KBC Channel 1

Author: Eric Biegon

  • Kindiki: We have restored peace in North Rift

    Kindiki: We have restored peace in North Rift

    The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Prof. Kithure Kindiki, assured the country Thursday that the government has restored peace in the six North Rift counties that were designated by the government as “disturbed,”

    While appearing before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Kindiki said that it has taken concerted efforts of the multi-agency security teams and collaborative effort from the local communities for calm to return to the area.

    “The North Rift region is currently peaceful and relatively calm. Incidences of banditry have significantly reduced since the launch of operation ‘Maliza Uhalifu’”, he told the lawmakers.

    “The successful security operation was spearheaded by the multi-agency security team encompassing KDF, GSU, ASTU, regular police, and NPRS,” he added.

    The CS noted that to address the insecurity in Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu counties, it was necessary for the government to institute a 30-day dusk-to-dawn-curfew.

    He disclosed that through the security operations, 7,147 livestock, 646 illegal firearms, and 285 rounds of ammunition have been recovered.

    “Additional normalcy is now restored in the region and there is a free movement of people and goods and minimized counter and revenge attacks between communities in the affected counties,” he said

    “The operation led to successful recoveries of stolen livestock and now bandits have been flushed out from their hideouts. Displaced communities have returned to their homes, criminals and suspects have been arrested and charged and schools have reopened,” he assured

    The CS said, for decades, the region has experienced insecurity resulting from cattle rustling and banditry which has enveloped the counties and become a national security concern. He further disclosed that the activities involved massive theft of livestock, killings, and wanton destruction of property.

    While responding to the members’ concerns about the Kericho-Kisumu (Nyakach) ongoing unrest, the CS assured them that his Ministry was doing everything possible to stop the escalation of the violence.

    He told the lawmakers that disciplinary actions had been taken against all law enforcement officers whose laxity had led to the loss of lives in the border conflict.

    “The Kericho- Kisumu (Nyakach) dispute is an old problem that has been recurring from time to time. It is fuelled by politics and it is not unique to these two counties only. A similar situation has been experienced in 27 other counties with border disputes across the country,” he said.

  • Baringo leaders resolve to unite to bring lasting peace in the region

    Baringo leaders resolve to unite to bring lasting peace in the region

    Baringo elected leaders have resolved to bury their past political differences and forge unity of purpose as the government continues restoring peace and stability in areas that have been eluded by peace for a long time.

    The call was made in Kabartonjo Primary School grounds in Baringo North Sub County during a visit by President William Ruto who was in the county to preside over the issuance of 8,600 title deeds and commissioning Mogotio-Lake Bogoria-Kapkitur-Kisanana-Kamukunji road.

    The leaders pointed out that the region which for a long time had been faced with perennial cattle rustling and banditry challenges now enjoys peace and tranquility due to concerted efforts by the government and cooperation from all elected leaders.

    Baringo Senator William Cheptumo said as a result of the unity of purpose embraced by the six MPs, MCAs, and the governor peace initiatives have yielded fruits adding that the situation is now different because all leaders have teamed up and are speaking with one voice.

    “Our unity is very paramount because in the past our leaders were doing their things separately but nowadays we are working as a team,” he said.

    Cheptumo sentiments were shared by Tiaty Member of Parliament (MP) William Kamket who stated that all Baringo leaders have resolved to put their differences aside and unite from the Governor, and Senator up to the leaders at the grassroots for the sake of development.

    The political leaders lauded the government for taking decisive action to stamp out the insecurity menace by instituting meaningful interventions that have restored normalcy amongst warring communities in the region.

    They said that the measures put in place by the Kenya Kwanza government to solve perennial insecurity like the construction of feeder roads, and the rehabilitation of abandoned classrooms in clash-torn areas by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have borne fruits.

    Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren in his remarks stated that there is a huge transformation in the area because people who were displaced from their homes are slowly returning to their ancestral lands as schools destroyed by bandits are being rebuilt.

    Kamuren accompanied by MPs Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central) and Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine) said that through the intervention of all stakeholders his constituency hit hard by the attacks is now enjoying peace for the first time after about 19 years.

