Author: Eric Biegon

Family Bank doubles investment to provide technical skills training for 2000 youth

Over 2000 youth are set to benefit from technical and vocational training in construction through an additional KES 60 million investment through Family Bank’s philanthropic arm, The Family Group Foundation.

Through the USAID Tumikia Mtoto Programme, implemented by World Vision Kenya, the Foundation trains young and vulnerable women in electrical, paintwork and plumbing with a goal to strengthen the health and human capacity by addressing the barriers and their effects on HIV-related vulnerable children and adolescents while increasing the economic stability of households to care for and protect orphans and vulnerable children.

Speaking during the fourth graduation of 100 young and vulnerable women of the USAID Tumikia Mtoto Programme, the Secretary Department of Children’s Services Shem Nyakutu reiterated the government’s efforts in upscaling the sector.

“The national government is deliberate in propelling key technical and vocational skills through initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Programme and availing opportunities to export skilled labour abroad,” he said.

The importance of Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) cannot be underscored as it seeks to align with Sustainable Development Goal 4 to eliminate disparities in access to education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.

“This project is the heart of our Shared Value Initiative through The Family Group Foundation and our commitment is evident through our long-term investment. It is an end-to-end value drive for our youth. The youth receive life-long technical skill sets while at the same time undergo financial training coupled with sexual and reproductive health and soft skills such as confidence building, public speaking and eventually placement in construction sites,” said Family Bank Chief Executive CEO Rebecca Mbithi.

“We have seen over 80 per cent of the youth trained transition to internships and acquire decently paid work in various construction sites. It is also great to see over 30 per cent pursue entrepreneurial journey and others proceed to join tertiary institutions and universities to advance their studies,” added Ms Mbithi.

The program’s impact reaches far beyond vocational instruction, acting as a crucial instrument for reducing vulnerabilities like HIV infection, violence, and transactional sex. To better prepare the trainees for the job market, the USAID Tumikia Mtoto Project equips all the graduates with construction tool kits worth KES 50,000 at no cost to the beneficiaries to jumpstart them for freelancing and employment opportunities.

“The graduation ceremony for this fourth cohort of trainees is a celebration of perseverance, triumph, and collaboration,” said the USAID Deputy Mission Director Bert Ubamadu.

“The U.S. government is proud to support these young women who constitute more than half of the productive population and can make significant contributions towards Kenya’s development. To the graduates, congratulations! All your hard work and perseverance have led you to this proud moment in your lives. You are an inspiration to us all, and I know you will continue to make us proud,” he said.

The training provided is certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and the National Construction Authority (NCA) through Arc Skills, a leading provider of skills and development solutions for schools, universities, and businesses.

“Today, we celebrate not just a graduation but the beginning of a change, a ripple effect that these women will create in their communities,” said World Vision Kenya National Director Gilbert Kamanga.

August 24, 2023
Tatu City, China’s Changsha Chamber of Commerce sign pact to strengthen ties

Tatu City, the 5,000-acre mixed-use Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on Nairobi’s doorstep, and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce (CAETC), supported by Changsha County Government, have formed a partnership to catalyse bi-lateral investment between Kenya and China.

CAETC, a non-profit social organisation composed of Changsha-based enterprises, has been pivotal in enhancing trade and cooperation between China and Africa.
“The collaboration between Tatu City, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce and Changsha County Government marks a significant milestone in enhancing the connections between China and Kenya,” said Johanna Chen, Executive President of Changsha Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited about the potential to drive economic growth through Tatu City SEZ.

“Solomon Mahinda, Executive Vice President of Tatu City, said: “Promoting investments and market access in Africa through favourable trade policies has been an ongoing conversation. Our collaboration with CAETC is a step towards enduring friendships between our countries and establishing Kenya and the greater East Africa region as the landing port for continental investments.”

Tatu City is home to many Chinese companies, including Sinotruk’s assembly, Tianglong, a gas cylinder manufacturer, Stecol Corporation, a global construction and engineering company, and footwear manufacturer Peonystar.

