suspects are part of a larger criminal network that has mastered the art of cargo diversion by compromising RECTS officers tasked with monitoring the tracking system, as well as officials stationed along the transit corridor.

    Imported textiles are subjected to higher taxation rates, making them a prime target for tax evasion schemes. By diverting such goods, the cartel has been depriving the government of substantial revenue.

    DCI detectives are currently processing the scene as investigations continue.

  • Mandera County intensifies drought mitigation efforts amid water crisis

    Mandera County intensifies drought mitigation efforts amid water crisis

    Mandera County is stepping up its drought mitigation efforts as severe drought continues to devastate parts of the region.

    In response to the crisis, the county government has rolled out various measures to alleviate the situation and minimize the impact of climate change.

    Among these initiatives is the ongoing drilling of boreholes in Mandera West and Banisa sub-counties to provide water to affected communities.

    Governor Mohamed Khalif has announced plans to drill 20 additional emergency boreholes across the county to address the worsening water shortage.

    Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tackling the crisis, Governor Khalif emphasized the importance of collaboration with development partners and donors to enhance resilience and ensure long-term water security for residents.

    He also urged the national government to provide urgent support as drought conditions persist.

    The Mandera County government remains committed to implementing sustainable solutions to mitigate the effects of recurrent drought and safeguard livelihoods across the region.

  • Mandera County drills boreholes to tackle water crisis

    Mandera County drills boreholes to tackle water crisis

    With temperatures soaring to 38 degrees Celsius and the drought crisis worsening, the Mandera County Government has launched a county-wide drought mitigation initiative to alleviate the crisis.

    The intervention includes drilling boreholes in the most affected areas, particularly in the Mandera West and Banissa sub-counties, to provide much-needed water for both residents and livestock.

    In Burmayo, Mandera West, a newly drilled and fully operational borehole is already supplying water to the community, easing the burden of water scarcity.

    Meanwhile, in Birkan, Banissa, another borehole with a capacity of 8 cubic meters per hour has been successfully drilled.

    Equipped with a generator, it features two Kettlewell troughs for livestock and a 2-kilometer pipeline extending to Birkan Centre, supplying water kiosks and benefiting over 2,000 households.

    Launching the boreholes, Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring water accessibility for all residents.

    “It is our duty as a government to provide water to our people, especially during such harsh climatic conditions,” he stated.

    The governor also announced plans to establish additional emergency boreholes to sustain the region’s large livestock population.

    “We will not stop here; we are working on more emergency boreholes to ensure no household or livestock suffers from thirst,” he added.

    Residents welcomed the initiative, terming it a lifeline in the face of the ongoing drought.

    “This borehole has come at the most critical time. We are grateful for this life-saving project,” one resident remarked.

    The prolonged drought has severely impacted the Mandera West, Banissa, and Mandera North sub-counties, exacerbating water shortages and threatening livelihoods.

    With climate change intensifying the crisis, the county government continues to prioritize water access as a key part of its long-term mitigation strategy.