Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) has announced the appointment of John Paul Okwiri as its CEO.
In a statement Thursday, it says John Paul Okwiri is a dynamic and visionary executive passionate about driving transformative change. With a proven track record in delivering large scale strategic infrastructure and innovation projects leveraging diverse resourcing models.
Prior to his appointment, Okwiri has been the acting CEO of the Authority for the last 10 months. He replaces Eng. John Tanui who was appointed as the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Information Communication and the Digital Economy last year.
Following the appointment, Okwiri will be charged with the responsibility of providing strategic leadership to Konza Technopolis to achieve its vision as a leading global Technopolis and innovation hub.
In his career, Okwiri has been instrumental in delivering large-scale projects at Konza Technopolis, including successful delivery of Konza Phase 1 Horizontal Infrastructure and the establishment of Kenya Advance Institute of Science and Technology. He was also instrumental in mobilizing resources to construct a tier 3 National Data Center, transforming Kenya’s cloud infrastructure and Data Center services in addition to securing the 41st International Association of Science Parks (IAPS) 2024 Conference for Konza Technopolis.
Okwiri holds an MBA in Procurement & Supply Chain Management from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. He is a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (MCIPS-UK) and the Kenya Institute of Supplies & Management (MKISM). Besides, John is a certified FIDIC Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB)Expert.
The board of KoTDA, Management and Staff congratulates Mr. Okwiri for the appointment and wishes him well as he embarks on the journey of bringing to fruition the Africa’s Silicon Savanna.
Ten Kenyan startups have secured a training opportunity from Whitebox Strathmore Program.
The startups are Giftpesa, Residence Smart Address System, Hela.money, Fundi Link, Shop Okoa, PLAT-DEL, NeuralSight, Thorium App, Hao Finder and Meira.
Speaking after the announcement of the winners by the ICT Authority (ICTA), Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority, said: “I am delighted to note that the call for applications has come to a successful end with the naming of the 10 top finalists. The partnership between the ICT Authority will go a long way building the already robust ICT Innovation in Kenya.”
On his part, Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica said: “I am delighted to welcome the 10 startups to the Whitebox Strathmore Innovation Program. These startups represent the essence of Kenyan innovations in diverse sectors such as agritech, fintech, and cyber-security which showcases the diversity and ingenuity that our nation is known for.”
He added: “@iBizAfrica is excited to provide them with the necessary support, mentorship, and resources to nurture their growth and amplify their impact. The Whitebox Strathmore Innovation Program is not just about individual startups; it’s about fostering an ecosystem of collaboration, and inspiration through @iLabAfrica’s and @iBizAfrica’s dynamic approach.”
The strategic partnership between the Huduma WhiteBox program and iBizAfrica at Strathmore University highlights the importance of academia and business working together to develop the next generation of ICT startups.
The Whitebox Strathmore Bootcamp aims to provide an incubator for innovation, creativity, and sustainable growth by offering a caring environment that allows businesses to thrive.
The program is run through a partnership between the ICT Authority and Strathmore following the signing of an MOU in February 2023.
In February 2023, the Authority entered into a partnership with Strathmore University’s ibizAfrica to support the growth of the innovation ecosystem.
The Whitebox Strathmore Bootcamp was mooted to support capacity building of startups in the areas of business planning, market entry strategies, financial management and Legal & regulatory framework; provide acceleration to startups and provide technical support to the startups
The Ministry of Interior has revised security protocols for accessing the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) where the Africa Climate Summit is ongoing.
In a statement signed by Principal Secretary State Department of Interior Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo Tuesday, the decision follows a routine review of the security arrangements.
The PS noted that says the changes are effective immediately.
“The changes take effect immediately, and the delegates and their entourage are advised to take note and faithfully adhere to the new protocols to avoid unnecessary delays, inconveniences and jam-ups at the entrances, ” read the statement in part.
Under the new protocols, access to Tsavo, Aberdares and Lenna ballrooms will only be granted to the delegates accredited to enter the first ballroom (Tsavo). The rest of the delegates will access the venue through the entrance along Parliament Road.