More than 75 companies are operational or under development at Tatu City SEZ, representing over KES 300 billion (USD 2 billion) in investments in Kenya. More than 9,000 people currently work at these companies, which include Dormans, Copia, Cooper K-Brands, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Twiga Foods, Freight Forwarders Solutions, Friendship Group, Davis & Shirtliff, Kenya Wine Agencies Limited and Roast by Carnivore. Crawford International School and Nova Pioneer educate more than 3,500 students daily, and more than 4,000 people live in Unity Homes apartments and the Kijani Ridge premier neighborhood.

Business benefits at Tatu City SEZ include VAT zero-rating, import and stamp duty exemptions, and 10% corporate tax for the first 10 years and 15% for 10 years thereafter.

August 24, 2023
Xi’s special quotes outline deeper desire for strong, prosperous Africa

This week, a special Television production of some of the notable speeches, articles, and talks made by Chinese President Xi Jinping was released to the African audience by China Media Group.

The documentary series which has been translated into English, French, Arabic, Hausa, Swahili, and other languages was unveiled in South Africa, at an event attended by government officials, scholars, media professionals, business community among others. The documentary has so far been broadcast by leading news outlets in Africa including the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, in Kenya. The series was flagged off at a time when the Swahili version of the Xi Jinping book on the Governance of China was launched in Nairobi.

What is noteworthy in the latest TV production is the affirmation of the Chinese leader’s vision for a united and prosperous China, Africa, and the world. The series narrowed down the issues given prominence by Xi in areas such as; China’s governance, international relations, ecological civilization, common prosperity as well as the importance of practice.

The documentary showcases the Chinese leader’s profound commitment to the well-being of humanity. The series is loaded with immense ideas and concepts and will highly likely benefit those who closely follow China to learn from Xi’s knowledge of governance and understand the reasons behind the changes in China in the new era.

It also presents China as a country with leaders who can be trusted to keep their end of the bargain, stemming from the spiritual and cultural roots of the Chinese path to modernization. The specific quotes in the series introduce Africa much deeper to Chinese society and what it stands for.

In his views on international cooperation, for instance, President Xi says “We must attach more importance to righteousness than to interests,” further affirming his position that China and its leadership will endeavor to do what is right, especially, before humanity at all times, irrespective of geographical location.

They serve as a reminder that China and its leaders hold dear the belief that while pushing for cooperation and partnership, the EAST Asian country will not seek to benefit at the expense of others, an important lesson to other countries.

He adds that the “Chinese nation has always advocated that a person of virtue takes righteousness as a fundamental principle of life” emphasizing that “riches and honors acquired by righteousness are meaningless,”

Such remarks by President Xi are totally at odds with claims that China, in seeking to extend support to countries in the Global South is setting them up on a ‘debt trap.’ Indeed, despite numerous accusations that China was out to seize assets belonging to countries that appear or have defaulted on their loans, there is no single evidence that China has walked this path. If anything, countries, mostly in Africa, have found China a worthy partner.

As well, President Xi, in the main philosophy behind China’s governance, believes there are some fixed principles in governing a state among which benefitting the people should be the root.

“The people-centered development philosophy is not an abstract, abstruse concept. We will not restrict ourselves to lip service or idle reflection but put it into practice in all areas of social and economic development,” he said, buttressing his idea of leadership as one that puts the people and their needs first. He has himself demonstrated this having helped more than 800 million Chinese to come out of absolute poverty. During the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes in the past, China mobilized resources and manpower on a massive scale to aid those affected. It has done the same in countries that have experienced catastrophes.

Examples are plenty in this regard, given his rallying call for the nation to realize, safeguard, and develop the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people.

One of the series carries his message to those in leadership to back up their promises with real actions. “What we fear the most is to become someone who is full of big talk but lacking action,” he said

And, of course, the message that he has taken with him everywhere he has gone since he rose to the apex of Chinese politics is his emphasis on common prosperity for the benefit of all. To him, shared development represents the idea of People-centred development.

President Xi in the TV production is quoted saying “Shared prosperity has been the basic idea of the Chinese people since ancient times,”

He also quotes Confucius who said: “He is not concerned lest his people should be poor, but only lest what they have should be ill-apportioned,” It confirms China means well, always preaching against dishonest treatment of any nation. It shows Beijing is eager to see other nations prosper even as it walks towards achieving its own development aspirations in the new era.

