KBC Channel 1

Author: Christine Muchira

  • Kenya heightens port, airport surveillance over Hantavirus outbreak

    Kenya heightens port, airport surveillance over Hantavirus outbreak

    Government has heightened screening measures at airports and seaports following reported cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) outbreak on a cruise ship MV Hondius, currently travelling in the Atlantic Ocean. 

    In a statement, Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth said that there are currently no reported cases in Kenya adding that the risk to the general public remains low.

    Dr. Amoth noted that the health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking precautionary measures.

    “The Ministry of Health is taking precautionary steps to protect the public by monitoring the situation through World Health Organization (WHO), and international partners, strengthening screening at airports and seaports, alerting health facilities to watch for symptoms in travelers as well as ensuring rapid response and testing systems are ready,” he noted.

    According to the World Health Organization, as of 7th May 2026, there have been eight confirmed cases, including three deaths, among passengers and crew.

    The Health DG spelt out precautionary measures that members of the public should adhere to including keeping surroundings clean and free of rodents, storing food safely and disposing of waste properly and washing hands regularly with soap and water.

    He further cautioned the public against contact with rodents and their droppings noting that anyone who develops fever or breathing difficulties especially after recent travel should seek medical attention immediately.

    Hantaviruses causes two syndromes, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)

    Travellers returning from affected areas have been advised to monitor their health for up to eight weeks and report any symptoms to the nearest health facility promptly.

    Symptoms to watch for:

    Symptoms can appear 1–8 weeks after exposure and may include: Fever, Headache, Muscle aches, Fatigue, Nausea or vomiting, and in severe cases difficulty breathing.

    He said severe illness can develop into Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) which can be life-threatening.

    What is Hantavirus?

    Hantavirus is a disease mainly spread through contact with infected rodents (rats and mice), especially through:

    • Breathing in contaminated dust
    • Touching contaminated surfaces
    • Handling rodents or their waste
    • In rare cases, a specific type (Andes strain) may spread between people through close contact.

    Dr. Amoth called on the public to rely on official updates from Ministry of Health and WHO while avoiding the spread of unverified information. “Please rely on official updates from the Ministry of Health and WHO. Avoid sharing unverified information.”

    He reiterated government’s committed to safeguarding public health noting that the health ministry will provide updates as needed.

     

    Also read https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/05/1167440

     

     

  • Era of marginalisation, discrimination is over, says President Ruto

    Era of marginalisation, discrimination is over, says President Ruto

    The era of discrimination and marginalisation is behind us, President William Ruto has said.

    The President said the government is implementing inclusive development programmes, ensuring no community or region is left behind.

    He said the government is implementing long-awaited projects in various parts of the country.

    “Every part of the country is important. We must, therefore, plan for the development of every part,” he said.

    Speaking during his development tour of Laikipia on Friday, President Ruto pointed out that the county will not be marginalised any longer.

    “For far too long, Laikipia has been left behind. I, however, want to give you my commitment that Laikipia County will not be left behind again. We will walk together as we transform the country,” he said.

    He was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, MPs and MCAs.

    On the development of Laikipia County, the President said the government is investing KSh15 billion in the Affordable Housing Programme, including the construction of 13 modern markets.

    Additionally, he said KSh4 billion has been allocated for the construction of the 60 Nanyuki-Doldol road, which will commence shortly as a contractor has already been identified.

    The President explained that the government is building six roads in the county, totalling 217km.

    He pointed out that funds have been allocated for the Kinamba-Matuiku and Rumuruti-Mutara-Nanyuki roads, saying the contractors have been identified and are on site or will begin construction shortly.

    Further, he said the Kenya Defence Forces will open up security roads to enhance security, enabling citizens to focus on productive economic activities.

    In education, the Ministry of Defence will build five extra schools in Laikipia North to enhance access to schooling in the formerly insecurity-prone area.

    “We have already constructed 15 schools. Our goal is to ensure our children have access to quality education,” President Ruto noted.

    He commended the residents of Laikipia for the big numbers who have registered with the Social Health Authority, saying the county has attained over 60 per cent registration.

    He announced that the government has so far paid KSh1.8 billion to hospitals in the county that have been providing health services to residents.

    He pledged to build some mega dams in the county, through the newly created National Infrastructure Fund projects, to support expansion of irrigation, and provision of water for domestic use and livestock.

    In Doldol, he laid the foundation stone for the Doldol Huduma Centre in Laikipia North Constituency, which will house an ICT hub and bring 168 government services closer to the people.

