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Author: Claire Wanja

  • ‘We must liberate devolution from corruption’ says Ruto

    ‘We must liberate devolution from corruption’ says Ruto

    President William Ruto has warned of stern action against officials who misuse public resources.

    He said as much as the Government continues to support devolution in transforming lives of Kenyans, he will not have mercy on those who misuse funds.

    President Ruto called on the need for prudent use of resources to initiate more development projects aimed at empowering the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

    “As far as I can tell, it was never the spirit or intent of the people of Kenya to devolve corruption, mismanagement and malpractices to the counties,” said President Ruto.

    The Head of State regretted that many counties have evolved into notorious epicentres of wanton looting, with everyone, from governors and county executive to junior officers being  implicated in a wild free-for all at the expense of essential service delivery.

    “Many innocent Kenyans are victimized, underserved or altogether neglected on a daily basis because of this devolved criminality,” he said

    He cautioned that counties must not become drivers of scandal, incubators of graft or embezzlement hubs, saying the people of Kenya deserve better, and they must be rid of ‘this reckless betrayal’.

    “It will not be business as usual. We must liberate devolution from corruption,” he said.

    President Ruto made it clear that  corruption will be treated at all levels of government as a high priority law enforcement issue requiring expeditious and decisive response.

    “Regardless of position, office or other status, any person implicated in the loss of public funds, whether in the national or devolved government, must encounter the punitive consequences of their actions in full,” said Dr Ruto.

    He asked  the agencies concerned to move with speed and attend to the many cases of corruption that are festering in many counties.

    President Ruto, at the same time, said ditigitalisation and automation remain solution to poor governance and attainment of efficient service delivery.

    “I therefore encourage you to embark on the journey of integrating digital solutions and ICT to service delivery and project implementation,” said President Ruto.

    The Head of State commended the  many counties that have responded positively to his call of planting trees, as well as programmes and projects to restore depleted or degraded landscapes and ecosystems.

    “Climate action and environmental conservations must be seen to be an integral component of transformation. It is also an opportunity for inter-governmental cooperation,” said Dr Ruto.

    Senate Speaker  Amason Kingi  urged counties to ensure accountable and transparent use of resources.

    “It’s time counties explore innovative ways of creating income generating projects to avoid over reliance on the national government,” said Mr Kingi.

    Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said devolution has impacted the society positively by transforming lives of ordinary people.

    “The only remaining focus is to tackle the problem of pending bills,” said Mr Mudavadi.

    Chairperson of the Council of Governors Anne Waiguru said devolution has transformed the lives of millions of Kenyans since its inception.

    “As managers in our counties, we will endeavor to meet the aspirations of our people,” said Ms Waiguru.

    US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman said Kenya was becoming the destination of choice for many because it’s the most stable democracy in the region.

    She said last year’s General Election was free and fair, having confirmed by the Supreme Court.

    “What I witnessed was nothing short of remarkable.  Kenya held what many analysts and commentators say was free, fairest and most credible election in Kenyan history,” she said.

    She said the country remains gateway to not only East Africa wealth but also Africa as a whole that need to be exploited.

    Ms Whitman praised the ongoing efforts eliminate corruption in the country.

    He said it was impressive that there were positive efforts in the fight against corruption in Kenya.

    “President Ruto has introduced firm measures to eliminate corruption that has led to sacking of top Government officials involved in the vice,” said Ms Whitman.

    She noted that the kind of tertiary education in Kenya has made it possible for the country to have the best workforce in the world.

    Chair of the Devolution Donor Working Group Amb Ole Thonke said Devolution in Kenya has become a game changer in transforming lives of the people.

    He said the timely dispatch of money to counties by the national government remains key to efficient and prompt service delivery.

    “The move by President Ruto and his administration to send funds to counties at the right time must be applauded,” he said.

    Source PSC

  • Ruto urges counties to embrace sustainable resource avenue to power devolution

    Ruto urges counties to embrace sustainable resource avenue to power devolution

    President William Ruto has urged Counties to tame their appetite for National Government revenue allocations.

    He said it is time devolved units engaged in a long-and-hard thinking about sustainable and innovative resources to power their development.

    Over-reliance on allocations, he explained, has the danger of limiting their plans.

    “It is beginning to unfairly constrict the frontiers of productive possibility and limit their horizons of transformation,” he said.

