KBC Channel 1

Author: Claire Wanja

  • Report recommends counties to launch biotech start-up hubs

    Report recommends counties to launch biotech start-up hubs

    A study by a government agency has recommended the establishment of incubation hubs for innovators and start-ups on modern biotechnology activities in all counties across the Country.

    “The establishment of biotechnology innovation hubs for societal development, including in the counties will go alone way in solving various challenges in food and nutrition security,” reads the report on national requirements for manpower development and capacity building in biosafety in Kenya, 2025 which was commissioned by the National Biosafety Authority and conducted by the University of Nairobi.

    The study reinforces calls by the Council of Governors, CECM Agriculture Caucus call for collaboration between the Counties and National Biosafety Authority in adoption of modern biotechnology particularly genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the Country.

    According to Dr. Kiplimo Arap Lagat, who is the Secretary of CECM Agriculture Caucus, the Constitution mandates Counties to manage agriculture, health, environment and therefore working with the Authority will go a long way to promoting modern biotechnology.

    “As the country looks ahead in biotechnology and the possible areas of improvement, it is clear that the collaboration of all stakeholders plays a great role and the National Biosafety Authority will not limit innovation, but oversee it as its mandate dictates; ensuring safety of human, animal health and the environment,” added Dr. Lagat

    On the study, the report further recommends the establish centers of excellence in biotechnology within strategic institutions for developing local expertise, fostering innovation, and driving socio-economic development.

    “These centers will facilitate research, training, and the application of biotechnology to address national priorities, such as healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability,” adds the report.

    Already Kenya has embraced Genome Editing (GEd) technology particularly through research on crops and animals to enhance food security and address challenges like disease resistance.

    The study revealed that thirty seven percent (37.87%) of the institutions declared that they use modern biotechnologies for GM agricultural biotechnology; 22.13% for bioinformatics purposes and 12.34% for veterinary health reasons.

    “Majority of the biotechnology products (74.19%) were at the stage characterized as “Research and Development”; 9.68% of the products were at the stage of confined field trials. The findings indicated that most of the biotechnology products are focused more on research and development,” added the study.

    The study further indicates that the inadequacy of human resource development opportunities for scientists can affect scientist’s participation in modern biotechnology activities; therefore, adequate development opportunities should be provided for scientists to enable their participation in modern biotechnology.

    “Develop or strengthen national biosafety legislation, including regulatory and certification frameworks for institutions handling modern biotechnology activities. Therefore, need to strengthen national institutions and operational mechanisms, including GMO detection and identification, capacity building in GMO risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication,” added the study.

    The report also wants the government to ensure that biosafety policies and legislation are aligned with other relevant policies, such as those on environment, health, and food safety and implement mechanisms for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of biosafety regulations and practices to ensure their effectiveness and relevance.

    The study aimed to provide a quantitative picture of biotechnology activities in the country (according to international standards), to identify needs and constraints and to fulfill the national and international obligations of the National biosafety Authority (NBA).

    Results from the study revealed that there was inadequacy in human resources development opportunities. The most inadequate were: financial and other incentives (47.41%), availability of technical support staff (30.37%), training/Self-development opportunities (28.15%), career advancement (27.41%) and availability of complementary experts (26.67%).

    Majority of the respondents rated access to funding (research and seed grants) (81.48%) followed by short biosafety course (76.30%), academic-industry linkages (73.33%) and annual conferences on biosafety in modern biotechnology (60.74%) as some of the most important strategies to improve biosafety capacity building of institutions.

    Therefore, need for strengthening both human resources and infrastructural capacity to increase participation in biosafety in modern biotechnology in Kenya.

  • NCBA posts 12.6% profit jump to Ksh 11.1B

    NCBA posts 12.6% profit jump to Ksh 11.1B

    NCBA Group PLC “Group” has posted a profit after tax of Ksh 11.1 billion in its H1 2025 financial results which is a 12.6 per cent increase compared to Ksh 9.8 billion reported during a similar period in 2024.