    He also handed over a bus to Kurum Day Secondary School.

    Later, he inspected the progress of the 955-unit Starehe Affordable Housing Project in Nyahururu Town, Laikipia West Constituency.

    He also inspected the progress of the construction of Sipili-Ol Moran road in Laikipia North Constituency.

    The President explained that the government has delivered visible and tangible development programmes, exposing the falsehood in the opposition’s narrative.

    He said Kenyans can no longer be hoodwinked by empty rhetoric and falsehoods.

    “They have now realised they were lying to Kenyans by claiming that no development has been implemented. Now that development programmes and projects are being implemented across the country, they are shifting goalposts and saying development is not enough,” he said.

    The President faulted the opposition for opposing the Affordable Housing Programme, saying it is creating jobs and giving low-income earners a pathway to home ownership.

    He asked the opposition to propose an alternative agenda, saying divisive and tribal politics has no place in today’s politics.

    On his part, the Deputy President said the government is committed to delivering on its promises, citing the construction of roads, affordable housing, markets, and stadia, among others.

    He noted that Kenyans are interested in development-focused leaders, not those who dwell on retrogressive politics such as tribalism, hatred and name-calling.

    Prof Kindiki said the government has taken decisive actions that have tamed insecurity in Laikipia County and its environs.

    “Since President Ruto came into office, he has invested in the security of this region. Today there is peace,” he said.

    Cabinet Secretary Ruku cautioned the opposition against using intimidation to advance their own political agenda, saying it was ill-advised.

     

  • One dead, hundreds displaced as landslides hit Murang’a amid heavy rains

    One dead, hundreds displaced as landslides hit Murang’a amid heavy rains

    One person has died while hundreds of families have been displaced following landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains in parts of Murang’a County.

    The incident was reported in Ngutu area of Gitugi Ward, where about 200 households were displaced and are set to be relocated to safer grounds as the area remains vulnerable to further landslides.

    Other areas in Gitugi Ward, including Karung’e, Kanjahi and Kahwai had earlier been affected by landslides.

    Similarly, families have also been displaced and property destroyed by the landslides in Gaikime, Kiagima Kiambuthia, Kagioini and Kora areas of Kiru Ward.

    The landslides also affected more than 200 people and left a trail of destruction in its wake in other areas of Kiru Ward, including flattening the Kamagogo Full Gospel Church.

    In Kamacharia Ward, at least one family in Wahundura area was displaced and property of unknown value destroyed.

    Property including land, houses, domestic animals and household items were destroyed in the area.

    Government has appealed for vigilance from members of public who have also been urged to report of any signs of soil movement, ground cracks or weakened structures to local administrators and disaster management teams.

  • New KEPSA–Factorial partnership targets AI adoption in HR across Kenya

    New KEPSA–Factorial partnership targets AI adoption in HR across Kenya

    Factorial has partnered with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) to accelerate the adoption of technology-driven workforce solutions among Kenyan businesses.

    The partnership, backed by Factorial’s USD $10 million AI Acceleration Fund, aims to help organizations improve productivity, reduce operational costs and enhance efficiency through digital HR solutions.

    This partnership seeks to leverage technology to enhance the productivity of various organizations operating in different sectors of the economy.

    This joint venture is enabled by Factorial’s AI Acceleration Fund, worth USD $10 million, which will cover up to 50 per cent of the implementation cost of Factorial’s AI agent.

    Commenting on the partnership during the KEPSA Members’ breakfast, Mary Ngecha, MD of Lineplast Group and KEPSA Director said, “Our private sector is currently under pressure to manage short-term cost pressures amidst executing our long-term growth strategy. Manufacturing and services together account for 76% of the country’s GDP. For us, as the private sector, we have to come up with new ways of attracting, managing, and maximizing the productivity of our workforces. This means utilizing technology to move from manual processes, disjointed systems, and limited visibility to build efficient, data-driven and globally competitive organizations. We need to remain a regional leader, and workforce productivity needs to be our national priority.”

    According to the World Bank report, Kenya is characterized by a high share of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with fewer than 2,000 employees. More than 80% of all employees are employed in the SME sector, while it contributes to almost 40% of the national GDP.

    Tailored for organizations with between 20 and 2,000 employees, Factorial enables organizations to minimize operational costs, boost staff engagement, inform decisions with data and ensure compliance using its easy-to-use and cloud-based HR platform.