    Sirma noted that out of the existing friendship, local leaders have visited Tiaty Sub County for the first time since they were elected into office.

    He stated that the county can now forge ahead due to peaceful coexistence amongst residents because acts of lawlessness had stagnated development in the region.

    Governor Benjamin Cheboi who lauded the president for his transformative agenda stated that the titling programme will also offer a lasting solution to the perennial insecurity besides land disputes occasioned by a lack of defined boundaries.

    He stated that the county has 40 percent coverage of title deeds and called upon land officials to urgently fast-track surveying and adjudication exercises in the remaining 60 percent for the communities to engage in economic activities and also use the vital documents to secure loans from financial institutions to develop their farms.

    On the tour to the county President Ruto was accompanied by cabinet secretaries Zachariah Njeru (Lands and Housing), Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads and Transport), and Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives and Micro and Macro Enterprise) and members of parliament Johana Ngeno (Emurua Dikir) and Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and principal secretary for Lands and Physical Planning Nixon Korir.

     

  • MPs call for release of Kenyans convicted, jailed in Uganda

    MPs call for release of Kenyans convicted, jailed in Uganda

    Lawmakers are calling on the Government to act swiftly to secure the release of Kenyans incarcerated in Uganda.

    This plea comes in the wake of stringent conditions laid out by President Yoweri Museveni for any discussions regarding amnesty for the detained Kenyans.

    In a statement read by the Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichungwa on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Members of the National Assembly have been informed that President Yoweri Museveni has stated unequivocally that the murder of 3 Ugandan geologists’ must be resolved or reparations given to the victims’ families before any talks on amnesty for the detained Kenyans.

    A Preliminary Report by the MFA Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on the Court- Martialling and Conviction of Certain Kenyans in the Republic of Uganda was tabled before the National Assembly Thursday afternoon.

    According to the Report, in March 2022, 8 Kenyan herders were arrested in Uganda’s Kotido region, suspected of involvement in the killing of three Ugandan geologists and two Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers. They were tried and found guilty of possessing weapons in a Ugandan Court Martial in April 2022 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

    On April 8, 2023, the UPDF conducted a cordon and search operation within Turkana Kraals, leading to the arrest of 32 Turkana herdsmen. These individuals were swiftly tried in a court martial and sentenced to 10 years each for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

    “Turkana Pastoralists were taken through a one-day court martial trial without any legal representation, right to appeal or right to a fair trial which is that every person should be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” decried Loima MP, Hon. Protus Akujah in a petition to the National Assembly that prompted a response by the Ministry.

    Regarding the measures taken by the Kenyan Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made efforts to secure the release of the Kenyan detainees have included high-level diplomatic engagements. A delegation from Kenya led by Cabinet Secretary Ms. Rebecca Miano visited Uganda in February 2023 to negotiate the release of the Turkana herders.

    Members of the National Assembly learnt that the Kenya High Commission in Kampala has recently arranged for a team of Turkana leaders and KDF Liaison Officers to visit the incarcerated Kenyans in June 2023. The inmates were found to be in good health. The Kenya High Commission also distributed basic supplies to the inmates in Ugandan prisons.

    “This matter escalated when H.E. President Museveni responded by issuing an Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, issued on May 18, 2023, which, among other things, gave Kenya six months to answer to the matter of the geologists’ murder, otherwise Turkanas would not be allowed to graze in Uganda,” added the Hon. Ichung’wa while reading the statement.

    During the session, Lawmakers called for a comprehensive approach to address these issues and ensure the protection of Kenyan citizens and broader cross-border diplomacy between Kenya and Uganda to address issues such as cross-border conflict and border security.

    “We don’t have military or security personnel on our borders, Turkana County residents keep on being arrested on the Ugandan, Ethiopian and South Sudan Borders while looking for pasture. What is the Kenyan Government doing about these borders?” asked Turkana East MP, Hon. Nixon Ngikolong.

    The Turkana East legislator also added that the Turkana County Government has hired legal representation in Kampala and filed an appeal on behalf of the detainees.

    The Preliminary Report further details plans underway for diplomatic talks between Dr. Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and his Ugandan counterpart.