“All Ministers, both local and foreign, Principal Secretaries and Diplomats Corps will access the venue through the entrance along Harambee Avenue, ” added the statement.
Meanwhile, all Presidential motorcades were advised to access the venue through the entrance along City Hall Way.
Omollo said security officers and traffic marshals will be available along the access roads to provide the necessary support and/or direction.
The Africa Climate Summit began on September on 4th and will end on Wednesday, September 6.
Africa and the Caribbean share deep historical and people-to-people ties. Indeed, the African Union has identified the Caribbean as Africa’s sixth region. The shared experience of the climate emergency has created another commonality, and one that presents an existential threat to both regions, particularly for small states.
African governments, similar to their Caribbean counterparts, have limited capacity to respond to the climate crisis due to debt distress and economic shocks, necessitating urgent action including debt relief and increased liquidity.
Building on Bridgetown 2.0 and the Paris Pact, the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in September can help advance a transformational agenda to reset and reshape trade and investment relationships to build climate resilience.
However, we need to move swiftly from high-level policy discourse to tangible actions, where it matters on the ground. The private sector must be a central driver of this transformation, supported by appropriate policy frameworks. Whilst commitments at the highest levels must be secured, direct business-to-business engagement is imperative, particularly in deepening South–South trade and investment relationships.
There have been a number of recent high-level initiatives aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between Africa and the Caribbean, such as the Afri Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum. The ACS will primarily focus on driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world. The expected outcomes, including those outlined in the Nairobi Declaration, will enable African countries to develop detailed plans and secure investments to support green growth, not only on the continent but also globally, as Africa plays its part in supporting decarbonisation efforts elsewhere.
The ACS also includes a focus on sustainable agriculture – this is an area where the Caribbean has demonstrated strong commitment, at the highest levels, to deploy technology, alongside digitalisation and innovation. Incentives are being provided across the board to support investments in this sector.
Addressing the climate emergency through greening trade must go hand in hand with tackling food insecurity and encouraging agricultural production, which is also a priority in the Caribbean. Caribbean leaders have a clear goal of reducing food imports by 25% by 2025. However, to be successful in this venture and to build true climate resilience, stronger partnerships and deeper collaboration are required.
South–South linkages offer a viable option for fostering direct business engagement and the transfer of know-how, thus bringing the call to action and the Nairobi Declaration to life.
Deodat Maharaj is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, the Caribbean regional institution with the remit to support private sector development through export and to steer foreign direct investment to the Region.
African countries are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, experiencing extreme impacts of the climate crisis including drought, flooding, extreme weather temperatures and rising sea levels.
Africa as a whole contributes to less than 3 per cent of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – the smallest share among all worlds’ regions yet it’s on the front lines of the climate crisis.
Ahead of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS), William Asiko, Vice President of the Africa Region Office, The Rockefeller Foundation is calling on Africa to take leadership of its destiny in the climate crisis by focusing on things that the continent has control of.
Addressing the media on Friday, Asiko said Africa has an enormous opportunity to develop carbon credit programs and become a green manufacturing leader through policy commitments and appropriate incentives.
“Climate change is affecting us like no other region in the world and yet we did not cause a lot of the effects that are bringing climate change disasters to this continent. Africa needs to take leadership of its destiny in this climate crisis. We do not control green house gas emissions, we do not control climate change effects, but we do have things we control and that’s what we have to focus on,” he said.
He added that time has come for Africa to position itself as a champion of climate action.
“We are pleased that the theme of this Africa Climate Summit is climate positive growth for Africa because we believe that we control our natural resources, we have vast amounts of potential for renewable energy, we have the opportunity to be the climate champion of the world. These are things that we control,” he added.
He at the same time noted that Africa was uniquely positioned for green revolutions.
“The continent possesses abundant solar, hydro, wind and geothermal resources with limited competitive use.”
Speaking in the same meeting, Makena Ireri, Director, Demand, Jobs and Livelihoods, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) called for more opportunities to create youth employment.
Makena Ireri the Director, Demand, Jobs and Livelihoods, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). Photo by Jackson Mnyamwezi
“Some of the key sectors we can look at are agriculture. By making agriculture mechanized, youth are going to make a key role in this future we are imagining. Agriculture will be digitized and energized and we see this as a big place where a lot of employment could be retained in the continent and areas where production is happening in the rural areas.”