    The Group`s strong performance enabled the Board of Directors to recommend an interim dividend declaration of Ksh 2.50 per share.

    Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director, John Gachora remarked,

    “I’m pleased to announce our H1 2025 financial results which highlight a rebound and positive momentum on business performance. The income growth of 13 per cent was driven by a combination of operational excellence and prudent pricing management despite a challenging economic environment.”

    “Our focus on maintaining high quality assets and enhanced recoveries was evident with the NPL ratio of 11.9 per cent and cost of risk at 1.4 per cent. We maintained a capital adequacy ratio of 22.4 per cent, well above regulatory requirements and sufficient to meet our lending requirements and invest in strategic growth opportunities.”

    “ In our mission to make customers’ lives easier, NCBA Bank Kenya Shillings Base Lending Rate (NBLR) since August 2024 has dropped by 4.02 per cent while over the same period, the CBR has dropped by 3.50 per cent.”

    Key Business Highlights

    The Kenya Bank subsidiary delivered strong performance in H1 2025, recording a notable year over year profitability growth of 7.4 per cent to reach Ksh 11 billion PBT. This was a contribution of 81 per cent to Group profitability driven by improved cost of funding and better Net Interest Income which grew 32 per cent. The Regional businesses delivered a strong performance driven by recoveries with a combined PBT of Ksh 1.8 billion, contributing 13.6 per cent to Group profitability.

    The non-banking subsidiaries recorded a combined PBT of KES 804 million contributing 5.9 per cent of Group profitability and growing 40 per cent year over year. Notably, the NCBA Investment Bank surpassed 50,000 clients through digital onboarding and cross-sell wins with assets under management growing to KES 86 billion. The NCBA Insurance business profitability grew 68 per cent year on year post full acquisition signaling successful integration into the Group.

    To improve customer accessibility, the Group grew its network to 122 branches across the region with Kenya crossing the 100 branches mark post launching the Nord Ruiru branch. The combination of innovative retail banking services including digital account onboarding, digital lending products, diaspora and SME banking activations and the continued waiver of monthly account fees resulted to growing our core bank customer base to 412,000, while our overall customer base approached the 70 million mark.

    The Group retained its Asset Finance Leadership of 31 per cent market share through expanded dealer partnerships and innovations. The enhanced “CarDuka” digital platform now offers customers improved functionality such as insurance products and has a revamped user experience and seamless user interface powered by AI.

    NCBA’s upgraded “ConnectPlus” online corporate banking platform saw robust adoption by  over 90 per cent of active clients who now have access to faster transaction processing, expanded payment options, enhanced reporting tools, cash liquidity management and integrations with other financial services platforms.

    In its strategy to develop a High-Performance Employee Culture, the Group officially welcomed the newest cohort of 50 young, driven, and ambitious interns to the 3rd edition of the NCBA Go-Getter Internship Program. This marked the beginning of a 12-month journey filled with learning and networking designed to shape their careers.

    Looking ahead, Mr. Gachora commented.

    “The operating environment indicators are positive including global growth outlook of 3.0 per cent, stable KES/USD currency at KES 129, inflation within target at 4.1 per cent and the latest Kenya CBR downward revision to 9.50 per cent. The interventions by the Government are expected to stimulate economic activity and accelerate credit uptake by the private sector whose growth is at 3.3 per cent.”

    “NCBA remains committed to delivering strong financial performance backed by continued strategic investments in people, technology and brand while fostering a  customer obsessed culture to drive sustainable growth”

  • Tackling the “Big Five”- addressing the border challenges you keep hearing about

    Tackling the “Big Five”- addressing the border challenges you keep hearing about

    Global travel is booming again while at the same time border threats are increasing. This dual problem is putting government border agencies under tremendous pressure: they need to maintain national security while providing smooth and efficient travel flows. Yet outdated manual and analogue systems cannot keep up.