  • CS Bore leads semi-autonomous agencies in signing performance contracts

    CS Bore leads semi-autonomous agencies in signing performance contracts

    Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Florence Bore presided over the performance contracting signing exercise for Financial Year 2023/24 in her Ministry on Thursday.

    The CS noted that the exercise was an opportunity to revisit and affirm responsibilities in implementing Government priorities in the delivery of services to Kenyans

    She asked the Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) in the Ministry to cascade the targets to each individual officer and purpose to continuously and keenly monitor progress since it will impact on their overall performance.

    “The CS challenged them to innovate on resource mobilization through enhanced partnerships and leveraging on technology,” said the Ministry in a statement

    Bore, who was with PS Labour and Skills Development Geoffrey Kaituko and PS Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs, Joseph Motari, reiterated the need to adequately adhere to the implementation of corruption prevention policies, guidelines and circulars.

    “Over the next five years, the Government is focused on tremendously enhancing overall performance management framework, by incorporating the actualization of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) geared towards Kenya’s economic turnaround which the CS asked the SAGA’s to align their priorities with,” added the Ministry in the statement.

  • State supporting Bill to reinstate compensation for whales, sharks’ attacks

    State supporting Bill to reinstate compensation for whales, sharks’ attacks

    The State has endorsed an amendment Bill aimed at reintroducing compensation for deaths or injuries resulting from attacks by selected fish species.

    During a session with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife, Ms. Silvia Museiya, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Wildlife, advocated for an expanded budget allocation for wildlife attack compensations.

    She further emphasized the necessity of establishing a comprehensive legal framework to regulate the compensation process effectively.

    The lack of clear guidelines, Museiya pointed out, could lead to an inundation of compensation claims.

    “As a ministry, we hold no objections to reintroduction of these marine species onto compensation schedule, we encourage parliament increase the budget to accommodate compensation claims arising from wildlife attacks.” said PS Museiya.

    “We also don’t want to fall into the trap, where we have 100 species of compensable animals. I urged parliament to collaborate with us and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to develop a regulatory framework that ensures a judicious compensation process,” she added, insisting that compensation should be granted when an individual has taken reasonable precautions and yet still suffered harm from a wild animal or species.

    The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill 2023, sponsored by Lamu East MP Ruweida Obo, seeks to reclassify sharks, stonefish, whales, and stingrays as wildlife species eligible for compensation in case of death or injury.

    In 2019, the National Assembly amended the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, removing sharks, whales, stonefish, stingrays, and snakes from the list of species eligible for compensation in case of harm or death.

    However, the State Department for Wildlife, in an unexpected shift, now supports the amendment Bill to include sharks, stonefish, whales, and stingrays back onto the compensation schedule.

    Last week, the Wildlife Ministry and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) opposed the reintroduction of payments for death or injury arising from attacks by sharks, stones, stingrays, and whales saying there is an ongoing effort that would see comprehensive reforms in the legal framework governing human-wildlife compensation.

    Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, who chairs the committee sought clarification from the State department wondering whether enhancement of the compensation schedule was conditional approval subject to parliament increasing the budget.

    “Madam PS, are you giving conditional approvals that we increase the compensation schedule subject to parliament, giving the extra funding,” posed Hon. Mbiuki.

    “Is this subject to parliament amending the act further, by reducing the bereavement from five to three; if we fail to do that, will you be still comfortable because we cannot be you cannot guarantee that there will be extra funding.” He added

    Museiya clarified that the Ministry had no objections to reinstating the four species removed in 2013 and encouraged parliament to act prudently to avoid the inclusion of more species in the compensation list.

    “What we are saying is that by introducing four of those water species. You could have more members by the time the Bill goes to the floor of the house adding say snakes to the compensable schedule,” she said, adding that, “It is not an impossibility that other members of Parliament would not want to add more species in their areas of concern.”

    She recommended close collaboration with KWS to formulate clear regulations that differentiate compensable animals based on defined criteria.