On their part, GEAPP has underlined President William Ruto and the African Union’s call for increased investment and collaboration to address pressing climate challenges in Africa and end energy poverty with green energy.
The inaugural Africa Climate Summit, championed by President William Ruto next week from September 4th to 6th, aims to address the increasing exposure to climate change and its associated costs, both globally and particularly in Africa.
The Summit in which over 30,000 delegates are expected to attend will serve as a platform to inform, frame, and influence commitments, pledges, and outcomes, ultimately leading to the development of the Nairobi Declaration.
“The Africa Climate Summit being hosted by President William Ruto is a critical moment for us to set the agenda for Africa in climate action. This is a critical moment for Kenya and we are in a turning point as a continent.” William Asiko, Vice President of the Africa Region Office, The Rockefeller Foundation
The ACS will be organized in parallel with this year’s Africa Climate Week to build momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
‘The fact that we have been oversubscribed by over 20,000 people is an indication of the interest that everybody globally has in this issue (climate change). This demonstrates that Africa is a key player. And also the narrative on positive climate growth has been a narrative that President William Ruto has been talking about since the African Union summit in February, 2023.” William Asiko
The Africa Climate Summit is the first time the African Union has summoned its leaders for a conversation fully devoted to climate change.
The Rockefeller Foundation will co-host or contribute to several events during the summit with focus on unlocking climate finance and investment in clean energy and climate-smart food security and public health solutions in Africa and the world.
On the video below, William Asiko, Vice President of the Africa Region Office, The Rockefeller Foundation tells us how Africa can become a climate saviour.
In the pursuit of global sustainable development, the importance of effective communication cannot be overstated.
Recognizing this, the recent Media Engagement Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Reporting in Kenya proved to be an important event, highlighting best reporting practices and encouraging media stakeholders to play an active role in advancing the SDGs.
The SDGs, a set of 17 interconnected goals adopted by United Nations member states in 2015, provide a roadmap for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world by 2030. However, the journey towards their realization has been marked by both successes and challenges. As highlighted during the forum, there has been mixed progress in the attainment of the SDGs, with some goals making commendable strides while others lag behind.
Notably, SDG 13, focused on climate action has witnessed commendable progress in Kenya. This progress can be attributed, in part, to the concerted efforts to increase tree cover and address climate change.
Yet, while advancements have been made, it is clear that there is more work to be done.
The forum emphasized the potential of using parliamentary voices to rally support for SDG projects at both the individual and county levels. By leveraging the influence of parliamentarians, policymakers can facilitate the implementation of SDG initiatives, leading to a more significant impact.
“Now more than ever, the world needs all hands on deck to recover and accelerate efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals,” Florence Syevuo, the Executive Director of SDGs Kenya Forum, added.
During the forum’s discussions, participants delved into key principles and guidelines for reporting on the SDGs. Accurate and unbiased reporting, rooted in evidence-based information, emerged as fundamental. Moreover, the importance of presenting diverse perspectives was underscored, as this enriches the narrative and fosters a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and solutions associated with the SDGs.
Reflecting on the feedback from Kenya’s delegation to the 2023 High-Level Political Forum, the forum attendees gained insight into the progress and challenges the nation faces in achieving the SDGs.
The lessons learned and best practices shared during the forum serve as a valuable foundation for informed reporting. By disseminating this feedback, the media can contribute to a well-rounded narrative that takes into account both successes and areas needing improvement.
The forum also highlighted Kenya’s Voluntary Sub-National Review, which showcased the localization of the SDGs at the sub-national level. The role of counties and cities in driving SDGs progress from the grassroots level was emphasized.
By sharing success stories and projects from these local entities, the media can spotlight the significant contributions they make and inspire others to adopt similar approaches.
Agribusiness and superfoods producer Kakuzi Plc has successfully completed the inaugural export delivery of 181 Boran heifers to a Uganda-based rancher for breeding.