    Factorial, a Human Resource and business management software firm addresses key organizational challenges, including hiring and onboarding talent; freeing HR staff from mundane tasks; ensuring HR policies are followed; preventing disagreements over holidays and shifts; measuring and improving employee performance; creating and deploying learning programs; project management, IT spend and budget control; controlling employee costs and expense reporting, among others.

    Additionally, the software comes complete with audit trails, integrates with Microsoft and Google products, and offers top-tier ERP and Payroll solutions.

    In its commitment to Kenya, Factorial operates from a local office in Nairobi to ensure implementation and ongoing on-the-ground support. Kenya will be used as the regional hub for expansion throughout East Africa.

    “Many organizations in Kenya continue to struggle in terms of productivity, efficiency and competitiveness due to fragmented processes. In order to accelerate the digital transformation and unlock productivity gains, adoption of modern technology in HR is essential.” Added Francesc Rul·lan, Director of Expansion Strategy and Partnerships at Factorial.

    L-R Nicholas Kihara, Head of HR, KWAL, Annette Kimitei, MD Senaca EA and Chair of KEPSA Security Sector Board, and Francesc Rul.Ian, Director of Expansion Strategy & Partnerships, Factorial HR during the KEPSA Members Breakfast in Nairobi.
  • Waiguru boosts Njukiini residents with bursaries, water, disability support

    Waiguru boosts Njukiini residents with bursaries, water, disability support

    Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has intensified her grassroots empowerment programme in the county, boosting Njukiini residents with assorted socio-economic support aimed at strengthening livelihoods, expanding access to essential services and uplifting vulnerable groups.

    The intervention, unveiled at Kimweas Polytechnic, involved the distribution of key items targeting community groups, vulnerable populations and persons living with disabilities.

    During the event, 31 self-help groups received nine tents and 2,050 chairs.

    In addition, 61 persons living with disabilities were issued with assistive devices, including 30 wheelchairs, 15 crutches, 10 white canes and six hearing aids.

    Waiguru also distributed teaching and learning materials to 877 ECDE learners across 11 centers in the ward.

    She further, disbursed KSh 7.65 million in bursaries to benefit 2,400 students in secondary schools, colleges and universities, including 60 trainees at the local Kimweas Polytechnic.

    To improve water access, she issued 96 high-density UPVC for the Kianduru Water Project targeting about 1,200 residents, and 100 UPVC and GI pipes to the Kagikiki Irrigation Water Project serving 380 households.

    Speaking during the issuance of assorted items, Governor Waiguru said the initiative is anchored on her administration’s commitment to uplifting households through organized groups and inclusive development.

    “The tents and chairs will be of great help to group members whenever they have social events such as weddings or funerals thereby saving them the money that could have been used to hire the items. They could also be hiring them out for income,” she said.

    Waiguru further underscored her administration’s commitment to inclusivity, saying targeted support for persons living with disabilities is aimed at ensuring equal participation in economic development.

    “As a county government we are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusivity and ensuring that no part of the society is left behind in the realization of our county’s socio-economic development goals,” she said.

    She added that persons with disabilities continue to benefit from enterprise funding under the Wezesha Kirinyaga programme, as well as exemptions from single business permit fees to encourage participation in economic activities.

    Residents welcomed the interventions, citing tangible improvements in their daily lives.

    Cera Wangeci praised the county government’s efforts, saying access to water has significantly eased the burden on women. “We used to carry jerricans on our backs, but today we get water from our taps,” she said.

    Peter Ndamberi, a person living with a disability, expressed appreciation for the support, saying it had restored dignity and renewed hope.

    “I stayed for a long time without clutches, but through the Governor I have now been assisted,” he said. He noted that the provision of assistive devices significantly improves the lives of beneficiaries.

    Njukiini MCA Timothy Kariuki lauded Waiguru for delivering on her promises, saying Njukiini Ward has not been left behind in development. “The last time the Governor was here, she promised better roads, a better hospital, tents and chairs for groups, and assistive devices for persons with disability, and all that has been fulfilled,” he said.

    He added that 59 students from Kimweas benefited from free education last year, with another 65 set to benefit this year.

    Kirinyaga County Assembly Speaker Muteti Murimi called on residents to support the county leadership, saying that the development agenda has brought meaningful change. “We should all stand with Governor Waiguru and support her endeavors,” he said, urging leaders and residents to remain focused on development.

     

     

     

  • Government moves to strengthen Mwalimu cover implementation 

    Government moves to strengthen Mwalimu cover implementation 

    The Government has announced new measures to strengthen the implementation of the Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund as part of efforts to improve teachers’ access to quality healthcare.

    Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale joined officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and the Social Health Authority (SHA) during the conclusion of a two-day consultative retreat focused on reviewing progress, resolving emerging challenges, and aligning on long-term solutions under the scheme.

    The engagement follows commitments contained in an earlier joint communiqué, including the establishment of a joint National Executive Council (NEC) forum to address concerns raised by teachers following their transition to the SHA framework.

    The meeting noted progress across several key areas, including the processing and settlement of 35 claims under the Last Expense Benefit and the operationalisation of the Ex-Gratia Management Framework to support beneficiaries more efficiently.

    Overseas referral services under the scheme are now fully operational, with one teacher already receiving specialised treatment abroad through the SHA arrangement.

    Four healthcare facilities have also been identified to provide In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services for teachers covered under the programme.

    Negotiations on tariffs and reimbursement structures between SHA and healthcare providers are also advancing, with several facilities concluding discussions aimed at establishing a fair, harmonised, and sustainable payment model.

    An updated list of approved healthcare facilities will be shared with KNUT leadership and published on the SHA platform.

    To strengthen implementation at the grassroots, Duale directed SHA to operationalise joint county-level coordination structures bringing together KNUT, TSC, and SHA within one week. The committees are expected to support oversight, coordination, and rapid response to issues affecting teachers under the medical cover.

    The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustained engagement, accountability, and collaboration to ensure the Mwalimu Cover evolves into a reliable and responsive healthcare financing model for teachers across the country.

  • Kenya has repatriated hundreds of Kenyans from illegal jobs abroad

    Kenya has repatriated hundreds of Kenyans from illegal jobs abroad

    Over 751 Kenyans have been rescued, with 615 having been repatriated, and 39 jailed in Myanmar for illegal entry and cybercrime offences in the last four years.

    Speaking while responding to the Senate Standing Committee on Labour Migration, Recruitment and Workers Protection, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs noted that about 97 people who crossed from Myanmar to Thailand are in the Immigration Detention Centre in Thailand awaiting deportation upon provision of air tickets by their families.

    In Cambodia, Mudavadi said that from January to April 2026 alone, 406 Kenyans have been rescued.

    305 have successfully been repatriated, while the remaining continue being facilitated for repatriation, and another 29 Kenyans in Loas have been repatriated to date.

    Another 97 Kenyans, he said, are in the Immigration Detention Centre in Thailand, while 14 of have been imprisoned for bearing forged immigration stamps obtained at border points by their traffickers.

    “Kenyan women are trafficked to India for sexual exploitation under the guise of legitimate jobs in the hospitality or beauty industry. 265 Kenyan victims of human trafficking have to date been rescued and repatriated from India,” said Mudavadi.

    On the irregular military recruitment in Russian, PCS said the Ministry has documented 291 reported cases of Kenyans who enlisted in the Russian special forces, 53 of them have successfully been repatriated.

    Meanwhile, PCS said the government had deregistered over 600 rogue recruitment agencies across the country as part of taming the rampant vice of Kenyans being taken out of the country for illegitimate jobs.

    “Beyond that, there were 87 individuals currently in court for illegally recruiting people for Diaspora jobs when they were not registered,” he said.

    Mudavadi said these were part of firm and decisive steps the government is taking to ensure that it cracks down on rogue persons recruiting Kenyans, among other things, to scam jobs abroad.

  • Waiguru disburses Ksh.129.5M bursaries to 48,000 students in Kirinyaga

    Waiguru disburses Ksh.129.5M bursaries to 48,000 students in Kirinyaga

    Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on Wednesday disbursed Ksh.129.5 million in bursaries to support 48,000 needy students, reaffirming her administration’s commitment to ensuring no learner is locked out of school due to lack of fees.

    Speaking during the disbursement exercise at the County Headquarters, the governor described the initiative as a critical milestone in investing in the future of the county’s children, noting that the beneficiaries span all levels of education.

    Of the total recipients, 37,002 are secondary school students, 5,565 are in colleges, while 5,433 are pursuing university education, an approach she said reflects inclusivity and equity in access to learning.

    The latest allocation, she said, pushes the county’s cumulative bursary disbursement to Ksh.670.2 million since 2017, and marked a significant rise from the Ksh.49.1 million allocated in the 2017/2018 financial year.

    Waiguru said the steady increase underscores a deliberate effort by her administration to ease the financial burden on families while expanding educational opportunities.