  • Chirchir, Prof. Ndung’u to speak at PMI Africa Conference in Nairobi

    Chirchir, Prof. Ndung’u to speak at PMI Africa Conference in Nairobi

    Project Management Institute (PMI), the professional organisation for project management and the authority for a growing global community of millions of project professionals, announced Thursday that Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary, Energy and Petroleum and his  National Treasury and economic planning counterpart Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, Cabinet Secretary, will participate at this year’s PMI Africa Conference as speakers.

    The highly anticipated event is being hosted at the Emara Ole Sereni, Nairobi, Kenya, from 10-12 September 2023.

    Every year, the conference brings together Africa’s most influential PMOs, project leaders, practitioners, youth, and government to elevate the project management landscape.

    With over 500 delegates attending, the conference promises to be the continent’s largest and most impactful gathering of project professionals.

    Themed “The Africa We Want: Together We Can,” the conference has a packed agenda with high-level experts addressing emerging and engaging topics that will shed light on some of the latest trends in the project management space. From issues ranging from the continent’s skills gaps and the role of project managers in delivering Agenda 2063 to the role of women and youth in driving Africa’s future and mainstreaming project management in the public sector, it is set to be an insightful conference.

    Kenya’s corporate and civil society luminaires will join Jeane Mathenge, Founder of Global Protocol Solutions and the President of the host PMI Kenya Chapter, as they take center stage over the three days of the conference.

    They include Christopher Kirigua, Director General, Public Private Partnerships Directorate, Fred Swaniker, Founder, African Leadership Group, Edith Kivengea, Group Head of Talent & Learning, Airtel Africa Plc, Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Project Director, Ajira Digital Project at Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Solomon Mahinda, Executive Vice President, Tatu City, Vimal Shah, CEO, BIDCO Group, Flora Mutahi, CEO, Melvin’s Tea, Edward Kirathe, CEO, Acorn, Florence Nyole, President, Architecture Association of Kenya, Azmeena Bhanji.

    Chair, Kenya Green Building Society, Collins Injera. Kenya Rugby Association, Brian Wesaala, Founder & Project Leader, The Football Foundation for Africa, and Nadia Ahmed, Founder, Africa Ni Mimi Campaign.

    “With over 25 sessions across three days, PMI Africa Conference is a veritable meeting point for partners, stakeholders, and the project management community to connect with leading voices who will present in-depth content, share insights, and highlight best practices in project management. A strong emphasis on designing and implementing successful projects will see participants gain practical knowledge to drive project success”, says George Asamani, MD, PMI Sub Saharan Africa.

    The conference seeks to drive thoughtful and constructive dialogue on the role of the project economy in Africa. The “project economy” is one in which people have the skills and capabilities they need to turn ideas into reality. It is where organisations deliver value to stakeholders through the successful completion of projects, delivery of products, and alignment to value streams.

    “For Africa to realise its full potential and effectively deliver on the promises of Agenda 2063, practitioners will have to play an outsized role in executing development initiatives in partnership with the government. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now operational, PMI is geared to support governments in their efforts to create a prosperous and sustainable future for its people as they implement flagship projects. The investments that follow will spur Africa’s project economy.”

    According to Asamani, strong collaboration between the project management profession and governments is essential to unlock all benefits that come from public spending.

    First-time attendees will get to network with industry peers, meet subject matter experts, and learn more about PMI’s products and solutions. One of the highlights of the conference is the roundtable discussions – an invaluable opportunity built into the agenda for project managers to discuss topics that matter most to the community.

  • House Committees engage CAJ on proposal for office of military ombudsman

    House Committees engage CAJ on proposal for office of military ombudsman

    The Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations and Committee on Delegated Legislation held a meeting with the Chairperson, Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman), Florence Kajuju.

    Kajuju who was accompanied by Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and the South African Military Ombudsman, met the Committees in regards to her proposal to have an internal military Ombudsman in Kenya.

    “The holder of this office will ensure that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) operate with integrity, handle individual complaints and help prevent human rights abuses, eliminate malpractice, and contribute to the overall good governance of the security sector” said Kajuju

    According to the CAJ Chairperson, the Commission has received 289 complaints as of June 2023, from current and former members of the KDF particularly on matters of promotion and termination.

    “We propose to have an internal military ombudsman, who will deal with these disputes in a fair and just manner,” she said.