Over and above this, the principles espoused in his speeches also explain why China in its messaging has been consistent through the years.

There is no doubt that the five areas featured in the TV production shed light on Xi’s desire to see more people understand the Chinese culture, its code of success as well and the Chinese path to modernization. He shares his wisdom on the success attained by China with a conviction that Africa, and other least developed parts of the world, can be strengthened and empowered and only ought to give themselves a chance to do so through the right mindset, and structures, surrounded by the genuine friends.

Eric Biegon is a multimedia journalist at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.

August 24, 2023
Bore makes case for more Kenyan workers in Saudi job market

Kenya’s Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore hosted a delegation from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday where they discussed labour migration issues between the two countries.

During the meeting, the CS asked the Saudi officials to consider extending more employment opportunities to Kenyan workers whom she described as the hardest working.

“The Kenyan worker is among the best workers the world has to offer – In line with my mandate to create job opportunities, I invited a delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, representatives from the Saudi Arabia Coordination Council of Recruitment Companies for a meeting to discuss employment opportunities for Kenyans,” she said in a statement after the meeting

Bore noted that the Saudi Arabia labour market is significantly large for foreign labour yet Kenyans only hold about 1.1% of the total jobs available.

She expressed optimism that the meeting bore fruits given the undertaking by Saudi labour officials to act on Kenya’s request.

She said the meeting was yet another milestone in the bilateral labour relations between two friendly nations on labour migration.

“The KSA team led by Abdallah Al Harbi, Director of Housing and supporting Department of House Workers, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Saudi Arabia shared the various opportunities available in several sectors,” she said

The CS informed the visiting delegation that the Government of Kenya is undertaking a wide-ranging set of reforms to streamline the sector and promote orderly, safe and productive labour migration.

“We are developing a Labour Migration Policy and a Labour Migration Management Bill to promote foreign employment and enhance the protection of Kenyan migrant workers. The policy has been approved by Cabinet and the Bill is awaiting approval by Parliament” she said

Bore was flanked by Geoffrey Kaituko, Principal Secretary State Department for Labour and Skills Development and Rose Njogu, Principal Secretary, of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Representatives of Recruitment Agencies, Officials of the Association of Skilled Migrant Agencies of Kenya (ASMAK) & Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies (KAPEA), Representatives from Transformation Trainers Association of Kenya (TTAK) & Homecare Society of Kenya (HSK) during Wednesday’s meeting.

August 23, 2023
India aims to be the first to land near Moon’s south pole

India is hoping to make history on Wednesday by becoming the first nation to land near the Moon’s south pole.

One of the mission’s major goals is to hunt for water-based ice, which scientists say could support human habitation on the Moon in future.

If Chandrayaan-3 is successful, India will be only the fourth country to have achieved a soft landing on the Moon.

India’s attempt comes just days after Russia’s Luna-25 crashed while trying to touch down in the same region.

The south pole of the Moon holds special promise in the search for water ice. The surface area that remains in permanent shadow there is huge, and scientists say it means there is a possibility of water in these areas.

The US, the former Soviet Union and China have all achieved a soft landing near the Moon’s equator – but none have led successful missions to its south pole.

India’s attempt to land its Chandrayaan-2 mission near the south pole in 2019 was unsuccessful – it crashed into the lunar surface.

So all eyes are now on Chandrayaan-3 – its third mission to the little-explored Moon.

The spacecraft with an orbiter, lander and a rover lifted off on 14 July from the Sriharikota space centre in south India.

The lander – called Vikram after Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) founder Vikram Sarabhai – carries within its belly the 26kg rover named Pragyaan, the Sanskrit word for wisdom.

The lander will attempt touchdown at 18:04 local time (12:34GMT) on Wednesday, with the descent planned to start at 17:45 India time from its current height of 25km (15 miles), Isro has said.

Scientists say the following few minutes will be the most crucial as the lander attempts to make touchdown on an area that is “very uneven, full of craters and boulders”, with some predicting it will be “15 minutes of terror.”