    Selection of beneficiaries is conducted through ward-level bursary committees, a system the county says ensures transparency and responsiveness to local needs. “These committees understand the unique challenges faced by families in their communities and help us reach the most deserving cases,” she said.

    Speaking during the event, Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari praised the governor’s consistency in supporting education, noting her role in safeguarding county bursary programmes.

    “I would like you to thank Governor Waiguru for this initiative that has been vital in helping needy students across Kirinyaga over the years. She was also at the forefront of fighting against the directive that had stopped county governments from disbursing bursaries and because of her efforts, this programme was reinstated, and that is why we are able to support these students today.” The MP said.

    Gitari also lauded the county’s ECDE uniform programme, terming it a transformative intervention for young learners, and added that the prayers of parents and beneficiaries continue to uplift the governor.

    Murinduko Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) and Education Committee Chairperson, Charles Nyaga Nyamu, described the disbursement as a turning point for many families.

    “This is a great day in Kirinyaga. Education is the greatest equalizer and it can make you dine with kings,” he said. “I am a living example. I was once a needy student supported through education, and today I sit with leaders, including the governor. That is the power of education.” Said the MCA

    Beyond statistics, the human impact of the programme was captured through emotional testimonies from beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed.

    Virginia Wangeci Njuki, a beneficiary, recounted how she nearly lost hope after the death of her father while she was in Form Three. She said the governor personally intervened during her time of grief and committed to supporting her education.

    “She promised to stand by me through my studies, and she kept that promise. Today, I have graduated from KMTC with a diploma in orthopedic and trauma medicine. I am truly grateful because she became my pillar when I had lost everything.” Said Wangeci.

    Another beneficiary, Erick Kariuki, shared his journey from hardship to graduation, crediting the bursary support for giving him a second chance.

    “I sat for my KCSE with potential but no means. I worked as an untrained teacher earning very little, struggling to save for college, but many times, I dropped out because of lack of fees. My fortunes, however, changed after meeting the governor in 2021 and she promised to pay my school fees, a promise she fulfilled and in 2024, I graduated” said Kariuki noting that the support didn’t just change his education-it but his life too.”

    He added that the opportunity helped him regain hope and rebuild his future, vowing to make the most of the investment made in him.

    Beyond bursaries, the county is simultaneously scaling up investments in foundational learning, particularly in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).

    The governor also distributed teaching and learning materials to benefit a total of 14,142 learners. The materials included 62,127 textbooks, 20,709 pencils, curriculum designs, and chalk.

    Nine ECDE centres also received new furniture, including chairs, tables and storage units, as part of efforts to improve learning environments with the governor noting that additional classroom construction is ongoing across the county.

    In the technical education space, Kirinyaga has revitalized its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions through expanded infrastructure, including workshops, dormitories and computer labs, as well as the installation of modern training equipment. As a result, enrolment in TVETs has grown from 889 students in 2017 to 1,332 in 2025.

    Waiguru emphasized that education remains a central pillar of social transformation and economic empowerment. She urged beneficiaries to take their studies seriously, terming the bursary support as an investment in their future.

    “As a county, we will continue to invest in education at all levels by nurturing the potential of our children and youth. We are laying the foundation for a more prosperous and equitable Kirinyaga.” Noted the governor.

     

  • 300 Kenyans apply for International Festival of Youth in Ekaterinburg

    300 Kenyans apply for International Festival of Youth in Ekaterinburg

    Over 300 Kenyans are among more than 100,000 young leaders from 191 countries who have applied to participate in the 2026 International Festival of Youth (IFY) in Ekaterinburg, Russia. 

    The global event, set for September 11–17, will take place as part of the national project “Youth and Children” bringing together 10,000 selected participants to engage in open dialogue, exchange experience, and foster international cooperation.

    “More than 100,000 young people from 191 countries around the world have submitted applications to participate in the International Festival of Youth, which will take place in Ekaterinburg as part of the national project “Youth and Children”. Among them are those who are already implementing social projects, developing technologies, achieving success in science, and working in the public administration of their countries. Together, these young leaders will seek solutions to global challenges. It is important that this international dialogue will take place in our country, where, at the instruction of President Vladimir Putin, broad opportunities for the self-realization of young people are being created,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia.

    Applications to participate in the IFY-2026 were open to young people aged 14 to 35 from Russia and other countries.