    Kajuju noted that they have one limitation on access to information, as KDF only gives information to the extent to which the institution feels it’s prudent for CAJ. This has limited the information the Commission receives.

    Tharaka MP George Murugara advised CAJ to prepare a legislative proposal that will be looked at critically by the three Committees.

  • Johnson Muthama: Let’s not force cultural nuances that are a taboo to Africa

    Johnson Muthama: Let’s not force cultural nuances that are a taboo to Africa

    The assenting to law of the Anti-Homosexuality Act by Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been received with mixed reactions within and without Africa while exposing the underbelly of the United States of America (USA) diplomacy and democracy.

    This has elicited more resolute reactions from the West. They claim to be championing democratic values while seemingly interfering with the internal affairs of sovereign states across the globe. Therefore, the ongoing debate on the same sex relationship and growing pressure from the West is unfortunate to say the least.

    The USA, known as a protagonist of democracy, should adhere to her own principles by respecting the democratic choices made by other nations. It is wrong for the USA to advocate for democracy while at the same time attempting to suppress the same in other countries.

    Threatening to sanction Uganda is a classic example of the USA trying to go against what it has been preaching for years. The West should respect our democratic space and support our decisions within the tenets of international relations.

    For many years, Kenya has taken an ambiguous stand on LGBTQ but I am glad that President William Ruto made a categorical and clear stand on the matter. The Head of State was categorical early this year that same sex relationships would not be accepted in the country despite the mounting pressure from quarters he did not reveal.

    This followed a ruling by the Supreme Court of Kenya which dismissed an appeal by the government to bar the registration of LGBTQ lobby groups. While some Kenyans and lawmakers are against the action taken by the President, it is prudent to agree that we ought not to ape everything that happens in other countries.

    Our Constitution, culture and traditions prohibit the practice of same sex relationships and as a people, there are values we hold so dearly in our society and acts of homosexuality are alien to us hence other nations should not force us to support something which we consider as abomination. Additionally, this practice is anti –biology and is abhorred by our religion.

    In any case, nature gave us the capacity to procreate. It is unwise to practice that which does not further the future of our country. And if I may ask why these countries do not pressurize the Arab countries who have even harsher anti-gay legislation.

    Even if you do not agree with a country’s stand point, civilized diplomacy dictates that you respectfully disagree not resort to sanctions.

    Our legislators need to streamline our laws in regard to the LGBTQ because as it stands now, our laws talk of unnatural offences but does not define the scope of it hence a time has come for us as a country anchor this in our constitution.

    At the same time, we need to ask ourselves that in this era when civil unions are increasingly being legalized in other countries, are we ready for such? And since both the political and religious leaders have aired their concerns on the same sex relationships, it is time for us to have a defined position on this matter. We cannot continue to take an abstruse stand on this matter which has elicited global debate. This is long overdue.

    For the dignity of our founding fathers of our beloved country and values and beliefs, the issue of LGBTQ requires a concerted effort between the political class and religious institutions to come up with a framework on this matter without coercion because we should lay a good foundation for future generations just the same way those who fought for our independence of this beloved country did.

    Mr Johnstone Muthama is a Commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

  • Xi says BRICS important force in shaping international landscape

    Xi says BRICS important force in shaping international landscape

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Wednesday that the BRICS is an important force in shaping the international landscape.

    BRICS countries choose their development paths independently, jointly defend their right to development, and march in tandem toward modernization, which represents the direction of the advancement of human society, and will profoundly impact the development process of the world, Xi said in a speech delivered at the 15th BRICS Summit.

    The track record of the BRICS shows that the members have consistently acted on the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and taken BRICS cooperation to new heights in support of the five countries’ development, he said.

    BRICS nations, Xi said, have upheld fairness and justice in international affairs, stood up for what is right on major international and regional issues, and enhanced the voice and influence of emerging markets and developing countries.

    BRICS countries invariably advocate and practice independent foreign policies, said Xi, adding that they always address major international issues based on their merits, making fair remarks and taking fair actions.

    BRICS nations do not barter away principles, succumb to external pressure, or act as vassals of others, he said, adding that they share extensive consensus and common goals.