    He was speaking on Wednesday in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, during the official opening of the 8th Devolution Conference.

    The President termed counties as the most sustainable drivers of prosperity and Bottom-Up Economic Transformation.

    As such, he went on, they must be supported to bring about the much-desired change at the grassroots.

    Even so, the President maintained, that the National Government will continue disbursing funds to Counties in a more efficient and timely way.

    “Delays in disbursing allocations to Counties have tremendous negative effects. There is no excuse for this; we simply have to do better.”

    It is for this reason, he told the meeting, that for the first time since the advent of devolution, the inaugural disbursement of equitable allocation to counties under the Kenya Kwanza administration was implemented in full and on time.

    “We made a firm commitment to the people of Kenya to strengthen devolution.”

    He listed the transfer of all outstanding functions constitutionally earmarked to be performed by counties as one of the interventions being implemented.

    The theme of the conference is ‘10 Years of devolution: The Present and the Future’ and the sub-theme: Driving Transformation from the local level: County Governments as the Centre of economic development

    Others include supporting Counties in improving their capacity to generate their own income and ensuring that shareable revenue is transferred in a timely and predictable manner.

    The Head of State explained that small enterprises can be supported by County Governments into sustainable pathways to higher earnings, wealth creation and poverty reduction.

    The President argued that the National Government will work closely with Counties to elevate Kenya.

    “If we focus thoroughly on collaboration with Counties, we can empower people and bring change at the grassroots.”

  • Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago arrested in Eldoret

    Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago arrested in Eldoret

    Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago has been arrested hours after warrant of arrest was issued in connection to the Ksh 1.1 billion shillings Finland Scholarship Programme scandal.

    Mandago was arrested in Eldoret and taken to Nakuru for questioning. The Senator had had earlier refuted reports of a warrant of arrest issued against him by police adding that he was not in hiding.

    ‘There are rumours all over Eldoret Town that DCI Officers have been looking for me the whole night. As a law abiding citizen, I am available once summoned. I have met with the leadership of parents and agreed on the way forward as per their press statement issued last evening,” he stated.

    Read-> Finland Scholarship Fraud: DPP orders arrest of Mandago and three others

    Nakuru Senior Principal Magistrate Alloys Ndege has issued a warrant for the arrest of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and three county officials (Joseph Kipkemoi Maritim, Meshak Rono and Joshua Kipkemoi Lelei)  over Ksh 1.1 billion as money meant for university fees for overseas education.

    The prosecution applied for the warrants to be issued after the four failed to turn up in court for plea-taking.

    The four persons have been charged with 11 counts of stealing, abuse of office, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

    It is alleged that, on diverse dates between March and September 2021, the accused persons jointly conspired to steal more than 1 billion Kenya shillings from an account domiciled at Kenya Commercial Bank Eldoret.

    The account was registered under the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund, meant for overseas university fees for students under the Uasin Gishu County Overseas Education Program.

    Last week, Mandago and the other officials were grilled at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) headquarters by a team that is investigating the Finland and Canada overseas education programme.

    Mandago confirmed the grilling but did not disclose what he told the officers on his possible role in the saga.

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has also been investigating allegations of embezzlement of over Ksh 837 million by the officials.

    The funds in question were collected from parents for the facilitation of Tertiary Education in Finland and Canada during the FY 2021/2022.

    According to the EACC, Mandago was interviewed as a person of interest after summons were issued to appear before the Commission.

    The former Governor was summoned to assist the Commission in its investigations considering his role as the Chief Executive Officer of the County Government of Uasin Gishu when the Overseas Trust Fund was conceptualized and operationalized.

    As Governor, he also exercised oversight over the Department of Youth & Gender and Sports Affairs, where the program was domiciled, and he is alleged to have played key roles in the adoption of the programme.

    The Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund Account was opened in May 2021 and by December 2022, a total of over Ksh 957 million had been credited to the account by Parents.

    A total of Ksh 257,326,740 was debited from the Uasin Gishu Overseas Account to beneficiaries indicated as agents and/or intermediaries for onward transmission to Universities in Finland and Canada.

    The investigation was to reveal if any embezzlement took place in the process.

    Similarly, the probe was to focus on over Ksh 57 million withdrawn locally by the county officials appointed to manage the Trust Fund Account.