    This is where modern border tech comes in. Today’s modern digital platforms bring together travel authorisations, biometrics and real-time risk checks to keep things secure and moving fast.

    It is not just about speed.  Governments need the tools to act quickly, confidently, and smartly.

    These are the “Big Five” challenges border agencies face – and how digital tools are helping them stay ahead.  

    1. Doing more with less 

    Budgets are tight. Staff are stretched thin. And the tech is often outdated. Meanwhile, traveller numbers keep climbing while various threats are increasing and evolving.

    Digital tools help address these problems.  For instance, online electronic travel authorisations and e-Visas let travellers apply online from anywhere with no need for in-person consular visits.  Real-time updates to entry rules become easy to do with Advance Passenger Processing (APP) and it does not require systems overhauls.    And biometric automated border control gates (a.k.a. eGates or ABC gates) and kiosks speed up ID checks, so border agency officers can focus their attention on the high-risk travellers.

    The results are lower costs, faster passenger processing, stronger security and smoother traveller journeys through airport and cruise terminal passport checkpoints.  

    1. Keeping up with changing rules

    Border policies can shift fast—thanks to politics, global events, and new rules. Agencies must stay in step with international standards, industry frameworks and regulations from the likes of the UN International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) One ID, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and its Entry/Exit System.

    Rigid systems cannot keep pace. But more flexible digital ones can. Dynamic Advance Passenger Processing lets governments change entry criteria easily and share information with airlines to approve or deny boarding based on identity, documentation and risk profiles.

    This allows government agencies to be flexible, compliant and ready for whatever comes next.

    1. Staying ahead of health risks 

    COVID-19 showed just how vulnerable manual border checks can be.  The health threats created long lines, lots of contact between border agents and passengers along with slow health screenings.

    Now, digital systems are built with health in mind. Travellers can upload test results or vaccine records before they fly for verification. Self-service eGates and kiosks with facial recognition make for fast, contactless entry or exit processing. And everything updates in real time.

    It’s safer, faster, more accurate and gives travellers peace of mind.  

    1. Responding to mass migration / displacement

    Wars, natural disasters, and economic crises are forcing millions to move. Borders need to handle sudden surges while treating these people with care and dignity.

    Digital tools help make that possible. In a digital clearance process, Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) serve as the first layer, pre-screening travellers before they begin their journey. At departure, APP links to this data, allowing airlines to verify authorisation and to approve or deny boarding in real-time. Upon arrival, eGates use biometric checks to match travellers with their cleared records by automating and efficiently finalising the clearance process.  Together, these systems create a continuous, risk-based control flow from pre-travel to arrival.

    For border agencies, it’s about staying in control, knowing who’s coming and going while being compassionate even while under time pressure.  

    1. Stopping organised crime

    Transnational Criminal Organisations exploit border weaknesses to illicitly move drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods and to traffic people. Manual checks alone can’t stop them.

    Digital platforms offer a smarter defence. Governments can conduct real-time risk profiling using Passenger Name Record (PNR) data, APP integration with watchlists, biometric collection with ETAs, and travel histories to flag suspicious travellers.

    Integrated biometric clearance links eGates and kiosks with digital travel applications, so only verified travellers can use automated lanes.  This enables instant watchlist checks.

    This strategic transformation empowers governments to intercept threats before they arrive.  

    The future of Borders is smart, safe, and seamless

    The right tech will provide enhanced security together with smooth and fast travel. Modern border solutions help governments protect people, stay compliant, respond to health and humanitarian needs, and help economies to be competitive, attracting investments, trade, travel and tourism, while enhancing the traveller experience.

    This isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a whole new strategic way of thinking about modern borders – built for today but ready for tomorrow.

    Andy Smith is the Director, Industry and Innovation at SITA (Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques), the global airline industry-owned IT-tech and solutions provider.  He is an expert on border management, immigration, digital identities, digital travel and aviation security.