    No matter how the international situation changes, the BRICS’s commitment to cooperation since the very beginning and the common aspiration will not change, he added.

    Xi also noted that BRICS countries gather at a crucial time to build on their past achievements and open up a new future for BRICS cooperation.

    He called on all members to navigate the trend of the times and stay in the forefront.

    BRICS members should always bear in mind their founding purpose of strengthening themselves through unity, enhance cooperation across the board, and build a high-quality partnership, Xi said.

    All BRICS countries, he added, should help reform global governance to make it more just and equitable, and bring to the world more certainty, stability and positive energy.

    Xi called for efforts to deepen business and financial cooperation among BRICS countries to boost economic growth.

    Xi said the world economic recovery remains shaky, and challenges for developing countries are even more formidable, hampering their efforts to realize the Sustainable Development Goals.

    “Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not a privilege reserved for a few,” Xi said.

    He called on BRICS countries to be fellow companions on the journey of development and revitalization, and oppose decoupling and supply chains disruption as well as economic coercion.

    BRICS countries should focus on practical cooperation, particularly in such fields as digital economy, green development, and supply chain, and bolster economic, trade and financial exchanges, Xi said.

    He added that China will set up a China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era to support the deployment of innovation results.

    Xi called on BRICS countries to expand political and security cooperation to uphold peace and tranquility.

    “The Cold War mentality is still haunting our world, and the geopolitical situation is getting tense,” Xi said.

    The BRICS countries should keep to the direction of peaceful development, and consolidate the BRICS strategic partnership, Xi said, adding that members should make good use of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Meeting of High Representatives on National Security and other mechanisms, support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests, and enhance coordination on major international and regional issues.

    “We need to tender good offices on hotspot issues, pushing for political settlement and lowering the temperature,” he said.

    Noting that artificial intelligence (AI) is a new area of development, which not only can bring huge development dividends, but also contains risks and challenges, Xi said the BRICS countries have agreed to launch the AI Study Group at an early date.

    “We need to enable the study group to play its full role, further expand cooperation on AI, and step up information exchanges and technological cooperation,” he said.

    The BRICS members should also jointly fend off risks, promote the establishment of an international mechanism for universal participation, and develop AI governance frameworks and standards with broad-based consensus, so as to continuously make AI technologies more secure, reliable, controllable and equitable, he added.

    Also in his speech, Xi said human history will not end in one civilization or one system.

    “There are many civilizations and development paths in the world, and this is how the world should be,” he said.

    “We should increase people-to-people exchanges and promote mutual learning between civilizations,” he added.

    The Chinese leader said BRICS countries need to champion the spirit of inclusiveness, advocate peaceful coexistence and harmony between civilizations, and promote respect of all countries in independently choosing their modernization paths.

    “We need to make good use of such mechanisms as the BRICS seminar on governance, the BRICS forum on people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and the Women Innovation Contest to deepen people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the bond between our peoples,” he noted.

    Xi also said that China would like to propose that BRICS countries expand cooperation on education, enhance the role of the BRICS alliance for vocational education, explore and set up a cooperation mechanism on digital education, and foster a paradigm of all-round cooperation on education.

    In addition, he also urged BRICS countries to strengthen exchanges on traditional cultures and promote the renewal of fine traditional cultures.

    Xi urged BRICS countries to uphold fairness and justice, and improve global governance.

    Xi said strengthening global governance is the right choice if the international community intends to share development opportunities and tackle global challenges.

    International rules must be written and upheld jointly by all countries based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, rather than dictated by those with the strongest muscles or the loudest voice, he said.

    Xi also said ganging up to form exclusive groups and packaging their own rules as international norms are even more unacceptable.

    BRICS countries, Xi said, should practice true multilateralism, uphold the UN-centered international system, support and strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and reject the attempt to create small circles or exclusive blocs.

    “We need to fully leverage the role of the New Development Bank, push forward reform of the international financial and monetary systems, and increase the representation and voice of developing countries,” he added.

    Addressing the summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his concerns that global financial and payment systems are increasingly being used as instruments of geopolitical contestation.

    He also said new realities call for a fundamental reform of the institutions of global governance so that they can be more representative and better able to respond to challenges.