    Meanwhile, President William Ruto has said that anyone who misappropriated monies the monies must be ready to refund the same or face the music.

    “The people who embezzled the funds must be ready to refund before they get into trouble. Nobody will be allowed to go scot-free. Hard-earned money of the affected people must be refunded,” President Ruto said while addressing residents of Eldoret town Wednesday.

    Read also-> Ruto reads riot act over Finland, Canada Scholarships Scam

    “Once investigations are finalized, I will see how better we can assist the affected students who are innocent by giving them scholarships locally to enable them pursue their education.”

  • US and Canada recall Kenyan made baby jeans over choking hazard

    US and Canada recall Kenyan made baby jeans over choking hazard

    The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled over 100,000 pairs of jeans made in Kenya for babies and distributed at retail outlets in America over faulty features.

    According to CPSC, the baby jeans feature metal snaps that could fall off and potentially choke babies and toddlers.

    The recall applies to two jeans styles, with 97,400 sold in the U.S. and another 1,800 sold in Canada.

    The affected styles are the Baby and Toddler Boy Basic Stretch Straight Leg Jeans sold in sizes 6-9 months to 5T with the style number 3022341 in the Dustbowl Wash from vendor number 7000541 which was sold from September 2022 through March 2023 while 3022342 in the Telford Wash from vendor number 7000541 was carried in stores from January-June this year.

    Recalled Baby and Toddler Boy Basic Stretch Straight Leg Jeans

    Retail establishments have been directed to contact the parents of the item purchasers and make the return process as simple as possible (with full reimbursements) in response to the identified safety issues.

    The firm says it has received one report of snaps detaching from the jeans though no injuries have been reported.

    According to the Secaucus, N.J.-based children’s wear retailer, the $25 bottom was manufactured in Kenya, where government leaders are renewing efforts to revitalize a down-on-its-luck textile sector battling cheap secondhand garment imports.

    Clothes exported to the US are manufactured at garment companies operating in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Nairobi and Machakos counties.

    The clothes are exported under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) arrangements that give garment manufacturers in Africa preferential access to the US market.

    Children’s apparel products commonly face compliance problems. CPSC recalled flammable kids’ pajamas in June and February while Amazon robes were similarly found to put kids at risk of suffering burn injuries.

  • Emmanuel Juma appointed as Foreign Affairs head of Communication

    Emmanuel Juma appointed as Foreign Affairs head of Communication

    Renowned journalist Emmanuel Juma has been appointed as the head of communication in the office of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

    “Mr Juma brings a wealth of experience in all media areas and has the personality, creativity and drive to enable the Ministry communicate its Foreign and Diapora positions more effectively,’ said CS Alfred Mutua.

    The CS noted that the the Ministry will be holding regular press conferences starting from this September to brief the public on foreign and diaspora matters.

    “ The media sessions, to be named The Foreign Brief, will be presided over either by myself or in my absence, by either of the Ministry’s two Principal Secretaries, Roseline Njogu for Diaspora Affairs and Korir Sing’Oei, Foreign Affairs,’ added Mutua.

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  • Hisa appoints Eric Jackson as new CEO

    Hisa appoints Eric Jackson as new CEO

    Investment Startup Hisa has appointed Eric Jackson, who was previous leading the product and innovation team, as the new CEO, effective immediately.

    Eric will be replacing Erick Asuma, co-founder who recently stepped down as CEO.

    According to Hisa, Eric Jackson brings a wealth of experience to his new role with a proven track record in the technology sector.

    He is said to have a deep understanding of leveraging technology to solve everyday challenges. His previous executive roles and successful entrepreneurial ventures with MediaPal and Nano Digital have positioned him as the ideal candidate to lead Hisa’s next phase of growth and innovation.

    “I am honoured to continue to drive the Hisa mission as its new CEO and build upon the solid foundation established by Erick Asuma,” said Eric Jackson.

    “Hisa is at the forefront of revolutionizing investment solutions, and I am thrilled to guide the company in its next phase of growth. Together, we will further enhance our technological capabilities, expand our market presence, and continue delivering exceptional value to our clients.” He added.

    Erick Asuma was instrumental in setting up Hisa and shaping its vision since its inception in October 2020. With his leadership, the company has achieved remarkable milestones, including obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and establishing strategic partnerships to enable the company.