  • Kenya to host the 2026 World Health Summit regional meeting

    Kenya to host the 2026 World Health Summit regional meeting

    Kenya will host the 2026 World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting scheduled to take place from April 27–29, 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

    The summit under the theme: “Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence” will bring together over 2,000 global health leaders, policymakers, innovators, and researchers.

    Speaking during the facility tour by the Aga Khan University (AKU) at the KICC, Professor Lukoye Atwoli, Dean of AKU Medical College, East Africa and Incoming International President of the WHS Regional Meeting 2026 noted this was a significant milestone not only for the University and Kenya but for Africa’s health and development agenda.

    “The summit will spotlight African-led solutions while shaping the broader global health conversation,” he said.

    “Hosting this summit reflects AKU’s impact and influence as a thought leader in health, higher education, and innovation, not just in East Africa but across the globe. It reaffirms our commitment to shaping a healthier, more equitable future through research, education, and engagement,” Prof. Atwoli added.

    The Summit underscores Kenya’s rising profile as a preferred Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination and highlights the role of conference tourism as one of the fastest-growing global sub-sectors, valued at billions of dollars annually.

    Speaking on behalf of KICC, Geoffrey Thande, Director of Business Development, noted: “KICC continues to spearhead strategic collaborations with partners such as the Aga Khan University and other local and international organizations to secure world-class conventions, ensuring Kenya’s visibility and competitiveness on the global stage.”

    He added that the MICE sector is a vital driver of economic growth, aligned with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Hosting the 2026 Summit is expected to inject an estimated Ksh 3.8 billion into the economy through the multiplier effect of business events tourism.

    The Regional Meeting will feature plenary sessions, high-level dialogues, and collaborative workshops, producing actionable recommendations to advance Africa’s health priorities while contributing to the global health agenda.

    The 2026 Summit will bring together African Health Ministers, leaders from Kenya’s Ministry of Health, Africa CDC, WHO, UNICEF, the African Union, alongside representatives from leading universities, civil society, private sector, and global development partners.

    Kenya will become the 13th country to host the WHS Regional Meeting, joining the ranks of Singapore, Brazil, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Portugal, Iran, Uganda, Italy, the United States, Australia, and India.

    Since its founding in 2009, the World Health Summit in Berlin has evolved into one of the most influential global platforms for advancing health as a pillar of sustainable development. Regional meetings, hosted by WHS Academic Alliance members worldwide, address pressing local challenges while feeding into the broader global dialogue in Berlin.

    The 2026 Nairobi Meeting is expected to be a catalyst for new partnerships across governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector, with outcomes directly informing progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

     

  • Plans underway for construction of a medical college in Nanyuki

    Plans underway for construction of a medical college in Nanyuki

    Plans are underway to construct a medical training college in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, Governor Joshua Irungu has revealed.

    Speaking to KNA at the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, the governor said that his administration has allocated Sh200 million for the construction of the state-of-the-art Laikipia Medical Training College (LMTC).

    “The medical training college is one of our flagship projects and we have set aside Ksh200 million that is going to be used in relocation of the Nanyuki morgue, fencing and construction of the tuition blocks,” said the county boss.

    He said that the facility, which is expected to sit on nearly forty acres of land will be domiciled at the Nanyuki Hospital to enable medical students to gain hands-on experience.

    Irungu said that the college will open its doors on March 1, 2026, for the first cohort of learners and, at the same time, is calling on investors to start construction of hostels to accommodate the students.

    Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sammy Kilonzo applauded the medical college project, highlighting that it will complement the hospital with essential manpower for seamless medical service delivery for residents.

    “The college will be very useful in complementing what the hospital does, not only in training but also in providing essential manpower within the hospital, especially in advanced training levels,” said Dr. Kilonzo.

    Additionally, Dr. Kilonzo revealed that the hospital had benefitted from a 60-bed newborn unit, which was under construction and funded bythe  Safaricom M-Pesa foundation.