    “Expanding opportunities for self–realization of young people, establishing friendly and professional ties, launching joint projects with foreign colleagues are the priorities of the IFY-2026. We have received 40,231 applications from all regions of Russia. At the same time, for the first time in the modern history of youth festivals, 20,000 more applications were received from foreigners than from Russians. The Festival received a response all over the world: more than 62,000applications were received from Europe, North, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and even Australia,” said Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh.

    Moscow became the leader among the Russian regions in terms of the number of applications. The Sverdlovsk Region and the city of Ekaterinburg, which hosts the Festival, are in second place.

    In September 2026, the capital of the Urals will turn into a real “World Youth City” a meeting place for cultures, ideas and views, where young people from all over the world will be able to build a common future of a multipolar world together.

    St. Petersburg, Perm and Krasnodar Territories, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Voronezh regions, the Republics of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan were also among the leaders among the Russian regions in terms of the number of applications.

    “We are pleasantly surprised by the activity of young Ekaterinburg residents, who submitted over 2,000 applications to the Festival. The most accurate surveys show that residents of the capital of the Urals not only share their achievements, but also demonstrate a sincere motivation to establish contacts with peers from abroad, as well as a desire to show the whole world their region, known for its industrial might, rich culture and amazing talented people,” said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

    Adding that: “Among foreign countries, Algeria, Pakistan and Brazil became the leaders in the number of applications the countries of three completely different macro-regions of the world, which clearly indicates the global interest in the Festival. Morocco, Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam and Libya also entered the top ten among foreign countries. Russia will accept participants from all corners of the globe with openness and respect and create all conditions for a meaningful, honest and truly unifying intercultural dialogue.”

    Children showed special interest. For them, at the International Festival of Youth, the “Movement of the First” will present a large-scale children’s program that will bring together thousands of youngsters from all over the world. One of its main tasks is to create conditions for the qualitative development of children’s diplomacy, the development and implementation of joint initiatives.

    “The children’s program will allow participants to get introduced to the achievements of modern Russia, develop joint projects in various fields: from science, education, digitalization, creativity and creative industries, to media, sports and entrepreneurship. It is important that teenagers showed great interest: over 13,000 applications were submitted from participants aged 14-17, of which about 5,000 were from foreigners. The program participants will include 500 people from Russia and 500 from other countries. I am sure that during the Festival, children from different countries will find many like-minded people to jointly propose initiatives that they will be able to implement in their homeland in the future,” said Artur Orlov, Hero of Russia, participant in the presidential personnel program “Time of Heroes”, Chairman of the Board of the “Movement of Firsts”.

    The experts have already started analyzing the submitted applications. They will have to select 10,000 of the best profiles of potential participants who will go to the festival in Ekaterinburg in September.

    When evaluating candidates, priority will be given to young people who demonstrate expertise, have already proved themselves and implemented successful projects in one of the eight areas: science and education, sports, entrepreneurship, media, digitalization and IT, creative industries and creativity, public administration and civic engagement.

    The evaluation will also take into account the participant’s motivation to develop international cooperation and share experience with other participants.

    For candidates who did not have time to apply in the main stage, a backup registration on the International Platform of Opportunities is open until May 31. wyffest.com. Applicants from the reserve list will be able to participate in the IFY-2026 if any of those registered in the main list are unable to visit the Festival for any reason.

    The International Festival of Youth will become part of the “family” of events of the World Youth Festival, which began at the “Sirius” Federal Territory in 2024.

    World Youth Festival

    The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in “Sirius”, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.

    In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, the festival events will be held annually on the territory of the Russian Federation.

    In 2025, the World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod and brought together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In the year 2026, the International Festival of Youth will gather 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030.

    The World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation and developing a community of young people who are passionate about the future of the world.

     

  • AU calls for immediate de-escalation as gulf tensions threaten African economies

    AU calls for immediate de-escalation as gulf tensions threaten African economies

    African Union has called for immediate de-escalation in the Gulf following renewed attacks and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, warning of global energy shocks and economic strain on African economies.

    In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed deep concern over the renewed escalation in the Gulf region, marked by the resumption of drone and missile attacks attributed to Iran against neighbouring states, including the United Arab Emirates, as well as the continued disruption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

    Youssouf noted that these developments risk further destabilising the region and have direct and serious repercussions on global energy markets.

    “For African economies, the consequences are immediate, with rising fuel prices, increased inflationary pressures, and heightened economic vulnerability,” Youssouf said.

    The Chairperson called for immediate cessation of attacks against sovereign states, and full respect for freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.

    He further urged all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomatic solutions.