    “I am immensely proud of the journey we have embarked on at Hisa. It has been an incredible experience leading such a talented and dedicated team,” said Erick Asuma.

    “As I step down from my role as CEO, I am confident that Hisa will continue its path to success under the guidance of Eric Jackson. His expertise and vision align perfectly with the company’s goals, and I have no doubt that Hisa’s future is bright.” He added.

    The transition in leadership comes at an exciting time for Hisa, as the company is experiencing substantial growth and increasing demand for its investment services. The company now has over 25,000 registered investors who have traded over $2M across different asset classes including Kenyan stocks, US Stocks and US ETFs.

    “Looking ahead, we are excited to bring forth a new wave of investment products,” said Eric Jackson.

    “Within the next month, we will be introducing an array of options including savings accounts, money market funds, and even the ability to trade leveraged products. These additions will provide our customers with greater flexibility and opportunities for growth in their investment portfolios,” he added.

  • World-leading economists set out crucial next steps to reform international climate finance

    World-leading economists set out crucial next steps to reform international climate finance

    A two-day meeting of world leading economists and finance leaders convened by the COP28 Presidency has delivered consensus on the key next steps needed to establish a new framework for international climate finance and to drive progress at COP28 and beyond to COP29 and COP30.

    World-leading economists from the Independent High-Level Expert Group (IHLEG) met with figures from leading global institutions including the World Bank, IMF, ECF and IFC, the COP28 and COP27 Presidencies and UN Climate Change High-Level Champions for two days of talks in Abu Dhabi from 15-16 August.

    Those assembled agreed that they will come to COP28 with recommendations on a new framework for international climate finance, as well as a definitive roadmap on how to implement the recommendations.

    Particular areas of focus for the new framework will include addressing debt distress in vulnerable countries, and the role of the private sector in delivering increased finance. Here, the group recognised that although private finance flows are growing, they need to grow much faster to meet the $2.4 trillion USD total investment estimated to be needed annually by 2030 to address climate change in emerging markets and developing economies.

    The roadmap will be designed to guide all institutions – UN agencies, the IMF, WB, regional MDBs, national governments and the private sector – around short and long-term plans to achieve the Paris Agreement. Agreement on the roadmap at COP28 will allow leaders across the public, private and third sectors to drive forward a clear plan of action on international climate finance.

    All those in the meetings were unanimous in their agreement that finance is fundamental to enabling the delivery of solutions to enable the transition to a net zero, climate-resilient future. They also agreed that the primary focus of their work would be to rapidly increase international climate finance between now and the end of the decade to support emerging markets and developing economies mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

    The COP-28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber opened the meetings with a clear call to action for those attending to deliver “a detailed action-oriented framework and tangible recommendations that lead to real results.”

    Following the meeting, he commented: “For too long, climate finance has divided the international community and held back progress in tackling climate change and supporting countries most impacted by it. But climate finance is the issue that lies at the core of the COP28 agenda because finance is how we transform goals into reality.

    “The time for action is right now. I would like to thank everyone who attended the IHLEG meetings, and for their focus and determination in developing a new framework for climate finance. This new framework needs to be comprehensive. It needs to cover both adaptation and mitigation. And it needs to unlock a supercharged stream of private capital. All forms of finance must be made more available, more accessible, and more affordable. MDBs must be adequately capitalized and provide much more concessional finance to lower risk and bring more private capital to the table. And we need to explore innovative new mechanisms for managing currency risk. I am confident that the assembled experts who have devoted their time to this effort, will find solutions to unlock climate finance.”

    Lord Nicholas Stern, co-chair of the IHLEG, said: “These meetings have proved to be very fruitful, in large measure due to the leadership of Dr Sultan and the support from his team. We are all in no doubt of the urgency of the challenges, of the scale of the problems that we must tackle, and of the global action necessary to rise to these challenges. This is a moment where all stakeholders must step up, including the MDBs, their shareholders, and the private sector. We will continue to work with the COP28 Presidency to drive forward in the weeks ahead.”