Once the descent starts, the lander’s speed will be gradually reduced from 1.68km per second at its present height to almost zero by the time it reaches 800m, Isro’s Nilesh M Desai told ANI news agency.

A call will then be made about its landing location once Vikram has travelled down to a height of 150m. If the area is found unsuitable, the lander will move a little to the left or the right to find a more suitable landing spot. If all fails, the emergency mode will kick in which will help with a safe landing, Mr Desai said.

Once it lands and the dust settles, the six-wheeled rover will crawl out of its belly and roam around the rocks and craters on the Moon’s surface, gathering crucial data and images to be sent to the lander, which will pass it on to the orbiter to send to Earth.

The rover’s wheels have the Isro’s logo and emblem embossed on them so that they leave imprints on the lunar soil during the Moon walk, an official told the BBC.

August 23, 2023
House condemns attack on Kirinyaga County Member of Parliament

Members of the National Assembly have condemned the recent attack of their counterpart from Kirinyaga County Njeri Maina in Kerugoya Town.

Maina, who was on foot on a meet-the-people tour in the town on Tuesday morning is reported to have been attacked by people who allegedly wanted to block her from addressing residents.

The Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung’wa told the House that the Member is in a stable condition after having been taken to hospital for treatment.

“I am told she is in stable condition and we wish her quick recovery. I hope the police and the authorities will move with speed to bring her attackers to book,” said Ichung’wa.

The Leader of the Minority Party, Opiyo Wandayi said police investigations on the matter must move beyond just the attackers to the real financiers of the incident.

“Violence in whatever form must be condemned. We demand that all those responsible be summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record statements and if possible be taken to court,” said Wandayi

Other Members who spoke said the incident was unfortunate and totally uncalled for noting that the Member is one the most active in the House.

August 23, 2023
MPs approve motion to establish cancer prevention, control fund

Members of the National Assembly Wednesday unanimously approved a motion on the establishment of a National Cancer Prevention and Control Fund.

Marakwet West MP Timothy Toroitich, who sponsored the motion, told fellow lawmakers that although the budgetary allocation for health care services is progressive, it is inadequate to cater for cancer prevention and care across the country.

He made a case for the fund stressing that the Constitution provides for the right of every person to access the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services, stating that cancer is among the leading causes of death in the country.

“Cancer control in the country is hampered by inadequate cancer care infrastructure and limited specialized human resource capacity,” he said

According to Toroitich, cancer treatment has reached a stage where the costs involved are way beyond a majority of Kenyans.

“A significant number of cancer patients do not complete the prescribed treatment due to the high cost of cancer management,” the legislator observed

He said the Government through the National Treasury ought to establish a national cancer prevention and control fund to promote prevention, control, and treatment of cancer in the country for the reason that the Cancer Prevention and Control Act, 2012 seeks to promote access to quality and affordable diagnostic and treatment services for persons with cancer; and to ensure sustainable capacity for the prevention and control of cancer.

August 23, 2023
CJ Koome urges Kenyans to embrace alternative justice processes

Chief Justice Martha Koome on Tuesday rallied Kenyans to embrace Alternative Justice Systems saying oftentimes they have better justice outcomes than courts.

She observed the traditional adversarial system of justice, while critical, is not the sole mechanism for the resolution of disputes.

“I urge all of us to open our hearts and minds to embrace a multi-door approach to justice. This approach broadens our perception of justice, accommodating alternative forms of dispute resolution that can often be more effective, conciliatory, and efficient in delivering justice.” She said during a visit to Mandera county

Koome disclosed that she “considers adoption of Alternative Justice Systems beneficial because it is closer to the people, more affordable, easier to access, familiar, and less bureaucratic.

In her view, AJS also serves as a form of restorative justice. Due to its participatory nature, she said the alternative justice system ensures more social inclusion.

CJ further observed that they “prevent injustice and reduce harm suffered by people by focusing on root causes of injustice and on justice needs of entire communities and societies rather than just individuals.”

She said the benefits of these alternative approaches to justice cannot be overstated and invited Kenyans to use them to resolve their disputes.