In a statement Tuesday, the breeding heifers valued at more than Kshs 13.5 million left Kakuzi’s Makuyu, Murang’a County, livestock paddocks late last week and have now been received at Mpala Farm, in Kawempe Division, Central Uganda.
Speaking when he confirmed the successful delivery, Kakuzi Livestock Manager Dr. Karatina Ole Nchoki said the 181 heifers aged between 30-36 months will be used for breeding at Mpala Farm, which is introducing a Boran herd.
The Boran cattle originally developed in Kenya, Dr. Ole Nchoki said, is a very hardy breed that is highly resistant to diseases and thrives in arid and semi-arid climatic regions.
“Since 1953, the Boran breed has continued to be developed and has emerged as one of Africa’s most resilient cattle breeds. The export of these Kakuzi Boran heifers to Uganda will undoubtedly boost the rich heritage of this breed further afield in the Pearl of Africa and is part of Kakuzi’s business diversification strategy,” Dr. Nchoki said.
While celebrating the inaugural export milestone, Kakuzi Plc Managing Director Mr. Chris Flowers said the agribusiness firm is actively pursuing a product diversification strategy to unlock further value from its commercial forestry, macadamia, avocado, blueberry, tea and livestock investments.
The exports to Uganda, Mr. Flowers added, come on the back of a steady recovery of the firm’s livestock operations from the recent drought, with sales beginning to pick on the back of growing demand for Kakuzi beef cuts in the retail and Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HoReCa) market. The Kakuzi goat meat venture that has now been trademarked as KABUZI, he said is also expected to boost growth, with initial sales due to commence in the second half of this year.
“All our business lines provide much-needed leverage to unlock value and ramp up target profits per our business diversification strategy. For example, although our blueberry volumes are still significantly low vis-a-vis the avocado and macadamia outputs, the revenue stream remains firmly within the business plans and inspires further investments. The performance of the tea, forestry, livestock, and arable land operations continue to play their important role in our crop portfolio,” Mr Flowers said.
Under the livestock business stream, Kakuzi is currently rearing a herd of more than 4,420 Boran cattle with the firm’s stud herd registered with the Kenya Stud Book.
Still, under the Kakuzi Livestock business stream, Rhodes grass production for quality hay has been expanded with plans for further developments to meet the ever-increasing demand from Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Meru and Laikipia livestock farmers.
Women and girls are increasingly experiencing reproductive health complications owing to climate change, Dr Elizabeth Kimani Murage, Head of the Maternal and child wellbeing unit, Africa Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) has said.
“Physiologically, women need a lot of nutrients and micronutrients for their reproductive health needs. Climate change affects quantity and quality of food production,” she said.
For instance, said Dr Kimani, “Vitamin B Complex and iron, which are important during pregnancy may not be available in food-insecure communities due to drought and thus affect the development of the fetuses.”
Dr. Kimani made the remarks during a Webinar jointly organized by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), Amref Kenya and World Health Orgainisation (WHO) on Tuesday.
The theme of the Webinar was:The Public Health Impacts of Climate Change: Unravelling the Science and Solutions for Sustainable Adaptation and Mitigation in Africa.
The experts noted that the effects of climate change on food systems are adverse emanating from its impact on soil, micronutrients, vitamins, and generally the quality of food produced. Quantifying these impacts is paramount and this calls for the integration of multi-stakeholders in governments to find solutions and offer guidelines and policies on food systems.
They said malnutrition is a challenge attributed to climate change, most of the evidence available is based on projections and cannot be quantified. There is a need for more engagements with populations at the grassroots level to understand their lived experiences and together be able to mitigate the measures and come up with solutions to reduce their vulnerability.
Dr Kimani said the problem is that there is a modest focus on health implications in climate change discussions, “There is a gap in attribution science for instance we say that malnutrition is a major problem yet we do not have evidence-based data for this,” she said.
She said actors in science should not base their evidence on projections but rather on longitudinal, empirical data as well as lived experiences of those affected.
Dr Bernard Onyango, Senior Research and Policy Analyst and BUILD Project Population, Environment and Development (PED) Director at the African Institute for Population Development (AFIDEP) who moderated the Webinar said the webinar series function as a vital platform for high-level policymakers, global climate change and health leaders, youth, and researchers.