    Dr Vera Songwe, co-chair of the IHLEG, also noted: “Over the last few months every corner of the world has been hit by a climate event. We must act fast, collectively and at scale to turn these climate disruptions into a growth opportunity for people and planet. The IHLEG group, the COP28 president and all the esteemed colleagues gathered here agree that raising the $2.4 trillion will not be sufficient if we do not accelerate implementation. I look forward to a COP28 that will deliver impact.”

    Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary and also in attendance, stated: “The IMF is committed to ensuring climate policy support and finance are reaching those most in need, and I am thankful to the leadership of COP28 for convening this important meeting today. We look forward to partnering with all stakeholders in the lead up to COP28 and working to drive stronger partnerships between the public and private sector for climate success.”

    The IHLEG meetings in Abu Dhabi were attended by a host of cross-sector senior leaders and actors in international climate finance including:

    • H.H. Sheikha Shamma, President and Chief Executive Officer, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA)
    • Larry Summers, economist and former US Treasury Secretary
    • Mark Carney, economist and former governor of the Bank of England
    • Todd Stern, United States’ chief negotiator at the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement
    • NK Singh, prominent Indian economist, academician, and policymaker
    • Tubiana Laurence, CEO of the European Climate Foundation (ECF)
    • Makhtar Diop, managing director of the International Finance Corporation
    • Rachel Kyte, 14th dean of The Fletcher School at Tufts University
    • Mark Gallogly, investor and climate change activist
    • Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, Egypt
    • Mahmoud Mohieldin, Climate Champion, COP27
    • Nigel Topping, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion at COP26
    • Alain Ebobissé, CEO, Africa50
    • Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director Green Economy and Climate Action, EBRD
    • Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, CEO, ADGM Registration Authority

    The IHLEG develops and presents policy options and recommendations to enable the public and private investment necessary for delivery of the ambitions of the Paris Climate Agreement. Its ultimate goal is to advance a holistic financial framework for resource mobilization to deliver an equitable and efficient climate finance system, as set out in the Paris Agreement and Glasgow Pact and start its implementation.

    The COP28 UAE Presidency has named “fixing climate finance” one of its four priority action pillars for COP28, alongside fast-tracking the energy transition, ensuring full inclusivity, addressing lives and livelihoods.

    Enabling the energy transition in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies, as well as supporting countries most impacted by climate change, is fundamental to the COP28 Presidency’s ambition.

    Alongside its work with IHLEG, it is working with the G20 High Level expert group on international climate finance and with Germany and Canada to progress the delivery of the 100 billion dollar commitment. The COP28 presidency is also seeking to make substantial progress on the doubling of adaptation finance by 2025, deliver a strong replenishment of the Green Climate Fund and see agreement on the funding arrangements for loss and damage at COP28.

    SOURCE COP28

  • PSs at Foreign and Diaspora Affairs sign performance contracts

    PSs at Foreign and Diaspora Affairs sign performance contracts

    Principal Secretaries State Department for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu and Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei have on Wednesday morning signed their respective Performance Contracts at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Headquarters in Nairobi.

    According to State Department for Diaspora Affairs, this marks an important milestone in its first Performance Contract that will ensure delivery of quality service to the Diaspora in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformative Agenda (BETA).

    Present was CS Alfred Mutua.

    During the occasion CS Alfred Mutua urged both State Depts to work towards achieving set goals to ensure service delivery to Kenyans.

    He emphasized that the Kenyan people had high expectations of the Ministry to open up new opportunities regionally and globally emphasizing the critical role of Kenyans in Diaspora.

    CS Mutua called for continued commitment in the pursuit of Kenya’s interest abroad with economic diplomacy now being at the heart of Kenya’s Foreign Policy.

    The signing of the Performance Contract follows the major event of the 2023/2024 Ministerial Performance Contract signing that was presided by President William Ruto  at State House, Nairobi on 1st August 2023.

  • Finland Scholarship Fraud: DPP orders arrest of Mandago and three others

    Finland Scholarship Fraud: DPP orders arrest of Mandago and three others

    The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered the arrest of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and three others over Finland and Canada Overseas Education Programme scandal.

    The senator together with Joseph Kipkemoi Maritim, Meshak Rono and Joshua Kipkemoi Lelei, are wanted are wanted by police for prosecution over the county’s scholarship scam.

    They are supposed to face charges of forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to commit a felony and stealing.