“They save time and resources, reduce the burden on courts, and foster a sense of ownership and satisfaction among the disputing parties. They are based on dialogue, negotiation, reconciliation, and restorative justice, encouraging us to see justice not just as a punitive measure, but also as a constructive and healing process.” She said

August 23, 2023
Major concern over number of young men, boys abusing drugs in Kenya

The drug and substance abuse menace among young people in the Country is on the rise. According to the National Syndemic Disease Control Council, the number of those receiving medically assisted therapy for injecting drugs increased at an alarming rate between 2015 and 2022.

“In 2015, we had 45 people who were under medication to stop injecting drugs. By 2022, we had about 8,557 Kenyans in the programme,” Dr. Ruth Laibon CEO NSDCC

The trend has subsequently fueled HIV/AIDS infections as drug abusers tend to share needles. Statistics show that 18.3% of those who inject drugs end up contracting HIV/AIDS.

“Because most of them fear injecting themselves at home, they move to dens. While there a number of them share and use a single needle,” said Dr. Laibon

Most affected by this menace is the boychild, with most of them dropping out of school and engaging in crime. To remedy the situation, the National Syndemic Disease Control Council is calling for early intervention measures upon the realization of addiction symptoms.

“It takes 25 years to fully mature the brain. You can imagine if you are taking substances as early as 13 or 12, what are we doing to that developing brain? It has a more negative impact,” she said

According to NACADA, 18.4% of students are abusing drugs with boys accounting for 11.7% of this number.

The society, starting at the family unit has also been challenged to take up its mentorship role to nip the crisis in the bud.

August 23, 2023
Mastercard, Zanzibar e-Government Agency collaborate to accelerate digital transformation across islands

Mastercard has collaborated with the Zanzibar e-Government Agency (eGAZ) to support and accelerate its ambitious digital transformation journey. This will allow different sectors across the Zanzibar islands, including tourism, to digitize payments which will significantly contribute to robust economic growth.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place at the launch of the Zanzibar Digital Government Strategy for 2023-2027, led by H.E Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.

The agreement is the first MoU signing by Mastercard aligned with Zanzibar’s digital transformation goals laid out in their Digital Economy Blueprint and Roadmap. The strategy’s main objective is Zanzibar’s transformation into a strong digital economy which will secure digital systems, drive innovative information, communication and technology solutions and develop training for digital governance, ultimately reshaping public services.

Under the three-year collaboration, Mastercard will provide technical assistance and expertise to support the Zanzibar government’s efforts. This includes setting up a digital transformation team, collaborating with the government’s payment portal ZanMalipo to enable digital payments, and launch two million government cards for better access to services and tourism.

“The like-minded collaboration between Mastercard and the Zanzibar e-Government Agency will help power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere in Zanzibar. It is a testament to the profound impact of digitization and builds on Mastercard’s global experience in enabling digital transformation and demonstrating the value of fostering cross-sector collaboration, fuelling economic growth and facilitating financial and digital inclusion,” said Shehryar Ali, Country Manager, East Africa, Mastercard.

Mastercard solutions will include the Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MPGS) which enables merchants to accept a wide range of payment methods, including mobile payments, credit cards, and e-wallets, and highlight the several consumer benefits on Priceless.com to further drive economic development.

The leadership of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is engaged in creating an enabling environment for a pan-African digital economy; one that would spur innovation, trade and investment in the United Republic of Tanzania and the wider region.

“This collaboration affirms our commitment to harnessing innovative technologies for service delivery enhancement. We believe that by working with Mastercard, a trusted partner, we can significantly accelerate the realization of our digital strategy and provide invaluable benefits to our citizens,” stated Said Seif Said, Managing Director, Zanzibar e-Government Agency (eGAZ).

Development of a fast and secure digital infrastructure for the delivery of services to citizens, tourists and the business community remains Zanzibar’s immediate focus with plans to position the island as a major player in the pan-African trade transformation journey. The ultimate beneficiaries of these initiatives are consumers, who will enjoy a more seamless, efficient, and inclusive digital environment.

August 23, 2023