He said the Webinars series aim to address the pressing need for prioritising health in the face of climate change in Africa.
Further, the experts will use the Webinar Series to explore the climate change and health nexus, the mechanisms for strengthening and building climate resilient health systems, financial mobilisation and potential financing instruments, and build a Pan-African position based on health equity, social justice, and cross sectoral integrated systems.
This way, Dr Elizabeth added, countries stand a better chance of lobbying for the Loss and Damage Fund. The fund was one of the resounding resolutions from COP 27 to provide financial assistance to nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change.
Elizabeth added that more research needs to be conducted to reveal the extent to which climate change affects soil nutrients which in turn impacts food production.
The expert further asserted that cases of gender-based violence, and early marriage were growing because of climate change. “In regions where there is a problem with food security the girl is often married off early so that the family may benefit from the bride price,” she said.
She also added that mitigation and adaptation measures need to be carefully deployed to make sure they do not bring harm to the community.
As much as there is evidence that climate change is happening, it is going to get worse if we are not going to act, we still have gaps, research being done specifically in Africa is not sufficient and there is uncertainty in the political conversations.
Climate change is happening because of human activities, there is a need to focus on the future and plan accordingly on the diseases that are climate change driven to avoid being caught off guard as with the case of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government will today (Friday) launch the Presidential Innovation Award (PIA)-Youth Edition at Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
The launch to be presided over by CS Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports Ababu Namwamba will be done to mark the end of 8th DevolutionConference which was taking place in Eldoret.
The Presidential Innovation Award (PIA) is a module of the Talanta Hela programme run by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports that intends to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of innovators across the country.
It will recognise and award the innovative work of top innovators in the country within the national priority areas. This will encourage and support young people who are using their innovativeness, creativity and problem-solving skills to make a positive impact on society while becoming economically active.
The goal of the Presidential Innovation Award is to promote innovation as a driver for socio-economic development through fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and commercialisation capabilities of Kenyan innovators.
The main objectives of the Presidential Innovation Award (PIA) are to scout and identify the most promising innovative ideas and solutions from across the country;showcase the most promising innovations and startups at the Kenya Innovation Week;recognise the achievements of the most promising innovators and startups at the Jamhuri Day Celebration and support the commercialisation of the promising innovations through a Presidential accelerator program.
The award intends to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of innovators cross the country through scouting, recognising and commercialising of the innovations along priority sectors of the National Government.
To achieve this, the Presidential Innovation Award focuses on food security and agriculture;digital transformation; healthcare and entertainment and gaming.
Benefits to Winners
Investor Readiness Workshop – The entire pool of finalists from all counties will undergo an investor-readiness and pitching training session during KIW to prepare them for the big stage.
Angel Investor Workshop & Cocktail – The top 3 innovations per category will get a chance to attend an angel investor workshop and cocktail during the Kenya Innovation Week to give them a chance network and expose their ideas to a target audience that could support them.
KIW Closing Ceremony Recognition – At the close of KIW, top winners from each county will also be recognised, including the top 3 winners per category.
Recognition at Jamhuri Day – The Presidential awardees will be announced at the closing ceremony and be notified that their names will be called out during Jamhuri Day
Presidential Dinner – The Presidential awardees will be invited to attend the Presidential Dinner at the close of Jamhuri Day.
Grants – The finalists will be awarded grants to further develop their products and commercialize them.
The Registrar of Societies has canceled the registration of Newlife Prayer Centre and Church linked to Pastor Ezekiel Odero in the latest crackdown by the government..
Other churches deregistered include Helicopter of Christ Church, Theophilus Church, Kings Outreach Church and Goodnews International Ministries.
The deregistration was done in exercise of the powers conferred by section 12 (1) of the Societies Act. The churches were deregistered with effect from the dates specified in the gazette notice.
In May this year, Pastor Ezekiel had moved to court to stop the registrar from canceling the registration of his church.
In an application his lawyers, Danstan Omari and Cliff Ombeta, Odero expressed concerns that the Registrar of Societies had threatened to cancel the registration of his church, a move that they said was meant to deny him and his congregation the freedom of religion.