    They are accused of conspiring to steal Ksh 1 billion from an account domiciled at the Kenya Commercial Bank in Eldoret registered under the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund meant for overseas university fees for students under Uasin Gishu County Overseas Education Programme.

    According to the detectives handling the matter, they had tried to reach the wanted officials in vain as they claimed they were attending the Devolution Conference in Eldoret town which prompted police to move to Nakuru law courts to seek warrants to arrest the suspects.

    Last week, Mandago and the other officials were grilled at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) headquarters by a team that is investigating the Finland and Canada overseas education programme.

    Mandago confirmed the grilling but did not disclose what he told the officers on his possible role in the saga.

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has also been investigating allegations of embezzlement of over Ksh 837 million by officials.

     

    The funds in question were collected from parents for the facilitation of Tertiary Education in Finland and Canada during the FY 2021/2022.

    According to the EACC, Mandago was interviewed as a person of interest after summons were issued to appear before the Commission.

    The former Governor was summoned to assist the Commission in its investigations considering his role as the Chief Executive Officer of the County Government of Uasin Gishu when the Overseas Trust Fund was conceptualized and operationalized.

    As Governor, he also exercised oversight over the Department of Youth & Gender and Sports Affairs, where the program was domiciled, and he is alleged to have played key roles in the adoption of the programme.

    The Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund Account was opened in May 2021 and by December 2022, a total of over Ksh 957 million had been credited to the account by Parents.

    A total of Ksh 257,326,740 was debited from the Uasin Gishu Overseas Account to beneficiaries indicated as agents and/or intermediaries for onward transmission to Universities in Finland and Canada.

    The investigation was to reveal if any embezzlement took place in the process.

    Similarly, the probe was to focus on over Ksh 57 million withdrawn locally by the county officials appointed to manage the Trust Fund Account.

    On his twitter handle today, Senator Mandogo says he has met with the leadership of parents demanding refunds and agreed on the way foward as per their press statement issued on Tuesday evening.

    He also noted that he was available once summoned.

    ” There are rumours all over Eldoret Town that DCI Officers have been looking for me the whole night. As a law abiding citizen, I am available once summoned. I have met with the leadership of parents and agreed on the way foward as per their press statement issued last evening.

     

  • Access to the internet could expose children to risk says Chiloba

    Access to the internet could expose children to risk says Chiloba

    Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) says access to the internet could expose children to risk unless they are empowered with information to protect themselves.

    Speaking at the ongoing Kenya Film Festival in Nyeri on Friday, CA Director General Ezra Chiloba noted as much as the internet is a gateway to limitless opportunities, child online safety was key in ensuring children harness the benefits of the net.

    “Consumers are a critical stakeholder, especially children and youth, as they are early adopters of ICT goods and services. In order to promote productive use of the Internet and create a safer internet experience for children and youth, there is need for continued multi-stakeholder collaboration,” he added.

    CA is the thematic sponsor of “Child Online Protection and Safety” for the fifth year running, with a specific focus on “Promoting Safe Use of the Internet, Promoting Appropriate Online Behaviour, Avoiding Online Vices, and Protecting Your Online Identity and Reputation.”

    “Our continued support to the Kenya National Music Festival is one of the means by which CA creates awareness on this very important matter. This platform enabled us achieve this mutual objective while encouraging children and the youth to showcase their talents through music and dance,” said Mr. Chiloba.

    CA’s partnership with the Ministry of Education is in recognition of the need to educate and sensitize the public on emerging issues through music for early-age and narratives, thus raising awareness on topical pertinent issues among Kenyans such as Child Online Protection.

    Over the years, the festival has emerged as an effective medium of inculcating positive values amongst children and youth.

    “CA intends to use this platform to enlighten children on the proper ways of using the internet as well as protecting themselves online,” said the Director General.

    He said that CA was giving students and by extension, even teachers and parents the knowledge, skills and tools to enable them safely navigate the online space.

    “Music is such an important mode of communication, it speaks to us in a manner that no words can and enables us drive home the on online safety message,” Mr Chiloba added.

    CA invites children, the youth, parents, teachers and the general public to engage the Authority at the festival grounds so as to learn more on online safety as well as learn more on the development of the ICT sector in Kenya.

    The festival, themed ‘Nurturing Talent for Innovation and National Development’, it taking place at the Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology until the 23rd of August, 2023.