  • Vietnam evacuates tens of thousands ahead of Typhoon Kajiki

    Vietnam evacuates tens of thousands ahead of Typhoon Kajiki

    Vietnam evacuated tens of thousands of residents from coastal areas on Monday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Kajiki, which is expected to lash the country’s central belt with gales of around 140 kmh.

    The typhoon — the fifth to affect Vietnam this year — is currently at sea, roiling the Gulf of Tonkin with waves of up to 9.5 metres (31 feet).

    More than 325,500 residents in five coastal provinces have been slated for evacuation to schools and public buildings converted into temporary shelters, authorities said.

    The waterfront city of Vinh was deluged overnight, its streets largely deserted by morning with most shops and restaurants closed as residents and business owners sandbagged their property entrances.

    By dawn nearly 30,000 people had been evacuated from the region, as 16,000 military personnel were mobilised.

    Two domestic airports were shut and all fishing boats in the typhoon’s path have been called back to harbour.

    “I have never heard of a typhoon of this big scale coming to our city,” said 66-year-old Le Manh Tung at a Vinh indoor sports stadium, where evacuated families dined on a simple breakfast of sticky rice.

    “I am a bit scared, but then we have to accept it because it’s nature — we cannot do anything,” he told AFP, among only a few dozen people camped out at the evacuation site on Monday morning.

    The typhoon is expected to make landfall around 3:00 pm (0800 GMT) packing winds around 139 kilometres per hour (86 miles per hour), Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said.

    “Rain will continue today and tomorrow, and with that huge rainfall risks for floodings and flash floods on rivers are very high,” director Mai Van Khiem said.

    – ‘Never this big’ –

    Scientists say human-caused climate change is driving more intense and unpredictable weather patterns that can make destructive floods and storms more likely, particularly in the tropics.

    “Normally we get storms and flooding, but never this big,” said 52-year-old evacuee Nguyen Thi Nhan.

    The typhoon’s power is due to dramatically dissipate after it makes landfall.

    The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said conditions suggested “an approaching weakening trend as the system approaches the continental shelf of the Gulf of Tonkin where there is less ocean heat content”.

    More than a dozen domestic Vietnamese flights were cancelled on Sunday, while China’s tropical resort island of Hainan evacuated around 20,000 residents as the typhoon passed its south.

    The island’s main city, Sanya, closed scenic areas and halted business operations.

    In Vietnam, more than 100 people have been killed or left missing from natural disasters in the first seven months of 2025, according to the agriculture ministry.

    Economic losses have been estimated at more than $21 million.

    Vietnam suffered $3.3 billion in economic losses last September as a result of Typhoon Yagi, which swept across the country’s north and caused hundreds of fatalities.

  • US suspends chikungunya vaccine Ixchiq over ‘serious’ side effects

    US suspends chikungunya vaccine Ixchiq over ‘serious’ side effects

    US health authorities have suspended the licence for the Ixchiq vaccine against the chikungunya virus following reports of “serious adverse events”, the drug’s French maker said Monday.

    Ixchiq is one of just two vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the mosquito-spread virus, which mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions but has recently been discovered in countries worldwide.

    French company Valneva obtained US approval for the vaccine in 2023 but reports of side effects have prompted reviews in particular over its use in older patients, including by the European Medicines Agency this year.

    “The suspension of the licence is effective immediately,” Valneva said of the FDA order issued Friday, citing four additional cases of serious side effects, three of which involved people aged 70 to 82.

    “As we determine potential next steps, and as the clear threat of chikungunya continues to escalate globally, Valneva remains fully committed to maintaining access to our vaccine as a global health tool,” chief executive Thomas Lingelbach said in a statement.

    The company said it was evaluating the financial impact of the suspension “but is not modifying its revenue guidance at this time”.

    It said Ixchiq generated sales of 7.5 million euros ($8.8 million) in the first half of this year.

    The suspension prompted a sell-off of Valneva’s shares on the Paris stock exchange, falling over 26 percent in opening deals.