    The BRICS group supports the rise of a multipolar world order, and opposes attempts made by some countries to assert their hegemony, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the summit in a virtual address.

    “We are all unanimously in favor of the formation of a multipolar world order that is truly just and based on international law,” the Kremlin reported Putin as saying at the summit.

    “We are against any kind of hegemony, exclusivity, which is being promoted by some countries,” Putin said.

    Putin noted that the BRICS group is strengthening economic cooperation in such fields as supply chain diversification, de-dollarization and transition to national currencies in mutual settlements.

    Putin outlined the importance of enhancing cooperation in other fields such as innovation, and in the creation of safe transport routes.

    The future-oriented strategic course of BRICS meets the aspirations of the global majority, Putin said, adding that the BRICS group is tackling some of the most pressing issues on the global and regional agenda.

     

  • Locust invasion, El Nino-driven rains could impact Horn of Africa region, Climate scientists warn

    Locust invasion, El Nino-driven rains could impact Horn of Africa region, Climate scientists warn

    Climate scientists in the Horn of Africa Region say there is a likelihood that the region is set for wetter than normal weather conditions during the short rain season of October to December.

    In a forecast released by the Igad Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC) the October to December (OND) short rains season will see the region experiencing above-normal rainfall. The climate scientists say that the forecast which is corroborated by that of nine other Global Producing Centers (GPCs) and customized for the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) “indicates a heightened likelihood of experiencing more abundant rainfall (above normal rainfall) over almost all of the region from October to December 2023,” says the statement read by the Permanent Representative of Kenya with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Dr. David Gikungu.

    While noting that the OND constitutes an important rainfall season in the Horn of Afria region, the specialized climate institution of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) further indicates that there is an exceptionally high forecast probability of over 80% of experiencing “wetter than normal rainfall conditions in the eastern parts of the region, encompassing southern Ethiopia, eastern Kenya, and southern Somalia.”

    The OND rainfall interannual variability is strongly linked with the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) conditions in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific, where wetter than normal conditions typically occur during the El Niño weather phenomenon. These conditions are driven by, the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are ocean-to-atmosphere phenomena associated with global atmospheric and oceanic circulation changes that influence regional climate conditions by modulating regional circulation patterns, especially monsoonal winds, and upper-level and low-level winds. Their effects also are modulated by topography and large inland water bodies.

    In his presentation at the 65th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 65) Climate Scientist with the UK Met, Dr. Stefan Lines said that the presence of El Nino conditions in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean which releases oceanic heat into the atmosphere and increases global temperatures, the horn of Africa region may receive heavy rainfall. Dr Lines says records have shown that with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) during the short rains season, the region could be heading to a season of heavy rainfall.

    The current forecast is further underpinned by its closeness to what was experienced in 1997, and 2006, the conditions present in the Equatorial Pacific and the Indian Ocean Dipole in the Indian Ocean, “This is especially pertinent this year due to the notably elevated likelihood of above-average rainfall, mostly in the eastern parts of the region.”

    The forecast further indicates an increased likelihood of warmer-than-average surface temperatures for almost all parts of the GHA with “probabilities of warmer than average temperatures over Djibouti, Eritrea, northern Ethiopia, northern Somalia, and parts of coastal Tanzania,” the statement says in part and adds, “In contrast, over certain isolated parts of eastern Kenya and the bordering areas between Kenya and Somalia, probabilities favour cooler-than-normal conditions.” On the other hand, for isolated areas of southwestern Uganda and southwestern South Sudan, probabilities favour drier than average (below-normal) conditions.

    Speaking during the 65th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 65) a Climate Scientist with the Igad Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC) Kennedy Kimathi said that the region could suffer a desert locus invasion.

    He noted that already mature desert locust swarms have been spotted in Sudan and parts of Tigray in Ethiopia and that with “the region headed for wetter than normal conditions during the October to December short rains season and coupled by the evolving el nino phenomenon, the weather conditions will provide a suitable environment for the desert locus swarms to thrive.”

    Kimathi is urging the IGAD member states to put in place early action mechanisms by putting in place measures to contain the locusts in their breeding grounds before the spread to other countries.