    Public health experts say chikungunya could be a potential future pandemic threat as climate change pushes the mosquitoes that spread it into new regions.

    The symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus, with high fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and varies in duration.

    Chikungunya is rarely fatal, though there is increased risk of death for babies and the elderly.

    In July, the World Health Organization warned of the risks of a major chikungunya epidemic, calling for urgent action.

    The agency said it was picking up the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago, which swept across the Indian Ocean before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people.

    So far this year, Europe has seen 27 chikungunya outbreaks, a new record for the continent, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said this month.

  • EACC goes for county officials in bid to recover Ksh1.6B

    EACC goes for county officials in bid to recover Ksh1.6B

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is intensifying the war on graft, revealing major progress in high-profile investigations.

    In the past eight months, the Commission says it has completed 89 cases, forwarding 82 of them to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for action.

    Four of the cases involve current and former County Governors; two former Cabinet Secretaries, a Principal Secretary and CEOs and MDs of various State Corporations.

    “Over the past eight months, the Commission has completed eighty-nine (89) high-profile cases. These investigation files have been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with recommendations to prosecute eighty-two (82) of the cases”, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Ahmed Mohamud said.

    He disclosed that more investigations are underway, among them cases involving five sitting  and 11 former governors facing allegations of embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, and unexplained wealth.

    “In addition, the Commission is at an advanced stage of investigating five sitting Governors, 11 former Governors. These investigations relate to allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and possession of unexplained wealth, among other offenses under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act”, he explained.

    In the counties, the Commission is pursuing cases worth Ksh1.6 billion involving over 800 officials linked to irregular payrolls, allowances, and loan embezzlement.

    On asset recovery, EACC said since the beginning of this year, it has recovered 12 properties corruptly acquired, valued at approximately Ksh 600M and over Ksh105M in cash.

    Further, it has averted the possible loss of Ksh7.2 B through proactive investigations.

    Mohamud acknowledged the frustrations of Kenyans regarding the vice, pledging to upscale both preventive and enforcement efforts.

    “Notwithstanding the aforementioned interventions, there is a continued feeling by Kenyans, especially the youthful population, that the level of corruption in the country is on the increase. This concerns the Commission as it does every responsible citizen of this country”, he noted.

    “While the Commission acknowledges the frustration by Kenyans, I wish to assure the country that the Commission will upscale both its preventive and enforcement mandates geared towards effectively combating corruption in the country”, he committed.

     

     

  • Kakuzi half-year profit hits Kshs 295.5M

    Kakuzi half-year profit hits Kshs 295.5M

    Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) listed agribusiness firm Kakuzi Plc has posted a Ksh 295.5 million net profit in its half-year trading results.

    Within the period under review, Kakuzi’s total revenue grew to Ksh 1.51 billion, up from Ksh 1.17 billion realised within the same period last year.

    Speaking when he confirmed the half-year 2025 trading results, Kakuzi Managing Director Chris Flowers said the firm has adopted strategic operating strategies to facilitate growth within a challenging operating environment.

    “The year-to-date trading in our two core crops is in line with expectations. The international avocado market has been well supplied, with price levels reflecting this situation,” Mr. Flowers said.

    He added, “The earlier experienced shipping route challenges are also beginning to stabilise with an increasing number of voyages returning to the Red Sea routing.”

    Commenting on the firm’s flagship crop performance, the avocado divisional trading results, he said, had realised a half-year profit of Ksh 395 million compared to a half-year profit of Ksh 951 million posted in 2024, primarily because of a lower crop valuation in 2025.

    The international avocado market, he disclosed, has been well supplied, with price levels reflecting higher supply. Last year, the markets were undersupplied during the same period, which led to a corresponding higher price. At the close of the half-year reporting period, Kakuzi had exported 165 containers (801,840 cartons) of avocados primarily to European markets, which are also receiving fruit from Peru, South Africa and Colombia.

    As the global macadamia market continues to show further gains, the Kakuzi Macadamia division recorded a half-year profit of Ksh 319 million, up from Ksh 32 million posted within the same period last year. The firm’s blueberry production, he said, has also increased in line with expectations.

    “This (blueberry) business venture is now profitable, recording a half-year profit of Ksh 13 million compared to a Ksh 17 million loss for the same period last year,” Mr. Flowers said.

    He reiterated that the firm’s Board remains committed to continuing to diversify the Company’s operation and maintain its focus on responsible business models.

    “Our operating mandate is firmly rooted in our purpose of ‘Growing Together’, lifting others as we grow through a process of meaningful stakeholder engagement”, he said.

    He expressed concern that the firm had recently faced land invasion cases by unscrupulous individuals.

    “The actions have occasioned massive environmental damage and raised security tensions among the local community. We are, however, pursuing legal remedies and redress available to us, to secure shareholder rights and avoid attempts to expropriate or erode the value of our shareholder assets,” Mr. Flowers assured Kakuzi shareholders.

    The company’s business growth and diversification plans, he said, are firmly anchored on positively contributing to the development and promotion of Murang’a County and the national economy, including job creation and foreign exchange (Forex) earnings.

  • Kenya refugee plan transforming livelihoods, host communities

    Kenya refugee plan transforming livelihoods, host communities

    Kenya is empowering refugees and host communities in Dadaab and Kakuma through a transformative integration model, says Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

    Speaking in Japan, Mudavadi said the pioneering Shirika Plan launched by the Government in March this year has shifted refugees’ management from a humanitarian aid-based model to a development-centred approach that is benefiting thousands of refugees and their hosts.

    Over 70,000 refugees have been registered in the Social Health Insurance Fund, and thousands of learners are benefiting from quality education in 100 refugee schools registered under the Kenya National Education Management Information System, he said.

    “We have integrated refugees with host communities, empowering them to be self-reliant and resilient,” said Dr. Mudavadi during a session on Economic Inclusion of Forcibly Displaced Persons in Africa held on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development. “Shirika Plan has transformed refugee camps into integrated settlements, enabling refugees to access economic opportunities and social services, including education and healthcare, just like Kenyans,” he said.

    Kenya hosts over 850,000 refugees, mainly in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. The Shirika Plan has benefited 8,000 refugee learners who have received Elimu Scholarships under the Kenya Equity in Learning Program, that has also deployed government teachers to the schools.

    Other benefits include recognition of prior learning, enabling 145 refugees to have their skills and qualifications recognised through assessments by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority. This certification has enhanced the employability of the beneficiaries.

    Mudavadi, who participated in a roundtable on Promoting Economic Inclusion and Self-Reliance of Forcibly Displaced Persons in Africa,  highlighted how Kenya has facilitated the refugees to have proper identification documents to enable them access government services.

    The documents registered under the Integrated Population Registration System include asylum seekers’ passes, proof of registration, movement passes, letters of recognition, refugee identity cards, and conventional travel documents.

    The humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach to management of refugees emphasises strengthened international cooperation, sustainable financing models that promote burden and responsibility sharing, and the active engagement of the private sector. Furthermore, it addresses the root causes of large-scale displacement through targeted peacebuilding efforts in countries of origin.

    Further, he underscored the socioeconomic impact of integrating refugees, including tapping into their knowledge, technical, and entrepreneurial skills, innovation, consumer power, and fiscal benefits.

    He elaborated on the challenges of sustaining the integration process, mainly due to funding constraints, urging the development community and the private sector to step up their contributions. Collaboration with these two groups of actors is particularly crucial now that potential support from traditional donors is at risk due to the changing global geopolitical and economic dynamics.

    The side event was hosted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and co-hosted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    The other key speakers included Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mr. Matsumoto Hisashi, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Haoliang Xu, Acting UNDP Administrator, and Mr. Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner (Operations) at UNHCR.